Australian professional accounting body, CPA Australia is sponsoring the CPA Program for the top Bachelor of Accountancy graduate and the top Master of Professional Accounting graduate from the Singapore Management University (SMU).

CPA Australia's CPA Program is an internationally recognised professional education program for leaders in finance, accounting and business. Accountancy graduates who aim to advance to CPA status with CPA Australia are required to complete the CPA Program and three years' mentored work experience in the area of accounting or finance. Comprising a total of six segments – three compulsory and three electives – the CPA Program provides a study of the professional attributes of ethics and integrity and brings professional accounting education within the contemporary and interconnected contexts of business strategy, decision making, leadership and corporate governance. The key advantages of the CPA (Australia) designation are international mobility and opportunities for career advancement. The CPA (Australia) designation is internationally recognised with mutual recognition agreements with many leading international professional bodies. It is also a stepping stone to senior positions such as chief executive officer, chief financial officer, general manager or financial controller.

Under the sponsorship, the top graduating SMU accountancy student from the Bachelor's and Master's program respectively will enjoy full sponsorship of the course fees (about a total of S$5,400) for the CPA Program. Recipients of the CPA Australia awards for the top Bachelor of Accountancy graduate and the top Master of Professional Accounting graduate will be required to complete all six segments over a period of three years. Applicants must be among the top graduating students of their cohort with a high GPA. Other supporting criteria include co-curricular activities track record, leadership qualities, family household income and career aspirations. They must also meet the admission requirements for Associate membership of CPA Australia.

“We are both pleased and proud to sponsor outstanding SMU students in their pursuit of further study. This initiative is a first in Singapore and we hope that it will encourage more students to build on their studies and pursue a professional career in accounting. The CPA (Australia) designation is an internationally recognised qualification that will open doors for graduates to work abroad,” said Mr Geoff Rankin, Chief Executive Officer of CPA Australia. “Currently our members work and live in 98 different countries. There is a global shortage of professionally qualified accountants, and the opportunities are there for those who aspire to seize them,” he said.

CPA Australia is also contributing S$2,000 annually to establish the CPA Australia Outstanding Second Year Bachelor of Accountancy Award. The award will be given annually to a top performing second year full-time accountancy undergraduate at SMU for excellence in coursework. The recipient will receive S$2,000 cash and a certificate.

Said Associate Professor Pang Yang Hoong, Dean, School of Accountancy , SMU: “We are very happy with the support, both in kind and cash, from CPA Australia. Since the School of Accountancy was established in 2001, we have produced three batches of quality accountancy graduates who are not only strong in accounting skills but also versatile enough to take up financial services positions in banks, investment firms, management consultancies and MNCs. The CPA Program sponsorship will motivate them towards longer term advancement of career prospects including venturing overseas for work. The book prize will be an incentive for many undergraduates to achieve excellence in their studies.”