Education
In Quebec, you have the choice of two pathways to complete the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP) and become a chartered professional accountant in Quebec.
- 12- to 24-month
- Online modules1
- Part-time basis
- Personalized coaching
- Offered by 2 university partners in Montreal (if a minimum number of registration is reached)
- In French or English2
1 Workshops and exams are held in class.
2 Since the National Program is the result of an interprovincial collaboration with CPA Canada and is offered by universities with which the Order has a partnership, this program is still being offered in English.
Learn more about the National Program >
- 9- to 24-month
- In class courses
- Full-time or part-time basis
- 24 to 30 credits
- Offered by 11 universities accredited by the Order
Learn more about the university graduate program >
Based on the CPA Competency Map, the PEP consists of modules (National Program) or courses (graduate program).
The PEP fosters:
- The integration of the CPA competencies;
- The application of the professional knowledge, values, ethics and attitudes expected of CPAs in a professional context;
- The acquisition of more in-depth knowledge than that covered in the academic prerequisites.
The National and graduate programs are structured differently, but the content and competencies covered are the same. You can personalize your program to some extent by choosing 2 modules/courses from a list of 4 options. Regardless of the path taken or modules/courses selected, the designation obtained at the end is the CPA designation.
Note that you must complete your CPA path within 7 years of your registration as a candidate for the practice of the profession.
Want to know more about the path toward the CPA designation?
Join one of our information sessions or meet us at an event!
See upcoming sessions and events >
Learn more about the CPA profession with this video >
Want to obtain the CPA auditor designation?
Testimony of CPAs and future CPAs
David Blanchette, programme universitaire de 2e cycle, HEC Montréal, 2015
« Le programme m’a donné la confiance nécessaire et un niveau de connaissance suffisant pour amener ma carrière à un autre niveau. »
Martin Boucher, Programme national, UQAM, 2016 et Émilie Laurin, programme universitaire de 2e cycle, UQAC, 2015
Pour Martin B. : « L’une des forces du programme est l'encadrement et la disponibilité des facilitateurs. »
Pour Émilie L. : « Supportés tout au long du programme, on se sent outillés pour le marché du travail. »
Jonathan Cabot, Programme national, HEC Montréal, 2017
« Grâce à la formule autoapprentissage, je suis maître de mon temps et je peux ainsi travailler en cabinet de jour tout en étudiant le soir et la fin de semaine. »
Mohamed Hosny, Programme national, Université Laval, 2016
« Contrôleur financier et père de deux enfants, la structure ouverte du Programme national m’a permis de respecter à la fois mes engagements professionnels, scolaires et familiaux. »
Ange Kassi, programme universitaire de 2e cycle, HEC Montréal, 2015
« Le programme universitaire de 2e cycle permet d’acquérir une bonne méthode de travail et de consolider l’ensemble des compétences CPA. De quoi être prêt pour relever les nombreux défis du monde des affaires! »
Émilie Laurin, programme universitaire de 2e cycle, UQAC, 2015
« Après avoir terminé mon BAC en sciences comptables à l’UQAC, la suite logique se voulait bien sûr le programme de formation professionnelle universitaire. Je connaissais déjà les professeurs en qui j’avais confiance et sur qui je pouvais compter. »
Nathalia Pilonieta, National Program, ESG UQAM, 2017
« As a mother of two, the National Program has allowed me to be there for my children when they needed me in the evenings while fulfilling my demanding work schedule and getting ahead in my education. »