Are All Accountants CGAs?
Manitoba has three regulated professional accounting bodies - Certified General Accountants (CGA), Certified Management Accountants (CMA), and Chartered Accountants (CA). The three bodies are separate and distinct, operating under there own provincial act, bylaws, and education, certification, and regulatory standards. Only CGAs and CAs are authorized everywhere in Canada to practice all aspects of public accounting, including audits of publicly listed corporations.
What Distinguishes A CGA?
For professional certification:
- Only CGA requires students to complete a national education program and 16 hours of comprehensive certification examinations (PACE).
- Only CGA requires students to complete a competency based, 36 month on-the-job practical experience requirement under the auspices of an approved professonally certified mentor.
- Only CGA requires students to complete a bachelor's or master's degree.