CA, CGA and CMA merger shenanigans drag on
While Ontario's successful writers of the 2011 UFE prepare to party at the Westin Harbor Castle, the Globe offers its takes on the ongoing merger saga.
Alberta's CAs recently decided to back out of the merger talks, while Ontario drives on towards June's non-binding vote.
Much whinging has alreadyeen expressed about the pros and cons about the idea of merging Canada's three major accounting designations. Talk to people studying in the various programs and you'll get an earful about the different hoops the students have to jump through to qualify for their respective designations. The CGAs and CMAs have tough programs, but most of them will point out that the CAs set their bar even higher, particularly in terms of pre-requisties to be admitted to the program, in both marks and course requirements. The barriers to entry have shifted over time, but they're still a relevant factor to consider.
Is it fair to let everyone to use the same credentials if they represent very different practices?
What makes the entire situation more curious is the fact that the proposed solution would have everyone use both a new "Canadian CPA" designation alongside their "old" designation for at least ten years or so, which arguably makes things even more confusing. I suppose the counterargument is that in 2025 things will be ever so straightforward!
Short-term shenanigans aside, it does seem curious to be held hostage to the decisions made by rival bodies of professionals 50 to 100 years ago, while this country was still evolving and solidifying how doctors and other professionals regulate themselves.
If you've been privy to the subtle drama that's been boiling, it does seem like better communications could have made the process a lot smoother. I've seen a very detailed survey come out gauging my "mood" about the merger talks - but it only arose after the powers that be thought that they had arranged a fait accompli, only to be presented with the CA equivalent of a Large Angry Mob.
And of course this is a sign of an organization engaging in some damage control, trying to recover control of an agenda which was assaulted by a grassroots resistance to change. I've always found it amusing to see young people serving as the vanguard of reactionaries - but I guess that's a Thing. You can learn more about the Party Line at the "unification microsite", which as usual, speaks to an organization that has a weird relationship with the internet. It's such a bizarre webpage I'll devote another discussion just to that.
With all this protesting and opposition you'd be forgiven for thinking you had stumbled upon a strike at the gates of the Parthenon.