Apologies if there is a similar thread, I did a search and couldn't find anything.
Ant tips for earning CPD hours other than attending really expensive events organised by CA/CPA?
Earning CPD hours for CA/CPA
strawberrybug on 24/10/2017 - 22:27
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Did a quick Google and cannot see the links for the webinars on these firms websites. Can you please provide the link? Thank you!
https://www.bdo.com.au/en-au/insights/audit-assurance/webina…
Sorry I think the Pitcher Partners one might be an invite only. But I know that stuff from the SRO is free as well.
Just be aware that some of your hours must be verifiable, so whilst you may try avoid the courses or seminars that cost money, they are the easiest way to illustrate the attendance.
Assuming you work in professional services, you should talk to the company for assistance as it is a requirement of your designation. And often the courses run internal are appropriate to have the hours used as CPD qualifying.
Assuming you work in private / commercial, then again speak to you company, if your CA is a requirement of your role, I would be surprised they would not be covering your membership or hours requirements. If not I would question whether you actually required to be a CA in your role or if the company is the right place for you; if you are personally wanting to retain membership, and have a passion in what you do. All companies should be actively supporting their staff in development as it ultimately benefits them as well. So don’t be shy to ask!
If you are not working as a CA full time, you can ask for relief at the discretion of the body for a reduction in hours (I haven’t done this myself, however understand it’s applied for part timers and those having financial hardship).
As noted mid-tiers run more cost effective sessions than the body themselves, however always keep an eye out as they do have some good courses / events that are cheap.
If you are in the CBD areas, CPA Australia run numerous free or very cheap cod events each month. From discussion groups to monthly topics, I regularly attend these in Brisbane. They are primarily free, or if catered, $10-$15 which includes alcohol so I think is very reasonable. They are often at lunchtime or straight after work though, hence needing to be close by.
Otherwise, all of their industry group sessions, not for profit, commercial, young professionals etc do monthly events which come with verifiable hours. The full day courses and workshops are expensive, but there are a lot of free/cheap options out there if you look around a bit.
University alumni's also do a lot of events that can be classed as CPD, again I'm in Brisbane but attend both UQ and QUT events to get my hours, and these are almost always free.
Lastly, I get my employer to pay for the relevant conference slides each year. It's usually 10-15 hours for $100-$200, put up after the conference is finished. Way cheaper than the $1-$2k to attend, and then they can be shared across multiple employees and sometimes we do lunchtime cpd sessions in the boardroom for whoever needs hours. The not for profit conference is always very interesting, as is cpa congress. I don't know if they're doing it this year as I'm currently on maternity leave so haven't investigated.
Hope this helps.
Agree with Smiley82, I go for these industry group sessions now and then and have found them to be useful for networking and CPD points and not to mention free/subsidized food and drinks.
what's an industry group session, like a tax update? :S
Usually a networking event with guest speakers. No free tax updates i'm afraid.
If you are a CPA, claim 10 Hours a year for reading their rubbish magazine - Intheblack. And if you're a CA claim 10 hours a year for "technical reading".
Thanks all for the very helpful replies! please keep sharing, especially if any are in Sydney.
I'm actually curious about this as well. I am thinking of leaving my current role from the Big 4 and this will definitely be on the agenda (currently exempt due to the Big 4 having own training which ends up meeting CA hours criteria).
Yea I just left a couple months ago. It is a bit of a struggle but your organisation should have some sort of training program or other CA in the same boat.
ok some advice. CPD is a scam. It's a disgrace that both organisations charge upwards of $1000 for membership fees and then put ridiculous fees on CPD as well. For CPA read the magazine 1000 times. no rule as to how often you can read it.
i agree!! The courses are so expensive and it's hard to make a business case for your employer to constantly pay for it when you aren't working in a traditional accounting role.
I've been selected for CPD monitoring so now I gotta figure how to show a record I haven't been keeping!
Check Pitcher Partners, BDO and other mid-tier firms website - they have webinars that count towards CPD hours.