AICPA and CIMA expand lifelong learning site with competencies in accounting and auditing

The AICPA and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) announced on Tuesday that they have expanded their professional learning and development website to include competencies in financial accounting and reporting, including assurance, as part of a bigger effort to increase lifelong learning in the accounting profession.

The AICPA-CIMA Competency and Learning website launched earlier this year to help Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA®) designation holders expand their skills and build rewarding career paths. In recent months, the website has broadened to include other competency categories such as employee benefit plan auditing, governmental auditing and – as of today – accounting and auditing. Other topical areas will be added in the months ahead.

With the addition of new accounting and auditing framework into the site, CPAs are now able to analyze where they might have a knowledge gap and get instant, personalized recommendations on various learning resources to master that area. The new framework was developed by some of the profession’s top subject matter experts.

“Professional education isn’t about how much time you spend in front of a computer or how long you sit through a presentation,” said Clar Rosso, the AICPA’s vice president of member learning and competency, in a statement. “It’s about gaining knowledge and expertise that can take you and your career to the next level. That’s why a competency-based approach to professional development makes so much sense.”

A new feature on the website called "Knowledge Checks” gives multiple-choice quizzes on specific topics, with a wrong answer will trigger links to AICPA learning resources on that topic. Professionals can also find nearby conferences by leveraging location-based searches. The site is also free and mobile-friendly.

For more information, head to the AICPA-CIMA's Competency and Learning site here.