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CPA Pre‐Approved Program

Our pre-approved Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) training program delivers a unique combination of specialized training and wide exposure for the program Associates. During this 30 month rotational program you will complete your CPA experience requirement and CFE examination, while being mentored by senior leaders and gaining exposure to real problems and innovative solutions.

Exploring Your Journey

Internal Audit – 15 months

By the end of this rotation, you will be able to lead audits and initiatives from start to finish with minimal supervision, and develop and apply professional judgement and expertise at level equivalent to CPAs.

You will be required to complete all prerequisite CPA examinations in the first year of the program.

Finance – 15 months

Obtain first-hand experience through various Finance rotation options, including Head Office, Personal & Commercial Banking and Capital Markets.

You will be mentored based on your short/mid-term career goals with us upon program completion.

What’s in it for you?

Supporting Your Goals

We’ll help you obtain the necessary work experience to fulfill the regulated CPA practical experience requirements through rotations pre-approved by CPA Ontario, and give you access to internal and external training resources as you prepare for the Common Final Examination (CFE). Compensation is provided to complete the modules and examination fees. The result of this approach is a 100% success rate from our previous Associates.

Unlocking Your Potential

You will complete rotations within Internal Audit and Finance roles during this 30 month Program, obtaining in-depth experience in assurance forecasting, financial reporting and performance management. You will be closely mentored by a Program Manager, a Mentor and Sponsors, who are part of our successful CPA network with years of audit and business experience, to ensure your experience and development plan are aligned. By joining diverse teams, you’ll gain a unique perspective of the entire organization and build strong connections.

Setting You Up For Success

We provide a subsidy to complete a graduate diploma in accountancy before you start the Program.
On top of that, we offer a very competitive compensation and benefits package. Our commitment to our Associates is reflected in a retention rate upon completion of the Program close to 100% and our alumni are thriving in many senior leadership positions at RBC.

International Experience

After completing the 30-month Program, you will have the opportunity to apply for an additional rotation in one of Internal Audit’s many international offices (e.g. New Jersey, Los Angeles, or London, etc.) This experience will give you the opportunity to gain knowledge of a new market and continue to build your network globally across RBC, all while immersing yourself in a new culture.

Applications closed.

Dates & Eligibility

Important Dates

Recruitment for this program occurs during August each year for roles that begin in Autumn of the following year.

Applications Open: July 24, 2023
Applications Close: August 13, 2023
Live Video Interviews: August 30-31
RBC CPA Super Day (in-person): September 8, 2023

Eligibility criteria

Students entering their final year of studies (Bachelor’s, post-grad or Master’s) with an interest and passion in obtaining their CPA designation
Completion of academic pre-requisites or admission to the CPA Professional Education Program (CPA PEP) prior to starting the Program
Top quartile standing from a post-secondary institution
Diverse range of leadership activities, such as student club involvement and financial case competitions
Excellent presentation, written and verbal communication skills
Proven relationship-building experience, conflict resolution and teamwork skills

Hear From Our Associates

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I chose RBC's CPA Pre-Approved Program because of the availability of opportunities after the program. I chose RBC specifically due to the positive experience I had over the four terms I spent as an intern at the bank. There are plenty of opportunities for community involvement and social impact at RBC, which aligns with my personal interests. I believe that the CPA Pre-Approved Program will provide me with many transferable skills, experiences and relationships that will accelerate my career growth in the financial industry.

Shannon Worona
CPA Associate 2019

I am proud to say that I am a member of the CPA Pre-Approved Program at RBC. My favourite aspect of the program is the comprehensive support that we receive. I am enthusiastic to come into work as I feel welcomed and encouraged to do my best. The smaller cohort size allows for more one-to-one mentorship, and the program leaders provide guidance and help you create a development plan that suits your needs. It is an incredible feeling to know that you are being supported every step of the way in attaining your CPA designation and creating the foundation for your career.

Vick Rasie
CPA Associate 2018

As part of the program, I had the opportunity to work in the Luxembourg office on a 9-month international rotation, which was an incredible personal and career experience. Not only did I have the privilege to work with colleagues from different cultures and business backgrounds, I was also exposed to various business segments, the local operations, and the European regulatory environments. Better yet, being able to travel and make new friends, as well as working with the strong and supportive team we have in Luxembourg, has made this exchange a truly enjoyable experience.

Amy Qian
CPA Associate 2016

slide 4 of 4 As part of the program, I had the opportunity to work in the Luxembourg office on a 9-month international rotation, which was an incredible personal and career experience. Not only did I have the privilege to work with colleagues from different cultures and business backgrounds, I was also exposed to various business segments, the local operations, and the European regulatory environments. Better yet, being able to travel and make new friends, as well as working with the strong and supportive team we have in Luxembourg, has made this exchange a truly enjoyable experience. Amy Qian CPA Associate 2016

Meet the CPA Team

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Prior to joining RBC in 2021, Tasnim Jessa-Pardhan held progressively senior roles at TD within Internal Audit and Finance where she helped deliver coordinated assurance, build global methodology, strategize and execute on transformation initiatives and manage Internal Control over Financial Reporting (ICFR) programs. Tasnim has also worked at CHC Helicopter, Control Solutions International and Ernst & Young LLP.

Tasnim is a CPA, CA and holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Schulich School of Business.

Tasnim Jessa-Pardhan
CPA Pre-Approved Program Leader and Executive Sponsor

Andrea joined RBC in 2021 as a Senior Technical Recruiter in Technology and Operations and became the Senior Manager of Talent Development programs in Internal Audit in 2022. She is responsible for managing the Internal Audit streams of the Leadership Development Program, as well as the CPA Pre-Approved Program. Prior to joining RBC, Andrea managed the CPA Campus Talent Attraction team at one of the big 4 accounting firms.

Andrea holds an Honors Specialization Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Italian Studies and a Bachelor of Education from Western University, as well as her Human Resources Management certificate from George Brown College.

Andrea Fanelli
Senior Manager, Talent Development Programs

Christopher Chan is an alum of the RBC CPA Pre-Approved Program and is now a Program Advisor. After joining RBC in 2015, Chris started his professional career on rotational assignments within Internal Audit and Finance, with a specialization in retail banking, capital markets and treasury services. He is currently an Associate Director within the Capital Markets Performance Management team, overseeing strategic analysis and analytics for key stakeholders and management.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from York University and is a CPA, CA. He was the first individual from the RBC CPA Pre-Approved Program to be awarded on the National CFE Honour Roll.

Christopher Chan
CPA Program Advisor

Vikas is a Senior Recruiter in the Early Talent team and recruits for the Leadership Development Program (LDP), Wealth management Generalist Program (WMGP) and the pre-approved CPA program at RBC. Post completing his MBA in Human resources, he has worked for over a decade before taking up his role at RBC. In addition, he holds the CHRL designation from HRPA Ontario.

In his personal time, Vikas likes to play with his 2 children & travel.

Vikas Mehra
Senior Recruiter – Early Talent (Graduate Students)

slide 5 of 5 Don joined RBC in 2019 as a Career Edge Intern supporting the Inclusive Recruitment and Early Talent Acquisitions team. He successfully secured a full-time offer shortly after and has been a permanent part of the Early Talent team since. As part of the CPA Program team, he leads the coordination of recruitment operations and student engagement events. Prior to joining RBC and entering into the world of HR, Don was a caseworker for a pro-bono Law & Business clinic and also spent a year working in Mortgage Operations. Don holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Ryerson University, with a major in Law & Business and a minor in Human Resources Management. Don Lam CPA Program Recruiter

FrançaisCPA Pre‐Approved Program

Exploring Your Journey

Internal Audit – 15 months

Finance – 15 months

What’s in it for you?

Supporting Your Goals

Unlocking Your Potential

Setting You Up For Success

International Experience

Dates & Eligibility ​​​​​​​

Important Dates

Eligibility criteria

Hear From Our Associates ​​​​​​

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Meet the CPA Team

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Français

CPA Pre‐Approved Program

Dates & Eligibility

Hear From Our Associates