Unlike a traditional financial audit objective (Are the financial statements materially misstated), performance auditing can address a wide variety of objectives.  Is this program working? Can it be improved? Where can we save money? How can we operate more efficiently and effectively? Are management’s assertions supported? And so forth.  This session will explain what a performance audit is, describe the applicable standards, and provide examples that indicate the value of a performance audit.  Performance audits can add value to any entity and practitioners can profit from adding these assurance services to their practices.

Many people, when they hear about feedbcak in organizations and the workplace, think immediately of performance reviews. But feedback should not be isolated to these formal structures. This workshop is about the more informal methods of feedback that managers and coworkers can use to have more productive conversations that drive behavioral change. Through understanding the importance of dialogue, strategic questions to drive conversation, and mistakes to avoid, you'll be able to have more productive feedback conversations in your workplace (and maybe even at home, too).

This is a 2 hour webcast that will focus on the similarities between all three of these GASB accounting standards that deal with contractual arrangements such as leases, Subscription-Based Information Technology Arrangements (SBITA) and P3s.  Compare and contrast these standards as you prepare for implementation this year of GASB 94 and GASB 96, and review the implementation efforts of Leases in Year 2. 

Social media has become a ubiquitous phenomenon in our business world. However, just because it exists is not a good reason to use it. This workshop is designed to give you an overview of the social media landscape to help you decide if you want to engage with and on social media and, if so, what channel(s) are most strategic for you and your business. The workshop ends with a simple framework to help you use social media as a credibility strategy for your business, giving you a strategy for creating a year's worth of social media content in a single day.

In this comprehensive course, practitioners gain a deep understanding of strategic planning considerations and potential hurdles encountered when clients face difficult circumstances. Delving into an array of scenarios often classified as "challenging," the course offers tax insights. From divorce and personal bankruptcy to intricate personal relationship matters, participants will equip themselves to adeptly guide clients through these challenging scenarios by understanding the tax implications.

• Understand the current changes to the rules and regulations associated with 401(k) plans
• Identify best practices associated with engagement performance
• Understand the risks associated with a benefit plan audit engagement
• Avoid common mistakes noted during peer reviews

• Key requirements of recently issued SASs
• Changes affecting 401(k) plans
• Audit strategy and improving overall efficiency
• Common mistakes as noted in peer reviews and DOL inspections

• Understand the importance of project management in parts of the financial function
• See how project management can help an individual executive better organize the department
• Review different types of project management and see which one or ones might be best for the department and organization
• Explore some of the project management software suited for the small to medium size enterprise

• Contrasting project management with operations management
• Reviewing organizational culture and how it applies to project management
• The various types of project management including Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, Critical path, and others
• Looking at risk management software and its application in different types of project management
• Managing and leading project management stakeholders

Protecting yourself from ransomware requires more than just anti-virus software. Additional technology protections are necessary. Further, business continuity, legal and regulatory, and cybersecurity insurance considerations should all be a part of your risk abatement strategy. Attend this session to determine if your current level of ransomware protection reduces your risk to an acceptable and identify ways to ensure that you are protected.

Discover the real-world power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and equip yourself with the skills to conquer modern challenges in accounting and finance. In this engaging course, we demystify AI and unveil its practical applications, transforming it from theory into a hands-on tool. Learn the essential AI fundamentals and unlock its remarkable potential to boost your productivity and effectiveness alongside your team.

Explore the specific problem-solving capabilities of AI, tailored to address the unique challenges faced by accounting and financial professionals. Gain expertise in leveraging AI features integrated into everyday applications, including the ubiquitous Excel. Uncover how these features enable you to effortlessly detect fraud, identify potential transaction errors, and elevate your financial operations to new heights. Witness firsthand how AI is reshaping the present and future of your profession, positioning you at the forefront of this revolutionary wave.

Leaders naturally wield power and influence. But, to avoid the temptation of abusing power, leaders must apply ethical behaviors for themselves and others. Words,
actions and deeds which demonstrate integrity and trust yield the credibility that make others want to follow ethical leaders. Betraying trust can destroy careers, whole
organizations, and lives. This is why trust is a top prerequisite for principled and ethical leadership. Positive (and negative) influence is derived from the credibility trust brings.

Ethical leaders who continually work to earn and keep trust reap enormous payback in all aspects of business including superior economic, competitive, and strategic performance.

Organizations that use primitive costing methods make predictable mistakes. They allocate too much cost to easy, high-volume "gravy" products and too little cost to difficult, low-volume "dog" products. This puts the organization with inferior information at a significant disadvantage against a competitor who has a better cost model. The secret to having a great cost model is learning how to deal with overhead.
This webinar will show you how to assign 16 key categories of overhead. Whether you work in a wholesale, retail, health care, service or manufacturing business. This session will give you important insights into how to handle overhead. If you get your costing right, you will be able to give the "dogs" to your competitors and keep the "gravy" for yourself.

What exactly is cryptocurrency and its cousin named blockchain? Are they here to stay? This session will provide a big picture examination of the technologies and currencies by explaining how we got here. We discuss the systems and technical aspects of cryptocurrencies and blockchain. What is the broad view of the technologies that currently do, and will continue to, impact our workplace and lives?

This webinar aims to provide HR professionals with a comprehensive understanding of mental illness and depression under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It will cover key aspects of the law, provide practical advice, and address common challenges.

In this course, you'll learn why being able to do public speaking well is a major advantage in becoming successful in your career.  You'll learn how to write a good talk, how to present it well, and how to use your new found ability to get more clients and/or a promotion. In addition, you'll learn how to overcome your nervousness, and how to overcome stress in less than a minute.

Collaboration is more important now than ever. In this session, you will learn how to take advantage of today’s collaboration tools to improve accuracy, customer/client service, and organizational efficiency.

By the nature of our work and training, financial professionals have more personal finance knowledge than the general population. However, sometimes we spend so much time planning our company's future that we neglect or defer taking steps to build our own personal net worth.

If you are dissatisfied about the speed that you are accumulating savings, this session will help put you on the right track. Even if you are meeting your goals, this session will provide insights and ideas which will add to and reinforce what you may already be doing.

• Be able to set up an in-cell drop down
• Discover the function that enables us to change formulas depending on the budget method
• Name cells and ranges

• Set up an in-cell drop-down list of budget methods 
• Change the calculations in the cells based on the selected budget method 
• Use names in worksheets

• State how debt allocations affect the calculation of a partner’s basis in the partnership
• Recognize how recourse and nonrecourse debt are allocated to partners
• Identify the tax effects of 704(c) on contributed property

• Recourse debt allocations
• Constructive liquidation scenarios
• Nonrecourse debt allocations
• Minimum gains and nonrecourse deductions
• Section 704(c) gains
• Allocations under 704(c)

We believe in fairness. When others do wrong, and their action hurts us - the natural reaction is to fight back and seek retribution. Simple human nature and we are all human. We want fairness and want to fight back, but this is one of the toughest ethical dilemmas we all face.  What should we do and what we do are not always the same. What if being nice, or specifically being a positive best version of yourself, makes you a more effective leader?   Ethical leadership is effective leadership.  That’s what Dr. Cohen, noted psychologist, transformational speaker, executive coach, and author of Be The Sun, Not The Salt, has been teaching organizations to do for years. Dr. Cohen’s work is based on scientific studies of human behavior broken down into simple, easily digestible pillars structured around the Heliotropic Effect.  In this webcast we will discuss Dr. Cohen’s path to this work, what the Heliotropic Effect is, and how Be The Sun, Not The Salt is the perfect reminder to Do More of That every day.

Governmental Accounting 101, is a 2 hour webcast that takes the participant of a whirlwind tour of governmental accounting basics, focusing on wetting the participant’s appetite for more.  This session will be the first of a series of webcasts, with each subsequent webcast delving deeper and deeper into the governmental accounting basics. 

In today's world, AI hype bombards us from every direction. Every system seems to boast magical AI capabilities, leading to confusion and overwhelming information. This course cuts through the noise to reveal the true, practical applications of AI for your business today. Our goal is to give you real world examples of using AI on a day-to-day basis, with a clear understanding of its particular strengths and limitations.

Over the next decade, the area of “Advisory Services” has the greatest potential for growth in your practice.  Complexities within your clients’ financial, estate, and asset protection plans coupled with the ever-changing Internal Revenue Code has created an opportunity for the CPA, the EA, and other advisors to expand their client offerings. This course provides the practitioner with the framework for practice expansion as well as an understanding of a variety of necessary issues and techniques.

According to the FBI, “white-collar crime is … synonymous with the full range of frauds committed by business and government professionals … characterized by deceit, concealment, or violation of trust …. The motivation behind these crimes is financial—to obtain or avoid losing money, property, or services or to secure a personal or business advantage.”  CPAs can and should play a crucial role in preventing and detecting white-collar crime, as well as in prosecuting the perpetrators.  This session will explore whether we are up to this challenge, heighten awareness regarding the CPA’s role as a front-line defender of the public interest, and assess whether we are deserving of the public trust we enjoy.

You spent your life building retirement savings.  Now you want to make sure your savings last the rest of your life and perhaps pass some on to the next generation.  Come hear a veteran financial educator talk about money management and planning issues for this phase of your life.  

If sales increase, so should profits.  Yet, the opposite result often leaves executives scratching their heads.  When organizations work with inferior cost information, they make mistakes in four specific situations.  Bad information causes sellers to overprice easy, high-volume work and underprice difficult, low-volume work. 

This session discusses how to use activity-based costing data to build accurate costing models that consider far more than just the labor and materials necessary to provide goods and services.  

Being neuro-inclusive is not only kind, but can also help your team get the right things done in less time. This course will be about what neurodiversity is, give an overview of brain science, and show you tactical tips and techniques you can use to help your company get more of the right things done in less time with a strategy designed with more brains in mind. 

It is easy for us to get caught up in our work, but it is better to examine the ‘big picture’ by studying the outside factors that impact our business beyond our internal processes and day to day responsibilities. We are sometimes so busy with our tasks that we miss new developments until the developments have a profound impact on us and the organization. This session is designed to review many of these current trends, while thinking and discussing how these trends can impact our organizations and us. This is a fun and lively session that is intended to be interactive with participants either live, virtual or both. Our ever-changing world is evolving more than many realize.

Good people believe everyone else is just like them. They cannot imagine someone could con them or their company and have no guilt or remorse about what they have done. Lack of guilt and empathy are key traits of a psychopath. Most of us envision psychopaths to be cold-blooded serial killers who are locked away in prison. However, experts estimate that 4% of corporate executives are psychopaths who may initially appear to be more normal than the rest of us. Psychopaths may present a convincing picture of virtue while helping themselves to money, status and sex while leaving a path of shattered expectations, empty wallets, and broken hearts in their wake. Learn how to recognize and deal with others who have no conscience. 

Artificial Intelligence ("AI") can do and does amazing things, but there are myriad ethical issues involved with AI. We will discuss the many ethical questions that AI raises and how to prevent them from having an adverse impact. We must be more diligent and aware of the ethical issues.  AI has severe ethical pitfalls that we should understand clearly. AI is here to stay and we must understand how to mitigate the ethical issues.     

As a small business owner or manager, navigating the complexities of HR can be challenging, but it's crucial for your company's success. This comprehensive webinar will provide you with practical, informative, and encouraging tips to help you build a strong HR foundation for your small business.

From recruitment strategies to employee retention, legal compliance to company culture, we'll cover all the essential aspects of HR that will contribute to your business's growth. Let's create a thriving workplace where both your business and your employees can flourish.

When you're working with clients, it's not always smooth sailing (though we wish it was). Often we need to have difficult conversations. Whether it's to overcome objections, negotiate a new contract, or manage a conflict, these conversations can be navigated successfully with the right tools. This workshop gives you those tools and an understanding how how the human mind works when it comes to processing communication in difficult situations.

Audit Risk Assessment in Plain English, is a 2 hour webcast highlighting the AICPA’s clarified risk assessment standards, along with a new Statement on Auditing Standard (SAS 145) related to understanding the entity, the entity’s environment, the entity’s internal controls, and assessing the risks of material misstatement.  This session will attempt to simplify the requirements using common sense examples and language.

The COVID pandemic changed the way many people worked, yet others have had remote teams for decades and little changed.  Many organizations trying to bring people back to the office have experienced significant turnover.  Some practices have changed forever while some principles will always remain the same.  Keeping your people happy equals keeping your best people.  Learn the changes you should make now and the things you should do forever!

OneNote is a fantastic application included in your Microsoft 365 subscription. Yet, it is underutilized and misunderstood most of the time. If you genuinely want to change how you work, embrace OneNote. Stop using Outlook as a filing cabinet for essential emails and move them to OneNote instead. If you share a OneNote notebook with others, you can stop emailing altogether within your group and use OneNote as your collaboration and reference platform.

Getting rich requires many things.  First, you need to know how to overcome previous limitations you may have had about making a lot of money.  Second, you need to know and use the best financial strategies for becoming wealthy--including the latest investment and marketing strategies.   And third, you need to be able to enjoy your lifestyle, and look at what obstacles get in the way of you being rich and fully contented.  By exploring the latest methods for achieving financial and personal success, you'll be able to make a lot more money and have a great time doing it.

• Obtain a basic comfort level using PivotTables
• Understand the fact that external data sources can feed a PivotTable
• Use Excel's web browser to retrieve web data

• Explore PivotTable capabilities and functionality
• Retrieve data from a database and feed it into the PivotTable
• Pull web tables from web pages into Excel

• Understand the unique challenges professionals confront when trying to achieve work-life balance
• Learn which skills and organizational structures render the best results for those looking to improve work-life balance
• Understand the research available to help organizations improve work-life balance

• Discuss how productivity strategies may improve work-life balance
• Understand the state tax consequences that may arise when working from home
• Identify and discuss challenges unique to financial professionals
• Review how some organizations are providing support to improve work-life balance
• Explore the role of alternative work arrangements 
• Examine challenges unique to auditors versus tax professionals
• A comparison of work-life balance between public and industry accountants
• How work-family conflict varies among financial professionals
• Recommendations for improving work-life balance

• Recognize the factors to consider when evaluating the reasonableness of S corporation shareholder compensation
• Recall which fringe benefits will result in additional W-2 income for S corporation shareholders
• Calculate the built-in gains tax and excess passive income tax
• Identify the federal income tax implications of a PTE election at the state level

• Reasonable compensation
• Fringe benefits for S corporation shareholders
• Built-in gains tax
• Excess passive income tax
• Notice 2020-75: PTE elections

• Prepare for the current year’s audit
• Gain a general understanding of the current and prospective reporting and disclosure requirements for employee benefit plans
• Identify common errors and mistakes made by auditors and plan administrators

• Common risks and pitfalls associated with defined contribution plans
• Nuances of the fair value disclosures
• New reporting and disclosure requirements for the current year
• Results of DOL Audit Quality Study

• Identify effective coaches and develop coaching strategies to support your team
• Give constructive criticism while managing defensive reactions

• The definition of “coaching” and the coaching process
• Characteristics of effective coaches
• Coaching strategies to support and assist others as they change ineffective behaviors
• Conducting one-on-one coaching sessions for setting goals and improving performance

• Calculate an S corporation shareholder's basis in his or her S corporation shares on Form 7203
• Understand and apply the S corporation shareholder loan basis rules

• Introduction to Form 7203
• Introduction to the calculation of stock basis
• Introduction to the calculation of loan basis
• Taxable and nontaxable S corporation distributions to shareholders
• The election to reduce basis by deductible losses and expenses before reducing basis by nondeductible expenses

Mergers, acquisitions and alliances have been and continue to be major avenues to organizational growth and increased competitive advantage. Despite the great initial promise of many mergers and alliances, few seem to yield the anticipated results.

Numerous studies indicate that between 55% and 77% of mergers fail to accomplish their intended purpose. This course helps financial professionals, and their advisors identify, execute, and consummate mergers and acquisitions that create shareholder value while avoiding the many traps that can cause post-acquisition failure.

Many finance departments spend considerable time managing cash, particularly if the organization is highly leveraged or cash rich.  Many opportunities exist to reduce your financing costs or increase short-term cash returns if you manage cash effectively.  This session will cover a wide variety of day-to-day cash management tools.  

"Transforming Strategic & Financial Management with ChatGPT: Insights for CPAs, CFOs, and Controllers" is a comprehensive 2-hour CPE course designed by Jim Lindell of Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc. This course delves into the revolutionary impact of ChatGPT on financial and strategic management, offering a blend of theoretical insights and practical applications tailored for financial professionals. Through an exploration of ChatGPT's capabilities in research, communication enhancement, benchmarking, risk analysis, and more, participants will learn how to leverage this advanced AI technology to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and foster innovation in their practices. The course not only highlights the current applications but also provides a glimpse into the future of AI in financial management, encouraging professionals to embrace technology for competitive advantage.

Unlock the full potential of Excel with our comprehensive training on shortcuts and formulas. This course is designed for CPAs and financial professionals who want to enhance their efficiency and accuracy in Excel. Learn how to navigate and utilize different versions of Excel, discover powerful new functions, and master the art of creating effective tables and automations. With practical examples and hands-on exercises, you'll transform your Excel skills, making your daily tasks quicker and more precise.

Plus, benefit from insider tips and tricks drawn from the instructor's extensive real-world experience. Whether it's mastering keyboard shortcuts that save you time or applying formulas that simplify complex calculations, you'll gain practical knowledge that you can immediately apply in your work. This course isn't just about learning Excel; it's about learning to excel at Excel.

• Understand what subscription pricing is and the need for a shift from traditional pricing to subscription pricing
• Set subscription prices based on costs, customer value perception, and competitive analysis
• Transition to a subscription pricing model and communicate these changes to stakeholders
• Understand the need to regularly review and adjust subscription pricing based on business needs and client changes
• Manage customer retention and churn in a subscription pricing model
• Develop skills to analyze the financial impact of subscription pricing on a business’s revenue and profitability

• The basics of subscription pricing
• Pricing strategies, with an eye toward a modern model for your business
• How to implement subscription pricing
• The need to look back and assess the financial impact of the implementation
• How to manage customer retention
• The optimum subscription pricing for your business

Our guidance on ethics comes from the AICPA and other groups, but it does not fully address the “why” behind ethics. This session will examine and define what ethics is and what it means to varying people in the workplace. Understanding what motivates people and understanding those people are key to both solving ethical dilemmas and workplace issues that can lead to greater job satisfaction and efficiency. To correct an issue, you need to delve into the root cause – the why?

This session describes a state agency's quality review of a not-for-profit organization's A-133 Single Audit.  The case study describes the organization audited, its federally- and state-funded programs, and the CPA firm retained to do the audit.  Various anomalies in the financial statements alerted state officials to potential problems, and a detailed quality review followed.  Find out how the entity turned hundreds of thousands of dollars in bank overdrafts into hundreds of thousands of dollars of cash on its balance sheet.  Explore other “creative” ways to deal with fixed assets, accounts receivable, and related-party transactions.  Were the auditors just sloppy, ignorant, negligent?  Or were they active participants in producing fraudulent financial statements?  You be the judge.

Many organizations struggle to keep budgets current in an ever-changing business climate.  Twenty-first century performance metrics focus on determining what budgets should be rather than what they were in the past.  Using performance metrics effectively reduces work, reduces politics, provides flexibility and substantially improves the performance management process.  This session will show you powerful techniques to drive your organization’s performance.

Conflict is inevitable whenever you have more than one person working together. But conflict doesn't have to be a bad thing. In fact, it's through conflict that some of the most productive conversations, changes, and innovations can occur in organizations...when they're navigated through effective communication. This workshop is designed to help you more strategically approach difficult conversations in the workplace and will arm you with both an understanding of how our minds approach these tough conversations and tools that you can use to approach these conversations more impactfully.

Common Audit and Financial Reporting Deficiencies in State and Local Governments, is a 2 hour webcast detailing many of the more common mistakes that auditors and accountants are making in either the preparation of their annual financial statements or the audits of such financial statements. Deficiencies in audit standards (AICPA, GAO, Single Audit) and preparation standards (GASB) noted in this webcast are driven by the most recent results found in audit organization peer reviews, workpaper or desk reviews, and various organizations checklists for oversight. 

Power Query and Power BI offer great opportunities for accessing your data and making it more useful in reporting scenarios. Learn how to benefit from these tools in this session.

• Be familiar with AI tools and the current status of AI tool development
• Be able to explain what ChatGPT is and how it works
• Understand how AI tools will change the accounting and finance professions
• Be able to explain the benefits and risks of adopting AI tools
• Begin drafting policies around AI implementation for your firm or company

• What are AI tools?
• Where are we with AI tool development?
• What is ChatGPT?
• ChatGPT – what kind of queries are possible?
• Copyright and intellectual property issues
• Benefits of AI tools
• Concerns with AI tools
• Impact on business use of AI
• Policy on AI tools

How well do you understand your organization’s cash flow? Good cash management techniques can provide a competitive advantage! This session shows you how to effectively measure and manage your cash conversion cycle. With a more complete understanding of how cash flows through your organization, you can eliminate impediments. Better cash management lowers your borrowing costs, reduces financing needs, and creates financial flexibility in your organization.

At some point in his or her career, every financial manager will face a choice of doing the right thing or taking the easy way out. Skillfully handling a conflict, ethical or otherwise, can make a big difference your career's trajectory. Professional standards provide procedures for resolving ethical conflicts. Yet, following these procedures alone will often cause a financial professional to lose their job.  This webcast will show you how to both do the right thing and keep your job.    

This webinar will explore embracing and supporting neurodiversity in the workplace, promoting inclusivity, and creating a more diverse and dynamic environment.

You only have one chance to make a good first impression.  In the fast paced world we live in, being able to create immediate rapport and a sense of trust with people is more important than ever.  Fortunately, this is an easily learnable skill that can serve you in both business and in life.  People who can master the one minute relationship end up making more money, being better liked, and enjoying their clients more.  

Elevate your data analysis capabilities with our focused course on Power Query. Tailored for financial professionals, this training will show you how to get started using Power Query and teach you some of the ways to take advantage of its ability to handle messy data and automate repetitive tasks.

Harness the efficiency of Power Query to revolutionize the way you work with data. Learn how to "program" your tasks once and set them on repeat, eliminating the need for repetitive, robotic work. This automation not only saves time but also ensures consistency and accuracy in your data processes.

Whether you're dealing with complex datasets or simply looking to streamline your reporting processes, this course will equip you with the tools and knowledge to make Excel work for you like never before.

The budgeting process can be a time consuming and frustrating process for accountants.  The constraints and pressures can lead to poor decisions in both the technical and human components.  This session will cover:

Avoiding Budget People Issues:  Managing Budgeting’s Soft Side

•    Financial plans have a technical component and human component.  We can resolve some of our budget issues by exploring the process’ human aspect.  This session includes a case study that measures an individual’s personality type and then explores how to use our strengths and weaknesses to create to a better plan.  

Are you ready to expand your practice and offer comprehensive retirement planning services? Look no further! Delve deeper into the realm of IRAs and qualified retirement plans with this comprehensive eight-hour course tailored for financial practitioners. Understanding the intricate tax implications, design options, and strategic considerations of these plans is essential for meeting your clients' diverse retirement needs effectively. By the end of the program, practitioners will emerge equipped to confidently advise clients on a myriad of retirement planning strategies, enhancing their expertise and credibility in the field.

Explore the intricacies of different IRAs, ranging from traditional to Roth, and gain valuable insights into SEPs, qualified plans, and contribution plans. Navigate through the complexities of 401(k) plans, including Roth 401(k)s, and master the art of seamlessly navigating minimum distribution rules. Through practical highlights, case studies, and real-world scenarios, this course empowers practitioners to not only select the optimal retirement plans for their clients' unique financial goals but also to provide personalized retirement solutions tailored to individual needs. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your practice and establish yourself as a trusted advisor in retirement planning. Enroll today and embark on a journey towards maximizing your clients' financial future!

**Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

This session is the beginning in a series on the new revenue recognition standard. The standard outlines five steps for proper compliance. At the surface, these steps seem simplistic. However, there are many considerations that should be considered within each step based on your process and industry. This course is designed to provide an overview of the technical guidance and outline the five steps involved in the revenue recognition model. We also explore some concepts to consider within each step and then evaluate some challenges that specific industry's may have when complying with the standard. Future courses will further delve into each step and provide example and scenarios that should be considered to properly apply the step.

• Understand the major issues on which taxpayers and the IRS are in conflict
• Understand recent IRS guidance and legislation impacting pass-through entities

• Comprehensive coverage of the Inflation Reduction Act, including:
  • The Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax, The Clean Vehicle Credit, Credit for Previously Owned Clean Vehicles, Credit for Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicles, §45L New Energy Efficient Home Credit, Elective Payment, Transferability, and Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship Requirements
• Principles and considerations for nonresident withholding, composite payments, and passthrough entity taxes
• Comprehensive coverage of the SECURE 2.0 Act with a focus on provisions applicable to employers
• Thinking beyond §163(j) -- Interest Allocation Rules, Original Issue Discount, Applicable High Yield Discount Obligations, Convertible Corporate Debt Instruments, and Debt-Financed Distributions 
• Retirements and redemptions: considerations for partnerships and S corporations
• Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation
• Selected Practice and Reporting Issues: What’s new?
• A review of recent cases and tax law changes and IRS guidance affecting S corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, and limited liability partnerships
• Form 1099-K reporting requirements
• Bonus depreciation 
• Section 174 Research & Experimental Expenditures -- new guidance under Notice 2023-63 and Notice 2024-12
• FinCEN reporting requirements 
• A review of like-kind exchange transactions under §1031

• Determine initial basis and organizing tax-free under §351 and §721
• Understand what affects basis and how to treat distributions
• Pass the four loss limitation hurdles to deduct pass-through losses

• Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation
• Applicable coverage of any basis considerations within any recent tax legislation  
• Passthrough basis calculations required as attachments to certain individual returns 
• Executor’s form for disclosing basis in certain distributed property; what about the basis of a property distribution from a trust? 
• How §179 limitations affect basis and how tax-benefit rule is applied 
• Basis implications of personal assets converted to business use 
• How to calculate basis of inherited qualified and joint tenancy property 
• Tax basis capital account reporting requirements 
• S corporations: Beware of final IRS regulations regarding “open debt”; determine how to calculate basis; worksheets are included; understand the effect of stock basis and debt basis and IRS’s recent focus on “at-risk basis” for shareholders; recognize how AAA applies or doesn’t apply to S corporations; learn to apply the complex basis ordering rules and special elections that can have a big tax result; discuss loss limitation rules in depth; when you can have a taxable dividend in an S corporation; understand distributions of cash and property; understand the post-termination transition rules, and temporary post-termination rules for eligible corporations, which will be important for S corps returning to C corps 
• LLCs and partnerships: Learn the detailed rules of §704 for preventing the shifting of tax consequences among partners or members; learn to calculate basis under §704 & for “at-risk” under §465; recognize how recourse, nonrecourse, and qualified nonrecourse debt can create significantly different tax results; learn the difference between basis and “at-risk basis”; review §754 step-up in basis rules; the economic effect equivalence test or “dumb-but-lucky” rule; learn to apply the complex rules of distribution of cash vs. property, and the basis treatment of charitable contributions and foreign taxes paid 

Welcome to a management course that helps CFOs and Controllers lead the Accounting Department. It is essential that the Accounting Department have a Vision which is aligned with the Business goals. Controllers must also be comfortable with wearing multiple 'hats' in the business. The head of the Accounting Department must be skilled in a variety of leadership skills, technical skills, managerial skills and current management techniquest.

Award winning discussion leader, former AICPA Council Member, and former state accountancy board member Mark Hugh will review the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and its interpretations; discuss new developments in regulation at the national and state level; and discuss examples of best practices, case studies, and disciplinary actions.

Whether you are responsible for managing 1 employee or 20, your leadership can make or break your team. Learn practical leadership strategies that you can implement when you return to your office. In today’s competitive market, it’s more imperative than ever that as leaders we are inspiring and motivating our teams to success.  

This course on ethics in communication and reporting covers essential topics to ensure integrity and professionalism in our interactions. We begin with the fundamentals of ethical communication, emphasizing the importance of honesty, transparency, and respect. We then explore four must-have communication skills crucial for effective and ethical exchanges. The session also provides practical application steps on how to improve these ethical communication skills in daily practice. Finally, we discuss the problems associated with unethical behavior in reporting and communication, highlighting the potential consequences and the importance of maintaining ethical standards to build trust and credibility.

Many Microsoft 365/Office 365 subscriptions include robust Cloud services for improving productivity. Foundational services, such as SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Business, and Exchange Online, join with other powerful tools such as Teams, Planner, Power Automate, Forms, and Power Apps to provide a productivity platform second to none. Unfortunately, most users will never benefit from working with these tools simply because they remain unaware of these features.

Plan to attend this session to learn about the “rest of 365” and how these Cloud-based applications can enhance personal and team productivity while simultaneously facilitating remote working arrangements. Don’t miss this opportunity to get all the knowledge and guidance necessary to leverage your investment in Microsoft 365/Office 365 fully.

• Identify networking opportunities
• Manage and grow your existing network
• Understand how to converse with new contacts
• Recognize the importance of personal networks
• Assess your current networking skills
• Explore networking best practices

• The value of strategic networking
• Quality vs. quantity in networking
• Networking for professional opportunities
• Person-to-person networking
• Maintaining and expanding your current connections
• Networking for introverts
• Long-term networking strategies

• Understand the importance of financially capable children
• Be familiar with the basic elements of financial education
• Deal with the most common questions and answers
• Recognize how to build a stronger relationship with clients

• Discussion of the importance of financial education for the next generation
• Understanding a client’s financial values
• Determining a client’s financial literacy
• Helping clients develop a teaching roadmap
• Using knowledge to protect against entitlement
• Developing a knowledge base for the information, including a full list of recommended books on the topic and games for families to play
• Discussion of specific topics, including tips and tricks related to:
  • Allowances
  • Earning, work, and entrepreneurship
  • Spending, saving, and investing
  • Philanthropy
  • Taxes
  • Credit cards, crypto, and financial fraud

• Identify individuals who must take RMDs.
• Explain the RMD rules for account owners and beneficiaries
• Describe how RMDs and QCDs can be coordinated
• Handle the excise tax that applies when an RMD is not taken by the applicable deadline

• How to determine when an individual is subject to an RMD
• Coverage of RMD changes under SECURE Act 2.0
• What is the required minimum distribution for an account owner?
• What is the required minimum distribution for a beneficiary IRA?
• Key explanations of RMD regulations
• The types of accounts that are subject to the RMD rules
• The parties that are subject to the RMD rules
• Exceptions and special considerations for RMDs
• Rollover and transfer rules in an RMD year
• The various responsibilities of interested parties
• Qualified charitable distributions and how they are coordinated with RMDs and IRA contributions
• How the 10-year rule works for beneficiaries

• Identify signs of difficult behavior before a situation gets out of hand
• Understand why difficult people behave the way they do
• Communicate with the employee to understand the cause of their behavior
• Use a 3- part problem solving model to help diagnose and resolve a situation
• Follow a 5-step process from communication to planned resolution when engaged in a conflict
• Understand and use skills to help control emotions when dealing with difficult people and situations
• Create an action plan to address a situation back at work

• Understand who is eligible for Medicare
• Determine whether an individual will have to pay a surtax for Medicare Part B and Part D coverage
• Ascertain whether private or spousal insurance options are preferable to Medicare

• Eligibility for Medicare
• How to apply for  Medicare
• Introduction to Parts A, B, C, and D of Medicare
• Payments for Parts B and D of Medicare: the higher costs imposed on higher income beneficiaries
• Late enrollment penalties
• Medicare Advantage in lieu of original Medicare
• The Affordable Care Act’s impact on Medicare
• Legislative and regulatory developments

The budgeting process can be a time consuming and frustrating process for accountants.  The constraints and pressures can lead to poor decisions in both the technical and human components.  This series will offer solutions to the budgeting woes from both the big picture and in the details. 

Understanding and Preventing Budget Calamities

2 Hours - Accounting
•    Most of us lead or participate in the budget process at least annually.  Inherent flaws exist in the standard budget building process that you can solved by recognizing them and committing to solutions.  

Building Flexible Budgeting Models: Walking Through and Crunching The Numbers
2 Hours - Accounting
•    We can all learn from others and improve our budgeting process by listening to our colleagues’ wisdom and experience.  This session takes a unique review of the fundamental budget issues faced by all and walks through a detailed modeling process intended to generate discussion and best practices to improve your organization’s financial planning. 

Avoiding Budget People Issues:  Managing Budgeting’s Soft Side
2 Hours - Accounting
•    Financial plans have a technical component and human component.  We can resolve some of our budget issues by exploring the process’ human aspect.  This session includes a case study that measures an individual’s personality type and then explores how to use our strengths and weaknesses to create to a better plan.  

Budgeting:  Presenting and Communicating your Numbers
2 Hours - Accounting
•    Now that the budget is complete, how we communicate our plan is critical.  this session reveals some key guidelines in budget presentation and will identify key problems in how people often communicate financial plans. 
 

Award winning and entertaining discussion leader, former state accountancy board chair, and lifelong tax practitioner Mark Hugh will review ethics for tax professionals: the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and interpretations; the Statements on Standards for Tax Services; the rules for practice with and before the IRS, including IRS Circular 230; other tax preparer requirements; new developments in regulation at the national and state level; and discuss examples of best practices and case studies.

The budgeting process can be a time consuming and frustrating process for accountants.  The constraints and pressures can lead to poor decisions in both the technical and human components.  This session will cover:

Budgeting:  Presenting and Communicating your Numbers

•    Now that the budget is complete, how we communicate our plan is critical.  this session reveals some key guidelines in budget presentation and will identify key problems in how people often communicate financial plans. 

This  session provides HR Professionals with scripts for and tactics for coaching leaders in handling an array of employee relations situations with sensitivity, good judgment, and high confidence.  Topics include employee complaints, personality & attitude problems,  performance counseling, personal hygiene problems, disability-related performance issues, misconduct due to mental conditions.

You will learn how to use a unique process, “Reset the Clock,” that prevents attorneys from taking something leaders did wrong or did not do in the past and using it to support legal challenges in the future.  Liability is replaced with credibility.

Lawsuits are then avoided rather than won.  Financial assets are protected, morale stays high, and bad publicity is averted. HR Professionals avoid hearing from senior leaders:  “You should have anticipated this” after an avoidable legal claim.

Our session will include a discussion regarding indirect rate strategies for cost recovery.  We will cover negotiating indirect rates with pass-through entities and alternative indirect cost recovery methods. A look at applying the PPP Loan Forgiveness credit.  Understanding the definition of sub-awards and the MTDC allocation base, and where best  to allocate bonus expense.  Included in this session will be a selected review of the Uniform Guidance FAQs regarding indirect rates for States and Municipalities, as well as recently issued FAQs that impact indirect rates and cost recovery.
 

Two seemingly similar products can have very different costs, yet many companies are completely oblivious to these differences causing them to lose money or competitive bids.  When companies compete, those with good information win the “gravy” contracts and those with bad information lose money on “dog” jobs. 

Attend this session to gain insights on how to win bids for the best opportunities and give the money-losers to your competitors.  Achieve your target profitability in the process.  

Join us for an in-depth webcast on Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) and the essential aspects of preparing Form 5227.  This course will provide a comprehensive overview of CRTs, including their purpose, benefits, and practical considerations. Moreover, we will delve into the intricacies of Form 5227, the informational return for charitable remainder trusts, ensuring you have the necessary knowledge to accurately complete and file this crucial document.

During this webcast, Art Werner will guide you through the fundamental concepts of Charitable Remainder Trusts, illustrating how they can be utilized as a strategic tool for tax planning. We will explore various types of CRTs, their formation, and the different scenarios in which they are most beneficial.  A significant portion of the webcast will be dedicated to Form 5227, the reporting requirement for charitable remainder trusts. We will provide an in-depth analysis of the form's components, line by line, ensuring you gain a comprehensive understanding of the information it requires. From trust assets and income to distributions and charitable beneficiaries,
we will cover each section, discussing common pitfalls and best practices for accurate reporting. Mr. Werner will address the recent updates and changes to Form 5227, enabling you to stay up to date with the latest compliance requirements.

Join our course on Multistate Taxation – Issues and Planning Opportunities designed for financial professionals. Learn about crucial topics like nexus implications, state taxable income calculations, and audit defense strategies. Gain practical insights to integrate these considerations into client financial plans effectively. From deciphering complex formulas to understanding state-specific regulations, this course equips you with actionable knowledge to excel in finance. Explore multistate business activities, choice of business entity, and interstate commerce clauses. By course completion, you'll be ready to identify common pitfalls, mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with multistate taxation. Join us and navigate the complexities of finance confidently.

**Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

The procurement function is a critical area of organizations where spend is a top priority. The Controllership function is involved in spend management. It is logical that the Controller should take a role in working with the procurement function.

The procurement function may report to various areas within an organization including the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Procurement Officer (CPO), Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Chief Financial (CFO) or Accounting Officer (CAO). Regardless of the reporting line of the function, the accounting and controllership functions must have an integral understanding of all processes involved within procurement. This understanding assists the controller and accounting area in properly optimizing and controlling costs associated with the process.

 

People skills are the most significant skills that Professionals need to develop and yet are often the last skills perfected. This course will help participants understand personality types and the successful interactions with clients, peers and family. In addition, participants will learn Neuro-linguistic programming and develop the ability to better understand nonverbal language which is key in communication. Participants will also learn techniques to enhance memory and to improve the ability to recall key facts.

With over 4.3 employees leaving their jobs as of early 2022, The Great Resignation presents a huge challenge for companies as they attract and retain talent. During this course, you'll learn practical strategies you can implement immediately to ensure you have the right tools in your toolbox to win the war on talent. 

This course provides practical suggestions for improving leadership skills, including self-awareness, communication, delegation, empowerment, coaching, and counseling. 

Navigating the complexities of business transactions requires a deep understanding of tax and estate planning strategies. In this comprehensive course tailored for financial professionals, participants will explore the intricacies of creative approaches to buying, selling, or gifting a business. Through real-world scenarios and practical insights, attendees will gain invaluable expertise in identifying tax risks, minimizing liabilities, and safeguarding assets. From evaluating valuation methods to exploring the details of stock versus asset purchases, this course equips you with the essential tools to provide informed counsel to clients.

Discover the potential for strategic success as you master topics including estate transfer and tax implications, gifting strategies, and the utilization of various trusts and partnerships. Whether you're a CPA, EA, attorney, or financial planner, this course offers indispensable knowledge to elevate your practice. With a recommended 8 credit hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE), this intermediate-level course is designed for professionals with a foundational understanding of business tax and estate planning. Join us and immerse yourself in a journey towards mastery in the vibrant landscape of business transactions.

**Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

Volatility and complexity are the new normal. Most organizations are drowning in data, but starving for information. The finance and accounting function has the opportunity to leverage Big Data and the continuum of analytics – descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive. All are useful for better decision making. Collecting, validating, and reporting data is not the same thing as analyzing information where we can glean valuable, actionable insights. In some ways the finance function is many years behind other disciplines such as marketing, sales, and supply chain managers, in applying analytics. How can the CFO’s function catch up?

This course is meant to complement the course that evaluates all aspects of the five steps to revenue recognition. The course "Understanding the new revenue recognition rules" examines the five-step model outlined in the standard that organizations must utilize when recognizing revenue. The new standard applies to all companies.

• Identify common problems involved in marketing CPA services
• State the common elements of a marketing plan for a service organization
• List ethical considerations and common state regulatory requirements CPA firms must abide by in their marketing practices
• Describe what survey data and statistics show about the effectiveness of various marketing channels
• Describe how to develop metrics to measure the success of marketing efforts

• Challenges of marketing CPA firms
• Developing marketing strategy 
• Elements of a marketing plan
• Example: CPA firm marketing plan
• Marketing regulatory/AICPA issues
• Picking the right marketing channels 
• Marketing channel statistical analysis 
• Developing marketing metrics

• Determine the amount of a Section 754 basis step-up
• Know how to allocate the basis step-up to the partnership's assets
• Know how a partnership makes a Section 754 election and reports it to the IRS

• How and why a partnership makes a 754 election
• The effect of the 754 election when an interest in a partnership is sold or inherited
• How the 754 election applies when a partnership makes a distribution of property to one or more of its partners
• How to make the 754 basis adjustment

• Understand what peer reviewers look at (and don’t look at) when reviewing Yellow Book and single audits
• Apply some of the best practices and avoid some of the worst habits seen in audits of governments and not-for-profits
• Skillfully apply today’s Yellow Book and Uniform Guidance requirements

• The key requirements and audit areas that peer reviewers hone in on when reviewing Yellow Book and single audit engagements
• Avoiding common pitfalls seen in Yellow Book and single audits
• How to improve your performance on Yellow Book and single audits while staying in good graces with your peer reviewer

Award winning discussion leader, former state accountancy board chair, and lifelong tax practitioner Mark Hugh will review ethics for tax professionals: the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and interpretations; the Statements on Standards for Tax Services; tax preparer standards in the Internal Revenue Code; the rules for practice with and before the IRS, including IRS Circular 230; new developments; and discuss examples of best practices and case studies.

How you onboard a new employee is critical in ensuring they understand your company culture and are immersed properly in your organization. On the flipside, in the event you are dealing with an employee termination, this too is critical in handling with care and sensitivity.  

This course is one of the courses dedicated to our Controllership series. This series of courses is dedicated to exploring the traditional controller role and stepping out of the box to identify areas where the controller can continue to add strategic value to their organizations. Within this segment of our controllership series, we will discuss the area of inventory. This specific segment in the first part of a two-part series on inventory. We explore how the controller can move these responsibilities into more of a strategic role.

This course takes a look at some of the typical concepts and duties involved in the inventory function that is sometimes viewed as operational roles. We explore how these areas are strongly tied to the importance of the controllership role and how the controller can add value in each area.

 

LinkedIn is considered by many to be one of the most impressive growth stories in the history of technology companies in Silicon Valley. In just 16 years it grew from nothing into a game changing company in a new industry and the performance of the company and the stock broke all kinds of records. The untold story of LinkeIn's success is that they grew a world class company and a world class team in the midst of a massive war for talent where their competitors for talent (Google, Facebook, Apple and more) could out pay and out perk and out benefit them. They grew a company when all the leaders had never built a company before. Despite the odds the leadership team succeeded and built a company and a culture that many still consider the gold standard. Steve Cadigan was at the epicenter of this growth as the first Chief HR Officer of LinkeIn and he delivers a front row seat to the wild and crazy and amazing ride that took LinkedIn from an unknown career destination into one of the top places to work in the world! Steve delivers a first hand account of lessons learned, mistakes made and what it was like to be facing a situation he had never faced before - hypergrowth. Wherever you are in your learning journey you will enjoy this class.

Stop struggling with PDFs! Adobe Acrobat and other PDF tools provide access to features that make working with PDF files a breeze. In this course, you will learn how to use tools and features such as PDF forms, redaction, converting PDFs to Word and Excel files, and electronic signatures. You will also learn how to create and apply tick marks, build indices, catalogs, and portfolios, and secure PDF documents to their fullest.

The popularity and usefulness of PDFs increase daily, but most PDF users have not learned how to manipulate PDF documents effectively. Accordingly, they struggle and strain with these standard files. You do not need to let this be the case. Join us in this very timely session where you will learn the top features necessary to optimize your work with PDF documents.

The budgeting process can be a time consuming and frustrating process for accountants.  The constraints and pressures can lead to poor decisions in both the technical and human components.  This session will cover:

Building Flexible Budgeting Models: Walking Through and Crunching The Numbers

•    We can all learn from others and improve our budgeting process by listening to our colleagues’ wisdom and experience.  This session takes a unique review of the fundamental budget issues faced by all and walks through a detailed modeling process intended to generate discussion and best practices to improve your organization’s financial planning. 

This course is one of the courses dedicated to our Controllership Series. This series of courses is dedicated to exploring the traditional controller role and stepping out of the box to identify areas where the controller can continue to add strategic value to their organizations. Within this segment of our controllership series, we continue our discussion on inventory from segment one. This specific segment focuses on areas of inventory valuation, the types of physical inventory methods, and inventory fraud. These areas are critical for the controller to have a strong comprehension of and also participate in the development of policies and procedures.

 

• Plan an effective approach to privacy and data security in the workplace as well as for the remote workforce
• Explain common data privacy risks and threats faced today by both individuals and businesses

• Ethical duty to safeguard employee, client, and litigant data
• Common threats, including phishing, ransomware, and bad password management
• Security management of business and personal electronic devices
• Best practices for creating and securing passwords
• Insight into how our personal information is exploited in our daily lives

• Inspire your team to tackle tough challenges
• Become a highly respected leader who achieves results
• Resolve conflicts
• Create a team environment that is fun, productive, and profitable
• Strengthen morale and keep employees motivated
• Eliminate negative attitudes
• Positively energize the work climate
• Recognize and build on your leadership strengths
• Gain more respect from coworkers, colleagues, and employees
• Help the team members reach and exceed their potential

• Explore the tenets of exemplary leadership which are requirements for highly effective leaders who achieve results and are respected by team members, peers, and other leaders
• Review key practices that recognize and build on leadership strengths to create a team environment that is productive, profitable, strengthens team members’ morale, and fosters positive energy in the work climate
• Examine SMART goals to inspire teams to tackle tough challenges and help team members reach and exceed their potential
• Review conflict management techniques to minimize negative attitudes and foster win/win resolutions for team members

Managing expenses is a key for business success, and overhead costs play a pivotal role in realizing favorable profit margins. Almost all companies have some form of overhead consisting of specific categories of indirect expenses. The better organizations are able to manage overhead costs, the more competitive they are in the marketplace. It is incumbent in the Controller’s role to effectively manage, monitor and perform ongoing assessment of overhead costs, allocations and rates.
Overhead refers to the ongoing business expenses not directly attributed to creating a product or service. A company must pay overhead on an ongoing basis, regardless of how much or how little the company sells. It is important for budgeting purposes but also for determining how much a company must charge for its products or services to make a profit.

Overhead can be fixed, variable, or a hybrid of both. There are different categories of overhead, such as administrative overhead, which includes costs related to managing a business. In short, overhead is any expense incurred to support the business while not being directly related to a specific product or service.

 

On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued converged guidance on recognizing revenue in contracts with customers (ASC 606). The objective of the guidance is to establish principles to report useful information to users of financial statements about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue from contracts with customers. The new guidance provides several benefits to financial statement users.  

This is one in a series of courses that outline the updated revenue recognition standard.

Professional Athletes have multiple coaches - business people rarely utilize coaches. This course will focus on creating the coaching skills that are required to raise the performance of your employees. Coaching Model / Strategies Successful Communication Techniques Root Cause Analysis Performance Gap Analysis Personality impact on coaching model.

Almost 50% of businesses that started five years ago are no longer in operation today. Controllers and CFOs can and must influence the longevity of their organization to improve their success rate.  Jim will help you be aware and understand the answers to these issues:

Can you describe the financial health of your company?

Can you also explain what the financial health of your industry is?

Do you know your Business Cycle compared to the industry business cycle?

Do you have an executable plan?

Do you know what the competitive, legal and technological landscape is currently, and for the future?

Is your organization aligned and incentivize to be successful?

Jim has developed his groundbreaking Business Longevity concept as a keynote and a workshop, and would be happy to speak to your organization on this topic. This session will focus on assessment (financial health, competitive environment), determination (effective business planning, including the future landscape), and execution (gettin’ it done!)

The budgeting process can be a time consuming and frustrating process for accountants.  The constraints and pressures can lead to poor decisions in both the technical and human components. See Learning Objectives below for more details.  

Many organizations struggle to keep budgets current in an ever-changing business climate.  Twenty-first century performance metrics focus on determining what budgets should be rather than what they were in the past.  Using performance metrics effectively reduces work, reduces politics, provides flexibility and substantially improves the performance management process.  This session will show you powerful techniques to drive your organization’s performance.

The annual budgeting process is often criticized as an accounting exercise that is obsolete soon after it is published, prone to gamesmanship, cumbersome, not volume sensitive, and disconnected from the organization's strategy and risk management processes. You can resolve these deficiencies using capacity-sensitive driver-based projections. Driver-based budgeting allows for quick scenario planning and far easier analysis of a growing organization whose future may look nothing like today. The driver-based budgets can be periodically refreshed to create rolling financial forecasts extending well beyond the fiscal year end. Learn how managerial accounting can become managerial economics.

Critics have claimed that traditional managerial accounting is at best useless and at worst dysfunctional and misleading. Most line managers do not trust their management accounting data. 21st Century management accounting develops cost/unit metrics that are useful for budgeting, cost analysis and control. Activity-based costing (ABC) brings truly accurate fact-based costing visibility. ABC does not broadly allocate overhead, but traces costs by identifying cause-and-effect relationships. Such information can provide the ability to reveal true profit margins for products, service-lines, specific sales channels and customers.
The same information also helps reduce costs and improve productivity by reporting unit costs that you can use to monitor cost trends and benchmark against your competition. Removing the barriers caused by your current management accounting techniques can provide huge rewards.

Award winning discussion leader Mark Hugh discusses both nexus basics and new developments in the dynamic, ever changing world of state income and sales tax nexus. This valuable course answers your frequently asked questions, reviews key factors in examining potential nexus consequences, takes a tour through the rules in states comprising 50% of the US, and identifies free, online multistate resources. 

In today's dynamic business environment, preserving a unified and engaged team culture is more challenging than ever. As the rhythm of work accelerates and organizational structures evolve, silent threats can begin to undermine our established team dynamics. These undercurrents, if left unaddressed, can erode morale, dampen productivity, and weaken the team's cohesion. This session offers a deep dive into strategies that can help identify, address, and neutralize these challenges, ensuring a positive, resilient, and inclusive workplace culture. Attendees will be equipped with a blend of insights and actionable strategies, enabling them to both recognize and respond to these potential pitfalls.

Are you running around with a fire extinguisher permanently strapped to your back? Do everyday crises run your life, both at work and at home? Do you find yourself
consistently taking care of everyone else with no time left to take care of you?

In this session, we dive into controlling your chaos and managing your energy. Make no mistake, this isn't your father's time management class. It’s an energy management class developed on behalf of and with tired, frustrated, and burned out HR professionals like yourselves! If you find yourself drained and drinking far too much coffee, this is the session for you!

This course is a continuation of discussion over Step One in the revenue recognition process of Identify the Contract. Specifically, this session delves further into the considerations surrounding contract modifications, change orders, unpriced change orders, cancelations, non-finalized changes and accounting treatment when a contract does not exist.

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which provides new guidelines that change the accounting for leasing arrangements. To be able to properly account for leases, financial professionals must understand ASU 2016-02 (also referred to as Topic 842). This guidance covers information on how leases should be accounted for. The previous leasing standard (ASC 840) had been in existence for almost 40 years.

Under ASC Topic 842, lessors continue to classify leases as operating, direct financing, or sales-type. While lessees now classify leases as operating or financing leases. Previous guidance only required capital leases to be reflected on the BS. The new guidance requires all leases to be reflected on the BS. This is a major change for organizations and will cause their balance sheets to swell as leases must now be disclosed on the balance sheet.

The standards original effective dates were prior to 2019. In April 2020, due to COVID-19, FASB voted to defer the effective date for ASC 842 for private companies and certain not-for-profit's for one year. For private companies and private not-for-profits, the leasing standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. For public companies the leasing standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years.

The course covers elements of lease classification for both lessees and lessors. Also, numerous examples are incorporated as reference.

 

One of the important roles of any member of the financial team. Including the controller, may be involvement in the preparation of the company’s financial statements. Even if that responsibility falls within the office of the CFO, the controller and other finance personnel must understand how their transitions recorded impact the financial statements. Financial statements (or financial reports) are formal records of the financial activities and position of a business, person, or other entity.
Relevant financial information is presented in a structured manner and in a form which is easy to understand. They typically include four basic financial statements accompanied by a management discussion and analysis:

• A balance sheet or statement of financial position reports on a company's assets, liabilities and owners’ equity at a given point in time.
• An income statement may have varying names including profit and loss report (P&L report), statement of comprehensive income, or statement of revenue & expenses. These report on a company's income, expenses, and profits over a stated period. A profit and loss statement provides information on the operation of the enterprise. These include sales and the various expenses incurred during the stated period.
• A statement of changes in equity or “statement of equity” also called “statement of retained earnings” reports on the changes in equity of the company over a stated period.
• A cash flow statement reports on a company's cash flow, particularly its operating, investing and financing activities over a stated period.

A balance sheet represents a single point in time, where the income statement, the statement of changes in equity, and the cash flow statement each represent activities over a stated period. For large corporations, these statements may be complex and may include an extensive set of footnotes to the financial statements, management discussion and analysis and supplementary information. The notes typically describe each item on the balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement in further detail. Notes to financial statements are considered an integral part of the financial statements.

Understanding the complexities of estate and gift taxation can be challenging for many financial professionals, especially those who lack direct experience in this area. In this comprehensive course, participants will gain a solid foundation in Federal estate and gift tax law, providing them with the necessary tools to confidently handle tax compliance issues related to Forms 706 and 709. By exploring the details of the Internal Revenue Code sections pertinent to estate and gift taxation, attendees will gain a thorough understanding of key concepts, including deductions, valuations, and tax credits. This practical knowledge will not only enhance their expertise but also empower them to provide effective tax planning strategies for their clients.

Throughout the course, participants will investigate essential topics such as the valuation of assets, deductions for funeral and administrative expenses, charitable and marital deductions, and the calculation of tax credits. By mastering these critical areas, financial professionals will be better equipped to navigate the challenges of estate and gift taxation, ultimately enabling them to provide comprehensive and effective tax planning services for their clients. Whether you're looking to expand your expertise or deepen your understanding of tax compliance issues, this course offers invaluable insights and practical knowledge that can immediately be applied in your practice.

**Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

We know that effective communication is essential to growing a career and a business. But we often don't take time to think through, concsiously, about how we communicate and how small changes could change the trajectory of our messages. This workshop is designed to give you a survey of multiple communication strategies and mistakes to avoid. We start by discussing how people make decisions--which is important to understand in the context of business communication and communication in the workplace. We then transition into common communication mistakes and actionable tools and tactics that you can use to overcome and avoid these mishaps.

The new Standards emphasize that quality performance requires conformance to the Standards. Each standard within Domain III specifically identifies the responsibilities of the CAE and the board, as well as joint responsibilities.

The new Global Internal Audit Standards were released on January 9, 2024, and will become effective January 9, 2025. The previous version, the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, released in 2017, remains approved for use during a one-year transition period. The Global Internal Audit Standards guide the worldwide professional practice of internal audit. They serve as a basis for evaluating and elevating the quality of the internal audit function. The Standards use 15 guiding principles with five separate domains that enable effective internal audit implementation and examples of evidence of conformance. The Global Standards are organized into five domains.

• Domain I: Purpose of Internal Auditing
• Domain II: Ethics and Professionalism
• Domain III: Governing the Internal Audit Function
• Domain IV: Managing the Internal Audit Function
• Domain V: Performing Internal Audit Service

Automation and standardization are two of the keys to productivity, but most people who are not programmers are unsure where to start. Microsoft’s Power Platform is a comprehensive platform for creating automated workflows, integrations, and data-driven reports. Components include Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, Power Pages, and Power Virtual Agents. Attend this session to learn about this platform and how everyone can use its low-code, no-code environment to solve process challenges.

• Understand the latest GAO, OMB, AICPA, GASB, and FASB developments
• Keep accounting and auditing skills up to date with current requirements
• Prepare for major changes on the horizon

• Developing issues related to the 2024 Yellow Book revision and the 2024 revision to the Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards
• Key AICPA developments affecting audits of governments and nonprofits (including SAS No. 146 on quality management)
• Recent GASB activities directed toward state and local governments (e.g., the implementation of GASB No. 101 on compensated absences, GASB No. 102 on certain risk disclosures, GASB No. 103 on improvements to the financial reporting model, and additional GASB projects)
• Critical, but sometimes overlooked, FASB ASC 958 implementation guidance and illustrations for not-for-profits)

• Mine a tax return for tax planning with a client
• Understand the planning implications of the current environment
• Determine the best tax strategies for retirement
• Understand tax planning for the middle-income client

• Comprehensive coverage of the SECURE Act 2.0
• Understanding the environment: what’s new, what’s expired or expiring, and what’s likely to change
• Reading a tax return for developing client-specific tax strategies
• Changes to the lifetime estate tax exemption in light of proposed regulations 
• The net investment income tax: planning for compliance
• Family income-splitting strategies that need to be considered
• Income tax issues: impact on timing of other income
• Selling a principal residence
• Two principal residences at the same time
• Use of life insurance to protect families: Whole Life Insurance, Term Life Insurance, Universal Life Insurance, and Variable Life Insurance
• Using Roth IRAs and Roth contribution programs to best advantage
• Conversions: do they still make sense?
• Taking distributions: matching timing to client requirements
• Qualified plan contributions to reduce current income and Social Security tax: implications for business owners and self-employed
• Social Security solvency issues
• Incentive Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan considerations
• What to do about itemized deductions
• Trans-generational planning: conversions, income, and gain-splitting
• Tax benefits of HSAs and other tax-advantaged accounts
• Identifying tax opportunities: reviewing the prior-year return to develop a plan for the future
• Planning for middle-income taxpayers: financial planning for the young, the working, and those approaching or in retirement
• Best financial planning ideas for young people

Understanding the dynamics of family interaction is one of the most important skills in helping a family business succeed.

This course takes a candid look inside the family business, and will help the participant navigate delicate issues while learning to provide counsel that will grow - or protect - the family business and non-family staff.

Creating a culture of safety in a workplace requires attention in many different areas.  We will bring these areas into focus and provide attendees with information on how to make their individual workplaces safer for everyone. 

Although Windows incorporates the OneDrive app, you may not have configured it correctly for your specific needs. Using the OneDrive app and the related Cloud storage service to their fullest potential means you can access your files when and where you need them. Further, sharing your files and collaborating with others is easy when using OneDrive correctly. In this session, you will learn best practices for taking full advantage of OneDrive.

This is a two-part series that discuss new trends and concepts the financial controller should begin to execute in order to truly become a valued member of the senior leadership team.

The rapid pace of the evolving technological landscape has promoted changes in how accountants and financial professionals focus attention on strategy and modernize their roles to leverage digital technology. There is increased demand for enhancing flexibility into finance cycles and initiating real-time reporting and insights. These are the core attributes that will assist in transforming the work that controllership function performs. Is the financial controllership prepared to meet future business demands? The IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) and Deloitte’s Center for Controllership aimed to better understand the current state of controllership and expectations of future demands for controllers and accounting professionals. They conducted a survey in late 2022 and identified several trends. The survey takes a look at how prepared controllership is to meet future business demands. It also highlights some insights for leaders to consider that may increase their preparedness. It also identified areas of additional insight and questions to answer on the controllership transformation journey. In this segment, we will go through numerous concepts in detail.
 

Navigating the complexities of estate and trust administration is a vital skill for professionals, who play an integral role in the administration team. This comprehensive course is designed to equip professionals with a thorough understanding of their responsibilities and the processes involved in estate administration, enhancing their ability to address estate settlement issues effectively. Participants will be provided with a detailed overview of the professional’s role in estate and trust administration, emphasizing practical insights and strategies for managing assets, addressing the legitimacy of debts and creditors, and ensuring the proper distribution of assets.

**Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

Looking to stay ahead in tax matters? Join our 2025 Individual Tax Update course for an essential deep dive into Form 1040 essentials. Designed for tax pros eager to sharpen their skills, this course unpacks recent tax code changes and equips you with the know-how to navigate them effortlessly. From mastering IRS Form 1040 to leveraging new tax benefits, you'll emerge ready to optimize returns for your clients while staying compliant with the latest regulations. Don't miss out on this opportunity to boost your expertise and ensure financial success for both you and your clients!

**Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

Individuals may cite retaliatory concerns when weighing their decision to report an issue; during an investigation; or, after an investigation’s conclusion. No matter the timing, when an individual raises a retaliation concern, their claims should be taken seriously and fully reviewed. Does your organization analyze retaliation allegations and investigate outcomes as part of their cultural assessment?   Most organizations track retaliation matters at a general, non-specific level. The type of retaliation and the perceived cause of the retaliatory act are not delineated. When a retaliation matter requires investigation, an organization should gather key data points for trending purposes and to fine tune future training and policy initiatives.

This course offers recommendations for
(1) framing responses to retaliation allegations
(2) capturing key data points
(3) developing specific metrics for retaliation matters

Many employees with ADHD struggle with productivity. It’s heart-breaking to feel you have to let a team member go due to lack of performance. This course is for HR Professionals and Team Leaders who want more tools in their tool belt to help improve retention with ADHD team members. You will learn whole brain strategies to help your team members with ADHD improve performance, so they can not only survive but thrive. This innovative science-based approach is designed to help people with ADHD get more done in less time with a process designed with their creative brain in mind.

• Explain the eligibility requirements for funding Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k) plans
• Describe the tax impacts of rollovers from employer plans to Roth IRAs
• Demonstrate the steps that determine whether a Roth distribution is tax-free
• Determine when the ordering rules apply

• Funding options for Roth accounts
• 529 plans to Roth IRAs
• Backdoor Roth strategies
• The new Roth SEP and Roth SIMPLE IRAs
• Roth 401(k) contribution rules
• The tax impact of rolling a 401(k) to a Roth IRA
• Who can start the Roth IRA 5-year clock?
• The 5-year rules for Roth 401(k)s and Roth IRAs
• Direct and indirect Roth conversions
• Direct and indirect rollovers from Roth 401(k) plans
• The risky recapture of the 10% penalty
• How the ordering rules work and when they apply
• FIFO rules for Roth IRAs
• Case studies and cheat sheets to reinforce concepts

• Understand the basics of ADA and FMLA
• Know employer rights and responsibilities under ADA and FMLA
• Understand steps employers can take to avoid discrimination, harassment, interference, and retaliation claims

• Definitions of key terms under the FMLA, including covered employer, eligible employee, and serious health condition
• Timing and types of leave under the FMLA
• Calculating leave time under the FMLA
• Employer and employee notice requirements
• The definition of a “disability” under ADA
• An employer’s obligation to provide employees with a reasonable accommodation under the ADA
• Guidance on engaging in the interactive process
• Dos and don’ts of medical certifications
• The interplay between the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act

No matter what role you play in your professional life, being able to command an audience--whether of one or of thousands--is an important skill. Public speaking, no matter how you slice it, is a practice that is worthy of attention. This workshop teaches you approachable strategies to improve your public speaking and presentation skills, recognizing that everyone comes with different comfort levels and experiences. There is no one-size-fits-all speaking style, and trying to force yourself into a specific presentation persona can be more harmful than helpful. Learn actionable tips to help you be more confident next time you need to take the proverbial (or literal) stage.

In a competitive economy, CPA's  and their firms need a way to stand out. The best way to do this is to give outstanding service to your clients. In this experiential workshop, you’ll learn skills that lead to dramatic client satisfaction. In addition, you'll learn several specific ways to guarantee you'll get a lot of word of mouth referrals that will lead to a dramatic increase in your number of clients.

Congress was EXTREMELY busy in late December 2022! During this lame-duck session, Congress was able to pass SECURE 2.0, which is essentially the original SECURE Act that was passed in late 2019.  There are over 50 tax-related provisions within SECURE 2.0 which an advisor needs to be able to master.  This course will provide the participant with everything that that they need to know about SECURE 2.0 so that they will be able to better serve their clients’ retirement planning needs.

**Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

Network forensics - defined as the investigation of network traffic patterns and data captured in transit between computing devices - can provide insight into the source and extent of an attack. It is used in forensic accounting and with the expansion of information technology it has become a growing field.

Network forensics is a relatively new field of forensic science. Computing has become network centric. Data is now available outside of disk-based digital evidence. Network forensics can be performed as a standalone investigation or alongside a computer forensics analysis. When used alongside a computer forensic analysis it is used to reveal links between digital devices or reconstruct how a crime was committed.

Network investigations deal with volatile and dynamic information and is a sub-branch of digital forensics. It relates to the monitoring and analysis of computer network traffic for information gathering, legal evidence, or intrusion detection. This course is a complement to our other courses in the series on becoming a forensic accountant.
 

Get ready to elevate your tax game with the 2025 Business Tax Update, designed exclusively for tax practitioners looking to sharpen their skills in business income taxation. This course doesn't just scratch the surface – it thoroughly explores the complexities of the tax code, ensuring you're equipped to navigate the ever-evolving tax landscape with confidence. From recent legislative updates to complex tax considerations like COVID-19-related subsidies, this course covers it all. Gain practical strategies and insights that you can immediately apply to assist your clients in optimizing their business income tax planning. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead in business taxation and enhance your expertise in a rapidly changing regulatory environment.

With a focus on real-world application and comprehensive exploration of essential topics, the 2025 Business Tax Update promises to be a game-changer for your tax practice. Whether you're dealing with partnership, corporation, or LLC taxation issues, this course provides precise guidance tailored to diverse business clients. Plus, you'll gain invaluable insights into recent legislative changes, including their implications on tax code sections like Section 199A. Stay at the forefront of business taxation and ensure you're delivering top-notch advice to your clients by enrolling in this essential course today.

**Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

When asked the question, "What would you like to improve about your leadership and communication style?". More than 65% of leaders say they want to be more confident and assertive in their communication. Confidence and clarity communicate leadership. If you are responsible for growing a profitable company or a productive team, you want team members who have the ability to reach goals, make sales, finish projects, and serve customers. Being a confident, compelling leader helps to inspire better relationships, promotes trust, and reduces stress in the workplace.

Confident communication cultivates cooperation, goal achievement, and a more respectful work environment. Clear and compelling leaders are better equipped to move projects forward and make things happen while improving cooperation and respect from partners and subordinates.

The new Global Internal Audit Standards were released on January 9, 2024, and will become effective January 9, 2025. The previous version, the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, released in 2017, remains approved for use during a one-year transition period. The Global Internal Audit Standards guide the worldwide professional practice of internal audit. They serve as a basis for evaluating and elevating the quality of the internal audit function. The Standards use 15 guiding principles with five separate domains that enable effective internal audit implementation and examples of evidence of conformance. The Global Standards are organized into five domains.

• Domain I: Purpose of Internal Auditing
• Domain II: Ethics and Professionalism
• Domain III: Governing the Internal Audit Function
• Domain IV: Managing the Internal Audit Function
• Domain V: Performing Internal Audit Service

As the managers' role continue to evolve, it is crucial for us to understand the strategic aspects of managing a diverse workforce, beginning with understanding the big trends in employee demographics. We begin with a rhetorical question - asking if employees are assets? GAAP tells us they are not, so discussion will revolve around whether this treatment delivers an unhealthy bias on our view of the people in our organization. What do the most successful organizations believe and why? If you have an opinion as to whether employees are an asset or not, this is a fun session intended to be interactive with participation either live, virtual or both.

Once an employee decides to report an issue, the risk for retaliation must be minimized. Metrics matter. As such, capturing and reviewing employee data for indicators of possible retaliation are key to protecting those who report. The more subtle forms of retaliation, though, require a focused communication plan to address. This course offers recommendations for implementing specific retaliation monitoring protocols.

Many organizations have implemented Microsoft 365/Office 365 at a basic level, but few have truly explored the breadth and depth of tools included with their subscriptions. Some less commonly known apps help you manage shared email boxes, create and use web forms, schedule appointments, trade shifts, create real-time closed captions, and translate presentations. Attend this session and learn more about the hidden features in Microsoft 365 that you can use to level up your productivity.

Increasingly, automating business processes is a necessity. In this session, you will learn about real-world examples of automating business processes. Remember, the survival of your business might depend upon successful automation!

This course corresponds to our Controllership series.

Within this course, we specifically address the Controllers role and pro-active potentials in organization Strategic and Annual Planning. This series of courses is dedicated to exploring the traditional controller role and stepping out of the box to identify areas where the Controller can add strategic value to their organizations. Controllers are essential to the day-to-day accounting for organizations. Yet, the role is not often readily understood. In today’s world of acronyms such as CFO, CEO, COO, CAO, etc. the Controller function may get lost in the shuffle. However, they are a critical group of professionals who ensure the adequacy and transparency of accounting and financial reporting information. When it comes to the task of strategic planning, many feel this role is primarily the responsibility of the executive team and board. However, in this course, we delve into the various steps of the strategic plan and explore where the Controller can add strategic value through providing functional input and insight.

Strategic planning is a process used to identify goals, the strategies necessary to accomplish those goals, and the internal performance management system that will be used to monitor and evaluate progress.

 

Take your organization’s performance management approach to the next level and enhance the employee experience by effectively implementing 1:1 feedback meetings in your organization. Not “just another meeting,” 1:1 employee feedback sessions should facilitate and encourage an open exchange of information between employees and their managers. 

These meetings should not be manager-driven, but rather should be structured to provide employees with time to truly be heard by their boss, while also engaging in constructive two-way dialogue.

Implemented correctly, 1:1s can boost employee engagement and retention while also building a positive, healthy organizational culture defined by constructive and open communication.  

Attend this informative session and you’ll gain specific how-to tips and strategies you can apply to empower leaders in your organization with the skills and confidence they need to effectively conduct effective 1:1 feedback discussions with their team members. 

Most productivity planners could have been made in 1975. However, we have learned more about the brain in the last 5 years than in the last 500!  If productivity involves filtering out distractions, focusing, and executing on what is most important, shouldn’t there be a brain-based approach that incorporates the new science to help your organization fight distractions and find time? 

Yes, there should be, and now there is! 

It is time for a new productivity for the new world. In this course, you will learn science-based whole brain approach to help people across your organization boost focus, energy, and motivation toward what matters most so they can increase their opportunity to achieve your organizations most important goals.

In this course we will look at the highlights of what valuation is doing, how to go about it and what to look for in business valuation reports.  Areas such as types of reports, the standards by which they are prepared and process that is used to go from data to report.  We will also discuss the purposes of reports and how that purpose may impact the value.  Finally, we discuss how to determine the value of minority interests.

Did you know that AI can now write your marketing copy? Create videos with your digital likeness? Provide subjective advice to your clients? Produce training for your employees? Even if you're on the fence about trusting artificial intelligence tools, knowing about these technologies, especially when combined with forms of synthetic media (think deep fakes, but not nefarious), is important for any business leader. Imagine being able to have your likeness communicate in over 40 languages. Think about how amazing it would be to create customized content for every situation without building each piece from scratch. Marvel at how that *perfect* image can manifest from typing just a few keywords. In this session you'll learn about the evolution of communication technologies, how artificial intelligence has expanded our range of connective possibilities, and what possibilities exist for leveraging these channels of communication in your business.

Debt is a real problem for many clients, business owners, and the general public.  It can be ever increasing and causes financial, emotional and physical challenges that seem to spiral out of control.

What if you could help your clients “do debt differently”? This strategy turns the game upside down and presents solutions from the inside out.  As a CPA, you are already a trusted advisor for your clients.  What if you could help your clients be free of this burden?  This is a tremendous resource you can offer to your clients, expanding the value of what you offer them by adding these processes to your packages.  Clients will be happy to pay for this kind of relief as you support them in doing debt differently.  

If you are one of the many people who are personally burdened by this situation, these strategies, tools, mindsets and actions will personally help you get better results…so you can go back to the task of expanding and growing your business, sleeping better at night and gaining access to the creativity that will take you to your next level of financial fulfillment. 

Paying off debt is an inside/outside job.  Successful strategies include the internal shifts to mindset and enhancing the inner qualities that are most helpful in paying off debt, and practical tools to help make the transition from thinking about paying off debt to actually doing it. This program combines both -- emotional support and dozens of tools and action steps to Do Debt Differently, including:

• An inventory process to objectively assess the situation and face it head on
• Guided mind/body processes to alleviate anxiety about the situation
• Creative exploration (writing and drawing) to gain clarity and specificity
• Stories and discussion to strengthen your access to the qualities that will be most helpful to your success
• Using a menu of options to create a personal action plan and an ongoing support team

The techniques in this program are creative and easy, but immensely practical.   We will combine practical, nuts-and-bolts action steps with powerful tools for mindset-shifting.

There is no reason to continue to suffer the burden and overwhelm of debt. Relief is here! Through discussion, interactive exercises, skill building, mindset shifting and powerful actions, you and your clients could be on your way to a debt free life. Please join me for this empowering approach to changing your financial situation.

"Did you know that fraud is like a parasite, feeding on the lifeblood of the industry and causing billions in losses each year? Join Chuck Gallagher, a renowned expert in fraud prevention, for 'The Many Faces of Fraud: Shedding Light on the Tactics of Modern-Day Swindlers,' a captivating two-hour course that will empower you to thwart these financial predators.

Chuck will guide you through the most common forms of fraud, revealing the psychology and motivations of swindlers. Through real-life case studies and hands-on exercises, you'll learn practical strategies for identifying red flags and responding effectively to safeguard your organization.

Enroll now to gain invaluable insights and join the fight against these cunning adversaries!"

Cloud computing has become a source of cyber-crime. “Cloud forensics is the application of digital forensics in cloud computing as a subset of network forensics to gather and preserve evidence in a way that is suitable for presentation in a court of law.” Cloud forensics is a combination of the varied types of accounting forensics including:

•    Digital forensics
•    Network forensics.
•    Hardware forensics

In cloud crime, the cloud is considered the object when the target of the crime is the cloud service provider they are directly affected by the act. It is considered the subject of the crime when the criminal act is committed within the cloud environment. It is considered the tool when it is used to plan or conduct a crime. This course will delve into the many concepts involved in cloud forensics. The course complements other courses in the series of Becoming a Forensic Accountant.
 

This course corresponds to our Controllership series. This course is dedicated to exploring the traditional controller role and stepping out of the box to identify areas where the controller can continue to add strategic value to their organizations. Within this segment of our controllership series, we discuss the area of cash and investments and explore how the controller can move these responsibilities into more of a strategic role.

In today’s world, the role of cash management is often a pivotal role in the organization. In economically difficult times, controllers may find that they spend a great deal of their time on understanding and managing the organizations' cash position. This is certainly important and, in some areas, can be seen as a staple of the lifeblood of the organization’s ongoing viability. This course takes a look at some of the typical objectives involved in cash management and then evaluates how those objectives can be further stretched into strategic pillars of the organization.

 

Recruiting continues to be a major challenge for companies and HR professionals in 2024, as the war for top talent remains. The process or approach that you've used to recruit candidates in the past likely needs to be altered to attract high-caliber individuals. We'll discuss best-in-class recruiting strategies that include creating a strong employer brand, delivering an excellent onboarding experience, showcasing your total rewards, and highlighting your company's unique culture.

Attend this informative session and you'll gain specific how-to tips and strategies you can apply to empower leaders in your organization with the skills and confidence they need to effectively conduct effective 1:1 feedback discussions with their team members. 

The new Global Internal Audit Standards were released on January 9, 2024, and will become effective January 9, 2025. The previous version, the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, released in 2017, remains approved for use during a one-year transition period. The Global Internal Audit Standards guide the worldwide professional practice of internal audit. They serve as a basis for evaluating and elevating the quality of the internal audit function. The Standards use 15 guiding principles with five separate domains that enable effective internal audit implementation and examples of evidence of conformance. The Global Standards are organized into five domains.

• Domain I: Purpose of Internal Auditing
• Domain II: Ethics and Professionalism
• Domain III: Governing the Internal Audit Function
• Domain IV: Managing the Internal Audit Function
• Domain V: Performing Internal Audit Service

• Understand the various roles and requirements of forensic accountants
• Recognize the skills that forensic accountants use in fraud investigation, in bankruptcy proceedings, and in litigation support roles
• Understand the formal training and certifications available in forensic accounting

• Review of the different aspects of forensic accounting
• The civil litigation process as it relates to forensic accounting
• Litigation services provided by forensic accountants
• Fraud detection and prevention
• Various types of fraud
• Training and certifications in forensic accounting
• Forensic accounting in bankruptcy proceedings
• Forensic accounting in family law proceedings
• Calculating damages for use in litigation
• Valuations
• Ethical issues pertinent to forensic accounting

• List behavioral biases that prevent companies from being streamlined
• Identify techniques that may be used to make cost cutting a part of the company’s culture and business strategy
• Describe techniques that may be used to discern whether additional headcount is necessary
• Demonstrate vertical and horizontal financial statement analysis
• List key considerations when benchmarking against competitors
• Describe contracting and negotiation techniques
• Discuss the business cycle and how cash flow management changes during each stage

• What keeps companies from becoming streamlined? 
• Behavioral biases
• Information processing biases
• Emotional biases
• How to deal with behavioral biases 
• Connecting behavioral biases to cost cutting
• Creating a culture of cost cutting
• Rules of thumb for cost cutting 
• Managing headcount
• Post-COVID common areas of excess cost
• Budgeting techniques
• Budget variances
• Benchmarking
• Common size financial statements
• Horizontal analysis
• Negotiation and contracting techniques
• Cash flow and the business cycle

• Understand the latest regarding distributions of property from partnerships
• Understand shareholders’ stock and debt basis

• Tax treatment of partnership distributions to partners of cash and property other than cash
• Basis of property received in a partnership distribution
• IRS’s new regulations regarding basis shifting in favor of high-marginal tax rate related partners
• Organization and structure of the new Form 7217
• Who must file Form 7203
• Determining the S corporation shareholder’s initial basis in his or her stock
• Basis limitations on partnership losses and deductions
• Organization and structure of Form 7203 — understanding the three parts of Form 7203
• Filing criteria for Form 7203
• Calculating an S corporation shareholder’s share of S corporation deductions and credits
• Understanding stock and debt basis

Employees drive the written and unwritten culture at your organization. Understanding the key workplace issues and how to solve them in today's environment can maximize the returns that employees provide for an organization. We take a deep dive into the research behind the larger issues with our workforce and discuss multiple practical solutions that will enhance your leadership and growth. How can we realize the most from our staff?

The Department of Justice updated guidance regarding their evaluations of Corporate Compliance Programs in March 2023: “Prosecutors should assess whether the company’s complaint-handling process includes proactive measures to create a workplace atmosphere without fear of retaliation, appropriate processes for the submission of complaints, and processes to protect whistleblowers.”

This course offers recommendations for employers to consider when developing or augmenting an internal complaint handling process. Organizations benefit when whistleblowers trust the process and choose to promptly report their concerns internally. The measures offered promote a strong speak up culture and align with the Department of Justice's guidance. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the hottest topic in technology circles today. And for good reason! AI can help all business professionals – including HR professionals –
work more efficiently and effectively.

AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot are proving themselves daily as valuable assets. These tools can help you automate research, draft documents,
summarize emails, analyze Excel data, and even create PowerPoint presentations for you. If you haven't yet explored what today's AI tools can do, you'll want to participate in this session to become more productive and efficient with this very practical technology.

You have more to do than time to do it. When you finally find the time, distractions steal it away again. As a leader with multiple layers of demands on your time, how can you possibly get it all done? In this course, I will help you learn practical productivity strategies so you can tame your to do list and multiply your time. It’s just wrong for a to-do list to rule your life. Learn how to take back your time…and your life.

• Understand the new distribution options for beneficiaries, as clarified by the proposed RMD regulations for SECURE Act 1.0
• Communicate to clients new opportunities for participants and beneficiaries to avoid excise tax and costly penalties
• Talk to clients about implementing unique tax-saving opportunities for spouses and other eligible designated beneficiaries
• Be well-versed in other recent developments that affect IRAs and employer plans

• 529 to Roth: who, what, when, and how
• SECURE Act 1.0 and the 10-year rule
• Roth IRA beneficiary options
• Where the stretch IRA really ends
• The new limitations for spouse IRA beneficiaries
• The new spouse options for spouse beneficiaries
• New RMD rules for Roth 401(k)s
• Overriding the 10-year rule for an eligible designated beneficiary
• How the age of death affects beneficiary options
• The new early distribution penalty exceptions
• Rollovers vs. transfers for spouse beneficiaries
• Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) for owners and beneficiaries
• The “at least as rapidly” (ALAR) rule
• New reduced rate for excess accumulation penalty on RMD failures
• How to avoid unlimited accrual of the 6% excise tax
• How to avoid unlimited accrual of the 25% excise tax
• Clarifying the definition of disability for an exception to the 10% additional tax
• The new starting ages for RMDs
• Designated vs. eligible designated beneficiaries and their options
• Catch-up contributions for ages 50 and over
• Catch-up contributions for ages 60 to 63
• When the 60-day deadline is missed
• When the one-per-year rollover limit is about to be broken
• Retaining qualifications for exceptions to the 10% additional tax

• Avoid common mistakes regarding ransomware events
• Identify and respond to a ransomware incident

• What is ransomware?
• The growing threat of ransomware — statistics
• Remote working and COVID-19
• Ransomware infection process
• Incident response protocol
• Business considerations
• Legal considerations
• Breach notification obligations
• Steps to protect against malware
• Tabletop exercise

• Understand how a partner determines and reports his or her tax basis capital account 

• How a partner’s outside basis and capital account differ
• Reconciling Schedule M-2 Form 1065 with Partnership K-1 Schedule L
• IRS requirement to report partner tax basis on the transactional approach
• Implications if a capital account is negative
• Deficit restoration accounts and qualified income offsets
• Modified outside basis method and modified previously taxed capital method
• Determining a partner’s beginning capital account 
• Beginning capital account for partnerships and partners consistently reporting on the tax basis
• The two types of adjustments under 754 and how 743 and 734 require different capital account presentations

Financial forecasting is an important part of any successful business. It enables businesses to plan for the future and anticipate scenarios based on strategy. The controller helps forecast financials by calculating future revenue and income streams. In recent years, corporate finance has undergone many dramatic changes due to the growth of a number of high-tech tools. The responsibilities/competencies of the Financial Controller position (FC) has changed in recent years To maximize performance, Controllers must be aware of how the FC position is changing, and how they must adjust to these changes. There are many types and methods of financial forecasting. This course will review the most prevalent forecasts and relative methods being used.

This session will teach leadership principles to transform a workplace into a healthy & supportive environment. By improving organizational culture, mental health conditions will improve, & burnout potential is minimized. An unhealthy workplace results in failure to attract and retain top talent. Leaders can be instruments of change. The C.A.R.E.S. approach offers leadership principles that will improve your workplace. Symptoms are hidden at work. Your employees are hurting, and you can help. If you care for your people from the bottom of your heart, you will be amazed at what it does to your bottom line.

The new Global Internal Audit Standards were released on January 9, 2024, and will become effective January 9, 2025. The previous version, the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, released in 2017, remains approved for use during a one-year transition period. The Global Internal Audit Standards guide the worldwide professional practice of internal audit. They serve as a basis for evaluating and elevating the quality of the internal audit function. The Standards use 15 guiding principles with five separate domains that enable effective internal audit implementation and examples of evidence of conformance. The Global Standards are organized into five domains.

• Domain I: Purpose of Internal Auditing
• Domain II: Ethics and Professionalism
• Domain III: Governing the Internal Audit Function
• Domain IV: Managing the Internal Audit Function
• Domain V: Performing Internal Audit Service

The new field of Positive Psychology offers many methods and ideas for helping people be happier, healthier, and better at what they do.  Nowadays, the ability to be at your best and get clients to enjoy working with you is critical to growing your business or getting ahead.   Studies show that happy people make $750,000 more over the course of their life than unhappy people, have half the number of sick days, and live 9 years longer.  In this fun and fascinating seminar, you’ll learn how to not only be happier, but help your clients be happier in working with you.

Does your organization encourage timely reporting? Does your organization provide substantive protection for those who report? Organizations should be aware of characteristics indicative of a retaliatory culture - one in which bad actors are provided ample opportunity and cover to retaliate.

This is a two-part series that discuss new trends and concepts the financial controller should begin to execute in order to truly become a valued member of the senior leadership team. The rapid pace of the evolving technological landscape has promoted changes in how accountants and financial professionals focus attention on strategy and modernize their roles to leverage digital technology. There is increased demand for enhancing flexibility into finance cycles and initiating real-time reporting and insights. These are the core attributes that will assist in transforming the work that controllership function performs.

Is the financial controllership prepared to meet future business demands? The IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) and Deloitte’s Center for Controllership aimed to better understand the current state of controllership and expectations of future demands for controllers and accounting professionals. They conducted a survey in late 2022 and identified several trends. The survey takes a look at how prepared controllership is to meet future business demands. It also highlights some insights for leaders to consider that may increase their preparedness. It also identified areas of additional insight and questions to answer on the controllership transformation journey.

In this segment one, we go through numerous concepts in detail and the remaining concepts will be covered in segment two.

Many organizations have a process documented for their employment life cycle but do not look at it wholistically. Having a longer view of the employee life cycle can provide more value to your company that you might think. Join us for an interactive discussion around the entire life cycle of employees with best practices discussed on continuous improvement for your organization. This session will provide an overview of each of the steps in the timeline from multiple perspectives, to provide keen insights on actionable ideas to take back to your workplace and implement today.

The new Global Internal Audit Standards were released on January 9, 2024, and will become effective January 9, 2025. The previous version, the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, released in 2017, remains approved for use during a one-year transition period. The Global Internal Audit Standards guide the worldwide professional practice of internal audit. They serve as a basis for evaluating and elevating the quality of the internal audit function. The Standards use 15 guiding principles with five separate domains that enable effective internal audit implementation and examples of evidence of conformance. The Global Standards are organized into five domains.

• Domain I: Purpose of Internal Auditing
• Domain II: Ethics and Professionalism
• Domain III: Governing the Internal Audit Function
• Domain IV: Managing the Internal Audit Function
• Domain V: Performing Internal Audit Service

“How will I EVER get this all done?"  It’s a question I often hear from clients and on a particularly stressful day, I can hear myself saying these words!  Instead of helping us focus, it's a question that leads to stress, anxiety and overwhelm!

Regardless of where we are in business and in life, we will run into challenges and problems as we navigate business growth, leadership, work life balance and our quest for success and happiness. This workshop will explore the 7 HIGH QUALITY questions that lead to relief, enthusiasm and success.  It will be an interactive exploration that will leave you with a game plan to use right away, as well as an opportunity to practice the mindset that the most successful and happiest people use daily. 

This program is for both the entrepreneur who wants to be more effective in their day as well as team leaders who want to stand out in their organization.  For the business owner or staff member you can expect a new way to work with your day so that it's profitable, productive and happier.  For leaders, you will learn new up- leveled skills to increase your efficiency, communication and productivity.  You and your team will shine.  Your staff will feel appreciated and connected to their value as well as the company's goals.

Albert Einstein said 'we can't solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them'.  The quality of your question will impact the quality of your solution.  Learn the 7 questions that take you from confused and frustrated to creative and focused. 

Navigate the intricate world of tax compliance for fiduciary entities with confidence through this comprehensive course tailored for financial professionals. Gain practical insights and expertise in preparing the U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts (Form 1041), addressing specific issues surrounding decedents' estates and trusts. Delve into the fundamentals of Subchapter J of the Internal Revenue Code and master the art of compliance while decoding complex tax regulations. With engaging case studies and line-by-line instruction, participants will acquire the skills necessary to recognize and address key components of Form 1041, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in tax preparation. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your proficiency and advance your career in fiduciary taxation.

**Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

The new revenue recognition standard outlines five steps for proper compliance. At the surface, these steps seem simplistic. However, there are many considerations that should be considered within each step based on your process and industry. Previous courses in this series have covered the standard at a high level and evaluated step one and two of the standard. They are:

• Understanding the Revenue Recognition Standard
• Revenue Recognition: Identify the Contract - Part One
• Revenue Recognition: Identify the Contract - Part Two
• Revenue Recognition: Identify Performance Obligations – Part One
• Revenue Recognition: Identify Performance Obligations – Part Two
• Revenue Recognition: Determine Transaction Price - Part 1
• Revenue Recognition: Determine Transaction Price - Part 2
• Revenue Recognition: Allocate the Transaction Price
• Revenue Recognition: Recognize Revenue

    
This segment is designed to evaluate Step Three of the new model dealing with Determining the Transaction Price.

Much has been written and said about Artificial Intelligence (AI). But for many professionals, AI remains an enigma because they do not know how to get started using tools such as Bard, ChatGPT, and Copilot. If that describes your situation, relax because help is here!

Participate in K2’s Getting Started With Artificial Intelligence to learn to use today’s AI tools. This session will teach you how to access and use multiple popular AI tools to improve efficiency and productivity. If you are starting with AI, this is one session you cannot miss!

• Understand the importance of conducting strategic and operational risk analysis for all facets of business
• Be familiar with SOC Scope Audits of Systems of Internal Controls
• Determine appropriate critical risk factors
• Determine appropriate measures of effectiveness
• Understand and utilize an ROIC Tree
• Calculate the external funds needed for a business
• Identify key elements of lean accounting and process activity mapping
• Understand activity-based costing in combination with lean systems

• Key tools used by businesses and financial professionals across the globe to measure performance
• Detailed, real-world examples of businesses utilizing these tools

• Apply accounting and financial reporting standards to construction contractors

• Overall landscape of the construction industry
• GAAP and recent changes affecting the construction industry
• The Revenue Recognition Standard and its impact on the construction industry
• The unique relationship between the contractor and the surety
• The lease FASB ASC and its impact on the construction industry

The world of work is in a state of unprecedented transformation. The 4th Industrial Revolution, powered by technologies like artificial intelligence, automation, and big data is reshaping industries and redefining the skills and roles needed for future success. This isn't just about knowledge & it's about transformation. Get ready to reimagine the role of HR as a driving force of organizational success in the 4th Industrial Revolution.

In forensic accounting, interviewing is used to obtain important information from witnesses and suspects. An important aspect is the ability of investigators to obtain accurate and reliable information from victims, witnesses and the suspects or any interviewee. The interview process is an essential part of information gathering for any investigation. The importance of improving the quality of the interviewing with the potential for visual recording of all interviews should be placed high on the agenda of all organizations across the globe. A properly conducted forensic interview can result in an extreme benefit regarding collection of information. The interviewer’s role is to develop a full understanding of the facts.

There is a distinct difference between a forensic interview and a criminal interrogation. Typically, forensic auditors will not be involved in interrogations. The Canadian or U.S. forensic accounting profession does not have a standardized interview model to truly equip its professionals with the interview tools required to elicit confessions ethically. Majority of their skills are developed through experience, and not through a standardized model of training.  This session focuses on various interview concepts and methods.
 

In today's dynamic economic landscape, staying ahead with effective fringe benefit planning is more critical than ever for both businesses and individual clients. With evolving tax laws and shifting market dynamics, understanding the intricacies of fringe benefit planning is essential to ensure financial well-being and compliance. This course offers a comprehensive overview of essential tools and techniques tailored for financial professionals, allowing them to navigate the complexities of fringe benefit planning with confidence and precision.

By attending this course, practitioners will gain invaluable insights into various planning tools and techniques essential for meeting fringe benefit planning objectives. From mastering the subtleties of employee benefit planning, including ERISA reporting and disclosure requirements, to unraveling the complexities of IRC §132 fringe benefit options, attendees will enhance their expertise to deliver superior advisory services. The curriculum also delves into the practical aspects of cafeteria plans, flexible spending accounts, group term life insurance plans, and strategies for financing retiree medical benefits, among others. With a focus on practical application and real-world scenarios, this course equips participants to tackle fringe benefit planning challenges head-on, providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to optimize benefits for both business and personal needs, now and in the future.

**Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

Every organization today is facing an onslaught of pressure to master Artificial Intelligence “AI” strategies across their enterprises. Never before have we witnessed such a steep expectation for how a “technology” can transform a business, and never before have we been expected to leverage a technology so quickly and so completely.  There is no denying AI presents perhaps the opportunity of a lifetime to transform and improve operations, but to date few plans or roadmaps on how to unlock the promise of AI exist. In this class, Steve Cadigan, a globally renowned future of work expert, will present a practical plan for how you can build your own AI strategy, and how you can thrive in the AI revolution. Steve will show present a roadmap of how to build your confidence with AI to address this massive change management challenge.

Office Scripts is a new feature that allows you to automate tasks in Excel and other Office applications. Unlike VBA, a legacy language that runs only on Windows, Office Scripts can run on any platform and device that supports Office on the web. Further, Office Scripts has a modern and intuitive interface that lets you easily create, edit, and share your scripts. Office Scripts are stored in the Cloud, and they work with Office Online apps and integrate with Power Automate for process automation. Save time and improve productivity using Office Scripts in Excel and other Office applications.

• Identify key provisions of recently issued SASs
• Identify the current year changes to the rules and regulations affecting 401(k) plans
• Understand the most common compliance issues encountered in 401(k) plan audits, pitfalls to watch out for, and strategies to ensure compliance
• Perform efficient and effective procedures associated with planning, internal controls, risk assessments, and detailed audits
• Explain the documentation and procedures related to plan mergers and acquisitions
• Discuss the best practices associated with advanced audit areas, including participant loans, payroll, compensation, and investments
• Understand the risks associated with a benefit plan audit engagement

• Audit requirements for ERISA §103(a)(3)(C) audits
• An annual update of the changes affecting 401(k) plans
• Compliance issues associated with eligibility and enrollments, remittances, lack of oversight, compensation, vesting, and other topics
• Best practices for engagement planning, internal controls, risk assessment, and detailed testing
• Avoiding common mistakes while performing audit procedures
• Plan mergers and acquisitions
• Common audit reporting and disclosure issues

• Identify key provisions of SQMS 1, SQMS 2, and SQMS 3
• Recall quality management provisions in SAS 146, SSARS No. 26, and SSAE 23
• Understand the role of firm leadership in establishing quality management standards
• Create a risk assessment
• Draft the new QM document
• Perform steps used in monitoring and the assessment of the firm’s System of Quality Management

• Quality management standards
• SAS 146, SSARS No. 26, and SSAE 23
• Risk assessment, which forms the basis of the SQM
• Monitoring and evaluating the SQM

Small businesses have better options now than ever before in the market of accounting solutions. Participate in this session to learn more about these options and which might be best for you or your clients.

Navigating the challenges of estate and gift taxation can be overwhelming for practitioners, especially those lacking extensive experience in this field. In this comprehensive course, participants will undergo a practical exploration through the preparation of the Federal Forms 706 and 709 - line by line. Through hands-on instruction, attendees will gain invaluable insights into the complexities of tax compliance, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to seamlessly integrate estate and gift tax preparation into their practice.

With a focus on practical application, this course offers participants a unique opportunity to master the preparation of crucial tax returns, enhancing their professional expertise and strengthening client service offerings. From a detailed overview of the Federal Forms 706 and 709 to insights on complying with "Portability" and navigating postmortem estate planning issues, attendees will emerge with a newfound proficiency in estate and gift tax preparation, ready to excel in their practice.

**Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

When it comes to assessing your organization's employee experience, it's no longer enough to administer an annual survey and call it a day. Rather to engage and retain today's talent, it's all about an integrated, strategic approach to employee listening woven throughout the entire employee lifecycle. While this thought can overwhelm many HR professionals, the good news is that this is an area where you can start to see big ROI in a short period of time. In this session, we'll break down where to start, steps to improve your existing efforts, and strategies you can use to move the needle in your organization and drive HR and business success.

The new Standards emphasize that quality performance requires conformance to the Standards. Each standard within Domain III specifically identifies the responsibilities of the CAE and the board, as well as joint responsibilities.

The new Global Internal Audit Standards were released on January 9, 2024, and will become effective January 9, 2025. The previous version, the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, released in 2017, remains approved for use during a one-year transition period. The Global Internal Audit Standards guide the worldwide professional practice of internal audit. They serve as a basis for evaluating and elevating the quality of the internal audit function. The Standards use 15 guiding principles with five separate domains that enable effective internal audit implementation and examples of evidence of conformance. The Global Standards are organized into five domains.

• Domain I: Purpose of Internal Auditing
• Domain II: Ethics and Professionalism
• Domain III: Governing the Internal Audit Function
• Domain IV: Managing the Internal Audit Function
• Domain V: Performing Internal Audit Service

The new revenue recognition standard outlines five steps for proper compliance. At the surface, these steps seem simplistic. However, there are many considerations that should be considered within each step based on your process and industry. Previous courses in this series have covered the standard at a high level and evaluated step one and two of the standard. They are:

• Understanding the Revenue Recognition Standard
• Revenue Recognition: Identify the Contract - Part One
• Revenue Recognition: Identify the Contract - Part Two
• Revenue Recognition: Identify Performance Obligations – Part One
• Revenue Recognition: Identify Performance Obligations – Part Two
• Revenue Recognition: Determine Transaction Price - Part 1
• Revenue Recognition: Determine Transaction Price - Part 2
• Revenue Recognition: Allocate the Transaction Price
• Revenue Recognition: Recognize Revenue

    
This segment is designed to evaluate Step Three of the new model dealing with Determining the Transaction Price.

• Understand the latest enacted tax law changes
• Understand strategies and techniques to use in light of tax changes
• Understand current cases and rulings affecting individuals and businesses

• Comprehensive coverage of the Inflation Reduction Act, including:
• The Clean Vehicle Credit, Credit for Previously Owned Clean Vehicles, Credit for Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicles, Residential Clean Energy Credit, Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, Premium Tax Credit, Elective Payment, Transferability, and Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship Requirements
• Comprehensive coverage of the SECURE 2.0 Act, including:
• Expanding Enrollment in Retirement Plans, Increase in Age for Required Beginning Date for Mandatory Distributions, New Exceptions to Penalty-Free Withdrawal from Retirement Plans, and recent IRS guidance
• Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation
• Form 1099-K reporting requirements
• Detailed analysis and examples of Sale of Passthrough Entity Interest and Net Investment Income Tax
• The Gig Economy -- Tax implications, Independent Contractor vs. Employee Classification, and the DOL Final Rule
• FinCEN reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act 
• Employee Retention Tax Credit updates
• Practice aids, including all the numbers applicable for the current year -- inflation-adjusted amounts, mileage rates, retirement contributions, and more
• Advanced practice, reporting, and other issues intertwined with advanced planning and discussion ideas

We all know that Fraud Happens. But, why? Why do people we think we can trust let us down? This session will explore the minds of white-collar criminals and examine some recent high-profile fraud cases. Why did they do it? How did they do it? What were the warning signs? If you think that fraud cannot happen to your organization, this session might give you pause.

Forensic accounting, forensic accountancy or financial forensics is the specialty practice area of accounting that investigates whether firms engage in financial reporting misconduct. Forensic accountants apply a range of skills and methods to determine whether there has been financial reporting misconduct. Financial forensic engagements may fall into several categories. 

• Economic damages calculations, whether suffered through tort or breach of contract.
• Post-acquisition disputes such as earnouts or breaches of warranties
• Bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization
• Securities and tax fraud
• Money laundering
• Business valuation
• Computer forensics/e-discovery

This session is designed to delve a bit deeper into the world of forensic accounting and identify some of the specific areas of expertise required to become a forensic accountant. We will then first delve deeper into the art of document analysis and handwriting analysis.
 

Enter the complex world of elder planning with this comprehensive course tailored for financial professionals. Gain invaluable insights into estate and financial strategies designed specifically for older clients, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to address their unique needs and challenges.

Throughout the course, participants will explore a wide range of topics, from understanding the complexities of Medicare and various life insurance types to navigating Social Security considerations and exploring Medicaid planning details. With a focus on practical application, attendees will learn to customize estate planning strategies, explore housing and care alternatives, and address gifting complexities relevant to older clients. By the end of the program, you'll develop expertise in executing specialized planning requirements for mature clients, ensuring you're well-prepared to provide informed counsel and support in this important aspect of financial practice. Join us and enhance your knowledge in estate and financial planning for the older client today.

Inventory is a wonderful place to both hide fraud and commit fraud.  The reasons that inventory is subject to so much fraud is the it is often very large, spread out over a large area, and many people have access to it.  When there are little or no internal controls related to inventory control, you are begging employees to steal it.  No with so many ways to dispose of stolen inventory via the internet, i.e., EBAY, inventory fraud is much more appealing to a lot of individuals.

The more common ways to commit expense fraud and how to cover it up will also be discussed.  Travel and entertainment are some of the favorite areas of committing expense fraud.  In addition, payroll fraud will be discussed.  Although there are many ways to commit payroll fraud, it is very easy to prevent.

This presentation is designed to familiarize the participants with the many ways to commit inventory, expense and payroll fraud, how to detect it, and more importantly, how to prevent it.

This course corresponds to our Controllership series. This course is dedicated to exploring the traditional controller role and stepping out of the box to identify areas where the controller can continue to add strategic value to their organizations. Within this segment of our controllership series, we discuss the area of cash and investments and explore how the controller can move these responsibilities into more of a strategic role.

In today’s world, the role of cash management is often a pivotal role in the organization. In economically difficult times, controllers may find that they spend a great deal of their time on understanding and managing the organizations' cash position. This is certainly important and, in some areas, can be seen as a staple of the lifeblood of the organization’s ongoing viability. This course takes a look at some of the typical objectives involved in Cash management and then evaluates how those objectives can be further stretched into strategic pillars of the organization. 
 

In this inspiring keynote speech, we will explore the critical importance of self-care in the modern workplace and its direct impact on individual and collective wellness. The relentless pace of our professional lives often leaves us neglecting our well-being, hindering our ability to perform at our best. This keynote aims to shed light on the transformative power of self-care practices and how they can be seamlessly integrated into the corporate culture.

The audience will embark on a journey of self-discovery, understanding the correlation between personal well-being and professional achievement. Through compelling anecdotes, real-life examples, and practical strategies, attendees will gain insights into how self-care isn't just a personal indulgence but a strategic tool for enhancing productivity, creativity, and resilience.

The new Global Internal Audit Standards were released on January 9, 2024, and will become effective January 9, 2025. The previous version, the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, released in 2017, remains approved for use during a one-year transition period. The Global Internal Audit Standards guide the worldwide professional practice of internal audit. They serve as a basis for evaluating and elevating the quality of the internal audit function. The Standards use 15 guiding principles with five separate domains that enable effective internal audit implementation and examples of evidence of conformance. The Global Standards are organized into five domains.

• Domain I: Purpose of Internal Auditing
• Domain II: Ethics and Professionalism
• Domain III: Governing the Internal Audit Function
• Domain IV: Managing the Internal Audit Function
• Domain V: Performing Internal Audit Service

Microsoft Office Excel is one of the most widely used applications by accounting and financial professionals. Yet, many remain unaware of new and improved features in Excel and, therefore, fail to reach the level of productivity and accuracy they desire. Further, with new features appearing in Excel provided through Microsoft 365 subscriptions and Excel 2024, it is more important now than ever to get up-to-speed on the world’s most popular spreadsheet!

Make plans now to elevate your Excel skills by participating in this session. You will learn about the newer features available to improve efficiency and accuracy in it. You will also learn about the importance of numerous legacy features in Excel and how you can – and should – continue to use these tools to improve productivity.

• Advise clients on the latest applicable Social Security strategies
• Implement effective Social Security strategies for practitioners’ own needs

• Will Social Security be there for me?
• How is my benefit calculated?
• Can I claim my benefit and work too?
• When do I stop paying Social Security taxes?
• Why does my government pension cause my benefits to be reduced?
• Can I claim spousal benefits now and my own later?
• What is my breakeven?
• Can I claim benefits from my ex-spouse?
• What do you mean I may pay taxes on my income benefits?
• … and more!

• Identify conduct that could constitute workplace harassment, sexual harassment, or discrimination
• Understand both employee and management responsibilities with respect to workplace harassment
• Appreciate the value of a workplace free of harassment and discrimination

• An overview of workplace harassment and discrimination laws, including the intangible benefits that come with compliance
• An overview of sexual harassment and workplace retaliation
• The supervisor’s (or manager’s) role in preventing harassment and in reducing the company’s potential liability through good faith efforts at compliance
• Review a compliant procedure for handling harassment concerns

• Identify common frauds occurring in governments and nonprofits today
• Skillfully develop controls to combat frauds
• Protect governments and nonprofits from fraud

• Examine real-world misappropriations of cash, check frauds, vendor scams, credit card abuse, grant frauds, benefit schemes, inventory thefts, and payroll frauds
• Consider and develop controls to stop fraud
• Tailor controls to the size and fit of the government or nonprofit

• Understand changes in state statutes, regulations and case law
• Determine how the states will treat changes under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
• Identify areas that may require additional attention for state tax planning purposes
• Identify areas that may be costly for employers or clients
• Understand the “who, what, when, and where” of nexus for income and sales tax

• Employees working in multiple states: Withholding issues (when to start and where to withhold) special issues depending on type of tax assessed in the state or locality
• Emerging sales tax topics: Elimination of the physical presence standard in determining nexus (Wayfair case); economic nexus for remote sellers; assisting remote sellers in determining a plan of action in states that enforce economic nexus
• Emerging compliance issues in the new sales tax economy
• Income Tax (and other forms of tax): Economic nexus (taxation without physical presence)
• Will states shift away from income tax and increase reliance on sales tax after Wayfair?
• Treatment of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act by the states: presence of intangible property; is P.L. 86-272 still valid?
• Pass-through problems: Nexus issues for interest owners
• Treatment of the 199A deduction for pass through entities by states: Withholding issues
• Practical considerations in dealing with multistate taxation: Dealing with state nexus questionnaires
• When to consider voluntary compliance: Responsibility of officers, members, partners, and shareholders; planning ideas and opportunities; updates on pending federal legislation relative to state tax

The mad scramble to remote work and utilize apps like Teams has been trying for most organizations over the past couple of years. With a rush to install and no time to plan, most team members did their best, prioritizing remote meetings as the primary concern. Therefore, as a result, Teams is vastly misunderstood and underutilized in most organizations. Join us in this session to go beyond the remote meetings aspect of Teams and to learn how to optimize efficiency, communication, and workflow with Teams.

• Create and implement a client retention strategy
• Create content to educate clients
• Track customer retention metrics
• Leverage employee engagement with clients
• Map your customer journey
• Understand the role of technology in improving client retention

• Managing client expectations
• How automation improves client engagement
• Understanding the role of feedback systems
• Seeking referrals
• Building client loyalty
• Customer retention marketing
• Expanding services offered to clients
• Knowing when it is appropriate to enter new markets

• Be well informed on current topics impacting taxes, finance, and industry

• Each week’s topics will change based on the most critical issues affecting financial professionals

Breaking the Wall of blind acceptance; avoiding habitual complacency and Yoking the dots between cause and effect.

These are uncertain times. With constant economic fluctuation, geopolitical uncertainty and inflation pressures, corporations and their professionals are facing challenges at every turn. The Controllership function is accustomed to dealing with changing variables but when the
change is constant and every evolving, even the simplest of tasks like cash flow and cash forecasting can become difficult. 

This webinar is to focus on what methods the controller can elicit to attempt to address the current uncertainty when working with their cash flow issues and forecasting. Of course, there are basic measures that can be employed such as:

• Proactively managing receivables and payables
• Automate your accounts payable and receivables process
• Keep business expenses at a minimum
• Work with digital methods of payment from vendors
• Use credit wisely

However, this webinar will explore methods used to create and manage your cash flow and forecasting processes. These methods go one-step past your typical forecasting to enable management to explore various alternatives and scenarios for the business.

In May 2023, the IIA released a draft of the new Global Internal Audit Standards. The intent was to provide more effective standards for Internal Audit globally.

The new Global Internal Audit Standards were released on January 9, 2024, and will become effective January 9, 2025. The previous version, the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, released in 2017, remains approved for use during a one-year transition period. The Global Internal Audit Standards guide the worldwide professional practice of internal audit. They serve as a basis for evaluating and elevating the quality of the internal audit function. The Standards use 15 guiding principles with five separate domains that enable effective internal audit implementation and examples of evidence of conformance. The Global Standards are organized into five domains.

• Domain I: Purpose of Internal Auditing
• Domain II: Ethics and Professionalism
• Domain III: Governing the Internal Audit Function
• Domain IV: Managing the Internal Audit Function
• Domain V: Performing Internal Audit Service

Properly identifying performance obligations is a critical step in the five-step revenue recognition model. It is a step that must be completed at the inception of the contract and prior to moving on to step three of the model. As discussed in segment one on performance obligations, there are many types and variations of obligations and as such, management will be required to utilize significant judgment when applying this step. However,  it is important that the judgment be supported by considerations of the proper factors.

The course further evaluates areas that impact performance obligations. We utilize multiple examples from various industries to illustrate the considerations that must be evaluated in line with both identifying performance obligations and allocating the transaction price appropriately.  
 

Many organizations unconsciously fail to exhibit diversity, inclusion and belonging.  This session provides an opportunity for leaders to  understand diversity language and definitions, build awareness of biases and stereotypes, recognize how our own actions protect our awareness gaps, and find a level of understanding concerning where we are and where we want to be in the future. 

With new accounting standards, the economic landscape and evolving technology, accounting, financial reporting and finance continue to grow in complexity. FASB has tried to address the growing complexity, by working towards making GAAP less convoluted.  The struggle to stay on top of accounting financial reporting requirements and finance changes due to the economy continues for several reasons. Lack of in-house SMEs, managing high volumes of transactions, and data and evolving information technology systems.

In the future, executives must consider the challenges they will face in future years that will bring their own nuances and complexities. Budgeting is certainly one of those processes that must be evaluated and re-evaluated for efficiency. This session delves into the corporate budgeting process and discusses methods used and which methods may or may not allow for the organization’s to properly plan for a volatile future.

In May 2023, the IIA released a draft of the new Global Internal Audit Standards. The intent was to provide more effective standards for Internal Audit globally.

The new Global Internal Audit Standards were released on January 9, 2024, and will become effective January 9, 2025. The previous version, the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, released in 2017, remains approved for use during a one-year transition period. The Global Internal Audit Standards guide the worldwide professional practice of internal audit. They serve as a basis for evaluating and elevating the quality of the internal audit function. The Standards use 15 guiding principles with five separate domains that enable effective internal audit implementation and examples of evidence of conformance. The Global Standards are organized into five domains.

• Domain I: Purpose of Internal Auditing
• Domain II: Ethics and Professionalism
• Domain III: Governing the Internal Audit Function
• Domain IV: Managing the Internal Audit Function
• Domain V: Performing Internal Audit Service

As discussed in the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ Occupational Fraud 2022: A Report to the Nations, 86% of all frauds are misappropriation of assets.  Why is the misappropriation of assets so large?  Because there as so many of them it creates many, many opportunities.  And the asset which is stolen the most?  CASH!  Because it’s easy to conceal and you don’t have to convert it.  During this presentation, the many, many different ways to misappropriate (steal) assets and which assets (besides cash) are most subject to misappropriation are discussed as well as how to recognize such and more importantly, how easy it is to prevent it!

Many practitioners dealing with government and not-for-profit issues are asked to serve as expert witnesses in courts of law or other adjudicatory venues.  This session will discuss key issues you need to know when you are asked to serve in this capacity, including:

• Applicable standards and other engagement acceptance considerations.
• Preparation requirements and techniques.
• Dos and don'ts of testifying.
• Avoiding commons traps and tricks designed to undermine your effectiveness.

The session will conclude with a “mock cross-examination” with participants serving as the jury to identify what our witness does right and what he does wrong.

Unhealthy behavior in the workplace can create a drama-laden, hostile work environment, negatively impact productivity and increase turnover. When team members are focused on how they can one-up their counterparts or are fearful of their co-workers/leaders actions towards them – they are NOT focused on reaching your company’s goals. 
 

By now, we should all understand the ethical obligations we have as CPAs.  So, theoretically, if we just all agree to remain ethical, we should not have CPA ethical violations.  But, of course, our professional ethics committees still have plenty of cases to investigate.  This session will examine several ethical frameworks, including the AICPA’s Code of Professional Conduct’s and the GAO Yellow Book’s Threats and Safeguards approach to remaining ethical and resolving ethical dilemmas.  The session will present several ethical case studies that illustrate the complexities of and challenges to staying ethical.

By exercising our “ethical muscles”, we should be better positioned to effectively deal with the ethical dilemmas that we will inevitably encounter.

Good judgment works well in handling most employee relations matters.  However, there are special situations where legal requirements dictate specific handling to avoid significant personal and employer liability.   This course provides practical knowledge and scripts for responding to requests for accommodations regarding religious practices or disabilities, confronting employees in substance abuse situations, and handling disclosures of contagious infections so that individual is properly helped, and the health of your workforce is protected.

Auditors are required by Generally Accepted Auditing Standards to perform audit procedures to determine if the financial statements are materially misstated due to error OR FRAUD.  Unfortunately, in the past the profession has focused on misstatements due to errors and largely ignored to possibility of misstatements due to fraud.  While SAS No. 122, AU 240, Consideration of Fraud in a Financial Statement Audit sets forth the procedures that auditors are required to perform in each audit to determine if the financial statements are materially misstated due to fraud, this program presents a practical approach to making such a determination.  It’s not a substitute for the requirements in SAS 122, AU 240, but rather an informal supplement to the standard with some common-sense procedures which are designed from my over 30 plus years of directing fraud investigations.  After attending this session, you will more than likely never look at a financial statement audit the same way.

When asked the question, “What would you like to improve about your leadership and communication style?” more than 65% of leaders say they want to be more confident and assertive in their communication. Confidence and clarity communicates leadership. If you are responsible for growing a profitable company or a productive team, you want team members who have the ability to reach goals, make sales, finish projects, and serve customers. Being a confident compelling leader helps to inspire better relationships, promotes trust and reduces stress in the workplace.

The objective of corrective action is to change conduct through teaching.  Corrective action may be sequential, out of order, repetitive, or not appropriate to take at all.  The action selected should reflect the type, frequency, and severity of the misconduct.  Changing conduct through teaching requires effective employee relations skills. This course provides practical knowledge and scripts for handling a wide array of sensitive misconduct situations with good judgment, such that personal and employer liability is avoided.

When we’re going through change and life feels out of balance, it’s normal to get stuck focused on all the problems and challenges that stress us out. How will the changes impact our team, our job, our lives? It doesn’t help that our brains are wired to anticipate the worst possible outcome. This wiring can make it difficult to be our best; to provide our best teamwork, our best ideas, and our best leadership. However, studies show that there are things we can do to shift our thinking so we can spend more time in positive emotions, like curiosity, enthusiasm, and optimism. Now everything gets easier and better, including:

~ Productivity
~ Customer relations
~ Change management
~ Teamwork
~ Leadership

Join Tina to learn and apply The Path for Positivity™ framework based in Positive Psychology. You will learn strategies and insights to help you experience less stress, a smoother transition, and higher productivity even when the future seems uncertain. Share the framework and strategies with your team, too.

This course is designed to equip HR leaders, managers and business owners with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively minimize conflicts in the workplace. Participants will learn about the various sources of workplace conflict, how to identify and address conflicts before they escalate, and how to implement effective conflict resolution strategies. The course will also cover topics such as communication skills, active listening, and conflict management techniques. By the end of the course, leaders will be able to create a more positive and productive work environment, reduce turnover, and promote employee satisfaction.

When asked the question, “What would you like to improve about your leadership and communication style?” more than 65% of leaders say they want to be more confident and assertive in their communication. Confidence and clarity communicate leadership. If you are responsible for growing a profitable company or a productive team, you want team members who have the ability to reach goals, make sales, finish projects, and serve customers. Being a confident, compelling leader helps to inspire better relationships, promotes trust, and reduces stress in the workplace.
Lack of confidence and assertiveness can lead to resentment, depression, low self-esteem, and loss of respect from colleagues and employers. Confident communication cultivates cooperation, goal achievement, and a more respectful work environment. Clear and compelling leaders are better equipped to move projects forward and make things happen while improving cooperation and respect from partners and subordinates.
 

When performing a financial statement audit, auditors have always been responsible for the detection of anything that would cause a material misstatement of the financial statements whether caused by error of fraud.  However, in the past the audit profession focused on material misstatements due to errors and more or less ignored the possibility of misstatements due to fraud.  Now, SAS No. 122, AU 240 requires significant documentation as to what the auditor did in order to determine if there any material risk of a misstatement of the financial statements.  This presentation is an overview of what the auditor is to document in there working papers on every financial audit as to the procedures they performed in order to determine the risk of a material misstatement.  If a material risk is discovered, they are then required to document what they did in order to determine if the financial statements were misstated.

This course is a continuation of our series on preparing to become a forensic accountant. Within this segment we focus on elements of computer forensics. This session is designed to delve into further investigative procedures used in computer forensics.
 

Valuation techniques and cash management activities are two other tool categories that can round out your analytical toolbox. In this course we will initially discuss how to turn your financial plan into a powerful valuation engine.  We then will discuss the formation of an efficient cash management program based on solid banker relationships.  Finally, we will review Ten Steps for keeping your financial toolbox full.

Financial skills needed in many situations are constantly changing.  It is prudent to routinely look into your toolbox to restock or revise your tool set.  In this course we will examine three tool categories that form the foundation for many analytical processes.

Storytelling makes wisdom stick.

In the modern corporate landscape, the challenge for lean HR departments isn't just managing administrative tasks—it's about curating a meaningful and enriching employee journey. Small HR teams are uniquely poised to offer a level of personalization and touch that larger departments might struggle to replicate. These compact teams have the potential to craft individualized experiences, ensuring that each step of an employee's journey, from onboarding to advancement, resonates deeply and positively. Yet, knowing the potential and harnessing it are two distinct tasks. This session provides attendees with a deep dive into three transformative engagement strategies tailored for lean HR environments. By placing the employee journey at the heart of these strategies, HR professionals can ensure every interaction, every milestone, and every touchpoint is optimized for engagement, satisfaction, and growth. Discover methods that don't just streamline processes, but elevate the entire employee experience, creating a lasting impact on both individual careers and the organization's culture.

This is the beginning of a series that will cover major aspects of the Controllership function. Controllers are essential to the day-to-day accounting for organizations. Yet, the role is not often readily understood. In today’s world of acronyms such as CFO, CEO, COO, CAO, etc., the Controller function may get lost in the shuffle. However, they are a critical group of professionals who ensure the adequacy and transparency of accounting and financial reporting information.

A Controller is an individual who has responsibility for all accounting-related activities including high-level accounting, managerial counting, and finance activities within a company. The duties of a Controller include assisting with the preparation of the operating budgets, overseeing financial reporting, and performing essential duties relating to payroll. However, in today’s evolving world, the Controller function can provide much more in-depth value to their organizations. This series is dedicated to exploring the traditional Controller role and stepping out of the box to identify areas where the Controller can add strategic value to their organizations.
In this first course we focus on the typical Controller function and begin to identify ways to elevate the function.
 

Why do for profit organizations exist??? To make money!!!!! What a great concept. But if the organization does not have the proper collections and credit procedures in place, they may not be able to access that money. Hence the importance of the credit and collection process.Credit and collections are critical areas for the financial statement controllers. Customer credit is a form of payment that allows small business customers to purchase a product or service before paying for it in full. The process works similarly to the way a credit card does - you procure something and pay it back later. Collections is a term used by a business when referring to money owed to that business by a customer. When a customer does not pay within the terms specified, the amount of the bill becomes past due and is sometimes submitted to a collection agency.

The sales and collection process includes business activities related to selling products and services, maintaining customer records, billing customers, and recording payments from customers. It also includes activities necessary to manage accounts receivable, such as aging accounts and authorizing credit. This course delves into the topics that impact the sales, credit and collections process for management. We discuss strategic steps management can take to ensure their processes are efficient and that they are able to actually collect their revenue.
 

In the world of work today, nothing is more critical than Culture.  If people are your competitive advantage, then culture is the best way to help your people realize a great destination. While many leaders and companies talk a lot about culture, few take the time to really plan, build, and invest in a great culture. Today, the world of work could not be more challenging, and the changes that we are seeing in the workforce, such as the rise of remote workers and increasing turnover, are adding to the complexity. Now more than ever, Culture must become your competitive advantage. In this course, you will learn about the key macro changes in the workforce and what some leading companies and leaders are doing to create amazing cultures and high-performing organizations. From LinkedIn to Patagonia to Eventbrite, you will learn from some top organizations ow they have successfully leveraged culture. You will learn what Culture is and can be, and you will learn what culture is not. As you set sail in 2024 and beyond as a leader, you will benefit from this class and learn how to make culture your competitive advantage. Your teacher for the class is Steve Cadigan, whom many credit for being the architect of LinkedIn's world-class and groundbreaking culture. 

Human Resources professionals are often tasked with investigating allegations of employee misconduct, discrimination, and others. Investigation training is traditionally presented from the position of an outsider looking in, such as a governmental agency, law firm, or private investigator. HR investigations require similar skills, but the environment and the approach are quite different. This session explores these differences and provides best practices for planning, executing, documenting, and reporting the results of an HR investigation. Attendees will end the session with takeaways to immediately implement in future HR investigations. 

This segment is designed to evaluate Step Five of the new model dealing with recognizing revenue which is the final step in applying the new revenue recognition standard. For performance obligations that are fulfilled at a point in time, revenue is recognized at the fulfillment of the performance obligation. For performance obligations to be satisfied over time, an entity must decide how to appropriately measure the progress and completion of the performance obligation. A performance obligation is satisfied when or as control of the good or service is transferred to the customer. There are several issues companies should consider in applying step 5 of the standard:

•   Determining if a Performance Obligation is satisfied over time
•   Identifying indicators of transfer of control of good/services
•   Utilizing input and output methods to measure progress of revenue recognition
•   Understanding stand-ready obligations and how to apply discounts

Communication is the glue that connects people, but it doesn’t come easy for many of us. If you want to quickly and effectively handle problems with co-workers or clients, and you want people to do what you want without a lot of hassle, this seminar is for you. The bottom line will be better client and co-worker relationships, leading to increased enjoyment and productivity at work.

The ACFE/COSO Fraud Risk Management Guide (FRMG) was published in 2016 (and updated in 2023).  It has quickly gained acceptance as the set of best practices for preventing, detecting, and thus deterring fraud. The fraud landscape is constantly changing and evolving. The FRMG sets out a rigorous set of principles and leading practices for managing fraud risk for forward-thinking organizations to follow.  It covers:

• How to establish fraud risk management governance.
• How to conduct rigorous fraud risk assessments.
• How to design and implement fraud control activities.
• How to establish reporting mechanisms and investigative procedures.
• How to monitor the overall fraud risk management program.

Fraud risk can be managed.  All anti-fraud and accountability professionals will benefit from this session's focus on effective fraud risk management.

Suitable for anyone with an interest in understanding the impacts of remote work on diverse people and promoting equitable outcomes that lead to a more inclusive work environment.

Strategic Planning for SMEs

Sustainability Accounting is now a recognized professional skill of increasing importance in larger organizations. It is the process of finding, measuring and managing the material metrics for sustainable performance and risk management. The goal is to bring these metrics into regular financial statements so leaders can act on them.  This course teaches Sustainability Accounting basics with example from the restaurant industry.   It is suitable for any professional or student who wants to learn fast about sustainability issues in specific industry sectors and how to integrate sustainability metrics into financial accounting and reporting.

This another course in our series on the controllership function. The controller's role encompasses many traditional responsibilities. The breadth and depth of the controller skill set has expanded and will continue to expand as the business world evolves.

The controller position will typically lead teams of financial and accounting experts. Recognizing that leadership and team management skills are must-haves; they need to be able to command their team's respect, inspire them to act, and ensure that such actions are aligned with your organization's overall vision. These skills, along with tactical knowledge will ensure the controller's success.

• Understand the attributes of ethics and professional conduct
• Identify ethical issues that occur every day in the work environment
• Understand those deliberative, emotional, and social skills that enable a CPA to put their knowledge of the rules into practice in ways that are applicable to any situation
• Understand CPA Independence issues and professional conduct

• Examine the CPA's role in today's economy
• Compare similarities and differences between individual and business ethics
• Explore the link between ethics, integrity and scruples
• Discuss the basic attributes of ethics and professional conduct
• Review the history of the CPA profession and the CPA's requirement to adhere to ethics policies and codes of conduct
• Review the AICPA's Code of Professional Conduct and a CPA's responsibilities to the public, clients and colleagues
• Discuss the common rules and statutes faced daily in the CPA profession. Case studies may also be utilized to present potential ethical dilemmas CPAs may face during their careers
• Review CPA Independence violations by current legal case examples

• Understand the latest GAO, OMB, AICPA, GASB, and FASB developments
• Keep accounting and auditing skills up to date with current requirements
• Prepare for major changes on the horizon

• Developing issues related to the 2024 Yellow Book revision and the 2024 revision to the Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards
• Key AICPA developments affecting audits of governments and nonprofits (including SAS No. 146 on quality management)
• Recent GASB activities directed toward state and local governments (e.g., the implementation of GASB No. 101 on compensated absences, GASB No. 102 on certain risk disclosures, GASB No. 103 on improvements to the financial reporting model, and additional GASB projects)
• Critical, but sometimes overlooked, FASB ASC 958 implementation guidance and illustrations for not-for-profits)

• Update on latest cases, rulings, and regulations including the final regs
• Provisions of Revenue Procedure 2022-19: Relief for S corporations
• Legislative update on retirement plan changes of the SECURE Act 2.0
• How to handle liabilities of LLCs
• Planning opportunities and pitfalls in determining basis and amounts at risk -- recourse and nonrecourse debt issues for LLCs, and much more
• Section 199A pass-through deduction planning
• Partnership planning -- Structuring partnership distributions and transfers of interests
• Optional basis adjustments -- §§754 and 732(d)
• Planning for the utilization of §179 and for the scheduled phase out of bonus depreciation 
• Basis, distribution, redemption, and liquidation issues of S corporations
• Compensation in S corporations
• Sale of a partnership -- the best planning concepts
• What you need to know about family pass-throughs -- Estate planning, family income splitting, and compensation planning
• Partnership and LLC allocations
• A brief look at possible future changes to the taxation of pass-through entities
• The who, what, when, where, and how of the new FinCEN BOI reporting requirements

• Effectively compute rental income and expenses
• Decode the implications of renting out vacation homes
• Navigate different tax forms including Schedule E and Schedule A
• Unravel the complexities of passive activity loss rules and their foundational reasoning
• Differentiate between active and material participation
• Understand the nuances in grouping passive activities for tax purposes
• Navigate the primary limitations on deductibility of passive losses
• Dive into the influence of at-risk rules on deductions and taxable income
• Recognize when and how real estate activities are classified as active businesses
• Identify scenarios for applying individual investor exceptions in passive activity loss rules
• Analyze Section 199A QBI deduction and safe harbor rules for real estate professionals

• Rental income and expense calculation and reporting
• Deciphering Schedule E (Form 1040)
• Nuances of vacation home rules
• Passive activity loss rules: foundations and implications
• Active vs. material participation in rental activities
• Tax reporting: how to group passive activities
• Limitations on passive losses: at-risk rules and deductions
• Classifying rental real estate activities
• Navigating exceptions in rental real estate taxation

In order not to perform an excessive number of audit procedures (over audit) auditors must perform procedures in order to determine in what areas are there weak internal controls that could result in a risk that the financial statements would be materially misstated and not be detected.  SAS No. 122, AU 300 – 499, Measuring Audit Risk provides guidance as well as required procedures that must be performed in every audit in order to determine the risk of material misstatement.  No longer can the auditor state that they assess the risk of material misstatement at maximum without having a basis for making such assessment.  As a result, the standards now require that the auditor make such an assessment of a material misstatement of the financial statement on every audit in order to have a basis for such assessment.  This program is an overview of the statement documentation requirements in assessing such a risk.

The staggering volume of accounting scandals is a scandal. What has happened and what were the root causes? Why do many financial professionals choose to do the wrong thing? What has been the cumulative impact on the profession? What can we do to enhance our professional reputation? We will discuss the many "fixes" imposed to address previous accounting scandals, including COSO; were they effective? We must understand that accounting fraud is prevalent and what should we look out for? Be aware. We do not want history to repeat itself.

In the ever-evolving landscape of business technology, it is about having the right tools and optimizing for efficiency and cost- effectiveness. K2's Optimizing Your Tech Stack for Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness is designed for professionals seeking to balance functionality with financial prudence. This session delves into strategies for streamlining your technology stack without sacrificing performance. We will guide you through assessing your current tech tools, identifying redundancies, and exploring less expensive yet effective alternatives. You will learn techniques to evaluate the total cost of ownership of tech tools and make informed decisions to avoid overspending. This course is necessary for professionals seeking the most value from their technology investments.

• Understand how to successfully start and grow a small business or advise clients who are starting a small business
• Understand basic legal issues that need to be addressed when forming a business
• Explore marketing and financing plans to launch and develop a business
• Recognize ways to protect business assets and owners from different forms of liability

• Understanding the time commitment required to start and run a business
• Selecting a corporate structure to protect your personal assets
• Building your product or service
• Sales and marketing in your business
• Establishing your owners, investors, managers, and employees
• Accounting, recording-keeping, and other software programs
• Leases, contracts, and employee agreements
• Protecting intellectual property
• Insurance
• Business plans
• Financing
• Market position

• Help small business owners understand why they need to adopt retirement plans for themselves and their employees
• Identify critical features and benefits of SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs
• Determine which employees must be covered under SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs
• Determine the steps that businesses should take to establish SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs, and
• Explain the operational and administrative requirements for SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs

• The new Roth SEP IRAs and Roth SIMPLE IRAs created under SECURE Act 2.0
• Key factors for choosing a retirement plan for a small business
• Key questions an advisor must ask a small business owner to help determine which retirement plan is suitable for their business
• Key questions an advisor must ask a small business owner to help ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations
• How SEP and SIMPLE IRAs benefit the small business owner
• How SEP and SIMPLE IRAs benefit employees of small businesses
• The tax benefits that help to offset the cost of employer contributions
• How to determine which business is eligible to adopt a SIMPLE IRA or SEP IRA
• How to determine which employees must be covered

• Recognize the tax compliance obligations when a new client is hired
• Identify ongoing tax obligations including Form 941 and 940 filings
• State where unemployment insurance should be paid

• Form W-4
• Form I-9
• Form W-9
• End-of-year compliance
• Payroll tax returns
• Unemployment insurance

• Understand how an HSA works and who can set one up
• Recognize why an employer would want to set up an HSA for its employees
• Describe how enrollment in Medicare affects an HSA

• Benefits of an HSA
• How an employer sets up an HSA
• How individuals qualify to set up an HSA
• High deductible health plans and how they relate to an HSA
• Eligible medical expenditures
• Annual contributions to an HSA
• Importance of enrollment in Medicare
• Qualified HSA funding distribution

In today's workplace, employees are faced almost daily with customers or teammates that may have needs or concerns that we are forced to handle. Though many of these situations are easily dealt with through simple communication skills, others may become heated and, in some instances, violent. Today we will discuss healthy ways to de-escalate a wide variety of potential issues.

This is not your average CPE course--Part 2! In this second part course (which is equally fun and engaging), you will learn how to feel confident--even in highly stressful situations. You will learn new secrets to great health that take under 10 minutes per week, and you will learn how to know what is most important to you--so you can be happier and healthier in the long run. Tune in for techniques to relieve stress and tips on incorpating meditation into your daily routine. All of which will help improve your memory and overall mental health and wellbeing. In addition, you'll learn an unsurpassed method for making sure you stay consistent with actually implementing these methods in your daily life.

Enterprise Risk Management for SMEs

Emotions get us every time. We all feel emotion. It’s what we do after we experience them that defines us. Emotional intelligence is critical in moving you, your teams, and your life forward. It’s all about your awareness and relationships with people. 

In this course, you will learn what emotional intelligence is and why it is one of the essential factors in determining your success in your career and your life. You will apply the four key areas of emotional intelligence and strategies you can immediately use to increase your emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence is a skill and practice that promises to influence your life positively. You will learn the value it brings to how you approach your work and your relationships with co-workers, clients, and customers.

In 2020, 96% of the world’s largest 250 companies published reports on their sustainability performance in accordance with national and international standards.   Now many more companies are committing to sustainability, and Net Zero emissions in particular.   This creates a new responsibility and opportunity for HR leaders.   Staff must be trained in new policies, goals and procedures.  Executives need help as leaders in this new approach.  This one-hour course summarizes SHRM research into HR and sustainability, plus other expert sources and the instructor's own 30-year journey helping companies become more sustainable.   The course presents key concepts, tools and sources to help HR find its role.

This is a specialized course designed for experienced accounting professionals who are looking to strengthen their interpersonal and professional skills in maintaining
appropriate boundaries within and beyond the workplace. This course delves deep into the complexities of workplace relationships, personal practices, & ethical dilemmas, providing participants with advanced strategies to effectively manage professional distances and avoid problematic conflicts of all kinds. Through interactive sessions, case studies, and expert guidance, attendees will learn how to navigate sensitive situations with tact and integrity, ensuring that their professional conduct remains impeccable, and their careers continue to thrive in an increasingly complex business environment.

Numbers and especially the digits within those numbers can conceal a lot of information.  Benford's Law and other digital analysis techniques can be the keys to unlocking that information.  This session will explain what Benford's Law is, how it works, and how it can be used to reveal bogus information and made-up data.  Accountants and auditors should understand how to use this valuable audit tool as well as other digital analysis techniques.  But, if you attend this session, you must promise not to reveal the secret behind these techniques to any fraud perpetrators.

Good judgment works well in handling most employee relations matters.  However, there are special situations where legal requirements dictate specific handling to avoid significant personal and employer liability.   This course provides practical knowledge and scripts for responding to requests for accommodations regarding religious practices or disabilities, confronting employees in substance abuse situations, and handling disclosures of contagious infections so that individual is properly helped, and the health of your workforce is protected.

You often can perform an audit in accordance with all of the standards, and still have a substandard audit IF you did not get out among the clients employees (let them know you are there and where you located), talk to as many people as you can regardless as to whether you may think that they may have any helpful information; constantly observe your surrounding where ever you are at (you never now what you might see) and lastly, listen to not only what people are saying to you but are also saying around you.

This presentation is designed to illustrate the importance of making yourself available to your client’s employees, let them know that you are there and where you can be found. Talk with them because if there is a problem, somebody knows and they will often tell you all about it IF you just ask them.  Look at your surrounding everywhere you go.  What are you looking for?  I don’t know but I’ll know it when I see it. Lastly, listen to what they have to say.  Every word is important because they may say something that you had not asked about. 

Remember, you never want to discover something and go to an individual who you determined knew about it and ask, why didn’t you tell me about this and their response was, you never asked me!

Often a simple situation may seem innocent, but it can lead to large complications quickly. Conflicts of interest are unavoidable and occur frequently for CPAs in business and industry. What will you do when they happen? Will you take the necessary steps to remain ethical and to protect your license? We will show you how in detail. You and I have a responsibility to our organizations and to the public to be ethical. If you do not follow the prescribed steps, as detailed in the Code of Professional Conduct, there will be problems. Do not forget your duty to the public.

Following on Part 1 of this course, in Part 2 you will learn advanced ways to solve problems without bruising egos, how to create profound trust quickly, and how to motivate clients and co-workers to do your bidding with a minimal amount of wasted time or hassles.    The bottom line will be better client and co-worker relationships, leading to increased enjoyment and productivity at work.

Appreciation affects your bottom line and your workplace culture. Don’t think so? Think again! Your customers, clients, and co-workers want and need to know they are appreciated. How do you show them appreciation? You show them in their preferred appreciation style. 

You have a bias for how you like to receive appreciation, and so do the people with whom you work.

In this program, we will build on the research of Gary Chapman and Paul White on appreciation languages – words, time, service, and gifts. 

Appreciation is a skill and practice that promises to influence your work life positively. You will experience strategies you can employ in your day-to-day lives to improve your team culture and manage work relationships.

Have you ever found yourself wondering why people won't just listen to you? Or maybe you have found yourself surrounded by people that make your jaw clench...you know the people...the challenging people. 

HR Professionals walk a tight rope of being strong, but not aggressive, polite, but not a push over. It is exhausting!

In this session, you will uncover the secrets to working with (and overcoming) challenging people derived from the decades of experience Summer brings from her time on the frontlines and as an HR Professional working with companies such as Walt Disney World, H-E-B and even a dude ranch.
 

Employees, now more than ever, are experiencing stress, anxiety and other mental health challenges and all of those come with them each day to the workplace. In order to ensure the safety and security of their workplace, employers need to address these issues and support their employees. Join us to discuss the challenges to providing mental health support to employees, the potential risks of deprioritizing mental health, and tangible actions employers can take to support the mental health of their work group. The cost of providing mental health resources and support pales in comparison to the cost of NOT providing it. Make a plan. Be ProActive.

It is virtually impossible to pick up the daily newspaper and not find an article on some type of fraudulent event. In the wake of the “Era of Fraud, Waste and Excess,” one might suspect that potential fraudsters would think twice before committing illegal acts. However, just the opposite seems to be the case.  Is there really more fraud or is there simply more fraud awareness?  The harsh reality is that it is a little bit of each.  Not only has fraud worldwide reached a level of over $7.0 billion in lost  revenue but savvy C-level executives now realize that it could happen to their companies—very easily. When you put these facts together, it adds up to a completely new era of vigilance.

• Identify and understand critical thinking errors as they relate to ethical dilemmas
• Understand the professional code of ethics and conduct
• Be familiar with the new AICPA Ethics Codification
• Recognize the impact of ethical and unethical conduct on our profession
• Understand the common types of fraud in business and identify red flags of fraud

• What are ethics?
• Why study ethics?
• Ethical responsibilities of CPAs
• Professional code of ethics and conduct
• AICPA Codification – updated
• Ethical dilemmas
• CPA vision
• Real disciplinary cases to illustrate critical points

• Understand all facets of the budgeting process
• Provide techniques to improve forecasting
• Demonstrate how a budget can be a vital tool for overall long-term improvement
• Identify immediate actions that can result in measurable benefits to an organization
• Understand management, uses, and potential benefits of big data
• Employ techniques for further research

• Why forecasts and budgets are frequently wrong: behavioral finance; improper goal setting, games, continuing the status quo, traditional budgeting techniques
• Incorporating strategy into budgets: improving measurement systems; common errors, developing strategies and appropriate measurements
• Expanding the budgeting framework: rolling forecasts; mission-based budgeting, zero-based budgeting, post-completion evaluations, contingency planning, black swan events, identifying improvements
• Big data: definition, challenges, goals, current uses/examples, sources of information
• Analytical tools: ration analysis, benchmarking, Pareto analysis, trend analysis, regression, simulation, dashboards

• Help clients choose the tax entity that is most advantageous to them

• Why businesses operate as C corporations
• Why businesses operate as pass-through entities
• Adopting C corporation status
• Why businesses choose S corporation status. Tax and business situations that impact entity selection.

Due to the constant stress of a fast paced life, overwork, and family demands, it’s easy to feel one’s life is out of balance. When this happens, all areas of your life can suffer. By learning key methods for setting priorities and goals, overcoming stress, and deciding what’s most important to you, you can achieve new levels of balance and greater results. Having more balance in your life will allow you to do less of what you don’t want and more of what is truly important to you.

This is a dynamic course tailored for seasoned accountants who are looking to elevate their skills in navigating and leading through organizational change. This advanced program focuses on enhancing agility by providing the tools and techniques necessary to manage and adapt to rapid shifts in the accounting landscape. Participants will explore theoretical frameworks alongside practical strategies that support effective change management for diverse business environments.

The best leaders are always ethical. Every great leader has heart and readily shows that they care. What is the true value of a trustworthy leader? Why do we need trustworthy leaders? How do we examine ethical issues - what is the process? Trust provides a safety net that enables innovation to flourish. Be the best leader you can be by caring about others and remaining ethical.

Ethics is fundamentally how we treat others. Do we measure up to that standard?

This session will focus on the most common types of fraud in the procurement and contracting arena, with a focus on fraud in construction.  The session will examine fraud vulnerabilities in the four key phases of the procurement process:

• Presolicitation.
• Negotiation.
• Performance.
• Closeout and Claims. 

Within each phase, “red flags” will be discussed.  These are the indicia of possible fraud that managers should be alert for.  Also, within each phase, the most common fraud schemes will be highlighted and discussed.  Finally, the session will describe the generally accepted safeguards or controls that should be established to prevent the various fraud schemes that can occur.  This part of the program will make extensive use of actual fraud case studies designed to demonstrate fraud risks and fraud detection strategies.

This is not your average CPE course! In this fun and practical course, you'll learn how to remember names, where you put things, what you read, or anything else 300% (or more) effectively than before. You will also learn how to prevent dementia, and halve your stress by using exercises that take under two minutes a day to do. Additionally, you'll receive information on ways to improve your memory by improving your overall health and wellness. This course will give you an overview of natural supplements to enhance your memory as well as share tips to improve your sleep. This course will change your life both now and in the future by making sure you know the best ways to remember information, handle stress and keep your mind sharp until the day you die. The information in this course to help increase your professional efficiency and improve your overall quality of life.

Emerging from the pandemic is a workplace culture governed by values. Far from a soft approach, it can drive significant business results. Organizations that embrace an empathetic culture increase performance and decrease turnover, while their customers report a more positive experience. Additionally, being more “person-focused” strongly correlates with more effective ethics and compliance programs. These insights can provide a roadmap for the "new normal" as the world emerges from the crisis. How employees and management move forward from this experience will shape the workplace for decades to come.

ProActive Response Group's Active Shooter Response Training course educates participants in current trends of active shooter incidents, how to recognize early warning signs of violence, appropriate actions to increase chances of survival in an active shooter event, and how to use basic medical equipment to save the lives of victims.  

*****(Warning: This video contains simulated graphic scenes that some viewers may find disturbing)*****

Are you running around with a fire extinguisher permanently strapped to your back? Do everyday crises run your life, both at work and at home? Do you find yourself
consistently taking care of everyone else with no time left to take care of you?

In this session, we dive into controlling your chaos and managing your energy. Make no mistake, this isn't your father's time management class. It’s an energy management class developed on behalf of and with tired, frustrated, and burned out HR professionals like yourselves! If you find yourself drained and drinking far too much coffee, this is the session for you!

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.  The same theory applies to departmental performance—the overall result is only as strong as its weakest contributor.  Leave our interactive and entertaining session with insight for developing and sustaining the best team you can possibly assemble.  The four elements in this process are (1) development, (2) leadership, (3) hiring and (4) environment.  Discuss how to effectively use these elements in your creation of an outstanding organization. Discover the power of the 10 Attributes for Leadership Success and the negative impact of Leadership’s Fatal 13. Above all, learn how to combine these four elements as a successful catalyst for sustained high-quality output and results.  

In trying to achieve life balance, various internal and external obstacles arise.  In this course we will look at these obstacles and provide specific ways to overcome them.  In addition, we will look at how to excel in every area of your life including your relationships, finances, sense of purpose, level of  happiness, and your physical health and leisure time pursuits.  You will leave this course with powerful methods and a specific plan to move forward in your life in a balanced, healthy, and productive manner.  Don't forget to take Part 1 of this amazing course.

When we verbally communicate with an individual, we must make a conscious decision as to whether we believe what we have heard.  Little do we realize that we are not making a decision based on what we have heard; rather we make a subconscious decision based primarily on what we have seen, or how the body was behaving when the subject was speaking.  We often walk away from a conversation with a gut feeling that the person was not telling the truth.  That gut feeling is your subconscious.  Yet we often have no idea as to why we have that feeling.

This presentation is designed to provide the participant with the tools to identify those both verbal and nonverbal indicators that we all give off when we are under stress.  Normally, telling the truth does not create stress.  When we lie, we know that we are not supposed to and that creates stress, and it will manifest itself in some manner, and that is what a trained interviewer is looking to observe.

When we observe indicators of deception, how do we deal with it?  How do we get the subject to admit to a wrong-doing when it is not in their best interest to do so?  That is one of the many things that will be addressed in this presentation.  Whether you are a parent dealing with you kids; an employer dealing with employees or and investigation interviewing a suspect, this presentation will provide you with the tools to assist you in finding the truth.

As reported in the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Occupational Fraud 2022:  A Report to the Nations, on average, small businesses lose 5% of their revenue due to fraud.  Can the average small business owner afford to lose 5% of their revenue due to fraud?  I think not.  This presentation is designed to illustrate the numerous ways employees commit fraud in small businesses, how to detect it, and most importantly, how to prevent it.  Both auditors and small business owners would both benefit from this presentation.

This is a compelling course designed to strengthen the ethical foundations of experienced accountants in leadership roles. This course delves into the challenges
and responsibilities of maintaining high ethical standards in complex and pressure-filled business environments. Participants will explore key concepts of ethical decision- making, the impact of leadership on organizational integrity, and strategies for fostering an ethical culture even when external behaviors fall short of these standards. Through engaging lectures, dynamic discussions, and real-world scenarios, this course equips leaders with the skills necessary to act as ethical pillars within their organizations, ensuring their actions influence positive change and uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.

Ethics is grounded in leadership and the finest leaders are always ethical. Every effective leader is ethical, in words and actions. The best leaders communicate effectively. Being trustworthy is more than being honest and fair. In today’s turbulent environment, leadership matters more than ever as the talented staff will readily move to ethical leaders. We must enhance our leadership skills to remain valuable. Simple stated - we all want to work for, and with, an ethical leader.

This course in part of our series on the Controllership Role. Internal control is relevant to everyone in the workplace. It represents our moral responsibility to understand and comply with organization policies and procedures. It also provides the means to hold individuals accountable for their work. The controller is an impactful position that affects a company's processes including financial, compliance and operational.

Controller functions vary across companies often following the size and complexity of the business and the industry. Smaller companies require more versatility for the controller Larger companies are more able to segregate job responsibilities across other employees.

The controller should be knowledgeable of the various controls to create a control system that will appropriately safeguard company assets and processes. Internal controls are typically comprised of control activities such as authorization, documentation, reconciliation, security and segregation of duties.

Audit Risk Assessment in Plain English, is a 2 hour webcast highlighting the AICPA’s clarified risk assessment standards, along with a new Statement on Auditing Standard (SAS 145) related to understanding the entity, the entity’s environment, the entity’s internal controls, and assessing the risks of material misstatement.  This session will attempt to simplify the requirements using common sense examples and language.

• Review and apply recently issued and proposed FASB and AICPA pronouncements
• Review and apply guidance within ASC 842, Leases
• Understand SAS 142 and SAS 145
• Recall and apply AICPA quality management standards (SQMS 1, SQMS 2, and SQMS 3)
• Be familiar with other important A&A practice matters you should be aware of
• Utilize hands-on examples and illustrations to increase your overall understanding and application of the material

• Recently issued FASB Accounting Standards Updates, PCC Update and items on the FASB’s Technical Agenda
• Leases – Topic 842
• Recently issued ASUs covering common control leases, crypto assets (e.g., cryptocurrency), and income tax disclosures
• ASC 326: CECL
• Review of SAS 142 – Focus on Audit Evidence
• Recently issued SASs and other AICPA activity
• SSARS No. 25 and other recently issued SSARS
• Detailed review of SAS 145
• Other important A&A practice matters

• Understand strategies and tactics to use in light of new legislation
• Understand the most current guidance on retirement planning
• Understand how to nail down valuable deductions and other reductions to the tax base

• Mine a tax return for tax planning with a client
• Understand the planning implications of the current environment
• Determine the best tax strategies for retirement
• Understand tax planning for the middle-income client

• Comprehensive coverage of the SECURE Act 2.0
• Understanding the environment: what’s new, what’s expired or expiring, and what’s likely to change
• Reading a tax return for developing client-specific tax strategies
• Changes to the lifetime estate tax exemption in light of proposed regulations 
• The net investment income tax: planning for compliance
• Family income-splitting strategies that need to be considered
• Income tax issues: impact on timing of other income
• Selling a principal residence
• Two principal residences at the same time
• Use of life insurance to protect families: Whole Life Insurance, Term Life Insurance, Universal Life Insurance, and Variable Life Insurance
• Using Roth IRAs and Roth contribution programs to best advantage
• Conversions: do they still make sense?
• Taking distributions: matching timing to client requirements
• Qualified plan contributions to reduce current income and Social Security tax: implications for business owners and self-employed
• Social Security solvency issues
• Incentive Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan considerations
• What to do about itemized deductions
• Trans-generational planning: conversions, income, and gain-splitting
• Tax benefits of HSAs and other tax-advantaged accounts
• Identifying tax opportunities: reviewing the prior-year return to develop a plan for the future
• Planning for middle-income taxpayers: financial planning for the young, the working, and those approaching or in retirement
• Best financial planning ideas for young people

You may have read all sorts of stories in books about how bad people steal and make their coworkers and organizations miserable.  Come hear veteran Internal Auditor Rob Berry and veteran CFO John L. Daly discuss situations they have seen in the real world.  

Mergers, acquisitions and alliances have been and continue to be major avenues to organizational growth and increased competitive advantage. Despite the great initial promise of many mergers and alliances, few seem to yield the anticipated results.

Numerous studies indicate that between 55% and 77% of mergers fail to accomplish their intended purpose. This course helps financial professionals, and their advisors identify, execute, and consummate mergers and acquisitions that create shareholder value while avoiding the many traps that can cause post-acquisition failure.

Organizations that use primitive costing methods make predictable mistakes. They allocate too much cost to easy, high-volume "gravy" products and too little cost to difficult, low-volume "dog" products. This puts the organization with inferior information at a significant disadvantage against a competitor who has a better cost model. The secret to having a great cost model is learning how to deal with overhead.
This webinar will show you how to assign 16 key categories of overhead. Whether you work in a wholesale, retail, health care, service or manufacturing business. This session will give you important insights into how to handle overhead. If you get your costing right, you will be able to give the "dogs" to your competitors and keep the "gravy" for yourself.

As discussed in the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ Occupational Fraud 2022: A Report to the Nations, 86% of all frauds are misappropriation of assets.  Why is the misappropriation of assets so large?  Because there as so many of them it creates many, many opportunities.  And the asset which is stolen the most?  CASH!  Because it’s easy to conceal and you don’t have to convert it.  During this presentation, the many, many different ways to misappropriate (steal) assets and which assets (besides cash) are most subject to misappropriation are discussed as well as how to recognize such and more importantly, how easy it is to prevent it!

When asked the question, “What would you like to improve about your leadership and communication style?” more than 65% of leaders say they want to be more confident and assertive in their communication. Confidence and clarity communicates leadership. If you are responsible for growing a profitable company or a productive team, you want team members who have the ability to reach goals, make sales, finish projects, and serve customers. Being a confident compelling leader helps to inspire better relationships, promotes trust and reduces stress in the workplace.

Over the last few years, mental health has become more of a mainstream issue. In fact, statistics indicate that approximately one in four adults experience a mental health condition.  Therefore, it is more important now than ever for organizations to make mental health and wellness a priority, given all the rapid changes leading to higher levels of stress and uncertainty in the post-COVID workplace. 

The goal of this course is to outline the signs of mental health challenges in the workplace, such as changes in behavior, mood, or performance, while providing practical strategies for HR Professionals and Business Leaders to build and implement accommodations for a mentally healthy work environment.

Two seemingly similar products can have very different costs, yet many companies are completely oblivious to these differences causing them to lose money or competitive bids.  When companies compete, those with good information win the “gravy” contracts and those with bad information lose money on “dog” jobs. 

Attend this session to gain insights on how to win bids for the best opportunities and give the money-losers to your competitors.  Achieve your target profitability in the process.  

This course is essential for the tax practitioner who wants to update their knowledge of individual income taxation so that the practitioner can provide solid planning advice to their clients prior to year-end. This course will provide a comprehensive review of Form 1040 issues for the current tax year. Included will be a thorough review of all Internal Revenue Code changes made by year-to-date. In addition, this course will instruct the participant as to where to expect potential changes to be made by the current administration.

Emotions get us every time. We all feel emotion. It’s what we do after we experience them that defines us. Emotional intelligence is critical in moving you, your teams, and your life forward. It’s all about your awareness and relationships with people. 

In this course, you will learn what emotional intelligence is and why it is one of the essential factors in determining your success in your career and your life. You will apply the four key areas of emotional intelligence and strategies you can immediately use to increase your emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence is a skill and practice that promises to influence your life positively. You will learn the value it brings to how you approach your work and your relationships with co-workers, clients, and customers.

This course is designed to equip CPAs, EAs, attorneys, and tax professionals with the essential knowledge and strategies needed to navigate the latest developments. Explore innovative approaches to maximize retirement savings, discuss tax- efficient retirement plan options, and align estate planning techniques with current trends. Gain a thorough understanding of altered rules for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and discover how to optimize estate plans in response to changing regulations. This update is tailored for professionals seeking practical insights in the realm of contemporary retirement planning.

**Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

Every business will be sold eventually. When you have built a great business and decide to move on – you want the most you can get for that terrific organization! What are the steps to take to maximize the value realized? What do buyers really want? What are the three levers to achieve maximum value? If you want top dollar, preparing to sell takes years of planning. This seminar helps CEOs, entrepreneurs, CFOs, Board members, controllers, and their advisors prepare for a successful sale of the organization to maximize shareholder value. We will outline the process to get the most bang for the buck. Proper exit planning demands planning and time.

Following on Part 1 of this course, in Part 2 you will learn advanced ways to solve problems without bruising egos, how to create profound trust quickly, and how to motivate clients and co-workers to do your bidding with a minimal amount of wasted time or hassles.    The bottom line will be better client and co-worker relationships, leading to increased enjoyment and productivity at work.

The budgeting process can be a time consuming and frustrating process for accountants.  The constraints and pressures can lead to poor decisions in both the technical and human components.  This series will offer solutions to the budgeting woes from both the big picture and in the details. 

Understanding and Preventing Budget Calamities

2 Hours - Accounting
•    Most of us lead or participate in the budget process at least annually.  Inherent flaws exist in the standard budget building process that you can solved by recognizing them and committing to solutions.  

Building Flexible Budgeting Models: Walking Through and Crunching The Numbers
2 Hours - Accounting
•    We can all learn from others and improve our budgeting process by listening to our colleagues’ wisdom and experience.  This session takes a unique review of the fundamental budget issues faced by all and walks through a detailed modeling process intended to generate discussion and best practices to improve your organization’s financial planning. 

Avoiding Budget People Issues:  Managing Budgeting’s Soft Side
2 Hours - Accounting
•    Financial plans have a technical component and human component.  We can resolve some of our budget issues by exploring the process’ human aspect.  This session includes a case study that measures an individual’s personality type and then explores how to use our strengths and weaknesses to create to a better plan.  

Budgeting:  Presenting and Communicating your Numbers
2 Hours - Accounting
•    Now that the budget is complete, how we communicate our plan is critical.  this session reveals some key guidelines in budget presentation and will identify key problems in how people often communicate financial plans. 
 

In trying to achieve life balance, various internal and external obstacles arise.  In this course we will look at these obstacles and provide specific ways to overcome them.  In addition, we will look at how to excel in every area of your life including your relationships, finances, sense of purpose, level of  happiness, and your physical health and leisure time pursuits.  You will leave this course with powerful methods and a specific plan to move forward in your life in a balanced, healthy, and productive manner.  Don't forget to take Part 1 of this amazing course.

When you're working with clients, it's not always smooth sailing (though we wish it was). Often we need to have difficult conversations. Whether it's to overcome objections, negotiate a new contract, or manage a conflict, these conversations can be navigated successfully with the right tools. This workshop gives you those tools and an understanding how how the human mind works when it comes to processing communication in difficult situations.

The budgeting process can be a time consuming and frustrating process for accountants.  The constraints and pressures can lead to poor decisions in both the technical and human components. See Learning Objectives below for more details.  

If sales increase, so should profits.  Yet, the opposite result often leaves executives scratching their heads.  When organizations work with inferior cost information, they make mistakes in four specific situations.  Bad information causes sellers to overprice easy, high-volume work and underprice difficult, low-volume work. 

This session discusses how to use activity-based costing data to build accurate costing models that consider far more than just the labor and materials necessary to provide goods and services.  

Most ethics courses focus on unethical individuals and their terrible misdeeds. We don’t need another course on lessons from Enron or individuals committing fraud.  Most unethical failures result from unethical individuals.  Instead, this session will focus on how good people can do better, why there is no such thing as business ethics and why we only need one rule to lead ethical lives.

This course is designed to equip HR leaders, managers and business owners with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively minimize conflicts in the workplace. Participants will learn about the various sources of workplace conflict, how to identify and address conflicts before they escalate, and how to implement effective conflict resolution strategies. The course will also cover topics such as communication skills, active listening, and conflict management techniques. By the end of the course, leaders will be able to create a more positive and productive work environment, reduce turnover, and promote employee satisfaction.

As reported in the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Occupational Fraud 2022:  A Report to the Nations, on average, small businesses lose 5% of their revenue due to fraud.  Can the average small business owner afford to lose 5% of their revenue due to fraud?  I think not.  This presentation is designed to illustrate the numerous ways employees commit fraud in small businesses, how to detect it, and most importantly, how to prevent it.  Both auditors and small business owners would both benefit from this presentation.

There is always too much to do and too little time to do it all.  Fortunately, if you know the right ways to manage people, projects and your time, you can get on top of everything by working smarter. 

In this seminar you'll learn the best ways to get more done in less time, how to stay sane with all you have to do, and how to get other people to do some of "your" work by building great relationships.

Award winning discussion leader Mark Hugh discusses how to create and capture value with consulting services. Whether you want to consult a little or full time, this valuable course reviews identifying a specialty, growing a practice, capturing value, creating deliverables, and effective marketplace marketing strategies.  

This is not your average CPE course! In this fun and practical course, you'll learn how to remember names, where you put things, what you read, or anything else 300% (or more) effectively than before. You will also learn how to prevent dementia, and halve your stress by using exercises that take under two minutes a day to do. Additionally, you'll receive information on ways to improve your memory by improving your overall health and wellness. This course will give you an overview of natural supplements to enhance your memory as well as share tips to improve your sleep. This course will change your life both now and in the future by making sure you know the best ways to remember information, handle stress and keep your mind sharp until the day you die. The information in this course to help increase your professional efficiency and improve your overall quality of life.

Prior to the original SAS No. 82 on Consideration of Fraud In A Financial Statement Audit (now codified as SAS No. 122, AU 240), the word fraud never appeared in a single SAS, nor was it described anywhere.  SAS No. 82 stated that auditors failed to detect fraud for two reasons:  1) They did not know what it looked like and 2) They had not been trained to look for it.  Although the SASs did not provide any guidance, auditors have always been responsible for the detection of anything that would cause a material misstatement of the financial statements whether caused by error or irregularities.  (They would not even say the word fraud until it appeared in SAS No. 82) The standards were replete with guidance on the detection of an error but silent on how to detect irregularities.  Now auditors are required to document in every financial statement audit their process of determining the risk of financial misstatement due to fraud.

This presentation is designed to focus on frauds that were missed by the auditors and, in some cases, why it was missed.  There will also be discussion as to what the auditor must do in order to improve their track record on detecting fraud.  As reported on the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Occupational Fraud 2022: A Report to the Nations, only 4% of frauds were initially discovered by the external auditor.  It was reported that more frauds were discovered by accident, (5%) then was discovered by the external auditor.

Many finance departments spend considerable time managing cash, particularly if the organization is highly leveraged or cash rich.  Many opportunities exist to reduce your financing costs or increase short-term cash returns if you manage cash effectively.  This session will cover a wide variety of day-to-day cash management tools.  

Employees, now more than ever, are experiencing stress, anxiety and other mental health challenges and all of those come with them each day to the workplace. In order to ensure the safety and security of their workplace, employers need to address these issues and support their employees. Join us to discuss the challenges to providing mental health support to employees, the potential risks of deprioritizing mental health, and tangible actions employers can take to support the mental health of their work group. The cost of providing mental health resources and support pales in comparison to the cost of NOT providing it. Make a plan. Be ProActive.

This course is designed to provide learners with an understanding of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Cybersecurity Checklist and how it can be used to protect taxpayer data. The course will cover the basics of cybersecurity, including threats, risks, and vulnerabilities. Learners will be introduced to the IRS Cybersecurity Checklist, which provides a framework for organizations to assess and enhance their cybersecurity practices.

The course will cover the various elements of the IRS Cybersecurity Checklist, including access control, data protection, and employee training. Learners will gain an understanding of the importance of each element and how it contributes to the overall security of taxpayer data. The course will also cover best practices for implementing each element of the IRS Cybersecurity Checklist.

Throughout the course, learners will be presented with real-world examples of cybersecurity threats and breaches, highlighting the importance of effective cybersecurity practices. Learners will also be given practical exercises and assessments to reinforce their understanding of the IRS Cybersecurity Checklist.

*Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to Kori.herrera@acpen.com.

As part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), IRC § 199A was added.  This Internal Revenue Code section allows certain pass-through entities the ability to has made it deduct up to 20% of their qualified business. Although practitioners have had over three years of “experience” utilizing IRC § 100A, many practitioners still do not feel comfortable with this part of the Internal Revenue Code.  The purpose of this presentation is to provide the practitioner with an understanding of the rules of IRC § 199A as well as an understanding of the IRC § 199A regulations.

**Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

The staggering volume of accounting scandals is a scandal. What has happened and what were the root causes? Why do many financial professionals choose to do the wrong thing? What has been the cumulative impact on the profession? What can we do to enhance our professional reputation? We will discuss the many "fixes" imposed to address previous accounting scandals, including COSO; were they effective? We must understand that accounting fraud is prevalent and what should we look out for? Be aware. We do not want history to repeat itself.

Financial Acumen for the HR Professional is a part of the series "The HR Professional's Guide to Evolving Business Strategy, Finance and Development." This course identifies how HR Professionals can increase their financial understanding to participate more effectively with management as well as understand the financial results and implications for the business.

We encounter pressure from many varied sources every day. We will focus on one of the more overlooked areas where fraud can be found.  Employees respond to pressure, and sometime the pressure leads to unethical actions. Where should you look and what should you look for? Risk assessment is not something ‘nice to do’, but it is required for internal audits, external audits, and every leader. If you are in a leadership position, learn where to look?

Our guidance on ethics comes from the AICPA and other groups, but it does not fully address the “why” behind ethics. Understanding what motivates people and understanding those people are key to both solving ethical dilemmas and workplace issues that can lead to greater job satisfaction and efficiency. To correct an issue, you need to delve into the root cause – the why?

Ethics are how groups define right from wrong. Codes of Ethics define good behavior from bad behavior for professionals. When we break those codes, we "break bad." For five seasons, the popular television show "Breaking Bad" explored the transformation of one good man breaking bad. This session provides an overview of ethics and why people break bad, while using examples from the TV show as well as case studies of good people who broke bad.

For an accounting practice or career to thrive, it must grow and develop. But what about the "Catch-22" of practice development: expertise at anything new requires experience, and experience cannot be attained while you are a non-expert! Or can it? This workshop looks at some of the more popular pathways to practice development (e.g., cybersecurity, client advisory services and cannabis) and considers the drawbacks of reaching too far, too fast.

For accounting and tax professionals, understanding the inner workings of blockchain and cryptocurrency is no longer just an advantage—it’s a necessity. This course provides an in-depth look into the mechanics of digital currencies and revolutionary blockchain technology, equipping attendees with the knowledge to navigate benefits and risks effectively. Special emphasis is placed on the tax implications for both individuals and estates, ensuring that attendees can confidently advise on these issues, which are becoming increasingly relevant in financial planning and asset management.

This offering is more than just a learning experience; it’s an investment in one’s professional growth. By understanding the tax complexities and estate planning challenges posed by digital assets, participants will be able to offer valuable insights and strategic solutions. They will emerge from this course not just with theoretical knowledge but with actionable skills that can be applied immediately. In a landscape where digital assets are becoming commonplace, this is the education that will differentiate the exceptional from the average. Join today and step into a role as a leader in finance for the digital age.

**Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

By the nature of our work and training, financial professionals have more personal finance knowledge than the general population. However, sometimes we spend so much time planning our company's future that we neglect or defer taking steps to build our own personal net worth.

If you are dissatisfied about the speed that you are accumulating savings, this session will help put you on the right track. Even if you are meeting your goals, this session will provide insights and ideas which will add to and reinforce what you may already be doing.

In today’s business world, there is a war for talent and organizations with the best talent will win. We clearly need to motivate talented personnel. Equity compensation plans are useful to retain, reward and recruit. The GAAP and tax accounting for equity compensation plans is not static and decisions that you make during plan set-up can have major consequences to your organization’s bottom line and your management team’s personal tax situations. We will review nuances and details that impact proper accounting. Whether you are the CFO or CEO who has not been happy with prior equity compensation plans or the accountant who performs the intricate analysis and detailed accounting for these plans - this session will help you understand the issues and get it right the first time.

Good people believe everyone else is just like them. They cannot imagine someone could con them or their company and have no guilt or remorse about what they have done. Lack of guilt and empathy are key traits of a psychopath. Most of us envision psychopaths to be cold-blooded serial killers who are locked away in prison. However, experts estimate that 4% of corporate executives are psychopaths who may initially appear to be more normal than the rest of us. Psychopaths may present a convincing picture of virtue while helping themselves to money, status and sex while leaving a path of shattered expectations, empty wallets, and broken hearts in their wake. Learn how to recognize and deal with others who have no conscience. 

Business ethics is not just something “nice to do” but can mean the difference between success, failure, and survival in today’s increasingly competitive environment.  This seminar outlines steps to create an ethical business culture and provides specific ways for financial managers to make better ethical decisions.

This course is essential for the tax practitioner who wants to update their knowledge of business income taxation so that the practitioner can provide solid planning advice to their clients prior to year-end. This course will provide a comprehensive review of business issues for the current tax year. Included will be a thorough review of all Internal Revenue Code changes made by year-to-date. In addition, this course will instruct the participant as to where to expect potential changes to be made by the current administration.

This comprehensive four-hour course takes CPAs beyond the basics, diving deep into the ethical quandaries that professionals face. Beyond just the rules of Circular 230, you'll explore a variety of ethical issues, discovering the best ways to handle them with integrity and wisdom. The course provides a dual focus: understanding your obligations under Circular 230 and tackling wider ethical challenges that can arise in your day-to-day work. With real-world scenarios and interactive discussions, you'll come away with practical solutions and the confidence to make the right decisions, keeping your practice ethical and your professional standing secure.

**Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

We all are busy, pressed for time and we strive to do as much as we can – as fast as we can. This is our world.  However, there are times when we should stop and think. When we do not analyze (one of our many talents) this inaction causes problems. We will review the penalties of moving too fast. Let’s learn from the mistakes of others.

TBD

To make more money in less time, all accountants need to learn to market themselves effectively to their clients or their firm. For better or worse, promotions and more money go to those who are the best marketers, rather than the most competent accountants.  In this fascinating and fun workshop, participants will learn seven key ways to get more clients and/or promotions through the art of marketing.

Prior to the original SAS No. 82 on Consideration of Fraud In A Financial Statement Audit (now codified as SAS No. 122, AU 240), the word fraud never appeared in a single SAS, nor was it described anywhere.  SAS No. 82 stated that auditors failed to detect fraud for two reasons:  1) They did not know what it looked like and 2) They had not been trained to look for it.  Although the SASs did not provide any guidance, auditors have always been responsible for the detection of anything that would cause a material misstatement of the financial statements whether caused by error or irregularities.  (They would not even say the word fraud until it appeared in SAS No. 82) The standards were replete with guidance on the detection of an error but silent on how to detect irregularities.  Now auditors are required to document in every financial statement audit their process of determining the risk of financial misstatement due to fraud.

This presentation is designed to focus on frauds that were missed by the auditors and, in some cases, why it was missed.  There will also be discussion as to what the auditor must do in order to improve their track record on detecting fraud.  As reported on the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Occupational Fraud 2022: A Report to the Nations, only 4% of frauds were initially discovered by the external auditor.  It was reported that more frauds were discovered by accident, (5%) then was discovered by the external auditor.

Most professionals routinely use Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint, but many are self-taught and, as a result, have not been exposed to the best features of these three applications. Consequently, they often use “brute force,” inefficient means when working with these three components of Microsoft Office. If that describes you, ensure you carve time out of your schedule to participate in this fourhour session. In it, you will learn how to work much more efficiently when using these tools to get better results in less time.

• Understand strategies and tactics to use in light of new legislation
• Understand the most current guidance on retirement planning
• Understand how to nail down valuable deductions and other reductions to the tax base

• Understand the IRS process for selecting returns for examination
• Identify the types of returns the IRS is examining
• Understand the hot examination issues that the IRS is focusing on to help clients reduce their exposure to additional tax assessments
• Determine if your client is a victim of tax-related identity theft and the procedures to use to resolve strategies for dealing with IRS examiners and presenting your clients’ tax positions in the best light possible

• Criteria that the IRS uses to select returns for examination
• Substantiation requirements for travel, charitable contributions, vehicles, meals, virtual currency considerations and tax-related identity theft
• Understanding worker classification determinations on who is an employee and who is an independent contractor
• Distinguishing S corporation officer’s reasonable compensation issues
• How the IRS holds persons other than an employer liable for unpaid payroll taxes, a.k.a., the trust fund recovery penalty
• Tax-related identity theft procedures

• Understand, apply SSARS No. 21, Clarification and Recodification
• Be familiar with changes due to the issuance of SSARS Nos. 22-26
• Be familiar with compilation and review program examples and disclosure illustrations
• Identify and apply compilation, preparation, and review procedures
• Be aware of the most recent compilation and review reports and other communications
• Utilize hands-on examples and illustrations to increase your overall understanding and application of the material

• SSARS No. 21, Clarification and Recodification, and updates to SSARS No. 21 due to the issuance of SSARS No. 23, Omnibus Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services
• SSARS No. 22, Compilation of Pro Forma Financial Information
• SSARS No. 24, Omnibus Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services -- 2018
• SSARS No. 25, Materiality in a Review of Financial Statements and Adverse Conclusions 
• SSARS No. 26, Quality Management for an Engagement Conducted in Accordance With Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services
• Sample comprehensive engagement work programs for preparation, compilation and review engagements
• Reporting and disclosure illustrations for each level of service, including attesting on personal financial statements, prescribed form, special purpose framework and other engagement variations
• Other communication requirements, such as sample engagement letters and management representation letters

• Advise clients regarding the latest information on estate planning and administration

• The federal transfer tax exemption 
• What constitutes a valid will
• Common trust vehicles often used to safeguard assets
• Consequences of intestacy
• How to transfer property outside of a will
• Legal treatment of marital property
• Transfer of IRAs and retirement plans
• Probate generally and probate for property held outside of the state of decedent’s residence
• When an estate tax return should be filed
• Portability of the Deceased Spousal Unused Exclusion (DSUE) amount

Welcome to a course that makes the process of M&A easy to understand and easy to implement within your organization or your clients' organization. The course will provide an intensive overview of the M&A process. Focus will be on practical techniques to guide you through the M&A jungle and avoid the traps that have befallen many organizations.