Free CPD for accountants, organised in one place
Hit your annual CPD hours at no cost. We've gathered the best free CPD and CPE from the professional bodies, the Big 4 and dedicated platforms — with how to access each one, and confirm whether it counts with your body.
How CPD works, in brief
- Most bodies require a set number of hours a year (e.g. ACCA = 40 units; one unit ≈ one hour).
- Part is verifiable (a course + certificate) and part non-verifiable (reading, informal sessions).
- Keep the certificate as evidence, and log your hours in your body's CPD record.
Requirements differ by body and country — always check your own body's rules.
Plan your hours
Pick your body and track your progress toward the annual target.
Plan your CPD hours
Saved in your browser only — no account, no sign-up.
Your target: 40 hrs — 40 units/year (21 verifiable)
0 of 40 hours logged — 40 to go
Earn the rest from the free sources below ↓
Free CPD sources
Disclaimer
CPD, CPE, certificates and learning hours vary by provider and professional body. We only describe CPD/CPE units, hours or certificates when the provider states them clearly; otherwise treat times as estimated learning time only. Verify eligibility with your own professional body before relying on it.
The badge on each resource is what the provider itself states. Always confirm eligibility with your professional body.
Free webinars and online courses on tax, reporting, audit, tech, ethics and leadership, plus a free CPD Conference and a free Code of Ethics course.
How to start: Open the CPD resources page on icaew.com and register free for sessions; keep the certificate as evidence.
Free webinars, on-demand learning, podcasts and technical articles that count toward your CPD.
How to start: Sign in to myACCA and open the CPD / Learning section.
CPE webinars and webcasts on accounting, audit, tax and finance topics — free options are mostly member/section-specific (e.g. the A&A Focus series), so check eligibility before assuming a session is free.
How to start: Open the CPE & Learning hub on aicpa-cima.com and filter for free/member sessions.
Free one-hour verifiable CPD courses that come with a completion certificate.
How to start: Open the Free CPD page, take a course, download the certificate.
300+ courses and 1,300+ verifiable units, recognised by 20+ professional bodies (ACCA, CPA Canada, CA ANZ and more).
How to start: Free to start, no card required; log the verifiable units with your body.
Around 12 hours of free, on-demand, verifiable accountancy CPD.
How to start: Create a free account and work through the modules.
Live webcasts on tax, audit, accounting and industry trends. Deloitte states CPE credit (US) for eligible sessions.
How to start: Register free with your email; confirm whether it counts for your own body.
Free UK tax and accounting insights and webcasts; CPD eligibility depends on your professional body.
How to start: Open the insights page; CPD/CPE is not always provider-stated, so confirm with your body.
Free EY insights and webcasts on tax, accounting and regulation.
How to start: Browse insights / webcasts; check the provider statement and your body's rules.
Free KPMG technical insights and events on accounting, tax and regulation.
How to start: Browse insights / events; confirm any CPD/CPE with your body.
45+ free IFRS modules with a certificate — solid, verifiable technical CPD.
How to start: No registration to study; add your name before the assessment for the certificate.
Official free modules (including ISSB sustainability standards) with certificates.
How to start: Create a free ifrs.org account; certificate per module.
Free QuickBooks Online training and ProAdvisor certification for accountants and bookkeepers.
How to start: Open a free ProAdvisor account and enter the training portal.
Free Xero training, webinars and advisor certification through Xero Central and Xero U.
How to start: Create a free Xero account; advisor certification needs a partner account.
Hundreds of free Sage University e-learning courses and certifications for Sage Accounting, Sage 50 and other Sage products.
How to start: Create a free Sage University login, pick your product, start learning.
University accounting and finance courses you can audit free; a verified certificate is optional.
How to start: Create a free account and choose the 'Audit' option.
Thousands of university finance/accounting courses; audit free or apply for financial aid for a certificate.
How to start: Free account; click 'Audit', or apply for financial aid.
Free Open University courses in money and business, with a free statement of participation / digital badge.
How to start: No payment; create a free account to earn the badge.
Free-to-access accounting and finance short courses; upgrade is optional for a certificate.
How to start: Join a course free; the certificate upgrade is optional.
ACCA's own free introductory courses in bookkeeping and financial accounting.
How to start: Audit the courses free; a certificate is an optional paid extra.
Free templates to download
Ready to use straight away — log your hours and organise your CPD.
General learning resource only. Confirm CPD/CPE, PER, qualification or compliance requirements with the relevant official body or adviser.
Coming soon: CPD-accredited courses from Fileminder
We're getting our US Tax course CPD-accredited, so you can earn CPD hours while learning a new, paid practical skill.
Frequently asked questions
How many CPD hours do I need a year?
It varies by body. For example, ACCA typically requires 40 units a year (21 verifiable + 19 non-verifiable), where one unit = one hour. Always check your own body's exact requirement.
Does free CPD count?
Yes — as long as it's relevant to your role and development, and you keep evidence (a certificate or record) for the verifiable hours.
What's the difference between verifiable and non-verifiable?
Verifiable: an activity you can prove you learned from (a course with a certificate). Non-verifiable: informal activities like reading articles.
Stay in the loop
A monthly update — key deadlines, figures and new free resources.
Resource links are to independent third parties not affiliated with Fileminder, and their terms and CPD eligibility may change. Always confirm details on their official sites and that your body accepts them. Last reviewed: June 2026.