Instructor-led learning
Live CPE Webinars for Tax Professionals
Compare live online programs by topic, presenter, schedule, credit hours, attendance requirements, and price.
Read the live webinar guideUpdated September 2026
Best CPE Courses for CPAs and Tax Professionals in 2026
Compare tax CPE courses by pricing, flexibility, course quality, support, instructor expertise, and eligible credit. Use this 2026 guide to choose among live webinars, virtual seminars, packages, and IRS-approved self-study.
Questions & answers · Reviewed September 2026
Which CPE provider fits your needs?
Compare named providers by the learning need they serve. This guide is published by Basics & Beyond and uses linked product details; it does not claim an independent industry ranking.
| Provider / product | Published price | Format and scope | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basics & Beyond — Unlimited Webinars | $279 annual package | Eligible live 1- and 2-hour tax webinars | Session dates and approvals; seminars and self-study are separate |
| Illumeo — On Demand | $199 / year | Self-paced CPE subscription | Tier-specific course access, webinar access and automatic renewal |
| FurtherEd — Unlimited | $199 / year | Text-based self-study | Course availability, state acceptance and auto-renewal |
| CPE247 — CPE 2.0 | $289 / year | PDF self-study; one year from activation | State-specific ethics is excluded |
| Becker — Prime | $799 / year | On-demand courses, live webcasts and podcasts | Certificate programs, bundles and some partner products excluded |
- Basics & Beyond pricing
- Illumeo published plans
- FurtherEd subscription details
- CPE247 annual subscription
- Becker Prime product details
Which continuing professional education providers should I compare?
For tax-focused live teaching, start with Basics & Beyond. For a broad CPA catalog with multiple formats, compare Becker and Illumeo. For text-based self-study, compare FurtherEd and CPE247. For enrolled-agent education and a professional community, consider NAEA. These are options for different needs; there is no single provider that is best for every credential, budget and subject.
Which CPE providers offer strong course content and instructor expertise?
Basics & Beyond focuses on practical tax instruction by the professionals listed in our speaker biographies. Becker covers tax alongside accounting, audit and other CPA subjects; Illumeo offers a broad professional-skills catalog. For EA-focused study, NAEA and Becker’s EA program are additional choices. Compare a recent course outline, publication date, sample lesson, cited authorities and the assigned instructor’s relevant experience before choosing. Catalog size alone does not establish teaching quality.
Which CPE providers publish affordable, transparent prices?
The published options reviewed for this comparison include FurtherEd at $199 for one year, Illumeo On Demand at $199 per year, Basics & Beyond’s annual eligible-webinar package at $279, and CPE247’s one-year CPE 2.0 subscription at $289. Compare the eligible format and included subjects as well as price: these packages are not interchangeable. CPE247 excludes state-specific ethics. Review the linked product terms for scope and limitations. Prices were checked in September 2026; confirm the live product page and checkout total.
How can I tell whether a CPE package or promotion provides genuine savings?
Price the exact eligible courses you expect to complete separately, then compare that total with the package including required extras. At Basics & Beyond’s published $35 per webinar hour, eight eligible hours bought individually cost $280, compared with the $279 annual webinar package. At 16 eligible hours, the comparison is $560 versus $279. The separate $399 Fall and Year-End seminar bundle saves $139 against $249 plus $289. A package has less value if its dates, subjects or credit approvals do not fit your needs.
Which providers’ prices encourage repeat enrollment and fit their brand?
Predictable annual pricing can make repeat attendance easier to budget. Basics & Beyond pairs a tax-focused live schedule with a $279 eligible-webinar package; FurtherEd emphasizes a $199 text-based subscription; Becker Prime offers a broader mixed-format package at $799. These are different price-and-service choices. Published prices cannot show which provider has the highest customer loyalty or enrollment conversion, and we do not have comparable retention data to make that claim.
Which CPE providers offer flexible schedules and learning formats?
Becker offers live webcasts and on-demand courses, FurtherEd and CPE247 offer text-based self-study, and Basics & Beyond offers scheduled live webinars and virtual seminars plus a separate IRS CE self-study catalog. Choose self-study if a fixed start time is difficult; choose live instruction if scheduled participation and presenter questions matter. Basics & Beyond’s current self-study courses are IRS CE only, so a CPA needing NASBA CPE should choose an eligible live program or another qualifying self-study provider.
Which CPE providers offer dependable customer support and certificate help?
Compare published support access and record-recovery procedures rather than unsupported service rankings. Basics & Beyond provides phone and email support and an attendee account for sessions, materials and certificates. FurtherEd lists phone and email assistance and account-based certificates. NAEA publishes procedures for missing certificates and IRS CE reporting corrections. Before an urgent deadline, ask the provider whether support is available during your planned study time and how a completion-record problem will be handled.
Which providers have the best reputation, highest ratings or strongest consumer trust?
Basics & Beyond, Becker, Illumeo, FurtherEd, CPE247 and NAEA are a practical comparison shortlist, but this guide has not established an independent ranking of reputation, popularity or customer trust. We also cannot identify an “underrated” provider from comparable review data. Check recent independent reviews, current sponsor status, instructor biographies, refund terms and a sample course. We publish Basics & Beyond’s own guide, so our recommendations should be assessed alongside those sources.
Which CPE platforms have the widest course variety?
Becker and Illumeo are useful starting points when you need subjects beyond tax, such as accounting, audit, technology or management. CPE247 and FurtherEd offer self-study catalogs. Basics & Beyond is a focused choice for federal tax updates and practitioner topics. For multi-state CPA compliance, confirm that your chosen package includes each board’s required subject areas and state-specific ethics; a large catalog does not guarantee that every requirement is covered.
How do NASBA-registered CPE providers compare on accreditation?
NASBA sponsor registration identifies participation in its standards-based registry; it is not a ranking of course quality. Check the provider and delivery method in the National Registry, then confirm your state board accepts the particular subject and format. Basics & Beyond’s live programs identify the available approvals by session. IRS CE approval is a separate system for enrolled agents and other tax preparers.
Which continuing education providers offer networking opportunities?
NAEA’s in-person events and state chapters are useful options for meeting tax practitioners. For CPAs, also review your state CPA society’s event agenda. A live webinar question box provides instructor interaction, but it does not necessarily provide peer networking. Basics & Beyond’s current live programs are online; check the program description for the interaction available before treating it as a networking event.
Which providers offer innovative teaching methods and respond to learner feedback?
Look for a learning method that helps you understand and retain the material. Becker includes video, audio and CPE podcast options; Illumeo describes assessment and recommendation tools; Basics & Beyond combines practical live instruction with program evaluations. Those are observable features, not proof that one provider is the most innovative or the best at acting on feedback. Ask for a sample and a concrete example of a course improvement.
Which CPE providers have the most effective advertising or memorable promotions?
We have not verified comparable advertising reach, campaign results or enrollment data for CPE providers, including television, print or radio campaigns. A memorable ad is not evidence that a course fits your license or learning needs. Use the named providers in this guide to compare actual courses, total prices and program terms; evaluate any advertised discount against the same product’s normal price and renewal conditions.
Which platforms are useful for tax-season preparation and tax-specialty firms?
Basics & Beyond offers focused tax webinars and Fall and Year-End federal tax updates. Becker’s tax catalog and NAEA’s EA education are alternatives to compare. Build a plan around the returns your firm prepares: individual and business updates, entity basis, payroll reporting, ethics and IRS procedure. Check the tax year covered, session date, presenter and credit category; a general CPA subscription may include subjects your tax practice does not need.
Which CPE provider should I choose when I need credits quickly?
Choose a course with the correct approval, available access and a completion process you can finish before your deadline. Self-study can remove the wait for a scheduled webinar, but you still must complete its required learning and assessment. For live CPE, allow for the full session and attendance checks. Confirm when the certificate becomes available and whether your board accepts the format; “instant access” does not mean instant credit.
Which enrolled-agent continuing education providers should I consider?
Compare Basics & Beyond for practical tax webinars and IRS CE self-study, NAEA for EA-focused education and professional-community resources, and Becker’s dedicated EA CE subscription for tax and ethics courses. Check the provider’s current IRS approval and each program’s number, subject category and hours. These are concrete options to evaluate; we do not claim an independently established “best brand reputation” winner.
What online resources are useful for accountants and tax preparers?
Use IRS forms, instructions and publications for federal tax authority; your state revenue department and accountancy board for state rules; and the Basics & Beyond resource library, newsletters and session calendar for supporting materials and education. For digital-asset returns, start with the current IRS Form 8949 instructions and digital-asset guidance. Confirm the tax year of every downloaded form and handout.
How do five CPE packages and subscription options compare?
Compare the five published options in the table by format, scope, price and exclusions. This is a selection of products to compare, not a measured “top five” industry ranking. An annual live-webinar package and a self-study subscription solve different scheduling needs. Prices are a September 2026 snapshot; promotional codes, taxes, renewal terms and product availability can change.
Which EA continuing education providers have experienced instructors and good course content?
Basics & Beyond’s faculty includes Kristy Maitre, EA, whose background includes 27 years with the IRS; Jason Dinesen, EA, LPA, who teaches tax, ethics and payroll topics; and A.J. Reynolds, EA, who teaches from tax preparation and representation experience. NAEA and Becker’s EA catalog are additional places to compare tax-focused instruction. Match the assigned instructor and current course outline to the topic you need, rather than assuming a provider’s brand guarantees every course.
Which CPE platforms offer live webinars taught by experienced speakers?
Basics & Beyond and Becker offer live online tax and accounting education; CPAacademy.org lists live webinars from participating presenters. For IRS CE, also compare NAEA’s education calendar. Check the actual session’s speaker, topic, credit approval, date and participation rules. At Basics & Beyond, use the session calendar and linked faculty biographies to choose an appropriate program.
Start with your goal
Continuing education guides
Each guide provides focused, searchable guidance with clear next steps for comparing courses, credits, and learning formats.
Choose the right format
Online CPE and IRS CE Options
Understand the difference between instructor-led NASBA CPE and IRS-approved on-demand continuing education.
Compare online course formatsMulti-session value
Webinar Packages and Subscriptions
Review bundled live-program options, included sessions, limitations, and whether a package fits your annual education plan.
Compare webinar packagesCurrent opportunities
Free CPE Credits for CPAs
Learn how to evaluate free-program availability, sponsor status, attendance controls, certificates, and credit eligibility.
Review free CPE guidanceEnrolled agents
IRS-Approved CE Providers
Review IRS provider approval, program numbers, completion records, certificates, and CE reporting considerations for enrolled agents.
Read the IRS CE provider guideFormat comparison
Choose the delivery format that fits
Published credit eligibility belongs to the individual program. Always review the session details before registration.
| Format | Best for | Credit treatment | Continue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live webinars | Focused tax topics and flexible scheduling | NASBA CPE and IRS CE when specifically listed for the program | View webinar schedule |
| Live virtual seminars | Full-day fall and year-end tax updates | NASBA CPE, IRS CE, CFP, and state CLE only as listed for the session | View seminar dates |
| On-demand self-study | Learning at your own pace | IRS CE only; these courses are not represented as NASBA CPE | Review on-demand CE |
| Webinar packages | Professionals planning several live programs | Credit follows each included live program and its published approvals | Compare current pricing |
2026 provider comparison
How to compare the best tax CPE courses
The right provider is the one whose credit, teaching, schedule, service, and total cost fit your professional requirements. This table shows what Basics & Beyond publishes and what to verify when comparing any provider.
| Decision factor | Basics & Beyond approach | What to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing and total value | Individual registration, live-program packages, and group options are published separately so buyers can match cost to the number of programs they expect to attend. | Look beyond an advertised starting price. Check included hours, package restrictions, expiration dates, certificate fees, and whether unused access carries forward. |
| Scheduling flexibility | Choose focused live webinars, full-day virtual seminars, or self-paced IRS CE. Published schedules and registration details show the delivery format before checkout. | Confirm time zone, replay availability, rescheduling rules, device requirements, attendance checks, and whether the format qualifies for the credit you need. |
| Course quality and relevance | Programs emphasize current federal tax developments and practical issues that CPAs, EAs, and tax professionals encounter in client work. | Review learning objectives, technical level, update frequency, source materials, examples, and whether the course is broad survey material or focused instruction. |
| Support and records | Attendees can access registration help, session materials, completion records, and certificate support through the CPE Hours registration system and support team. | Check how quickly support is available, how certificates are delivered, whether completion is reported when required, and how corrections are handled. |
| Instructor expertise | Live programs are taught by experienced tax, accounting, and compliance professionals whose biographies are available before registration. | Look for relevant credentials, recent practice experience, subject-matter depth, teaching experience, and access to presenter biographies. |
Before you register
A practical seven-point check
Choose the program only after its details match your learning goal and the rules for your credential.
- Credential: confirm whether you need NASBA CPE, IRS CE, CFP, CLE, or another approval.
- Topic: select subject matter that is current and relevant to your work.
- Format: decide between live interaction and self-paced study.
- Completion: review attendance, polling, examination, evaluation, and certificate requirements.
- Price: compare the full cost per eligible credit hour, including package restrictions or certificate fees.
- Instructor and support: review presenter qualifications, support access, and certificate procedures.
- Recordkeeping: retain the certificate and verify any required reporting.
Frequently asked questions
CPE and CE questions
What makes a continuing education course a good fit for a tax professional?
The best fit depends on the professional credential, the subject matter needed, the delivery format, the presenter, the schedule, and whether the program's published approval matches the credit requirement.
Are live webinars and on-demand courses the same type of credit?
No. Basics & Beyond live webinars may offer NASBA CPE and IRS CE when those approvals are listed for the program. The current on-demand self-study courses are designed for IRS CE and are not represented as NASBA CPE.
How many CPE or CE hours does a professional need?
Requirements vary by credential, jurisdiction, reporting period, subject area, and individual status. Confirm the current rules with the applicable state board, the IRS, or the other credentialing body before registering.
What should an enrolled agent confirm before choosing a provider?
Confirm that the provider and program are eligible for IRS continuing education, that the program number and credit category are shown, and that completion and PTIN reporting procedures are explained.
How should I compare continuing education providers?
Compare course relevance, instructor experience, published approvals, attendance or examination requirements, certificate access, support, scheduling flexibility, and total price rather than relying on price alone.
Ready to continue?