Program Structure & Courses

Program Structure

The diploma program includes professional workshops, five (5) term courses, and two (2) quarter modules outlined as follows.

Professional Workshops

The orientation workshops are non-credit required classes focused on professionalism, ethics, leadership, communication, and case analysis


A series of workshops on:

  1. Professionalism and Business Ethics
  2. Leadership
  3. Communication and Team Building
  4. Case Analysis

These are designed to equip students with the essential enabling competencies required for success in professional accounting certification program. Students will receive a pass/fail on their transcript based on 100% attendance requirment.

Term Courses

For term courses students will complete a minimum of 36 hours of practice or experiential learning.

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.

Outline

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.

Outline

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.

Outline

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.

Outline

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.

Outline

Term course (36 hours).

Quarter Modules

For quarter modules students will complete a minimum of 18 hours of practice or experiential learning.

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.

Outline

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.

Outline

Quarter module (18 hours).

Program Schedule

Please note that the program schedule days and times can change from session to session. The below information refers to the summer 2024 program window.

Dress Code: Business Casual

Classrooms: Majority of courses take place in person at the DeGroote School of Business McMaster Hamilton Campus. With the exception of some workshops located at the DeGroote School of Business Ron Joyce Centre in Burlington.

 

Courses

Class time Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
First 6 weeks:
9:00 am – 12 noon
DPA 601 DPA 701 DPA 603
First 6 weeks:
1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
DPA 702 DPA 602 DPA 704
Last 6 weeks:
9:00 am – 12 noon
DPA 601 DPA 701 DPA 603
Last 6 weeks:
1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
DPA 702 DPA 602 DPA 703

Workshops

Date Time Workshop
Monday, May 6 8:45 am – 10:00 am Welcome Orientation Breakfast
Monday, May 6 10:00 am – 12:00 pm DPA 600: Case Analysis
Monday, May 6 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm DPA 600: Case Analysis
Monday, May 13 9:00 am – 2:00 pm DPA 600: Business Data Analytics
Monday, May 20 9:00 am – 2:00 pm DPA 600: Analytical Skills
Friday, May 24 9:00 am – 12:30 pm DPA 600: Leadership and Communication
Friday, May 24 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm DPA 600: Professionalism and Ethics

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.

Learn more

Application Dates

The GDPA application for the May 2025 start date will launch on October 1st, 2024 and close on December 31st, 2024.

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Questions

If you have any questions about the diploma program, please contact us.

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