Canada's CAs onside with framework to improve foreign credential recognition

TORONTO , Dec. 2 /CNW/ - Canada's Chartered Accountants welcome a framework established by governments across the country aimed at enhancing foreign qualification recognition for internationally trained workers.

Under the new Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications, internationally trained workers who submit an application to be licensed or registered to work in certain fields will be advised within one year whether their qualifications will be recognized.

The framework will initially be implemented in eight occupations, including financial auditors and accountants, by December 31, 2010 .

"We applaud the framework's goal to extend admission clarity to people with the potential to enrich the Canadian landscape," said Tim Forristal, Vice-President, Education, Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA). "Canada's CA profession supports assessing qualification applications within one year and it is well positioned to meet that target. Our profession is known as a leader in international labour mobility and in foreign credential recognition."

The Canadian CA profession has considerable expertise in determining substantial equivalency of foreign qualifications in a manner that is fair, consistent, transparent and timely. In particular, the profession maintains mutual recognition agreements with our nation's major trading partners and has established processes to regularly review the qualification programs of accounting bodies worldwide.

Forristal was a participant at the recent European Union/Canada Roundtable on the Mobility of the Skilled Workforce held in Brussels , Belgium . A joint initiative of the Canadian Public Policy Forum and the European Policy Centre, the roundtable focused on facilitating mobility between Canada and the EU. The Canadian CA model of mutual recognition agreements garnered widespread interest at the gathering.

"Attracting the best and brightest is important if Canada is to remain competitive on the global stage," said Forristal. " Canada benefits when skilled and qualified foreign-trained professionals are attracted to this country."

The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA), together with the provincial, territorial and Bermuda Institutes/Ordre of Chartered Accountants, represents a membership of approximately 75,000 CAs and 12,000 students in Canada and Bermuda . The CICA conducts research into current business issues and supports the setting of accounting, auditing and assurance standards for business, not-for-profit organizations and government. It issues guidance on control and governance, publishes professional literature, develops continuing education programs and represents the CA profession nationally and internationally. CICA is a founding member of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA).

For further information: or to arrange an interview, contact: Tobin Lambie, Manager, Media, CICA, [phone], [email protected], www.cica.ca