The CPA PEP — six modules in 24 months
Lesson 1 of 3 in CPA PEP & CFE — Structure and Strategy · 22 minutes
PEP is CPA Canada's professional education program. Six modules covering core competencies and electives. This lesson maps the structure, the real exam formats, the time commitment, the costs, and the pass strategies.
What you'll learn
- Identify the six PEP modules and their content
- Distinguish core, elective, and capstone modules — and their different exam formats
- Plan a realistic 24-30 month timeline, including costs
- Use the available prep resources
From the lesson
CPA PEP (Professional Education Program) is the formal curriculum that bridges accounting knowledge to professional practice. Six modules over 24-30 months. The combination of theoretical learning, case-based application, and mock exams prepares you for the CFE — the three-day case-based exam at the end. One timing fact first: the PEP is in its final years. The provincial CPA bodies are launching a new CPA Professional Program in early 2027 (January 2027 in Ontario), the last spring CFE sitting was in June 2026, the remaining sittings are each September through the last CFE in September 2028, and candidates who can't finish in time move into the new program through a transition. Plan your…