MY PUBL IC ACCOUNTANT – APPL ICATION FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE CERTIF ICATE

MEMBER OF THE

FOR PP-013_V3_MAY 13PAGE 1/4

Please complete all sections using BLOCK LETTERS YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS

Member ID Status MIPA FIPA or AIPA with statutory registration1

Mr Mrs Miss Ms Other, please state

Given name Family name/Surname 1If you are an Associate member (AIPA) seeking a My Public Accountant (MPA) Practice Certificate you must hold a relevant statutory registration and apply to undergo the IPA Mentored Experience Program. Refer to Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Please indicate the services you offer or intend to offer to the public:

Taxation advice and/or returns Financial Reporting Auditing Self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) Audit

Insolvency and reconstructions Superannuation Insurance Financial Planning/Investment Advice Business or management consulting

BAS and/or bookkeeping Other (provide details)

Please indicate any statutory registrations you hold2 and include your registration number, where applicable

Tax Agent (No. ) BAS Agent (No. ) Registered Company Auditor (No. )

SMSF Auditor (No. ) Australian Financial Services Licence (No. )

Registered Company Liquidator (No. ) Registered Trustee in Bankruptcy (No. )

Licensed Municipal Auditor (No. ) Official Liquidator (No. )

Other (provide details: )

Your business entity:

Business name ABN

Your interest in the business:

Sole trader Partner Director Shareholder Principal Other (provide details)

Please provide details of your current professional indemnity (PI) insurance:

Insurer Cover $ Cover end date / /

Certificate of Currency and Schedule attached (required before a Professional Practice Certificate can be issued3)

I need to arrange PI insurance with this application: please authorise the IPA’s preferred insurance provider to contact me

2If your services are covered by the statutory registration of a business entity (e.g. Company Tax Agent – Business), please include details. 3The IPA requires new members in professional practice to apply for membership and a Professional Practice Certificate simultaneously. Applying for PI insurance prior to approval of your membership application is done at your own risk. However, the IPA will not finalise your membership or MPA Practice Certificate application until we receive your PI insurance Certificate of Currency (CoC). Please note the cover end date on the CoC must be at least one month after the date of submitting this application.

MEMBER OF THE

MY PUBL IC ACCOUNTANT – APPL ICATION FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE CERTIF ICATE

FOR PP-013_V3_MAY 13

FIND AN ACCOUNTANT LISTING

YES I would like my business details listed in the Find an Accountant facility on the IPA website (www.publicaccountants.org.au) and I permit the IPA to disclose my business details in response to any phone or email enquiries from the public seeking an accountant. (Provide details and sign declaration below.)

NO I do not want the IPA to disclose my business details via Find an Accountant or in response to any phone or email enquiries. (Proceed to Payment Details section.)

Business details to be listed: Member name and business name (as noted on previous page)

Business address State Postcode

Business phone Business website

Business email Business fax

Languages spoken

Services (Provide descriptive text to assist potential clients searching for an Accountant in your area. Max 500 characters.)

Note: You may change your listing at any time by contacting your local IPA Divisional office on 1800 625 625.

Declaration I hereby authorise the IPA to list the above details in the ‘Find an Accountant’ facility. I understand that the IPA takes no responsibility for the behaviour of any member of the public to whom these details are provided.

Signature Date / /

PAYMENT DETAILSSubscription rates are available at www.publicaccountants.org.au/fees

I have enclosed a cheque/money order payable to ‘Institute of Public Accountants’

Please charge my Amex Mastercard Visa

Card number Expiry date

Cardholder Name

Signature Date / / TAX INVOICE: This form becomes a Tax Invoice upon payment. Total Price includes GST. Please retain a copy for your taxation records.*Professional Standards Council levy applies to all NSW residents who hold a current IPA Professional Practice Certificate, except financial services licensees.

MPA Fee AUD

PSC Fee (NSW only)* AUD

Total AUD

ABN 81 004 130 643

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MEMBER OF THE

MY PUBL IC ACCOUNTANT – APPL ICATION FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE CERTIF ICATE

FOR PP-013_V3_MAY 13

SUPPORTING EVIDENCE

Please attach the following in support of your application for an MPA Practice Certificate:

• Evidence of your statutory registration(s), for example registration certificate and/or a registration number that is verifiable online.

• If you do not hold a statutory registration relevant to the services you offer, provide transcripts showing successful completion of tertiary studies in Australian Taxation Law and Australian Company Law

• Certificate of Currency and Schedule for your PI insurance. If the policy is not in your name, please include sufficient additional evidence to demonstrate that you are covered under that policy for the services you provide.

• Evidence of at least 12 months experience in a professional practice or other relevant environment, for example either two professional references (senior colleague, employer or client) or one such professional reference and your current CV or resumé.

Please Note: Do not send original documents as they will not be returned.

If information is incomplete or evidence documents are not submitted the IPA will be unable to finalise your application.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need to hold a Professional Practice Certificate? You must hold a Professional Practice Certificate if you meet any of the following criteria: 1. You are a Principal, Director, Owner, Partner of, or hold an equity interest in a business that provides accounting and related services to the public.

2. Your firm is advertised or promoted in any way as “Institute of Public Accountants”.

3. You hold a statutory registration or provide a service that is a statutory requirement.

4. You audit self-managed superannuation funds (SMSF) including where you sign off on SMSF audits in your capacity as employee.

5. You provide services on contract to an accounting firm and you are not covered by that firm’s professional indemnity insurance

Are there any exemptions from the requirement to hold a Professional Practice Certificate? You may only be exempt from the requirement to hold a Professional Practice Certificate if:1. You do not hold a statutory registration AND

2. Your income from professional practice is below AUD10000 gross per annum.

What is the difference between an MPA Practice Certificate and a Public BAS Practitioner Certificate?

Declaration I hereby apply for a My Public Accountant Practice Certificate issued by the IPA and declare that:

• I agree to abide by the IPA Constitution, Pronouncements and By-Laws4 and all Standards, Guidance Statements and other authoritative interpretations issued by the Auditing & Assurance Standards Board of Australia, the Australian Accounting Standards Board and the Accounting Professional and Ethical Standards Board, including the requirements to:

a. Maintain professional indemnity insurance that complies with IPA requirements;

b. Complete the IPA’s My Public Accountant ‘Practice Program within 6 months of issue of my MPA Practice Certificate

c. Undergo an IPA professional practice quality assurance review when required;

d. Undertake and keep a record of my continuing professional development activities (80 hours biennial);and

e. Advise the IPA should I become bankrupt, be charged with any criminal offence or be the subject of an adverse finding by any professional or regulatory body.

• I have read the Privacy Statement5 and consent to my personal information being collected, used and disclosed for the purposes outlined.

Signature Date / /

4The IPA Constitution, By-Laws and Pronouncements are available on the IPA website – publicaccountants.org.au/about-us/ipa-rules-and-standards. Failure to comply with these standards may expose a member to disciplinary action. 5Privacy Statement: The Institute of Public Accountants acknowledges the importance of privacy and of safeguarding personal information. Any personal details provided to the IPA will be protected in line with the National Privacy Principles and the laws and regulations regarding such matters as are applicable in Australia. The IPA will not collect or monitor any personal information about you without your consent nor will we use or disclose to others your personal details without prior authorisation unless: it is required by the law or the courts; it is necessary because of the service you are using or for a service you have requested; or to protect the rights or property of others. This information is being gathered to process your application; you may withhold providing the information but this will make processing your application difficult. The information requested is intended only for the use of the IPA and our approved service providers.

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MEMBER OF THE

MY PUBL IC ACCOUNTANT – APPL ICATION FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE CERTIF ICATE

FOR PP-013_V3_MAY 13

The Public BAS Practitioner Certificate is available to IPA members who are registered BAS agents and who provide only BAS services to the public. Registered BAS agents who provide additional services must hold an MPA Practice Certificate.

If you wish to apply for a Public BAS Practitioner Certificate, please contact us to obtain the relevant application form.

Are all Associate members eligible to hold an MPA Practice Certificate? Associate members may only hold an MPA Practice Certificate if they also hold a current relevant statutory registration and apply to undergo the IPA Mentored Experience Program (MEP).

What is the Mentored Experience Program (MEP)? The IPA MEP is a work-experience based program designed to provide a structured approach to ongoing professional development and workplace learning. Participants are required to complete agreed areas of work activity under the supervision of a more experienced accountant and submit supporting documentary evidence of completion. Experienced accountants may apply for partial or full exemption. The MEP Information pack, including application forms, is available from www.publicaccountants.org.au/mentored-experience-program.

Do I need to study Australian Tax Law and Australian Company Law? Applicants for an MPA Practice Certificate who do not hold a statutory registration are required to have completed approved studies in Australian Tax Law and Australian Company Law. The IPA considers knowledge in these areas to be critical to the provision of professional accounting services to the public.Approved studies in Australian Tax Law and Australian Company Law must be completed prior to commencing practice and applying for a Professional Practice Certificate. Members who have not yet undertaken studies in these areas are encouraged to enrol in relevant subjects offered through the IPA Program or at a recognised Australian tertiary institution. For confirmation that your proposed studies will satisfy IPA requirements please contact your IPA Divisional Office.

What Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance cover do I require? All members with a Professional Practice Certificate must be covered by their firm’s PI insurance. The policy must have a minimum cover of AUD500,000, comply with IPA requirements (By-Law 9.1.11), cover the member, the firm and other partners of the firm (whether or not they are members of the Institute), and all other directors and executive officers of the company (whether or not they are members of the IPA). Please see www.publicaccountants.org.au/pi-insurance for the IPA preferred PI supplier.

When and where must I complete the My Public Accountant Practice Program (MPA Practice Program)? Members must satisfactorily complete the MPA Practice Program before, or within six months after the issue of their MPA Practice Certificate. This two day program is conducted in workshop format in capital city locations. Please check the CPE calendar at www.publicaccountants.org.au/cpe-events for the next session scheduled for your closest location.

The MPA Practice Program is designed to assist members in establishing and/or developing their professional practice. The program focuses on non-technical skills such as practice structures, strategic planning, marketing, risk management, quality assurance and practice development.

What professional practice experience is required? Applicants are required to have a minimum of 12 months experience in a professional practice or other relevant environment, for example as a professional employee or principal or at a senior level in a commercial environment. Suitable evidence of experience includes, for example, two professional references (e.g. senior colleague, employer or client) outlining your position, responsibilities and achievements or a professional reference and your current CV or resumé.

What is the Professional Standards Council levy and am I required to pay the fee? IPA Professional Practitioners in NSW are covered by the IPA’s Scheme under the Professsional Standards Act. The scheme operates for the purpose of improving the occupational standards of professionals and to protect the consumers of their services. It also limits the civil liability of members to whom the scheme applies. All IPA Professional Practitioners in NSW automatically join the scheme when they are issued with a practice certificate. There are compulsory disclosure requirements that members must use on their business documents. For further information please call the NSW office on 1800 625 625.

Who can assist me with my application? We encourage you to speak to your IPA Divisional office if you require assistance with any aspect of this application process.

Contact details Freecall (from within Australia):1800 625 625. Mailing address for applications: ACT/NSW: Locked Bag A6090, Sydney South NSW 1235 QLD: GPO Box 2578, Brisbane QLD 4001 SA/NT: PO Box 3056 Rundle Mall, Adelaide SA 5000 TAS: GPO Box 244, Hobart TAS 7001 VIC: GPO Box 1637, Melbourne VIC 3001 WA: Locked Bag 9, South Perth WA 6951

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