Picture this: You’re a busy CPA juggling deadlines, client demands, and perhaps a life outside of spreadsheets. The clock ticks relentlessly, reminding you that it’s time—yet again—to earn those Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits that keep you in CPA status.
But what if the CPE roadblocks—that dreaded trifecta of travel hassle, prohibitive costs, and impossible scheduling—could simply vanish?
This is what a great CPE provider could do for you. But is Surgent CPE the best one? Keep reading, and I’ll tell you what I think about this provider and why other options like Becker CPE could be a safer bet.
Overview of Surgent CPE Course
In the labyrinth of CPE, it’s easy to get lost amid deadlines, credit requirements, and life’s other demands. You know the drill: Another year rolls around, and the CPE hours hang over you like an approaching storm cloud.
But before you rush to your usual route that’s choked with roadblocks like travel, cost, and inconvenient timing, stop and consider an alternative pathway—a smarter, faster, and more enriching journey to fulfilling those CPE requirements. Here’s an in-depth overview of how this program could be a solution for conquering those professional hurdles.
Surgent Specifics
With over three decades in the industry, Surgent has built a solid reputation in the continuing education space. Their goal is to support financial professionals with practical, up-to-date content. Through partnerships with various CPA societies and accounting firms, they’ve ensured wide recognition of their course material. While there are other providers with more competitive pricing or features, Surgent still offers a reliable platform for tax professionals seeking flexible, online learning.
What Sets Surgent CPE Apart: Unmatched Features
What awaits you inside this treasure trove of knowledge? Take a peek:
- Live Webinars: Real-time, interactive learning experiences
- Self-Study Downloads: Learn at your pace with resource-rich materials
- On-Demand Courses: On-demand webcasts for the busy professional, learn when it suits you
- Premium Courses: High-caliber courses that dig deeper into specialized subjects
- Easy Renew: Seamless renewal processes
- 12-Month Access Period: An entire year to complete your courses
What’s Included With Surgent CPE
Experienced Instructors Behind the Content
Surgent’s courses are developed by a team of seasoned professionals who bring real-world experience into the classroom. With hundreds of Continuing Professional Education awards among them, these instructors are recognized for their expertise. Many CPAs have rated the teaching quality highly, appreciating the practical insights woven into each course.
Engaging CPE Webinars
Surgent puts thought into how their webinars are structured, aiming to make lessons more engaging and easier to follow. This can be a plus for professionals who struggle with focus during online lectures, helping improve retention of key concepts.
Their live webinars offer added value, allowing real-time interaction with instructors. Teachers can adapt to audience feedback, and participants have the opportunity to ask questions throughout the session—making the experience more dynamic than standard on-demand content.
A Range of CPE Topics
Surgent offers a broad selection of CPE topics, covering areas like financial planning, tax, accounting, and even some personal development. With access to over 10,000 CPE credit hours, the platform provides options for professionals across a variety of specialties and career paths.
Surgent Continuing Professional Education Course Options
Though you can purchase individual courses, it’s recommended that you try out one of Surgent CPE’s package deals. They currently offer 3 different options:
- 16-Credit Webinar Package: Access to a limited number of live webinars (up to 16 credits). Choose from thousands of available courses to build your own schedule.
- Unlimited Webinar Package: Full access to Surgent’s entire library of live webinars throughout the year. Ideal for professionals who prefer live instruction and real-time interaction.
- Unlimited Plus Package: Includes everything in the Unlimited Webinar Package, plus access to on-demand self-study materials, downloadable study handouts, and additional premium content—offering maximum flexibility and value.
Surgent CPE Pros & Cons
Still not sure whether or not this course is right for you? To help decide, take a look at what Surgent has to offer:
- Affordable: Surgent’s CPE packages are very affordable and accessible. It’s easy to earn the CPE credits you need without breaking the bank.
- Easy Scheduling: Webinars are scheduled for every time zone, so you don’t have to worry about waking up early or staying up late to earn your CPEs. Instead, you can easily earn what you need during normal hours.
- Instant CPE Certificates: All CPE certificates are delivered by email as soon as you’ve completed your courses. That way, you can submit your credits as soon as you’ve finished earning them.
- Limited Self study: Surgent does have some self study CPE courses, but they’re locked behind the highest payment tier. Plus, there’s not nearly as many on demand webinars compared to live ones.
- No Free Trial or Preview: Surgent doesn’t offer a free trial or sample course access, so you have to purchase before getting a real feel for the platform. That can be frustrating if you’re trying to compare it with other providers.
- Repetitive Course Topics:
Some users may notice overlap in course material across different webinars. If you’re taking multiple sessions, the content can start to feel a bit repetitive.
Surgent CPE Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some of the most commonly asked questions about Surgent.
What is Surgent’s refund policy?
You can receive a refund up to 30 days after your purchase date so long as you haven’t used the course yet.
Do I have to select the Surgent CPE courses I want immediately?
No. Surgent allows you to choose courses whenever you want.
How long is the Surgent CPE course access period?
You can access courses for 1 year after your initial purchase.
Surgent is for you (not for you) if…
- If you enjoy live course content, this is the course for you.
- If you prefer highly experienced teachers, this is the course for you.
- If you need to study on-the-go or want variety in self-study options, then Surgent might not be the course provider for you.
- If you’re planning to take multiple webinars, be prepared for some overlapping content.
- If you’re interested in test-based content, this isn’t the course for you.
Final Recommendation
Surgent CPE has some strong points, especially for those who prefer live webinars and experienced instructors. But it falls short in key areas like mobile access, limited self-study options unless you pay for the highest tier, and some repetitive content across courses. It’s not the most modern or flexible platform out there, and for the price, you might expect more. If live instruction is your top priority, it could work—but for many professionals, there are better-rounded options available.
