AICPA, NASBA approve revisions to CPE standards

The AICPA and NASBA approved revisions to The Statement on Standards for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Programs (the Standards) on Wednesday.

The Standards changes, which include additional options for virtual learning, become effective Jan. 1, 2024.

The organizations also approved the NASBA document Fields of Study That Qualify for Continuing Professional Education.

Published jointly by the AICPA and NASBA, the CPE standards provide the framework for the development, presentation, measurement, and reporting of CPE programs. The Standards reference the NASBA Fields of Study document, which also was reviewed and evaluated for currency and relevancy.

The Standards revisions were approved by NASBA in October and by the AICPA this month. Among the most significant changes is the addition of a virtual option under the Group Live instructional delivery method (provided certain additional requirements are met). The 2024 Standards include clarifications to assist in the understanding of awarding CPE credit in appropriate increments, in the awarding of CPE credit when multiple presenters are actively involved in instructing one CPE program session, and in communicating and documenting the required attendance monitoring mechanisms for group internet-based programs.

The revisions to the Fields of Study document include the addition of more current, relevant topics under the established fields of study classifications.

“The Standards revisions give us more flexibility in meeting CPAs’ educational needs and highlight the importance of virtual learning in building competencies and gaining expertise,” said Michael Grant, the AICPA’s senior director–Learning Innovation & Assessment.

Jessica Luttrull, NASBA’s associate director of the National Registry, said: “These newly approved revisions to the Standards represent the collective efforts of the CPE Standards Working Group, NASBA’s CPE Committee, the Joint AICPA/NASBA CPE Standards Committee, as well as various individuals and organizations that participated in the exposure draft process. With advancements in technologies and innovative adult learning trends, it is critical for CPE to continue to evolve. We believe that the changes included in the 2024 Standards will help keep CPE relevant and meaningful to CPAs.”

Interested parties can download the Standards and the Fields of Study documents.

— To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Kevin Brewer at Kevin.Brewer@aicpa-cima.com.