Skip to main content
 
 
 
 
 
cpa header

Graduate Diploma in Chartered Professional Accountancy

The Program

The CPA Graduate Diploma at the Telfer School of Management is a four-month case-based program that allows you to gain knowledge in financial reporting, strategy and governance, management accounting, audit and assurance, finance and taxation. Accredited by CPA Ontario and recognized by CPA Quebec, this diploma helps you earn your CPA designation faster by saving you at least four months of CPA study time. Build your toolkit of accounting skills and knowledge that are in high demand by top organizations. 

Why the Telfer CPA Diploma?

Earning this full-time, graduate-level diploma speeds up completion of your CPA designation requirements by shortening your time spent on the Chartered Professional Accountants’ Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) courses by four to eight months.

Courses include relevant lectures and case analyses that explore over 75 CFE-type cases. Cases and exam questions are similar to those found on the Common Final Examination (CFE). Your success in the program serves as a clear indicator of excelling at the CFE.

During the week, you attend morning classes to explore a new case, and then have time to work on case preparation, case debriefing, and topical readings in the afternoon. Attend classes, complete casework, and study after class alongside your classmates throughout the program.

Our CPA Graduate Diploma has been specifically designed for Telfer BCom Accounting graduates. Complete key CPA courses in University of Ottawa classrooms, with constant access to CPA-designated professors. Attend lectures taught by knowledgeable Telfer accounting professors and CPA Graduate Diploma alumni who have modelled coursework and exams based on the CFE. Ask questions and receive immediate guidance on daily casework and exam preparation from your instructors.

Apply now

Quick Facts

CPA Graduate Diploma – In English

Units:
15 units over the course of one term
Duration:
4 months
Schedule:
Monday to Friday, class from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Class Experience:
30 to 50 students per class
Offer:
Courses in English
Timeline:
Fall term - September to December

CPA Graduate Diploma – In French

Units:
15 units over the course of one term
Duration:
4 months
Schedule:
Monday to Friday, class from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Class Experience:
15 to 25 students per class
Offer:
Courses in French
Timeline:
Fall term - September to December

The CPA Designation 

To practice as a professional accountant, you will need the coveted Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. The CPA designation equips you with skills and knowledge that are in high demand by top organizations and enables you to pursue purpose-driven work. Being a CPA gives you the opportunity to build the career you want and explore countless opportunities in accounting and finance. CPAs are in demand due to their financial expertise, strategic thinking, business insight, and management skills.

To earn your CPA designation, you need to complete:

  • Prerequisite learning in the Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting
  • Chartered Professional Accountants’ Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) curriculum
  • A three-day Common Final Examination (CFE)
  • Practical work experience (30 months for CPA Ontario, or 24 months for CPA Quebec)

Once you earn your designation, you will open doors to new opportunities and salary increases. The average salary of a CPA in Ontario is currently around $185,000, in roles related to marketing, strategy and governance business development or consulting.

Courses

The Telfer CPA Graduate Diploma covers the first four Chartered Professional Accountants’ Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) course content (Core 1, Core 2, Elective 1 and Elective 2) in just four months (one term). This exempts you from completing these four courses online and gives you advanced standing in the CPA PEP program.

Complete five key courses in the Telfer CPA Diploma to deepen your knowledge of financial reporting; strategy and governance; management accounting; audit and assurance; and finance and taxation. During the program you will be evaluated on your class participation, casework, and two CFE-style exams (a mid-term and final).

Fall

  • CPT 5100 Advanced Competencies in Financial Accounting (3 units)
  • CPT 5101 Advanced Competencies in Audit, Assurance and Governance (3 units)
  • CPT 5102 Advanced Competencies in Strategy and Management Accounting (3 units)
  • CPT 5103 Advanced Competencies in Taxation (3 units)
  • CPT 5104 Integration of Advanced Competencies in Accountancy (3 units)

Fall

  • CPT 5500 Compétences avancées en comptabilité financière (3 units)
  • CPT 5501 Compétences avancées en audit, certification et gouvernance (3 units)
  • CPT 5502 Compétences avancées en stratégie et comptabilité de gestion (3 units)
  • CPT 5503 Compétences avancées en fiscalité (3 units)
  • CPT 5504 Intégration des compétences avancées en comptabilité (3 units)

Testimonial

What I liked about the format of this program is that it allowed me to complete the entire CPA educational process within 13 months — from the first modules to Capstone 1, Capstone 2, and then, ultimately, prepared me for success at the CFE.

Argiro Kliamenakis
Christiane Bertrand
CPA (Telfer BCom and CPA Graduate Diploma, 2017)

Admission

Admission Criteria

A Canadian bachelor’s degree with a minimum admission average of 6.0 or B (70%) is required. International equivalencies will not be accepted. The admission average is calculated in accordance with Graduate Studies guidelines.

Note: This program is designed for Telfer BCom Accounting graduates, however, candidates from other Canadian universities may also be exceptionally considered.

Core courses

Applicants require a minimum average of 6.0 or B (70%) in the required 17 core undergraduate courses.

Applicants require a minimum grade of C (60%) in each of these courses, or their equivalent, listed below:

  1. ADM 2342 Intermediate Accounting I

  2. ADM 2350 Financial Management

  3. ADM 2372 Management Information Systems

  4. ADM 3340 Intermediate Accounting II

  5. ADM 3345 Taxation I

  6. ADM 3346 Cost Accounting

  7. ADM 3349 Auditing Theory

  8. ADM 3350 Corporate Finance

  9. ADM 4311 Strategic Management

  10. ADM 4340 Case Studies in Accounting

  11. ADM 4341 Advanced Auditing

  12. ADM 4343 Data Analytics in Accounting

  13. ADM 4344 Taxation II

  14. ADM 4345 Management Control Systems

  15. ADM 4346 Auditing in a Digital Environment

  16. ADM 4348 Special Topics in Financial Accounting

  17. ADM 4349 Advanced Accounting

Non-core courses

Applicants require a minimum grade of D (50%) in each of the 7 non-core undergraduate courses, or their equivalent, listed below:

  1. ECO 1102 Introduction to Macroeconomics

  2. ECO 1104 Introduction to Microeconomics

  3. ADM 1340 Financial Accounting

  4. ADM 2341 Managerial Accounting

  5. ADM 2303 Statistics for Management

  6. ADM 2304 Applications of Statistical Methods in Business

  7. ADM 3360 Business Law

Application Process

Submit your application through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).

If you completed your Bachelor of Commerce at the Telfer School of Management, you do not need to submit any documentation in your application. If you completed your undergraduate degree at another Canadian university, you must send us your transcript.

Information Sessions

Attend an information session to learn more about the program, understand admission requirements, and ask questions. Learn how the Telfer CPA Graduate Diploma prepares you for CFE success. 

Date Time Location
Monday, October 17, 2022 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.

Virtual Session

Monday, November 14, 2022

12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.

Virtual Session

Monday, March 27, 2023

12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.

Virtual Session

French CPA - Monday, September 25 2023

12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.

Virtual Session

Monday, October 16, 2023

12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.

Virtual Session

Monday, November 13 2023

12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.

Virtual Session

Monday, January 29, 2024

12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M. Virtual Session (French only)

Monday, March 18, 2024

12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M. Virtual Session (French only)
Monday, March 25, 2024 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M. Virtual Session

Register Now

Application Deadlines

Submit your application by the following dates: 

June
1st

English session applicants for the Fall term

June
1st

French session applicants for the Fall term

Students

Timeline for Completing Your Studies

 
Winter
  • Fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce 
  • Apply for the Telfer CPA Graduate Diploma during your Bachelor of Commerce before June 1st 
Spring-Summer
  • Complete your Bachelor of Commerce
  • Apply for the Telfer CPA Graduate Diploma during your Bachelor of Commerce before June 1st 
  • Prepare for your CPA Graduate Diploma
Fall Take the Telfer CPA Graduate Diploma – September to December
Winter Complete CPA Ontario Capstone 1 – January to March
Spring-Summer

Complete CPA Ontario Capstone 2 – April

Write Common Final Exam (CFE) – May*

*Alternatively, you can choose to write the CFE in September, but CPA Ontario recommends that students complete Capstone 1 and Capstone 2 right before writing the exam. 

Preparing for the Graduate Diploma

To maximize your student experience and success in the program, you will need to review the competencies you developed at the undergraduate level before beginning the graduate program. This reflects with the self-management enabling competency specified in the Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant Competency Map.   

Your self-revision should cover the following courses: 

  • Financial Accounting: ADM 2342 / 3340 / 4348 / 4349 
  • Management Accounting: ADM 2341 / 3346 / 4345 
  • Auditing: ADM 3349 / 4341 / 4346 
  • Taxation: ADM 3345 / 4344 
  • Finance: ADM 2350 / 3350 

This self-study program will ensure that all students are at a similar level when they undertake case studies in the graduate diploma courses. 

To complete your review, our graduate diploma professors recommend the CPA Competency Map Study Notes from Densmore Consulting Services Inc.  

Career Opportunities

Your CPA designation will elevate your career in accounting. More job opportunities will be open to you in government, private sector, and industry practice including in financial institutions, property management, provincial or federal government organizations, consumer-packaged goods, and more. You will be prepared for analyst, auditor, controller, and accountant roles and have the opportunity to grow in your role.

Fees and Financing

Tuition Fees

The program tuition fees are approximately $10,212 CAD. This amount does not include incidental fees and the cost of books, case materials and any other instructional supplies.

Scholarships

Admission scholarships of $1,000 CAD will be awarded based on undergraduate academic performance.

Apply now

© 2024 Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa
Policies  |  Emergency Info

alert icon
uoAlert