Announcement
Dr. Cheryl Meheden, chair of Lethbridge College's School of Business.

Lethbridge College’s accounting courses are ahead of the curve when it comes to meeting the requirements of the Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA). The acknowledgement came as the CPA, Canada’s only accounting designation, once again recognized Lethbridge College for the upcoming academic year.

“This recognition affirms the content of our curriculum is aligned with the Chartered Professional Accountants, which ensures we're industry relevant,” says Dr. Cheryl Meheden, chair of the School of Business. “As we make adjustments to our curriculum, it’s important we have an external body that is going to employ our graduates helping us make those decisions.”

In addition to receiving recognition from the CPA, the college received commendation for being “ahead of the curve” in addressing changes to the CPA Competency Map, which aren’t required to be implemented until 2022, but are already in effect at Lethbridge College.

“To receive that praise from the CPA shows the dedication and expertise of the faculty in the School of Business,” says Dr. Kevin Smith, Dean of the Centre for Applied Arts and Sciences. “Their commitment ensures our students are receiving a high-quality education that allows them to pursue meaningful, in-demand careers. It’s very nice to hear what we're teaching is enabling our grads to build competencies that will allow them to excel in their field.”

Lethbridge College School of Business students are able to pursue to a two-year Business Administration diploma, which includes a common first year, before students choose one of four majors. Accounting is one of the available majors, although all School of Business students take CPA-recognized classes.

The Business Administration program can act as a stepping-stone for graduates towards further educational and career opportunities. Lethbridge College has transfer agreements in place with nearly a dozen institutions around the globe, including many 2 + 2 programs, where students only need to put in an additional two years at university to earn their bachelor’s degree. Many students have used the Business Administration – Accounting major to launch their accounting careers, eventually pursuing CPA accreditation.

“Several of our accounting graduates have pursued a designation in accounting and have gone on to do very well on the national exams and landed in some great positions,” says Dr. Meheden. “Ebony Verbonac, for example, was one of our grads, and she's now a partner at KPMG and has come back to the college to sit on our advisory council. So she’s an example of our students who have gone on to great things.”

Applications for Business Administration for the Fall 2020 intake are open now. Those interested in learning more about the program or Lethbridge College can chat live with a representative or read more information at lethbridgecollege.ca.