Canadian and international professionals: gain recognition for your prior learning and experience

Why do I have to go through the equivalence process?

The equivalence process is intended for professionals who wish to pursue careers as CPAs and have been trained outside Quebec or Canada, or who do not have one of the bachelor's degrees recognized by the Order. In Quebec, thirteen universities offer bachelor's programs that are recognized by the Order and the Quebec government as a requirement for admission to the CPA Professional Education Program and to obtain the CPA designation.

If your degree is not listed on the list of recognized bachelor's programs, even if you have received a comparative evaluation from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), you must apply to the Order for an evaluation of the courses required to obtain the equivalent of the recognized program. The MIFI evaluates your studies on the basis of the Quebec education system, while the Order evaluates them on the basis of the recognized bachelor's programs.

The Order’s evaluation of your degrees and training is the first step in the process of obtaining the CPA designation in Quebec. The equivalence process ends when all the conditions required by the Order after its review of your file have been met. The duration of the process may vary depending on the elements required.

Our goal is to support you throughout your journey and facilitate the process to help you achieve your goal.

5 equivalence profiles

 
Depending on your degrees and training, you will be able to follow the different stages linked to one of the following 5 profiles:

Training equivalence

For professionals trained in Canada or outside Canada who do not have one of the undergraduate degrees recognized by the Order. 

Recognized bachelor's degree update

For professionals who obtained a recognized bachelor’s degree five or more years ago or who did not obtain the required academic average.

Reciprocity agreement

For professionals trained outside Canada who are members of an accounting body covered by a reciprocity agreement.

Quebec-France mutual recognition agreement (MRA)

For professionals members of the Ordre des experts-comptables de France.

Quebec-Tunisia professional qualifications recognition agreement (PQRA)

For professionals members of the Ordre des Experts Comptables de Tunisie. 

The equivalence process: steps to follow based on your profile

 
Training equivalence
Create an equivalence application
Have your prior learning and experience evaluated
Take additional university courses
Pass the CPA Professional Education Program and complete the period of practical experience
Pass the Common Final Examination (CFE)
SUBMIT A CPA PERMIT APPLICATION
Recognized bachelor's degree update
Create an equivalence application
Have your prior learning and experience evaluated
Take additional university courses
Pass the CPA Professional Education Program and complete the period of practical experience
Pass the Common Final Examination (CFE)
SUBMIT A CPA PERMIT APPLICATION
Reciprocity agreement
Create an equivalence application
Take additional training courses
Pass the Common Final Examination (CFE)
(Certain exceptions apply)
SUBMIT A CPA PERMIT APPLICATION
Quebec-France
MRA
Create an equivalence application
Take additional training courses
SUBMIT A CPA PERMIT APPLICATION
Quebec-Tunisia
PQRA
Create an equivalence application
Take additional training courses
SUBMIT A CPA PERMIT APPLICATION

Please note that at any stage of the process, if you disagree with the decision you’ve received, you can request a review. Check the equivalence profile corresponding to your situation for all the details.

Find your profile

 
To find your profile and understand the different steps you will need to take, we suggest that you answer a few simple questions.

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Knowledge of French

Knowledge of French

 
To be a member of a professional order in Quebec, you must have an appropriate knowledge of the French language in general and specific to your profession.
Find out more