Choosing a CPE provider can be stressful. After all, you’ll usually be spending around 40 hours every year interacting with that provider’s course materials and spending hundreds of dollars in the process.
But… how do you pick the best one?
It starts by comparing the options available to one another to see which CPE option comes out on top. Today, we’re going to do exactly that in the battle of Gleim vs Becker.
I’ll discuss it all: from course content to credit consumption, from state-specific ethics courses to subscription options. In the end, you’ll know exactly which company’s CPE courses are the best for you.
Key Takeaways
- Best for Variety of Content: Becker CPE offers over 1,000 webinars and 700+ on-demand courses, far surpassing Gleim’s 61-course selection, making it ideal for those seeking diverse learning options.
- Unlimited Credit Access: Becker’s subscription model allows unlimited CPE credit consumption, while Gleim’s courses are capped by hours, giving Becker a strong advantage for users with high CPE credit needs.
- State-Specific Ethics Coverage: Becker provides ethics courses for all 50 states and various jurisdictions, while Gleim’s offerings cover only Florida and New York, making Becker a more flexible choice for ethics requirements.
- Flexible Subscription Options: Becker’s multiple subscription tiers, including monthly plans, offer more flexibility compared to Gleim’s capped-hour model, where users select packages based on a specific credit count.
- High Value for Investment: Though Becker is generally more expensive, its extensive course catalog, webinar access, and additional resources make it a better overall investment for comprehensive CPE needs.
Which is Right for You? A Quickfire Guide
Want to skip to the nitty-gritty? As a fellow CPA, I got you. Here’s a quick look at which provider might be the right choice for you:
- Becker is better for CPAs who want industry-specific courses to deepen their understanding of niche topics and stay updated on critical industry changes.
- Becker is ideal for busy professionals who need flexible scheduling with extensive live webinars, on-demand courses, and weekend or evening sessions.
- Becker suits enrolled agents needing regular compliance updates, thanks to its dedicated EA CE subscription for enrolled agents seeking convenient, approved continuing education.
- Gleim is a good choice for those who only need a few CPE credits quickly and affordably, as it offers smaller course packages at lower price points.
- Gleim works well for learners who prefer concise courses focused on foundational knowledge without the need for extensive catalogs or specialized topics.
- Becker benefits accountants with state-specific ethics requirements, as it offers ethics courses for all 50 states, meeting diverse jurisdictional needs.
Gleim vs Becker CPE: An Overview
| Features | Becker CPE | Gleim CPE |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $329 to $1,429 | $12 to $600 |
| Access Duration | 3 to 24 Months | 12 Months |
| Course Count | 700+ | 61 |
| Unlimited Credit Consumption | ✔ | ✖ |
| Live Webinars | 1,000+ | ✖ |
| State Board of Ethics Courses | 50+ States and Jurisdictions | Florida and New York |
| Free Trial | ✔ | ✔ |
Gleim and Becker have very different CPE options, as you can see from the table. Let’s dig a little bit deeper into each of the companies so you have a better idea of what you’re getting.
Gleim CPE Overview
Gleim’s CPE catalog is on the smaller side, with just 61 courses and no live webinars available. Ethics credits are limited as well, with coverage only for Florida and New York. However, if you’re looking to grab a few last-minute credits, Gleim has several compact packages ranging from one to four hours, priced affordably at $12 per credit hour.
Recap:s
- 61 total courses, but no webinars available
- Ethics credits are limited to Florida and New York
- Small, affordable packages ideal for quick credit needs
Becker CPE Overview
Becker’s CPE offerings are significantly broader, with over 1,000 webinars and more than 700 on-demand courses. Becker also goes beyond the basics, featuring a personalized CPE compliance tracker, flexible evening and weekend webcasts through their Prime Subscription, a monthly payment option for the 2-year Prime Subscription, and even CPE-accredited podcasts.
Recap:
- 1,000+ webinars and 700+ on-demand courses
- Prime Subscription includes night/weekend options and compliance tracking
- Flexible payment plan and podcast options for additional convenience
Why Becker CPE Outperforms Gleim CPE
Both Gleim and Becker are massive names in the exam prep world, each with catalogs of CPA and CMA review courses. And in that space, though Becker is generally considered to be the “Gold Standard,” Gleim maintains relatively competitive.
However, this is not the case when it comes to their CPE courses.
Becker CPE is far and away the winner in the continuing professional education market for a number of reasons, including:
- Catalog Size: Becker offers thousands more opportunities than Gleim. Whereas Becker offers over 700 on-demand CPE courses and 1,000+ webinars annually, Gleim only offers 61 courses and no webinars.
- Unlimited Credit Consumption: Some of Gleim’s pricing is much lower because they only offer packages by credit hours. So yes, a package between one and four hours will only cost $12 to $48. However, Becker’s pricing includes unlimited credit consumption.
- Better Pricing: Gleim’s biggest package, for 100 hours, costs $600. Meanwhile, Becker’s Select Package (which contains unlimited credit use) costs $499. It’s truly a no-brainer.
However, this is just a brief overview. Let’s go category-by-category to see where each CPE provider stands.
CPE Courses
Gleim CPA review courses are known for their massive question banks. However, in the CPE world, Gleim has very few options to choose from, with a total of just 61 video lectures. However, if you just need a few credit hours, you might opt for one of their smaller packages.
Meanwhile, Becker offers between 475 to 700+ on-demand courses, many with downloadable study materials. Higher-tier packages also include up to 110+ newly-added course hours, 25+ industry-specific courses, and courses in unique and valuable topics for accounting professionals, such as current events, hot topics, and critical update courses.
Live Webinars
Becker offers over 1,000 webinar events annually. Webinar events all feature live Q&A sessions via chat, as well as partial credit for attendees who can only make it for part of the event. Even in smaller packages, you still get access to a minimum of 480+ webinars every year.
Unfortunately, Gleim doesn’t offer any webinar access in any of their packages.
State-Specific Ethics Courses
Though not all states that require ethics courses require them to be state-specific, many do. As a result, ensuring the CPE provider you choose includes them in your subscription is a huge part of reducing anxiety leading up to your credit due date.
Becker offers over 80 ethics CPE courses/webcasts to choose from, with options for every state—including jurisdictions like the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. All of these are approved by the State Board of Ethics. These courses include audio and video, as well as downloadable PDFs for easy reference after the fact.
Gleim offers five ethics courses, and only two of them are state-specific: ethics courses for Florida and New York. As a result, if you don’t live in one of those two states and have state-specific ethics requirements, you should choose Becker.
Subscription Format and Value
Becker offers a traditional subscription format, where you pay a given amount every year in exchange for unlimited access to as many credits as you can take. As a result, accounting professionals who have to take 120 credits over the course of three years can easily complete all of their CPE requirements within a single year’s subscription.
Gleim has a unique format in that CPAs choose a number of hours: 1, 2, 3, 4, 20, 40, or 100. You can choose courses from their catalog that tally up to the number you’ve chosen. These are still technically subscriptions, with durations lasting up to 12 months.
Though Gleim is technically cheaper, I feel that you get a lot more value with Becker.
Gleim’s subscription model restricts you to a certain count of credit hours. And, though the pricing is cheaper overall, with a range between $12 and $600, it will likely cost you extra to get access to the state-specific ethics courses you need. Plus, the lack of course options and formats to choose from limits the enjoyment and knowledge you may get from the subscription.
Meanwhile, Becker has thousands of options: courses, webinars, and podcasts, so whatever your learning preferences are, you’ll be able to cater to them. Further, this huge variety means you can choose courses that truly interest you to make CPE a little more fun. So the pricing is higher, between $329 and $1,429 (the latter for the two-year Prime Subscription), but the value you’re getting far exceeds your investment.
Additional Options
Though most CPE courses are available in a subscription format, both Becker and Gleim offer additional options for CPAs who want a different access method.
Want a handful of courses around a common theme? Grab a Becker CPE course bundle and choose from 15 unique options, from the Secrets to Success bundle to Government Audit and Accounting Hot Topics.
Becker also offers a handful of certification bundles, including topics like the Microsoft Excel Fundamentals + Data Analytics Certificate and the Cultivating a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace Foundational Certificate. To boot, you can buy as many individual courses as you’d like!
Gleim also offers bundle packages, like enrolled agent CE packages and ASFP courses. You can also purchase individual courses from Gleim, but rather than purchase them directly from the course page; you have to purchase the number of hours the course has and then choose the course you like.
Choosing the Right CPE Provider for Your Goals
When selecting a CPE provider, consider your professional goals, budget, and learning style. For example:
- Get bored quickly? Choose a provider with a large course catalog and a wide range of topics and learning formats.
- Get overwhelmed easily? Choose a smaller catalog with simple, straightforward courses.
- Hate video lectures? Choose a CPE subscription with self-study materials and downloadable PDF options.
- Looking to add more certifications to your resume? Choose a provider who can help you earn professional certifications while fulfilling your CPE requirements.
- Not excited about either of these options? There are plenty of providers to choose from! Check out Illumeo’s catalog of micro-certifications or Surgent’s massive number of annual live events.
Becker’s catalog and live webinars are ideal if you prefer diverse formats and specialized topics that fit into your busy schedule. For professionals needing flexible, industry-specific courses or those with state-specific ethics requirements, Becker’s options offer strong support for ongoing learning.
Alternatively, Gleim’s simpler, more affordable packages work well if you’re looking to meet CPE requirements quickly or only need a few credits. Its hourly-based model can save money for those who don’t require unlimited credit access or giant course libraries.
Final Verdict
Ultimately, though the two companies have a much tighter race when it comes to CPA exam prep courses, the race for the top CPE provider isn’t a contest.
Becker is the easy choice between the two and is my #1 overall pick as well. With Becker’s 60+ years of experience helping accounting professionals succeed, trusting them is a smart and safe bet for your continuous learning journey.
From their massive course catalog to their unlimited credit consumption, from their top-tier video lectures to their comprehensive coverage of state-specific ethics courses, you truly can’t go wrong with Becker CPE.
FAQs
Becker is the leader in course offerings, with over 700 on-demand courses and 1,000+ live webinars, while Gleim offers 61 courses and no webinars.
Becker offers ethics courses approved for all 50 states and additional jurisdictions, while Gleim’s state-specific ethics courses are limited to Florida and New York.
Gleim’s courses range from $12 to $600, while Becker’s packages are priced between $329 and $1,429, with options that cover unlimited credits for a set duration.
Both Gleim and Becker CPA courses are well-known for having comprehensive package offers to help candidates pass the actual CPA exam. Both companies also service candidates for a variety of different exams, including the CMA exam.
Gleim and Becker offer CPE courses for a wide variety of certifications, including CPA, CMA, CIA, and CISA. Becker also offers a specific Becker EA CE subscription.
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