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.
DeGroote’s Graduate Diploma in Professional Accountancy program prepares students to pursue the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation and is accredited by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA Ontario). Beginning in 2015, the CPA will be the only accounting designation in Canada.
The diploma program can be completed in 14 weeks. It gives candidates from McMaster University the opportunity to start Capstone 1 (Integrative Module) of the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP) directly after graduation. The technical competencies of all four elective areas of the PEP are covered in the curriculum:
This gives candidates more flexibility when pursuing career opportunities.
The program’s orientation workshops (DPA 600: Professional Workshops (non-credit)) and integrative curriculum also give candidates opportunities to develop enabling competencies which will be important during their careers.
Candidates from McMaster University who complete the diploma and the required commerce / MBA courses of the CPA-Accredited program with a 70% average (and at least 60% in each course) will gain entry into CPA PEP at the Capstone 1 (Integrative) Module. They are then eligible to write the Common Final Examination (CFE) after completing Capstone 1 and 2 (Preparatory) Module. The two capstone modules and the Common Final Examination can be completed in five months.
