Becoming a Chartered Professional Account

Education:

 CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP)

•      CPA Atlantic candidates may register for the 16-month Path which begins in May, the 21-month Path which begins in January, or the 25-month Path, which begins in September. All three paths contains the same curriculum and lead to a September Common Final Examination (CFE). Candidates may choose to switch paths to better suit their personal needs.

•      CPA PEP consists of six modules that continuously build knowledge and skill, and as such must be taken consecutively in order. With the exception that candidates are permitted to take their electives concurrently, should they wish.

•      Candidates have a choice of two electives out of four: Performance Management, Taxation, Audit & Assurance and Finance. Candidates planning to work in public accounting must take Taxation and Audit & Assurance as their electives.

•      Candidates can track their practical experience up to 12 months before beginning CPA PEP, during, and/or up to seven years after the program. Candidates do not need to be employed to begin their CPA PEP studies.

•      Each module ends in an examination. CPA candidates must pass each module examination to proceed to the next module.

Exam:

The CPA Common Final Examination (CFE) takes place over three days. The first day of testing sees candidates sitting for a four-hour exam focused on strategic thinking, and is based on the case study candidates first encountered during Capstone 1 of the CPA PEP. Day two sees candidates sitting for a five-hour exam which shifts the focus to examining the depth of knowledge the candidate has accumulated. All candidates will be presented with the same case, but will have previously chosen and prepared for the role under which they will examine the information presented (roles include assurance, tax, finance, or performance management). The third day of the CFE has candidates return for a final four hours to address several smaller cases that look to explore the breadth of knowledge acquired. This not only looks to further examine the development of technical competencies, but also enabling competencies such as professionalism, addressing ethical issues in the workplace, decision making, self-management, teamwork and leadership. Candidates are allowed three attempts to pass.

Experience:

The CPA Practical Experience Requirements have been developed around defined competencies that aim to provide CPA candidates with the knowledge and professionalism to be successful in the workplace.  Your 30- months of required practical experience can be taken prior to, during, and up to seven years after your CPA PEP studies. Once you've decided to begin tracking your practical experience, you may choose to complete your term via one of the following routes: The Pre-approved Program Route (PPR) and the Experience Verification Route (EVR).

Links:

http://www.cpaatlantic.ca

http://www.cpacanada.ca