Since it’s near the end of the year, I thought I would organize a list of free PD sources for CPA. As a reminder, the CPD requirements for CPAs in BC are:
- Annual CPD minimum: 10 verifiable + 10 additional*
- Rolling three-calendar year CPD: 60 verifiable + 60 additional* including four verifiable ethics hours
While the CPD requirements for most provinces should be relatively the same, I suggest you confirm with the PD team with your provincial CPA body.
Free PD Webinars offered by CPA BC (BC only)
As of December 5, 2023, there are currently 18 free CPA PD webinars offered by CPA BC. They are available on-demand and will remain accessible for 30 days after registration. They range from 1 to 2 PD hours each and add up to 28 verifiable PD hours in total. If you need more PD hours, they also offer a wide range of online PD courses at different price points.
For other provinces, I suggest you check the PD portal for your provincial body for a potential list of free PD webinars. Alternatively, you can continue down the list as the remaining options are open to any CPA.
Free PD Webinars Offered by CPA Canada
While CPA Canada’s PD portal is not as user-friendly as CPA BC’s, I was still able to find a number of free on-demand webinars. I have found several for you here but it is important for you to make sure they are relevant to your “employment or professional role, business situation, or career aspirations.” These free PD webinars all qualify for 1 CPD hour.
- Canadian public company financial reporting update June 2023
- Canadian public company financial reporting update November 2023
- Practitioner’s pulse (December 2022): Proposed Changes to the Audit Evidence Standard
- Virtual session: Slay your taxes
- Virtual session: Tips and secrets smart Canadians know
LinkedIn Learning (Free With A Library Card or From Work)
As LinkedIn Learning (formally Lynda.com) offers Certificates of Completion when you finish a course or a learning path, this is an excellent source for verifiable PD. For example, there are 74 results when I searched ‘power query’ courses or learning path. This can be free if you have a library card or if it is offered by your employer.
Simply Google (“your local library” LinkedIn Learning) and it will bring you to the right section if your local library offers access. For example, for those of you with a Vancouver Public Library (VPL) card, you can access LinkedIn Learning for free here. Fraser Valley Regional Library offers the same for its cardholders as well. Alternatively, I have seen employers offering access to the learning platform to promote learning and growth as well.
Vena Academy by Vena Solutions
For those who have not heard, Vena Solutions is a cloud-based FP&A software. While I have not used the software myself, I have been attending their complimentary webinar on a wide range of topics including ChatGPT. In addition to those webinars, they also have a learning platform called Vena Academy.
While Vena Academy’s offering is not as extensive as LinkedIn Learning, it is an excellent resource for free and verifiable CPD. Simply sign up for a free account at the Vena Academy here. What I like about their offering is that it is very practical and applicable for most people in Finance. They cover anything from planning, Excel to accounting close. You will not have trouble finding something that either fits your current role or your career aspiration.
*verifiable or unverifiable
