Self-Study Vs Live Webinars: Best CPE Choice for CPAs

As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), you must be aware that you need to obtain 40 Hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credits every year, depending on the specific requirements of your state’s board. 

Accounting and Finance professionals often face time constraints, so attending seminars becomes impractical. Hence, online Continuing Professional Education (CPE) courses have gained popularity, offering two main formats: self-study courses and live webinars.

In this article, we'll explore the fundamentals of each type of CPE, their advantages and disadvantages, and strategies for determining the most suitable option to fulfill your CPE requirements.

Exploring Self-Study CPE Options

Self-study (On-Demand Videos) CPE means professionals update their certifications or licenses on their own, without attending formal classes. This can involve reading books or articles, watching video courses, or attending workshops. They keep track of their learning and share it to prove they're meeting the requirements.

CPAs can meet their CPE needs with lots of great self-study options, including:

• Online CPE providers

• Professional Organization’s Self-Study Resources

• Textbooks and Journals

• Online Learning Platforms courses

• Government Agency’s free resources

Advantages of Self-Study CPE Courses for CPA

There are various advantages that you can have on your side if you choose self-study CPE courses for your CPE credits, which are as follows:

• Flexibility in pace and time schedules.

• Convenience of learning from any location.

• Wide range of variety of topics.

• Customized learning experiences.

• Easy accessibility of resources.

• Increased level of engagement and focus.

• Allows you to learn at your own pace without the pressure of scheduled webinars.

• It lets you avoid last-minute rushes for completing your CPE.

Disadvantages of Self-Study CPE Courses for CPA

Self-study CPE courses for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) provide flexibility and convenience, yet they also entail several drawbacks such as:

• Lack of interaction with the instructor.

• Challenging for some individuals to stay motivated and disciplined in completing self-study courses.

• Reduced engagement levels.

• Lack of real-time assessment or feedback.

• Limited networking opportunities.

• Higher potential of getting distracted.

• May not have access to additional support services such as tutoring, academic advising, or technical assistance.

• Convenience of learning from any location.

• You get a certificate of completion.

Is self-study (On-Demand) CPE right for CPAs?

Choosing the right Continuing Professional Education (CPE) method for CPAs depends on their specific needs. If you're strapped for time due to work or family commitments, self-study CPE is a great option. It allows you to learn at your own pace without the pressure of scheduled webinars. Plus, if you have some flexibility in meeting your requirements, self-study lets you avoid last-minute rushes.

On the other hand, if you struggle with staying disciplined or prefer interacting with other professionals, Live CPE webinars might be better suited for you. They offer engagement and help you quickly accumulate CPE hours.

What are Live CPE Webinars?

Live CPE (Continuing Professional Education) courses typically adopt the format of a scheduled webinar or webcast. Participants are required to log in at the designated date and time to engage in the course. To ensure active participation and comprehension of the subject matter, these sessions often incorporate interactive elements such as Q&A sessions or group discussions.

Advantages of Live Webinars for CPAs

There are various advantages that you can have on your side if you choose live webinars for your CPE credits, which are as follows:

• Opportunity to interact live with the instructor.

• You get to have immediate feedback.

• Allows you to access educational content anywhere with an internet connection.

• A valuable resource for staying informed on the latest topics, trends, and developments in the field.

• You have the opportunity to connect and engage with industry experts.

• You get to have a structured learning experience.

• You get a certificate upon completion.

• It is a cost-effective alternative to self-study courses.

Disadvantages of Live Webinars for CPAs

There are various disadvantages as well that you can have on your side if you choose live webinars for your CPE credits, which are as follows:

• Feedback may lack personalization and immediacy compared to in-person sessions.
• Reliance on stable internet connectivity, posing challenges in participation during disruptions.
• Difficulty in evaluating the credibility of online educational content.
• Reduced opportunities for spontaneous networking and relationship-building.
• Potential distractions and multitasking, hindering focus and information retention.

Are Live CPE webinars suitable for CPAs?

If you're aiming to fulfill your hours requirements promptly, live CPE webinars offer an effective solution. They serve as an excellent learning avenue, especially if you find it challenging to maintain self-motivation during self-study sessions. Additionally, these webinars provide an opportunity to engage with fellow accounting professionals, making them the preferred choice if networking is significant to you.

MY-CPE offers CPE courses that meet your needs

MY-CPE has been curating courses that meet the NASBA CPA CPE requirements for  both forms i.e. live webinars as well as self-study CPA CPE courses. These courses offer flexibility and covers 500+ topics of content while pursuing your CPE credits for CPA.

MY-CPE offers affordable bundles and user-friendly training programs that streamline the CPE credit process for CPAs. By doing so, we strive to make it simple and cost-effective for all CPAs to meet their CPE obligations.

Here are the top Reasons to Choose MY-CPE as your CPE provider:

• NASBA-approved CPE provider with registry id: 143597
• 13000+ hours of CPA CPE courses.
• 500+ hrs of State-Specific and AICPA General ethics courses.
• Single subscription provides access to the entire platform.
• 4.8 Google and 4.8 Trustpilot ratings.
• Customized CPE Packages to meet your requirements in one go.
• Dedicated Dashboard to track and record your CPE.
• 700+ subject matter experts.
• Mobile App for flexible learning.
• Extensive customer support for your assistance.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Self-Study and Live Webinars

When considering the mode of CPA CPE webinars, you should keep all these factors in mind and then decide which mode of CPA CPE webinars are best for you:

• Your learning style and preferences.

• The level of interactivity and engagement you require while pursuing your CPE credits.

• Your schedule’s flexibility.

• The depth of content you require.

• The cost that you are ready to bear for the webinars.

• Resources availability in each mode.

Conclusion

In conclusion, for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) seeking Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits, the choice between self-study and live webinars depends on individual preferences, learning styles, and professional obligations. Self-study offers flexibility and convenience, ideal for those with time constraints and self-discipline, while live webinars provide interactive engagement and immediate feedback, catering to those who thrive in structured environments and value networking opportunities. Ultimately, platforms like MY-CPE offer a comprehensive range of NASBA-approved courses, accommodating diverse needs and ensuring CPAs can efficiently fulfill their CPE requirements with affordability and ease.

FAQs

How will I know whether a CPE course meets the specific state requirements?

To ensure your Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits are recognized, it's essential to check with your state board of accountancy. They maintain a register of approved providers and courses. This verification is necessary to confirm that the courses you take qualify for CPE credit within your specific state's regulations.

Are MY-CPE courses tailored to specific areas of accounting and tax regulation?

Absolutely! MY-CPE offers a wide range of courses covering diverse areas of accounting and auditing CPE webinars, including tax, audit, financial reporting, and ethics. Regardless of your specialization, whether it's tax accounting or any other branch, you can find suitable online CPA CPE courses tailored to your specific needs and interests.

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).