Podcasting for CPE’s Messina, Morgan & Peracchi, LLP.

CPE Requirements Publically practicing accountants in Massachusetts must complete 80 hours of CPE credits every 2 years Publically practicing accountants in Massachusetts must complete 80 hours of CPE credits every 2 years As of June 30 th, 2007 at least 4 hours must relate to the area of professional ethics. As of June 30 th, 2007 at least 4 hours must relate to the area of professional ethics. Must be a, “formal program of learning which contributes directly to the professional competence of a registrant in public practice “ Must be a, “formal program of learning which contributes directly to the professional competence of a registrant in public practice “ -

What is a Podcast? A platform of “Web 2.0” technology that lets users generate, share and refine information A platform of “Web 2.0” technology that lets users generate, share and refine information Podcasts are a series of audio or video files released periodically and available for download by a web syndication Podcasts are a series of audio or video files released periodically and available for download by a web syndication Client software applications called “podcatchers” are used to identify and retrieve new files for users Client software applications called “podcatchers” are used to identify and retrieve new files for users Can be streamed over the internet or downloaded for later use on a computer or “IPod” like device. Can be streamed over the internet or downloaded for later use on a computer or “IPod” like device. -

Why Use a Podcast? Ease of use for professionals in the firm Ease of use for professionals in the firm Flexibility of watching on demand Flexibility of watching on demand Unified training across the firm Unified training across the firm Travel time is eliminated, giving more hours for client work. This increases resource productivity Travel time is eliminated, giving more hours for client work. This increases resource productivity Cost of using podcast programs are considerably less than bringing in professional programs Cost of using podcast programs are considerably less than bringing in professional programs

Requirements for Podcast In order to qualify under Rule 15D (2) a program must: In order to qualify under Rule 15D (2) a program must: require attendance, require attendance, be at least one class hour (50-minute period) in length be at least one class hour (50-minute period) in length be conducted by a qualified instructor or discussion leader, be conducted by a qualified instructor or discussion leader, require a maintained record of attendance, and require a maintained record of attendance, and require a written outline to be retained. require a written outline to be retained. -

Why Podcasts Work Professionals spend most of their time out of the office working remotely, making the podcast an ideal way to keep up with their CPE’s Professionals spend most of their time out of the office working remotely, making the podcast an ideal way to keep up with their CPE’s New episodes can be sent via to employees making credits available whenever convenient New episodes can be sent via to employees making credits available whenever convenient Dramatic decrease in cost structure typically associated with a professional firms CPE program Dramatic decrease in cost structure typically associated with a professional firms CPE program

Risks It will be hard to track if the employees actually watches the podcast It will be hard to track if the employees actually watches the podcast Not all employees will want to use podcast Not all employees will want to use podcast When using an IPod or other portable device the screen is small When using an IPod or other portable device the screen is small If the server goes down podcast will not be accessible If the server goes down podcast will not be accessible

Implementation Option A.) Outsource to a company that specializes in using podcasts for CPE training Option A.) Outsource to a company that specializes in using podcasts for CPE training OR, OR, Option B.) Hire a professional to handle the CPE podcast program for the firm Option B.) Hire a professional to handle the CPE podcast program for the firm

Other Uses Weekly company updates from management Weekly company updates from management Policy changes and profession news Policy changes and profession news As part of “Web 2.0” the podcast can be a platform for employee commenting and collaboration As part of “Web 2.0” the podcast can be a platform for employee commenting and collaboration “Make visible the practices and outputs of knowledge workers” “Make visible the practices and outputs of knowledge workers” -Andrew P. McAfee