Member Fees FAQs

You need to be a member in good standing with CPA Alberta to become a member of CPA Canada. You do not need to be a member of CPA Canada to be a member of CPA Alberta.

Membership in CPA Alberta is required to use your CPA designation and work as a CPA in Alberta. Membership in CPA Canada is completely optional.

CPA Alberta is the professional regulatory organization for CPAs in Alberta, with a legislated mandate to protect the public interest by educating and regulating the competency and ethical standards of CPAs.  Membership in CPA Alberta or another provincial CPA body is required to use the CPA designation in Canada.

CPA Canada is a member association that offers optional, non-regulatory services to CPAs, such as such as Pivot magazine, online community platforms and affinity programs. Membership in CPA Canada is not required to use the CPA designation in Canada.

Full vs Affiliate membership depends on where you reside. If you reside and work in Alberta, you are a full member of CPA Alberta. If you reside outside of Alberta and you are a member of a recognized accounting organization (that is, another provincial/territorial CPA regulatory body or an international accounting body), you can work in Alberta as an affiliate member of CPA Alberta.

The total fees for the year support the important work of a number of organizations. In addition to CPA Alberta, a portion of your total fees go to CPA Assist, the CPA Education Foundation, and CPA Canada to support national regulatory work, such as pre-certification education and standards setting. 

Previously, CPA Alberta collected a mandatory $400 per-member fee on behalf of CPA Canada to fund national regulatory activities, such as pre-certification education and standards setting. Under the new model, provincial bodies will fund these activities directly and will no longer collect fees on behalf of CPA Canada.

Instead, a portion of provincial dues will support pre-certification education and ensure continued support of standards and access to the CPA Canada Handbook. This funding model change will be reflected in a revised fee schedule, which will be communicated as part of the 2026/27 dues cycle.

CPA Alberta takes responsible stewardship of members' contributions very seriously. The fees reflect allow CPA Alberta and related organizations to meet their mandates while providing Alberta CPAs with the services they value—a wider range than ever before—and solidifying the long-term health of the profession.

These initiatives help ensure that Alberta CPAs have the support they need throughout their careers to meet their responsibilities to those they serve, ensuring the continued excellent reputation of the CPA profession.

Yes. You may be eligible for a fee reduction if you do not anticipate being gainfully employed for the current calendar year, such that gross active earnings from all types of employment, business, real estate rentals, professional corporations and directors’ fees from both accounting and non-accounting related sources will not exceed $40,000.

Examples of income included in Gross Active Earnings:

• Employment Income
• Business income: Gross income reported on a T2125 - Statement of Business or Professional Activities, including line 5A from partnership income from a T5013 slip;
• Rental income: Gross rental income reported on Rental Income line of the T1.

Examples of income not included in Gross Active Earnings:

• Employment insurance (EI) benefits: Reported on a T4E slip;
• Long term disability benefits: Reported in Box 40 of a T4 slip;
• Eligible and non-eligible retiring allowances: Reported in boxes 66-69 of a T4 slip;
• Pension income: Reported on lines 11500 and 11600 of the T1 and box 16 of a T4RSP slip;
• Investment income: Dividend income (not derived from active practice from a member through a professional corporation), interest and other investment income reported on line 12100 and taxable capital gains reported on line 12700 of the T1.

Fee reductions that may be applied for are as follows:

• Partial Waiver (75% reduction) – A member who is not gainfully employed, such that gross active earnings does not exceed $40,000, will be eligible for a 75% reduction of membership fees. Reduced gross active earnings may be a result of, but not limited to, parental leave, leave to care for a family member, or medical leave. Any member who is eligible for this reduction may be required to provide proof of eligibility to CPA Alberta upon request. Member must apply annually and eligibility is assessed by CPA Alberta on a yearly basis. A member will only be eligible to receive five (5) partial reductions of member fees under this section in their lifetime, starting membership year 2018 (excluding 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19).
  
  
• Full Waiver (100% reduction) – A member who is permanently withdrawn from gainful employment, such that gross active earnings are nil, will be eligible for a 100% reduction of membership fees. Permanent withdrawal from gainful employment may be a result of, but not limited to, medical leave, or full time retirement with no intention to actively pursue further employment opportunities. Any member who is eligible for this reduction may be required to provide proof of eligibility to CPA Alberta upon request.
  
  

The Membership Fee Reduction Request Form must be submitted in order to apply for a fee reduction.

CPA Alberta fees may also vary based on membership status (see What is the difference between Prime, Non-Prime, Full and Affiliate Membership? above).

As well, there is an option for fee deferral. You may be eligible for a fee deferral if you are able to demonstrate short-term inability to pay your membership fees by May 31. This inability may be a result of, but not limited to, temporary unemployment or layoff, where you expect to find employment within the year.

The Membership Fee Deferral Request Form must be submitted in order to apply for a fee deferral.

Yes. You may be eligible for a fee deferral if you are able to demonstrate short-term inability to pay your membership fees by May 31. This inability may be a result of, but not limited to, temporary unemployment or layoff, where you expect to find employment within the year.

The Membership Fee Deferral Request Form must be submitted in order to apply for a fee deferral. If the deferral is granted, fees will then be due by September 30.

No, the 100% fee waiver is for a permanent withdrawal from the workforce. However, if you are planning to return to work after your maternity leave and will make less than $40,000, you will qualify for the 75% reduction.

Some fee reductions or exemptions that were specific to legacy bodies have changed; however, the vast majority of these prior reductions now fit into the two CPA Alberta broad reduction categories:

• If you are not making more than $40,000 in active earnings, you qualify for the 75% reduction.
• If you are retired and do not have any income other than from investments or pension, you are eligible for the 100% reduction.

If you request a reduction and your situation changes, you must contact CPA Alberta.