CPA Certification Program. Pursuing Unification of Alberta s Accounting Profession

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1 CPA Certification Program Pursuing Unification of Alberta s Accounting Profession

2 The CPA Certification Program The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta is working toward a fall 2013 launch of the CPA Certification Program. The CPA program is being developed on a national basis, and is likely to be offered across Western Canada by the end of The program will align with the Canadian CPA Profession s vision: To be the pre-eminent, internationally recognized Canadian accounting designation and business credential that best protects and serves the public interest. In order for the ICAA to be able to offer the CPA Certification Program to students this fall, it will first need to obtain member support for the Alberta Unification Plan and consult with the Government of Alberta on the new program. The ICAA expects it will know by the end of June 2013 if it will be able to proceed with the CPA program. If the ICAA is not able to proceed with the CPA Program in the fall, a suitable transitional program will be in place for students by fall For more on the Alberta Unification Plan, please visit

3 About the CPA Program The CPA Certification Program is being developed on a national basis, and will be delivered regionally/provincially. The program is designed to combine the strengths of the legacy bodies certification practices, including many aspects of the CA School of Business (CASB) program currently offered in Western Canada. The program will maintain the rigour of the existing programs in order to meet all existing mutual recognition agreements and IFAC (International Federation of Accountants) education requirements. There are four elements to the CPA Certification Program: Prerequisite Education Graduate-level CPA Professional Education Program Practical Experience Common Final Examination Prerequisite Education The academic prerequisites to enter the CPA program will include completion of an undergraduate degree, and coverage of specific subject areas. These subject areas will be covered through the completion of specific course requirements, with eligible courses to be defined at various Alberta post-secondary institutions. CPA provincial bodies are working directly with the postsecondary institutions in their provinces to develop these requirements. More information about the prerequisites is available at Students completing their undergraduate degree prior to the adoption of the specific postsecondary institution course requirements may be unable to graduate with each of the necessary CPA prerequisites this could affect students beginning the CPA program in the fall of 2013 or These students will have access to a transitional bridging program, which will allow them to complete the necessary course requirements in a streamlined fashion. Mod Zero Students entering the CPA program in the fall of 2013 will enroll in Mod Zero to meet any outstanding prerequisites. Students will self-assess which topics they are required to complete, have access to all necessary Mod Zero materials online, and self-evaluate each topic upon its completion. Mod Zero starts in May More information about Mod Zero is available at CPA Certification Program 1

4 CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) Key Features An undergraduate degree and specified subject area coverage in business and accountancy for admission to the CPA Professional Education Program; A CPA Professional Education Program, developed national and delivered regionally; A common, comprehensive multi-day final examination, the Common Final Evaluation (CFE); and A minimum 30 months of rigourous, hands-on experience that builds and applies relevant CPA competencies and is subject to quality control by the profession. Competencies CPAs are required to demonstrate skill in six technical and five enabling competencies. The six technical competency areas are: Financial Reporting Strategy and Governance Management Accounting Audit and Assurance Finance Taxation The five enabling competency areas are: Professional and Ethical Behaviour Problem Solving and Decision Making Communication Self-management Teamwork and Leadership Six areas of technical competency + Five areas of enabling competency + Expected proficiency, as demonstrated through requisite practical experience, at the entry point into the CPA PEP = CPA competency upon entering profession + + = Six areas of technical competency Five areas of enabling competency Expected proficiency, as demonstrated through progressive, relevant practical experience and increased responsibility Entry-level CPA CPA Certification Program 2

5 POTENTIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF CPA PROFESSION EDUCATION PROGRAM Qualifying Practical Experience Qualifying Practical Experience for Public Accounting + Professional Education Program Academic Prerequisites Capstone Capstone Integrative Evaluation Final Core Core Elective Elective Evaluation CPA Module Preparation Required for Admission to Professional Education Program Undergraduate degree Specific subject area coverage Common Modules Six integrated core competency areas: 1 Financial Reporting 2 Strategy and Governance 3 Management Accounting 4 Audit and Assurance 5 Finance 6 Taxation Elective Modules Candidates choose any two modules: Assurance Personal Management Tax Finance Public Accounting Candidates must choose: Assurance Tax Common Capstone Integrative Module Leadership Skills Professional Skills Integration of Competencies Candidates must successfully complete a profession-developed capstone evaluation preparation course in order to sit the final exam 1 Candidates must demonstrate breadth in all six core competency areas 2 Candidates must demonstrate depth in two core competency areas: Financial Reporting or Management Accounting plus One from other core competency areas Public Accounting Candidates must demonstrate depth in: Financial Reporting Assurance CPA Certification Program 3

6 Modules Six modules will comprise the CPA certification program. The program will begin with two core modules that are common to all CPA candidates, followed by two elective modules (of which there will be four options). Upon completion of these four modules, all candidates will be required to complete two capstone modules. The main objective of the two core modules Financial Accounting and Reporting; and Management Accounting, Planning and Control is to build the enabling and the technical competencies required of a professional accountant. The core modules draw on the disciplines of law, economics, finance, strategy, statistics, IT and others. They develop competence in incorporating and applying aspects of all areas of the competency map (i.e. financial reporting, strategy and governance, management accounting, audit and assurance, finance and taxation). The elective modules are: Performance Management, Finance, Assurance, and Taxation. They allow candidates to explore a field of their choice, based on their interests and career aspirations. In order to practice public accounting in Alberta, students will have to select Assurance and Taxation as their elective modules, as well as complete the related practical experience requirements. In the Capstone Integrative Module (Cap 1), candidates will learn about team management and how to communicate in a professional environment, and they deepen their strategic leadership competencies using the knowledge they have acquired in the prerequisites and earlier modules. Cap 1 combines individual and group work, supported by written assignments and oral presentations. The final examination preparation module, Capstone Examination Preparation Module (Cap 2), is also common to all CPA candidates. Cap 2 is an examination preparation module. By using complex and highly integrative cases that simulate real-life business issues, the module equips candidates with the ability to apply the technical and enabling competencies they have acquired throughout CPA PEP. Unlike in Cap 1, in which candidates work as part of a team, candidates in Cap 2 work individually to hone their behavioural, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills by applying them to complex situations. The situations simulate real-life projects and assignments that newly certified CPAs may encounter in their careers. Practical Experience CPA Canada is currently developing the practical experience requirements for the CPA program. These requirements are expected to be completed and in effect for It s anticipated that students would require 30 months of employment. Alberta students entering the CPA program before this time will continue to follow the practical experience requirements adhered to by the CA School of Business, and will do so throughout the entire duration of their practical experience term. The CA School of Business follows the nationally established CA Practical Experience Requirements (PER) CPA Canada has announced that practice experience will be gained through one of two routes: 1. Approved Path: These CPA candidates will be employed in training positions offered by organizations with training paths approved by the CPA profession. This is very similar to the current CA model. 2. Experience Verification: These CPA candidates will be appropriately supervised and/or mentored, and submit detailed experience reports for approval by the CPA Profession. This path may not be available until the CPA practical experience requirements are implemented and in effect, likely in Common Final Evaluation The CPA Program will have a multi-day Common Final Evaluation (CFE), to complete the CPA Professional Education Program. The evaluation will be similar in format to the CA profession s current Uniform Evaluation (UFE). It is expected that the evaluation will be offered twice each year. CPA Certification Program 4

7 CPA Prerequisite Education Program (CPA PREP) The CPA Prerequisite Education Program (CPA PREP) will be an intensive education program aimed at those who have an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than accounting, and lack some or all of the necessary subject matter coverage required for admission to the CPA Professional Education Program. It will be a nationally developed program, delivered on a part-time basis. To ensure maximum flexibility and accessibility, it will be developed using a blended learning model combining online learning, self-study, and classroom learning. The CPA PREP will offer 12 modules, but candidates need to complete only those modules for which they have no recognized academic credit. Each module will end with an evaluation; candidates will be permitted to challenge these evaluations if they believe they have the requisite knowledge. The modules, which will be offered twice a year, range in length from one to 14 weeks with some self-study modules allowing up to six months for completion. More information on the CPA PREP is available at CPA Certificate Program The CPA profession will also offer a separate, mid-tier program for individuals aspiring to a career in accountancy other than the Canadian CPA. This program will have relevant entrance, education and assessment requirements to meet the market need and goals of the profession. Education/evaluation bridges to the appropriate stage of the CPA Professional Education Program will also be developed. Info for current CASB students and CA Training Offices Alberta students enrolled in the CA School of Business s Module 1 by May 2013 and working towards their practical experience requirements at an approved CA Training Office will continue their studies within the CASB system. Students will continue to work towards the September 2014 UFE. If they are unsuccessful on a module attempt, make-up modules will be made available to them. In addition, a June 2015 UFE will be made available to experienced writers who are not successful on the 2014 evaluation. At this time, approved CA Training Offices will not have to make major adjustments to their training programs. Student fees and experience reporting requirements will remain unchanged. As the CPA Program is implemented in Alberta, CA Training Offices will receive advanced notice from the ICAA and/or CPA Canada before any conversion is required. CPA Certification Program 5

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