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Graduate Diploma in Professional Accountancy (GDPA)

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Preparing you to become a Chartered Professional Accountant

The DeGroote School of Business offers a comprehensive Graduate Diploma in Professional Accountancy (GDPA), designed to equip students with the essential knowledge and skills required to pursue the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation.

Fully accredited by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA Ontario), this program provides a streamlined pathway for aspiring accountants to meet the rigorous educational and professional requirements needed to achieve CPA certification.

With the unification of accounting designations in Canada in 2015, a CPA designation has become the sole recognized credential for professional accountants nationwide. As a result, the demand for CPAs has grown significantly across various industries. DeGroote’s program ensures students are well-prepared not only for the CPA examinations but also for the evolving challenges of the global business landscape. Through a blend of advanced accounting principles, practical applications, and ethical considerations, graduates of this program are poised to thrive in leadership roles within the accounting profession.

Whether you are looking to enhance your existing accounting knowledge or shift into a career in professional accountancy, DeGroote’s Graduate Diploma in Professional Accountancy offers the foundation and support to help you succeed in obtaining your CPA designation.

About the GDPA Program

The diploma program can be completed in just 14 weeks, offering McMaster University candidates the opportunity to begin Capstone 1 (Integrative Module) of the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP) immediately after graduation. The curriculum covers the technical competencies required for all four elective areas of the PEP:

Assurance
Taxation
Performance Management
Finance

This comprehensive coverage gives candidates greater flexibility in pursuing diverse career opportunities across various sectors. Additionally, the program’s orientation workshop and integrative curriculum emphasize the development of enabling competencies, such as problem-solving, communication, and ethical decision-making, all of which are essential for long-term career success in the accounting profession.

Admission

The diploma program can be completed in 14 weeks, and there are varying admission requirements based on your level of education completed to date.

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Application Dates

The GDPA application for the May 2025 start date will launch on October 1st, 2024 and close on December 31st, 2024. When applying, be sure to select “May” as the admit term.

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Finances and Tuition Fees

Learn more about our application fee, tuition costs and more for the GDPA program.

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Admission Requirements

DeGroote’s Graduate Diploma in Professional Accountancy prepares students to pursue a CPA designation. The program can be completed in 14 weeks, with admission requirements varying based on prior education.

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Frequently Asked Questions

To address common inquiries, we’ve compiled a FAQ section. Here, you’ll find answers to questions about program structure, admission requirements, application deadlines, and pathways to the CPA designation.

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Learn more about CPA Ontario

Chartered Professional Accountants are Canada’s trusted business leaders. They are highly valued for their financial expertise, strategic thinking, business insight, management skills and leadership.

The CPA Certification Program is designed to serve the needs of Canadian business, public practice and government by educating and training the Chartered Professional Accountants on whom they will rely. Students are equipped to manage the pressures and pace of the global economy, developing a deep understanding of financial data, its impact on organizational performance and how it can be used to deliver exceptional results.

Earning the CPA designation opens doors to a rewarding career, learn more about why should you become a Chartered Professional Accountant.

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Contact Us

The GDPA Program Office team is your support at the DeGroote School of Business. We’re here to talk to you about anything questions you may have.

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