Canada - Apply for Accountant License

Advertisement

Procedure

Apply In Person

1. To Apply for Accountant License, the applicant has to approach the Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Canada link
2. accountant.
3. This typically involves completing a recognized accounting program at a university or college, which may include obtaining a bachelor's degree or completing specific courses in accounting and related subjects.
4. Many provinces require individuals to gain practical experience in accounting under the supervision of a licensed accountant.
5. This experience is often obtained through a training program or by working for an accounting firm. The specific number of hours or years of experience required can vary depending on the province.
6. In most provinces, the applicant will need to pass a professional accounting examination, such as the Uniform Evaluation (UFE), which is administered by the Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Canada.
7. The exam assesses the applicant’s knowledge and competence in accounting principles, auditing, taxation, and other related topics. Some provinces may have provincial-specific exams.
8. An application form will be provided to the applicant by the concerned officer.
9. The applicant has to fill in all the necessary details in the application form. (Incomplete applications are not accepted)
10. Make sure that the applicant has attached all the necessary documents that are mentioned in the “Required Documents” section of this page.
11. The applicant has to attach photocopies of the required documents along with the application form while submitting it.
12. Submit all the documents with the completed form to the concerned officer.
13. The applicant has to pay the prescribed fee as requested by the authority.
14. After receiving the application, the concerned authority will check the submitted application and document set. If all are in place, the application will be accepted.
15. Then the application will be processed further.
16. Once the process gets completed, the applicant gets a call from the office regarding the application.
17. The regulatory body may conduct a character and suitability assessment to ensure that the applicant meets the ethical and professional standards of the accounting profession. This may involve providing references or undergoing background checks.
18. This entire process can be completed within 30 days or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.

Advertisement

Required Documents

• Application form
• ID proof (Birth Certificate, driving license, etc)
• Address proof – (Driving license, passbook, utility bill, etc)
• Passport size photographs
• Fee receipt
• Training certificate
• Educational transcripts
• Proof of education
• Proof of practical experience
• Criminal record check
• Any other documents (If required)

Office Locations & Contacts

Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Canada
Toronto Head Office
277 Wellington Street West
Toronto, Ontario
M5V 3H2
Telephone: 416.977.3222
Tollfree: 1.800.268.3793
Fax: 416.977.8585

Burnaby
100 – 4200 North Fraser Way
Burnaby, British Columbia
V5J 5K7
Telephone: 604.669.3555
Toll-free: 1.800.663.1529
Fax: 604.689.5845

Ottawa
205 – 99 Bank Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 6B9
Telephone: 613.789.7771
Fax: 613.789.7772

Montreal
1900 – 2020 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard
Montreal, Quebec
H3A 2A5
Contact link

Eligibility

The requirements for becoming a certified public accountant (CPA) in Canada vary by province or territory. However, the general eligibility requirements include:

• A bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field from an accredited university.
• Completion of a CPA-approved education program.
• Passing the Uniform Evaluation (UE) exam.
• Obtaining a minimum of three years of relevant work experience.
• Meeting the character and fitness requirements of the provincial or territorial CPA body.

Fees

• The applicant has to pay the prescribed fee as requested by the authority.

Validity

• The validity of the license is two to three years

Documents to Use

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample Documents

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing Time

• This entire process can be completed within 30 days or as per the timeline advised by the respective department authority.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.g In the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

Instructions

• Applicants must complete the application form before submitting it. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Applicants must provide genuine information while applying for this procedure.

Required Information

• Name
• Nationality
• Resident Status
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Residential Address
• Residential No
• Mobile No
• Email Address
• Training details
• Educational Qualifications
• Date
• Signature

Need for the Document

• In Canada, an accountant license refers to a professional certification or designation that authorizes individuals to provide accounting services to the public and perform certain regulated activities in the field of accounting.
• Holding an accountant license demonstrates that an individual has met specific educational requirements, gained practical experience, and demonstrated competence in the accounting profession.

Information which might help

• Holding an accountant license allows individuals to provide accounting services to the public, sign audit reports, prepare financial statements, offer tax services, and perform other regulated accounting activities within the scope defined by the regulatory body.

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

Link

Others

• These designations are obtained through a combination of educational requirements, successful completion of professional examinations, and practical experience in the accounting field.
• Regulatory bodies, such as CPA Canada and other professional accounting institutes, oversee the licensing and regulation of accountants in Canada.