Earning your CPA license was no small feat, but maintaining it? That’s an ongoing investment. CPE courses can add up fast, but smart CPAs know how to access courses at a lower cost without sacrificing quality.
Here’s a wake-up call: CPE audits are on the rise, and nearly 1 in 4 CPAs failed to provide adequate proof of their CPE in 2024, leading to license suspension, according to one state board.
That’s a risk no CPA wants to take.
So, how do you meet your CPE requirements by state while keeping costs low and ensuring you have proper documentation? Whether you’re looking for self-study courses, live webinars, or on-demand CPE, there are plenty of ways to save money on CPE while staying compliant.
Key Takeaways
- Check Employer Benefits: Many firms reimburse CPE costs or offer free access to approved providers. Always ask before paying out of pocket.
- Leverage State CPA Societies: Joining your state CPA society can get you discounted or even free CPE courses, including required ethics training.
- Opt for a CPE Subscription: A subscription provides unlimited access to self-study courses, live webinars, and on-demand training at a lower overall cost.
- Look for Free & Low-Cost Options: Professional organizations, vendors, and universities often offer free or heavily discounted CPE courses.
- Choose Self-Study for Savings: On-demand and self-paced courses are typically cheaper than live seminars while still fulfilling CPE requirements.
1. Check if Your Employer Covers CPE Costs
Before pulling out your wallet, see if your company offers CPE credits as part of its professional development program. Many firms, especially in accounting and finance, provide access to self-study courses, live webinars, or approved providers to help CPAs stay compliant.
Larger accounting firms often partner with CPE courses like Becker and other industry-approved platforms. They may offer:
- Reimbursement programs for individual courses or CPE subscriptions
- In-house training sessions that count toward your CPE requirements
- Access to on-demand courses through an internal learning portal
Even smaller firms may have a CPE budget for their employees. If they don’t, it’s worth negotiating for CPE reimbursement as part of your employment package.
Pro Tip: Even if your company doesn’t directly pay for courses, you may be able to expense CPE costs or get reimbursement through an educational assistance program. Always check with HR or your supervisor.
2. Join Your State CPA Society for Discounts
Your state CPA society is a great resource for affordable CPE courses. Many societies offer cost-effective training, including live webinars, ethics courses, and industry-approved providers at a lower price than standalone individual courses.
Why join your state society?
- Discounted CPE courses – Many societies offer exclusive discounts to members.
- Free or low-cost ethics training – Many states require ethics courses for renewal, and state societies often provide these at a discount.
- Live events and networking – Conferences, seminars, and workshops often include CPE credits at a fraction of the cost of standalone courses.
Some states even have free or low-cost CPE opportunities for members. If you’re looking for cost-effective ways to meet your CPE requirements, this is a great place to start.
Pro Tip: Some state CPA societies offer referral programs—if you bring in a new member, you could earn credits or discounts on future CPE courses. Also, check if they provide scholarship funds for CPE, as some do for early-career CPAs!
3. Get a CPE Subscription for the Best Value
If you need multiple courses throughout the year, a CPE subscription can be the most cost-effective way to earn CPE credits. Instead of paying per course, a subscription gives you unlimited access to a library of on-demand training, self-study courses, and live webinars to fit your schedule.
This is especially useful for:
- CPAs who need to complete multiple courses to meet CPE requirements.
- Finance and accounting professionals looking to expand their job skills.
- Business leaders who want to stay ahead of industry trends in compliance, tax law, and Excel.
Pro Tip: Compare different CPE subscriptions before committing—some offer extra perks like live Q&A sessions, specialty courses, or additional resources like Excel training. If your employer covers CPE costs, ask if they’ll reimburse a subscription instead of individual courses!
4. Take Advantage of Free and Low-Cost CPE Opportunities
Many CPE providers, state boards, and professional organizations offer free or discounted CPE courses throughout the year.
Some ways to earn free or low-cost CPE credits include:
- Webinars from professional organizations – Groups like the AICPA, state CPA societies, and industry groups frequently offer free live webinars that count toward CPE.
- Vendor-sponsored training – Some software and finance companies offer free training sessions that qualify for CPE credits.
- University partnerships – Some universities provide low-cost continuing professional education for CPAs and finance professionals.
If you’re on a budget, it pays to check these resources regularly.
Pro Tip: Some vendors offer free CPE as part of their product training. If your company uses software like QuickBooks, SAP, or Bloomberg, check if they provide free accredited CPE courses for users.
5. Consider Self-Study and On-Demand CPE Courses
While live webinars and seminars are great, they can be expensive. If you’re looking for a more affordable way to complete your CPE, self-study and on-demand courses are usually cheaper than in-person training.
Many approved CPE providers offer:
- Self-paced courses that let you complete training on your own time
- Downloadable materials that reduce costs compared to traditional classroom learning
- Bundles and package deals that let you take multiple courses for a lower cost
If you have a busy schedule, these options can also make it easier to stay compliant without disrupting your work.
Pro Tip: Some self-study courses allow you to test out of certain sections, letting you complete your credits faster. Look for providers that offer competency-based learning to maximize both your time and budget.
Save on CPE with a Discount Code
Final Thoughts: Save on CPE Without Sacrificing Quality
Maintaining your CPA license doesn’t have to break the bank. By leveraging employer benefits, state CPA societies, subscriptions, and free or low-cost courses, you can stay compliant while keeping costs low. Whether you choose self-study, live webinars, or on-demand training, the key is to plan ahead and take advantage of available resources.
Smart CPAs know that saving on CPE is about strategy—not cutting corners. With the right approach, you can meet your requirements, stay audit-proof, and continue growing in your career without overspending.
Our partner, Becker, offers a free CPE course so you can see the quality before committing to a subscription. With Becker, you can save money on CPE, stay compliant, and continue growing your career with expert-led training.
FAQs
Yes! Many employers offer CPE reimbursements or provide access to approved CPE providers as part of their professional development programs.
Absolutely. State CPA societies often offer discounted or even free CPE courses for members, including required ethics training.
If you take multiple courses a year, a subscription can be the most cost-effective way to earn CPE credits, giving you unlimited access to courses for one price.
Look for free webinars from professional organizations, vendor-sponsored training, and university programs offering discounted CPE.
Our partner, Becker, offers a free CPE course so you can experience high-quality training before committing to a subscription.
