Providing business students with unique opportunity

Mon. Nov. 28, 2016

Partnership with industry creates a seamless pathway for students

WINNIPEG, MB – Post-secondary students interested in pursuing a career as a professional accountant now have a new option, made possible through a partnership signed today by The University of Winnipeg (UWinnipeg), Red River College and the Chartered Professional Accountants of Manitoba (CPA Manitoba).

The newly-designed option, in effect September 2017, is the only pathway of its kind in Canada. It allows a student to obtain a two-year diploma in business administration with a major in accounting at Red River College, then ladder into UWinnipeg’s Faculty of Business & Economics to obtain a three-year Bachelor degree in Business Administration, and finally to complete five CPA preparatory courses to meet the entrance requirements for the CPA Professional Education Program.

“We are proud to partner with Red River College and CPA Manitoba to provide a seamless pathway for students to fulfill their academic goals.” said Dr. Annette Trimbee, President and Vice-Chancellor, UWinnipeg. “This partnership demonstrates what is possible and I look forward to developing similar initiatives that provide more choices for students.”

“We want to continue to be on the leading edge of meeting the needs of industry,” said Paul Vogt, President and CEO, Red River College.  “Today’s partnership with UWinnipeg shows that we are working together as a network of post-secondary institutions to create greater mobility for students. Our partnership with CPA further demonstrates our close connections to industry and our ongoing efforts to ensure that our programming is relevant, timely, and accessible.  The end result will benefit the profession and open more doors to rewarding careers for our students.”

“CPA Manitoba is excited by the opportunity to partner with two of Manitoba’s most highly respected post-secondary institutions.  Together we will provide aspiring professionals innovative pathways to the unlimited opportunities in business, accounting and finance as a CPA. This new partnership offers individuals the flexibility of efficiently achieving the academic requirements for entry into CPA’s Professional Education Program, while studying part-time and gaining practical experience full-time,” said Todd Scaletta, President and CEO, CPA Manitoba.

The Red River College, UWinnipeg and CPA Manitoba partnership is committed to making the programs as accessible as possible. This includes development of additional online degree courses, which will provide greater accessibility and flexibility.  This will support the needs of adult learners who may be in the workforce and intend to pursue the CPA designation.