Excel CPE Courses for CPAs
Self-study Excel courses from a NASBA-registered sponsor that actually make you better at your job — not just check the CPE box.
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Excel CPE Courses Available
All courses are QAS Self Study from a NASBA-registered sponsor and accepted by most state boards of accountancy. Complete them entirely online at your own pace.
Must-Know Excel Functions for CPAs
The most practical Excel course we offer. If you work in accounting and finance, these are the functions you’ll actually use every week — XLOOKUP, INDEX MATCH, IF/OR/IFERROR, financial functions (PV, PMT, NPER, FV, RATE), text functions (CONCAT, LEN, TEXTSPLIT), and database functions like DSUM and DCOUNT. Step-by-step instruction with practice exercises included.
- CPE Credits: 6 Hours
- Field of Study: Computer Software & Applications
- Level: Basic — no prerequisites required
- Delivery: QAS Self Study
Excel Charts for CPAs
Excel data only tells half the story — this course covers the other half. Learn to create, edit, and format charts that actually communicate financial information clearly. Covers combination charts, dual-axis charts, waterfall charts, funnel charts, stock charts, and how to link Excel charts directly into PowerPoint and Word so your presentations stay current automatically.
- CPE Credits: 5 Hours
- Field of Study: Computer Software & Applications
- Level: Basic — requires comfort with Excel at a basic level
- Delivery: QAS Self Study
Excel Tips, Tricks and Tools for CPAs
Already comfortable in Excel but know you’re not working as fast as you could be? This intermediate course is built for that gap. Covers navigation shortcuts, efficient data selection and movement, nested IF logic, a wide range of text functions (RIGHT, MID, LEN), and productivity techniques that add up to real time savings during close and reporting cycles.
- CPE Credits: 3 Hours
- Field of Study: Computer Software & Applications
- Level: Intermediate — assumes basic Excel familiarity
- Delivery: QAS Self Study
VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP for CPAs (Video)
A focused one-hour video course on two of the most-used lookup functions in accounting. Covers the syntax and use of both VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP side by side — including wildcards, absolute cell references, range names, and IFERROR handling. XLOOKUP was built to replace VLOOKUP, and this course shows you exactly why and how to make the switch. Excel practice files included.
- CPE Credits: 1 Hour
- Field of Study: Computer Software & Applications
- Level: Intermediate — assumes basic Excel familiarity
- Delivery: QAS Self Study (Video)
Why CPAs Choose LearnCPE for Excel CPE
- NASBA-registered sponsor — credits accepted by most state boards of accountancy
- QAS Self Study — complete on your schedule, no live sessions or scheduling required
- Practical content — built for CPAs, not general Excel learners; every topic is grounded in accounting and finance workflows
- Practice files included — follow along in the actual spreadsheets, not just slide decks
- 30-day money-back guarantee — full refund if you’re not satisfied, as long as it’s requested before the exam is completed
Do Excel Courses Count for CPE Credit?
Yes. Excel courses fall under the Computer Software & Applications field of study, which is an accepted technical CPE category by NASBA and most state boards of accountancy. These credits count toward your total CPE requirement and are reported the same way as any other technical course.
The only thing to check: a small number of states have restrictions on how many non-accounting technical credits can count toward your total, and a few states, such as Delaware, require sponsors to be approved separately by the state board. If you’re unsure, check your state’s CPE requirements page.
Looking to pair your Excel skills with AI? LearnCPE’s Claude AI CPE courses for CPAs teach you how to use Claude alongside Excel to write formulas faster, automate close workflows, and accelerate financial analysis — all while earning CPE credits in the Information Technology field of study. See the complete guide to AI CPE for CPAs for an overview of all AI CPE options, credit rules, and course recommendations by role. For the GAAP and technical accounting side, see the complete guide to Accounting CPE for CPAs, and for auditing-focused credits, see the complete guide to Audit CPE for CPAs.
FAQ
Are these Excel CPE courses NASBA-approved?
Yes. LearnCPE is registered with NASBA as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, and our Excel courses are QAS Self Study. Most state boards accept courses from NASBA-registered sponsors; a few states, such as Delaware, require separate sponsor approval, so check your state’s rules if you’re licensed there.
Which Excel course should I take first?
If you want the biggest skill impact in the shortest time, start with Must-Know Excel Functions for CPAs. It covers the core functions that show up constantly in accounting work. If you’re already solid on functions and want to level up your reporting, Excel Charts for CPAs is the next step.
Can I take multiple Excel courses to fulfill my CPE hours?
Yes. You can combine any of these courses to accumulate credits. For example, taking Must-Know Functions (6 hrs) and Excel Charts (5 hrs) gives you 11 CPE hours in the Computer Software & Applications field of study.
How long do I have to complete a course after purchasing?
You have 365 days from the date of purchase to complete the course and exam.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. A certificate is issued upon successful completion of the course exam, which you can use for your state board CPE records.
What version of Excel do these courses cover?
Courses are written for Excel 365 and Excel 2021 users. The XLOOKUP function specifically requires Excel 2021 or later (or a Microsoft 365 subscription). Users on Excel 2019 or earlier can still follow along but won’t have access to XLOOKUP.