CPA Preparatory Courses

Important: CPA Preparatory Courses Are Being Phased Out

The CPA preparatory courses will close in December 2027. 

If you are currently enrolled in, or planning to enroll in, CPA preparatory courses, the final date to register for a course and exam is November 4, 2027. The last exam sitting will take place in December 2027, and no exam rewrites will be available after this final sitting. 

Options when CPA preparatory courses are no longer offered

CPA preparatory courses are designed for those who lack some or all of the prerequisite knowledge required for admission to the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP).

There are fourteen CPA preparatory courses, split into five non-core and nine core courses. You only need to take courses marked as "outstanding" on your CPAWSB transcript assessment. If you have completed courses at a Canadian post-secondary institution, refer to the Academic Prerequisites Guide to estimate your remaining prerequisite requirements. The guide includes recognized course equivalents from post-secondary institutions across Canada.

The sequence in which you take them is important, as some courses are prerequisites for others.

PREPCourse


Non-Core Courses (5)

  • Introductory Financial Accounting (IFA) 
  • Introductory Management Accounting* (IMA)  
  • Economics (ECO)  
  • Statistics (STA)  
  • Business Law (BUL)

* Introductory Financial Accounting or an equivalent post-secondary course, must be completed either before or concurrently with Introductory Management Accounting.


Core Courses (9)

  • Intermediate Financial Reporting 1 (IF1)  
  • Intermediate Financial Reporting 2 (IF2)  
  • Advanced Financial Reporting (AFR)  
  • Corporate Finance (COF)
  • Audit & Assurance (AUA)  
  • Taxation (TAX)
  • Intermediate Management Accounting (MAA)  
  • Performance Management (PMA)
  • Information Technology (ITE) 

Course Learning Formats

Designed with the working professional in mind, CPA preparatory courses are offered on a part-time basis and through open enrollment to offer greater flexibility and accessibility. They combine online learning and self-study.

Non-Core Courses

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Non-core courses are self-study and available through open enrollment, offering flexibility for registration at any time.

  • Access course materials within five business days of registration.
  • Use learning resources, including an e-textbook, notes, and practice problems.
  • Expect to spend approximately 15-20 hours per week studying when course completion is within 6-8 weeks.
  • Access to a facilitator is available.
  • Write the final exam at a CPAWSB exam centre within one year of registration.
  • Choose from four annual exam offerings.
  • Course grades are based solely on the final exam.
  • A 50% or higher final exam mark is required to pass.

Core Courses

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  • Access course materials within five business days of registration.
  • Expect to spend approximately 15-20 hours per week if writing the final exam in the same semester.
  • Access to a facilitator is available.
  • Complete unit activities using interactive and adaptive SmartBook assignments, practice problems, task-based simulations, and unit quizzes.
  • Weekly activity grades are based on a combination of participation and performance.
  • Write the final exam at a CPAWSB exam centre within one year of registration.
  • Choose from four annual exam offerings.
  • Earn 75 percent or higher on course activities to be eligible for the final exam.
    • If you fail to achieve 75 percent or higher, you will be withdrawn and will count as a course attempt. Check Course Delivery FAQs for more info.
  • Course grades are based solely on the final exam.
  • A 60 percent final exam mark is required to pass.
  • Overall combined average of core courses must be 65 percent or higher to enter CPA PEP.
  • At least one of the core courses or post-secondary equivalents within each competency area must meet the 10-year Currency of Education requirement. 

Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more information regarding core and non-core preparatory course delivery.

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Related Resources

Admission to CPA Preparatory Courses
CPA Preparatory Course Syllabus
Student Guide
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Questions?

For more information or assistance with course planning, contact the Student Experience team at [email protected] or by calling 1.866.420.2350 ext. 6008.