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These are the literature and studies that are related to our thesis

Continuing Professional Development. Professionals hold their acquired knowledge,

skill or experience as a tool to show that they can do what needs to be performed as aligned with

their profession (Freidson, 2001, as cited by Ross, 2016). That is why Khan (2012) states that all

over the world the concept of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is emerging and

developing as a dynamic educational process to improve and upgrade one’s professional

performance.

According to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Section 10, Article III of

Republic Act No. 10912, otherwise known as the “Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Act of 2016”, is an act which requires CPD as the mandatory requirement for the renewal of

Professional Identification Card. The CPD is hereby made in the renewal of PICs of all registered

and professionals under the regulation of the commission.

CPD is an important activity and also a condition of membership in many professions,

including accounting. Professional accountants have a responsibility to the public, and to

professional accountants themselves, to ensure that they continue to develop and maintain the

competence demanded by their professional roles and by the clients who use their services (Paisey,

Paisey and Tarbert 2007).

IFAC member bodies shall require professional accountants to develop and maintain

capabilities, to perform competently within their professional environments. Require all

professional accountants to undertake CPD. Establish a preferred approach to measure output-

based, input-based, or combination approaches. Facilitate access, monitor, and enforce CPD

require CPD activities that are relevant, measurable, and verifiable. (IES 7) Furthermore,
professional accountants must ensure that they keep up to date with any matters related to their

profession (Guthrie, 2004). Keeping up to date has become paramount for professional accountants

since accounting knowledge continues to develop and change rapidly (Berg, 2007)

Mendoza (2013) stated that the requirement for CPD is suitably provided in the Philippine

Accountancy Law of 2004 which mandates certified public accountants (CPAs) in public

accountancy to undergo an accreditation process. One of the primary requirements for such

accreditation is the units or credits earned from CPD. This poses a serious consideration because

of the public interest in the practice of public accountancy.

People expect what is ‘best’ rather than what is ‘right’ for a situation and for that level;

professional competence should be combined with improvisation and general oversight. As a part

of the ‘global resident we should be familiar to cope with and should be trying to contribute in

these progress and development. (Khan, 2012)

The Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), the accredited

professional accountancy organization by the Philippines Professional Regulation Commission

(PRC) and IFAC member bodies implementing an “input-based approach” (IES 7) shall require

each professional accountant to complete at least 120 hours or equivalent learning units in each

rolling three-year period, of which 60 hours or equivalent learning units shall be verifiable;

complete at least 20 hours or equivalent learning units each year; and measure learning activities

to meet the above requirements.

CPD credits can be earned in various ways. It can be gained through any or a combination

of the following: professional track (being a resource speaker, participant or facilitator in face-to-

face or online trainings conducted by accredited CPD providers); academic track (earning a
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postgraduate degree, being a professorial chair or researcher); self-directed trainings (participating

in trainings organized by non-accredited CPD providers, writing articles or technical papers); and

by undergoing other activities as approved by the CPD council, BOA and PRC. (Alejandrino,

2018)

Mendoza (2013) added that despite the mandate and campaign to disseminate the CPD

requirements, several CPAs still find it hard to comply. The Board of Accountancy (BOA) has

encountered many CPAs who are applying for practice accreditation but failed to meet the required

number of units for CPD. As a result, their practice is derailed and/or discontinued. Continuing

Professional Development (CPD) however, does not provide absolute assurance that all members

will provide high quality professional service all the time nor will every person who participates

in CPD programs and activities obtain its full benefits because of variances in personal and

professional efficacy and motivation along with the individual’s commitment and capacity to learn

(IES 7, 2006).

Taylor and Francis (2012) also argued that current policies, regulations and practices in

continuing professional development are frequently based on unexamined assumptions and

discounted functions of the complexities and contingent nature of actual practice. Nonetheless,

despite its inherent limits and constraints, CPD requirement, with its objectives and mechanisms,

is but imperative to maintaining public reliance and confidence to the professional’s credibility

and work quality.

According to the study conducted by Yap and Canceran (2017), CPD programs enhance

knowledge, strengthen technical skills and revalidate innate competencies of professionals.

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Continuing professional development activities maintains professional standards and is a way to

combat professional obsolescence. It also develops a feeling of confidence and revalidates

proficient expertise. Moreover, CPD leads to job advancement and professional competence.

Campbell et.al, (2010) cited that competency-based CPD is helpful in addressing the

limitations of current approached to CPA by virtue of its orientation around competencies that

enhance performance. CPD plays an important part in enabling professional accountants to

develop and maintain professional competence that is relevant to their role. Therefore, despite

some inherent limitations, CPD is an important element in maintaining public confidence and trust.

Based on the studies conducted by Mendoza (2013) and Tan (2016). Mendoza (2013) the

enabling factors in the pursuit of CPD among CPAs are taken in different angles. First, the

practicing CPAs undertake CPD as a matter of requirement. Second, they believe that CPD is a

personal initiative of the professional. Third, they are convinced that CPD is beneficial to them.

Tan (2016), the contribution of CPD to career advancement of CPAs can be predicted by the credit

units earned. As CPD programs, activities and sources were determined to have influence on

professional development, CPAs should capitalize on increased best practice participation and

meaningful engagements with CPD to bring about significant benefits and improvement on career

mobility and financial income and to some extent to the development of professional networks and

enhancement of personal competencies. CPD makes a credible springboard to greater

opportunities, successful career and quality life for accounting professionals.

Exploring the link between CPD and attitude of professionals, Rothwell and Herbert (2007)

suggested that attitude to CPD is associated with learning and job commitment than age, education

and experience. The professional accountants have an important place in global business setup;
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taking their technical skills into consideration, accountants need to play a versatile role in the

global economy.

Professional organizations and CPE providers must be genuinely concerned about the

people they train and develop. More than just handing information to people, they must engage in

true-to-goodness education which calls for drawing out the best in people -- “educing” what is
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latent in them, and transforming what is potential into something actual. Moreover, the training

and development policies and activities that they pursue must reflect the demands of both the local

and global markets. Doing so, they help Filipino professionals “to meet international competition”

(Udani, 2002)

It was found out on the study of Tan (2016) that there was no significant difference of the

contribution of CPD between the male and female group. The statistical variance showed that sex

has no impact over the level of CPD contribution.