CPE requirements seem to evolve every time you turn around, especially with the AICPA and NASBA recently updating standards to emphasize virtual learning options. That means finding a provider that can keep up is more important than ever.
Surgent CPE has been in the space for more than 30 years, offering one of the largest libraries of on-demand webinars and self-study programs. It may not be our top recommendation this year, but it continues to serve as a solid choice for professionals who want flexible, self-paced options and a broad course catalog.
Here’s a closer look at how Surgent CPE aligns with the updated standards—and where it may (or may not) fit your continuing education needs.
Key Takeaways
- Structure & Content: Surgent CPE offers a wide range of topics with a clear, user-friendly course layout. Its Surgent Interactive feature adds a gamified, task-based layer to the experience, which can help boost engagement and retention for some learners.
- Webinars: Surgent’s live webinars support real-time interaction and offer a level of customization, allowing for a more personalized approach to learning.
- Content: The platform covers a broad array of timely topics across different disciplines, helping professionals stay current with industry developments.
- Value: While Surgent may feel pricey upfront, frequent discounts and the quality of the materials can make it a reasonable option—particularly for those who plan to use it often.
- Support: Customer service quality depends on your package tier, with more hands-on support available at higher levels. It’s worth considering if you value consistent, personalized assistance.
Surgent CPE Package Options and Features
When it comes to Continuing Professional Education, Surgent offers three main packages designed to fit different learning styles and needs:
- Unlimited PLUS
- Unlimited Webinars
- Unlimited Self-Study
Each package offers a unique approach to earning CPE credits, ensuring that whether you prefer live interaction, self-paced study, or a combination of both, there’s an option that suits your schedule and learning preferences.
I’ll break down what each package includes, highlighting the features and benefits that make Surgent a top choice for professionals looking to stay ahead in their field.
Unlimited PLUS
Surgent’s Unlimited PLUS package is the most comprehensive option. It’s perfect if you want access to everything Surgent offers. With this package, you can explore the entire library of courses, including premium courses and even gamified learning experiences. Here, you’ll have 12 months of access to a comprehensive selection of live webinars and on-demand webcasts, offering various topics and formats to suit your learning style.
Some key features of Unlimited PLUS include:
- Over 10,000 available credits
- 1,300+ credits from on-demand webcasts
- 8,500+ credits from live webinars
It’s important to note that everything in the other packages is included here, but these additional perks are exclusive to Unlimited PLUS.
Unlimited Webinars
The Unlimited Webinars package is a solid middle-ground option. It’s ideal if you prefer live learning and the chance to interact with instructors in real time. This option provides access to a wide range of live webinars throughout the year. I think this package is great if you like to stay current with industry trends and enjoy engaging with the material as it’s presented.
Some highlights of the Unlimited Webinars package include:
- Access to over 2,000 live webinars annually
- More than 8,000 available credits
- Real-time Q&A sessions during webinars
If you need extra study time or want to dive deeper into specific topics, this package allows you to do so with live content tailored to your schedule.
Unlimited Self-Study
The Unlimited Self-Study package offers a flexible and affordable option for those who prefer learning at their own pace. This package includes 12 months of access to hundreds of downloadable PDF courses. It’s ideal for professionals who like to study independently and need the freedom to complete courses when it’s most convenient.
The downside here is that the focus is solely on self-study, so if you’re looking for live interaction or a more dynamic learning experience, one of the other packages might be a better fit.
Pros
- Experienced Instructors You Can Trust: One thing that really sets Surgent apart is their team of instructors. With thousands of years of collective experience and numerous awards, the Surgent faculty knows their stuff. I’ve seen firsthand how their expertise makes learning easier, and it’s no surprise that CPAs consistently give them high marks for their knowledge.
- Flexible Course Options That Fit Your Schedule: Surgent understands that CPE isn’t your main job, so they make it easy to fit into your busy life. Surgent offers it all, whether you prefer live webinars, on-demand webcasts, or self-study courses. They have over 1,500 live webinars each year, scheduled at convenient times. This includes evenings and weekends. Plus, their on-demand courses allow you to study whenever it works for you, and you can even get your CPE certificates immediately after finishing a course.
Cons
- Demanding Test Questions: The multiple-choice tests in Surgent’s courses require a good grasp of the material, which can be tough if you’re not already familiar with the subject. One Reddit user highlighted this by saying, “The multiple-choice tests that are required to pass before you get credit are pretty difficult if you aren’t familiar with that specific area of accounting or auditing.” This aspect might make earning your CPE credits more challenging than anticipated.
- Limited Study Materials: The Unlimited Webinar package lacks downloadable PDF materials, which could be a downside if you like to study offline or prefer having printed resources for reference. This limitation might be a consideration if you rely on hard copies for your learning process.
- Inconsistent Engagement Across Courses: While many instructors are highly rated, not every course offers the same level of energy or interaction. Some webinars can feel more like a lecture than a conversation, which may not suit learners who thrive on engagement and discussion.
- Time Commitment for Webinars: With many sessions scheduled for two to four hours, the live webinar format can be difficult to fit into a busy workday. Professionals looking for shorter, bite-sized learning options might find the format less convenient.
What Sets Surgent CPE Apart?
Structure and Technology
Surgent CPE offers a well-organized course structure supported by innovative technology. Their catalog spans a wide range of topics, from foundational accounting and finance to more advanced areas like internal audit and tax law, giving professionals plenty of options to meet CPE requirements. The layout is generally clear and easy to follow, which helps learners move through the material at their own pace. That said, the structure can feel a bit rigid at times, leaving less room for flexibility in how some courses are presented or consumed.
One of the standout features is Surgent Interactive, a gamified approach to learning. These short, game-based courses make the process more engaging and fun. Instead of just watching videos or reading, you’ll be actively involved in tasks and challenges that help you understand the material better.
Here’s what Surgent Interactive includes:
- Active engagement: Keeps you involved through interactive learning.
- Skill-building: Practical challenges that help you develop key skills.
- Critical thinking: Encourages problem-solving with real-world scenarios.
- Immediate feedback: Quickly shows you where to improve.
- Better retention: Helps you remember what you’ve learned.
- Assessment prep: Gets you ready for final evaluations with hands-on practice.
In these courses, you can investigate and review information, gathering and analyzing data to make informed decisions. You’ll also interact with clients to validate your collected information, ensuring accuracy and uncovering new insights. As you apply your knowledge, you’ll complete practical tasks like inventory checks, putting what you’ve learned into practice. Finally, you’ll assess your progress by taking a final exam, which will test your understanding and help you earn your CPE credits.
While this hands-on approach is a strength of Surgent’s, platforms like Becker go a step further by offering more structured simulations and guided walkthroughs, which can be especially helpful for professionals looking to reinforce complex concepts in real-world contexts.
Webinar Experience
Surgent CPE offers an interactive and customizable webinar experience to enhance learning. Here’s what you can expect during most webinars:
- Layout Customization: The standard setup includes slides on the left, a video feed of the discussion leader on the right, and a live chat below. You can move, resize, and rearrange these elements to create a viewing experience that suits your preferences.
- Live Interaction: Engage with the discussion leader and other experts through the live chat. This real-time interaction allows for a dynamic learning environment.
- Pop-Up Confirmations: To earn full CPE credit, you must click on at least 75% of the pop-up confirmations that appear randomly throughout the webinar. This helps ensure your active participation.
- Helpful Widgets: At the bottom of the screen, you’ll find tools for quick support, including access to downloadable materials and a Webinar Helper for troubleshooting issues like audio problems, running tests, and providing solutions to keep you on track.
While Surgent’s live webinars offer a rich, interactive experience, this format may not always provide the in-depth coverage that some users might expect from on-demand video content.
Content Quality
When it comes to content quality, Surgent CPE delivers well-rounded and comprehensive material that meets the needs of professionals across various accounting and finance disciplines. The courses are designed to keep you informed and up-to-date with the latest accounting and finance industry trends and regulatory changes. Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects of the content provided:
- Wide Range of Topics: A broad spectrum of subjects are covered, from basic accounting principles to advanced topics like internal audit, tax law, and ethics.
- Current and Relevant: The content is regularly updated to reflect the latest industry standards and regulatory changes, ensuring that the information you receive is both current and applicable.
- Depth and Detail: While some courses are comprehensive and in-depth, providing thorough coverage of complex topics, others may be more concise, catering to those who need a quick refresher or are new to the subject.
Overall, Surgent CPE delivers solid content quality with courses that are generally well-structured and informative. The platform covers a wide range of topics with a practical approach that many professionals will find useful. While it may not be the most engaging or comprehensive option for every learning style, it remains a dependable choice for fulfilling CPE requirements.
Value and Support
Surgent CPE offers several subscription options, with prices that might initially seem steep; discounts are sometimes available to make them more affordable.
As one Reddit user pointed out, “If you want to learn from your CPE, you have to pay for it.” Surgent delivers many hours of high-quality content, and the investment reflects that value. Plus, with discounts often reaching 20% off the advertised price, these packages become an even better deal.
Surgent CPE does offer dependable customer support, with the level of assistance varying based on the package you choose. If you opt for one of the higher-tier packages, such as those with live webinars, you can expect more responsive and personalized support, which can be especially helpful during your CPE courses.
The self-paced nature of the courses means that while support is available, it may not offer the same immediacy as live or in-person classes. However, for most users, the support is sufficient to ensure a smooth learning experience.
Surgent CPE Review Course
CPE Course Comparisons
Surgent CPE vs. Becker CPE
Its CPE courses may come at a higher price, but that cost reflects the level of rigor, reliability, and polish that Becker’s CPE courses are known for. Surgent, on the other hand, leans heavily on flexibility and lower costs, but sometimes at the expense of consistency and engagement. For professionals who want the assurance of proven content and a provider backed by decades of industry credibility, Becker stands out as the stronger choice.
Surgent CPE vs. Gleim CPE
Gleim is well-regarded for its detailed and comprehensive study materials, but its approach can sometimes feel more traditional and less interactive. Surgent, on the other hand, emphasizes active learning with features like Surgent Interactive, where users can engage in scenario-based learning. While both are solid, Gleim is a better choice for most.
Surgent CPE vs. Lambers CPE
Lambers offers a traditional, exam-style learning format with self-study courses and recorded webinars—ideal for those who prefer a straightforward approach. Surgent takes a more modern route, with live webinars, adaptive features, and gamified content that cater to users looking for a more interactive experience.
Final Thoughts
Surgent CPE provides a flexible and convenient option for meeting your CPE requirements, with a wide range of course formats and timely content. While the platform has its strengths—particularly in live webinars and tax-related material—it may not be the best fit for everyone. Depending on your learning style or budget, I might suggest exploring other providers as well, especially those that offer more structured learning paths or a stronger focus on soft skills and specialization.
FAQs
Surgent CPE offers a wide variety of courses, including live webinars, on-demand webinars, and self-study options. These cover topics ranging from basic accounting principles to advanced subjects like internal audit, tax law, and ethics, allowing you to choose the courses that best fit your professional needs.
After completing a Surgent CPE course, you can immediately download your CPE certificate. The certificate is awarded once you meet the course requirements, such as attending live webinars or completing on-demand courses, and is available for easy access through your Surgent account.
While Surgent CPA Review is focused on helping candidates pass the CPA exam with tools like adaptive learning and practice exams, Surgent CPE is designed for ongoing professional education. Surgent CPE courses are geared toward helping CPAs and other professionals maintain their certifications and stay updated on industry trends through a variety of learning formats.
Yes, Surgent CPE courses are designed to meet the latest standards set by the AICPA and NASBA. With the recent revisions to CPE standards that emphasize virtual learning, Surgent offers flexible and compliant courses, ensuring you meet your continuing education requirements effectively.
Yes, Surgent CPE courses are accessible on most mobile devices, allowing you to complete your CPE credits anytime, anywhere. This flexibility with accounting CPE is ideal for busy professionals who need to fit their required learning into hectic schedules.
