FAQs--Become a CA

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• What is a Chartered Accountant?

  Chartered Accountants, or CAs, are business professionals who work in various environments and roles, often at a senior-level of financial and business management. CAs generally work in one of three sectors: public accounting - working in a firm providing services to clients; industry - working in a business corporation or small company; or the public sector. Across Canada more than 50% of CAs work in industry and the majority of those CAs are working in senior or executive positions.

• Where do CAs gain their practical experience?

  Traditionally, CAs gained their work experience in public practice firms, with a focus on audit. However, the profession recognized that many students want to start their corporate careers while articling, and now offer the Expanded Experience Opportunities (EEO) training stream, where students can focus on other areas such as tax, enterprise risk services, and financial advisory services.
  This change has allowed the CA profession to expand the opportunities for training within both public practice firms and industry; however, what has not changed is the rigour of the CA training program, and either training stream—traditional public practice or the EEO—will prepare students for a career with limitless opportunities.
  

• How do I become a CA?

  1. First, students must complete a four-year, 120-credit undergraduate degree, in any subject, from a university or college recognized by the CA School of Business (CASB). Before entrance into CASB, students must complete twelve pre-requisite business and accounting courses. (Prerequisite courses are listed here.) Earning a Business, Management, or Commerce bachelor’s degree with an accounting major usually allows students to complete both the degree requirement and the pre-requisite courses at the same time, making this your fastest route to earning a CA designation.
  
  2. The next step is to secure employment with an approved CA Training Office (CATO). CA Students complete approximately three years of practical experience while also working through CASB’s online modules. A list of CATOs in Western Canada can be found here.
  
  3. The last step is writing the National Uniform Evaluation (UFE). CASB students are well-prepared for the UFE and the first-time pass-rate for CASB writers has been consistently high for the past three years.
  

• Is the process to become a CA different as a mature student?

  You may be eligible to register with the CA School of Business (CASB) as a mature student if you:
  • Have at least five years of relevant business experience* or a combination of relevant business experience (two years minimum) and full-time post-secondary education (up to a maximum of three years); and
  
  • Have scored at least 550 on a Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) written within the prior three years, or other acceptable academic credentials.
  *CASB assesses prior experience on a case-by-case basis, and prior work experience cannot be used as part of the 3-year practical experience component of the CASB program.
  
  Mature students must complete the full CA program: 3 years of work experience at a CA training office, 6 online modules through CASB, and the CA final exam – the UFE.
  

• How long does it take to become a CA?

  Generally, it will take three years of work experience following completion of a university degree to become a CA. While students obtain their work experience, they also take the six modules that comprise the CASB educational program.

• What is the CASB Program?

  CASB delivers the education for prospective Chartered Accountants in Western Canada. Through a graduate-style education program, practical experience, and exposure to standards and ethics of the highest calibre, CASB students become 'business-ready' CAs. The CASB program comprises six learning modules, led by facilitators who are also practicing CAs. There are five eight-week modules to help students develop the technical and pervasive competencies required by CAs, and one module specifically designed to help students prepare for the UFE.

• What is the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta?

  The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta (ICAA) is the self-governing body which regulates more than 11,500 Alberta CAs and CA students. The ICAA protects the public by setting the most rigorous qualification criteria, and establishing and enforcing the highest professional, ethical and practical standards. ICAA works in partnership with other provincial institutes and the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) to support national standards and programs.

• Is the CA designation recognized Canada-wide? Internationally?

  A CA in one Canadian province is a CA in any other province. In fact, reciprocity and easy mobility within Canada are cornerstones of the profession. CAs are also recognized worldwide, and have formal recognition with many international accounting bodies. The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants is part of the Global Accounting Alliance and has reciprocity agreements with all other accounting bodies that are part of this group. See a list of those accounting bodies here.

• What is required for me to enroll in CASB?

  To register for CASB, you must obtain an approved undergraduate degree (the degree can be in any area) and complete 12business and accounting pre-requisite courses. You need to be employed with an approved CA Training Office (CATO), as experience is an integral part of getting your CA designation. A list of CATOs approved to train CA students is available at here.

• Is there a GPA requirement for CASB?

  A minimum average of 65% across the 12 pre-requisite courses is required. The GPA of your bachelor degree is not considered when you register with CASB but will be considered when you are applying for employment to various CATOs.

• When should I find employment with a CA Training Office?

  Typically the recruitment for CA training positions occurs on-campus in the Fall of the student's last year of studies. Students will receive job offers for employment commencing after their studies are completed. To find out more about CA Fall Recruit dates, contact your post-secondary career centre, or click here for a list of the career information and recruiting events.

• How does CASB work if I am a co-op student?

  If you are enrolled in an approved co-op degree program (listed in Appendix E of the Education Policy Manual) and have completed a minimum 45 credit hours, your work experience at a CA Training Office will count towards your three-year practical experience requirement. You can start taking modules during your work terms if you have completed Intermediate Financial Accounting 1 and 2 and Tax (personal and corporate).

  All co-op students must have their program of work and study terms approved by their university, CASB, and their employer. Each student's program will be unique depending on the university they attend, the number of prerequisites completed at the time of enrollment in CASB and the number of terms remaining until the student's degree is complete.
  Contact generalregistraions@casb.com if you would like to ensure that you eligible to register as a co-op student with CASB.

• Where can I register with CASB?

  You can register as a student under the following circumstances:
  • If you have completed 45 credit hours towards your degree, you can register with CASB when you begin working at a CA Training Office.
  • If you have completed your degree and prerequisite courses, have a training position, but haven’t started working, you may register as a student and for Module 1.
  • If you have completed your degree and prerequisite courses, but you do not yet have a position at a CA

  Training Office, you may register as a student and for Module 1. You must provide CASB with a copy of a written offer of CA Training Office employment before you can participate in Module 2.
  Once you register with CASB, your employment hours will begin counting towards your three-year practical experience requirement. Student registrations into the CASB program are accepted throughout the year. Module registrations are accepted at specific times throughout the year, which are listed on the schedule of key dates. Students are required to pay annual student dues and module registration fees. Please see the administrative fee schedule for the most current rates.

• How much time will I spend on the modules?

  The modules have been designed to require, on average, between 10 and 15 hours per week of individual online study. Each module will involve 8 weeks of individual facilitated online learning as well as a three-day face-to-face interactive session.

• What happens if I do not achieve competency in a module?

  If a student is not competent in any module, he or she is required to retake it in its entirety. All modules (except Module 6) are offered at least twice a year. Check the Module Schedule here to determine the next available offering of any specific module.

• How much flexibility do I have in determining when I take a particular module?

  Because competency development is a building process, all modules must be taken in sequence. In planning their schedules, students should work with their employer and consider their office’s “busy season” and their own important personal events.

• What is the  face-to-face interactive session?

  Over one weekend during each of the first five modules, students attend a three-day, face-to-face session with a facilitator and other students in their module. Chartered Accountants need to be able to speak in group situations and lead discussions, so CASB uses these sessions to help students develop competence in this area. Participation, leadership, and courtesy are all evaluated requirements of these sessions.

• What is the National Uniform Evaluation (UFE)?

  The UFE is the evaluation that all individuals wishing to become a CA in Canada must successfully complete in order to earn their designation. It is a three-day, competency-based evaluation using a comprehensive case simulation and several multi-subject simulations. This national UFE ensures all Canadian CAs meet the same nationally- and internationally-recognized high standards.

• As a CASB student, what can I expect?

  CASB students:
  • Are actively involved in their own learning and competency development;
  • Learn through doing, working on scenarios and issues they’ll face at work;
  • Look at business issues from different perspectives, developing strong critical thinking and problem solving skills;
  • Learn, understand, and are ready for changing accounting and auditing standards;
  • Understand that being a CASB-educated CA is about more than being an accountant: it’s about demonstrating excellence in all they do.