ICAZ’s new accounting designations make education more inclusive, practical

PHILLIMON MHLANGA

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (ICAZ) has widened the professional bridge for aspiring accountants, launching two new mid-tier accounting qualifications that promise to make accounting education more inclusive, practical, and aligned with the evolving demands of the modern workforce.

The newly introduced qualifications — Accounting Technician Zimbabwe (AT(Z)) and General Accountant Zimbabwe (GA(Z)) — mark a significant milestone for the profession, creating structured, recognized, and empowering pathways for school leavers, diploma holders, career-switchers, and working professionals to enter and advance in the accounting field.

Designed in line with the Zimbabwe National Qualifications Framework (ZNQF) and benchmarked against international standards, these qualifications offer both local relevance and global recognition, positioning Zimbabwe’s accounting talent to thrive in an increasingly competitive and dynamic business environment.

Speaking at the official launch in Harare, ICAZ Education Committee Chairperson Tinashe Rwodzi described the development as an overdue correction in the profession’s approach to nurturing accounting talent. He admitted that, for years, ICAZ focused predominantly on the final prize—the prestigious Chartered Accountant (CA) designation—while neglecting the critical building blocks along the journey.

“Today we bring justice to that aspect,” Rwodzi said. “This marks the beginning of a new chapter for Zimbabwe’s accounting profession. These qualifications are more than academic credentials. They symbolize opportunity, inclusion, and national progress.”

Rwodzi emphasized that the new designations were designed with precision, rooted in Zimbabwe’s needs, yet aligned with global standards. He explained that whether one is a school leaver, a diploma holder, a working professional, or a mid-tier accountant seeking new horizons, these programs offer flexible, practical, and transformative pathways into the accounting profession.

“To me, the core of this initiative is that we are saying, instead of individuals slogging away for years, unable to reach the CA qualification and yet remaining unrecognized, we are now formally acknowledging each step along the professional journey,” he said. “More importantly, we are making it definitive that when a person achieves a certain level of competence, they can be recognized and slotted into the appropriate level within commerce and industry, where they can deliver and perform effectively.”

ICAZ President Brice Musendo echoed the sentiment, describing the introduction of AT(Z) and GA(Z) as more than the mere launch of new qualifications. For him, it is the launch of the profession’s future.

“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.

He explained that both qualifications integrate theoretical learning with structured, work-integrated training to ensure graduates are prepared for the realities of today’s profession. The Accounting Technician Zimbabwe (AT(Z)) qualification serves as the gateway for new entrants to the field. It is designed for school leavers, diploma holders, and individuals seeking to switch careers into accounting. Over two years, students engage in a combination of classroom learning and structured workplace training, developing practical skills in bookkeeping, taxation, and financial reporting. Upon graduation, they are equipped for roles such as accounts assistants, audit trainees, tax assistants, and trainee accountants.

Whether pursued full-time, part-time, or online, the AT(Z) qualification emphasizes applied learning, ensuring that graduates are not only theoretically competent but immediately valuable to employers in the job market.

The General Accountant Zimbabwe (GA(Z)) qualification takes the profession a step further by targeting experienced professionals seeking to advance their careers. It builds on existing academic foundations while introducing advanced competencies in financial accounting, management accounting, taxation, auditing, and law. The recognition of prior experience enables candidates to fast-track their progress, making the qualification a powerful tool for career advancement.

GA(Z) graduates are prepared for senior roles such as financial controller, senior accountant, and tax consultant. Musendo stressed that these qualifications are not merely academic achievements, but tools for empowerment, designed to ensure graduates possess the skills, experience, and confidence to make meaningful contributions to both business and the national economy.

The launch of these qualifications also aligns with Zimbabwe’s broader development agenda. They support the country’s goals of bridging skills gaps, formalizing the economy, boosting investor confidence, and creating pathways for individuals from diverse backgrounds to enter the accounting profession on a recognized, structured footing.

“These qualifications send a clear message,” Musendo remarked. “Every Zimbabwean who aspires to succeed in accounting and finance now has a structured and recognized path to do so. And importantly, these qualifications are not endpoints. They are milestones on a journey that can lead all the way to achieving the Chartered Accountant designation.”

ICAZ Chief Executive Officer William Mandisodza reinforced the institution’s commitment to maintaining standards while broadening access to the profession. He made it clear that inclusivity does not equate to lowering the bar.

“We are not lowering the bar. We are widening the bridge,” Mandisodza declared. “Our programs are designed to be rigorous because we don’t just teach accounting — we teach applied accounting. That means producing functional, competent professionals who can immediately apply their knowledge in the real world.”

Mandisodza also criticized industry practices that have, in the past, seen finance graduates thrown into accounting departments without structured support, monitoring, or assessment, only to be labeled accountants after two years with little formal validation of their competence. ICAZ’s new programs seek to change that.

“We are saying to employers, come onto our program. Let us train, monitor, and certify your employees so you can be confident in their competence,” Mandisodza said.

He expressed pride in being the CEO overseeing the launch of qualifications that will fundamentally shift how the profession views and develops accounting talent. He also commended the Chartered Accountants Academy for its role in developing innovative learning and delivery models that underpin the new qualifications.

For ICAZ, this is not only a matter of professional evolution but one of national importance. The new qualifications are expected to contribute significantly to building a skilled workforce, enhancing economic performance, and restoring confidence in Zimbabwe’s financial and business sectors.

The message from ICAZ’s leadership was clear and united. To the youth, to those considering a career switch, and to working professionals looking to advance, the opportunity is here. The pathways are clear. The profession is evolving, and no one willing to learn should be left behind.

To employers, the invitation to partner with ICAZ is open. Together, the institute believes, Zimbabwe can equip, empower, and elevate the next generation of accounting leaders, ensuring the profession meets the highest standards while remaining accessible to all.

As Musendo concluded, “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.”