Welcome to the Commercial Education Society of Australia (EST. 1910)
Advancing Australian Education for Over 100 Years
Providing educational opportunities in Australia and surrounding nations for 116 years
The CESA proudly publishes the peer-reviewed Journal of Commercial Education (ISSN 2982-3978 | E-ISSN 2982-3986), provides professional fraternity through its Fellowship, and has educated hundreds of thousands of students in business education throughout Australia and the Asia-Pacific.
Until 1910, Australians who wanted an independent assessment of their skills in commercial subjects had to sit for examinations that were set and marked in Great Britain. The papers were sent back for marking to London by sea, and the results were returned to Sydney by sea. That disadvantage was suffered by students in both private business colleges and in the public education system.
So, a small group of Australian businesspeople formed an organisation to provide a local service, the Commercial Education Society of Australia (CESA).
The Society has examined hundreds of thousands of students throughout Australia, Asia, and the South Pacific. It is open to anybody of scholastic achievement and an interest in tertiary education. Today, the Society offers independent commercial examinations, professional development programs, scholarly initiatives, and fraternity for Australians and people in neighbouring countries involved in tertiary education.
CESA remains a privately funded, not-for-profit organisation, which continues to encourage discussion and debate about the quality of education and training in Australia, Asia, and the South Pacific.
The Coat of Arms of the Commercial Education Society of Australia (CESA)
The CESA Coat of Arms was organised through the tireless work of Mr Gordon A. McKenzie, who placed great importance on securing an authentic Coat of Arms from the College of Arms, London. McKenzie was proud that the final design truly reflected the purpose and identity of commercial education in Australia. CESA remains indebted to his work and foresight.
The Coat of Arms was assigned on 5 September 1969 by the Earl Marshal and Hereditary Marshal of England, His Grace the Most Noble Bernard Marmaduke Fitzalan-Howard, KG, GCVO, GBE, TD, PC, 16th Duke of Norfolk, Earl of Arundel and Surrey, and Lord Lieutenant of Sussex.
The assignment was made on the recommendation of:
Sir Anthony Richard Wagner, KCVO
Principal King of Arms
Mr John Riddell Bromhead Walker, MRVO, MC
Clarenceaux King of Arms
Mr Richard Preston Graham-Vivian, MRVO, MC
Norroy and Ulster King of Arms
The symbolism of the Coat of Arms was explained by P. Brooke-Little, MA, FSA, Richmond Herald of Arms.
The chequered field refers to accountancy, recalling the old chequer-board of the Exchequer.
The ermine spot is a symbol of law, with ermine traditionally representing purity.
The eight-pointed star is drawn from the Coat of Arms of New South Wales and represents the many facets of the Commercial Education Society of Australia in education.
The book represents education, knowledge and learning.
The crest, showing the portal with the sun behind it, represents the gateway to success.
The two columns refer to double-column entries, while the blue and red refer to credit and debit.
The supporters are secretary birds standing upon sprigs of wattle, alluding to Australia.
The motto, Digne Ambulate, meaning “Walk Worthily”, was chosen by Mr A. Peter Forster, BEc, FCPA, FRSA, FCES.
The motto is a Latin variant connected to the tradition of Fra Luca Bartolomeo de Pacioli (1447–1517), the Italian mathematician, Franciscan friar, collaborator with Leonardo da Vinci, and early contributor to the field now known as accounting. Pacioli is widely associated with the development and publication of the double-entry system of bookkeeping and is often remembered as a foundational figure in commercial education and accounting history.
The CESA Coat of Arms therefore does more than identify the Society. It expresses CESA’s connection to education, law, accountancy, professional standards, Australia, and the wider tradition of commercial learning.
Note: The Coat of Arms accompanied by the abbreviated “CESA” lettering serves as the Society’s corporate logo and contemporary branding mark. The Coat of Arms accompanied by the full name, The Commercial Education Society of Australia, remains the Society’s formal insignia and is used on certificates, official documents, ceremonial materials, and other items requiring the full institutional identity of the Society
Did you know ...
we are one of only a few societies in Australia with a real Coat of Arms from the United Kingdom.