CPA Canada CFF Credential Pathway and Requirements
The CFF credential is granted exclusively to professional accountants (as deemed by a governing body) who demonstrate considerable expertise in forensic accounting through their knowledge, skills, and experience. As of April 1, 2017, CPA Canada members are required to write an exam to obtain the CFF credential. The exam is available now, and any questions may be submitted to cff@aicpa.org.
CFF credential holders apply fundamental and specialized forensic accounting skills in a variety of service areas, including: bankruptcy and insolvency; computer forensic analysis; family law; valuations; fraud prevention, detection, and response; financial statement misrepresentation; and economic damages calculations.
Get started on the pathway to the CFF credential below.
Requirements
1. Maintain CPA Canada membership in good standing.2. Be a CPA in good standing as defined by CPA Canada.
3. Pass the CFF exam and meet the minimum business experience and education requirements. The business experience and education requirements must have been completed within 5 years of applying for the CFF credential.
4. Complete the CFF credential application and pay the respective credential fee of $500.
5. Sign a Declaration of Intent to comply with the CFF recertification requirements.
Pathway to the CFF Credential
Learning Requirements
A CFF credential candidate must have a minimum of 75 hours of CFF related continuing professional development (CPD) within the 5-year period preceding the date of the credential application. Credential candidates that earn their Master of Forensic Accounting from the University of Toronto within 5-years of applying for the credential satisfy the CFF Credential Education requirements and are provided access to sit for the CFF Credential Examination upon completion of their degree requirements.
The following categories of education are eligible:
- Continuing Professional Education (CPE): Formal programs of learning in self-study or group-study format in topics relevant to the CFF body of knowledge
- Approved Courses at an Accredited University or College: University or college courses taken in topics relevant to the CFF body of knowledge
- Presenting: Instructors receive credit for preparation and presentation of CPE or college credit courses on topics within the CFF body of knowledge
- Authoring: Writers of published articles, books or CPE programs in topics related to the CFF body of knowledge will be given credit for their research and writing time if this time increases professional competence
- Unstructured Learning: May include activities such as coaching, mentoring, peer-to-peer learning and on-the-job training. These expanded opportunities allow you to develop professional competencies necessary to support continued success in your area of specialization.
Pass the CFF Exam
Candidates register and pass the CFF exam. The exam is a 4 hour, computer-based, non-disclosed exam. Learn more about the exam and how to prepare for it. Terms and Conditions
Gain Experience
There are two ways a CFF credential candidate may successfully fulfill the business experience requirement:
1. A CFF credential candidate must have a minimum of 1,000 hours of CFF related experience within the five-year period preceding the date of the CPA credential application.
2. For candidates in academia, a qualified credential holder would be a full-time professor and have taught at least four accredited college courses, with 50% of the material included in the CFF Content Specification Outline.
Apply for the Credential
Met all of the requirements? You’re ready to apply today!
