1st Choice CPE is not a member of the NASBA Registry, however our CPE courses have been developed in accordance with the following Standards for CPE Program Sponsors as stated in the Statement on Standards for CPE Programs issued jointly by the AICPA and NASBA.
(Please note:The complete list of standards is available by clicking on the link above. The following standards are those which are met by our courses and content has been copied from the actual standards and commentary provided by the NASBA and AICPA.)
Sponsored learning activities must be based on relevant learning objectives and outcomes that clearly articulate the knowledge, skills, and abilities that can be achieved by participants in the learning activities.
Commentary: Learning activities provided by CPE program sponsors for the benefit of CPAs should specify the level, content, and learning objectives so that potential participants can determine if the learning activities are appropriate to their professional competence development needs. Levels include, for example, basic, intermediate, advanced, update, and overview.
CPE program sponsors should develop and execute learning activities in a manner consistent with the prerequisite education, experience, and/or advance preparation of participants.
Commentary: To the extent it is possible to do so, CPE program sponsors should make every attempt to equate program content and level with the backgrounds of intended participants. All programs must clearly identify prerequisite education, experience, and/or advance preparation, if any, in precise language so that potential participants can readily ascertain whether they qualify for the program.
CPE program sponsors must use activities, materials, and delivery systems that are current, technically accurate, and effectively designed. CPE program sponsors must be qualified in the subject matter.
Commentary: To best facilitate the learning process, sponsored programs and materials must be prepared, presented and updated timely. Learning activities must be developed by individuals or teams having expertise in the subject matter.
Expertise may be demonstrated through practical experience or education.
CPE program sponsors must review the course materials periodically to assure that they are accurate and consistent with currently accepted standards relating to the program’s subject matter.
Self-study programs must employ learning methodologies that clearly define learning objectives, guide the participant through the learning process, and provide evidence of a participant’s satisfactory completion of the program.
Commentary: To guide participants through a learning process, CPE program sponsors of self-study programs must elicit participant responses to test for understanding of the material, offer evaluative feedback to incorrect responses, and provide reinforcement feedback to correct responses. (1st Choice CPE courses which meet this standard, will indicate that review questions are "interactive" on the course description).
To provide evidence of satisfactory completion of the course, CPE program sponsors of self-study programs must require participants to successfully complete a final examination with a minimum passing grade of at least 70 percent before issuing CPE credit for the course. Examinations may contain questions of varying format, (for example, multiple-choice, essay and simulations.) If objective type questions are used, at least five questions per CPE credit must be included on the final examination. For example, the final examination for a five-credit course must include at least 25 questions.
CPE program sponsors must provide descriptive materials that enable CPAs to assess the appropriateness of learning activities. To accomplish this, CPE program sponsors must inform participants in advance of:
- Learning objectives.
- Prerequisites.
- Program level.
- Program content.
- Advance preparation.
- Instructional delivery methods.
- Recommended CPE credit.
- Course registration requirements.
Commentary: For potential participants to effectively plan their CPE, the program sponsor should disclose the significant features of the program in advance (e.g., through the use of brochures, Internet notices, invitations, direct mail, or other announcements). When CPE programs are offered in conjunction with noneducational activities, or when several CPE programs are offered concurrently, participants should receive an appropriate schedule of events indicating those components that are recommended for CPE credit. The CPE program sponsor’s registration policies and procedures should be formalized, published, and made available to participants.
CPE program sponsors should distribute program materials timely and encourage participants to complete any advance preparation requirements. All programs should clearly identify prerequisite education, experience, and/or advance preparation requirements, if any, in the descriptive materials. Prerequisites should be written in precise language so that potential participants can readily ascertain whether they qualify for the program.
CPE program sponsors must employ an effective means for evaluating learning activity quality with respect to content and presentation, as well as provide a mechanism for participants to assess whether
learning objectives were met.
Commentary: The objectives of evaluation are to assess participant satisfaction with specific programs and to increase
subsequent program effectiveness. Evaluations, whether written or electronic, should be solicited from participants and instructors for each program session, including self-study, to determine, among other things, whether:
- Stated learning objectives were met.
- If applicable, prerequisite requirements were appropriate.
- Program materials were accurate.
- Program materials were relevant and contributed to the achievement of the learning objectives.
- Time allotted to the learning activity was appropriate.
- If applicable, individual instructors were effective.
- Facilities and/or technological equipment was appropriate.
- Handout or advance preparation materials were satisfactory.
- Audio and video materials were effective.
CPE program sponsors should periodically review evaluation results to assess program effectiveness and should inform developers and instructors of evaluation results.
CPE program sponsors must ensure instructional methods employed are appropriate for the learning activities. Learning activities should be presented in a manner consistent with the descriptive and technical materials provided.
Commentary. CPE program sponsors should evaluate the instructional methods employed for the learning activities to determine if the delivery is appropriate and effective. Integral aspects in the learning environment that should be carefully
monitored include the number of participants and the facilities and technologies employed in the delivery of the learning activity. CPE program sponsors are expected to present learning activities that comply with course descriptions and objectives. Appropriate supplemental materials may also be used.
Sponsored learning activities are measured by program length, with one 50-minute period equal to one CPE credit. One-half CPE credit increments (equal to 25 minutes) are permitted after the first credit has been earned in a given learning activity.
Commentary: For learning activities in which individual segments are less than 50 minutes, the sum of the segments should be considered one total program. For example, five 30-minute presentations would equal 150 minutes and should be counted as three CPE credits. When the total minutes of a sponsored learning activity are greater than 50, but not equally divisible by 50, the CPE credits granted should be rounded down to the nearest one-half credit. Thus, learning activities with segments totaling 140 minutes should be granted two and one-half CPE credits.
CPE program sponsors must provide program participants with documentation of their participation, which includes the following:
- CPE program sponsor name and contact information.
- Participant’s name.
- Course title.
- Course field of study
- Date offered or completed.
- If applicable, location.
- Type of instructional/delivery method used.
- Amount of CPE credit recommended.
- Verification by CPE program sponsor representative.
Statement on Standards for CPE Programs (continued)
Commentary: CPE program sponsors should provide participants with documentation to support their claims of CPE credit. Acceptable evidence of completion includes:
- For self-study programs, a certificate supplied by the CPE program sponsor after satisfactory completion of an examination.
- For published articles, books, or CPE programs, (1) a copy of the publication (or in the case of a CPE program, course development documentation) that names the writer as author or contributor, (2) a statement from the writer supporting the number of CPE hours claimed, and (3) the name and contact information of the independent reviewer(s) or publisher.
CPE program sponsors must retain adequate documentation for five years to support their compliance with these standards and the reports that may be required of participants.
Commentary. Evidence of compliance with responsibilities set forth under these Standards which is to be retained by CPE program sponsors includes, but is not limited to:
- Records of participation.
- Dates and locations.
- Number of CPE credits earned by participants.
- Results of program evaluations.
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