CFP Board and NASBA/AICPA regulations on live CPA/PFS CPE and CFP CE have been rendered obsolete by technology improvements and no longer conform with best practices in continuing professional education. Specifically, the CFP CE and CPA CPE rules require a scored assessment to earn credit for on-demand replays of CPE and CE webinars, while no assessment is required to earn credit on live webinars. This is forcing professionals to favor live classes and avoid webinars on-demand. This policy is outdated because it restricts flexibility and prevents on-demand CPA/PFS CPE and CFP CE from flourishing, even though on-demand learning is a better delivery mode.
Since these regulations are unlikely to change in 2025, Advisors4Advisors recently introduced a no-fail guarantee on replays requiring scored assessments. This innovative approach eliminates the risk associated with on-demand classes, making them just as attractive as live options. Additionally, we’ve introduced features that simulate live webinar experiences, providing a more compelling alternative to real-time sessions.
Why Professionals Choose Live CPA/PFS CPE and CFP CE
Live CPA/PFS CPE classes offer several advantages that drive professionals to prefer them over on-demand courses:
Spontaneity: Live webinars are unscripted, making the learning experience more dynamic and engaging.
Timeliness: Live courses often cover breaking financial news and up-to-date industry developments.
Interactive Q&A: Practitioners can engage directly with instructors, receiving immediate answers.
Focused Learning: Scheduling a live class promotes attention and minimizes distractions.
Networking Opportunities: Live events allow professionals to engage with peers, discuss industry trends, and expand their professional networks.
Conventional Wisdom. The list above summarizes a Google Gemini search of the effectiveness of live versus on-demand webinars. A search of this topic generates results certain to make you conclude that delivering webinars live is better in professional education, compared to taking CPA/PFS CPE classes on-demand. However, research cited by Google Gemini are studies by companies offering platforms for conducting live webinars. Conventional wisdom is wrong.
The Drawbacks of Live CPA/PFS CPE and CFP CE
Despite these benefits, live classes have major limitations:
Limited Availability: Live classes are scheduled at specific times, making it difficult to fit them into a busy schedule.
Reduced Content Options: The number of high-quality Live CPA/PFS CPE courses is significantly lower than the vast selection of on-demand options.
Time Commitment: Live sessions require full attention at the scheduled time, which may not always be convenient.
Potential Technical Issues: Live sessions can be disrupted by connectivity problems or technical difficulties, leading to frustration for attendees.
Why On-Demand CPA/PFS CPE and CFP CE Is Better
On-demand CPA/PFS CPE and CFP CE courses provide unmatched flexibility and access to a larger library of classes. Professionals can:
Take courses at their convenience.
Access a wider range of high-quality educational content.
Revisit material as needed to reinforce learning.
Avoid scheduling conflicts that may arise with live classes.
Learn at their own pace without the pressure of real-time engagement.
Live CPA/PFS CPE and CFP CE Rules Are Outdated
Regulatory policies have not kept pace with technological advancements. Features like real-time Q&A discussions, interactive assessments, and personalized scheduling are now available on Advisors4Advisors to enhance on-demand learning. These tools replicate live webinar experiences, ensuring engagement and knowledge retention.
The Problem with Current CPA/PFS CPE and CFP CE Policies
The existing rules inadvertently push professionals toward live classes simply to avoid assessments, ignoring the vast benefits of on-demand CPA/PFS CPE. These outdated policies fail to acknowledge that technology now enables professionals to engage with on-demand content in ways that are just as effective—if not more so—than traditional live courses.
Advancements in On-Demand CPA/PFS CPE and CFP CE
Advisors4Advisors has introduced several enhancements to make on-demand CPA/PFS CPE just as effective as live courses:
Discussions On-Demand: Instructors can respond to questions and comments anytime, just as they would in a live session.
Enhanced Q&A Quality: Participants can take the time to craft thoughtful questions, and instructors have more time to provide in-depth responses.
Calendar Scheduling for Replays: Professionals can now schedule time to watch replays, reinforcing accountability and structured learning.
Simulated Live Experience: By incorporating interactive features, on-demand sessions now closely resemble live events.
CPA/PFS CPE Is Like Late Night TV. Streaming professional education classes are a lot like the late night TV shows hosted by Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert. Their shows are recorded in the evening and available for viewing late the same night. Fritz Meyer’s live classes follow the same pattern. They’re live from 4 to 5 PM ET and available to replay on-demand later that night.
CPA/PFS CPE On-Demand Delivers Immediacy. News topics approved for CPA/PFS CPE credit have a limited shelf life. For example, Fritz Meyer led a a class the day the stock market edged toward a 10% correction. Assuming the market does not collapse, the class has news value for a week or two.
No-Fail CPA/PFS CPE Guarantee
To remove the biggest deterrent to on-demand CPA/PFS CPE, Advisors4Advisors offers a no-fail guarantee:
Assessment questions are designed to be easy for those who pay attention.
Learning objectives clearly outline key takeaways before the class.
Participants confirm their engagement before completing assessments.
A money-back guarantee ensures risk-free participation.
Streaming CPA/PFS CPE: The Future of Professional Education
The landscape of professional education is shifting toward a streaming CPA/PFS CPE model, much like Netflix or YouTube TV. Just as late-night talk shows are recorded live and made available for on-demand viewing, financial education should follow suit. Streaming provides immediate access to relevant content, ensuring professionals stay updated with the latest industry trends.
Shorter CPE and CE Credit Sessions Should Be Permitted
Another significant issue in CPA/PFS CPE and CFP CE rules is the requirement that classes are at least 25 minutes long. Many financial updates don’t require that much time, yet regulatory rules prevent professionals from earning credit for short, high-impact sessions. Allowing micro-learning opportunities—such as 5-to-10-minute updates—would greatly enhance the relevance and accessibility of continuing education.
The Role of AI in Modernizing CPA/PFS CPE and CFP CE
Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize professional education. AI-driven platforms can:
Personalize learning experiences based on user preferences.
Automate assessments with adaptive questioning techniques.
Provide real-time feedback to enhance knowledge retention.
Identify knowledge gaps and recommend supplementary materials.
Free IAR CE
Advisors4Aadvisors membership benefits significantly expanded in January 2025, when Advisors4Advisors converted to a new learning management system. In addition to live CPA/PFS CPE and CFP CE, membership benefits were greatly expanded to include:
- CPA CPE On-Demand Webinars
- Free IAR CE Credit
- Simpler, Streamlined Technology
Advisors4Advisors membership has provided CPA financial planners and CPA/PFS professionals with CPE credit for live internet events for over a decade. Now, CPAs also are eligible to earn CPE credit on-demand via webinars.
Free IAR CE is an additional benefit added to Advisors4Advisors membership in January 2025. If you are skeptical about “free IAR CE” claims, it is understandable. However, the phrase “free IAR CE” is fair to use in this case.
A4A began offering CFP CE and CPA CPE in 2009. In 2025, without raising the price of membership, Advisors4Advisors began providing IAR CE. For IARs, we are paying for your $3 per class filing fee. Thus it is fair to use the term "free IAR CE."
Free IAR CE NASAA became valuable in 2022, when IAR CE requirements NASAA's model CE rule was first promulgated.. As of February 2025, 22 state legislatures passed NASAA’s model CE rule, including some of the nation's most populous states, like California, Colorado, and Florida.
As a result, IA Reps in 22 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands must satisfy North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) IAR CE requirements. NASAA is an important institution in regulating CE for financial advisors. Since 1909, NASAA has been a key in regulation of state-registered financial advisers in the U.S, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Conclusion
On-demand CPA/PFS CPE is the future of continuing professional education. With Advisors4Advisors’ no-fail assessment guarantee, interactive features, and scheduling tools, professionals can confidently embrace on-demand learning. It’s time for regulatory bodies to modernize CE and CPE policies to reflect today’s technological advancements, ensuring fair access to high-quality education for all financial professionals.
