For On-Demand/Self Study or Asynchronous Classes

Full refunds for on-demand/self-study classes are available within 30 days after the date of purchase as long as the learner has not completed more than 50% of the class and no CPE credit has been granted.  Cognificent Learning will not issue refunds for classes where the learner has earned CPE credit.  Please email events@cognificent.org  with your refund request.

For Live Conferences or Webinars (Live or Live Replays)

Receive a full refund if you cancel at least 72 hours prior to the event start date and time. Receive credit for the amount paid towards a future event if you cancel less than 72 hours prior to the event start time and date but before the start time of the event.  Email events@cognificent.org  with your request.

Cancellation of a program by Cognificent Learning

Cognificent Learning and our partners reserve the right to cancel any event due to unforeseen circumstances. Cognificent Learning reserves the right to substitute speakers in the case of instructor illness or unavailability. Every effort will be made to notify registrants immediately of canceled programs. Canceled events are rescheduled or a full refund is given.

*Events not sold through Cognificent Learning may have different refund policies, which will be clearly outlined in the promotional materials for the event.

Cognificent Learning wishes for every learner to be completely satisfied.  If you are not satisfied and wish to file a complaint, we want to hear from you.  Please contact us at events@cognificent.org  within 10 business days of a live event or within 10 days of beginning a self-study class with information identifying the class and any pertinent details.

Cognificent Learning is registered with NASBA under sponsor #121624

Record Retention Policy:

In accordance with Standard No. 24, the following documentation for each Group Live program shall be maintained for a period not less than 5 years:

• Records of participation
• Dates and locations of program offerings
• Author/instructor, author/developer, and reviewer names and credentials (including the state of licensure, CPA license number, and status of license)
• Number of CPE credits earned by participants
• Results of program evaluations
• Program descriptive materials, including course announcement information, program agenda and handouts, and speaker notes if applicable.

Refund Policy: *Please see refund and cancellation policies above*

Complaint Resolution Policy: *Please see complaint resolution policy above*

Course Update Policy:

In accordance with Standard No. 4, course materials will contain the most recent publication, revision, or review date. Courses will be revised as soon as feasible following changes to relative codes, laws, rulings, decisions, interpretations, etc. All learning content will be developed by individuals having expertise in the subject matter. Courses in subjects that undergo frequent changes will be reviewed by a subject matter expert at least once a year. Other courses will be reviewed every 2 years.

Attendance Monitoring Procedures:

For group live events, instructors will inform class participants that attendance will be monitored per NASBA requirements to ensure the correct number of CPE credits are assigned to each participant. The instructor will require participants to sign in and record the time at the start of the program and directly following lunch break. The instructor or other designated support person will also oversee the maintenance of an “exception log” noting when an individual misses more than 10 minutes of the seminar. In instances where class size is large, the instructor will solicit the assistance of an event coordinator to accurately monitor attendance. Cognificent Learning will maintain electronic copies of sign-in sheets and exception logs for a period not less than five years.

For group internet-based webinars, attendance and participation will be monitored electronically via the webinar platform’s built-in reporting tools. The name and email address of each training participant, as well as the time they entered the meeting and the time they left it, will be documented. Additionally, the electronic monitoring mechanism will employ at least three instances of interactivity (i.e. poll questions) completed by the participant per CPE credit. These mechanisms will be of sufficient frequency and lack predictability. The participants’ responses to such interactive elements will be recorded electronically by the webinar platform. All records will be maintained for a period not less than five years.

Program Content and Knowledge Level:

In accordance with Standard No. 2 and No. 3, Cognificent Learning will publish promotional material specific to each program instance, which will clearly articulate the program content and level so that participants can accurately assess whether the program is appropriate for their development needs. Program knowledge levels will consist of: basic, intermediate, advanced, overview, and update. All programs identified as intermediate, advanced, or update will clearly identify prerequisite education, experience, and/or advance preparation if any. Similarly, for courses with the program knowledge of basic and overview, prerequisite education, experience, and/or advanced preparation will also be noted or specifically marked as “none” in course descriptive materials.

Promotional material will be distributed to the event coordinator via email prior to the event. For Group Internet-Based webinars purchased through an online platform, promotional material is prominently displayed online prior to course registration.

Content and Delivery Systems:

All learning programs will be developed by individuals having expertise in the subject matter. Expertise will be demonstrated through practical experience and/or education. In accordance with Standard No. 4, course materials will contain the most recent publication, revision, or review date. Courses will be revised as soon as feasible following changes to relative codes, laws, rulings, decisions, interpretations, etc. All learning content will be developed by individuals having expertise in the subject matter. Courses in subjects that undergo frequent changes will be reviewed by a subject matter expert at least once a year. Other courses will be reviewed every 2 years.

Content is Developed by a Subject Matter Expert:

All learning programs will be developed by individuals having expertise in the subject matter. Expertise will be demonstrated through practical experience and/or education. In accordance with Standard No. 5, at least one active licensed CPA will participate in the development of every program in accounting and auditing (and all other fields of study). At Cognificent Learning, a subject matter expert will be engaged in the development of each program.

Programs will be reviewed by qualified persons other than those who developed them. These reviews will occur before the first presentation of these materials and again after each significant revision of the program. A Technical Review Template will document each review and will be maintained for each program along with the reviewer’s professional biography for a period not less than 5 years.

Content is Based on Relevant Learning Objectives:

All programs will contain relevant learning objectives and outcomes that clearly articulate the knowledge, skills, and abilities that can be achieved by the participants. These objectives will be clearly articulated in course-specific promotional materials distributed prior to each instance of the program, thus allowing participants to accurately assess whether their specific development needs will be met.

The website of Cognificent Learning is intended as a  benefit for users and members with the purpose of providing learning opportunities, useful groups and forums,  communicating information and promoting services and activities of value to those users and members.

Copyright and other intellectual property laws protect all content on the Cognificent Learning website. The content is owned by Cognificent Learning, Toby Groves, Ph.D. Inc., the individual class instructors, official affiliates of Cognificent Learning, or third party licensors. Users of our website are prohibited from modifying, copying, distributing or otherwise using website content for commercial or public purposes unless expressly permitted by Cognificent Learning. To request permission, contact events@tobygroves.com or call 513-878-6695.

While our goal is to provide timely and accurate information, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information. Content is on the website on an “as is” basis, and Cognificent Learning does not make any warranties or guarantees whatsoever. Cognificent Learning specifically and expressly disclaims any liability, whether based in contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise, for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or punitive damages arising out of, or in any way connected with 1) access to or the use or operation of the Cognificent Learning website or of any linked website, or 2) the content, materials or services included on the website or of any linked website, even if we are made aware of the possibility of such damages.

Any links to third-party websites are provided as a convenience to Cognificent Learning website visitors. A link to any separate and independent website does not mean Cognificent Learning endorses or is responsible for that site. Any reference to a product, service, publication or website does not imply endorsement by Cognificent Learning, its officers, members or staff.

Staff occasionally monitor online member forums and group discussions. However, Cognificent Learning is not responsible for content, discussions or opinions expressed by participants.

Personal information is stored in a secure location that is accessible only by designated staff. We make reasonable efforts to protect your personal information from loss, misuse, unauthorized access or disclosure, alteration or destruction. In addition, we use a secure server to protect the safety and security of transactions over the Internet involving personal information.

Cognificent Learning has adopted the following information management guidelines, which are based on our existing policies for protecting members’ privacy. These guidelines will occasionally change as our online business model continues to evolve.

Account information

When ordering, subscribing or registering for a product (including course, educational programs, groups, special services, listserves and other interactive forums) on the Cognificent Learning website, you may be asked to provide some or all of the following information:

• Name
• Mailing address
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Professional ID license numbers
• Dates of license approval or other relevant dates
• Group information

Cognificent Learning does not release email addresses to any third party, with the exceptions of:

• Authorized Cognificent Learning partners who have been engaged as instructors, educational design experts, or event partners.
• Authorized Cognificent Learning affiliates who have been engaged or endorsed by Cognificent Learning to provide specific member benefits.

Accessing your account

Cognificent Learning members may select and change their usernames and passwords.

When logging in, if you choose to select the box “Remember me on this computer,” a cookie will be stored on your computer. Each time you visit the Cognificent Learning website, the cookie will be used to automatically log you into your account. Cognificent Learning does not track any other information with this cookie. If you no longer wish to use the “Remember me” function, simply click on the “Log out” button and the cookie will be removed.

When you select the “Remember me” option on a particular computer, other users of that computer will be able to access your account without logging in. We therefore urge you not to select the “Remember me” option on public computers, such as those at libraries. You should also use the “Log out” button after each session on such computers.

Mailing lists

Cognificent Learning will remove any user’s name (and his or her personal information) from any mailing list, web page or online forum upon request.  Be aware that removing your name from any mailing list may eliminate important notifications related to your classes or CPE and cause the information to be unavailable in the future should you need it.  To request that your name be removed from any listing, please contact events@tobygroves.com .

CPE Log

CPE Log information is occasionally analyzed by internal Cognificent Learning staff for market research. When course data is analyzed, the information is aggregated and personal identifiers are removed. This information is used to improve CPE offerings for Cognificent Learning members.

Cognificent Learning online member communities

Cognificent Learning provides online communities and other interactive forums for members. Cognificent Learning provides suggested guidelines for appropriate and acceptable behavior on these electronic forums, and asks each participant to follow these guidelines. While staff occasionally monitors these interactive forums and deletes postings that violate usage guidelines,Cognificent Learning is not responsible for content submitted by participants.

Photo release

This paragraph applies to in-person events and live internet-based events and not to on-demand learning activities.  Cognificent Learning or its contractors may record, photograph or videotape Cognificent Learning events. Attendees agree to allow their image to be used in Cognificent Learning publications, on the Cognificent Learning Web site and marketing materials. Images may also be shared with the media. Attendance at live (in-person or internet based) Cognificent Learning events waives the Cognificent Learning from liability resulting from these uses.  

Firm administrator accounts

Firm administrator accounts allow a company or firm to access and manage select Cognificent Learning account information of its employees, both members and non-members. Firm administrators can make or cancel CPE registrations, make CPE and dues payments, add in-house CPE credits to member CPE Logs and print CPE transcripts. They can update the following information: Contact information, email address, position, status, and home address.

Firm administrator accounts are granted by written request to firm administrators, CPE managers, office managers, and others who manage a firm, company’s or association’s CPE. All firm administrator account requests are verified by Cognificent Learning staff.

Transaction security

Transactions made on the Cognificent Learning website using a credit card are secure.

Cognificent Learning is not responsible for content or policies that may be associated with any website or online company to which Cognificent Learning may be linked.

Third party cookies

Cognificent Learning allows third parties to place cookies via our web site for the purposes of interest-based advertising and measuring ad campaign results. This Online Privacy Statement does not cover the collection methods or use of the information collected by these vendors. These vendors have their own privacy policies and are members of the Network Advertising Initiative (“NAI”). To remove yourself from some or all NAI member advertising programs, please visit the NAI Opt-Out Page and follow the relevant instructions. Please note that if you delete, block, or otherwise restrict cookies, or if you use a different computer or Internet browser, you may need to renew your opt-out choice.