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Every practitioner has his/her preferences for how they obtain their CPE and what they look for in the way of results. I have long ago stopped at going to these for-profit factories of national programs, as they are primarily in business to use registration lists as feeders for other products and services they provide. My preferences at this point are either online webinars sponsored by or associated with professional societies that are geared towards issues effecting a great majority of its members, as well as self-study CPE purchased from certain specific publishers I have great satisfaction from because their references materials are excellent so long as the law remains unchanged. Yes - I do use cpaacademy.com because the courses are free.

I like my local NY/CT-ATP for networking in my area and the CCH User Conference to meet staff (a biz card with a direct line to a tech support manager is my treasure); both give outstanding courses with nationally-known instructors. But, I don't learn much from preparers out of my area, too many geographical differences. When I find a single topic I like/need, I try to get it as a webinar so as not to waste time traveling for only 1-2 CEs. I read everything I can (all those journals that come with my memberships), take webinars/archived webinars, and local and CCH live courses, a little bit of everything, depending on my needs each year. For example, this year with hip replacement approaching, I'm not traveling to seminars, just the local ones and online.

I think we are being spoofed by Edsel.

People have differences in how they absorb and retain information, and hopefully we are utilizing those methods that suit each of us best. Most of my CPE now comes from webinars and self-study, and I don't miss the the higher prices, travel, or distractions from other participants for some of the exact same seminars that I take online. This year I purchased an unlimited package that includes both webinars and for self-study, NOT because I need more credits and certainly NOT to buy credits, but because I have access to this company's entire catalog of materials that are excellent reference materials. That's a huge bonus on top of the CPE credits that I EARN and makes the price all the more reasonable.

Yeah, I got that. Trolling isn't nice. Don't forget that crap we all went through a few years ago with that 3115 debacle because of bell ringers. Be nice.

Jack: Get over it. Yours isn't the only way. You don't have anything to prove. Everybody's different.

I can't believe anyone thought I was serious. Good grief, folks... I hope others read with the understanding of what is progressing with the mentality of the IRS. "The IRS released a statement that they will be cutting their audit staff from 10,000 in 2017 to only 100 in 2025. The commissioner stated that the accumulated savings of millions of dollars will be passed on the taxpayers..." I hope readers understand this is a spoof too... "Bell ringers??" noncompute...

I carry, on a lanyard around my neck, a 128GB flash drive, that contains an Excel spreadsheet, with all the accounts I have to log in, user names, and passwords. Currently over 300. The Excel file is password protected, as well as the flash drive. I only HAVE to remember 2 passwords. It is impossible for any person to remember all the different usernames and passwords needed, to do a business like ours. I also have, encrypted backup files for all my tax programs, and other important documents, on the flash drive as well. If I leave the house, it goes around my neck. I have a complete backup of all data files on a separate external drive at home as well.

You cannot network with other professionals, from other locations, if you do online seminars. Nothing gives me more practical and usable information than one one one dialogue with professionals from other states, counties and cities. No matter how much you brag up the "benefits" of webinars, none are equal to the one on one networking you can get, (unless you act like a hermit) from attending a live seminar, or forum. It is the reason I make the time, and budget the money. It is a cost of having a professional, & informed business.

And you'd be wrong about that. Remember where I went to college. The *eponymous* nerd source!

I am glad I retired from this lousy profession

And to think, it all started with the IRS subtly converting tax preparers into glorified data entry clerks with the e-flinging carrot & stick. Very clever on their part.

Business Tax Update Online Workshops 16 CPE for AFSP, CFP®, EA, CPA, CRTP Proposed regulations for how to navigate §199A and the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction were recently released by the IRS, and the document totals 184 pages. 184 pages is a lot of information to understand and comprehend, especially as you’re gearing up for tax season. The good news is you don’t have to do it alone. Join us for our two-day Business Tax Update Online Workshop and we’ll go through the details of the changes to §199A and how it affects most small businesses. Instructors will cover partnerships and S corporations, their elections and adjustments, as well as how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will affect them. In day two, you’ll receive a hands-on review of QBI. The instructor will help you complete several case studies that involve QBI and decisions related to entity selection to help your clients maximize deductions for partners and shareholders. We're offering this online workshop on Sept. 6 & 7, Oct. 3 & 4 or on-demand. Sept. 6 & 7 Oct. 3 & 4 Pre-order the on-demand version Register > Our researchers will be on-hand to answer your questions throughout the live presentation, and you'll even receive a copy of their answers! This workshop includes a PDF of the presentation slides and access to the recording. CPE Approved Provider

AVG's update messed with Windows Explorer or another computer. It was not encrypted, so I was able to perform a system restore. My work computer has been limping along every since I got it back from shop. I was continually having to force stop Explorer and run a new one or restart the computer totally when it had done enough work or sat too long (whatever windows decided was enough) . I uninstalled AVG and after some research, I installed Comodo. I don't know if that will help, but at least Windows has been alive for several hours. AVG reinstalled the update on the other computer and it went crazy again. I may install a different antivirus on it, to see if it works better with Windows 7 than Comodo. I know that one of these days I am going to have to upgrade Windows, but I already have an Acer laptop with Windows 10 and I've never been in love with it. I keep seeing that 10 has it's own issues.