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RPA Student Application

Take Your Career to New Heights

RPA Designation beyond the limits.

The Registered Professional Accountant (RPA) designation offers students a practical and professional pathway to build a strong future in accounting, leadership, and small business service.

Students pursuing the RPA designation

Why RPA

A practical accounting designation built for real career growth

The RPA designation is offered by The Society of Professional Accountants of Canada. To obtain the RPA designation, students do not need to have a university degree. RPA provides relevant and necessary accounting knowledge through its comprehensive prerequisite courses offered by universities and community colleges.

Professional recognition with balanced career potential

RPAs are qualified professional accountants recognized for excellence and prepared to secure well-paying career opportunities while maintaining high standards and a balanced approach to personal and professional responsibilities.

Confidence to lead in the SME sector

The RPA study program is specifically tailored to provide students with the expertise to analyze financial information and develop the confidence to take on leadership roles in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs).

Student Pathway

College and university student pathway to the RPA designation

1

Complete 20 prerequisite courses

Build the academic foundation required for the designation through a structured set of accounting, taxation, technology, ethics, and business courses.

2

Gain 2 years of work-related experience

Develop practical experience that strengthens applied knowledge, judgment, and readiness for professional responsibility.

3

Write the Mandatory Professional Examination (MPE)

Complete the final professional assessment required as part of the pathway to becoming a Registered Professional Accountant.

Prerequisite Courses

RPA prerequisite courses

Financial Accounting

  • Introductory Financial Accounting
  • Intermediate Financial Accounting
  • Introductory Auditing

Management Accounting

  • Introductory Management Accounting
  • Intermediate Management Accounting
  • Advanced Management Accounting

Taxation

  • Taxation I – Personal
  • Taxation II – Corporate

Technology

  • Management Information Systems
  • Computerized Accounting Systems
  • Data Analytics for Accountants

Business Fundamentals

  • Canadian Ethics for Accountants
  • Financial Management
  • Business Law
  • Business Communications
  • Economics
  • Elective 1 – Math
  • Elective 2 – Marketing/Strategy
  • Elective 3 – Small Business Operations
  • Elective 4 – People Management

RPA prerequisite courses
College and university pathway to RPA

Download the College & University Pathway Brochure

Get complete details about the RPA student pathway, prerequisite courses, experience requirements, and professional opportunities.

Take the Next Step

Unlock your full potential with the RPA designation

A premier professional accounting designation tailored to industry demands, specializing in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), empowering you to unlock your full potential.

Registration

Register for the RPA Student Pathway

Complete the form below to receive more information and take the next step toward the RPA designation.


Students celebrating future success
Contact

Get in touch with us

Ready to explore the student pathway to the RPA designation? Connect with RPA Canada for more information.

Phone: 416-350-8145

Email: info@rpacanada.org

Website: www.rpacanada.org