- What is a Chartered Accountant (CA)?
Chartered Accountants work in all fields of business and finance. Some are engaged in public practice work, others work in the private sector and some are employed by government bodies
- What are the prerequisites to becoming a CA?
To become a CA, individuals complete university-level studies, work for three years at an approved CA Training Office, and complete intensive specialized studies in one of the toughest professional education programs the world has to offer.
CASB offers a state-of-the-art competency development program for prospective Chartered Accountants in Western Canada. Through graduate-style education, practical experience, and exposure to standards and ethics of the highest calibre, CASB students become 'business-ready' CAs.
CASB's competency-based learning program comprises five core modules and one Uniform Evaluation (UFE) preparation module. The core modules each include eight weeks of facilitated online learning, a three-day face-to-face interactive session, and a one-day evaluation session. As students progress through the core modules, they trace the life cycle of a simulated business and learn essential skills, applicable both to their jobs and to their future success as CAs. Module six is a two-week face-to-face session, specifically designed to help students prepare for the UFE.
CASB was formed in 2000 by the Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan Institutes of Chartered Accountants. CASB oversees the education of CA students in the Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
- Where can I get more information?
http://www.casb.com/index.php
http://www.ica.bc.ca/kb.php3
http://www.becomea.ca
- What is a Certified General Accountant (CGA)?
CGAs advise businesses throughout B.C. and around the world in industry, commerce, finance, government, public practice and other areas where accounting and financial management is required. Their clients range from major corporations and industries to entrepreneurs.
- What are the prerequisites to becoming a CGA?
Everyone entering the CGA program brings different academic credentials. That’s why your path through the CGA program will differ from another student. Every student’s academic credentials are evaluated individually in the application and assessment process. This process determines your starting point in the CGA program and determines your transfer credits.
Post-secondary Students
Business Degree
If you already have, or are planning to earn, an accounting or business-related degree from a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution, you will most likely begin the CGA program at an advanced level, as several transfer credits may be granted. If your degree is in accounting, it may be possible to receive the maximum number of transfer credits available towards the CGA program.
Business Diploma
If you have already obtained, or are planning to obtain, an accounting or business-related diploma from one of Canada’s recognized post-secondary institutions, you will most likely begin the CGA program at an advanced level, as several transfer credits may be granted. If your diploma is in accounting, it may be possible to receive a significant number of the transfer credits available towards the CGA program. You will be required to meet CGA’s degree requirement prior to receiving your CGA designation.
This path can enable you to complete the remaining CGA course requirements, plus obtain a bachelor’s degree through part-time studies, while working full-time in a financial management related field.
CGA-BC, is the largest and fastest growing accounting body in the province, it is responsible for training, certifying, and upholding the professional standards of its students and members.
- Where can I get more information?
http://www.cga-bc.org/
- What is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA)?
Certified Management Accountants (CMA) are strategic financial management professionals with accounting skills and leadership competencies in international competitiveness, market development, human resources management, and information technologies.
- What are the prerequisites to becoming a CMA?
The Advanced Standing Guide is designed to help you plan your university studies so that you may complete the CMA Entrance Examination prerequisite courses and your degree requirements concurrently. All 16 prerequisites shown in the Advanced Standing Guide must be completed in order to challenge the CMA National Entrance Examination and a minimum grade of 60% must be achieved in each course. Take a few moments to compare the courses recognized by CMA British Columbia to the requirements for your degree.
(Please see image below)
 |
Alternate Paths:
|
CMA Executive Program
For business and financial professionals with senior management experience, this Program is offered in partnership with the University of Victoria.
CMA-MBA Combined Program or CMA-EMBA Joint Program
CMA British Columbia has partnered with the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University and Queen’s University to provide you with opportunities to earn your CMA designation while completing your MBA or EMBA.
CMA Accredited Program
This program is for Bachelor of Business Administration graduates from Capilano University, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Okanagan College, or Simon Fraser University, and Bachelor of Commerce graduates from the University of British Columbia. |
Students who graduate from an Accredited Program and have course credit covering the 16 syllabus topic areas may be exempt from the National Entrance Exam, enabling them to earn their CMA designation in as little as two years. More than 30 business programs across Canada are now accredited.
- Where can I get more information?
http://www.becomeacma.com/
http://www.cmabc.com/index.cfm/ci_id/1391/la_id/1.htm
- What is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)?
The Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation is a professional certification mark for financial planners conferred by the Financial Planners Standards Council in Canada.
- What are the prerequisites to becoming a CFP?
To earn CFP certification, candidates must:
- Complete an FPSC-approved Education Program
- Amass at least two (2) years of full time (or equivalent) financial planning work experience
- Pass the CFP Examination
- Agree to abide by the CFP Code of Ethics
- Meet other administrative requirements such as payment of fees, attestation as to professional fitness, and agreement to abide by all ongoing maintenance requirements
Education
CFP practitioners develop theoretical and practical financial planning knowledge by completing a comprehensive course of study at a college or university offering a financial planning curriculum registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.
Examination
CFP practitioners must pass a comprehensive two-day, 10-hour CFP Certification Examination that tests their ability to apply their financial planning knowledge in an integrated format. Based on regularly updated research of what planners do, the CFP Board's exam covers the general principles of financial planning, insurance planning and risk management, employee benefits planning, investment planning, income tax planning, retirement planning and estate planning.
Experience
CFP practitioners must have a minimum of three years' experience working in the financial planning process prior to earning the CFP mark. As a result, CFP practitioners have demonstrated a working knowledge of counseling skills in addition to their financial planning knowledge.
Ethics
As a final step to certification, CFP practitioners must pass an ethics review and agree to abide by the CFP Board's Financial Planning Practice Standards and a strict code of professional conduct, known as the CFP Board's Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility. The Code of Ethics states that CFP practitioners are to act with integrity, offering professional services that are objective and based on client needs.
- Where can I get more information?
http://www.fpsc.ca/
http://www.fpaforfinancialplanning.org/
- What is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)?
An investment professional that has met competency standards in economics, securities valuation, portfolio management, and financial accounting as determined by the CFA Institute.
- What are the prerequisites to becoming a CFA?
The CFA Program is a graduate-level self-study program that combines a broad-based curriculum of investment principles with professional conduct requirements. It is designed to prepare you for a wide range of investment specialties that apply in every market all over the world.
To earn a CFA charter, you study for three exams (Levels I, II, III) using an assigned curriculum. If you pass all three exams and meet the professional and ethical requirements, you can become a regular member of CFA Institute, or “charterholder.”
You can take as long as you need to complete the program, and there is no limit to the number of times you can take each exam. The curriculum changes each year to reflect the dynamic nature and complexity of the global investment profession.
- Where can I get more information?
http://www.cfacanada.org/default.aspx
https://www.cfainstitute.org/cfaprogram/Pages/index.aspx
The Designations
