Continuing professional development (CPD) is more than just a membership requirement. It helps Institute members stay current, and serve clients and the business community effectively to a high standard. Whether through seminars, courses, technical updates or day-to-day learning, every activity helps build professional competence.
The CPD compliance audit supports this by helping members check that their learning records are complete and that they remain on track to meet the Institute’s CPD requirements. CPD compliance is one of the conditions for membership renewal.
Each year, any member may be selected for audit. In the latest audit cycle, almost 1,000 members have been selected for the audit, with nearly half of them being professional accountants in business (PAIB). Around 15 percent of our total membership has already gone through the audit process.
Members selected for CPD compliance audit are asked to submit:
- A completed CPD Record Form
- Supporting documents for verifiable CPD activities, such as attendance certificates, participation or completion confirmations, course outlines and assessment results
- Brief explanation of how the CPD activities are relevant to developing and maintaining professional competence
How to pass a CPD compliance audit smoothly?
For members who have gone through the process, the answer is often simple: plan ahead and keep records up to date.
Members share that using the Institute’s CPD Record Tool under MyCPA made it easier to track their learning progress, organize supporting documents and stay up to date. Their experiences show that small habits throughout the year can save time, reduce last-minute pressure and give extra peace of mind when the audit comes around.
One PAIB member highlights the importance of CPD compliance before proceeding with membership renewal: “I was recently selected for a CPD compliance audit and passed. It is for sure important to satisfy compliance requirements…” Compliance with CPD is not a tick-box exercise. The CPD compliance audit rigorously assesses whether CPD activities are relevant to members’ professional roles and supported by sufficient evidence.
For one member who is a responsible person of a registered public interest entity auditor and has passed the CPD compliance audit, the audit was a reminder that keeping evidence properly can make the process much smoother. “After being selected for a CPD compliance audit, I realized how helpful it is to plan CPD activities throughout the year and keep attendance records and evidence properly…” The member also states that this approach enhances a smooth audit experience and reinforces a commitment to continuous professional development.
One member who is a practising CPA shares that “To ensure proper compliance with the CPD requirements, I found how beneficial it is to plan CPD activities throughout the year and track CPD records by using the Institute’s CPD record tool under MyCPA. It not only makes the process simple, efficient, and truly convenient to track my records on the go and stay compliant with ease, but also supports continuous learning and professional growth.”
Being prepared for a CPD compliance audit helps uphold the profession’s commitment to quality and public trust. By planning ahead, keeping records up to date and retaining the necessary supporting documents, members can approach the process with confidence and avoid any impact on their membership renewal.
For an overview of the CPD requirements, please visit our CPD webpage.
What to expect after the audit
- Pass: No further action is required.
- Shortfall in CPD hours:
For first-time non-compliance, the member will be asked to:
– Make up the CPD shortfall;
– Complete the training course on CPD requirements and compliance audit; and
– Complete a subsequent audit to confirm CPD compliance.
For repeated non-compliance, the following consequences may apply:
– Non-renewal of membership or removal from the register.
– A removal notice containing the member’s name being published in the Government Gazette.
- Non-response/non-completion: Members may not be allowed to renew their membership for the subsequent year.
Note: CPD compliance audit-related information may be provided to the relevant authority upon request.
This article was contributed by the Institute’s Membership and Admission Department.
