As the 10th anniversary of the CPA profession nears, one of the final components of the original unification agreement is set to take effect. Starting July 1, 2025—10 years after the proclamation of the Chartered Professional Accountants Act created the profession in Alberta—Alberta CPAs have one more option in how they choose to use their designation.
On that date, the option to not use legacy designations and instead only use the CPA designation begins. In the preceding decade—and until July 1—only those who graduated from the CPA Professional Education Program were allowed to use only the CPA designation. Starting July 1, anyone choosing to use only the CPA designation has that option. Of course, those who wish to continue to use a legacy designation in conjunction with the CPA or to use only a legacy designation can do so.
The below examples will all be permissible options after July 1:
- John Doe CPA, CMA; or
- John Doe CMA; or
- John Doe CPA
- Jane Smith CPA, CGA; or
- Jane Smith CGA; or
- Jane Smith CPA
- Sarah Yao CPA, CA; or
- Sarah Yao CA; or
- Sarah Yao CPA
These same rules apply to those with Fellowship designations.
More information on the use of designations for Alberta CPAs can be found here.
Firm designation use follow different guidelines and timelines, which can be found here.
