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Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting (GCPA) Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting (GCPA) Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

About the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting (GCPA)

Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting (24 credits)

The Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting program is offered full-time by the Desautels Faculty of Management, and part-time through the School of Continuing Studies.

The ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ GCPA program is an accredited Professional Education Program (PEP) of CPA Quebec. The program is designed to provide students with professional training on the latest CPA concepts and practice-related issues while preparing them to write the national Common Final Exams (CFE). Completion of a PEP and passing the CFE are two of the required components for obtaining the highly respected CPA designation. Combining ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ's international reputation, a history of an excellent pass record on the legacy CA exams, and top professors, the GCPA program ensures that graduates can make professional judgments on financials in a global business environment.

The GCPA program is intended to allow students to develop professional skills that will be recognized nationally and internationally. It focuses on the acquisition and integration of in-depth specialized knowledge in fields in which engagements are likely to be entrusted to CPAs. More specifically, the objective of the Graduate Certificate is to develop the analytical skills, diagnostic capabilities, and evaluation skills needed for the exercise of professional judgment necessary to solve practical problems related to the practice of professional accounting. Our lecturers are hard-working, dedicated, and motivated to making our students succeed in the program.

Coupled with a 24-month recognized training period, the GCPA program provides students with the academic and professional business training, communication and interpersonal skills needed to succeed in a CPA career.

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

Option 1:

Applicants completing a Canadian Bachelor of Commerce degree from a recognized institution are required to obtain a minimum CGPA of 3.0 out of 4.0* and successfully complete the following prerequisite courses, or their equivalents, with minimum grades of B-:

* Admission to the program is highly competitive and meeting the minimum requirements does not secure entry into the GCPA program.

Option 2:

Graduates of programs other than the Canadian Bachelor of Commerce or graduates with foreign degrees must complete the following courses through the School of Continuing Studies' Diploma in Accounting program prior to admission to the GCPA program. Please note that meeting the minimum requirements does not secure admission to the GCPA program.

For more information, you may contact the School of Continuing Studies directly:

Application Procedures

Application Procedures

Online applications for the GCPA program can be submitted through ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ's uApply. For details please visit Ready to apply?

See Application Procedures and the GCPA program website for details about submitting your application.

A deferral of admission may be considered in exceptional cases upon evidence of extenuating circumstances for one year only. A request may be submitted by the student through uApply and evaluated by the GCPA Office.

Time Limits

The program must be completed within three years of admission.

Additional Requirements

Additional Requirements

The items and clarifications below are additional requirements set by this department:

  • Applicants who have been accepted to the GCPA program are required to make a CAD$300 deposit via uApply when confirming the offer of admission. This fee is non-refundable and will be applied towards the student’s tuition.

Application Deadlines

Application Deadlines

The application deadlines listed here are set by the Desautels Faculty of Management and may be revised at any time. Applicants must verify all deadlines and documentation requirements well in advance on the appropriate ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ departmental website; please consult the list on the Graduate program contacts page.

Canadian International Special/Exchange/Visiting
Fall: N/A Fall: N/A Fall: N/A
Winter: N/A Winter: N/A Winter: N/A
Summer: Feb. 1 Summer: Dec. 15 Summer: N/A

Obtaining a CPA designation

Obtaining a CPA designation

To obtain the CPA designation in Quebec, a student must have:

  1. Completed a Professional Education Program (PEP)
  2. Passed the Common Final Exam (CFE)
  3. Served a two-year practical training period with an accredited training office (it is the student's responsibility to obtain such employment)
  4. Passed the French language examination
  5. Become, or be, either a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant

Once all these criteria have been met, the student will obtain the designation of Chartered Professional Accountant from L'Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec (OCPAQ).

Further information can be obtained from:

  • Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec
  • 5, Place Ville Marie, bureau 800
  • Montréal QC H3B 2G2
  • Canada
  • Telephone: 514-288-3256 or 1-800-363-4688 (toll free)
  • Email: info [at] cpaquebec.ca
  • Web:
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2015-2016 (last updated Jul. 14, 2015) (disclaimer)
Desautels Faculty of Management—2015-2016 (last updated Jul. 14, 2015) (disclaimer)
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