|
1908-1910 |
Following its 1908 founding in Montreal, the Association organized lectures for members and funded a professional library. Lecture topics included bank accounting, collection methods, departmental store accounting, and negotiable instruments. |
|
1913 |
The "General Accountants Association" was granted a federal charter to "set standards and examinations for admission ...." The Board of Examiners established final examinations for commercial arithmetic, advanced bookkeeping, commercial and statute law, the Companies and Banking and Bills of Exchange Acts, cost accounting, theory, auditing, and office management. |
|
1914 |
Eight candidates took first examinations; three passed, entitling them to use the Certified General Accountant designation and the initials 'CGA'. Annual dues were $10. |
|
1914-1951 |
Since the British North America Act did not allow education to be offered nationally, students enrolled in correspondence courses, business colleges or night schools, or formed local "study clubs." Study notes and guides were printed and distributed. National examinations were set and marked annually. |
|
1924 |
The first book of past examinations was published as a study guide. |
|
1945 |
Membership totalled 1,253 nationally. |
|
1948 |
Examinations in Quebec were offered in both French and English. |
|
1951 |
CGA-BC set up, with the University of British Columbia, a five-year extension program, available on campus or by correspondence. Courses were developed over three years. The program was gradually adopted in other provinces to become a national curriculum standard. |
|
1964 |
The program of studies was extended to the Caribbean and Bermuda. |
|
1971 |
CGA-Canada took over administration of the program from CGA-BC. |
|
1975 |
Enrolment topped 11,000 students across Canada. Calculators were allowed in examinations. |
|
1979 |
Examinations were extended from two to three sessions per year. |
|
1984 |
The program was extended to Macau, later Hong Kong and China. |
|
1987-1991 |
The major "Program 90" revision: all courses were rewritten and updated, with competency-based objectives, management emphasis, and information technology. Access to, and hands-on use of, the computer became mandatory from Level 2. Courses integrated spreadsheets, accounting and auditing software, database management, and word processing. |
|
1995 |
The study of business and professional ethics was integrated across the program. |
|
1997 |
CGA courses were converted to "Internet CD" format, with later access to the World Wide Web. |
|
1998 |
E-mail submission and marking of assignments was introduced with national e-mail tutors and audiotaped examination reviews. CGA produced Microsoft Office Professional under licence for all students. |
|
1998 |
The national requirement for a bachelor's degree was instituted, but the tradition of open access to the program of studies was still maintained. The degree partnership with University of Calgary (Bachelor of Accounting Science) enabled students to complete a degree by distance education while in the CGA program. Web-based research was introduced in courses. |
|
1999 |
The first Professional Applications (PA1) examination was added to the PACE certification examinations following a review of certification requirements and professional practice analysis. |
|
2001 |
The first online courses were offered by CGA-Ontario. The first audio-streamed examination reviews and lectures from CGA-BC were available nationally. |
|
2002 |
The degree partnership with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) for a joint distance education Bachelor of Applied Business Administration in accounting and information technology was established. |
|
2002 |
The degree partnership with Laurentian University for a joint program of online courses leading to an Honours Bachelor of Commerce was established. |
|
2002-03 |
An updated practice analysis survey of practising CGAs, employers, and recruiters was undertaken to confirm and validate the competency-based approach and provide a basis for updating curriculum and examinations. |
|
2004 |
In partnership with CGA-Canada, Laurentian University launched an online MBA program for CGAs based on their successful on-campus MBA program. |
|
2005 |
A fully online distance learning system, known as edNET, was introduced, integrating text material, online study guides, video and audio capability, discussion forums, group case study and project work, web research, and e-mail.
The CGA certification requirements were updated to include a second Professional Applications (PA2) examination. The revisions were based on the association’s extensive practice analysis. |
|
2007 |
There are more than 68,000 CGAs and students internationally. |