Training equivalence

Review criteria

The Order's review focuses on the courses required to obtain the equivalent of the recognized program. The following criteria are taken into consideration:

• your university degrees;
• the number of credits earned for the completed courses;
• the nature and content of these courses;
• your academic background;
• your professional experience;
• the contemporaneity of your studies (the time elapsed between when you passed these courses and when your file is reviewed) and your experience;
• changes in Canadian standards or technical concepts related to the profession during this time.

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.
• We also assess the various options to find the best way for you to acquire the CPA designation.

Processing time

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

Decision

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

• 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.
• In some cases, the upgrading program or the prior learning and professional experience recognition process may be suggested. The Order will inform you of this when it makes its decision (see below for more details regarding these two options). 

UPGRADING PROGRAM

If you are a foreign-trained professional whose experience and training demonstrate your current or past proficiency in some of the competencies required of CPAs, the Order may suggest that you enroll in one or more sessions of its new upgrading program once your application has been reviewed.

If you meet the eligibility criteria for the program, the Order will inform you of this when it makes its decision.

Learn more about the upgrading program (French only)


PRIOR LEARNING AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE RECOGNITION PROCESS

If you are a foreign-trained professional who has more than 8 years of in-depth, wide-ranging accounting experience, the Order may suggest that you go through the prior learning and professional experience recognition process. In this process, your experiential and academic knowledge will be thoroughly reviewed to properly assess your competencies and suggest a personalized path.

If you meet the eligibility criteria for this process, the Order will inform you of this when it makes its decision and you can then decide whether or not to pursue it.*

* Fees apply.

Learn more about the prior learning and professional experience recognition process (French only)

REVIEW PROCESS

If you disagree with the decision you received (list of prerequisite courses, continuing education courses or other), you can submit your comments in writing. To do so, you must log in to your account and complete the appropriate form. Be sure to include any documents required to review your request. Your file will be submitted to the Qualification committee for a 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.