What is a certified general accountant?

A certified general accountant (CGA) is an accounting and finance professional. CGAs are recognized internationally and nationally as experts in management, decision-making, information management, and organizational leadership. Through rigorous academic and practical experience requirements, CGAs are primed to hold top positions in any business sector.

What do CGAs do?

CGAs work in a variety of sectors in any given industry. Whether it is in the environmental, fashion, sports, entertainment, building and design, health, or automobile industry, CGAs are successful at what they do. CGAs are directors, controllers, general managers, financial analysts, vice-presidents, chief financial officers, partners, professors, and forensic accountants, just to name a few.

For Example:
Controller, Paramount Canada’s Wonderland
Capital Asset Accountant, Coca Cola Ltd
Director of Financial Management, CBC Television
Chief Financial Officer, North York General Hospital
Operations Finance Manager, Nike Canada
Manager of Sales and Marketing Forecast, DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc.
Vice President of Finance, Flow 93.5
Country Controller, H&M
Financial Reporting Manager, Warner Bros. Entertainment Canada Ltd.
Director, Commercial Crime Investigations

What steps should my child take to becoming a CGA?

Your child is probably planning to attend college or university once he or she has graduated from secondary school. He or she will be able to use his or her post-secondary accounting and business courses to obtain advanced standing in the CGA program of professional studies. With a university degree in commerce or accounting, your child will be able to earn their CGA designation in as little as two years. Yes, he or she will be required to have a degree before obtaining his or her CGA designation; however this degree does not have to be completed prior to enrolling in the program.

With a college diploma in accounting, your child can work towards his or her CGA designation and work towards achieving a university degree at the same time. This can be done through the CGA program’s online distance-education degree partnerships. Along side the degree requirement, your child will be required to complete the examination requirements for each course and fulfill 36 months of approved work experience.

What will my child study in the CGA program?

Your child will study general, advanced and professional-level courses in finance, financial management and accounting, taxation, auditing, economics, quantitative methods, law and management information systems.

What is my child’s earning potential?

As accounting professionals, CGAs earn very competitive salaries. Your child can earn an impressive salary even before they become a CGA! Students in the CGA program can make anywhere from $35,000 to $68,000, and once he or she becomes a CGA, they can earn well over $100,000. Depending on experience, areas of expertise and geographical location, your child’s salary and benefits may also include company cars, incentive travel and attractive bonuses.

What should my child be studying in high school?

It is recommended that your child focus on mathematics (including calculus, algebra and finite math), English (in particular communication skills such as composition and reading), accounting, computers, law and economics are all beneficial.