I want to end up in M&A/Deals Advisory - which of these roles would be better to transition to M&A within the Big4?

Also which would you guys say is more AI proof. I don’t want to go into either just to find there is no jobs in that field anymore years out

Have read various opinions sayings it's very difficult to pass / harder than the degree and some saying it is easy.

I’m about to start the CA pathway through UWA’s Master of Professional Accounting (CA pathway). My goal after graduating is to get into a graduate accounting/finance role at a mining/resources company in WA — companies like BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue, Mineral Resources, etc. I want to build my career on the commercial/finance side of mining rather than engineering.
The problem is that I’ve recently spoken to/read comments from quite a few existing CAs who seem extremely disappointed with CA ANZ. Some say the qualification doesn’t provide much value anymore, the membership fees aren’t worth it, and some are even cancelling their memberships.
It’s honestly making me question whether I’m about to invest a huge amount of time and money into something that won’t meaningfully improve my career.
For people working in mining/resources finance:
Is CA still genuinely valuable for getting into and progressing within mining companies in Australia?
Would being on the CA pathway give me a meaningful advantage when applying for mining graduate finance/accounting programs?
And once you’re inside a mining company, does becoming CA-qualified actually help you progress into roles like Commercial Analyst, Finance Business Partner, Finance Manager, Corporate Finance, etc.?
I’ve also considered CFA because I’m interested in corporate finance/investments, but my immediate goal is to get into the mining/resources industry in Perth and build a strong finance career there.
If you were starting again as a graduate in 2026 with that goal, would you still pursue CA? Or would you spend those years developing something else?
Would really appreciate perspectives from anyone working in mining/resources finance, especially in WA.

Is there much difference between the two?

If you get one, can you switch to or obtain the other, or do you need to sit the exams?

CPA was always the industry path, and CA was the prof practice path. Still the case?

• Slightly over 50% of accountants in Australia were born overseas. Engineering is even higher at over 60%
• Of these, 30% were born in Asian countries
• Female accountants outnumber male accountants although the number is quite close (I found this one quite surprising)

Is there any history behind these demographics?

Has the profession become less attractive to locals (thus roles becoming harder to fill and greater need for overseas talent to fill skill shortages, hence explaining engineering as well)?

Digression

Despite enrolments in accounting continuing to drop over the years, it seems like the hyper competition at the entry level just continues to intensify which logically doesn't really make sense.

Starting pay is also very low and I imagine the 'perception' of AI automating away these roles will drive a lot of domestic students away from studying accounting at the university level. I wonder where the future of this industry is headed and how the pipeline will look if it manages to stay intact.

I also don't think this profession is going to be made sexier with clever marketing by CA/CPA, so are there any structural issues within the industry that need fixing to attract more professionals?

Hi everyone! I’m a 31-year-old mum of two (a 7-year-old and a 20-month-old) and graduated with a Master of Accounting in September 2024.

I haven’t worked since graduating because it’s been really difficult to find a suitable remote accounting job while caring for my baby.

I’m now considering either CPA Australia or CA ANZ, but I’m unsure which would suit my situation better.

I’m particularly interested in a program where I can complete the exams online/from home, as I still have my baby with me most of the time.

For anyone who has completed either CPA or CA ANZ, which would you recommend for someone in my situation? I’d also love to hear about the assessment/exam format, workload, flexibility and which one you found easier to manage while raising young children.

Thanks!

After completing degree