Admissions
This step-by-step guide walks you through the admission requirements and online application process — from getting started to submitting your documents and tracking your application.
Application deadlines
| Starting term | Deadline to apply |
|---|---|
| Fall (September) | June 1 |
| Winter (January) | October 1 |
| Summer (May) | February 1 |
Please note: International applicants must hold a valid Canadian work permit.
Academic requirements
Before you apply, make sure you meet the academic requirements and have completed the CPA prerequisite courses.
Bachelor's degree requirements
A Bachelor's degree with a minimum overall grade of B (or equivalent according to the grading scale on your university transcript.)
- You may upload unofficial scanned copies of your transcripts for the application. Current Concordia students do not need to submit Concordia transcripts. Official sealed transcripts will be requested if you are admitted.
- Applicants who have completed studies with the CPA Order must upload those transcripts and certificates as well.
- If you are currently enrolled in school:
- Submit the results of previous terms and a list of your current courses
- Include mid-year grades if they're available
Prerequisites from a Canadian university
Successful completion of all courses listed below before beginning the CPA program.
- ACCO courses must be completed at a Canadian institution with a minimum overall GPA (across all prerequisite ACCO course) of 2.8 / 4.3 (or equivalent according to the grading scale on your university transcript.).
- ACCO courses may be repeated to obtain the required ACCO GPA. Students with the fewest number of repeats will have the strongest chance for admission.
Review the following prerequisite courses for the CPA admissions requirements:
Technical course requirements
Financial reporting
- ACCO 310: Financial Reporting I
- ACCO 320: Financial Reporting II
- ACCO 420: Financial Reporting III
Management accounting
- ACCO 330: Cost and Management Accounting
- ACCO 435: Strategic Accounting Case Analysis
Audit and assurance
- ACCO 360: Principles of Auditing OR ACCO 450: Assurance Services
- ACCO 465: Advanced Assurance Services
Taxation
- ACCO 340: Income Taxation in Canada
- ACCO 440: Advanced Taxation
At least one course in each section must be less than five years old at the time of admission.
Other course requirements
Financial reporting
- COMM 217: Financial Accounting
Management accounting
- COMM 305: Managerial Accounting
Finance
- COMM 309: Business Finance
Strategy and Governance Section
- COMM 401: Strategy and Competition
Course in the Information Technology and Finance sections must be less than five years old at the time of admission. Courses in the Business Ethics section must be completed as part of a Canadian University Business degree.
Other general business topics
Information technology
- COMM 226: Business Technology Management
Business ethics
- COMM 216: Ethics, Business Sustainability, and Social Responsibility
- COMM 316: Business Law and Ethics
Economics
- ECON 201: Introduction to Microeconomics
- ECON 203: Introduction to Macroeconomics
Quantitative methods/statistics
- COMM 213: Computing and Visualization Tools for Business Analytics
- COMM 214: Business Analytics
Course in the Information Technology and Finance sections must be less than five years old at the time of admission. Courses in the Business Ethics section must be completed as part of a Canadian University Business degree.
English language requirements
Applicants who did not complete three years of full-time study (such as a Bachelor's degree) in a country on our exempt countries list must write a pre-admissions English proficiency test. We accept the following language tests and minimum scores:
- TOEFL iBT: 95 overall with no section below 20
- Academic IELTS: 7.0 overall with no section below 6.5
- We prefer the TOEFL and IELTS tests, but since the pandemic we have accepted the Duolingo English Test with a 120 overall and no section below 120
Although John Molson prefers the above tests, you may take another language test as indicated on our Graduate Admissions page if not exempted as indicated below.
We do not accept English proficiency test scores more than 2 years old.
Note: Please upload your unofficial scores to your application. If you are accepted into the program, you will then be asked to have the official scores sent to us.
Required documents
1 CV / Resumé
Include:
- Education
- Work experience
- Internships
- Volunteer experience
- Academic, professional or personal achievements
Keep it concise, ideally one page and no more than two.
2 Statement of purpose
Submit a statement of approximately 500 words explaining:
- Why you want to join the program
- Your career goals
- Your strengths and areas for development
- How the program will help you achieve your goals
3 One letter of reference
Applicants must include the name, affiliated institution and email address (college/university or company mail) of an academic reference (i.e., former professors) who can attest to their prior performance and potential for career growth in the program.
Your referee will receive an email inviting them to complete an electronic assessment form and attach their letter of reference. You are strongly encouraged to submit your application before your program’s application deadline in order to give your referee sufficient time to provide their assessment and letter of reference.
4 Proof of residency status
Provide proof of:
- Canadian citizenship
- Permanent residency
International applicants
Because of the program structure, international students must hold a valid Canadian work permit. Before applying, review your eligibility with Concordia's International Students Office.
Common applicant scenarios
Browse different scenarios for students entering the CPA program and information to consider like prerequisites, exemptions and alternative pathways.
Most graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce in Accountancy have already completed the CPA prerequisite courses.
If you are missing one or two prerequisites, you may be able to complete them as an independent student before starting the program.
If you completed an accounting degree in Canada and are eligible for entry into the CPA program at your university, you will generally meet the prerequisite course requirements.
You must still satisfy the GPA requirements for admission.
If your bachelor’s degree is in another field, you must complete the CPA prerequisite courses before applying.
You can complete these courses through the Bachelor of Commerce in Accountancy or the Certificate in Accountancy. An admissions assessment will determine which option is most appropriate.
If you are a member in good standing of a recognized accounting organization outside Canada, you may qualify for exemptions or an alternate pathway toward the Canadian CPA designation.
Check the equivalency process by the Ordre des CPA du Québec for details, obtain an equivalency assessment by the Order, and contact our recruiter with your equivalency assessment to plan your next steps.
If you have not completed the CPA prerequisite courses in a Canadian university, you cannot apply directly to the John Molson Graduate Diploma in CPA program. Even if you have a degree in accounting, you must complete the CPA prerequisite courses in a Canadian university to learn the Canadian accounting rules and regulations, before you can apply.
To complete the prerequisite courses, you need to submit an application to the Bachelor of Commerce, major in Accountancy degree. You will need to include a “Note from student” stating that you are applying to the program to meet the entry requirements for the John Molson Graduate Diploma in CPA.
Once admitted, you may ask to be exempted from some of the prerequisite courses. Please note that if you are admitted to the Bachelor of Commerce, you don’t have to study the entire bachelor’s degree. You will only need to take the prerequisites as assessed by the undergraduate admissions officer.
For more information about applying to the undergraduate programs, you can connect with the undergraduate programs recruiter.
Ready to apply?
You are ready to submit your application if you have:
- Reviewed the admission requirements
- Confirmed that you meet the prerequisite requirements
- Prepared all supporting documents
- Identified your referee
- Checked the application deadline
The application fee is $100 CAD and is non-refundable.
Please note that admission is competitive and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
After you apply
You can monitor your application through your Student Centre and upload additional documents if requested.
Typical timelines:
- Up to 20 business days after the application deadline for file review
- Up to 30 business days after the application deadline for an admission decision
If you're admitted
Once you receive an offer:
- Review your admission letter carefully.
- Submit any official documents requested.
- Accept your offer by paying the $250 CAD confirmation deposit by the deadline indicated.
The deposit will be credited toward your tuition.
Then you're ready to begin your CPA journey at the John Molson School of Business.