Once you obtain your CPA license, you are ready to take up new jobs. However, CPAs need to complete continuing professional education (CPE) courses to maintain their license. CPE basically stands for “continued professional education” for CPAs and accountants. Accounting and taxation laws, norms, and regulations change very rapidly. Accountants need to take up CPE courses to keep up with the different changes and developments in accounting laws and practices. Here are some of the facts you need to know.

• Do note that CPE requirements vary by state. For example, if you are practicing in Wisconsin, you don’t need to complete CPE at all. However, in most of the other states, you will need to complete an average of 40 CPE hours.
• The requirements can be fulfilled through different options. Apart from live seminars, webinars, and other events, you can also take up self-study accounting CPE courses that are available in a number of websites. However, do note that self-study is not enough, unless you give a test to get the required credit.
• As a CPA, you should keep reviewing the requirements for your state on a periodical basis. Besides the normal requirements, some states also require accountants to complete an ethics course, which again can vary. Usually, such requirements range from two and eight hours each calendar year.
• Most CPAs and accountants have a tough time completing the CPE requirements, mostly because of their busy schedules and work profile. If you are looking for self-study options, you can check websites like Cpethink.com, where you can find interactive courses to match different state requirements.

• Consider your goals. With CPE, you can gain specialized knowledge and improve your scope as a professional, regardless of whether you work individually or with an accounting firm. Experts advise on considering the long term career goals, which will help in planning your further steps.
• With CPE courses, you need to be more careful about the paperwork and overall records. Keep all the details handy, such as the name of the CPE program, content descriptions and hours earned. Do note that CPAs don’t need to report about CPE information annually in some states, but there can be random audits.

Finally, don’t wait for the license renewal time to take up CPE courses. It is advisable to be consistent with your learning, which is more about expertise and experience, instead of being just state-enforced requirements.