About CICA & the profession

The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA), in partnership with the provincial and territorial institutes/Ordre is responsible for the functions that are critical to the success of the Canadian CA profession.

CICA, pursuant to the 2006 Protocol, is entrusted with the responsibility for providing

• strategic leadership
• co-ordination of common critical functions of strategic planning
• protection of the public and ethics
• education and qualification
• standard setting and communications

Vision of Canada’s CAs

Chartered Accountants (CAs) are Canada’s most valued, internationally recognized profession of leaders in senior management, advisory, financial, tax and assurance roles.

Value statement for the CA profession

Chartered Accountants are valued for their integrity and expertise.

Mission for the CICA

Our mission is to foster public confidence in the CA profession by acting in the public interest and helping our members excel.

• Protecting the public interest: Adhering to high professional and ethical standards is the way the CA profession fulfills its mandate to act in the public interest. It is a mandate that has defined us for over 100 years and one that we take very seriously.
• What do CAs do?: Chartered Accountants, or CAs, are business professionals who generally work in four key areas. About 40 per cent of CAs are in public practice, while the other 60 per cent are employed in industry, government or education.
• Become a CA: Deciding to become a Chartered Accountant means you have chosen the role of a trusted professional, known for technical excellence, integrity, objectivity and a commitment to the public interest.
• Global influence: The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants helps Canada’s CAs maintain an international voice through the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) and being a founding member and active participant of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).
• Directory of CA firms: This directory lists CAs and CA firms across Canada.
• Uniting the Canadian Accounting Profession: This is your source for information about the framework to unify the Canadian accounting profession.
• The UFE: All Canadian-trained CAs must write the profession's three-day Uniform Evaluation (UFE). To pass the UFE, you must demonstrate that you are proficient in the competencies required to begin your professional accounting career.