FAQs
Since 2015, there has only been one regulated accounting designation in British Columbia: the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). The legacy accounting bodies of Certified Managerial Accountants (CMA), Certified General Accountants (CGA), and Chartered Accountants (CA) merged to become what is now the Chartered Professional Accountants. CPA members who received their designation under a legacy accounting body must display their CPA and legacy designation together, in that order (e.g., John Doe, CPA, CA). All CPAs must keep their designation in good standing by abiding by all regulatory requirements, including ethical standards and continuing professional development.
As an employer, if you want to add a designated professional accountant to your organization, you must only ask for a CPA in your job postings.
CPAs in British Columbia are part of the more than 210,000 CPAs working across Canada and in over 100 countries. CPAs work in all sectors and industries. To learn more about where CPABC members work, how they protect the public, and how they contribute to businesses across the province, please see the CPABC Annual Report.