Don't make these mistakes when becoming an accountant in Australia

Applying to Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) for your Skills Assessment Australia is not just another administrative step.It is a technical, detailed, and highly strategic evaluation that can determine whether you move forward—or get stuck—on your migration pathway as an accountant in Australia.

At SkillsPRO, we regularly see strong professional profiles receiving negative outcomes, not due to lack of experience, but because of avoidable mistakes.

Below, we explain the most common errors when applying to CA ANZ and—most importantly—how to avoid them from the start.

❌ Mistake 1: Choosing the ANZSCO code based only on the job title

This is by far the most common mistake.

Many accountants choose their ANZSCO code based on:

• The name of their university degree

• The job title listed on their contract

• What “sounds better” or more senior

👉 CA ANZ does not assess titles—it assesses actual duties performed.

How to avoid it

Before selecting an ANZSCO code, it’s essential to:

• Analyse your experience function by function

• Identify which tasks make up the majority of your role

• Align evidence, not labels

At SkillsPRO, we always start with your real profile, not the code.

❌ Mistake 2: Underestimating the academic review

With CA ANZ, your academic curriculum matters.Simply “being an accountant” is not enough.

Common mistakes include:

• Failing to check whether subjects meet required content areas

• Assuming all accounting degrees are equivalent

• Submitting incomplete or poorly translated transcripts

How to avoid it

• Review your subjects one by one

• Verify academic equivalencies

• Present clear, well-organised documentation

An unexplained academic gap can affect the entire assessment.

❌ Mistake 3: Poorly describing work experience

CA ANZ closely examines:

• What you actually did

• How you did it

• For how long

• At what level of responsibility

Frequent issues include:

• Generic employment reference letters

• Duties copied directly from a CV

• Lack of technical detail

• Inconsistencies between documents

How to avoid it

Your experience must:

✔ Be written in professional Australian workplace language

✔ Be specific and verifiable

✔ Be aligned with the selected ANZSCO code

At SkillsPRO, we structure and optimise this evidence to meet CA ANZ standards.

❌ Mistake 4: Using non-certified (or low-quality) translations

CA ANZ does not accept informal translations.

Critical errors include:

• Translations completed by the applicant

• “Basic” translations without certification

• Translations that fail to reflect the professional context

How to avoid it

All documents not issued in English must include:

✔ NAATI-certified translations

✔ Accurate accounting terminology

✔ Consistency across all documents

That’s why at SkillsPRO we work closely with Entrelingo Translations, ensuring translations add value rather than weaken your application.

❌ Mistake 5: Applying without a clear visa objective

One of the most silent—and costly—mistakes.

Many accountants complete a skills assessment:

• “Just to have it ready”

• Without knowing which visa they will apply for

• Without assessing points, sponsorship options, or timing

The problem:👉 A misaligned skills assessment may not be usable for your future visa.

How to avoid it

Before applying, you need clarity on:

• Your target visa

• Your migration strategy

• The role you want to pursue in Australia

The skills assessment is part of the plan, not a directionless starting point.

❌ Mistake 6: Applying without expert review

CA ANZ is a demanding assessing authority.Applying without guidance increases the risk of:

• Documentation errors

• Omissions

• Inconsistencies

• Negative outcomes that are difficult to reverse

How to avoid it

Expert support allows you to:

• Identify errors before submission

• Optimise your profile

• Submit a strong, consistent application

How SkillsPRO helps you avoid these mistakes (Gold Plan)

At SkillsPRO, we provide end-to-end support for CA ANZ Skills Assessment processes through our Gold Plan, also ideal for VETASSESS, ACS, and TRA.

With this plan, you receive:

• Full review and optimisation of academic and employment documentation

• Strategic analysis to select the correct ANZSCO code

• Three follow-up meetings

• NAATI-certified translations (up to 6 pages)

• Complete assistance with the online application

• Support with any additional requests from CA ANZ

👉 While we cannot guarantee the outcome (as it depends on the assessing officer), we do guarantee a complete, clear, and fully optimised application.

CA ANZ does not forgive avoidable mistakes

CA ANZ applies high standards because it seeks profiles genuinely aligned with the Australian market.

The good news:

✔ Most common mistakes can be avoided

✔ Preparation makes the difference

✔ A strong strategy saves time, money, and frustration

At SkillsPRO, we help ensure your CA ANZ application is strategic, well-structured, and aligned with your migration goals—not a leap into the unknown.

✔️ Free consultation to help you understand your case and provide the best options – Book your free consultation here

If you want more information about the Skills Assessment process, migration, or simply want to connect with other professionals, we invite you to join our WhatsApp group "Latinos Profesionales en Australia" 🇦🇺. Share experiences, ask questions, and find support on your path to residency in Australia. You can also join our Facebook group here.