11 July 2025
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) has officially launched its new CA Foundations program, designed to make the Chartered Accountant designation more accessible to a broader, more diverse range of aspiring professionals and help address the profession’s talent shortage.
Simon Hann, Group Executive Education and Marketing, said the new program reflects CA ANZ’s commitment to evolving pathways to the world class CA Program that meet the needs of the profession and the community.
“We know the profession is changing, and so are the people entering it. CA Foundations is about opening the door wider – making sure that anyone with the drive and capability to become a Chartered Accountant has a clear and supported path to reach the starting line of the CA Program.
“This is about recognising relevant work experience and prior education, creating opportunities for a diverse range of individuals to become a Chartered Accountant at a time when the profession faces a talent crisis.
“Enrolments in accounting degrees have nearly halved since 2018, while demand for accountants is surging – with 58,000 new roles expected by 2033. As accountants take on broader roles in sustainability and digital transformation, building a diverse, future-ready pipeline is urgent,” Mr Hann said.
By focusing on the critical knowledge they need across core accounting disciplines, CA ANZ’s non-degree pathways are streamlined to ensure aspiring CAs will be set up for success in the CA Program, and for a future career in accounting. The new CA Foundations is a skills-based program that offers a learning path customised to each person’s previous education and work experience.
“Depending on their experience and educational achievement, not everyone will have to undertake each of the CA Foundation’s six subjects. But for those who are just starting out on their journey, all the subjects are designed to help make them job-ready, more quickly.
“Aspiring future CAs, employers, and members have told us that the program should be more flexible to support individuals from diverse backgrounds, which is why we’ve created a highly supported study program that, for the first time, people can start anytime and undertake their exams on-demand.
“It’s also important to note that our world-class CA Program remains unchanged. It continues to set a high benchmark for aspiring Chartered Accountants, requiring rigorous academic achievement and three years of mentored practical experience.
“While CA ANZ is introducing more flexible and accessible pathways to reach the CA Program’s starting line, every aspirant – regardless of their pathway journey – must meet the same exacting standards to earn the CA designation,” Mr Hann said.
To help people explore their own unique pathway to the CA Program, CA ANZ is offering a new on-line tool that supplies a personalised learning journey based on their prior study and work experience.
The launch of CA Foundations follows consultation with educators, employers, and students, draws on international experience, and is aligned with CA ANZ’s strategic aspiration to be a magnet for diverse talent.
Learn more about CA Foundations and explore our new pathways here: https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/become-a-member/apply-for-the-ca-program/how-to-apply
**ENDS**
About Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand represents more than 140,000 financial professionals, supporting them to make a difference to the businesses, organisations and communities in which they work and live. Chartered Accountants are known as Difference Makers. The depth and breadth of their expertise helps them to see the big picture and chart the best course of action.
www.charteredaccountantsanz.com
For more information contact:
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NEW ZEALAND Daniel Webster, Public Affairs Manager New Zealand M +64 27 282 6253
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AUSTRALIA Billy Briggs, H/Advisors APA M +61 474 697 235
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