Best Practices for CPA Continuing Education: Stay Ahead, Stay Licensed

In the fast-changing world of accounting, staying updated isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must. For CPAs, continuing education isn’t only about ticking off licensing requirements. It’s about keeping your skills sharp, staying compliant, and standing out in a competitive field.

This quick guide will show you smart, practical ways to manage your CPA continuing education—so you stay current, meet all your requirements, and avoid wasting time on courses that don’t actually help.

Why CPA Continuing Education Matters More Than Ever

The accounting world never stands still. New tax laws. Updated audit procedures. Emerging technologies. CPAs who stop learning risk falling behind—or worse, losing licensure.

Here’s why smart CPAs treat continuing education as a strategy, not a checkbox:

• Compliance with State Boards: Every state has different CPE requirements (ranging from 40 to 120 hours per renewal period).


• Professional Relevance: Courses on ethics, tax updates, and fraud prevention ensure you're prepared for real-world challenges.


• Career Growth: CPEs can help CPAs transition into advisory roles, specialize in niches like cannabis accounting, or even branch into CFO positions.

1. Know Your State’s CPE Requirements Inside-Out

Not all CPA licenses are governed the same way. Some states require 4 hours of ethics, others mandate specific live hours, and some offer partial credit for teaching or authorship.

How to Stay Compliant:

• Visit your state board’s website every renewal period for updates.


• Check for reciprocity rules if you're licensed in multiple states.


• Track both technical and non-technical hours—mixing them up can lead to audit red flags.

2. Don’t Procrastinate—Build a Year-Round Learning Schedule

Too many CPAs cram 40 hours of education into the final weeks of renewal. It’s inefficient and, frankly, stressful.

Instead, try this:

• Quarterly CPE Goals: Break your total hour requirement into four quarters.


• Blend Formats: Mix on-demand videos with live webinars and podcasts to avoid monotony.


• Set Reminders: Use calendar alerts or a CPE tracker to stay on pace.

When CPE becomes routine—not a burden—you absorb more and apply it better.

3. Prioritize Relevant and High-Impact Courses

All CPE credits are not created equal. A generic Excel course might count toward your hours—but will it boost your confidence when consulting clients?

Choose courses that:

• Reflect your practice area (e.g., tax law, forensic accounting, nonprofit audits).


• Teach practical tools (e.g., QuickBooks tips, data analytics).


• Are updated for current-year regulations (especially tax and ethics).

MYCPE ONE Course catalog is packed with timely, industry-relevant courses that don’t feel like fluff. Plus, they regularly update sessions based on new AICPA standards and IRS changes.

4. Mix Learning Formats to Fit Your Schedule and Style

CPA continuing education isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some professionals love self-paced videos after dinner. Others prefer live interaction.

Here’s a breakdown:

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  Live Webinars – Ideal for CPAs who prefer real-time Q&A and updates from instructors.

  
  


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  On-Demand Videos – Perfect for busy professionals who need flexibility to learn anytime, anywhere.

  
  


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  Podcasts & Audio CPE – Great for commuters or multitaskers who prefer learning passively while on the move.

  
  


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  Virtual Conferences – Best for those aiming to earn bulk hours quickly; gain 10–20 credits in just 2 days

  
  

5. Ethics Courses: Don't Treat Them as Just Another Requirement

Most states require ethics-specific CPE hours, and many CPAs dread them. But ethics courses can be surprisingly engaging—and critical.

Recent high-profile frauds (Wirecard, FTX) show how easy it is to overlook red flags.

A good ethics course will:

• Explore real-world case studies


• Explain new AICPA Code of Conduct updates


• Offer decision-making frameworks for ethical dilemmas

Don’t just pass the ethics test. Learn something that might save your license or your firm’s reputation down the road.

6. Track Your Credits Diligently—Audit Happens

Let’s face it: getting audited for CPE compliance can be a headache—unless you’ve been tracking everything all along.

Best practices:

• Use a digital CPE tracker or spreadsheet


• Maintain certificates of completion


• Regularly back up your CPE records (especially for rolling periods)

7. Focus on Specialty CPE to Stand Out

Want to expand your income or attract niche clients? Consider specialty CPE topics that go beyond the basics.

Trending Niches in 2025:

• Cannabis Accounting – A booming field with strict IRS scrutiny.


• Nonprofit & Government Accounting – Demand for transparency is high.


• Cybersecurity & Fraud – Especially important for audit professionals.

CPE is more than a compliance task—it’s a growth lever. Choose your courses like you're building your future.

8. Take Advantage of Unlimited CPE Subscriptions

Instead of buying one-off courses (which add up fast), go for an unlimited CPE plan. It’s cost-effective and encourages consistent learning.

MYCPE ONE offers annual subscription plans that include:

• Unlimited access to 15,000+ hours of content


• Live webinars, conferences, and self-study


• Free compliance tracker and mobile app access

This approach also removes the mental hurdle of “Should I buy this course?” and replaces it with “What do I want to learn this week?”

9. Get Creative with How You Earn CPE Credits

Not all CPE credits have to come from formal courses. If you're strategic, you can earn credits through activities you’re already doing—without even realizing they count.

Double-Dip with Other Certifications

Holding additional credentials like Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or Enrolled Agent (EA)? Good news: Many courses qualify across multiple certifications. For instance, an IRS-approved course may count toward both your CPA CPE and EA continuing education requirements. That’s a smart way to reduce the total time (and money) you spend on compliance.

10. Choose a Trusted CPE Provider

Not all providers are approved in every state. And not all providers update their content frequently enough to meet current standards.

Here’s what to look for:

• NASBA or QAS certification


• Courses updated for current tax year


• Multi-format availability (mobile-friendly is a plus!)


• Transparent pricing and customer support

Thousands of CPAs trust MYCPE ONE for exactly these reasons. With a 4.8+ user rating and courses developed by experts, it’s one of the most reliable platforms in the market.

Final Thoughts

Think of CPA continuing education as your professional recharge. With the right mindset—and the right platform—it can be both enriching and efficient.

So, don’t wait until the last minute. Map out your year, choose courses that actually interest you, and let your CPE strategy work for your long-term career.