CPA…CPE…How Does That Apply To Me?

Written by: Tesha Vera, HEUG Senior Education & Program Manager

What is CPE and How to Obtain CPE Credits at Alliance 2025 

If you’re a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), you know the importance of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) in maintaining your active license. But if you’re not a CPA, you might be curious about what CPE is and how it could be relevant to you. CPE helps ensure that professionals stay current with the latest trends, skills, and regulations in their field. At the Alliance 2025 Conference, we’re excited to offer CPE credits to our attendees, providing valuable opportunities to learn, grow, and keep your certification up to date—all at no extra cost beyond your conference registration fees! 

What is CPE? 

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) is a requirement for CPAs to maintain their professional licenses. State boards of accountancy mandate a certain number of CPE hours annually to ensure CPAs continue to develop their skills and knowledge throughout their careers. The content typically covers areas like accounting, auditing, taxation, and ethics but can also include other topics relevant to the accounting profession. 

The Higher Education User Group (HEUG) is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of CPE on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. This means that certain sessions offered during the Alliance Conference meet the standards set by NASBA, though it’s important to note that state boards of accountancy have the final say on whether individual sessions qualify for CPE credit. 

How to Obtain CPE Credits at Alliance 2025 

We’re excited to share that we will offer CPE credit opportunities at this year’s Alliance Conference, with sessions designed to help you meet your professional development needs. Here’s how you can make the most of these opportunities: 

1. Attend CPE-Eligible Sessions: All CPE-eligible sessions at the conference are delivered in a group-live format. These sessions meet the requirements for CPE credits and align with NASBA standards. 
2. Sign In and Sign Out: For each CPE-eligible session you attend, make sure to sign in and sign out using the attendance log provided at the session. This is crucial—failure to sign in AND sign out will result in zero CPE hours for that session. The program team will have an attendance log available in each room. 
3. Engage in the Session: Audience engagement is a key component of CPE sessions. Regular sessions are required to include at least two interactive questions or activities to engage participants. Two-part sessions must have at least four questions or activities (two per hour), and workshop sessions must include six questions or activities (two per hour). These questions will be part of the presentation, so be prepared to participate! 
4. Complete the 2025 CPE Form: Indicate the sessions you attended at Alliance 2025 so we can send you your certificate of completion! The form will be made available on the Alliance Conference Website and must be completed by the end of Alliance 2025 on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

What if my Session is Deemed Eligible for CPE Credits at Alliance 2025? 

If your session is approved for CPE credits, the Alliance Conference Program Team will contact you with any more information needed. Here’s what you need to know: 

1. Include Elements of Engagement in your Presentation: For every hour of content, the HEUG requires TWO Elements of Engagement. Here are some examples of Elements of Engagement: 

• Live Polling 
• Case Studies 
• Group Discussion 
• Completing an Application/Activity 
• Presenter-Posed Questions with Time for Participant Reflection 
• Simulations  

2. Include a Slide for Each Element of Engagement: For each Element of Engagement you include in your presentation, please create a slide denoting it. This ensures we are fulfilling the requirements set forth by NASBA. Please upload your presentation, including these slides, to your session by January 24, 2024. 

3. Adhere to Time Requirements: To earn full credit, sessions must meet specific time requirements: 

• Regular sessions: 50 minutes of content. 
• 2-Part Series: 100 minutes of content. 
• Workshops: 150 minutes of content.  

4. CPE Audits and Record Keeping: CPE records are subject to random audits by NASBA, so the HEUG takes great care to ensure all documentation is accurate and thorough. The HEUG CPE Coordinator will maintain CPE information for at least five years. 

Earning CPE credits at the Alliance 2025 Conference is a seamless process, as long as you follow these guidelines. By participating in our CPE program, you’ll not only enhance your professional skills but also fulfill your continuing education requirements in a dynamic and engaging environment. We look forward to seeing you in New Orleans and helping you advance your career through our CPE offerings! 

For more information on CPE credits and to explore the full list of eligible sessions, stay tuned to the Alliance Conference Website for updates. Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to learn, connect, and grow!