Who is going for a CGA/CMA over a CA?

[Nuprapture]

I'm a commerce student at UTM going for my B.Comm in the new Accounting Specialist program. This program allows you to write your CKE exams for a CA stream straight out of university. I've spoken to a large amount of students who are going for CA's, but how many of you out there are going for a CGA or a CMA over the CA designation? I know different people have different goals, but why are you going for a CGA or CMA? (I really do want to know)

[ah_long]

i'm goin for a CMA or CFA..
coz i couldn't get into the PA program in waterloo..so no CA for me...

[Moberator]

i'm goin for a CMA or CFA..
coz i couldn't get into the PA program in waterloo..so no CA for me...

[Nuprapture]

You guys that are going for the CGA, what attracts you more to the CGA than the CA? is it the length and tediousness of the preparation for it? I run the info sessions for our school and it's interesting to hear why someone prefers one designation over another.

[weedb0y]

saving time with CGA..you can do CGA while doing your degree.. you just need to be done with your degree before your complete your CGA.

My brother is on level II now and he's 3rd year at UTM Economics

[ZeroAquaduct]

Great poll, Nuprapture!

I first wanted to get a CA, but now I'm leaning towards a CGA.

My goal is to be an analyst or a portfolio manager. Because of that, I went into the BA in Economics program, with the plan to go into the Diploma of Accounting program afterwards and then the CFA program. With the Diploma in Accounting, I would get a CA later on. This setup gives me a good background in all 3 areas: economics, accounting, and finance.

However, ever since speaking to many investment professionals for the past 2 years, most of them think that getting a CA is overkill if I'm planning to go into investments. Most of them recommend that a CGA is adequate for my "accounting training," and that I'm better off spending the extra effort towards a CPA and/or MBA.

Because of this, I think a CGA might be better for me instead of a CA. They make a valid point: as a CA, I'll be an expert in auditing and tax. However, that expertise would not help me be a better analyst or portfolio manager. Whether I know how to meet my audit objectives or make the proper tax deductions wouldn't add much value to my career. From an accounting perspective, all I need is to read financial statements properly, and a CGA will do that.

I might end up getting a CPA as well. I don't know if that'll help me meet the minimum requirements to go to a large financial centre in the USA, or would I need to be a "CPA who got his accounting training from an Ivy League school." I wonder if non-Ivy League CPAs, CPAs in Canada, or CPA-equivalents (e.g., CAs) would stand a chance in big American firms.

[trusoulja2g]

Whoa...I got in trouble last week for stirring this pot. This is a pretty controversial topic.

[Bradjar]

I looked long and hard at the CMA program last year, but went for an MBA with a finance concentration instead (I already have an UG degree, an HBA)