Details of the Canadian CPA Certification Program

The CPA certification program would consist of:

DIAGRAM OF POTENTIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF CPA PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

New CPA Certification Program and Public Accounting Role

ACADEMIC PREREQUISITES FOR ADMISSION TO THE CPA PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

An undergraduate degree would be required for admission to the new CPA professional education program. The CPA profession would 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 would be specific prerequisite course requirements which all candidates would be required to complete. Those candidates/students who did not acquire the prerequisites as part of their undergraduate degree (for example, non-Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) graduates) would be required to successfully complete these courses before registering in the CPA certification program. In combination, the prerequisite course requirements and the undergraduate degree requirement must add to at least 120 credit-hours of education. Prerequisite courses would be provided through universities, colleges, and/or profession developed and delivered bridging programs. The existing organizations have developed or are developing a number of programs to enable graduates from all disciplines to pursue their designations. These initiatives would continue, modified to fit the requirements of the new CPA certification program.

CPA PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

The CPA professional education program would comprise a series of modules that would focus primarily on enhancing CPA candidates’ ability to apply professional knowledge, and professional values, ethics and attitudes in a professional context. The modules would also include some knowledge acquisition beyond the academic prerequisite level. The program is expected to take two years to complete on a part-time basis by candidates as they work at relevant employment. University delivery on a full time basis over one year may be considered as an option where relationships exist with universities. These university programs would be based on learning outcomes substantially equivalent to those of the profession-delivered program.

The Canadian CPA professional education program structure and content would be developed nationally and delivered provincially/regionally.