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Frequently Asked Questions – Do I have to become a CPA member in Quebec?

You are a CPA member from a different province than Quebec, a Canadian territory or Bermuda, and you are not sure if you need to obtain or keep the Quebec CPA designation? Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), which were developed in collaboration with CPA organizations in other Canadian provinces and territories and Bermuda.

These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)¹ are intended to provide general guidance for when registration as a member with the Quebec CPA Order is required.

when do i have to become a cpa member in Quebec?

In general, in Canada, registration as a member with the Provincial CPA Body(ies)² is required in every Province² where you use the CPA designation. Registration as a member in your Province of residence is required in some provinces.

Q1 | I am registered as a member of Province A (e.g. Ontario), am I able to use the CPA designation in Quebec without registering as a member in Quebec?

No, if you use the CPA designation in Quebec, you must be registered as a member in this province. The CPA profession is regulated provincially, and failure to register would be in contravention of provincial law.

Q2 | When am I considered to be using the CPA designation in Quebec?

In general, you are considered to be using the CPA designation in Quebec when you represent or imply that you are entitled to use the CPA designation in Quebec. Examples include, but are not limited to:

You work in Quebec (physically or remotely from Quebec or outside Quebec).
You use an address in Quebec on your business cards or letterhead (hard copy or electronic), e-mail signature, website, social media, etc.
You are involved in the community in Quebec such as serving on a volunteer board, etc.

If you use the CPA designation in Quebec, you must be registered as a member of the Quebec CPA Order.

Q3 | Am I able to tag my Province of registration to my designation? For example, “Chris Doe, CPA (New Brunswick).”

No, tagging the Province is not permitted.

Q4 | I am registered as a member with the Provincial CPA Body of Province A (e.g. Alberta) and I visit occasionally the province of Quebec for the purpose of making presentations, attending meetings and conferences. Am I required to register as a member in Province B?

In general, no. You are not required to register as a member in Quebec if you are visiting this province for the purpose of making presentations, attending meetings and conferences (see also public practice questions 8 & 9 below). While you may describe yourself as being a CPA member of Province A (e.g. Alberta), you must not represent or imply that you are a member in Quebec.

Q5 | I live in Province A (e.g. British Columbia); however, I work remotely for an organization located in Quebec. Where do I register as a member?

Register as a member with the Quebec CPA Order. If Province A (e.g. British Columbia) deems that you are using the CPA designation in your Province of residence, you must also register in that Province (see FAQ 1 and 2).

Q6 | I live in Province A; however, I work remotely for an organization that has no physical (bricks and mortar) office anywhere. Where do I register as a member?

Register as a member with the Provincial CPA Body in Province A and in every province where you are using the CPA designation (see FAQ 1 and 2).

Q7 | I live and work abroad (outside of Canada and Bermuda), what do I need to do to retain my CPA designation?

To retain your CPA designation, you must maintain your membership in at least one Provincial CPA Body. You should also contact the international accounting regulatory body where you live/work to determine the registration requirements of that jurisdiction.

I practice public accountancy OR provide CPA services to third parties. Which requirements apply to me?

For more information about the requirements for obtaining the right to practice public accountancy or for providing CPA services to third parties in Quebec, please contact us by email at sep@cpaquebec.ca.

Q8 | I am an Engagement Lead offering/providing services to clients in multiple Provinces. The term “Lead” refers to a CPA who works in a firm (a partner, an employee who holds an equivalent rank to a partner or anyone who has been granted signing authority) and is in charge of an engagement. Where do I register as a member?

If you provide public accountancy services, make sure that you have a public accountancy permit or the appropriate license for the province concerned, whenever required for the engagement.

Q9 | I am an employee (not an Engagement Lead) of a firm offering/providing services to clients in multiple Provinces. Where do I register as a member?

In general, registration as a member is required with the Provincial CPA Body in every Province where you are using the CPA designation (see FAQ 1 and 2).

If your assignment for a client in another Province (physically or remotely) is temporary, contact the Provincial CPA Body where your client is located to confirm member registration requirements.

I am a CPA member in Quebec. which requirements apply to me in other Canadian provinces or territories, or in Bermuda?

You must directly contact the CPA body where you work, reside or provide services to find out which rules apply to you.

To learn more about how to use your CPA designation in Quebec, visit the Designation page (in French only).

Becoming a CPA member in Quebec

Visit the Becoming a member of the Quebec CPA Order by affiliation web page for more details.

Questions?

If you have questions about when you are required to be a CPA member in Quebec, contact us by email at sep@cpaquebec.ca.

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¹ Published as of May 2023
² Reference herein to “Provincial CPA Body” and “Province” include the CPA bodies and provinces in each of the ten Canadian provinces as well as CPA Yukon, CPA Northwest Territories/Nunavut and CPA Bermuda.