Dear Desis,

Let me give you a brief overview about me before asking the question.


I came to canada two yrs backs...I had Bcom and MBA(finance) from India...after landing in canada thought about CGA/CMA but since it was expensive .. I went for CPA(US) and about to finish my CPA.

My question is should I go for CGA as it will be really quick for me with all the exceptions I will get in CGA. I believe I have to take max 4 courses to finish CGA.

OR

Should I wait till they(CA/CGA/CMA) gets merge and become CPA - Canada.

What you guys think, will it be more wise to do CGA now or just forget it and in future when all the canadian designation becomes CPA ...that time I wont have to do anything I might get CPA Canada directly...

Any suggestions are most welcome..

Thanks
Junior desi

I think it is better to pursue CGA. Merger is time consuming process and no one is sure about the outcome. Recently Alberta CA has withdrawn from this process.

Thanks Seenimesh!

Any more inputs guys

Seenimesh,

One more question

What do you think about ACCA - as ACCA and CGA is having a mutual agreement..which will be the best option ...I am talking about costwise and timewise....also is ACCA more difficult then CGA?

Thanks

@ Aditya

No idea on ACCA.

But i have heard that CGA is easy to pass and less expensive

Seenimesh,

Can we talk my number is 905 782 4155

You will have four or less CGA courses to complete (provided you have a valid US CPA license).

Cost: $1500 + annual CGA membership fee
Time: anywhere between 6 months to a year depending on the availability of the course and the number of courses you are willing to enroll in a particular session.


In other words, a US CPA = CGA PACE level

If you can't secure an accounting job as a CGA PACE level student, then don't waste your time taking the remaining CGA courses.



Things to consider;

1- You need at least one year of senior level accounting experience in Canada to be awarded the CGA designation.

Time: anywhere between one year (best case scenario) to over 10 years.

2- Employers value experience over anything.

A CGA level 3 student with some relevant Canadian experience is going to get more interviews than somebody who is in the final level with no experience.