Global Certificate of Public Accounting FAQs
How do I enrol for the Global Certificate of Public Accounting?
You can enrol in the Global Certificate of Public Accounting by signing up for any of our microcredentials here. Once registered, we’ll contact you to arrange your Affiliate membership, ensuring you receive the necessary support and communication throughout the program.
Is an Affiliate Membership Free?
Students will enjoy free affiliate membership valued at $335 whilst they are enrolled into Global Certificate of Public Accounting microcredentials until they have advanced to associate membership status.
When does the program start?
There are no intake dates. All Global Certificate of Public Accounting microcredentials are online and self-paced. Enrol at a time that suits you.
What are the entry requirements?
To enter the Global Certificate of Public Accounting you must join the IPA as an Affiliate member. Affiliates are individuals beginning their journey toward a successful accounting career. To become an Affiliate, you must be at least 18 years old, have completed secondary education, and possess adequate English proficiency. An accounting background is not required.
If you do have previous experience and qualifications,you can join as an IPA Associate (AIPA), Member (MIPA) or Fellow (FIPA).
How long will the program and microcredentials take me?
Each microcredential includes a number of modules depending on the topic and depth of content. All microcredentials come with a recommended timeframe required for completion. There are no minimum time restrictions but if you are undertaking a pathway to reach an Associate (AIPA) or Member (MIPA) you need to do so within three years, meaning that you can complete the microcredentials and program faster if you wanted to. All individuals microcredentials must be completed within 6 months of enrolment.
How do I complete the microcredentials, is the program offered face-to-face or online?
The program is offered online. All you need is access to a working computer and the internet and programs including Word, Excel and PowerPoint or the equivalent.
What is the structure of the Global Certificate of Public Accounting program?
The Global Certificate of Public Accounting program is a flexible program comprised of 50 micro-credentials, allowing you to tailor your learning journey. Alternatively, we offer two structured pathways to help you earn a Global Certificate in Public Accounting.
Pathway 1 aligns with IPA membership, starting as an affiliate and progressing through to associate status, leading to recognition as an accountant, and eventually advancing to a member and then completing the Global Certificate of Public Accounting.
Pathway 2 focuses on job-ready certifications, consisting of micro-credential stacks designed for individuals who want to build specific skills or competencies for targeted job roles.
What are the assessment methods?
All microcredentials include assessments to demonstrate that you have achieved the relevant skills and knowledge.
At the end of each Module there is a multiple choice quiz (generally 5 questions) to help reinforce your learning. You need to achieve 80% for each quiz to open up the next module, and there are unlimited attempts to meet this requirement.
Graded assessments consist of short answer, essay, case studies, recorded presentations and/or live sessions with an industry expert. Assessments are graded simply as pass/fail. Should you not pass on your first attempt, students receive 2 attempts at each assessment, with clear guided feedback provided to help you achieve a pass grade on your second attempt.
Assessments will be available within your microcredential, with submissions including live text boxes and uploaded documents. All assessments will be subject to an originality, similarity and AI text test as part of the submission process.
What support will I get?
After enrolling, you’ll get access to a trainer. You can contact your trainer at any time via email or set up a time to chat or Zoom. Our trainers know these microcredentials inside out and are on hand to help you with any questions or practical challenges you might have. It’s your trainer’s job to make sure you’re confident in your knowledge before you take on your assessments or exams.
Can I work while I study or study part-time?
Yes, there are no minimum time restrictions, you can complete the microcredential at a pace that suits you however each microcredential must be completed within 6 months. Special consideration will be given for those who need additional time to complete.
Can I transfer from another University or Institution or apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?
You can apply to have previous studies from another institution or another program recognised and transferred to your current Global Certificate of Public Accounting program. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
However, this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. There is no need to specify the microcredential(s) that you are seeking RPL for, the assessment team will review all your qualifications and experience and let you know the number of microcredentials that you have received either full RPL (certification) or partial RPL (the Global Certificate of Public Accounting assessment is still required).
To have your RPL assessed, head to the RPL page, review the terms, register and pay the RPL assessment fee of $295. Once registered you will be given access to a portal where you can securely upload all your documents, such as certified copies of your qualifications and/or a professional portfolio.
Prospective students must enrol in microcredentials that have partial RPL awarded within 6 months of recieving their RPL Assesement.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can be received in relation to both the Technical and Transdisciplinary Domains of the Global Certificate of Public Accounting. RPL is not provided for the Professional Domain.
Are there scholarships available?
Yes, we have the IPA Global Certificate of Public Accounting scholarship available for more details click here.
How can I pay for my fees?
Payment options include electronic funds transfer (EFT), credit card (Mastercard or Visa), or request an invoice.
Am I eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP?
No HECS-HELP is not available for Global Certificate of Public Accounting courses.
How will studying the Global Certificate of Public Accounting help my career?
The Global Certificate of Public Accounting is an industry informed qualification which enhances your employment opportunities and your adaptation skills to work-place requirements. The program deepens your understanding of core accounting principles, advanced financial reporting, taxation, and auditing. This makes you more adept at handling complex financial scenarios and advancing from affiliate to associate you become a recognised accountant. Progressing through IPA membership and completing the Global Certificate of Public Accounting enhances your credentials and demonstrates your commitment to the profession, making you more attractive to employers, clients, or even for internal promotions.
Who can I speak to for personalised and free advice about the Global Certificate of Public Accounting program?
We have offices across Australia, Asia and the UK, assisting you with local, accessible and friendly teams, dedicated to supporting you and providing information for accounting students and professionals on suitable courses and pathways. Please contact: [email protected]
What services does the IPA offer to help students secure relevant jobs after completing the program?
Being a member of the IPA ensures you have access to resources such as job boards, career advice, professional development opportunities, networking events, and mentorship programs to help students navigate the job market.
How many times can I resit the microcredential?
You are allowed up to two attempts to resit the individual microcredential assessments. If you do not successfully complete the microcredential after these two resits, you will need to pay the assessment fee to reactivate the individual microcredentialand assessments, which will extend your access for an additional 6 months.
I am an international Student in Australia can I enrol for the Global Certificate of Public Accounting?
You can study with us if you are an Australian citizen, permanent resident of Australia, or New Zealand citizens (excluding New Zealand permanent residents). You can study with us if you’re an international student in Australia, however we’re not a CRICOS provider and can’t be your primary educator for student visa purposes.
I am studying from outside of Australia can I study and are these microcredentials relevent for me?
Yes, we have built the microcredentials to ensure a global approach and the content and assessments are general and relevant to many jurisdictions.
Those studying from the UK, EU, China and the US will also be able to pay in local currency upon checkout.
What are the microcredentials equivalent to in terms of broader education?
The 50 Microcredentials are designed and sourced from a broad range of international and Australian programs at undergraduate (level 7) and postgraduate (level 8-9) levels. The competencies are based on a global set of 19,000 competencies from professional qualifications also at postgraduate level. The Global Certificate of Public Accounting is therefore mapped to include minimum level of knowledge and skills expected of professional accountants. It offers microcredentials at a minimum of AQF level 7.
What does ‘competencies’ mean?
When a person possesses a competency, it means that the person can demonstrate the performance of the related task(s) competently and professionally. It is an output based concept. A person can be very competent in undertaking a certain task by being able to have practised it well and has gained the ability to perform the task with good standard and quality.
What does the Group Competency Framework consist of?
The Group Competency Framework is the original that provides all related competencies for accounting and its adjacent disciplines. The Group Competency Framework has been designed through extensive research globally and aligned with major competency frameworks (such as those listed by IFAC) at the levels suitable for practising accountants for the future.
The Group Competency Framework consists of:
- Accounting technical competencies in 6 domains: financial accounting, management accounting, finance and financial management, audit, assurance and compliance, business and professional environment and legal and regulatory matters for the accountant.
- Transdisciplinary competencies, including competencies in cyber security, data analytics, digital acumen, governance and sustainability. These are competencies that the accountant needs to apply their accounting skills effectively
- Professional soft skills: these are those human skills that include autonomous learning (self management), communication, critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork and organisational culture.
The entire Competency Framework of 1., 2., and 3. above provides details of learning objectives and competencies that can be assessed. It forms the basis of the microcredential framework.
What are Microcredential units?
Microcredential is a certification of assessed learning or competency, with a minimum volume of learning of one hour and less than an AQF award qualification, that is addition, alternate, complimentary to or a component part of an AQF award qualification.
The underlying principles of a microcredentialare: outcome-based, responsive to industry need, tailored to support life long learning and transparent and accessible.
Refund Policy
Students can apply to withdraw from a microcredential or Stack in writing to the Global Certificate of Public Accounting program team. Specific considerations for withdrawal include:
- Cooling off period - When an application for withdrawal is received within fourteen (14) days from the date of registration and payment (Commencement Date), and the student has not submitted any assessments for grading, there is no financial penalty, and student will receive a full refund (minus merchant fees) of any payments made.
- No refunds will be issued once the 14-day cooling off period has passed.
- No refunds will be issued for students that have submitted assessments from grading.
- Withdrawal from a microcredential or Stack will require the student to re-apply for enrolment.
- Applications for a refund for extenuating personal or professional circumstances can be submitted in writing to the Global Certificate of Public Accounting program team, with the outcome for refund at the discretion of the Global Certificate of Public Accounting program team.
- The IPA is not responsible for any academic or professional development consequences arising from a student’s voluntary withdrawal from a microcredential or Stack.
There is also the option for Deferral the Commencement Date and Leave of Absence where a student has relevant professional or personal circumstances.
Students can apply to Defer their Commencement Date or apply for a Leave of Absence in writing to the Global Certificate of Public Accounting program team:
- Students who wish to defer their Commencement Date (access to microcredentials) of a microcredential or Stack may do so in extenuating circumstances for a maximum period of 3 months from the date of enrolment and payment.
- Applications for deferring the start date must be received by the Global Certificate of Public Accounting program team within 14 days from the date of enrolment and payment.
- Students may apply for a Leave of Absence in extenuating personal or professional circumstances to an initialmaximum period of 3 months. Leave of absence may only be applied to students once all payments are up to date and are at the discretion of the Global Certificate of Public Accounting program team.