CGAs are broadly skilled and trained in financial management and business analysis. Most importantly, they can apply what they’ve learned – and know what it means to be strategic.
CGAs have sector-specific know-how, deep technical knowledge, and the skill and desire to lead.
Knowledge, leadership skills and professionalism
CGA’s PACE program is rooted in 130 distinct competencies in three areas: Professional knowledge, leadership and professionalism.
PACE certification courses and exams – thorough and demanding
PACE enables students to specialize in one of four financial management career areas:
- Government and not-for-profit,
- Corporate and small to medium-sized enterprises,
- Information management, or
- Public practice.
Students must successfully complete two career elective courses and examinations, followed by two capstone courses and exams:
- Issues in Professional Practice; and
- Strategic Financial Management.
Thorough and demanding, PACE courses challenge students to integrate their acquired knowledge, leadership skills and professionalism and apply them to real-world situations.
36 months of full-time work experience – 24 of those months at a senior level
Finally, students must complete 36 months of approved, full-time work experience. Twenty-four of the 36 months of job experience must be at a senior accounting and/or financial management level. Students can gain this experience in any business sector and in a variety of fields, with the exception of public practice which must be done at a public practice firm.
KEY COMPETENCY GROUPINGS
Professional knowledge
- Financial accounting and reporting
- Management accounting
- Assurance and related services
- Finance and financial planning
- Business environment
- Information technology
- Taxation
Leadership
- Strategic and organizational leadership
- Individual and team leadership and development
- Organizational effectiveness
Professionalism
- Stakeholder focus
- Ethics and trust
- Integrative approach
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Professional development
- Professional self-evaluation
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