Customers can also download the courses, an option that some CPAs prefer over tying up their phone lines at home while connecting to the Web, according to publisher Andrew Rosenberg, who notes that Internet use peaks at the end of the month or year, when many people have deadlines to meet. With procrastinators in mind, WiseGuides designed most of its courses to fit into two hours for quick completion. The company is also developing interactive tools called Smart Regs to complement its online CPE offerings. Digital Springs plans to up its number of courses to over 250 before the end of the year, according to Derek Doke, president of DS's parent company, AccountingNet. The new additions will include everything from stress management to tax updates to technology classes, Doke said.
Courses range from two to eight credit hours.
Digital Springs is waiting for consumers and technology to catch up before the firm heads full-force into interactive CPE with video and audio. We don't think the world is ready yet for live sessions. The company does plan to add streaming audio to its courses by September. MicroMash offers 39 online courses right now, and expects to have 90 percent of its regular CPE course offerings available online by October, according to vice president of sales and marketing Cindy Hershey. MicroMash also plans to make its products downloadable by the next quarter and to add soft skills topics like conflict resolution to its offerings.