What’s New in CPE

Source: Accounting Today

• New York State Society of CPAs:
  • Four-hour (instead of eight-hour) programs are gaining in popularity.
  • Technology programs will be increased, e.g., Microsoft Excel, FIN 48.
  • A course on communications for auditors will be provided.
• Thomson Tax & Accounting — most popular courses are:
  • Accounting and auditing standards.
  • Revisions of Government Auditing Standards Yellow Book.
  • Webinars on timely issues. Webinars are effective in introducing topics for further study later.

Thomson will introduce podcasts this year on accounting, auditing, and tax.

• AICPA reports popularity and continuation of:
  • Risk assessment.
  • Yellow Book revisions.
  • Accounting, audit, and tax in construction industries.
  • Advanced controllership.
  • Internal controls.
  • Employee benefit plan audits.

On-site programs are increasing in popularity because staff feels more comfortable engaging in discussions when other firms are not present.

• CCH
  • Instituted podcasts in 2007 mainly on tax changes.
  • Is introducing courses on alternative minimum tax, tax planning for baby boomers, health savings accounts, and standards for tax practice.
• CPEasy
  • Sees increased demand for courses in banking, construction, health care, and real estate.

Courses are provided through streaming video/audio, CD-ROM, textbooks (some with audio discs or DVDs, and Webcasts. It also offers a monthly report through its CPE Network on industry trends using guest speakers.

For the complete article, click here and select How Do You Want Your CPE? from the January 7, 2008, issue.

From Accounting Today, January 7, 2008, SourceMedia Inc., One State Street Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10004, 800-221-1809.

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