WESTERN CPE BLOG
Providing the latest tax news, information, and updates for tax and finance professionals
Arkansas CPE Requirements for Accountants and Financial Professionals
Introduction
As a licensed accountant or financial professional in Arkansas, staying compliant with the state’s Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements is critical to maintaining your license. With the annual license renewal deadline approaching on January 1, now is the time to ensure you meet all necessary criteria. In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Arkansas State Board of Accountancy’s CPE requirements, including credit hour mandates, subject area specifics, and common challenges. We’ll also outline practical steps to help you navigate these requirements with confidence.
Overview of Arkansas Accounting CPE Requirements
- Arkansas accountants and financial professionals must adhere to the following CPE requirements:
- Total Credit Hours: 40 hours annually.
- Reporting Period: January 1 to December 31 each year.
- License Renewal Deadline: January 1 annually.
Arkansas Ethics CPE Requirements
- General Ethics: Four (4) hours in accounting professional conduct and ethics during the three years preceding the current license expiration.
- State-Specific Ethics: One (1) hour on Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy-specific laws and rules, which may be completed via a free online course provided by the Board or approved group training.
- New Licensees: Those licensed within the current calendar year are exempt from the ethics requirement until their first full calendar year.
CPE Credit Limitations
- Independent Study and Self-Study: Limited to 80% of total CPE hours.
- Nano Learning: Maximum of 4 hours annually.
- Instruction: Repeated instruction on the same material in the same year will not earn credit. College-level instruction is creditable only for upper-level courses and only once every three years.
- Published Materials: Self-declared credit is available for published articles, books, or CPE programs that contribute to professional competency, with prior acceptance.
Subject Area Requirements
- Accounting/Attest, Accounting Ethics, or Tax:
- At least 40% of total hours if not in public accounting.
- At least 20% of total hours for professionals in other sectors.
Additional Policies
- Program Providers: Must be NASBA-registered, Board-approved, or meet specific criteria for automatic approval.
- Exemptions: Full or partial exemptions may apply to active-duty military members, returning veterans, or their spouses.
Common Challenges
Meeting Arkansas’s CPE requirements can present unique challenges, including:
- Navigating Credit Limitations: Professionals may struggle to balance self-study, independent study, and live instruction to stay within the 80% cap for non-live formats. If you still require live credits, join us in Las Vegas.
- Understanding State-Specific Ethics: The additional one-hour Arkansas-specific ethics course requirement can be easily overlooked, especially for new licensees. Fortunately, Western has you covered.
- Selecting Relevant Subjects: Ensuring compliance with the 40% and 20% subject area rules can be tricky without careful planning. That’s why Western CPE maintains one of the largest CPE catalogs in the industry.
Recommended Courses
These courses have been particularly popular with professionals in Arkansas and are tailored to meet your needs:
America’s #1 Federal Tax Update is a comprehensive collection focused on individual and business taxation that covers all of the latest developments the IRS, legislative, and judicial folks can and will throw your way. It’s bigger, better, and more trusted than the knock-offs out there, so accept no substitutes.
Take control of your continuing education with Western’s Credit Packages: flexible CPE that fits your exact requirements. Get access to our entire digital course library, including webcasts, self-study, and self-study video courses. It’s like an unlimited CPE subscription, but better—you only pay for what you need.
Comprehensive course exploring tax planning strategies for seniors clients, such as Social Security benefits, retirement distributions, and unique income and deduction considerations.
Practical guide to Long-Term Care Planning and Financial Strategy. Navigate care options and funding sources while developing effective strategies for clients’ late-life security.
Complete guide to QuickBooks and Advanced Features. Transform your efficiency with practical solutions for both Desktop and Online versions, from security setup to specialized reporting tools.
Focused guide to IRS Collection Procedures and Response Strategies. Master the tax collection process while learning effective options for payment plans, appeals, and penalty relief.
Conclusion
Staying compliant with Arkansas’s CPE requirements is essential for your professional standing and career growth. By understanding the state’s regulations and planning your CPE activities accordingly, you can avoid last-minute stress and focus on developing your skills. Our recommended courses make compliance simple and convenient, offering options that meet Arkansas’s specific requirements.
Join thousands of professionals who trust us to help them meet their CPE requirements. Browse our catalog today and discover courses designed to fit your goals and deadlines.
FAQ
Q: What happens if I don’t meet the 40-hour CPE requirement by December 31?
A: Failure to meet CPE requirements by the deadline may result in penalties, including license suspension or additional fees. Contact the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy for guidance if you fall behind.
Q: Do I have to complete the Arkansas-specific ethics course every year?
A: No. The one-hour Arkansas-specific ethics requirement is part of the four-hour ethics mandate and must be completed within the 36 months before your license expiration.
Q: Can I use nano learning courses for CPE credit?
A: Yes, but nano learning is limited to 4 hours annually within the reporting period.
Q: Are new licensees exempt from any CPE requirements?
A: Yes. Licensees who obtained their license within the current calendar year are exempt from the ethics requirement until their first full calendar year.
-
EthicsEthics for Maryland
$116.00 – $136.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Self-StudyPassive Losses
$290.00 – $320.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Self-StudyMaking The Best of Bad Situations
$364.00 – $404.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
-
-
-
Self-StudyEnterprise Risk Management
$308.00 – $368.00 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
