CGA Designation Information Sheet
Quick Facts:
What is a Certified General Accountant (CGA) and what do they do?
Certified General Accountants are professional accountants holding senior level positions
in industry including: commerce, finance, government and public practice.
They are represented nationally through the Certified General Accountants Association of
Canada and regionally through their provincial or territorial affiliate.
How long does it take to become a CGA?
To enroll in the CGA program of professional studies, visit: www.CGA-alberta.org
With a business degree, it would typically take 2-6 years of part-time studies. If you
complete your business degree with satisfactory grades, and if you majored in
accounting, you will receive a maximum amount of credits towards the CGA program.
You will also be able to start the CGA program at an advanced level.
The CGA program of professional studies uses the latest innovations in on-line learning.
Students are enrolled in this highly respected program in Canada, Bermuda, the
Caribbean, Hong Kong, and the People’s Republic of China.
CGA Associations are committed to the public interest and the professionalism of
members through a comprehensive Code of Ethical Principles and Rules of Conduct.
Ethics instruction is a central part of the CGA program and ethical principles and case
studies are integrated into each and every course.
Is the CGA designation recognized Canada-wide? Internationally?
Chartered in 1913 by an Act of the Parliament of Canada, CGA-Canada along with its
provincial and territorial Affiliates represent 70,000 CGAs and students in the program of
professional studies.
CGA has created partnerships with two of the world’s largest international accounting
bodies. Agreements between CGA and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
(ACCA) as well as the Certified Practicing Accountants of Australia (CPA Australia) allow
CGAs to practice anywhere in the world in any industry.
The Association is also a member of several accounting bodies including the
Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants (CAPA), the Fédération Internationale des
Experts Comptables Francophones (FIDEF), the Interamerican Accounting Association
(IAA), and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC).
Why become a CGA?
Lots of flexibility – the CGA program adapts to your own learning style, career goals, and
lifestyle. You can choose classroom or online delivery and choose the industry in which
you would like to gain practical experience. Also, because the CGA designation is
recognized across Canada, CGAs and students have considerable job mobility.
CGAs work in top-level positions in any industry including commerce, academia, and
government.
They operate accounting firms, providing tax and financial advice to individuals and
businesses. You can be your own boss!
As trusted accounting professionals, CGAs offer the highest standards of expertise in
taxation, finance, information technology, and strategic business management. They are
in high demand in both Canada and overseas.
Additional Information:
- www.cga-alberta.org
Source: The above websites and the CGA Magazine