Media Release

For Immediate Release

July 26, 2010

Saint Mary’s University and Certified General Accountants of Nova Scotia Sign Strategic Alliance

Saint Mary’s University and the Nova Scotia body for Certified General Accountants (CGA) have signed an agreement that will see the Saint Mary’s accounting program receive CGA accreditation.

The arrangement means Saint Mary’s students, upon completing the degree, can enter the CGA program at the certification level. The new agreement also provides that the CGA program receives credits in the Saint Mary’s MBA and BComm programs. With the CGA designation being the fastest growing accounting designation in Canada, both parties agree the strategic alliance will provide career benefits to Saint Mary’s students and CGA members and students alike.

“We’re very pleased to enter into this agreement. It is great that the quality of our CGA program is being recognized by one of Canada’s leading business schools,” says Jim Cooke, president of CGA Nova Scotia’s board of directors. “There are huge demands for CGA’s and we hope the agreement will help us to attract more bright Saint Mary’s students to pursue the CGA designation.”

Dr. David Wicks, Dean of Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University, said the CGA is a well respected professional accounting designation with international acceptance.

" We are excited that our accounting program is accredited so our students can enter CGA program at the advanced certification. We also look forward to helping CGA’s to further their careers through our MBA program.”

The new agreement will commence immediately and apply to current CGA’s, CGA students and Saint Mary’s accounting students and graduates.

The Certified General Accountants organization has agreements with the ACCA designation in the United Kingdom, in China, Hong Kong, Bermuda, Ireland and Australia making it a truly global accounting designation. CGA’s have full auditing capabilities and have extensive training in leadership and Information Management Systems as well as finance and taxation.

-30-

For More Information:

CGA Nova Scotia

Ms. Stana Colovic, Director of Administration & Membership

P: 902-425-4923

E: stana@cga-ns.org

W: www.cga-ns.org

or

Steve Proctor
External Affairs
Saint Mary's University
(902) 420.5513
E-mail: steve.proctor@smu.ca
www.smu.ca