Accountants forge transtasman ties

CPA Australia, that country's accounting body, is moving to forge stronger transtasman links with New Zealand.

Greg Larsen, chief executive of CPA Australia, said "CPA Australia is wholly supportive of the transtasman agreement between the Australian and New Zealand governments.

"We wish to demonstrate our commitment to the agreement, to our members in New Zealand and to the free exchange of professional accountants within New Zealand and Australia.

"We can contribute to CER through being able to offer increased business,

professional and academic opportunities for our members in New Zealand and playing a practical advocacy role in Trans-Tasman circles."

In the space of a few months, it has begun a programme of university accreditation to establish relationships with academia and enable graduates to apply for membership; appointed a manager to oversee its operations; and will open a branch office in Auckland's CBD in April.

President of the New Zealand branch of CPA Australia, Ms Lorraine Sheehan, welcomed the expansion of activity.

"It demonstrates we mean business,' she said. The University of Auckland is the first university to be accredited and four others are under consideration. This means more choice for our young people and a wider pool of skilled professionals for employers."