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Chartered Professional Accounts of Canada supports program
By Colten Kamlade, Staff Reporter
Douglas College is now offering courses that will qualify students for the Advanced Certificate in Accounting and Finance National Exams (ACAF.)
The college already offers a bachelor of business administration in accounting, an accounting diploma, and an accounting certificate, but the new program is being offered through a partnership with Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA). The ACAF is a nationally-standardized exam developed by CPA Canada.
CPA Canada used to offer ACAF training directly, but they are phasing that training out by 2018 in favour of ACAF courses at various post-secondary institutions, including Douglas College, according to the CPA Canada website.
The ACAF will be an asset to anyone looking to gain intermediate skills in the industry, according to a Douglas College press release.
“Certified professionals will be equipped with the advanced technical accounting skills demanded by many of Canada’s top employers, plus hands-on experience with industry-specific software,” the press release says.
The CPA Canada website also discusses the potential for education beyond the ACAF designation.
“If at some point any you want to pursue the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation, your ACAF training will be recognized toward the undergraduate degree and specific knowledge requirements needed for admission to the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP),” the website states.
The BC government predicts there will be thousands of job opportunities over the next decade in the accounting field, according to a report published by the Georgia Strait March 1.
“There are expected to be 11,600 openings over the next nine years,” the article states. “CPA Canada’s most recent compensation survey puts the median salary for CPAs in B.C. at $100,000.”
Douglas College students will have plenty of chances to enroll in classes, according to the Douglas College website.
“There will normally be multiple offerings of all entry level and technical level courses in each of the three semesters, with students usually being able to choose between day and evening classes. Applied level courses will be offered starting Winter 2018 in the evenings with a minimum of one course available every semester,” the website says.
