Future Students

The Graduate Diploma in Accounting program is offered by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies through the Ivey Business School (Ivey) and the DAN Department of Management & Organization Studies in the Faculty of Social Science (DAN). The program is accredited by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA Ontario) and enables successful students to obtain advanced standing in the first four modules of the CPA PEP.

Western is the best place to start your pursuit of the CPA designation:

Our Learning Approach

The program is focused on case based learning in all testable areas of the CFE and provides successful students with the flexibility to choose any path for the CFE (Finance, Performance Management, Assurance or Taxation) and helps you prepare for the types of cases you will encounter in the CFE. The program ensures integration of technical competencies through our Integrated Approach to the Competencies course, which is critical to success in CPA PEP and the CFE. Our interactive approach also gives you the opportunity to develop enabling competencies which will be important for a successful career as a CPA.

Top Notch Faculty

You will benefit from the expertise of industry practioners who have CPA designations, and who are highly rated and continuously recognized for teaching excellence. The program has been designed and is taught by faculty who have been involved with CPA Ontario and its legacy professional accounting designations. You will interact with facilitators and your peers on a face to face basis who ensure you understand the material throughout the program and provide the opportunity to learn in an interactive and collaborative group setting. You will receive feedback throughout the program on your case writing techniques from our experienced markers.

Professional Connections

You will collaborate with top accounting students from both Western University, and other Canadian Universities to create and build lifelong connections. These connections are beneficial as you move through Capstone 1, Capstone 2 and the CFE and is important to your future career as a CPA.

Reduced Stress

You will complete the program in 13 weeks before commencing full-time employment to alleviate stress and make you more marketable to employers. The program allows you to complete a substantial proportion of the PEP modules before commencing full-time employment, alleviating the stress of studying while working.

The program runs from May - July 31 each year.

Students must meet the minimum requirements for admission, however meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission. 

Admission Requirements for Western Students

  • Admission to the program is available to students in their fourth year of study with the intention of graduating from their Undergraduate Degree by June, or have already graduated from an Undergraduate degree program.
  • All courses required for the CPA-Preparatory program must be completed. Students must have achieved at least a 72% average across Core CPA required courses, and a minimum grade in each Core CPA course of 60%. Students must have achieved a minimum grade in each Non Core CPA course of 50%.  
  • MOS 4510B Integrated Analysis and Decision Making in Accounting is highly recommended.
  • 250-word Statement of Interest
  • A copy of your current Resumé

Admission Requirements for other Canadian Students

  • Admission to the program is available to students in their fourth year of study who will be completing their Undergraduate program or who have recently completed an undergraduate degree.
  • All courses required for the CPA-Preparatory program must be completed with a minimum grade of 60% in each course and a minimum 72% average across Core CPA required courses. Prior to applying to the program, you should ensure that you have taken the required courses for entry into CPA PEP.
    • Important note to applicants outside of DAN Management: The accreditation agreement between Western University and CPA Ontario specifies that only students with DAN Management degrees, or equivalent, may be given advanced standing in the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP). In determining whether a degree from another Canadian university is equivalent, each application will be reviewed individually.
  • 250-word Statement of Interest
  • A copy of your current Resumé
  • By request, students may be asked to provide references or participate in an interview.

The Application is open from October 1 to January 31. Successful applicants will be notified on a rolling basis.

For information or to apply, visit the Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies website.