Post-Designation Practising Accounting (PDPA)
To register a Public Practising Accounting Firm (PPAF) in Canada, Chartered Global Practising Accountants (CGPAs) must meet specific educational and practical experience requirements for each category of practice they wish to pursue. As a CGPA, you have already demonstrated exceptional professional expertise and a commitment to upholding the highest global accounting standards. However, if you wish to expand your practice to include public accounting services—such as offering audit, review, compilation, or taxation services—you may need to meet additional educational and regulatory requirements.
The Post-Designation Practising Accounting (PDPA) Course and Exam are specifically designed to help CGPA members bridge these gaps. By completing the PDPA, you will not only meet, but exceed, the educational requirements necessary for public practice in Canada and internationally. Whether you aim to practice within Canada or expand your career into global markets, the PDPA ensures CGPA members meet—and often surpass—the educational standards set by CPA Canada and other international accounting bodies. This comprehensive program equips you with the advanced knowledge, credentials, and confidence to provide specialized public accounting services at the highest level, reinforcing your position as a leader in the global accounting profession.
Why CGPA Members Are Uniquely Positioned for Success in the PDPA Program
The PDPA program is tailored specifically for CGPA members who wish to deepen their expertise in the public accounting field, particularly in areas like audit, review, compilation, and taxation. While many CGPAs have already met the core educational requirements for public practice through their initial CGPA designation, the PDPA offers a structured pathway for those who need to complete additional coursework or who wish to enhance their qualifications further. The PDPA ensures full compliance with both CPA Canada and international public accounting standards.
Here’s why CGPAs are ideally positioned to succeed in the PDPA:
Global Expertise: As a CGPA, you bring a comprehensive global perspective to the accounting profession, enabling you to navigate complex international regulatory frameworks with ease. The PDPA program builds on this expertise to ensure you meet CPA Canada’s rigorous educational and practical requirements for public practice, while also aligning with global standards such as IFRS and International Standards on Auditing (ISA).
Holistic Knowledge: The PDPA not only deepens your technical proficiency in key public accounting areas like audit and taxation, but also broadens your understanding of governance, financial reporting, and strategic management. This holistic approach ensures you are fully equipped to offer high-level public accounting services.
Educational Excellence: As a CGPA member, you already possess an in-depth understanding of accounting standards such as IFRS. The PDPA strengthens this foundation, ensuring you meet—and often exceed—the educational standards set by CPA Canada, particularly in critical areas like audit and taxation, which are essential for providing public accounting services.
Who Should Enroll in the PDPA Course?
The PDPA course is ideal for CGPA members who wish to expand their services into public accounting but have not completed the required modules in areas such as audit, assurance, or taxation during their initial qualification. Whether you aim to offer audit services, expand into taxation, or establish your own Public Practising Accounting Firm (PPAF), the PDPA provides the specialized education needed to meet CPA Canada’s educational requirements for public practice.
Consider enrolling if you:
Seek Public Practice Rights: If you want to offer public accounting services like audit, review, or taxation but did not complete the necessary modules during your initial CGPA qualification, the PDPA will ensure you meet CPA Canada’s educational and regulatory requirements to practice in Canada.
Expand Your Practice: If you're looking to broaden your service offerings, the PDPA will equip you with the expertise needed to offer audit and taxation services, positioning you to register your own Public Practising Accounting Firm (PPAF) in Canada and internationally.
Aim for Global Mobility: If you plan to practice internationally, the PDPA ensures you meet the educational requirements necessary to work in jurisdictions governed by the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), thereby enhancing your career mobility and opening international opportunities.
PDPA Program Overview: Specialized Modules and Exam Details
The PDPA program includes specialized modules focusing on key areas of public accounting, designed to help you meet CPA Canada’s educational requirements for public practice. Upon completion of the relevant modules, you will need to pass a final exam to demonstrate your proficiency in applying public accounting principles at the highest level.
Core Modules:
Audit and Review Module: This module covers audit standards, financial reporting, risk management, and corporate governance. Upon completion, you will be fully prepared to offer audit and review services and establish your own Public Practising Accounting Firm (PPAF).
Taxation and Compilation Module: This module covers tax planning, international taxation, and financial statement preparation, equipping you to offer tax and compilation services to a wide range of clients.
Key Benefits of the PDPA for CGPA Members
The PDPA offers numerous advantages, ensuring CGPA members are fully compliant with CPA Canada’s education standards and well-positioned for career success, both in Canada and internationally:
Expanded Service Offerings: Completing the PDPA qualifies you to offer audit, review, taxation, and compilation services, increasing your professional value and ability to serve clients across multiple industries.
Regulatory Compliance: The PDPA ensures that CGPA members meet both national and international regulatory standards for public accounting services. This includes the ability to register your own Public Practising Accounting Firm (PPAF) and comply with regulations established by CPA Canada, IFAC, and other international accounting bodies.
Global Recognition and Career Mobility: Through the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), the PDPA ensures CGPA members meet the educational requirements to practice in multiple global jurisdictions, enhancing career mobility and opening opportunities for cross-border practice.
Unmatched Professional Development: The PDPA strengthens your expertise in critical areas like audit, taxation, and financial governance, positioning you as a leader in the field and preparing you to deliver high-level strategic insights to clients.
Understanding Global Financial Reporting Standards
A core feature of the CGPA designation is its global perspective. CGPAs adhere to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the globally recognized accounting standards issued by the IFRS Foundation and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
By completing the PDPA, you will not only meet CPA Canada’s educational requirements but also gain expertise in IFRS and international auditing standards, essential for practicing in over 168 jurisdictions worldwide, including major markets like Canada, the European Union, Australia, India, Russia, South Korea, South Africa, Chile, and Brazil.
Who May Already Meet the PDPA Requirements?
Some CGPA members may already meet the PDPA educational requirements based on prior qualifications, such as:
CGPAs who have completed Audit and Assurance, Advanced Taxation, and Law electives as part of their CGPA Professional Qualification Program (PQP) and passed the Professional Qualification Strategic Final Exam (PQSFE).
Legacy CGA, CMA, or CA members who have completed specialized coursework in audit and taxation as part of their prior professional education.
If you're unsure whether you meet the PDPA requirements, please contact CGPA Canada for clarification.
How to Enroll in the PDPA Course
Enrolling in the PDPA course is simple. To get started, visit the CGPA Canada website or reach out to your local educational provider. Our team is ready to assist with course enrollment, exam scheduling, and any other inquiries you may have.
For more information and to connect with us, follow us on LinkedIn:
Legal Clarifications
Under the CPABC Act, CGPA members who complete the PDPA are fully qualified to offer audit, review, compilation, and taxation services in Canada, including registering as a Public Practising Accounting Firm (PPAF).
For further details, refer to CPABC Act Sections 46 and 47, which outline the eligibility and regulatory requirements for practising accounting in British Columbia under professional standards published by CGPA Canada or IFRS.
Charter Rights and Professional Affiliation
It is important to note that discrimination based on professional affiliation or designation is prohibited under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Human Rights Act. As a registered non-profit organization under the Canadian Charter NFP Act, CGPA Canada upholds fundamental freedoms, including:
Freedom of conscience and religion
Freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and expression
Freedom of peaceful assembly
Freedom of association
These rights ensure that individuals can pursue their professional careers without discrimination based on their professional designation or affiliation across Canada.
Conclusion
The PDPA Course and Exam are essential for any CGPA member wishing to expand into public practising accounting services. Whether you’re venturing into audit, taxation, or offering strategic governance insights, the PDPA ensures CGPA members meet and exceed CPA Canada’s educational requirements, positioning you to succeed and lead in the global accounting profession.
About CGPA Canada
The Chartered Global Practising Accountants of Canada (CGPA) is the leading regulatory body for CGPA members and students across Canada. Our mission is to uphold the public interest by maintaining the highest ethical standards and advancing innovative public policies.
Globally recognized, the CGPA designation empowers professionals in a variety of fields, including public finance, taxation, accounting, consulting, and the public sector. Fully accredited by the Canadian government as an educational institution, CGPA Canada is one of two recognized chartered professional accounting bodies in Canada, alongside CPA Canada and provincial/regional CPA bodies—empowering us to offer audit, review, compilation, and taxation services across the country. Since our founding in 2016, we have played a pivotal role in advancing Canadian Accounting Standards nationwide.
We are pleased to confirm that CGPA Canada is fully accredited by the Education Authority of Canada to deliver postgraduate training programs across the country. Additionally, CGPA Canada is one of two recognized chartered professional accounting bodies in Canada, alongside CPA Canada, both of which are certified educational institutions. For more details, please visit our website or click here.
CGPA Canada is accredited by the Government of Canada as a Certified Educational Institution. Our file number is 7009/13666, alongside CPA Canada as follows:
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Absolutely! We are not just professional accountants; we are visionaries, shaping the future of accountancy and the global business landscape. As Chartered Global Practising Accountants (CGPAs), we are the trailblazers who drive innovation, influence strategic decisions, and set the highest standards of integrity and excellence.
Our role goes beyond the numbers. We are forward-thinkers, problem-solvers, and leaders who understand the pulse of a constantly changing world. We navigate complexities, uncover new opportunities, and provide insights that guide businesses toward sustainable growth and success. We don’t just adapt to the future—we create it.
Join us, and be part of a dynamic community of visionary leaders who are redefining the profession, setting new benchmarks, and making an impact on the global stage. Together, we will shape the future of accountancy and prove that we are second to none!
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1522 Finlay Street White Rock BC V4B 4L9 Canada
Email: info@cgpaglobal.ca
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