Our CPA Program at BDO

Enabling professional and personal success.

Katelyn began her career journey at BDO as a third-year, Wilfrid Laurier student on her second co-op term.

"I wanted to explore different areas of business that would help me gain valuable experience while fulfilling the requirements for my CPA designation. I joined BDO on my second co-op term and enjoyed my experience in M&A and Due Diligence so much that I returned for my third and final co-op term."

Katelyn MacEachern, Manager, CPA Program

After graduating with her business degree from Laurier, Katelyn completed Laurier’s graduate diploma in accounting program. Katelyn then began working with the Transaction Advisory Services group on a full-time basis.

A standing male professional and a seated female professional discussing, looking at a computer, in an office setting.

Her long-term goal was to get her designation as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA); since BDO offers a pre-approved program, Katelyn could get the 30-month requisite of practical experience in her role with FAS.

Katelyn wrote the Common Final Exam (CFE) in 2018, the then-new CPA designation program was well underway―and she only needed mentorship.

An illustration of four employees discussing at a meeting table with charts and laptops and a magnified lightbulb in the top right corner.

"I turned to my colleagues in the office who had recently gone through the new process to answer any questions I had. There were a lot of changes in the accounting industry, including the merger of the legacy designations, and many changes in the education and practical experience requirements toward getting my CPA. As a result, students, the firm, and the industry as a whole were adapting to these changes."

- KATELYN MACEACHERN, MANAGER, CPA PROGRAM

To better dedicate time to her education and progress, Katlyn took some time off, during which she completed Capstone 2 and an external CFE prep course. "My team was really supportive of the time I took off," she says.

Katelyn successfully passed the CFE in 2018.

"CFE writers have access to the support they need to succeed―the program at BDO is flexible and focused on how each writer learns best."

- KATELYN MACEACHERN, MANAGER, CPA PROGRAM

A standing female professional in a grey suit, holding a tablet.

BDO has a performance and bonus structure that rewards all BDO staff members who pass the CFE.

KATELYN MACEACHERN, MANAGER, CPA PROGRAM

Within our CPA program, those testing to earn their CPA designation have access to more consistent firm-wide support―in-house under BDO's enabling performance structure. CFE writers now have:

Formal mentorship

Formal mentorship by trained CFE coaches who are also BDO colleagues (ideally, a CPA who has successfully completed the CFE and is based in the test writer's home office.

Access to preparatory courses

Access to preparatory courses through BDO University and an external provider, which includes live, interactive, self-paced e-learning, and virtual-classroom programs.

Flexible time off

Flexible time off to study for the CFE.

Bonuses and rewards

Bonuses and rewards after successful completion of the CFE.

Katelyn suggests that opportunities at BDO tend to be much more flexible than might be expected and offers this advice to both co-op students and CFE writers:

"There is a lot of potential for you at BDO―opportunities are not limited to tax and auditing. There are roles focused on forensic accounting, consulting, and other advisory services. Leverage your network in the firm―your people leader, your mentors. Share your goals―professional and personal―and ask how the colleagues you respect and admire got to where they are now."

Katelyn MacEachern, Manager, CPA Program

For further information about the CPA program at BDO

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Our CPA Program at BDO

For further information about the CPA program at BDO