Accounting Schools and Programs in Canada

Accounting Studies in Canada

Basilica Mary Queen of the World, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Accounting in Canada is studied at two levels that fit together. Universities and colleges teach the subject in business degrees and diplomas. The profession then has its own qualification, the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation, which is earned after the degree through a national programme of part-time study, an exam and paid work experience.

SpainExchange lists 15 schools in Canada for accounting. Calgary and Kitchener have two each, and the others are spread across the country, in Montreal, Toronto, Victoria, Halifax, Kingston, Nanaimo, Charlottetown, Sackville, Abbotsford and Athabasca, among other places.

Degrees and diplomas

Accounting is rarely a degree on its own. It is usually a major or stream inside a business degree. According to the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC), a bachelor's degree normally takes three or four years of full-time study, depending on the province, and a master's degree one to three years.

• Bachelor's degrees. The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) offers a four-year Bachelor of Business Administration in which accounting is one of five majors. York University teaches accounting as a stream of its Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), and Mount Allison University includes it in its Bachelor of Commerce. At McGill University, accounting is a major within the Bachelor of Commerce; the university notes that students in the major usually go on to the CPA designation.
• College diplomas and certificates. Conestoga College in Kitchener has a two-year Business - Accounting programme leading to an Ontario College Diploma, with a route into a degree and from there to the CPA. Camosun College in Victoria offers an Accounting and Finance Advanced Certificate that takes two years full-time.
• Graduate programmes. The Schulich School of Business of York University offers a Master of Accounting (MAcc) accredited by the profession. Entry with advanced standing shortens it to 12 months. McGill has a Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting that is an accredited professional education programme of CPA Quebec.

Some bachelor's degrees are designed around the CPA entry requirements. SAIT in Calgary states that the accounting major of its Bachelor of Business Administration includes the courses needed to enter the CPA Professional Education Program.

The CPA designation

The CPA certification programme was developed nationally by CPA Canada and is delivered by provincial or regional bodies. As described by CPA British Columbia, it has three parts: the Professional Education Program (PEP), with six modules studied part-time; the Common Final Examination (CFE); and 30 months of paid practical experience. Candidates work full-time and study part-time, and the estimated time to finish is 2.5 years. CPA British Columbia gives the cost of the programme as about $14,500 for both domestic and international students.

To enter the PEP in western Canada, the CPA Western School of Business asks for an undergraduate or master's degree in any subject, 120 credit hours of post-secondary education and 14 prerequisite courses, which can be part of the degree or taken afterwards. Canadian and internationally recognised degrees are accepted. Requirements in other provinces are set by the provincial body.

The programme is changing. A new CPA Professional Program launches in May 2027, and Schulich is preparing a new version of its MAcc for that year.

Admission and recognition for international students

Each university sets its own admission requirements and assesses foreign school certificates itself. Applicants whose first language is not English or French have to prove their level with a recognised test. The schools named here teach in English.

A foreign accounting degree does not give the CPA designation directly. Holders of an international degree who apply to the CPA Western School of Business need a third-party evaluation of their studies (a WES course-by-course assessment is preferred) and a transcript assessment that decides which prerequisite courses they are exempt from. Only Canadian citizens, permanent residents and people otherwise allowed to work and study in Canada can enrol, and temporary residents need a valid study permit. The school advises that candidates with an English level below Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 8 will need extra study time.

Costs and study permit

Tuition fees vary by region, programme and school. EduCanada puts average university tuition for international undergraduate students at $41,746 per year (Statistics Canada, 2026). As a graduate example, Schulich lists MAcc tuition for international students at $24,120 per term and an estimated $96,480 for the four-term programme, based on its Summer 2026 fees.

Most foreign nationals need a study permit, which costs CAN$150. The application normally requires a letter of acceptance, a provincial or territorial attestation letter obtained through the school and proof of funds. For applications from 1 September 2026, a single student outside Quebec must show CAN$23,448 for a year of living costs, on top of tuition and travel. Students going to Quebec need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). Eligible students can work off campus up to 24 hours per week during term.

Careers

Accounting graduates work in accounting firms, companies, public bodies and non-profit organisations. McGill lists roles such as accountant, auditor, tax specialist, financial analyst and business consultant.

Frequently asked questions

Is an accounting degree enough to work as a CPA in Canada?

No. After the degree, candidates complete the CPA certification programme: part-time professional education, the Common Final Examination and 30 months of paid practical experience.

How long does it take to study accounting in Canada?

A bachelor's degree with an accounting major takes four years at UFV. College diplomas such as the one at Conestoga College take two years. The CPA programme that follows takes an estimated 2.5 years alongside full-time work.

Can I enter the CPA programme with a degree from another country?

Yes, internationally recognised degrees are accepted in western Canada, after a third-party evaluation and a transcript assessment. Missing prerequisite courses have to be completed first, and the candidate must be allowed to work and study in Canada.