Earning and managing CPE credits is a large task. After you review this guide, we hope you’ll feel better equipped to manage your own CPE credits each year.
18 min read
CPE
Earning and managing CPE credits is a large task. You have to decide which courses to take, make sure they meet the necessary requirements, work the courses into your schedule, manage your credits, and report your credits. It can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to CPE. So, we’ve put together a guide that covers the following:
After you review this guide, we hope you’ll feel better equipped to manage your CPE credits on a yearly basis. Let’s dive in.
CPE stands for “continuing professional education” and it’s required for CPA license renewal in every state.The standards are set by each state, so the number of required credits and the reporting periods will differ. Your state’s board of accountancy will require you to report all the CPE credits you earn.
All state boards of accountancy will accept credits approved by NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy) to some extent, but some states may have additional requirements or limitations. Your state board can provide details about the type of CPE credits you need to maintain your CPA license and may even link to approved providers. Visit your state’s website to get more information about what you need to stay eligible.
CE (continuing education) is for enrolled agents. EAs must earn 72 hours of CE credits every three years to maintain their EA status. At least 16 of those hours must be earned per year, and two of those CE credits need to be in ethics courses.
Not every tax course will qualify for IRS CE credits as the classes and the providers must be approved by the IRS. When an EA completes an IRS-approved CE course, the provider reports it on their behalf to the IRS.
You’ve probably noticed a significant increase in the availability of online CPE courses. After all, with advances in modern technology, virtual classrooms are as easy as turning on the computer. But how effective is online learning when compared to in-person CPE courses?
Before deciding on what’s best for you, take some time to look at both the benefits and drawbacks of each educational delivery method.
Traditional, in-person CPE courses offer the advantage of face-to-face interaction. This is especially suited to topics that you have a lot of questions about. When you take an in-person course, you get to connect with both the instructor and your classmates. Networking like this can bring unexpected benefits for you professionally and personally. Also, some people simply learn better in a live setting and a more structured classroom.
On the other hand, in-person courses often require commuting or travel, which can be inconvenient, especially during your busy seasons. With in-person courses, you are also limited to locations that you can get to. If the ideal class is too far away or too expensive to get there, you are out of luck and must find something more local to fit your needs.
In-person classes also mean that you are at the mercy of the CPE provider’s schedule. It’s not often that you can choose the dates and times that are most convenient for you.
The main advantage for CPE online courses is their flexibility. When you have a busy schedule, you want the ability to control when you attend a class and for how long. Online classes have a true global reach in that they can be accessed anytime from anywhere in the world. All you need is a quiet space and a good internet connection.
You can also progress at your own pace with online courses. If there is a concept you want to revisit, you can simply go back to that part without interfering with the instructor or inconveniencing classmates. There’s no limit to the specific topics you can access with online classes, so you have the luxury of selecting the courses that will serve you best. Additionally, you’ll have easy access to classes from industry recognized thought leaders.
The downside of online CPE courses is that they require self-motivation and self-discipline to complete. Because there is less accountability than attending an in-person course, you’ll need to make it a priority to log in and go through the course.
Clearly there are both advantages and disadvantages with online vs. in-person CPE courses. However, instead of asking yourself which method is better, you should focus on which method best suits your current needs.
While both self-study and live CPE courses are offered online, each one has unique features that may suit you better at certain times of the year. Each year, many accounting professionals like you make decisions about whether self-study vs. live courses are better for them.
Don’t underestimate the quality of today’s self-study courses. Not only are they readily available online, they are often better suited to the self-disciplined accounting professional who wants to tackle CPE any time of the day or night. Check out a few of the pros and cons of taking online self-study CPE courses:
PROS
There’s no webinar time to tune into with a self-study program. Whether it’s early in the morning, late at night, or on a weekend, you’ll be able to participate when you want for as long as you want.
Taking online classes allows you to go through the material at your own pace. You can spread out the material over time or speed up to finish more quickly. It meshes perfectly with any schedule.
If you are the type of person who likes to highlight, underline, and scribble notes, many self-study programs are available as hard copies.
CONS
It can be a real challenge to motivate yourself to get through the coursework when so many other things demand your attention.
Live CPE courses are generally done via webinar. Participants log in at the appropriate time from their location to participate. Also, live courses generally require some kind of formal interaction to ensure attendance and that you are paying attention. Here are some of the pros and cons of enrolling in live courses:
PROS
Many live courses in webinar format require some interaction from you before, during, and after. This may be in the form of questionnaires, surveys, polls, and quizzes. Your participation shows that you are present and listening.
For many, having a set time and day to log into a webinar means you will get it done and keep moving forward with the class until you finish. There’s no putting off certification with a course that requires your attendance to finish.
With a live webinar instructor, they can discuss and teach about the latest information. Other methods may take a little longer to produce, so the information isn’t always the most current.
If the webinar Instructor is dynamic and personable, they may be able to keep your attention for hours. Also, they usually incorporate graphics, videos, and more. When it comes to retaining information, a live CPE webinar may help you stay focused.
CONS
Participants in live courses must complete their coursework within the timeframe allowed by the class. If you have to miss a scheduled webinar for any reason, you’ll miss the information and you won’t get credit. Additionally, if you are not present for a full 50 minutes of a 60-minute presentation, you won’t get credit.
A great live CPE course will educate you, but a lousy webinar will make you want your money back. Differences in Instructors and problems with technology (such as dead air or graphics issues) can detract from learning and waste your time.
When it comes to actually attending your annual CPE credit courses, you want the right combination of quality and affordability. After all, if you are going to spend your valuable time attending, it needs to be worth it.
Free CPE courses and paid CPE courses have different reputations. Here are just a few of the things accounting professionals find with many of the free CPE courses out there:
When it comes to paid CPE courses, there’s generally more quality but the higher prices can be real budget busters. Here are a few findings from accounting professionals on many paid CPE courses:
More free and paid CPE courses are hitting the market each year. Wish you could find something that perfectly balanced cost and quality? Would it be too much to ask if the courses were relevant, efficient and educational, too? The good news is Canopy recognizes most CPAs don’t want to face that frustrating either-or choice anymore.
We are one of the few companies to offer free or low-cost CPE options that also deliver high quality information presented by leading industry experts.
Using the latest webcasting technology and dynamic instructors with helpful information, we put a lot of effort into focusing on your professional needs.
If you are tired of choosing between frustrating free CPE courses and breaking the bank for those expensive paid courses, consider Canopy Courses.
The CPE provider can be a huge asset or an obstacle to success. In many ways, the provider is just as important as a course’s content, instructor, cost, and certification. After all, the provider associated with the webinar, self-study course, or other method determines the user experience.
Online learning can be a real pain when there are glitches in ordering and making an electronic payment, delivery of the course, etc. Without a good provider, you may struggle with many aspects of the course, from wading through an inefficient presentation or digital textbook to leaving the course with more questions than answers.
Above all, the technology must enhance the CPE courses and your learning experience. With a stellar delivery platform, you can get the education you need in the most effective and stress-free way.
It isn’t difficult to spot the best courses out there. All it takes is a careful assessment of the provider and an evaluation of what the course offers. Here are the top five things to check out when evaluating a provider’s courses:
When it comes to tracking CPE credits, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Without proper management, you can quickly get behind in what you need to renew your state license. Because improperly managing all your CPE options can seriously affect your business, it’s a good idea to develop a strategy to stay on track.
You have thousands of hours of courses to choose from, including CPE online courses and in-person courses. You can even earn CPE credits by attending certain trade shows and events. As you look at the year ahead, take note of the courses you are interested in. The criteria to decide should be based on location, cost, topic, style, and whether it fulfills CPE credits.
Once you’ve selected the CPE courses that interest you, schedule them out in advance. Many CPAs like to create a spreadsheet or digital calendar where they can plug in deadlines, payment schedules, and reminders.
Do you know how many credits you need and when you need to earn them? Does your state have an annual minimum of credits that you have to meet? Did you accurately track and report the credits you’ve already earned?
Good record-keeping is essential. Knowing the big picture in this way gives you a roadmap of where you are and where you are going. You’ll also be able to avoid the end-of-year scramble for courses when you are stretched thin on time and money.
The hardest part about CPE courses that are self-study or online is finding the time to simply do the work. You might find it helpful to schedule out blocks of time in your week or month to dedicate to study. Whether it’s a two-hour block once per week or taking a day off once per month to study, you’ll be more efficient and effective in completing your CPE coursework.
There are many different types of CPE tracking software on the market that you can use to manage all your CPE options annually. All you do is input your information on reporting requirements when you finished the course, and how many credits you earned. If you have several CPAs at your firm, you can even organize databases for several different people over multiple years.
If despite your best efforts, you still haven’t managed to earn all the CPE credits you need by the end of the year, there are usually some courses offered at the end of December or even in the first few weeks of January. It may be difficult to earn a lot of credits in a hurry but there may be a part-day or all-day course that will deliver what you need.
Earning CPE credits is vitally important to the success of your business and to your professional development. It’s too easy to lose track of the number of credits, the deadlines, and the types of credits you need. To stay compliant and avoid a last minute scramble to earn credits, implement a strategy for tracking credits.
For many accountants, receiving their required CPE credits can be a costly, time-consuming endeavor. At Canopy, we offer affordable, easy-to-access, CPE and CE courses. Each course, presented by top experts in the industry, is meticulously created to deliver high-quality tax, accounting, and non-technical information. Canopy Courses also lets you choose between webinar and self-study options, so you can receive your CPE credits when and how you want to.
With Canopy Courses you will get:
Canopy Courses covers a wide range of CPE topics, from taxes to personal development, marketing, and more. So, no matter your interests or level of experience, there is sure to be something for you. These various topics will make you more competitive in the industry, all while fulfilling the required CPE credits. The course topics fall into the following categories:
To help you better navigate our courses, we’ve created a list of CPE courses we currently offer.
Introduction to Forensic Accounting
Instructor: Robert K. Minniti
Credit Hours: 1
Introduction to Governmental Reporting
Instructor: Carol Hsieh
Credit Hours: 1
Blockchain Applications for Accounting, Audit, & Tax
Instructor: Sean Stein Smith
Credit Hours: 1
Challenges with Running a Virtual Practice
Instructor: Jason Blumer
Credit Hours: 1
Organizational Culture Development
Instructor: Jon McNaughtan
Credit Hours: 1
5 Reasons Your Practice Isn't Growing
Instructor: Jason Blumer
Credit Hours: 1
Succession Planning
Instructor: Lindsay Stevenson
Credit Hours: 1
Grow Your Practice By Adding Tax Resolution Services
Instructor: Roger Thaxton
Credit Hours: 1
Mergers & Acquisitions for CPA Firms
Instructor: Bill Carlino
Credit Hours: 1
What Is the ROI of Marketing?
Instructor: Karen Reyburn
Credit Hours: 1
Audience: Who Is Your Marketing For?
Instructor: Karen Reyburn
Credit Hours: 1
Campaigns: What Specific Marketing Will You Do?
Instructor: Karen Reyburn
Credit Hours: 1
The Gig Economy
Instructor: Janet Berry-Johnson
Credit Hours: 1
Building a Local Listings Engine for Your Tax Practice
Instructor: Nate Hagerty
Credit Hours: 1
Tracking & Analytics: How to Measure Your Marketing Results
Instructor: Karen Reyburn
Credit Hours: 1
Social Media Marketing for Accountants
Instructor: Karen Reyburn
Credit Hours: 1
Microsoft Excel: Shortcut Keys & Ninja Tricks
Instructor: JDee Itri
Credit Hours: 1
Microsoft Excel: Fun with Functions
Instructor: JDee Itri
Credit Hours: 1
Managing Ethical Dilemmas
Instructor: Robert E. McKenzie
Credit Hours: 2
A CPA’s Guidebook for Ethical Behavior for Texas CPAs
Instructor: Allison McLeod
Credit Hours: 4
AICPA Regulatory Ethics Part 1
Instructor: Allison McLeod
Credit Hours: 1
AICPA Regulatory Ethics Part 2
Instructor: Allison McLeod
Credit Hours: 1
AICPA Regulatory Ethics Part 4
Instructor: Allison McLeod
Credit Hours: 1
Cyber Security Part 1
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 2
Cyber Security Part 2
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 2
Becoming an Enrolled Agent
Instructor: Eva Rosenberg
Credit Hours: 1
Strengthening Seasonal Employees
Instructor: Jon McNaughtan
Credit Hours: 1
Independent Contractor vs. Employee Part 1
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 1
Independent Contractor vs. Employee Part 2
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 1
1099 Form Instructions for Practitioners Part 1
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 1
1099 Form Instructions for Practitioners Part 2
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 2
1099 Form Instructions for Practitioners Part 3
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 1
Trust Fund Recovery Penalty Basics
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 1
Employment Tax Basics
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 1
Virtual Currency & Taxation Part 2
Instructor: Amy Wall
Credit Hours: 2
Virtual Currency & Taxation Part 3
Instructor: Amy Wall
Credit Hours: 1
Ministers & Clergy Tax Rules
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 1
IRS Penalty Abatement Basics
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 1
IRS Penalty Abatement Advanced
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 2
IRS Offer in Compromise Basic
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 1
IRS Offer in Compromise Intermediate
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 2
IRS Offer in Compromise Advanced
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 2
Micro-business Taxation and Consulting Part 1
Instructor: Amy Wall
Credit Hours: 1
Micro-business Taxation and Consulting Part 2
Instructor: Amy Wall
Credit Hours: 1
Micro-business Taxation and Consulting Part 3
Instructor: Amy Wall
Credit Hours: 1
Tax Litigation Essentials
Instructor: Joshua Wu
Credit Hours: 1
Emergency Strategies for Stopping Collection
Instructor: Dan Pilla
Credit Hours: 1
FBAR Basics and Form 8938
Instructor: Paul Hogue
Credit Hours: 1
Audit Defense Strategies and Negotiating with the IRS Part 1
Instructor: Dan Pilla
Credit Hours: 1
Audit Defense Strategies and Negotiating with the IRS Part 2
Instructor: Dan Pilla
Credit Hours: 1
U.S. Expatriate Taxation
Instructor: Roger Healy
Credit Hours: 1
Responding to the Most Common IRS Notices
Instructor: Jeff McNeal
Credit Hours: 1
Section 199A Small Business Deduction Overview
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 1
New Qualified Business Income Deduction: Section 199A
Instructor: Kris J. Thiessen
Credit Hours: 1
Section 199A SSTB and Qualified Business
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 1
Section 199A Final Regulations
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 1
Self Employment Tax
Instructor: Mark Bliss
Credit Hours: 1
Examining Currently Not Collectible Types and Uses
Instructor: Jeff McNeal
Credit Hours: 1
When an Audit Becomes Criminal
Instructor: Joshua Wu
Credit Hours: 1
Intro to Tax Resolution Part 1
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 1
Intro to Tax Resolution Part 2
Instructor: Tanya Baber
Credit Hours: 1
Simplifying Tax Resolution Cases with Canopy
Instructor: Jeff McNeal
Credit Hours: 1
Subchapter S Corp Basics
Instructor: Amy Wall
Credit Hours: 1
Ready to start earning CPE credits with Canopy?
Sign up here to get access to dozens of webinar and self-study courses.
Stay up to date with all things Canopy. Join our email list for offers, and industry leading articles and content.
See your team’s daily workload at a bird’s eye view. Budget hours, track time, and delegate tasks easily.
0 min read
0 min read
Canopy takes the headaches out of client management by offering a way to keep client info organized.
I love how easy it is to setup a new client in this software. Once set up, it's one click to get IRS transcripts downloaded for my review. This saves me at least an hour each week in comparison to the software I used to use.
This makes workflow for tax resolution manageable. This business is a bunch of hurry up and wait. This system helps to refresh my memory while transitioning to different clients.
The ability to securely share documents with clients as well as complete POAs from client contact data already in Canopy. The ability to route workflow between team members with color coded statuses allows us to work efficiently.
Cool features, outstanding customer service, constantly updating to make it better. I love that I can upload files easily to a secure client portal and we don't have to email files anymore. Absolutely can't imagine not having this software.
It's safe and secure. Clients are able to upload documents and the documents are saved their portal which as a result, keeps us better organized. The task feature keeps us organized and we know exactly the status of each client.
Submit this form, and we will be in touch soon to give you a custom demo.
Set a time for one of our product specialists to give you a guided tour practice.