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Accounting (Graduate Diploma)

Accounting (Graduate Diploma)

Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Lazaridis School of Business and Economics

Waterloo

In Person

The Lazaridis School of Business and Economics’ Graduate Diploma in Accounting builds upon your undergraduate accounting program and provides a structured and comprehensive path for those working toward the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation.

This 12-week program, offered every summer and fall, enhances your knowledge of the technical and enabling competencies required by CPAs (such as financial reporting, tax, auditing, professionalism and problem solving), and prepares you to complete the Common Final Examination (CFE). Upon completion of the program, you will enter the CPA’s Professional Education Program (PEP) at Capstone 1, thereby bypassing the first four modules of the PEP.

Program Highlights

This program is designed to be completed in one term, full-time. Students who have finished their undergraduate degree will complete this program in order to prepare for the CPA examinations (the CFE).
This program, designed to facilitate CPA preparation, will provide you with advanced and integrated knowledge in financial accounting, management accounting, auditing and taxation.
You'll gain technical and practical skills that will benefit your future career advancement.
All of the program's courses are designed to address the competencies outlined in the CPA Competency Map.

Program Details

Curriculum

The Graduate Diploma in Accounting program consists of five courses and has been specifically designed to build upon undergraduate courses to ensure comprehensive coverage of the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) competency map. Integrated within the graduate courses is coverage of the CPA Way.

Upon completion of these five courses and the required courses from your undergraduate program in accounting, you'll enter the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP) at Capstone 1, thereby bypassing the first four modules of the PEP. These courses have been designed to help you further develop the technical and enabling skills required to complete the Common Final Examination (CFE) and become a CPA.

In order to successfully complete the program and gain advanced standing in the first four modules of the CPA PEP, you must attain a minimum grade of 70% in each of the five graduate diploma courses.

Note: CPA Ontario is working with partners across the profession to launch a new CPA Professional Program in 2027 - a modern path to becoming a CPA. It blends essential technical excellence in accounting and a strong foundation in ethics with real-world experience and future-focused skills that evolve alongside the demands of a world redefined by AI. Learn more about the new CPA Professional Program.

Set Yourself Apart

The best place to start your path to the CPA designation is in Laurier’s Graduate Diploma in Accounting program, and here is why:

The program is accredited by Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA Ontario) and enables you to obtain advanced standing in the first four modules of the CPA PEP. Successful students will be qualified to take any combination of paths for the CFE (financial accounting, management accounting, audit and assurance or taxation).
Benefit from university-based instruction by outstanding faculty who have CPA designations and experience session leading and facilitating for CPA Ontario.
Leverage the strengths of the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics and Laurier’s longstanding commitment to high-quality accounting education.
Complete a substantial proportion of the PEP modules before you begin full-time employment, alleviating the stress of studying while working.
Face-to-face instruction for the full term, ensuring that you understand the material as you go – with help just a hand raise away. You are also able to take advantage of office hours or connect with instructors anytime throughout the term.

Courses

The graduate diploma courses are designed and delivered by a combination of research faculty and experienced industry professionals.

Instructors and course developers are professional accountants with CPA designations, with strong ties with CPA Ontario including both sessions leading and facilitating CPA PEP modules including Capstone 1 and 2.

Let's Talk About Your Future

We understand that pursuing further education is a big decision. We’re here to help you determine whether the Lazaridis Graduate Diploma in Accounting aligns with your goals.

We encourage you to attend a GDip info session to learn more about the program. These online sessions include a live Q&A, giving you the chance to get answers to your specific questions. You’re also welcome to join our monthly Ask Us Anything sessions—drop in and ask whatever’s on your mind.

If you still have questions or would like support as you consider your next steps, we invite you to email us at lazaridisgradprograms@wlu.ca. Before reaching out, we recommend reviewing the admissions requirements to ensure you meet all criteria.

Events Calendar

Full GDip Calendar

“The Graduate Diploma in Accounting at the Lazaridis School is your pathway to advancing your accounting career. With small class sizes and experienced professors, we provide the skills and knowledge you need to excel on the Common Final Exam and build a strong foundation for long-term success.”

Carolyn MacTavish

Admissions

Take the first step in your graduate education and apply to one of our graduate programs. Follow our three-step admission process — we’ll walk you through how to apply and prepare for your first day as a graduate student.

Application Information

Start: Fall and Spring
Format: Full-time (12 weeks)
- The application portal opens each October for classes starting in both the Fall and Spring terms.
Application deadlines:
- Spring Term:
  - Early Application Deadline: January 15
  - Final Application Deadline: March 15
- Fall Term:
  - Early Application Deadline: June 1
  - Final Application Deadline: July 15

Important Note: Submitting your application by the early deadline does not increase your chances of admission. However, it may provide earlier access to course registration schedules, allowing for more flexibility in course selection.

Your Next Steps

Questions? Email LazaridisGradPrograms@wlu.ca.

Tuition and Funding Apply Now

Waterloo Campus

This program is available on Laurier's Waterloo campus.

Laurier Waterloo is where tradition, innovation and incredible school spirit collide.

The Waterloo campus spans one large city block, ensuring you’re close to your classes, favourite study spots, student services and favourite coffee shops. Laurier is a leading force in research among Canadian universities, and many of our research centres and institutes are housed in Waterloo.

We offer the guidance and support you need to thrive academically and personally throughout your degree.

Discover Laurier Waterloo for yourself:

Tuition and Funding

Tuition Fees

Regardless of the type of graduate degree program you intend to pursue, financial planning is important. At Laurier, we want to provide you with as much information as possible about a variety of scholarship and funding opportunities and equip you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

Students with offers of employment from accounting firms or approved training offices should inquire with their employer about potential tuition subsidies.

2025/2026 Tuition Fees*	Per Course	Total
Graduate Diploma in Accounting (Domestic and International)	$2,094 (per course)	$10,470

Tuition Fees Incidental Fees

*Tuition fees are reviewed each spring and are subject to change. Wilfrid Laurier University may revise tuition and program details without notice.

Careers

The Graduate Diploma in Accounting prepares students for careers as Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs) working with CPA firms, public and private companies and government through development of excellent accounting, audit and tax related skills. The program brings together managerial accounting, financial accounting, taxation and auditing.

Your Path to Post-Degree Success

ASPIRE is Laurier's professional skills development training program for graduate students. The program helps you craft an individualized, extracurricular learning plan tailored to your professional journey and entry to the workplace.