Founded in Québec in 1880, the Ordre des Comptables agréés du Québec is North America’s first professional corporation of chartered accountants. The Ordre ensures that its members meet the standards of professional competence and integrity required by their professional duties. Since 1946, only Chartered Accountants are entitled to practice public accountancy. This exclusive field of practice granted to CA’s compares with that of other major professions such as Medicine and Law. CA graduates from McGill have an extremely high placement rate.
A CA can fulfill ambitions in a number of areas of interest, including auditing, consulting, business, public sector, research or education. The CA profession integrates new technologies and is based on business advisory services such as:
- Environmental auditing, forensic accounting
- Business valuations
- Feasibility studies for business expansion
- Starting a new business
- Profitability improvement
- Financing and loan applications
- Obtaining government grants and other financial assistance
- Risk assessment and insurance planning
- Developing management information systems
- Planning compensation programs
- Integrating business tax planning with estate tax planning
- Cost accounting
- Developing financial strategies
In order to obtain the CA designation under the L’Ordre des Comptables Agréés du Québec, students:
- Must earn an undergraduate Bachelor of Commerce degree with a Major in Accounting (or equivalent) from a recognized university
- Complete the Diploma in Public Accountancy program (CA Program)
- Successfully write the Uniform Final Examination (UFE)
- Students must also complete a 24-month training period, which can be done during or after the diploma is completed
- In Quebec, students must pass the Office de la Langue Français professional French examination
For further information regarding eligibility, registration and practical training required, contact the Ordre des Comptables agréés du Québec at:
680 Sherbrooke Street West
18th Floor
Montreal, Quebec
H3A 2S3
Tel.: 514-288-3256
Tel.: 1-800-363-4688
Fax: 514-843-8375
info [at] ocaq [dot] qc [dot] ca (Email)
