Continuing professional education (CPE) is more than just a checkbox for CPAs; it’s an opportunity to grow knowledge, stay compliant and enhance your professional toolkit. But with so many providers out there, how do you decide where to invest your time and money?
In this article, we’ll examine three leading providers: MYCPE ONE, Surgent and Becker, comparing their features, pricing and strengths so you can determine which delivers the best value for you.
Comparison Table
Content Formats and Learning Options
CPE platforms show clear differences in how professionals can complete their continuing education requirements. Each provider brings its own strengths to content delivery formats.
Course Types: Webinars, Self-Study, Podcasts, E-books
CPE providers have moved beyond traditional formats to match different learning priorities.
- MYCPE ONE features five different formats: Live Webinars, Video Courses, Virtual Conferences, Audio Podcasts and E-Books.
- Surgent focuses on live webinars, self-study courses and on-demand videos.
- Becker has built a strong catalog with over 700 on-demand courses, roughly 1,000 live webcasts each year, plus CPE-eligible podcasts.
MYCPE ONE's podcast and e-book options are a great way to get variety that other providers haven't fully developed. These choices let you learn during commutes or quick breaks without looking at a screen.
Content Hours:
The amount of available content varies between providers:
- MYCPE ONE leads with 15,000+ hours covering 500+ subject areas
- Surgent gives access to 10,000+ credits through their Unlimited Plus subscription
- Becker delivers 1,700+ total CPE credits across their formats
Library size makes a big difference when you need to find specific topics that match your practice area or interests.
Learning Flexibility: On-demand vs Scheduled Sessions
Each platform handles flexibility differently. Self-study options let you learn at your own speed with instant access to materials. Live webinars offer structured learning with instant interaction but need you to attend at set times.
In our guide on All Leading Online CPA CPE Providers Compared, MYCPE ONE and Becker shine with self-paced options and 24/7 access to materials. Surgent stands out by offering weekend and evening live webcasts, perfect for professionals with busy daytime schedules.
Your learning style and schedule will help you pick the right platform. A large on-demand library works better if your workload is unpredictable, while others might prefer interactive, scheduled sessions.
Pricing and Subscription Models
CPAs need to think over their budget carefully when choosing continuing education options. A look at the leading providers shows big differences in what you get for your money.
Annual Pricing:
The prices vary quite a bit between these platforms:
- MYCPE ONE gives you the best deal at $199 for unlimited yearly access to their full 15,000+ hour library
- Surgent's Unlimited Plus subscription comes with a premium price tag of $899 per year
- Becker lands somewhere in the middle at $699 for their Prime tier, though you can get started with their Essentials package at $329
This is a big deal as it means that MYCPE ONE's library size is larger than both competitors.
Access Models:
Each company takes a different approach to their subscriptions:
Becker uses three tiers - Essentials ($329), Select ($499) and Prime ($799). Each tier gives you access to more content and features. Budget-conscious professionals can opt for flexible monthly payments starting at $32.75.
MYCPE ONE keeps things simple with one unlimited access plan, so you won't need to upgrade for premium content. This works really well, especially when you have to complete lots of credits each year.
Team Plans and Group Discounts
Companies looking for team solutions have several choices.
- MYCPE ONE provides team subscriptions that come with centralized dashboards and bulk reporting tools.
- Surgent gives volume discounts that start at 10% off for three courses and go up to 20% off when you buy five or more.
- Becker's enterprise solutions are also available for group administrators, but these usually need higher-tier investments.
Looking at pure economics, MYCPE ONE gives you the best bang for your buck. You pay less than a quarter of Surgent's price and get 50% more content hours.
Platform Experience and Usability
A platform's success depends on how well CPAs can work with its features. Let's get into how these providers stack up in day-to-day use.
User Interface: Modern vs Traditional Layouts
- MYCPE ONE has a clean, easy-to-use interface that makes finding the right courses simple.
- Surgent stands out with its Surgent Interactive feature, which turns passive learning into active engagement through game-like challenges.
- Becker gives users a rich experience by combining video, audio and text in a well-organized layout.
Mobile Access and App Availability
- MYCPE ONE leads the pack with full-featured mobile apps for iOS and Android - they're the only ones offering complete CPE learning on smartphones.
- Becker's website works well on mobile devices but doesn't have a dedicated app.
- Surgent's courses are available on mobile devices without specific app features.
Dashboard Features: Progress Tracking and Reminders
Each platform tracks progress differently. MYCPE ONE has a smart dashboard that keeps tabs on compliance, sends deadline alerts and stores certificates from any provider.
Becker's compliance tracker shows your credit progress against requirements with visual aids. Surgent gives you CPE certificates right after you finish a course.
Support, Reviews and Trust
Your CPE experience depends on more than just platform features. Support reliability and trust in the industry ended up making the real difference. Let's get into how these providers compare in vital trust areas.
Customer Support:
These providers have significant differences in their support options.
- MYCPE ONE gives you 24/7 help through Zoom meetings, email and chatbot support.
- Surgent helps with content questions via email. Their response time is 48 hours, but Ultimate Pass subscribers get faster 24-hour responses.
- Becker provides email and phone support. Not all subscription levels get round-the-clock access though.
User Ratings:
The satisfaction scores tell an interesting story:
- MYCPE ONE: 4.8★ on both Google and Trustpilot. Users love its affordable pricing and quick support team
- Surgent: 3.8★ on Trustpilot
- Becker: 4.6★ average across review sites. Some users mention issues with customer service
Certifications and NASBA Approval
These providers are NASBA Registry approved. This ensures their CPE credits meet the standards set by State Boards of Accountancy. NASBA Registry approval is a vital requirement since many boards only accept credits from approved sponsors. MYCPE ONE adds extra value with automated compliance tracking. Their certificate vault stores credentials from any provider. Becker's NASBA approval means your state board will recognize your credits.
Conclusion
Choosing between Surgent, Becker and MYCPE ONE comes down to what matters most to you: content variety, cost and convenience. MYCPE ONE stands out with its vast course library, affordable pricing and flexibility through its mobile app. Surgent offers a fun, interactive learning style, while Becker delivers a polished, structured experience. For most CPAs, MYCPE ONE provides the best overall value to stay current, compliant and confident in their professional growth.
FAQs
Which CPE provider offers the most extensive content library?
MYCPE ONE leads with over 15,000 hours of content across 500+ subject areas, surpassing both Surgent and Becker in terms of volume and diversity of learning materials.
How do the annual subscription costs compare among these CPE providers?
MYCPE ONE offers the most affordable option at $199 per year, while Surgent charges $899 annually and Becker's pricing ranges from $329 to $799 depending on the chosen tier.
Are there mobile apps available for accessing CPE content on-the-go?
MYCPE ONE is the only provider among the three that offers dedicated mobile applications for both iOS and Android devices, allowing users to complete CPE requirements during commutes or downtime.
How do user satisfaction ratings compare for these CPE providers?
MYCPE ONE has a 4.8-star rating on both Google and Trustpilot, while Surgent has a 3.7-star rating is 3.7 stars on Trustpilot. Becker maintains a 4.6-star average across review sites.
Are the CPE credits from these providers recognized by state boards?
Yes, all three providers - MYCPE ONE, Surgent and Becker - maintain NASBA Registry approval, ensuring their CPE credits meet nationally recognized standards and are accepted by State Boards of Accountancy.