Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting

Program Description

The Rotman Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting (GDipPA) is an excellent way to gain advanced standing in the pursuit of a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) certification. This 12-week summer program deepens knowledge of accounting while satisfying four modules of the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP). The program helps prepare students for the Common Final Examination (CFE) and allows them to advance straight to the Capstone 1 module in the CPA PEP.

The program takes advantage of the depth of accounting expertise at the Rotman School as well as its long-standing commitment to professional accounting education.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy additional admission requirements stated below.

• Admission to the program is available to students in Year 4 or to recent graduates of the following University of Toronto undergraduate programs:

  • Rotman's Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Specialist).

  • University of Toronto Mississauga's Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting Specialist).

  • University of Toronto Scarborough's Bachelor of Business Administration (Specialist in Management and Accounting).

• University of Toronto students who are not currently completing one of the accounting specialist programs are required to take specific courses to be considered as applicants to the GDipPA program.

• Applicants from outside the University of Toronto: The accreditation that the University of Toronto has received from CPA Ontario specifies that only candidates with University of Toronto 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, the admissions committee will review each submitted application individually. Prior to applying, applicants are encouraged to ensure that the courses they have taken meet the requirements for entry into CPA PEP.

• Course requirements:

  • Successful completion of all the courses required for entry into the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) as determined with CPA Ontario:

    • Required core courses: a minimum overall average of 70%.

    • Each individual core course: a minimum grade of 60%.

    • Each individual non-core course: a passing grade or 50%, whichever is higher.

• Applicants who meet all the criteria will be assessed on the basis of their application package and grades by the admissions committee. Selected applicants may be invited for an admission interview.

Program Requirements

Students must complete a structured sequence of 2.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) (five half courses). No advanced standing will be granted for previous academic work completed or professional designations earned. Students who are unable to follow courses in their prescribed order must attain special approval from the Academic Director in order to continue in the program. The courses in the program are:

Program Length

1 session full-time (typical registration sequence: S)

Time Limit

2 years