Director, Pre-Certification Program

An Opportunity To Make An Impact 

On CPA Ontario’s Pre-Certification Program 

CPA Ontario is currently in search of a Director, Pre-Certification Program who will be responsible for ensuring the seamless delivery of Prep and PEP modules and examinations, including the Common Final Examination (CFE). In this role you will influence national directives through active participation on national committees and working groups, address escalations from students and contactors, work with employers and Post-Secondary Institutions on a variety of issues (including reviewing exam results, improving program outcomes through detailed data analysis, communicating program changes), integrate technology in the delivery of accounting education, utilize technology to oversee process improvements and trend analysis, and foster a collaborate team environment where each staff can fulfil their true potential. You will also be an integral part of the development, execution, and transition to the new certification program in 2027.

Your expertise empowers you to:

Lead the end-to-end delivery of modules and exams: Lead the process which includes, but is not limited to, the booking of venues, the hiring of contractors (facilitators, session leaders, exam contractors), partnering with IT on the technical requirements for venues and exam software, the shipping of materials, supporting student-specific scheduling and communications as well as the reconciliation of exam responses with CPA Canada.

Address and resolve escalations and performance issues: Use your well-developed judgement skills to address and resolve student escalations such as academic misconduct, inappropriate behavior, accommodation, as well as issues regarding the performance of employees and contractors.

Influence national directives: Through your participation on national committees, you will influence the content and delivery of the Prep modules, the PEP program, all exams (including Prep, PEP, CFE, PDPA and CPARE) as well as the Special Accommodation Advisory Board, which reviews all accommodation applications for students across the country and provides a recommendation on the scope and nature of the accommodation to be provided.

You are the ideal candidate if:

Education and Experience:

You hold an undergraduate degree in business or accounting and are an accomplished CPA in good standing with a minimum of 8 years’ post-qualification experience.

Proven skills and abilities: 

Results: You have a proven track record of exceeding goals accomplished with your strong work ethic and ability to consistently make good decisions through a combination of experience, and sound judgment. 

Leadership: You have proven leadership experience in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment and are able to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders and partners.

Resilience: You have a proven ability to drive multiple projects forward with a relentless focus on delivery. You are able to navigate issues and gain support without adversely affecting timelines and outcomes. 

Communications Skills: You are a strong communicator capable of synthesizing complex issues and conveying information to all levels of internal and external stakeholders, senior management teams and partners in a clear and concise manner. You serve effectively as the face of the organization.

Technology skills: You are intellectually curious and have a strong grasp of technology and emerging technology and are able to integrate your knowledge and skills to problem solve and enact organizational improvements. 

Diplomacy, Interpersonal and Relationship Building Skills: You are effective in dealing fairly, frankly, assertively, and professionally with internal and external stakeholders at all levels. You generate consensus and sustain collaborative relationships while maintaining a positive image and profile for the organization.

Integrity: You demonstrate a high level of integrity and are widely respected as open, honest, transparent, ethical, and trustworthy.

Flexibility: You will be required on occasion to work outside of standard business hours, which will include weekends and early mornings/late nights in addition to travel a few times per year.

You are inspired by: 

A fast-paced environment. Collaboration, innovation and passionate professionals are at our core. We relentlessly pursue what’s next to unlock the full potential of you and us together. 

Flexible work environments. As part of our Hybrid work culture, we provide flexible, remote work options to support you in your career, in addition to in-office teamwork and collaboration.

Diversity and inclusion. We recognize the value in our differences and prioritize inclusivity to bring together the best talent to protect the public, advance the profession and enable CPAs to lead business and society forward. 

Ongoing learning and career growth. We want your career to skyrocket. We support career advancement and professional development opportunities with learning investments to promote your future growth. Thrive with us. 

Focus on your well-being. With industry leading benefits and wellness programs, including a healthy lifestyle allowance, mental health resources and more, we’re committed to your well-being.

Why the next step in your career is CPA Ontario:

We protect the public. We advance the profession. We enable CPAs to lead business and society forward. We ensure that our 103,000 members and 18,000 students meet the highest standards of integrity and expertise. We help them stay ahead of global market trends and abreast of regulatory change. CPAs represent a globally recognized, premium designation. Our Chartered Professional Accountants are valued by organizations in all industries for their financial expertise, strategic thinking, management skills and leadership. We believe that success happens when both business and society benefit. For information on the profession visit: cpaontario.ca.

We Appreciate Your Interest in CPA Ontario And This Position:

At CPA Ontario, we are committed to building high-performance teams. Our selection process is thorough, and all candidate applications are reviewed. Should your qualifications and experience meet the requirements of this role, a member of our recruitment team will contact you. We encourage you to set up CPA Ontario job alerts for positions that align to your experience and career goals. 

CPA Ontario is an inclusive employer. Accommodation is available under the Ontario Human Rights Code. If you require a disability-related accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please email accessibility@cpaontario.ca with “Accommodation Required” in the subject line to provide your contact information. A member of the Recruitment team will contact you within 48 hours.