ACAF is an online education program developed by Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) and offered through select post-secondary institutions for those aspiring to careers in accounting and finance, but not as qualified CPAs. The program has been designed to meet the needs of employers in all sectors of the Canadian economy. Students will learn to apply the technical accounting and software skills that employers value in this competitive job market.
You will receive a certificate from CPA Canada on successful completion of the program. Earning the ACAF proves to employers that you have the applied technical and soft skills that make you a valuable asset in the workplace. The CPA profession is committed to promoting the certificate program with employers.
The ACAF is an online education program created for students looking for intermediate careers in accounting and finance. It builds on the knowledge generally gained through a two-year college diploma program. You gain the applied technical and soft skills valued in today’s marketplace. Developed in consultation with employers from all sectors of the Canadian economy, the ACAF is the only nationally-recognized intermediate accounting and finance certificate in Canada.

CPA preparatory courses do not constitute a program and do not lead to a certificate or credential. They are a suite of courses offered by the CPA profession which you may take to meet the ACAF entry and technical course requirements or to meet the prerequisite course requirements for entry to CPA PEP. You may also take these courses from post-secondary institutions. ACAF’s applied courses are available through select PSIs across Canada.
CPA is Canada’s preeminent, globally recognized professional business and accounting credential that best protects and serves the public interest. The designation is regulated by provincial bodies which operate under the CPA Act to: protect the public; protect the integrity of the accounting profession; promote and increase the competence of registrants; and regulate the conduct of registrants. CPAs are held to high standards of professional conduct and competence.

ACAF is a non-regulated accreditation granted by the CPA profession. It is a separate education program designed for people seeking careers (or currently working) in intermediate level positions. ACAF has its own admission and assessment standards.
To become a designated CPA, you must be admitted as a member of a CPA provincial body. This requires:
  • Completing the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP)
  • Passing the Common Final Examination (CFE)
  • Completing a minimum of 30 months of appropriately supervised and mentored practical experience

You must complete a degree and have accumulated 120 credit hours (or equivalent) of education to be admitted to the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP).

Prior to enrolling in any technical courses, it is recommended that students successfully complete the following five entry courses:
  • Introductory Financial Accounting
  • Introductory Management Accounting
  • Intermediate Financial Reporting 1
  • Intermediate Financial Reporting 2
  • Business Law

These five courses are prerequisites for specific technical and applied courses.

You can meet the entry requirements through CPA preparatory courses or through courses at post-secondary institution.

Yes. There is no specific requirement to hold a college diploma to begin the ACAF program. You can meet the entry requirements through CPA preparatory courses or through courses at post-secondary institutions.
The program can be completed within two to three years of part-time study, or sooner, depending on credits already earned.

No. The only way to become a designated CPA is to be admitted as a member of a designated CPA provincial body. This involves completing the CPA Professional Education Program, passing the Common Final Examination, and completing 30 months of appropriately supervised and mentored practical experience.

If you do complete the ACAF program and later decide to pursue the CPA designation, your ACAF courses will be recognized through a partnership with Athabasca University towards an undergraduate degree and specific knowledge requirements needed for admission to CPA PEP.

 

Yes. You may be exempt from individual technical courses if you have passed accredited academic equivalents with a minimum grade of 60%. There are no exemptions from the applied courses, with the exception of Accounting Software Application.

Yes. As an internationally trained accountant, you may find that ACAF provides a helpful intermediate step in establishing an accounting career in Canada by providing a Canadian credential that recognizes international education and experience. You may be exempt from individual technical courses if you have passed academic equivalents and meet our minimum grade requirement. You can complete the ACAF program online before arriving in Canada; however, the course examinations must be taken in person and will be offered across Canada and internationally in designated locations within Bermuda, the Caribbean, the Americas and Asia-Pacific markets.

There is no requirement to move to Canada to complete (or upon completion of) the ACAF program. The ACAF program gives you the right balance of technical and applied skills to help you succeed, no matter where you are based. Earn the job-ready skills employers around the world value within the intermediate level accounting and finance functions of their businesses.

If you are working outside of Canada and wish to complete a Canadian accounting credential without becoming a fully qualified CPA, the ACAF may be the ideal choice. To start the registration process:

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