Having a pre-approved program is an attractive recruiting tool, as CPA candidates often seek employment with an organization that can provide a streamlined path to their CPA designation. As part of the approval process, CPA Alberta works with the organization to lay out a road map for CPA candidates so they know they can achieve the practical experience requirements in 30 months. Once an organization has become a Pre-Approved Program Route Provider (PPRP), what happens next?
There is often a misconception that once a pre-approved program has been developed for an organization there is no flexibility to deviate from or modify the competency map that was approved. In reality, it’s understood that a pre-approved program should have a layer of flexibility to adjust to business changes and needs. A PPRP should closely monitor the practical experience CPA candidates are obtaining in their program against the competencies that have been mapped. If there are areas of the organization’s competency map that are simply not working or have changed from what was originally agreed upon, the Practical Experience team should be contacted. The pre-approved program leader (or a representative) should reach out to discuss how to adjust the map to meet the business needs as well as continue to satisfy the practical experience requirements for the CPA candidate.
A deviation from the PPRP’s competency map could be due to one of two scenarios:
- one candidate’s unique experience (i.e. a one-off situation); or
- an issue with the competency map that requires a modification.
It’s important that the map accurately depicts what experience the organization can provide to their CPA candidates.
In the first situation, the organization should reach out to CPA Alberta as soon as possible to discuss the candidate’s unique situation and how the competencies can still be achieved in the 30-month duration. In some scenarios, the work the candidate is doing could be reported as a secondment (up to 12 months) or the candidate may have to pause reporting practical experience until they are able to resume the duties outlined in the pre-approved program map. Whatever the case may be, the Practical Experience team will work with the organization to ensure the candidate’s practical experience remains on course and achievable.
The second scenario, where a program modification is needed to adjust the competency map, is a fairly straightforward process. The first step is for the organization to reach out to the Practical Experience team to discuss which areas of the competency map are working and which areas require modification. A modification could include a change to certain competencies, proficiency levels, or the addition of a rotation. Once the competency map has been adjusted, the Practical Experience team will present the modification to the Registrar for review and approval. A pre-approved program should work for both the business and the CPA candidate. As business needs are ever-changing, organizations will require support to ensure their program is up to date and working for them. Please do not hesitate to reach out to ppr@cpaalberta.ca with any questions about the pre-approved program map or a CPA candidate’s unique experience. We are here to assist organizations in supporting future CPAs.
