The CICA is establishing education-focused specialist certification programs that will accredit CA-designated specialists. These programs offer exciting career opportunities and enhance the accounting profession. The programs offer professional excellence to the public and further the values and principles that have earned the accounting profession its reputation for competence, independence and integrity.

The Alliance for Excellence in Investigative and Forensic Accounting was established in 1998 and currently has approximately 350 members. The Alliance is a group of CAs authorized by the CICA to develop, administer and promote a specialist certification program for CAs practising in investigative and forensic accounting.

CAs who wish to become CA-designated specialists in investigative and forensic accounting (CA·IFAs) must:

• successfully complete the diploma program;
• obtain sufficient acceptable work experience in investigative and forensic accounting (subject to some restrictions, this may be acquired before during or after completing the diploma program);
• apply and be accepted by the Alliance for Excellence in Investigative and Forensic Accounting; and
• succeed in the final screening process during the last residency period of the diploma program.

Full details of acceptable work experience, together with information about the Alliance's pre-certification assessment of work experience are set out in the CICA' s website on the Investigative and Forensic Accounting, CA•IFA Specialization page