The Chartered Accountants Academy (CAA or the Academy) is an indigenous tuition provider and consulting entity which was established to meet a critical need in the training of chartered accountants and finance professionals in Zimbabwe. Over the years they found the need to extend the scope of services to technical advisory services in areas of accounting standards, taxation, auditing governance and risk management not only in Zimbabwe but around the globe. The Academy is recognised by the Public Accountants and Auditors Board (PAAB) and all the PAAB-registered institutes. In 2015, the academy was appointed as the technical services partners to both ICAZ and PAAB, which saw their influence in the profession grow.

The Academy operates in two main service lines being the CAA Academic business unit and CAA training and consultancy. While the academic business unit focuses on the provisioning of tuition to trainee accountants preparing for exams under professional bodies such as Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe, the training and consultancy business unit mainly focuses on the training of accountancy and finance professionals in business, who are looking to up-skill and keep up to date with developments within the profession. For one to qualify as a Chartered Accountant in Zimbabwe, they go through a training program administered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (ICAZ). This training program is designed to incorporate competencies in practical tasks and academic qualifications. Normally, trainees take three years to complete the program, meeting both academic and practical requirements.

Below are some of the benefits of holding the CA (Z) designation as stated by the CAA :

Critical thinking

The integration of work experience with innovative education, brings out the accountant who has critical thinking skills to deconstruct and analyse business or life problems and goes further to equip the accountant to fashion solutions. Therefore, this qualification sets you up to be a future business leader.

Learner support

The training process of the qualification has a minimum 3 rigorous years which are supported by the governing institute i.e. ICAZ. This kind of trainee support and learner focus is unique to the accounting profession.

Global Mobility

The ICAZ qualification, which is mirrored with that of the South African counterpart SAICA are considered to rank in the top four accounting qualifications in the world. Consequently, the qualification comes with excellent global mobility. Currently over 50% of chartered accountants with the ICAZ are working outside Zimbabwe which bears testimony to the global attractiveness of the qualification.

Opportunities & Financial Rewards

Globally, on average, a recently qualified chartered accountant attracts annual remuneration packages of up to $71,000, which is high compared to other professions.

Prestige

The qualification is generally regarded prestigious and therefore opens doors to admission into prestigious clubs and fora wherein thought leaders interact and where futures are shaped.

Range of Career Opportunities

The qualification increases one’s range of industries in which one can carve a career largely due to the business acumen and skills that are acquired. Leading business professionals in most parts of the world are accountants. The profession is in demand due to technical competence, veracity and professionalism.