Graduate Careers

Many accounting graduates share your dreams and ambitions. To be noticed by employers of choice you need to be able to set yourself apart — you’ll need personalised support, a lot of information, even more education and the legitimacy that comes with membership of a recognised professional association.

The National Institute of Accountants (NIA) is an ideal organisation to join for this purpose. The NIA is Australia’s oldest professional association for accountants and is a full member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). With high professional, academic and ethical standards required of NIA members — your bona fides as a professional of choice are assured.

Every member counts

What really makes the NIA different is its personalised service. The organisation has the motto of ‘Every Member Counts’ and with approximately 20,000 members and students the NIA prides itself on being able to give each member time and attention. More often than not, divisional staff will know a member by name and answers and information come quickly and in person. This is exactly the sort of support you’re going to need.

Information and advice

To make the right career decision (and answer that curly interview question) you need the right information. The NIA is highly regarded by industry insiders for providing the right information when it’s needed. From students, to chief financial officers, to public accountants, the NIA has a range of knowledge networks and publications to help members make sense of their environment, past, present and future. The NIA’s technical team is heavily involved in standard setting and lobbying for the accounting profession and it is these very same experts who are available to members for information and advice. The NIA also fosters contact and networking between members with events, discussion groups and online forums.

Professional accreditation

The NIA’s postgraduate educational program is a highlight of membership and although more study may be the last thing on the mind for many of you, the NIA Program is something you should be seriously considering now. The NIA Program is flexible and conducted through distance learning with optional face to face weekend workshops. The program is conducted in two stages so members can learn at their own pace with up to five years to complete the program and there are tailored pathways for both university and TAFE qualified members. Completion of the program gains members a Master of Commerce (Professional Accounting), a bonus on any CV. Moreover the NIA Program includes a three year formal mentoring component to help members benefit from the guidance and experience of a senior accounting professional.

Free student register

If you’re not a graduate just yet, you may want to consider signing up on the NIA’s student register. The register is a no-cost and obligation free way to sample some of the NIA’s online services. You could also join online as a full student member — full student member benefits include;

• access to career resources and direction
• work experience programs*
• access to up-to-date information and advice
• discounts to events
• reduced fees for graduates.

* Not available in all states