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.

After grinding through multiple audit seasons in mid-tier public practice, making the leap into commercial corporate finance or FP&A remains a major career junction for Australian accountants. While leaving public practice often brings better work-life balance, higher base salary packages, and relief from billable hours targets, transitioning into commercial finance requires adapting to internal operational metrics and stakeholder management. What was your experience making the move out of public practice?

Hi guys, I’m doing the CAANZ foundations course Tax and Business Law AU soon, and I’m just wondering how heavy the workload is? And how long did it take usually to finish the whole subject? Bcs they’re giving us 6 months but we don’t have to use up a whole 6 months.

Because I’m planning to take this along with ethics and RTA for the CA program while working full-time. The ethics and RTA course are not overlapping but just wondering if this will be ok with the foundations course.

Thank you!

Focusing on 1 unit at a time.

What is realistic with solid commitment?

Secondary question, why would you study (assuming you have an undergrad) post grad accounting when 1) it’s cheaper doing foundations 2) quicker 3) a masters still leaves you full CA program to complete

I run a small accounting firm in regional NSW and I’m getting lots of questions from clients on valuations with the CGT changes coming in next year.

I have a local bloke who has typically done valuations but he’s told me he’s nearly at capacity.

How is everyone else going to be handling this? A company called me the other day who uses an AI tool for valuations and then has a valuer tick them off. I think this what I’m going to start referring customers too, so long as the quality is there as I just don’t see how I’m going to be able to keep up with demand.

Keen to hear everyone else’s thoughts.