The CA: A Distinguished International Designation

In becoming a CA you will be joining a distinguished, exciting and highly regarded profession synonymous with high professional standards, competence, integrity, advice and decision making. CAs are in high demand in public practice, in corporations public and private, in businesses large and small, and in the public sector.

CAs in public practice spend little time at the office. Alone and with colleagues, they call on clients in many diverse businesses and industries, meeting with managers, auditing financial statements, providing tax, estate and financial planning advice, and providing consulting and advisory services in areas such as corporate finance, corporate recovery and insolvency, business valuations, mergers and acquisitions, control and risk management, information and communications technology and general financial and business management.

CAs in business and industry work in many management capacities, in organizations large and small. Some lead major corporations as CEOs, CFOs, vice presidents of finance and controllers. Others start their own businesses, and are highly successful because of the broad understanding of the business world they gain during their training.

CAs in government hold strategic government positions such as auditors general, deputy ministers, controllers general and senior public servants. They are widely recognized for the effective management of government programs and leadership in suggesting and implementing innovative solutions to improve performance of government bodies. CAs in teaching help prepare the next generation of CAs as teachers in universities, colleges and professional programs. They are also key contributors to the advancement of accounting sciences in innovative fields.

Canadian CAs abroad use their CA training as a launching pad for national and international careers. The CA designation is recognized across Canada and in many other countries.

How to become a CA

By choosing to become a Chartered Accountant you are choosing to become a trusted professional, known for technical excellence, integrity, objectivity and commitment to the public interest.

The skills and abilities, and the proficiency you are expected to achieve, are set out in The CA Candidates' Competency Map: Understanding the Professional Competencies of CAs.

Minimum requirements have been established in each of these components to assist you in your development as a CA candidate:

• Education: A university degree with specific business course credits, as well as the professional program of your province or territory is required. This level of education provides a sound base of knowledge, skill and values necessary to be able to demonstrate competence. Check with your Provincial Institute/Ordre for specifics.
• Experience: Work experience in a recognized training office under the supervision of experienced CAs is also required. The training you receive during this period will greatly assist you in the development of the skills, attributes and values of a competent CA. You can apply directly to these CA firms or meet with them when they recruit on your university campus. Again, your Provincial Institute/Ordre provides further details.
• Evaluation: Assessment is the key to determining competence. CA candidates will continually receive assessments throughout their development – in university programs, in professional education programs and on the job. All CA candidates must sit the profession's Uniform Evaluation - our UFE– which is the capstone evaluation of a continual process of developing and assessing the knowledge, skills and professional values required of a CA. This three-day evaluation gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your professional competency by responding to business simulations of the kinds of challenges likely to be faced by the newly qualified CA.

These three elements ensure that, when you earn your CA designation, you will have acquired all the competencies that the marketplace expects of a Chartered Accountant.

Source and further information:
L’Ordre Comptables Agréés du Québec : http://ocaq.qc.ca
Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants : www.cica.ca