What is CPD for Accountants? A Complete Guide

Once you qualify as an accountant, the learning does not stop. Every major professional accounting body — ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, AAT, and others — requires its members to engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) throughout their career. Failure to comply can result in losing your membership and, in some cases, your ability to practise.

This guide explains what CPD is, why it is required, how much you need to do, how it is measured, and what counts as CPD for accountants.

What Does CPD Stand For?

CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. It refers to the structured process by which qualified professionals maintain, update, and expand their knowledge and skills throughout their working lives.

For accountants, CPD is not optional — it is a professional obligation that comes with membership of any recognised accounting body. The underlying principle is straightforward: accounting standards change (IFRS and UK GAAP are regularly updated), tax legislation evolves, technology reshapes the profession, and clients and employers expect up-to-date expertise. CPD is the mechanism that ensures qualified accountants keep pace with all of these changes.

Why Is CPD Mandatory for Accountants?

CPD is mandatory for three main reasons:

1. Professional standards change constantly. The IASB issues new and amended IFRS standards regularly. HMRC updates tax rules annually. Audit standards and regulatory requirements evolve. A qualified accountant who stopped learning at the point of qualification would quickly fall behind what current practice requires.

2. Technology is reshaping the profession. The rise of cloud accounting, AI-powered financial analysis, data analytics, and robotic process automation means that accountants who do not update their technical and digital skills risk becoming less relevant — both to employers and to clients.

3. Public trust and protection. Accounting is a regulated profession. Clients, shareholders, and the public rely on accountants to apply current, accurate knowledge. CPD requirements exist to protect the public from practitioners working with outdated knowledge.

How CPD is Measured: Hours vs Outcomes

Hours-Based CPD

Some bodies specify a minimum number of hours of CPD per year. This is the most straightforward approach to understand — you must complete and record a set number of hours of relevant CPD activity.

Outcomes-Based CPD

ACCA moved to an outcomes-based CPD approach. Rather than counting hours, members must: assess their development needs, plan CPD activities to address those needs, apply what they have learned, and evaluate the impact of that development.

Always check the current requirements with your specific body — these can change.

What Counts as CPD for Accountants?

CPD can come from a wide range of activities. The key requirement is that the activity must be relevant to your professional role and lead to genuine learning or development.

Verifiable CPD

Verifiable CPD is activity that can be evidenced — i.e., there is a record of your participation or completion that a third party could confirm. Examples include:

• Attendance at webinars or online courses (with attendance records or completion certificates)
• In-person training courses or workshops
• Conferences and professional events
• Structured e-learning programmes with assessments
• Studying for additional qualifications or professional exams
• Technical update courses

Non-Verifiable CPD

Non-verifiable CPD is learning that occurs informally and cannot easily be evidenced, but still contributes to professional development. Examples include:

• Informal reading of technical articles, journals, or news
• On-the-job learning through challenging projects or new responsibilities
• Conversations with colleagues or mentors
• Reflection on professional experience

How Much CPD Do Accountants Need?

In practice, most active accounting professionals find that keeping up with their professional reading, attending employer-provided training, and completing a few structured courses easily exceeds the minimum requirements. The challenge is usually recording and reflecting on CPD, not doing the underlying activity.

How to Record Your CPD

Every professional body requires members to keep a record of their CPD. The exact format varies:

• ACCA: Members record CPD in the ACCA online portal (MyACCA). You log activities, reflect on what you learned, and link them to your professional needs. ACCA randomly audits a sample of members each year.
• ICAEW: Members record CPD on the ICAEW website (icaew.com). Activities should be logged with reflections on learning. ICAEW conducts annual monitoring.
• CIMA: Members use the MyCPD tool via cima.global to record development activities against the CGMA CPD cycle.
• AAT: Members log CPD on the AAT website (aat.org.uk) and must submit their CPD declaration annually.

Best practice for all bodies: Log CPD as you go, not at the end of the year. Include a brief reflection on what you learned and how it applies to your work — this is what auditors and monitors look for, not just the activity itself.

CPD Compliance and Consequences of Non-Compliance

Professional bodies take CPD compliance seriously. Most conduct annual declarations plus random audits where members must evidence their CPD records.

Consequences of non-compliance can include:

• Written warning
• Requirement to complete remedial CPD
• Formal investigation by the professional conduct team
• Suspension or removal of membership in serious cases

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between CPD and professional development?

The terms are often used interchangeably. "CPD" (Continuing Professional Development) specifically refers to the structured, recorded, and often regulated process of maintaining professional competence as a qualified member of a professional body. "Professional development" is a broader term that includes CPD but also encompasses career development activities not regulated by a professional body.

Do I need to do CPD if I am not practising as an accountant?

If you hold membership of a professional accounting body (ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, AAT, etc.), you are typically required to complete CPD regardless of whether you work in public practice or a non-accounting role. However, some bodies allow members on career breaks or working in very different fields to declare a reduced CPD requirement. Check the specific rules of your membership body.

What happens if I miss my CPD deadline?

Missing your annual CPD declaration is a serious matter. Most bodies will issue a reminder and allow a grace period. Persistent non-compliance, or failing to respond to a CPD audit request, can lead to your membership being suspended or removed. If you realise you are behind on your CPD, contact your professional body proactively — they would rather help you catch up than escalate.

Can online courses count as CPD for accountants?

Yes — online courses are one of the most popular and accessible forms of verifiable CPD for accountants. The key requirements are that the course is relevant to your professional role, that you complete it (not just enrol), and that you can evidence your completion (a certificate or completion record). Learnsignal's courses are CPD-eligible for ACCA, CIMA, and AAT members.

How do I know if a CPD course is approved or accredited?

Many CPD providers seek accreditation from professional bodies (e.g., ACCA, CIMA, AAT approved). Accreditation gives you confidence that the content meets quality standards. However, even non-accredited courses can count as CPD if they are relevant to your professional work and you can evidence completion. Check your specific body's CPD policy — most ACCA, CIMA, and ICAEW CPD policies focus on relevance and reflection, not just provider accreditation.

CPD-Eligible Accounting Courses with Learnsignal

Learnsignal offers ACCA, CIMA, and AAT courses that count as CPD for qualified members. Whether you want to refresh your knowledge, prepare for a role change, or simply stay current with changes to accounting standards and regulations, our structured video courses provide the verifiable CPD record you need.

Also useful: ACCA CPD Requirements | Best CPD Courses for Accountants