Internationally Educated

I am internationally educated

Get a head start on your career in Alberta by becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). The CPA designation is much more than just an accounting certification; it distinguishes the most highly qualified and sought-after business and finance professionals. CPAs are in high demand and have international recognition from top employers across all sectors.

With your international education and experience, you are well-positioned to establish a remarkable career in Canada as a CPA. If you have completed your post-secondary education outside of Canada, this page is specifically designed to provide you with information on how to become a CPA.

Next steps

Step 1 - Learn more about your pathway

Contact a member of our team for a personalized one-on-one information session. You will be guided by an advisor who will discuss your pathway options. 

Don't forget to check out our networking events where you can meet our team in-person! We would be happy to meet you and answer any questions 

Email us
Events

Step 2 - Create a profile and submit your transcripts for an assessment

The next important step towards your career in Canada is to assess how your education and credentials are recognized here. If your qualifications are from a post-secondary institution outside of Canada, you need to submit your transcripts for a third-party assessment. The CPA Western School of Business recommends an International Credential Package (ICAP) course-by-course evaluation by World Education Services (WES).

This evaluation verifies the authenticity of your international documents and determines the Canadian equivalency of your credentials in a consistent manner. For more information about transcript assessments, please visit:

For more information, please visit:

Applicant with an international (non-Canadian) degree

Step 3 - Complete any of the required prerequisites

You may be required to complete prerequisite preparatory courses to enrol in the program.

For more information, please visit:

CPA Preparatory Courses

Step 4 - Apply for admission into the CPA Professional Education Program

The nationally developed and provincially delivered CPA certification program consists of:

  • the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP), which includes the Common Final Examination (CFE)
  • 30 months of recognized, relevant practical experience
For more information about the CPA PEP, please visit: CPA Professional Education Program

The below agencies support new Albertans with settlement and integration resources. CPA Alberta works closely with these organizations to help new Canadians become CPAs or transition their credentials. Click each organization's logo to learn more.
Immigrant Services Calgary logo

A variety of services are available in the community including mentorship, ESL support, work-readiness training, and more.

This is just a partial list of community service providers, but a good place to start if you’re looking for help getting into a rewarding job and career.

If you have any questions regarding programs for internationally-trained professionals, please contact our Diversity Advisor.

Resources for new Canadians
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The image appears to be a banner with a stylized design including a stopwatch with a question mark on its face. The text reads "ASK a CPA" with the phrase "Rapid Fire Q&A on Your Path to CPA" beneath it. The color scheme includes various shades of blue with white and green accents. The design suggests that this may be for a session where questions are quickly answered, possibly aimed at individuals interested in becoming Certified Public Accountants (CPAs).
CPA Alberta Information Session