Saving Time with CPE Online Courses

Just a few years ago, CPE online courses were all but unheard of, and CPAs were required to attend in-person programs to earn CPE credits. This was a time-intensive endeavor, making the CPE process inconvenient and disruptive for practicing professionals. Fortunately, advances in technology and the wide adoption of mobile devices have encouraged CPE course designers to develop new options. Today, CPE online courses are one of the most popular methods of meeting CPE requirements.

The time-saving potential of CPE online courses is nearly unlimited. By eliminating the time spent in preparation, commuting, registration and so forth, online coursework can cut time commitments by 33 percent to 75 percent. When the convenience of participation from anywhere at any time is added in, many CPAs discover that earning credits can be easily integrated into the busiest schedules.

Options for CPE Online Courses

When enrolling in online courses, there are a few distinctions to be aware of in terms of course type. For example, there is a difference between live webinars and on-demand webcasts. Live webinars are pre-scheduled, and they are facilitated by live instructors. Participants have an opportunity to interact with instructors real-time, and credits are earned in the "live" category. No exams are required to get credit for these courses.

Alternatively, on-demand webcasts are recorded presentations that participants engage with at the time of their choosing. Formats may include PowerPoint presentations coupled with audio explanations, or there may be video of a previous live seminar. On-demand webinars do not have live facilitators, which means that questions cannot be answered real-time. In order to get credit for participation in an on-demand webcast, an exam is required at the end of the course.

Some CPE online courses are self-study and consist of downloadable materials, often in pdf format. Participants access course materials, review them, and take an exam to validate their understanding of the information presented.

Surgent is a leader in the CPE online course space, with more than 10,000 credit hours available in its course catalog. Innovative delivery and frequent course updates make Surgent an excellent choice for individuals who wish to earn CPE credits.