CPA Canada Dues and Membership Changes
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
On January 15, 2026, CPA Canada issued information respecting its new membership model. This was expected given the previously announced administrative and governance changes involving CPA Canada and the provincial and territorial CPA bodies (PTBs), which will take effect on April 1, 2026.
Your current CPA Canada membership will continue until April 1, 2026. After that date, membership with CPA Canada will become voluntary. If you wish to continue as a CPA Canada member, you will need to register directly with CPA Canada, as outlined in their email communication. It is important to note that CPA Canada is not a regulatory body and does not regulate CPAs.
CPA NB Membership Dues
Under the previous model, provincial bodies collected a mandatory $400 fee on behalf of CPA Canada to fund certain national activities, including standards setting. Under the new model, PTBs will no longer collect membership fees on behalf of CPA Canada.
Instead, provincial dues will include a fee portion that provides funding directly from CPANB to CPA Canada to ensure continued access to standards and guidance materials for members, and the existing precertification program during the transition period.
This funding model change will be reflected in a revised fee schedule, which will be communicated as part of the 2026/27 dues cycle in the coming days.
CPA NB's Regulatory Role
CPA NB will continue to fulfill its primary mandate of protecting the public interest by upholding high professional and ethical standards, while supporting members with services that enable them to carry out this responsibility effectively.
To continue using the CPA designation, you must maintain your provincial membership with CPA NB. Membership in CPA Canada does not permit use of the CPA designation. Going forward, individuals must maintain active CPA membership with their provincial body as a requirement of becoming a CPA Canada member under the new governance framework.
The governance and funding changes will not affect the regulation of the profession or your provincial obligations as a CPA. Members will continue to have access to the CPA Canada Handbook and applicable standards.
CPA Mobility
Your CPA designation, rights, and privileges are derived from your continued membership with CPANB, regardless of whether you choose to hold CPA Canada membership. This includes eligibility to seek registration in other provincial and territorial CPA bodies for inter provincial mobility.
All of the PTBs, including CPA Ontario and CPA Québec, will continue to collaborate and remain aligned on education and standards setting – responsibilities that have always been part of their regulatory mandate. Protecting the public interest remains central to these efforts.
Your CPA designation and regulatory obligations remain with CPA NB. CPA Canada membership becomes optional as of April 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Am I still a CPA Canada member today?
Yes. Your current CPA Canada membership continues until April 1, 2026.
2. Is CPA Canada a regulator?
No. CPA Canada does not regulate CPAs. Regulation of the profession remains the responsibility of CPA NB and other provincial and territorial CPA bodies.
3. What happens on April 1, 2026?
CPA Canada membership becomes voluntary. Members who wish to continue must register and pay dues directly to CPA Canada and provincial bodies will no longer collect CPA Canada membership dues. CPA NB will continue to collect provincial annual dues directly from members, with the next cycle beginning April 1, 2026.
4. Will CPA NB's membership dues change?
Yes. Provincial dues will include a fee portion that provides funding directly from CPA NB to CPA Canada to ensure continued access to CPA Canada standards and guidance materials for members, and the existing precertification program during the transition. A revised fee schedule is shared on CPA NB's website as part of the 2026/27 dues cycle.
5. Does CPA NB's regulatory role change?
No. CPA NB will continue to regulate the profession in NB, enforce professional and ethical standards, and protect the public interest.
6. Do I need to be a member of CPA NB to use the CPA designation?
Yes. To use the CPA designation, you must maintain active membership with CPA NB. You do not need to be a member of CPA Canada to use the CPA designation. CPA Canada membership alone does not permit use of the designation.
7. Will provincial CPA bodies still work together nationally?
Yes. Provincial and territorial CPA bodies will continue to collaborate on education and standards, with public interest protection at the core of this work. For example, the Provincial and territorial CPA bodies will ensure common standards for admission into the profession across Canada.
8. Will I still have access to the CPA Canada Handbook and standards (licenced content)?
Yes. Members will continue to have access to the CPA Canada Handbook and applicable standards for personal education use and personal professional use, including:
Core standards and guidance
- CPA Canada Handbook – Accounting
- CPA Canada Handbook – Assurance
- CPA Canada Public Sector Accounting Handbook
- CPA Canada Handbook – Sustainability
- Related interpretations, illustrative examples, and bases for conclusions
Education and certification materials
- CPA Competency Map
- CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) materials
- Examination frameworks, sample cases, and evaluation guides
- Certification and practical experience guidance
Standards related support materials
- Non authoritative guidance that supports the application of CPA standards
- Educational and explanatory materials tied to the standards
9. Do all CPAs within my organization need to have a membership with CPA Canada, or can they share information and resources with others?
CPAs need to sign up individually, and information and memberships cannot be shared.
10. Will CPA NB continue offering the member services and support we need today?
Yes. In alignment with CPA NB’s primary mandate of protecting the public interest and its 5 years strategic plan, CPA NB will continue to deliver the full range of services and supports that members have come to expect. These offerings play an essential role in enabling members to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards.