Certified general accountants are employed in all aspects of accounting and financial management for organizations in public and private sectors. Their work includes planning and administration of accounting systems, budget and financial statement preparation and analysis, strategic planning, capital resource management, financial forecasts, income tax planning, external and internal audits and business consulting.

This profession is regulated in Manitoba by the Certified General Accountants Association of Manitoba.

To practise certified general accounting in Manitoba you must:

• meet the educational and work experience requirements of the Certified General Accountants Program of Professional Studies
• be registered with the Certified General Accountants Association of Manitoba

Licensing process in Manitoba

Note: The association conducts the licensing process in English only. Thus, all requested documents must be translated into English.

You must complete the following steps:

STEP 1: Contact the Certified General Accountants Association of Manitoba and tell them you are an internationally educated accountant and want information on how to become licensed to practise in Manitoba.

Certified General Accountants Association of Manitoba
4 Donald Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 2T7
Phone: 204-477-1256
Toll-free: 1-800-282-8001
Fax: 204-453-7176
E-mail: info@cga-manitoba.org
Website: cga-manitoba.org

STEP 2: Complete the Certified General Accountants Association of Manitoba application for advanced standing form.

You must submit the following:

• all original marks, transcripts, degrees and/or certificates*
• all available syllabi (i.e., description of courses studied)*
• updated resumé detailing related work experience
• proof of name change, if applicable
• Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scores
• evaluation fee for international transcripts

* If documents are not in English, notarized translations are required.

STEP 3: Enrol in the program of professional studies. (Ask the association for information.)

STEP 4: Complete the educational requirements.

STEP 5: Complete 36 months of work experience performed concurrently with educational requirements.

STEP 6: When the requirements have been met and all fees have been paid you are a designated certified general accountant and are permitted to practise with title.

Additional information

Tuition, course and all other fees are listed on the CGA website.

Students are required to enrol in the program annually and pay a basic tuition fee. In addition, they pay for each course individually. Students can claim both the education and tuition tax credits when filing their annual income.

The Certified General Accountants Foundation and Advanced Levels consist of 17 requirements. If you have an equivalent university degree and/or courses you may apply for advanced standing.

The professional certification level consists of four certification courses and examinations:

• Professional Applications 1
• Professional Applications 2
• two of: Auditing 2, Management Suditing 1, Finance 2, Taxation 2, Public Sector Financial Management, and Management Information Systems 2

During your work experience you must advance to a professional level of responsibility in accounting, auditing, taxation, and/or other financial management related areas.

Language: As part of your work, you are required to have intermediate or advanced English language skills in the four basic language areas - listening, speaking and reading and writing comprehension. Therefore, you should be able to:

• participate in discussions of a complex nature
• share your thoughts clearly
• understand technical documents
• write reports in English with confidence

Revised October 2011

Assistance for newcomers in Manitoba

• Communication and bridging programs for professionals
• Financial help to pursue professional licence
• A recent immigrant talks about how she found a job in this profession
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