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CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) Modules for Indigenous Learners

The nationally developed CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) is the graduate-level education component required to obtain the CPA designation. CPA PEP is comprised of six modules focused on preparing CPA candidates for a career in business and accounting, targeted toward mid-level to management-level positions.

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.

Please note: the CPA PEP modules for Indigenous learners being offered have been tailored for you as an Indigenous learner and may differ in structure and learning format than those outlined in the regular stream of CPA PEP.


CPA PEP candidates are required to successfully complete all six modules before they are eligible to write the Common Final Examination (CFE), which must also be passed to successfully complete the education component of the CPA designation.

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 (module enrollment and registration is OPEN):

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

* These module additions are planned but subject to change.

Module Information

Each module begins with an In-Person Opening session and ends with an In-Person Closing session.

  • The In-Person Opening session takes place at the start of the course to build a community and learn about the profession.
  • The In-Person Closing session takes place at the end of the course to focus on preparing for the exam.

There are also three learning sessions (the first two are virtual and the final one is in-person). The synchronous activities provided throughout the module include facilitated discussions that foster a sense of community within the cohort and provide peer learning and support opportunities.

This will be a two-hour webinar to introduce the profession, review learner conduct, and introduction to Core 1 and the D2L learning management system. Attendance is encouraged and the webinar will be recorded for candidates that are unable to attend. 

At the start of each module, you will participate in a two-day In-Person Opening session to gather together, engage in community building, and be introduced to the profession. At the end of each module, the group will gather for a two-day In-Person Opening session to focus on exam preparation.

Throughout each module, whether virtual or in-person, you will participate in 2-day sessions with a smaller group of candidates. During these sessions, you will work through technical materials and be exposed to Indigenous content and context through guest speakers and activities.

As part of each module, you will have the opportunity to attend learning sessions. We are currently working on verifying which location(s) the In-Person Learning session will be held at, with the expectation that in-person participation will be available in BC and Alberta, subject to interest.

These optional webinars cover a variety of topics, including advice on writing objective-format questions, case planning, case writing, analyzing financial reporting issues, analyzing other module competencies, debriefing, and preparing for the exam. The webinars will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions and seek help in completing assignments. The webinars will be recorded and available to all candidates.

For each module, there is a four-hour final exam that consists of objective-format and case-based questions. There are approximately 33 locations in western Canada where the exam can be taken. If you live in a remote location (150 km or more from an approved, pre-arranged exam location), arrangements can be made for you to take the exam closer to your location.

The asynchronous parts of each module allow you to learn and complete assessments independently at your own pace before each in-person or virtual learning session and before the final exam.

Each unit covers several eBook chapters. Each chapter includes a snapshot, written instruction, examples, e-lessons on select technical topics, summary problems, and multiple-choice practice questions.

Quizzes consists of 25 multiple-choice questions that have been selected to test your understanding of the technical topics in each unit.

Integrated problems draw from the technical topics covered in each unit and provide you with an opportunity to practise applying technical knowledge in an integrated manner.

Integrated problems are marked by a facilitator.

Practice cases provide you with an opportunity to hone your case-writing skills and apply technical knowledge in a 60-minute scenario. The practice case is designed to be written in exam-like conditions within the suggested time noted in the case.

Practice cases are marked by a facilitator.

Retired exam cases are cases that were included in a past module exam. Writing retired exam case is optional; however, you are strongly encouraged to write the cases under time-constrained exam conditions to prepare for the end of module exam.

After your facilitator has returned feedback on your integrated problem and practice case submissions, you can perform a debrief using the feedback received.

CPA PEP Admission, Schedule and Fees

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Admission Requirements

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Registration and Schedules

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Fees and Scholarships

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Contact Us

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Ready to register in a module or start the enrollment process?

If you have questions or are interested in participating in any of these modules, please fill out the Information Request Form and we will follow up with you and answer all your questions and if/when you are ready to enroll we will help you get started.

Information and Registration Request Form