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CPA Preparatory Courses

CPA preparatory courses are designed for those who lack some or all of the prerequisite knowledge required for admission to the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP).

There are fourteen CPA preparatory courses, split into five non-core and nine core courses. 

For more information or assistance with course planning: Contact the Student Experience team at [email protected] or by calling 1.866.420.2350 ext. 6008.

CPA Preparatory Course Learning Formats

Designed with the working professional in mind, preparatory courses are offered on a part-time basis to offer maximum flexibility and accessibility. They combine online learning and self-study. You only need to complete those courses for which you did not receive academic credit (determined by your CPAWSB transcript assessment, if applicable) and that are required for admission to CPA PEP.

Non-core courses are self-study, using an e-textbook and practice problems; access to a facilitator is also provided. Courses are offered through open enrollment so you can register for a course at any time and receive access to materials within five business days. Each non-core course concludes with a final exam that must be written on a scheduled exam date within one year of the initial course registration at a CPAWSB exam centre. You must achieve a grade of at least 50 percent to pass a non-core course. The final grade is calculated based on the final exam. Non-core courses are: 

  • Introductory Financial Accounting (IFA) 
  • Introductory Management Accounting* (IMA)  
  • Economics (ECO)  
  • Statistics (STA)  
  • Business Law (BUL)  

*Introductory Financial Accounting or an equivalent course at a post-secondary institution must be completed before or concurrently with Introductory Management Accounting. 

Core preparatory courses are available via self-study using a SmartBook. Courses are offered through open enrollment so you can register for a course at any time and receive access to materials within five business days. Core courses include six units during which time students complete course activities. All core courses conclude with a final exam that must be written on a scheduled exam date within one year of the course start at a CPAWSB exam centre. Students must achieve a grade of at least 60 percent to pass a core course. The final grade is calculated based on the final exam.  

To be eligible to write the final exam, students must achieve a minimum course grade of 75 percent, on the following weekly unit activities:  

  • Smartbook Adaptive Assignments  
  • Practice Problems  
  • Task-Based Simulations  
  • Quizzes  

The weekly unit activity grades are comprised of a combination of reasonable attempt and performance. Failure to achieve the 75 percent course completion requirement will result in a course withdrawal and course attempt. Please refer to the Course Delivery FAQ for more information. 

Please review the course prerequisites in the infographic above before registering for a core course. Core preparatory courses are:  

  • Intermediate Financial Reporting 1 (IF1)  
  • Intermediate Financial Reporting 2 (IF2)  
  • Advanced Financial Reporting (AFR)  
  • Corporate Finance (COF)
  • Audit & Assurance (AUA)  
  • Taxation (TAX)
  • Intermediate Management Accounting (MAA)  
  • Performance Management (PMA)
  • Information Technology (ITE) 
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CPA Preparatory Courses Syllabus

The CPA Preparatory Courses Syllabus provides detailed information on the content of the CPA preparatory courses. 

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Learn more about the CPA preparatory courses

Review the CPAWSB Student Guide