If you are a finance professional looking to maintain, preserve and improve on your professional skillset, you might want to look into Continuing Professional Education (CPE) courses. CPE has long been standing as the key component in retaining high standards of expertise and professionalism across the finance industry, for instance, with all qualified accountants. So, what is the reason behind it and why is it important? This guide has the answers.
Why Does It Exist?
The CPE exists primarily as a way for accountants and other financial career professionals to enhance, adapt and maintain their fundamental skill and knowledge base. This industry demands a level of perfection that has to be constantly adapting to economic circumstances around the world both generally and as per their niche industry. After the formal qualification path has been completed, because of the level of responsibility within the professional trajectories, there has to be some way to assure that the knowledge and skills are up to speed with the most recent demands, and this is it.
It focuses on some key areas:
- Further education within specific industries.
- Constant progression and adapting.
- Practical skills.
- General improvement on a constant basis.
Employers Look for It In Their Candidates
You stand more of a chance of promotion or entering the next step in the industry if you have actively engaged with CPE channels. Employers will want verification that you have successfully taken the courses on offer. Candidates with CPE are likely to have a better chance at securing positions because they have proven they invest in their role by carrying on their learning.
It Enables You to Stay Relevant In Your Field
There are lots of career paths for accountants or other financial professionals. There is lots of value, therefore, in staying relevant within your particular field of expertise; for instance, this oil and gas cpe for accountants is one of the clear paths to enhance your relevancy and ensure you are not getting left behind.
It Empowers Your Journey
If you want to climb up the career ladder, you are going to need to carry on with your professional development. Your career journey will always be personal to you. However, you can empower your own success by ensuring you are doing everything within your power to get where you want to be. Do you have a career goal? If not, you absolutely should set one! This will help you stay motivated while studying for the tests.
It Is Non-Negotiable
It has already been mentioned that any employer will be looking for you to have some level of professional development to your name. It is really non-negotiable when you hit a certain point, and even freshly qualified accountants or similar are expected to fully commit to some credits after the very least, the first year of actually working in an active role.
Continued professional development is entirely essential for so many reasons. Whether it is because your employer will expect it, or any new role considering you as a candidate will want to see CPD or CPE routes have been engaged with, it is your responsibility to keep up and stay on task.
