Knowledge Hub for Post-Secondary Institutions

Register for one of our bi-weekly information sessions. These sessions cover why become a CPA, CPA careers and the education and work requirements for the designation. If a student has more questions afterwards, they can book a one-on-one phone consultation with a recruiter.

Yes, out of province experience may be recognized under the Experience Verification Route. Students should request a pre-assessment in the Practical Experience Reporting Tool (PERT) to determine if the role qualifies. The CPA mentor can also be from another province as long as they are a member in good standing and registered to be a mentor.

Yes, students can take breaks between modules. However, it's highly recommended that students take the Capstone 1 and 2 modules immediately leading up to the CFE. Also, students must take time limits into consideration.

The CPA PEP, including CFE and practical experience, must be completed within specified timelines. Find out more on our Student Deadlines page.

Yes, but it is recommended that once individuals are registered as Students with CPA Ontario and if they’re working in qualifying role, they start reporting their experience in PERT right away because there is a practical experience deadline. Students must complete their practical experience requirements within seven years of beginning CPA PEP (Core 1 or Accredited Program start date). Students are reminded that they cannot report all their practical experience at the end of the program, as eligible experience can also expire if they wait too long.

If they have not achieved the 60 per cent minimum grade requirement on a core course, they have not passed for CPA Ontario purposes. They have three options to meet the requirement:

• re-take the course with their PSI, if possible
• take the relevant preparatory course with CPA Ontario
• take an equivalent course at another PSI

There are two routes for practical experience: the Pre-approved Program Route (PPR) and the Experience Verification Route (EVR). If students find employment within a PPR, these programs are already set up to meet the practical experience requirements. If their role is not within a PPR, they report through EVR. To determine if the role qualifies for CPA practical experience, students submit a pre-assessment in the Practical Experience Reporting Tool (PERT). Students can also refer to the Does My Job Qualify for Experience Verification? factsheet to determine if they will be able to meet at least one Level 1 technical competency in the role. For more information on practical experience reporting, review the Understand your Practical Experience page.

We advise that as soon as they start working in a qualifying role, they register as a CPA Ontario student and create a PERT profile. If they decide to wait to register as a student until they are working full-time or are in an Accredited Program, they can document their experience using this form and enter this previous experience in PERT once registered. They will still need to have the experience reviewed by their previous employers in order for it to be recognized by CPA Ontario.

Yes, but they will need to top up to 120 credit hours with an additional 30 credits of study. This can be met by taking prerequisite learning through a PSI or CPA Ontario preparatory courses. Each preparatory course is equivalent to 3 credit hours.

CPA Ontario requires an official transcript(s) and/or transfer credit letter for a complete assessment of transfer credit recognition for prerequisite courses. Official documentation should include the following information:

• name(s) of previous institution(s) attended where the transfer credit was completed
• course codes and names
• credit hours
• year(s)/term(s)
• final grades of these courses
• credit hours granted for advanced placement