The Certified Professional Bookkeepers of Canada

What is CPB Canada

The Certified Professional Bookkeepers of Canada (CPB Canada) is a member-based professional association. It is the leading, largest, and fastest-growing professional and career development organization for bookkeepers nationwide. Bookkeepers work for a variety of businesses and are responsible for recording financial transactions and producing financial statements and reports. Since 2007, CPB Canada has gained over 2000 members, of which more than half are CPB certified. The association is active in over 20 regions across the country.

CPB’s Vision and Values

CPB Canada maintains the Certified Professional Bookkeeper designation. It is committed to impacting the public’s awareness and perception of the profession. It fosters a sense of belonging among members and creates a supportive and inclusive space. CPB Canada continuously strives for its members to achieve the highest industry standards, show reliability and integrity, and earn respect and trust while adhering to the association’s ethical code of conduct. Lastly, CPB Canada stays adaptable and up-to-date with industry trends and technology while fostering life-long learning.

What Does CPB Canada Offer?

It offers various helpful resources for members. Apart from opportunities to receive their professional CPB certification and continuing professional development, they can take advantage of webinars and business resources. Other options include networking, volunteering, and mentoring opportunities, as well as peer support, regional meetings and an annual conference. The CPB Canada also offers a Savings Program, which helps members save on the cost of their membership and other resources. In addition, they can benefit from exclusive discounts on products and services from CPB Canada’s partners, such as Best Buy Business, Staples Professional, or Telus Business.

How to Become a Member?

Becoming a member is simple. You can join as a student, non-certified, or certified member by completing a form on the CPB website. The exact extent of member benefits varies by type of membership. New members agree to adhere to the CPB Canada’s Code of  Ethics & Professional Conduct.

Why Should I Become Certified?

The CPB designation is widely recognized. It validates your knowledge, skills and experience. Getting certified with CPB Canada offers multiple advantages. These include aligning your learning with your career goals, building professional credibility and visibility, enhancing your professional brand, and attracting relevant business opportunities.

The Certification Pathway to CPB Designation

CPB Canada offers the Certification Pathway to CPB Designation, addressing your specific needs on your professional development journey to bring your skills to excellence. To provide such individualized support, CPB Canada has introduced four tiers, “Candidate,” “Apprentice,” and “Technician,” which are all non-certified, while “CPB” is the fully certified tier. Your tier depends on factors such as your skill set, years of work experience, and your number of reference letters. Members can use a competencies checklist to find out their current tier and then apply to join at that level. For all tiers except entry-level, applicants must pass an entry test with a minimum score of 80%. Depending on your level of knowledge and experience, getting your designation may take anywhere from a few weeks to years.

Once you successfully attain your pathway level with CPB Canada, members of the “Apprentice,” “Technician,” and “CPB” tiers will be assigned their digital badge of achievement, which can be used to showcase their knowledge and expertise. This data is verified electronically and proves that you have the necessary skills to be nationally certified. Every apprentice, technician or certified member must fulfill their annual CPD requirements to prevent their credentials from expiring.

How can Ashton College’s Certificate in Accounting Help?

Ashton College’s Certificate in Accounting Program is accredited by CPB Canada. Graduates gain the opportunity to fast-track toward the Certified Professional Bookkeeper (CPB) designation. As mentioned, students also have access to a preferred student membership rate and benefits. The program equips graduates with the correct skills and paves the way for them to excel in entry-level bookkeeping and diverse accounting roles across industries.

Students will gain proficiency in navigating both manual and computerized accounting environments and receive in-depth practical and hands-on training. Through practical, real-world exercises, they develop the confidence and skill set required for success in the field, whether they are absolute beginners or currently employed in an accounting role. Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills and learn about the accounting cycle for managing a personal/service-type business and a merchandising business. They will also be introduced to widely used accounting software Sage 50 and QuickBooks, apply the basic and advanced accounting equations to all supporting journals, ledgers, and worksheets and utilize double-entry accounting by understanding the impacts of debits and credits for all account types. This flexible, online, instructor-led program is perfect for busy working professionals. Learn more about the Certificate in Accounting program by clicking the link.