Accounting Careers - Schools & Industry Connection Program
Connecting Schools, Students and the Accounting Profession
The accounting profession has faced an image problem for many years, with outdated perceptions making it increasingly difficult to attract young people.
The need for urgent action was reinforced by new research released by CA ANZ in September 2026, highlighting the significant workforce gap facing Australia’s accounting profession and the importance of strengthening the future talent pipeline.
The Make Accounting Great Again Accounting Careers – Schools & Industry Connection Program is designed to do just that by taking accounting directly into secondary schools and giving students first-hand exposure to the people, workplaces, pathways and opportunities within the profession.
Built around a practical five-stage framework, the Program is designed to move beyond the traditional one-off careers presentations commonly delivered in schools and build meaningful, ongoing connections between schools, students and the accounting profession that lead to workplace experience, mentoring, traineeships and employment opportunities.
Building the next generation of accounting professionals requires an industry-wide effort, bringing together accounting firms, professional bodies, education providers and other key stakeholders.
A National Initiative - Register Your School's Interest
The Program is a national initiative connecting the accounting profession with secondary schools to give students greater exposure to accounting careers, pathways and opportunities.
We have engaged extensively and established strong relationships and ongoing dialogue with representatives across the three education sectors nationally, with their input helping to shape and refine the Program ahead of school delivery from Term 1, 2027.
Accounting firms will play a key role in the Program, delivering it directly into schools and giving students first-hand exposure to accountants, workplaces and career opportunities.
We are inviting secondary schools across Australia to register their interest in participating in the Program from Term 1, 2027. Information provided through the registration process will be kept confidential and will not be made publicly available.
Register your school’s interest: Complete the Expression of Interest Form.
How the Program Works
The Program follows a 5-stage practical framework for accounting firms to build meaningful and ongoing relationships with schools and students through:
- interactive accounting career presentations;
- promotion of university, school based VET courses, traineeships and other pathways into the profession;
- workplace visits and exposure to modern accounting firms;
- work placements and work experience;
- school-based traineeships, and
- mentoring and ongoing engagement with students.
Engaging with Schools
In some States, including New South Wales, school visits by accounting firms and other external organisations need to be arranged through established education department or school processes.
These requirements are designed to ensure that external engagement is appropriate for students and complies with relevant school policies, including approval, supervision, child-safety and other administrative requirements.
In NSW public schools, for example, external providers and visiting speakers are subject to Department guidelines and the school principal retains responsibility for approving external engagement.
We have established relationships with government, Catholic and independent education sectors across Australia to support participating firms in navigating the appropriate processes for engaging with schools. This will help firms understand relevant requirements and build school connections in a coordinated and professional manner.
Creating a Pathway Beyond the First Visit
A key principle of the Program is that engagement shouldn’t end when the first careers presentation finishes.
When a student develops an interest in accounting, there should be a clear opportunity to take the next step.
That might involve: School presentation → Firm visit → Work experience → Further study or traineeship → Career in accounting
The objective is to turn initial awareness into real-world exposure, ongoing engagement and ultimately career opportunities.
More Than One Pathway into Accounting
University remains an important pathway into the accounting profession, but it is not the only pathway.
Across Australia, students should be aware of opportunities through Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, traineeships, apprenticeships and opportunities to combine paid employment, further study and practical workplace experience.
By showing students the different ways they can enter and progress through the profession, we can make accounting more accessible to a broader and more diverse range of young people across Australia.
Become a Participating Firm
Accounting firms of all sizes can play a direct role in inspiring the next generation of accounting professionals, with flexible opportunities ranging from school presentations and workplace visits to mentoring, work experience, traineeships and employment pathways.
For a monthly participation fee, Participating Firms gain access to a structured Program framework and practical, ready-to-use resources, enabling them to engage directly with schools under their own firm branding, showcase their people and culture, and build connections with their future talent pipeline.
Interested in Becoming a Participating Firm?
Register and subscribe directly here: Become a Participating Firm – Make Accounting Great Again
Alternatively, contact info@makeaccountinggreatagain.com.au to discuss participation opportunities for your firm and request further information, including our confidential Participating Firm Proposal.
Become a Sponsor
Professional bodies, universities, technology providers, recruitment organisations and other industry stakeholders are invited to sponsor the Program, providing vital financial support while contributing their expertise, resources, promotional networks and industry connections to extend the Program’s reach into secondary schools across Australia.
Interested in Becoming a Program Sponsor?
Contact info@makeaccountinggreatagain.com.au to discuss sponsorship opportunities and request further information, including our confidential Sponsorship Proposal.