Value of Continuing Professional Education to the CPA
Certified Public Accountants, or CPAs, are required to obtain a certain number of credit hours of Continuing Professional Education, or CPE, each year. CPE is offered in various forms, including live seminars, webinars, teleconferences, self-study courses and industry conferences. Certificates of attendance are provided to each CPA who attends a CPE course.
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Maintenance of Credentials
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CPAs are licensed by the State Boards of Accountancy. To maintain the CPA credential, each state board requires a minimum number of credit hours each year. Many CPAs are also members of professional associations. These associations also require CPE each year.
Updates on Current Trends
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CPE provides updated information on industry trends, ie: changes in tax laws. CPAs benefit from this information by being able to incorporate the information into client situations.
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Networking
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When CPAs gather at a CPE conference, there is often a period of time before the conference for networking. Professional networking is important to a CPA because it provides a source for client referrals.
New Practice Area Information
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When discussing current trends with other professionals, CPAs often find they want to explore new areas of accounting. CPAs considering the expansion of their practice into new areas can take a CPE course or two in that area to find out if the area interests them as much as they initially thought.
Job Satisfaction
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Attending a CPE course provides the CPA with an affirmation of the knowledge he already has. During stressful career times, ie: after meeting deadlines or during a difficult client engagement, taking time out for CPE allows the CPA to know he is doing his job well.
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References
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