CPA Canada — Chartered Professional Accountant
Canada's professional accounting designation.
Comparing options? Read ACCA vs CPA vs CMA vs CFA →Quick answer
- Best for
- Canada's professional accounting designation.
- Not ideal for
- If you're not targeting Canada.
- Main roles
- Public accounting, audit, tax, finance and controllership in Canada.
- CPD
- Varies by provincial body — commonly ~120 hours per 3-year cycle, including verifiable hours and ethics.
Last reviewed: June 2026
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 →Disclaimer
Links to third-party resources are provided for convenience and learning only. Fileminder does not control third-party content, prices, certificates, CPD/CPE eligibility, availability or accuracy. Always check the provider's own page before relying on a course, certificate, CPD unit or learning outcome. Last reviewed: June 2026.