Specialty Designations

At BDO, our commitment to your career development is a significant part of our firm’s culture. Specialist certification programs have an important role to play in the accounting profession; they aim to attract potential CAs to a particular practice area, providing a roadmap to pursue specific interests and be recognized for specialty knowledge. CA-designated specialists possess the attributes of a CA, combined with the in-depth experience of a specific technical area. The CA-designated specialist acquires a competitive advantage with increased marketability and value from a rigorous, objective, and profession-endorsed certification process that attests to the individual's skills and experience.

BDO encourages your professional development both inside and outside the firm.

CA•CBV: Chartered Business Valuator

The CBV designation, granted by The Canadian Institute of Chartered Business Valuators, is the premier credential for professional business valuators in Canada. CBVs are nationally recognized financial professionals who provide business valuation expertise in the areas of compliance, disputes and corporate finance.

CBVs have the ability to determine the value of tangible and intangible assets of a business or its securities, including brand and intellectual property.

For further details, visit: www.cicbv.ca.

CA•IFA: CA-designated Investigative and Forensic Accountants

This CA-designated specialist has the integrity, business knowledge and financial acumen of a Chartered Accountant, combined with in-depth knowledge and experience in investigative and forensic accounting. The profession-endorsed certification process for this designation requires ongoing experience and education.

The CA•IFA indicates to litigation lawyers, law enforcement professionals, the courts and other legal forums that the designated holder can effectively practice in areas such as fraud and economic loss quantification, including:

• investigating and analyzing financial evidence;
• testifying as an expert witness;
• becoming involved in criminal investigations and uncovering financial evidence in employee or insurance fraud cases; and
• investigating in the rapidly evolving area of computer and Internet fraud.

For further details, visit: www.cica.ca.

CFE: Certified Fraud Examiner

A CFE is a specialist who is educated and trained in the detection and deterrence of a wide variety of white-collar crimes. All CFEs must meet the rigorous criteria for admission to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Thereafter, they must exemplify the highest moral and ethical standards, including abiding by the association's Code of Ethics.

For further details, visit: www.acfetoronto.ca/faq.php.

CA•CISA: Certified Information Systems Auditor

Since 1978, the CISA program has been the globally accepted standard of achievement in the information systems audit, control and security field. Earning the CISA designation helps assure one’s reputation as a qualified IS audit, control and/or security professional. Since the CISA program certifies individuals who demonstrate proficiency in today's most sought-after skills, employers prefer to hire those who have this designation. More than 60,000 individuals worldwide have earned the highly respected CISA designation, including over 2,400 in Canada.

To earn the CISA designation, a CA must:

• pass ISACA®'s four-hour examination, held each year in June and December;
• provide evidence of two years of experience in information systems auditing, control or security work (if one year of financial statement or other audit, control or security related experience has been attained); and
• abide by ISACA®'s Code of Ethics.

For further details, visit: www.cica.ca.

CA•CIA: Certified Internal Auditor

Established in 1974, the rigorous professional standards and Code of Ethics of IIA have made the CIA designation a highly respected and internationally recognized designation for internal auditors. The program's formal admission and maintenance criteria includes a demanding series of four 3½-hour examinations and appropriate experience that, together, make the designation valuable in the marketplace. There are now more than 40,000 CIAs worldwide.

To earn the CIA designation, a CA must:

• abide by the IIA's Code of Ethics;
• provide a character reference;
• obtain two years of experience in internal audit or its equivalent;
• successfully pass (i.e. achieve a minimum grade of 75%) a series of three 3½-hour examinations in governance, risk and control, the internal audit engagement, and business analysis and information technology (CAs are exempt from the program's fourth exam in business management skills); and
• possess a valid membership in the IIA.

For further details, visit: www.cica.ca.

CA•CIRP: Chartered Insolvency and Restructuring Professional

The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) and the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals (CAIRP) agreed upon accrediting CA•CIRP as the only designation to be recognized as a “CA-designated specialist in insolvency and restructuring.”

CAs who are also CIRPs and want to describe themselves as the above, using the CA•CIRP symbol, must register with their Provincial Institute(s), which is free. A member must file a declaration that he/she continues to devote a significant amount of time to the specialty and continues professional development relevant to the specialty. (In Quebec, government regulations currently prevent members from describing themselves as specialists and using the designation style CA•CIRP.)

For further details, visit: www.cica.ca.

Trustee in Bankruptcy

A Trustee in Bankruptcy is licensed by the Superintendent of Bankruptcy to administer proposals and bankruptcies and manage assets held in trust. The Trustee can give a debtor information and advice about the proposal and bankruptcy processes and ensure that both the debtor's and the creditor's rights are respected. The Trustee is in the unique position of acting for all parties in administering a bankruptcy.

A Trustee in Bankruptcy can also provide debt counseling, negotiate settlement agreements and help make a proposal to creditors to consolidate debt and avoid bankruptcy.

For further details, visit: www.ic.gc.ca.

CA•IT: Information Technology

A CA•IT applies business acumen, strategic insight, and a thorough understanding of IT to help organizations succeed. Offered through the CA profession’s Alliance for Excellence in Information Technology (IT Alliance), this new CA-only program is aimed at individuals who provide the critical link between technology and management. The program requires candidates to demonstrate experience in the field and complete an education program that covers all of the IT Alliance’s competencies.