CPA Ontario CPD Hours: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction 

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is crucial for Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs) in Ontario to maintain their professional competence and adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of the accounting profession. CPA Ontario mandates specific CPD requirements that all members must fulfill to retain their designation and licensure. This comprehensive guide will outline the CPA Ontario CPD hours requirements, the different types of learning activities, and the resources available to help CPAs meet their obligations.

What are CPA Ontario CPD Hours?

CPD hours represent the time CPAs dedicate to increase their professional knowledge and skills through various learning activities. These activities can include formal learning, such as courses and conferences, self-directed learning and on-the-job training. However, it's important to distinguish between verifiable and non-verifiable CPD activities, as both contribute to fulfilling the overall requirements.

Course Recommendations

To help CPAs meet their annual and triennial CPD requirements, here are some recommended packages from CPDFormula:

1. 60-Hour 3-Year Package: This comprehensive package fulfills the triennial CPD requirement, offering 60.5 verifiable hours, including the mandatory 4 hours of ethics training.

2. CPD Compliance Package: A straightforward package designed to meet the annual and ethics CPD requirements with a focus on essential topics like Canadian tax law, ethics, and fraud detection.

3. 2025 Technical Tax Update Package: Perfect for CPAs needing the latest insights on taxation, this package provides 20 verifiable CPD hours with critical updates on tax strategies and regulations.

These packages help CPAs stay current and easily meet their CPD requirements, including the mandatory 4 hours of structured training in professional ethics.

CPA Ontario CPD Requirements

Members of CPA Ontario are required to follow these CPD guidelines:

• Annual Requirement: CPAs must complete a minimum of 20 CPD hours each year, of which at least 10 must be verifiable.

• Triennial Requirement: 120 CPD hours, including 60 verifiable hours and 4 verifiable hours in professional ethics, must be completed in each rolling three-year period.

• Verifiable Hours: At least 50% of the required CPD hours must be verifiable, meaning they require proof of completion. 

• Ethics Requirement: Each rolling three-year period must include four verifiable hours of professional ethics.

CPD Reporting Cycle:

• Reporting Year: January 1 to December 31 

• Declaration Period: April 1 to June 1 

• License Renewal Period: April 1 to June 1 every year 

To maintain an active CPA license, members must complete their CPD requirements and submit a declaration within the designated timeframe. Declarations submitted after the deadline will be charged with a $25 late fee, and those not submitted by June 30 may result in membership suspension.

Key Characteristics of CPD Activities:

All CPD activities must meet the following criteria:

• Relevance: The activity must directly relate to your professional duties and the skills required for your role as a CPA.

• Quantifiable: The activity must be measurable in terms of a specific time requirement.

• Significant Content: The activity must contain a significant amount of intellectual or practical content that advances professional expertise.

• Public Accounting Licence: For those applying for or renewing a Public Accounting Licence, CPD activities must be directly related to the competencies needed to engage in public accounting.

Subject Area Flexibility:

CPA Ontario does not enforce specific subject area requirements for CPD. CPAs have the flexibility to select topics that align with their professional responsibilities, career objectives, and areas of interest. This flexibility allows for customized learning plans that support individual professional growth.

CPD Requirements for New Members:

CPA Ontario students who become members during the CPD reporting year must follow specific requirements:

• Admitted on or before September 30: Required to complete the full CPD requirements for the year of admission.

• Admitted after September 30: Exempt from CPD requirements for the year of admission.

These guidelines ensure that new members stay aligned with the organization's CPD standards while accommodating the timing of their admission.

Alignment with International Standards

CPA Ontario's CPD requirements are structured by the standards established by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and are consistently aligned with the requirements of other provincial CPA bodies. This alignment promotes a uniform and credible CPD framework across various jurisdictions.

Flexibility in Meeting Requirements:

While 120 CPD hours are required over a rolling three-year period, only 20 hours are required per year. This provides flexibility for members to design a CPD plan that fits their individual circumstances and allows for variations in learning intensity throughout the three-year cycle1. For instance, a member might choose to complete 40 hours in one year and 20 hours in the other two years of the cycle.

Verifiable vs. Non-Verifiable CPD Hours

CPD hours are divided into two categories by CPA Ontario: verifiable and non-verifiable. Understanding this distinction is crucial for accurate reporting and compliance.

Verifiable CPD Hours

Verifiable CPD hours are learning activities that need supporting documents to prove you completed them. These documents could be certificates, receipts, or attendance records. Examples of verifiable CPD activities include:

• Courses and Webinars: Attending courses, webinars, conferences, or seminars from recognized providers.

• Teaching or Presenting: Teaching a course or giving a presentation at a seminar or conference related to your professional work.

• Technical Committees: Serving on a technical committee for a recognized professional organization.

• Research and Publications: Doing research that leads to presentations, reports, or published articles.

What Doesn't Count?

Activities like networking or courses unrelated to your practice  don't count as verifiable CPD. While networking can help your career, it only qualifies if it includes structured learning, like a presentation with clear learning goals.

Acceptable Documentation for Verifiable Hours:

Non-Verifiable CPD Hours

Non-verifiable CPD hours are learning activities that don’t need official documentation but must still be relevant to your professional development as a CPA. Examples of non-verifiable CPD activities include:

• On-the-Job Training: Learning new software, tools, or skills that help you perform better in your role.

• Self-Study: Reading industry publications, journals, or books related to your profession.

• Informal Learning: Taking part in online discussions or attending workshops that don’t provide certificates.

What Doesn’t Count?

Activities like casual networking or courses unrelated to accounting don’t qualify as non-verifiable CPD.

Record-Keeping for CPD Hours

Maintaining accurate records is essential, particularly if your CPD activities are being audited. Be sure to keep track of:

• Dates & Duration: Record when and how long the activity took place.

• Activity Description: Include learning objectives and how they relate to your CPA role.

• Supporting Documents: Keep certificates, transcripts, and attendance records for verifiable CPD.

Best Practices:

• Update your CPD log regularly to avoid missing details.

• Keep records for at least 5 years, as required.

• Use CPA Ontario’s CPD tracking tools if available.

Simplify Tracking with CPDFormula

CPDFormula offers an easy-to-use CPD tracker accessible via its app or desktop dashboard. You can log activities in real time, track verifiable and non-verifiable hours, and generate reports for annual declarations. Plus, certificates of completion are provided for all courses, simplifying the reporting process.

Failing to maintain proper records can lead to penalties or even the suspension of your CPA license, so staying organized is essential.

Activities Not Considered CPD

Understanding which activities do not count toward CPD hours is essential for maintaining compliance with professional standards. The following activities are generally excluded from both verifiable and non-verifiable CPD:

1. Non-CPA-Related Learning:
   Courses or activities that do not enhance your competencies as a CPA, such as general personal development or hobbies unrelated to the accounting profession.

2. Language Courses (Non-Specialized):
   While language skills can be beneficial, they only count as CPD if they focus on professional terminology relevant to your work, such as technical accounting language in another language.

3. Networking Without Learning:
   Social gatherings, lunches, or dinners are excluded unless they incorporate a structured learning element, like a presentation or expert-led discussion.

4. General Volunteering:
   While volunteering provides valuable community support, it only qualifies as CPD if the activity involves professional skills, such as serving on a technical committee or delivering an industry-related presentation.

Staying informed about these exclusions ensures your CPD efforts contribute meaningfully to your professional growth.

Meeting Your Ethics Requirement

CPA Ontario requires all members to complete four verifiable hours of professional ethics within each rolling three-year period. There are several ways to accrue these hours, such as:

• Ethics-Focused Courses: Participating in specialized ethics courses or modules provided by recognized CPD providers.

• Conferences with Ethics Sessions: Attending conferences, seminars, or workshops that feature discussions on professional ethics.

• Online Learning Resources: Engaging with online courses, webinars, and materials dedicated to ethical conduct and integrity in the CPA profession.

It's important to ensure that ethics-related learning activities go beyond simply being aware of rules and regulations. They should study ethical dilemmas, decision-making frameworks, and the application of ethical principles in professional day-to-day practice.

CPA Ontario CPD Exemptions

In certain cases, CPA Ontario may grant exemptions or reductions in CPD hour requirements. These conditions include:

• Unemployment: Members who are unemployed for a significant portion of the year.

• Maternity/Parenting/Family Care Leave: Members taking leave to care for a child or family member.

• Medical Leave: Members experiencing extended medical leave due to illness or disability.

Members seeking an exemption must provide supporting documentation and follow the application process outlined by CPA Ontario.

Resources for CPA Ontario CPD

Several resources are available to assist CPAs in Ontario with their CPD requirements:

• CPA Ontario Website: The CPA Ontario website provides detailed information on CPD requirements, including a comprehensive guide, FAQs, and a CPD tracker tool.

• CPD Providers: Numerous CPD providers offer a wide range of courses, webinars, and conferences tailored to the needs of CPAs.

• Online Learning Platforms: Platforms like CPDFormula provide convenient and accessible online learning options for verifiable and non-verifiable CPD hours.

• Industry Publications: Staying current with industry publications and journals can contribute to non-verifiable CPD hours.

Conclusion

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is essential for CPAs in Ontario to grow and stay competent in their field. By completing their CPD requirements, CPAs show their commitment to keeping their skills up to date, following ethical standards and delivering high-quality service to clients. Planning CPD activities helps ensure compliance and supports professional growth.  

Online platforms like CPDFormula offer flexible and easy-to-access courses to help CPAs meet their CPD goals and stay competitive in the accounting industry. Missing CPD requirements can lead to serious consequences, such as losing a license or facing disciplinary action. That’s why it’s important for CPAs to make CPD a priority and use the resources available to maintain their professional standing and uphold the trust in the accounting profession.

Works cited

1. Continuing Professional Development - CPA Ontario, accessed February 13, 2025, https://www.cpaontario.ca/members/regulations-guidance/continuing-professional-development

2. CPD Requirements for CPA Ontario | MYCPE ONE, accessed February 13, 2025, https://my-cpe.com/continuing-education/cpa-ca/cpd-requirements/cpa-ontario

3. Canadian CPA's CPD Requirements for License Renewal in 2025 - MYCPE ONE, accessed February 13, 2025, https://my-cpe.com/blogs/cpa-canada-cpd-requirements

4. CPA Ontario: Professional Development Training for CPAs, accessed February 13, 2025, https://pd.cpaontario.ca/

5. Full Guide to CPD Hours for Canadian CPAs - Gevorg, CPA, accessed February 13, 2025, https://gevorgcpa.com/understanding-cpd-hours-canadian-cpa/