How to Become a CPA

Learn About the CPA Designation

Attend information sessions and events to learn about the process and requirements for enrolling into the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP), as well as to network with CPAs and find career opportunities with employers. All our welcome to attend any of our events but here are some recommended sessions based on demographics:

Demographic	Recommended Sessions
Post-Secondary Students	CPA Post-Secondary Info Session; CPA Public Practice Recruit Info Session; Practical Experience Q&A Session
Career Changers	Conversations with a CPA; CPABC Network Series; CPA Info Session
International Students and Professionals	CPABC Accounting Night in Canada; CPABC Talent Talks; CPA’s Journey

Sign up for our post-secondary monthly newsletter to get exclusive invites, program updates, and career resources that you need.
Become a Campus Ambassador to showcase the CPA pathway to peers at your school and gain valuable volunteer experience.
Speak with an advisor.

Meet Post-Secondary Requirements for the CPA Program

To be admitted into CPA PEP you must satisfy the following requirements:

A university degree
- A transcript assessment is required and submitted via My CPA profile. You will be notified once your transcript is assessed, and whether you are eligible to be admitted into the CPA PEP program, or if further education is required.
120-credit hours of post-secondary education
Prerequisite education
- You can complete the 14 prerequisite courses at any BC post-secondary institution or with the CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB). If you take these courses with CPAWSB, you must first be admitted to the CPAWSB.
  - NOTE: There is a special grades policy for those who completed prerequisite courses during a COVID-19 affected semester (January 2020 – December 2021).
- You can apply early to the CPA program as a conditional candidate before your transcript assessment is completed.
Good character and reputation

For international students studying at a BC post-secondary institution, here are the requirements for admission:

Study and work permits if you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
A Canadian third party degree assessment report for international degrees.

Jumpstart on Gaining Relevant Experience for Your CPA

There are many ways to build your CPA skills outside of the classroom while completing your post-secondary education:

Become an active member of your college or university’s accounting or business club/association.
Participate in two recruitment seasons when public practice firms in BC are hiring for co-op, summer internships, and full time jobs after graduation.
Compete in our annual Business Case Competition to showcase your talent and business acumen. More details wll be shared in November on CPABC's Events page.
Attend post-secondary and CPABC events to build employer connections and learn about upcoming opportunities, including CPABC's Career Week.
View the CPABC Practical Experience Requirement (PER) recorded session and attend a live PER Q&A to learn how you can apply up to 12 months of prior, relevant accounting experience to your CPA PER experience as a PEP candidate.

Your Journey to Becoming a CPA

Learn About the CPA Designation

Learn About What CPAs Do

Celebrating Excellence

Asian Heritage Month honours previous generations, and holds bright light up to the future

Unicorn leader: Michael Pickup, FCPA, FCA

Staying ahead in tech - Catching up with CPAs at Accelerate Okanagan

CPA Rising: How this CPA used his designation to start two small businesses

Never waste your time: How one CPA candidate secured a life and career he loves

Planning 100 years ahead: This CPA is essential to her coastal town

Owning her seat at the table: Gopi Chande, FCPA, FCA

Leaning into curiosity leads to career leaps: CPA Rising, Jocelyn Li

CFE success stories!

Set your goal: CPA Rising, Hannah Griffin

Meet the CPA who started a plant-based burger business

Ed Pereira at the forefront of CPA careers in cybersecurity

CPA Rising: Jonathan Wong

Celebrating CFE Success!

A perfect start

Local passion, global reach: CPA software developer enables data-driven profits

‘My heritage has deeply influenced my career’

CPA Rising: Amanda Collinge Bae

A lifetime of outstanding contribution to his profession: Olin Anton, FCPA, FCA

‘Be authentic in your own skin, do not look to fit into a mould’

CPA Rising: Adam Karim

A view from the top is nice, but the real fun is in climbing the mountain: A conversation with Mark Anthony Group’s Victor Giacomin, FCPA, FCA

The best ways to use your CPA skills as a volunteer

Why a successful Vancouver businesswoman is staking her future on plant-based cheese

“It’s my way of saying thank you”: CPA volunteer makes a difference to the community of Penticton

The program that led an Indigenous trailblazer to her dream career

Engineering success by taking risks: Profile on Jimmy Vaiopoulos, CPA, CA

No cookie cutter approach to gender parity: Every woman has her own unique challenges

CPA Rising: Nelson Soh

Canada’s fastest-growing plant-based food brand is powered by a collective vision

Two Vancouver entrepreneurs launch Canada’s first ‘hard’ kombucha

A local entrepreneur and the credential that transformed his career path

We asked 3 BC-based foodies about their path to success

How Julien Francois helps publishers adapt and thrive in the digital world

Celebrating CFE success!

Breaking down barriers: Meet the CPA who's presenting CPABC's first FinLit session in Chinese

Celebrating CFE success!

One cool customer: New CPABC chair Karen Horcher, FCPA, FCGA, CFA, has a knack for navigating uncertainty

Leading with heart and an open mind: Livleen Veslemes, change maker

Jeff Wasyliw helps lead Alida in delivering actionable customer insight

"It just clicked" - Why Rhian Quarry made the switch from science to the CPA

Jody Kidd helps lead Copperleaf with her spirit for innovation and progress

Maintaining resilience in tough economic times is vital

CPA-led BC produce company disrupts industry across Canada

Prioritizing mental health at work

Why it’s important to encourage positive mental health in the workplace

Mental health in the workplace: What will the new normal look like?

Vancouver CPA shares his time—and his wonder dog—with those in need

Flexibility critical in hard hit service industry

Demystifying debt: CPA FinLit volunteer helps young people understand how to leverage debt to their advantage

Bringing calm resolve to turbulent times

WELL Health leverages technology to transform healthcare

Small steps have a big impact: Volunteer helps high school students improve financial literacy

Helping kids get financially smart for life: Volunteer stokes passion for real-world skills

Meet the LUSH employee whose career has taken her all over the world

How KPMG’s “1,000 Acts of Kindness” has inspired employees and lifted communities

The journey to the C-suite: Nick Bozikis, CFO at Article

Safety and people: How Quails’ Gate approached its reopening strategy

Traction Guest’s solution to minimizing traditional physical touchpoints at workplaces

Modo provides vehicles for frontline workers throughout COVID-19

Thinkific helps lead the evolution of virtual learning during COVID-19

Leading community cheer: How Steamworks pivoted its business to support COVID-19 relief

Supporting BC healthcare: How HME Mobility helped hospitals create capacity during COVID-19

Staying connected: How a CPA pivoted his commissary kitchen to support local entrepreneurs during COVID-19

What I wish I knew when I was starting my career in accounting?

Disruption period: Championing body positivity and eco-friendly entrepreneurship

Disrupting data management: How Aquatic Informatics is strengthening public health protection

Disrupting data analytics: Visier provides HR insights to businesses

Employer Spotlight: Interfor

Global impact: Svante is disrupting the world’s CO2 marketplace

A career dedicated to building Vancouver: A conversation with John McLaughlin

Disrupting biotech: Interviewing Zymeworks’ Neil Klompas

Power disruption: Neurio revolutionizes home energy market

Semios: Solving agriculture’s challenges with smart tech and sustainability

How Thinkific disrupts online learning

Loving the journey: Profile on Olga Gregoire, CPA, CGA, Controller, Energetic Services