I attended the special CPA Canada members meeting where members have voted for a new governance structure that will change how every CPA in Canada connects with the national body. The shift takes effect April 1, 2026, and it moves the profession from a provincially routed model to a more direct national relationship.
For CPA students, this means that you’re entering the profession at a time when its structure is changing. In this blog post, I’ll break down each part so you can plan ahead.
[Further reading: The New 2027 CPA Professional Program]
What this means for your future membership
Members voted in favour of allowing all CPAs across the country to become direct members of CPA Canada. This marks a full transition toward a model where the national body has a direct relationship with individual CPAs, instead of relying on the provincial/territorial bodies as intermediaries.
The national CPA body wants a clearer connection with each CPA. Whether this improves things or not is something we’ll see over time but the structure is changing and you should understand the direction the profession is moving in.
Until March 31, 2026, nothing changes. CPAs remain part of CPA Canada through their provincial or territorial regulator.
After April 1, 2026, the connection to the national body continues but membership in CPA Canada becomes an individual choice. Instead of automatic membership through your province, you’ll be able to apply directly.
Students in Ontario and Quebec should note that existing CPA Canada subscribers will automatically become full members as of April 1, gaining voting rights and other benefits for the remainder of their subscription term.
Your exams, designation and mobility
Your CPA letters, your rights and your mobility across provinces stay the same. These governance updates don’t change recognition of the designation. National mobility remains a priority and CPA Canada says that it will continue coordinating with provinces to protect that.
There is no impact on the CPA exams. The exams are the same no matter what province you’re located.
How this may affect your fees
Fees will shift from being collected through provincial bodies to being collected directly by CPA Canada. The intention is to create more transparency about what you pay for and what you receive. Details on pricing haven’t been released yet.
Who qualifies to join CPA Canada under the new model
Starting April 1, 2026, any CPA in good standing will remain part of the national body and can apply to become a member of CPA Canada.
Good standing with your provincial body remains a requirement. The difference is that joining CPA Canada becomes optional and no longer automatic.
Once students become a CPA, membership with province is still mandatory but membership with CPA Canada becomes a personal decision. I recommend to get the membership with CPA Canada to gain access to the resources noted below.
How to join CPA Canada
In early 2026, CPA Canada will release the direct membership process. It’s expected to offer flexible options that reflect the varied needs of CPAs working in industry, firms or solo practice. More info to come in 2026.
What CPA Canada will offer
The new membership model focuses on delivering tools, guidance and resources that CPAs can use in their day-to-day work. It includes:
- Custom approach with options based on your individual needs
- National resources, firm tools, community platforms like Tax 360 and internationally aligned PD
- A stronger individual voice through voting rights, audited financial statement access and board elections
This means the national body wants CPAs to choose their involvement. The offering will be customizable, and you will have more direct influence than before.
Why the changes are happening now
The Collaboration Accord between CPA Canada and the provincial bodies ends on April 1, 2026. CPA Canada is updating its governance documents consolidating to one class of members and shifting board election rights to individual CPAs.
This is being positioned as aligning governance with best practices. The changes were coordinated between CPA Canada and the remaining provincial and territorial bodies. Those bodies voted unanimously to support the governance amendments before the Nov. 21 member vote.
The model is meant to give CPA Canada a more defined role as serving members. Provincial bodies will continue regulating, licensing and enforcing standards.
What to expect
This is a major signal that the national structure is evolving, aligning with the changes we’ve seen in the New 2027 CPA Professional Program.
As you continue on your journey towards your CPA designation, reach out to the Gevorg team for educational support.
