About CPB Canada
Certified Professional Bookkeepers of Canada (CPB Canada), legally known as the Institute of Professional Bookkeepers of Canada (IPBC), is a member-based association, a national certifying body, and the leading professional and career development organization for bookkeepers in Canada. Created for bookkeepers, by bookkeepers, we are the largest and fastest-growing bookkeeping association in Canada.
From continuing professional development and business resources to meaningful networking, mentoring, and peer support - our members have access to the resources needed to advance their careers and achieve a sense of belonging in the bookkeeping community.
Mission Statement
We empower members to maintain professional standards, expand recognition for Certified Professional Bookkeepers and uplift Canada's bookkeeping industry.
Vision Statement
As CPB Canada establishes its standards throughout the bookkeeping industry, our members offer much more than tracking financial details; they secure the confidence of clients and are the respected partners of Canadian Business and Government.
Values Statements
Collaborative Community
As an institution, the Certified Professional Bookkeepers of Canada (CPB Canada) is a collaborative community that provides relevant learning opportunities where mentorship flourishes. By uplifting one another, we create supportive and inclusive networks that elevate bookkeeping practices and stimulate ongoing professional development.
Professional Excellence
Our commitment to the highest standards of reliability and integrity earns respect, trust, and loyalty from Canada’s business community. Confidence in our members by clients and employers is unsurpassed. Credibility is the cornerstone of our organization, ensuring that our members are recognized as indisputably accomplished professionals.
Innovation
As an ever-evolving body in support of a dynamic industry, CPB Canada exists at the forefront of emerging trends and technologies. Through exposure to calculated change leadership, our members are empowered with industry-leading innovations. As early adopters of these best practices, bookkeepers are progressive drivers of change for their clients and organizations.
Advocacy
CPB Canada passionately represents its members, championing their expertise and raising their work's public profile and reputation. Through our dedication to advocacy, we drive recognition for our members' outstanding contributions to the bookkeeping profession.
Lifelong Learning
We support our members in continuously pursuing relevant learning opportunities. By providing pertinent education, CPB Canada ensures knowledge and adoption of emergent trends in the industry. The resources available to our members give them the knowledge and tools to excel in their domain and become adaptive to a rapidly changing industry.
Setting you up for success
Through webinars, regional meetings, and an annual national conference we bring together and support bookkeeping professionals at all levels of their career. We help our members stay on top of industry updates and trends by partnering with national experts in accounting technology, bookkeeping principles, business operations, and government regulations.
Whether you’re an experienced professional, a student, or just starting out in your career – CPB Canada has the programs and services you need to succeed as a bookkeeping professional in Canada.
Helping you discover your competitive advantage
CPB Canada maintains the national bookkeeping standard in the accounting profession through the Certified Professional Bookkeeper (CPB) designation. These standards guide the knowledge, business practices, and ethical standards required for professional bookkeepers to be certified in the accounting industry.
As a certified member, you will have an opportunity to increase your visibility, enhance your professional brand, and gain recognition through our CPB certification program. The learning path to CPB designation establishes the skills and knowledge that reflect best practices and today’s industry trends - helping bookkeeping professionals align their learning with their career goals.
At CPB Canada we’re not just meeting the standard…we’re setting the standard.
"I passionately believe that maintaining a national bookkeeping standard is paramount - not only to our success as bookkeeping professionals, but also to the success of the clients we serve in our communities. From new bookkeepers trying to get started in the industry to experienced bookkeepers and bookkeeping firms, CPB Canada is there to support us and help us grow. Thank you for raising the bar for bookkeeping in Canada!"
Do you want to become a valuable member of the accounting industry through the certification pathway to CPB designation? Your journey to bookkeeping excellence starts here.
Promoting professional bookkeepers in the diverse world of accounting
CPBs are highly valued for their knowledge and expertise - not just for their time performing accounting tasks.
CPB Canada is working to provide employers, small business owners, and other accounting professionals with a better understanding of the education, experience, knowledge, and skills required to be a CPB, define what they actually do, the value they bring and demonstrate where CPBs fit in the diverse world of accounting.
The CPB Canada Story
In 2007, a small group of business professionals recognized the need to address the gap in professional support for bookkeepers. They believed they could create an association that could support and unite bookkeepers across Canada and change the general perception toward the bookkeeping profession.
They founded the Institute of Professional Bookkeepers of Canada (IPBC) - now known as CPB Canada – an association created by bookkeepers, for bookkeepers.
Every great idea starts with a problem!
Dianne Mueller, CPB, FCPB, Chris Hafstein, and Randall Orser were noticing a common challenge for many of their new clients. Business owners were often using bookkeepers that lacked the skills and experience required to help their clients truly understand how their business was doing. Their books were a mess and they needed business advisory support they couldn’t get from their previous bookkeeper.
An idea was born! They decided to create an association to provide professional development and support to Canadian bookkeeping professionals. The Institute of Professional Bookkeepers of Canada (IPBC) was established that year and quickly grew to more than 200 members. The following years saw the dedication of many stakeholders including leadership, volunteers, and staff. This dedication helped to strengthen and grow IPBC - securing the future of our organization.
A national standard for certification
They soon realized that although professional development and support were important, a national standard demonstrating a bookkeeper’s knowledge, skills, and experience to potential clients and employers didn’t exist.
They brought on professional bookkeeper and education consultant Marge Wegren-Debré, CPB, FCPB, a curriculum development specialist with significant expertise in the accounting industry, to help them develop a professional bookkeeping designation. The Certified Professional Bookkeeper (CPB) movement was born!
From simple beginnings to industry leadership
Dianne Mueller’s continuous passion, vision, and dedication guided our founding members and volunteers in transforming the industry and leading the way for excellence in the bookkeeping profession.
CPB Canada is now the largest and fastest-growing professional association for bookkeepers in Canada. CPBs are defying stereotypes and are highly valued for their knowledge and expertise in the accounting profession. Now more than 2,200 members and growing, CPB Canada continues to provide support and a sense of belonging to our members - helping bookkeepers gain professional recognition in the world of accounting.
National Bookkeeping Week
We launched National Bookkeeping Week in January by sharing daily videos to celebrate, educate and promote the profession of bookkeeping. If you're interested in being involved or submitting a testimonial head over to bookkeepingweek.ca to learn more.