Bridge to Professional Accounting Program

Download the application form

What is the Bridge to Professional Accounting Program?

The Asper School is pleased to announce that the Bridge to Professional Accounting (BPA) program will operate for a second year commencing in January, 2012. The program prepares internationally trained accountants to enter the programs of professional studies for a Certified General Accountant (CGA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Chartered Accountant (CA) Designation.

This full-time program (12 months) is comprised of intermediate and advanced accounting courses, communication and workplace preparation courses, and guest lectures, all with extensive personalized learning support.

What courses will I be taking during my studies?

Depending on the results of the assessment process (outlined below), participants will take up to 6 courses from the Asper School such as Intermediate Accounting 1, Intermediate Accounting 2, Advanced Accounting, Taxation, Cost Accounting, Auditing, and Accounting Theory. Participants will also take courses that have been developed for the Bridge Program, such as English for Accounting Purposes, Accounting in the Canadian Context, Special Topics, and a Workplace Simulation. During the summer from April to August, participants can take additional courses or can work.

Are participants guaranteed entry to the accounting profession at the end of the BPA program?

Students will be assessed on an individual basis before beginning the program to determine if successful completion of the program will be sufficient to gain entry to the accounting profession of their choice. This assessment will be done jointly by the Bridge to Professional Accounting and the relevant professional accounting body. Finding employment at the end of the program is the responsibility of the student, but the resources of Asper Career Placement Centre will be there to provide substantial assistance in this process.

Are participants guaranteed employment during the summer and at the end of the BPA program?

No. Finding employment for both the summer and at the end of the program is the responsibility of the student, but the resources of Asper Career Placement Centre will be there to provide substantial assistance in this process.

What is the fee for the BPA program?

Tuition is approximately $5,000. Participants may be eligible for Canada Student Loans or other forms of assistance depending on their circumstances.

What qualifications are necessary to enter the BPA program?

Participants should have work experience in accounting in their country of origin, a Bachelor’s degree, proficiency in English and the ability to commit to a full-time program of study.

What do we mean by proficiency in English?

To succeed in the program, participants need to be able to:

• understand the professor
• speak well
• write clearly and quickly and
• read and understand quickly in order to perform well on exams, and to handle the reading required in courses (approximately 150-200 textbook pages per week)

Participants at this level of proficiency usually have Canadian Language Benchmark scores of 7 or more.

What can you tell me about the Asper School of Business?

Since 1937 the I.H. Asper School of Business has seen over 15,000 students pass through its halls in pursuit of higher education in business. The I.H. Asper School of Business was accredited by the Association of Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in 1999 and was reaccredited in 2009. Less than 5% of business schools worldwide earn this international recognition.

How can I apply?

The deadline for applications will be September 30, 2011. You will need to provide original copies of your transcript with your application form. They will be returned to you, but you must make sure to notify us if your address changes between September 30 and December 31, 2011.

If you have any questions, please contact the Bridge to Professional Accounting Program Director by email at Janet_Morrill@umanitoba.ca.

Download the application form