Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is more than a requirement for Australian Certified Practising Accountants (CPAs)—it’s essential for maintaining professional competence and ethical standards. Juggling CPD obligations alongside a busy workload can be challenging, but with the right strategy, CPAs can stay compliant and grow professionally without added stress. This guide outlines how to efficiently manage CPD, using practical strategies tailored to the CPA Australia framework.
Understanding CPA Australia CPD Requirements
The first step in managing CPD effectively is understanding what’s required. CPA Australia mandates a minimum of 120 CPD hours over a rolling three-year period (triennium), with at least 20 hours required each year. Your triennium start date is based on when you joined CPA Australia:
- Joined CPA Australia before June 30: triennium begins January 1 of that year.
- Joined CPA Australia after June 30: triennium starts January 1 of the following year.
Ethics Component
Since October 2023, all members must complete at least 2 hours of verifiable ethics CPD each calendar year, and 10 hours total over the triennium. Ethics CPD is part of the 120-hour total—not an additional requirement.
Verifiable vs. Non-Verifiable CPD
Verifiable CPD refers to learning activities that meet specific criteria set by CPA Australia to ensure credibility and objectivity. These activities must be:
- Objective (fact-based)
- Corroborated (provable)
- Retained (supported by documentation)
To count as verifiable CPD, you must be able to prove your participation. Documentation may include:
- Certificates of attendance or completion from webinars, courses, or workshops
- Registration confirmations
- Meeting agendas or minutes (for relevant structured meetings)
- Signed records from supervisors or HR for internal training sessions
- Learning outcome summaries from structured reading with a tracking record
Importantly, all ethics-related CPD hours must be verifiable to satisfy the mandatory ethics requirement.
Verifiable CPD is particularly valuable because it demonstrates a clear commitment to structured, measurable professional growth and makes it easier to defend your CPD record in the event of a compliance review by CPA Australia.
Examples of Verifiable CPD Activities
- Attending a CPA Australia conference or webinar
- Completing an online ethics training module with a certificate
- Participating in formal in-house training or external seminars
- Mentoring (if documented with time logs and role descriptions)
- Participating in discussion groups (with sign-in sheets or summary notes)
- Courses from trusted providers like LearnFormula, offer verifiable certificates.
What Is Non-Verifiable CPD?
Non-verifiable CPD consists of informal learning activities that still contribute to your development but lack the documentation or structure needed to be confirmed independently. While these hours are useful and may enhance your skills, they do not meet the criteria to be counted as verifiable CPD under CPA Australia’s guidelines.
Examples of non-verifiable CPD might include:
- Reading general articles or industry blogs without recording reflections or summaries
- Informal discussions with colleagues about new legislation or best practices
- Listening to podcasts without documentation or learning notes
- Self-directed research that isn’t formally documented
- Attending informal networking events with no structured learning component
Although CPA Australia does not explicitly define a limit on non-verifiable hours, CPAs should aim to prioritize verifiable CPD, especially to meet mandatory requirements and maintain audit-ready records.
Members are required to maintain accurate records of both verifiable and non-verifiable CPD activities, along with supporting evidence for verification purposes.
Strategic Planning: Your Roadmap to Efficient CPD
CPD for Australian CPAs doesn't have to be overwhelming. A strategic approach can maximize learning value and minimize time spent.
Set Purposeful Goals
Choose CPD activities that support your career objectives, close skill gaps, and add value to your team or clients. Ask yourself:
- Is this relevant to my current or future role?
- What are the learning outcomes?
- How will this benefit my practice or organization?
Prioritize Wisely
Time is limited. To identify which CPD tasks should come first, consider the following:
- Time commitment vs. learning impact.
- Employer-supported or free CPD options.
- Activities that fulfill multiple goals (e.g., compliance + skills).
Integrate CPD Into Daily Routines
Make CPD part of your work rhythm:
- Schedule CPD blocks in your calendar.
- Use commute or break time for podcasts and reading.
- Align learning with current projects (e.g., researching new regulations).
Smart Ways to Increase CPD Efficiency
Leverage CPA Australia Resources
CPA Australia offers webinars, workshops, conferences, online modules, and discussion groups. Activities completed through CPA Australia often automatically populate your CPD Diary, simplifying recordkeeping.
Use On-the-Job Learning
Training at work can count as verifiable CPD if it enhances your job role and is supported with evidence. Also, mentoring programs—either as mentor or mentee—are recognized CPD, with some annual hour limits.
Utilize Technology
Use tech tools to stay organized:
- Calendar apps and reminders for scheduling CPD.
- CPD tracking apps like the CPA CPD Diary.
- Learning Management Systems (LMS) for structured tracking and access to courses.
Time Management Tips for Busy CPAs
Time Blocking
Treat CPD like any other task—block specific times in your week or month. Spread out your 120 hours across the triennium in small, manageable pieces.
Prioritize by Value
Focus on CPD that addresses:
- Immediate knowledge gaps.
- Required compliance (e.g., ethics).
- Long-term career goals.
Avoid low-impact activities or those with unclear learning value.
Beat Procrastination
Break large tasks (like long courses) into smaller sessions. Use techniques like the Pomodoro Technique—25 minutes of focus followed by short breaks. Join a study group or find an accountability partner for support.
Tracking and Reporting CPD Easily
Using the CPA CPD Diary
The CPD Diary is CPA Australia’s online tool to record CPD hours. For each entry, include:
- Date of activity
- Time spent (hours/minutes)
- Brief topic description
- Provider name
- Learning outcomes
Most CPA-run activities are auto-recorded in your diary.
Upload supporting documents like:
- Completion certificates
- Attendance confirmations
- Employer memos
Update your records regularly to avoid backlog.
Be Ready for CPD Reviews
CPA Australia conducts random annual reviews of members' Continuing Professional Development (CPD) records. If selected:
- You’ll be contacted for evidence submission.
- Records will be assessed for completeness and relevance.
- Outcomes will be shared after review.
Maintaining detailed and updated diary entries can help you avoid compliance issues.
The Career Value of CPD for Australian CPAs
Beyond compliance, CPD can significantly enhance your career:
- Develop new skills in areas like leadership, digital tools, or legislation.
- Stay ahead of industry changes, including AI and analytics.
- Improve job performance and become more valuable to your organization or clients.
CPD also expands your professional network—through conferences, discussion groups, or mentorships, you gain access to peers, potential collaborators, and career opportunities.
LearnFormula: Flexible Online CPD Solutions for Australian CPAs
One of the most efficient ways to manage CPD for Australian CPAs is by leveraging structured, accessible learning platforms like LearnFormula. LearnFormula is an online CPD platform that offers individual courses, pre-curated course packages, and custom bundles to help Australian CPAs meet their CPD requirements with ease.
Whether you're looking to meet your annual CPD requirement, fulfill the mandatory ethics hours, or upskill in areas like technology and analytics, LearnFormula offers the flexibility and quality needed to support your development—anytime, anywhere.
The online format allows you to:
- Learn at your own pace
- Access courses from any device
- Track your progress and download certificates instantly
- Select packages that align with your career and compliance needs
Recommended CPD Packages for Australian CPAs
Here are some top CPD package recommendations available through LearnFormula to help you stay compliant and advance your skills:
Annual CPD Compliance for Accountants Package
A well-rounded bundle designed to help you meet your 20-hour annual CPD requirement in one go. It includes a mix of technical, ethics, and professional skills topics—perfect for busy professionals who want a streamlined solution.
ChatGPT for Managers in Accounting – CPD Package
Explore how AI tools like ChatGPT are transforming the accounting industry. This forward-thinking package is ideal for CPAs looking to future-proof their skills and integrate intelligent automation into their workflows.
Excel Skills for Accountants – 2025 CPD Package
Strengthen your command of Microsoft Excel, one of the most essential tools in any accountant’s toolkit. This package covers data analysis, advanced formulas, dashboards, and time-saving techniques—tailored for accounting professionals.
60-Hour Triennium Ethics & Compliance CPD Package
Designed for long-term planning, this 60-hour bundle helps you cover a significant portion of your triennium requirement, including the mandatory 10 hours of ethics. Ideal for those wanting a complete, audit-ready package in one place.
Conclusion: CPD as a Professional Growth Tool
Meeting CPD requirements doesn't need to feel burdensome. With strategic planning, efficient scheduling, and smart use of resources, Australian CPAs can fulfill their obligations while continuing to thrive professionally. CPD isn't just about compliance—it's an investment in your future. Explore LearnFormula and embrace it as an ongoing journey that empowers you to lead, grow, and stay relevant in a dynamic profession.
