20 February 2007 International accreditation for Lincoln University's accounting degree

CPA (Certified Practicing Accountant) accreditation means that students studying Accounting at Lincoln University can complete the academic component of the professional qualification at the same time as they are doing their Bachelor of Commerce and Management degree in Accounting.

All graduates of a tertiary degree programme accredited by CPA Australia become immediately eligible for entry to the CPA accreditation programme and to apply for Associate status with CPA Australia entitling them to use the letters ASA.

“While our accounting graduates will still have to do the mentored practical experience and professional competency components once employed in order to obtain full CPA status, the net effect is that they can have a preliminary accounting accreditation (the ASA) and can significantly reduce the length of time it takes to get the full CPA accreditation,” says the head of Accounting at Lincoln University, Professor Chris Wright.

“In effect doing a CPA accredited Accounting programme, such as Lincoln now offers, gives the graduates a strong head start through obtaining the bulk of an internationally recognised professional qualification at the same time as studying for their degree.

“This is particularly valuable for students from overseas who will be working back in their home countries after graduation, and of course it means that Kiwi graduates planning to work overseas can have an internationally recognised professional Accounting qualification to take with them once they have completed the employment elements of the CPA programme.

“CPA Australia has recognition arrangements with the AICPA (USA), Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.” 

The accreditation process is rigorous and reflects the increasingly demanding standards of the profession and the trend towards international regulatory harmonisation. To achieve the accreditation Lincoln, as with all qualifying universities, has met exacting levels of teaching, research and resources.

The immediate past president of CPA Australia’s New Zealand national council, Lorraine Sheehan, says that for international students in New Zealand the accreditation is of “immense value”.

It is particularly valuable for those from Asia and the United States, she says, where the CPA qualification is valued and can open the door for those wanting to go on to be business and professional leaders.

CPA Australia members can sit postgraduate exams in more than 240 locations worldwide and can continue their study on new job postings in any country. 

The CPA accreditation of Lincoln adds to the University’s existing accreditation by the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA).

“Achieving this additional accreditation is a significant development by the staff of Lincoln University’s Centre for Accounting Education and Research,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Roger Field in a report to the University Council. 

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand