CPA pre-certification education in Western Canada is administered and delivered by the CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB or “the School”). If you live outside of Western Canada and do not plan to move here, contact the accounting body in the province you wish to live in for details on applying to the CPA program.
CPA PEP
The CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) is the education component of CPA certification. It consists of six modules: two common core modules, two elective modules, and two capstone modules, which are delivered using a blended learning model consisting of online learning, self-study, and classroom learning. CPA candidates must pass each applicable module and examination to proceed to the next module. After completing the two capstone modules, candidates are eligible to write the national Common Final Examination, a three-day examination requiring candidates to demonstrate depth and breadth of competency development in accordance with The CPA Competency Map.
Residency and Study Permits
CPA PEP is a post-graduate professional program with a practical experience component. It is a part-time study program where students are expected to work full-time in an accounting or a financial management related position while studying.
To enroll in CPA PEP, you must be legally permitted to study in Western Canada. For details on the Canadian immigration process, please visit the Canadian government website or contact your local embassy. CPAWSB is not involved in the immigration process, nor do we provide housing or funding.
Canadian study permits are required for all international students studying in Canada. Once admitted to the CPA PEP, CPAWSB will be able to provide you with a letter of status to aid you in your study permit application with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada . Please note, the letter of status does not guarantee your study permit will be approved by the Canadian government.
Applying for a study permit requires significant time and resources. In CPAWSB’s experience, applicants living outside Canada who have not secured employment in Canada before applying for a study permit have had little success obtaining one. Before you start the permit application process, we strongly encourage you to discuss the requirements directly with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
CPAWSB delivers the education and examination requirements of the CPA certification program and does not provide assistance with finding positions to meet the experience requirement of the CPA certification program.
Language Benchmarking
The CPA PEP is a graduate-level academic program requiring a high level of English language proficiency. Success depends on your ability to understand and articulate ideas orally and in written form with detailed descriptions, opinions and explanations. We strongly recommended that you have achieved a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark of at least Level 8 in reading, writing, comprehension and listening at the time of enrollment.
Get Started
- Select the appropriate international category from the menu on the right
- If appropriate, submit a transcript assessment request and required supporting documents to CPAWSB
- Receive the transcript assessment result from CPAWSB
- Submit an admission application to CPAWSB