What to Expect From Providers of CPA CPE Courses

Staying on top of continuing professional education (CPE) requirements can be time-consuming, and there is a cost associated with enrolling in CPA CPE courses. Before committing to a learning management provider, make sure you are getting the best possible return on your investment. These are some of the most important features of a high-quality CPE sponsor:

Compliance With CPE Standards - National professional organizations and state licensing boards have a number of requirements that sponsors must meet for the CPA CPE courses offered to qualify for CPE credit. Make sure your provider works closely with the appropriate agencies to comply with all regulations.

Clear Course Descriptions - CPA CPE courses cover hundreds of topics in a variety of specialized areas. In addition, specific courses are typically geared toward participants with certain prerequisite knowledge. Your program sponsor has a responsibility to help you select the CPE courses that will best meet your needs by providing clear descriptions of the knowledge area to be discussed, the specific learning objectives of the course, and the skill level for which the course was designed.

Frequent Review for Accuracy - The field of accounting is never static. Regulations are constantly under review, and changes can occur at any time. One of the primary goals of the CPE process is to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. Confirm that your program sponsor is committed to keeping courses current through frequent review. Examine the policy for revising course information when codes, laws and interpretations change, and verify that less volatile courses are regularly reviewed by an expert for accuracy.

Expert Course Development - When you invest in CPA CPE courses, you expect them to offer helpful information in the related subject area. This is only possible when courses are developed by highly qualified specialists. Look into who your provider enlists to develop CPE courses as well as the process for reviewing all course materials for accuracy.

Engaging Instructors - Even the best CPA CPE courses can be ineffective if the instructor lacks certain basic presentation skills. Before committing to a provider, look over the list of instructors. Make sure the individuals you are trusting with your education have the experience and expertise to answer all of your questions -- then look at feedback and ratings to validate that participants find their presentation style effective.

Participating in CPA CPE courses is an investment of your time and money. Make sure your resources are well-spent. Surgent is an industry-leading CPA CPE provider, offering thousands of course options from some of the most highly regarded CPE instructors in the field.