Foreign Students FAQ
Q. Will CGA recognize my foreign degree?CGA maintains a database of previous student degree records, however if we are not familiar with your institution, a basic IQAS (http://employment.alberta.ca/immigration/4512.html) assessment may be required to determine your degree equivalency.
Q. Will my foreign experience in accounting give me CGA course credits?
CGA does not grant credit on the basis of work experience alone, equivalent post secondary coursework must be verified for CGA to grant a credit. For coursework over 10 years old, a resume will be reviewed to determine if the student worked in a related field since completing courses. Foreign experience may be counted towards the CGA experience requirement. Students need to have at least one year of Canadian accounting experience.
Q. How do I send my documents for evaluation?
You should send official notarized copies of your degree, course transcripts, and IQAS or other assessments you may have completed. A notarized true copy should be stamped, signed and dated by a designated accountant, lawyer, public notary, financial institution, or post-secondary registrar.
Q. Should I send my original transcripts?
Original documents should not be sent by mail, a notarized copy can be mailed to CGA Alberta for evaluation. Or an appointment may be made to bring your documents to our the CGA office in person.
Q. Do I need to enroll with CGA while I?m doing courses in a classroom?
In order to confirm your credits on your transcript evaluation, you should enroll as a CGA student as soon as possible. Students enrolled with CGA while taking courses in class may update their CGA course credits free of charge.
Q. I've done my CGA evaluation, am I a CGA student now?
No, an evaluation does not enroll you as a CGA student. In order to enroll in the CGA program of professional studies, you must submit your application for admission, and pay the general admission, and student tuition fees to become a CGA student.
Q. My Evaluation is done, what do I do now?
The next step is to become a CGA student and then enroll in courses. You decide where you wish to complete your remaining courses (either online with CGA, or at a post-secondary school in Alberta). You confirm the credits showing on your evaluation by enrolling as a CGA student.
Q. Why are my evaluation results different to than the self assessment I completed?
CGA course credits depend on a number of factors, including the course grade, course content, and the time the course was completed. The self assessment does not guarantee that the transfer credit requirements will be met on an official evaluation.
Q. I took an English class, do I have to do CM1?
CM1 is granted to students who have completed 6 credits of business communications in English, or students who have completed a recognized Bachelors degree that was taught in English.
Q. I have a non-accounting degree, will CGA still recognize it?
CGA will accept a Bachelors degree in any field of study, as long as it is equivalent to a 3 or 4 year Canadian Bachelors degree.
Q. I think I have completed a course that is was not credited on my evaluation, how do I get credit for it?
We recommend that you first review the details of the CGA course syllabus. If, after a review, you feel that you have substantially covered all of the content in the CGA course from your previous education, you may submit a written request by regular mail or email.
A written request for additional transfer credit(s) should include the following:
State which additional CGA courses you are appealing
Name of the institution, and courses that you wish to have reviewed
Submit a Detailed course syllabus from the post-secondary institution, including the course grade distribution.
Additional Information (if applicable):
* IQAS results (if foreign degree has not been recognized)
* Current Letter of Good Standing (If you are a professional Designated Accountant.)
