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The finance sector has been revolutionised by globalisation and emerging technologies, compelling employers to seek professionals with an agile skill set. Manoeuvring today’s challenging economic environment requires more than just number-crunching – the need of the hour is for strategic, ethical and governance capabilities.
To meet these expectations, individuals are increasingly opting for professional designations that are recognised across borders. The CPA Program is a rigorous professional qualification designed to develop skilled business leaders in finance, accounting and beyond. Since its founding in 1886 as the Incorporated Institute of Accountants in Victoria, CPA Australia has grown from just 45 members to a global community of more than 176,000 professionals across over 100 countries and regions, supported by 20 offices worldwide. The pathways to becoming a member with CPA Australia are many. Other than joining through the conventional pathway of completing an accredited degree, the CPA Program is equally accessible to professionals from diverse academic backgrounds, who can apply by first undertaking the Foundation exams. Designed to be flexible and self-paced, the exam format enables candidates to study at their own pace, choosing the time and location that best fits their schedules.
On the larger stage, CPA Australia is one of the defining voices in developing high-quality accounting standards globally. Through mutual agreements with professional bodies worldwide, like the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), CPA Australia continues to strengthen international collaboration and professional mobility. To explore how CPA Australia can transform and further careers, we speak to Dimple Ranawat CPA (Aust.),
an Internal Control Assurance Manager at Swiss Re, who shares how pursuing the CPA Australia designation not only broadened, her professional scope, but also empowered her to take on new challenges with confidence and credibility. 1. What inspired you to build a career in internal control, assurance, and risk management? Coming from a background of running a family business, , I was exposed early on to its everyday realities, how organisations create value, generate sustainable profits, and navigate challenges.
I was always curious about how businesses design processes, identify potential risks, and put measures in place to prevent issues before they occur. This curiosity naturally led me towards a career in internal control, assurance, and risk management.
What attracted me most was the opportunity to gain a holistic understanding of business operations while helping them to strengthen their controls, make informed decisions, and build resilience in an increasingly dynamic and complex environment. 2. At what point in your career did you decide to pursue an international professional qualification such as CPA Australia?I decided to pursue a qualification with CPA Australia during the final semester of my university studies in Australia. By that stage, I had realised that accounting was a subject I genuinely enjoyed and excelled in, and I wanted to build a long-term career in the profession. A key influence was meeting my mentor during my final year at university. He was then working with CPA Australia, and his passion for the profession, commitment to continuous learning, and global outlook left a lasting impression on me.
Through our conversations, I gained a deeper appreciation for the value of professional qualifications and the opportunities they can create. Seeing his enthusiasm for the profession inspired me to pursue the CPA designation as a way to deepen my expertise, gain an internationally recognised qualification, and build a strong foundation for a global career.3. What is the significance of a globally recognised designation today for Indian finance professionals?For Indian finance professionals looking to build careers beyond local markets, CPA Australia can be a powerful enabler of global opportunities and long-term professional growth.
As a globally recognised qualification, it enhances credibility and develops the finance, accounting and business capabilities valued by multinational organisations. It helps professionals differentiate themselves in a competitive talent market, opening doors to leadership opportunities, international exposure, and career progression across global business centres.
CPA Australia also demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning, strong business acumen, and professional excellence — qualities that are increasingly important in today's dynamic and interconnected business environment.4. What aspects of the CPA Australia qualification aligned with your long-term career goals? My long-term goal from the start of my Diploma in Accounting was to build a career in audit and assurance. While my studies at TAFE Sydney and Macquarie University provided a strong academic foundation, the CPA Program helped me deepen my expertise in accounting, finance and auditing, while developing the professional judgement needed to apply those concepts in practice. The qualification opened opportunities to work in the audit profession with a Big Four firm, where I gained valuable experience applying standards and theory in real-world business environments.
The skills and exposure I gained also sparked a strong interest in risk management and internal controls, enabling me to transition seamlessly from financial audit into assurance and risk-focused roles. Looking back, being a CPA Australia member strengthened both my technical expertise and business perspective, helping shape the career path that has led me to my current role in internal control assurance and risk management.5. Walk us through the perspectives or skills you gained through the CPA ProgramBeyond technical knowledge, the CPA Program helped me develop strong analytical, strategic, and critical thinking skills, professional judgement, and a risk-based mindset — capabilities that are essential for navigating complex business challenges. The program also reinforced the importance of ethics, governance, and stakeholder management. Equally important, it instilled a mindset of continuous learning and adaptability, enabling me to embrace change, stay abreast of emerging technologies, and continuously identify opportunities to improve efficiency and add value.
These skills have been invaluable throughout my career and continue to support me in making informed decisions, managing risk effectively, and delivering value in a rapidly evolving global business environment.6. How relevant was the curriculum to your everyday responsibilities in assurance and controls?The curriculum was highly relevant to my day-to-day responsibilities in assurance and controls. It provided a strong foundation in accounting, auditing, governance, ethics, and risk management — areas that are central to my role.
More importantly, it helped me develop a structured and risk-based approach to assessing business processes, evaluating controls, and supporting effective decision-making. The program's emphasis on professional judgement, critical thinking and continuous learning has remained relevant throughout my career, and continues to help me navigate an increasingly complex business and regulatory environment. 7. In what ways did CPA Australia’s curriculum prepare you for international accounting standards and cross-border business?CPA Australia's curriculum provided strong exposure to internationally recognised accounting standards, including the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), alongside Australian accounting and auditing standards. This gave me a solid understanding of global accounting principles and made it easier for me to remain relevant when I moved back to India and began working with Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS), which is largely aligned with IFRS.
What I found particularly valuable was not just learning the standards themselves but understanding the underlying principles behind them. This has helped me throughout my career when interpreting and applying new or evolving standards. The global perspective embedded within the curriculum also prepared me well for working in multinational organisations and collaborating across different jurisdictions.8. Did the CPA designation alter the way you approach problem-solving or business decisions? The CPA designation encouraged me to look beyond the technical aspects of a problem and consider the broader business implications. It strengthened my ability to analyse situations from multiple perspectives, apply professional judgement, and take a risk-based approach to decision-making. It also reinforced the importance of understanding the commercial context, stakeholder impact, and long-term consequences of decisions rather than focusing solely on compliance or technical requirements.
This mindset has been particularly valuable in my roles across audit, assurance, and risk management, where balancing risk, control, and business objectives is critical.9. In what manner has the CPA Australia designation opened up opportunities for you?The CPA Australia designation has opened opportunities for me in ways that extend beyond career progression and technical expertise. When I first moved to Australia as a student, I was naturally introverted and was often hesitant to speak up in professional settings.
Pursuing the CPA qualification helped build my confidence and gave me the credibility to contribute my views with conviction. Early in my career, it provided opportunities to interact with senior leaders and C-suite executives, exposing me to strategic discussions and broadening my perspective on business and leadership.
Perhaps most importantly, CPA Australia reinforced the value of continuous learning and self-improvement.
Looking back, the designation has played a significant role in shaping both my professional and personal growth and continues to support me as I evolve as a future leader.10. How do you see CPA Australia evolving to serve Indian professionals seeking global mobility?As Indian professionals increasingly work in global and multicultural environments, I believe CPA Australia will continue to play an important role by equipping members with the skills and perspectives needed to succeed internationally. The profession is evolving rapidly, driven by technology, data, sustainability, regulatory change, and increasing business complexity.
I see CPA Australia continuing to adapt its program and professional development offerings to address these emerging areas, while maintaining its strong focus on ethics, governance, and business leadership.
Combined with its global recognition and international member network, this will help Indian professionals remain relevant, competitive, and well-positioned for opportunities across different markets and industries.CPA Australia goes beyond numbers to inculcate skills that empower professionals to pursue leadership roles and succeed in strategy and business. CPAs have global recognition and the membership is associated with an inspiring legacy and thought leadership. It has more than 400 recognised employer partners, ensuring that members' skill sets are well promoted. The focus on ethical conduct, technical competence and professional efficacy contributes to advancing accounting and enable members to thrive amidst transforming business needs, organisations and the economy.
To find out more about the CPA Program and the various pathways available at CPA Australia, click here. Disclaimer: This article has been produced on behalf of CPA Australia by Times Internet’s Spotlight team.
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