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.
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:
Winter term - January to April
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
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)
Winter
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.
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:
ADM 2342 Intermediate Accounting I
ADM 2350 Financial Management
ADM 2372 Management Information Systems
ADM 3340 Intermediate Accounting II
ADM 3345 Taxation I
ADM 3346 Cost Accounting
ADM 3349 Auditing Theory
ADM 3350 Corporate Finance
ADM 4311 Strategic Management
ADM 4340 Case Studies in Accounting
ADM 4341 Advanced Auditing
ADM 4343 Data Analytics in Accounting
ADM 4344 Taxation II
ADM 4345 Management Control Systems
ADM 4346 Auditing in a Digital Environment
ADM 4348 Special Topics in Financial Accounting
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:
ECO 1102 Introduction to Macroeconomics
ECO 1104 Introduction to Microeconomics
ADM 1340 Financial Accounting
ADM 2341 Managerial Accounting
ADM 2303 Statistics for Management
ADM 2304 Applications of Statistical Methods in Business
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.
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.
Spring-Summer
Fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce
Fall
Complete your Bachelor of Commerce
Apply for the Telfer CPA Graduate Diploma during your Bachelor of Commerce before December 1st
Prepare for your CPA Graduate Diploma
Winter
Take the Telfer CPA Graduate Diploma (French) - January to April
Spring-Summer
Complete CPA Capstone 1 – May to July
Fall
Complete CPA Capstone 2 – July
Write Common Final Exam (CFE) – September
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:
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.
Christiane Bertrand
