On or about 30 March 2026, the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) has issued Audit Practice Bulletin (APB) No. 1 of 2026 “Strengthening Professional Excellence: Continuing Professional Education Compliance Insights” sharing its key observations from ACRA’s 2025 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) compliance checks for the rolling 3-year period from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2024. .
CPE remains a cornerstone of professional excellence for public accountants. The framework, approved by the Public Accountants Oversight Committee (PAOC), is designed to ensure practitioners maintain the competencies required to navigate an evolving landscape of standards, technology, and market demands.
This note summarises the current CPE requirements and highlights key observations from the 2025 compliance review conducted by ACRA. It serves to guide practitioners in maintaining compliance and ensuring the integrity of their professional development records.
1. Summary of CPE Requirements
Public accountants are required to meet the following criteria within each rolling three-year period:
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Total Hours: At least 120 CPE hours.
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Structured Learning: A minimum of 90 structured hours, with at least 20 structured hours completed in each calendar year.
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Bite-Sized Learning: Since 1 April 2025, programmes with a duration of 30 minutes to 1 hour can earn 0.5 CPE hours. To balance flexibility with comprehensive learning, such bite-sized courses are capped at 45 CPE hours (50% of the total structured requirement) per rolling three-year period.
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Core Expertise Areas: The syllabus encompasses five categories:
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Financial and Sustainability Reporting Standards and Pronouncements
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Ethics and Professionalism
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Auditing and Assurance Standards, Pronouncements and Methodology
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Insolvency and Restructuring (applicable to approved liquidators only)
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Information Technology
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2. Key Findings from the 2025 CPE Compliance Review
The 2025 review indicated that while the majority of practitioners meet their obligations, several areas require focused attention to avoid non-compliance.
2.1 Category 4 (Insolvency and Restructuring)
Public accountants who are approved liquidators must complete at least 9 structured hours in Category 4 over each rolling three-year period. Practitioners who no longer intend to perform liquidation work may apply to revoke their license to absolve themselves of this requirement.
2.2 Category 5 (Information Technology)
Since its introduction in 2022, Category 5 has become integral to audit quality and professional effectiveness. Eligible learning activities include courses on Robotic Process Automation, Data Analytics, Data Visualisation, Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence.
2.3 Accurate Classification of Courses
The review identified instances of misclassification, particularly where sustainability reporting courses were incorrectly recorded under Category 3 (Auditing) rather than Category 1 (Financial and Sustainability Reporting). Since 1 January 2023, sustainability reporting standards fall under Category 1, while related assurance work falls under Category 3. Practitioners are advised to verify course classifications with providers to ensure accuracy.
2.4 Record-Keeping Deficiencies
Paragraph 3 of the Third Schedule to the Accountants (Public Accountants) Rules mandates the maintenance of proper records. Common deficiencies identified include incomplete documentation. Complete records should include:
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Name and registration number of the public accountant
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Name of the course provider
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Course title and content description
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Completion date
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Relevant CPE category
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Number of CPE hours awarded
The CPE logbook template available on the ACRA website is a practical tool for systematic record-keeping.
2.5 Evidence of Participation and Misrepresentation
All declared CPE hours must be supported by verifiable evidence of attendance or completion. Course participation documents must be retained for three years (excluding the current year). The 2025 review uncovered instances where practitioners could not provide evidence for declared courses, including cases where online courses were declared but not completed.
Such discrepancies are treated seriously. Where misleading information is provided in renewal applications or false declarations are made, ACRA has indicated it will take decisive regulatory action, including initiating disciplinary proceedings and cancelling registration.
3. Looking Ahead
Public Accountants (Practising) are encouraged to adopt a proactive approach to CPE compliance by:
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Maintaining systematic and verifiable records of all learning activities.
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Ensuring accurate classification of courses against the five core expertise areas.
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Selecting forward-looking courses, particularly in sustainability reporting and technology (including AI), to develop expertise that aligns with emerging trends.
Maintaining the integrity of the CPE system is a shared responsibility. ACRA has affirmed its commitment to supporting practitioners in meeting their obligations while taking firm action against instances of serious non-compliance or misrepresentation.
Source: ACRA, 31 March 2025