CPA Program

Join our team of finance and accounting professionals to obtain your Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation with the City of Toronto.

The Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Program Office at the City of Toronto is dedicated to empowering aspiring professionals, current CPA Ontario Students, and designated CPAs to reach their fullest potential through a comprehensive program designed to support your journey every step of the way.

The City’s CPA program offers guidance throughout the entire CPA certification process, supported by our network of CPAs. Whether you follow the CPA Pre-Approved Program Route (PPR) or the Experience Verification Route (EVR), you will benefit from various resources, mentorship, and hands-on qualifying experience tailored to propel you toward your CPA designation and shape a rewarding career with the City.

At the City, you will be part of a community committed to inclusion, accessibility, and excellence. Join us and be inspired to make a lasting impact, as we build a workforce that reflects Toronto’s rich diversity and serves its communities with integrity and pride. Your path to a professional future starts here!

The City of Toronto provides its CPA candidates with access to the following supports during their CPA journey:

  • Resources – Gain access to a detailed study plan outlining recommended timelines and milestones, a case writing tracker to help you structure and monitor your case study development, and a practical experience tracker customized for CPA Ontario requirements, allowing you to log and assess your progress throughout your CPA journey.
  • Study Leave and Financial Support – Take advantage of financial assistance that may cover expenses such as exam fees, textbooks, and prep courses. In addition, receive dedicated study leave during exam periods to ensure you have adequate time to prepare and succeed in your assessments.
  • CPA Mentorship Program – Be paired with a CPA mentor working at the City of Toronto to help you meet all CPA requirements and advance your professional development.
  • CPA Community of Practice – Engage with a network of fellow CPA candidates at the City of Toronto. This community enables you to ask questions, share knowledge, and exchange resources with peers who are also navigating the CPA process.
  • One-on-One Consultations – Access personalized guidance on educational requirements and practical experience reporting through consultations that are available upon request, ensuring you receive the support you need when you need it.

CPA Pre-Approved Program Route (PPR)

The City’s CPA Program Office began welcoming CPA Candidates under the Pre-Approved Program Route (PPR) since 2022. The CPA PPR is a structured, employer-based training pathway allowing CPA Candidates to fulfill their mandatory practical experience in 30-32 months. At the City, the PPR is structured as two 16-month rotations within either Accounting Services, Internal Audit or Financial Planning. Under the PPR you will be matched with a mentor who will help guide and support your journey. The practical experience gained through these rotations, combined with the candidates’ Professional Education Program (PEP) will ensure their successful completion of the Chartered Professional Accounts (CPA) certification.

To qualify for our CPA Pre-Approved Program Route (PPR), you must have completed the academic prerequisites (see below) and be eligible for the CPA PEP prior to onboarding in September as a City of Toronto CPA Associate.

Before you are accepted into the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP), you must meet all the following requirements:

  • hold a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution (PSI)
  • have completed 120 credit hours (or equivalent) of education from a recognized PSI
  • have successfully met the grade requirements in prerequisite learning
  • be of good character

The prerequisite learning requirement can be completed at a recognized PSI or through CPA Ontario preparatory courses or through a mix of both.

Please refer to CPA Ontario’s website for more information on the prerequisites for PEP.

Experience Verification Route (EVR)

A growing community of City CPA students are taking the experience verification route with CPA Ontario, spanning divisions with various roles. The experience they gain, combined with the educational component, will lead to the successful completion of the Chartered Professional Accountants certification. By joining the City’s CPA student community, you’ll have access to mentorship programs, peer support groups, and professional development workshops designed to help you succeed.

Explore a variety of finance and accounting roles at the City of Toronto to fulfil the requirements for qualifying CPA experience. Positions for this route may include Financial Analyst, Senior Financial Analyst, Budget Analyst, Senior Financial Planning Analyst, and more. Job postings for these positions appear throughout the year. Interested candidates can visit the City of Toronto careers page to view current openings and submit their applications online.

Important Update:

The official CPA certification program is going through a transition phase with new education and work experience requirements being launched in 2027.

Currently, the City of Toronto is pausing recruitment to streamline our program and ensure that it meets the new certification requirements.

Please stay tuned for further information.