CA Specialist Designation

CICA Alliances for Excellence

Investigative & Forensic Accounting, CA•IFAs

CA·IFAs combine the well-recognized and respected attributes of the CA designation - in particular integrity, understanding of business and financial acumen - with an in-depth knowledge and experience in investigative and forensic accounting.

Becoming a CA-designated specialist in investigative and forensic accounting

To apply for designation as a CA-designated specialist in Investigative and Forensic Accounting authorized to use the designation initials CA•IFA or CA•EJC in French, a CA must meet the following criteria:

• be admitted as a Chartered Accountant for at least 3 years;
• be a member in good standing with a Provincial Institute/Ordre;
• be a recipient of the Diploma in Investigative and Forensic Accounting (DIFA) from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management or HEC Montreal. This graduate level diploma program may be completed in two years through part-time study provided primarily through distance learning. For more information on the DIFA program click on: www.rotman.utoronto.ca/difa or www.hec.ca/programmes/dessjc
• have IFA work experience in Qualifying Hours as follows:
• at least 1,500 Qualifying Hours over the last three years, OR
• at least 2,500 Qualifying Hours over the last six years of which a minimum of 500 hours must be over the last three years.

For more information on becoming a CA·IFA, or to download the application form and guide, visit the IFA Alliance website.

CA·ITs combine the business experience of a CA with IT knowledge and strategic insight, effectively bridging the gap between business and technology.

Becoming a CA designated specialist in information technology

CAs wanting to apply for designation as a CA designated specialist in Information Technology to be authorized to use the designation initials CA·IT or CA·TI in French, may do so using either the grandparent process (available only until December 31, 2005) or the regular process.

CAs wishing to apply under the grandparent process must already be working in the IT area. In summary, grandparent applicants must have:

• Been working in one or more of the six major competency areas described in the IT Competency Map for at least the last five years
• Spent a minimum of 2,500 hours in qualifying work experience and 200 hours in continuing professional development during those five years
• Provided satisfactory evidence of Peer Recognition, and
• Been a CA in good standing with their Provincial Institute / Ordre over the last five years.

For more information on becoming a CA•IT, or to download the application form and guide, visit the IT Alliance website.

Accredited Organizations

Internal Auditing, CA·CIA

CAs who are also Certified Internal Auditors (CIA), who continue to devote a significant percentage of their time to the specialty and who meet the Institute of Internal Auditors’ (IIA) continuing professional development requirements, will be able to use the CA-designated specialist symbol CA·CIA providing they register in the specialty registry of their Provincial Institute.

Earning the CIA Designation

To become a CIA, CAs must:

• abide by the IIA's Code of Ethics;
• provide a character reference;
• obtain two years experience in internal audit or its equivalent;
• successfully pass (i.e., a minimum grade of 75%) a series of three, 3 ½ hour examinations in Governance, Risk and Control, the Internal Audit Engagement, and Business Analysis and Information Technology. (CAs are exempt from the program's fourth examination on Business Management Skills); and
• possess a valid membership in the IIA

For more information on the CIA program, visit the IIA website.

Information Systems Auditing, CA·CISA

CAs who are also Certified Information Systems Auditors (CISA), who continue to devote a significant percentage of their time to the specialty and who meet the Information Systems Audit and Control Association’s (ISACA) continuing professional development requirements, will be able to use the CA-designated specialist symbol CA·CISA providing they register in the specialty registry of their Provincial Institute.
 
Earning the CISA designation

To become a CISA, CAs must:

• pass ISACA's four-hour examination;
• provide evidence of two years experience in information systems auditing, control or security work if one year of financial statement or other audit, control or security related experience has been attained; and
• abide by ISACA's Code of Professional Ethics.

Experience Recognition for CAs

Normally, a candidate for the CISA designation must submit evidence of at least five years experience in information systems auditing, control or security work. CAs are required to provide only two years experience if one year of financial statement or other audit, control or security-related experience has been attained.
For more information on the CISA program, visit the ISACA website.

Insolvency and Restructuring, CA•CIRP

CAs who are also Chartered Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals (CIRP), who continue to devote a significant percentage of their time to the specialty and who continue professional development relevant to the specialty, will be able to use the CA-designated specialist symbol CA·CIRP providing they register in the specialty registry of their Provincial Institute.

Earning the CIRP designation
The Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals (CAIRP) is recognized as the leading insolvency body and, in partnership with the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy, offers the only qualifications program for insolvency practitioners in Canada. The National Insolvency Qualification Program (NIQP) introduced in 1997 is the official qualification process for those wishing to become licensed bankruptcy trustees. The creation of the NIQP achieves "one-stream licensing" in that the qualification process to become a CIRP and a trustee in bankruptcy is the same. This ensures a consistent, national approach to training that promotes professionalism and increases the knowledge level and expertise of CIRP applicants.
 
The National Insolvency Qualification Program

The NIQP is the common qualifications system for providers of insolvency services in Canada. To be eligible to register in the NIQP, a candidate must be a Canadian resident have one of the following:

• a Canadian university degree or equivalent;
• a relevant professional designation recognized in Canada; or
• permission from the NIQP Board of Directors.

The NIQP requires that a candidate successfully complete:

• a five-course program including three formal course examinations;
• the Insolvency Counsellor’s Qualification Course (ICQC);
• the six-hour written National Insolvency Examination (NIE); and,
• an examination before the Oral Board of Examiners.

All NIQP students are responsible for finding sponsors to direct their studies, mark assignments, act as mentors, and attest to their readiness to be examined. A candidate is required to complete a minimum of 2,400 hours of practical experience with a qualified sponsor prior to his or her first attempt at the NIE. Sponsors must be licensed trustees in good standing with CAIRP and, ideally, will employ their candidates and file an authorized sponsorship form with CAIRP.

For more information on the CIRP program, visit the CAIRP website.

Interested Groups and Strategic Partnerships

The Canadian Association of Management Consultants (CAMC)

The CAMC is the national body representing 4,500 Individual and Firm members. The path to a designation as a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) has been streamlined for CAs. For more information, visit www.camc.com

The Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD)

The main objective of the CICA's strategic relationship with the ICD is to maintain and enhance the skills of those providing corporate governance in Canada. ICD membership is valuable for CAs who are directors, CAs contemplating becoming directors and CAs who advise their clients or employers about corporate governance matters. For more information, visit www.icd.ca.
 
The Financial Planners Standards Council (FPSC)

The FPSC was established to benefit and protect the public. They do this by establishing and enforcing competency and ethical standards which guide the professional performance of financial planners choosing to be certified as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). A fast-track opportunity exists for Chartered Accountants who practice as personal financial planners. For more information about the FPSC and fast-track opportunities, visit www.cfp-ca.org .
 
The Canadian Association of Family Enterprise (CAFE)

CAFE is an organization dedicated to dealing with the unique issues of family enterprises. CAs are encouraged to develop expertise in this field by promoting CAFE's Family Council Program, promoting membership in CAFE, and attending CAFE's biennial conference.  For more information, visit www.cafenational.org