In March 2017, the National Registry of CPE Sponsors approved its first sponsor, AHI Associates, under the Blended Learning instructional delivery method. AHI Associates has been the industry leader in engaged, hands-on learning for over 30 years. With the addition of blended learning, AHI Associates is now able to provide a flexible option for its four staff training courses: Basic, Semi-Senior, Beginning In-Charge and Supervisory.

Under AHI’s new blended model, participants earn 24 credits with only two days of in-class instruction. Participants will also take part in advanced reading and other pre-work (PowerPoint slide review, multiple choice quizzes, and online viewing of other material) to help them be better prepared while working in their small groups. Individuals, within the small groups, solve many hands-on cases that are discussed during the in-class portion of the courses. The other benefit of the blended learning model is that participants are out of the office fewer days than the traditional group-live model, which will reduce CPA firms’ staff training costs. 

AHI Associates tested the blended learning model last fall for a firm in Ohio, and found that the participants “hit the ground running” on day one. The advanced work completed by the participants significantly increased the quality of their small group contributions, as well as their understanding of key course concepts. 

AHI Associates is led by Scott Arens, CEO, and Carol Borsum, President. Scott is the son of AHI Associates’ co-founder, Alvin (Al) Arens. Al was the PwC Professor of Accounting at Michigan State University for more than 30 years, and a leader in engaged learning for CPAs, at both the academic and practitioner levels. Carol Borsum, CPA, is a former manager at Plante Moran, and she has been a discussion leader with AHI for 19 years.

The National Registry team is proud to welcome AHI Associates as its first Blended Learning Sponsor.