Browse CPA Canada PEP and CFE Study Guides

CPA Canada PEP and CFE Glossary of Case-Writing Terms

May 12, 2026

Plain-language definitions for CPA Canada PEP modules, CFE days, competencies, cases, and assessment language.

On this page

Use this glossary to decode recurring CPA Canada PEP and CFE study terms. The definitions are written for exam preparation and case-writing practice, not for admission, membership, or regulatory interpretation.

Core Terms

Term Study meaning
Assessment opportunity A case issue where the candidate can demonstrate a competency through relevant analysis and advice.
Breadth Ability to respond competently across multiple technical competency areas rather than only one preferred topic.
Capstone 1 The integrative module that uses a major business case and connects to Day 1 of the CFE.
Capstone 2 The examination preparation module immediately before the CFE, focused on integrated case practice and exam readiness.
CFE Common Final Examination, the three-day national exam at the end of CPA PEP.
Common competencies Competency areas that may appear across roles and CFE days, especially financial reporting and management accounting.
Competency Map The official competency framework describing the knowledge, skills, and proficiency expectations for CPA candidates.
Core 1 The first common PEP module, with breadth across financial reporting, assurance, finance, tax, and communication.
Core 2 The second common PEP module, with emphasis on management accounting, strategy, governance, finance, and integration.
Depth Ability to produce stronger role-specific analysis in a selected area such as Assurance, Taxation, Finance, or Performance Management.
Elective One of the specialized modules selected after the Core modules.
Enabling competencies Professional skills such as ethics, judgment, communication, problem solving, leadership, collaboration, and self-management.
Exhibit A case attachment or data section that contains facts, numbers, constraints, or user requirements.
Integrative case A case that requires several competencies to be used together rather than answered as separate textbook questions.
Issue The decision, risk, accounting question, tax consequence, control weakness, or advisory matter that needs analysis.
Learning outcome An official skill statement that should be translated into a case-writing action.
Module exam The examination at the end of a Core or elective module.
Professional judgment The reasoned selection and explanation of an answer when facts, constraints, risk, and user needs must be balanced.
Role The selected perspective for deeper CFE Day 2 analysis, such as Assurance, Taxation, Finance, or Performance Management.
Route root The start page for a CPA Canada module, elective, or CFE day guide.
Section lesson A terminal guide page that expands one exam topic into study actions, case application, pitfalls, and takeaways.
Sufficiency Enough competent coverage across required issues to show the expected breadth or depth.
Technical competencies Accounting and business knowledge areas such as financial reporting, management accounting, audit and assurance, finance, strategy and governance, and taxation.

Case-Writing Verbs

Verb What it usually asks you to do
Analyse Explain the rule, apply facts, and reach a reasoned conclusion.
Assess Evaluate strengths, weaknesses, risks, or suitability against the user’s objective.
Calculate Produce a number and explain what it means for the decision.
Conclude State the supported answer after considering the relevant facts.
Discuss Present relevant factors, implications, and tradeoffs without stopping at a list.
Recommend Choose a course of action and explain why it fits the facts and constraints.

CFE Day Labels

Day Main study meaning
Day 1 Strategic case writing linked to Capstone 1 context, with emphasis on situational analysis and professional communication.
Day 2 Long-case role depth plus common competency integration.
Day 3 Multiple shorter cases that test breadth, time allocation, and concise responses.

Guide Structure Terms

Term How to use it on this site
Guide root Start here when you need the route map, chapter list, reference links, and route-specific review support.
Chapter page Use it to understand the topic group before choosing a section lesson.
Section lesson Use it when a specific lesson focus, case trigger, or weak area needs focused review.
Study plan Use it to sequence the route and decide what to practice first.
Cheat sheet Use it for short checks before or during timed review.
FAQ Use it for route-specific study decisions that do not belong in the official-administration layer.

Use each route’s study plan and cheat sheet for route-specific pacing and response structure. Use the resources page for official reference links, the Canada FAQ for shared study questions, and this glossary for recurring PEP and CFE terms.

Revised on Monday, June 15, 2026
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