Indigenous Learners in Accounting Initiative

CPAWSB Learner Expense Policy

Travel and Accommodations 

CPAWSB reimburses learners (students and candidates) in the Indigenous courses for expenses incurred travelling to and from, and participating in, the in-person sessions.

It is your responsibility to submit your expense claims in a timely and complete manner. Late submissions may not be accepted. Submissions past the course end dates will not be accepted.

Note: This policy is applicable to learners participating in the 2026-01 to 2026-12 Indigenous session only, and is subject to review for subsequent sessions. This includes the IMA, IF1, IF2, MAA, AUA, Core 1, Core 2, AS and PM course participants.

Attendance and Notification

  • If you are being reimbursed for travel expenses, you must be present for the entire in-person session and complete your ILA Reimbursement Policy form. 
  • If you cannot attend an in-person session due to extenuating circumstances, please email us for assistance in advance at [email protected].

Payment Timing

  • CPAWSB issues payments for finalized expense reports on two payment dates after each in-person session.
  • Learners will receive their reimbursement payment via Interac e-Transfer to the email address they submitted their expense report.
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Post-paid expense deadlines:






Session

 

Start

End

Post-payment (1st Batch) Submission Deadline

Payment

Date

Opening Session: In-person

Jul 25

Jul 26

Jul 27

Jul 31

Session #1: Virtual

Aug 22

Aug 23

N/A

N/A

Session #2: Virtual

Sep 19

Sep 20

N/A

N/A

Session #3: Virtual

Oct 24

Oct 25

N/A

N/A

Closing Session: In-person

Nov 28

Nov 29

Nov 30

Dec 4

Pre-payments

  • We understand that some learners may need upfront payment for specific expenses related to attending an in-person session. To help with this, CPAWSB can provide an advance Interac e-Transfer payment for these expenses. Reports for pre-payment of expenses should be submitted by no later than Friday (12:00 PM noon MT) before each in-person session.
  • Expenses submitted after the deadline are not eligible for pre-payment and will be processed at the next available payment date (post-payment).
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Pre-paid expense deadlines:

Session

Start

End

Pre-payment (1st Batch) Submission Deadline

Payment

Date

Opening Session: In-person

Jul 25

Jul 26

Jul 17

Jul 23

Session #1: Virtual

Aug 22

Aug 23

N/A

N/A

Session #2: In-person

Sep 19

Sep 20

N/A

N/A

Session #3: In-person | Virtual

Oct 24

Oct 25

N/A

N/A

Closing Session: In-person

Nov 28

Nov 29

Nov 20

Dec 26

Eligible Expenses

Eligible expenses below include transportation, airfare, hotel, and meal expenses that apply only to learners living more than 100km away from the classroom location.

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The cost to travel to and from your in-person session(s) will be covered by CPAWSB. Several forms of transportation options are eligible for reimbursement:

  • Personal Car: See ‘mileage’ below for information on gas reimbursements. Reasonable parking expenses are also eligible for reimbursement.
  • Taxi: Taxi fares (including a reasonable tip) to and from airports, your hotel, and the classroom location are eligible for reimbursement. Mileage for taxi travel is not claimable for reimbursement.
  • Public Transit: Public transit fares to and from the airports, your hotel, and the classroom location are eligible for reimbursement.
  • Rental Car: If you need to rent a car to travel for rare extenuating circumstances, please contact CPAWSB to receive pre-approval.
    • Rental Car expenses are not eligible without pre-approval.
    • If pre-approval is obtained, you must rent a mid-sized or compact vehicle. Both the rental and fuel costs associated with this vehicle will be reimbursed. Mileage is not reimbursed on rental vehicles.

The cost to travel to and from your in-person session(s) will be covered by CPAWSB. Several forms of transportation options are eligible for reimbursement:

  • Personal Car: See ‘mileage’ below for information on gas reimbursements. Reasonable parking expenses are also eligible for reimbursement.
  • Taxi: Taxi fares (including a reasonable tip) to and from airports, your hotel, and the classroom location are eligible for reimbursement. Mileage for taxi travel is not claimable for reimbursement.
  • Public Transit: Public transit fares to and from the airports, your hotel, and the classroom location are eligible for reimbursement.
  • Rental Car: If you need to rent a car to travel for rare extenuating circumstances, please contact CPAWSB to receive pre-approval.
    • Rental Car expenses are not eligible without pre-approval.
    • If pre-approval is obtained, you must rent a mid-sized or compact vehicle. Both the rental and fuel costs associated with this vehicle will be reimbursed. Mileage is not reimbursed on rental vehicles.
  • Eligible airfare: Round-trip economy class airfare, including one checked bag and seat selection fees, from your nearest home airport to the nearest international airport to the in-person session location will be reimbursed.
    • Remote or northern communities: If you are flying from a remote or northern community where a direct flight is not possible, or if the local airport is not the best option, you may choose the nearest suitable airport.
  • Flexible fare option: You mustselect a fare that allows for modification if unexpected circumstances arise. This is typically referred to as a "flexible fare" option, but may vary by carrier. The fare must meet the eligible airfare criteria.
    • Extenuating circumstances: If charges are incurred despite having a flexible ticket due to extenuating circumstances, these should be communicated to CPAWSB as soon as possible for approval and potential reimbursement.
    • Non-reimbursable charges: Charges resulting from failing to cancel an airline reservation, or from itinerary changes due to personal preference, will not be reimbursed. Flexible tickets, which allow itinerary modifications, should be purchased to avoid such charges.
  • Booking timeframe: Airfare must be booked at least three weeks before the in-person session to avoid increased fees. If airfare is not booked at least three weeks before the in-person session, reimbursement may be limited to the reasonable amount that would have been available if booked at least three weeks in advance.
    • Travel to and from home airport: Costs for travel to and from your home airport are eligible for reimbursement (see 'Transportation' or 'Mileage').

      Parking: Airport terminal parking costs will be covered if you drive to the airport.

  • Eligible airfare: Round-trip economy class airfare, including one checked bag and seat selection fees, from your nearest home airport to the nearest international airport to the in-person session location will be reimbursed.
    • Remote or northern communities: If you are flying from a remote or northern community where a direct flight is not possible, or if the local airport is not the best option, you may choose the nearest suitable airport.
  • Flexible fare option: You mustselect a fare that allows for modification if unexpected circumstances arise. This is typically referred to as a "flexible fare" option, but may vary by carrier. The fare must meet the eligible airfare criteria.
    • Extenuating circumstances: If charges are incurred despite having a flexible ticket due to extenuating circumstances, these should be communicated to CPAWSB as soon as possible for approval and potential reimbursement.
    • Non-reimbursable charges: Charges resulting from failing to cancel an airline reservation, or from itinerary changes due to personal preference, will not be reimbursed. Flexible tickets, which allow itinerary modifications, should be purchased to avoid such charges.
  • Booking timeframe: Airfare must be booked at least three weeks before the in-person session to avoid increased fees. If airfare is not booked at least three weeks before the in-person session, reimbursement may be limited to the reasonable amount that would have been available if booked at least three weeks in advance.
    • Travel to and from home airport: Costs for travel to and from your home airport are eligible for reimbursement (see 'Transportation' or 'Mileage').

      Parking: Airport terminal parking costs will be covered if you drive to the airport.

  • CPAWSB will book your stay and pay the costs for a ‘standard room’.
    • Do not book your own hotel room, as CPAWSB has preferred rates with hotels.
    • Complete the consent form. This will allow us to complete bookings on your behalf.
  • CPAWSB will book and pay for a hotel the night before the session, up until the night before the last day of the session.
    • For example, if the in-person session is Fri-Sun, CPAWSB will book a hotel room for the nights Thu/Fri/Sat.
    • If you require alternate hotel dates, please contact CPAWSB as early as possible at [email protected].
  • Please note that hotel rooms will be pre-booked through to the end of the course based on your confirmation of planned attendance.  If you need to cancel or modify a hotel stay, contact CPAWSB at least two business days before your booking.
  • CPAWSB will book your stay and pay the costs for a ‘standard room’.
    • Do not book your own hotel room, as CPAWSB has preferred rates with hotels.
    • Complete the consent form. This will allow us to complete bookings on your behalf.
  • CPAWSB will book and pay for a hotel the night before the session, up until the night before the last day of the session.
    • For example, if the in-person session is Fri-Sun, CPAWSB will book a hotel room for the nights Thu/Fri/Sat.
    • If you require alternate hotel dates, please contact CPAWSB as early as possible at [email protected].
  • Please note that hotel rooms will be pre-booked through to the end of the course based on your confirmation of planned attendance.  If you need to cancel or modify a hotel stay, contact CPAWSB at least two business days before your booking.
  • For meal expenses, CPAWSB uses a ‘per diem’ reimbursement policy which does not require submitting receipts.
  • To claim meal ‘per diem’ reimbursements, indicate on the expense report form which meals you purchased. CPAWSB will then reimburse you according to the rates specified below:
    • Breakfast: $13.00
    • Lunch: $16.25
    • Dinner: $32.50

Please note that claiming a ‘per diem’ expense is not eligible for a meal if a continental breakfast, catered lunch, or social dinner is available.

  • For meal expenses, CPAWSB uses a ‘per diem’ reimbursement policy which does not require submitting receipts.
  • To claim meal ‘per diem’ reimbursements, indicate on the expense report form which meals you purchased. CPAWSB will then reimburse you according to the rates specified below:
    • Breakfast: $13.00
    • Lunch: $16.25
    • Dinner: $32.50

Please note that claiming a ‘per diem’ expense is not eligible for a meal if a continental breakfast, catered lunch, or social dinner is available.

Mileage (All Learners)

  • Eligible expenses: Gas expenses for using a personally owned vehicle for travel to ILA in-person sessions, regardless of the distance from the location, are eligible.
  • Reimbursement rate: Based on gas receipts submitted in your expense claim.
  • Gas Receipts: Gas receipt expense claim is subject to approval. You must provide gas receipts for gas used for travel to and from your in-person session only. Reimbursement(s) will not be approved without receipts. Gas receipts documented during in-person session/course time will not be accepted. 
  • Air travel vs. personal vehicle: When choosing between air travel and a personal vehicle (for distances greater than 100 km):
    • Additional costs: Learners are responsible for any hotel and meal costs that would be avoided if travelling by air.
      • Preapproval: Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis, but they must be preapproved by CPAWSB.
    • Comparable airfare: The comparable airfare should be obtained and submitted based on pricing available at least three weeks before the in-person session.
  • Non-vehicle mileage: Non-vehicle expenses, such as ferry travel, can be reimbursed by receipt if they are necessary as transportation expenses.