{"id":4363,"date":"2025-09-26T18:36:39","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T23:36:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/?p=4363"},"modified":"2026-09-04T13:10:31","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T18:10:31","slug":"best-cpe-courses-for-cpas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/careers-education\/best-cpe-courses-for-cpas\/","title":{"rendered":"Best CPE Subscriptions for CPAs: Ranked and Reviewed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is your CPE more of a ‘chore’ than a ‘choice’? You know you need those credits to keep your CPA license shiny, but finding the right courses \u2013 ones that are engaging, relevant, fit your schedule, and don’t break the bank \u2013 can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.<\/p>

How do you choose the best CPE courses for CPAs when everyone claims to be the best?<\/p>

That\u2019s why I’ve reviewed and compared the top CPE providers \u2013 the big names and some hidden gems \u2013 to cut through the noise. I’ll break down their formats, unique features, and costs, giving you thorough insight into choosing the provider that truly fits your needs.<\/p>

Let’s turn that CPE chore <\/em>into a smart career choice<\/em>.<\/p> <\/span>

Best CPE Courses for CPAs at a Glance<\/strong><\/h2>
  1. Best Overall: Becker CPE<\/a><\/strong> – If you want a premium, polished experience with diverse formats and a helpful compliance tracker, then Becker CPE is a straightforward option.<\/li>
  2. Best for Value: Illumeo<\/a><\/strong> – If you’re looking for the best overall value with a huge library of on-demand courses, then Illumeo is hard to beat.<\/li>
  3. Best for Live Webinars: Surgent CPE<\/a><\/strong> – If you prefer learning through live, interactive webinars with flexible scheduling, then Surgent is a decent option.<\/li>
  4. Best for Traditional Video: Lambers CPE<\/a><\/strong> – If you learn best from traditional, straightforward video lectures by experienced instructors, then Lambers CPE offers an affordable, no-frills option.<\/li>
  5. Best for Minimal Needs: Gleim CPE<\/a><\/strong> – If you need only 1-4 credits at the lowest cost\/hour, then Gleim CPE’s hourly model fits.<\/li> <\/ol>