Glossary

Abbreviations and terms used in this website are explained below.

Terms

a member in good standing	You are a member in good standing of your professional accounting body if you meet the body’s standards, your membership fees are up to date, and you are not currently subject to any disciplinary actions or penalties.
accounting body	An accounting body is an organization that regulates an accounting profession.
accounting designation	An accounting designation is an abbreviation of an accounting title. Examples of accounting designations are CMA (Certified Management Accountant), CA (Chartered Accountant), and CGA (Certified General Accountant). An accounting designation and title may be used only by people who are accredited members of the body that has regulatory authority for the designation.
accredited	You are accredited when you have met the specific requirements of an institution, for example, an accounting body, and you have received official authorization to use the designation offered by that institution.
advanced standing	Advanced standing means you are given credit for previously completed academic studies, examinations, work experience, and/or professional affiliation. When you receive advanced standing, you are exempted from a CMA requirement or a portion of a CMA requirement.
affiliation	Your affiliation is your membership in a professional accounting body.
distance learning	Distance learning refers to taking a course either through correspondence (mail) or online (Internet).
exemption	Release from a requirement based on previously completed studies, examinations, work experience, or professional affiliation.
non-recognized university	A non-recognized university is one that is not considered by CMA Ontario to be equivalent to a Canadian university.
prerequisite	Something that is required as a prior condition for something else. For example, an introductory-level course may be a prerequisite for a more advanced course.
qualifying position	A qualifying position is a management accounting job in which CMA Ontario has determined you can gain acceptable work experience to meet the practical work experience requirement to qualify as a CMA.
recognized university	A recognized university is a non-Canadian educational institution that is accepted by CMA Ontario as granting a degree equivalent to a degree from a Canadian university.
student member	A student member of CMA Ontario is a person who is registered with CMA Ontario and is working toward the CMA designation.
syllabus	A syllabus is a description of the content of courses and/or programs offered by a university or other educational institution.
transcript	A transcript is an official record of courses completed at a university or other educational institution.