Getting a Better Return on the Firm's CPE Investment
3 Robert J. Ranweiler, CPA, managing partner of Biebl, Ranweiler & Co., New Ulm, Minnesota, describes a three-step plan for getting more out of a firm's CPE investment. Because of the significant time and financial commitment required for continuing professional education, proper planning and evaluation of CPE sessions are critical. Our finn has improved its return on its CPE investment using a program that could be of value to other firms. The plan involves: * Formation of a professional development committee to evaluate and monitor CPE course selection. * Creation of an evaluation form for CPE courses. * Formalization of staff discussion of CPE courses. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE In our firm, the committee is composed of five members but could be made up of* one or two people in a smaller firm. Members could be both staff and partners, but our committee consists of staff people only because we want staff to know their input is valued. The committee has the following objectives: * Evaluate and monitor CPE course selection. * Schedule in-house seminars and arrange for materials and instructors. * Ensure timely and thorough completion of CPE records and seminar evaluations. * Work with staff to develop and update career paths, particularly in terms of continuing education needed. This committee's initial discussions raised a number of CPE policy issues. As a result, instead of making inconsistent education decisions on a case-by-case basis, we were forced at least to consider various questions, such as * Should CPE be reserved only for staff required to complete it under law or American Institute of CPAs membership rules or should all technical staff meet AICPA CPE requirements, including noncertified staff and paraprofessionals? We decided the requirements should apply to all technical staff. * How should additional CPE courses be approved during the year as special needs arise? * Who should approve out-of-state CPE and what criteria should apply? We are still forming policy on this and the previous question. * What limit should be placed on meals and lodging expenses for CPE courses attended? Our committee has set guidelines. * How many people should attend the same course on the same date? We limit the number to two, except in special cases, such as a seminar on a new tax bill. While these are just a few of the policy issues the committee encountered, the committee's role in CPE course selection has become quite clear. Using catalogs, brochures and other informational material as well as our own evaluations of sessions attended described later in this article), the committee coordinates CPE course selection shortly after April 15 of each year and picks appropriate courses for each technical staff person, taking into account his or her professional development and career as well as CPE budget constraints. …