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Become a CPA

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Why become a CPA?

Learn about the benefits of becoming a CPA in Canada and how having your CPA can enhance your career goals and earning potential.

Every organization needs an accounting and business professional. Every tech start-up, financial institution, entertainment company, non-profit, government agency — everyone — needs the skills you can provide as a Chartered Professional Accountant. You have the widest range of opportunities, so you can choose your working environment. Regardless of your industry sector, your job is to be a forward-thinking financial leader and to apply the knowledge you’ve gained from the CPA designation to make important financial and business decisions.

Highly qualified professionals in the accounting, business and finance field will always be in demand. With a Canadian CPA designation, you can be sure that you’re trained to meet Canadian and international market needs and that there is always room to grow. 

Why become a CPA? Five CPAs in the Atlantic provinces have an answer to this question, the benefits of the CPA designation, and the most important thing one learns as a CPA.

What is a CPA?
(And what isn't?)

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  • Globally, there are many accounting designations recognized by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

  • CPA Bermuda is affiliated with the Canadian CPA designation.

  • Over 900 members in Bermuda and over 210,000 members internationally with the Canadian CPA designation.

  • CPAs are one of a handful of "regulated" professions, such as doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc..

  • A CPA is not a degree, it's a business designation - and it is among the the world's largest and most prestigious.

  • On its behalf, CPA Atlantic School of Business promotes and delivers the program in Atlantic Canada and Bermuda.

The unique career advantages of
Being a CPA

As experts in “the language and toolkit of business,” CPAs have a distinct advantage in being able to choose careers, sectors, and places in which to apply their unique skillset. While CPAs do analyse the past and present, it is always with the strategic aim to envision and build future opportunities.

1

Work in any sector you choose, from wealth conservation to environmental conservation, gold mining to cannabis farming, trading floors to digital platforms

2

In any role you can imagine, from VP finance of a professional sports franchise, as an international forensic auditor, to a niche entrepreneur.

3

Wherever in the world you like, from your home town to Toronto’s financial
district, to Fogo Island in Newfoundland, to Europe, the US, Caribbean or Asia

4

With incredible job security, whether from the network of 220,000 CPAs,
consistent high demand from employers, or the great CPA salaries.

5

And the ability and opportunities to give back, whether as volunteer
treasurer for your favourite cause or as a highly credible community leader.

HERE ARE JUST A FEW PLACES YOU'LL FIND A CPA:

INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY

CPAs working in industry provide valuable input on key decisions, apply a unique blend of expertise to identify new market opportunities, ensure corporate accountability, manage risk and help the company maintain a long-term competitive advantage.

PUBLIC PRACTICE
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PUBLIC PRACTICE
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PUBLIC PRACTICE

CPAs working in public practice provide their clients with services such as:

  • Start-up counselling

  • Purchases and sales of businesses

  • Business valuations

  • Business planning and financial projections

  • Developing strategies for securing financing

  • Corporate and personal income tax planning

  • Assurance (audits and reviews)

  • Preparing and analyzing financial information

GOVERNMENT
GOVERNMENT

CPAs work at all levels of government providing accounting expertise to guide financial planning and to maintain fiscal control. Roles include tax auditors, policy planners and financial analysts.

EDUCATION
EDUCATION

Many CPAs are educators who teach future leaders about business, strategy and ethics. CPAs are also regularly found running major educational institutions around the world.

NOT-FOR-PROFIT
NOT-FOR-PROFIT

Stakeholders, including the general public, are taking a greater interest in the administration of organizations receiving donor dollars, tax benefits or government grants. CPAs help not-for-profit bodies with effective strategy development, accounting stewardship and the delivery of high-quality transparent annual reports.

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