Faqs for New Program As of 01 January 2006

FAQs for new program as of 01 January 2006

1.WHO HAS TO REPORT THEIR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS?

Every individual who has earned their certified general accounting designation must maintain and report their professional development hours in order to remain in compliance for continuing registration with your affiliate.

There are some exemptions for new members and others, who may be on long or short term disability, or on parental leave.

2.HOW MANY HOURS DO I NEED?

Every member needs a minimum 60 hours verifiable and a total of at least 120 verifiable and non-verifiable hours in any 3 year period, starting with 2006 – 2007 - 2008. This is your first year of reporting, you have another 2 years to collect the 120 hours.

3.IS THERE ANY MINIMUM NUMBER OF HOURS THAT I MUST GET EACH YEAR?

There is no minimum number of hours that must be earned each year, but it is recommended that you complete approximately 40 hours per year, of which 20 hours are verifiable.

Every member needs a minimum 60 hours verifiable and a total of at least 120 verifiable and non-verifiable hours in any 3 year period, after the initial 3 year period.

4.WHAT ARE VERIFIABLE HOURS?

*VERIFIABLE – “objectively confirmed or corroborated by a competent source”. Examples are:
•Course outlines, teaching materials;
•Attendance records, registration forms or confirmation of registration from providers;
•Confirmation by an instructor, mentor or tutor of participation;
•Confirmation by an employer of participation in an in-house program;
•Independent assessment of learning outcomes and/or performance objectives achieved;
•Publication of a professional article or the results of a research project;
•Evaluation of written or published material by a reviewer;
•Periodic re-examination;
•Other qualification or certification;
•Other assessments such as
-Assessments or sign-offs by associations with appropriate documentation of demonstrated development of competence, or
-Assessments by regulators (e.g. license to perform a service)

5.WHAT ARE NON-VERIFIABLE HOURS?

**NON-VERIFIABLE includes independent study using published learning materials (e.g. study manuals, video or course CD without an assessment process) and other forms of self-directed learning such as:
•Technical reading or self study of published materials;
•Self-study courses that do not provide a certificate of completion or an assessment process;
•Major change in job responsibilities and major involvement in special projects (NOTE: members may apply for this activity to be considered verifiable if supported by an appropriate independent assessment.); or
•Undertaking non-remunerative responsibilities as an officer or committee member of a professional or not-for-profit organization that results in learning new skills.

6.HOW ARE HOURS CALCULATED?

Hours are calculated based on the actual number of contact hours. Short breaks that do not exceed more than 10 minutes per hour of the activity may be included. Full hours only are to be reported, rounding less than 30 minutes down and 30 or more minutes up. (Example, a 75 – minute presentation should be rounded as one hours; a 90 – minute presentation may be reported as 2 hours). Multiple short presentations that form one program should be reported as a single program. (Example, a program consisting of five 30 – minute presentations should be reported as a single program totaling 150 minutes, equaling 3 hours after rounding).

7.WHEN DO I HAVE TO REPORT MY HOURS?

You must report your hours each year by March 31st for the preceding calendar year. If you collect and save your hours all year long, you must still register your claims with the Association and file your declaration.

8.CAN I ASK FOR AN EXEMPTION?

Temporary exemptions may be granted upon written request (e-mail is fine) under the following conditions:
(a)when the member has applied for and been granted short term disability registration status the member may apply for a one year exemption.
(b)when the member has applied for and been granted parental leave, the member may apply for a one year exemption for the calendar year of or the calendar year immediate after the baby’s birth.
(c)when the member has applied for and been granted long-term disability, the member may apply for a medical exemption until the member is back at full registration status;

9.IS THERE AN AGE EXEMPTION?

No, there is no exemption based solely on your age. If you are retired, or early retired, and at least 50 – 65 years of age, and have applied for and been granted retired or early retired status for the purpose of dues, you are granted exemption from reporting.

10.HOW DOES THE CREDIT SYSTEM WORK?

Every member needs 120 hours in any 3 year period, after the initial 3 years. It is a rolling total. If you graduated in 2001 or earlier, you should have a 3 year total already. In 2005, the 3 year reporting period was 2003, 2004 and 2005. If you graduated in 2002, you have a two year total, and if you graduated in 2003, you have reported for one year, as of 2005.

In 2006, the reporting cycle is 2004, 2005 and 2006. If you graduated in 2004, 2006 is your first reporting year. If you graduated in 2003, 2006 is your second reporting year. If you graduated in 2002 or earlier, this is your third or more reporting year.

Hours obtained in 2004, 2005 and 2006 = 100 hours (transition cycle)
In 2007, hours obtained in 2005, 2006 and 2007 = 100 hours (transition cycle)
In 2008, hours obtained in 2006, 2007 and 2008 = 120 hours
of which 60 hours must be verifiable

Deadline for submissions is March 31st each year.

11.WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM GRANTED AN EXEMPTION AT ANY TIME?

If you are granted an exemption for a period of one year or more, when your registration status returns to full, you re-start the reporting cycle.

12.HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO REPORT CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT?

You must continue to report CPD for as long as you are working and registered as a full member of the Association.

13.ARE THE RULES DIFFERENT IF I AM IN PUBLIC PRACTICE?

No.

14.WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ON COURSES?

CGA posts its seminars regularly on the CGA website, and provides notices by e-mail. Other educational institutions regularly publish calendars for day, evening and distance learning. Private seminar providers do regular mailings, and generally have websites available as well. Employers often provide learning opportunities.

There is a link from CGA Online’s website to the CGA Canada PDNet at and other links are available from the PDNet.

15.DO COURSES HAVE TO BE SPONSORED BY CGA?

No, they do not. They can be sponsored (put on) by anybody, including your employer, governments, educational institutions, not-for-profit organizations and for-profit private seminar providers and teachers.

16.DO I HAVE TO DO CPD IF I MOVE TO ANOTHER PROVINCE?

Yes, you do. All CGA affiliates are harmonized, and members in each affiliate now have the same system of 120 hours in three years, of which 60 must be verifiable. All affiliates also use the same system of section activity, sponsor and topic codes, although some affiliates do have an annual minimum as well.

17.WHAT HAPPENS WITH MY HOURS IF I MOVE TO ANOTHER AFFILIATE?

Your hours go with your file to your new affiliate.

18.WHAT HAPPENS WITH MY HOURS IF I MOVE TO AN INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATE?

The affiliate from which you are transferring will send your CPD credit history to International affiliate, and it is entered into our database.

19.DO I HAVE TO DO CPD IF I AM RETIRED?

If you are retired or early retired for the purposes of registration and dues, you are considered retired for the purpose of maintaining and reporting CPD, and no longer are required to comply with the CPD policies.

20.DO I HAVE TO DO CPD IF I AM UNEMPLOYED, ON PARENTAL LEAVE OR IN INACTIVE STATUS?

Yes, you do.

21.WHAT HAPPENS IF I REPORT LATE?

If you report after 31 March you must pay a $50.00 late fee.

22.WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT REPORT AT ALL?

The Association will follow up with at least 2 communications that remind you to report, and pay the late fee. If you continue to be non-compliant, you will be suspended, and if necessary expelled.

23.WHAT HAPPENS IF I RETIRE, AND THEN RE-ENTER THE BUSINESS WORLD?

You will need to re-start a new three year cycle, and then continue on from there.

24.HOW CAN I REPORT MY HOURS?

We are working on providing our members with online registration. Hopefully this will be available in Spring of 2006.

25.WHY DO I HAVE TO TAKE CPD?

The Code of Ethics, in order to protect the public, provides that when you call yourself a certified general accountant, you are qualified through successful completion of theory and practical application. The Code further states that in order to keep your registration, a member must maintain and report their continuing professional development, among other things - like paying your dues.

26.WHY DO I HAVE TO REPORT MY HOURS?

The Code of Ethics, in order to protect the public, provides that when you call yourself a certified general accountant, you are qualified through successful completion of theory and practical application. The Code further states that in order to keep your registration, a member must maintain and report their continuing professional development, among other things - like paying your dues.

27.HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO KEEP MY INFORMATION AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION?

In Alberta, you must keep this information for at least 3 years to support your claim in the event it is audited.

28.WHAT IF I DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH HOURS FOR THE YEAR OR FOR THE CYCLE?

You must provide an action plan as to how you will make up the shortfall in the current calendar year when you make your declaration. Hours taken in the current calendar year to make up the shortfall will be applied to the prior year.

29.HOW DO I KNOW WHAT CATEGORY TO USE?

You must use your professional judgement to decide which category best suits the activity you have completed. There is a wide range of activities available, and if in your judgement your activity does not fall within those outlined, you can submit your claim under “other”. Additional documentation is required for all submissions made under “Other”.