At a glance
What to know before choosing
- Online continuing education includes several different delivery methods; they should not be treated as one interchangeable product.
- CPAs should verify NASBA and state-board acceptance, while enrolled agents should verify IRS CE eligibility and reporting details.
- Basics & Beyond's on-demand self-study offering is IRS CE only and is not represented as NASBA CPE.
Questions & answers · Reviewed September 2026
Choosing an online CPE provider
Direct answers to common questions, with links to the relevant program details or primary guidance.
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.
What unlimited CPE options are available for under $300?
Published options below $300 include FurtherEd ($199), Illumeo On Demand ($199), Basics & Beyond’s annual package of eligible live webinars ($279), and CPE247 CPE 2.0 ($289). These are examples, not a claim that they are the cheapest in the entire market. Check the current checkout price, required ethics courses, approval for your state, and the specific courses or sessions included. Older “cheapest CPE in 2019” lists should not be used to budget for 2026.
How should a solo practitioner choose a CPE subscription?
Write down your remaining credit hours, required ethics and specialty subjects, budget and available study time. Choose a low-cost self-study plan if its eligible courses cover those needs; choose a tax-focused live package if you plan to attend those sessions. Verify access dates, annual renewal, exclusions, unused-credit treatment and certificate access. For a small number of hours, individual courses or genuinely free programs can cost less than a subscription.
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.
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.
Can I earn CPE through podcasts or audio courses?
Some providers offer approved podcast-style CPE; Becker lists CPE Accounting Podcasts with Prime. An ordinary podcast or an archived webinar recording does not automatically earn credit. Use the provider’s designated credit-bearing course and complete its required participation or assessment. Basics & Beyond’s course and session listings show the formats we currently offer.
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.
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 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 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.
Start with the outcome you need
Some professionals need convenient hours for a renewal cycle. Others need practical tax guidance they can use with clients. Identify the credential, subject area, deadline, and preferred format before comparing providers.
- Confirm the credential and jurisdiction that will receive the credit.
- Choose current topics that match your work.
- Decide whether live interaction or self-paced study is the better format.
- Review certificate access, reporting, and recordkeeping.
- Compare total value based on what you will actually complete.
Online formats are not the same
A large on-demand catalog can be useful for flexibility, while instructor-led programs can provide stronger context for current tax developments. Compare the learning experience and the published credit treatment together.
| Online format | Common strength | Important check |
|---|---|---|
| Live webinar | Scheduled instruction and current discussion. | Attendance controls and session-specific approvals. |
| Live virtual seminar | Extended fall or year-end instruction. | Program agenda, breaks, presenters, and credit allocation. |
| On-demand self-study | Start and complete on your schedule. | Examinations, evaluation, program approval, and reporting. |
| Broad subscription library | Many topics and year-round access. | Whether the included content matches your actual practice needs. |
Compare depth and usability - not course count alone
A catalog can contain hundreds of courses and still provide limited value for a tax-heavy practice. Review sample topics, presenter backgrounds, course dates, support, and the steps from completion to certificate.
- Current tax content and practical examples.
- Clear course descriptions and learning objectives.
- A predictable account and certificate process.
- Pricing that reflects the formats and hours you will use.
- Support when registration, access, or credit records need attention.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about this guide
What is the best online continuing education format for a CPA?
It depends on the CPA's jurisdiction, subject needs, schedule, and learning preference. Verify state-board acceptance and the program's published approval before registering.
Are live webinars better than self-study?
Live webinars can be better for current changes, instructor context, and a scheduled learning experience. Self-study can be better when schedule flexibility is the priority.
Are Basics & Beyond on-demand courses NASBA CPE?
No. The current on-demand self-study courses are offered for IRS continuing education only and are not represented as NASBA CPE.
Current information