Five Concrete Tips for Meeting Your CPE Requirements

If you're a CPA, you know how important it is to maintain professional competence through continuing professional education (CPE). Tax laws and regulations are evolving as always, and you have no choice but to catch up. In addition, you likely know as well that by widening your professional expertise, you are raising your value in the industry and more specifically, to your clients. Then again, you also know that career growth is not all that CPE can give you. In fact, it is a requirement for you to renew your CPA license with your state board, and any industry certifications you may have.

 

Below are the five key steps to meeting your CPE requirements:

 

1. Start from the bottom.

 

First of all, you have to know your state board of accounting's CPA requirements for CPE. In every state, there are different requirements when it comes to accepted providers, delivery methods which count towards hours, and how such hours are spread out among auditing, tax, ethics, etc. Hence, stay away from publications or resources that offer no more than generic CPE  information. Most probably, you will be required to finish about 40 CPE hours every year, 80 hours within a two-year duration, or 120 hours over three years, depending on your state's renewal term. Know more about tax in http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Taxation.

 

2. Look into your long-term professional objectives.

 

CPE is your perfect chance to acquire expert knowledge and make yourself stand out from other professionals in the company you work for, or even in the field in general.

 

While you can manage your CPE requirements in many ways, whether online or offline, earning certification in an accounting specialty usually lets you meet CPE requirements while also meeting requirements for CFP(R), CGFM(R), or CMA, among many other certifications. 

 

3. Select a good provider.

 

If you're looking for a local program and course, you can check with your state CPA society. Professional organizations in your state know the requirements imposed by your board of accountancy. That means you have to look for an approved provider and knowing the number of hours in the areas your board requires. Have a good seminar speaker.

 

4. Keep a record.

 

While you complete your continuing education, have a thorough record of your CPE activity, just in case you have to submit it to your state board of accountancy. That's not necessary in many states, however, but you will still be subject to random audits. Being a CPA, advising clients to keep a paper trail is probably something you do all the time. This is one of those instances when you must practice that advice yourself.

 

5. Be consistent.

 

To avoid scrambling before you license renewal, be consistent and finish your CPE regularly. Lastly, remember as well that in most states, CPA's should complete a certain number of CPE credits on a yearly basis. Know more about the CPA seminars.