Once you have become a qualified accountant, you are required to keep your skills up to date by committing to continuous professional development (CPD). CPD is the process of maintaining and improving your professional knowledge, skills and competence on an ongoing basis. It is essential for accountants to stay up to date with the latest developments in accounting and finance, as well as the wider business world.
Benefits of CPD for Accountants
There are a number of benefits of CPD for accountants. These include:
- Improved job performance: CPD can help you to improve your skills and knowledge, which can lead to improved job performance.
- Increased career opportunities: CPD can help you to make yourself more marketable to potential employers and can also help you to progress your career.
- Enhanced professional reputation: CPD can help you to enhance your professional reputation and credibility.
- Personal satisfaction: CPD can be a rewarding and stimulating experience and can help you to stay motivated and engaged in your career.
How to undertake CPD
There are several ways that accountants can undertake CPD. These include:
- Attending conferences and seminars
- Taking online courses
- Reading professional journals and articles
- Participating in professional development programs
- Mentoring or coaching other accountants
- Completing research projects
- Publishing articles or books
- Giving presentations
The amount of CPD that is required for accountants varies depending on the professional body that they are a member of. For example, ACCA members are required to complete 40 hours of CPD per year, while CIMA members are required to complete 35 hours of CPD per year./p>
CPD resources
There are a number of resources available to help accountants with their CPD. These include:
- The professional bodies that accountants are a member of
- Online CPD providers
- Local universities and colleges
- Professional development organizations
CPD is an important part of the professional development of accountants. It is essential for accountants to stay up to date with the latest developments in accounting and finance, as well as the wider business world. CPD can help accountants to improve their job performance, increase their career opportunities, enhance their professional reputation, and gain personal satisfaction.
How to choose the correct CPD activities for you
When choosing CPD activities, it is important to consider your own individual needs and goals. Some factors to consider include:
- Your current level of knowledge and skills
- Your career goals
- Your interests
- The amount of time you have available
It is also important to make sure that your CPD activities are relevant to your role and career goals. For example, if you are a tax accountant, you may want to focus on CPD activities that relate to tax law. If you are a financial analyst, you may want to focus on CPD activities that relate to financial analysis.
By choosing the right CPD activities, you can ensure that you are staying up to date with the latest developments in accounting and finance, and that you are developing the skills and knowledge that you need to succeed in your career.