All Certified Public Accountants must receive Continuing Professional Education credit. This is an opportunity to hone skills, keep pace with current industry changes, and remain competitive in a fast-moving profession. Since there are many formats available for CPA CPE, how do you decide which one best fits your schedule and learning style?

One of the most difficult decisions facing CPAs today seems to be deciding whether to take their CPE via on-demand courses or live webinars. They are both common; they can both work well; they can be both good as well as bad.

In this article, the pros and cons of each type of CPE modality are covered such that you would be able to make the decision best aligned with your time, goals, and personal learning preferences.

What Are On-Demand CPE Courses

On-demand CPE courses are pre-recorded sessions made available any time. There are no restrictions once you have enrolled; you can begin the course, pause it, resume it, or complete it at your personal convenience. These are held on platforms that usually track your course progress and award certificates of completion.

Pros of On-Demand CPE

Complete Flexibility

On-Demand courses give you flexibility in selecting the time of day for doing your coursework: early mornings, during lunch, or late in the night. Intervening factors like deadlines, meetings with clients, and personal responsibilities work very well for the CPAs participating in this kind of format.

Self-Paced Learning

With on-demand programs, you are allowed to learn at your pace. You may re-watch topics you find difficult, take notes, stop for reflection, or fast-forward through material you feel comfortable with.

Wider Course Selection

Providers that offer on-demand CPE courses tend to have a larger repository of courses including topics that are not necessarily mainstream and specialized content. This allows tailoring of learning to the CPA's area of work or industry.

Wonderful for Professionals Who Work Flexibly or Travel

Whether working from a home base or traveling frequently, one scheduling limitation or location barrier for these on-demand courses disappears.

Cons of On-Demand CPEs

No Real-Time Interaction

With live courses, questions can be asked and instructor interaction occurs in real time. This allows participants to feel as if they are part of an ongoing discussion.

Procrastination Risk

Since you can take the course anytime, it's easy to keep putting it off until the last minute at the end of your reporting period.

Limits in Some States

While most states accept on-demand courses, several states do have limits on the number of self-study credits you are allowed. Always check with your state board.

What Are Live Webinars

Live webinars are scheduled sessions, delivered by an instructor to an audience in real-time. They include interactive elements such as Q and A interactive chat sessions and discussions. Attendance is accounted for by means of active participation and polling.

Pros of Live Webinars

Live Interaction

You can ask California real-time webinars with questions and answer from instructors. This provides an in-classroom-like feel to the webinars and adds an interesting dimension to the content.

Structured Learning Environment

A scheduled time works well in getting you motivated. This format is recommended for CPAs who prefer deadlines with live engagement.

Interactivity to the CPE Requirements

Some state boards require some of your hours to be interactive. Live webinars usually cover that requirement without having to attend an on-site seminar.

Networking

In some webinars, you can interact with other attendees through chat and breakout sessions, creating impressions for potential connection-building.

Disadvantages of Live Webinars

Predefined Schedule

You will have to be present at the hours set. This poses a challenge where some CPAs are held on a tight schedule, or when practicing in an entirely different time zone.

Make Up May Be Out of Question

If you miss the live session for whatever reason the provider may or may not have made available some sort of on-demand makeup.

May Be Less Flexible

In all fairness, the requirement of a good internet connection and a quiet place for its entirety may itself present some challenges.

Which is the Right Choice for You?

It really depends on your own learning style, availability, and state requirements.

If you prioritize flexibility and self-paced learning go for on-demand courses.

If you do enjoy the experience of live interaction or need to meet some interactivity for CPE hours choose a live webinar.

Many CPAs will use a mixture of both to strike a proper balance between convenience and real-time engagement.

Final Conclusion

Whether on-demand or live, the main thing is to keep your CPEs current and choose events that facilitate your growth. Accounting, in this regard, is changing rapidly. Staying current in knowledge will ensure you remain relevant.

In 2025, one shall not have to sacrifice one for the other. Have both. Just ensure that your choice of attendance fits your schedule, your state board's rules, and your long-term career goals.

If you are still unsure where to start, consider Illumeo-a provider with high-quality on-demand courses and live webinars, designed specifically for busy CPAs.