Federal government employees can now receive public sector financial management and strategic leadership training through a dual designation program developed by two international accounting bodies in consultation with the Office of the Comptroller General of Canada.
Candidates who successfully complete the program will receive a dual public finance management and professional accounting designation as a Certified Management Accountant and Chartered Public Finance Accountant from the Certified Management Accountants of Canada and the U.K.-based Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
The three-year program is being administered by CMA Canada. An executive "fast-track" program is also being put in place to enable senior-level financial management professionals to earn the dual designation at an accelerated rate, recognizing the experience of qualified candidates.
The first 25 candidates from government are now participating in the pilot program. The dual CMA/CPFA designation will be launched in September 2006.
One of the key initiatives identified for the Office of the Comptroller General when it was re-established in 2004 was to nurture and manage professional development of the financial management and internal audit communities, including establishing accreditation and certification standards and advising on the modules of the public service learning curriculum.
More information is available at CMA Canada's Web site,
