Advice please. CGA vs CMA

[cmrocks]

Hey,

I was wondering if anyone here could shed some light on the subject of accounting. I have one year left for my BSc in geology. My Dad is involved in the drilling industry and I've been working with him every summer for the past 5 years. My interest is mostly in grassroots exploration and working with small junior companies.

With that being said, I know already that I don't really want to work as a field geologist. I'd much rather take my knowledge of geology and drilling and leverage that into a different position within a junior exploration company. I think the financial end of things would interest me.

I'd like to work towards either a CGA or CMA designation once I'm finished my degree. Which will offer more practical skills?

 

[unjung]

Speaking as a former recruiter in Canada and someone who has some knowledge of the oil and gas industry, I would lean heavily towards the CMA. Keep in mind that you need to complete hours for a CMA in an appropriate position. I don't know if the same applies for CGA (but it still wouldn't affect my decision).

 

[snuffy]

I worked in mining. Given the choice of the two, definately CMA. The CGA is great, but its geared more towards working in the accounting department. THe CMA is more versatile.

Have you looked into the CFA? It would set you up for some type of corporate development/ merger acquistion position. I would take the CFA over CMA, CGA.

 

[FidelCashflow]

A CMA commands a helluva lot more respect than a CGA in management positions. From what I've seen there's an invisible sign in management that says "No admission beyond this point" for CGA's. If you want to work in oil and gas, the chances of ending up in Alberta are pretty good, and the perception gap between CGA's and CMA's is especially pronounced here.

Originally Posted by snuffy

Have you looked into the CFA? It would set you up for some type of corporate development/ merger acquistion position. I would take the CFA over CMA, CGA.
CFA is far better than a CGA, CMA, or even CA... but it's also exponentially harder to obtain. I've never heard of anyone seriously contemplating a CGA and CFA at the same time.

 

[micbain]

Originally Posted by FidelCashflow

A CMA commands a helluva lot more respect than a CGA in management positions. A CFA is better than all of them if you're intent on moving into upper management quickly, but the difficulty is exponentially higher than a CGA, CMA, or even a CA

I think the CFA is overrated and doesn't open as many doors as people think.

 

[micbain]

Also... in the canadian corporate environment, I would shoot for the CA over the CGA/CMA.

 

[FidelCashflow]

Originally Posted by micbain

I would shoot for the CA over the CGA/CMA.

That's a given. But at the same time, this guy wants to work for grassroots small exploration companies. Maybe spending a few years in public practice first isn't for him. Somehow I don't think that small mom and pop shops would be as obsessed as major producers over designations.

But if you want to work for the big players, I know many of them have ads that say "Looking for a CA with x years of Big4 experience"

 

[JoelF]

What the heck are these things? Must be Canadian. Amazing the **** people discuss on SF.

 

[FidelCashflow]

Originally Posted by JoelF

What the heck are these things? Must be Canadian. Amazing the **** people discuss on SF.

For you Yank's a CA = CPA. I have no idea WTF the rest are equivalent to.