Q. What is the business structure of the IPBC?

A. IPBC is a federally registered non profit association, meeting all Government legal requirements to provide services to our national membership.

Q. Why is it so important for bookkeepers to earn their CPB-Certified Professional Bookkeeper^TM designation?

A. The millions of business owners across Canada will come to depend on the services of CPB-Certified Professional Bookkeeper^TM and will require that their bookkeeper has this certification. If you want to increase your credibility, this certification will have the most influence on your clients or employers purchasing decision.

Q. How will the public know to ask for bookkeepers with a CPB-Certified Professional Bookkeeper^TM designation?

A. IPBC has ongoing marketing campaigns across Canada, to bring more awareness to the CPB certification and the bookkeeping profession.

Q. What other benefits will I be eligible for as a member of the IPBC?

A. Recognition- the right to display the IPBC logo on your website and marketing materials.

Certification- eligibility to qualify to achieve the  CPB-Certified Professional Bookkeeper^TM by completing the IPBC exam.

Support- access to IPBC newsletters, archived webinars, numerous Partner discounts and special offers as well as the IPBC Career Center on our website.

IPBC Rewards Program - By referring new members, earn one free month of membership for each person that joins the IPBC that you have referred.

Member Forum - Access to valuable discussions and experience from your bookkeeping peers across Canada.

Savings - Extensive discounts on services, supplies, tools and education to support and build your business, see all of them on the List of Benefits page.

Free CPB Publicity - As your request the IPBC sends a press release to the local media when you become a CPB-Certified Professional Bookkeeper^TM, see Members in the News.

Q. How will the Members Forum help me to succeed?

A. Our forum offers members access to the vast experience of bookkeepers and accountants across Canada. Posting a topic or question to our forum will result in a multitude of responses from your peers. The Members Forum also provides you with the opportunity to share your knowledge and experience with others. Regular visits to the forum will raise your profile and encourage others to share their knowledge. Get to know your peers from coast to coast, then meet them at the annual conference.

Q. Is IPBC membership tax deductible?

A. Yes.

Q. What am I required to do in order to keep my CPB designation?

A. CPB-Certified Professional Bookkeepers^TM are required to maintain their high standards through continuing professional education. They must acquire 15 Professional Development Units (PDU) every year from the anniversary of the last certification exam passed. See Maintaining CPB Certification.

Q. What qualifications do I have to have to become certified?

A. You will need 2 years bookkeeping experience in order to apply for certification.

Q. Is there a course I need to take before writing the exam?

A. No. Our members write the certification exam based on their own bookkeeping experience. We do not offer a pre-exam course or sample examples. You may purchase our knowledge guide if you would like to review before the exam.

Q. What does it cost to take the certification exam?

A. There is a registration fee of $175.00 payable to IPBC. Invigilation fees typically range from about $0.00 - $50 and are payable directly to your test location.

Q. What score do I have to get to pass the exam?

A. You will need  75% or 90/120 questions correct or better in order to pass the certification exam.

Q. What if I don’t pass the exam?

A. IPBC will make arrangements for you to be retested at your convenience. The registration and invigilation fees would be the same.

Q. Where do I take the exam?

A. IPBC’s Exam Co-Coordinator will arrange with you your assistance to take the exam at an Academy Of Learning nearest you. Or, if you wish, you can make arrangements to take the exam with an Accountant that you know.  We will not allow you to take the exam managed by your own employer—this could be considered to be a conflict of interest.

Q. Why can’t I take the exam at home on my own computer?

A. IPBC’s long term goal is to have the CPB designation regulated, we must maintain the integrity of the exam, for that reason, it must be invigilated by a professional

Q. What is the exam all about?

A. Once you are a member of IPBC you can register for the exam. The exam is based on GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and consists of 120 multiple choice questions. You may purchase our Knowledge e-Guide if you choose. You may use a calculator.

Q. When can I write the exam?

A. Our exam coordinator will arrange with you to take the exam Monday - Friday from 8:30AM - 3:30PM Pacific Standard Time.

Q. If I do not renew my membership am I still certified?

A. You will loose the CPB designation unless you are a member in good standing with IPBC. We will ask you to return your certificate and cease all advertising which promotes you as a CPB.

Q. Who approves my Education Credits?

A. IPBC feels that any course that improves your skills as a bookkeeper or, as a manager of your business are acceptable.  Currently, we do not ask for yearly proof of these credits. It is your responsibility to maintain records in your member profile, that would be used if IPBC was audited.  If you are currently taking courses and join IPBC, those credits could be used for the current year.

Q. I’m not an IPBC member, will you send me your newsletters?

A. Yes. Just go to our website and sign up to receive our newsletter.

Q. I’m not a member yet, can I talk with some of your member’s in my area?

A. For privacy reasons we do not give out the names of our member’s. If you are close to one of the metropolitan areas where we have local chapter meetings, we allow you to come out to two of our regional meetings, prior to joining.

Q. What takes place at a Regional Meeting?

A. Regional meetings are held in the evening and are either monthly or, bi-monthly. Their purpose is to provide networking and educational opportunities for our members. There is plenty of time for sharing ideas, talking about common problems and challenges. Every meeting has a speaker on a topic of interest to bookkeepers. We also invite Accountants to come a learn more about our Certified Professional Bookkeepers.