YOUR CPA JOURNEY
LEARN 6 REASONS TO BECOME A CPA
You can always bet on the certainty of the CPA designation, and here’s why:
You’ll be a change maker. CPAs lead through disruptive change. They anticipate the unexpected, simplify complexity and ultimately transform data into business strategy. So, during times of uncertainty, CPAs create real value for organizations, economies, and society at large.
- You can work in any industry. You’ll have a career where you can work in any industry of your choosing. From public service and not-for-profit, to the sports and beauty industries – the sky is literally the limit.
- Your career development will be off the charts. CPAs have a certain zing when it comes to landing leadership roles within the upper echelons of the business world. Take notes: who’s at the helm of companies like Google, The Walt Disney Company, Coca Cola, Adidas? You guessed it, CPAs.
- You won’t have to wait to be middle-aged to be taken seriously. With your CPA designation, you’ll be trusted as a financial expert and an ethical leader. Others will look to you for guidance, and you’ll be respected not only for your exceptional eye for detail but also for your ability to solve complex problems with key insights.
- You’ll have job security few other careers can compete with. The CPA designation boasts over 200,000 members in Canada and over 44,000 in the CPA certification program. As one of the most recognized and respected accounting designations in the world, nearly every organization in any industry has a CPA on staff – or more likely – leading.
- CPAs are the financial good guys. CPAs are thought leaders, regulators, advocates and providers. They protect the public interest, which is part of the reason why CPAs are globally respected for meeting the highest standards of integrity and expertise.
MEET OPPORTUNITIES AS A CPA
CPAs work in a variety of roles in many different industries, including:
- Industry and commerce
- Public service and not-for-profit
- Consulting
- Entrepreneurship
- Manufacturing
- Professional services
- Finance
- Public practice
With their knowledge and skills, many CPAs make a great impact in their communities by supporting causes they are passionate about.
ACTION STEPS TO OBTAIN YOUR CPA
The CPA certification program is designed to ensure that all CPAs have a strong foundation of ethics, knowledge and skill. Each CPA designation is earned through completing the graduate-level CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) and relevant practical experience.
The nationally developed and provincially delivered CPA certification program consists of:
- Academic prerequisites with specific area coverage.
- The CPA Professional Education Program, which includes the Common Final Examination (CFE).
- 30 months of recognized relevant practical experience.
MEET CPAS AND THE OPPORTUNITIES YOU CAN PURSUE
CPA Ontario Emerging Leader Award Recipient: Tosin Akinwekomi, CPA, CMA
CPA Ontario Emerging Leader Award Recipient: Vincent Liu, CPA, CA
THE NEW FACE OF CPA
ACHIEVE YOUR CPA DESIGNATION
The CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) is the graduate level program that makes up the educational portion of the CPA certification program. The program is designed to enhance future CPAs’ ability to apply professional knowledge, values, ethics, and attitudes in a professional context.
A CPA designation can still be an option for students who are planning on pursuing a degree in a subject outside of business or planning to keep their options open. To get started on the CPA designation, you will need a 120-credit hour degree from a college or university.
EARN A CPA THROUGH AFM
Waterloo’s School of Accounting and Finance programs have received the highest level of national accreditation through CPA Canada.
In 5 years, you’ll earn:
- 2 degrees – an undergraduate degree in AFM and a Master of Accounting (MAcc) graduate degree
- Up to 16 months of professional work experience which may be applied towards CPAs 30 months of required relevant practical work experience
- The ability to write the Common Final Examination (CFE), the last exam for the CPA designation, immediately following successful completion of your MAcc
Your AFM + MAcc degrees fulfill:
- The academic course requirements for CPA Ontario
- The CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP, a 2-year program) that includes: 2 CPA core integration modules, 2 professional areas of study, 2 CPA capstone modules, and all 4 CPA elective modules that are offered during MAcc
START GETTING INVOLVED THROUGH THE CPA HIGH SCHOOL AMBASSADOR PROGRAM (HAP)
By joining the High School Ambassador Program (HAP), you will have an opportunity to network with CPAs at their exclusive events, win prizes through contests, and get access to career planning resources.
Career Development Resources Learn, read articles and find opportunities to develop your soft skills through the HUBs articles. The link will be sent monthly via email to you as a High School Ambassador Program (HAP) member.
Contests Get involved, build soft skills and your resume by competing in our contests with a chance to win prizes:
- Write to Ignite: Writing contest where first place will receive $500
- Showcase: Video contest with a top prize of $1,000
Events Attend the No Limits conferences, or be part of CPA Ontario sponsored events like DECA and Junior Achievement (JA) to meet CPAs, network, and learn about the various professions and industries that CPAs work in.