CEUs vs. CPE Credits: What’s the Difference for Finance Professionals?

Written by CFI Team

Reviewed by Jeff Schmidt

Read Time 4 minutes

Why Do CEUs and CPE Credits Matter?

Staying relevant in a fast-paced finance career means continuously building skills and keeping up with changing industry standards. For finance professionals, both Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits play essential roles in career development, though each serves a distinct purpose. Understanding these differences empowers finance professionals to manage their growth effectively and advance in their careers.

What are Continuing Education Units (CEUs)?

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) measure your participation in professional education and training activities across a broad spectrum of industries and fields. These CEUs serve as a universal measurement system for professional development. CEUs allow individuals to document their learning across different sectors and disciplines, such as education, healthcare, IT, and education.

Key Features of CEUs

Function as a general-purpose educational measurement tool across all professional fields
Enable professionals to track development in any industry or subject area
Accredited educational institutions and professional organizations award these internationally recognized units
Apply to diverse fields ranging from healthcare and education to technical training and management
Professional development programs and non-credit courses commonly use CEUs as their measurement standard

CEU Standards Across Different Industries

CEUs are common in industries that prioritize continuous learning and skill development. Here’s how CEUs are applied across different sectors:

Healthcare: Professionals earn CEUs to stay current with medical advancements.
Education: Teachers complete CEUs for professional development and credentialing.
Engineering: Engineers earn CEUs to stay updated on safety regulations and technology.
Real Estate: Agents need CEUs to maintain licensure and learn about market changes.
Information Technology: IT professionals use CEUs to stay proficient in emerging technologies.

Unlike the CEU system, Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits exclusively serve the specialized needs of finance and accounting professionals.

What are Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credits?

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits measure your participation in specialized education and training activities specifically within finance and accounting. These CPE credits serve as the standardized system for maintaining professional competency. CPE credits allow finance professionals to document their ongoing learning in essential areas like taxation, auditing, risk management, and financial planning.

Key Features of CPE Credits

Requirements that state boards of accountancy and financial professional organizations actively monitor
A time-based structure — for example, one CPE credit equals 50 minutes of instruction
Mandatory completion for maintaining financial certifications like CPA, CFP, and FRM
Strict documentation and reporting demands specific to finance industry standards

Select Finance Organizations Requiring CPE Credits

Major certifying bodies mandate these credits to ensure their professionals maintain expertise and stay current with industry developments. A few examples include:

The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA)
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board)
Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP)
IFRS Foundation
Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)

These governing bodies actively oversee CPE requirements to ensure finance professionals maintain the highest standards of expertise.

While most certifications mandate CPE credits, some take a different approach. For example, the CFA Institute encourages continuing professional education for its charterholders but does not require CPE credits for maintaining the CFA designation.

What’s the Difference Between CEUs and CPE Credits?

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) offer finance professionals a powerful way to expand their expertise beyond traditional boundaries. While CPE credits fulfill certification requirements, CEUs provide the flexibility to pursue broader professional education and develop cross-functional skills.

While both CEUs and CPE credits help professionals continue their education, the two serve different purposes in the finance field. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between CEUs and CPE credits.

A Comparison of CEUs vs. CPE Credits

	CEUs	CPE Credits
Purpose	Geared toward general professional development, enabling individuals across various industries to advance their knowledge and skills.	Focused on specialized knowledge required to maintain industry-specific certifications, especially within finance and accounting.
Industries	Commonly used in healthcare, education, IT, and real estate for skills development and industry updates.	Relevant in finance and accounting, where ongoing education is required for top industry certifications like CPA and CFP.
Certification Relevance	Valuable for general career progression, but not typically tied to specific financial certifications.	Mandatory for certain financial certifications, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and standards.

Many successful finance professionals maintain a balanced approach: fulfilling CPE requirements while strategically selecting CEUs that align with their career aspirations and market demands.

How CFI Helps Finance Professionals with Continuing Education

Corporate Finance Institute (CFI) provides finance professionals with comprehensive CPE credit courses designed to meet certification requirements while delivering practical skills. With CFI, finance professionals can access:

Flexible, on-demand learning: Courses are available online, allowing professionals to earn credits at their own pace and fit education into their busy schedules.
Accredited and verifiable courses: All CFI courses are recognized by certifying bodies like the AICPA, GARP, and the CFP Board, ensuring that professionals can maintain their certifications with confidence.
Practical, real-world skills: CFI’s courses cover essential topics like accounting, financial modeling, Excel, risk management, and more, giving professionals the tools they need to thrive in their roles while earning CPE credits.

FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and CPE Credits

What is a Continuing Education Unit (CEU)?
A CEU is a unit of credit that documents participation in a recognized professional education program, used across many industries to support ongoing learning.
How are CEUs used in different industries?
CEUs are common in fields like healthcare, IT, and education, allowing professionals to maintain certifications, meet industry standards, and enhance their skills.
Can finance professionals use CEUs for career growth?
Yes, while CPE credits are often required for certification in finance, CEUs offer broader skill-building opportunities, including leadership and management.
What is the difference between CEUs and CPE credits?
CEUs apply to various industries for general professional development, while CPE credits are finance-specific and tied to maintaining certifications like CPA.
How does CEU benefit finance professionals?
CEUs provide valuable learning in areas beyond finance, such as communication, project management, data and technology — all transferable skills that enhance overall career flexibility.
How can I earn CEUs online?
Many accredited institutions offer online CEU programs that finance professionals can complete on their own schedules, making it convenient to fulfill their professional development needs.

Maximize Your Career Growth with CEUs and CPE Credits

Whether you’re pursuing CEUs to broaden your skill set or CPE credits to maintain certifications, continuing education equips you for both current and future challenges in finance. With CFI’s flexible online courses, you’ll meet these requirements and gain practical skills that drive career advancement.

Take control of your professional growth — explore CFI’s accredited CEU and CPE courses today.

Earn Your CPE Credits!