diddy

Hi,

Does anyone know the National Institute of Accountants in OZ and how well they're regarded?

I'm asking as it looks quicker for ACCA's to become members of NIA than ICAA or CPA.

Thanks.

Olive101

Not heard of NIA - but don't remember them being on the list of associations to whom one should apply to have your qualifications assessed. Not sure if this reflects their perceived recognition within the industry or not though....

I'm ACCA also - once you've done the additional 2 modules of Au tax and company law though you may not even need to become ICAA to be sufficiently qualified to do the job...

I'm sure you would still be able to work in your chosen field while working towrads ICAA if you wanted.

Today's Accountancy Age had a full page ad recruiting for accountants in Australasia and also a half page ad from EY looking for Auckland staff.....

Promising if they cannot find the staff they need purely from local talent.

Be positive!

sjn2003

Sounds like a top-of-the-cornflakes outfit to me ! Stick to the quality institutions

ABCDiamond

A bit of info on The National Institute of Accountants

http://www.nia.com.au/

The NIA is a progressive, responsive accounting body committed to integrity, professionalism and professional development. It represents more than 13,000 members working in industry, commerce, government, academia and private practice.

The NIA is also a gazetted assessing authority for people wishing to migrate to Australia

The National Institute of Accountants (NIA) is one of Australia's oldest representative professional bodies, formed over sixty-five years ago.

1923 - Institute of Factory and Cost Accountants, formed in Melbourne, Australia.
1950 - Institute of Taxation and Cost Accountants, name change.
1957 - National Institute of Accountants, name change.
1967 - Institute of Commercial Studies, name change.
1970 - Institute of Affiliate Accountants, name change.
1988 - National Institute of Accountants, adoption of the precedent name.

JAJ

NIA has been a skill assessing organisation for accountants since 1 July 2002.

However, in terms of recognition in the marketplace, the NIA designation (even their top grade of PNA) is not as well regarded by employers because NIA membership is not as difficult to attain from scratch as the full CA or CPA qualifications. That said, it's a perfectly respectable organisation.

ACCA is considered equivalent to CPA by many Australian employers. You may not need to join any Australian accountancy body. I'd suggest talking to ACCA Australia before you think about joining NIA, unless you have a specific reason for wanting to do so.

Jeremy

diddy

Cheers guys for all the responses.

I think it may just be a matter of seeing how it goes on the jobs front when I get there.

Olive, saw Accountancy Age and checked out ThinkGr website which looks quite promising. Apparently ACCA is recognised in Oz for auditing purposes.

wongstonn

Hi

My wife has been looking at all these accountancy bodies for some considerable time, and speaking to some Aussie accountants over here in the UK.

Basically they reaffirm a view in a prior post. Being NIA qualified is not in the same league as CPA and CA. If you are familiar with British accountancy qualifications then it might be helpful if I write that it is broadly equivalent to AAT level.

When we searched on various Aussie job web sites and put in NIA as a keyword we always got a blank.

JAJ

AAT has licensed the NIA in Australia to promote its qualification here:
http://www.aat.org.au

In terms of standards historically, there has been a substantial gap between NIA membership (MNIA), which as far as I know requires just an Australian diploma in accountancy, and the CA/CPA designations. These require a bachelors degree in accountancy plus a year's postgraduate study (more or less the same as the major UK accountancy bodies such as ACCA or CIMA).

NIA have recently introduced the PNA designation, which is a higher level than MNIA and requires a bachelors degree in accountancy, but this is still not at the same standard as CA/CPA.

As far as skills assessment *for migration* is concerned, an NIA skills assessment is just as acceptable to DIMIA as an ICAA/CPAA skill assessment.

Jeremy

jetsetter

Hi,

I've also been researching this area recently.
If you are ACCA qualified (with a few years membership under your beltl) and also have a degree, it looks like CPA might be a good route.

You have to complete the Aus tax/law/accounting theory subjects (from an approved Uni) then sit the CPA Challenge examination which is one 3 hour paper.

Other criteria is having 5 consecutive years of ACCA membership (at least 3 at associate/member level)
and obtaining 5 years worth of testimonials from employer/former employers confirming work experience in the field of accounting.
You must also be an Autralian permanent resident.

I think ICAA requires you to enter into a training contract with an approved firm which could take several years. With a bit of work, looks like CPA could be done more quickly.

Good luck

jac16

Do you know if it is the same for CIMA. I am an associate member with 3 years membership.

Thanks

JAJ

Currently, ACCA members (with a degree) must sit firstly an Australian tax/law exam and then the full CPA exam, which is six papers.

You sound confused about the Challenge Exam - it's something CPAA put in place for ACCA/CIMA members *without* a degree, but the exams in Aus tax/law and then the full CPA program must be completed.

I'd suggest talking to ACCA Australia before committing to the CPA program. Many ACCA members in Australia don't bother with it.

With CPAA, the situation is pretty similar for CIMA members. However, CIMA does have an alliance with the ICAA (which gives CIMA members exemption from part of the CA Program), and it's probably easier for a CIMA member to become a member of ICAA provided you can work through the ICAA practical experience requirements. An accountancy firm 'training contract' is not necessarily required. Information is on the ICAA website.

Many ACCA and CIMA members in Australia never join any Australian accountancy body and find employment regardless.

Jeremy

Olibeneli

You seem to be pretty clued up. I am a FCCA of many years and intend to move to Oz but no intention of joing an Oz accountancy body as I don't intend to be a public auditor or tax advisor..........heavens above, what would be the point ? agree with what you have said already.

My specialism is financial systems, management accounting and reporting and business analysis..............yes I need the qualification but I need and have loads of experience to show what I am capable of and have done more than a piece of paper now saying I am an Oz accountant.

What are the job prospects like............and in your opinion salary levels in private and public practice......assuming manager level not partner.......

thanks if you are able to advise.

JAJ

Job prospects depend on your experience and academic background. Many Australian employers and recruitment people are quite familiar with British qualifications, more so than most other foreign designations.

For salary information, a good start point is the Hays salary survey:
http://www.hays.com.au/salary/index.asp

Jeremy