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.
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.
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 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.
This course focuses on the use of financial statements for decision-making. It provides you with the opportunity to combine the knowledge and skills that you have acquired in previous accounting courses to assess the financial position and performance of a firm. The first part of the course focuses on three topics: introduction to standard analytical tools (ratios); financial instruments; and business valuations.
The second part of the course focuses specifically on financial statement analysis and includes potential manipulation of accounting information by managers; an exploration of incentives that may underlie such manipulation; and a discussion of accounting policy choices available to managers that provide latitude in determining operating performance and financial position.
This course provides an in-depth, case-based look at performance measurement and control. These are essential functions of management that ensure that the organization’s objectives and strategies are carried out effectively. Topics covered in this course include types of controls; control system costs; designing and evaluating control systems; incentive compensation; financial performance measures; and corporate governance.
This is a capstone case course that stresses both the technical and enabling competencies required for future professional accountants. More specifically, this course provides students with the opportunity to integrate the technical competencies covered in the CPA Competency Map. This course includes a survey of most of the topics included in the CPA Competency Map and an introduction to case writing techniques for use in responding to integrated accounting cases found on professional accounting examinations.
This course builds on the knowledge and skills introduced in BU477 (Auditing) and BU486 (Information Systems Development, Control and Audit), introduces advanced topics in auditing, and considers current issues in the auditing profession.
Taxation III is the third of a three-course series in Canadian federal income taxation. The course is designed to introduce students to the more complex issues of Canadian income tax law and to explore tax-planning strategies for individuals, corporations, partnerships, joint ventures and trusts. Topics include:
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.
Join our mailing list to get updates, resources and support throughout your application journey. You'll receive program news, key dates and helpful reminders to keep you on track.
22
Oct
‘Ask us Anything’ Drop-in Session: Lazaridis Graduate Programs
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19
Nov
Lazaridis Graduate Diploma in Accounting - Information Session
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20
Nov
‘Ask us Anything’ Drop-in Session: Lazaridis Graduate Programs
Zoom
18
Dec
‘Ask us Anything’ Drop-in Session: Lazaridis Graduate Programs
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6
Jan
‘Ask us Anything’ Drop-in Session: Lazaridis Graduate Programs
Zoom
“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
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.
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.
Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Accounting is typically reserved for graduates of undergraduate programs in the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics; however, we welcome qualified external applicants who hold a Canadian undergraduate degree in Business or Economics with a concentration in accounting.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
Ensure you have taken the necessary courses approved by your provincial CPA order. For CPA Ontario visit CPA Ontario | Academic Prerequisites at Post-Secondary Institutions.
If you are an external candidate, please ensure that you have completed the courses approved by your provincial CPA body and meet the minimum requirements. You may apply during your last semester of school.
After you have submitted your OUAC application, paid the non-refundable application fee, and Laurier has received your application, you'll receive an email from gradadmissions@wlu.ca advising you to upload the additional required documentation to Laurier’s Online Registration and Information System (LORIS).
An application for admission to our Graduate Diploma in Accounting program must include:
Visit our Graduate Admissions Toolkit for more information about applying.
Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential to graduate studies at Laurier. Applicants whose language of instruction during their previous postsecondary education was not in English must submit evidence of proficiency in English. If applicable, results from accepted testing services must be uploaded to LORIS.
Questions? Email LazaridisGradPrograms@wlu.ca.
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 are reviewed each spring and are subject to change. Wilfrid Laurier University may revise tuition and program details without notice.
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.
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.
Carolyn MacTavish
Academic Director
Brenda Burns
Graduate Program Recruiter
Victoria MacKenzie
Graduate Program Recruiter
View a complete list of all faculty and staff in the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics.
