Continuing Professional Development

With ever changing legislative measures, it is clearly essential that members keep up to date and also advance their skills. Article 5 of the Code of Professional Conduct refers to the necessity to remain technically competent and keep abreast of developments in specified areas of professional expertise.

For this reason, the compulsory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Scheme was introduced to the Society. This scheme is intended to be flexible to Members' circumstances, via self-certification and random audit.

This is to ensure that members maintain a high standard of professional practice and so protect the interests of their clients and the Society.

In order to help Members maintain this high standard of professional practice, the Society has comprehensive education schemes for members in England and Wales and those working in the "low tax" offshore jurisdictions.

To learn more about the specific educational programmes provided, please visit the 'Advanced Professional Development Courses' in the education section of the website.

The Difference between 'Structured' and 'Unstructured' Training

Definition of Structured Training:

• Attendance at conferences, seminars, workshops, discussion meetings or similar events involving active contributions
• Preparation of lectures or other forms of presentation
• Writing books, articles or reviews
• All learning media involving interaction with other individuals or completion of interactive printed material by an authorised provider, whether or not in conjunction with video support (including group research; listening to audio tapes; viewing videos and television programmes; using video discs and computer-based training packages)

Definition of Unstructured Training:

• Reading
• Research
• Any other form of learning where there is no interaction with other individuals. This would include the use of learning media as above where undertaken on a personal basis.

Full details of the CPD requirements can be found in the Continuing Professional Development Guidelines and CPD Record Sheet.