rpn wants to become an accountant, how many years?

joanna73, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2014

You would need to go back to school for the full 4 years because any of those elective credits will not count towards a Canadian degree. Contact the school you want to study at and inquire directly with that specific faculty.

FutureRPN · Apr 13, 2014

If you are planning to attend college for accounting, it'll take approximately 2-3 years. But, if you are going to university for accounting e.g. Commerce, Business, then it will take 4 years full time studies.

student40 · Apr 13, 2014

Hi,

You won't be able to transfer much credits over unfortunately. Even if you took nursing in Canada, I think at most you can only transfer your english credit and your electives over to accounting because they are two completely different fields. But definitely, you should contact the school of your interest and go over your transcript with them and see what they can do for you! And futureRPN is right, if you want to go to college for accounting there is a 2 year diploma or a 3 year advanced diploma program. But if you want to go to University, then it'll take 4 years of study.

Best of luck!

Hotaru1 · Apr 29, 2014

I want to pursue a different career too (I'm still a nursing student) and was considering business or accounting a choice. I think we would still have to do the whole 4 years over again because the discipline is different maybe if it was related to health more.

Please let me know what you have decided? I'm interested in it very much too.

FutureRPN · Apr 29, 2014

I want to pursue a different career too (I'm still a nursing student) and was considering business or accounting a choice. I think we would still have to do the whole 4 years over again because the discipline is different maybe if it was related to health more.
Please let me know what you have decided? I'm interested in it very much too.

You should be able to transfer some of the general requirements e.g. English, social sciences, etc. But then again, call the school you are interested in and ask for more specific details.

BeachsideRN, ASN · Apr 29, 2014

Not sure about canada, but some US programs have post-bacc tracks for career change accountants. Similar to the accelerated BSNs it is a 45 credit (I think) fast track accounting program that gets you all the requirements needed to sit for the CPA exam. My husband happened to be looking at this last year.

jrcbtst · Apr 29, 2014

im actually 30yrs old. and i was a nurse back in the philippines.. got my RPN registration here... im wondering if 30 years old is still ok to even change career and go back to school again.

jrcbtst · Apr 29, 2014

Not sure about canada, but some US programs have post-bacc tracks for career change accountants. Similar to the accelerated BSNs it is a 45 credit (I think) fast track accounting program that gets you all the requirements needed to sit for the CPA exam. My husband happened to be looking at this last year.

was your hsband a nurse too?

chickpea7 · May 12, 2014

To become a CPA (formerly referred to as CA), you need to have a Bachelors degree as well as a bunch of prerequisites. If you have a recognized bachelors degree, you could simply take the prerequisite courses (anywhere from approx. 11-18 classes depending on which province you live in) and find an accounting training office to employ you and then sit for the CPA exam.

If you don't have a bachelors that is recognized in Canada, then unfortunately you would have to start from the beginning. There are three designations here: CPA (CA), CMA, or CGA. It will depend on your career goals as to which designation you should pursue. For example, if you want to work in public accounting then you will want the CPA.