CPE Requirement Information

With increasing public expectations and demands on the profession, CPE is a vital necessity. The ability to remain viable and competent in not only the accounting profession but also the rapidly changing and increasingly competitive business environment hinges ultimately on members’ commitment to continually upgrade their professional knowledge and skills.

The CPE programme was made mandatory for members since 1 July 1995.

Minimum CPE Hours
Under the scheme of the CPE programme, non-practising members must attain at least 120 CPE hours per triennium, of which at least 20 structured CPE hours per year with coverage in ethics. The CPE year is from 1 Jan to 31 Dec.

In the case of provisional members, they are encouraged to participate voluntarily in the Institute’s CPE programme for their own self-improvement.

Appropriate Subject Areas
CPE should contribute to the professional competence of the individual member and therefore, as a general rule, acceptable CPE courses or activities should be relevant to the work of the member concerned.

Maintenance of CPE Records
Members are required to maintain their own CPE records in similar format set out in the form. The Institute would, from time to time, be carrying out an audit of a sample of such records on a random basis. Evidence of participation must be produced when requested.

Certificates or letters of attendance are issued to members who attend courses, seminars, workshops or conferences organised by the Institute. For courses which are not organised by the Institute, evidence can be in the form of certificates, receipts, attendance lists, employers’ or lecturers’ letter of certification.

Members are advised to retain these records and evidence of participation for a period of five years.

• Relevant courses conducted by recognised professional bodies within their Continuing Professional Education programme
  
  
• Studies undertaken for the purpose of preparing for a post-qualification course
  
  
• Studies undertaken after qualification with a view to preparing the candidate for a postgraduate degree
  
  
• Relevant courses conducted by educational establishments
  
  
• Relevant courses conducted by CPA firms, business organisations, trade associations
  
  
• Participation as a speaker, or attendee in conferences, briefing sessions or discussion groups
  
  
• Correspondence courses, audio tape or video tape packages, courses of programmed texts or other individual study programmes which require participation by the member
  
  
• Writing of technical articles, papers or books
  
  
• Working as a lecturer, instructor or discussion leader on a structured course (repeat presentations of the course should not be considered for this purpose)
  
  
• Conducting of updates, reviews and research for technical manuals/handbooks
  
  
• Service as a member of a technical committee of a professional body or individual firm (to the extent that technical material is prepared or reviewed by the member)
  
  
• Service as a member of the examining board of a recognised professional body (to the extent that technical material is prepared or reviewed by the member)
  
  
• E-learning activities
  
  

• Reading of technical, professional, financial or business literature
  
  
• Use of audio tapes, video tapes, correspondence courses, etc (where no participation is required)
  
  
• Participation at meetings, briefing sessions or discussion groups where no technical material is prepared by the member
  
  
• Service as a member of a technical committee of a professional accounting body or individual firm (where no technical material is prepared for review by the member)