Australia's national Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) has renewed the registration of Chartered Accountants ANZ (CA ANZ) as an Institute of Higher Education for the maximum allowable period of seven years, until 2031.
CA ANZ's CEO Ainslie van Onselen said the accreditation is key to the international standing of the CA designation, as well as bringing benefits to small businesses who want to further develop their employee's accounting skills.
"Our TEQSA registration and course accreditation means the CA Program postgraduate course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). This is important for our members because it means their CA Program course qualification will be recognised and portable across Australia, New Zealand and many other countries across the world.
"It also means CA ANZ is the only professional accounting body in Australia that meets the legislative requirements to offer the Australian Government's FEE-HELP loan scheme to our higher education course candidates.
"Businesses with an aggregate turnover of less than $50 million who put their employees through the Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting, could also be eligible to claim a bonus 20 per cent tax deduction under the Australian Government's small business skills and training boost. But they will need to be quick as the bonus deduction only applies to expenditure incurred up to 30 June 2024.
"As part of the renewal, TEQSA commended CA ANZ for its approach to self-assurance, which is key to the quality and integrity of a higher education provider's activities. In particular TEQSA called out CA ANZ's higher education governance review, conducted independently by Hilary Winchester AM and Professor Josh Pienaar, and the Professional Conduct Framework Review (PCFR)," Ms van Onselen said.
CA ANZ's Professional Conduct Framework Review, which included an independent review by former Federal Court Justice, the Hon. Dennis Cowdroy AO KC, served to further strengthen the membership body's conduct and disciplinary framework. In October last year, CA ANZ members voted in favour of PCFR recommendations, including strengthening the ability to respond to events involving firms.
"This renewal is a fantastic recognition of the high calibre of CA ANZ's governance arrangements, and all our incredible people. It is also a reflection of our ongoing dedication to providing and developing a nurturing and high-quality learning environment for our CA Program candidates," said Ms van Onselen.
Simon Hann, CA ANZ Group Executive Education and Marketing said he was delighted with this positive reinforcement from the standards agency.
"This is vindication of the thorough work the education team puts in, not only on behalf of current members but in attracting new members to the accountancy profession," Mr Hann said.
"CA ANZ remains steadfast, in assuring the integrity of our higher education awards and preparing our candidates for success as Chartered Accounting professionals.
"As a TEQSA accredited education body, we comply with the Higher Education Standards which have a significant and continued focus on academic integrity including sharing best practice in the higher education sector," Mr Hann said.
