CPA PREP Student Guide

Transcription

1 CPA PREP Student Guide

2 Table of Contents Welcome to the Program CPA Accreditation CPA PREP Overview and Eligibility CPA PREP Program Structure Module CPA PREP Eligibility Transfer Credit Guide Internationally Educated Students Internationally Designated Professionals Conditional Acceptance Module Exemptions Learning Options Module Cancellations CPA PREP Registration Timelines and Fees Course Registration Deadlines Module Fees Withdrawal Fees Student Membership Fees CPA PREP Module Materials Calculators Student Notes Pre-recorded Lectures Module Project Practice Problems Quizzes CPA PREP Technology: Learning Websites and Technical Requirements Web Portal (Desire2Learn) Web Etiquette CPA PREP Projects, Quizzes, Exams and Marking Attendance and Preparation Project Quizzes CPA PREP Examination Policies Exam Content CPA PREP Student Guide Last Edited November

3 6.4.2 Exam Grade Requirements Exam Centres Exam Accommodations Exam No Shows Exam Rewrites Exam Remark Module Repeat Exam Invigilators CPA PREP Completion of the Module Obtaining Official Transcripts CPA PREP Withdrawals Temporary Withdrawal Permanent Withdrawal Module Withdrawal CPA PREP Medical Extensions Medical Extension Procedures for Exams Submitting a Medical Extension Request CPA PREP Academic Guidelines and Regulations Membership Transfers Student Deregistration Re-registration in Program CPA PREP Appeals Appeals of Fees Appeals Relating to Ethics Exam Remark Request Professional Conduct Code of Ethics Academic Honesty Wrongful Use of CPA Designation CPA PREP Student Guide Last Edited November

4 W elcome and congratulations on your acceptance into the CPA Prerequisite Education Program (PREP). We are pleased to have you in PREP and look forward to getting to know you as you progress on the pathway to becoming a Chartered Professional Accountant. Please use this PREP Student Guide as a detailed reference to PREP, its rules and regulations. As we often contact students in CPA PREP with important announcements and updates, please ensure that you keep your contact information current at all times. You may update your contact information at any time by accessing your member profile through the My CPA Portal. Important updates may be provided through a variety of avenues including and CPA learning software (Desire2Learn). Please note that CPA Canada and the CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB) reserve the right to make changes to program policies and to inform students of changes as they occur. 1. CPA Accreditation At qualification, new Canadian CPAs will demonstrate the competencies expected of leading professional accountants. Specifically they will be required to demonstrate: Technical Competencies in advanced financial reporting, strategy and governance, and management accounting, as well as in audit and assurance, finance and taxation. Enabling Competencies including professionalism, ethical behavior, written and oral communication, leadership, problem-solving and decision-making. The CPA certification program consists of: Academic prerequisites for admission to the CPA Professional Education Program. A graduate-level CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP). An accelerated bridging program, the CPA Prerequisite Education Program, or CPA PREP, to prepare those lacking the academic prerequisites for admission to CPA PEP. Evaluations, including a Common Final Evaluation Relevant practical experience 2. CPA PREP Overview and Eligibility Welcome to the Program CPA PREP is an intensive accelerated bridging program designed for those who have an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than accounting and lack some or all of the necessary prerequisite courses required for admission to the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP). CPA PREP Student Guide Last Edited November

5 Delivered on a part-time basis to offer students maximum flexibility and accessibility, CPA PREP uses a blend of online learning, self-study, webinar and / or classroom learning. The delivery options will vary among provinces. A modularized program, students complete only those modules they require. The ONLY academic prerequisite for admission to CPA PREP will be an undergraduate degree or a Masters degree from a recognized post-secondary institution. The degree may be in any discipline. To be admitted to the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP), applicants will require 120 credit hours or equivalent of post-secondary education. Students with an undergraduate or Masters degree with fewer than 120 credit hours may attain the outstanding credit hours through the completion of PREP modules. The following credits will be recognized for CPA PREP modules: CPA PREP Module Credit Allocation Module 1: Introductory Financial Accounting 3 Module 2: Introductory Management Accounting 3 Module 3: Economics 3 Module 4: Statistics 3 Module 5.1: Intermediate Financial Reporting 1 3 Module 5.2: Intermediate Financial Reporting 2 3 Module 5.3: Advanced Financial Reporting 3 Module 6: Corporate Finance 3 Module 7: Audit and Assurance 3 Module 8: Taxation 3 Module 9: Intermediate Management Accounting 3 Module 10: Performance Management 3 Module 11: Business Law 1.5 Module 12: Information Technology 1.5 TOTAL 39 A minimum grade of 50% is required for Modules 1 4, 11, and 12. A minimum grade of 60% is required for Modules Courses/modules must have been completed within 10 years of applying to CPA PEP, and students must achieve an overall average grade of 65% for Modules CPA PREP Program Structure CPA PREP is comprised of 14 modules. Students need complete ONLY those modules for which they have no approved and recognized academic credit Module Overview: Modules 1 4 Are prerequisites for Modules All students must have either recognized CPA PREP Student Guide Fall

6 academic credits or equivalent module credits for Modules 1 4 BEFORE proceeding with ANY of Modules Modules 1-4 are self-study modules. Students will receive access to their study materials within 5 business days of registering for the module. A notification will be sent out once a student is granted access to the material. These modules require a recognized university undergraduate degree. Modules While Modules can be taken out of sequence there are prerequisites for many modules and they are as follows: Module 5.1, Intermediate Financial Reporting I (or its equivalent) is a prerequisite for Module 5.2 Intermediate Financial Reporting II. Module 5.1, and 5.2 (or its equivalent) is a prerequisite for Module 5.3, Advanced Financial Reporting. Module 5.1 and 5.2, Intermediate Financial Reporting I and II (or its equivalent), is a prerequisite for Module 7, Audit and Assurance. While not a prerequisite, these modules are strongly recommended for Module 8, Tax. Module 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 are also strongly recommended, though not required, for Module 9, Intermediate Management Accounting. Module 6, Corporate Finance (or its equivalent), is a prerequisite for Module 9. Module 9 (or its equivalent) is a prerequisite for Module 10. Modules Modules 11 and 12 are self-study modules. Students will receive access to their study materials within 5 business days of registering for the module. A notification will be sent out once a student is granted access to the material. These modules require a recognized university undergraduate degree. Scheduling has been designed to allow students to complete Modules 1 12 as a complete program within approximately two years. 2.2 CPA PREP Eligibility To be eligible to enroll in CPA PREP, students must possess a recognized undergraduate degree. Students must provide all required supporting documentation, which may include official transcripts, international credit equivalency reviews (e.g. International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)/World Education Services Canada), transcripts from other recognized accredited bodies, and proof of legal name. CPA PREP modules are designed to fulfill the requirements for entry to CPA PEP. These modules CPA PREP Student Guide Fall

7 are not transferable for credit to a post-secondary institution Transfer Credit Guide Each provincial CPA office publishes a Transfer Credit Guide used to determine which courses taken at a post-secondary institution are equivalent in content to the required modules. In order to gain exemption from a module, students must provide official proof from post-secondary institutions of completing all courses that adequately cover the CPA Competency Map. In order to have a transcript assessment, prospective students must first create a CPA profile through the CPA Western School of Business My CPA Portal. Once your profile is created, you will be able to submit a request for a transcript assessment. Please note that transcript assessments are generally valid for one year only from the date of the review. A module exemption is granted for completion of the equivalent subject(s) through an accredited educational institution at a standard that can be verified according to coverage of substantially all the topics at the required CPA knowledge level. For exemption from PREP modules and admission to the CPA PEP, students/candidates should have completed at least one applicable course in each of the CPA competency areas of Financial Reporting, Strategy and Governance, Management Accounting, Audit and Assurance, Finance and Taxation within the last 10 years. Prerequisite courses will also be reassessed for currency of knowledge at the time a student applies for the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP). All courses applicable to CPA PREP Modules 5.1 to 10 must have been completed within 10 years of when the student applies for CPA PEP. Any course(s) applicable to Module 12 must have been completed within 15 years. There is no recency requirement for Modules 1 4, and Internationally Educated Students Only degrees obtained from post-secondary institutions, which are recognized in the International Handbook of Universities published by the International Association of Universities or a similar recognition service, will be accepted. Canadian study permits are required for all temporary residents studying in Canada. Module waiver(s) can be granted for internationally educated students for modules 1 to 4 where: a specific equivalency standard cannot be determined, but it is deemed the student should have sufficient coverage in the foundation topic area as related to the CPA requirements; and transcripts are submitted which indicate completion of applicable courses at a minimum international grade conversion of 50% for non-core modules (Modules 1 to 4 and 11 & 12) and 60% for core modules (Modules 5.1 to 10). A core module (5.1 to 10) exemption is granted for completion of the equivalent subject(s) through an accredited educational institution at a standard that can be verified according to coverage of substantially all the topics at the required CPA knowledge level. Detailed documentation that outlines specific course coverage, applicable text(s), and evaluation criteria, CPA PREP Student Guide Fall

8 must be submitted. Students should refer to the Entry column of the CPA Competency Map Knowledge Supplement for detailed CPA requirements at the prerequisite level. Please note that Canadian content is required for Module 8: Taxation and Module 11: Business Law. To be successful, internationally educated students should have a high/professional level of English proficiency. This means that individuals are able to articulate ideas orally and in written form with detailed descriptions, opinions, and explanations (preferably at benchmark level 8 in reading/comprehension and listening skills). While this describes the minimum requirements, it is strongly recommended that participants are currently employed in a business position or have two years relevant work experience Internationally Designated Professionals In situations where a student possesses an international accounting designation and the international designation is associated with the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), potential eligibility and placement for the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP) includes: Completion of equivalent prerequisite Canadian Taxation and Canadian Business Law courses or CPA PREP Modules Have a designation that is still in good standing from an IFAC organization and arrange for confirmation of this from the governing body Review and consideration of the undergraduate/graduate university degree, the designation, and level of related practical experience As additional documentation must be submitted, including details and verification of practical experience as related to the CPA competencies, as well as review processes at committee levels, confirmation of acceptance under this route can take a considerable time frame. 2.3 Conditional Acceptance Conditional admission will only be granted to applicants who have satisfied the requirements to complete the undergraduate degree, but have not been formally granted the degree. CPA PREP students admitted conditionally will not receive module results or be able to enroll in subsequent modules until they provide proof that the degree was granted. For conditional acceptance, a student must provide a letter from their Post-Secondary Institute (PSI) indicating that all required courses have been completed and the expected convocation date. Students must have completed all prerequisite coursework prior to entering a module. Conditional acceptance is not available for prerequisite coursework. It may be granted for a degree outstanding only. If the entry requirements are not met, they may be withdrawn from the program. CPA PREP Student Guide Fall

9 2.4 Module Exemptions An exemption will be granted for a core CPA PREP module (Modules 5.1 to 10) if the student has taken an equivalent course and passed with a mark of at least 60%. An exemption will be granted for a non-core CPA PREP module (Modules 1 4, 11, and 12) if the student has taken an equivalent course and passed with a mark of at least 50%. If the student has taken two or more pre- requisite courses for exemption from a module, the student must have received the minimum grade requirement for each individual course taken. 2.5 Learning Options CPA PREP is delivered on a part-time basis, combining online learning, self-study, and / or classroom learning. A modularized program, students complete only those modules they require. The delivery options will vary among provinces. On average, students should spend an approximate fifteen to twenty hours of additional study time each week. It is essential that regardless of the learning route chosen, students must review the student notes, complete ALL the problems in the student notes, as well as any in class problems assigned by the facilitators if they wish to be successful in the program. 2.6 Module Cancellations The provincial office reserves the right to cancel module offerings due to insufficient enrollment. Registering well ahead of the registration deadline may avoid cancellations of programs. In the event that a specific module offering will need to be cancelled, all students will be notified and a full refund will be issued. 3. CPA PREP Registration Timelines and Fees 3.1 Module Registration Deadlines A schedule of upcoming CPA PREP modules, including registration and withdrawal deadlines can be found at: Module Fees (in effect to March 31, 2016) Distance Non-Core Module Enrollment: Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 4 Module 11 Module 12 $500 Distance Core Module Enrollment: $650 CPA PREP Student Guide Fall

10 Module 5.1 Module 5.2 Module 5.3 Module 6 Module 7 Module 8 Module 9 Module 10 In Class/Webinar Core Module Enrollment: Module 5.1 Module 5.2 Module 5.3 Module 6 Module 7 Module 8 Module 9 Module 10 $750 Challenge Exam (if applicable) $200 Exam Rewrite (core modules 5.1 to 10) $200 Exam Appeal $100 Late Exam Upload $200 Because the pass mark is only 50%, exam rewrites are not offered for non-core modules 1 4, 11 and 12. Unsuccessful students may apply for a module repeat at a reduced fee of $300; only one reduced fee is permitted per module. 3.3 Withdrawal Fees Withdrawal Fees: Prior to the start of the course: Full refund less 15% administrative fee After the course has started: No refund 3.4 Student Membership Fees Annual Student Membership $550 CPA PREP Student Guide Fall

11 All students are required to maintain active student membership while enrolled in CPA PREP. Membership fees are good from April 1 March 31 and students will be required to renew their membership annually. A reduced membership fee is offered for new students who commence the program after October CPA PREP Module Materials All module lesson materials and resources will be provided through the Desire2Learn.ca website (see further information in Section 5). 4.1 Calculators The approved calculator for CPA PREP is the Texas Instruments BA II Plus. Students are strongly encouraged to purchase and use this calculator in their studies so that they may familiarize themselves with the functions. Please note that CPA will be providing a Texas Instrument BA II Plus the day of all module final exams as students are not permitted to bring in their own calculators for the exam. 4.2 Student Notes These will be similar to chapters in a text book. Students will get an overview of the topic being covered for the week. They will be downloadable and students can print any materials as they choose. 4.3 Pre-recorded Lectures Pre-recorded lectures will be provided via the Desire2Learn website and will cover the module materials. These will be available in support of learning the weekly concepts. 4.4 Module Project The module project(s) are mandatory and late submissions will not be accepted. Information will be included in the module outline at the start of the class. Refer to Section 6 for detailed information. 4.5 Practice Problems These will be extra reinforcement questions at the end of each set of student notes. The answers are provided for all questions. CPA PREP Student Guide Fall

12 4.6 Quizzes There will be weekly quizzes as part of the module materials that are due on Saturdays at 11:55pm PST. Late submissions will not be accepted. A schedule of the quiz due dates will be provided at the beginning of each module. Quizzes will contribute to the overall module mark. Webinars that review the quizzes once they have been submitted will be made available. 5. CPA PREP Technology: Learning Websites and Technical Requirements Students are required to use a PC with a Windows operating system. No Apple/Macintosh computer will be allowed, even if it runs Windows. As of 2015, use of CPA exam software (Securexam) will be implemented for all CPA PREP exams. Students will be required to have access to a laptop computer which meets the technical requirements listed in this section. To get the most from CPA PREP, it is recommended that your computer meets the following specifications: Operating System Browser Version Windows Internet Explorer 9, 10 Firefox 17, Newest Chrome Newest Required Software Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Microsoft Excel JavaScript Cookies Adobe Flash Acrobat Reader JavaScript is enabled Cookies are enabled You have Flash player installed **Some modules contain Flash content, this material is not accessible on an ios (Apple) device. The Adobe Reader plug-in must be installed Required Hardware 1 Gb of Ram minimum 100 Mb of free hard drive space (required to run application) A free USB port Microsoft Windows 7 Operating System or higher (64 or 32 bit). General Requirements Sound Internet Speed Sound card with speakers or headphones. Many courses contain audio which require headphones or speakers. Internet access required. High speed strongly recommended. CPA PREP Student Guide Fall

13 5.1 Web Portal (Desire2Learn) An important component of CPA PREP is the Web Portal. All students will be registered as Desire2Learn users before the start of the program, and will receive an with their login name and password. Students will use the portal to access notes, lectures and other program materials. Program updates and announcements will be posted on the portal. The portal also contains a discussion board, where students may communicate with each other to further their understanding of the module topics. Students are encouraged to check Desire2Learn frequently to make use of the online resources. Desire2Learn is available only to students for the duration of the module for which they are enrolled. Any student who withdraws from the program will have their access to Desire2Learn removed. It is important to set your time zones. Please see the following instructions. Please select Account Settings in the My Settings area of this screen. Scroll down to the settings for Time Zone and set the Time Zone for the area you are in. CPA PREP is offered in many time zones and this setting will allow you to see scheduled activities with your local time. A student s initial D2L access is defaulted to Eastern Standard Time (EST), so unless you change your time zone setting to the quiz submission deadlines will be incorrect. 5.2 Web Etiquette CPA members are expected to uphold high standards of professional conduct at all times. Students should bear this in mind when using electronic communication such as or the Desire2Learn discussion board. If there is any doubt as to the appropriate use of these mediums, the CPA PREP Student Experience team may be contacted at [email protected]. Desire2Learn utilizes plagiarism detection software; should students be found plagiarizing or cheating on any assignments or quizzes, they risk being withdrawn from the program. 6. CPA PREP Projects, Quizzes, Exams and Marking All CPA PREP modules include quizzes, projects, and end with a final exam that covers all course material. Some modules may have more than one project submission required. Students must present government approved photo identification for the exams. The breakdown of grades is as follows: Quizzes worth 12% Project(s) worth 18% Final Exam worth 70% CPA PREP Student Guide Fall

14 Evaluation components are subject to change; students should review the completion document for each module, available via Desire2Learn. 6.1 Attendance and Preparation Although not mandatory, students who are registered for in-class or webinar format are encouraged to attend classes or webinars and arrive on time (if applicable). Students are required to be prepared for the classes by completing the assigned readings prior to class. These classes are meant to supplement the pre-recorded lectures and material. Students are encouraged to come to class prepared in order get the most from the time with the facilitator. 6.2 Project The project(s) are mandatory and will test students on how well they are able to apply a n d integrate the knowledge they have acquired throughout certain CPA PREP modules. Projects must be submitted via Desire2Learn by the stated deadline. Late projects will not be accepted; students who do not submit their projects by the stated deadline will be withdrawn from the module with no refund provided. Project work must be completed and submitted individually. 6.3 Quizzes Quizzes must be submitted via Desire2Learn by the stated deadlines. Late quizzes will not be accepted; students who do not submit their quizzes by the stated deadlines will receive a mark of zero for the quiz. Quizzes are marked based on the marks students receive (if a student answers 7 out of 10 questions correctly, they would receive 70% on that quiz). Study group discussion/collaboration is encouraged, but each student must individually complete all quizzes. It is mandatory for students to complete both the Academic Honesty and Training Contract Quizzes. 6.4 CPA PREP Examination Policies For the modules that a CPA PREP student is required to complete, an exam must be written. Exams are to be written at the scheduled dates and times. It is mandatory for students to attend exams at their scheduled times. Extensions will only be given under exceptional documented medical circumstances. Students are allowed to make use of the following permissible supplies: a) Official examination supplies provided by the presiding officer; b) A permitted calculator (TI BAII Plus or TI BA II Plus Professional Model only), which will be provided at the exam centre; and c) Pencils. Pens and mechanical pencils are not permitted. Students are expected to act as professionals at all times during the CPA PREP exams. Please note CPA PREP Student Guide Fall

15 the following instructions regarding test writing conduct: All program exams are closed-book exams. Textbooks, notes, cell phones and programmable electronic devices are prohibited. Students are permitted and expected to use a calculator during exams. Any form of collaboration between parties related to cheating including, but not limited to, copying from another paper, allowing copying from a test paper or a student having a cheat sheet will result in an automatic mark of zero on the test for all parties involved. Students are not permitted to keep the exam question booklet as it is the intellectual property of CPA Canada. If an exam question booklet is removed from the exam envelope and not returned, the student will receive a zero on their exam paper. During the exam, students must refrain from communicating with each other; any concerns that may arise during the exam must be conveyed directly to the invigilators. Students are not permitted to leave the examination room early. Students are obliged to follow the instructions given by the invigilators. In case of a breach students may receive a mark of zero for the exam and further discipline as warranted. At the completion of the examination, or when stop time is announced, all students must stop writing immediately. Additional time for the purpose of filling in answer sheets or the exam booklet cover will NOT be allowed. In consideration of others, if you wish to bring food into the exam room, avoid anything with wrappers. Ear plugs will be provided at the exam centres. Please review the Exam Regulations document and video posted on D2L prior to the examination. CPA has a no-tolerance policy towards cheating and plagiarism. Students who violate the integrity of the examination procedure through dishonest or other unprofessional conduct will be given a mark of zero. Disciplinary measures will be imposed and the student may be asked to withdraw from CPA PREP. Students will not be permitted to view their completed exams. Grades will be posted on the program s portal within ten business days of the examination date unless stated otherwise by the CPA PREP Examinations team Exam Content Details on the length and structure of each exam are detailed on the module completion document posted to the Desire2Learn homepage of each applicable module Exam Grade Requirements An overall score of 60% or higher is considered a pass in each c o r e CPA PREP module and 50% for non-core modules. The final grades for CPA PREP modules are cumulative of all quizzes, assignments and exams within the module. There is no specific requirement for students to pass CPA PREP Student Guide Fall

16 each individual component Exam Centres Upon registering for a CPA PREP module, students may select the examination centre where they will write their final exam for that module. Subject to availability, the following examination centres will have an IT proctor on the invigilation team: PROVINCE British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba WRITING CENTRE Abbotsford Burnaby Kamloops Kelowna Nanaimo Prince George Vancouver Victoria Calgary Edmonton Grande Prairie Lethbridge Medicine Hat Red Deer Regina Saskatoon Brandon Winnipeg The following 10 writing locations will not have an IT proctor on the invigilation team: PROVINCE British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Northwest Territories Yukon WRITING CENTRE Cranbrook Fort St. John Revelstoke Fort McMurray Hanna Lloydminster Peace River Swift Current Yellowknife Whitehorse Exam Accommodations Students with disabilities including learning issues who require evaluation testing CPA PREP Student Guide Fall

17 accommodations must submit a request through their MyCPA portal. Detailed supporting documentation from a medical/health professional will be required and additional information may be requested. Request for accommodations due to disability are reviewed on a case-by- case basis. For students with disabilities or those demonstrating learning challenges, accommodations can range from additional writing time to a separate writing location. In order to allow an appropriate time for assessment of all disability requests, students must submit their request for accommodation ten weeks prior to their first CPA PREP exam or upon initial CPA PREP enrollment. All accommodation requests will be reviewed with final determination made by the National Accommodations Committee. For more information on accommodations or special considerations, please contact the CPA Examinations team at [email protected] Exam No Shows If a student does not write an exam during its scheduled time without obtaining permission beforehand, they will receive a mark of zero for the exam and will not be allowed to continue in the module. Those students will have a Fail notation placed on their transcript and will not be refunded any program fees Exam Rewrites Re-writes for core modules 5.1 to 10 are scheduled for the next semester and students must write at this time. If the rewrite is not exercised at the subsequent semester, the student would be required to retake the entire module. The rewrite exam is considered a second attempt at the module. To qualify for a rewrite, students must have a final module grade between 50% and 59%. The rewrite exam replaces the grade for all other module examinations but will not replace a student s quiz grade or project grade. The fee for an exam rewrite is $200 plus GST. Exam rewrites are not offered for non-core modules 1 4, 11 and Exam Remark Only unsuccessful final exam results are subject to a remark. Students must request an exam remark within three business days of receiving their final module grade. Only those who were unsuccessful in the module are eligible to request for an exam remark. The fee for an exam remark is $ Module Repeat Students in CPA PREP have up to a maximum of three attempts to pass each module. A student who fails a core module with a final grade of 50% or higher may rewrite the final exam in lieu of repeating the entire module. This rewrite will be counted as another attempt at the module. Students who fail when rewriting the final exam for their second attempt must retake the module in order to gain a third and final attempt at the exam. CPA PREP Student Guide Fall

18 A student who fails any module with a mark less than 50% must retake the module before another attempt at the exam is permitted. Should a student fail a third time, the student will be required to complete the courses for the applicable module from a post-secondary institution Exam Invigilators An invigilator is a qualified person who is nominated by the student to oversee the student s examination. Invigilators are used when (a) students are attending online sessions (distance education) and there is no formal exam centre, or (b) a student is physically unable, due to a medical condition, to attend examinations in the location of their main exam centre(s). Students who fit into category (b) must contact the CPA PREP Examinations team at [email protected] well in advance of the exam to make the necessary arrangements. Students will only fit into category (a) if they live more than 150 km away from the exam centre. The invigilator fees and location costs are the responsibility of the student. The student must ensure that the invigilator is aware of their responsibility in administering the student s exam. The regional office covers the costs of mailing the exams to and from the invigilator. Students may request to write at an alternate exam location by submitting an accommodation request through the MyCPA portal. Please fill in the information for the invigilator so that the regional office can contact the invigilator to confirm their eligibility. The following requirements may be used to appoint an invigilator: An acceptable examination invigilator must be a registered Canadian CPA (CMA, CGA or CA), an individual holding a current professional designation (i.e. doctor, lawyer, professional engineer), a professor or an examinations coordinator at a local university or college; The invigilator must not be a relative, personal friend, nor a co-worker; nor should there be any other factor present that may influence or appear to have the ability to influence the invigilator s objectivity; The invigilator must not share a common postal address with the student (business or personal); Students must choose an invigilator who is comfortable with administering the exam and troubleshooting any IT problems that arise. The individual s professional qualifications and ability to act as an invigilator will be confirmed. The person must be willing and available to respond to correspondence from the regional office. Students are responsible for the performance of their invigilators and should appoint invigilators with care. Students must provide the name and address of their invigilator and complete the information regarding his or her professional qualifications. The provincial office reserves the right to refuse the invigilator chosen by the student; CPA PREP Student Guide Fall

19 in this case the student will need to find another invigilator or write at one of the designated exam centres. 7. CPA PREP Completion of the Module Approximately ten working days after the marks are released for CPA PREP module exams on Desire2Learn, the grades will be updated on the MyCPA Portal under the Program Progress section. 60% or higher is considered a pass in each c o r e CPA PREP module and 50% for non-core modules. A cumulative average of 65% over Modules is required for entry into CPA PEP. 7.1 Obtaining Official Transcripts Student Members may obtain official transcripts at any time by submitting an Official Transcript Request on the MyCPA Portal. Please allow ten business days for processing. There will be a fee for transcripts including additional copies. 8. CPA PREP Withdrawals In order to withdraw from CPA PREP temporarily or permanently, a student must notify the CPA PREP Student Experience team in writing by submitting an requesting their withdrawal to [email protected]. Date of receipt of the will constitute the withdrawal date. Please note that non-attendance by itself does not constitute withdrawal from the program. 8.1 Temporary Withdrawal In special circumstances, students in CPA PREP can temporarily withdraw from the program for a maximum two years in total. While they are withdrawn, students do not have access to program course material, but may access other benefits (job board, etc.). 8.2 Permanent Withdrawal Students in CPA PREP can permanently withdraw in good standing from either program by submitting a request in writing to their provincial/regional CPA body. If they choose to reapply and get accepted to the program, the time limit will reset. 8.3 Module Withdrawal Voluntary module withdrawal requests must be made in writing to the appropriate provincial or regional body by the CPA PREP student. Students withdrawing from a CPA PREP module are subject to the following: CPA PREP Student Guide Fall

20 After the withdrawal deadline and before the final exam, no refund is provided and no module attempt is charged. If the student writes the final exam no refund is provided and a module attempt is charged. If the student reregisters in the module, they are required to restart from Week 1 No refunds are provided for self-study courses Modules 1-4 and Modules once access to course materials has been granted Student membership fees are non-refundable. Students withdrawing from the program may be reimbursed for their module fees according to the following schedule: Withdrawal Period Prior to the semester/module withdrawal deadline as stipulated at After the withdrawal deadline but before the final exam After the final exam Applicable Refund The module fee will be refunded, minus a 15% administrative fee No refund will be issued; the withdrawal will not count as a module attempt No refund will be issued; the withdrawal will count as a module attempt 9. CPA PREP Medical Extensions Students in CPA PREP may request a medical extension in the case of a health or similar disability that may affect their ability to write an examination or continue with the module. Appropriate documentation must be provided and additional information may be requested to approve the requested extension. If an extension has been granted, the student must register in the next offering of the module. After the first day of classes, refunds are no longer available on any portion of the CPA PREP fees. 9.1 Medical Extension Procedures for Exams Extensions will only be granted on a case by case basis for extenuating medical circumstances or a death in the family and not for work related or other prior commitments. In the case of extended illness, each situation will be reviewed individually by the regional office. Students who are unable to attend the final exam and are approved for extenuating medical circumstances will be required to write the exam at the next offering. 9.2 Submitting a Medical Extension Request Medical extension requests must be submitted prior to the exam and up until the next business day after the exam is written. Extension requests after this timeframe will not be accepted. Only extension requests based on medical circumstances which affect that specific exam or the CPA PREP Student Guide Fall

21 duration of the week preceding the exam, up until and including the day of the exam, will be granted. A medical extension request must be submitted via and include the Accommodation Form that is completed by a physician. Medical Medical extensions will be granted if deemed to be legitimate and have been submitted following the procedures outlined. The provincial office reserves the right to refuse extensions if insufficient documentation has been provided or if the request has not been submitted in a timely manner or if the legitimacy or authenticity of the documentation is in question. 10. CPA PREP Academic Guidelines and Regulations 10.1 Membership Transfers Members moving to another province should officially transfer their membership to their new province of residence. On request from the student, necessary records will be transferred from one region/province to another. The student must be in good standing in the registered region/province at the time of the request. Transfers will only be allowed before a module starts or after a module is complete. When a student member transfers between provinces, the new province will honour the current membership. When the student member renews with the new province, they will be required to pay membership fees in accordance with the standards of the new province in which they reside Student Deregistration Students will be deregistered from CPA PREP for: Non-payment of fees; Failure to comply with the provincial body s Acts, Bylaws, and/or rules; Exhausting all CPA PREP module attempts; or Failure to complete the program within the established time limits. Students may be suspended or deregistered from their respective programs for academic misconduct. Students who are deregistered may be considered for reinstatement based on: a) Whether the applicant merits and qualifies for reinstatement and b) Academic and/or experience requirements at the time of re-entry and conditions to be completed if reinstated. Students must still complete CPA PREP within the established time limits (see Policy 8.1 for more CPA PREP Student Guide Fall

22 information) Re-registration in Program Students in CPA PREP who leave the program voluntarily can re-register based on the requirements at the time of re-entry. Prerequisite courses and professional education program modules previously completed will be evaluated for current relevance. To maintain CPA PREP student status, they must maintain their student membership and complete all modules within the specific six-year time frame. If a membership is dropped, a student must be reassessed and reinstated based on the provincial rules in order to continue with the program. 11. CPA PREP Appeals All students should expect a high level of fairness, professionalism and objectivity in CPA Certification Programs. The appeals process is designed to handle concerns raised by students. The intent of the process is to ensure fairness and good communication. All appeals related to program policies must be made in writing and must clearly state that they are a letter of appeal. Appeals may be submitted to the CPA PREP Student Experience team at [email protected]. The stronger the submission, the greater the likelihood that it will be favorably considered: Include explanation and supporting documentation, where applicable, if there were extenuating circumstances that hindered your ability to satisfy the requirements or meet established policies; Avoid making general statements such as I will work harder. Identify the issue or weakness that created the situation and clearly outline what changes are required and that you will undertake should your appeal be successful. Appeal submissions will be considered by the applicable body in accordance with established provincial processes and/or Bylaws. Should the appeal be of a confidential nature, students can be assured that any individuals involved in the review are bound by privacy policies. An appeal decision can be expected within six weeks of submission, unless additional information is requested from the student. Any other reasons for a delay beyond this time frame will be communicated in writing Appeals of Fees Issues with payment and refunds, as per the approved and published schedules, are not appealable. Where there are cases of hardship, the individual should contact the CPA PREP Student Experience team at [email protected] to discuss resources that may be available or alternate arrangements that may be considered. In some situations a written appeal may be directed to the appeal committee for review. CPA PREP Student Guide Fall

23 11.2 Appeals Relating to Ethics Ethical issues such as cheating or plagiarism will first be considered by program staff. Depending on the nature of the situation and/or in accordance with provincial requirements, the matter may have to be forwarded to the individual responsible for ethical issues. The penalty for such actions may involve giving the student a warning, reducing their mark, disallowing the student s assignment, or recommending suspension or removal of the student. The student may submit an appeal of this decision for consideration by the appeals committee. The student will be notified of the results in writing. In extreme or difficult cases, the appeal may be referred to an independent, qualified external reviewer. Any costs of the appeal will be borne by the student. At this stage, the student making the appeal will be required to sign an agreement that the results of this stage will be final and not subject to further appeal. For ethical issues that relate to a student s workplace or professional conduct, the matter will be considered by the applicable provincial committee for disciplinary action Exam Remark Request For a fee, a request for a CPA PREP module final exam remark may be submitted within three business days of the release of grades for the exam in question. An audit will consist of a remark of a student s final exam paper only by a different, qualified instructor. The higher of the two grades will be accepted. A request for an exam audit may not be submitted outside of this time frame and only those who were unsuccessful in the module may request an exam remark. No additional appeals for grades will be accepted. Appeals of grades regarding subject matters from previous exams or issues that have occurred prior to the date of the exam after which the appeal has been submitted will not be accepted. Students may not appeal on the basis of changes to the program or the program s curriculum based on previous offerings of the program. 12. Professional Conduct The manner in which members conduct their activities reflects on the CPA designation and affects the level of respect accorded to the profession Code of Ethics Those who do not abide by the Code of Ethics may be subject to the disciplinary process and have their membership deleted. All members are required to abide by their Provincial Act, Bylaws and Code of Ethics Academic Honesty During their studies in the CPA Certification Program, students are expected to maintain the CPA PREP Student Guide Fall

24 highest standards of academic honesty. While each program has some of its own unique requirements and standards, academic honesty applies equally to all students and candidates. Plagiarism the unauthorized and/or un-credited use of others intellectual property is considered a serious offence and may result in penalties including suspension or dismissal from the program. There is likewise a no-tolerance policy towards cheating of any sort. Students are expected to conduct their studies with professionalism and integrity. Where there is any doubt, students should contact their facilitator or CPA PREP Student Experience team at [email protected] for guidance. Where group work is involved, the contribution of each member must be acknowledged, and reports must be signed off with a declaration that the report is original, produced by the signed authors and that any intellectual property from other sources is properly quoted and credited. The CPA Western School of Business reserves the right, at its sole discretion and without specific notice to students, to employ active and/or passive techniques for the detection of plagiarism. This includes, but is not limited to, comparative analysis of written submissions in hard copy or electronic form, including the use of human reviewers and/or automated search by plagiarism detection software using a comparative databank of written submissions from other current candidates and/or program years, program articles, or Internet-based resources. Plagiarism and cheating are serious offences and are considered to be a breach of the Professional Rules of Conduct, as governed by the profession s Discipline Committees, and may result in the suspension of the students membership and eligibility to continue pursuing the designation. All students should become thoroughly familiar with the Rules of Professional Conduct on their provincial website and are accountable for conforming to its standards Wrongful Use of CPA Designation Students may not, under any circumstances, use the designation CPA or any other title suggesting that they are Chartered Professional Accountants. Please refer to the provincial guidelines on use of titles for students. CPA PREP Student Guide Fall