Graduate program
The university graduate program is one of the two pathways to complete the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP) and become a chartered professional accountant in Quebec.
The program is delivered by 11 universities accredited by the Order and lasts from 9 to 24 months and is offered on a full-time or part-time basis. Depending on the university, the program consists of 24 to 30 credits and essentially covers the same learning objectives and results as the national program delivered by the Order. It includes classroom learning, case-based learning, teamwork and examinations at the end of each course.
Students who successfully complete the graduate program are exempt from four national examinations from the common core modules, the elective modules and the capstone 1 module of the national program. Instead, their graduate course work is evaluated in accordance with university standards. They must also pass the Common Final Examination (CFE), the three-day CPA professional examination.
Note: To obtain a public accountancy permit (CPA auditor), you must complete the courses in Assurance and Taxation in addition to meeting all the other requirements.
École des sciences de la gestion de l'Université du Québec à Montréal (ESG UQAM) (in French)
Faculté des sciences de l’administration de l’Université Laval (FSA ULaval) (in French)
HEC Montréal (in French)
Université de Sherbrooke (in French)
Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (in French)
Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (in French)
Université du Québec en Outaouais (in French)
Université du Québec à Rimouski (in French)
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (in French)
The following accredited universities continue to offer the program in English:
Concordia University - John-Molson School of Business (JMSB)
McGill University – Desautels Faculty of Management
McGill University – School of Continuing Studies
Prerequisites
Each university determines the academic average required for admission to their program, which must not be less than 2.8/4.3.
Registration
You must register with the Order as soon as you begin your first term of the university graduate program. Your registration will give you access to the educational material and the reference material for candidates registered in a university graduate program.
See the Fee schedule and forms page for all the forms to be completed on your path to the CPA designation.
Financial aid and tax deductions
Do you want to learn more about the financial aid and tax deductions available to students in the graduate program? Consult the table below.
To complete your income tax return, you must use the information in the RL-8 slip, which will be issued to you by your educational institution.
Attention! This information is provided for reference purposes only and does not constitute legal tax advice. Taxpayers are responsible for obtaining legal advice applicable to their situation. The opinions of tax authorities take precedence over those of the Order.
Deductible fees (invoice required)1
- File opening
- File review
- Registration with the Order and reinstatement
- File review – Reciprocity agreement
- Annual dues2
- Fee for the Common Final Examination (CFE) preparation service for Days 2 and 3 (excluding option 3 - access to material)
- Surpass licence
- Common Final Examination fee (including review request)
- Public accountancy examination
Non-deductible fees
- Candidate in good standing letter
- Annual dues to the Order after successfully passing the CFE
1 Your invoices are available in your online file.
2 The annual student dues will no longer be deductible once you have successfully passed the final examination, since you will have completed the CPA Professional Education Program.
Attention! This information is provided for reference purposes only and does not constitute legal tax advice. Taxpayers are responsible for obtaining legal advice applicable to their situation. The opinions of tax authorities take precedence over those of the Order.
Deductible fees (invoice required)1
- File opening
- File review
- File review – Reciprocity agreement
- Registration with the Order and reinstatement
- Fee for the Common Final Examination (CFE) preparation service for Days 2 and 3 (excluding option 3 - access to material)
- Surpass licence
- Common Final Examination fee (including review request)
- Public accountancy examination
- Annual dues2
Non-deductible fees
- Reference books and manuals other than those included on the D2L platform
- Candidate in good standing letter
- Annual dues to the Order after successfully passing the CFE
1 Your invoices are available in your online file.
2 The annual student dues will no longer be deductible once you have successfully passed the final examination, since you will have completed the CPA Professional Education Program.
Assistance for success scholarship
This scholarship program is intended for students who are preparing to register for the Professional Education Program (PEP), either the university graduate program or the national program delivered by the Order. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate that they need financial aid to help them cover all the costs involved in continuing the PEP.
See the eligibility requirements and application process >
Distinctive Offer
Candidates enrolled in the national program have access to the same Distinctive Offer products and services granted to CPA members. Moreover, Desjardins also offers candidates the Student STRATEGIC Line of Credit.
STRATEGIC Line of Credit
- $80,000 credit limit available to meet all your needs (gradual credit limit increase).
- Desjardins prime rate + 0.50%.
- Option to capitalize interest costs throughout the duration of your studies and option to pay interest only on your loan for 6 months following your graduation.
For more details on the programs available, refer to your university’s foundation.
Government of Quebec – Financial Assistance Program for Skills Recognition Refresher Training (PAFFARC)
Thanks to this program, you could receive financial assistance for some of the training costs involved in the process of obtaining the CPA designation and for other related costs.
Windmill Microlending
In order to help foreign-trained professionals obtain the CPA title, the Quebec CPA Order has partnered with Windmill Microlending. Windmill Microlending is a Canadian charity offering low interest microloans for skilled newcomers who need financial support to pay for the cost of licensing and credentials.
Important! This information is provided for reference purposes only and does not constitute legal tax advice. Taxpayers are responsible for obtaining legal advice applicable to their situation. The opinions of the tax authorities take precedence over those of the Order.
Questions?
Contact the Qualification Team.