Member Dues FAQs 2026/2027

How are my membership dues affected by the change in the administrative model between CPA Canada and CPABC?

Under the previous model, provincial territorial CPA bodies (PTBs) collected a mandatory $400 fee on behalf of CPA Canada to fund certain national activities, including standards setting. Under the new model, CPABC- like the other PTBs- will no longer collect fees on behalf of CPA Canada.

Instead, provincial membership dues will include a portion that provides funding directly from CPABC to CPA Canada to ensure that members have continued access to standards and guidance materials and the existing precertification program during the transition period.

Why does a convenience fee apply to my transaction?

Since April 1, 2025, a convenience fee has been applied to all credit card transactions. This change helps CPABC recover the costs of processing fees levied by credit card companies. Learn more

I am going on maternity leave this year. Can I apply for membership dues reduction?

The Reduced Income category is based on earned Active Income in the prior calendar year. You must have earned less than the threshold in the prior calendar year to qualify. You may qualify in the next fiscal year depending on your income this calendar year and the posted income threshold.

What reduction or exemption categories are available for membership dues?

Please see additional FAQs below or click on link for more information on CPABC’s Membership Dues Reduction and Exemption Categories.

If I am eligible for more than one membership dues reduction or exemption category, may I declare for more than one?

Members may only claim one membership dues reduction or exemption category per annual membership dues year.

My 2026/2027 membership dues notice amount displays a different amount than I paid last year?

All members have been set to full membership dues. Members eligible for a membership dues reduction or exemption must complete an online declaration annually through https://services.bccpa.ca.

When will I receive my annual membership dues notice?

Annual membership dues notices are sent via e-mail by March 1 annually. You can review your notice(s) through your online services account after you receive your membership dues notice email. If you are having trouble logging in to Online Services, please contact CPABC Support at support@bccpa.ca.

What time period is covered by the membership dues?

Annual membership dues cover the period of April 1 – March 31.

When is the payment deadline for 2026/2027 membership dues?

April 1, 2026 is the payment deadline for 2026/2027 membership dues. Payments received by CPABC after May 31, 2026 are subject to a late payment administrative fee and may result in suspension/cancellation of membership or cancellation of a public practice licence, in accordance with CPABC Bylaws.

How can I pay my membership dues?

Members can pay their membership dues through different options:

By logging in to Online Services
Through most financial institutions and credit unions. Please use your CPA ID as your account number.
If paying by mail, please send payment and original invoice to:

Finance Department
Suite 800, 555 West Hastings ST
Vancouver, BC V6B 4N6

What reduction categories are available for membership dues?

You may apply for a reduction or exemption of your membership dues if you meet the criteria under the following categories:

Reduced Income - reduction of full membership dues if Active Income is below applicable threshold for the 2025 calendar year.
Permanent Medical – ongoing exemption if permanently unable to work due to illness
Financial Hardship – annual exemption if Family Unit Income and Net Liquid Equity is below applicable thresholds
Retired Member – annual exemption for retired members aged 55 or over as of April 1, 2025 and Active Income is below applicable threshold for the 2026 calendar year.
Long-term member – automatic exemption for CPAs with over 40 years of membership or aged 70 years or over as of April 1, 2026
Non-resident – reduction for members residing outside of Canada or BC on April 1, 2026

See questions below for additional criteria for each category.

What is “Active Income”?

Active Income includes accounting and non-accounting income from employment, director’s fees, and net income from self-employment. Active Income does not include EI, pension income, investment income, support payments, or disability income. All other sources of income shall be considered “active.” The income threshold is adjusted annually. Income is based on individual earnings, not family/household income except for under the Financial Hardship category.

Is Active Income based on prior year income?

In most cases, eligibility for a 2026/2027 membership dues reduction or exemption is based on your 2025 income. The Retired Member category is based on estimated income for the 2026 calendar year.

What is the Reduced Income category?

Members whose Active Income in the prior calendar year is below the Active Income Threshold may apply for a reduction of their membership dues.

What is the Permanent Medical dues reduction?

Members who are permanently unable to work in any capacity due to illness can request an exemption from annual membership dues. A separate medical form (found on our website under Member Services>Forms and FAQs) must be completed and signed by a doctor, or you can submit a letter from your Long Term Disability provider.

I am ill, but able to work part-time. Can I apply for a membership dues reduction or exemption?

If your Active Income is below the threshold for the prior calendar year, you may apply for a reduction under the Reduced Income category.

I was away from work for part of the year due to illness. Can I apply for a membership dues reduction or exemption?

If your Active Income is below the threshold for the prior calendar year, you may apply for a reduction under the Reduced Income category.

I am turning 55 after April 1. Can I apply for a membership dues exemption under the Retired Member category?

Members declaring under the Retired Member category must be 55 years of age on April 1, 2026 and estimated Active Income for 2026 must be less than $38,400 to receive an exemption from 2026/2027 membership dues.

I was age 55 April 1, no longer work, but earn Director’s fees from the boards that I sit on. My Director’s fees add up to more than the Active Income Threshold. Do I qualify for a membership dues exemption under the Retired Member category?

Income received from sitting on a Board is considered “active income”, therefore, if your payments are greater than the Active Income Threshold of $38,400 for 2026 you do not qualify for a membership dues exemption under the Retired Member category.

I am over 55 but work part-time, or, I have my own consulting business in my retirement. Do I qualify for a membership dues exemption under the Retired Member category?

If your Active Income is below the Active Income Threshold of $38,400 for 2026 you can apply for the Retired Member membership dues reduction.

I am experiencing Financial Hardship. Can I receive a membership dues reduction or exemption?

To qualify, the Active Income for the 2025 calendar year and Net Liquid Equity as at April 1, 2026 must be lesser than the applicable thresholds for your family unit size. The thresholds vary depending on your family unit size. A declaration must be signed to receive the membership dues exemption. You can make a declaration through your Online Services account.

Please note that the Active Income for the financial hardship category is different from the other membership dues reduction and exemption categories. Active Income for the financial hardship category is based on income for the member’s Family Unit, which includes the aggregate income from all sources including EI, pension income, investment income, support payments, and disability income for all persons in the member’s Family Unit. The maximum number of Financial hardship declaration is two per lifetime.

Financial Hardship Threshold for 2026/2027 membership dues year:

Family Unit of 1: $38,400
Family Unit of 2: $47,800
Family Unit of 3: $58,700
Family Unit of 4: $71,400
Family Unit of 5: $80,900
Family Unit of 6: $90,200

I have received the Financial Hardship reduction twice. What other options do I have for a membership dues reduction or exemption?

Members, if eligible may choose from the other membership dues reduction or exemption categories found in Online Services.

I forgot to make a declaration for a membership dues reduction or exemption for the 2025/2026 membership dues year. Can I still make a declaration?

Requests for retroactive reductions or exemptions to membership dues for prior years will not be considered. The deadline to apply for a membership dues reduction is March 31, 2027 for the 2026/2027 membership dues year.

What is the “non-resident” membership dues reduction?

This reduction is for members who resided outside of Canada on April 1, 2026 and were invoiced full CPABC provincial dues, or for those members who reside in Canada, but outside of BC, and were invoiced full CPABC provincial dues, but have, or will, pay full provincial dues to another provincial territorial CPA body or Bermuda.

I live and work outside of Canada. Do I qualify for any membership dues reductions or exemptions?

Members who live and work outside of Canada and Bermuda on April 1, 2026 may be eligible to pay reduced membership dues. To receive reduced membership dues, members must update their contact information and apply for the non-resident membership dues reduction by logging into Online Services. If you move after April 1, 2026 during the 2026/2027 membership dues year, your membership dues will not be adjusted.

If I qualify for a reduction or exemption for my membership dues, do I automatically qualify for an exemption from CPD?

The criteria for a membership dues reduction or exemption and a CPD exemption are not the same. You must apply for each separately.

Does the annual Active Income Threshold apply to Long Term members?

Long-Term members who are at least 70 years of age on April 1, 2026 or have 40 years of membership or more, receive an automatic exemption from annual membership dues. Therefore, the Active Income Threshold does not apply.

What is the Voluntary Indigenous Self-Identification Questionnaire?

Since unification, CPABC has prioritized the promotion of a diverse and inclusive profession that reflects BC’s diverse communities. This includes Indigenous communities and businesses as they play a significant role in BC’s culture and economy.

What is the EDI Questionnaire?

CPABC is committed to creating a profession that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive for all of our members and students. As part of this commitment, we are collecting data to understand our current diversity. This will help us obtain an accurate picture of the composition of our membership and measure changes over time.

I cannot afford to pay my membership dues and I do not meet the criteria for any of the membership dues reduction or exemption categories, but would like CPABC to consider my special circumstance.

Members who believe they have a valid reason to receive a reduction or exemption for their membership dues and do not meet the eligibility requirements of any other membership dues reduction or exemption category, may submit a written request to the Membership Committee to consider their circumstances. The Committee will review each request on a confidential basis. Based on the information submitted, a determination will be made and forwarded to the member.

Please contact membershipdues@bccpa.ca for more information.

Any written submissions you wish to provide must be delivered to CPABC (Attention: Director, Membership) or emailed to membershipdues@bccpa.ca by no later than May 15, 2026.

Membership Dues FAQs