This release was issued under a previous government.

Unification in the accounting profession is a growing national and international trend. Since June 2013, the Alberta government has been working with the three self-regulating accounting associations - the Certified General Accountants Association of Alberta, the Certified Management Accountants of Alberta and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta - to enable a merger that improves and enhances business practices in Alberta.

“Currently, more than half of Canada’s professional accountants are using the CPA designation. This proposed legislation will help our province attract the best and brightest to the accounting profession and make it easier for accountants to transfer their skills from outside of the province.”

Ric McIver, Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour

“It’s been an honour to work with the Government of Alberta on the remaking of the accounting profession. Bringing the three organizations together means we can focus on enhancing protection of the public and providing better services for our members, and the people who rely upon them.”

John Carpenter FCGA, CEO of the Alberta Accountants Unification Agency

If passed, the proposed changes will bring Alberta in line with Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island, where accountants are already using the CPA designation. Saskatchewan and New Brunswick recently proclaimed their legislation and several other provinces are expected to introduce similar unifying legislation this fall.