The Role of ASCA
Academic Requirements
UFE (Uniform Evaluation)
Practical Experience
Future CA Opportunities
The CA advantage Brochure
ASCA Brochure - Become a CA
Who to Contact 

The Role of ASCA

The Institute is responsible for establishing the qualifications necessary to obtain a CA designation. To ensure the greatest degree of harmonization between other jurisdictions, which greatly assists in providing CAs with mobility throughout their careers, and for efficiency, these qualifications are agreed to throughout Canada. In addition, the Nova Scotia Institute, together with New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Bermuda, has agreed to offer academic instruction on a cooperative basis through the Atlantic School of Chartered Accountancy (ASCA).

Academic Requirements

Individuals seeking entry into the professional program must first have acquired an educational background deemed to be the equivalent of a university undergraduate degree. Most students obtain a Business, Commerce or Management degree that provides the majority of the required courses. Other degrees can be accommodated, but must be supplemented with the required courses completed through ASCA.

A list of course requirements and the universities where these courses can be taken as part of a bachelor's degree can be obtained from ASCA. ASCA provides the academic courses that must be completed in order to qualify to write the UFE (Uniform Evaluation). Individuals must successfully complete the ASCA program to be eligible to write the UFE.

To register as a student in the ASCA Professional Program requires employment with a firm of chartered accountants approved to train CA students. Many of these firms recruit on university campuses in the fall for jobs commencing the following summer or fall. This means you should arrange your employment before you graduate.

UFE (Uniform Evaluation)

The UFE is a national uniform evaluation and is the final academic step completed by students to earn their CA designation. The objective of the UFE is to determine whether candidates demonstrate competence by responding to simulations - business scenarios that represent the kinds of challenges faced during their work experience, or will soon be facing in their professional career as a CA. CA Students in Nova Scotia have enjoyed superior performance on the UFE for many years, with a flow through success rate of over 95%.

For additional information please see What is the UFE?

Practical Experience

The CA profession’s approach to qualification is competency based and practical experience is an integral part of the qualification process, enriching and consolidating the development of the core competencies of the entry level CA. Through practical experience, CA students develop two different kinds of competencies – specific competencies and pervasive qualities and skills.

CA students are required to complete 30 months of practical experience with a CA Training Office (CATO). CATOs are approved to provide a CA Training Program and students are under the overall supervision and direction of a CA throughout the Program.

There are many different kinds of CATOs offering training programs which provide the necessary practical experience for CA students. For example, CA firms may offer practical experience in assurance-based career paths, as well as tax and advisory paths. Some government offices and corporate organizations are also approved to train CA students.

Click here for a list of CATOs approved to train students in Nova Scotia.

CA students wishing to practice in public accounting are required to meet additional practical experience requirements. While the specifics vary from province to province, at a minimum, a prescribed amount of experience in certain types of public accounting engagements must be obtained. CA firms as well as the Offices of the Auditor General of Canada and Nova Scotia can offer work experience that satisfies these additional requirements for practicing public accounting. CA students employed in assurance-based career paths at CA firms or the Offices of the Auditor General of Canada and Nova Scotia satisfy these additional requirements at the same time as they develop their competencies. Students who qualify as CAs in other career paths at CA firms, government offices or corporate organizations and who then wish to practice public accounting may satisfy these additional requirements post-qualification.

For further information on the CA profession’s practical experience requirements, CA students are referred to the brochure CA Practical Experience Requirements 2010. These requirements apply to CATOs and to CA students in Canada and Bermuda, effective September 1, 2010.
 
Students are also referred to the CATO link for further information.

Future CA Opportunities

Upon the successful completion of all requirements, a Chartered Accountant has a wide range of potential career opportunities. They may choose to remain in public practice, either looking after the general needs of their clients, or choosing to focus their career in a wide range of specialty areas. They may also pursue a career in the private or government sector. Working closely with other key decision makers, CAs are business leaders capable of dealing with business and financial problems, solutions and opportunities in any industry.

Who to Contact