Internationally Designated Accountants

Learn how CPABC supports the international credential recognition process to help internationally trained accountants become CPAs in BC.

In Canada, the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation is governed and granted by provincial or territorial legislation. While the CPA Certification Program was developed nationally by CPA Canada, it is delivered and administered by the provincial or territorial bodies.

In Western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut), the CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB) delivers the education and examination components for the CPA Professional Education Program. In British Columbia, the practical experience requirements and membership in BC are administered by CPABC under the CPA Act.

For more information about applying for membership under an MRA/RMA or certification with a MOU, IFAC membership, or International (non-Canadian) degree, please see below.

Internationally Trained

If you have an international degree, your transcript will need to be verified and assessed for Canadian degree equivalency before applying to the CPA Certification Program.

Click on the button below for more information on how to request a transcript assessment and apply to the CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB).

Non-Canadian Degree: Transcript Request

IFAC Member

Follow the link below to confirm if your accounting body has membership with the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).


IFAC Information


If so, please visit CPAWSB to get more information on how to request an evaluation of your academic and professional qualifications and apply for the CPA Certification Program.

IFAC Members Request Evaluation

MOU Agreements

Follow the link below to confirm if your accounting body has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CPA Canada.


MOU Information


If so, please visit CPAWSB to get more information on how to request an evaluation of your academic and professional qualifications and apply for the CPA Certification Program.

CIMA MOU - Apply to CPAWSB
ICAI MOU - Apply to CPAWSB
CIMA MOU - Apply to CPAWSB
ICAP MOU - Apply to CPAWSB
ICMAP-MOUA: Apply to CPAWSB

MRA/RMA Agreements

Follow the link below to confirm if your accounting body has a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) or Reciprocal Membership Agreement (RMA) with CPA Canada.


MRA/RMA Information


If so, you may be eligible for membership with CPABC.

MRA-RMA Apply to CPABC

*Note if you also have a Canadian graduate or undergraduate degree please apply as an applicant with a Canadian degree.

If you would like more information about applying for membership to CPABC under an MRA or RMA please contact CPABC at cpabcinternationalinquiries@bccpa.ca.

Applicants seeking admission to membership in CPABC through an international membership agreement may be admitted under Bylaw 501(8) as follows:

Despite subsection (1), a member of a professional body outside of Canada or Bermuda having the same or similar objects, standards of education, training and experience requirements as CPABC may be admitted as a CPA member if

  1. the professional body in which the applicant holds membership is recognized by the board for the purpose of admission under this subsection,
  2. the applicant was engaged in the practice of accounting in the jurisdiction in which that professional body is located for a two-year period, or a shorter period considered satisfactory by the Membership Committee, immediately before the applicant was granted membership in that professional body,
  3. the Membership Committee is satisfied that the applicant has attained a standard of education, training and experience substantially equivalent to the admission requirements for students under subsection (1), and
  4. the applicant satisfies any other applicable conditions or requirements for admission as a CPA member under any applicable mutual recognition agreement, reciprocal membership agreement, memorandum of understanding or similar agreement between CPABC and that professional body.