Professional Accountant

Path to the CPA

Individuals need to complete formal professional education, a common final exam, and meet relevant practical experience requirements.

Learn more about the Professional Education Program (PEP) on the CPA Alberta website.

Professional Education Program

Future CPAs are required to complete the six-module Professional Education Program (PEP) before they would be allowed to write the common final examination. The CPA PEP courses can be completed through CPA Canada (in Western Canada these would be completed through the CPA Western School of Business), or through an accredited Master of Accounting program. In order to enter the CPA PEP, or a Master of Accounting program, you would need to hold an undergraduate degree and also meet certain prerequisite courses. All of the required prerequisite courses can be completed while pursuing the MBA, but you would also be able to complete these prerequisite courses through the CPA Prerequisite Education Program (CPA PREP).

Practical Experience

In addition to formal education and the common final examination, the CPA certification program requires CPA students/candidates to complete a term of relevant practical experience. The knowledge and competencies gained through practical experience complement those developed through education.
The standards for practical experience apply to certification for entry into the profession only.

CPA Practical Experience Requirements

Required Courses

You will need to complete the following courses as part of your MBA program to satisfy the entrance requirements for the CPA Professional Education Program:

ACCTG 614: Intermediate Financial Accounting I

First of two courses covering the theory, methods, strengths, and weaknesses of current Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

ACCTG 615: Intermediate Financial Accounting II

Second of two courses covering theory, methods, strengths, and weaknesses of current Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

ACCTG 618: Advanced Financial Accounting

The application of accounting methods to incorporate investments and other advanced topics in financial reporting.

ACCTG 624: Intermediate Management Accounting

Seminar consisting of topics concerned at an advanced level with generating and using accounting and related data in the planning and control functions of organizations.

ACCTG 656: Auditing History, Theory, and Current Thought

Focuses on the external auditor's provision of assurance services on financial information. Topics include society's demand for various assurance services; the role, profession, ethics, independence, and liability of the assurance provider; assurance risk and strategy; assurance planning, operations, and reports; computerization and internal control; and emerging assurance services.

ACCTG 667: Basic Income Tax

Examines the concepts, regulations and interpretations underlying individual and corporate income tax from the tax professional's perspective. Topics include: structure of the Income Tax Act, residency requirements, employment income, business and property income, capital gains, and the calculation of tax payable for individuals. Tax planning is introduced and opportunities for tax planning are identified where appropriate as topics are covered.

ACCTG 668: Corporate Taxation

A study of the major tax concepts behind the specific provisions of the Income Tax Act in the taxation of corporations, corporate distributions and transactions between corporations and their shareholders. Emphasis on applying the Act in practical problems and case settings.

MIS 611: Management Information Systems

Introduction to all major areas of information systems. Technology and file systems, organizational and behavioral issues, data modeling, databases, expert systems, systems analysis, systems development life cycle, etc. Development of analytical skills which can be brought to bear on MIS problems.

Experiential Learning

As part of our MBA capstone course (SMO 641: Business Strategy), you will work with an outside organization on a strategic issue they are facing. Your team will identify the issue and potential solutions, recommend a course of action and develop an implementation plan for your client. This provides an opportunity to apply what you've learned in the Alberta MBA in a real-world setting and gain experience during your studies.

With the Alberta MBA, you'll be able to advance and develop your overall business skills, while also meeting the prerequisite courses required to enter the CPA Professional Education Program.

Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Designation

The Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation prepares you for a life-long, rewarding career with unlimited potential. A CPA is your gateway to a world of exciting opportunities. With over 185,000 members, you're part of one of the world's largest, most prestigious and influential accounting organizations. Regardless of your industry sector, your job is to be a forward-thinking financial leader and to apply the knowledge you've gained from the CPA designation to make important financial and business decisions.

Become a CPA with CPA Alberta