Earning CPE Through Self-Study

Question: Do you like CPE?

I mean, who doesn’t enjoy spending their evenings diving deep into riveting subjects like "Advanced Forensic Auditing Techniques" or "ACRS and MACRS: Approaches to Depreciation?” 

Undoubtedly, we accountants have a gift for bringing fun, and CPE is our pièce de résistance.

In all seriousness, CPE is one of those necessary evils for CPAs. It's just part of the game.

But that doesn’t mean that earning your CPE has to be a total chore. There's a way to make CPE less boring — and more convenient. Best of all, you can do it according to your terms and schedule. 

Why Choose Self-Study CPE Courses?

While you may miss out on the free food or swag at live conferences in places like Kansas City, Wheaton, Tucson, or San Diego — you really should consider completing your CPE courses through self-study. Here’s why:

CPE Through Self-Study Is Cheap

It’s true: In-person seminars can be more interactive. You can ask questions of presenters in real time and it’s the best place for networking with fellow bean counters. However, the costs can be prohibitive. 

AICPA conferences generally start at $1,000, and seminars and CPE hosted by large fintech companies or Big 4 firms aren’t cheaper.

While, yes, employers do take on much of the legwork, the travel-related expenses and logistics will inevitably lead to limited bandwidth.

On the flip side, CPE through self-study is often free or, at most, dirt cheap. Even if you don’t have your laptop, your 10-year-old smartphone will be just as good (maybe).

CPE Through Self-Study Is Convenient

Aside from being free or cheap, CPE through self-study is convenient. 

Who hasn’t looked at a calendar when it’s a month to the CPE reporting deadline and realized you’ve only logged 20 hours instead of the required 40? 

You’re left scouring the internet for accounting conferences in December, thinking you’ll have to cover 1,000 miles attending in-person sessions in different time zones like a politician in a flailing campaign effort.

But self-study CPE lets you get caught up on your hours in the comfort of your home wearing your pajamas. 

You can be sitting next to the fireplace sipping a cup of hot cider and earning CPE at the same time. Or when Uncle Barry’s over for Christmas and starts to tell the same long story about the good old days that you’ve heard 100 times, you can excuse yourself and knock out a few hours of CPE instead. Heck, if your uncles are anything like mine, you can go ahead and get a jump on next year’s CPE requirements. It really is a great excuse.

CPE Through Self-Study Is Flexible

In-person CPE sessions are inflexible because they are scheduled on a specific day, time, and place.

Can’t make it at the designated time and location? Sorry. No CPE for you. The show must go on.

Or what if you’re at a large conference and there are two classes you want to attend, but they are at the same time? 

On the flip side, self-study CPE sessions are often not time-dependent. You can take an online two-hour CPE course at midnight or listen to a tax webcast while folding laundry.

CPE Through Self-Study Gives Freedom To Pick Courses You Like

Unlike physical CPE sessions, where courses are scheduled regardless of your personal preferences, in self-study programs, you’ll be free to pick only the classes you want. 

You don’t want to sit for three hours being bored to death with the contents of the Yellow Book when you’re a corporate tax accountant simply because it’s part of a program whose other courses are more relevant to you.

With self-study CPE programs, however, you’ll only pick the courses that tickle your fancy. 

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CPE Through Self-Study Offers Various Learning Mediums

Everyone’s learning styles are different. There are auditory learners who can sit in a class or conference and understand every concept a facilitator is teaching.

At the other end of the spectrum are those who understand concepts better when they watch a video or read a physical book.

Thankfully, self-study CPE comes in every option imaginable, including:

• Videos
• Podcasts
• Books
• On-demand webinars
• Interactive online courses

So there’s something for everyone.

Choosing the self-study CPE route requires one critical skill: self-discipline to stay on track. You’ll need to carefully set your goals and track your progress to achieve your CPE self-study objectives.

Setting Goals and Tracking Progress in Self-Study CPE

Accountants are busier than ever with the talent shortage, an increasingly complex regulatory environment, the IRS extending tax filing deadlines, and Congress passing new tax laws.

Since CPE is necessary to maintain your CPA license, making it a priority can be challenging when you’re pulled in a dozen different directions daily.

Here are some examples of attainable and realistic CPE goals used by current CPAs:

• Break down the large hours into smaller ones. If you need 80 hours of CPE every two years, that’s only 3.3 hours a month.
• Aim to learn about a new topic each year. You don’t need to master it but become familiar with it. Maybe you want to learn more about AI or automating tasks. 
• Block out hours in your slower months for CPE. That means putting it on your work calendar so colleagues or clients can’t claim that time.
• Ask colleagues what CPE courses they’re taking. Maybe you’ll find inspiration or something interesting from their recommendations.

Future Trends in Self-Study CPE and Skill Enhancement

The COVID-19 pandemic and its technological adoptions irreversibly shaped the learning landscape, including how CPE is earned. 

Technology will continue to impact self-study CPE through:

• Automation: Through automation, CPE providers will improve course tracking by maintaining accurate, real-time records and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Machine learning algorithms will analyze learner data to identify personal interests, adjust course content, and offer personalized delivery mediums.
• Micro-learning: Delivered in short, focused bursts, micro-learning is ideal for busy professionals who don’t have time for traditional all-day CPE courses.
• Soft skills: Besides technical training, CPE will begin offering more soft skill courses to help accountants with client communications, team dynamics, and leadership to help prepare the next generation of accounting leaders.  

Introducing FloQadamy

If you want to enjoy the flexibility of self-study CPE, consider FloQademy, the new kid on the block. 

FloQademy aims to deliver engaging, convenient,  and useful CPE. 

Here’s the most exciting part about FloQademy: 

• FloQademy provides 24/7 access. 
• FloQademy is completely free of charge.
• FloQademy is NASBA-accredited.
• FloQademy provides centralized credit tracking.

With courses designed by former accountants, speakers who are active in the accounting industry, and engaging, real-world experiences, check out FloQademy today.