FAQs – Businesses, Firms, and PSIs

Pre-Certification FAQs

What resources are available for my employees in the process of obtaining their CPA designation?

We provide a variety of resources to assist your employees in their journey to becoming a CPA. For the Core and Elective modules, we have our EDGE courses and practice exams. For the CFE, we have our CFE Prep courses and additional CFE cases. We also have our CPA Competency Map Study Notes publication that can be used for the PEP modules and the CFE. For more information about the courses and resources we offer, please contact info@densmorecpa.com.

Do I have to register my CPA students individually online?

No, we are happy to process bulk orders and invoice you directly. Please email info@densmorecpa.com with the products you would like to purchase and a list that includes student name, email address, and shipping address. For CFE Prep registrations, also include their CFE Day 2 role, their Capstone 1 case choice, and whether they are a first-time or experienced writer. For PEP registrations, include the Core/Elective module.

How much time off is ideal for students who are writing the CFE?

For first-time writers taking Capstone 2, the module schedule is rigorous. Typically, candidates write one CFE Day 1 or Day 2 case and a CFE Day 3 case each week. Therefore, we recommend students take anywhere from four weeks to the full length of Capstone 2 off prior to the CFE. This will allow them time for writing, marking, and debriefing additional cases and completing technical review.  

For experienced writers and first-time writers who are not taking Capstone 2, we recommend at least four weeks off prior to the CFE if they are re-writing days 2 and 3 of the CFE or all 3 days. If they are only re-writing day 1 of the CFE, we recommend taking one to two weeks off prior to the exam.

CPD FAQs

What resources are available for my employees who need to complete their continuing professional development (CPD) obligations?

We provide a variety of continuing professional development courses and resources to assist your employees in meeting their CPD obligations and learning new skills. For more information about the courses and resources we offer, please contact cpd@densmorecpa.com.

Do I have to register my employees for continuing professional development (CPD) individually online?

No, we are happy to process bulk orders and invoice you directly. Please email cpd@densmorecpa.com with the products you would like to purchase and a list that includes employee name, address, and email address.

PSI FAQs

What is the cost of Densmore cases for PSIs?

Our per-student pricing is as follows:

  • Undergraduate cases – $7.50 + HST/student
  • Exam-only cases – $7.50 + HST/student
  • Core and Elective Module cases – $12.50 + HST/student
  • CFE Day 3 cases – $12.50 + HST/student
  • CFE Day 2 cases – $36.00 + HST/student
  • CFE Day 1 cases – $22.50 + HST/student
What is the cost of Competency Map Study Notes for PSIs?

Print edition: $199 + tax (two-volume set)

Ebook edition: $149 + tax

Print and ebook package: $269 + tax

Which Canadian PSIs have partnered with Densmore?
  • Acadia University
  • Bishop’s University 
  • Cape Breton University 
  • Carleton University 
  • Concordia University 
  • Edwards School of Business 
  • HEC Montreal 
  • Ivey Business School 
  • Kwantlen Polytechnic University 
  • Lakehead University 
  • Laurentian University 
  • McMaster University 
  • Ontario Tech University
  • Queen’s University 
  • Saint Mary’s University 
  • Schulich School of Business 
  • Toronto Metropolitan University 
  • University of Ottawa 
  • Université du Québec à Chicoutimi 
  • University of Alberta 
  • University of Calgary 
  • University of Guelph 
  • University of Quebec at Rimouski 
  • University of Regina 
  • University of Saskatchewan 
  • University of Sherbrooke 
  • University of Toronto 
  • University of Windsor 
  • Western University 
  • Wilfrid Laurier University 
  • York University
Are Densmore materials available in French?

Our Competency Map Study Notes are available in French.

Some of our cases, including many of the CFE Day 2 and 3 cases, are available in French. To see a full list of available cases, please contact cases@densmorecpa.com.

New Certification 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:

  1. Foundational Development
  2. CPA Core
  3. CPA Leadership
  4. 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.

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.

Where can I find more information about the new CPA Professional Program?

CPA Western School of Business

CPA Ontario

CPA Quebec

CPA Atlantic School of Business

CPA Canada

Competency Map 2.0