For those who have US CPA designations, did you know there are specific rules regarding how you can present your American designation? It’s true! The use of the “certified public accountant” title and “CPA” abbreviation is restricted by section 7(3) of Alberta’s Chartered Professional Accountants Act. Section 24 of the Regulations to the Act outlines how Alberta CPAs who are also American Certified Public Accountants (US CPAs) may represent themselves in Alberta.
Members of CPA Alberta who are US CPAs
Before you can represent yourself as a US CPA in Alberta, you must:
- Provide satisfactory evidence to CPA Alberta of having a current certified public accounting certificate from the United States;
- Submit a complete application; and
- Pay the application fee (and annual renewal fee thereafter).
Once your application is approved by CPA Alberta, use of the US CPA designation “certified public accountant” or the initials “CPA” must:
- Be accompanied by “chartered professional accountant” or “CPA” or, if authorized, “Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants” or “FCPA” and
- Disclose the name of the applicable US certified public accounting jurisdiction in the following manner: “(State, USA)”
Examples of the proper presentation of the designations are:
- John Doe Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified Public Accountant (New York, USA)
- Jane Smith CPA, CGA, CPA (Texas, USA)
- Richard Roe FCPA, CPA (Illinois, USA)
US CPAs who are not members of CPA Alberta
If you have a current certified public accountant certificate from the US but are not registered with CPA Alberta, you are not permitted to use the US CPA designation in any format. You are, however, able to use the following statements:
- “Certified as a certified public accountant in (State, USA)” or
- “Licensed as a certified public accountant in (State, USA)” if you are also granted the right to practise public accountancy by a state board of accountancy in the USA that is recognized by the board.
For more information, you can visit the Designation Use for Members section of the CPA Alberta website here, or contact the CPA Alberta at registrations@cpaalberta.ca if you have further questions or would like to submit your completed application form.
