Mentors

Mentorship is a mandatory component of the CPA practical experience requirements for CPA candidates.

Your role as a CPA mentor does not require you to help CPA candidates with their education, examination preparation, or job search. Instead, you can expect to:

  • provide support and insight that can broaden their mindsets
  • give back and invest in the future of the profession
  • enhance your personal growth and professional development from mentoring

Understand the Requirements

Mentor Requirements

As a mentor, you are expected to provide guidance on the competency development of your CPA candidate, and facilitate the development of their values, ethics, and attitudes.

Mentors are required to document commentary on their progression to date and any unresolved competency development concerns within the Practical Experience Reporting Tool (PERT) but are not responsible if the CPA candidate does not develop competencies as expected.

Time Commitment

Mentors must meet at least twice each year with CPA candidates (in-person, via phone, virtual meeting, etc.) to discuss competency development progression.

The number of actual meetings and the time per-meeting is based on achieving learning outcomes.

Most CPA candidates will require less than 15 hours of mentorship per year with investment of time likely happening at the beginning of the relationship.

Mentors are volunteer-based positions. Verifiable CPD credits will be awarded for the completion of the mandatory orientation, as well as any or all of the complimentary webinars exclusively for our CPA mentors.

 

Practical Experience Mentor Overview Video

Become a CPA Mentor

As a member in good standing, you can provide guidance to aspiring CPAs to help them achieve the required technical competencies and develop the enabling competencies – acting ethically and demonstrating professional values, solving problems and adding value, communicating, managing self, and collaborating and leading.

Process to Become a Mentor

Become a CPA Mentor

There are three ways to get involved in the CPA candidate mentorship program:

  • Register to join the CPA mentoring pool
  • Participate in your organization’s pre-approved program (if applicable)
  • Accept a mentorship request from a CPA candidate
Become a Mentor

To learn more, visit the Mentor FAQ section and search for “How do I apply to become a CPA mentor?”

Mentor FAQs

Guides

PERT Guide for CPA Mentors
Mentor responsibilities checklist
PPR Mentor meeting checklist
Mentors factsheet
Employer Review Guidance – Enabling Competency

Resources

PERT Portal
Orientation Webinars from CPA Canada
Centre for mentoring resources
Understand the requirements
Mentoring works both ways

Practical Experience Mentor Overview Video

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