CGA Corporate Overview

Together the national and provincial Certified General Accountants Associations represent approximately 64,000 CGAs and students in Canada. As a self-regulating profession CGAs are represented by:

• Their national organization CGA-Canada;
• Their provincial and territorial CGA Associations;
• International representation through CGA-Canada.

CGAs across Canada acquire their professional designation after completing the Association’s Program of Professional Studies. The CGA designation is also internationally recognized, with students and members employed in Bermuda, the Caribbean, China, and Hong Kong.

With their designation in hand, CGAs can work in finance, commerce, industry, government, academia, and the not-for-profit sector, as well as in public practice.

CGA-Canada

CGA-Canada sets education guidelines and develops curriculum for the Program of Professional Studies. It also establishes broad professional standards for members, detailed in the Code of Ethical Principles and Rules of Conduct. Each provincial or territorial CGA Affiliate also has specific responsibility for members’ professional and ethical conduct and maintains and enhances the code on behalf of its members.

CGA-Canada represents the broader interests of CGAs in Canada and the international regions, contributes to the advancement of the profession through a wide variety of policy initiatives, and participates in national and international accounting organizations.

Provincial and territorial Associations

Provincial and territorial CGA Associations represent the provincial interests of CGAs and students. They also recruit new students and deliver the Program of Professional Studies in their specific regions.

CGAs look to their provincial and territorial Associations for access to continuing professional development, advisory services for public practitioners, job search assistance, and many other member benefits.

The provincial and territorial Associations derive their authority from charters granted by their respective provincial or territorial governments. Mobility Agreements between provincial CGA Associations allow CGAs to practise across Canada. Each province has at least one voting representative on CGA-Canada’s board of directors.

CGAs Around the World

CGAs are employed in many different countries and the CGA Program of Professional Studies is offered through education centres in Bermuda, the Caribbean, China, and Hong Kong. There are more than 3,100 international members and students.

CGA-Hong Kong gained full affiliate status in summer 2003, and its role continues to expand.