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PA1 & PA2 Exam Information
Please Consult the Enrollment Dates and Deadlines Calendar.
PA1 & PA2 Exam Information
The PA1: Issues in Professional Practice and PA2: Strategic Financial Management exams are the final examination requirements in the certification process leading to the CGA designation. The PA1 and PA2 exams are part of the enhancements to the CGA certification model, which feature the revision of the existing Professional Applications capstone examination (PA1) and the introduction of a new Professional Applications capstone examination (PA2). The PA1 and PA2 examinations assess the candidate?s ability to demonstrate the competencies required of a newly certified CGA.
PA1 Examination Resource Material
The PA1: Issues in Professional Practice examination emphasizes competencies from financial accounting, taxation, assurance, general business, information technology, professionalism, general management, and leadership. Issues are addressed from the perspective of the Accountant external to the organization providing assurance, tax, or business advisory services.
Studying for the Professional Applications 1 (PA1) examination will draw on both a student's practical knowledge and a student's understanding of the CGA course materials. In order to help a CGA student to prepare for the examination(s), CGA Alberta has collected additional study resources for the student's review:
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PA1 examination blueprint [PDF - 220K, 13 PAGES]
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Additional PA1 practice materials (practice exam) [PDF - 321K, 39 PAGES]
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2000-03 PA1 annotated solutions [PDF - 304K, 37 PAGES]
The course refreshers and lesson summaries for PA1 prerequisite courses are available to registered CGA students as part of the Professional Applications 1 Resource Materials on Blackboard. CGA Alberta strongly recommends that students review the technical skill requirements prior to taking the course.
If you are a CGA student enrolled in PA1 and you are having difficulty accessing this material, please contact technical support at support@cga-canada.org.
PA2 Examination Resource Material
The PA2: Strategic Financial Management examination emphasizes competencies from management accounting, finance, financial accounting, information technology, professionalism, general management, and leadership. Issues are addressed from the perspective of the Financial Manager within the organization making strategic financial management decisions.
Studying for the PA2: Strategic Financial Management examination will draw on both the students practical knowledge and the students understanding of the PA2 course material. It will also draw on the knowledge and skills that a CGA student has already acquired through the Advanced Studies level and Corporate Finance Fundamentals (FN1). To help the CGA students prepare for the examination, the following additional study resources are available.
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PA2 examination blueprint [PDF -86K, 16 PAGES]
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PA2 practice examination - 1 [PDF - 225K, 38 PAGES]
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PA2 practice examination - 2 [PDF - 571K, 34 PAGES]
The course refreshers and module summaries for PA2 prerequisite courses are available on Blackboard to help students review the subject areas covered on the PA2 examination.
Failing the PA1 or PA2 Exam
PA1/PA2 examination papers are marked twice by two (2) independent markers. If a student receives a failing mark on the examination, the student will receive feedback on the subject area(s) of deficiency. These are called "Competancy Reports".
Upon written request to CGA Alberta, CGA Canada can provide a PA1/PA2 "Assessment Review". An "Assessment Review" is a review of the assessment documents related to the candidate's paper. All request need to be made to your provincial/terrtorial affiliate office in writing - (assessment fee applies).