Our CPA firm not only has an obligation to educate and guide our external clients, but we are also responsible for providing this support internally to our professional staff and CPA Students.
The quality of professional support available to a CPA Student enhances their future success.
To provide a framework for achieving this goal, CPA Canada has mandated that all CPA Students must receive this on-the-job guidance while they are gaining the work experience required towards obtaining their designation as a Chartered Professional Accountant.
To facilitate this process, all CPA Students must have a CPA Mentor during their two to three year training period. Although CPA Students monitor their own progress, the CPA Mentor provides direction along the way. They meet with the CPA Student at least every six months, review the student’s self-evaluations, discuss the student’s progress and impart guidance on how the student can continue to develop their professional competencies.
The CPA Mentor also works with other senior staff, managers and partners of their firm to ensure that the students under their mentorship are given the appropriate balance of professional experience necessary to develop all of the skills needed to fulfill the CPA certification requirements.
The role of the CPA Mentor is taken seriously by CPA Canada. In order to qualify, the CPA must be in good standing with their Provincial / Regional CPA body and complete a six part web-based orientation program. CPA Mentors are monitored by CPA Canada to verify that they are fulfilling their counselling and reporting responsibilities.
This system is not meant to be onerous. Rather, it has been implemented to enable CPA Students to receive the best support possible during their progression towards obtaining their designations. In turn, they will be positioned to deliver superior professional service to external clients and positively contribute internally to their firm of employment.
The path to becoming a CPA requires collaboration between students and firms and the CPA Mentor plays a crucial role in this process.
