CPE seminars, self study, online courses and in-house training are all part of the continuing education not only required but necessary for many of those in the accounting industry. Requirements vary from state to state; however, all states require that a certain number of continuing education hours be completed.

There are many professional associations that offer CPE courses for accountants. But it's also up to the accountant to stay updated on new laws, trends and other news that will affect their work on a day-to-day basis.

With the vast amount and constant stream of continuing professional education news and trends, you'll want to be prepared and have a handle on the best resources to process that information. Consider the following:

1. Some trends indicate online CPE courses and self-study options can be difficult because of self-motivation in finding the time to complete the required coursework.

2. Maintaining a certified public accountant license takes up to 40 hours a year of CPE courses for CPAs, depending on the license-issuing state. Know your number.

3. Trends indicate that some employers' policies encourage continuing professional education for CPAs beyond the minimum hours required for maintaining licenses.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Subscribe to journals or magazines to promote accounting continuing education

Employers may consider subscribing to the top association journals and magazines and having them sent directly to the office. That way, when accountants are on their work breaks, they can flip through and pick up new information in an easy way.

I recommend: Peruse the American Accounting Association's different journals and rates. Use Magazine Agent to renew or subscribe to Accounting Today magazine.

Utilize online resources to realize new opportunities in continuing education for CPAs

Encourage employees to bookmark great online resources to help them with their continuing education needs. Checking these resources on a regular basis can provide updated information fast.

I recommend: To stay current on trends in your field, check out the headlines at SmartPros. If you conduct business in California, download the California Society of CPAs CPE Program Guide and sign up for other information.

Stay in the know with e-mail alerts on continuing professional education trends in the industry

Find yourself lagging behind? Consider e-mail newsletters and alerts on keeping up with changes in the accounting industry. Many associations and companies provide this service for free.

I recommend: Sign up for FunCPE to receive e-mail alerts about upcoming continuing education courses. CFO Publishing offers e-mail newsletters in a variety of categories including accounting and auditing.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As an employer, encourage accountants at your firm to apply for membership into national, state or local accounting organizations. These organizations not only help accountants track down CPE classes but also provide networking opportunities, advocacy and other resources.

Regardless of your career choice, pursuing continuing professional education (CPE) credits - can make a lucrative and personal difference in your professional life. Continuing professional education keeps you informed on industry updates, including the latest research and news, and makes a great impression on your colleagues, bosses and future employers. 
 
Here are three considerations in choosing your continuing professional education: 

1. Online continuing professional education is a flexible, easy way to advance your career training at your convenience - at home, at work or anywhere you have an Internet connection.
2. Check into CPE providers that offer both mandatory CPE credits and optional continuing education professional development resources (determined by professional standards).
3. Take advantage of education (professional development resources) that help you develop your 'people' skills, such as training, communication, leadership and more. 

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Earn CPE credits offered through professional organizations

Whether you work as a real estate agent, a nurse or in another professional/trade field in which continuing professional education is required, be sure to fulfill these requirements before your license/other accreditation expires.

I recommend: Visit Penn Foster Career School for more than 80 online professional development resources in the fields of health services, business, education, technology, trade, legal studies, automotive, creative/design and more.

Enroll in accounting professional development resources for CPE credits

Tax accountants must take ongoing continuing professional education courses to keep their knowledge (of ever-changing laws) sharp. Quarterly exams must be completed within two years of the date published, and new exams are published each quarter. Look for live or online CPE credits for CPAs, depending on your schedule and preferred style of learning.

I recommend: The Accounting Education Associates offer you a variety of ways to earn your CPE credits. Accountants Education Group provides continuing professional education for accountants/CPAs, with same day shipping, instant free online grading, state ethics courses and more.

Take advantage of free professional development resources

There are several respected websites with free or low-cost classes to enhance your existing knowledge and skills. Some schools will allow you to take audit or non-credit education/professional development classes for free.

I recommend: Go to the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) for an extensive list of free resources, including a variety of education, professional development, seminars and other tools to aid in your continuing professional education.

Earn additional professional designations at online continuing professional education schools

In many career fields, once you've completed your initial education and earned the required basic professional training/designation, you have the option of specializing in one career within that field by earning additional CPE credits.

I recommend: CE2GO offers industry-accredited continuing education/professional development courses online through trusted schools and professional trade associations across the country.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many professional development resources, seminars and training opportunities are offered during weekends or evenings, or through distance learning (including online) courses for CPE credits.
• •  Some businesses will pay for, and/or allow you to take continuing professional education seminars and classes on company time.
• •  Check with the professional organization governing your profession to learn the mandated CE or CPE credits in your industry and location, and for a list of approved professional development resources.
• •  Not all continuing professional education - CPE credits included - come in the form of traditional classroom courses. Try listening to motivational or educational CDs or reading books while working out or just relaxing on the beach or attending webinars while traveling.
• •  Consider the value of learning a second language as part of your education/professional development plan, and watch your career opportunities soar regardless of your field.

Continuing education classes for accounting professionals is a win-win situation for both employer and employee. The employer receives a highly trained workforce while the employee has the opportunity to advance their careers. Keeping current on skills is important for your employees to remain a valuable part of the firm. An attitude of lifelong learning must be adopted by employees as trends, objectives and laws are changing constantly in the accounting field.

When it comes to CPE courses for CPAs, keep in mind that different people learn in different ways. Encourage your employees to utilize a variety of ways to earn their credits, such as a live seminar, in-house training or online courses.

When using continuing professional education opportunities, consider the following:

1. The number of accounting continuing education hours required annually varies.

2. With the variety of CPE classes available, make sure each employee is matched to a learning opportunity that matches their position and rank within the firm.

3. Make sure your employees go into CPE programs in which all prerequisites are met, otherwise they may be wasting time and money.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find CPE seminars to attend

Live seminars usually feature a dynamic, expert speaker who can motivate as well as teach. These seminars are usually conducted in massive halls where thousands can attend. Keep in mind this option can be intimidating to some.

I recommend: Search for a seminar near you at CPE or browse a list of seminar topics. American Management Association offers finance and accounting seminars on a wide variety of topics.

Consider in-house training for continuing professional education

In-house training can offer a unique benefit to a company and its CPAs. A training session can be customized to fit individual needs as well as specific company goals. Employees may also feel more comfortable in a smaller setting around other co-workers.

I recommend: Practitioners Publishing Company offers in-house training in the areas of accounting and auditing. K2 Enterprises specializes in technology training for CPA firms.

Utilize online CPE courses

If an employee learns best at his or her own pace, online courses may be the best option. There are many topics to choose from. Employees can even complete their credits on their own time. Most online CPE courses are graded instantly so that employees know where they stand.

I recommend: Accounting and tax topics are covered through online classes by Thomson Reuters. The Economic Research Institute offers online credit classes and explains how credits are calculated.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Another, sometimes unseen benefit? Continuing professional education for CPAs promotes the ideal to find and use the best techniques in the field and to update those techniques as new ideas emerge. Looking for new and better ways to perform keeps employees and your business running efficiently.

The concept of continuing professional education can be defined as a requirement designed to help professionals stay abreast of changing legislation, guidelines and procedures that affect how they do their jobs.

Continuing education credit hours are required for a range of professions. For example, an attorney is required to obtain a specific number of continuing legal education (CLE) credits while other industries may require professionals to obtain a specific number of continuing education (CE) credits. Despite the different names – CLE, CPE and CE – all programs are designed to enhance an individual’s professional knowledge and skill. Gain a better understanding of CPE by familiarizing yourself with key continuing professional education terms.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits

Guidelines for CPE credits are established by state boards. Each state determines the number of required hours, types of courses and frequency with which credit hours must be earned. These guidelines vary depending upon the field of study.

I recommend: Learn more about how CPE credit hours are calculated at ISACA.

Self-study

Self-study CPE courses allow professionals to study at their own pace. Self-study courses provide evaluation and adhere to state requirements for CPE. The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy requires that all self-study CPE participants have access to regular feedback throughout the course.

I recommend: Read more about self-study CPE courses at Accountants Education Group.

Distance education

Distance education (or distance learning) is a course that involves student and instructor separation by either time or distance.

I recommend: Learn more about distance learning at International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.

Quality Assurance Service (QAS) Credits

QAS is a program designed by the NASBA in 1998 in response to a request from the Florida Board of Accountancy. QAS was designed to ensure that professionals participating in self-study CPE courses are held accountable for obtaining the same level of education as those attending formal CPE seminars and courses.

I recommend: Find out more about QAS at Economic Research Institute.

National Registry of CPE Sponsors

The National Registry of CPE Sponsors is a program designed by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. This program was created in an effort to highlight CPE programs in accordance with state requirements.

I recommend: Read more about the National Registry at the NASBA.

Approved programs/providers

Approved programs are those that are deemed to help heighten an individual's knowledge in their specific profession. An approved provider is a school or other organization deemed as meeting state board standards for continuing professional education courses.

I recommend: Read more about approved programs/providers at Texas A&M University.