How to Solve DAIS in CPA Canada PEP and CFE Exams
With increased focus on big data and emerging technologies in our day-to-day lives and professional careers, CPA Canada has placed more focus on Information Technology (IT) and Data Analytics and Info...
Do You Need to Memorize Capstone 1 Case for CFE Day 1?
In preparing for Day 1 of the CPA Canada CFE, it’s important to understand that Day 1 is a continuation of the Capstone 1 case. Similar to Capstone 1, Day 1 will test your ability to problem solve, ma...
FR Competencies for CPA Canada’s Core 1
Core 1 covers Financial Reporting (FR), Assurance, Tax and Finance competency areas. I’ve written about Assurance, Tax and Finance common topics in other posts, I’ll cover the FR topics he...
Assurance Competencies for CPA Canada’s Core 1
Before starting Core 1, it’s useful to review topics that are going to be taught and tested in this CPA module.
Core 1 covers Financial Reporting (FR), Assurance, Tax and Finance competency are...
Failed CPA CFE 3 Times? You Still Have Options
CPA Canada allows candidates to attempt the CFE three times. At each unsuccessful attempt, candidates can appeal and ask for re-marking. After three unsuccessful attempts and remarkings, candidates wi...
CPA Case Writing: Electronic vs Paper Outline for PEP and CFE
When writing CPA Canada PEP and CFE exams, planning your approach and AO times in an outline is a key component of passing. With the option to do the outline on paper vs. computer, many candidates que...
Can You Leave Your Outline in CPA Canada Cases?
When preparing electronic outlines for CPA Canada PEP and CFE cases, many writers question whether this can be left in their memo or should it be deleted before submission.
The answer is YES, you can ...
What Can be Tested in CPA Canada CFE Day 2?
Day 2 of the CFE is considered by many to be the hardest of all CFE days. You have to ensure that you achieve depth (ie, score C/CD) in as many AOs as possible. This article will help you identify the...
CPA Canada CFE Day 1 J.R. Pets (JRP) Mock Exam Case
The Capstone 1 J.R. Pets Inc. (JRP) case will be tested in September 2023 and September 2024 Common Final Exams (CFEs) on Day 1. The original Capstone 1 case will be made available to candidates enrol...
CPA Canada CFE Day 1 Kingsdale Tea (KTI) Mock Exam Case
The Capstone 1 Kingsdale Tea Inc (KTI) case will be tested in May 2023 and May 2024 Common Final Exams (CFEs) on Day 1. The original Capstone 1 case will be made available to candidates enrolled in Ca...
September 2022 CPA CFE Cases and Answers (Download)
Similar to prior Common Final Exams (CFEs), the September 2022 CFE had Day 1, 2 and 3 cases.
The following Day 1 cases were tested:
CanDo Fitness Ltd. (CFL) v1 (Download)
Waste Disposal Inc. (WD...
Should You Write New CPA cases or Rewrite Prior Ones?
When studying for the CFE and PEP exams, writing cases is critical for success. Since you have limited amount of time to study, you may be wondering, should you write brand new cases or re-write prior...
Ultimate Guide to CFE of CPA Canada
The Common Final Exam, or the CFE, is the last exam of the CPA Canada’s PEP program.
CFE is made up of 3 days of continuous examination: Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3.
Day 1 is 4...
CPA Canada Capstone 2 Study Guide
You’ve successfully completed Capstone 1 and have one final module before you can arrive at the CFE. You’re almost there! Below is a guide to ensure you are well prepared for this next 8-week course.
...
CPA Canada Capstone 1 Study Guide
If you’re preparing for Capstone 1, you’ve successfully completed all your module exams and are one step closer to writing and completing the CFE. This article will help prepare you for what to expect...
5 Study Tips for CPA Canada Finance Module
Candidates often select the Finance module due to their financial professional background. However, Finance has many similarities to Core 2 and prepares well for Day 1 of the CFE. Below are some helpf...
CPA Canada CFE Day 1 CanDo Fitness (CFL) Mock Exam Case
The Capstone 1 CanDo Fitness (CFL) case will be tested in September 2022 and 2023 Common Final Exams (CFEs) on Day 1. The original Capstone 1 case was made available to candidates enrolled in Capstone...
What is Decile Ranking in CPA Canada PEP and CFE Results?
In this post, I’ll discuss what is decile ranking, in both CPA Canada PEP and CFE results.
What is Decile Ranking?
Decile ranking is a statistical measure that tells writers who failed how clo...
5 Study Tips for CPA Canada Performance Management (PM) Module
If you’ve made it to the elective modules, you’ve been successful at Core 1 and Core 2, congrats! While some candidates find the Performance Management (PM) module to be overwhelming with both qual an...
CPA PEP Results | Where To Find Results & Next Steps if You Failed
CPA Canada releases PEP (Core 1, Core 2, electives) results after every semester, usually 2 weeks after the exam is complete at 12pm EST. Find out if you passed using the link below:
CPA Canada PEP...
What Does Gevorg Mean?
Gevorg, also known as Georgios in Ancient Greek, is a first name. It’s an Armenian form of the name George.
Gevorg is a masculine first name derived from two Greek words: geo (earth) + ergon (w...
Solving Government Grant AOs (IAS 20) In CPA Canada PEP And CFE Exams
The following article will go over the key concepts for obtaining competent (C) grade in government grant AOs in CPA Canada PEP and CFE exams under IFRS.
In Part 2 (to be posted later), we will look ...
Which Role to Choose for CPA Canada CFE?
In Part 1 of this two-part series, I discussed which elective to take as part of your CPA Canada PEP program. In here, I’ll speak about which role to take for CFE Day 2.
Understand the CFE
The C...
Choosing Your Elective for CPA Canada PEP
If you’re at the point where you must choose on which elective to take as part of your CPA PEP, this means you have successfully completed Core 1 and 2. Congrats!
With no clear guideline on which ele...
May 2022 CPA CFE Cases and Answers (Download)
Update: Please see this post for September 2022 CFE exam cases download: September 2022 CFE download
Similar to prior Common Final Exams (CFEs), the May 2022 CFE had Day 1, 2 and 3 cases.
The follo...
Solving Special Reports in CPA Canada PEP and CFE Exams [FULL GUIDE]
Special Reports are types of practitioner reports that are prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS). These reports elaborate and describe more information on accounts o...
May 2022 CFE Results Countdown
The following is a countdown to the May 2022 CFE results day, scheduled for August 12, 2022, at 7am PST.
Update: Results are now released: https://www.certificationenterprise.net/CPAcp/cpLogin.aspx
Three Days of CFE: Do’s and Don’ts Between Exam Days
A few more weeks to go before the D-Day. I am sure there are pangs of nervousness, anxiety, excitement (that you can then enjoy free time), basically all the mixed emotions that are brewing. Completel...
Tax AOs Salary vs. Dividends vs Bonus in CPA Canada PEP and CFE Exams
The structure of Canadian taxes is meant to charge the same level of income tax regardless of if it is earned through a salary or dividend on the individual and corporation level. This is known as int...
Valuation Methods in CPA Canada PEP and CFE Exams
Valuation AOs come up on CPA Canada module exams all the time, starting with Core 1 and all the way to the CFE. Here’s a summary of the common valuation methods with examples.
Introduction
Valua...
Understanding Provisions and Contingent Liabilities in CPA Canada Cases (IAS 37 and ASPE 3290)
As you go through CPA Canada PEP and CFE technical review, you may notice the terms “provision” and “contingent liability”, specifically in your IFRS review (ASPE does not use the term provision).
Ma...
Masters in Accounting: An Alternative (And Quicker) Pathway to Canadian CPA [Part 1]
We all know that the CPA Canada Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) is a long, rigorous, and often taxing journey (pardon the pun). PEP often takes anywhere from 1.5 to 2 years to complete, with ...
Should You Take CPA Canada Capstone 1 and 2?
If you are an Internationally Trained Accountant (ITA) and the accounting body you are associated with has an MOU/MRA in place which gives you an exemption from Capstone 1 and 2, you may be wondering ...
MA Technicals: Cost-Volume-Profitability (CVP) | CPA Canada
Summary:
CVP analysis helps to determine the impact of cost and volume on profit
Used for many purposes:
Analysis of impact of cost/volume on profit
Calculating breakeven point (BEP), in terms of ...
Gevorg, CPA Exam Coaching Student Reviews & Testimonials
On the CPA Canada PEP and CFE exam results days, there is no better sound than hearing my students say: “I passed!”. Thanks to all my students for your continued support and congra...
Gevorg, CPA For International Accountants (MOU/MRA) | Student Review & Testimonial
Shraddha is an international accountant who started her CPA Canada journey during the pandemic. She found the CPA Canada modules and exams different from her past experiences, resulting in a few unsuc...
How To Become a CPA In Canada In 4 Steps
The process of getting the Canadian CPA can be an overwhelming journey. With multiple pathways to consider and exams to navigate, it’s often difficult to know where exactly to start. Below information...
Masters in Accounting: An Alternative (And Quicker) Pathway to Canadian CPA [Part 2]
In Part 1 of my PEP vs MAcc blog series, I discussed Masters in Accounting (MAcc) and how it can benefit CPA Canada candidates.
Here in Part 2, I will compare obtaining the CPA Canada designation thr...
CPA Canada PREP vs PEP: What You Need to Know
As you transition from CPA Canada preparation courses (PREP) to the professional education program (PEP), you may wonder what are some of the differences and what can be expected as you embark on the ...
Passing CPA Canada CFE for International Indian Accountants
When I got my Indian CA degree – being one of the toughest exams – it made me feel so proud and led me to believe that I could conquer it all. I was so happy to know that ICAI has an MOU with CPA Cana...
5 Smart Tips for Studying CPA While Working
For most CPA Canada students, the greatest challenge with the exams is finding the time to study. Between full time jobs, family commitments and other priorities, most of your spare available time is ...
CPA Canada 2021 Pass Rates Released
CPA Canada has now released the 2021 PEP and CFE pass rates.
2021 CFE Pass Rates
Below are the official pass rates as reported by CPA Canada:
CFE Offering
Cumulative Pass Rates
...
It’s the Busy Season, How to Balance CPA CFE Studies with Work
Sticking to CPA studies during the busy season is tough. If you work in public practice, whether Big 4, mid-size or smaller firms, you know the audit and tax seasons are grueling. In the industry, the...
How To Write An Effective Audit Planning Memo In CPA Canada Cases
If you have selected Assurance as an elective in your CPA Canada PEP, or it’s your role for the CFE, writing an effective audit planning memo will be the key to achieving multiple competent grades. Le...
5 Tips to Write CPA Canada Cases Faster for PEP and CFE
For many CPA candidates, sticking to the allotted case time is one of the major challenges in case writing. Being able to dedicate your time to the conditions being marked will be critical in achievin...
Is a CPA Study Partner Right For You?
While many of us have studied independently throughout our education career, studying for CPA Canada PEP and CFE exams offers a unique opportunity to stay disciplined during the exam process. The foll...
September 2021 CPA CFE Cases and Answers (Download)
Update: Please see these updated posts for May and September 2022 CFE exam cases download:
May 2022 CFE download
September 2022 CFE download
Similar to prior Common Final Exams (CFEs), the Sep...
4 Tips for Planning Your CPA Canada Goals for 2022
With the start of the new year, it’s the perfect time to make a clean slate and start thinking about what you want to accomplish in your CPA studies during 2022. Setting the standard as easily as poss...
Solving ASPE Loyalty Program AOs in CPA Canada PEP and CFE Cases
One of the key skills to assessing a financial reporting AO within a CPA Canada exam is understanding the differences between financial frameworks. We dove into depth of applying IFRS 15 to Loyalty Pr...
Solving IFRS 15 Loyalty Program AOs in CPA Canada PEP and CFE Cases
The core concept of IFRS 15 is the timing of revenue recognition, which is dependent on the timing of promises to be fulfilled by the entity. IFRS 15 provides significant guidance that can be applied ...
CPA Canada CFE September 2021 Results
Big congrats to GevorgCPA students who passed!!
For additional support on what to do next if unsuccessful, please refer to the blog post: https://gevorgcpa.com/unsuccessful-cfe-candidates-what-to-do-n...
How to Debrief a CPA Canada Case
As you continue on your journey towards your CPA designation, being able to debrief and achieve competency efficiency becomes increasingly important. In fact, debriefing will likely become your main s...
FolioViews on CFE – Tips and Tricks for CPA Canada Candidates
With the transition to writing the CPA Canada Common Final Exam (CFE) in hotel rooms, a software called FolioViews has been implemented by CPA Canada to replace Knotia as reference during the exam. Yo...
How to Account for Income Tax (DTA/DTL) IAS 12 in CPA Canada PEP and CFE
CPA Canada Knotia eBook explains income tax accounting in Chapter 23. However, student struggle understanding the steps in calculating and journalizing the deferred tax asset (DTA) and deferred tax li...
Your Support Options with CPA Canada PEP and CFE
CPA Canada exams are grueling and require hours of dedicated study and practice. At some point, you may feel that you need supplemental support. Here are your options.
Option #1: One-on-one CPA tutor
...
How to Download Survival Guides for CPA Canada PEP Modules
The CPA Canada Survival Guides are an excellent resource to keep track of eBook readings, assignments, deadlines and deliverables. It’s a good idea to download and print them before your module ...
5 Reasons Why Candidates Fail CPA Canada PEP and CFE Exams
Sometimes we fail. When it comes to the CPA Canada PEP exams and Common Final Exam (CFE), there are specific reasons why some candidates struggle to pass. For some, it is not knowing how to study for ...
What’s different about Gevorg, CPA CFE coaching program?
I offer a personalized CFE coaching program based on Honour Roll strategies. My candidates achieve overall 90%+ pass rate on the CFE. Here is a quick comparison:
Features
Gevorg, CPA CFE course
Oth...
Unsuccessful Results for September 2022 CFE: What to Do Next
The September 2022 Common Final Exam (CFE) results were released on Friday, November 25. To check your CFE results, access the National Certification Centre website: https://www.certificationenterpris...
Here’s a List of All Special Reports for CPA Canada PEP and CFE Exams
Special engagements or special reports are a common AO in the CPA Canada PEP exams and the Common Final Exam (CFE). Candidates are familiar with some of them, such as Attestation engagements to report...
How to Write Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis in CFE Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 Cases of CPA Canada
In this article, I’ll discuss how to approach quantitative (quant) and qualitative (qual) analysis per each of the CPA Canada Common Final Exam (CFE) Days:
CFE Day 1
You’ll face Strategic...
Tough AOs! How to Handle Complex Topics in CPA Canada PEP and CFE Cases
A best practice with writing CPA Canada PEP and CFE practice cases is to put a timer and practice under the exam setting. In doing so, you develop time management skills and improve your case writing....
Writing CPA Canada Practical Experience Requirements (PERT) – Technicals
I often receive a question from a CPA candidate in the EVR route on how to write the technical section of the PERT.
Here are general guidelines:
Write experience for Financial Reporting (FR), Manage...
How to Write Control Weaknesses (WIR) in CPA Canada PEP and CFE Cases
Control weaknesses are a common assessment opportunity (AO) in CPA Canada’s PEP program, starting from Core 1 and leading all the way up to the Common Final Exam (CFE). It is something you shoul...
7 Tips on How to Write CPA Canada Practical Experience Requirements (PER) Experience Reports
If you have done some reading on the practical experience requirements (PER), or you’ve submitted a PER, you would have found that the process is a nightmare. There is very few documentation, yo...
Tax Competencies for CPA Canada’s Core 1
One of the most frequently asked questions I get as a CPA Exam Coach is what types of Finance and Tax topics can be tested in Core 1.
I’ve covered Financial Reporting (FR), Assurance and Finance...
Write September 2022 CFE if you Don’t Pass May 2022 CFE
Candidates who wrote the CPA Canada May 2022 CFE (Common Final Exam) are wondering if they can re-write the exam at the next offering in September, should they be unsuccessful.
Yes, you can write in...
CPA Canada CFE Day 1 Waste Disposal Inc. (WDI) Mock Exam Case
The Capstone 1 Waste Disposal Inc. (WDI) case will be tested in both September 2021 and 2022 Common Final Exams (CFEs) on Day 1. The original Capstone 1 case was made available to candidates enrolled ...
We’re Hiring CPA Canada Tutors and Mentors
Are you a professional accountant with a CPA designation looking to help university students get through their accounting courses or candidates in CPA Canada’s PREP/PEP programs get through thei...
Full List of Finance Competencies in CPA Canada PEP
I’ve written about Financial Reporting (FR), Assurance, and Tax common topics in CPA Core 1 module in other posts. In this post, I’ll cover the common Finance topics.
Unless your backgroun...
Do You Need Technical Summaries for CPA Canada’s Core 1?
CPA candidates often ask me whether they need technical summary review notes for Core 1.
Technicals are a big part of Core 1. You will be tested on Financial Reporting, Assurance, Tax and Finance iss...
CPA Canada PEP and CFE WhatsApp Study Groups
This content is password protected. To view it, please answer the security question. What is CPA Canada’s Common Final Exam usually called?
Answer (in lower case letters):
What to Do Now that CPA Canada Cancels the May 2021 CFE (Ontario and Quebec)
For the first time, the CPA Canada Common Final Exam (CFE) will be held regionally. CPA Canada announced today that the May 2021 CFE will be cancelled in CPA Ontario and Quebec, but will proceed as pl...
How to Analyze Betterment Under IFRS for CPA Canada Exam Cases (IAS 16 and ASPE 3061)
Whether you are at CPA PEP Core 1, the electives, or the CFE, you have likely seen the “betterment” Financial Reporting (FR) issue. Betterment is covered under the CPA Canada Handbook and,...
CPA Canada 2020 Pass Rates Released
Update: 2021 pass rates are now released. Please see the updated post here.
CPA Canada has now released the 2020 PEP and CFE pass rates. This was the first year when PEP exams where written at home a...
Try These 5 Tips for the Assurance CPA PEP Module
About 75% of all CPA Common Final Exam (CFE) writers choose Assurance as their role. The reason is that it’s one of the “easier” roles to achieve depth in.
But don’t let this ...
Should You Take Tax or Assurance CPA PEP Module First?
The Tax and Assurance electives are the “bread and butter” of accounting. If you want to work in public practice (or if you already work in public practice), you should take those two elec...
5 Things You Need to Know for the CPA PEP Tax Exam
The PEP Tax module is arguably the toughest. You have to be prepared for quants, and I mean a lot of quants.
Below are my top 5 tips for Tax candidates:
1. Know the Blueprint
The CPA Canada’...
CFE Results | Where To Find Results & Next Steps if You Failed
CPA Canada releases Common Final Exam (CFE) results in late-November or early December (for September CFEs) and August (for May CFEs). Find out if you passed using the links below:
CPA Western Scho...
You Can Now Write More CPA Core 2 Practice Cases and MCQs
Congrats! You made it to Core 2. Unlike Core 1, you have a higher statistical chance of passing, there are less topics to learn and you have an exam writing experience under your belt. That’s no...
Here are September 2020 CPA CFE Cases for Download
Update: Please see the new blog posts with September 2021, May 2022 and September 2022 exam case download links:
September 2021 CFE download
May 2022 CFE download
September 2022 CFE download
C...
May 2021 CPA CFE Cases and Answers (Download)
Update: You can download the May 2022 CFE cases here. September 2022 cases are here.
Similar to prior Common Final Exams (CFEs), the May 2021 CFE had Day 1, 2 and 3 cases. The following Day 1 cases w...
Here Are More CPA Core 1 Practice Cases, MCQs and Solutions
It’s no secret that Core 1 is one of the most challenging modules in the CPA Canada’s PEP program. In fact, it has the highest failure rate among all modules. The main reasons are:
Self...
Gevorg Grigoryan, CPA interview with CBC News Toronto
I had a chat with CBC News about this year’s CPA exam hotel room format and the level of difficulty. Full article below:https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/thousands-of-accounting-students-a...
5 Free CPA Exam Resources
Majority of candidates writing the CPA exams look for supplemental resources. The materials provided by CPA Canada are abundant, but understanding the tough technicals and building a solid exam strate...
How To Become a CPA in Canada
Please see the updated blog post here: https://gevorgcpa.com/how-to-become-a-cpa-in-canada-4-steps/
CPA Canada CFE Review – CFE Sep 2020 Days 1, 2 and 3 course now available
Dear Candidates,
I would like to invite you to my upcoming free webinar How to Succeed at the CFE: September 2020. This 1-hour webinar will cover the followin...
Practice Case#1 – SF CFE Day 3 Case
This practice CPA Common Final Exam (CFE) Day 3 case focuses on Financial Reporting (FR) and Assurance (A) competencies.
Download SF CFE Day 3 Practice Case (PDF)
Please sign up for the CFE Review ...
CFE Honour Roll Interview – Strategies from Jonathan
I chatted with Jonathan, an Honour Roll student from CPA CFE 2019. Below is the partial interview and transcript.
PARTIAL INTERVIEW
Codeguesser Boden page hereCodeguesser Boden page herePowered by...
CPA Canada CFE Review – CFE Sep 2020 Day 1 course now available
Dear Students,
I’m excited to announce the release of the CPA CFE Day 1 course: CFE Review: The Honour Roll Prep Program. This is a comprehensive prep and coaching course for CPA Canada Septembe...
CPA Canada cancels May 2020 CFE due to COVID-19 pandemic
Update: CPA Canada cancels the May 2021 CFE in Ontario and Quebec. The updated articled is here.
CPA Canada has announced that the May 2020 Common Final Exam (CFE) will be cancelled and all registere...
CFE Honour Roll Interview – Strategies from Matt
I chatted with Matt, an Honour Roll student from CPA CFE 2019. Below is the partial interview and transcript.
PARTIAL INTERVIEW
Codeguesser Boden page hereCodeguesser Boden page herePowered by Emb...
May and September 2022 CFE Day 1 Cases
You can choose from the following cases for Day 1 of the CFE:
May 2023 CFE:
Creative Toys Inc. (CTI) v2
Kingsdale Tea Inc (KTI) v1
September 2023 CFE:
CanDo Fitness Ltd. (CFL) v2
J.R. Pet...
CFE Honour Roll Interview – Strategies from Industry Candidate
I chatted with a candidate who passed CPA CFE 2019 with Honour Roll – and she has never worked in public practice. About 80% of all Honour Roll students come from the public practice. How did sh...
How To Get Depth in CPA Cases
When you start CPA studies, you learn concepts such as Required, Issue, Depth and Breadth. Becoming familiar with these terms and understanding the difference between a Required and an Issue is key to...
How To Write CPA Cases On Time
One of the most frequently asked questions from my CPA students is how to write cases on time. Most students go over the time limit by several minutes, even hours. This is especially true if you are i...
CPA CFE: Re-Mark Process, Appeal and Performance Analysis Review (PAR)
If you were unsuccessful at the CPA Common Final Examination (CFE), you may choose to re-mark (formerly appeal) the exam results, purchase a Performance Analysis Review (PAR), or do both.
Re-mark...