Practical Experience

Work experience forms an integral part of the MICPA x CA ANZ Qualifying Programme. However, there is no standard model for the work experience to be given to every student. It varies from student to student and from office to office.

Sufficient practical experience has a blend of depth and breadth, knowledge and application and, where appropriate, integration of material from different areas applied to a range of situations and contexts. The breadth of practical experience is affected by factors such as: nature of role; level of proficiency; national or local laws; requirements of regulatory authorities; and the public’s expectation for professional competence. The depth of practical experience is affected by factors such as the variety and complexity of tasks as well as the level of supervisory and monitoring support.

Combining formal accounting education with practical experience produces competent
CPAs with appropriate values, ethics and attitudes, who are capable of making a positive contribution to the profession and society.

There are two routes of training under Approved Training Employers (ATEs) leading to the CPA qualification:

Stream I

A Stream I candidate must work with an Approved Accounting Firm (AAF) of the Institute and attached with a principal who is a member of MICPA or a member of member bodies of the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) in practice in Malaysia. Candidate must execute and submit an executed practical experience document to the Institute, of its training with a principal in order to obtain the 3-year approved practical experience Candidate will gain experience in a wide range of services, exposing you to a great variety of clients and will be highly valued by all types of organisations.

Stream II

Stream II is where candidates may undertake the MICPA-CAANZ Programme whilst employed outside public practice, by an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) under the supervision of a member of MICPA or recognised professional body. Candidates must maintain a training log book as a record of their practical experience.

A Stream II candidate must work with an ATO of the Institute and attached with a Training Supervisor who is a member of MICPA or ACCA or a member of member bodies of the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) for at least 3 years post-qualification experience. Candidate must execute and submit an executed practical experience document to the Institute, of its training with a training supervisor in order to obtain the 3-year approved practical experience.

As a general guide, the following categories of experience are held to be fundamental to the work of professional accountants:

All potential CPAs under the MICPA x CA ANZ Qualifying Programme are required to obtain not less than 3 years of approved mentored practical experience.

List of ATEs

Transfer of Stream

The candidate must inform the Institute promptly of any transfer of training supervisor or Approved Training Employer (ATE).

Please contact the Institute’s Student Affairs Department for information on registration as a student and transfer in streams of training.

The areas of workplace competency expected of a Certified Public Accountant at the point of admission to membership are outlined below and categorised according to technical and non- technical areas and their level of complexity.

You are expected to develop competency in at least two technical areas and all of the non-technical areas over your three years of qualifying practical experience.

Technical competencies

• Accounting information systems
• Auditing
• External reporting
• Financial management
• Insolvency and reconstructions
• Management accounting
• Taxation
• Financial advice

Non-technical competencies

• Teamwork
• Organisational skills
• Research and evaluation
• Decision making
• Exercising ethical and professional behaviour
• Communication and interpersonal skills

A Stream I candidate must work with an Approved Accounting Firm (AAF) of the Institute and attached with a principal who has been a member of MICPA or a member of member bodies of the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) in practice in Malaysia. Candidate must execute and submit an executed practical experience document to the Institute, of its training with a principal in order to obtain the 3-year approved practical experience.

The Principal:

• The Principal shall to the best of his ability and power either personally or through his partner or partners or his senior assistants engage the registered student on such work and afford him such opportunities and experience as are necessary for the purpose of enabling the Registered Student to acquire the art and knowledge of a Certified Public Accountant in practice as a public accountant.
• A Principal may appoint a qualified member from MICPA, CA ANZ or a GAA member body to act as Training Supervisor to assist him in carrying out his responsibilities.
• A ratio of 4 registered students per Principal is recommended but much will depend on the Principal’s other commitments.
• It is desirable for the Principal to be based at the same office or location as that of the registered students for whom he is responsible.
• The Principal must personally conduct regular reviews of the registered students’ progress.
• The Principal shall allow the student reasonable study leave.
• The student should be provided access to resources such as a technical library, the Internet, professional journals, etc.

If a candidate resigns from the principal’s firm before completing his 3-year of practical experience, his registration as a candidate of the Institute will be deemed as terminated on that date unless a transfer of principal or stream has been executed.

Practical Experience Document

A Stream II candidate must work with an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) of the Institute and attached with a Training Supervisor who has been a member of MICPA or ACCA or a member of member bodies of the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) for at least 3 years of post-qualification experience. Candidate must execute and submit an executed Practical Experience Document to the Institute, of its training with a training supervisor in order to obtain the 3-year approved practical.

The ATO:

• Monitors and supervises the candidate’s work experience by a member of recognised accountancy bodies
• Provides reasonable days of study leave to students
• Allows students to access to resources such as a technical library, the internet, professional journals etc.

A Stream II candidate must maintain a log book detailing the experience they have gained throughout the 3 years.

The Practical Experience Document shall within one month after execution thereof (or within such longer period as the Council in its discretion may allow in any particular case) be lodged with the Institute to be registered, together with an additional copy of the practical experience document for retention by the Institute. The Council may in any case in which it deems in its absolute discretion desirable so to do, refuse to register the application so lodged.

Candidate Practical Experience Logbook

• Work experience gained prior to registering as a MICPA Programme candidate is not recognised.
• The 3-year practical experience is clocked from the date the Practical Experience Document is signed.
• Work experience with an ATE is recognised in periods of 6 months or more. Should a candidate be employed for less than 6 months at a particular ATE before joining a new one, that work experience is not recognised and will not count towards the 3-year requirement.
• Candidates must keep the Institute informed of any changes in employment in order to ensure that differences do not arise in the computation of practical experience duration that could potentially affect their membership application in the future. If unsure at any point, please consult with the Student Affairs Department.
• Candidates cannot have more than 1 year’s gap between recognised practical experience, in order for all work experience to be counted towards the 3-year requirement.