December 1999

FAE's In-Firm Training Grows in Popularity

The Foundation for Accounting Education's In-Firm Training Program brings the classroom to the firm and delivers a customized version of standard CPE courses designed to focus on the issues that are most relevant to course participants. FAE will bring in-firm training to any firm located within New York state and can, with the consent of other state societies, schedule training elsewhere as well.

The in-firm training option has proven extremely popular among mid-sized firms, which often have several CPAs in need of CPE at the same time. According to FAE Director Frimette Kass-Shraibman, participants have been pleased with both the quality of instruction and the extent to which FAE has addressed their needs--educationally and financially. Kass-Shraibman said she often receives follow-up calls from the training directors at these firms, who express on behalf of their CPAs how much they gained from the in-firm training experience.

"We provide high quality instructors," Kass-Shraibman said, citing Jack Laschenski and Raymond Poole as two examples of seminar leaders who have proven their ability to convey information effectively in the classroom.

"The pricing is very competitive. It's cheaper for a firm with a number of CPAs needing to earn CPE credit than sending them to public seminars. Phones have been ringing off the hook. We've been quite successful."

Kass-Shraibman said she believes that while the attraction of mid-sized firms to in-firm training will increase, smaller firms will continue to send individual CPAs to attend FAE sessions and conferences in various locations around New York state. Nevertheless, she said she envisions overall greater demand for in-firm training within the accounting profession.

"In-firm training will grow because as firms specialize, they will have very specialized needs."

For information on FAE's In-Firm Training Program, contact Kass-Shraibman at (212) 719-8370, (800) 633-6320, or fkass@nysscpa.org. *