Our historical timeline

First meeting at the Office of Messrs. Davey, Flack & co, 10 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne at 8.00pm.

Karl Benz drives the first automobile.

45 Founding members

Incorporated Institute of Accountants, Victoria (IIAV), later known as CPA Australia, is registered.

160 members 

Mary Addison Hamilton is admitted to full membership.

Name change from IIAV to CIA, Commonwealth Institute of Accountants.

First sports broadcast takes place on radio.

First issue of the Australian Accountant was published, Volume One - Number One.

4440 members

Our Jubilee Convention is held in Sydney with much celebration.

Hitler formally abrogates the Treaty of Versailles - 6 May 1937 and the Hindenburg bursts into flames.

World War II begins.

18,000 members

Our Diamond Jubilee Convention in Melbourne.

FIA and CIA merge to form the Australian Society of Accountants (ASA).

ASA goes international with official Representatives appointed in London and Singapore.

Our first local representative appointed in Hong Kong.

Victorian Society of Public Accountants merges with ASA.

Our first local representative appointed in Kuala Lumpur.

Our request for a coat of arms made by the General Council is granted by the College of Arms, London.

24,000 members

We introduce a graduate entry policy as membership grows internationally.

AICA merges with ASA.

40,000 members

Our first advertisement for the Member Handbook in the February issue of the Australian Accountant.

The introduction of Professional Orientation Program (POP) becomes compulsory for advancement to Associate.

50,000 members

CPD Program, recommending a minimum of 120 hours professional development per triennium introduced
to support lifelong learning.

State President of ASA, Dulce Feige from Queensland, is elected.

IBM releases something called a Personal Computer.

A task force is formed consisting of senior members working in Commerce, Industry, Government, Public Practice and Academia. After six months of discussion with all Divisional Councillors, the report of the Task Force is accepted which Recommended an additional level of membership called CPA, with required workplace-oriented entry exams for graduates of accredited University courses.

Derrick Docherty receives his CPA certificate from Prime Minister Bob Hawke at Parliament House Canberra, for our first CPA Certificate presentation.

Launch of our first National TV campaign – Not Your Average Accountant – to promote the value of the CPA designation.

CPA Program launches in conjunction with new requirements for CPD and for Public Practice Certificates. This was marketed as The Professional Schedule providing credibility to CPA promotion.

Established Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong branches.

The ASA changes its name to ASCPA.

The first issue of Australian Accounting Review is published.

The member offer continues to evolve with our first Members Handbook first published on disk.

Our New Zealand office opens.

75,000 members

Our new leading-edge website, CPA Online, is launched providing knowledge, training and information at the touch of a mouse.

75,000 member certificate is presented.

ASCPA becomes CPA Australia.

Beijing Office opens.

Shanghai Office opens.

CPA Australia releases first Sustainability Annual Report.
Congress offered via Second Life.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offices open.

CPA Congress held overseas with the inaugural event hosted in Singapore.

Our innovative Career Guidance System launches to support the career development of our members.

130,000 members

CPA Australia celebrates 125-year anniversary.

2012 Launch of INTHEBLACK.COM

Guangzhou office opens.

Established Indigenous Accountants Australia initiative in partnership with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. 

150,000 members

Launch of INTHEBLACK fortnightly e-newsletter.

CPA Australia celebrates 50 years in the Northern Territory.

155,000 members

CPA Australia celebrates 130-year anniversary.

Launch of CPA Australia Advice.

CPA Australia celebrates 60 years in Malaysia and Hong Kong.

Co-host the World Congress of Accountants in Sydney with 6000 delegates.

Launch of the inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to formalise CPA Australia’s commitment to reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander peoples.

Conducted 1st online exams 8th May 2020

First virtual CPA Congress

CPA Member Connect launched on 15 September 2020

Published our first Modern Slavery Statement
Released the My Capability Plan tool