The future of the accounting and bookkeeping industry belongs to those who embrace change and keep on learning.
For both accountants and firm owners, accounting courses that keep them updated on evolving technology and regulations are crucial. So are courses that go beyond the fundamentals of accounting to include management and leadership skills.
In 2018, Nick Sinclair, entrepreneur and founder of TOA Global and Ab² Institute of Accounting, recognised that the industry needed fast and flexible training to match the changing needs of accountants.
“We created Ab² so we could prescribe the training that accountants need at different stages in their lifecycle, from graduate to manager to partner,” Nick says.
Five years before he started Ab² Institute of Accounting, Nick had begun to build TOA Global, an offshoring business exclusively for the accounting industry.
A trip organized by Entrepreneurs Organization helped him see the wealth of accounting talent in the Philippines, and he built a team of outsourced accountants to support his accounting and financial planning practice on Australia’s Gold Coast. Soon, other accounting firms sought his help with building their own offshore teams.
Delivering speed to success
“One of the biggest challenges we were having was speed to competency,” Nick says. “We have very strong and capable accountants, but the Australian tax system is very complex, and I started to look at how we could help both our team members in the Philippines and our clients to grow the international tax experience that they may not have yet.”
He knew that gaining access to highly skilled and trained talent would enable firms to move from offering strictly compliance solutions to higher-value advisory services.
Meanwhile, the individual accountants who completed accounting or success skills courses with Ab² would be empowered to fast-track growth in their careers.
The vision for Ab² was to work with industry leaders and experts to create a full range of qualifications, short courses and success skills programs accessible from anywhere in the world.
This will connect graduates to career growth and higher earning potential while ensuring the accounting industry has access to globally relevant talent who can support their firms full-time.
“We’re all about future learning for future skills–providing what the industry is going to need in five years and building you up along the way,” says Sarah Stone, executive vice president and head of Ab² Institute of Accounting.
“We have courses that will help you remain relevant in everything that you do.”
Deeply connected to the accounting community
Beyond the accounting basics, what students can expect to get from Ab² include:
Expert-designed course content delivered on an adaptive learning platform.
Prompt and dedicated student support.
Deep industry connections, including potential employers like TOA Global.
Free student membership with accounting and bookkeeping industry bodies.
Access to advanced credentials such as the Certified Management Accountant program and the Australian CPA program.
“Our point of difference is that we are niche – we are narrow and deep in the accounting and bookkeeping industry,” Sarah explains.
“We work with hundreds of partners around Australia and globally to find the right training that’s going to add a meaningful impact and that’s going to make a difference. It’s learning that you won’t get anywhere else.”
Relevant training, designed by accountants for accountants, is a must in the industry.
Six out of every 10 organizations told the World Economic Forum (WEF) that “skills gaps in the local labor market” were keeping their industry from making necessary changes.
In its Future of Jobs Report 2023, the WEF also points out that half of all the organizations they surveyed (about 53.4%) identified the “inability to attract talent” as another barrier to business transformation.
Top 10 Priorities for Reskilling and Upskilling (2023-2027)
Designed with learners’ needs in mind
Finding an accredited training provider with deep accounting industry connections does not have to be a difficult process.
With our industry-approved training content and educators, Ab² Institute of Accounting can offer you the flexibility of online learning with the peace of mind of having relevant, in-demand qualifications.
Our students learn at their pace and can tailor their studies to their needs.
Whether you need help with coursework, career advice, or networking opportunities, we provide always-on support, ensuring you have the tools and resources to thrive in your chosen career.
Karissa Joy Agkis worked full-time with an Australian firm while she prepared for the two-part Certified Management Accountant exams.
“My favorite thing about the CMA program at Ab² was having fun and meaningful Saturday classes,” Karissa recalls. “I found it helpful that I could designate a particular day of the week to focus on studying. The interactive sessions were effective in refreshing my memory on the topics I studied.”
Karissa passed the exam in the last quarter of 2022, a feat that less than half of CMA candidates, on average, have accomplished since 2013.
Recognized by industry leaders
In 2022, Ab² won awards in seven categories of the LearnX Awards.
These included Best Learning and Talent Technology-Learning Management System for our learning portal and Best Learning and Talent Development-Certification Training for our Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping.
Among the courses Ab² Institute of Accounting currently offers are:
Australian Accounting Course: Special Offer
BAS Agent skill set (Australia)
U.S. Accounting Introductory Course
Accounting software courses
Certified Management Accountant program
Designed for accountants, by accountants, Ab2 Institute of Accounting offers world-class accounting and bookkeeping courses for every stage of your career.
