Continuing Education Units (CEU) in Finance: Complete Guide to Requirements & Credits

Written by CFI Team

Reviewed by Jeff Schmidt

Read Time 5 minutes

Why Continuing Education Units (CEU) Matter in Accounting and Finance

Continuing education never stops in finance. Whether you’re a CPA, financial analyst, or financial planner, Continuing Education Units (CEUs) help you keep your certifications current. This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know about CEUs — from credit requirements to efficient earning strategies.

Understanding Continuing Education Units (CEU)

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits are measurements of professional education activities. While they’re often used interchangeably, there are some key differences to understand:

CEU vs. CPE Credits: How Do They Compare?

CEUs and CPE credits both measure continuing education, but they aren’t interchangeable. For example:

1 CEU = 10 hours of education
1 CPE credit = 1 hour of education
Accounting and finance certifying bodies typically use “CPE credits”.
NASBA accreditation ensures CPE credits meet professional standards.

Accreditation by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) ensures that your courses translate into verifiable credits for your CPE requirements. NASBA-accredited courses, like those offered by CFI, are officially recognized for maintaining professional certifications and licenses.

The Challenge of Completing Continuing Education Units (CEU)

As a professional, you know continuing education matters but balancing it with your demanding career is challenging. Between long hours and looming certification deadlines, completing required CEUs can feel overwhelming.

Traditional formats often create difficult choices — in-person seminars pull you from work, while evening classes consume personal time. Finding relevant courses locally can be especially challenging for specialized topics like ESG or cryptocurrency.

A Modern Solution to Continuing Education

Online learning platforms transform your approach to continuing education. Instead of traveling to seminars or conferences, you can access comprehensive training from anywhere.

This flexibility lets you fit learning into your schedule, like reviewing valuation techniques during lunch or practicing Excel between meetings. You progress at your own pace while maintaining work performance and personal time.

Cost Considerations

Cost considerations influence your continuing education choices. Traditional education demands significant investment in course fees and travel expenses, often requiring tough budget decisions.

Online platforms give you more control through membership models that provide unlimited access to diverse courses. This means you can:

Explore emerging topics without additional costs
Complete courses at your own pace
Return to learning materials whenever needed
Switch between topics based on your needs or interests

Learning That Fits Your Life

The most effective continuing education adapts to your unique learning style. Online platforms offer both quick refreshers and comprehensive programs to match your preferences.

Through interactive exercises and case studies, you’ll retain and apply new knowledge immediately. From accounting updates to emerging topics like sustainable finance, you’ll find content aligned with your goals.

Tracking Your Progress

Best of all, modern platforms simplify your administrative work. Instead of managing paper certificates and manually logging hours, you can track your progress automatically. Course completion, credit accumulation, and certification documentation are handled seamlessly, letting you focus on learning rather than paperwork.

Industry Standards and Continuing Education Units (CEU)

Today’s continuing education unit requirements reflect the finance industry’s commitment to maintaining professional excellence, including:

State Boards of Accountancy
Professional Certification Organizations
Federal Regulatory Agencies
Industry Associations

CPE Credit Requirements by Certification Type

CPE requirements reflect the finance industry’s commitment to maintaining professional excellence. Various professional finance certifications require CPE credits to maintain active status, including:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)*
Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)
Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
Financial Risk Manager (FRM)
Enrolled Agent (EA)
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) — CPE is voluntary for CFAs and strongly encouraged by the CFA Institute.

*Requirements vary by state board of accountancy. For specific credit requirements and reporting periods, consult your certifying organization directly as requirements may vary and are subject to change.

Selecting Continuing Education Units (CEU) Courses: Best Practices and Strategies

Choosing the right continuing education courses is crucial for maximizing both your professional development and credit requirements. Here’s how to approach your CEU course selection strategically:

Align with Career Goals

Match courses to your current role requirements
Select topics that support future career aspirations
Focus on emerging industry trends in your specialty
Build complementary skills that enhance your expertise

Consider Course Format and Delivery

When evaluating continuing education unit options, consider:

Self-paced vs. scheduled learning
Interactive vs. lecture-based content
Practice exercises vs. theoretical knowledge
Individual study vs. group learning opportunities

Strategic Selection Tips for Meeting CEU Requirements

✅ Check Certification Requirements	• Review required CEU or CPE topics to earn valid credits. • Mark your renewal deadline to maintain your active status. • Choose NASBA-accredited courses for credit acceptance. • Confirm required credits for each subject area.
✅ Assess Course Quality	• Compare course objectives with your career interests. • Choose courses taught by seasoned professionals. • Look for up-to-date courses to learn current methods. • Select practical courses that use real-world examples.
✅ Find Cost-Effective Options	• Choose multi-credit courses to maximize each session. • Look for memberships to lower the cost per credit. • Consider self-paced courses to learn at your own pace. • Start early to avoid last-minute pressure.
✅ Track Your Progress	• Keep detailed records for potential audits. • Check off requirements regularly to stay on track. • Store completion certificates where you can find them. • Plan your remaining credits to finish on time.

Earning Continuing Education Units (CEU) with CFI

As finance careers evolve, you need flexible ways to earn CPE credits while building relevant skills. CFI offers 400+ NASBA-accredited credits that align with modern industry demands.

Course Structure and CPE Credit System

Each course is carefully structured to maximize learning while meeting CPE requirements:

Credit hours range from 0.5 to 8.5 per course
Credit values reflect the level of course complexity
Real-world applications reinforce learning
Interactive elements ensure engagement

Tracking and Managing Your CPE Credits

CFI’s platform streamlines CPE credits tracking through:

Automated completion tracking
Receive a downloadable certificate of completion
Progress monitoring tools
Integrated reporting features

Key Knowledge Areas in Finance and Accounting

CFI offers a comprehensive selection of NASBA-accredited courses designed specifically for accounting and finance professionals. Our curriculum spans five key areas essential for career growth:

Category	Subtopics
Core Finance and Accounting	Accounting fundamentals, financial statement analysis, financial modeling, valuation, corporate finance
Data and Analytics	Advanced Excel tools, business intelligence, data analytics, and data visualization, Tableau
Specialized Knowledge	ESG and sustainable finance, digital assets and cryptocurrency, commercial lending
Risk Management	Financial analysis for credit, market risk assessment, risk mitigation strategies, compliance frameworks
Leadership & Professional Development	Professional ethics, team management, communication, strategic planning, corporate governance

Why Choose CFI For CPE Credits?

CFI’s online platform provides the flexibility that finance professionals need to fit CPE into their schedules. Key benefits include:

Self-Paced Learning: Start, pause, and resume lessons whenever it suits you, allowing you to integrate CPE seamlessly into your schedule.
Anytime, Anywhere Access: CFI’s online platform allows you to earn CPE credits in finance from any location with internet access.
Practical, Career-Focused Content: Each CFI course delivers practical skills and knowledge that you can apply in your current role or use to pursue new opportunities.
Cost-Effective All-Access Model: CFI’s membership plans provide unlimited access to all CFI courses and certifications at a single, cost-effective rate.

Whether you’re aiming for leadership roles or looking to excel in specialized areas, CPE in finance is an investment in long-term career success.

Continuing Education Units (CEU): Turn Requirements Into Career Growth

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) do more than maintain your professional credentials — they provide a pathway to develop new capabilities and advance your career at every stage. Whether you’re developing financial modeling skills, exploring niche areas like ESG, or building leadership expertise, the right courses can turn requirements into opportunities for growth.

CFI’s comprehensive catalog of NASBA-accredited courses offers the flexibility and practical focus finance professionals need. With 400+ CPE credits available, you can build expertise that aligns with your ambitions while meeting certification requirements efficiently.

Ready to meet your CPE requirements and grow your career?

Earn Your Credits!