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 June 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 June 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
June 18, 2021
This is the final offering of the ACAF National Examination.
Exam Start Time*
British Columbia & Yukon: 9:00 am PDT
Alberta & NWT: 10:00 am MDT
Saskatchewan: 10:00am CST
Manitoba: 11:00 am CDT
*Please be prepared to be online approximately 30 minutes before the exam start time. Please note that pre- and post-exam processes will take extra time so we suggest that you block 5.5 hours of your day for this exam.
Examination Computer Requirements
In light of the physical distancing restrictions, the June 18, 2021 ACAF National Examination will be delivered remotely and will not take place in-person at exam writing centres. You will write the exam at home or another remote location of your choice using your own computer while being proctored remotely through Zoom. To prepare to write your assessment, ensure that you have:
- Reliable Internet access
- A web camera that is enabled (you will be visible on screen but the Zoom session will not be recorded)
- Working computer speakers to listen to proctor instructions
- Word processor (i.e. “docx” format) and spreadsheet (i.e. “xlsx” format) applications installed on your computer
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.
Examination Resources