NASBA Explains Its New Web-Based CPE Tracking Tool

Dumez: CPEtracking is a tool that provides an online compliance management solution for state boards of accountancy, CPA firms, and individual CPAs. Its flexible system architecture means CPEtracking can integrate with a firm’s existing programs. CPAs can enter course details and immediately see their compliance by jurisdiction and reporting period. It provides for uploading scanned “evidence of attendance” and will print ready-for-filing reports and, eventually, file those reports electronically with participating jurisdictions. We’re rolling out the service in early 2006. It’s priced at $20 per professional per year.

LaFollette: How will you define success for your efforts? How many users will you attract by January 2007?

Dumez: We are already successful in CPEtracking with Deloitte Touche and its subsidiaries. Our success only intensifies with each new client and each new user that signs on. We would expect no less than 100,000 users by 2007.

LaFollette: Will our profession ever move away from a “time-served” CPE requirement?

Dumez: Ever is a long time. The real issue is whether state boards and state government will move away from the time-based model. I really don’t see that happening anytime soon. I do see more emphasis on demonstration of competence-based learning, but I haven’t seen effective measurement for such. We have bright educators, bright board people and bright professionals. Who knows what might happen in 10 years.

LaFollette: What is the future of professional education for practicing accountants?

Dumez: Lifelong learning is something all individuals who call themselves CPAs must embrace. There may be different delivery modes or assessment techniques in the future, but this is a dynamic profession that must always keep learning. As in the past, sponsors of professional education will tweak courses to meet the needs of the changing profession.

LaFollette: What is your personal opinion of the emerging credentials within the AICPA (ABV, PFS and CITP)? Will CPEtracking be able to accommodate their special CPE requirements?

Dumez: CPEtracking can accommodate any reasonable need of its clients. We believe in and support credentials that assist the consuming public in making decisions about people/firms delivering professional services. What the future will bring, especially in the Internet age, remains to be seen. When the time is right, we’ll be ready. Currently, since none of the state boards require or regulate these additional designations, they have not been our initial focus. If there is sufficient demand for including them in our tracking, we will consider it.

LaFollette: You live and work in Nashville, which is truly a beautiful place. I’ve been there several times. I have a single question: Just how long is Old Hickory Blvd.?

Dumez: It has no beginning and no end.

LaFollette: People’s entertainment habits fascinate me. What’s the last book you read, the last movie you saw, and what television show would you actually hurry home to see?

Dumez: I last read “The Tipping Point,” by Malcolm Gladwell; last saw “Cinema Paradiso,” and hurry home to see “Desperate Housewives.” 

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