Important: The ACAF program is being discontinued. The CPA profession is working with post-secondary institutions for a smooth winddown of ACAF that ensures students are enabled to finish the program before the final ACAF National Examination in January 2021, or transition to an alternative course of study. For more information, continue reading or contact your provincial body.
ACAF Program
Designed by the Canadian CPA profession and launched in 2015, the ACAF is the only recognized national standard developed by CPA Canada specifically created for those seeking intermediate-level accounting and finance skills.
In September 2017, the profession determined that post-secondary institutions were well-positioned to deliver the full suite of entry, technical, and applied courses for the ACAF program. This expanded delivery was intended to provide improved access and convenience for students, with CPA Canada administering the national exam.
While the CPA profession stands behind the quality of the ACAF program, it has not gained traction in the market, suggesting that other accounting diploma programs across the country are meeting the existing market needs.
For this reason, the CPA profession will begin winding down its involvement with the ACAF program effective immediately. The profession will work with post-secondary partners to ensure that students near completion of the ACAF certificate will have an opportunity to finish outstanding coursework and write the last ACAF exam in January 2021. No further exams will be offered and there will be no extensions past the 2021 exam for unsuccessful writers.
With respect to offering ACAF courses this fall/winter, it is up to individual post-secondary institutions to determine if they will run ACAF courses.
Students who are part-way through the program will be able to transition to the accounting program offered by their post-secondary institution. Students currently enrolled in the ACAF program should contact their school for more information regarding courses and program transition.
This change will have no impact on the CPA professional education program. For more information, contact your post-secondary institution or provincial CPA body.
Examination date
- January 29, 2021
- June 18, 2021
Please refer to the ACAF National Exam Enrollment Guide for details on how to register for the exam.
Examination Computer Requirements
Writers will receive CPA issued laptops at the examination writing centre to write their exams. These laptops are preloaded with the lockdown software Surpass (SecureClient). For more information on Surpass (SecureClient), and to help familiarize you with the exam writing environment, please refer to the CPA Canada website.
Examination Information
Students are required to bring their own Texas Instrument BA II Plus calculators into examinations. Students are encouraged to use it during the course to become familiar with the functions. CPAWSB does not provide calculators during the exam and no other models—including the Texas Instrument BA II Professional—are permitted. The Texas Instrument BA II Plus is available for purchase from online retailers and office supply stores.
Please review the CPA Exam Regulations before the exam.