The Institute

The Institute was founded when the New Zealand Society of Accountants Act became law on 15 September 1908, after three years of endeavour on the part of the Incorporated Institute of Accountants of New Zealand (registered in 1894) and the Accountants and Auditors Association (formed in 1898). The Act established the professional body, giving it the power to provide for training and examination of members, and protected the terms “registered accountant” and “public accountant”. In 1966, the term “chartered accountant” was adopted.

The New Zealand Society of Accountants Act 1958 introduced practical experience requirements for membership, strengthened the disciplinary procedures and reserved the terms “accountant” and “auditor”. In 1996, following a period of intense consultation with members, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand Act was passed, changing the name of the organisation and reserving the terms “registered accountant” and “chartered accountant” while opening the terms “accountant” and “auditor”.

The operating name of the organisation is now the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants.