Podcasting for CPE’sPodcasting for CPE’sMessina, Morgan & Peracchi, Messina, Morgan & Peracchi, LLP.LLP.

CPE RequirementsCPE Requirements Publically practicing accountants in Publically practicing accountants in

Massachusetts must complete 80 Massachusetts must complete 80 hours of CPE credits every 2 yearshours of CPE credits every 2 years

As of June 30As of June 30thth, 2007 at least 4 hours , 2007 at least 4 hours must relate to the area of professional must relate to the area of professional ethics.ethics.

Must be a, “formal program of learning Must be a, “formal program of learning which contributes directly to the which contributes directly to the professional competence of a professional competence of a registrant in public practice “registrant in public practice “

--www.mass.govwww.mass.gov

What is a Podcast?What is a Podcast? A platform of “Web 2.0” technology that lets A platform of “Web 2.0” technology that lets

users generate, share and refine information users generate, share and refine information Podcasts are a series of audio or video files Podcasts are a series of audio or video files

released periodically and available for download released periodically and available for download by a web syndicationby a web syndication

Client software applications called Client software applications called “podcatchers” are used to identify and retrieve “podcatchers” are used to identify and retrieve new files for usersnew files for users

Can be streamed over the internet or Can be streamed over the internet or downloaded for later use on a computer or downloaded for later use on a computer or “IPod” like device.“IPod” like device.--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcasthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast

Why Use a Podcast?Why Use a Podcast? Ease of use for professionals in the firmEase of use for professionals in the firm Flexibility of watching on demandFlexibility of watching on demand Unified training across the firmUnified training across the firm Travel time is eliminated, giving more Travel time is eliminated, giving more

hours for client work. This increases hours for client work. This increases resource productivity resource productivity

Cost of using podcast programs are Cost of using podcast programs are considerably less than bringing in considerably less than bringing in professional programsprofessional programs

Requirements for Requirements for PodcastPodcast In order to qualify under Rule 15D (2) a In order to qualify under Rule 15D (2) a

program must:program must: require attendance,require attendance, be at least one class hour (50-minute period) be at least one class hour (50-minute period)

in lengthin length be conducted by a qualified instructor or be conducted by a qualified instructor or

discussion leader,discussion leader, require a maintained record of attendance, require a maintained record of attendance,

andand require a written outline to be retained.require a written outline to be retained.

--www.mass.govwww.mass.gov

Why Podcasts WorkWhy Podcasts Work Professionals spend most of their time Professionals spend most of their time

out of the office working remotely, out of the office working remotely, making the podcast an ideal way to making the podcast an ideal way to keep up with their CPE’skeep up with their CPE’s

New episodes can be sent via email to New episodes can be sent via email to employees making credits available employees making credits available whenever convenientwhenever convenient

Dramatic decrease in cost structure Dramatic decrease in cost structure typically associated with a professional typically associated with a professional firms CPE programfirms CPE program

RisksRisks It will be hard to track if the employees It will be hard to track if the employees

actually watches the podcastactually watches the podcast Not all employees will want to use Not all employees will want to use

podcastpodcast When using an IPod or other portable When using an IPod or other portable

device the screen is smalldevice the screen is small If the server goes down podcast will If the server goes down podcast will

not be accessible not be accessible

ImplementationImplementation Option A.) Outsource to a Option A.) Outsource to a

company that specializes in using company that specializes in using podcasts for CPE trainingpodcasts for CPE training

OR,OR, Option B.) Hire a professional to Option B.) Hire a professional to

handle the CPE podcast program handle the CPE podcast program for the firmfor the firm

Other UsesOther Uses Weekly company updates from Weekly company updates from

managementmanagement Policy changes and profession newsPolicy changes and profession news As part of “Web 2.0” the podcast can As part of “Web 2.0” the podcast can

be a platform for employee be a platform for employee commenting and collaborationcommenting and collaboration

““Make visible the practices and Make visible the practices and outputs of knowledge workers”outputs of knowledge workers”

-Andrew P. McAfee-Andrew P. McAfee