ASUT EVENTS

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What are the professional accounting designations available in Ontario and Canada?"

There are 3 designations that are highly sought after by students and recognized by employers:

- CA: Chartered Accountant
- CGA: Certified General Accountant
- CMA: Certified Management Accountants

What are the advantages of attaining a one designation over another?"

All three designations above are equally recognized in Canada as qualified professional titles. There are no clear advantages or disadvantages of one over another. If you have not decided on which professional title you would like to pursue, we suggest looking at the:

- Career paths of each different professional (eg. Audit, industry, public practice, tax, etc) in the short and long term
- Different testing styles and academic requirements
- Experience requirements
- Role in industry and core content of training/practice

What if I intend to practice in the U.S. or anywhere else outside of Canada?"

Then the CPA: Certified Public Accountant would be the recommended designation to pursue. It is regulated by the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) in the US but training and learning is available here in the GTA through institutions such as Becker Convisor and CPA Success.

How do I pick the best designation for myself? How are they different?"

First, find out what each designation is all about. You can do this by browsing through suggested links at our Designations Section or going to the designations' homepages - see out Links Section.

Next, talk to people in the accounting profession who hold these various designations. ASUT invites many diverse speakers who will be able to tell you first hand about the uniqueness and commonalities of the designations. Bear in mind that you should consider:

How long does it take to attain any designation? What do I have to do to get one?"

The route to attaining a designation is regulated by each of the accounting institutions - ICAO (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario), CMA-Ontario, CGA-Canada and AICPA (American Instituted of Certified Public Accountants). Links at the Designations Page should give you an idea of what it takes to obtain a CA, CGA, CMA or CPA.

Chartered Accountants (CA) prepare, review and analyze financial statements for companies and individuals. CA’s know exactly how the statements should be prepared. All chartered accountants are trained as public accountants, and are employed by both private industry and the government. The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants sets the standards for CA designations.

CA candidates must complete:
- 51 credit hours ( equivalent to 8.5 credit courses at U of T)
- approx. 2 years of work experience at a “training office” (most accounting firms apply)
- 3 examinations (CKE, ESE, & UFE)

Course Credit and Grade Requirements - U of T

Academic Qualification Requirements

CA Student Links @ ICAO

The ICAO's student Web site is now live! http://www.CA2B.biz has been designed for university & high school - the CAs of tomorrow. The site contains:

- Profiles of prominent CAs
- Information on the CA Qualification Process
- The latest on CA$H - the new University Inter-collegiate Challenge
- Online registration to become a CA Associate Student
- Monthly polls and contests for prizes
- CA Recruiting Tips
- and more...

For more information visit the website of the

Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario or CA2B

The Certified General Accountants Association of Ontario represents 16,000 members and 9,000 students across the province. With input provided by university faculty, professional accountants and business executives, the CGA certification process maintains the highest standards of professional and academic excellence. CGA Ontario offers top-notch education, training and professional support services for those who wish to pursue a rewarding career in the accounting profession. Enrolment in the CGA program offers immediate career advantages, as most students in the CGA program advance to interesting, challenging and rewarding positions while working towards their CGA designations. CGAs hold exciting professional accounting and finance positions in all sectors: industry, commerce, finance, information technology, government and public practice.

Entry Requirements

Transfer Credit Policy - University of Toronto

For more information visit CGA Ontario

Certified Management Accountants (CMA): are trained in financial accounting, but their training focuses more on management accounting. The world of management accounting involves analyzing a company's internal financial records to help managers make better decisions. Certified management accountants must complete the Strategic Leadership Program, which is provided by CMA Canada.

CMA candidates must complete:
- Completion of CMA Ontario's 17 prerequisite topics
- CMA national entrance examination
- Completion of two-year Strategic Leadership Program concurrent with full time employment in the profession of management accounting

Prerequisite Requirements - University of Toronto

For more information visit CMA Canada

Certified Public Accountants (CPA): The CPA designations would be the recommended designation to pursue if one intends to practice in the U.S. or anywhere else outside of Canada. They are well-respected strategic business advisors and decision-makers. Becker Conviser is the leading preparatory institute for students wishing to write the CPA examination.

CA candidates must complete:
- Complete a program of study in accounting at a college or university of at least 150 semester hours
- Pass the Uniform CPA Examination, which is given over a two-day period
- A certain amount of professional work experience in public accounting

Uniform CPA Exam

CPA FAQ's