Everything You Need to Know About CPAs Ongoing Education Requirements

Long-term commitment to professional training is inevitable if you want to sustain your CPA license. This guide is designed to cover every aspect of continuing Professional Education (CPE) for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). This way, you will continue to be compliant, current, and knowledgeable.

CPE – What is it?

Long-term educational activities which sustain and enhance the professional competence of CPAs are and have been, referred to as Continuing Professional Education (CPE). It basically assures that CPAs are informed of the latest accounting rulings, regulatory requirements, ethical standards, and best practices.

Why Educational Improvements Should Be Continued?

Retaining Competency

The world of accounting is ever-changing. CPE can give you the knowledge and skills that are required for improving and maintaining the quality of services for your customers in a competitive environment.

Meeting Requirements for Licensing

To maintain your CPA license in the state, you have to comply with all the CPE credit regulations. You will be only able to practice in the event that the required number of CPE hours are completed.

Increasing Professional Credibility

You can display your commitment to learning and staying abreast with the latest developments in the field by being interested in CPE. For that reason, having this status will take your job marketability to a higher level and establish you as a trustworthy individual.

CPE Requirements

National rules

The CPE criteria are crafted by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). In most states, CPAs should undergo 120 hours of CPE, every three years.

Mandates Specific to States

Different states will have different requirements for either CPE or particular curriculum of specific courses. Consequently, for CPE requirements that could affect your license, refer to your state board of accountancy for clarifications.

Different CPE Activities

Live Courses

Traditional classroom courses or instructor-based programs offer the learning structure and the chance for interactions among students and educators that help develop all-around skills.

Online Courses

Many professionals nowadays have time-consuming jobs, and online courses with no defined schedule can help them balance their workload with the studies required. As a result, ensure that the courses meet the CPE requirements in your state and are given by reputable providers.

Conferences and Webinars

One of the most effective ways of doing this is by going to conferences and webinars in the industry. It is a great way to meet new colleagues, talk to experts in the field about the issues you are working on, and keep up with new developments.

Self-Study

You can earn CPE hours by studying well-chosen appropriate accounting and auditing periodicals or documents. However, your state board may have specialized requirements.

Monitoring and Reporting CPE

Keep Thorough Records

Provide documentation of all CPE activities that you have taken, such as course descriptions, completion certificates, and the total number of CPE hours completed.

Reporting from the State Board

Each state board has its way of filing CPE credit reports. For this purpose, be cognizant and compliant with the state-specific filing methods.

Selecting Appropriate CPE Courses

Concentrate on Your Practice Area

Depending on whether you are working in taxation, auditing, or forensic accounting, give preference to CPE programs with contents specific to your area of expertise.

Find the gaps in your knowledge

Identify your strengths and weaknesses, and determine what skills you need to gain to be a successful professional. In this case, find CPE programs that focus on the areas that you feel you need to concentrate on.

Think About Course Quality

Select CPE providers who have a solid track record of offering top-notch educational courses. Seek out courses that are in line with current accounting standards and created by certified teachers.

You can make sure you fulfill your licensing obligations, advance your professional expertise, and continue to be a valued asset with the help of CPEs. Therefore, get familiar with your state’s specific requirements, and make well-informed decisions regarding your CPE activities. To have a successful and rewarding career as a CPA, keep in mind that continuing professional education is a lifelong process.

Earn on-demand self-study NASBA CPE and IRS CE by listening to podcasts, watching videos, and attending webinars anytime, anywhere. The Free Earmark app is available on Apple, Google, and the web. To learn more, click here.