Skip to content
فارسی Sign in Build my plan
All pathways

Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)

Finance and accounting Regulated profession

The CPA designation in BC is granted by the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC), with education delivered by the CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB). Members of certain foreign accounting bodies can apply directly for membership under recognition agreements. Other internationally educated applicants have their credentials assessed and then complete the CPA Professional Education Program, the Common Final Examination and 30 months of practical experience.

Regulator or certifying body
Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC)

Steps

  1. Identify your pathway

    Other

    CPABC lists four routes: internationally educated without a designation, members of IFAC member bodies, members of bodies with a memorandum of understanding (CIMA, ICAI, ICAN, ICAP, ICMAP), and members of bodies with a mutual recognition or reciprocal membership agreement (for example US CPA, ICAEW, CA ANZ, SAICA, HKICPA).

    Official source

  2. Agreement bodies: apply directly to CPABC for membership

    Registration

    Members of bodies covered by a mutual recognition or reciprocal membership agreement apply to CPABC for membership. After admission they complete the CPA Reciprocity Professional Development course (about 20 hours online) within two years. Those who will practise public accounting must pass the CPA Reciprocity Examination.

    Official source

  3. Other applicants: credential evaluation and CPAWSB transcript assessment

    Credential assessment Cost: CAD 200 plus GST for international degree, IFAC or MOU applicants (CPAWSB, 2026-2027 fee schedule); third-party evaluation fees are separate Time: Up to 10 business days after all documents arrive

    International degree equivalency is shown with a recognized third-party evaluation, and CPAWSB then assesses the transcripts to decide admission and any missing prerequisite courses. The assessment is valid for one year.

    Official source

  4. Complete any prerequisite courses (CPA preparatory courses)

    Other Cost: CAD 585 per non-core course, CAD 840 per core course, plus CAD 660 annual student dues, all plus GST (CPAWSB, 2026-2027)

    Applicants missing required subjects take CPA preparatory courses through CPAWSB before entering the professional program.

    Official source

  5. CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP)

    Other Cost: About CAD 14,500 plus GST in total, including registration, dues, modules and the CFE fee (CPAWSB estimate, 2026-2027) Time: About 2.5 years, with a maximum of 6 years

    CPA PEP is a part-time graduate-level program of six modules, designed to be taken while working full-time.

    Official source

  6. Common Final Examination (CFE)

    Exam Cost: CAD 2,070 plus GST (included in the CPA PEP total above; CPAWSB, 2026-2027) Time: 3 days

    The CFE is a three-day national examination taken after the CPA PEP modules.

    Official source

  7. Practical experience requirement

    Work experience Time: 30 months

    Candidates complete 30 months of full-time, paid, relevant employment in accounting and finance, developing the required technical and enabling competencies. It can be done at the same time as CPA PEP.

    Official source

Related jobs while you work toward your licence

  • Bookkeeper or accounting technician (WorkBC states a licence is not necessary to practise as a bookkeeper in BC)
  • Accounting or finance employee gaining CPA practical experience while enrolled as a CPA candidate

Official sources

Last reviewed: 2026-09-30

This page is a general guide, not official or legal advice. Rules, fees and timelines change. Always confirm with the official source before you pay or apply.