For many people, professional growth goes beyond just technical skills – it’s also about having opportunities and connections that can help and support you. That’s why being part of a professional network can be invaluable.

Whether it’s granting access to new insights, assisting in challenging situations, or offering admittance into a global community, a strong network opens doors that would otherwise remain closed.

This was the case for New Zealand-based George Collier FCA, a director with ICL Chartered Accountants, who recently completed a gruelling 3000-kilometre bike ride – the Tour Aotearoa – from the top to the bottom of New Zealand. When one of his fellow riders fell behind by a couple of hours, he knew he needed to find a way to help or risk missing the boat that would take them to the next leg, on the South Island.

“We had already done about 75 kilometres that day, and we needed to do another 75 kilometres before evening and we just knew he wouldn’t be able to make it,” says Collier.

“We were averaging about 120 kilometres a day over some pretty tricky terrain – we’d just come through the Timber Trail, and he was just physically worn out.”

As they rode into Taumarunui, Collier decided the best bet was to find a CA and call them for help.

“I didn’t know anyone in the town,” says Collier, “but I knew there was a chartered accountant’s office and I thought, ‘why not see if they could help?’”

Bailey Ingham was the firm that stepped up, with a CA happily driving the exhausted cyclist to the next stop, he says.

“He [the tired cyclist] was absolutely shocked to get a text saying, ‘I’ve sorted out a ride for you,’ but he was even more shocked when he found out I didn’t know them!”

The willingness of many CAs to volunteer their time for both industry and community initiatives gave Collier the confidence that, in his profession, he could find someone willing to help a friend in need.

“It’s about paying it forward and making a contribution, and it’s incredible how those efforts can come back in powerful ways. Even though I didn’t know anyone locally, I thought, ‘I can tap into the CA network – I’m sure I can,’” he says.

“They said, from one CA to another, ‘we'd love to help.’ It showed me the power of the network – to be able to ask for a bit of help and to get that assistance felt like we were part of a family that extended right across New Zealand. It’s like a bonus part of your membership.”

Reciprocal arrangements and international pathways

CA ANZ members can join Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW), a community of 1.8 million CAs and students across 190-plus countries.

Membership allows you to expand your global network, plus CA ANZ offers members international support via offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and London.

CAs also benefit from reciprocal arrangements between international accounting bodies that belong to Global Accounting Alliance (GAA), making it easier to look for work across borders. These agreements enable members of one country’s CA association to gain recognition in others, often with minimal additional certification or exams required.

Additionally, International Pathways have been developed to fast-track entry to CA ANZ membership. These pathways provide a streamlined process for qualified accountants from GAA member countries, enabling them to gain CA ANZ status more quickly and efficiently.

Global Accounting Alliance reciprocal member bodies:

• AICPA – American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• ICAEW – The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
• CPA Canada – Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada
• ICAS – The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
• CAI – Chartered Accountants Ireland
• HKICPA – Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• SAICA – The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants

Learn more about pathways for members of overseas accounting bodies here.