CPA Canada — Chartered Professional Accountant
Canada's professional accounting designation.
Comparing options? Read ACCA vs CPA vs CMA vs CFA →Who it's for
Those qualifying or working in Canada, or seeking Canadian recognition.
Structure
The CPA Professional Education Program (PEP) — six modules (two core, two elective, two capstone) — then the three-day Common Final Examination (CFE), plus practical experience.
Time & cost
Typically about 2 years of PEP plus experience.
Careers
Public accounting, audit, tax, finance and controllership in Canada.
The skills you'll build
Many of these serve more than one path.
Best free resources for this path
Curated and vetted, with how to start.
Thousands of university finance/accounting courses you can audit free; financial aid for certificates.
How to start: Free account; click 'Audit', or apply for financial aid for a certificate.
Free practice questions and short trials for CPA, CMA, CIA and EA from the big review providers.
How to start: Open their 'free' / 'free trial' pages; download the practice questions.
Free, CPE-eligible webcasts on tax, audit, accounting and regulation from the Big 4.
How to start: Search '<firm> webcasts / Dbriefs' and register free per session.
Free, self-paced Excel and Power BI training — essential analyst skills for any finance path.
How to start: Free with a Microsoft account; the optional PL-300 exam is paid.
45+ free modules covering the IFRS standards, with a certificate.
How to start: No registration to study; add your name before the assessment for the certificate.
Continuing professional development (CPD)
Varies by provincial body — commonly ~120 hours per 3-year cycle, including verifiable hours and ethics.
Get these hours for free →Information is a guide and may change; always confirm details and requirements on the body's official site. Resources are independent third parties not affiliated with Fileminder.