CalCPA Education Foundation Gala To Celebrate 50 Years of Professional Learning

From initially offering books and classroom sessions for CPAs in California to producing high-definition webcasts and on-demand classes for CPAs across the country, the CalCPA Education Foundation has pioneered many advancements in continuing professional education (CPE) since 1966.

On June 23, 2016, the Foundation will mark its half-century with a gala at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, California.

One of the nation’s leading providers of lifelong learning for accountants and finance professionals, the Foundation this year will conduct a record 1,400 live and webcast sessions, 13 conferences and five destination CPE weeks. They provide up to 40 hours of continuing education at a time.

Among the Foundation’s newest offerings are multi-day conferences for estate and trusts; federal, state, local and international taxation: governmental accounting and auditing; and employee benefits.

“We’re proud of the consistent quality of professional education provided to CPAs nationwide,” said Greg Burke, outgoing president of the Foundation’s board of trustees. “All of our instructors are experts in their fields, and many are highly sought after as speakers for accounting and finance events.

“I applaud our volunteer board, leaders and staff for constantly looking for ways to improve and expand our offerings. I also thank the thousands of loyal members and customers who have supported and endorsed us over the years.”

To maintain their active licenses, California CPAs must complete 80 hours of CPE every two years, including ethics and fraud — one of the most stringent requirements of any profession. Many of these can be done in eight-hour segments online, as well in shorter one-, two- or four-hour durations. Upcoming standards eventually will allow for 10-minute pieces to be taken on demand with a short question-and-answer section.

“In the marketplace, there are numerous small and large CPE providers with varying levels of expertise,” said Charlie Osaki, incoming president. “The Foundation continues to be trusted and relied upon to offer the excellence, substance and experience actually needed to keep up with changes necessary to effectively serve clients.

“It constantly strives to meet the needs of its members with conference and course topics that are timely, thought-provoking and reasonably priced. It brings together the best minds in the profession, which has benefited my personal network and career.”

Formed as the California Certified Public Accountants Foundation for Education and Research, the Foundation began offering courses in 1966. In 1972 the California State Assembly mandated CPE for California CPAs.

Over the years, Foundation offerings have attracted more than 2.3 million attendees and delivered more than 16 million hours of CPE.