This paper reports on a study of the efficacy of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New
Zealand’s (ICANZ) Professional Accounting School (PAS) programme in developing a set of
competencies in candidates. The study surveyed ICANZ candidates’ perceptions of their
competence levels for 16 specified skills at the commencement and conclusion of the 1999
PAS programme. The findings indicate that candidates perceived their levels of competence
– for both cognitive and behavioural skills – to have been significantly improved by the PAS
programme. Tests of two secondary hypotheses in the study indicate certain gender- and
firm-based differences in the perceived level of competence of candidates. The results of the
study provide the ICANZ with feedback on the PAS programme and facilitate the further
development of the programme. Other professional accounting bodies may consider
replicating this study using data collected on similar programmes. The results of such studies
may then be compared to enhance the existing knowledge of competency development in
professional accounting education
