Professional Accounting Practice (PRA)

Start in January, May, September

Study Option

Full-time & Part-time

Credential

Ontario College Graduate Certificate

School

Seneca Business

About the Professional Accounting Practice (PRA) Program

This graduate certificate program is a fast-track option for four-year degree graduates to pursue a career in accounting. This program is open to students with minimal existing knowledge of accounting. The program will provide you with all required Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) preparatory-level courses. Upon successful completion of the courses, you will be eligible to register for the CPA Professional Program.

You will study financial and management accounting, tax, information systems, audit, finance and economics. You will develop your analytical and interpretation skills to make sound ethical decisions.

You will be introduced to the modern technological environment of business using spreadsheets (Excel), database software (Access) and integrated database application technologies (ERP) through exposure to accounting software packages). You will also gain industry exposure through research, case studies and projects.

The PRA full-time option is accelerated to fast-track students into the CPA program.

Skills

Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:

Record and manage financial transactions
Create financial statements and reports
Use accounting software to produce accurate financial data
Build budgets and apply costing methods to products and services
Use technology to solve business and accounting challenges
Communicate financial insights clearly and professionally

Program Duration

Study at your own pace: In this program you’ll have the flexibility to choose how many courses you want to take each term. Students who study full-time can complete this program in as little as three semesters (twelve months). Duration will depend on the number of courses taken each term. See courses for more information.

Maximum completion time: In accordance with ministry requirements, all students must complete the program within two academic years of being admitted.

Start in	Study Option	Location	Availability
Jan. 2027	Part-time	Newnham	Open
May 2027	Part-time	Newnham	Open
Sept. 2027	Full-time	Newnham	Open
Sept. 2027	Part-time	Newnham	Open

Availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.

Start in	Study Option	Location	Availability
Sept. 2027	Full-time	Newnham	Open

Availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.

International students: Studying part-time is not an available option as this will impact your study permit and PGWP eligibility. Review the requirements before choosing your program and study option.

Program and Course Delivery

This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format with some courses available in Seneca's flexible delivery format. Some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements.

In courses delivered in the flexible format, using interactive learning spaces, professors teach in person to students in a physical classroom or lab and stream to students online at the same time. Students have a choice of coming to campus for an in-person experience or learning online.

Learn more: Seneca’s program delivery options and how courses in this program will be delivered each term.

International students applying for a PGWP: If you are in a flexible delivery course, you must attend in person as the option to attend online does not apply to you based on IRCC policy. Studying online will impact your PGWP eligibility. Please review the in-person requirements related to PGWP eligibility before choosing your program and course delivery.

Your Career

When you graduate from this program, these are the types of career options you can explore:

Financial accounting supervisor
Divisional and corporate accountant
Accounting analyst
Cost accountant

Professional Certification

If you achieve the minimum grade requirement as a graduate, you will have:

completed the equivalent of the 15 qualifying courses required for admission to the CPA Professional Program.
eligibility for ACCA exemptions

The Seneca Polytechnic Difference

This is where university meets college. Where theory meets practice. Where ambition meets flexibility.

Professional Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the global body for professional accountants.

Prior Experience

Earn credit for previous studies, work experience or training through Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition and transfer credits.

Career Support

Seneca Works offers students and graduates lifelong access to an exclusive job board, career coaching, networking and more.

The Service Hub

The Service Hub is your one-stop source of information about everything from registering and paying fees to student services and life on campus.

Professional Accounting Practice (PRA)

Campus

Delivery

Duration