Pre-Approved Program

Pre-Approved Program: Does It Work for My Company?

This overview document outlines considerations for an Organizations interested in offering a Pre-Approved Program and highlights the key difference between the pre-approved program route and experience verification reporting from an employers perspective.

How to become a Pre-Approved Program

If you are interested in becoming a Pre-approved program, please fill out the information gathering form and submit it to PPR@cpaalberta.ca. A member of the CPA Alberta Practical Experience team will contact you to initiate discussions.

List of Pre-Approved Programs

You will find a list of current Pre-Approved Programs here. 

Pre-approved Program Supports

Enabling Competency Review – Training for Pre-approved Program Providers

Enabling Competency Review Process Change – Effective January 1, 2025

Program Manager and Program Leader Overview for those in Public Accounting

Program Manager and Program Leader Overview for those in Industry

Enabling Competency Review Guidance for Mentors, Program Leaders, and Program Managers

Effective January 1, 2025

The Enabling Competency Review Guidance for Mentors, Program Leaders, and Program Managers document aims to provide mentors, program managers, and program leaders with additional information to support the review of candidate enabling competencies, ensuring that responses in all five enabling competencies support Level 2 proficiency before a candidate has completed their PPR program.

For more detailed information, please view the 'Enabling Competency Review Guidance for Mentors, Program Leaders, and Program Managers' document by clicking the link below.

Enabling Competency Review Guidance for Mentors, Program Leaders, and Program Managers

Roles and Responsibilities

There are specific roles and responsibilities that fall within the Pre-approved Program Route:



Accountable to the provincial body for the training of candidates within the Pre-Approved Program (PPR):

  • Liaise with the mentors to ensure Mentor Meeting requirements are being met and documented within PERT.
  • Ensure candidates are meeting the progression requirements.
  • Provide a certification signoff for candidates who complete their experience or depart the PPR.

Monitor the status of all candidates within the Pre-Approved Program (PPR):

  • Assign a mentor to candidates in the PPR.
  • Confirm a candidate’s employment within PERT.
  • Indicate a candidate's Employment Ended date with the program within PERT. 
  • Follow up with candidates who have missed their reporting deadlines.
  • If enabled, Program Manager Verification (Data Check). 

Meet with candidates formally at least twice per year:

  • Provide guidance on technical and enabling competency progression.
  • Record discussion and details of the meeting within PERT.
  • Inform Program Leader/Manager about any unresolved concerns.

Must register with the CPA Western School of Business and have the following responsibilities within PERT:

  • Semi-annually, candidates must:
    • Self-assess proficiency in the technical and enabling competencies in PERT.
    • Request a Mentor Meeting in PERT, and meet with their mentor to formally discuss progression.
  • Submit a CPA Review in PERT upon completion of the program, or if they depart the PPR.

Practical Experience Reporting Tool (PERT) Guide for Employers

The PERT Guide for Program Managers, Program Leaders and Mentors is available to assist you with your responsibilities in PERT. 
PERT Portal for Program Leaders
PERT Portal for Program Managers

CPA Public Accounting Chargeable Hours Submission Form

A CPA Alberta Public Accounting Chargeable Hours Submission Form is to be completed by CPA Candidates who are employed with a registered public accounting firm and are required to report chargeable hours. CPA candidates who are required to report chargeable hours are any candidates in the above noted pre-approved programs (External Audit, Review and Assurance, Compilations, Taxation) or Experience Verification Reporting candidates who are employed at a registered public accounting firm.

If a public practice firm is interested in training candidates, the firm must be a registered public accounting firm (PAF).

It is important that candidates and employers are aware of the implications of gaining practical experience outside of a pre-approved program. For more information on licensure requirements please refer to Professional Accounting Firm Varied Registration Category Requirements.

Request for Addition/Change in Pre-Approved Program Route Leader or Program Manager

This form is to be used to add or make a change in your organization’s Pre-Approved Program Route Leader (PPRL) or Program Manager (PM).

Questions? Contact: PPR@cpaalberta.ca

PPR Employer FAQs

Related Articles

Review informative articles and stories related to the pre-approved program:

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