“E-learning is a quick and easy way for busy tax and accounting specialists to get the CPE credits that are essential for maintaining their licenses,” Hallenstein says. “They can identify the courses that meet their needs and take the courses when it is most convenient to their schedules — no waiting for classes to come to their cities and no expensive traveling to work into their busy schedules.”

Because online learning uses a variety of rich media tools to communicate, messages are delivered with the same consistency every time. Further, e-learning can be delivered to the audience in real time — or at any time.

“Online self-study learning will never replace live learning but it does fill a needed spot for learners who are looking for NASBA certified training to complete on a ‘just-in-time’ basis,” explains Hallenstein. “It is training that is consistent for everyone, every time. It is not dependent on the skill of the facilitator, nor can it be derailed by a disruptive participant. Well-built online learning can make live classroom training more enriching and fulfilling by covering the basics so the live session can be filled with hands-on and team-based activities.”