{"id":15141,"date":"2026-02-06T16:36:28","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T21:36:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cpaquebec.wp.vortexdev.com\/general-public\/resources-for-employers\/professionnels-formes-au-canada-ou-a-letranger\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T17:13:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T22:13:24","slug":"professionnals-trained-in-canada-or-abroad","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cpaquebec.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/general-public\/resources-for-employers\/professionnals-trained-in-canada-or-abroad\/","title":{"rendered":"Professionals trained in Canada or abroad"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Every year, the Order receives an increasing number of training equivalence applications from professionals who were trained abroad or in Canada and want to become CPAs. In response to the high demand and given the fact that these individuals make up a significant portion of the future CPAs who will work in all regions of Quebec, the Order has implemented a substantial action plan to achieve three main goals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>streamline the prior learning and professional experience recognition process for these individuals in view of acquiring the CPA designation;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>improve the current evaluation process;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ensure that individuals who acquire the designation in this way meet the highest standards of the profession and possess the same skills and knowledge as their fellow CPAs when they acquire their CPA designation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5 profiles for training equivalence applicants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Order has identified 5 profiles, each with its own steps that must be taken to acquire the CPA designation, depending on the province or country of origin and the training of the applicants concerned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Training equivalence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your employees have been trained outside of Quebec or Canada, but do not have one of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/cpaquebec.ca\/en\/future-cpas\/how-to-become-a-cpa\/academic-prerequisites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bachelor\u2019s degrees recognized by the Order<\/a>\u00a0required for admission to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/cpaquebec.ca\/en\/future-cpas\/education\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CPA Professional Education Program (PEP)<\/a>? They were trained or acquired professional experience in finance, accounting or another field, in Quebec or elsewhere, and would now like to study to become a CPA? In such cases, their file will be reviewed by the Order to determine the comparable training qualifications and the qualifying courses they will need to take to achieve the equivalent of one of the bachelor\u2019s degrees recognized by the Order. Once they have completed the courses, they may begin the PEP and fulfill their\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/cpaquebec.ca\/en\/future-cpas\/practical-experience\/all-about-cpa-practical-experience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">practical experience<\/a>\u00a0requirement. In some cases, certain types of past work experience or training may even be recognized as equivalent to a portion of the PEP or the practical experience requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-text-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/equivalence.cpaquebec.ca\/en\/candidatures\/equivalence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">See the details<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>After the Order has reviewed their file, foreign-trained professionals who have experience or training that demonstrate their current or past proficiency in some of the competencies required of CPAs may be offered one or more sessions of our new upgrading program instead of or in addition to certain university prerequisite courses for the PEP.\u00a0If they have more than 8 years of in-depth, wide-ranging accounting experience, they may be offered to go through the prior learning and professional experience recognition process. In this process, their experiential and academic knowledge will be thoroughly reviewed to properly assess their competencies and suggest a personalized path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-text-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/cpaquebec.wp.vortexdev.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/fiche_programme_appoint_fr.pdf\">Learn more about the upgrading program (in French only)<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-text-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/cpaquebec.wp.vortexdev.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/fiche_reconnaissance-acquis.pdf\">Learn more about the prior learning and professional experience recognition process (in French only)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"77\" src=\"https:\/\/cpaquebec.wp.vortexdev.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/logo-quebec.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14826\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Recognized bachelor\u2019s degree update<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your employees who have obtained one of the bachelor&#8217;s degrees recognized by the Order five or more years ago and\/or did not achieve the required academic average may have to take upgrading courses. They must have their skills and knowledge assessed by the Order in order to begin the PEP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-text-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/equivalence.cpaquebec.ca\/en\/candidatures\/mjb\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">See the details<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Reciprocity agreement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have employees who are members of an accounting body in one of the following countries, their access to the Quebec CPA designation is governed by a reciprocity agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Australia and New Zealand<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>England and Wales<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hong Kong<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ireland<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mexico<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Scotland<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>South Africa<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>United States<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-text-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/equivalence.cpaquebec.ca\/en\/candidatures\/reciprocite\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">See the details<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Quebec-France mutual recognition agreement (MRA)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In case you have employees who are members of the Ordre des experts-comptables de France, there is an agreement regulating their access to the CPA profession in Quebec.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-text-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/equivalence.cpaquebec.ca\/en\/candidatures\/arm\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Quebec-Tunisia&nbsp;professional qualifications recognition agreement (PQRA)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In case you have employees who are members of the Ordre des Experts Comptables de Tunisie, there is an agreement regulating their access to the CPA profession in Quebec.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dans le cas de vos employ\u00e9s qui sont membres de l\u2019Ordre des Experts Comptables de Tunisie, il existe une entente qui encadre leur acc\u00e8s \u00e0 la profession de CPA au Qu\u00e9bec.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-text-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/equivalence.cpaquebec.ca\/en\/candidatures\/erqp\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Financial assistance<\/h2>\n\n\n<section class=\"block-accordions-group accordion-container aligndefault wp-block-vortex-blocks-accordions-group\">\n  \n\n<div id=\"windmill-microlending\" class=\"accordion ac\" data-open-by-default=\"false\">\n  <div class=\"accordion__accordion\">\n    <button class=\"accordion__header-row accordion-toggle ac-header ac-trigger\">\n      \n      <p class=\"accordion__header__title\">          Windmill Microlending      <\/p>\n      <span class=\"accordion__header__icon\" role=\"presentation\">\n          <span class=\"plus\"><\/span>\n      <\/span>\n    <\/button>\n    <div class=\"accordion__sub-rows wysiwyg ac-panel\">\n      \n\n<p>In order to help foreign-trained professionals obtain the CPA title, the Quebec CPA Order has partnered with Windmill Microlending. Windmill Microlending is a Canadian charity offering low interest microloans for skilled newcomers who need financial support to pay for the cost of licensing and credentials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-text-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/windmillmicrolending.org\/quebec-cpa-order-partnership\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more\u00a0<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"assistance-towards-success-scholarships\" class=\"accordion ac\" data-open-by-default=\"false\">\n  <div class=\"accordion__accordion\">\n    <button class=\"accordion__header-row accordion-toggle ac-header ac-trigger\">\n      \n      <p class=\"accordion__header__title\">          Assistance towards success scholarships      <\/p>\n      <span class=\"accordion__header__icon\" role=\"presentation\">\n          <span class=\"plus\"><\/span>\n      <\/span>\n    <\/button>\n    <div class=\"accordion__sub-rows wysiwyg ac-panel\">\n      \n\n<p>This scholarship program is intended for students registered for or who are preparing to register for the Professional Education Program (PEP), either the university graduate program or the national program delivered by the Order. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate that they need financial aid to help them cover all the costs involved in continuing the PEP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-text-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/cpaquebec.wp.vortexdev.com\/fr\/fondation-des-cpa\/communaute-etudiante\/bourses\/\">See the eligibility requirements and application process<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"microcredit-montreal-acem\" class=\"accordion ac\" data-open-by-default=\"false\">\n  <div class=\"accordion__accordion\">\n    <button class=\"accordion__header-row accordion-toggle ac-header ac-trigger\">\n      \n      <p class=\"accordion__header__title\">          Microcr\u00e9dit Montr\u00e9al (ACEM)      <\/p>\n      <span class=\"accordion__header__icon\" role=\"presentation\">\n          <span class=\"plus\"><\/span>\n      <\/span>\n    <\/button>\n    <div class=\"accordion__sub-rows wysiwyg ac-panel\">\n      \n\n<p>Microcredit Montr\u00e9al offers funding to\u00a0internationally trained professionalsneed to get their skills recognized and upgraded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-text-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/microcreditmontreal.ca\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"programme-daccompagnement-et-de-soutien-a-lintegration-pasi\" class=\"accordion ac\" data-open-by-default=\"false\">\n  <div class=\"accordion__accordion\">\n    <button class=\"accordion__header-row accordion-toggle ac-header ac-trigger\">\n      \n      <p class=\"accordion__header__title\">          Programme d&#8217;accompagnement et de soutien \u00e0 l&#8217;int\u00e9gration (PASI)      <\/p>\n      <span class=\"accordion__header__icon\" role=\"presentation\">\n          <span class=\"plus\"><\/span>\n      <\/span>\n    <\/button>\n    <div class=\"accordion__sub-rows wysiwyg ac-panel\">\n      \n\n<p>Ce programme d\u2019aide financi\u00e8re du minist\u00e8re de l\u2019Immigration, de la Francisation et de l\u2019Int\u00e9gration (MIFI) s\u2019adresse aux organismes qui souhaitent soutenir les personnes immigrantes dans leur processus d\u2019int\u00e9gration et leurs d\u00e9marches d\u2019installation afin qu\u2019elles puissent participer pleinement, en fran\u00e7ais, \u00e0 la vie collective qu\u00e9b\u00e9coise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-text-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quebec.ca\/immigration\/aide-organismes-integration-immigration\/programme-accompagnement-soutien-integration\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">See the details of this program\u00a0(in French only)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A simpler process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Below are the steps in the general process, which vary based on each applicant&#8217;s profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Applicants determine their profile and create an equivalence application<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks to the short questionnaire on our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/equivalence.cpaquebec.ca\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">interactive site<\/a>, applicants can quickly determine which of the 5 profiles matches their situation. They will find out which steps they have to take for their particular profile when they create their application on the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Applicants have their prior learning and experience evaluated<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In this step, applicants who are not eligible under the Quebec-France MRA, the Quebec-Tunisia PQRA or under a reciprocity agreement will be invited to submit all documents required by the Order&#8217;s personnel to determine exactly which training requirements they will be exempted from, the additional courses they will need to take, and the remaining steps toward the CPA designation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Applicants apply for a CPA permit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the final step for all applicants, except those who have applied for admission by affiliation, after they have met all the prerequisites of their particular applicant profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once their permit application is approved, applicants may be officially registered on the roll of the CPA Order and may use the CPA designation in Quebec.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/equivalence.cpaquebec.ca\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">See all the details on our training equivalences website<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every year, the Order receives an increasing number of training equivalence applications from professionals who were trained abroad or in&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":13312,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-15141","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","pp_force_visibility":null,"pp_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_force_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_subpost_visibility":null,"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-20 03:46:33","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"translation_priority","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpaquebec.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15141","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpaquebec.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpaquebec.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpaquebec.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpaquebec.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15141"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cpaquebec.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15141\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15246,"href":"https:\/\/cpaquebec.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15141\/revisions\/15246"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cpaquebec.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13312"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cpaquebec.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}