PACE

This advanced finance course provides an in-depth study of issues and tools that financial managers use in making decisions. Students learn to explore issues and make sound corporate financing decisions. Topics include financial markets and portfolio risk; capital budgeting under uncertainty; long-term sources of funds; capital structure and dividend policy; special financing and investment decisions; an introduction to the valuation of corporations; treasury risk management; futures, forwards, options, and swaps; financial planning; and long-term planning and strategic issues in finance.

Syllabus

Exemptions considered for fully qualified members of MRA eligible bodies. Advanced finance courses may lead to challenge exam eligibility. Any request for exemption should be supported by a detailed syllabus obtained from the academic institution or professional body

MS2 is an advanced course in analysis, design, and implementation of computer-based information systems. Presented from a strategic management perspective, it is intended for students looking to enhance skills in the role of IS/IT in strategic planning, competitive advantage, and business transformation; identifying systems requirements; the systems development life cycle and systems analysis; systems and process design; systems implementation, testing and support; Internet technologies, extranet and intranet; e-commerce and EDI; managing telecommunications and networks; IT operational and security issues; and the human side of IS change management.

Syllabus

Exemptions considered for fully qualified members of MRA eligible bodies. Advanced MIS courses may lead to challenge exam eligibility. Any request for exemption should be supported by a detailed syllabus obtained from the academic institution or professional body

This course covers objectives, concepts, principles, and techniques of internal auditing. Students who take MU1 will be well prepared to play a senior role in the internal auditing team of a private or public organization. Topics include the role of the internal auditor; types of audits; enterprise risk management; planning the internal audit; the examination phase of internal auditing; reporting audit observations and monitoring; the impact of information technology on internal auditing; internal audit of purchasing, human resources management, marketing, and financial management; and internal auditing in the public-sector and non-profit organizations. Computer software is used to illustrate concepts and offer students practical, hands-on experience.

Syllabus

Exemptions considered for fully qualified members of MRA eligible bodies. Advanced Internal Auditing courses may lead to challenge exam eligibility. Any request for exemption should be supported by a detailed syllabus obtained from the academic institution or professional body.

Public Sector Financial Management [PF1] is a comprehensive survey course that offers an overview of the public sector for accountants. The course deals with financial management concepts, methods, and standards in use in the public sector generally, and in the Canadian public sector more specifically. The focus is on the federal and provincial governments, although international issues are also covered. After completing PF1, students will be familiar with planning, control, and reporting in government. They will be able to review and analyze government annual reports and budget documents; critically analyze public-sector performance information; review, evaluate, and/or recommend cost management and control practices in public-sector enterprises; and identify and manage risk. PF1 integrates examples and assignments (including case studies) that require application of concepts.

Syllabus

Exemptions considered for fully qualified members of MRA eligible bodies. Advanced Public Sector Financial Management courses may lead to challenge exam eligibility. Any request for exemption should be supported by a detailed syllabus obtained from the academic institution or professional body.

This advanced course in taxation is designed to help strengthen problem-solving skills in the framework of professional practice. Topics covered include corporate reorganizations, tax planning, and the application of tax principles and concepts to complex tax situations of individuals, trusts, partnerships, and corporations. TX2 also covers shareholder benefits; transfer of property to corporations; corporate reorganizations; anti-avoidance and other rules; purchase or sale of a business; partnerships; death; trusts; and intra-family property transfers.

Syllabus

Only approved Canadian taxation courses can be considered for transfer credit, with TX2 exemptions still typically requiring a CGA Challenge Exam. Alternate arrangements may be available to those eligible for CGA membership under a Mutual Recognition Agreement.

This course offers in-depth coverage of the concepts and procedures of external auditing and other assurance engagements. Topics include the professional, legal, and ethical environment of analysing and assessing risk factors, planning and performing engagement, interpreting and documenting results. AU2 helps to develop competencies related to evaluating and advising on accounting policies and procedures, in accordance with professional standards, through tasks such as evaluating and reporting on internal control systems, computer-assisted auditing techniques, substantive testing and evidence. AU2 also covers audits for special circumstances such as consolidated financial statements, not-for-profit and public sector audits and introduces to some of the changes that the auditing profession is facing and the reasons for these changes.

Syllabus

Exemptions considered for fully qualified members of MRA eligible bodies. Advanced External Auditing (Assurance) courses may lead to challenge exam eligibility. Any request for exemption should be supported by a detailed syllabus obtained from the academic institution or professional body

PA1: Issues in Professional Practice is one of two professional applications capstone courses in the CGA Program of Professional Studies, taken once Level 4 and the career option courses have been completed. PA1 gives students valuable practice in demonstrating the professional competencies required of a newly certified CGA in preparation for the PA1 examination. PA1 presents an overview of issues in professional practice from the perspective of the accountant external to the organization providing business advisory services. The course emphasizes competencies from financial accounting, taxation, assurance, and ethics. Case studies give students an opportunity to integrate and apply knowledge acquired through the Education levels of the program. In addition, online discussion groups give students practice dealing with situations encountered by accounting professionals, and group project work develops competencies in communication, teamwork, and time management. The other professional applications capstone course is PA2: Strategic Financial Management. In PA2 issues are addressed from the perspective of the accountant internal to the organization.

Syllabus

Except through the provisions of a Mutual Recognition Agreement, this requirement must be taken through CGA or as part of an approved PPP program in Quebec.

PA2: Strategic Financial Management is one of two professional applications capstone courses in the CGA Program of Professional Studies, taken once Level 4 and the career option courses have been completed. PA2 gives students valuable practice in demonstrating the professional competencies required of a newly certified CGA in preparation for the PA2 examination. PA2 provides an overview of strategic financial management from the perspective of the financial manager internal to the organization. The course emphasizes competencies from financial accounting, management accounting, finance, and ethics. Case studies give students an opportunity to integrate and apply knowledge acquired through the Education levels of the program. In addition, online discussion groups offer practice dealing with situations encountered by accounting professionals, and group project work develops competencies in communication, teamwork, and time management. The other professional applications capstone course is PA1: Issues in Professional Practice. In PA1, issues are addressed from the perspective of the accountant external to the organization providing business advisory services.

Syllabus

Except through the provisions of a Mutual Recognition Agreement, this requirement must be taken through CGA or as part of an approved PPP program in Quebec.