Preface - Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants

Foreword
Recent history has seen massive change in ideology in many countries.
Recent history has seen the rapid and sustained development of many economies that have
previously been described as “undeveloped”.
Recent history has seen the emergence of information technology as a principal driver of
organisations whether they be “for profit” or “not for profit”.
The accounting profession has had, and continues to have, a major role in these changes.
An important part of the profession’s own development has been the encouragement that it has
provided to those who have education and training to accounting technician or “middle level”.
Both developing economies and those that have already reach the “developed” stage can
benefit greatly by the recognition and growth of accounting technicians. The first group
because of the need to provide emerging industry with basic financial management support;
the second group because of the cost effectiveness that accounting technicians provide in the
operation of financial management systems, and the performance of accounting functions
specified and controlled by accounting professionals qualified to a higher level.
The Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants (CAPA) has recognised the need, and the
value that can be achieved from the development of the accounting technician group. The
International Federation of Accountants has also recognised the need and value of this group
as is evidenced in its recent and ongoing work.
The competency guidelines produced by CAPA are intended to provide a framework for use
by various countries/accounting bodies in establishing the educational base for accounting
technicians. They are intended therefore to be flexible and to be interpreted according to the
environment in which a particular education initiative is being undertaken. To this extent they
do not prescribe the specific education and training model to be used.
It is important for users to recognise that knowledge is but one of three requirements for entry
to a profession – the others being workplace experience, and development of professional
awareness and understanding. These latter two areas are not specifically addressed in these
guidelines although inevitably there are clear linkages to these requirements.
The Guidelines produced focus on the “what” in terms of a framework – a separate issue is the
“how”. This relates to the manner in which the competencies set out in the framework are
both developed and assessed. This will vary between countries/professional bodies according
to their education philosophy, culture, experience etc.
As a foundation step the Guidelines produced by CAPA are commended to any
country/professional body embarking on the initial design, or review, of the knowledge
requirements for Accounting Technicians or “middle level” accountants.
W. GILL COX
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand
Christchurch, New Zealand
3 June 1998
Competency Guidelines for Accounting Technicians 4