(Posted August 2026)
The new CPA Professional Program begins rolling out in 2027, and many prospective candidates are asking: Should I begin CPA PEP now or wait for the new program? Will the new program be easier or faster? What happens if I start CPA PEP but cannot complete it before the transition? Will the progress I make under CPA PEP be recognized? Is there a cost to waiting, and when might delaying make sense?
Some candidates are attracted by the new structure, the end of the three-day Common Final Examination (CFE), and the possibility that the redesigned program could be shorter or easier. However, those assumptions are not enough to justify delaying your CPA journey. The CFE may be disappearing, but rigorous CPA examinations are not
Our view is straightforward: If you are eligible to begin CPA PEP and have a realistic path to completion, you should start now rather than wait for the new program.
For more information about the new structure and transition timelines, read our New CPA Professional Program Update.
Why Waiting May Sound Appealing
The new program will replace the current Core, Elective, Capstone, and CFE structure with four stages: Foundational Development, CPA Core, CPA Leadership, and CPA Professional Readiness.
Four stages may sound simpler than the current pathway and eliminating the three-day CFE may make the program appear less demanding. However, a different structure does not necessarily mean an easier or faster route to the designation. The new program will still assess technical knowledge, professional judgment, critical thinking, and the ability to apply knowledge to complex business situations.
Will the New Program Be Easier?
No.
The new program will include multiple assessments throughout the certification process. Replacing the three-day CFE does not eliminate high-stakes examinations; it distributes assessment across several stages.
Candidates entering the new program will also have less examination history to rely on. CPA PEP candidates currently benefit from years of past examinations, Board of Examiners’ reports, practice cases, and guidance on common performance deficiencies.
That does not make CPA PEP easy. It makes it more predictable.
In the early years of the new program, candidates will have fewer examples of actual examinations and less evidence about how assessment standards are applied. Sample materials will help, but they cannot immediately replace years of candidate results and evaluator commentary.
There is no basis to conclude that the new program will be easier. It is a redesigned pathway to the same rigorous CPA designation.
What Happens if You Cannot Finish CPA PEP?
Some candidates worry that they will begin CPA PEP, fail to complete it before the transition, and lose all their progress.
That is not how the transition is intended to work.
Transition pathways recognize certain completed CPA PEP modules, passed examinations, and approved practical experience. Where a candidate enters the new program will depend on what they have completed and the rules of their provincial or regional CPA body.
Beginning CPA PEP can still move you forward, even if you later need to transition.
Transition should still be viewed as a contingency plan. Depending on your progress, you may need to complete additional modules or examinations under the new structure. Confirm your individual circumstances with your CPA provincial or regional body.
Is There Cost to Waiting?
Waiting may feel cautious, but it also delays progress.
A candidate who postpones starting may also postpone career advancement, compensation opportunities, and completion of the CPA designation. The new program is being introduced in stages, so waiting until 2027 does not necessarily mean every candidate will be able to begin immediately.
Meanwhile, CPA PEP candidates can complete modules, accumulate practical experience, and move closer to the CFE.
Delaying guarantees no educational progress during the waiting period. Starting now gives you the opportunity to complete the current program and, where necessary, carry recognized progress into the new one.
When Might Waiting Make Sense?
Waiting may be reasonable if you cannot meet the remaining CPA PEP deadlines, your CPA body confirms that you do not have a realistic path to completion, or your personal circumstances will prevent consistent progress.
It may also make sense if you are entering a university pathway designed for the new program or facing program-expiry or examination-attempt issues.
Candidates entering CPA PEP close to the transition should develop a realistic schedule. Consider the remaining module offerings, prerequisite sequencing, CFE dates, and whether enough time remains for a repeat attempt.
Our Recommendation
Do not wait for the new CPA Professional Program simply because it is new or because someone predicts it will be easier. The new CPA Professional Program is a redesigned pathway to the same rigorous professional designation. Instead, make your decision based on your eligibility, timeline, and ability to commit.
If you are eligible to begin CPA PEP, can follow a realistic schedule, and have a viable path to completion, starting now will generally give you the best opportunity to earn your CPA designation sooner. You will be working within an established examination system, using proven preparation resources, and building progress that may be recognized if a later transition becomes necessary.
To learn more about the new program and how Densmore will support candidates, visit our dedicated CPA Professional Program page.