Julia Chirkova
CPA Practice Advisor has officially opened registration for its highly anticipated 2026 Ensuring Success conference, solidifying its position as the largest free online event offering Continuing Professional Education (CPE) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Continuing Education (CE) credits for accounting and tax professionals. Scheduled to take place virtually on December 9th and December 10th, 2026, the two-day event promises an extensive educational program featuring seven free, one-hour sessions each day, totaling fourteen distinct learning opportunities.
This year’s conference continues its tradition of accessibility, providing a crucial resource for professionals seeking to maintain their credentials and stay abreast of evolving industry standards and regulations without incurring registration fees. All sessions are designed to qualify for one hour of CPE credit, covering a diverse range of fields of study relevant to the accounting and tax professions. Furthermore, a select number of tax-focused sessions will also offer one hour of IRS CE credit, specifically for enrolled agents. Details regarding the specific IRS CE sessions will be clarified and announced later in the year as the final program is confirmed.
A key feature of the Ensuring Success conference is its streamlined registration process. Professionals are required to register only once, granting them access to all fourteen live sessions. Attendees have the flexibility to participate in every session, select specific ones based on their professional development needs, or tune in to sessions that best fit their schedules. This allows participants to earn up to 14 hours of CPE or the available IRS CE credits, depending on their individual requirements and the sessions they choose to attend. The online format ensures that professionals can access this valuable educational content from their offices, homes, or any location with an internet connection.
A Legacy of Professional Development
The Ensuring Success conference boasts a rich history, having been a cornerstone of professional development for the accounting and tax community for the past fifteen years. Over its tenure, the event has collectively provided more than 500,000 hours of CPE to thousands of dedicated professionals who engage with the program annually. This sustained commitment underscores the event’s significance and its impact on the continuous learning landscape for practitioners.
What sets the Ensuring Success conference apart is its unique production model. While attendees participate remotely, the presenters for each session convene live in a professional broadcast studio located in Dallas, Texas. This dynamic setup is facilitated by AMS Pictures, a full-service professional video production company renowned for its work on films, television shows, documentaries, and national commercials. This partnership ensures a high-quality, engaging, and technically sound broadcast experience for all participants.
CPA Practice Advisor and the Ensuring Success conference are accredited by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), a testament to their adherence to rigorous educational standards for offering CPE credit. Additionally, CPA Practice Advisor has established an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service. This agreement ensures compliance with the requirements outlined in 31 Code of Federal Regulations, section 10.6(g), which governs the maintenance of attendance records, the retention of program outlines, the qualifications of instructors, and the duration of class hours. This accreditation and agreement are critical for professionals seeking to fulfill their ongoing education obligations.
Navigating the Ensuring Success Platform for Credits
Accessing the educational content and earning credits for the Ensuring Success conference is designed for ease of use. All sessions are available for live viewing by anyone, providing broad access to the valuable information presented. However, to receive official CPE or IRS CE credit, participants must have completed the registration process and provided a valid email address.
On the days of the conference, attendees who have registered will be prompted to log in using the email address they provided during registration. This same email address will serve as the primary channel for receiving certificates for earned CPE and CE credits. A crucial aspect of the credit acquisition process involves actively participating in the live sessions. As detailed below, specific codes will be displayed during each live session, and these codes are essential for claiming credit. It is important to note that these codes will not be available on archived recordings of the sessions, emphasizing the benefit of attending live.
Earning Your CPE and CE Credits: A Step-by-Step Guide
The process for earning CPE and CE credits during the Ensuring Success conference is straightforward, designed to reward active participation. Attendees must be logged in to the platform during a live session to be eligible for credits. Registration and credit acquisition are entirely free of charge.
During each one-hour session, hosts will periodically display a three-digit code. Participants are instructed to diligently record these codes, as they are indispensable for submitting the CPE/CE claim form. Each session will feature a total of three distinct codes. As previously mentioned, CPE and CE credits are exclusively available to those who attend the live sessions. While recordings will be made available for later viewing, educational credit cannot be awarded for watching these archived versions.
Once participants have completed their sessions for the day, or at any point during or after the event, they can navigate to the Ensuring Success website. A prominent "CPE/CE Credit" link, typically located at the top right of the website, will direct them to the claim form. Upon clicking this link, users will be presented with a page where they can click a blue button labeled "Claim Your Credit."
The subsequent step requires participants to enter the email address they used for event registration. This action authenticates their attendance and unlocks the credit claim portal. From this dedicated page, attendees can input the codes for all the sessions they successfully attended. The system allows for the submission of codes for multiple sessions on a single page, and upon successful validation, CPE certificates can be immediately downloaded.
For IRS CE credit, the process involves a direct submission to the IRS after the event concludes. If participants encounter any technical difficulties with the claim form, it is recommended to try using an alternative web browser or a different device. The platform is also designed to accommodate situations where multiple professionals viewed the presentation on a single device; in such cases, their information can be entered collectively, ensuring that all eligible individuals receive their deserved CPE/CE credit.
A significant advantage for attendees is the extended window for claiming credits. Participants have up to a year from the event dates to claim their CPE/CE credit for any sessions they attended. This flexibility allows professionals to manage their credit claims at their convenience, ensuring they don’t miss out on this valuable professional development opportunity. Simply revisiting the designated links and re-entering the required information will grant access to the credit claim system.
The Broader Impact and Future Outlook
The Ensuring Success conference represents more than just an opportunity to accumulate credits; it signifies a commitment to the continuous advancement of the accounting and tax professions. In an era marked by rapid technological evolution, shifting regulatory landscapes, and increasing client demands, staying informed and skilled is paramount. Events like Ensuring Success provide a vital platform for professionals to engage with current trends, best practices, and expert insights that are critical for navigating these complexities.
The longevity of the conference, spanning fifteen years, speaks to its enduring value and its ability to adapt to the changing needs of its audience. The consistent growth in cumulative CPE hours delivered highlights the significant demand for accessible, high-quality professional education. By offering this resource free of charge, CPA Practice Advisor and its partners are making a substantial investment in the professional community, fostering a culture of lifelong learning and thereby strengthening the integrity and expertise within the accounting and tax sectors.
The hybrid production model, combining remote attendee participation with a live studio broadcast, offers a glimpse into the future of professional development events. This approach balances the convenience of virtual attendance with the engagement and quality of in-person interaction, a model that is likely to become increasingly prevalent. The partnership with AMS Pictures further elevates the production value, ensuring that the educational content is delivered in a professional and engaging manner.
Looking ahead, the Ensuring Success conference is poised to continue its role as a leading provider of essential professional education. As tax laws and accounting standards continue to evolve, the need for timely and reliable updates will only grow. The commitment to offering both CPE and IRS CE credits, coupled with the free access model, ensures that the conference will remain an indispensable resource for accounting and tax professionals seeking to maintain their expertise, meet their licensing requirements, and ultimately, ensure success in their practices and careers. Professionals are encouraged to register promptly to secure their participation in this significant annual event.
