The profession reached a significant milestone in 2025, as June 24 marked not only the 10-year anniversary of CPABC’s proclamation but also the date on which members with legacy designations gained the option of using the CPA designation on its own. Given this, and the change coming on April 1, 2026, when the new collaborative model between CPA Canada and the provincial and territorial CPA bodies takes effect, we wanted to give members, candidates, and students a refresher on the permitted and prohibited use of the designation.
As stipulated in the Chartered Professional Accountants Act (CPA Act) and the CPABC Bylaws, the terms “Chartered Professional Accountant” and “CPA” may only be used by current and registered members and firms that are in good standing with CPABC. This restriction signifies to members of the public, including employers, that those displaying the designation are registered professionals with the requisite knowledge, skill, and competency required for membership; are bound by a professional code of conduct; are required to maintain competency through continuing professional development; and are held accountable through a regulatory process.
Candidates, students, former members, former firms, non-registered firms, suspended members, and suspended firms are not entitled to use the CPA designation.
What qualifies as “use”?
“Use” is to be interpreted broadly. It includes using the terms “chartered professional accountant,” “professional accountant,” “certified public accountant,” “certified public auditor,” and “CPA,” as well as implying or suggesting being entitled to use the designation. Also included under this definition of “use” is using the equivalent of CPA in another language. In BC, any of these forms of use are restricted to registered CPABC members/firms in good standing, who must use the titles in accordance with the CPA Act, CPABC Bylaws and other guidance.
Membership with other bodies
As mentioned earlier, there will be a new modernized approach to collaboration with CPA Canada effective April 1, 2026. As of this date, CPABC members will cease to be members of CPA Canada and will need to join CPA Canada separately if they choose. It is important to note that CPA Canada does not have a regulatory role in British Columbia (or in any other province or territory), and membership in CPA Canada does not grant a person the right to use the CPA designation in BC or elsewhere.
Additionally, as the accounting profession is provincially regulated, being registered as a CPA in another province or jurisdiction does not grant an individual the right to use the CPA designation in BC; in short, you may only use the CPA designation in BC if you are a member of CPABC. Members of CPABC are permitted to include a designation from another jurisdiction as long as they do so in compliance with the issuing body’s governing authority and the CPA Act. The BC CPA designation should appear first, followed by the other jurisdiction’s designation accompanied by the name of the jurisdiction where regulated—for example: “John Doe, CPA, CPA (Illinois).”
Similarly, being a member of CPABC does not grant an individual the right to use the CPA designation in other jurisdictions. CPABC members must abide by the applicable laws of other jurisdictions, as per rule 213 of the CPABC Code of Professional Conduct.
Legacy designations
Under the CPA Act and CPABC Bylaws, the use of legacy designations (CGA, CMA, and CA) is also restricted to CPABC members. As noted above, June 24, 2025, marked the end of the requirement for members to tag the CPA designation with their legacy designations, although they still have this option—for example: “Jane Doe, CPA, CMA,” and “Jane Doe, CPA,” are both acceptable for a member in good standing.
Members may update their designation display preferences in the public register by visiting services.bccpa.ca and updating the “Profile Information” section of the Profile page.
CPA candidates and students are not entitled to use designation
Candidates and students are not permitted to use the CPA designation and must be careful not to present their status in a manner that implies they are a member of CPABC. Candidates and students may indicate that they are a candidate or enrolled in the relevant program. See examples below:
- Permitted: “Jane Doe, enrolled as a student of CPABC.”
- Not permitted: “Jane Doe, CPA Student.”
The public directory
As part of its regulatory responsibility to protect the public, CPABC maintains up-to-date online directories of members and registered firms. These directories allow members of the public, including clients and employers, to easily verify an individual’s or firm’s registration with CPABC, and this registration signifies that they are accountable through a regulatory process. The directories also enable the public to verify if an individual and/or firm is appropriately registered for the services offered.
Additionally, the Chartered Professional Accountants Western School of Business maintains a public directory of all candidates currently enrolled as students of CPABC (cpawsb.ca/candidate-directory).
What happens if someone misuses the CPA designation?
CPABC will take appropriate action to protect the public and the reputation of the profession in cases of misuse. This may include informing the person of the misuse and requesting an immediate correction, issuing a cease and desist letter, placing a public notice on the CPABC website, and/or seeking a court injunction. Violating the restricted use of the CPA designation is also an offence under the CPA Act punishable by up to a $2,000 fine and/or six months of imprisonment.
Cases of misuse of the designation should be brought to CPABC’s attention. To do so, email registrar@bccpa.ca with sufficient evidence and detail for action to be taken. Please see CPABC’s website for public notices regarding misuse and for further information.
Use of the designation in the Yukon
The Chartered Professional Accountants Act of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Yukon (CPAYT) contains very similar legislation to the CPA Act in BC and governs the use of the CPA designation in the Yukon. CPAYT has delegated certain regulatory functions to CPABC. Despite this arrangement, membership in one jurisdiction does not grant a member or firm the authority to use the CPA designation in the other jurisdiction.
A separate public directory is maintained for the Yukon. Members in the Yukon who wish to update their designation display preferences may email memberrecords@bccpa.ca.
Questions?
More information is provided at bccpa.ca under “Protecting the Public > Professional Accounting & Use of the CPA Designation,” and you can also contact us at professionaladvisory@bccpa.ca.
Examples of permitted and prohibited CPA designation use:
Permitted, if applicable:
- Jane Doe, CPA
- Jane Doe, CPA, CGA
- John Doe, CPA, CPA (Illinois)
Not permitted:
- John Doe, CMA – A legacy designation cannot be used alone.
- Jane Doe, CPA (Illinois) – Another jurisdiction’s designation cannot be used alone.
- John Doe, CPA, CPA (USA) – The CPA designation in the United States is regulated by state boards.
- Jane Doe, CPA Candidate – Candidates are not entitled to use the CPA designation.
- John Doe, CPA Student – Students are not entitled to use the CPA designation.
- Jane Doe, CPA (Canada) – The CPA designation in Canada is regulated by provincial/territorial CPA bodies.
This article was originally published in the March/April 2026 issue of CPABC in Focus.
