Anyone in New Zealand can call themselves an accountant without formal qualifications. The certified accountants NZ businesses truly need are professionals with recognized credentials like the prestigious Chartered Accountant designation.

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) represents over 100,000 members across Australia, New Zealand, and worldwide. These professionals have earned their status through rigorous qualifications. A Graduate Diploma and three years of mentored practical experience set them apart from basic bookkeepers. The credentials matter by a lot when you seek financial expertise. Many business owners want to know how to verify an accountant’s certification or learn about New Zealand’s pathways to becoming an accountant.

This piece will help you understand the different accounting certifications in New Zealand. You’ll learn everything about CPA NZ requirements and the time needed to become an accountant – which takes at least four years. We break down the eight types of certified accountants your business might need in 2025.

Chartered Accountant (CA)

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The Chartered Accountant (CA) designation stands as the gold standard that NZ businesses trust with their financial matters. These professionals belong to Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), connecting them to a global network of 139,000+ qualified members. This prestigious qualification needs rigorous education, hands-on experience, and an unwavering ethical commitment.

Chartered Accountant qualifications

The journey to become a CA involves several detailed steps. Students must first earn an accounting degree from a recognized university. They must then complete CA ANZ’s Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting.

Aspiring CAs must prove their expertise in these key areas:

  • Financial Accounting and Reporting
  • Audit and Assurance
  • Business Law
  • Economics
  • Finance and Financial Management
  • Management Accounting
  • Taxation
  • Accounting Systems and Processes
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Information and Communications Technology

The path also includes three years of mentored practical experience with an approved employer. This hands-on training helps CAs develop real-life expertise under professional guidance. The qualification process blends theoretical knowledge with workplace experience to create well-rounded financial professionals.

Chartered Accountant services for NZ businesses

CAs deliver services that go way beyond simple bookkeeping. Their financial expertise allows them to provide:

  • Financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis that fits business needs
  • Tax planning and compliance, backed by deep knowledge of New Zealand’s tax laws and IRD regulations
  • Business strategy development and financial risk assessment
  • Growth identification and support for decision-making

Their broad financial skills make them valuable business advisors rather than just bookkeepers. Businesses that work with CAs get strategic guidance that builds long-term financial health and compliance.

Chartered Accountant recognition and trust

The CA designation carries immense professional weight and public trust. The Royal Charter, first granted in 1928 and updated in 2014, establishes CA ANZ and defines its purpose. This charter shows the respected status of CA ANZ and its rich history.

Trust in CAs comes from their strict code of ethics and professional standards. Ethics and integrity are the foundations of public trust in accountancy. CAs commit to these core values:

  • Integrity
  • Objectivity
  • Confidentiality
  • Professional competence and due care
  • Professional behavior

CA ANZ has strengthened its ethical standards by increasing mandatory ethics training from two to six hours per triennium. Members have strongly supported changes to By-Laws and NZICA rules that give more investigative power to the Professional Conduct Committee.

The CA qualification’s high standards and ethical framework explain why peers see many CAs as skilled business advisers. NZ businesses looking for certified accountants can trust this designation as proof of professional competence, ethical conduct, and expertise in any financial area.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA Australia)

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CPA Australia provides another respected path for certified accountants that NZ businesses rely on more and more for financial guidance. This designation brings substantial international weight to New Zealand’s accounting landscape with over 173,000 members working in more than 100 countries.

CPA Australia certification process

The path to becoming a Certified Public Accountant through CPA Australia follows several structured steps. You must have a degree equivalent to an Australian bachelor’s degree or a postgraduate qualification with a minimum of eight subjects. You can start the CPA Program before completing your degree. However, you’ll need to finish your education before you can advance to full CPA status.

Candidates must show core competency requirements that accounting degrees typically cover before starting the program. CPA Australia offers flexible, self-paced Foundation exams for those whose education didn’t meet all requirements. These exams give you the essential background you need to enter the CPA Program successfully.

The certification process also has:

  • Several professional-level exams to pass
  • At least three years of relevant experience to complete
  • A CPA Australia-recognized mentor to work with

Professionals without an accounting background can still take this path. They must first complete the CPA Australia foundation exam. This makes it a viable option for people who want to switch careers and enter the accounting profession.

CPA Australia benefits for NZ businesses

CPA Australia takes a broader approach to financial management compared to other accounting designations. The qualification gives professionals skills in both accounting fundamentals and wider business management areas. This complete view makes CPAs valuable to NZ businesses that need both technical accounting expertise and strategic business insight.

The CPA Program teaches more than simple numbers. It helps professionals move into leadership roles with strategic business vision. This explains why more than 25,000 CPA Australia members now work in senior leadership positions. They bring substantial decision-making expertise to their organizations.

CPAs excel especially when business acumen and strategic thinking matter. They serve as core advisors who drive organizational success. They know how to interpret complex financial statements and direct intricate tax regulations. This proves valuable in a variety of sectors—from startups to multinational corporations and non-profit organizations.

NZ businesses get advisors who provide both technical accounting services and broader strategic guidance. SEEK data shows more than 87% of senior accounting roles advertised online specifically ask for or mention the CPA designation. This shows how much employers value the qualification.

CPA Australia global recognition

The CPA designation’s international portability stands out as a major advantage. Members work in over 100 countries and get support from more than 20 offices and branches worldwide. NZ businesses with international operations benefit from accountants whose credentials receive global recognition.

CPA Australia has membership pathway agreements with professional accounting bodies worldwide. Members can add local designations through established paths to dual membership. These agreements cover various regions:

  • Africa (Kenya, South Africa)
  • Americas (United States)
  • Asia & Pacific (Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Sri Lanka)
  • Europe (Ireland, United Kingdom)

CPA Australia has created a path for full members of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CAANZ) who want CPA membership. Experienced CPA members might also qualify to become CAANZ members through special admission. This creates valuable flexibility for accounting professionals in New Zealand.

This worldwide recognition gives NZ businesses accounting professionals who can direct international financial regulations and practices. This skill proves increasingly valuable in today’s connected business environment.

Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA)

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The Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) shows a clear difference as a mid-level accounting designation in New Zealand’s professional world. This qualification isn’t as detailed as the CA designation, but it has helped certified accountants in NZ businesses handle specific financial tasks.

ACA designation overview

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) manages the Associate Chartered Accountant mid-level qualification. New candidates can’t apply for this designation after June 2022. Current ACA members can keep their designation or switch to full CA membership if they meet certain requirements.

People often mix up New Zealand’s ACA designation with international versions. The Associate Chartered Accountant designation in New Zealand is nowhere near similar to what the Institute of Chartered Accountants offers in England, Wales and Ireland. Businesses working across borders often face this confusion.

ACA College members must finish their professional education to keep their designation. They can’t offer services directly to the public, unlike full Chartered Accountants. This creates a key difference between ACA and full CA status.

ACA limitations and strengths

ACA’s biggest limitation comes from its position as a mid-tier qualification. ACA holders can’t practice publicly like Chartered Accountants do. They usually work inside organizations instead of running their own accounting firms.

Current ACA members who want to become CAs must meet these requirements based on their experience:

  • 10+ years of relevant work experience: Just need documentation
  • 5-10 years of relevant experience: Must complete CA Risk and Technology (RT) and Integrated Chartered Accounting Practice (ICAP) subjects
  • Less than 5 years experience: Must complete the full CA Program and 2 years mentored practical experience

ACA holders bring valuable accounting expertise to organizations despite these limits. Their training makes them good at core accounting tasks, which fits well with internal accounting roles where public practice rights don’t matter.

ACA relevance for SMEs

ACA holders can be a practical choice for small and medium enterprises looking for certified accountants that NZ businesses trust. Their mid-level qualification matches well with smaller businesses’ financial management needs that don’t need a CA’s full range of services.

The simplified requirements made the ACA path available to more people than the full CA designation. This created a pool of qualified accounting professionals who fit well in SME environments. Their mix of business knowledge and solid accounting skills adds real value.

ACAs work mainly inside organizations rather than in public practice. They know a lot about internal accounting systems and processes. SMEs benefit from this internal focus when they want to improve their financial operations without paying for external CA services.

The ACA designation’s closure to new members means businesses will see fewer ACAs over time. Current members will either retire or become full CAs.

Accounting Technician (AT)

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Accounting Technicians (AT) play a vital role in New Zealand’s business world by providing hands-on financial management support. This designation is only available to applicants residing in Aotearoa New Zealand. It creates a starting point that certified accountants NZ organizations depend on to handle their daily financial operations.

AT qualification requirements

The AT designation offers two unique paths based on career stages. The experience pathway serves professionals with five or more years of work experience in accounting or finance roles that cover the core competency areas. The academic pathway suits candidates who are studying or have finished formal qualifications in accounting and business management.

Technical skills and ethical conduct form the foundation of this qualification. Every Provisional Accounting Technician must complete a Professional Ethics course. This requirement will give a strong ethical base to ATs who need to maintain high standards in finance, even at entry-level roles.

These qualification paths help people who want to become accountants in NZ without jumping straight into advanced designations. The AT pathway makes it easier to enter the accounting profession compared to the longer timelines of higher-level designations.

AT roles in NZ businesses

ATs serve as the operational foundation of businesses in finance and accounting roles. They work in a variety of positions across New Zealand:

  • Assistant accountant
  • Senior accountant
  • Finance manager
  • Office manager
  • Financial controller

Their skills cover account management, payroll administration, budget preparation, and assistant finance management. Many organizations value ATs because they know how to prepare and manage financial accounts in businesses of all sizes. These professionals add value through their focused financial management skills.

ATs have enough qualifications to handle routine financial tasks that certified accountants NZ regulations recognize. The AT designations work only within New Zealand, which means they don’t carry the same international recognition as higher-level qualifications.

AT vs CA: Key differences

The AT designation comes with a major limitation regarding public practice. NZICA Rules state that Accounting Technicians cannot offer accounting services directly to the public. Only CA Members with a Certificate of Public Practice can provide these services. This creates the main difference between ATs and Chartered Accountants.

Education requirements mark another key difference. The CA designation needs degree-level study (NZQA level 7), while the AT designation works for those studying below NZQA level 7. This creates different levels of accounting qualifications based on education and career goals.

Businesses should verify certification status through Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand when hiring accountants. The AT designation shows professionals have practical accounting skills but lack the detailed training and public practice rights of full Chartered Accountants.

Skilled bookkeepers in New Zealand (a role similar to AT qualifications) earn between NZD 93,808 and NZD 127,920 yearly. Many ATs move on to higher certifications as they gain experience and look for better professional opportunities.

Businesses with basic financial management needs find great value in Accounting Technicians. They cost less than Chartered Accountants while providing essential support.

Management Accountant (CIMA)

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Management accountants who hold CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) qualification stand out from other certified accountants NZ businesses employ. Their unique focus on strategic business management sets them apart. CIMA is the world’s largest professional body of management accountants. More than 218,000 members and students work across 177 countries.

CIMA certification pathway

The path to CIMA qualification follows a well-laid-out approach through three levels—Operational, Management, and Strategic. Each level builds deeper expertise. Students learn through three knowledge pillars:

  • The Enterprise Pillar: Developing and implementing strategies
  • The Performance Pillar: Tracking activities and ensuring strategies work
  • The Financial Pillar: Preparing and understanding financial statements

Students typically complete the qualification in about four years. This timeline matches the duration of other accounting pathways in NZ. Experienced finance professionals can take faster routes based on their background:

  • C-suite executives with 10+ years’ experience start at the Strategic Level
  • Senior managers with 6+ years’ experience begin at the Management Level
  • Finance professionals with 4+ years’ experience enter at the Operational Level

Successful candidates earn the prestigious Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation. This certification is recognized worldwide as a mark of management accounting excellence.

CIMA strategic value for businesses

CIMA-qualified professionals bring a strategic business focus to organizations. Their training goes beyond technical accounting to include five key areas:

  1. Technical accounting and finance skills applied to business situations
  2. Business skills that turn data into insights and strategy
  3. People skills including communication, influence, and teamwork
  4. Leadership skills to build teams and improve performance
  5. Digital skills to run finance functions in a digital world

This complete skill set helps CIMA professionals boost organizational resilience and long-term success. CGMA holders earn much higher salaries—£66,000 GBP versus £32,000 GBP compared to CGMA candidates. These numbers reflect their strategic value.

Businesses get finance team members who can drive strong performance, not just track it. A CIMA graduate’s story shows how the qualification helped her follow her passion. She became HSBC’s first CFO of Sustainable Finance.

CIMA vs CPA: Which is better for planning?

CIMA and CPA differ in their focus areas and career applications. The main difference lies in specialization versus breadth.

CIMA qualification focuses on management accounting, strategy, and business leadership. Students learn strategic planning, corporate finance, and risk assessment. These skills are valuable for professionals aiming for roles in business strategy and management.

CPA provides broader coverage of accounting, finance, and taxation. While thorough, CPA training puts less emphasis on strategic planning skills that are central to CIMA.

NZ businesses looking for certified accountants with planning expertise often find CIMA holders excel at corporate strategy. CIMA qualification targets professionals working inside businesses rather than external practice. It builds skills that apply directly to internal financial management and strategic decisions.

The right choice between these qualifications depends on your business needs. Companies that need strategic financial leadership might prefer CIMA professionals for planning roles. Those wanting broader accounting expertise could find CPA qualification more suitable.

Forensic Accountant

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Financial detectives might be the best way to describe forensic accountants among certified accountants NZ businesses turn to in complex financial matters. These specialists blend their accounting knowledge with investigative techniques to resolve disputes and expose misconduct.

Forensic Accountant qualifications

The path to becoming a forensic accountant starts with simple accounting credentials and progresses through specialized training. Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) has created a dedicated Forensic Accounting Specialization Program for members who meet practical experience and education requirements outlined in regulations CR6 and CR6D. This certification builds credibility and establishes professionals as recognized specialists in forensic accounting.

Forensic specialists must master six critical skills beyond their simple accounting knowledge:

  • Data analytics expertise
  • Investigative mindset
  • Legal knowledge
  • Communication abilities
  • Financial reconstruction capabilities
  • Interpersonal effectiveness

Professionals should have at least five years of experience in finance or business-related roles plus relevant tertiary qualifications. Anyone wondering about the timeline to become an accountant in NZ with forensic specialization should expect several years beyond their original accounting credentials.

Forensic Accountant use cases in NZ

Forensic accountants serve multiple business needs throughout New Zealand. They head over to financial transactions, trace misappropriated funds, calculate losses, and provide expert testimony in legal proceedings. Their work covers insurance claims, professional indemnity, business interruption, commercial litigation, shareholder disputes, and insolvency.

These specialists help businesses spot irregularities, analyze complex financial data, and present findings suitable for legal proceedings. They support immigration-related crime investigations by reviewing financial records to identify proceeds of crime and money laundering in government contexts.

Expert witness testimony from forensic accountants appears in courts throughout New Zealand and internationally. They have given evidence in New Zealand, Hong Kong, Fiji, and the Cook Islands.

Forensic Accountant compliance and fraud detection

Forensic accountants are a great way to get protection for organizational reputation and integrity through preventative and investigative measures. They uncover fraud, accounting irregularities, and regulatory breaches while conducting complex financial investigations for both public and private organizations.

These specialists excel at detecting financial crimes. They establish facts, collect evidence, assist with recoveries, and create foundations for criminal or civil action. Their services cross international borders and often utilize computer forensics and data recovery through networks of trusted associates.

Certified public accountant NZ forensic specialists follow strict professional frameworks. The New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA) Rules, Code of Ethics, and professional standards guide their work while they maintain rigorous ethical standards during sensitive financial investigations.

Tax Accountant (IRD Registered)

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New Zealand’s accounting sector has tax accountants who are registered with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). These professionals specialize in tax obligations and planning. NZ businesses depend on these certified accountants because they focus exclusively on taxation matters.

Tax Accountant certification in NZ

The path to becoming an IRD-registered tax agent comes with specific requirements. We needed applicants to prepare annual income tax returns for at least 10 taxpayers. You can register if you run a business that prepares income tax returns, provide related professional services, or work as a Māori trustee.

The registration process needs:

  • Completed online application
  • List of 10+ clients (excluding non-active entities)
  • Signed authority to act from each client
  • Personal tax affairs declaration

The IRD team visits applicants to verify client authorities and check if they’re suitable. Successful candidates then become official tax agents. This status lets them handle their clients’ tax and social policy activities.

Tax Accountant role in tax planning

Tax planning helps manage financial affairs while keeping tax liability low legally. Registered tax accountants share their knowledge and insights as tax rules change faster.

These professionals help with:

  • Analyzing tax consequences of transactions
  • Advising on new tax legislation and business impacts
  • Preparing and filing returns within deadlines
  • Determining optimal timing of tax payments

Tax accountants turn complex tax issues into practical solutions. Their planning ensures businesses stay compliant without paying more than necessary.

Tax Accountant compliance benefits

Registered tax accountants are a great way to get compliance benefits through their specialized knowledge. Their expertise helps businesses avoid penalties that can get pricey by ensuring accurate tax calculations and timely returns.

You’ll also get these benefits:

  • Lower tax bills through proper expense documentation
  • Easier completion of GST and income tax returns
  • Budget-friendly accounting through organized record-keeping

The IRD expects registered tax agents to protect the tax system‘s integrity. Whatever the business size, tax accountants must work with IRD staff professionally and respectfully while following strict ethical standards. Their expertise leads to better financial results through optimized tax positions and lower compliance risk.

Auditor (Licensed by FMA or CA ANZ)

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Auditors serve as guardians of financial integrity for New Zealand businesses that need independent verification of their financial statements. These professionals work under strict regulatory frameworks to ensure financial reports are accurate and follow set standards.

Auditor licensing requirements

Auditors who perform Financial Markets Conduct (FMC) audits must have a license under the Auditor Regulation Act 2011. Two main paths lead to licensing:

  • New Zealand auditors can get licenses through accredited bodies (Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand or CPA Australia)
  • Overseas auditors can apply directly to the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) for licensing

To get a license, professionals must complete FMA-approved courses in auditing, commercial law, and taxation. Audit firms need registration, and both the engagement partner and quality control reviewer must hold valid licenses.

Auditor responsibilities in NZ

Licensed auditors have crucial compliance duties. Their core responsibilities include:

  • Following applicable auditing and assurance standards
  • Going through quality reviews at least once every four years
  • Meeting conditions set by their accrediting body or the FMA
  • Staying independent and objective throughout the audit process

The FMA watches over the industry through its Auditor Regulation and Oversight Plan, which sets goals and monitoring frameworks for accredited bodies.

Auditor value for financial transparency

Independent auditing builds trust across New Zealand’s economic landscape. This process helps businesses evaluate their financial practices beyond just checking boxes.

Auditors help companies spot weaknesses in internal controls and suggest ways to improve. Stakeholders trust properly audited financial statements because they show an accurate picture of an organization’s finances.

The audit profession keeps changing with new technology. Modern audit programs now deliver quick, strong assurance for both financial and non-financial information.

Comparison Table

Accountant Type Qualification Requirements Key Services/Focus Areas Professional Recognition Practice Rights/Limitations Target Business Applications
Chartered Accountant (CA) Accounting degree + Graduate Diploma + 3 years mentored experience Financial planning, tax compliance, business strategy, risk assessment 139,000+ global members through CA ANZ Full public practice rights with certification Large enterprises needing complete financial expertise
CPA Australia Bachelor’s degree + CPA Program + 3 years experience with mentor Business management, strategic planning, financial leadership 173,000+ members in over 100 countries Full practice rights with proper licensing Organizations seeking both technical and strategic guidance
Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) Mid-level qualification (no longer available to new candidates) Internal accounting functions Limited to NZ recognition No direct public service offerings allowed SMEs needing internal financial management
Accounting Technician (AT) 5 years experience OR academic qualification in accounting Account management, payroll, budgeting NZ-only recognition No public practice allowed Organizations requiring operational financial support
Management Accountant (CIMA) Three levels: Operational, Management, Strategic + ~4 years study Strategic planning, performance tracking, financial management 218,000+ members in 177 countries Internal management focus Businesses looking for strategic financial leadership
Forensic Accountant CA qualification + Forensic Specialization + 5 years experience Financial investigations, fraud detection, expert testimony Specialized recognition through CA ANZ Expert witness certification available Organizations needing financial investigations
Tax Accountant (IRD Registered) Must prepare returns for 10+ clients + IRD approval Tax planning, compliance, returns preparation IRD registration Tax-related services only Businesses seeking tax optimization and compliance
Auditor (Licensed) Professional courses in auditing, commercial law, taxation + FMA/CA ANZ license Financial statement verification, compliance checking FMA or CA ANZ licensing Audit services only Organizations requiring independent financial verification

Conclusion

New Zealand businesses have access to various certified accountants, and each designation meets different organizational needs. Your business needs financial expertise that lines up with your specific challenges and goals instead of using a generic approach.

Chartered Accountants (CA) excel in all financial areas, which makes them perfect for businesses that need strategic leadership. CPA Australia members add international views and strong business knowledge. Management Accountants (CIMA) work best for businesses that focus on future planning. Forensic Accountants handle complex financial investigations effectively.

The path to qualification is different for each designation. Some need extensive education and years of mentored experience. Others offer easier entry through work experience or focused academic study. These differences help businesses find professionals with the right qualifications for their financial needs.

Professional credentials vary a lot between designations. CAs and CPAs hold global credentials that many countries accept. Accounting Technician credentials work only in New Zealand. This matters most when your business operates internationally or has global reporting needs.

Practice rights are a vital consideration. Many accountants face legal limits on their services, especially in public practice. Accounting Technicians provide value in internal roles but cannot offer public services like CAs do.

The best accounting professional for you depends on your business stage, size, industry, and financial challenges. Many companies work with several accounting specialists to meet all their financial needs. New Zealand businesses that want financial excellence through 2025 and beyond must choose their certified accountants carefully.

FAQs

Q1. How many chartered accountants are there in New Zealand?

There are over 100,000 members of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) across Australia, New Zealand, and worldwide. This large membership base reflects the significant presence and importance of chartered accountants in New Zealand’s business landscape.

Q2. Is there a high demand for accountants in New Zealand?

Yes, there is a growing demand for accountants in New Zealand. The profession is experiencing projected increases in demand for accountants, auditors, and company secretaries, both within New Zealand and globally. This trend suggests promising career prospects for those in the accounting field.

Q3. Does New Zealand currently face a shortage of accountants?

New Zealand is experiencing a shortage of accountants, as evidenced by the profession’s inclusion on Immigration New Zealand’s regional skill shortage list. This shortage indicates opportunities for qualified accountants and highlights the importance of various accounting certifications in meeting the country’s financial expertise needs.

Q4. Will chartered accountants remain relevant in the future?

Chartered accountants are expected to remain highly relevant in the future. While the profession may evolve with new technologies and business practices, the core skills and expertise of chartered accountants will continue to be valuable across various industries. Adaptability and continuous learning will be key to maintaining their importance in the changing business landscape.

Q5. What are the key differences between various accounting certifications in New Zealand?

The main accounting certifications in New Zealand differ in their focus areas, qualification requirements, and practice rights. For example, Chartered Accountants (CA) offer comprehensive financial expertise with full public practice rights, while Certified Public Accountants (CPA) bring a strong business management focus. Management Accountants (CIMA) specialize in strategic planning, and Accounting Technicians (AT) focus on operational financial support. The choice of certification depends on specific business needs and career goals.