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CPA program

CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP)

Facts checked 7 September 2026

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Part of the route toAccountant·Course / Exam Prep

A professional education program preparing university degree holders for the national Chartered Professional Accountant examination.

How long
2–3 years
Cost
About $14,500 for the whole program
Schools
1 in BC
Where you can take this: 1 school

Ways to get this paid for

Government money that can cover this course. Check who qualifies before you pay.

Free adult upgrading

Free

Grade 11 and 12 courses and English classes are free at public colleges and school districts. This covers the Grade 11 and 12 prerequisite courses, not the program itself.

Details

Canada Training Credit

Half your tuition back, up to $5,000 in your lifeNot yet verified

Federal tax credit. $250 a year builds up from age 26. Claim it on your tax return.

Details

THE ROUTE

How this program works, step by step

Grade 11 to the job. Open any step to see what is inside.

The route (8 steps)

BC Route
1Grade 11 Preparation
2Grade 12 Graduation
3Admissions & Prerequisites
4Application Process
5Program Curriculum
6Where to Take It
7Licensing & Certification
8Career Destination

For the best view, open the map full screen.

STEP BY STEP

Step by step

The same route as the map, as a list.

1

Step 1 of 8

Grade 11

⏱ 1 school year
  • General BC secondary school curriculum and coursework at the Grade 11 level.
2

Step 2 of 8

Grade 12

⏱ 1 school year
  • General high school graduation (BC Dogwood Diploma) or equivalent mature student status.
3

Step 3 of 8

What you need to get in

  • Recognized undergraduate degree (120 credits in any academic discipline)
  • Completion of all 14 CPA prerequisite courses covering financial accounting, audit, tax, and law
  • Minimum grade of 60% in each prerequisite core course with minimum 65% overall average
  • Completion of a recognized 3- or 4-year undergraduate degree (any discipline) with 120 credits
  • Completion of all 14 CPA preparatory courses (or equivalent accredited post-secondary courses)
4

Step 4 of 8

How to apply

  • Submit transcript evaluation to the CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB)
  • Register as a CPA candidate upon receipt of eligibility letter
  • Enrol online for Core 1 module prior to the registration deadline for the upcoming 2026/2027 intake
5

Step 5 of 8

CPA program

⏱ 2–3 years (Part-Time)
  • 2-year part-time graduate-level professional program completed while working full-time
  • Core 1 & 2: Financial reporting, management accounting, taxation, and assurance
  • Two elective modules selected from Assurance, Tax, Finance, or Performance Management
  • Capstone 1 (team strategic business case presentation) and Capstone 2 (intensive exam preparation)
6

Step 6 of 8

Where to take it

⏱ 1 school in BC
  • CPA Western School of Business — 16–24 months (About $14,500 for the whole program)
7

Step 7 of 8

Exams and registration after

  • Common Final Examination (CFE) — national 3-day multi-case evaluation
  • Completion of 30 months of verified practical accounting work experience
8

Step 8 of 8

Leads to: Accountant

  • Explore Accountant wages, job outlook, and career pathways

SCHOOLS

Where you can take this(1 school)

Compare tuitions, campus locations, and delivery formats across approved institutions in British Columbia.

📊
Safety / Specialized Provider

CPA Western School of Business

Vancouver & Online across BC

Duration16–24 months
TuitionAbout $14,500 for the whole program

Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.

DeliveryOnline / Distance
“The statutory professional graduate-level program administered across BC by CPAWSB on behalf of CPABC, comprising Core 1, Core 2, and two elective modules.”

Official Sources

Last verified · September 2026