Q: Is practical experience gained
toward a legacy designation
acceptable for the CPA
designation?
A: Yes. Subject to its currency, experience
recognized by a legacy body is recognized
towards meeting the experience requirements
under the CPA PER.
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Q: Is international experience
recognized?
A: Yes, experience that satisfies the CPA
PER is recognized, regardless of whether it
was gained within Canada or internationally.
In either case, a minimum of 12 months of
experience must be gained concurrent with
a candidate’s time on the CPA Professional
Education Program (PEP).
Q: What are the eligibility requirements for becoming a CPA mentor?
A: Any CPA member in good standing with the profession, whether recently qualified or very
experienced, can apply to become a CPA mentor. Approved legacy body Mutual Recognition
Agreement members may also apply to become mentors.
Q: What is required of a CPA mentor?
A: A mentor is required to meet with their mentee(s) on a semi-annual basis. The objective of
these meetings is to discuss the candidate’s competency development, both technical and
enabling, and provide them with constructive feedback. All mentor meetings are documented
in the student’s experience report.
Q: When do candidates start
reporting their experience? And
where and how do they report?
A: In BC, candidates may begin reporting
once they have registered for the PEP with the
CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB),
hold a relevant PPR or EVR position, and
have a mentor.
A PPR candidate starts the reporting process
by creating an initial report that enables
their employer (program manager) to verify
their start date; once the start date has been
verified, the candidate can start reporting
experience. An EVR candidate starts the reporting process by creating a pre-assessment
report for review by CPABC; once the profession has ensured that the position will meet
the PER entrance requirements, the candidate
can start reporting experience.
All CPA practical experience reports are
recorded using the CPA Practical Experience
Reporting Tool (PERT). Access to the PERT
system is granted to candidates when they
register in the PEP with CPAWSB.
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