AICPA & CIMA launches learning platform to promote upskilling 

AICPA and CIMA has unveiled a new online learning platform to help accountants and finance professionals improve their skills in a bid to close the skills gap in the industry. 

To address the need for professionals to reskill or upskill, the new system uses single-platform availability, enhanced navigation and other tools that “foster emerging technology–driven skills”. 

The association said the platform will provide access to its learning content, including its portfolio of webcasts, certificates, guides and other CPE courses as a one-stop shop. The new system offers more than 2,500 courses and webcasts.

Features of the new learning system also include:

• A full-featured mobile app for learning on the go
• A Learning Library where purchased content is categorised
• On-demand learning and webcasts available through a single platform

•       One-click launch of courses and webcasts
•       A webcast calendar used to book events quickly and track registrations
•       More than 50 languages to choose from (for the interface)

New features will be released throughout 2023, including knowledge-exchange communities and dynamic learning journeys, making the learning experience more social and collaborative by allowing learners to interact, share and discuss topics with peers and experts. 

Michael Grant, AICPA and CIMA senior director of Learning Innovation and Assessment, said: “The reimagining of our learning portfolio represented an opportunity for us to rethink, refresh and transform our approach. 

“Our new system offers dynamic learning journeys, which will allow accounting and finance professionals to address the skills they need to remain relevant using consistently updated course material.”

He added: “Addressing the rapidly growing global skills gap is an ongoing challenge faced by professionals, employers and firms throughout the accounting and finance profession. And attracting and retaining talent is also a top priority. 

“The profession at large, which has been focused on traditional accounting and finance skills, has found itself needing to complement these with new competencies in emerging fields such as data and digital literacy skills.”