CPE Credits Explained: What They Are and How to Meet Your 2024 Requirements

Written by CFI Team

Reviewed by Jeff Schmidt

Read Time 6 minutes

Why Earning CPE Credits Matters for Your Career

Meeting your Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credit requirements can feel like navigating a maze of deadlines and course options. With packed schedules and evolving industry standards, staying on top of these obligations is no easy feat.

This guide will simplify the process, offering clear insights into what CPE credits are, why they matter, and how to fulfill your 2024 requirements efficiently. To begin your journey, let’s clarify exactly what CPE credits are and why they’re integral to your professional development.

What are CPE Credits?

CPE credits, or Continuing Professional Education credits, measure the time you spend on learning activities designed to enhance your professional knowledge and skills. Typically, one credit equals 50 minutes of learning, making it easy to track your progress as you complete courses, webinars, and other training programs.

Credentialing bodies like the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) set the standards for CPE credits. These organizations outline the requirements you need to meet, including the number of credits to earn and the types of learning activities that qualify.

Now that you understand what CPE credits are, let’s explore why they’re a cornerstone for finance professionals.

Why are CPE Credits Important for Finance Professionals?

Earning CPE credits is more than a professional requirement — it’s a cornerstone of maintaining and growing your career. These credits are essential for several reasons:

Maintaining Certifications

Finance and accounting certifications often require a specific number of CPE credits annually. Meeting these requirements ensures you stay credentialed and compliant with industry standards.

Your certification pathway determines your specific credit requirements. For example, CPAs must maintain active certification through regular CPE credits, while CFAs engage in voluntary continuing education to stay current. Major finance and accounting certifications include:

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.

Staying Current on Industry Trends and Practices

The finance profession evolves rapidly with new regulations, technologies, and practices. CPE credits ensure you stay informed about these changes, helping you remain relevant and effective in your role.

Career Growth

Completing CPE credits enhances your expertise, builds credibility, and opens doors to new opportunities. By staying current with your education, you position yourself as a knowledgeable and valuable professional in your field.

Understanding the importance of CPE credits is only half the equation — next, we’ll explore practical ways to meet your CPE requirements.

How to Earn CPE Credits in 2024

Earning your CPE credits doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right strategies and resources, you can seamlessly integrate professional development into your busy schedule while meeting certification requirements. Let’s explore how you can get started.

Methods for Earning Credits

From traditional classrooms to flexible online platforms, there are various ways to earn CPE credits, each tailored to different learning styles and professional goals. Choosing the right method can make all the difference in how engaging and effective your learning experience is.

Online courses: Online courses are perfect for busy professionals, offering structured lessons you can complete at your own pace. These courses cover topics like financial modeling or leadership development with maximum flexibility.
Self-study programs: Self-study programs provide downloadable materials and recorded sessions for independent learners. These are great for professionals focusing on specific areas like risk management or technical skills.
Seminars and workshops: These in-person events combine expert-led training with networking opportunities. You gain hands-on experience and build connections with peers and industry leaders.
Webinars and conferences: Virtual events provide live sessions and on-demand recordings, making it easy to stay updated on trends. They’re a convenient way to interact with experts and peers without leaving your home or office.

Advantages of Online Learning

In the past, many professionals fulfilled their CPE requirements through in-person courses, seminars, or conferences. While these events offered networking opportunities, they often required significant time commitments and travel expenses.

Online CPE has transformed this process by offering flexible, cost-effective, and accessible alternatives. With online CPE, you can tailor your learning experience to fit your schedule and complete your requirements without the challenges of attending in-person events.

Key Benefits of Earning CPE Credits Online

Benefit	Description	Why It Matters
Flexible Scheduling	Study whenever and wherever it suits your schedule.	Helps busy professionals balance work, deadlines, and personal commitments while completing their CPE credits.
Cost-Effective Memberships	Comprehensive variety of courses for a single annual fee, often more affordable than per-course fees.	Provides financial savings, especially for those needing multiple credits annually, while granting unlimited learning access.
Immediate Verification of Completed Credits	Proof of earned credits available instantly upon course completion, with automated tracking and reporting tools.	Simplifies the process of documenting credits and meeting credentialing organization requirements efficiently.

With so many methods available, CFI offers a streamlined solution with its top-rated courses, tailored to help you meet your CPE goals efficiently.

Top CFI Courses for CPE Credits

CFI offers a comprehensive variety of NASBA-accredited courses to help finance and accounting professionals earn CPE certificates. All of CFI’s CPE courses focus on practical skills, covering topics relevant to the needs of today’s professionals.

Here is a selection of top CFI courses:

Course Name	CPE Credits	Relevance to Professional Skills
Scenario & Sensitivity Analysis in Excel	1.5	Enhances Excel-based decision-making skills, valuable for financial modeling and forecasting roles.
Introduction to ESG	1.5	Introduces key ESG concepts, increasingly vital in investment analysis and corporate reporting.
Advanced Excel Formulas & Functions	3.5	Builds Excel skills in using advanced functions and formulas and performing sophisticated data analysis.
Budgeting and Forecasting	4.5	Develops practical planning skills essential for FP&A professionals and financial analysts.
Power BI Fundamentals	5	Provides foundational knowledge in Power BI for creating models, reports, and data visualization.
3-Statement Modeling	5	Teaches how to construct and balance a 3-Statement Financial Model, a critical skill in many finance and accounting roles.
Python Fundamentals	5.5	Equips learners with Python programming basics, valuable for data analytics and automation in finance.
DCF Valuation Modeling	7.5	Offers in-depth knowledge of Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) valuation, essential for assessing investment opportunities.
Loan Default Prediction with Machine Learning	5	Combines finance and technology, teaching predictive analytics to assess credit risk and enhance decision making in lending.
Leveraged Buyout (LBO) Modeling	8.5	Builds expertise in LBO structures, important for private equity and advanced investment analysis.

After exploring these course options, you might still have questions about earning and managing your CPE credits. Let’s address those next.

FAQ: CPE Credits

1. What are CPE credits?

CPE (Continuing Professional Education) credits are earned by finance and accounting professionals to maintain their certifications and stay current with industry knowledge. They reflect the time spent on qualified learning activities approved by governing bodies like NASBA and AICPA.

2. How are CPE credits calculated?

CPE credits are typically based on time spent learning. For example, one CPE credit usually represents 50 minutes of instruction. However, the exact calculation may vary depending on the credentialing body’s guidelines.

3. How do I know if a course is CPE-accredited?

Look for courses offered by providers registered with NASBA or similar governing bodies. Accredited providers will clearly state their compliance with CPE standards, ensuring the credits earned are valid.

4. Can I earn CPE credits online?

Yes, online learning is a popular way to earn CPE credits. Many platforms, including CFI, offer NASBA-accredited courses that fit your schedule and learning preferences.

5. How can I track my CPE credits with CFI’s platform?

CFI makes it easy to track your CPE credits by automatically recording your progress and keeping you up to date through your learning dashboard. When you complete a course, you’ll instantly receive a certificate of completion.

6. What happens if I don’t meet my CPE requirements?

Failing to meet your CPE requirements could result in:

Penalties or fines from your credentialing body.
Suspension or revocation of your professional certification.
A need to catch up on missed credits within a defined grace period.

7. How do I choose the right CPE courses?

When selecting courses, consider:

Relevance to your career goals or current role.
Accreditation by recognized bodies like NASBA.
Format (live webinars, on-demand, or in-person) that fits your schedule.
Cost and how it fits within your professional development budget.

8. How can I maximize my CPE learning experience?

Set specific learning goals for the year.
Choose courses that align with your career development plan.
Actively engage with the material by taking notes and applying concepts to your work.
Regularly review your progress to ensure you meet your annual requirements.

If you’re looking for a simple and effective way to manage your CPE requirements, CFI offers a comprehensive solution.

How CFI Makes Earning CPE Credits Easy

Between work and personal commitments, many financial professionals struggle to keep up with continuing education. CFI’s online, self-paced courses make it easy to fit CPE into your busy schedule. With over 400 accredited CPE credits available, CFI courses can keep you compliant with your certification’s requirements.

Benefits of CFI’s Online CPE Courses in Finance

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

Globally Recognized, NASBA-Accredited Courses: CFI’s courses meet NASBA standards, ensuring your education credits are widely accepted and recognized.
Extensive Course Selection: With over 400 credits available, CFI courses cover topics like financial modeling, risk management, and data analytics to meet diverse professional needs.
Self-Paced Learning: Start, pause, and resume lessons whenever it suits you, allowing you to integrate CPE seamlessly into your schedule.
Practical, Career-Focused Content: Each CFI course delivers practical skills and knowledge that you can apply either in your current role or leverage to pursue new opportunities.
All-Access Model: CFI’s membership plans provide unlimited access to all CPE courses at a single, cost-effective rate.
Easy Progress Tracking: Track your credits effortlessly with CFI’s tools, which simplify documentation and certification compliance.

CFI combines flexibility, quality, and value to support your career goals. Whether maintaining certifications or building new skills, CFI sets you up for success. With these advantages in mind, there’s no better time to get started.

Start Earning Your CPE Credits Today

Earning CPE credits ensures you stay compliant with credentialing requirements while keeping your skills sharp and relevant in a constantly evolving field. CFI simplifies the process with NASBA-accredited courses designed for finance professionals. With over 400 CPE credits available across flexible, self-paced programs, CFI helps you turn required learning into meaningful career growth.

Start earning CPE credits today with CFI’s flexible platform and accredited online courses — tailored to fit your schedule and career goals.

Earn Your Credits!