FAQs – New CPA Professional Program
FAQs
When is the new CPA Professional Program expected to start?
The new CPA Professional Program is expected to be available no earlier than early 2027.
What does the new CPA Professional Program look like?
Currently, the new CPA Professional Program is expected to include four modules with four post-module assessments:
- Foundational Development
- CPA Core
- CPA Leadership
- CPA Professional Readiness
Assessments may include objective style questions, short cases, and comprehensive cases. Candidates will also be required to complete the necessary practical experience requirements. We have outlined more details in our blog posting here.
Does the new CPA Professional Program include a CFE-style exam?
The new CPA Professional Program will include three Professional Final Exams to test the competencies of candidates. Each Professional Final Exam will be taken after the related module is completed.
What will happen with the current certification program? Will my progress transfer to the new CPA Professional Program?
The current certification program for CPAs will continue to be offered until the new CPA Professional Program is available. There will be a transition period to offer the CFE until September 2028 to allow candidates close to completion to finish under the current program. There will also be ways to transition progress in the current program to the New Certification Program. More details on the transition can be found here.
I am a MOU candidate. Will I be eligible to transfer my progress to the new CPA Professional Program?
Candidates who entered the existing PEP and CFE program under an international MOU pathway are subject to separate arrangements. Currently, MOU candidates are not eligible to transition through the standard transition process. Specific guidance for MOU transition will be provided separately.
If I am in PREP or PEP right now, should I continue with my program?
CPA is encouraging all candidates to continue in their current learning pathway as long as possible. There is no need to transition to the new program if you are on track to complete the existing program. Candidates who cannot complete the existing program will be supported through transition plans and/or exemptions based on modules and/or exams successfully completed.
Will the new CPA Professional Program still have practical experience requirements?
Yes. The new CPA Professional Program will continue to have practical experience requirements that must be met prior to program completion. The practical experience requirement is expected to be a period of 24 months, net of leave. The experience requirements will require 8 months at a foundational level and 16 months of professional experience with the proficiency increasing in line with the competency map.
Will there still be a path to obtain public accounting licensure through the new CPA Professional Program?
Yes, there will be the option to complete the educational and practical experience requirements for public accounting licensure as part of the new CPA Professional Program. The educational requirements will be embedded into the CPA Core module and assessment as additional optional components under the Licensure stream. For those who are not able to complete the educational requirements as part of the new CPA Professional Program, the Post-Designation Public Accounting (PDPA) program will continue to be available as part of the new CPA Professional Program.
Will there be a way to enter the new CPA Professional Program if I do not have an undergraduate degree in business and accounting?
Yes. Candidates without an undergraduate degree in business and accounting will be required to complete a Knowledge Assessment before entering the program. This assessment is meant to test whether you have the prerequisite knowledge required to be successful in the new CPA Professional Program.
Where can I find more information about the new CPA Professional Program?
CPA Western School of Business