Internationally Designated Accountants
Learn how the Canadian CPA profession assesses international credentials and provides streamlined programs to help internationally trained accountants become Canadian CPAs.
Designated Paths
Accounting Bodies
If you are a fully qualified member in good standing of an international accounting body covered by a reciprocity agreement with CPA Canada or the CPA legacy bodies, you may have rights to CPA certification in Canada. Please see the table below.
IFAC Members
If you are not a fully qualified member in good standing from an international accounting body covered by a reciprocity agreement with CPA Canada or the CPA legacy bodies, please visit the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) Global Impact Map to check if your accounting body is listed under IFAC.
Non-IFAC Members
Internationally trained accountants who are not IFAC members will be assessed based on their international degree. You will be required to complete a transcript assessment and obtain a study and work permit to enroll into the Professional Education Program (PEP).
CPA Certification in Canada
If you are a fully qualified member in good standing of an international accounting body listed below, you may have rights to CPA certification in Canada through a:
- Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA): An agreement that specifies the right to membership and the right to practice public accounting between the two accounting bodies.
- Legacy Mutual Recognition Agreement (Legacy MRA): Members of international accounting bodies who have a valid recognition agreement with the CPA legacy bodies (CA, CGA and CMA). An agreement that specifies the right to membership and the right to practice public accounting between the two accounting bodies.
- Reciprocal Membership Agreement (RMA): An agreement that provides the right to membership between the two accounting bodies.
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): An agreement that specifies the criteria by which members of one body are eligible for membership in the other body.
The right to practice public accounting may require additional examination and/or experience requirements.
Effective December 6, 2021, any national of a country that is party to an international trade agreement with Canada that covers the cross-border provision of accounting services will be deemed to be “lawfully permitted to work in Canada” for purposes of CPABC Bylaw 500(3)(a)(ii). Such applicants will be eligible for admission as CPABC members provided that they meet all other applicable admission requirements.
You must have been engaged in the practice of accounting in the jurisdiction in which that professional body is located for a two-year period immediately before membership was granted in that professional body. Members of some accounting bodies must provide experience verification forms for each of their employers.
Please search for your accounting body below and use the links to learn more information on the application process.
International Accounting Bodies
The following international accounting bodies are covered by a reciprocity agreement with CPA Canada or the CPA legacy bodies.
Members of international accounting bodies covered by a MRA/RMA with CPA Canada (noted below with an asterisk*) who have completed the professional courses, exams and experience requirement of that body may apply for membership with CPABC.
Please complete the BC specific MRA/RMA International Application Form and submit your application to CPABC (internationalinquiries@bccpa.ca). Applicants who hold the US CPA designation, the IMCP or COMPIC (Mexico) designation and members of CPA Ireland must complete an International Practical Experience Form for each of their employers.
Please note that the agreements listed below may terminate at any time without notice.
| Name of Accounting Body | Agreement Type with CPA | Designation Awarded By CPABC |
|---|---|---|
| * American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) | MRA | CPA |
| * Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand (CA ANZ) | RMA | CPA |
| * Chartered Accountants Ireland (CA Ireland) | RMA | CPA |
| * Comité Mexicano para la Práctica Internacional de la Contaduría (COMPIC) | MRA | CPA |
| * Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) | RMA | CPA |
| * Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) | RMA | CPA |
| Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) | MOU | CPA |
| Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) | MOU | CPA |
| * Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) | RMA | CPA |
| * Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (ICAZ) | RMA | CPA |
| * Instituto Mexicano de Contadores Públicos (IMCP) | MRA | CPA |
| Ordre des Experts-Comptables de France (Quebec only) | MRA | CPA |
| * The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) | RMA | CPA |
Advanced Standing for IFAC Members
If your accounting body is not listed in the table above, please visit the International Federation of Accountants Global Impact Map to check if your accounting body is listed under IFAC.
Designated accounting professionals (active and in good standing) from an international accounting body which is a member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) without a reciprocal agreement with CPA Canada or the CPA legacy bodies (CA, CGA and CMA), are eligible to apply to the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) in BC, under ‘advanced standing.’
You will be admitted directly to CPA PEP at Core 1. You are not required to complete any prerequisite courses to be admitted. A study and work permit is required.
Please visit the “IFAC Members” page on the CPA Western School of the Business website for eligibility, criteria and application process.
Non-IFAC Members
Internationally trained accountants who are not IFAC members will be assessed based on their international degree. You will be required to apply for a transcript assessment and obtain a study and work permit to enroll into the Professional Education Program (PEP).
For more information, please visit the Program Overview area.