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  1. Home
  2. Become a CPA
  3. About the Program

CPA Program Overview

The CPA program consists of the Professional Education Program (PEP) which is part-time academics of six modules, one Common Final Exam (CFE), and 30 months of Practical Experience Requirements (PER).

2.5

YEARS

Work full-time and study part-time

$14k

CPA program cost for both domestic and international students

20

HOURS

Weekly study time

67.3%

CFE pass rate on first attempt, 2024

The CPA program is an earn-while-you-learn program, where candidates work full-time and study part-time, simultaneously. Estimated time to complete the program is 2.5 years; however, candidates have a time limit of 6 years to complete the program, with 1 extra year to complete any outstanding experience.

Education
Examination
Experience

Education

Education

The CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) is a graduate-level program to obtain the CPA designation. Students focus on enhancing their ability to apply professional knowledge, values, ethics, and attitudes in a professional context.

More about Professional Education Program
Examination

Examination

The Common Final Examination (CFE) is a three-day examination in which CPA candidates demonstrate the depth and breadth of their competency development in accordance with the CPA Canada Competency Map.

More about Common Final Examination
Experience

Experience

The practical experience requirement (PER) is 30 months full-time, paid employment in accounting and finance with the relevant technical and enabling competencies.

More about Practical Experience Requirements

Administration Bodies

The CPA program was developed nationally and is delivered by provincial or regional bodies across Canada.

In BC, the CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB) delivers the academic components of the program, while CPABC administers the practical experience requirements.

 

Ready to Apply?

Ready to Apply?

See information on program admission requirements.

Program Admission Requirements

Information Sessions and Events

Practical Experience Requirements (PER) Q & A Session
Information Sessions
Practical Experience Requirements (PER) Q & A Session
Icon DateDate
May 13, 2025
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Post-Secondary CPABC Information Session
Information Sessions
Post-Secondary CPABC Information Session
Icon DateDate
May 14, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Online CPA Information Session
Information Sessions
Online CPA Information Session
Icon DateDate
May 22, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Online CPABC Accounting Night in Canada
Information Sessions
Online CPABC Accounting Night in Canada
Icon DateDate
May 27, 2025
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
CPABC Career Week
Career Events
CPABC Career Week
Icon DateDate
Sep 3, 2025
Icon VenueVenue
Zoom (virtual), Vancouver and Kelowna
About the Program
About the Program
  • Education
  • Examination
  • Experience
  • Schedule
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  • International Students
How to Become a CPA
How to Become a CPA
Your journey to becoming a CPA
Empowering Indigenous Learning
Empowering Indigenous Learning

CPAWSB and AFOA Collaborate on Tailored CPA Certification Program Offerings.

Learn more about Empowering Indigenous Learning
My CPA Profile
My CPA Profile
Create a My CPA Profile today!
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