CGA-BC Services Available to Students
Academic Resources
Employment Support
Networking Opportunities
Administrative Services
Financial Support
Academic Resources
CGA-BC Website
– www.cga-bc.org
Visit the Students tab on the CGA-BC website for policies, procedures, schedules and reminders. Only the secured areas of this website (containing CGA students’ private information) require you to enter your ID number and password.
Heads Up
The Heads Up page, available under the Students tab on the CGA-BC website, provides important reminders and valuable information to all students and is updated every Friday. To stay informed of upcoming events and recent news, we encourage you to check this area weekly or subscribe to this area of the website through the RSS feed link. If you choose to subscribe, you will be notified by email any time an update is made to Heads Up.
Online Learning Reference Guide
The Online Learning Reference Guide contains instructions on how to navigate through Blackboard OLE, the online learning environment for all CGA courses. This is where you will find access to online reading materials, assignment and assignment submission links, and peer support forms, to name a few examples. The Online Learning Reference Guide also includes direct hyperlinks to referenced website content.
Study Resources
CGA offers additional resources to help you succeed at CGA courses and examinations, including:
- UBC In-Person Lectures – In-person lectures are available for some CGA courses and are held at the UBC campus, either at the Point Grey location or at Robson Square. These in-person lectures are considered to be a supplement to the online course and in no way replace it. You can attend the lectures on a drop-in basis, at no additional cost. Please see the link for availability.
- UBC In-Person Examination Reviews –Similar to the in-person lectures described above, in-person examination reviews are also held at the UBC campus, either at the Point Grey location or at Robson Square. You can attend these reviews on a drop-in basis, at no additional cost. Please refer to the schedule for availability.
- Fee for Private Tutoring – If you are seeking individual tutoring from a course content specialist, the Association has established a roster of lecturers and markers who can provide tutoring services for a fee. While we cannot always guarantee the availability of a qualified tutor, it is likely that we can arrange tutor support for most courses and exam offerings. Please see the link for further details and instructions on how to place a request.
- PA1 and PA2 Course Refreshers – The PA1 and PA2 courses present an overview of issues, either from the perspective of the accountant external to the organization in professional practice, in the way of business advisory services (PA1) or from the perspective of the financial manager internal to the organization, in the way of strategic financial management (PA2). Course Refreshers are available to review pertinent areas of past course content that you may have forgotten. You will be expected to apply your technical and non-technical competencies to various case-based scenarios as is appropriate under the circumstance. To review for PA1, you should concentrate on the AT1, AU1, FA4, TX1 and the GAAS/GAAP Course Refreshers. To review for PA2, you should concentrate on the AT1, FA4, FN1, MA2 and the GAAS/GAAP Course Refreshers.
- The following study resources are available in Blackboard OLE:
- audio lectures,
- course director/peer-to-peer support forum,
- multiple choice practices,
- online competency reviews,
- examination blueprints,
- past examinations,
- practice examinations,
- virtual synchronous instructions (PA1 & PA2), and
- PA1/PA2 Case writing (Accounting for Success: The Guide to Case Resolution).
You can also refer to Student Resources for additional study tips and tools.
Student Rosters
All students have the opportunity to be included in the Student Roster when they enrol in courses. The Student Roster lists a student’s first name, city of residence, courses and preferred email address only. No other details are given. This gives students the opportunity to contact other students in the area who have enrolled in the same course(s) to discuss course material and/or arrange study groups. To enhance the security and confidentiality of student information, the roster is only available for viewing in PDF format on a secure web page. To access the roster list, simply click on the link provided to you by email at the start of each Session and enter your student ID and password.
Please note that the Student Roster information should not be used for advertising, harassment or other inappropriate purposes. The list cannot be printed, copied or forwarded. Students who use the Student Roster information inappropriately may face disciplinary action, ranging in severity from removal from the Student Roster to withdrawal from the program. If you have any questions or concerns about the Student Roster, please contact a Student Advisor at advising@cga-bc.org.
Advising Services
The Student Services division of CGA-BC provides support services to students in areas that include enrolment, course planning, assignments, examinations and other program concerns. You can contact Student Advisors by phone or by email at advising@cga-bc.org. If you wish to meet a Student Advisor in person, please make an appointment by emailing us and let us know your preferred time to meet. The CGA-BC office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. To help us to serve you better, please remember our email etiquette – in the subject line of your email messages, please include your name, your 10-digit student ID# and the topic of your inquiry.
For example: John Smith | 2240019999 | Confirming my enrolment in FN1 for Session 2
Accommondation of Students With Special Needs
A longstanding philosophy of open access to educational opportunity exists across the CGA Association. In keeping with this philosophy, CGA-BC can accommodate exam requirements for students with special needs and those with religious observance conflicts. Students with special needs or religious observance conflicts must notify us of their exam requirements at the start of the Session. Failure to do so may prevent us from accommodating the request in a timely manner.
If you require a special accommodation because of a medical issue, you must provide medical documentation that outlines your disability and recommends the type of accommodation that should be provided. Supporting documentation must be completed by a qualified professional such as a:
- learning disabilities specialist,
- psychologist or psychiatrist, and
- medical doctor with training and experience in assessing physical disabilities.
All examination procedures will adhere to CGA’s National Academic Integrity Policy, and security will be maintained when handling exams.
To initiate your request for a special accommodation, please complete the following forms no later than six (6) weeks prior to the beginning of the exam week and email them to Karin Bury, the Coordinator, Student Operations, at kbury@cga-bc.org.
Request for Special Accommodations [PDF - 111KB]
Documentation of Medical Condition [PDF - 254KB]
Computer Support
CGA-BC’s computer support staff are available to help you with software and website/email problems related to CGA course materials. For details on who to contact, please see the Computer Support contact information at the end of this Handbook or online at Student Services Contacts. You will be notified via Heads Up if there are any changes to the computer support hours.
Employment Support
Career Counselling Services
Career assistance is available to all CGA students and members, helping you take control of your work experience requirement and start planning your personal path to success.
CGA-BC’s Career Counsellor helps students:
- address employment challenges while searching for jobs,
- develop resumés and cover letters,
- prepare for interviews,
- plan career moves and changes,
- locate support services such as language upgrading, and
- make the most of international training and experience.
CGA-BC offers career-related workshops and seminars throughout the academic year. Check Heads Up each week for upcoming events. The online Career Centre also features a blog and helpful resources on resumés, job interviews, networking and more career-related topics. Contact CGA-BC’s Career Counsellor, Cynthia Ainslie, at cainslie@cga-bc.org if you need help with employment strategies.
CGAjobs.org, Partners in Employment Program
and Employment Services
CGA-BC is committed to helping you achieve career success. Apart from providing you with a world-class accounting designation, CGA-BC offers several employment services to help you gain employment in accounting and to achieve a rewarding and valuable career once you graduate.
CGAjobs.org is the first stop for CGA members and students searching for outstanding career opportunities. It’s also a ‘go-to’ website for B.C.’s leading employers when they are seeking to fill accounting and finance positions. The site contains hundreds of jobs, many of them for positions at the mid to senior executive level.
This unique and confidential career site also provides tremendous flexibility when approaching a job search and mapping out a career path. You can search out the best jobs available and then upload your resumé to the CGAjobs.org database, ensuring that your resumé is front and centre with employers seeking bright new talent.
There is no cost for CGA students and members to use CGAjobs.org in their job search. It’s all part of CGA-BC’s commitment to helping students and members achieve success both pre- and post-certification.
In addition to CGAjobs.org, CGA-BC also offers a range of other employment initiatives through its Partners in Employment Program (PEP), including special events that the Association hosts for students and its more than 140 employment partners. This includes job fairs and speed interview nights that bring together employers and CGA students.
Go to CGAjobs.org for the latest listing of employment partners to determine whether your employer is part of this program. If they are not, contact the Coordinator, Partners in Employment Program to ask about how to get your company on board. There are many benefits for companies who join PEP, as well as advantages for CGA students to have their employer as a CGA employment partner. For more information, please contact Jerrick Barroso at jbarroso@cga-bc.org.
Networking Opportunities
CGA-BC Chapters
When you enrol in the program, we will assign you to a CGA chapter based upon your preferred mailing address. We encourage you to take part in the events put on by your local chapter as these events provide you with valuable networking opportunities to meet fellow students, as well as members, potential employers and CGA-BC staff. Stay up to date with your chapter’s activities and news by visiting Chapter Newsletters. You can also subscribe to the newsletter using the RSS feed.
Student Advisory Group
The Student Advisory Group (SAG) provides input as well as systematic feedback regarding CGA-BC’s policies as they affect students. The group is composed of approximately 15 CGA students from a variety of levels in the CGA Program, who are approved to join for the calendar year. Students are welcome to apply to join the group in January each calendar year. Please see Student Advisory Group for more information about SAG, as well as contact information and details on how to apply to be a SAG member.
Administrative Services
ID Number and Student Card
When you are admitted to the CGA Program, you are assigned an ID number. Please include your ID number on all correspondence addressed to CGA-BC and on all submitted assignments. It should be kept confidential at all times.
Each year, you are also issued a student card with your ID number; you will receive this card by mail, within eight to ten weeks of paying the Basic Tuition Fee. Please keep this card in a safe place. You must present the card at all CGA examination sittings (along with one piece of government-issued photo identification) and it may be required for attendance at CGA-BC functions.
Online Transcripts, Students’ Records Retrieval,
Examination Marks
You can access your record through My CGA-BC. This is where you can review your student record, change your address, print unofficial transcripts and access examination results.
Official transcripts can be requested by completing the Transcript Request Form. Please allow three to five business days for processing.
Tuition Receipts and Education Amount Certificates
Each February, income tax receipts for all tuition and education amounts applicable from the previous year are available for students to download under Student Tuition Fee Tax Receipt (T2202) on the My CGA-BC page. Contact T2202@cga-bc.org for any specific questions about the T2202 issued by CGA-BC . More information regarding claiming these amounts is found in the policy established by the Canada Revenue Agency (www.cra-arc.gc.ca).
Foundation Studies in Accounting
CGA-BC provides intermediate level recognition of a student's academic achievement at the Foundation Studies Level (Levels 1-3) of the CGA program upon meeting specific course requirements.
In order to qualify for the Foundation Studies in Accounting certificate, students must complete the following:
- Completion of all Level 1-3 requirements (through CGA examination or transfer credit)
- Mandatory Residency requirements: Completion of at least three of the following courses directly through CGA: FA2, FA3, FA4, AT1, MA1, MA2, or BC1
This recognition does not in any way signify membership in the Association. Nor does it qualify as recognition of professional experience. The recognition certificate verifies educational achievement of an intermediate level in the CGA program only.
To apply for this recognition, please complete the Foundation Studies in Accounting Certificate Form found here.
Completed applications will be processed within 30 days, and a formal acknowledgement and recognition certificate will be mailed to the student after processing.
Mailings and Publications
Mailings include the student newsletter (Connections), CGA-BC’s Outlook magazine, CGA-Canada’s CGA Magazine, information on Chapter functions, and program and course information. Wherever possible, CGA-BC will make information available on its website to reduce the number and size of mailings.
Distribution Centre
CGA-BC’s distribution centre ships course materials to students using Canada Post’s Commercial Expedited Parcel Service within two business days from the time a student’s course enrolment is processed by staff (with the exception of course materials on back order). There is no pick-up service available for course material, as CGA-BC’s distribution centre is not located at the Association’s office.
*Due to mailbox size limitations, course materials shipments are undeliverable to most residential addresses containing a suite or apartment number. In these cases, you will need to wait for the pickup notice or visit your local postal outlet to pick up your course material package.
Canada Post’s Commercial Expedited Parcel Service delivery service standards are:
- Local Vancouver area – Two business days,
- Lower Mainland – two to three business days,
- B.C. outside of Lower Mainland – three to five business days,
- Other provinces within Canada – seven business days,
- Shipments outside of Canada – Students will be responsible for shipping charges on any deliveries outside of Canada, as well as an administrative fee of $35. This amount will be charged to the student’s credit card. Federal Express will be used to ship all deliveries outside of Canada. Overseas requests will require further estimation.
Access to PD Network
CGA-Canada’s Professional Development Network (PD Net) is available to CGA students. PD Net compiles information targeted to answer the questions that CGAs face in their day-to-day work. Resources on this site are chosen for their relevance, depth and integrity. A few examples are:
- a virtual library of articles,
- a bibliography of books and other publications, and
- continuing professional education opportunities, such as seminars and online courses.
Information is added and updated regularly. Discussion forums provide input from practicing CGAs. Users can also subscribe to receive monthly email notifications of new articles and topics. See PD Net for more information.
Access to Member Benefits
Students can take advantage of the many benefits available to CGA members. Some of the benefits include discounts on financial services, hotels and resorts, recreation, security and travel. For more information, please see Benefits Program.
CGA-Canada Group Insurance Policies
Students may purchase insurance through CGA-Canada’s group policies. Policies are available for personal insurance, term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance. For more information, contact Jan Munro Thompson at 604. 929.9255 or 1.800.881.3688 or by email at thom425@attglobal.net.
Financial Support
CGA-BC Awards and Scholarships
Each year, the CGA-BC Educational Foundation partners with CGA-BC and corporate sponsors to award scholarships recognizing academic excellence. Most scholarships and awards are based on the student having achieved the highest standing in the first writing of the course examination during the academic year. Please see Financial Information for more details.
Lifelong Learning Plan
As a CGA student, you may qualify for the federal government’s Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP). This plan allows you or your spouse to withdraw funds from your own or your spouse’s registered retirement savings plan to finance your CGA education.
More information can be obtained from the Canada Revenue Agency.
Loans and Lines of Credit
The Bank of Montreal offers special lines of credit and personal loans specifically for CGA students. Please see Financial Information for more details, or you can contact the Bank of Montreal directly at 1.800.665.9665.
Bursary Program
The CGA-BC Educational Foundation provides bursaries to support CGA students who need financial assistance due to extraordinary social or economic situations. In addition to financial need, the Foundation also takes marks and other circumstances, such as community involvement, into consideration when awarding bursaries. The following five named bursaries are also available:
- Loren, Nancke & Company Bursary
- J. Alfred Marsh Bursary
- Vancouver CGA Computer User Group Bursary
- Mrs. Elite Woo Memorial Bursary
- Fred & Liliana Young Bursary
Funds awarded by the Foundation may be used to:
- pay tuition,
- purchase equipment used in conjunction with CGA studies, or
- cover general living expenses.
The amount awarded is considered to be a bursary and not a loan. Therefore, it does not have to be paid back to the Foundation and may be used at the student's discretion.
To apply for a bursary, you must have successfully completed two academic courses with CGA-BC (excluding Public Speaking, Business Cases and Challenge exams). Application deadlines are as follows:
- August 3, 2012
- November 2, 2012
- February 1, 2013
The following items must be included with your application:
- A bursary application completed in full.
- A letter explaining the reasons for requesting financial assistance - this should include any extenuating short- or long-term circumstances. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, severe illness or disability, single parents who find themselves facing financial hardship or the long-term illness and loss of income of a spouse.
- An unofficial copy of your transcript (my CGA-BC, course marks history).
- All other supporting documents you deem useful to explain your situation.
Submit the Bursary Application and all supporting documents to:
CGA-BC Educational Foundation
300-1867 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC V6J 5L4
All applications are held in strictest confidence. Please allow two to three weeks for processing.
