Chartered Accountant (CA)

Working in Ontario

You must be a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario in order to use the title “Chartered Accountant” or to use the “CA” designation in Ontario. Under the Public Accountancy Act, membership in the Institute is ordinarily required to obtain a licence to practice public accounting and to do most types of audit work in Ontario. Chartered Accountants also hold positions in business, commerce, industry, government, and education.

Accounting in Ontario

It is important to understand that accounting in Ontario covers a wide variety of work. For some types of work, strict regulation and special qualifications are required. Designations such as Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified General Accountant (CGA) are separate from Chartered Accountant (CA) and have different professional bodies, qualification requirements, and areas of practice.

Global Experience Ontario helps internationally trained and educated individuals in regulated non-health professions find out how to qualify for professional practice in Ontario.

Tools and Information

The Ontario Government has partnered with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario (ICAO) to create a Career Map for internationally trained chartered accountants. The Career Map explains in detail every step of the registration process including the language requirements, industry trends, labour market conditions, credential assessment process, licensing fees and other important information.

Getting Help

Bridge training programs: If you are qualified in your profession but new to Ontario, you may benefit from a bridging program. Bridging programs help qualified immigrants move more quickly into their professions without duplicating what they have already learned.

Laurentian University

Project North/Nord

This program helps internationally trained professionals with backgrounds in accounting and finance obtain licensure and find jobs in their fields. The program includes technical skills upgrading, language, culture and workplace communications skills training. Through this program, participants will be able to begin to develop a network with employers to help them advance into job placement. Services will be provided in both English and French.

Website: www.laurentian.ca
E-mail: salbert@laurentian.ca
Telephone: 705-693-7951
Location: Sudbury

Ryerson University

International Accounting and Finance Professionals (IAFP) Program

This program helps internationally trained accountants and financial professionals obtain licensure and find jobs in Ontario. This program includes occupation-specific language support, academic training, workplace culture and communication assessment and training. Participants also have access to mentorships, and work placements, in order to get the Canadian work experience needed to practice in Ontario. Outcomes for participants will be professional development, which leads to employment and advancement towards certification.

Website: www.ryerson.ca/ce/gateway/
E-mail: iafp@ryerson.ca
Telephone: 416-979-5000 ext. 2628
Location: Toronto

Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor, Inc.

Financial Management Certificate Program

This one-year program, offered by the University of Windsor - Odette School of Business in partnership with the Certified Management Accountants (CMA) of Ontario, helps internationally trained individuals obtain employment in the finance sector. The program offers academic training that bridges international experience to Canadian business practices. The courses offered through this program also fulfill the academic prerequisites for writing the CMA National Entrance Examination and the Level 2 Certified General Accountants Examination.

Website: www.westofwindsor.com/ecom.asp
Telephone: (519) 256-6621
E-mail: info@westofwindsor.com
Location: Windsor

York University

Bridge Training for Internationally Educated Professionals

The Bridge Training for Internationally Educated Professionals program helps internationally trained professionals with backgrounds in accounting, business, finance, management, marketing, public administration and information technology find employment in their field of expertise. The program provides training in Canadian business culture and communication, occupation-specific language training, and technical upgrading in participants’ area of professional focus. Participants also receive career coaching and opportunities to connect with employers through mentoring, networking and internships. Participants who complete the program can earn a certificate from York University.

Website: www.yorku.ca/makemore
Telephone: 416-736-5620
Email: makemore@yorku.ca
Location: Toronto

See also: Bridge training programs in the financial services sector.

Regulatory Body

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario
69 Bloor Street East
Toronto, ON M4W 1B3
Phone: 416-962-1841
Toll Free (in Canada and the U.S.A.) 1-800-387-0735
Fax: 416-962-8900
Email: custserv@icao.on.ca
Website: www.icao.on.ca

Learning More

To learn about the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA), contact:
Phone: 416-977-3222
Toll Free: 1-800-268-3793
Website: www.cica.ca

To learn about occupations in Canada, visit the Working in Canada website. This site will help you identify the name of your occupation in Canada. It will also give you important information about your profession in many regions of Canada, including job duties, skill requirements and wage rates. To learn about your occupation, visit the website and click the ‘Start’ button on the main page.

To learn about careers in the financial services sector in Toronto, visit the Financial Services Career Advisor website. The site was developed by the Centre of Excellence in Financial Services Education (Toronto Financial Services Alliance).

Go back to the Find Your Profession page

Go back to the Work in Your Profession page

What is a temporary work permit and how can I get one?

Temporary work permits are used to give you permission to work for a specific period of time with an employer in Ontario. You must obtain this permit before entering Canada. Your Canadian employer will be required to consult with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. You may also be interested in the Ontario's Multinational Employee Transfer.
How do I find a job in Ontario?

You can access job offers, wage information, job demand and skills requirements with the Working in Canada tool. You may also benefit from labour market information that will provide you with current market trends. Employment Ontario funds a variety of services to help you in your job search. Jobs are also advertised in newspapers, on websites and through local employment agencies.
How can I get my education, professional credentials and skills assessed?

You can find information on education and credential assessment on our site and learn about Ontario's professional licensing bodies. You may also want to know about apprenticeship program to work in the trades and about bridge training programs to enter the Canadian market.
Where can I get job-specific training?

The Ontario government supports Bridge Training programs to help newcomers get their license or certificate in their profession or trade, so that they can work in Ontario. Find out more about these job-specific training.
What jobs and professions are in demand in Ontario?

You can use the Working in Canada tool for wage information, job demand and skills requirements in Canada. You can also find labour market information for Ontario including current market trends.
What should I do if an employer wants to hire me to work in Ontario?

You must either be a permanent resident or have a work permit in order to work in Ontario. You are also required to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). It may also be necessary to have your international academic credentials assessed and recognized.
What are my rights in the Ontario workplace?

The Employment Standards Act, 2000, known as the ESA, is a law that sets minimum standards in employment for fair workplace practices in Ontario. You can find Employment Standards information on many languages. You may find the frequently asked questions and the Guide to the Employment Standards Act published on the Ministry of Labour's site very useful.
Where can I get information on professional associations and regulatory bodies?

In Ontario, each regulated profession has its own regulatory body. You will find informaton on regulated professions and their regulatory bodies on our site by choosing your profession in the left navigation bar.
Where can I go to improve my English?

Basic English language assessment and instruction for adults is available in Ontario. School boards also deliver English as a Second Language (ESL) programs for children and non-credit programs for adults. Use our language class wizard to find an English language training program near you.
What programs are available if I want to upgrade or improve my education?

Adults who want to earn a high school diploma in Ontario may do so by attending classes through local school boards. Adults may also earn a high school diploma by studying at home through the Ontario Government's Independent Learning Centre. Universities and community colleges accept mature post-secondary students and will often offer continuing education programs.