Andrew Titen, Bisk's president and chief operating officer, believes that online CPE courses will soon eclipse seminars and conferences as the quick way to gain information. I think it will be the preferred method going forward. As Spara's case shows, online CPE courses may be the salvation for busy practitioners whose demanding schedules prevent them from attending conferences or seminars. It may also help out thrifty CPAs, too. In August, Primedia Workplace Learning will offer payment options similar to Net providers like America Online where, for a certain amount paid monthly or annually, users have unlimited access to all course material.
Online courses allow flexibility where users can stop and start whenever they wish.
The only real difference, outside of payment prices, is the number of times and ways that users can take a final exam. Digital Springs makes their users take a final exam in one sitting. In comparison, the National Tax Institute lets users look at course material as they answer final exam questions. Like most online courses, users register for the courses through the company's Web site. Bisk courses allow flexibility, where the user can stop and start wherever she wants.