Canada's Chartered Accountants congratulate 3,046 CA students who passed the
2010 Uniform Evaluation

TORONTO, Dec. 3 /CNW/ - This year, 3,046 students successfully completed the CA profession's Uniform Evaluation (UFE), one of the most challenging professional examinations in the world.

"This is a great personal achievement for each of these students and a significant step in their journey toward becoming members of a valued and internationally recognized profession," said Kevin Dancey, FCA, President and CEO, Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants.

The UFE is a critical component of the CA qualification program, a program that is unparalleled in its ability to prepare students for a career in business. A national three-day evaluation, the UFE assesses CA candidate competencies including knowledge, professional judgment and ethics.

In addition to the UFE, the CA qualification program further includes a university degree requirement, a professional program of extensive course work, practical work experience and other examination requirements. Only those who complete the entire qualification program successfully are entitled to use the internationally-recognized CA designation.

"The strong mentoring, combined with the highest level training that is integral to the CA qualification program, develops professionals who have a unique combination of integrity and expertise," said Dancey. "That is what distinguishes CAs from members of all other financial designations."

Each year, the prestigious Governor General's Gold Medal and the Chartered Accountants of Canada cash prize of $5,000 is awarded to the student with the highest standing in Canada on the Uniform Evaluation. This year's recipient is Vicky Au, Deloitte & Touche LLP, North York, Ontario.

"Since my first year at the University of Waterloo, I had always looked to the plaque on the school wall, honouring past Gold Medallists, and hoped that someday my name would be there too," said Au. "It was a dream come true when I learned that I was this year's Canadian Gold Medallist."

The Chartered Accountants of Canada regional Gold Medal awards for the highest standing in the UFE (and cash prize of $2,500 each) go to:

    
        Kimberly Hartlin, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Halifax, NS, for achieving
        the highest standing in Eastern Canada in the 2010 Uniform
        Evaluation;

        Mathew Burpee, Ernst & Young LLP, Calgary, AB, for achieving the
        highest standing in Western Canada in the 2010 Uniform Evaluation;
        and

        Ryan Abrams, Ernst & Young s.r.l. /S.E.N.C.R.L. / LLP, Montreal, QC,
        for achieving the highest standing in Quebec in the 2010 Uniform
        Evaluation.
    

Chartered Accountants (CAs) are Canada's most valued, internationally recognized profession of leaders in senior management, advisory, financial, tax and assurance roles. Through their integrity, expertise, and internationally recognized qualification standards, Canada's 77,000 CAs sustain their influence and leadership position both in Canada and globally. As trusted business advisors to Canadian organizations of all sizes, Canada's CAs foster confidence in Canadian business and contribute to the health and sustainability of Canada's capital markets and economy. The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) represents Canada's CA profession both nationally and internationally. The 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