ICAZ launches mid-tier accounting designations

PHILLIMON MHLANGA

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (ICAZ) has taken a bold step towards making the accounting profession more inclusive with the launch of two new mid-tier designations aimed at widening access to the field and meeting the evolving demands of the job market.

Unveiled in Harare Thursday, the new designations — Accounting Technician Zimbabwe (AT(Z)) and General Accountant Zimbabwe (GA(Z)) — are set to provide structured, recognized pathways for aspiring accountants, school leavers, career-switchers, and working professionals to enter and progress within the profession.

ICAZ President Brice Musendo said the introduction of the mid-tier qualifications is about more than simply expanding academic options. He described the initiative as a significant milestone in building a stronger, more inclusive future for Zimbabwe’s accounting profession.

“These designations mark a bold step forward in our mission to make accounting education more inclusive, more practical, and better aligned to the evolving demands of the workplace,” Musendo said.

The AT(Z) qualification targets new entrants to the profession, including school leavers and individuals from other fields looking to transition into accounting. It combines classroom learning with structured, work-integrated training over a two-year period, preparing graduates for practical roles such as accounts assistants, audit trainees, and trainee accountants.

On the other hand, the GA(Z) qualification is tailored for experienced professionals seeking to advance their careers. It builds on existing academic foundations while introducing advanced competencies in financial accounting, taxation, auditing, and management accounting, preparing graduates for senior roles such as financial controllers, senior accountants, and tax consultants.

Musendo said the two qualifications offer not only academic credentials but practical tools for empowerment, designed to ensure graduates are job-ready and capable of contributing meaningfully to both business and the economy.

“These qualifications are not merely academic achievements; they are tools for empowerment, designed to ensure graduates possess the skills, experience, and confidence to make meaningful contributions to both business and the national economy,” he said.

Musendo added that the launch is a clear signal that no one willing to learn and work hard should be left behind in the profession.

“Our legacy is strong, but our future is much stronger. Let us move forward together, equipping, empowering, and elevating Zimbabwe’s accounting profession to new heights,” he said.