The path to becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant can feel overwhelming. Between mastering technical knowledge, developing case-writing skills, and preparing for the rigorous Common Final Examination, aspiring CPAs face countless decisions about how to best prepare for success.
For Jingwen (Nina) Sun, that journey began on a crisp September morning in Ottawa. As she pushed open the doors to her first class in Telfer's Graduate Diploma in CPA, arms loaded with case packets, she carried that electric mix of nerves and determination that comes with taking a bold leap forward. She wasn't chasing just the CPA credential. She craved a CPA professional education program that accelerated her pace.
What unfolded over the months ahead was an intensive immersion: rigorous case work, personalized mentorship from experienced faculty, and the practical edge that launches graduates into competitive CPA careers at leading firms across Ottawa and beyond. The program's demanding pace would challenge her assumptions about learning and success, ultimately reshaping her approach to both accounting and her professional future.
Why Telfer Stood Out for CPA Professional Education
Nina's decision to pursue the Telfer CPA program wasn't made lightly. Post her B.Com in Accounting from Carleton, Nina scoured her Ontario options. She connected with alumni, compared timelines, and analyzed different pathways. The Telfer CPA Graduate Diploma emerged as the sharp choice: rigorous yet streamlined for speed.
It packs CPA Ontario's first four PEP modules into one intense four-month term – a deliberate sprint. Aligned to hit the CFE in about eight months, it fast-tracks what others stretch out. From day one, classes dive directly into cases, moving beyond theoretical concepts to hands-on problem-solving.
"It was the fastest option I could find in Ottawa, and I felt confident it would set me up for success," Nina explains. The accelerated timeline appealed to her goal-oriented mindset, but it was the program's comprehensive approach to preparing students for CPA careers that ultimately convinced her to enroll.
From Fundamentals to Case Mastery
Nina arrived with solid accounting basics, but she quickly learned that earning a CPA designation required much more - specifically, mastering case studies under real pressure. This meant spotting critical issues fast, pulling in the right standards from the CPA Handbook, and laying out clear recommendations, all while racing the clock. To get ready, she took Telfer's prerequisite case study course, which ended up being a game-changer. It gave her a reliable framework for breaking down tricky accounting problems - a skill that soon anchored everything she did.
The Graduate Diploma took it further, deepening her technical know-how across five core courses in financial reporting, strategy, audit, and taxation. True to the CPA PEP structure, it layered in lively classroom sessions packed with feedback, group debriefs, and CFE-style practice runs. The relentless pace pushed her limits, yet those marathon case sessions turned into her personal training ground, building the sharp focus and discipline she relies on today at Deloitte.
The Power of Community in Telfer's CPA Programs
One of Telfer's greatest strengths lies in its intimate learning environment. Small cohorts create genuine connections among students, professors, and teaching assistants - relationships that often evolve into professional networks supporting long-term CPA careers.
Two professors particularly shaped Nina's approach to accounting. Professor Weatherstone, CPA, CA - a veteran with 37 years in public accounting and risk management at Export Development Canada -taught her Audit course. He showed her how to craft efficient procedures that zero in on key risks.
"He helped me understand how to approach audit-related case issues efficiently," Nina shares. "As someone who sometimes struggles with perfectionism and overthinking, I appreciated his guidance on focusing on clarity, structure, and practicality - skills essential for success in both audit and the CFE."
Professor Elliott, CPA and tax manager at Logan Katz LLP, taught Nina's undergraduate case study course and later her Tax course in the CPA program. His systematic approach to analyzing issues and applying accounting standards helped Nina gain confidence in an area she had previously found challenging. These skills have proven invaluable in preparing for competitive CPA careers.
The Most Valuable Lesson: Progress Over Perfection
Perhaps the most transformative aspect of Nina's Telfer experience wasn't a specific course or skill. It was a fundamental mindset shift. Before the Graduate Diploma, Nina often spent excessive time perfecting her work, leading to stress and occasional burnout. The fast-paced, case-driven nature of the program taught her a crucial lesson:
"Don't aim for perfection—aim for action and progress."
At Deloitte, this shift in perspective has fundamentally changed how Nina approaches her work. She focuses on efficiency, adaptability, and sound judgment rather than unattainable perfection.
The result? She works more effectively, manages stress better, and continues improving without letting perfectionism block her progress. That makes a standout blend for her career.
Nina’s Takeaways for Aspiring CPAs
So, what would Nina tell someone staring down the CPA path, wondering if they’re ready for the grind?
Own the sprint: Stack co-ops, cases, feedback now.
Build deliberately: Align every step with CFE demands and CPA Ontario professional development.
Stay connected: Small cohorts create lasting networks that open doors to Ottawa CPA jobs.
Her final advice? Own your learning with commitment; the program's structure fast-tracks CFE prep, but your effort makes it rewarding.
If you are exploring CPA Ontario pathways or weighing your next moves in Ottawa’s accounting job market, an information session can be a great place to start. You will meet the team and see whether this accelerated case based route aligns with the path you want to build.
