Certified Management Accountants of Ontario in closing stages of public
accounting licensing process

TORONTO, June 23 /CNW/ - Certified Management Accountants of Ontario (CMA Ontario) congratulates the Certified General Accountants of Ontario on their announcement of being granted the right to license their members to practice public accounting in Ontario.

"CMA Ontario is also in the closing stages of its application with the Public Accountants Council as a licensing body to practice public accounting. Once approved, all three accounting bodies in Ontario will have the ability to grant public accounting licenses - providing Ontario businesses with real choice when seeking auditing and assurance services," says Merv Hillier, MBA, FCMA, C.Dir., CEO and President of CMA Ontario.

CMA Ontario is currently finalizing a public accounting licensing process. The model requires CMAs interested in pursuing public accounting to develop and demonstrate specific public accounting competencies through course work, examinations and practical work experience, with a portion of this experience to be gained in an approved training office.

"CMA Ontario has recently completed an important pilot program for the final component of its public accounting program," explains Hillier. "The Public Accountancy Preparation Program, being delivered in partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University, is a comprehensive integrated study program and includes a Technical Proficiency Exam, an Integrated Study Program final exam, followed by a CMA Public Accounting Licensure Examination."

"The course material from the pilot program is being submitted to the assessment team," says Janet Treasure, Vice President, Special Projects, CMA Ontario, who is responsible for the public accounting licensing application process, "and we anticipate our application to be fully complete by the end of the summer."

CMA Ontario is committed to the Public Accountant Council's assessment process, to meeting their rigorous standards, and to becoming a public accounting licensing body as quickly as possible. The CMA public accounting program will create a strong, reputable and viable public accounting option for CMAs in Ontario, while protecting the public interest and contributing to a stronger Ontario economy.

About the Certified Management Accountants of Ontario (CMA Ontario):

The Certified Management Accountants of Ontario is a self-governing professional organization that awards the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation to qualified candidates in Ontario. With some 24,000 members, CMA Ontario is an integral part of a profession that is 50,000 members strong across Canada and around the world. CMA Ontario maintains rigorous standards of accreditation and professionalism in management accounting to protect the public interest.

For further information: Angie Brennand, Director of Public Affairs and Communications, CMA Ontario, [email protected], O: [phone], C: [phone]