Degree FAQs
A three-year undergraduate degree is usually equivalent to 90 credit hours and master’s degrees are typically equivalent to 60 credit hours. They may meet the degree requirement but will likely not meet the 120 credit hour degree requirement. Additional post-secondary education will need to be submitted to meet the 120 credit hour requirement. A transcript assessment, which is one of initial application steps for admission to the CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB), is needed to confirm if you have met the program admission requirements.
If you have completed a degree within the province of British Columbia or the territory of Yukon, please see our Academic Prerequisites Guide to have an idea of how your degree and your Preparatory Course equivalents (if any) may count towards meeting the program admission requirements. Please note that a transcript assessment, which is one of initial application steps for admission to the CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB), is still needed to actually confirm if you have met the program admission requirements.
If you have completed a degree in a Canadian province or territory outside of British Columbia and the Yukon, please: 1) see the Academic Prerequisites Guide from other provinces/territories to have an idea of how your degree and/or your Preparatory Course equivalents (if any) may count towards meeting the program admission requirements; 2) request a transcript assessment with the CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB) to confirm you have met the CPA Professional Education Program admission requirements.
Note that if you have graduated or will soon graduate from a CPA accredited program (MAcc, MPAcc, etc.), see the CPAWSB’s Apply for Admission to CPAWSB page for instructions specific to your applicant type.
If you have completed a degree outside of Canada, please request a transcript assessment with the CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB) to confirm if you have met the CPA Professional Education Program admission requirements.
You will be required to request a degree report of your international degree from one of the recognized Canadian third party degree assessment companies that are accepted by CPAWSB.
We recommend that students with international education contact World Education Services (WES Canada) and request a WES Canada ICAP (International Credential Advantage Package) Degree Assessment. This package provides CPAWSB with: (1) information regarding the equivalency of your international degrees to Canadian level of education, (2) a detailed course by course listing, and (3) your official transcripts. This means students are NOT required to tell their international universities to mail education documents directly to the CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB) office. With the WES Canada ICAP process, applicants are only required to provide one official copy of their transcripts which WES Canada later forwards to CPAWSB on your behalf.
If you have completed an international (non-Canadian) degree AND a Canadian degree, you should apply as an applicant with a Canadian degree. See the Applicant with a Canadian Degree page on the CPA Western School of Business for further information.
The Mature Entrant Pathway for the CPA Professional Education Program is designed for people who do not have a university degree, but have substantial work experience that meets the CPA competency standards. Check out the Mature Entrant Pathway to see the eligibility criteria and required documents.
On behalf of all Canadian provincial and regional CPA bodies, CPA Canada has signed Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs), Reciprocal Membership Agreements (RMAs) and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with a number of international accounting organizations.
If you are an internationally designated accountant, please visit the Internationally Designated Accountants page for details.
International Students FAQs
Determine if there is a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)/Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement with your professional accounting body. The application instructions are provided for those who are eligible.
Internationally designated accountants who are not part of a formal agreement may be eligible for advanced standing in the CPA Professional Education Program.
Please visit our Internationally Designated Accountants page for eligibility, criteria, and how to apply.
Yes, CPAWSB/CPABC is a designated learning institution.
Yes, as a first step, persons living abroad are allowed to apply for a transcript assessment with the CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB), and CPAWSB is allowed to provide you with the assessment results of your application.
Reference CPAWSB's Apply for Admission to CPAWSB page for instructions on how to navigate and request a CPA transcript assessment in your My CPA Profile. Upon receiving the results of your transcript assessment, CPAWSB will provide an ‘Appendix to study permit’ letter (upon your request) so that applicants may use this letter to apply for the appropriate Canadian permits for their academic studies in the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP) and CPAWSB Preparatory Courses in British Columbia, Canada.
The CPA program is a professional training program (scroll to bottom of IRCC webpage for definition). Please read this definition as it explains the structure of professional programs, and that they include full-time work and part-time study. The CPABC/CPAWSB is a registered designated learning institution (DLI) under the Government of Canada.
Persons residing outside of Canada are also required to obtain a (PAL) provincial attestation letter from their DLI in order to be eligible to apply for a Canadian study permit from the Government of Canada Additional information about International Student Program reforms - Canada.ca.
View Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) FAQ (cpawsb.ca) to read the eligibility and criteria of how CPAWSB/CPABC determines who will be granted the PAL.
Yes, because the CPA program is only available for enrollment for persons who reside in Canada. For international persons who currently reside in BC, they must hold both a Canadian Study Permit and a Canadian Work Permit while enrolled in the CPA program as it consists of part-time studies and full-time paid work experience.
Please visit the CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB) website for more information.
IRCC New Temporary Public Policy allowing some work permit holders to study without a study permit: Find out more about the IRCC New Temporary Public Policy which will allow some work permit holders to study without a study permit. After reviewing the information and eligibility requirements, if you are eligible, contact a CPAWSB Admission Advisor for more information on how to enroll with CPAWSB and the documents we will require for proof of eligibility under this temporary public policy. Please visit the CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB) webpage CPAWSB | Residency, Study Permits and Language Advisory for more information.
No, there is no limitation on the number of domestic or international students that can enroll in the Preparatory Courses or the CPA Professional Education Program.
No, unlike many post-secondary institutions, you will not pay more for tuition. The cost of the CPA Professional Education Program is approximately $14,000 for both domestic and international students. Visit our Fees page for more details.
Please note, if you have received your post-secondary degree internationally, you will be required to get your international degree assessed by a Canadian third-party degree assessment company, such as WES Canada. Fees charged by WES Canada are not included in the CPAWSB fee schedule.
No, we do not require proof of English language level for acceptance into our program, however to be successful in the CPA courses/modules, we recommend students have a (Canadian English Language Benchmark (CLB) 8 out of 12).
Here are the recognized Canadian third party degree assessment companies that are accepted by CPAWSB. We recommend World Education Services (WES) Canada for degree assessments. Please also visit the CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB) website for more information.
No, the CPA designation, nor enrolment as a student or candidate in the CPA program are not requirements to apply and secure employment in the accounting and finance sector in Canada. That said, students and candidates certainly enjoy many career advantages that enrolment into the CPA program and having the CPA designation can provide, such as opening doors and opportunities towards employment and career growth, higher salary, and recognition across the globe. Job demand, compensation, and growth are among the many reasons to become a CPA!
Welcome BC offers a wealth of resources for newcomers to BC, such as videos about settling and working in the province.
Provincial settlement agencies offer many free programs to support newcomers to Canada, including English language classes, financial assistance, and information on settlement, career development, and mentorship opportunities.
New to BC? Contact a BC settlement agency to access these free programs, resources, and support.