CPA Western School of Business

What CPA Western School of Business does

CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB) is a nonprofit professional education organization that delivers the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) and CPA Preparatory Courses across Western and Northern Canada. Operating under contract with four provincial CPA bodies (CPA British Columbia, CPA Alberta, CPA Saskatchewan, and CPA Manitoba), CPAWSB serves more than 15,000 learners pursuing CPA certification through a structured six-module curriculum (Core 1, Core 2, two electives from Assurance, Performance Management, Taxation, or Finance, Capstone 1, and Capstone 2) culminating in the three-day national Common Final Examination (CFE). The program is delivered via a hybrid model combining online distance learning through the Desire2Learn (D2L) platform with mandatory two-day weekend workshops held at physical locations across Western Canada.

The technology stack is centered on the D2L learning management system for course delivery and weekly facilitator assignments, supplemented by My CPA Portal for admission applications, registration, transcript assessment, and administrative functions, and the National Candidate Portal for module results and exam transcripts. Module content is aligned with the nationally-developed CPA Competency Map, which defines the technical (financial reporting, audit, tax, finance, management accounting) and enabling competencies (professionalism, ethics, leadership, communication) required of CPA candidates. CPAWSB operates three regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton, and supports multiple admission pathways including Canadian degrees, international degrees, MOU agreements with international accounting bodies (CIMA, ICAI, ICAN, ICAP, ICMAP), MRA/RMA pathways, and IFAC member routes.

The revenue model is dual-track: collecting learner tuition, module fees, registration fees, annual candidate dues, and examination fees from 15,000+ learners, while operating under contract as the regional education delivery arm for the four provincial CPA bodies. Fee schedules are published annually (e.g., 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years), with annual dues of $1,140-$1,180, module fees ranging from $1,375-$1,630, and the CFE fee at $1,970-$2,070. CPAWSB has developed an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) ecosystem including partnerships with Beyond Diversity Inc. for contractor training modules, Prairie Research Associates for learner surveys, and Indigenous cultural partners (AFOA Alberta, Talaysay Tours, Warrior Women) for community engagement and reconciliation-focused programming.

Name

CPA Western School of Business

Legal name

Chartered Professional Accountants Western School of Business

Website

https://cpawsb.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

CPA Western School of Business (CPAWSB) is a nonprofit professional education organization delivering the CPA Professional Education Program and preparatory courses for 15,000+ learners across Western and Northern Canada under contract with four provincial CPA bodies (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Edmonton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Learner Tuition and Fees: CPAWSB collects module fees, registration fees, annual candidate dues, examination fees, and various administrative fees from learners pursuing CPA certification. Fees are subject to GST and collected on behalf of CPA British Columbia, CPA Alberta, CPA Saskatchewan, and CPA Manitoba.
2. Provincial Body Contracting: CPAWSB is engaged as the contractor for education delivery on behalf of provincial CPA bodies (CPA British Columbia, CPA Alberta, CPA Saskatchewan, and CPA Manitoba).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CPA Western School of Business delivers the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) and CPA Preparatory Courses for individuals pursuing Chartered Professional Accountant certification in Western and Northern Canada. The program comprises six modules (Core 1, Core 2, two electives from Assurance/Performance Management/Taxation/Finance, Capstone 1, and Capstone 2) culminating in the three-day Common Final Examination, delivered through Desire2Learn online distance learning combined with mandatory weekend workshops.

Product overview

CPA Western School of Business offers a single unified brand of professional accounting education through the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) and CPA Preparatory Courses. CPA PEP is structured as a six-module program: two core modules (Core 1 and Core 2) that develop foundational competencies in management and financial accounting, two elective modules chosen from Assurance, Performance Management, Taxation, and Finance (with Assurance and Taxation required for public accounting licensure), Capstone 1 for competency integration, and Capstone 2 for examination preparation, culminating in the three-day Common Final Examination (CFE). The program is delivered through online distance learning via Desire2Learn (D2L) combined with mandatory weekend workshops, supporting over 15,000 learners across Western and Northern Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AFOA AlbertacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPAWSB partnered with AFOA Alberta (Association of Federal Officers of Canada) for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation learning event focused on Jordan's Principle, addressing equitable healthcare and social services for First Nations children. Distinguished speakers including Dr. Charles Vincent Old Woman, Indigenous CPAs, and community advocates shared insights on Indigenous community challenges.
• Beyond Diversity Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizational consulting firm engaged in June 2024 to assess contractors' EDI needs through interviews. Led to development of tailored EDI learning modules covering bias, cultural competence, dimensions of diversity, emotional intelligence, generational variants, neurodiversity, and psychological safety. Modules delivered as flexible, self-paced micro-learning content launched in early 2025.
• Prairie Research Associates (PRA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent research firm collaborated with CPAWSB to conduct EDI survey among learners in 2023. Survey designed to gain insight into learner diversity and experiences related to equity and inclusion. Data collection June 14 to July 9, 2023 with 20.70% response rate representing 3,127 learners. Only aggregate data shared with CPAWSB.
• Talaysay ToursminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous cultural tourism provider delivering 'Spoken Treasures' nature walking tour in Vancouver exploring shíshálh (Sechelt) Coast Salish and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Peoples heritage. Also provided virtual Talking Totems tour about Salish Peoples stories, art, and legends.
• CPA British ColumbiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial CPA body for which CPAWSB serves as contractor for education delivery in British Columbia.
• CPA AlbertacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial CPA body for which CPAWSB serves as contractor for education delivery in Alberta.
• CPA SaskatchewancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial CPA body for which CPAWSB serves as contractor for education delivery in Saskatchewan.
• CPA ManitobacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial CPA body for which CPAWSB serves as contractor for education delivery in Manitoba.
• CPA CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational CPA body developing the CPA Competency Map and nationally-developed CPA PEP curriculum that CPAWSB delivers regionally.
• Warrior WomenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner100% Indigenous- and women-owned business led by Matricia Bauer (Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation) offering cultural education, tourism experiences, workshops. Conducted Spirit Animal Workshop for CPAWSB staff celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Universal CPA Review: Affordable CPA review course provider targeting budget-conscious candidates preparing for the US CPA exam. Directly comparable as a CPA exam prep provider competing for the same accounting certification market segment.
• Surgent CPA Review: AI-driven CPA review course provider focused on adaptive learning and personalized study paths for accounting candidates. Directly comparable as a CPA exam prep competitor targeting the same candidate pool.
• Becker Professional Education: Leading global provider of CPA, CMA, and CFA exam preparation courses with self-paced and live formats. Directly comparable as a CPA certification review competitor serving candidates preparing for the same professional examinations.
• Roger CPA Review (UWorld): Premium CPA review course provider now part of UWorld offering adaptive learning and on-demand video lessons for CPA candidates. Directly comparable as a CPA exam prep competitor using similar self-paced plus live instruction format.
• Wiley CPAexcel: Wiley's CPA review program offering adaptive learning, study materials, and exam prep for the US Uniform CPA Examination. Directly comparable as a CPA certification prep provider, though focused on the US exam market.
• CPA Ontario School of Business: Ontario's designated regional CPA school delivering CPA PEP and preparatory courses under contract with CPA Ontario. Directly comparable as a sister regional school in the Canadian CPA education ecosystem with identical mandate structure.
• Ordre des CPA du Québec: Quebec's chartered accountants professional order overseeing CPA certification in the province. Comparable as the third regional CPA education structure in Canada delivering the same nationally-aligned competency curriculum.
• CPA Atlantic School of Business: Atlantic Canada's designated regional CPA school delivering CPA PEP to candidates in the four Atlantic provinces. Directly comparable as a peer regional school with the same contracted delivery model and curriculum alignment.

Emerging players

• Coursera: Global online learning platform partnering with universities to deliver professional certificates and continuing education including accounting and finance programs. Comparable as an emerging alternative delivery channel for professional accounting education and certification-aligned content.

Broad incumbents

• AICPA (American Institute of CPAs): The US national professional body for CPAs that develops the US CPA exam curriculum and licensing standards. Comparable as the broader US counterpart of CPA Canada with overlapping professional certification and continuing education functions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cpawsb
• Facebookfacebook.com/cpawsb

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CPA Western School of Business