CPA Professional Program - Frequently Asked Questions

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  • Careers & outcomes
  • General program
  • Register and enrol

Why become a CPA? 

Becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) is about more than earning a designation; it’s about building a foundation for a career that is trusted, versatile and globally relevant.

CPAs are central to how organizations make decisions. Whether it’s guiding strategy, ensuring financial integrity, advising on risk or shaping sustainable business practices, CPAs play a key role in how businesses and institutions operate and grow.

Career focused questions:

How will this affect my career?

The CPA Professional Program is designed to help working professionals continue progressing toward the CPA designation while remaining active in their current role. By advancing your CPA journey without stepping away from work, you can continue building practical experience alongside your professional education.

What jobs do graduates move into?

The program supports individuals pursuing careers across public accounting, corporate finance, financial reporting, assurance, taxation, management accounting, consulting and a wide range of business leadership roles. Career outcomes depend on a student's background, experience and career goals.

What is the salary impact of earning a CPA?

Compensation varies based on industry, role, location, experience and career path. Many employers recognize the CPA designation as a valued professional credential, and it is commonly associated with greater career opportunities and increased responsibility across accounting, finance and business leadership roles.

What career opportunities can a CPA pathway support?

A CPA can help open doors to leadership and specialist positions in areas such as financial reporting, audit, taxation, corporate finance, risk management, consulting and executive leadership. For many professionals, the designation supports both career advancement and long-term professional growth.

What is the CPA Professional Program? 

The CPA Professional Program is an online pathway designed to help learners complete the required professional modules leading to the Chartered Professional Accountant designation while balancing work and study.

It is part of the evolving CPA certification structure developed in partnership with the profession and aligned with the new CPA assessment model introduced across Ontario.

General program questions:

Can I work full-time while completing the program?

Yes. The CPA Professional Program was specifically designed for working professionals. Coursework is delivered primarily asynchronously with weekly learning activities. Students have the option to also participate in regular live virtual check-ins and weekly debriefs lead by faculty, allowing everyone to stay connected and supported.

How long does the program take?

Students should plan to spend approximately 15 hours per week on coursework, readings, assignments and course activities. The program is designed to provide flexibility for working professionals, allowing you to progress while balancing a career. Students complete the three required modules in sequence, allowing the online program to be completed in one-year.

When can I start?

The first offering for each of the four modules begins in Spring 2027.

  • Foundational Development: May 31, 2027
  • CPA Core (Licensure): May 31, 2027, or
  • CPA Core (Common): July 12, 2027
  • CPA Leadership: June 28, 2027

All modules will be offered three times per year, aligned with CPA exam sittings in January, May and September. This schedule enables students to complete the module in which they are enroled and immediately apply their learning by writing the corresponding professional examination administered by CPA Ontario.

There will be spring, fall and winter offerings for each of the four modules.

What is the total tuition cost?

Tuition and fee information will be available prior to program launch and published on this website as details are finalized.

Can my employer reimburse tuition? 

Many employers offer professional development or tuition support programs for employees pursuing professional designations. Students are encouraged to speak with their employer's HR or professional development team to determine what support may be available.


Register and enrol

What are the admission requirements?

To participate in the CPA Professional Program, individuals must be registered with CPA Ontario.

For information regarding CPA Ontario registration requirements, examinations and eligibility criteria, please visit the CPA Ontario website.

Am I academically eligible for the program?

What are the CPA qualifying courses?

Registrants must have completed the following:

Seven required accounting courses:

  • Intermediate Financial Reporting I
  • Intermediate Financial Reporting II
  • Advanced Financial Reporting
  • Corporate Finance
  • Audit and Assurance
  • Taxation
  • Intermediate Management Accounting

Plus eight additional business courses selected from approved post-secondary institution course offerings. These may include prerequisite courses for the required accounting courses listed above but cannot include any anti-requisite courses.

All entry-level knowledge requirements, whether demonstrated through completion of the CPA qualifying courses or the CPA Knowledge Assessment, must be completed within three years of enroling in the Foundational Development module.

What if I completed prerequisite courses more than three years ago?

To meet admission requirements, all entry-level knowledge must be completed within three years prior to enroling in the Foundational Development module. Individuals whose coursework falls outside that timeframe may be eligible to demonstrate entry-level knowledge through CPA Ontario's Knowledge Assessment process.

What is the Knowledge Assessment?

The CPA Knowledge Assessment is an entrance assessment that allows registrants to demonstrate the accounting and business knowledge required for admission to the CPA Professional Program if they have not completed the required CPA qualifying courses. The assessment evaluates whether candidates possess the prerequisite competencies needed to succeed in the program.

How do I register for the program?

Enrolment is managed through a centralized portal. This portal is under development and will be available by the beginning of 2027, in time to register your interest in participating in UWaterloo's Online Program. 

Step 1: Register with CPA Ontario and complete the eligibility verification process.

Step 2: Once your eligibility has been confirmed, you can register for the CPA Professional Program.

Placement and admission

Eligible students are guaranteed a seat in the CPA Professional Program at one of the three participating post-secondary institutions.

Placement at a specific post-secondary institution is based on factors such as registration timing, ranking and available space.

Once enroled at an institution, students cannot transfer to another participating institution within the program.