Webcast Frequently Asked Questions
Is my computer able to handle an Education Foundation Webcast?
While our webcasts will work on most systems, some minimum standards are required:
• Windows (XP, Vista, 2000, 2003) or Mac (OSX 10.2 or higher) operating system
• Browsers: Internet Explorer v5.0; Firefox v1.5; Safari v1.1 or higher
• Adobe Flash Player version 8 or higher (version 9 in spring 2008)
• Phone line to dial into teleconference number. VoIP is available, but teleconferencing is recommended.
• A monitor with minimum resolution 800 x 600 (1024 x 768 or higher recommended)
• 600 MHz Intel Pentium III processor or equivalent
• 256 MB of RAM
If you are unsure about the requirements, click here to test your system.
You might also want to view a sample webcast prior to logging in to the one you paid for.
How do I register myself for a Webcast?
Once you’ve selected a webcast, click on the link to the registration page and click “add to cart.”
If you are a first-time Education Foundation or CalCPA customer, you will be asked to create an account. If you are a CalCPA member or have purchased Education Foundation products in the past, simply sign in to the secure area with your username and password, enter your payment information, and you will be registered for the webcast event.
How do I register a group?
Two or more participants at the same location viewing the webcast through one internet connection (e.g., through a projector in a conference room) can register at a discounted, group rate.
Add the event to your cart, then click “modify Registrants” to add members of your firm to your purchase. To change an individual registration into a group registration, call customer services at (800) 922-5272. The cutoff for any group registration is two days prior to the webcast.
The person who registers the group for the webcast will be identified as the “group administrator.” The group administrator is responsible for verifying and documenting attendance of the group participants for purposes of awarding CPE.
Will you contact me prior to the event?
Yes, immediately after registering, you will receive a confirmation email with all the details including a link to download any materials that may accompany the webcast (not all webcasts have ancillary materials).
If materials are not available at the time you register, you will receive an e-mail when they become available.
You also will receive a confirmation e-mail three days prior to the event.
How do I view the webcast?
You’ve got two choices:
1. From the Manage Your Account page, click on “My Upcoming CPE”. Scroll down to “Live Webcasts” and click the “Join Webcast” button. It will be active up to 30 minutes prior to the webcast. You may need to refresh the page by pressing Ctrl and F5. Once you click the "Join" link, you will sign in to the Webcast room.
2. All e-mail correspondence related to the webcast will contain a URL (website address). Simply click on that URL to request entry into the virtual meeting space.
How do I get the materials associated with a webcast?
You will receive an email when the webcast materials are available for download. Simply follow the links in the e-mail, or go to “Manage Your Account” page, log in to the secure area, click on “My Scheduled CPE” and scroll down to "Webcasts" section. You will see a "Materials" link under Tools column. Click on the "Materials" link, which will open a browser window that will allow you to click on the document link(s) to download the material(s).
How do I cancel my registration?
To cancel your registration, call Customer Service (800) 922-5272 (a cancellation fee may apply).
How do I improve the sound quality of the webcast?
Using the teleconference option is recommended and often provides the best quality.
It can be more convenient to use VoIP (Voice Over IP) to listen to the webcast through your computer’s sound system, but be sure that your internet connection is fast enough to accommodate VoIP. You must have DSL or LAN speed. If you are unsure about your connection, click here to test your system.
For best VoIP results close any programs that will compete for bandwidth and compromise the sound and picture quality. These include browser windows, e-mail applications, instant messaging and other communication programs like MSN Messenger and Skype.
A colored bar appears at the top right portion of the meeting room window. A green bar implies a strong internet connection; amber indicates a less than optimal connection. This could be caused by others sharing your internet connection. Check with your IT provider about how to get more bandwidth to your computer if necessary.
How do I ask questions to the instructor?
Use the box, titled "Type your question in small box (Q & A)" underneath the video image of the instructor. Type your question into the box next to the word “Question” and click “Enter.”
How do I earn CPE credits?
CPE is offered for most Education Foundation webcasts.
The California Board of Accountancy requires two randomly timed attendance verifiers per half hour. The Education Foundation uses polling questions. You must respond to 75 percent of the polling questions to receive credit.
If viewing the webcast as part of a group, one member of the group is required to answer the polling question, but attendance of group members is verified and documented by the group attendance form.
How do I answer to the attendance verification questions?
Twice every half hour, you will be required to respond to a polling question that appears in the lower left corner of the screen. You needn’t answer the question correctly; you only need demonstrate that you are still participating in the webcast. Simply click on one of the answers.
Can we have more participants in our group than what was initially paid for?
Any number of participants can view the webcast, provided that their attendance is paid for prior to the awarding of CPE.
Can we change our group administrator the day of the webcast?
Yes. Keep in mind that the group administrator is the one who has been receiving the e-mails and is the one who logs in to the “Manage Your Account” page for the purposes of joining the webcast. Whoever serves as group administrator on the day of the webcast must be given access to that secure web page by the person who originally signed up as administrator.
The person who serves as administrator on the day of the event is responsible for completing the attendance verification form for the group.
How do I submit my feedback?
Individual participants will receive an evaluation email once the webcast is finished. Click on the link in the evaluation email, and fill out the form for your feedback to be submitted.
Group participants can submit their evaluations once the group administrator submits the group attendance form. They will receive an evaluation email to the email address entered in the group attendance form.
Are webcasts archived?
Barring technical problems, most Education Foundation webcasts are recorded and those unedited recordings are available for purchase. Because attendance cannot be verified, there is no CPE available for viewing a recorded webcast.
