Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, as long as the experience meets the criteria for the CPM certification: 2 years of weighted payroll experience where you are responsible for the payroll function of an organization, including being accountable to management for the accuracy of employees' pay and statutory remittances, or equivalent experience, obtained within the past 5 years. Even if you previously submitted a PCP Work Experience Requirement Application (WERA), you must still submit the CPM Payroll Experience Prerequisite Application (PEPA) to apply for the CPM certification. 

To obtain the CPM certification, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Have a PCP certification in good standing. 
2. Submit your Payroll Experience Prerequisite Application (PEPA).
3. Complete all the required courses.
4. Ensure you have an active membership with the CPA.

Once these requirements are met, the Certification Declaration will be emailed to you. You must read and submit the declaration online within the CPM certification timeline to receive the certification.

The CPM certificate will then be mailed to the preferred address in your file 6-8 weeks after your declaration is processed.

PCP Candidates are students who complete the educational requirements for PCP certification but must still complete the PCP Work Experience Requirement. Employers value PCP Candidates for many entry-level payroll positions. You can use the PCP Candidate information card to assist with your job search and add “PCP Candidate” after your name on business cards, email signatures and résumé.

QPCP certification requires two core courses, one transfer of credit for the third course and one year of weighted related work experience. Please see the requirements in completion order listed below.

Education Requirements

1. Quebec Payroll Compliance 1
2. Quebec Payroll Compliance 2             
3. Introduction to Accounting (transfer of credit; offered at post-secondary institutions)

Other Requirements

4. Submit your QPCP Work Experience Requirement Application (WERA) (a minimum of one year of weighted payroll work experience).
5. Ensure you have an active membership with the CPA.
6. Submit the Certification Declaration.

An official transcript is a copy of a student’s permanent record. It is printed on secure paper and/or has the college seal. It is usually signed by the registrar. Only the official transcript will be accepted; copies and scans of the official transcript are not acceptable.

A career in payroll is very rewarding and becoming certified as a Quebec Payroll Compliance Practitioner (QPCP) will ensure you have the payroll compliance knowledge and skills you need to succeed in the administration of Quebec payrolls. The QPCP is delivered in French and focused solely on Quebec and federal payroll legislation and regulations.