PDPA Module

The PDPA Module is a mandatory preparatory component of the Post-Designation Public Accounting (PDPA) Program. It covers the technical competencies required for public accounting registration, including:

  • Taxation
  • Assurance
  • Financial Reporting
  • Finance
  • Strategy and Governance

The module is required for members seeking post-certification public accounting registration in jurisdictions without tiered registration, and for audit and review registration in jurisdictions that offer tiered registration.

The module is self-study and self-paced, consisting of reading resources, practice problems, and multiple-choice questions aligned with the CPA Competency Map at the elective level. Completion of the module is required to become eligible to write the PDPA Examination.

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Participants should expect to spend approximately 15 hours per unit completing the learning activities. This estimate does not include time required to review prerequisite knowledge. Individual study requirements may vary based on familiarity with the technical content and personal or professional commitments.

There are no required submissions and no minimum grade requirement to qualify for the PDPA Examination. Participants are provided with a suggested eight-unit study schedule to help guide their preparation. The PDPA syllabus outlines the technical topics covered across the eight units.

A facilitator monitors the module and supports participants through a discussion board where questions can be posted and ideas shared with peers. Participants may also submit practice case responses and receive feedback from the facilitator.

Learning Materials

Below is a summary of the learning materials for the PDPA module:

Learning ResourceExplanation
CPA Canada Learning Library (eBooks)

eBooks for technical studying that include written instruction, examples, e-lessons on key technical topics, summary problems, and practice multiple choice questions, as applicable.

 

The eBooks are accessible within the technical review. The technical review is a technical study resource that contains diagnostic assessments, a personalized syllabus, adaptive reviews, and unit quizzes.

WebinarsThe webinars cover a variety of topics, including advice on answering objective-format questions, case planning, case writing, analyzing financial reporting issues, analyzing other competencies, debriefing, and preparing for the exam.
Practice cases

Practice cases to hone your case writing skills and apply technical knowledge in a time constrained scenario. 

 

Debrief materials include a solution, an annotated practice case that explains how to use and organize the facts in the case, and a feedback guide to self-assess performance. 

 

Note that practice case feedback guides are provided to assist with debriefing. They are not intended to mimic the marking guides used by the CPA Canada Evaluations group.

Practice casesThe practice cases are provided to help participants practice their case-writing skills at the PEP elective level.
Retired exam case

A case that was included on a past module exam. You are strongly encouraged to write the case for practice under time-constrained exam conditions. 

 

Debrief materials include a solution, an annotated practice case that explains how to use and organize the facts in the case, and a feedback guide to self-assess performance. 

 

Note that the retired exam case feedback guide is provided to assist with debriefing. It is not intended to mimic the marking guides used by the CPA Canada Evaluations group.

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PDPA Examination

The PDPA examination consists of objective format questions testing the required technical knowledge for public accounting registration. See the PDPA Examination Blueprint for more information, including competencies covered.

Check out the PDPA Examination Blueprint