Professional Designation Opportunities

Accounting Designations

The Financial Management diploma, in conjunction with the BCIT Bachelor of Technology in Accounting Degree (B.Tech.), meets requirements for Canada’s three professional accounting designations:

Read on for information on each accounting designation program option, and website and contact information. When choosing your path, consider training, education requirements, and your long-term goals, for example, work in industry, or public practice.

Become a CA (Chartered Accountant)

The CA program requires that candidates obtain employment as articled students with a qualifying firm (an “approved training office”), and concurrently complete the educational modules offered through the CA School of Business (CASB). As students, candidates are employed in public practice. After graduating as chartered accountants, they continue in public practice, or seek employment in industry, government or non-profit enterprises.

The B.Tech Accounting Degree program is a CASB Co-op degree. Students must complete the BTech Degree requirements before writing the Uniform Evaluation ("UFE"). For more information on the CASB/B.Tech Co-op program, please call Carl Queton at the CA School of Business at 604 488-2631 or view the CA website.

Become a CGA (Certified General Accountant)

The CGA program requires that candidates obtain relevant employment in either public practice or industry, and concurrently complete the courses set out in the CGA program. After graduating as CGAs, they may be employed in public practice or in industry, government or non-profits.

Students must complete the B.Tech. Accounting degree requirements before receiving their CGA designation.

The B.Tech. degree program and the CGA professional program contain courses that are transferable to each other.

For more information on the CGA program, please contact Lily Dayson at 604-732-1211 (local 223) or visit the Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia website.

Become a CMA (Certified Management Accountant)

The CMA program requires that candidates obtain relevant employment, normally in industry, and pass the CMA Entrance Exam, then complete the CMA Strategic Leadership Program ("SLP"). After graduating as CMAs, they may be employed in industry, government or non-profits, or in public practice.

Students must complete the B.Tech. degree requirements before receiving their CMA designation.

For more information on the CMA/B.Tech. joint program, please call Shannon Thompson at 604-484-7023 or visit the CMA website.

Professional Finance and Financial Planning Designations

Become a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)

The CFA is an international financial designation for investment professionals. CFA candidates are required to have relevant employment experience, industry sponsors, and a degree, and must complete the CFA program.

For more information on the CFA program, please review the CFA Vancouver website .

Become a CFP (Certified Financial Planner)

CFP is an international designation for financial planning professionals. CFP candidates are required to have relevant employment experience and complete a course of studies approved by the Financial Planning Standards Committee. BCIT’s full-time Financial Management Diploma and part-time Associate Certificate in Financial Planning are both approved programs for the CFP designation.

For more information, please see the CFP website .

BCIT School of Business

Financial Management