What is the Advanced Certificate in Accounting and Finance?

Transcription

1 Advanced Certificate in Accounting and Finance (ACAF) PETER NORWOOD CPA FCA FCMA What is the Advanced Certificate in Accounting and Finance? CPA Designation: Canada s pre-eminent, globally recognized professional business and accounting designation Advanced Certificate in Accounting and Finance: Separate education program, with its own admission and assessment standards, through which you earn a certificate of recognition from CPA Canada 2 1

2 What is the Advanced Certificate in Accounting and Finance? An online education program developed by CPA Canada for those aspiring to accounting careers but not as designated CPAs Developed in consultation with employers to ensure it meets their needs for job-ready and promotable staff Adds the technical, IT application, communications and soft skills that are valued by employers. Certificate holders will qualify for intermediate level accounting jobs in business, not for profit, and government and CPAsupervised positions in public accounting firms 3 ACAF vs. CPA Designation Entrance requirements Program Duration Experience requirements Advanced Certificate in Accounting and Finance Recognized two-year accounting diploma or equivalent courses/experience Specific knowledge requirements Augments a college diploma Series of 10 online courses including: Six applied technical courses Two elective courses Two ACAF-specific courses One year full-time, online study Can be done part-time based on schedule None Chartered Professional Accountant designation An undergraduate degree ormaster s degree Completion of prerequisite learning 120 credit hours or equivalent education (30 credit hours/academic year) Specific knowledge requirements Graduate level Integrated professional program comprising: Two core modules Two elective modules Two capstone professional modules Two years structured part-time study or one year full-time study in accredited graduate program Must be employed in relevant progressive position prior to earning the designation 30 months of mentored, progressive practical experience (24 in Quebec) 2

3 Bridging to the CPA Designation Admission to CPA PEP requires both an undergraduate degree and specific knowledge requirements ACAF prerequisites earned at a PSI and ACAF courses will be recognized toward undergraduate degrees offered at select PSIs, as well as toward CPA PEP s specific knowledge requirements More details available Fall Students finishing a 2- or 3-year accounting diploma Individuals with no recognized technical accounting credentials who work in accounting or related positions Internationally trained accountants 6 3

4 Students finishing a 2- or 3-year accounting diploma who would like to improve their competitive standing in the job market Learn technical and soft skills that will enhance your marketability and performance Increase credibility with an employer-recognized credential Complete the program at your own pace full-time, or parttime while you work 7 Individuals with no recognized technical accounting credentials who work in accounting or related positions and would like to take their careers to the next level Gain technical and IT application skills that set you up for roles of greater responsibility Earn a certificate that helps employers recognize your skills Continue to work while you improve your qualifications Possibly qualify for advanced standing or course exemptions 8 4

5 Internationally trained accountants looking for positions in Canada. Earn a certificate recognized by Canadian employers Earn your certificate online, before you come to Canada Opportunity to qualify for advanced standing and course exemptions based on your education and work experience in your home country 9 Key features Applied: Focuses on the application of technical knowledge Attainable: Reasonable entrance requirements, one year full time, or part time at the student s pace; exemptions for academic and/or experiential equivalency Online: Anytime, anywhere Supported: Access to subject matter experts Relevant: Electives in areas of student interest and employer need Integrated: Ethics, soft skills, software applications 10 5

6 The program Introduction to ACAF Ethical business scenario analysis Six technical applications courses Applied Finance Management Control Advanced Financial Accounting Accounting Information Systems Auditing Fundamentals Corporate Taxation and Remittances Two electives Applied External Audit Applied Personal and Corporate Taxation Public Sector Accounting Not-for-profit accounting and related topics ACAF Business Applications Entrance requirements Courses below or equivalent, with a mark of >60% individually and an overall average of >65% Courses are typically covered in a two-year accounting diploma Pre-requisite courses (or equivalent) Introductory Financial Accounting Intermediate Financial Accounting Introductory Management Accounting Introductory Finance Introductory Personal Taxation Accounting Software Application Business Law Business Communications Statistics Micro & Macroeconomics You may begin without having completed Introductory Personal Taxation, Introductory Finance, and Accounting Software Application, but all three must be completed before taking Business Applications You must complete Introductory Personal Taxation before taking Corporate Taxation and Remittances and Introductory Finance before taking Applied Finance 12 6

7 Questions? 13 7