Scholarships aim to lift representation in accounting

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand has announced a scholarship program designed to ease the pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students entering the accounting profession.

The initiative provides financial assistance and mentoring to help address the long-standing underrepresentation of Indigenous Australians in the sector.

Four scholarships valued at $10,000 each will be awarded to graduates and final-year students who are enrolling in the Chartered Accountants program.

The funding covers membership fees, education program costs and access to specialised masterclasses. Recipients will also receive one-on-one mentoring from experienced teaching staff.

Chief Executive Ainslie van Onselen said the program removes financial obstacles that can deter students from pursuing the qualification.

“This support allows candidates to focus on their studies without carrying the burden of additional costs,” she said.

Figures released by the body show that Indigenous Australians make up fewer than half a per cent of its Australian membership, despite accounting for almost four percent of the population. This means that only one in 200 Chartered Accountants is Indigenous.

The organisation has introduced a range of measures over recent years to improve participation.

In 2021, it created an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Member Panel to advise on cultural and professional matters. In 2024, it presented a policy submission to the federal government calling for greater investment in financial literacy and business mentoring programs for First Nations communities.

The body has also supported international dialogue. In July 2024 it participated in the Global Indigenous Business Summit in Rotorua, New Zealand, joining delegates from Canada, the United States and across the Pacific to discuss economic self-determination.

Looking ahead, a new program called CA Fundamentals is being rolled out to provide an entry pathway for those without university qualifications. It combines employment, mentoring and coursework, making the accounting profession more accessible to people from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous Australians.

The scholarship program represents another step in an effort to make the profession more inclusive. For many young people considering careers in finance, the combination of financial assistance, mentoring and community support may prove decisive in bridging the gap between aspiration and achievement.