What is the difference between an Accountant, Chartered Accountant and a Tax Agent?

Anyone can call themselves as Accountant, however only a Chartered Accountant has the recognised skill and expertise by the governing Accounting body – Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ).

To be a Chartered Accountant, you must:

  • Be a Member of CAANZ,
  • Be bound by a Code of Ethics and must continuously undertake mandatory personal development training,
  • And have trained for a minimum of seven years.

A Tax Agent is anyone who registers with the IRD to prepare client tax returns. Tax Agents are not necessarily Chartered Accountants.

HM Consultants Limited has 3 Members of the Institute, with Anna, Natasja and David being Chartered Accountants, in addition Anna holds a Certificate of Public Practice. Jasmine is a Provisional member of CAANZ and is currently undertaking her studies to become a Chartered Accountant.