Certified General Accountants Canada (CGA–Canada)

Pathway to CPA membership

The following steps demonstrate the pathway to the types of CPA Australia membership for full members of CGA Canada, under the conditions of the current MRA.

Step 1: Determine your eligibility

You may be eligible to apply for CPA Australia membership if you:

• are a member of good standing and not under any investigation for professional conduct infringements
• did not gain entry through another mutual recognition agreement, any other similar pathway agreements or any special member pathway.
• have successfully completed:
  • the CGA-Canada program of professional studies
  • the CGA-Canada practical experience requirement.

You will also need one of the following:

• a university degree approved by CGA-Canada or the relevant provincial body
• a university degree recognised by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment as being equivalent to Australian bachelor degree level (this will be determined during the assessment of your application)
• fifteen years of accounting-related work experience, with at least five years at a senior level.

Direct entry to CPA status

You may be eligible for direct entry to CPA status if you:

• have maintained membership with CGA-Canada for a minimum of five consecutive years, or
• have successfully completed an MBA with course content covering corporate governance and global strategy and leadership.

This is assessed individually, and transcripts are required to support your application. You may be requested to provide a detailed course syllabus to support your exemption application.

Entry to Associate status

If you are assessed not eligible for direct entry to CPA Status, you will be required to join as an Associate member of CPA Australia and fulfil the necessary requirements indicated in Step 4.

Step 2: Apply

Complete the online application and submit with the required documentation, including your application and membership fee.

In your application, nominate CGA-Canada as the professional body with whom you studied and hold membership.

Start your application now

Step 3: Verification and outcome of your application

Your application will take approximately 10 to 15 working days to verify. We will send you an email informing you of your assessment outcome.

Step 4: Advance to CPA status

Once you become an Associate member of CPA Australia, you have two years from the date of admission to successfully complete

• the Better Practice in Governance and Accountability subject of the CPA Program.

When complete, you will advance to CPA status, receive a CPA certificate and will then be able to use the letters CPA after your name.

Membership pathways FAQ

Have questions about membership pathways and arrangements? Find answers here.

Membership pathways FAQ