Certified Professional Bookkeepers know that there is so much more to responsible bookkeeping than simply knowing how to complete one task or input data.  Clients requiring the services of a bookkeeper are entrusting their most important possession to a stranger; intimate knowledge of their business or personal finances. Yet, most people have no way of effectively evaluating a bookkeeper. This is why the CPB-Certified Professional BookkeeperTM designation is so important. The CPB-Certified Professional Bookkeeper^TM designation reflects the level of knowledge, education, and skills necessary to carry out all key functions through the adjusted trial balance, including basic payroll, for all-sized companies. 

In order to take the CPB exam*, bookkeepers must provide us with a letter of reference confirming that they have at least 2 years of recent verifiable bookkeeping experience and follow the specific guidelines and requirements.

Click here to register for your exam.

To maintain CPB certification, you must be an IPBC member in good standing and you must achieve at least 15 continuing education credits per year or 45 credits over 3 years and adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct. 1 hour of education equals 1 credit!  See Maintaining Certification for more information.

Preparing for the exam - Knowledge Guide

The CPB Knowledge e-Guide lists the subject areas covered in the certification exam including terminology. It also gives you more confidence to write the exam because you know what to study and what you're expected to know.

The member price for the guide is $49.99, non-member price $99.99
Members must be signed into their account to get the IPBC member pricing.

Use of Certification

Obtaining the CPB-Certified Professional Bookkeeper^TM designation is optional, and the Institute of Professional Bookkeepers of Canada confers such certification solely for the purposes stated here. Those persons or organizations that choose to include the CPB-Certified Professional Bookkeeper^TM designation as a condition of employment or advancement do so of their own volition. Such persons or organizations must determine for themselves whether the use of such a certification process, including its eligibility and re-certification requirements, either alone or coupled with any other requirements imposed by such persons or entities, meets their respective needs and complies with any laws applicable to them.

 * Promotion exams/offers must be completed within 6 months of joining the IPBC.