CPA Canada: New Program Expected in 2027
When CPA Canada first announced substantial changes to the Certification Program, it was with the intention to roll out the overhauled version of the CPA process across the nation in 2025. Recently, CPA Canada has announced that this date was pushed back to 2027 instead.
Why the Change?
CPA Canada states that overhauling the process is an exciting opportunity to modernize the certification model and build an attractive, inclusive and innovative Certification Program that protects the public and meets the diverse and evolving needs of learners, the market and governments. Data governance, artificial intelligence, machine learning and other innovative sectors have created new areas of opportunity where professional accountants can excel, provided they have the right skills. Future CPAs need to be agile, adaptable and highly skilled while also providing the assurance and ethical lens that is critical to ensuring organizations successfully manage these developments.
Impact on Practical Experience
At the time of this article, work on the new Certification Program is currently in the design and consultation phase. No decisions on PERT have been made, but CPA Canada states that practical experience and its reporting will remain a vital part of the new program. There are however rumours of the elimination of the Experience Verification Route (EVR) entirely, leaving Pre-Approved Programs (PPR) as the sole method for candidates to obtain qualifying experience, effectively locking out candidates not working at larger accounting firms or at one of the few qualifying positions at large organization, potentially making obtaining the CPA designation in Canada much more exclusive and competitive. This potential change will be discussed in a future blog post.
How will this impact current students/candidates studying for their CPA designation?
All current students/candidates will be able to complete the existing Certification Program. Once the new program has been developed, approved, and implemented, those candidates who have not yet completed the existing program will continue to be able to do so with minimal distruption and will be supported to transition to the new Certification Program.
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