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Dues & Alternative Status FAQ

1. When are member dues invoices issued?
Member dues invoices are posted to the website no later than the last working day of April each year. Those who do not have an e-mail address will have their invoices mailed to them by way of Canada Post.
2. How can I pay my dues online?
Simply go to the website at http://www.cga-alberta.org/, and log on. Under Member Shortcuts, click Pay Dues. If you want to visit the dues area at other times of the year, log on and go to My CGA Profile. Choose Pay Dues from the menu selection at the left under Member Services.
3. Why should I pay my dues online?
It is secure and easy. You can pay when you like, and there are no long queues.
4. When are my member dues payable?
Member dues are payable in full on the first working day of July every year, unless you are enrolled in the PAD plan.
5. What do I do if my employer pays for my dues?
Simply go online and print a copy of your invoice and submit to your employer for payment. The employer should reference either the invoice number or your member ID number when remitting their payment.
6. How can I print a copy of my dues invoice?
There is a link to print your dues invoice once you have logged on to the website. Go to Pay Dues.
7. What if I do not want to pay my dues online?
If you choose not to pay your dues online, you may mail payment to the office. We accept personal cheques, company cheques, or money orders. For security reasons, your payments cannot be accepted by fax or phone, even for post-dated payments.  An online payment is more secure than sending a fax.
Please do not phone and ask if we have received your payment - you can go online and see if your payment has been posted under My CGA Profile. We try to post payments within a day or two of receipt, except at the end of June. All payments are posted before any late fees are applied.
8. Is my personal information and credit card information secure when I pay online?
Yes, it is very secure. We use an encryption program that absolutely minimizes any chance of the information being accessed by any unauthorized individuals. We do not keep your credit card information on file - it is used once and then gone.
9. Why does the Association charge membership dues?
The Association needs to raise funds to assist in meeting its obligations with respect to overhead, daily operating, legislative, and regulatory costs.
10. Why are the invoice amounts broken into provincial and national portions?
CGA Alberta is affiliated with CGA Canada and has signed an agreement to that effect. CGA Canada's role is to develop, implement and maintain the educational and course material used by all students in the CGA Program. CGA Alberta forwards the national portion to CGA Canada. The provincial portion stays with CGA Alberta.
11. What is Alternative Status?
Alternative Status allows members to remain as active members, but pay a reduced fee because of mitigating personal circumstances. These circumstances are:

• parental leave,
• unemployment,
• retiring from your full-time job,
• a medical disability, or
• full-time, post-designation education.

The amount of the reduced fee is not the same for all situations.
12. How do I apply for Alternative Status?
To apply for Alternative Status you need to go online. During May, June, July and August each year there is a shortcut to Pay Member Dues on the front page. Once at the dues payment page, you will see the link to 'Apply for Alternative Status'.
13. When can I apply for Alternative Status?
You may apply for Alternative Status only between 1 May and 31 August each year. No further applications for Alternative Status are accepted after 1 September.
14. How long can I remain on Alternative Status?
Parental Leave - lifetime maximum of 10 years, must re-apply annually, as long as you provide fulltime care to at least one child, employment earnings less than or equal to the maximum benefits that an eligible candidate could receive under Federal Employment Insurance guidelines.
Inactive - includes Unemployed, Education and Short-term Disability - lifetime maximum of 2 years, must re-apply annually, employment earnings less than or equal to the maximum benefits that an eligible candidate could receive under Federal Employment Insurance guidelines.
Retired - must be at least 65 years of age AND employment earnings less than or equal to the maximum benefits that an eligible candidate could receive under Federal Employment Insurance guidelines.
Long-term Disability - no longer receives any earned income due to a permanent disability as determined by a physician and confirmed to the Association in writing.
15. Is there an Alternative Status applicable to those who do not live in Canada?
Members who reside outside of Alberta are eligible for the same alternative statuses as those who reside in Canada, but the Association does not have a special category that allows you to pay a reduced fee just because you do not reside in Canada.
16. Can I have employment earnings while I am on alternative status?
Please see "How long can I remain on Alternative Status?"
17. What if I am not employed in the accounting field?
If you are employed in any field and have earnings greater than or equal to the maximum benefits that an eligible candidate could receive under Federal Employment Insurance guidelines, you must pay full dues.
18. Is there some way I can spread the cost of my member dues throughout the year?
Yes there is - you can go on the Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) plan.
19. What is the PAD plan?
The Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) plan allows members to pay their dues in twelve easy payments during the calendar year, taken from your bank account on the first working day of each month. When you pay by the PAD, half your payments are 'in advance' of the annual billing for dues, and half your payments are 'in arrears' of the annual billing. You will need to complete the form (available under Member Dues in the Member Services portion of My CGA Profile) and provide a void cheque.
20. Is there any cost to use the PAD plan?
If you enroll by the 15 December for the following calendar year, there is no cost unless the bank does not honour the withdrawal. A $75 deferral fee is applicable if you enroll in the PAD plan at any other time throughout the year, unless you are a newly certified member, or you have encountered a financial hardship. In that case, please e-mail Member Services at MemberService@cga-alberta.org.
21. I earned my designation this year - can I go on the PAD plan?
Yes, you can. You must pay the one time entrance fee and the balance of your member dues may be pro-rated to the end of the current calendar year. Payments would depend on how many months are left in the year. You will also need to complete the PAD Application available under Member Services in My CGA Profile to finish the process.
22. What about post-dated payments?
You may send in cheques dated the first working day of July, and we will process them then. When you pay on-line the payment goes through right away, and there is no way to delay payment. For security reasons, we ask that you do not phone, fax or e-mail credit card numbers for payment on the first working day of July.
23. How can I print a receipt (payment confirmation) for employer re-imbursement?
There is a link to print your payment confirmation once you have made your payment by credit card. If you are on the PAD, you cannot print a receipt until all the monthly payments have been made - that is, until after the December 1st withdrawal.
24. What happens if I do not pay my dues on time?
The Association applies a $50 late fee to all member dues still outstanding approximately 3-5 days after the first working day of July each year, to allow for payments sent by Canada Post. The late fees are not waived unless there are extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances do not include forgetfulness, being out of the country/on vacation, or "my company was slow paying".
25. Can I get the late fee waived?
The short answer is, "No". It is your responsibility to ensure you pay your dues on time. If you do not pay your dues on time, you need to deal with the consequences - i.e. the late fee.
26. What happens if I do not pay my dues?
If you do not pay your dues by the first working day in July, the Association applies a $50 late fee. If you still do not pay by the end of July, you will receive a warning advising you of impending suspension. You will be suspended (30) thirty days after you receive this notice if you still have not paid your dues. Further failure to pay will result in cancellation of membership.
27. When do I get my official tax receipt?
We post them to the website no later than 28 February for the prior calendar year. Those who do not have an e-mail address will have their official tax receipts mailed to them on or before 28 February.
28. What is included in my official tax receipt?
Tax receipts include only those payments made in the prior calendar year. They do not include any payments made after 31 December. Those who do not have an e-mail address will have their official tax receipts mailed to them on or before 28 February.