RIVERWOODS, Ill. – CCH has opened the CCH Learning & Development Academy, which it says provides a big-firm approach to educating professional staff, and which will provide certifications to participants who complete courses and enable them to become part of the Academy Alumni Community, where they can discuss technical and business issues. The Academy's first offering, a School of Audit will be followed by a School of Tax planned for next year.

Molitor and his staff of seven will begin working on the School of Tax content during the spring. He also has interest in offering a School of Technology to provide instruction in areas such as virtualization and Citrix, although the technology side doesn't face the same need for Continuing Professional Education credit, which is available for audit courses.

CCH provides two programs for offering the hands-on courses. The first, designed for firms with less than five staff members, provides instructions at classes scheduled for specific cities. This Regional Multi-Client format is priced per student/program. An on-site format is recommended for those with more than five staff members as possibly being more cost-effective. A CCH team will conduct the classes on site for participating firms.

Courses are offered in two- to four-day sessions for four staff levels ranging from first-year staff to seniors and higher. Molitor says the on-site option would be advisable if a firm had, for example, 15 staff members who are being promoted to senior level at the same time.

Courses utilize real-life workflow exercises in which students handle tasks, processes, issues and concerns that are similar to those in everyday business. Topics include audit, sampling, understanding the risk assessment standards and understanding and testing internal controls; software skills such as building worksheets with CCH ProSystem fx Engagement; and professional skills such as expectations of an accounting professional, proper written and verbal communication, and how to efficiently work with staff, managers, partners and clients.

For more information on the CCH Learning & Development Academy, visit www.tax.cchgroup.com/academy or call 1-800-PFX-9998 (1-800-739- 9998), option 1, option 2.