Maintaining CPD Evidence
Section 17(1)(b) of the Chartered Professional Accountants Regulation states that CPA Alberta members must keep a 5 year record of their CPD activities as well as supporting documentation that provides third party verification of the CPD learning activities. The Registrar can request to review your CPD log/record and supporting documentation at any time.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a copy of your CPD log and sufficient supporting documentation in order for your learning activities to qualify as verifiable learning. If your employer offers a system that maintains a log of your learning activities and you rely on this system, please ensure that you keep a record on your personal email/computer. If your employment situation changes don’t forget to obtain a copy of your CPD log and supporting documentation prior to your departure as it may be difficult to retrieve this information later.
Your CPD log must provide:
- The date of the activity;
- The type of activity;
- The name of the activity;
- The name of the CPD provider;
- The number of verifiable or unverifiable hours spent engaged in new learning activities.
Acceptable CPD Evidence:
The chart below provides examples of learning activities and supporting documentation. The information will help you determine if your CPD learning activities qualify as verifiable activities and help ensure you maintain the required supporting documentation to support your CPD declaration.
| Type of Verifiable CPD Activity |
Guidance for Qualifying Verifiable CPD Hours and Acceptable Third-Party Evidence |
Acceptable Third-Party Evidence |
|
Continuing Education
Participation in a course, webinar, conference or seminar.
Enrolment in a formal education program toward a degree, diploma, certificate, re-certification or designation.
|
Hours spent attending the course, webinar, conference or seminar.
Hours spent preparing or studying for the course, conference, seminar or exam.
There must be an identified component of new learning for yourself in any CPD activity.
|
Any one/and or combination of the following:
- Copy of course payment and invoice.
- Confirmation of attendance such as certificate of completion or official transcript. Calendar invites are not acceptable evidence.
- Confirmation of participation by provider or employer (e.g. Letter from employer/HR).
- Attendance record (e.g. sign-in sheet)
- Course assignment and exam results, confirmation of designation or certification
To include prep/study hours, provide one of the above, as well as a log of your prep/study hours.
|
|
Instruction / Speaking
Teaching a course or seminar in an area relevant to your professional role and CPA competencies.
Participate as a speaker in a conference, briefing session or discussion group.
|
Hours spent preparing for the course / session provided that you are learning.
If teaching the same course but the syllabus has changed, identify where the new learning occurred in the syllabus along with the prep hours pertaining to new learning.
There must be an identified component of new learning for yourself in any CPD activity.
|
- Copy of course or presentation material from the session including date and speaker details.
AND
- A log of your prep hours (by date).
|
|
Committees / Boards
Participation on a board or technical committee that is relevant to your professional role, responsibilities and technical competencies as a CPA.
|
Hours spent preparing and attending meetings provided that you are learning.
There must be an identified component of new learning for yourself in any CPD activity.
|
Any one of the following:
- Letter/email from third party confirming meeting(s) attended.
- Meeting minutes (redacted, if appropriate) confirming your attendance.
- Information circular for public companies.
AND all of the following:
- A log of the hours (by date) you spent attending or preparing for meetings
- A log of topics identifying the new learning as it relates to your professional role, responsibilities and technical competencies as a CPA.
|
|
Research and Publications
Conducting research in an area that expands your knowledge for a specific application in your professional role or to prepare a presentation or report.
Writing or publishing technical articles, papers, books or academic work.
|
Hours spent preparing or researching the presentation or report provided that you are learning.
Hours spent researching, authoring or contributing to the publication provided that there is a new learning component to yourself.
There must be an identified component of new learning for yourself in any CPD activity.
|
- A copy of the presentation, report or published material (redacted, if appropriate) or confirmation from a third-party or employer.
AND
- A log of hours (by date) for your prep/research pertaining to new learning.
|
|
Volunteer Activities
Volunteer activities relevant to your professional role may be permissible as verifiable CPD.
Activities not relevant to your professional role and responsibilities, or technical competencies as a CPA is not acceptable.
|
There must be an identified component of new learning for yourself in any CPD activity.
|
Any one of the following:
- Letter from the organization confirming your role and time spent preparing or attending meetings.
- Meeting minutes (redacted, if appropriate) confirming your attendance.
AND
- A log of topics identifying the new learning as it relates to your professional role, responsibilities and technical competencies as a CPA.
|
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