Adding value to your business COLLEGE OF ACCOUNTING TECHNICIANS

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1 Adding value to your business COLLEGE OF ACCOUNTING TECHNICIANS charteredaccountantsanz.com/at

2 COLLEGE OF ACCOUNTING TECHNICIANS Accounting Technicians Valuable contributors to your business Accounting Technicians are trained to oversee and manage financial accounts to ethical and professional standards. Having ATs on your finance team will give you the security of knowing that your accounting processes and knowledge are accurate, up-to-date and best practice. An AT designation can be used as a development tool to help motivate, retain or attract new staff with career development opportunities. Employees who go through Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand AT training will be more confident and valuable contributors to your business no matter what level they re currently at. Benefits of having ATs in your business Improved accuracy, productivity and work standards A highly skilled team at all levels Creates a strong skill level benchmark for your business 2 charteredaccountantsanz.com/at

3 WHERE is your finance team AT? Do you have employees with no formal accounting qualifications? Less than five years How much experience do they have? More than five years Employees prefer online, part time on-the-job study Employees prefer class-room based, full time academic study Learn more about our Vocational Pathway Learn more about our Academic Pathway Learn more about our Experience Pathway All pathways lead to charteredaccountantsanz.com/at 3

4 COLLEGE OF ACCOUNTING TECHNICIANS Three ways to earn an AT designation Whether your employees are new to accounting, changing careers, wanting to develop existing skills, needing motivation or seeking recognition for their hard work and experience, we have a suitable and rewarding pathway. 1. Experience Pathway Reward your employees by recognising their work experience and commitment to your finance team. Ideally suits employees who prefer on-the-job training where committing to full time study is not an option. Introducing new paths, new choices Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand has developed a new, flexible AT training framework to improve flexibility and allow students to study at their own place and pace, without disruption to the workplace. 2. Vocational Pathway Provides you the flexibility to nurture a team of loyal employees who want to study at their own pace towards a real-world qualification in accounting, and earn while they learn. Ideally suits new employees who prefer a level-based study path with a wide range of practical finance and accounting related topics. 3. Academic Pathway Gives ambitious employees an avenue to gain the skills and qualifications needed to become an AT or provides for employees wanting to use the AT designation to staircase to ACA or CA in the future. Ideally suits employees who prefer a formal academic qualification covering accounting and wider business management. Provisional Membership Your employees can now become provisional Accounting Technicians while completing the AT pathway requirements. Whether studying towards an academic or vocational qualification, or completing their Assessment of Competence, they will benefit from networking opportunities earlier and be supported on their journey to full AT membership. 4 charteredaccountantsanz.com/at

5 Having an AT improves confidence in the integrity of the financial systems and reporting. It can also help alleviate workload for the CFO and facilitate succession planning. Rob Mitchell CA Corporate Services Manager Arthritis New Zealand

6 COLLEGE OF ACCOUNTING TECHNICIANS EXPERIENCE PATHWAY O1. recognises relevant experience The Experience pathway provides an excellent opportunity to develop your more experienced finance team members and officially recognise their skills with the AT designation. This pathway is suitable for those employees with at least five year s accounting work experience who do not wish to study towards a full academic qualification. It will enable your employees to become full members of the College of Accounting Technicians and use the designation AT after their name. This is something many employees value and take great pride in. To get started your employee first applies for Provisional Membership. With your support as Referee (Manager), your employee will complete an Assessment of Competence that acknowledges skills and knowledge gained through work experience or formal training. Their evidence and employment history is verified by a Referee. A separate Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand member may be required to review the application where the Referee is not a current member. If an employee doesn t meet all of the requirements they can top up their knowledge with on-the-job training, or study relevant AAT Diploma units. Before applying for full membership, a Provisional AT member will have met the requirements of the Assessment of Competence, and completed the Professional Ethics online course, within 12 months of becoming a Provisional AT member. At a glance: Designed for employees with five or more years of relevant accounting experience Encourage your employees to prepare their application and supporting evidence. Evidence and employment history is verified by a Referee (Manager) Small gaps in competence can be filled with top-up study, or an on-the-job training plan. HOW TO APPLY: PART 1 Apply for Provisional AT Membership AT Provisional Membership PART 2 Within 12 months complete an Assessment of Competence Application Collate evidence Evidence and employment history verified Submit Application and complete Professional Ethics (PETH) Top-up study required? YES NO Upskill with Top-up Apply for full study or on-the-job AT membership training Apply for full AT membership 6 charteredaccountantsanz.com/at

7 I truly believe that nothing has taught me more than actual real life experience the mistakes as well as the successes! Lynette Weston AT Management Accountant Airways New Zealand

8 COLLEGE OF ACCOUNTING TECHNICIANS VOCATIONAL PATHWAY O2. THE REAL-WORLD AAT ACCOUNTING QUALIFICATION The AAT accounting qualification will provide your employees with practical accounting and financial knowledge and skills. You will benefit from their new skills while they train. The three-year AAT Diploma in Accounting is vocational rather than academic, providing a good foundation for working in an accounting role. The AAT Diploma is based on the highly successful UK qualification, developed by the Association of Accounting Technicians. Four units are specifically tailored for Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand students. AAT sets rigorous standards that are respected globally, its cost-effective training that works for employers and employees. AAT awards the qualification. The online tuition is provided by Home Learning College, an established training provider for AAT students. The AAT qualification is made up of three study levels, with online resources and assignments, giving students a range of ways to prepare for their exams. Your employees don t need previous experience or qualifications Once awarded the AAT Level 4 Diploma including Professional Ethics (level 3), students will typically have met the practical experience requirements, so they can apply for full AT membership and progress their accounting career. At a glance Designed to study at a pace that fits into work and lifestyle commitments. No experience necessary although experience can count towards credits. Practical accounting processes from day one. Access to a vast range of online study support. AAT QUALIFICATION three study levels AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting Processing bookkeeping transactions Control accounts, journals and banking system Basic costing Computerised accounting Work effectively in accounting and finance. AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting Accounts preparation Prepare final accounts for sole traders and partnerships Costs and revenues Indirect tax Spreadsheet software Professional ethics (Mandatory for all provisional ATs). AAT Level 4 Diploma in Accounting Financial statements Budgeting Financial performance Internal control and accounting systems Business tax Personal tax. 8 charteredaccountantsanz.com/at

9 The main benefit for me is the flexibility of online. I can study while working and study at my own pace. Elena Kutseva Prov Provisional AT Financial Administrator Arthritis New Zealand

10 COLLEGE OF ACCOUNTING TECHNICIANS O3. STAIRCASE TO SUCCESS ACADEMIC PATHWAY The students study full time for two years with an NZQA recognised provider offering specialised accounting options as well as wider business management subjects. This pathway is ideal for employees who prefer classroom-based study, full-time study, with options to study part-time, or through distance learning. The academic study involves two years of tertiary study to gain the New Zealand Diploma in Business qualification with specific topic coverage or equivalent degree-level study. Once students have met the academic requirements, they will need to have completed the practical experience and professional competence requirements before applying for full membership of the AT College on page 12. At a glance Designed for employees who prefer classroom-based study, full-time study, with options to study part-time, or through distance learning. Your employees can now become Provisional Accounting Technicians while they complete their academic study. Ideal pathway for employees who want to staircase to ACA or CA in the future. Full time, two year tertiary study, NZQA recognised provider. Nearly there? Your employees with a New Zealand Diploma in Business or equivalent may already meet the academic requirements to become an Accounting Technician. Contact us to find out more by calling or customer@charteredaccountantsanz.com ACADEMIC STUDY REQUIREMENTS You ll need to complete two years of tertiary study comprising either: New Zealand Diploma in Business with the following specific topics: Accounting principles Accounting practice New Zealand commercial law Economics Organisational management Business communication (not required for degree level programmes) Information Technology 200-level (level 6) financial accounting 200-level (level 6) management accounting Two 200-level (level 6) courses from: Auditing New Zealand taxation Business finance One further course. or Equivalent University Degree Level Study. 10 charteredaccountantsanz.com/at

11 Being an AT is a great way to have a broad general knowledge of accounting principles and practices. You can apply these in an effective way to support any business Derak Govind AT Regional Strategic Accounts Manager Konica Minolta

12 COLLEGE OF ACCOUNTING TECHNICIANS Additional Full Membership Requirements Professional Ethics This is an online course that recognises the importance of ethics in modern business organisations. It emphasises the importance of acting and working in an ethical manner. Students must complete one assignment and an exam, following 50 hours of online study. Provisional members must complete this course before becoming a full member of the College of Accounting Technicians. If you are an AAT Diploma student you will meet the professional competence requirements by studying the Professional Ethics unit at Level three. Practical Experience Provisional Accounting Technician members, following the academic or vocational pathway, need to complete two years of relevant accounting employment. This is made up of at least 17.5 hours per week for a minimum duration of three months in any one accounting or financial role. For more information go to charteredaccountantsanz.com/at As an employer, you will need to verify their experience and they need to have their application reviewed by a Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand member. Relevant accounting employment can be completed before, during or after completion of the academic requirements. Continuing Professional Development Full Accounting Technician members, will need to complete a total of 20 hours professional development per annum (10 hours verifiable plus 10 hours non-verifiable). 12 charteredaccountantsanz.com/at

13 Our two AT s have been with us over 10 years. They are also flexible enough to embrace change in the work practices. They are great mentors too for the newer members of the team having been there done that! Kerry Haycock CA Manager - Strategy, Investment and Performance Airways New Zealand

14 COLLEGE OF ACCOUNTING TECHNICIANS The benefits of being a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Being members of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand brings tangible benefits to you and your employees. As members your employees will be part of a network of over 100,000 business professionals. Get involved in local and national networking events and join social media groups to link into the latest business discussions. They will also be provided access to Acuity Magazine and free online library services, as well as discounted training through our lifelong learning program. Getting started Work with your employees to find the path to suit where they re at. Verify your employee s work experience Invest in your employees development by paying or contributing towards membership fees For more information including FAQs, fees and forms, contact our Service Centre on , customer@charteredaccountsanz.com or visit charteredaccountsanz.com/at Members receive special offers on quality products and services from premium suppliers. These offers are not available to the general public and will save time and money - both at work and in their personal life. 14 charteredaccountantsanz.com/at

15 We definitely increased staff morale and engagement in our team by investing in people with AT. It s a thank you and recognition for hard work and for some of our staff going back to study at this stage in their careers would just not be an option otherwise. Graham Rose CA Financial Accounting Manager Coca-Cola Amatil (N.Z.) Limited

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