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Pre-Chartered Accountants Program Self-Assessment
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Before considering enrolment in the Chartered Accountants Program, you should be aware that there is a level of assumed knowledge that is expected of candidates prior to commencing the Chartered Accountants Program. This assumed knowledge is based on the six core knowledge areas specified by the Institute and is gained when you study a university degree accredited by the Institute or other recognised formal qualification. 
 
This section outlines the assumed knowledge for each core curriculum area of the GradDipCA and provides a series of self-assessment questions & solutions related to each core area. To assist you identify any assumed knowledge areas which require further development prior to entering the Chartered Accountants Program, we recommend that you attempt the self-assessment questions for each area before referring to the solutions provided. 
 
The assumed knowledge is categorised according to six core knowledge areas:

Pre-Chartered Accountants Program Self-Assessment Questions 
 
Please note: The self-assessment questions are not a replacement for the entry requirements for the Chartered Accountants Program. Successful attempts at these questions will be not accepted in lieu of fulfilment of the university entry requirements for the Chartered Accountants Program nor will they be accepted as justification of eligibility for enrolment in the Chartered Accountants Program. 
 
The purpose of the self-assessment questions is to provide future candidates with the opportunity to determine their readiness to undertake the Chartered Accountants Program. Similarly, unsuccessful attempts at the self-assessment questions is not an indication of a candidate’s eligibility for the Chartered Accountants Program. Candidates who are unsuccessful in their attempts at the self-assessment should refer to the Sources of Additional Information to improve their performance prior to commencing their Chartered Accountants Program studies. 
 
The activities are not intended to be prescriptive or exhaustive, nor will they necessarily correspond to individual subjects (for example, the area of financial accounting will inevitably extend over more than one subject at undergraduate level). Other subjects may include coverage of two, or more, core curriculum areas (for example, a subject that has elements of both financial accounting and management accounting). 
 
Nonetheless, the questions cover in broad terms, the assumed knowledge for graduates entering the Chartered Accountants Program. While they are intended to be indicative only and not to be prescriptive of the Chartered Accountants Program content, they serve as a good benchmark by which to assess your readiness for this rigorous course of study. 
 
Pre-Chartered Accountants Program Self-Assessment Suggested Solutions and further information 
 
A suggested solution for each self-assessment question is provided. The suggested solutions are not model answers but rather an indication of the material that should be covered in your answer. Should you identify areas of weakness or content areas that you feel you need to review, refer to the Sources of Additional Information listed after the suggested solutions for each core knowledge areas. By investing the time to ensure a good understanding of the assumed knowledge areas prior to commencing your studies, you’ll be taking the first step toward the goal of successfully completing the Chartered Accountants Program. 
 
Auditing 
Pre-Chartered Accountants Program assumed knowledge 
Students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the nature and purpose of auditing, the accountability of external auditors under statutory and professional requirements, the conduct of an audit according to regulatory and professional requirements, and to apply this understanding to current issues. 
Auditing Questions - updated August 2006 (pdf 138kb) 
Auditing Solutions - updated August 2006 (pdf 113kb) 
 
Australian Taxation Law 
Pre-Chartered Accountants Program assumed knowledge 
Students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of taxation compliance within statutory and professional requirements, and apply this understanding to current issues. 
Australian Taxation Law Questions - updated February 2006 (pdf 54kb) 
Australian Taxation Law Solutions - updated February 2006 (pdf 59kb) 
 
Commercial and Corporations Law 
Pre-Chartered Accountants Program assumed knowledge 
Students should be able to demonstrate a general legal knowledge relating to the business environment and to understand the responsibilities and risks that arise in business, with particular regard to the law relating to corporate entities.  
Commercial & Corporations Law Questions - updated August 2006 (pdf 102kb) 
Commercial & Corporations Law Solutions - updated August 2006 (pdf 141kb) 
 
Finance 
Pre-Chartered Accountants Program assumed knowledge 
Students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the business finance and treasury function (in terms of fundamental capital, investment, funding, and risk decision concepts), the analysis and management of an entity’s financial position, and recent developments in the Australian and international financial/treasury scene. 
Finance Questions - updated March 2006 (pdf 192kb) 
Finance Solutions - updated March 2006 (pdf 289kb) 
 
Financial Accounting 
Pre-Chartered Accountants Program assumed knowledge 
Students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the form and function of financial statements and of how financial transactions are recorded, a critical awareness of financial accounting and financial analysis issues within Australian and international contexts, and an understanding of the conceptual and theoretical concepts underlying accounting practice. 
Financial Accounting Questions - updated June 2006 (pdf 323kb) 
Financial Accounting Solutions - updated June 2006 (pdf 253kb) 
 
Management Accounting 
Pre-Chartered Accountants Program assumed knowledge 
Students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of developments in management accounting, budgeting, product and service costing, control and performance evaluation, and strategic management accounting by the application of relevant numerical and analytical skills, and the demonstration of current theoretical knowledge in the application of these skills. 
Management Accounting Questions - updated March 2006 (pdf 203kb) 
Management Accounting Solutions - updated March 2006 (pdf 217kb)