The AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) on Tuesday issued proposed revisions to the Statement on Standards for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Programs, the framework for the development, presentation, measurement and reporting of CPE programs. The revisions would be the first since 2002.
The AICPA and NASBA said the newly updated standards would provide flexibility for innovation in learning techniques and allow for future considerations around outcome-based learning. The proposal includes significant revisions to Internet-based learning and self-study programs; issuance requirements for half credits under self-study programs; promotional/course announcement information for in-house training programs; and alternate methods for calculating CPE credits for self-study programs.
Comments on the exposure draft are due Oct. 13, 2011. More information about the standards is available at the Learning Market website.
“The AICPA is pleased to be a partner to NASBA in offering these new revised standards for comment. Innovation and lifelong learning are two hallmarks of the CPA profession, and those are reflected here,” said Craig Mills, AICPA vice president–Examinations. “I was fortunate to participate as a member of the task force that recommended the new standards. I believe I speak for all members when I say that these standards are a significant improvement. They provide protection to the public, clear guidance to CPE sponsors, and anticipate and allow for changes in CPE as technology and learning theory evolve. We are looking forward to getting the profession’s feedback.’’
“This latest revision incorporates our outstanding CPE providers’ input and counsel—as well as that of our state board and profession representatives,” said NASBA President and CEO David A. Costello. “The public is the ultimate beneficiary of services performed by CPAs who enhance their professional competence by taking CPE from providers governed by high educational standards.”
A 13-member task force composed of CPE program sponsors, NASBA’s CPE Advisory Committee members, representatives of the AICPA, state board of accountancy members, state society members and educators reviewed, analyzed and implemented suggestions and changes to the standards. The Joint AICPA/NASBA CPE Standards Committee reviewed the work of the task force and finalized its recommendations.
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