Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto

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The Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting (GDipPA) at Rotman is the best way to attain your CPA designation if you’re close to completing your undergraduate degree. It’s a 12-week summer program that prepares you for the Common Final Examination (CFE) and fast-tracks you through four modules of the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP), allowing you to advance directly to the Capstone 1 module.

Importantly, students in the program complete a significant amount of their CPA preparation prior to working full-time, taking away the stress that comes with working and studying at the same time. 

For this post, we spoke with graduates of the GDipPA to get a sense of their experience of the program and where they’re at now in their careers:

“Crucial for my success in writing the CFE”

Tatsuya Aoki (GDipPA ‘17) – who currently works for Ernst Young LLP – considers that the in-class focus of the program was an essential part of the learning experience. 

“I preferred studying in a classroom setting as opposed to online courses because it allowed me to learn from and ask questions to world-class professors who have significant work experience in public practice and industry.”

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Tatsuya Aoki (GDipPA ‘17)

Tatsuya chose Rotman by virtue of its reputation as one of the best business schools in the world, as well as the professionalism and quality of its faculty. 

Rotman is considered to be one of the best business schools in the world and has professors who are respected in their fields. Therefore, I knew Rotman offered a high-quality and competitive program, which gave me the tools to succeed in the CFE.

Since graduating from the GDipPA, Tatsuya managed to obtain a score in the top one per cent of CFE test-takers, landing him a place in the prestigious CFE Honour Roll. In addition to being the result of hard-work and discipline, the score reflects the preparation Tatsuya received from the GDipPA.

“The highlight of my Rotman experience was receiving useful tips and advice from professors in class and from experienced teaching assistants during one-on-one case debriefing sessions. My notes from Rotman’s GDipPA program were crucial for my success in writing the CFE.”

“One of the best decisions I’ve ever made”

Tiffane Mak (GDipPA ‘16)

Tiffane Mak (GDipPA ‘16) describes the program as “one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.” 

Rotman’s GDipPA program gave me an opportunity to study in a world-class learning environment from experienced, inspiring professors and with high-achieving, motivated peers. 

Tiffane considers the program was a challenging and enriching experience that allowed her to fast-track the CPA PEP and prepared her to write the CFE. She currently works at Ernest & Young in Toronto. 

Edwin Ng (GDipPA ‘16) credits the program for helping “tie together all of the details” he learned in his B.B.A. at University of Toronto Scarborough. Following his graduation from the GDipPA, Edwin works in audit at KPMG and specializes in the Technology, Media & Telecommunications industry in Toronto. 

“Overall, it was a learning experience that I would highly recommend.” 


The Rotman Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting (GDipPA) is a CPA Accredited 12-week summer program that helps prepare you for the Common Final Examination (CFE) and satisfies the four modules of the CPA PEP. Still have questions about the GDipPA? We’ve got a FAQ page to help you out.

© Rotman School of ManagementThe Rotman School of Management is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AASCB)