About our program

The Master of Professional Accounting Program (MPAcc) is an innovative graduate degree program that attracts top-notch accounting students from across Canada. Created by visionary academics in response to the demand for applied, competency-based training, the program actively involves students through the use of business cases, skills workshops, and other contemporary educational techniques.

Over the course of two spring-summer terms, you will complete a comprehensive graduate level accounting program that acts as a proven alternative route for students who are seeking the CPA designation in Canada. We are proud to have a strong history of first time pass rates from our MPAcc graduates on the Common Final Evaluation (CFE). The program also gives students an opportunity to develop an appreciation for the academic research process and academia as a career choice.

Currently, students enrolled in the MPAcc program will undertake an alternative route that covers all modules of the CPA PEP program. Upon completion of the MPAcc program, you may go on to write the Common Final Examination in the fall. 

 Megan Evans shares her experience as an MPAcc student at Edwards School of Business. Read more here.

Course Details

• Year One

  MPAC 831 Strategy & Governance

  The course provides you with a hands-on opportunity to develop the competencies needed to formulate a risk management plan and strategy for an organization, as well as to evaluate and improve its governance.

  MPAC 833 Financial Reporting & Analysis

  This course will review selected topics from the undergraduate Corporate Finance course and build upon that knowledge. This is accomplished through a deeper and richer consideration of a variety of approaches to financial valuation including discounted cash flow, earnings, and the residual income models. A secondary goal of this course is to develop skills appropriate for an entry level professional at exercising professional judgment and addressing client concerns.

  MPAC 835 Assurance

  This course aims to develop knowledge of financial statement auditing concepts and practices, enhance critical thinking and analytical skills to support decision making, and develop awareness of relevant auditing issues and future developments in the field, and develop other relevant knowledge, behaviour, and skills.

  MPAC 837 Advanced Finance

  Using the framework of financial valuation as an organizing tool, key topics from corporate finance will be discussed including risk, return, capital-budgeting, capital structure and payout policy and valuation under leverage. Alternative approaches to valuation, real and financial options financial forecasting and models are also considered.

  MPAC 839 Advanced Taxation

  This course examines many of the tax issues, problems and planning opportunities professional accountants encounter in providing tax services to taxpayers. Students are challenged to gain a deeper understanding of the purpose of specific rules in the Canadian system and to think critically about the issues faced by policymakers.

  MPAC 992 Research Project

  This course provides an opportunity to develop insights into, and an appreciation for, the academic research process. During the course you will examine a number of academic research papers and engage in various research design exercises. You will also take part in an accounting research conference featuring invited academics from other programs. You will demonstrate your learning through a combination of written submissions, discussions with the instructor, formal presentations and a final exam.

  *For the most up-to-date program information visit the USask Course and Program Catalogue.

• Year Two

  MPAC 851 Advanced Management Accounting

  This course introduces you to the vital role that modern management accounting information plays in running a business in today’s economy in the context of performance management. The course pays particular attention to the competency maps of all accounting professions with a view for the future CPA designation.  To ensure coverage of the competencies, technical aspects of management accounting are emphasized and tested in this course.  However, we will also cover a strategic perspective to management accounting.  In the end, you can be assured that the critical aspects of management accounting will be emphasized to prepare you for your future accounting and career requirements.

  MPAC 853 Advanced Financial Reporting

  This course is designed to provide mastery of additional accounting concepts, apply your knowledge in a wide variety of circumstances, and further develop the skills required of professional accountants.  

  Emphasis in this course will be placed on integrating your understanding of GAAP principles. While the focus is largely on profit-oriented firms, an understanding of GAAP for not-for-profit and government organizations will be developed. The combination of MPAC 833 and MPAC 853 is intended to meet, and exceed, all Financial Accounting and Reporting objectives in the CPA Competency Map.

  MPAC 855 Advanced Assurance 

  This course examines the provision of assurance in modern business, government, and not-for-profit organizations. You will be introduced to several areas in which assurance is provided, and study in detail financial statement audit and review engagements. You also will study the provision of related professional services, which are not designed to provide a specific level of assurance.

  In this course you will:

  • Develop knowledge of assurance concepts and practices relevant to the selected course topics
  • Apply auditing concepts to novel situations (gain an understanding of auditing anything!)
  • Enhance critical thinking and development of refined analytical skills to support decision making
  • Develop professional skills

  MPAC 858 Advanced Financial Planning

  Using the frameworks of tools learned in MPAC 837 and MPAC 839 and undergraduate finance and taxation courses, this course will discuss key topics in financial planning which integrates finance and tax issues.  Alternative approaches to valuations, financial forecasting for decision-making, personal and corporate tax planning will be reviewed using case analysis

  MPAC 891 Integrative Capstone 1

  This course will provide the context for day 1 of the Chartered Professional Accountants National Common Final Exam. The course will integrate content from Performance Management, Finance, Tax, Assurance, and Financial Reporting using a variety of cases and simulations.

  Through this course, you will be able to:

  • Analyze large integrated business problems
  • Demonstrate critical thinking skills
  • Make informed decisions
  • Communicate results of analyses including assumptions made and decisions reached: orally and in written format
  • Work effectively in a team environment

  MPAC 892 Integrative Capstone 2

  This course provides the context for all three days of the of the Chartered Professional Accountants national Common Final Exam. You will have the opportunity to hone your case writing skills, receive customized feedback and further develop critical thinking and assessment skills; all while in a supportive classroom environment.

  *For the most up-to-date program information visit the USask Course and Program Catalogue.

Admission Requirements

• Admission Requirements

  The Edwards MPAcc admissions team assesses applicants on a composite basis for admission purposes. We look at a variety of factors including undergraduate degree, grade point average, experience in the accounting field, and reference letters to assess an applicant’s suitability for full-time graduate-level studies. An interview may be required.

  Your Completed Admission Package Includes: Completed Online Application Form and $120 Application Fee A Transcript of your Academic Record Supplemental Application Form Three Letters of Reference Current Resume English Proficiency Scores (if required) All documents must be uploaded to your online application. Once an application has been received, an automated email will be sent within 48 hours with login information for uploading your documents. Applications will not be reviewed until all required documents, including letters of reference, are received.

• Academic Requirements & Pre-requisite Courses
  Applicants must have a four-year undergraduate degree from a recognized university. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to pursue advanced study with a minimum 70% overall average in the last two years of undergraduate studies.
  
  All applicants must demonstrate adequate preparation in Canadian Accounting principles as demonstrated by successful completion of the appropriate university-level prerequisite courses (listed below). Material covered in MPAcc requires an in-depth knowledge of Canadian Tax and Canadian Accounting Standards, which have been obtained from a recognized Canadian institution (college or university). This requirement will not be waived based on study of these topics in other countries.
  
  These pre-requisite courses are designated by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants for entrance into their Professional Education Program.
  
  

  CPA Preparatory Course Topics	University of Saskatchewan Courses
  Introductory Financial Accounting	COMM 201
  Introductory Management Accounting	COMM 210
  Economics	ECON 114
  Statistics	COMM 104
  Business Law	COMM 304
  Information Technology	COMM 337
  Intermediate Financial Reporting 1	COMM 321
  Intermediate Financial Reporting 2	COMM 323
  Advanced Financial Reporting	COMM 433
  Corporate Finance	COMM 203 + COMM 363
  Audit and Assurance	COMM 414 + COMM 421
  Taxation	COMM 405 or (COMM 406 + COMM 407)
  Intermediate Management Accounting	COMM 308 + COMM 438
  Performance Management	COMM 401 + COMM 438
  Data Analytics & Information Systems (DAIS)	COMM 324

  
  For a detailed list of applicable courses by province and post-secondary institution, please refer to the Transfer Credit Information site.
  
  Applicants who have completed their undergraduate studies outside of Canada must have their international transcripts assessed by CPAWSB to determine if their courses are recognized as equivalent to the Canadian requirements. Please review the Transcripts & Academic Documents section for further instruction.
• Transcripts & Academic Documents
  Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions that you have attended must be uploaded to your application. If accepted, an official transcript of your academic record is to be sent directly from each institution attended.
  
  *International Education - If you have completed your undergraduate studies outside of Canada, you must have a transcript assessment completed by the CPA Western School of Business. The Transcript Assessment will determine if the courses taken outside of Canada are recognized as equivalent by the CPA Western School of Business, and therefore if they fulfill the pre-requisite courses required for admission to MPAcc. The resulting CPAWSB Transcript Assessment document must be uploaded to your online application as part of the completed Admission Package.
  
  You can visit https://my.cpawsb.ca/Views/CPARegister.aspx to set up a My CPA Portal profile and request to have an international transcript assessment completed by CPAWSB. Visit www.cpawsb.ca or contact cpaapplication@cpawsb.ca for more information.
  
  Please note that this transcript assessment process can take up to 12 to 14 weeks. Applicants with international education are encouraged to begin this process early to ensure the completed Transcript Assessment is submitted by the MPAcc application deadline.
  
  For countries where degree certificates are issued, the certificate must be uploaded to the online application in addition to the CPAWSB Transcript Assessment.
  
  Supplemental Application Form
  
  The Supplemental Application Form is used to obtain additional information on which courses you have completed and what work experience you have or plan on obtaining before MPAcc begins. Download it here.
  
  Letters of Reference
  
  Applicants are required to have 3 confidential letters of recommendation submitted in support of their application to MPAcc. Your letters of reference should come from professors or others acquainted sufficiently with your training and experience to express an opinion on your ability to undertake graduate studies. Two of these must be academic references and one professional.
  
  Contact your referees and ask them to provide a reference for you for the Edwards MPAcc program and obtain an up-to-date email address.
  

  1. You will then fill out your referees’ complete information, including their current email address, on the online application form.
  2. Once your application is completed, your referees will be sent a link where they can fill out an online form for your reference letter.

  Resume
  
  Outline your previous work education and work experience (if applicable) so the selection committee can have a good understanding of your background.
  
  Students who have at least four months of work experience as an articling student or in a similar position will be given preference. Work experience provides a practical framework that enhances the student's ability to understand and critically assess the subject matter considered in the MPAcc program.
  
  Proof of English Proficiency
  
  If English is not your first language, you must demonstrate English language proficiency as per the standards set by the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. For details on English language proficiency requirements and accepted documentation, click here.

Money Matters

Scholarships, Bursaries & Awards

The Edwards School of Business MPAcc Office administers scholarships and bursaries for both entering and continuing students. Awards have specific criteria based on academic achievement and financial need; and range in value up to $5,000.

Additionally, Edwards has a dedicated award for self-declared First Nation, Métis, and Inuit graduate students: 

• Dean’s Circle awards (three awards valued at $10,000 each) recognize Indigenous graduate students who are entering or continuing a master’s program (Master of Business Administration, Master of Professional Accounting, or Master of Science) at Edwards. The award will be given out in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years to students who are self-declared and have verified their Indigenous citizenship/membership based on the University of Saskatchewan’s deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin policy. 

For more information on other graduate student scholarships, please visit Award Search.

Tuition

The College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at the University of Saskatchewan governs tuition and fee structures for graduate programs across the university including the MPAcc program. Graduate fees are comparable to similar programs at other universities. The MPAcc tuition rates for domestic students is $15,000 per year. For further details, please view the USask Graduate Student tuition listings.

Student Fees 

All graduate students, including international graduate students, must pay student fees. These fees are subject to review and revision at any time, and, they are non-refundable after the add/drop deadline for a given term. Current fees are posted on the USask Graduate Studies Money Matters website website. For information on how and when to pay graduate fees check the University Course Calendar for Payment of Tuition and Compulsory Fees.

Textbooks and Course Materials 

Estimates are about $400 per summer for class textbooks. This does not include the costs of a computer or other electronic equipment. You can purchase books online, including second hand books, from the Shop USask website.

Ready to Study With Us?

If you would like more information on the Master of Professional Accounting, please contact us:

Graduate Programs Office
Edwards School of Business
University of Saskatchewan
Room 173, 25 Campus Drive
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
S7N 5A7

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