About
FAQ
How do I know if what I’m doing qualifies for CPLD credit?
CPLD includes any subject matter that will directly contribute to the enhancement of your business and professional competency. This includes subjects other than professional accounting, such as leadership, managing change, decision and problem solving, IT and financial management. YOU choose what topics or subjects you need to pursue to enhance YOUR career as a financial and strategic management professional, given YOUR personal career path and current career stage. If the activity chosen is at a high enough level to enhance a CMA’s professional skills and abilities, then it qualifies as CPLD. Members should use their professional judgement to ensure that the CPLD activities undertaken support their career development.
In what format should CPLD be taken?
The relative merits of the different types of learning vary according to the needs of the individual and of the subject matter involved. For example, new developments or legislation can often be effectively and speedily learned through courses prepared by a few experts. When subsequently published, the material can often be as well learned from a pamphlet, textbook, or over the internet. Some subjects require tutorial guidance and participatory exercises if they are to be efficiently absorbed. Others can be more readily acquired through personal study. Personal study is often achieved in the course of carrying out technical research.
I don’t live or work in a major urban area, and find it difficult to find relevant CPLD activities. What options are available to me?
CMA Canada – British Columbia is committed to assisting all members with gaining access to relevant CPLD activities. For those living outside of major urban centres, we suggest that you investigate on-line learning opportunities. These are available from a number of sources, and qualify equally for CPLD credits. Check CMA Canada’s website for no charge on-line courses (http://www.cma-canada.org – Courses & Conferences – On-line Courses – no charge). As well, you can complete your CPLD requirements using reading and research, or by taking distance-education courses from an accredited institution or professional association.
What records do I need to keep for verification purposes?
Substantiating records that should be maintained would include receipts or transcripts from courses, event programs, a list of volunteer roles, and copies of any instructional materials or presentations that you had prepared, etc.
How will I know how many credits to give for reading? Where can I find appropriate reading material?
Track the hours needed to read the material and enter the hours (1 hour to 1 credit). As there is a cap on this category, you will not be able to achieve the required credits through this learning category alone. There is a virtual library on the national web site available at no charge for all members to download at http://www.cma-slp.com/onlinelibrary/login.html.
I work in sales and marketing and do not currently use my accounting training. Do I have to take more accounting courses?
It is not necessary for the learning activity to focus on accounting/finance subjects. Any activity which can be shown to increase your business and professional competency would be considered eligible.
I work in a bilingual environment and by improving my French, I will improve my opportunities within the organization and the community. Would this qualify?
Yes, language training such as this would be eligible for CPLD credits.
I am required to present quarterly to our board. Are these presentations eligible?
The activities which you regularly undertake at work (e.g. client presentation, research and analysis, reporting to the board) are not eligible for CPLD credits. While as CFO, board presentations would not qualify, activities on a volunteer board or fund-raising committee would.
If I am responsible for an instructional role within my company, does this qualify for CPLD credit?
Yes, but the instructional role should be one where your skills as a CMA are being employed in formal instructional or presentation roles to deliver new content to fellow professionals or company staff. For example, this would include roles where you were asked to develop and/or deliver instruction on new company financial or HR policies, or strategic management processes. However, this would NOT include regular corporate meetings where you might simply play a lead role in presenting day-to-day business information, or are carrying out an assigned task with a work team.
Preparation of articles and instructional materials includes those articles that will be published electronically, including those within corporate intranet systems.
What volunteer roles qualify for CPLD credit – am I restricted to serving as treasurer? Would my coaching role with a sports team count?
CMA Canada – British Columbia encourages members to gain professionally relevant volunteer experience while actively contributing to their community agency of choice. This includes service as a board member, service as a volunteer in a relevant leadership role (e.g. programs, or a special task force), or in a financial function. If you are performing a coaching role with a sports organization, this would count for CPLD credit so long as you are engaged as the lead coach, and are simultaneously pursuing active learning about enhancing your coaching role (for example, taking a coaching certification through the sports program you are serving). Generally speaking, coaching of a regular “little league” team will not count. Coaching of “special needs” teams may count. All volunteer Board work related to sport leagues will count.
Do you have any information on what the appropriate career progression model should be for a Society member in order for me to better plan my CPLD progression?
Click here for a sample career progression model.