Details of the Canadian CPA Certification Program

The CPA certification program consists of:

•	Academic prerequisites for admission to the CPA Professional Education Program.
•	A graduate-level CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP).
•	An accelerated bridging program, the CPA Prerequisite Education Program, or CPA PREP, to prepare those lacking the academic prerequisites for admission to CPA PEP.
•	Evaluations, including a Common Final Evaluation.
•	Relevant practical experience.

DIAGRAM OF POTENTIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF CPA PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

ACADEMIC PREREQUISITES FOR ADMISSION TO THE CPA PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

An undergraduate degree is required for admission to the new CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP). The CPA profession will also partner with Canadian colleges and universities to offer non-degree holders the opportunity to obtain an undergraduate degree while obtaining the required prerequisite courses.

In addition to an undergraduate degree, there will be specific subject area coverage which all candidates will be required to complete. CPA provincial bodies are working directly with the post-secondary institutions in their provinces to develop specific course requirements.

Those candidates/students who did not acquire the prerequisite subject area coverage as part of their undergraduate degree (for example, non-Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) graduates) will be able to meet this requirement through the new CPA Prerequisite Education Program (CPA PREP), an accelerated bridging program offered nationally by the profession and delivered on a part-time basis. The requirement could also be met through accredited programs in post-secondary institutions.

CPA PREREQUISITE EDUCATION PROGRAM (CPA PREP)

The CPA Prerequisite Education Program (CPA PREP) is an intensive accelerated bridging program aimed at those who have an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than accounting and lack some or all of the necessary prerequisite courses required for admission to the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP).

A national program, delivered on a part-time basis to offer students maximum flexibility and accessibility, CPA PREP uses a blend of online, self-study and classroom learning. A modularized program made up of 12 modules, students complete only those modules they require. Each module will end with an evaluation.

Modules 1 – 4

•	All students must have either recognized academic credits or equivalent Module credits for Modules 1 – 4 BEFORE proceeding with ANY of Modules 5 – 10.
•	CPA PREP Modules 1 – 4 are currently under development and will be launched in 2014. Until these modules are available, the current CMA foundation courses (such as Quickstart and Fundamentals) and CGA foundation and advanced education courses will be accepted as equivalents, as will recognized post-secondary institution courses covering the prescribed subject matter.

Modules 5 – 10

•	Candidates completing Modules 5 – 12 as a complete program must complete Modules 5 – 10 in sequence since each module builds on cumulative knowledge. Candidates requiring individual modules must meet any sequencing requirements.
•	Module 5, Intermediate and Advanced Accounting (or its equivalent), is a prerequisite for Module 7, Audit and Assurance, as well as for Module 8, Tax. Module 5 is also strongly recommended, though not required, for Module 9, Intermediate and Advanced Management Accounting.
•	Module 6, Corporate Finance (or its equivalent), is a prerequisite for Module 9.

Modules 11 – 12

•	These are self-study modules which may be taken at any time. No prerequisite courses are required.

With the exception of Quebec, CPA PREP is launching across Canada in summer 2013. It will be offered in Quebec in the fall of 2015.

For more information on the CPA Prerequisite Education Program, including module start dates, please visit http://www.cpaone.ca/become-a-cpa/program/prep

CPA PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

The CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) is being built on the new CPA competency map. CPA PEP comprises a series of modules that focus primarily on enhancing CPA candidates’ ability to apply professional knowledge, and professional values, ethics and attitudes in a professional context. The modules also include some knowledge acquisition beyond the academic prerequisite level. The program will take candidates two years to complete on a part-time basis as they work at relevant employment.

CPA PEP’s structure and content are being developed nationally and delivered provincially/regionally.

The modularized program will comprise:

•	two common core modules which all CPA candidates must take, focusing on the development of competencies in management and financial accounting and the integration of the six core technical competency areas.
•	two elective modules which allow CPA candidates to develop deeper skills in their areas of career interest; four electives will be offered: assurance, performance management, tax and finance. All candidates must choose two. Candidates pursuing careers in public accounting must choose assurance and tax.
•	a capstone integrative module* that focuses on the development of the enabling competencies such as leadership and professional skills and the integration of core competencies.
•	a capstone evaluation preparation module* which prepares CPA candidates for the Common Final Evaluation.

*A “capstone” course is a culminating course where candidates demonstrate all that has been learned over the program of study.

The CPA profession is also developing national accreditation standards for post-secondary institutions interested in offering components of the CPA Professional Education Program. It is expected that full-time, one-year graduate programs will be accredited.

These university programs will be based on learning outcomes substantially equivalent to those of the profession-delivered program.