2. SCOPE
2.1 All members owe it to themselves and their fellow professionals to ensure that they are professionally up to date and that the reputation and value of their qualification is safeguarded.
2.2 In order to offer a proper service to employers and clients, particularly in areas affecting the public interest, it is important that members demonstrate their commitment to high standards of professional and technical competence. This is particularly relevant to those members holding practicing certificates and those supervising the training of registered students.
2.3 The Institute expects that all members will demonstrate such a commitment to CPE based on these guidelines. All members need to be aware that in case of an investigation, the CPE records may be required to be submitted to the Investigations Committee.
2.4 Members admitted on or after January 1, 2002, who are applying for practicing certificates, are required to submit, with their applications, detailed records of the CPE undertaken during their 36 months of Approved Practical Experience. Where an application is made more than 36 months after starting Approved Practical Experience, the member is required to confirm that he/she has satisfied these guidelines in the period to date.
3. SUBJECT AREAS
3.1 Because of the wide range of professional activities of its membership, the Institute relies on members and their firms to decide the relevance and usefulness of any CPE programme to their own circumstances.
3.2 Normally CPE is the assimilation of technical knowledge. It is recognised, however, that it may be appropriate to include as an element of the CPE programme, time spent on the development of interpersonal or management skills.
3.3 A distinction should be made between “unstructured” and “structured” CPE. Structured CPE can be achieved through interaction with other individuals (not necessarily other members). For example, attendance at technical meetings, seminars, lectures, courses (including pre-course/meeting preparation) could constitute structured CPE. It may also be achieved through distance learning where the course is assessed and/or leads to a further qualification.
3.4 Unstructured CPE will normally be achieved through private reading and study.
Detailed examples of structured and unstructured CPE activities and qualifying topics can be found in the appendices at the end of these guidelines. It is for individual members and their firms to decide what subject matter is useful and relevant to their needs. However, practicing members are required to maintain an appropriate level of competence in all of the following areas:
· Conduct of audit of companies and similar entities;
· Accountancy;
· Taxation;
· Business Advice;
· Practice Management.
