How to Access CPA Canada Handbook

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During CPA Canada’s PEP and CFE exams, you’ll be using a lockdown software called SurPass. This program gives you access to the CPA Canada Handbook, which you can use to answer Financial Reporting (FR) AOs. 

During your preparation, you should use the Handbook extensively to become familiar with it. Here are the steps to access the Handbook:

Step 1: Access Knotia

Knotia is the website where the Handbook is located. During the exam, you’ll access Knotia using SurPass software.

Access Knotia here: https://www.knotia.ca/

Step 2: Click on CPA Canada Standards

Knotia has several authoritative resources:

  • CPA Canada Standards and Guidance Collection: This is the Handbook with FR and CAS (audit) standards.
  • Income Tax Act: This contains the tax standards

Both are available during the exam.

Click on the CPA Canada Standards and Guidance Collection for FR standards.

 

Step 3: Expand Accounting section

On the left-hand side navigation pane, expand the Accounting section.

Step 4: Choose IFRS, ASPE or ASNPO

The Handbook is divided into IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards), ASPE (Accounting Standards for Private Enterprises) and ASNPO (Accounting Standards for Non-For-Profit Organizations).

These three are tested in CPA Canada exams. Expand each section by clicking on the plus (+) signs.

Special notes

IFRS:

  • IFRS is organized by year. Choose the year that’s one year prior to your exam year. For example, if you’re wring your exam in 2024, choose 2023. If you’re writing in 2023, choose 2022.
  • Only the sections called “Conceptual Framework..” and “IFRS Standards in Effect…” are the relevant parts.

ASPE:

  • Open “Accounting Standards” and choose either: “General Accounting…” or “Specific Items…“. Both are relevant to the exam.
  • The other sections of ASPE are not relevant.

ASNPO:

  • ASNPO is simpler than IFRS and ASPE. Once you expand it, you’ll see a handful of standards. They are all relevant for your exam.

PSA:

  • There is also “Public Sector Accounting Handbook” on the bottom. This contains accounting standards for government entities, such as crown corporations. These standards can be tested in PEP and CFE, per the Competency Map, however they have never been tested before. Don’t spend much time here.

Are EBooks, Handbook and Knotia the same thing?

No, they are different. EBook is a learning resource to help candidates prepare for the CPA exams. Handbook contains IFRS and ASPE standards. Knotia is the platform that has the Handbook and other standards, such as Income Tax Act. During the exam, you have access to the Handbook, but not the EBook.

Extra resources

FR resources are available in my CPA Canada tutoring programs.