Find out if you can transfer any credits
If you took business and accounting courses at a post-secondary institution, you may be able to transfer some of those credits. Better yet, if you earned your accounting degree from an Accredited Program, you’ll be able to gain direct entry in the CGA program. Whatever your background, rest assured that you’ll enter the program at a level consistent with your educational experience. After all, studying what you already know is not an efficient way to learn.
First things first, fill out the Application for Transfer Credits and send it off with a sealed transcript and resumé. You’ll then receive a report confirming which of your course credits have been accepted. In the meantime, you can check out the College Transfer Credits and the University Transfer Credits to get an idea of what credits you’ll be able to move over.
You will receive your Transfer Credit Evaluation in 4-6 weeks, then you’ll be ready to move on to Step 2.
Download the Application for Transfer Credits
See the List of Accredited Programs
See eligible University Transfer Credits
See eligible College Transfer Credits
Enrol
Once you've received your Transfer Credit Evaluation, you’re free to enrol. Follow these simple instructions when you’re ready to get started.
- Your transfer credit evaluation includes a 7-digit ID number in advance.
- Go to http://www.cga-ontario.org and click on I Forgot My Password below the Login. Enter your ID number and click Enter. Your new password will be emailed to you within a few minutes.
- Return to http://www.cga-ontario.org and enter your Username (your 7-digit ID number) and your new Password (the one you just received) in the Login. Click Login. Complete your enrolment into the program by selecting your courses.
Complete the Academic Requirements
The CGA program of professional studies consists of three academic components, including 19 courses in total. You must complete these requirements before you can earn the designation. You may be exempt from taking a number of courses based on the credits accepted during your Transfer Credit Evaluation.
FOUNDATION & ADVANCED STUDIES
Though these challenging courses are mandatory, the good news is that transfer credits can reduce the number you have to take.
ELECTIVE COURSES
Refine your career path by choosing two elective courses. With 14 combinations to choose from, you’re sure to find one that’s right for you. Be it public accounting, government, non-profit, information technology, corporate and small-medium enterprises, to name a few.
CERTIFICATION COURSES
To finish off the academic requirements, you must complete both Issues in Professional Practice and one of Strategic Financial Management or Applications in Public Practice. Soon you’ll be well on your way to a rewarding life as a CGA.
See the CGA program Course List, Fees and Schedule.
Meet the Employment Experience Requirement
CGA Ontario knows that becoming a well-rounded professional requires the right balance of practical experience and conceptual knowledge. That’s why all aspiring CGAs need a minimum of 24 months of professional level work experience, 12 months in Canada, to develop the competencies required of a CGA.
For a list a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the Work Experience Requirements, click here.
Meet the Degree Requirements
Before you can complete the CGA program, you need a degree from a recognized university or college. If you already have one, great. If not, you have the option to complete a degree at the same time as your designation. To help you along, CGA Ontario has teamed up with Laurentian University to provide a part-time, distance-learning program specially designed for aspiring CGAs. Alternatively, you can choose to attend 1 of 22 CGA Ontario Accredited Programs.
Qualified graduates of an Accredited Institution are on the fast track to a CGA designation with only four course credits (or less) required to earn the designation. Whether you choose to get your degree through CGA Ontario at Laurentian, an Accredited Program, or at the university of your choice, it's up to you. Just remember that although you don't need a degree to be accepted into the program, you do need one to be a CGA.
Do More
With the DO MORE designation in hand, you’re now ready to hold a great job in any business sector.
