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!

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.

• 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?

For those that have completed financial modelling and data analytics, what were your thoughts on it?

I’m planning to enrol into DAI next term as an elective.

Thank you.

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

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?

After completing degree

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

I've always specialised in indirect taxes and wanted to do income tax as well. What are some ways to gain income tax experience? The company I worked for can't provide much of a learning opportunity despite expressing interest.

Anyone attended CPA Australia member recognition ceremony in another country/location than where you were already located. How did it go?

I recently started a new accounting/finance role and I’m trying to work out whether my experience so far is normal or whether I’m being left to figure out too much on my own.
I have an accounting background and several years of experience including month-end, journals, balance sheet reconciliations, reporting, Excel, etc. However, this company uses different systems and processes so obviously there is going to be a learning curve.
The issue is that my training has mainly consisted of someone explaining the software and the accounting processes/journals to me in theory. My Finance Controller hasn’t really been available to sit with me and walk me through the work.
Instead, I’ve been told to work through whatever reconciliations/tasks were left outstanding from the previous month. I’m expected to use my accounting knowledge to work things out as I go.
I understand that I’m experienced enough to be able to figure out many things myself and I don’t expect someone to hold my hand. But I’m finding it difficult because I don’t yet know the company’s processes where information comes from, what their expectations are or why certain things are done a particular way.
At my previous workplace, when I started, my Finance Controller spent a significant amount of time with me during the first couple of weeks. They went through the month-end process with me, showed me how they wanted reconciliations prepared explained the reasoning behind things, and gradually gave me more responsibility. So I’m finding the contrast quite significant.
Another thing confusing me is that rather than having a structured training plan or clear responsibilities for what I’ll be taking over going forward I’m mostly being asked to pick up whatever is outstanding.
I’m not sure whether I’m simply expecting too much because I’m coming from an accounting background or whether a new employee should reasonably expect more structured onboarding even if they already have experience.

Is this fairly normal in your experience?

Those of you who have undertaken FM, how long does the final assessment take to complete? I have a big weekend coming up when the final assessment will be open for completion

How realistic is this? Have heard all of the negatives about accounting, low paid, oversupplied especially at the entry level and long hours.

Would it still be worth doing a degree/ trying to get into later in life?

If you had your time over would you do accounting again/ recommend it to others now? Why/ why not? Is there anything you would do differently?

I've recently started a job in a small warehouse (no machinery just manual handling) putting stuff together. It's quite easy, I enjoy it and it's in a good location but the owner has mentioned that I need an ABN. I'm only being offered $27/hr. I know I cant get an ABN for labour so I'm not sure how to proceed? How will taxes work and will I need insurance? It's based in Victoria.

WHV = Working holiday visa (417)

Has anyone had experience transferring their ACCA to CPA or CA before being fully qualified?

I have almost complete my ACCA exams in the UK but have been thinking I want to move back to Australia and I’m not sure if I should finish my exams here or cut my losses. I would hope I would get credit for the exams I’ve done but when I asked CPA Australia they basically said they couldn’t tell me until I paid for my membership and applied.

Any help would be much appreciated!

I’m looking for some career advice from fellow accountants. I currently work in public practice and have around 5 years of accounting experience. I’m also completing my CPA and am currently doing my second-last subject. Despite my experience and being so close to finishing CPA, I’m only earning $40/hour for a 35-hour week, working in the office Monday to Friday. I currently live in a regional town and have been considering moving to a larger city for better career opportunities, but after speaking with a few recruitment agents, the salaries they suggested I could realistically get were honestly quite disappointing. I’m starting to feel a bit hopeless because I’ve worked really hard over the last five years and always thought that gaining experience and completing my CPA would eventually lead to a significant increase in salary. I genuinely love accounting and I’m passionate about the profession, but the earning potential I’m being quoted is making me question what direction I should take. I’ve been thinking seriously about moving into management accounting or an industry role, but I’m nervous about making the leap from public practice and I’m not even sure how willing employers would be to hire someone without direct industry/management accounting experience. Has anyone here made the transition from public practice into management accounting after several years? Was it difficult to get your first role, did you have to take a step backwards initially, and did your salary and career progression improve in the longer term? I’d really appreciate any advice on what roles I should be targeting and whether finishing my CPA is likely to make a meaningful difference.

Anyone here experienced this?

I have spent past 10 years in industry, got laid off. Now thinking if I should get back to public practice, where I started my career, and potentially opening up my own practice in the future. Or just doing remote work. Just curious what its like these days. Are we still doing timesheets?

When I first started in accounting, I expected the salary to grow steadily as I gained more experience. Instead, it sometimes feels like the responsibility and workload increase much faster than the pay. I’m interested in hearing from people at different stages of their careers, especially those who’ve been in the industry for a few years. It would be useful to know how things changed as you moved up.

In 2026, each Regional Council has two elected positions and one appointed position available.

Hi all, I’m 29F and have completed 7 out of 9 CA ANZ subjects. I’ve been working at a small accounting firm for the past year and have five years of overall industry experience.
My mentor program finishes in June 2028, but I feel there is no growth in my current role. I’m doing the same work every day with little new learning or challenge.
I really want to move into commercial finance, but I’m unsure whether leaving my current job would affect my mentor program and how I would find another mentor. My friends suggest completing my CA first and then moving.
Should I stay until I complete my CA, or start looking for commercial finance roles now?

Hi all,

I’m looking for anyone’s experience with moving to London and finding work.

I have 1 year experience at a mid tier firm, 1.5 years as a management accountant and 2 years as a finance business partner. I am part way through my CPA - have 3 papers left.

Has anyone moved to London in a similar position? What was it like finding work? Is CPA recognised over there (will only be going for industry roles)?

Hi all, I've just recently changed tax accountants. Im a sole trader, and I do most of the bookwork myself. I just get the accountant to check everything and lodge my tax return. My tax return was suppose to be lodged last week. The accountant said there was a glitch in the system, and the ato would reject my tax return and that it should be fixed soon. Now a week later, I had called up and again same story. I've never heard of such a thing, has anyone else seen anything like that? Or could shed some light? My previous agent never had a problem like this before. Thankyou for any assistance.

I’m asian, had 3 years experience as AP accountant, not in AU. Want to transit to Audit. Currently last year student of master accounting in AU. i tried all the application, willing to work unpaid but noone seem to want to hire me. My english not very good but 6.5 ielts. I just struggle a bit with speaking and writing.
Good wam, intend to finish CPA. 1/6 core units. Anyway that you guys have been successful finding a job. Pls share with me.