Your success as a tax professional requires numerous hours of continuing professional education, but finding time to take courses is not always easy. However, those qualifying credit hours are essential to your business.
While both self-study and live CPE courses are offered online, each has unique characteristics that may be better suited to you at certain times of the year. Since both types are online courses, they are designed so that you can complete the requirements wherever you are. You can take the class at home, in your office, or even on a trip.
Every year, many tax professionals just like you make decisions about whether self-study or live CPE courses are better for them.
What is the self-learning CPE?
Self-study CPE provides CPE courses that can be accessed and navigated at your own leisure and at your leisure. This allows you to set your own goals and focus your time on the sections and principles that are most applicable to you. Canopy offers a wide variety of free self-study CPE courses.
Don’t underestimate the quality of today’s self-study CPE courses. Not only are they available online, but they are also often more suitable for the self-disciplined tax professional who wants to tackle CPE at any time of the day or night. Check out some of the pros and cons of taking self-study CPE courses online:
advantages
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- Flexible schedule. No webinar time to tune into a self-study program. Whether it’s early in the morning, late at night, or over the weekend, you’ll be able to participate whenever you want for as long as you want.
- own rhythm. Taking classes online allows you to review the material at your own pace. You can spread the material over time or speed it up to finish faster. It adapts perfectly to any schedule.
- paper copies. If you’re the type of person who likes to highlight, underline, and scribble notes, many self-study programs are available to request a hard copy.
cons
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- requires self discipline. It can be a real challenge to motivate yourself to complete course work when so many other things demand your attention.
- Self-imposed schedule. Self-study courses are often set up so that you only need to finish them within a certain amount of time. For example, the NASBA standard allows up to one full year from the date of purchase to finish. This could leave you struggling if you put it off too long.
Live CPE courses are usually delivered via webcast or webinar. Participants log in at the appropriate time from their location to participate. Also, live CPE courses usually require some form of formal interaction to ensure actual attendance and that you’re paying attention. Here are some of the pros and cons of enrolling in live CPE courses:
advantages
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- Interactive. Many live CPE courses in a webinar format require some interaction on your part before, during, and after. This can be in the form of quizzes, surveys, polls and quizzes. Your participation shows that you are present and listening.
- Structured. For many, having a set time and day to log into a live CPE course means you’ll make it and keep going with the class until it’s over. Don’t put off certification with a live course that requires your attendance to complete.
- Latest information. With a live webinar instructor, they can discuss and teach about the latest tax information. Other methods may take a little longer to produce, so the information is not always the most up-to-date.
- Multiple learning styles. If the webinar presenter is dynamic and personable, you may be able to hold their attention for hours. In addition, they often incorporate graphics, video, and more. When it comes to retaining information, a live CPE webinar can help you stay focused.
cons
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- limited flexibility. Participants in live CPE courses must complete their coursework within the time allowed by the class. If you have to miss a scheduled webinar for any reason, your information will be lost and you will not earn credit. Additionally, if you are not present for the full 50 minutes of a 60-minute presentation, you will not earn credit.
- questionable quality. A great live CPE course will educate you, but a lousy webinar will make you want your money back. Differences in presenters and problems with technology (such as dead air or graphics issues) can detract from learning and waste time.
Live, self-study CPE courses can be beneficial for tax professionals trying to earn their annual CPE credits. Take the time to carefully choose the right learning method that best suits your current needs.
