The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) have proposed revisions to the Statement on Standards for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Programs, which are intended to add greater clarity and flexibility to benefit learners and CPE program providers, the two bodies jointly announced.
The proposed standards “provide a framework for the development, presentation, measurement and reporting of CPE programs,” the announcement said. They would provide clarifications to the existing standards, which were last revised in 2019, taking the evolution of technology into account. One would clarify how to award CPE credit when multiple presenters are actively involved in running one CPE program session. Another "clarifies that Group Live and Group Internet Based programs are determined by how the learner interacts with other participants and the instructor, instead of how the learning is consumed by the learner."
“Advancing technology, globalization of commerce, increasing specialization, proliferating regulations, and the complex nature of business transactions have created a dynamic environment that requires CPAs to continuously maintain or improve their professional competence,” the exposure draft states in its preamble.
The proposals address standards for CPE program sponsors, CPE program presentation, CPE program measurement and CPE program reporting.
“All CPAs should participate in learning activities that maintain or improve their professional competence,” the document stated in its general guidelines for CPAs. “Selection of learning activities should be a thoughtful, reflective process addressing the individual CPA’s current and future professional plans, current knowledge and skill level, and desired or needed additional competence to meet future opportunities or professional responsibilities, or both.”
“We are very pleased with the outcome of the hard work of those involved in the revisions process,” said Jessica Luttrull, NASBA’s associate director of the National Registry. “We believe the changes included in these revised Standards will assist CPE program providers and help keep CPE relevant and meaningful to CPAs.”
“CPE helps CPAs maintain professional competence and provide quality services,” said Michael M. Grant, the AICPA’s senior director of learning innovation and assessment. “Through continued education, CPAs are more prepared to instill confidence in an unstable and evolving economic environment, strengthen capital markets and expand opportunities for sustainable growth worldwide.”
Public comments on the exposure draft can be sent to comments@nasba.org until March 31, 2023.