further 5 years period until December 2017. , Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA), World Education Services and the Odette School of Business at the University of Windsor indicated that the evaluation recognized ACCA as having the Canadian equivalence of a bachelor's degree (four years) in Accounting. The Canadian branch of ACCA is pursuing recognition for statutory audit purposes in the province of Ontario under the province's Public Accounting Act of 2004.'' Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and Certified Management Accountants of Canada (CMA Canada) announced a joint qualification 'Chartered Professional Accountant or CPA Designation', but whether this designation will impinge on ACCA's application for recognition in Ontario is uncertain. On November 29, 2012, the ACCA opened up legal proceedings against the CICA to operate in Canada, complicated by the merger of the accounting profession in Canada, incorporating CICA, CMA Canada and CGA to use 'Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)'. A 10-year transitional period requires all CPA members to use CPA, 'legacy designation' rather than the newer designation. The merger completed in 2015. At the end of 2016 there were 3,011 members in Canada. Oceania Australia ACCA has an office in Sydney and holds exams in major cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane. ACCA members are not eligible to be registered company auditors as of right.CPA Australia and Institute of Public Accountants recognise ACCA qualification as sufficient to obtain a skill assessment as an Accountant for the purposes of immigration. The Tax Practitioners Board accredited ACCA as a recognised tax agent association and as a recognised BAS agent association on 12 May 2010. Subject to passing exams in Australian tax and law, ACCA members may obtain the equivalent level of membership from the Institute of Public Accountants. CA ANZ Strategic Alliance In June 2016, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), announced a strategic alliance. ACCA members do not qualify to become a full member of CA ANZ, additional requirements relating to residency and membership length must be satisfied before CA ANZ membership may be granted. At the end of 2016 there were 3,414 members and 1,721 students in Australia. New Zealand ACCA member, affiliate and student activities in New Zealand are managed by its office in Australia, supported by Network Panel members based in Auckland and Wellington as well as member advocates based in Christchurch. With the merger of