Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is essential for accountants in Australia, ensuring they maintain their skills and stay current with evolving regulations and technology. For Certified Practicing Accountants (CPAs), CPD is not a recommended but a mandatory commitment to professional growth. CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) both have strict CPD requirements to promote expertise and ethical conduct. This guide outlines key CPD obligations and highlights top online platforms and courses for 2025, helping CPAs fulfill their requirements while advancing their careers.

Understanding Your CPD Obligations

CPA Australia requires members to complete at least 20 CPD hours annually, totaling 120 hours over a three-year period (triennium). These include both verifiable and unverifiable activities. Since October 2023, members must also complete at least 2 verifiable hours of ethics-focused CPD each year, adding up to 10 hours over three years. A member's triennium start date depends on the date they became a member. For the latest details, refer to CPA Australia.

CA ANZ has its own CPD structure based on the professional’s designation. CA, Affiliate, and Non-Member Principal (NMP) members must complete 120 hours every triennium, with at least 90 verifiable and 20 hours annually. Associate Chartered Accountants (ACA) need 90 hours (67 verifiable), with 15 annually, and Accounting Technicians (AT) require 60 hours (45 verifiable), with 10 each year. Starting July 2024, all members, independently of their designations, must complete 6 hours of verifiable ethics CPD per triennium.

Visit the CA ANZ website for further guidance.

Top Online Platforms for Accounting CPD in Australia

CPA Australia offers numerous online CPD courses on topics like taxation, Excel, leadership, and ethics.

CA ANZ also supports members through its Education Store, offering online courses, webinars, workshops, and conferences.

Beyond the professional bodies, several third-party platforms offer specialized CPD.

Why Choose AU & NZ CPD by LearnFormula for Online CPD?

AU & NZ CPD is a dedicated online CPD platform that provides accountants in Australia and New Zealand with flexible, high-quality learning options to meet compliance standards and stay ahead in their profession.

Why Accountants Choose AU & NZ CPD:

Individual CPD courses: Focused content for specific skills or compliance topics
CPD packages: Bundled courses for cost savings and convenience
Custom packages: Tailored solutions for firms, teams, or practices with specific CPD needs

All courses are developed and reviewed by subject-matter experts, with 2025 content aligned to regulatory updates and industry developments.

Recommended CPD Packages for Accountants in AU & NZ

To streamline CPD planning for 2025, AU & NZ CPD offers curated course packages that align with CPD requirements set by CPA Australia and CA ANZ. These packages are ideal for accountants seeking structured, high-value learning paths with verifiable hours.

Excel Skills for Accountants – 2025 Package
Strengthen your core spreadsheet and data management capabilities with this practical package focused on Excel for accounting professionals. Covering advanced formulas, dashboards, and automation tools, it’s ideal for those looking to increase efficiency and accuracy in financial reporting and analysis.

CFO & Controller Partnership – 2025 Package
Focused on the evolving relationship between CFOs and controllers, this package explores strategic collaboration, leadership skills, and financial decision-making in complex business environments. It’s ideal for senior finance professionals or those preparing for leadership roles in accounting.

Technology for Accountants – 2025 Package
This package equips accountants with critical insights into how emerging technologies—such as AI, automation, and data analytics—are reshaping the profession. Learn how to leverage these tools to improve accuracy, client service, and operational efficiency.

Annual CPD Compliance for Accountants
Designed to help meet your annual CPD compliance obligations with confidence, this all-in-one package includes essential topics such as ethics, accounting standards updates, and emerging industry trends. It provides a convenient and cost-effective way to complete your required hours each year.

Featured CPD Courses and Resources for 2025

Technology for Accountants

ChatGPT for Accountants and Bookkeepers - Explore how AI tools like ChatGPT can streamline accounting and bookkeeping tasks.
ChatGPT for Accountants - Designed specifically for accountants, this course dives into how ChatGPT can support financial analysis, data summarisation, report drafting, and ethical AI use within professional practice.
How Technology Impacts the Accounting Profession - Understand the major technological shifts shaping the accounting profession today. Learn how automation, cloud platforms, and AI are transforming compliance, advisory, and decision-making roles.

Soft Skills for Accountants

Your First 100 Days as CFO - This course guides new or aspiring CFOs through their critical first 100 days in leadership. Learn how to assess financial health, build strategic influence, and align finance with business goals.
Leading Effective Meetings for CPAs - Gain practical tools for planning and facilitating productive meetings in accounting settings. Learn to set clear agendas, encourage participation, and follow up for meaningful outcomes.
Plain Language Communication for CPA's - Improve your ability to explain financial concepts clearly to clients and stakeholders.

Payroll Accounting

An Introduction to Payroll Accounting - Master the basics of payroll accounting, including salary calculations, statutory deductions, and journal entries.
Managing Payroll and Accounts Payable Processes - Learn best practices for overseeing payroll and accounts payable processes. Topics include process efficiency, compliance, reconciliation, and internal controls.
Navigating Payroll Tax Challenges for Service Entities - This course addresses complex payroll tax issues that impact service-based entities, including contractor classification, multi-jurisdictional compliance, and risk mitigation.

Conclusion:

Accountants in Australia and New Zealand face evolving professional, technological, and regulatory demands, making CPD more important than ever. By understanding their obligations and choosing a flexible, trusted provider like AU & NZ CPD, accounting professionals can meet their CPD requirements while gaining valuable skills for the future. With individual courses, comprehensive packages, and tailored solutions, AU & NZ CPD offers an efficient path to compliance and professional growth in 2025 and beyond.