6. Verifiable Professional Ethics Hours

​Members are obliged to complete a minimum of four verifiable professional ethics hours within each rolling-three-calendar-year cycle.

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Similar to other verifiable learning activities, this professional ethics requirement can be met through either CGPA Global Canada or alternative sources. These four hours can be accumulated through various distinct professional ethics learning endeavors spanning the three-year period.

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It's crucial to note that professional ethics learning activities should extend beyond mere awareness of the law, standards, or guidelines. Instead, they should delve into the application of ethical principles or theories concerning the pertinent laws, standards, or guidelines that pertain to the member's professional responsibilities and duties.

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7. Verifiable vs. Unverifiable CPD Distinction

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To maintain compliance with CPD requirements, it is essential to differentiate between verifiable and unverifiable CPD. The guidelines are as follows:

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Verifiable Qualifying Hours

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Verifiable CPD denotes learning activities for which there is conclusive evidence to objectively confirm participation. Members are permitted to report the precise number of hours spent on enhancing existing competencies or acquiring new ones. Examples of verifiable CPD include:

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a. Attendance, whether as a participant or lecturer, at courses, conferences, seminars, workshops, presentations, technical committees, or discussion groups.
b. Research that culminates in publications or presentations.
c. Structured in-house training sessions provided by employers.
d. Programs of study that culminate in the successful completion of an examination or certification.
e. Computer-based learning activities that result in the successful completion of an examination or certification.
f. Professional re-examinations or formal testing.

 

Unverifiable Hours

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Unverifiable hours encompass learning activities relevant to a member's professional role that cannot be objectively verified. These include:

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a. On-the-job learning experiences.

b. Self-study, excluding cases involving the successful completion of an examination or certification, which encompasses computer-based learning activities, conference reference materials, or webinars.
c. Self-study that entails examination completion, provided the examination is not within the current CPD reporting year.
d. Casual reading of professional journals or magazines.

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It is imperative to be mindful of this distinction when fulfilling CPD requirements.

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8. Reporting Obligation

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Members of CGPA Global Canada are mandated to confirm their adherence to the Basic Requirements by submitting an annual CPD report before January 31st, accounting for the previous calendar year.

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9. CPD Exemptions from Basic Requirements

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Members who satisfy all of the following criteria may qualify for exemption from the specified minimum CPD hours:

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a. Their Gross Active Revenues* do not surpass Canadian $30,000 for the calendar year.
b. They do not engage in public practice, as defined in the CGPA Bylaws, at any time during the calendar year.
c. They do not hold any of the following positions within a public company or reporting issuer, as outlined in the CGPA Code of Professional Conduct, at any point during the calendar year:
   - Member of its board or similar governing body.
   - Member of its audit, finance, or analogous governance committee.
d. They adhere to CGPA Global Canada "Rules of Professional competence" as specified in the CGPA Code of Professional Conduct.

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*Gross Active Revenues encompass the cumulative income derived from both accounting and non-accounting sources, spanning employment, self-employment, and all other active revenue streams, whether acquired personally or via a business entity. Gross Active Revenues exclude Employment Insurance benefits, pension income, support payments, or disability income.

 

To assert eligibility for exemption from the Basic Requirements on an annual basis, members are encouraged to access CGPA's secure Online Services platform.

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10. Non-Residents of Canada

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For non-resident members of CGPA Global Canada residing outside Canada, who comply with CPD requirements enforced by a foreign accounting body aligned with the International Federation of Accountants' International Education Standard (and are members of such a body), the following applies: They only need to specify the jurisdiction where their membership is held in the annual CPD exemption declaration. All other non-resident members must report their CPD, differentiating between verifiable and unverifiable CPD hours.

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11. Special Circumstances

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Members seeking exemption from the minimum CPD requirement due to extenuating circumstances can submit a written request to the Membership Committee through CGPA's secure online services area. Members with medical conditions must attach CGPA's Medical Form, completed by their medical practitioner. It's important to note that "being too busy" is not considered a valid exemption reason. The Committee evaluates each request confidentially, making determinations based on the submitted information.

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12. CPD Validation

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Annually, CGPA Global Canada conducts sample verifications of CPD reports and exemption declarations for the preceding three-calendar-year period.

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13. Document Retention

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Members must retain documentation supporting their CPD activities for at least five years after the end of the reporting period. Supporting records need not be submitted unless requested.

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Verifiable CPD documentation should include:

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a. A description of the learning activity.
b. Identification of the activity provider, if applicable.
c. Evidence linking the member to the activity.
d. Date of the activity.
e. A basis for justifying the reported hours as reasonable.

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Examples of documentation include:

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- Certificates of completion or official transcripts.
- Confirmation of participation from the provider or employer (e.g., registration confirmation).
- Attendance records (e.g., sign-in sheets).
- Course assignments and exam results.
- Copies of course outlines/agendas.
- Copies of course payments/invoices.

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Members declaring eligibility for a CPD exemption may be asked to provide proof, which may include Gross Active Revenues. Failure to provide satisfactory proof upon request could lead to the revocation of the CPD exemption and potential referral to the Investigation Committee.

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14. Additional CPD Information

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New members admitted to CGPA Global Canada, formally distinguished as the CGPA must report CPD in the calendar year of admission. The CPD reporting year aligns with the calendar year, and there is no proration of CPD requirements in the admission year. CPD completed at any point during the calendar year qualifies for CPD credit. The first rolling three-calendar-year period commences in the year of admission.

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15. Competency Confirmation for Audit Licensees

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Practitioners applying for or renewing an Audit License are obligated to conduct an annual self-assessment and affirm that they have engaged in adequate and pertinent Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to cultivate and sustain professional competence essential for their role. This recent stipulation arises from the modifications to International Education Standard 8 (Revised) and CGPA's adoption of the standard, aligning with our commitment to upholding global standards.

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The primary aim of IES 8 (Revised) is to safeguard the public, enhance audit quality, elevate the performance of Engagement Partners, and bolster the credibility of the audit profession. IES 8 (Revised) requires that 'professional accountants occupying the role of an Engagement Partner must develop and uphold professional competence demonstrated through the accomplishment of specific learning outcomes.' For a comprehensive list of these learning outcomes and further details regarding this novel requirement, please refer to our Competency Confirmation for Audit Licensees webpage or visit the IFAC webpage as follows:

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IAESB-Guidance-for-IES-8-Questions-and-Answers-2_0.pdf (ifac.org)​