Trans-Tasman chartered accountants?

Accountants have until October 25 to vote on a proposal to amalgamate the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants, in a merger estimated will deliver $15.8 million in annual net cost savings.

ICAA president Tim Gullifer said the cost benefits from a merger would be passed onto members in the form of lower membership fees and greater investment in education, training, services, policy and advocacy.

Voting opened on Tuesday and will close on October 25. The results will be announced in November.

Gullifer said New Zealand and Australian chartered accountants had a lot in common, including a shared designation, collaboration and working relationships.

“The proposed new institute would aspire to be the leader in business education in Australia and New Zealand and we would have the scale and financial capacity to develop that for our members,” he said.

“We want our members to be recognised as the leaders in business and finance, and now it’s time for them to make the final decision with an historic vote to form one body with the capacity to deliver more to members, the businesses they serve and our economies as a whole.”