Continuing Professional Education
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Posted by James Hutchinson Apr 21, 2009 |
Certified Public Accountants, as well as many other professions, need to maintain current on changing trends. In the
The number of hours needed varies, but many states require 40 hours of qualifying education a year. The renewal period may be two or three years, requiring the CPA to have 80 hours over a two year period, or 120 within three years.
Practitioners who do not meet the educational requirement cannot practice as a CPA. States offer a special designation for CPAs who want to maintain their title, but are not part of a public accounting practice.
This designation is called different things in different states, sometimes non-practicing, or in-active. Generally, the fees associated are lower. The downside is that the accountant cannot sign audited financial statements.