Understand the Requirements

Practical Experience Competencies

Find a summary of the Practical Experience Competencies here. The purpose of practical experience is for Candidates to develop both their technical and enabling competencies to become a successful CPA.

Candidates will be evaluated based on six technical competencies and five enabling competencies.

Technical competencies fall into six areas:

1. Financial Reporting
2. Management Accounting
3. Strategy and Governance
4. Taxation
5. Finance
6. Audit and Assurance

Enabling competencies fall into five areas:

1. Acting Ethically and Demonstrating Professional Values
2. Solving Problems and Adding Value
3. Communicating
4. Managing Self
5. Collaborating and Leading

Finding a Mentor

Candidates are required to be mentored by a CPA throughout their term of practical experience. Candidates must meet with their mentor semi-annually and have these meetings documented in PERT.

There are a number of supportive networking resources to help Candidates find a mentor. These resources have been provided by the Career Services team.

• Getting Connected
• Meeting and Beyond
• Using a Free LinkedIn Account
• Using an Upgraded LinkedIn Account
• Events for Shy People
• Self Introduction

Fact Sheet:

• Need a Mentor? What You Need to Know

CPA Practical Experience Policies

The CPA Harmonized Practical Experience Policies, found here, includes a collection of policy directives for the CPA Practical Experience Requirements (CPA PER). It outlines the profession’s expectations regarding the implementation of policies for qualifying:

• Practical experience
• Mentorship
• Transition rules
• Reporting and review

The governing documents in Alberta dictate the usage of these policies.

All Candidates are required to be in compliance with CPA Alberta's Rules of Professional Conduct.

To become familiar with candidate requirements in Alberta, candidates should review the Introduction to CPA Alberta's Regulatory Requirements. 

Practical Experience Requirements

The CPA Practical Experience Requirements can be found here. This provides comprehensive information on the practical experience requirements for certification as a CPA.

Fact Sheet:

• Practical Experience Requirements: What Do I Need to Know?
• Know the Requirements: CPA Candidates and Accounting Services

Reporting Requirements

Candidates are required to capture all practical experience in the profession's online practical experience reporting tool (PERT). Visit the Practical Experience Reporting Tool page for more information.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

As per the CPA Practical Experience Requirements (CPA PER), Candidates are required to meet with their mentors twice per year and log into PERT to provide required information within 90 days of their registration date. Find an outline of the penalties for non-compliance here. (Please note that penalties are subject to change.)

Questions? Contact: practicalexperience@cpaalberta.ca