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Learn about the Canadian accounting profession
In Canada, the officially recognized accounting designations are the Certified General Accountants (CGAs), the Certified Management Accountants (CMAs) and the Chartered Accountants (CAs).
The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) is the oldest and most established of these and its members enjoy practicing rights throughout the entire country and Bermuda. Members of the Certified General Accountants' Association of Canada (CGA) can train both in public practice and in industry and commerce. They have practicing rights across Canada except in Ontario where restrictions apply. The remaining body is the Society of Management Accountants of Canada (SMAC) which is the recognized management accounting body in Canada.
As in the USA, a great deal of control is devolved to the Canadian provinces. As well as having national offices, all the accountancy bodies have provincial offices. The national bodies are responsible for all matters of policy (e.g. accounting and auditing standards, syllabuses and examination papers) and the provincial institutes are responsible for administering these policies. The provincial institutes are also responsible for determining the admissions criteria for membership, although in most cases, guidance is sought from the national body.
Over the last two decades, there have been attempts to merge the accounting profession in Canada. However, due to the conflicting interests of the various accountancy bodies, a merger of the industry in the near future is unlikely.
For further information on the Canadian accounting designations, contact the addresses below:
Certified General Accountants Association of Canada (CGA)
700-1188 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 4A2
Tel: 604-669-3555
Fax: 604-689-5845
Website: www.cga-canada.org
E-mail: public@cga-canada.org
The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA)
277 Wellington Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5V 3H2
Tel: 416-977-3222
Fax: 416-977-8585
Website: www.cica.ca
The Society of Management Accountants of Canada (CMA)
Mississauga Executive Centre
One Robert Speck Parkway, Suite 1400
Hamilton, Ontario L4Z 3M3
Tel: 905-949-4200
Fax: 905-949-0038
Website: www.cma-canada.org