Ready to start your career straight from high school?
High School Leavers Program
You don't have to wait until after university to start building your career.
At PKF Australia, our High School Leavers Program gives you the opportunity to step into the professional world sooner – gaining real experience, earning while you learn and working towards becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA).
The program is currently offered through our Darwin, Gold Coast, Upper Hunter, Scone, Newcastle, Port Stephens and Tamworth offices, giving school leavers in these locations the opportunity to begin their accounting career straight out of high school.
You'll be supported from day one, with experienced people around you to help you learn, build confidence and discover where a career in accounting could take you.
Finishing high school can be exciting, but figuring out what comes next isn't always easy.
Through the CA ANZ pathway for high school leavers, you can start working in accounting while completing the study required to progress towards the Chartered Accountant designation.
That means gaining practical experience alongside your studies and starting to build your career from day one. At PKF, we'll support you along the way.
Your pathway to becoming a Chartered Accountant
CA Fundamentals
This is where you'll build the knowledge and skills to prepare you for the next stage of your studies. You'll complete four subjects - Study Skills, Accounting Fundamentals, Workplace Fundamentals and Business Fundamentals.
CA Foundations
Next, you'll build your technical accounting knowledge across Audit and Governance, Finance, Financial Accounting, Financial Reporting, Management Accounting, and Tax and Business Law.
The CA Program
After successfully completing the required foundational study, you'll progress into the CA Program and Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting (GradDipCA). You'll continue developing your technical knowledge while gaining practical experience in the workplace – bringing together what you're learning and what you're doing every day.
Support in your career from day one
Real world experience
You'll have the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals, contribute to real client work and see what a career in accounting actually looks like.
Support when you need it
Starting your first professional role can feel like a big step. You'll have people around you to answer questions, provide feedback and help you find your feet.
Learn while you work
Build your technical knowledge through your CA studies while developing practical skills and professional confidence at work.
Accessible leaders
Our open door culture means learning isn't limited to formal training. You'll have opportunities to learn from experienced managers and partners throughout your career.
A career that can grow with you
You don't need to know exactly where you want your career to take you yet. You'll have opportunities to learn, explore your strengths and discover what excites you.
Belong from day one
You'll become part of PKF's Early Careers community, connecting with other people who are also taking the first steps in their careers.
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