At a glance
What to know before choosing
- Live instruction is especially useful when tax law, procedure, and planning guidance are changing quickly.
- The strongest program is the one that matches your credential and daily work - not necessarily the provider with the largest catalog.
- Credit eligibility must be confirmed from the individual webinar details before registration.
Questions & answers · Reviewed September 2026
Live webinar provider questions
Direct answers to common questions, with links to the relevant program details or primary guidance.
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.
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.
Why tax professionals choose live webinars
A live webinar combines scheduled instruction with current examples and a defined attendance process. It can offer more focus than a large self-study library when the goal is to understand a recent change and apply it in practice.
- Hear current examples and planning discussion in context.
- Follow instructor explanations in real time.
- Use a scheduled session to protect learning time during a busy season.
- Complete published attendance controls and receive a certificate after qualifying.
What to compare before registering
A useful comparison goes beyond the course title. Review the complete program page and make sure the published information supports your learning and credit needs.
| Factor | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Topic focus | Tax law, planning, procedure, ethics, or another subject relevant to your practice. |
| Presenter | Current experience, credentials, teaching clarity, and familiarity with the subject. |
| Program details | Date, Eastern Time schedule, course number, field of study, and credit hours. |
| Attendance | Polling, participation, identity, and completion requirements. |
| Certificate | How and when a qualifying attendee can retrieve the completion record. |
| Price | Single-session cost, package alternatives, and group pricing when applicable. |
Match the webinar to your work
Tax-focused practitioners usually benefit from depth and relevance more than raw course count. A broad accounting catalog may be appropriate for a firm with many disciplines, while a current tax webinar may be a better fit for professionals working directly with returns, planning, and IRS procedure.
| Audience | Often-useful webinar focus |
|---|---|
| CPA firms | Quarterly, fall, and year-end federal tax updates. |
| Enrolled agents | IRS procedure, ethics, federal tax law, and current developments. |
| Tax preparers | Practical return preparation and client-facing examples. |
| Advisors | Specialized planning issues supported by examples and current authority. |
Frequently asked questions
Questions about this guide
What makes a live CPE webinar useful for a tax professional?
Relevant subject matter, an experienced presenter, current examples, clear attendance requirements, published credit information, and reliable certificate access are more important than catalog size alone.
Are all live tax webinars eligible for both NASBA CPE and IRS CE?
No. Review the individual webinar page. It should state the credit types, hours, field of study, program number, and any requirements applicable to that session.
How is attendance verified during a live webinar?
The exact procedure is program-specific and may include identity verification, attendance monitoring, polling, or other participation controls described in the registration and attendance instructions.
Current information