Recognized bachelor's degree update

The "recognized bachelor's degree update" profile is intended for professionals who have obtained one of the bachelor's degrees recognized by the Order five or more years ago and/or did not achieve the required academic average.

The terms and conditions for the issue of permits by the Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec state that some updates may be required if you have completed your studies more than five years before the date of your application.

If you have completed your studies more than five years ago and/or did not achieve the required grade point average of 2.8/4 (B-), you must open a file to have your skills and knowledge assessed before you begin the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP).

The process at a glance:

Open the file and submit the necessary documents

To open your file, simply click on the link below and follow the steps. Be sure to attach all of the documents required to review your file (see the list below). Please note that the Order reserves the right to demand any additional document required to review your file as well as the original of any required document.

Please allow 60 business days to process your application.

Before you begin, have you checked to make sure that your status in Quebec allows you to study here? Contact the MIFI for more details


Open your file >
2 pieces of identification
  • You must provide two pieces of identification issued by competent authorities (front/back).
  • Accepted file types: PDF, JPEG or PNG.
Degrees
  • You must provide a copy of all your degrees.
  • Documents that are not written in French or English must be translated by a certified translator.
  • A complete document consists of a copy of the original and its translation.
  • Accepted file type: PDF.
Transcripts
  • You must provide a transcript for each of your degrees.
  • Documents that are not written in French or English must be translated by a certified translator.
  • A complete document consists of a copy of the original and its translation.
  • Accepted file type: PDF.
Curriculum vitae
  • You must provide us with your curriculum vitae so that we can quickly ascertain where you gained your experience (including the country), the positions you held, and the tasks you performed.
  • This will help the Order determine whether you have acquired and kept up to date certain skills and knowledge when it reviews your file.
  • Accepted file type: PDF.

Pay the fees

Pay the fees

 
Here are the specific fees you will have to pay when opening your file.

Fees for opening and reviewing your file:

  • $62.09 for opening your file 
  • $182.81 for reviewing your file

Additional fees charged in specific situations:

  • $62.09 for reviewing an additional course list or updating your file
  • $62.09 for expedited processing of your application

Consult the full fee schedule [PDF] 

Review and decision by the Order

 
A

Review criteria

B

Methodology used

C

Processing time

D

Decision

A

Review criteria

The Order's review aims to determine whether your knowledge is still current and if updates are necessary. The following criteria are taken into consideration:

  • the time that has elapsed between when you passed the courses and when your file is reviewed;
  • the training you completed to keep your skills up to date;
  • your professional experience;
  • changes in Canadian standards or technical concepts related to the profession during this time.

B

Methodology used

An in-depth and personalized review of the documents submitted in your file is carried out in accordance with regulatory criteria.

In some cases, we may send forms for partial or complete recognition of your prior learning and professional experience to help us determine whether you have kept your skills and knowledge up to date.


C

Processing time

You should allow 60 business days for processing, starting from the date when your file is complete.


D

Decision

Based on the findings of its review, the Order will guide you towards the most appropriate path to acquire the CPA title.

  • Once the review is complete, a list of qualifying courses is prepared and provided to you.
  • The list is submitted to the Qualification committee for approval. This committee generally meets once a month.
  • Based on the findings of the review, several options may be suggested to you (university courses, modules of the upgrading program or another program); the Order will inform you of these options when it makes its decision.

If you are dissatisfied with the final decision of the Qualification committee, you may request the Executive committee to review it by writing to equivalence@cpaquebec.ca.

If you are dissatisfied with the way your application has been handled at any step in the process, you may also file a complaint free of charge with the Commissioner for Admission to Professions, an independent government entity that receives and reviews complaints regarding admission to professional orders, whether they are directed at the Order or the university that provided you with the list of prerequisite courses you submitted to us.

Fulfill the requirements

Fulfill the requirements

 
After you have fulfilled the requirements and conditions, you may begin the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP), which is one of the steps in the process of acquiring the CPA designation.

Please note that the Order requires a grade point average of 2.8/4.3 for admission to the PEP, but the universities may have additional requirements.