Graduate program
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.
CPA auditor designation
To obtain a public accountancy permit, you must choose and successfully complete the courses in Assurance and Taxation of your graduate program in addition to meeting all the other requirements.
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 also the Fee schedule and administrative procedures page for more detail.
École des sciences de la gestion de l'Université du Québec à Montréal (ESG UQAM)
(in French) See the list >Faculté des sciences de l’administration de l’Université Laval (FSA ULaval)
(in French) See the list >HEC Montréal
(in French) See the list >Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
(in French) See the list >Université de Sherbrooke
(in French) See the list >Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
(in French) See the list >Université du Québec en Outaouais
(in French) See the list >Université du Québec à Rimouski
(in French) See the list >Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
(in French) See the list >École de gestion John-Molson de l'Université Concordia (JMSB)
See the list >Université McGill – Faculté de gestion Desautels
See the list >Université McGill – School of Continuing Studies
See the list >Financial aid
and tax deductions
Government of Quebec
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.
Deductible fees (invoice required)1
-
File opening
-
File review
-
Registration with the Order and reinstatement
-
File review – Reciprocity agreement
-
Annual dues2
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Fee for the Common Final Examination (CFE) preparation service for Days 2 and 3 (excluding option 3 - access to material)
-
Exam software 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.
Government of Canada
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)
- Exam software 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.
Quebec CPA Foundation
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.
Desjardins
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.
Universities
Foreign-trained professionals
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.
Questions?
Contact the Qualification Team.