Curriculum
The GDA is intentionally structured to take you from undergraduate accounting knowledge to the integrated thinking and professional judgement expected of a CPA.
You’ll begin by developing your approach to case analysis and professional judgement, build your technical and strategic expertise through integrated coursework, and finish by bringing your learning together through leadership development and simulated CPA professional examinations.
Building Your Foundation
Strengthen your professional judgement and case analysis skills by developing a structured approach to evaluating complex situations, identifying key issues, and making well-reasoned decisions.
Core Courses
Professional Judgment in Accounting
The course develops advanced professional judgment and decision-making skills through the analysis of integrated, practice-based cases. Students apply accounting, assurance, taxation, finance, and governance concepts to complex, unstructured business situations, emphasizing ethical reasoning, risk assessment, and clear professional communication. The course mirrors the CPA case-writing and evaluation environment to prepare students for professional practice and certification requirements.
Develop Your Technical Expertise
Build technical, analytical, and strategic expertise through coursework that strengthens your knowledge, sharpens your problem-solving skills, and prepares you to tackle complex professional challenges.
Core Courses
Corporate Transparency & Accountability
The course emphasizes corporate transparency beyond traditional financial reporting, with a focus on sustainability and accountability. Students explore existing and emerging accounting standards, as well as internal systems, that support sustainable business practices and informed decision-making.
Financial Reporting & Assurance
This course examines the interrelationship between financial reporting and assurance in ensuring the credibility and usefulness of financial information. The course integrates accounting standards, professional judgment, and assurance practices to evaluate how financial statements are prepared, audited, and relied upon by stakeholders. Emphasis is placed on risk assessment, internal controls, ethical responsibilities, and the evolving regulatory and professional environment.
Taxation & Strategic Business Decisions
This course examines the role of taxation in strategic business decision-making. The course explores how tax considerations influence organizational structure, investment, financing, and operational choices, while emphasizing compliance, risk management, and ethical responsibilities. Students apply tax principles to real-world business scenarios to evaluate strategic alternatives in a domestic and global context.
AI & Analytics for Accounting Professionals
This course develops advanced competencies in artificial intelligence and data analytics as applied to accounting practice. Students apply analytical and AI-enabled tools to financial reporting, audit, assurance, and management decision-making, with emphasis on professional judgment, governance, ethics, and the evolving role of accountants in data-driven organizations.
Strategic Decision Making & Value Creation
This course examines advanced managerial and financial decision-making in complex organizational settings characterized by uncertainty, information asymmetry, and strategic trade-offs. Topics include investment evaluation, capital allocation, mergers and acquisitions, and performance measurement, with a strong emphasis on cost behavior, budgeting processes, and management control systems. Through rigorous analytical frameworks and case-based analysis, students integrate financial and cost information to support value creation, accountability, and high-level managerial judgment.
Learning in Action
Apply your knowledge in real-world settings through leadership development and hands-on accounting experiences that build confidence, collaboration, and practical problem-solving skills.
Core Courses
Leading in Professional Accounting Practice
This course focuses on the development of leadership capabilities essential for effective management and career advancement in the accounting profession. Through case-based discussions, experiential exercises, and interaction with experienced professionals, students strengthen skills in leadership, communication, team management, and professional judgment. The course emphasizes the practical and ethical dimensions of leading people and organizations in contemporary accounting and business environments.
Accounting Lab
This non-credit course will be used to offer exam simulations and personalized feedback to students. During this session, students will write mock exams and receive one-on-one case debriefs from experienced graders in order to prepare them for CPA licensing exams.
Curriculum at a Glance
The GDA program team continually revises the curriculum to reflect shifts in business to help you take your career to the next level.
How You'll Learn
Knowing accounting principles is only part of becoming a CPA. Throughout the GDA, you'll be challenged to apply what you know to complex business situations, consider multiple perspectives and communicate well-supported recommendations.
Case-Based Learning
Apply technical knowledge to realistic business problems.
Simulations
Practise making decisions in professional scenarios.
Applied Exercises
Build experience using accounting concepts, data and analytical tools.
CPA-Style Assessments
Develop confidence applying your knowledge under professional examination conditions.
“My first job was at EY in assurance so I was directly using the concepts that were taught in many of the GDA courses. I was able to understand why we were performing certain tasks and take more of a lead on each file. It also was helpful because I was familiar with some of the other individuals who were starting at the same time as me and we could bounce ideas off of each other. To top it all off, I often still refer back to my tax notes and textbook in my current role!”
Senior Manager
Cohen Hamilton Steger & Co.
How Your Courses Come Together
| Course | May | June | July | August |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Judgement in Accounting | ||||
| Corporate Transparency & Accountability | ||||
| Financial Reporting & Assurance | ||||
| Taxation & Strategic Business Decisions | ||||
| AI & Analytics for Accounting Professionals | ||||
| Strategic Decision Making & Value Creation | ||||
| Leading in Professional Accounting Practice | ||||
| Accounting Lab |