10 Things to consider while taking continuing education courses in 2024

Continuing Professional Education courses are a great way to upgrade your skills, enhance your knowledge, and improve your career prospects. With the increasing demand for professionals to constantly upgrade their skills, continuing education has become a crucial aspect of professional development. Here are 10 things you should consider while taking continuing education courses in 2023.

1. Course relevance to your career:

It is important to choose a continuing education course that is relevant to your career. Consider your career goals and the skills you need to achieve those goals, and choose a course that will help you acquire those skills by selecting the accurate courses. For this, professionals must check the principal subject areas as per their qualifications.

Example: 

• CPE credits for CPA must attend courses on, Accountancy & Auditing, Taxation, Finance, etc. Subject areas.
• Subject areas for CPE CVA courses - Auditing, Financial accounting, Construction Audit, Forensic Accounting, etc.
• Subject areas for CMA CPE courses - CFO, Business management, Fraud & Forensics, Internal Auditing, Risk management, etc.
• Subject areas for shrm recertification courses - Human resource, Payroll, Information technology, business law, etc.
• Subject areas for AFSP CE Webinars- Tax updates, Business Tax, Payroll, IRS representation, etc.
• Subject areas for Enrolled Agent CPE - Individual tax, Tax planning, IRS representation, payroll, etc.

2. Accreditation:

Governing bodies play an essential role in the continuing education of professionals by setting the standards and requirements for ongoing education and ensuring that professionals meet these standards.

These bodies may include professional organizations, state licensing boards, or other regulatory agencies. They establish the rules and regulations for continuing education, including the number of hours or credits that professionals must complete and the types of courses that are acceptable.

Governing bodies also often approve courses and providers of continuing education to ensure that they meet the standards set by the organization or agency. This helps to ensure that professionals are receiving a high-quality education that is relevant to their field and meets the needs of their clients or patients.

In addition, governing bodies may monitor compliance with continuing education requirements and enforce penalties for noncompliance, such as fines, revocation of licenses or certifications, or other disciplinary actions.

So, make sure the continuing education course you choose is accredited by a reputable organization/ or approved by the respective governing body. This will ensure that the course is of high quality and recognized by employers.

Example: Governing bodies of various qualifications:

3. Flexibility in attending courses:

Flexible courses allow professionals to continue their education on their own time, without having to take time away from their work or personal lives. Online courses and self-paced learning can be done at any time, and in any location with an internet connection. Flexible courses allow professionals to choose the courses and topics that are most relevant to their individual needs and interests. This allows them to tailor their education to their specific career goals and challenges.

Look for courses that offer flexible scheduling options so that you can balance your work and personal commitments. Some courses offer online options, allowing you to study from anywhere at any time.

myCPE is providing you with the most comfortable avenues of courses, like live webinars, self-study courses, etc., for your continuing education. Once you become a member of myCPE, you will get access to unlimited cpe webinars and other courses on your smartphones (whether android or Ios). Download myCPE mobile application today!

So, make sure the continuing education course you choose is accredited by a reputable organization/ or approved by the respective governing body. This will ensure that the course is of high quality and recognized by employers.

4. Research about courses:

Before enrolling in a course, be sure to check the requirements, such as course description, learning objective, course recommended course credit, and any fees. You don't want to invest time and money into a course only to find out you can't meet the requirements. Most important, read reviews and testimonials from previous attendees to get a sense of the quality of the course.

myCPE provides a complete description of the course as per guidelines set by various governing bodies.

Example: Governing bodies of various qualifications:

5. Seek out additional resources:

In addition to your course materials, there are many additional resources available to help you achieve your goals. This could include online tutorials, articles, and podcasts. If you are interested in reading, then Ebooks are the perfect match for your learning. So, choose the platform that provides additional resources for continuing education.

Whether you are looking for tax CPE courses, CFP® CE courses,  business valuation cpe for cpas, cisa cpe courses, etc. myCPE offers E-books, audio courses, etc., to fulfill continuing education requirements.

6. Instructor/ Speaker:

The quality of the instructor can greatly impact the quality of the course. This helps to ensure that the course material is accurate and up-to-date, and that professionals are receiving quality learning experience. Checking the speaker's credentials can help ensure that the speaker is an expert in the subject matter and has the necessary qualifications and experience to teach the course. This can help ensure that the course material is accurate, up-to-date, and relevant. 

It's important to check that the speaker's expertise is relevant to your needs and interests. By ensuring that the speaker has the knowledge and experience that aligns with your goals, you can ensure that the course material will be useful and applicable to your career.

So, look for courses with experienced and knowledgeable instructors with a strong reputation in their field.

7. Ethics Courses:

Ethics courses are a critical component of continuing education for professionals as they help to promote ethical behavior and decision-making within organizations. Here are some reasons why ethics courses should be a focus for continuing education:

• Promoting ethical behavior
• Building trust and credibility
• Preventing misconduct
• Compliance with laws and regulations
• Enhancing professional development

Example:

• CIA CPE Ethics requirement – 2 hours
• CFE CPE Ethics requirement – 2 hours
• ABV CPD ethics requirement – 4 hours/3 years

To check CPA CPE ethics requirements, visit myCPE CPA CPE requirement Page!

8. Certification:

Certification credits are important for continuing education because they provide evidence that an individual has completed a certain amount of professional development or training in a particular field or subject. These credits are often required by professional organizations or licensing bodies to ensure that individuals are maintaining their knowledge and skills in their area of expertise. They also demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and development, which can enhance career prospects and professional credibility.

myCPE offers certificates upon completion of your course with required CPE/CPD/CE/PDC/RCH credits.

9. Cost of the course:

Continuing education courses can be expensive, so it's important to consider the cost before enrolling. Look for scholarships, grants, or financial aid programs that may be available to help cover the cost of the course.

At myCPE, the cost can never come between you and your education. Therefore, we are providing courses at minimal prices. Get your CPA license renewal and earn all your CPE credits by attending CPA continuing education courses.

10. Career prospects:

Finally, consider the potential impact the course will have on your career prospects. Will it increase your chances of getting a promotion or a higher salary? Will it help you transition into a new career? Consider the long-term benefits of the course and weigh them against the cost and time investment.

In conclusion, continuing education courses can be a valuable investment in your professional development. By considering these 10 factors, you can choose a relevant, flexible, affordable course that will help you achieve your career goals.

FAQs:

Are ethics courses necessary for CPA to earn CPE credits?

Yes, cpa ethics cpe credits are typically required for CPAs to earn CPE credits. Many state boards of accountancy require CPAs to complete a certain number of ethics credits in order to maintain their license. These ethics courses provide important training on ethical considerations and decision-making processes, helping to ensure that CPAs uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in their work. Additionally, every state board of accountancy has specific ethics requirements.

How can I determine which courses are right for me?

To determine which courses are right for you, start by setting clear goals for what you hope to achieve through continuing education. Then, research different courses and evaluate their format, requirements, instructor, and time commitment to find the best fit for your goals and schedule.

Why approved courses are required for continuing education?

Approved courses are required for continuing education to ensure that professionals stay current with the latest developments and best practices in their fields. Continuing education helps professionals maintain their knowledge and skills, which is essential for providing high-quality services to their clients or patients.

Imtiaz Munshi, CPA

CFO, AZSTEC LLC

The author Imtiaz Munshi is a Certified Public Accountant and CFO at Azstec, LLC. He is Business Strategist, Tax Planner, Entrepreneur and Advisor to "HNEs" (High Net Worth Entrepreneurs).