Hi.

Let is say that l were an association member of Australian CPA in the first segment of CPA program.

Is it theoretically possible for me to open my own accounting firm ?

Another thing is that whether l can get any benefit from previous 1 yr working experience which l have done it before l enrolled in CPA program ?

Someone said that the previous work experience should be recognisable even though it has been done before enrolling CPA program. In other words, l have only two yrs work experience out of three yrs required by CPA.

Can anyone verify the above matter ?

The CPA membership by-laws disallow an associate member (i.e., one who is doing the CPA program) to be a principal in a public accounting practice. So they would not let u be an associate member if u were a self employed tax agent. However, in those circumstances, they may let u do the CPA program as a non-member. it means that u would have to pay an extra $400 per course in the program & u may be restricted from some of the benefits of associate membership such as using their database of volunteer accredited mentors to get a mentor. You would have to find ur own mentor, perhaps. The mentor program usually goes for 3 years & the maximum credit they can give for certain prior experience might only be 12 months. You can email me via my profile to discuss this more with me, if u like.