CPATA’s Board of Directors approved CPATA’s budget for 2026 and updated Financial Reserves Policy at its meeting on Wednesday December 10, 2025.
2026 Budget
For 2026, CPATA will continue with its core regulatory functions while also focusing on projects and programs outlined in the new 2026-2028 Strategic Framework, also approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting on Wednesday December 10.
CPATA’s revenue budget is calculated by multiplying the projected number of licences (and agents) expected by the licence fee amounts, then adding additional revenue from exam fees, application and certificate fees and interest income. The budgeted total revenues for 2026 are $3,990,000 (2025 – $3,976,000) with all fees increased by CPI (2.2%) in accordance with CPATA’s By-laws.
CPATA’s expense budget is built on a zero-based budgeting method. This means CPATA strives to match income with expenses as closely as possible. The budgeted expenses for 2026 are $3,249,000 (2025 – $2,898,000). Major expense categories for CPATA include salaries for its staff members; Board of Directors and Committee remuneration; professional competency and exam development costs; exam administration costs; and legal fees mostly related to professional responsibility (complaints and discipline).
Financial Reserves
Regulators require financial reserves to ensure the stability, continuity and resilience of the organization. CPATA’s approach to financial reserves is outlined in its Financial Reserves Policy. The College has an Operating Reserve Fund to support its day-to-day operations and a Professional Regulation, Unauthorized Practice and Litigation Reserve Fund (previously the Professional Regulation Reserve Fund) to support the College’s professional regulatory costs, including investigations, complaints, discipline and unauthorized practice matters.
Initial target amounts were established in 2024 and a thorough review of the reserve policies and information of over 50+ regulators was undertaken in 2025 to update CPATA’s target amounts to be appropriate for the long term. The new target amounts are a minimum of 6 months operating expenses for the Operating Reserve Fund, set at $1,600,000 for 2026, and $2,000,000 for the Professional Regulation, Unauthorized Practice and Litigation Reserve Fund (combined $3,600,000 for 2026). The projected reserve balance for the two funds combined at the end of 2025 is $3,100,000 and the budgeted target for the end of 2026 is $3,800,000.
During 2026, CPATA expects to achieve its financial reserve targets if withdrawals from these funds are not necessary in the meantime, since revenue figures will be similar to the previous year, the expense budget is lean and costs remain contained. Along with the removal of the Canadian Government’s security on CPATA’s banking requirements, attaining our financial reserve targets is the final step in achieving our financial independence.
