To become a CGA, you must complete at least two years of practical, progressive work experience in accounting, auditing, or financial management. This means that over time, your on-the-job responsibilities must become increasingly complex. One year of your practical work experience must be at a senior level requiring a high degree of knowledge and responsibility. Some CGA candidates can acquire the appropriate practical work experience in two years; however, many candidates require up to three years of practical experience to acquire the knowledge and skills they need for accreditation.

CGA Ontario will evaluate your work experience in your home country. You may be given credit for up to one year of experience that you have gained outside Canada at the intermediate or senior level. You still need to complete at least one year of practical work experience at the senior level in Canada.

CGA Ontario recommends that you already be working in a full-time position when you begin the program of professional studies. Ideally, you should be working in a job that will allow you to acquire sufficient experience in accounting and finance to meet the practical work experience requirement.

Normally, students in the CGA program meet the practical work experience requirement at the same time as they are completing the CGA program of professional studies. However, you can take up to three more years to gain acceptable work experience after you have met the academic requirement.

Finding a Job

Students in the CGA program are required to find their own employment to satisfy the practical work experience requirement. As a student, you will have access to the CGA online employment referral service. This service allows you to view job postings from employers as well as to post your résumé for employers to review.

Review information about community employment programs for newcomers to Ontario.

Review CGA Ontario's brochure on the practical work experience requirement. (PDF)