ICMS Accounting Degree Celebrates First Chartered Accountant

ICMS is proud to celebrate the success of alumnus Thomas Bramley, who has become the first graduate of the ICMS Bachelor of Business (Accounting) degree to earn the prestigious Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification.

This milestone highlights the accreditation of the program and the career opportunities available to ICMS graduates in the accounting industry.

“I am very excited to have finished my CA and honoured to know that I was the first from ICMS to have received this recognition,” Thomas says.

“I’m proud to be an ICMS alumni and hope that my achievements can show both current and prospective students what is possible from studying at a great institution.”

Charting a Career in Accounting

Thomas graduated in 2021 and began his career at as a graduate in the Private Tax team with PwC Melbourne in March 2022 where he also began the CA curriculum under the new model.

“I had already started my Mentored Practical Experience (MPE) during my last year of study having worked at Kelly + Partners Northern Beaches (KPNB),” he explains.

“This meant that I would be able to finish my CA upon the completion of my last subjects in July 2024.

“After finishing the grad program at PwC, I moved to Deloitte as an Experienced Analyst in the Business Tax team.”

He completed his remaining subjects and received full admission to become a CA in September 2024.

“ICMS prepared me for undertaking my CA as I was empowered to pursue interests beyond the classroom,” Thomas explains.

“The structure of the CA program requires you to balance work, subjects, and exams, and ICMS helped me develop the skills to handle all of that.”

He is now working at Xero in Melbourne as a Partner Consultant, where he helps accounting and bookkeeping firms use Xero tools to support small- and medium-sized businesses in Australia.

Laying the Foundation at ICMS

Originally enrolled in a Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing & New Media, Thomas switched to majoring in the newly established Accounting program after rethinking his career goals during the Covid-19 period.

“I wanted to help small business owners, like my parents, and felt that having a grounding in Accounting was the best way to do that,” he says.

His time at ICMS also highlighted the importance of practical experience.

Thomas credits the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) internship and jobs during his studies for shaping his career path.

“In my final year of study, I worked part-time with KPNB,” he recalls.

“This had a huge impact on my career path—I would not be where I am today without this experience and the network of people I gained from working here.”

“From my CA mentor at Kelly Partners to the career opportunities I got after graduating, the experience was invaluable.”

Advice for ICMS Students

When asked what advice he has for current students, Thomas keeps it simple.

“Get relevant work experience under your belt. It makes a huge difference,” he says.

“The team at KPNB imparted me a strong foundation in accounting and tax that has opened so many doors, including opportunities interstate and overseas.”

Looking to the Future

Thomas has big plans for the future.

“Ultimately, I’d like to start my own business,” he shares.

“I want to bring together a group of special people to genuinely make the world a better place.”

Thomas’ story highlights how the industry-focused ICMS Bachelor of Business (Accounting) equips students with the skills, support, and opportunities they need to reach their professional goals.

The degree is accredited by top industry bodies like CA ANZ, CPA Australia, and ACCA, which means the program meets high standards and sets graduates up for success in the accounting field.