The GDPA application for the May 2024 start date will launch on October 1st, 2023 and close on December 31st, 2023.
Please review the Admissions Requirements page before applying.
The diploma program includes five term courses and two quarter modules as follows. It also consists of a non-credit course, DPA 600: Professional Workshops, on professionalism, ethics, leadership, teamwork and communication, and case analysis.
Note: DPA *601, *602, *603, *701 and *702 are term courses with 36 contact hours. DPA #703 and #704 are quarter modules with 18 contact hours.
A series of workshops on Professionalism and Business Ethics; Leadership; Communication and Team Building; and Case Analysis to equip students with the essential enabling competencies required for success in professional accounting certification program.
This course extends the knowledge base of earlier accounting courses and focuses on the integration of accounting issues through case studies. The main objectives of the course are: (1) to discuss and evaluate selected advanced accounting and financial reporting issues, emphasizing fundamental principles and concepts, as well as technical competency; (2) to develop case analysis and writing capabilities; and (3) to incorporate other areas of study such as International Financial Accounting Standards (IFRS) and Accounting Standards for Private Entities (ASPE), into the accounting context through comprehensive cases.
Term course (36 hours).
This course considers a number of advanced topics concerning both the auditor and the audit profession. It builds on the knowledge of the audit task derived in earlier courses as well as on the technical skills and breadth of knowledge obtained in earlier accounting courses. Since a central feature of accounting in today’s business world is the interaction of accounting professionals with computer-based information systems, topics related to the accountants’ role in the design and implementation of such system will also be discussed.
Term course (36 hours).
This course is designed to provide students with an advanced conceptual background and analytical tools necessary to evaluate financial statements issued by publicly held enterprises. It focuses on understanding the uses and limitations of both the financial statements and the traditional and non-traditional methods of analyzing them. We will discuss the financial statements, the accounting disclosure rules, the differential effects of alternative accounting principles, and the interpretation of financial information.
Term course (36 hours).
The objective of this course is to provide students with an in-depth understanding and analytical tools necessary for managing the finance of an entity. Topics include evaluating the entity’s financial state; examining the Treasury function; developing and evaluating capital budgeting processes and decisions; determining the value of a business, its tangible and intangible assets; managing financial risk; and evaluating the purchase and expansion or sale of a business.
Term course (36 hours).
An objective of this course is to examine an organization’s core competence and how successful organizations exploit their core competence to develop a strategic advantage, with a focus on developing the management accounting skills required in effectively implementing strategies. Another objective of this course is to provide students an understanding of the risk affiliated with an organization, the role of management accounting in mitigating such organizational risk, and developing the strategic management accounting skills required in incorporating risk management to implement strategies effectively.
Term course (36 hours).
This course looks at best practices and takes a modern approach to reading and interpreting The Income Tax Act. Topics covered include an in-depth examination of the taxation of partnerships and trusts as well as the rules to prevent corporate surplus stripping and capital gains stripping.
Quarter module (18 hours).
The objective of this course is to build students’ critical enabling competencies and further develop their technical competencies using complex and highly integrative cases. Students will apply their behavioural, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills to complex situations. The course will also focus on the development of professionalism and ethical behaviour as a professional accountant.
Quarter module (18 hours).
