Institute of Public Accountants

Australian professional body
the American professional association under this name from 1917 to 1957

The Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) is one of the three legally recognised professional bodies for accountants in Australia. The IPA represents more than 40,000 members and students working in industry, commerce, government, academia and professional practice. The organisation rebranded from its previous title, the National Institute of Accountants (NIA), on 2 May 2011. In 2012, the IPA was ranked 19th in the BRW Most Innovative Companies list. The IPA launched its digital hub https://www. publicaccountant. com. au/, an expanded digital edition of its flagship journal Public Accountant, in early 2013.

The Mentored Experience Program (MEP) requires members to undergo a formal mentoring process gaining structured work experience. With the guidance of an IPA approved mentor, usually a fully qualified accountant from one of the three professional bodies, the MEP provides the framework for members to increase both their practical experience and knowledge in the workplace.

The IPA Program is an accredited educational pathway designed and delivered in partnership with Deakin University. The IPA program comprises two distinct but related awards: the Graduate Certificate of Public Accounting (GCPA) and the Deakin University Master of Business Administration (MBA). Depending on previous qualifications, members may be required to complete the GCPA component before advancing to MIPA status and completing the Deakin MBA. The IPA Program is delivered entirely online, allowing members to study at their own pace. The GCPA is designated by the Australian Qualifications Framework Authority (AQF) at Level 8. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is designated by the AQF at Level 9. The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) establishes the quality of Australian qualifications. Members of the IPA who complete the IPA Program and obtain the Deakin MBA achieve a higher level of qualification than those from either CPA Australia (no AQF designation) or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (AQF Level 8). The previous IPA Program awards were respectively named the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting and the Master of Commerce (Professional Accounting), both awarded by the University of New England.

All members of the IPA (except retired members) must complete a minimum of 120 hours of CPD over a three year period, with a minimum of 20 hours to be completed in any single financial year. CPD can be completed in either structured or unstructured forms, however, the maximum amount of unstructured learning permitted is 30 hours. IPA Members must also comply with IPA Pronouncement 7, detailing the requirements of CPD and IPA Membership. The IPA runs a series of face to face and online professional development events every year, open to IPA members and the public.

Members of certain other professional bodies may apply for certain membership levels with the IPA at an equivalent level based on their existing qualifications. These include members of Institute of Cost Accountants of India (CMA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), CPA Australia (CPA) and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ). The IPA accepts CPA and CA ANZ membership as entry level qualifications. For overseas professional bodies potential members should refer to the immigration section of the IPA website for further details. The IPA accepts the professional examinations (plus membership) for certain overseas professional bodies. The IPA collaborates with CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand in supporting the Accounting Professional & Ethical Standards Board (APESB), founded in 2006. APESB publishes ethics related standards that must be followed by accountants in Australia based on the international standards published by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA).

The IPA has a mutual recognition agreement in place with The South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA). Formerly known as Institute of Certified Public Accountants of South Africa. MIPA/FIPA members of the IPA are recognised by the UK's Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) for admission to CISI's full membership (MCSI). Full membership of the CISI is recognised by several national investment professional bodies such as the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA), formerly the Australian Institute of Banking and Finance and the Hong Kong Securities Institute (HKSI). In November 2010 the IPA hosted a delegation of senior executives from Nigeria's peak accounting body, the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN). An MOU was signed with ANAN. In March 2011 the IPA entered into an MOU with peak management accounting body in India, the Institute of Cost Accountants of India. In 2012, the IPA and the Institute of Financial Accountants in the United Kingdom announced that they signed and exchanged a formal Collaboration Agreement. In December 2014, The Members of the Institute of Financial Accountants voted in favour to formally merge with the IPA to operate under a new IPA Group. In April 2013 the IPA and the SMSF Professionals' Association (SPAA) reached a mutual understanding to work together in areas such as accreditation, advocacy, research and policy development, organisational efficiencies, and education. In August 2019, the IPA and the Association of Accounting Technicians Sri Lanka (AAT SL) entered into a MOU. In July 2020, the Association of Accounting Technicians Australia (AAT) became a member of the IPA Group. In February 2022, the IPA signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement with the Fiji Institute of Accountants (FIA), allowing FIA members to join IPA at an equivalent level.

The IPA has the same Australian legislative recognition as the other two Australian accounting bodies, CPA Australia (CPA) and the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ). From 2 May 2011, the NIA was rebranded as the Institute of Public Accountants. In part this rebrand and repositioning is with a view to increase recognition and awareness as well as strengthen designations both nationally and globally. Since this repositioning, full members (MIPAs and FIPAs) of the IPA use the designation "Public Accountant".

Effective from 1 July 2002, the IPA was gazetted by the Australian Minister for Immigration as an authorised assessing authority for accountants seeking to migrate to Australia under Australia's skilled migration program. This gives the IPA the authority to assess the accounting qualifications of such persons. Successful QAI applicants are eligible for membership, the IPA assesses for the same core knowledge areas for both membership and QAI.

Members at the MIPA or FIPA level of the IPA may apply for a Public Practice Certificate after satisfying additional requirements.

Members who provide BAS services only may apply for a Public BAS Practitioner Certificate after satisfying additional requirements.