Master of Professional Accounting 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 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. 

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.
• 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.

Admission Requirements:

• The Edwards MPAcc admissions team assesses applicants on a composite basis for admission purposes.  We look at a variety of factors when making admission decisions including undergraduate degree, grade point average, experience in the accounting field, and reference letters. 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)