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Currently Developed and Planned CPA preparatory courses for Indigenous Learners

The following preparatory courses that make up the fourteen essential prerequisite courses required for entry into the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP), are currently available or planned for upcoming sessions:

IFA is a non-core preparatory course. The CPA Introductory Financial Accounting (IFA) class teaches you about the basics of accounting. You'll learn about analyzing financial information, the accounting cycle, and how to record different types of financial transactions.

IMA is a non-core preparatory course. The CPA Introductory Management Accounting class examines how organizations use accounting information to plan, monitor, and control. Managers in all functional areas deal with the management accounting system of the organization they work for. The purpose of this course is to ensure that you have a basic understanding of how such systems operate, the language they use, and their limitations.

Prerequisite: Introductory Financial Accounting (IFA)    

 IF1 is a core preparatory course. The Intermediate Financial Reporting class builds on the introductory financial accounting concepts acquired in introductory financial accounting. This module focuses primarily on asset (cash, receivables, inventories, capital and intangible assets, investments).

Prerequisites:

  • Introductory Financial Accounting (IFA)
  • Introductory Management Accounting (IMA) 
     

IF2 is a core preparatory course. The Intermediate Financial Reporting 2 class is a continuation of Intermediate Financial Reporting 1. This course focuses on liabilities and equities along with topics such as accounting for income taxes, leases, employee benefits, earnings per share and accounting changes.

  • Indigenous IF2 Course Syllabus

Prerequisites:

  • Introductory Financial Accounting (IFA)
  • Introductory Management Accounting (IMA) 
  • Intermediate Financial Reporting 1 (IF1)

AFR is a core preparatory course. The Advanced Financial Reporting class covers advanced financial accounting topics such as consolidations, foreign currency, and not-for-profit accounting.

  • Indigenous AFR Course Syllabus – Not available yet

Prerequisites:

  • Introductory Financial Accounting (IFA)
  • Introductory Management Accounting (IMA) 
  • Intermediate Financial Reporting 1 (IF1)
  • Intermediate Financial Reporting 2 (IF2)

CPA Preparatory Courses For Indigenous Learners - Entry Requirements

To enroll in any of the preparatory courses for Indigenous learners, you are required to:

  • Have 30 credit hours (approx. 1 year) of post-secondary education or 3 years of relevant experience is normally required for admission to the IFA preparatory course. Because of the changes in the Indigenous IFA course structure, this requirement may be waived based on your qualifications, work experience, and commitment to completing the course. Eligibility will be assessed during enrollment.

  • Provide proof of Indigenous Status with one of the following:

    • Copy of a Status card from the Government of Canada
    • Copy of a Métis membership card from one of the five Métis Provincial Affiliates or recognized Territorial organizations.  Additionally, the student may present a membership card from the Métis Settlements General Council showing membership in a Métis Settlement of Alberta
    • Copy of a Nunavut Trust Certificate card
    • Documentation that an ancestor’s name has been entered 1) in the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, or 2) on the band list of an individual band, or 3) as beneficiaries of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement or other claim regions such as Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and Inuvialuit
    • Written confirmation of Indigenous identity from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada or Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
    • Written confirmation of membership by a band council which has enacted its own band membership code
      For Indigenous learners unable to provide one of the above, we encourage them to reach out to the CPAWSB to explore other options.
  • Please note that certain preparatory courses must be completed before others, as they serve as prerequisites. Check the course descriptions to identify any required prerequisites before taking that course (e.g., IFA and IMA must be completed before registering for IF1).

Note: The entry requirements listed above apply only to the preparatory courses for Indigenous learners. If a learner wants to take further prerequisite courses, that have still not been developed for the Indigenous learners initiative, through the regularly offered CPAWSB preparatory courses, they will need to meet all the entry requirements for CPA preparatory courses and must complete the CPAWSB enrollment process at that time. 

Admission requirements for CPA PEP will also need to be fully met at the time of entering CPA PEP.

There are two core modules, two elective modules, and two capstone modules:

CPA PEP begins with two mandatory core modules. In these modules, candidates build the enabling and technical competencies required of a professional accountant. The modules develop competencies in management and financial accounting and are integrative, drawing on law, economics, finance, strategy, statistics, and IT, as well as the technical competency areas. The focus of these modules is breadth. 

  • Core 1
    Focuses on financial reporting, audit and assurance, finance, and taxation
  • Core 2 
    Focuses on management accounting, finance, strategy and governance, and financial reporting

Additional Core Module Details  on the CPA Canada website.

CPA PEP elective modules provide the opportunity to explore two fields of interest in greater depth. The focus of these modules is depth.

Elective 1 and Elective 2, Candidates choose two modules from a list of four options:

  • Performance Management
  • Finance
  • Assurance
  • Taxation

Note: Candidates pursuing a career in public accounting must take Assurance and Tax. 

Additional elective module details  on the CPA Canada website.

CPA PEP capstone modules are culminating courses; candidates demonstrate what they have learned through the core and elective modules. All CPA candidates must complete both capstone modules. 

  • Capstone 1: Integrative Module 
    Deepens strategic leadership competencies by using the knowledge acquired in prerequisite and earlier modules in a professional, team setting. Candidates complete a large business case, which relates to Day 1 of the CFE. The module focus is application and integration.
  • Capstone 2: Examination Preparation Module
    Focuses on preparing candidates for entry into the profession by applying competencies acquired throughout the CPA program in complex and highly integrative cases. Candidates develop enabling competencies in situations which simulate real-life projects and assignments that newly certified CPAs may encounter in their careers.

We encourage candidates to take the Capstone 1 and 2 modules immediately leading up to the CFE. For instance, candidates planning to write the September CFE, should take Capstone 1 starting in May and Capstone 2 starting in July.

Additional Capstone Module Details  on the CPA Canada website.

Currently Developed and Planned CPA PEP Modules for Indigenous Learners

The following CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) modules for indigenous learners are currently available or planned for upcoming sessions:

The Core 1 Module is the first module of the CPA Professional Education Program. It develops management and financial accounting competencies, building upon the four core technical competency areas. It covers a wide range of essential concepts, theories, and skills relevant to the subject matter. 

The Core 2 Module is the second module of the CPA Professional Education Program. It develops competencies in the areas of governance, strategy, risk management, and management decision-making. 

Prerequisite: CPA PEP Core 1

The Assurance Elective Module is one of four elective modules offered in the CPA Professional Education Program (only 2 of the 4 electives* are required to be completed). It develops competencies necessary to perform both internal audit projects and external assurance engagements, through key concepts such as risk, materiality, and internal control. 
 
*Learners pursing a career in public accounting must take the Assurance elective and Taxation elective.

Prerequisites:

  • CPA PEP Core 1
  • CPA PEP Core 2

The Performance Management Elective Module is one of four elective modules offered in the CPA Professional Education Program (only 2 of the 4 electives* are required to be completed). It develops the ability to contribute to strategic decision-making, support effective governance, manage and mitigate risk, and assess overall performance management. 

*Learners pursing a career in public accounting must take the Assurance elective and Taxation elective.

Prerequisites:

  • CPA PEP Core 1
  • CPA PEP Core 2

CPA PEP Modules for Indigenous Learners - Entry Requirements

To be admitted to the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP), applicants require:

  • An undergraduate degree or Master’s degree (in any discipline) or be eligible for Mature Status entry.
  • Have 120 credit hours of post-secondary education or be eligible for Mature Status entry.
  • Successful completion of all 14 prerequisite courses (either taken through a recognized post-secondary institution or completed through CPA preparatory courses offered through this initiative).
  • Good character, as demonstrated through questions at registration.
  • Lawful permission to study and/or work in the registered region, if applicable
  • Proof of Indigenous Status with one of the following:
    • Copy of a Status card from the Government of Canada
    • Copy of a Métis membership card from one of the five Métis Provincial Affiliates or recognized Territorial organizations. Additionally, the student may present a membership card from the Métis Settlements General Council showing membership in a Métis Settlement of Alberta.
    • Copy of a Nunavut Trust Certificate card.
    • Documentation that an ancestor’s name has been entered 1) in the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, or 2) on the band list of an individual band, or 3) as beneficiaries of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement or other claim regions such as Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and Inuvialuit.
    • Written confirmation of Indigenous identity from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada or Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.
    • Written confirmation of membership by a band council which has enacted its own band membership code.
    • For Indigenous learners unable to provide one of the above, we encourage them to reach out to the CPAWSB to explore other options.