Program Overview

The CPA Professional Program prepares you to lead across industries. It blends essential technical excellence in accounting and a strong grounding in ethics with real-world experience and future-focused skills that evolve alongside the demands of an ever-changing economy and international standards.

Admission into the CPA Professional Program will require meeting:

• Academic requirements, consisting of:
  • A minimum GPA;
  • A post-secondary degree OR meeting the non-degree-holder requirements;
  • At least 120 credit hours of post-secondary education; and
  • Prerequisite knowledge demonstrating current accounting and business competencies either through 45 credit hours of post-secondary coursework or by passing the Knowledge Assessment within 5 years prior to admission.
• Non-academic requirements, consisting of: 
  • Eligibility to work and study in a Western Canadian province; and 
  • Good character as defined by the applicable provincial CPA body.

Additional information on the admission process and requirements will be available in 2026.

Before entering the CPA Professional Program at the Foundational Development module, applicants need to demonstrate accounting and business knowledge so that they are positioned for success in the program. Accounting and business knowledge can be demonstrated by either 

• completing 45 credit hours in accounting and business education from a recognized Canadian or international post-secondary institution; or
• by passing the Knowledge Assessment.

Additional information about the prerequisite knowledge requirements will be available in 2026.

In the first module of the CPA Professional Program, you will build your Specific, Foundational, and Sub-foundational Competencies and begin developing your CPA Advanced Professional Competencies. You will also start integrating the Foundational Common Core and developing your CPA Ethical Mindset, including human values, skills, and professional competencies.

See CPA Competency Map 2.0 for more about the competencies.

Next, you will choose between two versions of the CPA Core module:

• CPA Core – Common: This version strengthens your Specific Competencies in areas like financial reporting, assurance and trust, big data and analytics, and taxation. You will also continue developing your CPA Advanced Professional Competencies.
• CPA Core – Licensure: If you intend to pursue a career in public accounting, you must complete this version of CPA Core. It includes all components of CPA Core - Common, with additional depth in financial reporting, assurance and trust, big data and analytics, non-financial reporting, and taxation.

See CPA Competency Map 2.0 for more about the competencies.

Here, you will take your CPA Ethical Mindset and CPA Advanced Professional Competencies to the next level. You will apply decision-making processes to real-world CPA challenges, integrating all your competencies across topics. This module focuses heavily on developing your ethical mindset, critical thinking and CPA Advanced Professional Competencies.

See CPA Competency Map 2.0 for more about the competencies.

You will need to complete a minimum of 24 months of work experience, with demonstrated competency, consisting of:

• Up to 8 months of Foundational Experience: Hands-on work where you begin applying your knowledge.
• At least 16 months of Professional Experience: More advanced work, focused on developing decision-making skills.

A work plan must be submitted to and approved by the profession before you can report your professional work experience. Time off, such as vacation or holidays and leaves of absence, does not count toward your 24-month experience duration.

Additional information will be provided in 2026.

Before you can take this module, you must have met all practical experience requirements.

This module is where you will strengthen your CPA Ethical Mindset and build your CPA Advanced Professional Competencies through both self-study and five days of interactive case-based learning. You will explore what it means to be a CPA professional, understand the CPA Code of Conduct, work effectively in teams, and tackle emerging global, social, and technological issues. 

See CPA Competency Map 2.0 for more about the competencies.