The Importance Of Your CPE

CPE accounting is a continued professional accounting for accountants. Since tax laws change rapidly, accountants have to take continuing education programs to keep ahead of all developments in law and accounting practices and keep updated and aware of the CPE requirements of the jurisdictions in which they work. According to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), each state has specific education requirements must follow in order to maintain their licenses. If accountants wish to maintain their credentials in more than one jurisdiction, then the CPA Journal states that accountants should be concerned about their licensing requirements.

CPE standards are established jointly by the AICPA and NASBA (the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy). CPE standards affect the way credit is calculated for self-study courses. So, before reporting credit, accountants are advised to contact their state boards to find out the needed specific requirements.

Almost every jurisdiction requires around forty hours of CPE each year for Certified Public Accountants (CPA). There are other variations for the course where you are required to spend around righty hours every two years, one-hundred and twenty hours for each three years. However, most jurisdictions do not allow you to carry over extra CPE credits from one period to the next.

In some jurisdictions, the required CPE hours depend on specific duties or job classifications. An example would be that in New York the amount of hours of CPE credits required can be reduced if an accountant takes continuing education courses in a specialized areas. And in Kentucky, the number of required hours is reduced if the accountant works less than 3,000 hours every two years. Every State has different CPE accounting requirements; a CPE must take the required numbers of CPE credit for their chosen jurisdiction where they work, and they must be aware of the requirements of other jurisdictions if they wish to maintain their license in that jurisdiction.

As there are no mandatory subjects or lessons for CPE, accountants are free to choose the program that best fits their needs and jurisdiction requirements. Acceptable programs include many courses that are offered by the accountant’s own firm, so it is wise to check with your employer before looking elsewhere. There are also accounting-focused conferences or conventions, and any University or college courses that offer CEUs (Continuing Education Units). You can also take the course online.

Online CPA CPE courses are available in live conferences, through live and pre-recorded webcasts. You can also look into the availability of web-based videos as well as DVD and self-study courses.  These allow you to study around your current work, choose the subjects that are best suited to you, and can save you money in the long run.