Meeting annual CPD requirements shouldn't mean scrambling to find formal courses at year-end. Research shows that 70% of employee learning happens on the job informally, yet many accountants struggle to document these valuable experiences for CPD compliance. 

With CPA Australia requiring 120 hours over three years and similar demands from other professional bodies, the ability to capture unverifiable learning from daily work becomes critical. 

This article shows you how to systematically transform everyday professional activities into documented CPD hours, ensuring compliance while building a comprehensive record of your professional growth.

The Value in Unverifiable CPD Activities

Professional accounting bodies like Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) and CPA Australia require a mix of verifiable and unverifiable CPD hours. While verifiable hours come with certificates and attendance records, unverifiable activities include reading industry publications, peer discussions, mentoring, and self-directed research.

The challenge lies in the documentation burden. Without external verification, you must justify both the learning activity and its professional relevance. Consider this scenario: You spend two hours researching new Australian Taxation Office (ATO) guidance on cryptocurrency taxation for a client. That research represents genuine professional development, but many accountants fail to record it because it feels too informal or hard to prove.

This oversight is costly. Missing unverifiable hours can leave you struggling for last-minute formal training to meet quotas.

Why Most Accountants Struggle With CPD Documentation

The problem lies in the lack of recognition. Most accountants engage in continuous learning through their daily work but fail to see these activities as legitimate CPD. A partner reviewing International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) updates, a senior accountant mentoring junior staff, or a tax specialist researching complex legislation are all engaged in professional development.

Informal learning often provides more practical, immediately applicable knowledge than formal training. Yet many professionals dismiss these experiences as "just doing their job" rather than recognizing them as valuable CPD activities.

The documentation challenge compounds this issue. Unlike attending a seminar where you receive a certificate, unverifiable activities require you to articulate the learning outcome and professional relevance. This additional step often leads to procrastination, incomplete records, and compliance anxiety as reporting deadlines approach.

A Systematic Approach to Capturing Unverifiable Hours

Transform your CPD tracking from reactive to proactive documentation with these practical strategies:

• Immediate Recording System: Set up a simple digital log accessible from your phone and computer. When you finish researching a technical issue, immediately record the activity, time spent, and key learning points.

• Weekly CPD Reviews: Schedule 15 minutes each Friday to review your week and identify missed CPD opportunities. Did you explain a complex concept to a colleague? Research industry trends for a client presentation? Read professional updates during your commute? These activities count if you can demonstrate that genuine learning occurred.

• Learning Outcome Documentation: For each unverifiable activity, record three elements: what you learned, how it applies to your role, and how you'll use this knowledge. This approach satisfies professional body requirements for demonstrating relevance and practical application.

• Client Work as CPD Goldmine: Your most valuable unverifiable CPD often comes from client engagements. When you research unfamiliar regulations, analyze complex transactions, or solve unique problems, you're developing expertise that extends beyond that specific client.

Create a habit of asking yourself: "What did I learn from this client situation that enhances my professional competence?" Then document that learning.

Building CPD Into Your Professional Routine

The most successful CPD tracking happens when documentation becomes automatic rather than a burden. Instead of viewing it as additional work, integrate it into existing workflows.

Meeting Follow-ups

After technical discussions with colleagues or clients, send a brief follow-up email summarizing key points. Copy yourself and use these emails as CPD documentation, noting the learning outcomes and time invested.

Reading with Purpose

When reading CPA Australia's InTheBlack magazine or CA ANZ's Acuity publication, take notes on actionable insights. This transforms passive reading into active learning that qualifies for CPD hours.

Mentoring and Knowledge Sharing 

Document the time spent coaching junior staff or participating in technical discussions. Teaching others often clarifies your understanding and identifies knowledge gaps worth addressing. Record both the time spent and the mutual learning that occurred.

Technology and Efficiency Tools 

Consider using voice-to-text features on your smartphone to quickly capture CPD activities immediately after they occur. This reduces the friction of documentation and increases compliance with your recording system.

Ensuring Compliance While Learning Value

Professional CPD requirements exist to maintain competence and protect public interest. Your unverifiable CPD tracking should reflect genuine learning that enhances your professional capabilities.

Focus on quality over quantity. 

Two hours of focused research on complex technical issues provides more value than superficial browsing of general business content. Professional bodies recognize this distinction and expect your CPD activities to demonstrate clear relevance to your accounting practice.

Maintain reasonable time estimates.

If researching a technical issue takes 45 minutes, record 45 minutes, not an inflated figure. Accuracy builds credibility and reduces audit risk if your CPD records are reviewed.

Document diverse learning activities 

Mix technical skills development with broader business knowledge, leadership capabilities, and industry awareness. This approach shows commitment to professional growth rather than a narrow technical focus.

Remember that effective CPD tracking serves multiple purposes beyond compliance. It creates a record of your expertise development, identifies areas for future learning, and provides evidence of your commitment to professional excellence. By systematically capturing unverifiable hours, you transform everyday work into documented professional development that strengthens both your compliance position and your career trajectory.

Balancing Unverifiable and Verifiable CPD for Complete Compliance

While this article focuses on your unverifiable CPD hours, remember that professional bodies require a balanced approach. Both CA ANZ and CPA Australia mandate minimum verifiable hours alongside unverifiable activities.

The most effective CPD strategy combines systematic capture of informal learning with strategic investment in quality, verifiable training. When selecting formal courses, look for programs that complement the practical knowledge you're gaining through daily work. For instance, if your unverifiable hours include significant client advisory work, verifiable training in advanced advisory techniques or emerging regulations can deepen that expertise.

For accountants seeking a solution to their verifiable CPD requirements, LearnFormula's Annual CPD Compliance for Accountants package provides essential topics including ethics, accounting standards updates, and emerging industry trends. This all-in-one approach offers a convenient and cost-effective way to meet your verifiable hour requirements while complementing the informal learning you're capturing through the strategies outlined in this article.

Building a Sustainable CPD Practice

The difference between accountants who struggle with CPD compliance and those who excel lies not in the amount of learning they do, but in how effectively they recognize and document that learning. 

Start this week by implementing one simple change: spend a few minutes each Friday reviewing your learning activities and documenting the unverifiable CPD you've accumulated. 

Your daily work is already rich with learning opportunities. The question isn't whether you're developing professionally, it's whether you're giving yourself credit for that development. By adopting the systematic approach outlined in this article, you'll not only meet your CPD obligations with confidence but also build a comprehensive record of your expertise that serves your entire career.

Streamline your entire CPD strategy. LearnFormula's accounting CPD platform provides structured, verifiable courses that complement your informal learning, helping you build a complete professional development program that exceeds compliance requirements while advancing your career.