PACE: The Qualification Program for Certified General Accountants

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1 PACE: The Qualification Program for Certified General Accountants Delivering accounting and financial knowledge, professionalism and leadership for today and tomorrow

2 PACE: It s Synonymous with CGAs What distinguishes Certified General Accountants from other accounting professionals? The depth of CGA-Canada s PACE (Professional Applications and Competence Evaluations) certification courses and exams, and the breadth of its practical experience options. CGAs are broadly skilled and trained in financial management and business analysis. Most importantly, they have the applied knowledge and demonstrated expertise demanded by employers and clients. CGAs have the technical know-how, sector-specific competencies, problem-solving skills and the ethical integrity to lead. Knowledge, leadership skills and professionalism The PACE qualification program is rooted in more than 100 competencies in three distinct areas: professional knowledge, leadership and professionalism. Students are able to acquire additional depth in a career area of their choice from the following options: Government and not-for-profit, Corporate/small to medium-sized enterprises, Information technology management, or Public practice. PACE courses and exams thorough and demanding To earn the CGA designation, students must successfully complete two careerelective, graduate-level courses, and two, four-hour certification exams, followed by two capstone courses and two additional, four-hour certification exams. 36 months of full-time work experience Students must complete 36 months of approved, full-time work experience to earn the CGA designation. This accounting and/or financial management experience can be gained in any sector. This demanding requirement challenges students to integrate and apply their acquired knowledge, leadership skills and professionalism as they progress through increasingly senior levels of responsibility. Candidates who wish to enter public practice must complete specific work experience detailed in the CGA national public practice entrance and continuance standard.

3 PACE prepares students for the rigour of the business world PACE courses and exams cover an extensive range of material to ensure that students fully demonstrate the advanced competencies required for the business world. Case studies and business simulations PACE consists of both career-elective and capstone courses. The capstone courses and exams are the final requirements for certification, following completion of a bachelor s degree and prerequisite courses in accounting and related fields. The Issues in Professional Practice, and Strategic Financial Management courses employ case studies and business simulations to expose all candidates to the two separate but related professional perspectives. Students also sharpen their skills and knowledge and develop key competencies in communication, strategy, time management and leadership. Issues in Professional Practice draws on student knowledge of financial accounting, taxation, assurance, general business, and information technology. Students must develop and demonstrate the ability to anticipate and solve the real-world problems faced by external auditors and professionals providing assurance, tax, or business advisory services. Strategic Financial Management requires students to develop the professional competencies required to effectively manage an organization s financial affairs from an internal perspective. With a focus on the strategic perspective, students must demonstrate their ability to integrate and apply their knowledge of financial accounting, management accounting, finance, and information technology. Detailed Syllabus information can be found at cga.org/canada.

4 Competency Framework fosters future leaders CGA-Canada s competency-based professional education ensures that every newly certified CGA is able to fully serve the needs of clients and employers, and to protect the public interest. In sum, it prepares CGAs for positions of leadership, responsibility, and trust. CGA s 100-plus competencies detail the knowledge, skills and professional values required of accountants and senior financial managers in actual work environments and to specified levels of proficiency. The CGA Competency Framework* contains the complete list of competency statements, proficiency levels, assessment strategies and areas of knowledge. *The CGA Competency Framework is available at cga.org/canada/competency. Key competency groupings PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE Financial accounting and reporting Management accounting Assurance and related services Finance and financial planning Business environment Information technology Taxation PROFESSIONALISM Stakeholder focus Ethics and trust Integrative approach Problem solving Communication Professional development Professional self-evaluation LEADERSHIP Strategic and organizational leadership Individual and team leadership and development Organizational effectiveness

5 CGAs: Uniquely trained, tested and job-ready CGAs are broadly trained professionals skilled in financial management, business analysis and leadership. CGAs must hold a bachelor s degree and have completed prerequisite courses in accounting and related fields before entering the PACE certification program. Students who do not already have a degree have the option of enrolling in a CGA degree partner program. See Academic Partnerships at cga.org/canada PACE-level career options include corporate/small-medium enterprises, government/not-for-profit, information technology management, or public practice. PACE includes 16 hours of professional qualification exams that assess the knowledge, skills and values required to become a CGA. This training and testing of sophisticated concepts is expanded with case studies and business simulations. Students must complete 36 months of full-time, approved work experience and demonstrate that they have acquired the knowledge, independent thinking and responsibilities of a senior-level professional. The work experience options available to students in the PACE program are exceptionally varied. Indeed, the breadth of career options is a key attraction for many students. The resulting breadth of experience is a key draw for many employers. CGAs must participate in ongoing professional development, and are governed by a comprehensive code of ethical principles and rules of conduct. The CGA designation is equated throughout Canada and around the world with excellence and professionalism in finance and business management. To learn more about the far-reaching advantages of becoming a CGA or hiring one, contact your local CGA office. Select Visit an Association at the top of cga.org/canada.