Quick Guide to Continuing Professional Education (CPE)

CPE refers to learning activities that enable you to perform your role as a professional accountant competently. In today’s ever-changing business environment, CPE is key to expanding your skills and adapting to changing circumstances and professional development needs.

WHAT IS CPE?

WHAT ARE THE CPE REQUIREMENTS?CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT (SINGAPORE):• At least 120 CPE hours over a rolling three-year period, of which 60 hours must be verifiable. • A minimum of 20 verifiable hours, including 2 verifiable hours of ethics, must be completed each year.

WHAT CAN BE CONSIDERED CPE?CPE should be relevant to your work and have a clear set of learning objectives which translates to your professional development. You have the flexibility to plan and choose your CPE activities according to your individual needs and circumstances.

VERIFIABLE LEARNING

NON-VERIFIABLE LEARNING

Is the activity relevant to your

current or future work?

Are there clear learning objectives when

attending the activity?

Does the activity help in the

development of your professional competency?

Can you provide proof of participation

in the activity?

HOW DO I START?

Plan and complete CPE activities that are relevant to you

Declare CPE compliance

status during annual membership

renewal exercise

Know your CPE requirements

Maintain your CPE activities records

in CPE Record formSubmit your CPE

records with relevant supporting documents

if you are selected for annual review

Non-verifiable learning refers to activities that do not have any assessment component or evidence to corroborate the hours to be claimed such as reading of technical, professional, financial or business literature, self study and research for knowledge purpose.

Verifiable learning refers to activities that can be verified by an objective and competent source. A learning activity can be considered as verifiable if the answer is yes to all the questions below:

For example, CPE hours may be claimed for the time spent on preparing and discussing technical matters atboard meetings or audit committee meetings if it is relevant to the development and maintenance of member’s professional competence.

HOW IS CPE COMPLIANCE MONITORED?The annual monitoring process includes reviewing members’ annual declaration on CPE compliance during annual renewal and auditing a sample of members for compliance. This exercise aims to create a greater awareness of the importance of CPE and identify ways to support you in your continuous learning and development.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR CPE WAIVER/EXEMPTION?If you have not been able to fulfill the CPE requirements due to various reasons such as medical conditions, unemployment, sabbaticalleave and retirement, you may seek CPE extension. A waiver may be considered if you have not carried out work of any professional / business nature (whether paid or unpaid) for the full CPE year, upon request. In certain situations, a reduction in CPE hours may be applicable. To enquire about your eligibility for CPE exemption, write to cpeaudit@isca.org.sg.

HOW DOES ISCA SUPPORT MY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING NEEDS?ISCA provides a wide range of CPE activities to promote lifelong learning and facilitate members' access to CPE opportunities and resources:

EXAMPLES OF VERIFIABLE LEARNING:

ISCA RESOURCES

Class-based Training Programmes

ISCA Breakfast Talk Series

E-learning

SingaporeAccountancyConvention Online Knowledge

and Resource Centre

Self-study CPE

Technical Seminars and Workshops

• Trainer / Speaker / Panelist

• Technical Committee

• Writing Research Paper / Article /

Book

SELF DEVELOPMENT

• In-house Training

• Mentoring /

Coaching

ON-THE-JOB

LEARNING

• Courses /Conferences /

Seminars

• Formal Study / Qualification Programmes

EXTERNALLEARNING

ONLINE LEARNING

• Online Courses

• Online Articles with Assessment

• Webinar / Webcast

For more information on CPE requirements, visit http://isca.org.sg/become-a-member/members-obligations/cpe-compliance/