Beginner’s Checklist for Continuing Professional Education

Written by CFI Team

Reviewed by Jeff Schmidt

Read Time 4 minutes

Your Guide to Starting Continuing Professional Education

Starting your Continuing Professional Education (CPE) journey can feel overwhelming, but it’s also a powerful step toward career growth. With a clear plan, meeting your CPE requirements becomes both manageable and rewarding. Beyond compliance, CPE helps you build valuable skills that advance your career.

Here’s your beginner’s checklist to help you start strong, from understanding your requirements to choosing the right courses and staying organized.

1. Understand Your Certification’s CPE Requirements

Before starting your CPE journey, it’s crucial to know what’s required for your specific certification. Each professional designation has unique criteria, and understanding these ensures your efforts align with compliance standards.

What to Check:

Credit Hours: How many CPE credits are required annually or within a reporting cycle?
Mandatory Topics: Are there specific topics, like ethics or technical skills, that you must complete?
Eligible Formats: Does your certifying body accept online, self-study, or live courses?
Deadlines: What are the reporting periods and deadlines for submitting credits?

Real-World Examples:

CPAs typically need 120 CPE credits every three years, including a set number focused on ethics.
CMAs require 30 credits annually, with at least two related to ethics.
Financial Risk Managers (FRMs) must complete 40 credits every two years, often focusing on risk-related topics.

By clarifying these requirements upfront, you can select the right courses and avoid wasting time or resources. Always verify the CPE guidelines for your certification with the certifying body, such as AICPA / CIMA or GARP, for accuracy.

2. Set Clear Goals for Your CPE Journey

CPE is more than a requirement — it’s an opportunity to advance your career. By setting clear goals, you can focus on courses that align with your professional aspirations and skill gaps.

What to Do:

Identify areas where you need improvement, such as financial modeling or data analysis.
Choose topics that support your long-term career goals, like risk management or leadership.
Balance required topics with elective courses to enhance your overall expertise.

Pro Tip: If you’re aiming for a leadership role, prioritize CPE courses in team management, communication, or strategic planning.

3. Choose the Right Continuing Professional Education Provider

Choosing the right provider ensures your CPE journey is seamless, efficient, and aligned with your professional goals. The best platforms combine accreditation, flexibility, and career-focused content.

What to Look For:

Accreditation: Ensure the provider’s courses are approved by recognized organizations like NASBA to meet certification requirements.
Comprehensive Catalog: Look for platforms offering diverse topics, from financial modeling and data visualization to leadership development.
Flexibility: Prioritize on-demand courses that allow you to learn at your own pace and fit education around your schedule.
Credibility: Read reviews or testimonials to ensure the provider is reputable and delivers high-quality content.

Why CFI Stands Out

CFI offers a comprehensive library of NASBA-accredited courses designed for finance professionals. With flexible, on-demand learning and an affordable all-access membership, you can explore practical topics across finance, accounting, and business — all tailored to the needs of finance professionals.

Choosing the right provider sets the foundation for a successful CPE journey and ensures you maximize both your time and budget.

4. Create a Plan to Stay Organized

With multiple deadlines and requirements, it’s easy to lose track of your progress. A clear strategic plan for CPE helps you stay on top of your learning goals and avoid last-minute stress.

What to Do:

Use a calendar or spreadsheet to track completed courses, earned credits, and upcoming deadlines.
Allocate time for CPE each month to avoid cramming at the last minute.
Choose a provider that offers progress tracking tools, like completion certificates or dashboards.

Pro Tip: Schedule regular check-ins to review your progress and adjust your plan as needed.

5. Focus on Practical, Career-Enhancing Courses

Not all CPE courses are created equal. To maximize the value of your time and budget, prioritize courses that provide actionable insights and skills you can apply immediately.

What to Look For:

Hands-on exercises or real-world examples.
Topics aligned with your daily responsibilities, such as advanced Excel or data visualization.
Advanced courses that prepare you for leadership or specialized roles.

Pro Tip: Choose courses like CFI’s Power Query Fundamentals to streamline data workflows or Introduction to Risk Management to strengthen your ability to assess and mitigate financial risks. These courses provide hands-on skills that deliver immediate value in your role.

6. Stay Motivated and Celebrate Milestones

Completing CPE can be a long process, so staying motivated is key. Celebrate small milestones to keep your momentum going and remind yourself of the bigger picture.

What to Do:

Break your CPE journey into smaller goals, like completing one course per month.
Reward yourself for hitting milestones, such as finishing a certification or earning a set number of credits.
Reflect on how each course contributes to your growth and career success.

Pro Tip: Share your achievements with colleagues or mentors to stay accountable and gain recognition for your efforts.

Achieve Your Continuing Professional Education Goals with CFI

Embarking on your Continuing Professional Education journey doesn’t have to be daunting. With this checklist, you can meet your certification requirements while building valuable skills to advance your career.

CFI’s NASBA-accredited courses make it easy to stay on track with flexible, practical, and affordable options. From financial modeling to leadership, our courses prepare you for success in today’s competitive finance world.

Start your journey today — explore CFI’s CPE courses and begin achieving your professional education goals.

Earn Your Credits!