Summary of Important Changes for 2011-2012
Course Offering Changes
New Form of Online Synchronous Learning
Availability of Past Examinations
International Standards
Ethics Reading Handbook Changes
Computer Tutorials 1 and 2
Online Comprehensive Reviews
Laurentian University Learning Management System Changes - D2L
Course Material Changes
Computer and Software Changes
Changes to Practical Experience Reporting
A Reminder of 2010-2011 Policy and Procedure Changes
Looking Forward - IMportant Changes in 2012-2013
Course Offering Changes
The following PACE Level elective courses will be offered for the first time in session 4: MU1 and PF1. MU1 will be offered in session 1 and 4. PF1 will be offered during session 2 and 4.
Due to low attendance, in-person lectures for the following Level 1-3 courses are no longer offered: FA1, EM1, LW1, QU1, MA1, and MS1.
Due to student demand, we will increase in-person lecture offerings from one to two lectures per session for PA1 in sessions 1 and 3, and for PA2 in sessions 1 and 2.
PA1 and PA2 course lectures will now be offered at both UBC locations: Point Grey and Robson Square campuses.
New Form of Online Synchronous Learning
CGA-BC is constantly looking to improve the way the Program of Professional Studies is delivered. Currently, we are looking into creating virtual classrooms in which students and instructors can interact with each other in real time via the Internet. The pilot project is in its early stages of planning and is scheduled for implementation in session 2. CGA-BC will keep students posted on its progress via Heads Up and updates sent to the students via email.
Availability of Past Examinations
Based on information and guidance received from examiners, students are often misled into focusing their exam preparation on past national examinations rather than on the current course material. For this reason, we are continuing with the phase-out of past national examinations that began last year. In 2011-2012, only the four most recent past national examinations will be available. We caution you not to rely extensively on past national examinations as they have not been updated to the form and content of the current course materials or examination.
Instead, we remind you that each course includes at least one practice examination based on current course content that reflects the content, style and format of the examination. You should use this resource, along with your course material and examination blueprint, as your primary exam preparation tools.
International StandardsGenerally Accepted Accounting Principles for Private Enterprises
In the 2011-2012 academic year, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for Private Enterprises (Private Enterprises GAAP) will be covered in FA1, FA2, FA3 and FA4.
Canadian Auditing Standards
In the 2011-2012 academic year, Canadian Auditing Standards (CAS) will be presented throughout the assignments and examinations. This mainly affects the AU1 and AU2 courses. The former Canadian Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) will no longer be provided.
CICA Handbooks Offered Online
Starting in the 2011-2012 academic year, you can access the CICA Handbooks through an online link within Blackboard OLE. The CD version of the CICA Handbooks is no longer available.
Ethics Reading Handbook Changes
In the 2011-2012 academic year, the Ethics Reading Handbook (ERH) will be updated with new ethics readings that will include an increased focus on what you need to understand to be successful in PA1 and PA2. The new material in the ERH will be used in the other courses throughout the CGA Program.
Computer Tutorials 1 and 2
Computer tutorials 1 and 2 (i.e. CT1 and CT2) will no longer be produced. However, they will be replaced with a new resource providing you with the general computer knowledge you require to complete your CGA studies. These resources will be housed in Blackboard OLE within the Resources library.
Online Comprehensive Reviews
Online Comprehensive Reviews will no longer be available for the FA4 and TX1 courses.
Laurentian University Learning Management System Changes - D2LBeginning in Session 1 of the 2011-2012 academic year (course start date of September 5, 2011), all Laurentian University H.B.Com and MBA business courses will be hosted on the Laurentian University learning management system at
https://d2l.laurentian.ca. During the months of July and August, Laurentian University staff will be contacting all current H.B.Com and MBA students to provide them with ID and password information to access the new learning management system. Please go to
www.cga.laurentian.ca or more information on the transition to the new learning management system, instructions and support service.
Course Material Changes
For the 2011-2012 academic year, courses will be current to the December 2010 CICA release, which covers standards up to December 2010. CICA updates will be reflected in the following courses: FA1, FA2, FA3, FA4, AT1, AU1, AU2 and PF1.
| Level |
Courses |
|
| 1 |
FA1 |
The new edition of the textbook is introduced.
|
| 2 |
FA2 |
The new edition of the textbook is introduced; Accpac software is reusable.
|
| 3 |
BC1 |
Business case is new; Accpac software is reusable.
|
| |
FA3 |
The new edition of the textbook is introduced; Accpac software is reusable.
|
| |
FN1, MS1 |
The new edition of the textbook is introduced.
|
| 4 |
FA4
|
The new edition of the textbook is introduced; CICA Handbook — 31st December 2010 update; Accounting, Assurance, and Public Sector Supplement (bilingual CD).
|
| |
MA2 |
The course and assignments will have an increased focus on the use of cases.
|
| |
BC2 |
Business case is reusable; New 2010 version of CaseWare will be used.
|
| |
TX1 |
All materials are new: the new edition of the textbook is introduced; 92nd edition of the Canadian Income Tax Act; 2011-2012 ITA DVD and problem sets.
|
| PACE |
TX2
|
Session 1, 90th edition of the Canadian Income Tax Act; Session 2, 3, and 4, 92nd edition of the Canadian Income Tax Act; 2011-2012 ITA DVD and Problem Sets.
|
| |
AU2 |
New edition of the AU2 readings book; CICA Handbook — 31st December 2010 update; Accounting, Assurance, and Public Sector Supplement (bilingual CD).
|
| |
MS2
|
The new edition of the textbook is introduced; the Ivey Case package is new. |
| |
MU1 |
All materials are new except textbook: selected readings for MU1 will be updated; the course will be updated with Institute of Internal Auditor Standards.
|
| |
PA1 |
All materials (textbook and Assignment Case Readings) are new and will be available electronically within Blackboard OLE.
|
| |
PA2 |
All materials (textbook and Assignment Case Readings) are new and will be available electronically within Blackboard OLE.
|
| |
PF1 |
PF1 Readings book is new; CICA Handbook — PSAH Release #32; Accounting, Assurance, and Public Sector Supplement (bilingual CD)
|
| Laurentian University Course Changes |
| OL2 |
New textbook will be introduced
|
| OM1 |
New edition of the textbook is introduced.
|
| OM2 |
New edition of the textbook is introduced.
|
Computer and Software Changes
Required Operating System and Software for 2011–2012
You must have the following operating system and software applications if you are enrolled in the CGA Program of Professional Studies for the 2011-2012 academic year:
- Windows 7 or Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (English language versions only)
- Internet Explorer 8 or 9
- Microsoft Word and Excel 2007 or 2010 – 32-bit version only (** Click-to-run installation is not supported)
- Acrobat Reader 10
- Adobe Flash Player (most recent version)
Versions released after March 2011 may not be fully supported. Textbook material on publishers’ websites may require you to install additional software . We strongly encourage you to have up-to-date antivirus software or an Internet security package.
You must be able to make changes to settings (including security) and install software (applications and browser plug-ins as required) on your computer system.
Minimum Student Computer Hardware
The following is the minimum computer system on which the Adobe applications and software should be installed for use with specific courses in the CGA Program of Professional Studies, and interaction through the Blackboard OLE:
- Intel Core 2 Duo or equivalent processor
- 2 GB memory
- Up to 20 GB available hard drive space
- DVD/CD-ROM drive
- Video card with 128 MB onboard memory and DirectX technology
- 15” monitor capable of 1024 x 768 resolution
- Sound card and speakers
- Broadband (high speed) Internet connection
- Any Windows-compatible printer
This configuration may not be adequate in future years or for other applications.
Please note that we do not support Mac computers or foreign language computers (only English versions of Windows are supported). You must use Internet Explorer as your browser with Blackboard OLE as other browsers may cause problems.
Changes to Practical Experience Reporting
A new national practical experience reporting system called PERC (Professional Experience Required for Certification) will be implemented in the coming months. With PERC, students can document their experiences online and submit it annually. This will ensure they have the opportunity to:
- record their professional experience as it’s gained
- know what experience needs to be developed on a continuous basis; and
- reliably track their progress to the successful completion of the process.
Earlier and regular involvement
While similar to the previous online reporting system, PERC requires the student’s workplace supervisor to be involved earlier – and for the two of them to meet at least annually to discuss the student’s development. The benefits of earlier and regular involvement mean the student’s skills can be immediately put to work, and he or she will be provided with greater responsibilities along the way.
Improved Tracking
There is a new competency-based scoring model and self-assessment tool that students can use to monitor their progress. These will also assist supervisors in verifying the student’s development and help CGA affiliates who must ultimately assess and confirm the experience. The improved tracking will ensure students meet the professional experience requirements by the time they complete the program, so certification isn’t delayed. The experience must be verified by a qualified professional accountant.
When does the new process take effect?
Students who are using the previous process have until Fall 2011 to finalize details of their professional experience under the PEAQ system. Or they can create a PERC file and input their earlier experience. Students who begin documenting their professional experience after September 30, 2011 must plan and record their advancement using the new PERC process.
Leadership, professionalism and professional knowledge
Professional experience criteria are rooted in the CGA competency framework. The competencies, grouped under Leadership, Professionalism and Professional Knowledge, are updated periodically to reflect the contemporary demands of clients, employers and the public. PERC ensures that students develop the depth and breadth of competencies required by the working world.
A Reminder of 2010-2011
Policy and Procedure Changes
Business Cases
Starting in the 2010-2011 academic year and going forward, business cases are offered online through Blackboard OLE, and they are aligned with the regular course offerings and assignment due dates of other CGA courses. Both Business Case courses, Accounting Business Case (BC1) and a Public Practice Audit Case (BC2), are now broken down into five online assignments that must be submitted in Blackboard OLE within 10 weeks during the session.
PA1 and PA2 Examinations
The PA1 and PA2 examinations are integrative. This means that they require you to bring together technical and professional knowledge and apply it to realistic situations in the context of accounting and financial management.
Please be reminded that PA examinations are criterion-referenced assessments — in other words, your performance is compared to the standard for minimal competency set by the profession. A standard-setting process is used to determine a single passing point for the examination. To pass the examination, your score must meet or exceed the standard (that is, the passing point).
Standards are set by practitioners who represent the scope of practice for that professional body. "Best practices" in tests and measurements recommend that standard-setting be used to confirm that the minimum performance levels are in fact attainable by newly certified practitioners. A standard-setting body considers the properties of the examination, the characteristics of the candidate population, and the level of examination performance required to ensure competent practice of a professional at an entry level. Standard-setting has been incorporated into the assessment process to help establish what performance level candidates need to demonstrate for each competency. The standard-setting body assists in establishing the single passing point for the examination. For more information, please visit Professional Applications Examinations on the CGA-Canada website.
International Financial Reporting Standards
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) will be presented throughout the course material. All assignments and examinations will focus on IFRS. This mainly affects the following courses: FA1, FA2, FA3, FA4, AT1, FN1, MA1, and MA2. The former Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) will no longer be provided.
Looking Foward - Important Changes in 2012 - 2013
Starting in the 2012-2013 academic year, both PA1 and PA2 will be offered in sessions 1 and 3 exclusively (i.e., PA2 will no longer be offered in session 2). Therefore, students should consider this information when planning their 2012-2013 course schedule.
