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Your CPA, Your Career, Your Advantage.

To become a CPA, students must complete four steps: (1) prerequisite education, (2) the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP), (3) the Common Final Examination (CFE), and (4) practical experience. Learn more via Prospective Students.

Ivey’s HBA, combined with the CPA Ontario-accredited Ivey stream of the Western Graduate Diploma in Accounting (GDip Accounting), offers advanced standing in the CPA PEP. With the GDip, Ivey HBAs are exempt from the two Core and two Elective PEP modules, including the exams, and only need to complete the two Capstone Modules before writing the CFE. See Advanced Standing below.

Alternatively, Ivey HBAs can meet the prerequisite education requirements through specific HBA courses plus one advanced financial accounting course, then begin the CPA PEP from the start. See Entry Level below.

Entry Level

To enter the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP), candidates need an undergraduate degree and specific prerequisites. Ivey’s undergraduate program satisfies all but one of these through required and elective courses, plus an accounting add-on. Students must achieve a 70% average and at least 60% in each course. By completing these, along with one advanced financial accounting course, Ivey HBA graduates meet the CPA PEP entry requirements.

Required Courses

BUS 2257- Accounting and Business Analysis
BUS 3321- Accounting & Financial Fundamentals
BUS 3300- Strategy
BUS 4624- Managerial Accounting & Control
BUS 3303- Finance
BUS 3322- Leveraging Information Technology
BUS 4505- Global Macroeconomics for Managers
BUS 3316- Decision Making with Analytics
BUS 3301- Marketing

Students will understand why and how accounting principles are used to develop financial statements, learn basic analytical techniques, gain a better understanding of the workings of small business, and appreciate the difficulties involved in making decisions using incomplete or imperfect information. 

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Trains students to be competent consumers of accounting data and to integrate the understanding of accounts, profits, cost behavior, relevant cost and control systems required for decision-making. Topics include data collection, processing, interpretation, and the utilization of accounting information by managers. Credit: 0.75

Strategy consists of an organization's focused efforts to achieve success. Ensuring the continued success of the enterprise requires both analysis and action. The cases and concepts utilized in the course take the total enterprise as the unit of analysis and the general manager as the key actor. Credit: 0.75

This course provides students the necessary tools to be competent consumers of accounting data and to integrate the understanding of accounts, profits, cost behavior, relevant cost and control systems required for decision-making. Topics include data collection, processing, interpretation, and the utilization of accounting information by managers. Credit: 0.75

The course covers problems involved in determining the need for, acquiring and administering the financial resources of a business enterprise, and deals with the need for short-term intermediate funds in the operation of a business organization as well as the subject of long-term financing, capital structures, mergers and acquisitions, etc. Credit: 0.75

This course develops a student's understanding of the general manager's role in maximizing the value of information technology (IT) in organizations. This includes the ability to assess a situation from an IT perspective in mind and the impact of technology when creating organizational solutions and how it can leverage a organization's success. Credit: 0.75

This course enables students to understand the economic and political environments in which they will operate as managers. The course is concerned with issues in the external environment at the country and international levels. Credits: 0.5

This course presents a systematic approach to structuring and analyzing decision problems with the use of statistical tools and spreadsheet programs. Problems from all functional areas and various industries are discussed. The course also examines some innovative management tools that are changing the practice of management. Credit: 0.75

The desires and needs of the buyer are important to the manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer. Students analyze the firm's goals, strengths, opportunities, and weaknesses. This analysis is then converted into reasonable marketing strategies and action plans. Students learn to make decisions in the face of considerable uncertainty. Credit: 0.75

Required Courses

BUS 2257- Accounting and Business Analysis

Students will understand why and how accounting principles are used to develop financial statements, learn basic analytical techniques, gain a better understanding of the workings of small business, and appreciate the difficulties involved in making decisions using incomplete or imperfect information. 

Learn More

BUS 3321- Accounting & Financial Fundamentals

Trains students to be competent consumers of accounting data and to integrate the understanding of accounts, profits, cost behavior, relevant cost and control systems required for decision-making. Topics include data collection, processing, interpretation, and the utilization of accounting information by managers. Credit: 0.75

BUS 3300- Strategy

Strategy consists of an organization's focused efforts to achieve success. Ensuring the continued success of the enterprise requires both analysis and action. The cases and concepts utilized in the course take the total enterprise as the unit of analysis and the general manager as the key actor. Credit: 0.75

BUS 4624- Managerial Accounting & Control

This course provides students the necessary tools to be competent consumers of accounting data and to integrate the understanding of accounts, profits, cost behavior, relevant cost and control systems required for decision-making. Topics include data collection, processing, interpretation, and the utilization of accounting information by managers. Credit: 0.75

BUS 3303- Finance

The course covers problems involved in determining the need for, acquiring and administering the financial resources of a business enterprise, and deals with the need for short-term intermediate funds in the operation of a business organization as well as the subject of long-term financing, capital structures, mergers and acquisitions, etc. Credit: 0.75

BUS 3322- Leveraging Information Technology

This course develops a student's understanding of the general manager's role in maximizing the value of information technology (IT) in organizations. This includes the ability to assess a situation from an IT perspective in mind and the impact of technology when creating organizational solutions and how it can leverage a organization's success. Credit: 0.75

BUS 4505- Global Macroeconomics for Managers

This course enables students to understand the economic and political environments in which they will operate as managers. The course is concerned with issues in the external environment at the country and international levels. Credits: 0.5

BUS 3316- Decision Making with Analytics

This course presents a systematic approach to structuring and analyzing decision problems with the use of statistical tools and spreadsheet programs. Problems from all functional areas and various industries are discussed. The course also examines some innovative management tools that are changing the practice of management. Credit: 0.75

BUS 3301- Marketing

The desires and needs of the buyer are important to the manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer. Students analyze the firm's goals, strengths, opportunities, and weaknesses. This analysis is then converted into reasonable marketing strategies and action plans. Students learn to make decisions in the face of considerable uncertainty. Credit: 0.75

Elective Courses

BUS 4417- Corporate Financial Reporting
BUS 4497- Auditing
BUS 4479- Taxation for Managers
BUS 4450- Business Law
BUS 4477- CFR II

The main objective of this course is to help students to become better users of financial statements by developing a knowledge and understanding of some of the key financial reporting concepts and accounting principles and an understanding of the financial reporting system. The course also takes a managerial perspective of financial disclosure.

The course begins with an examination of the factors affecting the demand and supply of assurance including independence, third party litigation, and the market for assurance services. We then review the traditional audit risk model, materiality, and the various types of audit evidence. The course proceeds to an in-depth examination of such key issues as knowledge of client’s business, management fraud, proper application of analytical procedures, understanding and analyzing business processes and management controls, and evidence evaluation.

This course is designed for individuals who wish to understand how income tax laws impact various types of income and wealth accumulation. It is specifically relevant to those pursuing careers in accounting, finance or becoming entrepreneurs. Antirequisite: BUS4437Q/R/S/T

This course aims to help students organize and understand the increasing network of legislation and regulation which influences the general management of organizations. In the cases and readings, the emphasis is placed on the law in evolution - not on specific rules and regulations, but as a continuous attempt to solve social and management problems. Anti-requisite: MOS2275A

Accounting Add-On Course

Elective Courses

BUS 4417- Corporate Financial Reporting

The main objective of this course is to help students to become better users of financial statements by developing a knowledge and understanding of some of the key financial reporting concepts and accounting principles and an understanding of the financial reporting system. The course also takes a managerial perspective of financial disclosure.

BUS 4497- Auditing

The course begins with an examination of the factors affecting the demand and supply of assurance including independence, third party litigation, and the market for assurance services. We then review the traditional audit risk model, materiality, and the various types of audit evidence. The course proceeds to an in-depth examination of such key issues as knowledge of client’s business, management fraud, proper application of analytical procedures, understanding and analyzing business processes and management controls, and evidence evaluation.

BUS 4479- Taxation for Managers

This course is designed for individuals who wish to understand how income tax laws impact various types of income and wealth accumulation. It is specifically relevant to those pursuing careers in accounting, finance or becoming entrepreneurs. Antirequisite: BUS4437Q/R/S/T

BUS 4450- Business Law

This course aims to help students organize and understand the increasing network of legislation and regulation which influences the general management of organizations. In the cases and readings, the emphasis is placed on the law in evolution - not on specific rules and regulations, but as a continuous attempt to solve social and management problems. Anti-requisite: MOS2275A

BUS 4477- CFR II

Accounting Add-On Course

Advanced Standing

Since Ivey’s CPA program is accredited by CPA Ontario, Ivey HBA students may complete the Graduate Diploma in Accounting (GDip Accounting) and receive advanced standing into the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP).  With the GDip Accounting, Ivey students are exempt from the two Core modules and the two Elective modules, including the related examinations.  Students must only complete the two Capstone modules prior to writing the Common Final Examination (CFE).

Course Timeline

The Ivey GDip Accounting runs for approximately 13 weeks each year from May to the end of July.  The program consists of five courses:

  1. Advanced Audit
  2. Advanced Corporate Financial Reporting
  3. Advanced Taxation
  4. Risk, Control and Governance
  5. An Integrated Approach to the Competencies

Students must achieve an overall average of 72% across the entry-level courses (excluding BUS 2257) for admission to the Ivey GDip Accounting Program.

Elective Areas

Ivey’s HBA in combination with the Ivey stream GDip Accounting offers the necessary courses for students to choose any of the four elective areas of the CPA PEP:

  1. Assurance
  2. Performance Management
  3. Taxation
  4. Finance

Public accounting candidates must choose the Assurance and Taxation electives.

CPA Certification Program Summary

The chart below illustrates the potential entry points for Ivey students into the CPA Certification Program. Click the image to see the chart in higher resolution.

CPA-chart-full
Learn More About Becoming a CPA

Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA Ontario)

CPA Ontario’s website provides specific information pertaining to the CPA designation in Ontario, including information for students in legacy CA programs.

Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA Ontario) Website
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CPA Canada Logo

Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada)

The CPA Canada website provides information on the new Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation, the qualification process and the progress on unification of the provincial accounting bodies.

Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) Website

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