Frequently Asked Questions — Self-Study

• Does the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy accept courses from Western CPE? If so, why isn’t Western CPE listed as an approved provider on the board’s website?
• I am under deadline and need my CPE now! How can you help me?
• Are exams required for OnDemand Webcasts?
• How much do extra exams cost?
• Do you offer a group discount for self-study?
• How long do I have to complete my exam for CPE credit?
• I’m ready to take my exam and have it graded for CPE credit. What do I need to do?
• I haven’t received a password from Western CPE; how do I access your online courses and exams?
• I’m trying to take an online exam and I’m getting an error message stating I haven’t purchased the course. What’s going on?
• Do I have to be online to take online courses or can I save them to my hard drive?
• Why does some information on your Web site not match what’s in my catalog?
• How do you ship your orders?
• I won't be home to sign for my package when it arrives. What should I do?
• What should I do when I receive my order?
• I only received a spiral-bound study guide. Am I missing the book that goes with it?
• What if I received the wrong book?
• I ordered a computer course but it doesn’t include the software. Should it?
• How does “Free CPE and pilot testing” work?
• I have some questions about your self-study policies. Who do I contact?

Does the New Jersey State Board of Accountancy accept courses from Western CPE? If so, why isn’t Western CPE listed as an approved provider on the board’s website?
The New Jersey State Board of Accountancy only lists non-NASBA-approved providers on its website. NASBA-approved providers are considered automatically accepted. However, our Webcast courses are not accepted.
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I am under deadline and need my CPE now! How can you help me?

If you need CPE right away, we offer over 211 online courses that can be downloaded after purchase through our online ordering system. You can receive your test results and certificate of completion immediately upon completing a course through our online grading system. We also offer a large selection of courses that can be shipped out via UPS express service for a fee. You can view which courses are in stock for immediate shipment and order online, which helps expedite your order.

Are exams required for OnDemand Webcasts?
Yes. OnDemand Webcasts are self-study courses that require exams.
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How much do extra exams cost?
Extra exam pricing: $4 per credit

* Extra exams are not available for courses smaller than 8 CPE credits or most OnDemand Webcasts.
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Do you offer a group discount for self-study?

How long do I have to complete my exam for CPE credit?

As a QAS-approved sponsor of CPE, Western CPE holds the highest accreditation possible for a sponsor of continuing education for accountants. NASBA and AICPA rules state that you have up to 1 entire year from the date of purchase to complete your exam.

I’m ready to take my exam and have it graded for CPE credit. What do I need to do?

Receiving your certificate of completion is fast and easy using our online testing and grading system. Just click on “Self-Study” then click on “Online Exams & Grading” and follow the instructions.

After your exam has been graded, you’ll receive a certificate of completion immediately. Our system will save your progress so you don’t have to complete an exam in one sitting. Faxed and mailed-in exams will be graded within 1 business day of receipt. Your certificate of completion and results will be e-mailed to you if you write your e-mail address on the top of your answer sheet. If you want them faxed, please provide your fax number; otherwise, they’ll be mailed to you, which can take up to 10 business days.

I haven’t received a password from Western CPE; how do I access your online courses and exams?

Western CPE does not send you a password. To access an online course or online exam, enter your e-mail address and then create a password. Don’t worry—if you forget your password, simply click on the “Forgot Password” link and you’ll receive your password via e-mail. Once you’re logged in, you’ll be taken to your “My Account” page. Click on “Order History” and proceed through the process to access your course and exam.

I’m trying to take an online exam and I’m getting an error message stating I haven’t purchased the course. What’s going on?

If you’re completing an extra exam that someone else purchased for you, you must first log in to the online grading system with your own user ID (your e-mail address) and password. When it states that you haven’t purchased the course and prompts you to enter a different user name, simply enter the name or e-mail of the person who purchased the test for you. (You have 1 year from date of purchase to complete the exam.) If you don’t initially log in with your own login name and password, you’ll be locked out of the system. Any exams for that specific course must then be faxed or mailed to us for grading.

Do I have to be online to take online courses or can I save them to my hard drive?

If you click to download one of our online courses, it will open in another browser window. (If you’re having trouble accessing online courses, you must disable any pop-up blockers.) Once it loads, go to the “File” menu and then choose “Save As” to save a copy to your hard drive, or click on the floppy disc icon.

Why does some information on your Web site not match what’s in my catalog?

Normally, we mail 3–4 catalogs per year. In between catalogs, we update our Web site daily with new information and course offerings; therefore, the Web site is the best source for up-to-date information. Policies, pricing, etc., on the Web site supersede information printed in our catalogs. If you’d like to request a current catalog, simply click on the “Request Catalog” link at the top of our home page.

How do you ship your orders?

Unless expedited shipping* is requested, Western CPE ships all self-study courses UPS ground. Orders received by 2:00 p.m. mountain time Monday through Friday will ship the same day. Ground orders may take up to 7 business days to arrive (adverse weather may cause delays). UPS will not deliver to post office boxes; therefore, a physical address is required. 

If you haven’t received your order in 7 business days, please call our office at (800) 822-4194 weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. mountain time.

* Western CPE ships back orders UPS ground regardless of shipping method requested at the time of initial order. Back order arrival dates are estimates only and are not guaranteed. If you’re facing time constraints due to an impending CPE deadline, please consider a self-study course that’s in stock.

I won't be home to sign for my package when it arrives. What should I do?

If you know you’re not going to be home when the package is scheduled to be delivered, it’s a good idea to have the package shipped to your business address instead where someone can sign for the package. If you have the order shipped to your residential address, the driver will leave it on the doorstep.

What should I do when I receive my order?

It’s important that you inspect your package as soon as you receive it. An invoice is included with every shipment, so you can easily double-check what you have ordered and received. We have a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you’d like to make an exchange or return an item you must call us within 30 days of placing your order. (The 30-day guarantee also applies to back ordered shipments and begins on the date that you receive your back ordered course.) If 10 business days have passed and you haven’t received your package, please call us so we can resolve any issues. 

I only received a spiral-bound study guide. Am I missing the book that goes with it?

Some courses include a textbook and a study guide, while other courses contain the reading material, review questions, and final exam in a single spiral-bound study guide. The catalog and Web site both describe the course materials you’ll receive when you place your order. Please open your package as soon as it arrives and inspect your order.

What if I received the wrong book?

If you have any problems with your package or questions about course materials that were shipped, please call us at (800) 822-4194 and ask for Lacy.

I ordered a computer course but it doesn’t include the software. Should it?

None of the computer courses that we offer include the program software, i.e., Excel, Access, etc., although some courses include CDs and/or Internet access to practice files. The catalog and Web site both describe what types of materials are included in each course.

How does “Free CPE and pilot testing” work?

Our pilot testing program allows licensed CPAs to receive free self-study in exchange for feedback on course content. Pilot testers also assist us in determining how many CPE credits to assign a course, and they keep track of the amount of time it takes them to complete a course—including taking the final exam. Since the course (and CPE credits) are provided to pilot testers free of charge, we do request that the textbook be returned to us upon the completion of the course. For more information or to see which courses are currently available for pilot testing, please send an e-mail to: pilot@westerncpe.com. 

I have some questions about your self-study policies. Who do I contact?
For information regarding administrative policies, such as refunds, cancellations, and complaints, please contact customer service at (800) 822-4194.

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