CPE Frequently Asked Questions

You will need an active certificate if you meet any of the situations described in Minnesota Rules 1105.2500 (c) (5). Those situations are:

• If you are an employee of a firm granted a CPA firm permit under Minnesota Statutes, section 326A.05.
• If you issue compilation reports other than through a CPA firm.
• If you use the titles certified public accountant or CPA without “inactive” adjacent to the title.
• If you are an employee of the Office of the Legislative Auditor or State Auditor.

» View our page comparing active and inactive certificate status.

Minnesota Board of Accountancy rules require CPAs holding an active certificate in Minnesota to maintain their professional education by completing 120 credit hours of CPE every rolling 3 year period. You must report a minimum of 20 credit hours each year. Eight of the 120 credit hours must be in accounting ethics or business ethics. A reporting year is from July 1 - June 30.

There is no CPE requirement to renew an inactive certificate.

• All of your CPE must contribute to your growth in professional knowledge and professional competence.

• Acceptable subjects include accounting, assurance/auditing, consulting services, specialized knowledge and applications, management, taxation and ethics. Personal development, not to exceed 24 hours, may qualify if the class maintain or improve professional competence.

• 60% of your CPE must come from Board approved sponsors, these include:

• Members of the NASBA Registry


• MNCPA, AICPA, MAPA


• Colleges and universities whose academic programs qualify an applicant to sit for the CPA exam
  
• CPA firms who have had a system-level peer review within the last 3 years, with an unmodified report received
  
• Office of the State Auditor or Legislative Auditor provided that a quality review has been completed within the past 3 years and an unmodified report received

• Up to 40% of your CPE can come from non-Board approved sponsors as long as the program contributes, as determined by the BOA, to your growth in professional knowledge and professional competence.

You can view and download a transcript (CPE certificate of attendance) from the MNCPA website at any time. The MNCPA keeps a record of your attendance and CPE credit of events the MNCPA has sponsored for the past five years. You may request a transcript to be faxed or mailed to you by contacting us at registrations@mncpa.org or 952-831-2707.

If you are having trouble with the transcript function of the Web site, please check the following information.

• Type in your username carefully. The form is case sensitive. Please follow the case examples provided. Capitalize only the first letter of your first and last name.
• Make sure you are entering the correct ID number. The Member ID number is your MNCPA membership/ID number. This is a numeric field, so enter only the numbers. The letter prefix that designates whether you are a member or non-member should not be entered. Your AICPA membership number or Minnesota license number will not work.

If you are still having trouble, contact the MNCPA at registrations@mncpa.org or 952-831-2707.

Yes. Minnesota Rules 1105.3000 (H) specifies that CPE hours earned subsequent to June 30 can be carried back to satisfy CPE requirements of a prior period provided the fee specified in Minnesota Rules 1105.3000 (G) is paid. The fee to be paid is $50 for the first month of noncompliance with CPE requirements and $25 for each month thereafter until the certificate holder notifies the Board and demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Board compliance with the CPE requirements. CPE hours earned cannot be carried forward.

On and after June 30, 2007, the following hour limitations will apply during the three-year CPE reporting period:

• No more than 80% of the hours required can be from self-study. All self-study must have QAS status.
• No more than 24 hours can be obtained from personal development programs. Personal development includes: communications, managing the group process, dealing effectively with others, interviewing, counseling, and career planning.
• No more than 50% of the hours can be obtained from instructor preparation or presentation.
• No more than 50% of the hours can be obtained from the writing of articles, books or CPE courses for publication.
• Up to 40% of CPE hours may come from sponsors not on the Board-approved list.

The MNCPA does apply for CLE credits and insurance credits for some conferences. The conference brochure will indicate the number of credits. Specific questions about CLE requirements should be directed to the Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education. Specific questions about continuing education for insurance, real estate, etc. should be directed to the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

According to the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office (MHESO), the designation of CU or CEU was a movement for standardization of continuing education back in the '80s that never really took off.

The term CU/CEU can be used by anyone in any means, as there is no regulation. The International Association for Continuing Education and Training is a voluntary accreditation organization that allows those passing its accreditation process to use its logo when advertising CEUs. It dictates that 10 hours equal 1 CEU. The Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training also does voluntary accreditation. The Minnesota Society of CPAs follows the rules of the Minnesota Board of Accountancy or other appropriate boards when determining our suggested CPE credit hours.

Minnesota Rules 1105.3100, Subp. 3 provide that a nonresident who holds an active CPA certificate from the state of Minnesota, meets the CPE requirements of Minnesota by meeting the CPE requirements of the state where the CPAs principal office is located. If that state has no CPE requirements, then the Minnesota requirements must be followed.

Newly issued CPA certificates with an active status have no continuing education requirements for the year ending June 30 during which the initial certificate was granted. Example: If you are awarded your CPA certificate on January 1, 2006, you do not have any CPE requirements for the next 6 months, through June 30, 2006.

The 120-hour requirement is not effective for these new certificates until the June 30 following the third anniversary of the initial certificate issuance. At that time, at least 120 hours of CPE complying with the rules must be completed. Example: You are awarded your certificate on January 1, 2006. You will need to show 120 hours of CPE by June 30, 2009, including 8 hours of ethics.

The 20–hour minimum requirement is effective for new certificates on June 30 following the first anniversary of the initial certificate issuance. Example: the first anniversary of your certificate is January 1, 2007. You need to meet the 20 CPE hour minimum requirement by June 30, 2007, and again on June 30, 2008. On June 30, 2009, you will need to have 120 hours of CPE and 8 of those need to be in accounting or business ethics. Other limitations for CPE are also in effect during each of these three years – including but not limited to self-study and personal development limitations.

At least 8 CPE credits in ethics (accounting or business ethics) must be included in the rolling 3-year 120-hour minimum requirement.

Ethics credits were first required for the reporting period ending June 30, 2006. This means that the credits must be completed between July 1, 2003 and June 30, 2006. Credits can be completed through seminars, conferences or self-study. You can take one 8 CPE credit program or several shorter programs.

The designation of “ethics” hours is made by the sponsor of the CPE program and must be included in documentation provided by the sponsor.

If you obtained your certificate on June 15, 2004, you would need to complete at least eight hours of ethics by June 30, 2007 (the June 30th following the third anniversary of the initial certificate issuance). If you obtained your certificate on July 15, 2004, the requirement would be first effective for the three years ended June 30, 2008. The eight hour requirement is a rolling requirement; meaning, that you need to measure your eight hours annually at June 30th by looking back the previous three years.

No. If you choose to opt-out, your firm administrator will not have access to any parts of your record.

Use our opt-out form to prevent your firm administrator from accessing your record.

No. Setting up a firm administrator account with the MNCPA is free of charge.

Yes. Contact the MNCPA Professional Development Department (952-831-2707) to set-up a second firm administrator account. All employees of your organization will be notified that a second account has been requested and who will have access to their records.

Yes. Contact the professional education department at registrations@mncpa.org to set up access to different locations.

It takes approximately 3 days for your account to be activated. To protect our members' and customers' privacy, we notify all employees in our records of the request for the firm administrators account and provide an opt-out option.

Contact the professional education department at registrations@mncpa.org.

The CPE Log is designed as a member benefit. Find out more about joining the Society.

QAS is the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy’s Quality Assurance Service (QAS) that reviews the quality of self-study education program developers.

Beginning July 1, 2004, the Minnesota Board of Accountancy (BOA) rules require that self-study CPE credits be approved by NASBA's QAS. There are no exceptions.

The product will usually say "QAS" or have the QAS logo.



You can also check the list of QAS sponsors.

Credits for self-study are calculated on the average time it takes a test pilot group to complete the program. One credit is equal to 50 minutes.

Under prior NASBA standards for self-study programs, one credit was equal to 100 minutes of study time.

Under QAS standards, self-study courses have more rigorous requirements. For example, vendors are required to provide feedback to participants on all test and review questions, an independent expert must review all materials to ensure technical accuracy, and a pilot test of the program must be conducted.

No. Any self-study course completed after July 1, 2004, must have the QAS certification to be accepted by the BOA.

You may:

• Register online for a seminar or conference.
• Fax a registration form to 952-831-7875.
• Mail a registration form to MNCPA, 1650 West 82nd Street, Suite 600, Bloomington, MN 55431.
• Register by phone by calling 952-831-2707.
• E-mail registration information to registrations@mncpa.org. Please include event information, name, phone number, fax number and address.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Security note: Fax and e-mail are not secure methods for sending payment information. If you would prefer to pay at the time of registration, please register online, by mail, or over the phone. Otherwise, choose the bill me option and pay at a later date.

Yes, all registrations are confirmed by e-mail, fax, or mail usually within 48 hours. If you register on the Web site, the confirmation you printed will be followed by an e-mailed or faxed confirmation showing it was processed. If you register by fax, your fax report only confirms the fax was sent from your office not received at our office, you will receive an e-mailed or faxed confirmation.

If you do not receive a confirmation or if you need another copy, you can obtain a confirmation online. You can also send a request to registrations@mncpa.org or call 952-831-2707.

Cancellations must be received at least 4 business days prior to an event to receive a full refund. No refunds will be issued if you cancel within 3 business days of the event and no CPE credit will be earned. Cancel online or by phone 952-831-2707.

Please see our cancellation policy for information on cancelling a registration.

The MNCPA is a professional association based on individual membership; firms are not eligible to join the MNCPA. The member rate is a benefit only available to MNCPA members. Associate membership membership is available for non-CPAs. Learn more about MNCPA membership.

One-day registration fees are available for conferences that last two days or more. Conference and seminar fees cannot be split between two attendees.

Generally for full-day seminars, check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. Seminars begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. Please check your confirmation to be sure. You can also verify times in the online CPE catalog. We will notify you prior to the seminar if there is any change in the time.

Conferences usually start at 8:00 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. Please see the conference brochure or online CPE catalog for details on conference times.

You can arrive late or leave a seminar early. We appreciate your courtesy in letting us know in advance, if possible. If you arrive late or leave early, the number of CPE credits you receive will be adjusted.

Lunch is provided at each whole-day seminar and conference. If you have a special dietary need or vegetarian preference, please let us know at the time of registration. We plan a one-hour lunch at our seminars, but often the seminar instructor and participants will decide to take a shorter lunch and leave earlier at the end of the day. You are always free to bring your own lunch or go out to eat.

Most people wear business casual attire to our events. Dressing in layers will help you to be comfortable in the varying temperatures of meeting rooms.

For information and discounts on hotels near the MNCPA Education Center and other event locations, please see our hotels and travel page. You may also contact the Society office at 952-831-2707 or registrations@mncpa.org.

Materials are distributed at check-in on the day of the event. Select conference materials are available online.

Anything you need to bring will be listed in the printed catalog, online catalog, or conference brochure, as well your confirmation form.

Yes, a private room is available at the MNCPA Education Center. Please let us know of your needs at check-in the day of the seminar. For seminars and conferences held at other locations, please contact the CPE department at registrations@mncpa.org or 952-831-2707 to make arrangements.

Our CPE catalog is posted to the Web site in March, followed by a mailing in April. Our calendar of events begins in May each year and runs through January of the following year. Our online catalog has the most up-to-date information.

» Request a free printed catalog
» Print a CPE calendar

CPE hours for the three-year period ended on Jun 30th (and each year within that three-year period) are reported to the Board at the time the individual renews their certificate for the following year. This would normally occur in December.

When renewing your active certificate with the Minnesota Board of Accountancy, you will be required to fill out a form listing all of your CPE credits for each of the past three years, including your ethics credits. The BOA will verify this information on a test basis. If audited, you will be required to provide documentation.

If you attend a course from a sponsor on the Minnesota Board of Accountancy (BOA) approved list, you must retain the Certificate of Attendance. The BOA accepts the Minnesota Society of CPAs transcript as official documentation.

If you attend a course from a sponsor NOT on the BOA approved list, you must retain the following:

1. Certificate of attendance from the program sponsor containing the following:
• Name and contact information of the sponsor
• Title and description of the course content
• Date and location of the course
• Number of CPE hours earned
2. Copy of the detailed timed course agenda
3. Biography of the program developer and program presenter
4. Statement written by you describing how the program contributes to your professional knowledge and competence

» CPE records and supporting documentation

Minnesota allows two types of certificates-- active and inactive. You can change your certificate status from inactive to active and vice versa anytime during the year. Complete an application, submit the fee and your request will typically be processed in seven to 10 days.
» Steps to convert your inactive CPA certificate
» Differences between active and inactive status

Simply stated, if you are watching a live webcast it is considered a group live presentation. A webcast that is pre-recorded is considered self study and must be QAS approved.

You can log in to a webcast up to two hours before it is scheduled to begin. Generally, a good time to login is about 30 minutes before the webcast begins.

» View the complete list of frequently asked webcast questions

These requirements are effective June 30, 2005, as outlined in the GAO’s Guidance on GAGAS Requirements for Continuing Professional Education.

Auditors performing work under GAGAS should complete every 2 years:

• At least 80 hours of CPE that directly enhances the auditors’ professional proficiency to perform audits or attestation engagements, with a minimum of 20 hours in any 1-year of the 2-year period
• At least 24 of the 80 hours of CPE should be in subjects directly related to government auditing, the government environment, or the specific or unique environment in which the audited entity operates

EXCEPTION: Auditors performing work under GAGAS who are only involved in performing field work but are not involved in planning, directing, or reporting on the audit or attestation engagement, and who charge less than 20 percent of their time annually to GAGAS audits and attestation engagements, should complete every 2 years:

• At least 24 hours of CPE in subjects and topics directly related to government auditing, the government environment, or the specific or unique environment in which the audited entity operates, but are exempt from the remainder of the 80-hour CPE requirement

Please note: Auditors must use professional judgement when determining and documenting if the seminar qualifies for Yellow Book in accordance with the Government Accountability Office, Government Auditing Standards, July 2007 Revision and Guidance on GAGAS Requirements for Continuing Professional Education, GAO-05-058.

» View MNCPA CPE seminars and conferences offering Yellow Book credits

Effective January 1, 2004, the GAO has deleted taxation from the list of subjects that always satisfy the 80-hours every 2 years requirement.

Instruction in topics that may meet CPE requirements of licensing bodies or professional organizations no longer automatically satisfy the 80-hour CPE requirement. Any CPE for GAGAS must be in subjects that "directly enhance the auditor's professional proficiency to perform audits and/or attestation engagements."

Most tax services are not related to the subject matter of audits performed under GAGAS and therefore do not qualify for satisfying GAGAS requirements. There are some exceptions if taxation relates to an objective of an audit conducted under GAGAS. You must clearly document the rationale for including such taxation training as part of your GAGAS CPE requirement.

» Complete text regarding this GAO notice

Complaints regarding course content, materials, instructor, promotions, facilities, evaluations, costs, customer service, etc., if not resolved by the initial customer service representative, should be immediately directed to:

Barbara Wente
Director of Education
Minnesota Society of CPAs
1650 West 82nd Street, Suite 600
Bloomington, MN 55431
952-831-2707

Since the ABV designation is awarded only to members of the AICPA, it is suggested that you use "ABV" after the "CPA" acronym. Although there is no prescribed format, the AICPA has designed a logo (which can be downloaded from the AICPA website) as "CPA/ABV". Some members spell out "Accredited in Business Valuation" on their business cards or firm letterhead. Please note: like the use of CPA, the use of ABV on letterhead, business cards, and other marketing materials is governed by the rules of the Board of Accountancy in the state(s) where you practice. Minnesota Board of Accountancy currently has no rulings regarding the use of specific designations other than whatever you use must accurately represent you.