What is the Process of Becoming a Canadian Accountant/CPA?
Becoming an accountant in Canada is not an easy task. One needs to have a few years of experience in accounting and financial knowledge. This is why many people are opting for the CPA route, which is a professional designation that allows them to practice accountancy without being required to hold a degree in accounting or finance.
The process of becoming a Canadian certified public accountant (CPA) includes the following steps:
– Graduate from an accredited accounting program and pass the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) exam;
– Obtain 4 years of qualifying experience; and
– Pass the Uniform CPA Exam.
Step 1. Apply for Admission into an Accredited Accounting Program in Canada
In Canada, the Accredited Accounting Programs of Canada (AAC) accredit programs from both the private and public sectors in order to provide a quality standard for accounting degrees.
Many colleges and universities offer an accredited accounting program in Canada. The AAC offers three options for each school: self-accreditation, government accreditation or AAC accreditation. Self-accreditation is a program that is run without any external involvement, as opposed to government or AAC.
Self-accreditation does not have any specific standards in terms of curriculum and is not subject to audit by the AAC.
Step 2. Apply for Admission into an Accredited CPA Program in Canada
Due to the nature of the work, accounting is a highly regulated and specialized field. As a result, it’s a career that requires dedicated study and training.
The Canadian Board of Accountancy regulates that all accountants who are licensed in Canada must meet the accreditation criteria for the profession set by its board. To be eligible for admission into an accredited CPA program in Canada, students must pass an accredited exam administered by the Canadian Association of Chartered Professional Accountants (CACPA).
There are a few ways to apply for admission into an accredited CPA program. One way is to apply through an online portal. Applicants can apply online by submitting their transcripts and documents from previous education institutions.
Step 3. How to Begin the Path of Practicing Accountancy/CPA with 2 and 5 Year Graduation Requirements
There are two types of practice accountancy:
1) Accountancy for the General Public
The two types require a different type of skill and preparation.
If you want to begin practicing accountancy, it is important to understand what type of practice you would like to pursue. This article provides an overview of the two types that will help you decide which type you would like to pursue.
Step 4. Register Your Licence with the Accountants’ Society of Alberta and British Columbia
Filing licence information is an important step to ensure that you are a member in good standing.
The Accountants’ Society of Alberta and British Columbia (ASBC) is the regulatory body for the Accounting profession in in these province in Canada. The ASBC will provide you with a Certificate of Good Standing for your licence provided you have completed all of the necessary steps to be eligible for one.
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