Professional Certification Programs: A Smart Way to Earn CPE Credits

Written by CFI Team

Reviewed by Jeff Schmidt

Read Time 5 minutes

How Professional Certification Programs and CPE Can Work Together

Did you know that your Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits could do double duty by helping you complete another professional certification program that sets you apart? Many CPE courses meet your current certification requirements while you work towards a new industry-recognized credential that supports your career goals.

This guide will help you make the most of your continuing education by showing how to align your CPE efforts with professional certification programs. You’ll explore certifications that not only meet CPE requirements but also position you for greater career opportunities.

You’ll discover professional certification programs that align with your career goals while helping you meet CPE requirements. Let’s start by exploring why combining certification and CPE makes a smart career move.

Why Combine Professional Certification Programs and CPE?

Pursuing two goals at once — like CPE credits and a professional certification program — can seem like a lot for busy professionals. But, by combining CPE requirements with a certification program, you can maximize your professional development time and resources.

Here’s how this dual approach benefits you:

Efficiency: Meet CPE and certification requirements simultaneously.
Skill Development: Gain new skills to advance your career.
Cost-Effectiveness: Save time and money on overlapping training needs.
Career Growth: Add recognized credentials to your resume.

For example, imagine you’re a corporate accountant who wants to move into financial planning and analysis (FP&A). While earning the CPE credits required to maintain your CPA, you could also complete courses for CFI’s FP&A Specialization. This program develops hands-on FP&A skills and provides a credential to demonstrate your expertise, making your move into an FP&A role more attainable.

This approach works for various career paths. Choosing the right certification program ensures you meet CPE requirements and take big steps toward your career goals.

Professional Certification Programs That Maximize CPE and Career Growth

Whether you’re aiming for a role in financial planning, data analytics, or leadership, the right professional certification program can help you get there while earning CPE credits. Let’s explore specific CFI programs that align with different career goals and the skills they help you build.

Explore CFI’s Professional Certification Programs for Every Career Path

Certification	Skills You’ll Build	Ideal For
FMVA® (Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst)	Advanced financial modeling, valuation techniques, Excel skills for finance, financial analysis	Financial analysts moving into investment banking and private equity careers
FP&A Specialization	Budgeting and forecasting, financial modeling, business strategy, performance analysis	Financial analysts and accountants working in corporate finance
BIDA™ (Business Intelligence & Data Analyst)	Data visualization, business intelligence tools, advanced analytics, strategic reporting	Professionals wanting to lead with data-driven insights
Accounting for Financial Analysts Specialization	Fundamental accounting concepts and detailed financial statement analysis.	Financial analysts who need to read and interpret company financial statements.
Leadership Effectiveness Program	Team leadership strategies, effective communication, managing difficult conversations, providing feedback	Professionals aiming for management positions or senior finance roles
Cryptocurrencies and Digital Assets Specialization	Cryptocurrency fundamentals, blockchain technology, decentralized finance (DeFi), digital asset analysis	Professionals advising on digital investments or working with crypto-focused companies

These professional certification programs each offer unique paths to career advancement while fulfilling CPE requirements. But how do these opportunities translate into real career growth?

Real-World Examples of Professional Certification Programs and CPE Success

Let’s look at other examples of how finance professionals like you can use professional certification programs to advance their careers while meeting CPE requirements.

A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) completes CPE hours by taking CFI courses that count toward a Financial Planning and Wealth Management (FPWMP™) Certification. They build skills in risk management and insurance, behavioral finance, and portfolio management while meeting CPE requirements, enhancing their ability to serve clients and strengthen credentials.
A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) seeking to excel in digital finance can take CPE-eligible courses within CFI’s Cryptocurrencies and Digital Assets Specialization. This helps them master blockchain, cryptocurrency valuation, and DeFi, allowing them to maintain their designation while gaining expertise to advise clients on digital investments effectively.
An FP&A Manager who seeks to advance into executive leadership can complete CPE-eligible courses in CFI’s Leadership Effectiveness Specialization. This enables them to strengthen their skills in team management, communication, and decision making, meeting CPE requirements while positioning themselves for higher leadership roles.

Now that you’ve seen how individuals in different areas of finance can combine professional certification programs with CPE requirements, let’s explore how you can build a strategy to achieve similar success.

Checklist for Maximizing CPE with a Professional Certification Program

Choosing the right CPE courses and certification is just the first step. To succeed with professional certification programs, you need a clear plan that fits your schedule and learning style. Let’s break down how to create an approach that works for you.

1. Choose the Right CPE Courses and Certification Program

Align your certification choice with your CPE and career goals:
- Think about where you want to be in two to three years.
- Identify skills that will help you grow into your target role.
- Research professional certification programs that count towards CPE credits.
- Confirm the number of CPE hours included in the certification program.

2. Plan Your Learning Path

Create a manageable plan to earn your certification while meeting CPE requirements:
- Set aside specific times to complete CPE courses.
- Break certification requirements into weekly, achievable goals.
- Track both your CPE and certification progress regularly.
- Balance your learning schedule with work and personal commitments.

3. Make Time Work for You

Use flexible CPE learning options to maximize efficiency:
- Study during your most productive hours.
- Leverage mobile-friendly courses for quick sessions.
- Review materials during commutes or breaks.
- Opt for self-paced CPE courses that count toward certifications.

While several providers offer professional certification programs, the right platform makes a significant difference in your learning success. CFI’s comprehensive solution stands out by combining quality education with features designed specifically for busy finance professionals.

Why is CFI the Best Choice for Professional Certification Programs and CPE?

CFI’s platform is designed to help finance professionals combine continuing education with meaningful career growth. With NASBA-accredited courses built into our professional certification programs, you can meet your CPE requirements while gaining career-advancing credentials.

Earn CPE Credits While Building Your Career

CFI’s professional certification programs offer a dual advantage:

Automatically earn CPE credits while pursuing a credential.
Access over 400 NASBA-accredited CPE credits.
Gain practical skills you can apply immediately.
Effortlessly track your CPE progress.

Experience Real-World Learning

Our professional certification programs are designed to make learning relevant and engaging:

Learn through real-world case studies and examples.
Apply your knowledge with hands-on exercises and projects.
Benefit from expert instruction by industry professionals.
Stay updated with regularly refreshed content reflecting industry trends.

Flexible for Busy Professionals

We know your time is valuable, which is why our professional certification programs are built for working professionals:

Learn at your own pace with self-paced courses.
Access materials from any device, anytime.
Pause and resume learning whenever it’s convenient.
Review materials as often as needed.

CFI combines flexibility, real-world insights, and expert guidance to make professional development achievable for busy finance professionals. With CFI, you can confidently pursue your CPE requirements and a professional certification program simultaneously.

Take the Next Step: Earn a Professional Certification While Meeting CPE Requirements

Your professional certification program could be the key to unlocking your next career opportunity. With CFI, you can combine career-focused certifications with CPE credits to maximize your professional development.

Here’s what you gain with CFI:

Quality Education: Complete CPE requirements through NASBA-accredited courses.
Career-Ready Skills: Learn practical, actionable skills you can apply immediately.
Flexible Learning: Study on your schedule with mobile-friendly, self-paced courses.
Expert Guidance: Get support from industry professionals every step of the way.

Ready to turn your CPE hours into meaningful career progress? Choose CFI’s professional certification programs and start earning CPE credits today.

Earn Your Credits!

Professional Certification Program FAQs

Here are answers to common questions about pursuing certifications while maintaining your professional credentials:

What exactly are professional certification programs?

Professional certification programs are structured courses that help you earn industry-recognized credentials. For finance professionals, these programs build specific skills like financial modeling, data analytics, or leadership while often providing CPE credits.

How long does it take to complete a certification program?

Most certification programs are self-paced, letting you learn on your schedule. Depending on the program and your study time, you might complete a certification in 3-6 months while earning CPE credits along the way.

How much do professional certification programs cost?

Costs vary by program, but many providers offer all-access memberships that reduce your overall investment. CFI’s membership gives you access to multiple certification programs and CPE courses at one affordable rate.