Designation Requirements
Academic Requirements
The CGA Program is comprised of the Foundation Studies, Advanced Studies and the Professional Applications and Competence Evaluations (PACE) Level. The Foundation and Advanced Studies can be completed through CGA Nova Scotia or by transfer credit, either in whole or in part. The PACE Level includes four (4) national examinations that must be completed through CGA Nova Scotia.
Foundation Studies
The Foundation Studies includes ten (10) courses that form the basic knowledge of the accounting profession. Business Case 1 (BC1), completed at the end of the Foundation Studies, integrates the basic financial management concepts in a practical and professional manner.
Advanced Studies
The Advanced Studies includes five (5) courses that build on the Foundation Studies to increase your specialized accounting knowledge. Business Case 2 (BC2) further enhances your knowledge and skills in Auditing.
Professional Studies (PACE)
The PACE Level allows you to focus your professional preparation in areas that support your career goals and interests. You may choose from twenty (20) different possible options in designing your program. All examinations at the PACE Level are written through CGA Nova Scotia ensuring that all students demonstrate the professional knowledge and competencies expected of a newly certified CGA.
Bachelor Degree
Although students can begin the program from various educational backgrounds, all students in the CGA program must also complete a bachelor’s degree before earning their CGA designation. The CGA Association has developed partnerships with various post-secondary institutions to allow students to study for their CGA designation and bachelor’s degree concurrently.
Practical Work Experience
To achieve certification, you will be required to obtain accounting and/or financial management employment. On-the-job experience will complement your course knowledge to achieve the minimum professional competencies expected of a newly designated CGA.
Though it usually takes students about 36 months to gain appropriate breadth and depth of competencies for certification, some students may be able to achieve the requirement in as few as 24 months of full-time work.Where you gain this experience is largely up to you.With CGA, students can meet this experience through accounting work in any business sector. In fact, CGA students enjoy a wide range of career opportunities throughout the business community—in corporate entities, governments, public accounting firms and not-for-profit organizations.
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