![]() ![]() | June 2025 | ![]() ![]() | ||||
Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
29 | 30 |
Surgent's Unlimited Plus Package
1/1/2025 - 12/31/2025
register for this event...
Surgent's Unlimited Self-Study Package
1/1/2025 - 12/31/2025
register for this event...
Surgent's Unlimited Webinar Package
1/1/2025 - 12/31/2025
register for this event...
AICPA New Quality Management Standards: A Practical Approach to Risk Assessment and Response
4/3/2025
register for this event...
AICPA New Quality Management Standards: Resources ? Expectations for Firms and Engagement Partners
4/10/2025
register for this event...
AICPA New Quality Management Standards: What?s New for Firms? Monitoring and Remediation Processes
4/17/2025
register for this event...
FSA Program: The Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP)
4/23/2025
register for this event...
AICPA New Quality Management Standards: Bringing It All Together ? Exploring All Components of a Quality Management System
4/24/2025
register for this event...
MNCPA AI Unboxed: Exploring the Power and Potential of AI
5/22/2025
register for this event...
MNCPA AI Unboxed: Member Bundle
5/22/2025
register for this event...
MNCPA AI Unboxed: Using AI and Excel
5/29/2025
register for this event...
MNCPA AI Unboxed: Financial Statement Analysis with AI
6/5/2025
register for this event...
Understanding the Form 990 and its Preparation Prerequisites (Webinar)
6/10/2025
register for this event...
MNCPA AI Unboxed: Using AI to Research and Report
6/12/2025
register for this event...
2025 Management Conference Exhibitor and Sponsorship
6/16/2025 - 6/17/2025
register for this event...
Live Webinar K2's Excel PivotTables for Accountants
6/18/2025
register for this event...
Live Webinar K2's Excel Best Practices
6/19/2025
register for this event...
Live Webinar K2's Better Productivity Through Artificial Intelligence & Automation Tools
6/24/2025
register for this event...
Live Webinar K2's Ethics And Technology
6/24/2025
register for this event...
Understanding the "Most Common" Form 990 Schedules: A, B & O (Webinar)
6/26/2025
register for this event...
AICPA New Quality Management Standards: A Practical Approach to Risk Assessment and Response
7/1/2025
register for this event...
AICPA New Quality Management Standards: Resources ? Expectations for Firms and Engagement Partners
7/8/2025
register for this event...
AICPA New Quality Management Standards: What?s New for Firms? Monitoring and Remediation Processes
7/15/2025
register for this event...
AICPA New Quality Management Standards: Bringing It All Together ? Exploring All Components of a Quality Management System
7/22/2025
register for this event...
2025 Farm Tax Conference Exhibitor and Sponsorship
8/18/2025 - 8/19/2025
register for this event...
Live Webinar K2's Business Intelligence, Featuring Microsoft's Power BI Tools
9/15/2025
register for this event...
Understanding the Form 990 and its Preparation Prerequisites (Webinar)
9/18/2025
register for this event...
2025 Annual Convention Exhibitor and Sponsorship
9/21/2025 - 9/23/2025
register for this event...
Understanding the "Most Common" Form 990 Schedules: A, B & O (Webinar)
9/25/2025
register for this event...
Professional Ethics: The AICPA's Comprehensive Course
1/15/2026
register for this event...
This CPAx Pack includes five individual sessions for a total of 12 CPE. You receive significant savings when purchasing these webinars as a Pack. Each of the courses runs live once a month beginning May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. Register for these scheduled courses as your schedule allows - at no extra cost to you. Once registered for this pack, log in instructions will be emailed to you separately for each individual course.
***
Transform your accounting practice with our cutting-edge course bundle, designed to harness the power of artificial intelligence.
"Unlock the Power of AI with Copilot in Excel" to streamline your data analysis and reporting. Dive deeper with the "AI Prompt Engineering Masterclass for Accountants," where you'll learn to craft effective AI prompts tailored to your needs. Explore "AI for CPAs - How it Works and How to Apply it" to understand the fundamentals and practical applications of AI in accounting. Automate your tax preparation process with "1040 Tax Prep Automation with AI Tools," and discover how AI seamlessly integrates into the accounting world with "How AI Fits into the Accounting World."
Each course is meticulously crafted to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to leverage AI for increased efficiency, accuracy, and innovation in your practice. Join us and become a future-ready CPA, equipped with the tools to excel in the evolving landscape of accounting.
Enroll today and unlock the transformative potential of AI in your accounting career!
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify key features of Copilot in Excel and their applications in data analysis.
Distinguish between traditional Excel workflows and AI-enhanced capabilities.
Design effective prompts to extract meaningful, context-rich responses from AI in financial contexts.
Identify strategies to overcome AI's "lazy" response defaults and elicit deeper analysis.
Recognize the nature of generative AI and how it can be applied in the world of CPAs
Recall key concepts and terminology associated with this rapidly evolving technology
Recognize specific ways to leverage AI technology in your 1040 tax preparation serves.
Identify specific AI tools that can be leveraged to automate and enhance 1040 tax preparation services.
Identify basic constructs of AI.
Distinguish between discriminative and generative artificial intelligence
Instructor:
Various - see description
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Information Technology
Taxes
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
Course 1: Unlock the Power of AI with Copilot in Excel
Field of Study: Computer Software & Applications
CPE: 2
Discussion Leader: Bryan Smith (DSP)
Description: In the ever-evolving world of data analytics and business intelligence, Microsoft Excel continues to be an indispensable tool for professionals across industries. With the introduction of Copilot, Microsoft has integrated the power of artificial intelligence directly into Excel, revolutionizing how users work with data. This 2-hour interactive course, Unlock the Power of AI with Copilot in Excel, provides a comprehensive overview of how Copilot transforms traditional Excel workflows into dynamic, AI-driven processes, enabling users to accomplish tasks faster, more accurately, and with less manual effort. During this course, you'll discover how Copilot leverages AI to enhance productivity and streamline operations. Whether you're a seasoned Excel user or just beginning your journey, this course will guide you through practical applications and best practices to make the most of Copilot's capabilities. Through hands-on demonstrations and real-world examples, you'll see how Copilot can save time, improve decision-making, and elevate your analytical skills to new heights. This course not only focuses on the technical aspects of Copilot but also highlights its potential to transform your day-to-day work, from automating repetitive tasks to uncovering trends and insights you might otherwise overlook. By the end of the session, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to integrate Copilot into your workflows and unlock its full potential in Microsoft Excel.
Course 2: AI Prompt Engineering Masterclass for Accountants
Field of Study: Information Technology
CPE: 2
Discussion Leader: Garrett Wasny
Description: An advanced guide to prompting techniques that maximize AI efficiency and precision in everyday business research, operational due diligence and accounting tasks. Designed for accountants with no prior AI knowledge, the session explores how simple language and strategic prompting can unlock powerful, layered responses from large language models (LLMs). Participants will learn to overcome the "lazy" defaults of AI, using specific techniques to enhance detail, accuracy, and contextual understanding in their queries. By understanding prompt engineering's role, attendees will discover how to guide AI to provide practical, relevant, and analytical insights suited to complex financial scenarios, without needing extensive technical expertise.
Course 3: AI for CPAs - How it Works and How to Apply it
Field of Study: Information Technology
CPE: 4
Discussion Leader: John Higgins (HAL)
Description: Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini and many others are transforming the digital landscape of virtually every business, including CPA firms. We will demystify the complex world of generative AI in this informative session designed specifically for CPAs. We will break down the nuts and bolts of how generative AI works, making the technical aspects accessible and relevant. Equip yourself with the foundational knowledge to leverage AI in your practice or business. You will learn multiple examples of how you can apply generative AI tools in accounting, finance and tax to boost your team's productivity and improve the quality of your work product.
Course 4: 1040 Tax Prep Automation with AI Tools
Field of Study: Taxes
CPE: 2
Discussion Leader: John Higgins (HAL)
Description: There has never been a greater opportunity to leverage technology tools to automate various aspects of 1040 tax preparation. This course will provide specific examples of how you can use AI (artificial intelligence) based tools to complement your core 1040 tax prep software. You will learn how to leverage AI to automate the collection and organization of client source documents, enhance the engagement management process and add value to your 1040 service through AI enhanced 1040 advisory services. This course will separate the hype from reality about AI and how it can be used in 1040 tax preparation.
Course 5: How AI Fits into the Accounting World
Field of Study: Accounting
CPE: 2
Discussion Leader: Karl Egnatoff
Description: This session is designed as a primer to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) and to discuss how it will impact accountants as they work. The material will briefly explain what AI is and then focus on ways that it is already serving those in the accounting realm. It will close with a look at future AI-centric developments that will have great potential to positively impact the accounting profession. Those wishing to gain an understanding of what artificial intelligence is and how it will be used by accountants should consider attending this session.
This CPAx Pack includes six individual sessions for a total of 10 CPE. You receive significant savings when purchasing these webinars as a Pack. Each of the courses runs live once a month beginning May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. Register for these scheduled courses as your schedule allows - at no extra cost to you. Once registered for this pack, log in instructions will be emailed to you separately for each individual course.
***
Transform your business with our comprehensive AI-powered course bundle, designed to elevate your firm's efficiency, profitability, and compliance.
Discover how to implement an AI-enabled marketing strategy to attract and retain clients and explore the practical applications of generative AI to boost your firm's efficiency and profitability. Learn how to instantly transform ideas into revenue streams using AI, and master the essentials of AI privacy, security, and compliance to protect your business. Discover how to slim your team for maximum efficiency with cutting-edge technology and unlock the power of AI with Copilot in Excel to streamline your data analysis and reporting.
Each course is meticulously crafted to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to leverage AI for business innovation and success.
Join us and take your firm to the next level with AI-driven strategies. Enroll today and unlock the transformative potential of AI for your business!
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the fundamental principles of AI and its applications in marketing.
Leverage AI tools and technologies to enhance marketing campaigns.
Identify specific applications for AI in accounting, auditing, tax and advisory services
Recognize the potential to leverage AI technology to reduce costs and increase revenue
Implement AI tools to transform business ideas into marketable digital products
Create professional audio-visual content using AI-powered platforms
Analyze the essential privacy, security, and compliance considerations when working with Generative AI technologies.
Identify best practices for secure data sharing with GPT models.
Find and Automate the Right Tasks: spot tasks and processes that can be automated, using the latest tech to make your business more efficient and free up valuable time.
Use Outsourcing to Grow: choose the right outsourcing opportunities that fit your business needs, tap into specialized skills while keeping costs down.
Identify key features of Copilot in Excel and their applications in data analysis.
Distinguish between traditional Excel workflows and AI-enhanced capabilities.
Instructor:
Various - see description
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Computer Software & Applications
Communications and Marketing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
Course 1: Implementing an AI-Enabled Marketing Strategy for Your Firm
CPE: 1
Field of Study: Communications and Marketing
Discussion Leader: Gaynor Meilke
Description: Unlock the power of artificial intelligence to transform your firm's marketing strategy. This course will explore how AI can revolutionize your marketing efforts, helping you to reach your target audience more effectively and boost your firm's growth. In this session, Gaynor Meilke will guide you through the steps to implement an AI-enabled marketing strategy tailored to your firm's needs. Key Takeaways: Understand the fundamental principles of AI and its applications in marketing. Learn how to leverage AI tools and technologies to enhance your marketing campaigns. Discover practical strategies for integrating AI into your firm's marketing workflow. Gain insights into measuring the effectiveness of your AI-driven marketing efforts. Explore real-life case studies and success stories of firms that have successfully implemented AI in their marketing strategies. By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to harness the power of AI, streamline your marketing processes, and achieve remarkable results for your firm. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the competition and lead your firm to new heights with AI-enabled marketing
Course 2: Generative AI in Practice-Boost Efficiency and Profitability
CPE: 2
Field of Study: Information Technology
Discussion Leader: John Higgins (HAL)
Description: Unlock the potential of generative AI to streamline accounting, auditing, tax , and advisory services. This course focuses on practical applications that can save you time and enhance profitability. Learn how to integrate AI tools into your workflows to automate tasks, improve accuracy, and deliver higher-value services.
Course 3: Using AI to Instantly Transform Ideas into Revenue Streams
CPE: 2
Field of Study: Information Technology
Discussion Leader: Garrett Wasny
Description: Learn practical strategies to increase revenue generation using AI-driven ideation methods. This course provides a concise overview of cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools and methodologies that enable professionals to transform innovative ideas into sustainable revenue streams. Through a practical, hands-on approach, participants will explore various AI platforms and workflows that streamline the process of creating digital assets, content, and products. The course emphasizes real-world applications and demonstrates how to leverage AI technology to diversify service offerings and generate new income sources.
Course 4: AI Privacy, Security, and Compliance Masterclass
CPE: 2
Field of Study: Information Technology
Discussion Leader: Garrett Wasny
Description: In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, understanding the interplay between generative AI and data protection is not just an asset, but a necessity. This transformative course is designed to delve deep into the crucial privacy, security, and compliance aspects of working with Generative AI (GenAI) technologies. As accountants increasingly integrate AI tools into their workflows, the stakes for safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring ethical AI practices have never been higher. Our masterclass is tailored to meet the unique needs of modern accountants, providing a thorough and practical exploration of how to navigate the complexities of secure data sharing with GPT models, implement robust AI policies, and master the intricacies of AI copyright compliance. With a focus on real-world applications and emerging threats, such as deepfakes and their implications for fraud and misinformation, this course is your gateway to becoming a trusted expert in the field. Join us to future-proof your career and lead with confidence in the digital age.
Course 5: Tech It to the Next Level: Slim Your Team for Max Efficiency
CPE: 1
Field of Study: Computer Software & Applications
Discussion Leader: Sharrin Fuller
Description: Ready to slim down your team and maximize efficiency without sacrificing quality? This session breaks down how to leverage tech and automation to fill workflow gaps, build a strong tech stack, and connect tools seamlessly. Learn how one proven tech stack replaced more than half a traditional team while improving client satisfaction and reducing overhead. Walk away with practical steps to streamline operations, automate repetitive tasks, and focus your resources on what really matters. Attendees will gain practical insights into streamlining operations, automating repetitive tasks, and focusing resources on high-value activities. The session also includes an exclusive look at a proven tech stack used to replace over half a traditional team, offering actionable steps to create a leaner, tech-driven, scalable firm. Perfect for firm owners ready to rethink staffing, reduce overhead, and embrace the future of accounting efficiency.
Course 6: Unlock the Power of AI with Copilot in Excel
CPE: 2
Field of Study: Computer Software & Applications
Discussion Leader: Bryan Smith (DSP)
Description: In the ever-evolving world of data analytics and business intelligence, Microsoft Excel continues to be an indispensable tool for professionals across industries. With the introduction of Copilot, Microsoft has integrated the power of artificial intelligence directly into Excel, revolutionizing how users work with data. This 2-hour interactive course, Unlock the Power of AI with Copilot in Excel, provides a comprehensive overview of how Copilot transforms traditional Excel workflows into dynamic, AI-driven processes, enabling users to accomplish tasks faster, more accurately, and with less manual effort. During this course, you'll discover how Copilot leverages AI to enhance productivity and streamline operations. Whether you're a seasoned Excel user or just beginning your journey, this course will guide you through practical applications and best practices to make the most of Copilot's capabilities. Through hands-on demonstrations and real-world examples, you'll see how Copilot can save time, improve decision-making, and elevate your analytical skills to new heights. This course not only focuses on the technical aspects of Copilot but also highlights its potential to transform your day-to-day work, from automating repetitive tasks to uncovering trends and insights you might otherwise overlook. By the end of the session, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to integrate Copilot into your workflows and unlock its full potential in Microsoft Excel.
This CPAx Pack includes 12 individual sessions for a total of 24 CPE. You receive significant savings when purchasing these webinars as a Pack. Each of the courses runs live every monday beginning May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. Register for these scheduled courses as your schedule allows - at no extra cost to you. Once registered for this pack, log in instructions will be emailed to you separately for each individual course.
***
Seismic changes in tax legislation are currently taking place, and the well-informed tax practitioner will want to attend this two-hour monthly program in order to stay abreast of these developments! Approximately one-half of each program is devoted to individual tax issues, and the remaining time is spend on business entity taxation, IRS procedure, tax legislation and other issues.
The Monthly Federal Tax Updates occur every Monday at 11am and are presented by Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA.
These courses provide a concise look at the hottest topics affecting every tax practitioner.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish the newest tax developments and changes to the Internal Revenue Code.
Select effective and efficient techniques for implementing new standards.
Instructor:
Various - see description
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Current individual tax issues.
- Current business entity tax issues.
- Any current tax legislation occurring during the period.
- Other issues affecting the profession, including IRS procedure, current cases, payroll, and other federal tax issues.
This CPAx Pack includes three individual sessions for a total of 12 CPE. You receive significant savings when purchasing these webinars as a Pack. Each of the courses runs live once a month beginning May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. Register for these scheduled courses as your schedule allows - at no extra cost to you. Once registered for this pack, log in instructions will be emailed to you separately for each individual course.
***
Dive into the intricate world of forensic accounting with our comprehensive course bundle, designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in legal and investigative settings.
"Forensic Accounting: Court Approved Methods of Proof," will teach you the essential techniques for gathering and presenting evidence that stands up in court. "Forensic Accounting: When the Office Is a Crime Scene," provides valuable intel on how to investigate financial crimes within an organization, identifying fraudulent activities and tracing illicit transactions. Master the art of "Forensic Accounting: Crafting Expert Reports," is where you'll learn to compile your findings into clear, compelling reports that can withstand legal scrutiny and support your expert testimony.
Each course is meticulously crafted to provide you with practical insights and hands-on experience, ensuring you can confidently navigate the complexities of forensic accounting. Join us and become a forensic accounting expert, ready to tackle financial crimes and support legal proceedings with precision and authority.
Enroll today and take the first step towards mastering forensic accounting!
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the various court approved methods of proof.
Recognize the court cases approving the methods of proof.
Identify the process of preserving, analyzing, and evaluating evidence.
Evaluate the ethics in forensic accounting and strategies for ethical decision-making.
Prepare clear, concise, and objective expert reports, including understanding their components and best practices.
Instructor:
Various - see description
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
All courses in this Pack are presented by Robert Nordlander, CPA.
Course 1: Forensic Accounting: Court Approved Methods of Proof
CPE: 4
Description: How does a forensic accountant calculate financial losses? Federal courts have approved various ways to calculate losses ranging from net worth method of proof to the expenditures method. Each method of proof depends on the available facts to the forensic accountant. This presentation will focus on the various court approved methods of proof, when to use them, and how to calculate the total loss.
Course 2: Forensic Accounting: When The Office Is A Crime Scene
CPE: 4
Description: Embezzlement happens often to many small businesses. Unfortunately, the lack of internal controls allow the embezzlement to remain undetected for years. But when it is discovered, the small business owner will most likely contact their CPA for advice. What should you do when your client contacts you about their employee embezzling money from their business? What options should you present to your client? How can your client protect themselves, while investigating the embezzlement? What steps need to be taken about preserving any documents, emails, texts, or phone calls? This course teaches how to engage the client, properly identify the evidence needed to prove the crime, how to write the report for civil and criminal trial, and best practices in preserving electronic and paper evidence.
Course 3: Forensic Accounting: Crafting Expert Reports
CPE: 4
Description: When forensic accountants are hired to conduct an analysis and investigations, they are commonly expected to write a report. This report can be short or long, depending on the circumstances. This presentation is how to write an effective expert report that will withstand scrutiny of both parties of litigation and the court. The presentation will also include best practices, ethics, and components of an effective report.
This CPAx Pack includes seven individual sessions for a total of 12 CPE. You receive significant savings when purchasing these webinars as a Pack. Each of the courses runs live once a month beginning May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. Register for these scheduled courses as your schedule allows - at no extra cost to you. Once registered for this pack, log in instructions will be emailed to you separately for each individual course.
***
Unlock the secrets of taxation with this comprehensive course bundle, designed to take you from a novice to a tax expert.
Whether you're just starting with the basics of individual taxation or diving deep into the complexities of income tax analysis and IRS audit techniques, this bundle will deliver. Learn to teach tax concepts effectively, automate 1040 tax preparation with cutting-edge AI tools, and navigate the tax implications of retirement plan distributions with confidence. With detailed insights into Schedule C of Form 1040, you'll gain the knowledge and skills needed to handle diverse tax scenarios. This bundle is your ultimate guide to mastering taxation, offering a blend of foundational knowledge and advanced strategies.
Join us and transform your tax expertise into a powerful skill set that will set you apart in the field, ensuring you stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of taxation. Enroll today to take steps to master becoming an expert Tax Pro in your field!
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify how the federal income tax differs from other types of federal taxes
Determine the steps in computing a taxpayer's federal income tax liability
Recognize variations in income recognition.
Recognize deductible expenses between GAAP and IRC affect reported profitability and tax liabilities.
Identify guidance that IRS auditors use when examining tax returns
Distinguish industry-specific nuances for an auditor's perspective
Identify taxation nuances that are important but difficult for non-tax professionals to understand.
Apply techniques for educating clients regarding taxation.
Recognize specific ways to leverage AI technology in your 1040 tax preparation serves.
Identify specific AI tools that can be leveraged to automate and enhance 1040 tax preparation services.
Implement practical strategies based on a thorough understanding of the complex rules for retirement distributions
Identify and recall key compliance issues
Instructor:
Various - see description
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
Course 1: Basic Individual Taxation Course
CPE: 2
Description: Please join us for an introductory course on the fundamentals of preparing and filing an individual federal income tax return. We will cover topics such as what the federal income tax is and how it is computed.
Discussion Leader: Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Course 2: Income Tax Analysis: Exploring In-Depth Concepts
CPE: 2
Description: Financial statements prepared for stockholders and external users follow Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), while tax returns adhere to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). These frameworks differ in recognizing profitability, influencing reported income significantly. Companies often aim to minimize taxable income within legal bounds, while maintaining compliance with both financial reporting and tax regulations. - Timing Differences: Variations in income recognition and deductible expenses between GAAP and IRC create timing differences, impacting reported profitability and tax liabilities. - Deferred Tax Assets: Companies accrue deferred tax assets from overpaid taxes or carried-forward credits, which can offset future taxable income, reducing tax liabilities. - Deferred Tax Liabilities: When taxable income is less than reported income, deferred tax liabilities arise, necessitating future tax payments when temporary differences reverse. Join us to delve into these concepts, exploring how financial reporting choices and tax strategies shape a company's financial performance and compliance obligations.
Discussion Leader: Eric Knight
Course 3: Behind the Curtain: Exploring IRS Audit Technique Guides
CPE: 2
Description: Have you ever considered a tax audit from the perspective of an IRS examiner? This session explains how you can use IRS Audit Technique Guides (ATGs) to enhance tax compliance. You will obtain a glimpse of the audit process from the viewpoint of an IRS agent as we explore insights that the IRS provides to its own examiners.
Discussion Leader: Dr. Christopher J. Harper, CPA, MBA
Course 4: Learning to Teach "Tax" as a Second Language
CPE: 2
Description: Sometimes the vernacular of accounting seems more challenging than technical aspects. This session offers suggestions for translating the foreign language of taxation into tangible terms for non-accountants. We explore techniques for simplifying the complexity of taxation terminology. This course will equip you with tools for demystifying tax technicalities so you can help clients and other non-tax professionals grasp fundamental concepts.
Discussion Leader: Dr. Christopher J. Harper, CPA, MBA
Course 5: 1040 Tax Prep Automation with AI Tools
CPE: 2
Description: There has never been a greater opportunity to leverage technology tools to automate various aspects of 1040 tax preparation. This course will provide specific examples of how you can use AI (artificial intelligence) based tools to complement your core 1040 tax prep software. You will learn how to leverage AI to automate the collection and organization of client source documents, enhance the engagement management process and add value to your 1040 service through AI enhanced 1040 advisory services. This course will separate the hype from reality about AI and how it can be used in 1040 tax preparation.
Discussion Leader: John Higgins
Course 6: Tax Implications of Retirement Plan Distributions: What You Need to Know
CPE: 2
Description: This session will address the complex rules of retirement distributions, review key provisions of the SECURE Act 2.0, and provide practical strategies of maximizing tax benefits for your client.
Discussion Leader: Steve Dilley
Course 7: Schedule C of Form 1040
CPE: 2
Description: Many self-employed or sole proprietors find themselves having to navigate Schedule C in reporting business income. While this attachment to Form 1040 seems straightforward on the surface, there are many traps for the unwary.
Discussion Leader: Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
This CPAx Pack includes four individual sessions for a total of 10 CPE. You receive significant savings when purchasing these webinars as a Pack. Each of the courses runs live once a month beginning May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. Register for these scheduled courses as your schedule allows - at no extra cost to you. Once registered for this pack, log in instructions will be emailed to you separately for each individual course.
***
Unlock the full potential of your data with our comprehensive Power BI course bundle, designed to take you from a beginner to an advanced data analyst.
Get started with Power BI to familiarize yourself with the basics of setting up your workspace and learn how to clean, transform, and load data in Power BI. You will master the essential techniques for preparing your data for analysis. This bundle dives deeper into how to create measures in Power BI to help master the art of tracking and analyzing key performance indicators. Learn how to bring Power BI and Data Analysis together to integrate your skills to perform sophisticated data analysis and create compelling visualizations.
Each course is meticulously crafted to provide you with practical knowledge and hands-on experience, ensuring you can confidently use Power BI to transform raw data into actionable insights.
Join us and elevate your data analysis skills to new heights. Enroll today and become a Power BI expert!
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the differences and synergies between Excel's Power BI tools and the standalone Power BI tools, enabling a clear understanding of when and how to use each tool effectively in various business scenarios.
Distinguish between the various functionalities and use cases of Power BI tools, empowering participants to select the most appropriate Power BI tool for specific data analysis and reporting needs in their professional roles.
Identify the key features and functionalities of Microsoft Power Query.
Distinguish between different data transformation techniques in Power Query, including data cleaning, merging, and pivoting.
Apply advanced DAX formulas in Power BI to create dynamic and efficient data measures tailored to specific business needs.
Determine the most effective time-intelligent functions in DAX for analyzing temporal data trends and patterns in Power BI.
Identify key differences between common DAX functions and their use cases, enabling more strategic and informed decision-making in Power BI measure creation.
Choose the appropriate DAX calculation processes for validating and ensuring the accuracy of measures in various data scenarios.
Use PivotTables in Power BI to validate and test the effectiveness of DAX measures, enhancing the reliability of data analysis.
Categorize the components of an efficient Power BI workflow and identify areas for optimization.
Evaluate Power BI performance metrics and apply optimization techniques for enhanced usability.
Assess the capabilities of Power BI Services to effectively share, collaborate, and manage data insights across teams and organizations.
Instructor:
Various - see description
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications (10 CPE)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
All courses in this Pack are presented by Bryan Smith.
Course 1: Get started with Power BI
CPE: 2
Description: The course will cover Excel's Power BI tools - Power Pivot, for advanced data modeling, and Power Query, for efficient data transformation and preparation. This segment is essential for understanding how Power BI extends and enhances the data processing and analytical capabilities of Excel. The second section of the course delves into the standalone Power BI tools.
Course 2: Clean, transform & load data in Power BI
CPE: 2
Description: This intensive 2-hour course is designed specifically for those aiming to master data management skills in the modern business environment. As data becomes increasingly central to accounting and financial analysis, the ability to effectively manage, clean, and transform this data is critical. This course delves into Microsoft Power Query, a potent tool within Excel and Power BI Desktop, known for its robust data processing capabilities.
Course 3: Create measures in Power BI that define your Metrics
CPE: 4
Description: Starting with the foundational elements of DAX, you'll rapidly progress to tackle advanced formulas and time-intelligent functions, essential for nuanced data analysis. The highlight of the course is the emphasis on the DAX calculation process, a crucial aspect for validating measures in Power BI. Additionally, the practical application of PivotTables for measure validation will equip you with the skills to confirm the accuracy and effectiveness of your data measures. These advanced techniques are not just theoretical concepts but are presented through engaging, real-world scenarios, enabling you to apply your learning immediately to your daily tasks.
Course 4: Power BI - Bringing It All Together for Data Analysis
CPE: 2
Description: Building on the foundational knowledge from previous courses, this session focuses on the crucial next steps after creating data models and measures, guiding participants on how to fully utilize the potential of these tools to uncover insights and create impactful, actionable visualizations. This course takes a deep dive into the critical aspects of using Power BI to its fullest potential, emphasizing a holistic approach to data analytics. You'll learn how to build a streamlined workflow, ensuring every step in your data journey contributes to actionable insights.
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
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).
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Christopher Pembrook, CPA, MBA, CGAP, CRFA
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Due to increasing scrutiny in the employee benefit plan area, it is imperative for auditors of 401(k) plans to remain up to date on the rules and regulations that may impact the audit engagement.
In this course, auditors will enhance their knowledge by understanding the changes affecting audit procedures and reporting in accordance with recently issued Statements on Auditing Standards (SASs), identifying best practices, and performing efficient audit engagements.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Melissa Critcher, CPA, PC
Field of Study:
Auditing (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Art Pulis, MBA
Field of Study:
Management Services (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Implement practical strategies based on recent developments.
Identify and recall key compliance issues.
Identify and recall significant changes in tax forms.
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
- Update and integration of the most recent tax legislation impacting individual and business taxpayers.
- Review of individual and business provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act.
- Update on significant individual and business tax developments related to cases and rulings.
- Update on earned income credit, child credit, and child and dependent care credit.
- Crypto reporting update.
- Depreciation changes in Sec. 179 and Sec. 168(k) bonus depreciation.
- Tax issues impacting "gig" workers, including Form 1099-K.
- Update on partnership and S corporations, including Schedules K-2 and K-3 of Forms 1065 and 1120S related to foreign transactions.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize differences between financial and managerial accounting.
Revisit fundamental managerial accounting concepts.
Utilize managerial accounting to facilitate decision-making.
Apply managerial accounting techniques to actual business circumstances.
Instructor:
Dr. Christopher J. Harper, CPA, MBA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Target profit and Break-even analysis.
- Relevant costs and decision-making.
- Standard costs and variances.
- Activity-based costing.
- Segment reporting and analysis.
- Budgeting.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify and interpret the most common IRS letters, including general notices, audit requests, collections, return inquiries, and error notices.
Recall IRS deadlines and the importance of timely and accurate responses.
Apply effective communication strategies when corresponding with the IRS.
Proactively address IRS concerns to avoid escalation and penalties.
Ensure compliance with IRS requirements when responding to correspondence.
Assess common issues that arise from IRS letters and develop resolution strategies.
Advise clients on their rights and responsibilities when dealing with IRS correspondence.
Implement documentation and tracking practices to manage IRS responses effectively.
Instructor:
Mary Jane Hourani, MM, EA, NTPI Fellow
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Types of IRS letters: General notices, audits, collections, return requests, and errors.
- Deadlines for responding to IRS correspondence.
- Communication best practices for dealing with the IRS.
- Avoiding escalation and penalties through proactive responses.
- Ensuring compliance when addressing IRS correspondence.
- Real-world examples of successful IRS communications.
- Common pitfalls in handling IRS letters and how to avoid them.
- Strategies for advising clients on IRS correspondence.
This CPAx Pack includes three individual sessions for a total of 8 CPE. You receive significant savings when purchasing these webinars as a Pack. Each of the courses runs live once a month beginning May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. Register for these scheduled courses as your schedule allows - at no extra cost to you. Once registered for this pack, log in instructions will be emailed to you separately for each individual course.
***
Equip yourself with the essential tools to combat fraud with our comprehensive course bundle, designed specifically for CPAs and financial professionals.
Dive into the world of fraud prevention with "Fraud Busters: Controls to Prevent & Detect Fraud," where you'll learn effective strategies to safeguard your organization. Take proactive steps to protect against external threats with "Steps to Stop External Fraud," and gain a thorough understanding of anti-money laundering practices with "Money Laundering 101 for CPAs." Each course is meticulously crafted to provide you with practical insights and actionable techniques to identify, prevent, and respond to fraudulent activities. Join us and become a fraud-fighting expert, ensuring the integrity and security of your financial operations.
Enroll today and take the first step towards mastering fraud prevention and detection!
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the fraud triangle and identify common profiles of fraud perpetrators
Identify types of controls
Recognize external fraud
Identify control issues that can give rise to external fraud occurrences
Distinguish the three stages of money laundering
Recall possible money laundering techniques
Instructor:
Various - see description
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Auditing
Specialized Knowledge
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
Course 1: Fraud Busters: Controls to Prevent & Detect Fraud
CPE: 2
Field of Study: Auditing, Accounting
Discussion Leader: Keely Gohl
Description: This course investigates actual real-world fraud schemes and discusses what controls could have prevented the fraud from occurring, and what controls could detect and curtail the fraud scheme. The instructor speaks from experience, finding multiple frauds very early in her career leading to a career-long focus on fraud prevention and detection.
Course 2: Steps to Stop External Fraud
CPE: 2
Field of Study: Accounting
Discussion Leader: Karl Egnatoff
Description: Until recently, a percentage of organizations discounted the risk related to external fraud attempts. Most were only concerned with protecting physical assets such as inventory or fixed assets. However, because of the many highly publicized corporate hacking events, such as the ones that affected the Colonial Pipeline and JBS Meats, more attention is being paid to external fraud risk of all types. In this session, we look at what is included in a definition of external fraud and then delve into specific control issues that can give rise to increased risk. We then discuss measures that organizations can employ to help reduce exposure to external attacks.
Course 3: Money Laundering 101 for CPAs
CPE: 4
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge
Discussion Leader: Robert Nordlander
Description: CPAs spend most of their working lives reviewing bank statements and books and records of businesses. They are experts in understanding how to prepare financial statements according to GAAP. But would a CPA know a possible money laundering transaction if they saw it? Would they know about a money laundering business? Money laundering is a subject of many action and thriller movies, but rarely understood. This presentation will educate the CPA in understanding the basics of money laundering and how to identify money laundering. This presentation will help the CPA know the truth about money laundering, how to identify it, the statutes that define it, and the court cases that interpret it.
This CPAx Pack includes four individual sessions for a total of 8 CPE. You receive significant savings when purchasing these webinars as a Pack. Each of the courses runs live once a month beginning May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. Register for these scheduled courses as your schedule allows - at no extra cost to you. Once registered for this pack, log in instructions will be emailed to you separately for each individual course.
***
Navigate the complexities of IRS procedures with our comprehensive course bundle, designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to handle various IRS interactions with confidence.
From understanding the nuances of Power of Attorney (Form 2848) and Tax Information Authorization (Form 8821) to mastering the intricacies of IRS collections through Form 433 and Offer in Compromise, this bundle covers it all. Learn the step-by-step process of navigating IRS collections and gain insights into effectively responding to IRS correspondence.
Each course is meticulously crafted to provide you with practical tools and strategies for managing IRS authorizations, collections, and communications.
Join us and transform your understanding of IRS procedures, ensuring you are well-prepared to tackle any IRS-related challenges.
Enroll today and take control of your IRS interactions with confidence!
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish between the authorities granted by Form 2848 and Form 8821.
Identify situations where a Power of Attorney is required for IRS representation.
Identify the stages of the IRS collection process, from initial notice to enforced collection actions.
Analyze differences between IRS employee designations and their authorities.
Identify and interpret the most common IRS letters, including general notices, audit requests, collections, return inquiries, and error notices.
Instructor:
Various - see description
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
All courses in this Pack are presented by Mary Jane Hourani.
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
Course 1: Navigating IRS Authorizations: Understanding Power of Attorney (Form 2848) and Tax Information Authorization (Form 8821)
CPE: 2
Description: Providing a practical overview of the IRS Power of Attorney, Form 2848, and IRS Tax Information Authorization, Form 8821. Participants will explore the differences between these forms, understand when each is required, and how to comply with IRS requirements for representing clients and accessing their tax information. The course will cover practical issues, ethical considerations, and best practices for managing client authorizations through the IRS Centralized Authorization File (CAF) system.
Course 2: Navigating IRS Collections: Overview of Form 433 & Offer in Compromise
CPE: 2
Description: This course highlights when to use Form 433-A or 433-B, along with documents needed to effectively submit an Offer in Compromise (OIC) or Installments Agreement. Settling tax debts is an important part of the IRS collection process, this course helps guide taxpayer representatives through the process so they may efficiently complete these necessary forms.
Course 3: Navigating IRS Collections: The Collection Process
CPE: 2
Description: This course is designed for tax professionals seeking to understand and navigate the IRS collection process effectively. Participants will gain in-depth knowledge of the various collection methods employed by the IRS, including liens, levies and wage garnishments. Addition all, participants will learn strategies to avoid or halt collection actions and the implications of the statute of limitations on tax collection.
Course 4: Navigating IRS Correspondence: Effectively Responding to IRS Letters
CPE: 2
Description: Participants will learn how to interpret the most common IRS correspondence, adhere to response deadlines, and effectively communicate with the IRS to resolve issues and minimize risks. It provides professionals with knowledge and strategies needed to handle the most common notices including audit requests, collections & return inquiries as well as error notices. Focusing on best practices to ensure compliance and avoiding penalties or escalation.
This CPAx Pack includes three individual sessions for a total of 6 CPE. You receive significant savings when purchasing these webinars as a Pack. Each of the courses runs live once a month beginning May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. Register for these scheduled courses as your schedule allows - at no extra cost to you. Once registered for this pack, log in instructions will be emailed to you separately for each individual course.
***
Elevate your auditing skills with our specialized course bundle, designed to provide you with in-depth knowledge and practical expertise in auditing cash, expenses, payables, and inventory.
Whether you're a seasoned auditor looking to refine your skills or a newcomer eager to learn the essentials, this bundle offers comprehensive coverage of key auditing areas. Discover the intricacies of auditing cash transactions, master the techniques for auditing expenses and payables, and gain a thorough understanding of inventory auditing.
Each course is crafted to equip you with the tools and insights needed to conduct effective and efficient audits, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
Join us on this learning journey and transform your auditing capabilities, making you an invaluable asset in the field of finance and accounting.
Enroll today and take the first step towards mastering the art of auditing!
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the audit assertions applicable to the cash balance
Recognize the risks & threats related to the cash balance
Recall the audit assertions applicable to the expenses & payables balances.
Recognize risks & threats to the expenses & payables balances.
Recognize risks & threats related to the inventory balance
Identify substantive auditing procedures that are used to obtain comfort over inventory
Instructor:
Various - see description
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
"All courses in this Pack are presented by Melissa Galasso
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
Course 1: How to Audit Cash
CPE: 2
Description: Cash is essential to every business, and is often one of the first accounts audit staff are exposed to. This course will cover the basics of auditing cash, including the related audit assertions, risks, & threats to the cash balance. During this course, we will also highlight the various substantive auditing procedures that staff should perform, and also walk through some real-world examples.
Course 2: How to Audit Inventory
CPE: 2
Description: Inventory observations are often a right of passage for audit staff. This course will cover the basics of auditing inventory, including the related audit assertions, risks, & threats to inventory. During this course, we will also highlight the various substantive auditing procedures that staff should perform, and also walk through how to conduct a physical inventory observation.
Course 3: How to Audit Expenses & Payables
CPE: 2
Description: It is imperative that audit staff understand the fundamentals of expenses & payables. This course will cover the basics of auditing expenses, accrued liabilities, and other payables, including the related audit assertions, risks, & threats to the expenses & payables balances. During this course, we will also highlight the various substantive auditing procedures that staff should perform, and also walk through some real-world examples.
How Does It Work ...
The CPA Crossings Unlimited Pack gives you the opportunity to take unlimited scheduled webinars on our state-of-the-art learning platform. Once you purchase this pack, you will then be able to register for any course on our platform*, without any additional cost. Instructions will be sent to your email.
Start saving and start learning today!
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Save Money!
Find any course that interests you at a time that works for you!
Get ALL of your yearly CPE!
Instructor:
Various - see description
Fields of Study:
Various (0 CPE)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this Pack include:
- A&A
- Technology
- Tax
- Business Management & Organization
- Ethics
- & More!
Find whatever you're looking for at one low cost!
*Courses in the CFO Series are not included in this unlimited pack.
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
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.
Speakers:
Steven M. Yoss, Jr., CPA
This program summarizes the key research studies, provides stories from those who have made this work, and offers thoughtful, practical exercises from my award winning book NEXT STAGE. It will help you (or your clients) address key issues and develop a Master Plan for the transition. If not now, when?
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this program you will be able to...
Recognize a healthy and holistic understanding of this new stage of life.
Recognize new sense of direction and purpose for your life.
Recall what needs to change or remain regarding your financial conditions, relationships and healthy habits.
Recognize a new way to describe yourself and your identity.
Develop a Master Plan for being successful in this new stage of your life.
Recall a few key ideas that you can do now which will prepare yourself for this stage later.
Instructor:
Tom Wilson
Fields of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Welcome to Your Next Stage -- Developing a new perspective on what this next stage is really all about
- It's About Time -- Discovering a new sense of purpose
- Money Matters -- Assessing your financial conditions
- Relationships Matter Too -- Addressing needed or potential changes in your relationships
- Healthy Habits -- Examining new or renewed ways to stay healthy
- Who I Am -- Creating a new identity, and answering "So what do you do?"
- My Master Plan -- Figuring out what to do next
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending the presentation you will be able to...
Define integrity and objectivity as promulgated by the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and understand its importance to the CPA.
Have the ability to identify situations where the CPA may be susceptible to subordinating his/her judgment to a client or employer.
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- AICPA Code of Conduct: Integrity and Objectivity
- Case Study: Mortgage crisis of 2007-2010
- Case Study: World Com
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.
Speakers:
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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?
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Amy Gomez, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Randolph (Randy) P. Johnston
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Jeff Lenning
Field of Study:
Computer Software & Applications (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Recourse debt allocations
- Constructive liquidation scenarios
- Nonrecourse debt allocations
- Minimum gains and nonrecourse deductions
- Section 704(c) gains
- Allocations under 704(c)
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the capabilities and features of GPT Vision to enhance the understanding of how AI can analyze visual content in financial contexts.
Recognize the unique advantages of using visual data analysis over traditional text-based data processing in accounting practices.
Access GPT Vision tools to analyze financial screenshots and documents effectively.
Analyze various types of financial and operational images to extract meaningful insights that can influence decision-making processes.
Evaluate the effectiveness of integrating ChatGPT with Google Maps and Google Earth for spatial analysis in financial and strategic contexts.
Create strategies using descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analysis techniques to address complex financial challenges using visual data.
Apply learned photo capturing techniques to produce high-quality images that maximize the accuracy and relevance of financial data analysis.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to GPT Vision - Understanding the fundamentals of GPT Vision and its capabilities.
- Advantages of Vision Mode Research - Exploring the unique benefits of visual data analysis over traditional methods.
- Accessing GPT Vision - Guidance on how to access and utilize GPT Vision capabilities.
- Financial Screenshot Analysis - Techniques for analyzing financial documents and reports through screenshots.
- Operational Insights from Visual Data - Using images to gain insights into operational processes and asset management.
- Integration with Google Maps - Learning how to combine ChatGPT's vision capabilities with mapping technologies for enhanced spatial analysis.
- DDPP Analysis - Applying descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analysis to visual data.
- Sentiment and Facial Expression Analysis - Techniques for interpreting emotions and sentiments in images to gauge client and employee feedback.
- Body Language Interpretation - Analyzing body language in images to understand non-verbal cues in business contexts.
- Effective Photo Capturing Techniques - Best practices for taking photos that provide optimal insights for financial analysis.
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Bob Mims, CPA
- Vertical Analysis: Learn how to express each line item of financial statements as a percentage, making it easier to compare companies of different sizes and identify key trends.
- Horizontal Analysis: Discover how to compare financial information over multiple periods to spot significant changes and trends, providing a clearer picture of a company's growth and performance.
- Ratio Analysis: Dive into calculating and interpreting financial ratios to assess profitability, liquidity, and solvency. Understand how these ratios reveal the effectiveness of management and the potential of the business.
This seminar goes beyond just teaching terms and formulas. We will apply these analytical tools to real-world financial data, demonstrating how to derive meaningful insights and make informed decisions. Join us to enhance your financial analysis skills and gain a competitive edge in evaluating business performance.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Utilize vertical analysis by converting each financial statement line item into a percentage of a base figure, facilitating effective comparisons across different companies and identifying significant financial trends.
Calculate horizontal analysis for review of financial data over multiple periods, to identify notable changes and trends that reflect a company's growth and performance trajectory.
Calculate and interpret key financial ratios, assessing aspects such as profitability, liquidity, and solvency. Gain insights into management performance and business viability, leveraging this analysis to make informed decisions based on real-world financial data.
Instructor:
Eric Knight, CPA, DBA
Fields of Study:
Finance
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of financial statement analysis
- The impact of GAAP on financial analysis
- Overview of the Balance Sheet
- Overview of the Income Statement
- The importance of the Statement of Cash Flows
- Common Size Analysis
- Trend Analysis
- Profitability Ratio Analysis
- Liquidity Ratio Analysis
- Solvency Ratio Analysis
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize the features and benefits of using ChatGPT
Identify practical applications for ChatGPT in accounting, finance and tax
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Review the history of ChatGPT
- Tour of the ChatGPT app and how to use it
- Setting up a ChatGPT account (free & premium)
- Variety of hands-on case study examples for accounting, finance and tax
- A look under the hood at how ChatGPT works
- Caution - how to avoid risks in using ChatGPT
- A look into the future potential for AI in business
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.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Christopher Pembrook, CPA, MBA, CGAP, CRFA
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.
Speakers:
Tracy Cooper, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Shelli Huston, CPA, MS
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish the newest tax developments and changes to the Internal Revenue Code
Select effective and efficient techniques for implementing new standards
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Current individual tax issues
- Current business entity tax issues
- Any current tax legislation occurring during the period
- Other issues affecting the profession, including IRS procedure, current cases, payroll, and other federal tax issues
For all the HGTV lovers out there, this session mirrors a television show where an individual/family must decide if they want to stay in their current home (after renovations and home improvements) or move to a new space. This webinar title seems apt in describing the current issues around engagement and retention. When an employee chooses to "love it" or stay with their current employer, it typically means they are engaged in their work and they feel seen, heard and valued- they are content. Conversely, the notion of "leaving it" typically symbolizes an employee who cannot wait to get out of their current job. These employees often have negative attitudes and/or behaviors at work.
The purpose of this webinar is to recognize the significance of attracting and retaining employees, building your brand as an employer of choice and developing a culture where individual employees feel valued, cared for and ultimately engaged, all though an ethical lens.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the importance of virtue ethics and its impact on engagement and retention.
Select ways to determine the engagement level of an employee/pulse checks
Identify ways to enhance employee commitment and satisfaction.
Determine ways to help employees feel seen, heard and valued.
Identify Generation X values in order to attract and retain this growing segment in the workplace.
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz and Jennifer Sullivan
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Personnel/Human Resources
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Ethical Values and Engagement and Retention
- Enhancing Employee engagement
- Strategic/Intentional Actions to Enhance Retention
- Generation X
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify what ethics is and is not.
Discover common barriers to ethical behaviors.
Explore and practice practical tips to overcome those barriers and increase your ethical response.
Instructor:
Keely Gohl, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Explore research for common answers to "what does ethics mean to you?" and examine whether those are valid.
- Identify common ethical barriers - reflecting the latest from the ACFE Report to the Nations.
- Discover ways to improve ethical response.
- Practice, using practical advice from leading thinkers in ethics.
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Christine Wilson, LPC
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Tracy Cooper, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Amy Gomez, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Apply array formulas and functions in Excel to solve complex data analysis problems, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of calculations.
Differentiate between regular and array formulas, and determine when to use each for optimal data management and processing in various scenarios.
Analyze and select the most appropriate array functions and constants for specific tasks, improving the effectiveness of data manipulation and presentation in Excel
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to Array Formulas: This segment establishes the foundation by differentiating array formulas from regular Excel formulas and explaining their significance.
- Using Array Formulas: This section focuses on the practical application of array formulas, teaching participants how to effectively implement and utilize these formulas in a variety of common Excel tasks and scenarios.
- Dynamic Arrays and Spill Functions: This part covers the utilization of dynamic arrays and spill functions, highlighting their role in modern Excel data handling.
- Advanced Array Functions: Participants will delve into complex functions such as SUMPRODUCT, UNIQUE, SORT, and FILTER, focusing on multi-condition summing and data management.
- Using Array Constants: This section teaches how simplify the use of static values called Array Constants
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify the key features to evaluate in password management apps
Recognize the important role password management apps play in your cybersecurity protection
Distinguish between the features of top selling password management apps
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Introduction to the world of password management apps and what makes them so secure
- Review and demonstration of top selling password management apps
- Software features that will be reviewed
- Password generation
- Emergency user access
- Entity vs. individual password management
- Desktop vs. cloud based
- Multi device synchronization
- PII (personally identifiable information) forms filler
- Credit card storage
- Digital data vault
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Christopher Pembrook, CPA, MBA, CGAP, CRFA
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!
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Connie Clark
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Jeff Lenning
Field of Study:
Computer Software & Applications (2)
Major Topics:
- Explore PivotTable capabilities and functionality
- Retrieve data from a database and feed it into the PivotTable
- Pull web tables from web pages into Excel
Establishing a work-life balance is difficult in any profession, yet financial professionals confront unique challenges that make this goal seem even more elusive. Technology results in being “always on,” with no true time to disconnect and genuinely enjoy family, exercise, or hobbies. Lack of balance comes with costs, including poor health and lower productivity.
Why are some professionals able to establish a successful balance between career demands and family while others are not? How are some firms able to achieve both high employee satisfaction and strong productivity? This webinar looks at research, surveys, and simple anecdotal information to provide a better understanding of how to achieve a realistic work-life balance in the modern world. We also discuss the tax consequences that arise when professionals seek balance by working from home in one state while their employer is located in a different state.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Personnel/Human Resources (1), Taxes (1)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Reasonable compensation
- Fringe benefits for S corporation shareholders
- Built-in gains tax
- Excess passive income tax
- Notice 2020-75: PTE elections
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Melissa Critcher, CPA, PC
Field of Study:
Accounting (1), Auditing (1)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- Identify effective coaches and develop coaching strategies to support your team
- Give constructive criticism while managing defensive reactions
Presenters:
Sarah Acuna
Field of Study:
Personnel/Human Resources (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and its requirements for data security.
Analyze compliance requirements under Circular 230 related to WISP and data security.
Identify AICPA Statements of Standards applicable to WISP.
Recall the essential components of a WISP and how to draft one.
Recognize the role of employee and contractor training in maintaining data security compliance.
Assess how FTC regulations impact WISP implementation and enforcement.
Evaluate due diligence practices for ensuring WISP compliance.
Develop strategies for monitoring and updating a WISP to meet evolving standards.
Instructor:
Mary Jane Hourani, MM, EA, NTPI Fellow
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and its impact on data security.
- Circular 230 compliance and due diligence for practitioners.
- AICPA Statements of Standards relevant to WISP requirements.
- Key components of a Written Information Security Plan.
- Training requirements for employees, staff, and contractors.
- Practical guidance for drafting and implementing a WISP.
- FTC enforcement of data security standards for PTIN holders.
- Best practices for maintaining and updating WISP compliance.
We interview both financial professionals, and they tell us more about how their decisions influenced the consequences that followed.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify business decisions that can lead to federal criminal charges
Recognize how federal sentencing guidelines relate to convictions for fraud
Spot triggers that lead to charges for white collar crime
Recall strategies to protect against accusations against charges for white collar crime
Estimate the aftermath of a criminal charge
Instructor:
Justin Paperny
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Career choices
- Ethical dilemmas
- Judicial proceedings
- Mitigation strategies
- Creating tools to help make better decisions
- Atonement and reconciliation
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Determine your natural reactions to conflict
Identify when you are entering conflict
Use strategies to de-escalate conflict before it is too late
Choose to engage with colleagues and clients to turn conflict into innovation
Instructor:
Julie G. Holunga, MBA, CPCC, ACC and Stephanie Wachman
Fields of Study:
Personal Development
Major Topics:
Major topics covered in this course include:
- Levels of conflict
- Strategies to de-escalate conflict
- Distinction between miscommunication and conflict
- Responses to conflict
- Tactics to address, rather than avoid, conflict
The course is meticulously structured to provide you with demonstrations and practical knowledge. Starting with a comprehensive tour of the Power BI Desktop and PowerBI.com interfaces, you'll quickly move to the core of creating impactful visuals. Explore a wide array of available visuals and learn how to select the most effective ones for your data stories. Through detailed sessions on building interactivity into your visuals, you will discover how to create dynamic reports that not only captivate but also communicate effectively. This course will also guide you through the process of publishing your reports on PowerBI.com, ensuring that your insights reach their intended audience with the right impact.
By the end of this transformative journey, you will be adept at leveraging the full capabilities of Power BI. Your newfound ability to create interactive, engaging, and informative visual reports will make you an indispensable asset in any data-driven decision-making process. Embrace this opportunity to elevate your professional profile, enhance your analytical capabilities, and become a sought-after expert in the field of data visualization. Join us for "Create Visuals in Power BI to Successfully Analyze Data" and step into the future of data analysis with confidence and skill.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Apply advanced features of Power BI Desktop to optimize data visualization and report customization.
Determine the most effective visualization techniques for various data sets by exploring the range of available options in Power BI.
Choose appropriate visuals and tools within Power BI to enhance the storytelling aspect of data analysis.
Use Power BI's interactivity features to create dynamic, engaging, and user-responsive data reports.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Tour of the Power BI Desktop Interface: Understand the layout, tools, and features of Power BI Desktop.
- Tour of PowerBI.com Interface: Familiarize with the online environment of Power BI for report creation.
- Importing Power Pivot Data Model: Understand how to integrate Power Pivot models into Power BI for more complex data analysis.
- Building Visuals: Learn the step-by-step process to create compelling visuals and understand the importance of visual context in data storytelling.
- Review of Available Visuals: Explore the variety of visuals available in Power BI and their appropriate applications.
- Power BI Desktop Features: Delve into the advanced features of Power BI Desktop, enhancing data manipulation and visualization capabilities.
- Building Interactivity into Visuals: Learn to create dynamic and interactive reports that engage and inform.
- Publishing Reports to PowerBI.com: Gain skills in uploading and managing reports on PowerBI.com for wider access and collaboration.
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.
Speakers:
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
"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.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Tracy Cooper, CPA
By the end of this course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage the implementation of subscription pricing to their practice.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Christina Hilton, CPA
Field of Study:
Business Management and Organization (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Evaluate lesser-known but powerful Excel functions
Categorize your level of intellectual curiosity as you unearth ways to utilize Excel in manners you may not have previously considered
Assess your mindset of professional skepticism that helps you explore the edges of Excel's capabilities
Instructor:
Chris Harper, CPA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Awareness of advanced functions
- Creative methods for data manipulation
- Using intellectual curiosity and professional skepticism to develop a problem-solving mentality
- Real-life examples of innovative ways to analyze and report data with Excel
- Using Excel to perform e-mail merges
- Many other functions and techniques that inspire you to continue exploring the depths of Excel and its seemingly bottomless toolbox
- Enhance creativity in your approach to developing Excel models
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify new requirements related to audit reporting and required by-product communications
Recall core concepts fundamental to obtaining sufficient and appropriate audit evidence in compliance with recently-issued auditing standards
Recognize recent clarifications and enhancements made to improve the quality of the risk-based audit process
Recall significant new requirements of SAS Nos 134-145
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Key changes to audit report elements intended to improve the understandability of the nature and results of financial statement audits
- Enhanced required by-product communications with management and those charged with governance to promote more reliable financial statements
- Clarifications related to obtaining sufficient and appropriate audit evidence, including significant unusual transactions, related parties, going concern uncertainty, and accounting estimates
- New definitions and requirements related to identifying and evaluating risks of material misstatement
- Other important matters contained in SAS Nos. 134-145
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?
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the impact of interpretations issued by PEEC.
Identify changes to the independence standards.
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The Professional Ethics Executive Committee's updated ethics rules.
- An overview of recently issued ethics rules that CPAs need to know to be compliant.
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Christopher Pembrook, CPA, MBA, CGAP, CRFA
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Mark McCreary, CIPP/US
Field of Study:
Information Technology (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending the presentation, you will be able to....
Recognize the ethical dilemmas with AI applications that CPAs can encounter
Identify practical guidelines for resolving these ethical dilemmas
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major subjects that will be covered in this course include:
- A primer on AI technology applications in the accounting profession
- Ethical dilemmas that originate from the use of AI by CPAs
- Practical guidelines for using AI technology ethically
- Step by step guide for creating an AI usage policy for your organization
- Review of a variety of reference materials to assist you in using AI ethically
Delve into the world of paginated reporting with a curriculum that balances theoretical knowledge with practical examples and demonstrations. You'll learn how to navigate the Power BI Report Builder interface with ease, design intricate report layouts, and connect to diverse data sources for comprehensive reporting. The course covers a spectrum of skills, from creating eye-catching visualizations to utilizing advanced features like sub-reports and drill-through capabilities. By the end of this session, you'll be adept at publishing and sharing professional-grade, paginated reports that can inform and persuade your audience. Enroll now and take the first step towards mastering the art of paginated reporting with Power BI Report Builder.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the comprehensive functionalities of Power BI Report Builder necessary for designing advanced paginated reports.
Recall the steps for publishing and sharing paginated reports created in Power BI Report Builder.
Distinguish between the different report design choices to enhance the overall readability and user engagement in Power BI Report Builder.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Introduction to Power BI Report Builder: Overview of the tool, its interface, and integration with the Power BI ecosystem.
- Designing Report Layouts: Techniques for setting up professional layouts, including headers, footers, and managing pagination.
- Data Connection and Management: Connecting to various data sources and preparing data for reporting.
- Creating Visualizations: Utilizing Power BI’s visualization tools for impactful data presentation.
- Advanced Report Features: Exploring sub-reports, drill-through capabilities, and dynamic expressions.
- Publishing and Sharing: Guidelines for publishing reports to the Power BI service and sharing them with relevant stakeholders.
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.
Speakers:
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
This webinar will explore embracing and supporting neurodiversity in the workplace, promoting inclusivity, and creating a more diverse and dynamic environment.
Speakers:
Amy Gomez, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Tracy Cooper, CPA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the basics of ChatGPT and artificial intelligence chatbot technologies
Use ChatGPT to automate tasks and improve efficiency in the accounting profession
Utilize ChatGPT to improve accuracy and reduce the risk of mistakes in financial records
Supply real-time support to clients using ChatGPT
Generate financial reports using ChatGPT
Use ChatGPT to automate tax return preparation and financial planning
Deliver guidance on financial decision making using ChatGPT
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
Major topics covered in this course include:
- Introduction to ChatGPT and artificial intelligence chatbot technologies
- Automating frequently asked questions and the onboarding process
- Verifying and reviewing financial records
- Providing real-time support to clients
- Generating financial reports
- Automating tax return preparation and financial planning
- Providing guidance on financial decision making
Designed exclusively for accountants and CPAs, this class focuses on how you can use your knowledge and experience to start an advisory service in your spare time. By providing a service that your clients really want, you can supplement your income by upwards of $6k per month working only 4 hours per client - with only 3 clients. We'll cover the systems you need to start your own advisory service including how to package, price and market your business.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify what a CFO/Advisor does
Determine whether you're qualified to provide CFO/Advisory services
Recognize how to make $6k on the side per month with just 3 clients
Package, price and market your CFO/Advisory services
Deliver an advisory service in less than 4 hours per month per client
Instructor:
Adam Lean
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The systems you need to start your own advisory service.
- Information on how to package, price and market your business.
- Transforming accounting knowledge into expertise you can sell.
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Objectives:
- Understand the major issues on which taxpayers and the IRS are in conflict
- Understand recent IRS guidance and legislation impacting pass-through entities
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Michael Frost, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize changes that are occurring in business operations because of the change in attitudes, technology, and methods;
Recall the many factors driving operational updates;
Identify ways that security and productivity can be affected by inadequate internal control development;
Indicate an understanding of specific control changes that will be important.
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- How is business changing.
- What is driving the change and how long will it last.
- How specifically is an organizations control system important.
- What steps are needed to “keep up” with the upheaval.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Determine what factors allowed certain frauds to occur
Identify what internal controls may have prevented the frauds
Consider application of these lessons to circumstances you encounter in your professional endeavors
Instructor:
Chris Harper, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Examination of actual frauds
- Discussion of internal controls that could have prevented the frauds
- Contemplation of epiphanies for your own professional scenarios
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Undertake an assessment of your current situation and where you have evolved from
Identify tactics to survive and prosper in a virtual work environment will be covered
Create your own unique bucket list and learn how to use it to maintain a proper balance in your life
Instructor:
Ronald L Seigneur, CPA/ABV, ASA, CVA
Fields of Study:
Personal Development
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- How to get more out of one's work
- How to achieve greater balance between today's ever more demanding and complex demands of work without losing sight of what is important in daily routines
- Example of how to develop and be challenged by your own personal bucket list
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify new requirements related to audit reporting and required by-product communications
Recall core concepts fundamental to obtaining sufficient and appropriate audit evidence in compliance with recently-issued auditing standards
Recognize recent clarifications and enhancements made to improve the quality of the risk-based audit process
Recall significant new requirements through SAS 149
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Key changes to audit report elements intended to improve the understandability of the nature and results of financial statement audits
- Enhanced required by-product communications with management and those charged with governance to promote more reliable financial statements
- Clarifications related to obtaining sufficient and appropriate audit evidence, including significant unusual transactions, related parties, going concern uncertainty, and accounting estimates
- New definitions and requirements related to identifying and evaluating risks of material misstatement
- Other important matters contained in recent SASs
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify at least 7 ways Google information needs to be interpreted to ensure the results are taken in their proper context
Use at least 4 general search engines that complement their use of Google
Recognize at least 5 cluster search engines that group information by topic and discover unexpected relationships between topics
Recall at least 4 privacy search engines that do not store your queries or track your steps on the Internet
Access at least 12 user-generated content search engines that index content-text, videos, images, reviews-created by people, rather than brands
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Why Advanced Search Skills Are So Critical for Accountants
- Why You Need More than Google to Search the Internet
- GARP: Generally Accepted Research Principles
- Alternatives to Google
- Advisory Search
- Social Search
- Specialty search
- Search Engine resources
- What's Ahead in Search
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.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Mark Hugh, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
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.
Speakers:
Jane Mims, PhD.
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Effective networking involves more than simply collecting contacts. Strong networks should be relevant to your career and consist of people you trust. Personal networks are just as important as professional networks and the two often overlap. In this course, we explore ways to strengthen and grow networks by examining proven strategies that have helped individuals meet their personal and professional goals.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Communications and Marketing (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
This course is designed for all practitioners who want to help their clients navigate the process of teaching the next generation about personal finances. Because every family and child are different, it is critical to develop a specific plan for each client, and likely each child and grandchild. By working with their clients’ descendants, accounting and finance professionals not only build rapport and trust but also get to know the children and grandchildren, building firm value and long-term connection. With new and updated information and tactics, professionals can learn best practices to engage clients and their children.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Clint Greenleaf
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge - Technical (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Denise Appleby, MJ, APA, CISP, CRPS, CRC
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Sarah Acuna
Field of Study:
Personnel/Human Resources (2)
Major Topics:
- Be familiar with the nature and sources of difficult behaviors in the workplace, as well as strategies for addressing them
- Understand a proven formula for handling difficult people
- Utilize a problem-solving model to brainstorm strategies for working effectively with challenging individuals
- Implement a step-by-step process to resolve conflicts between yourself and others within your organization
- Apply the hostility curve as a tool to maintain control in situations involving angry or upset individuals
- Implement new strategies for managing your emotions in difficult interactions
- Understand the impact of attitude on interactions with others
- Create a personalized action plan for applying course strategies in your workplace
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Erica Dumpel, CLU
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize what constitutes digital assets.
Determine the differences between cryptocurrency and NFTs.
Identify the IRS forms needed to report digital asset contributions.
Calculate the value of the contribution.
Compare differences in required substantiation based on the amount of the contribution.
Recall the latest rulings by the Treasury Department and courts on these contributions.
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Intro to digital assets
- Differences between cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs)
- IRS Notice 2014-12
- Tax implications of contributing digital assets
- Gift tax rules for donating, gifting or bequeathing cryptocurrency and NFTs.
- Substantiating charitable contributions of digital assets
- Traps for the unwary.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the impact of GASB 100 and 101 on financial reporting for governments.
Analyze the impact of standards effective in 2024.
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- New GASB standards:
- GASB 100, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.
- GASB 101, Compensated Absences.
- Practical 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 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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
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.
Speakers:
Paul H. Calabrese
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize specific ways to leverage AI technology in your 1040 tax preparation services.
Identify specific AI tools that can be leveraged to automate and enhance 1040 tax preparation services.
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of AI technology and how it works.
- Identify where AI can be incorporated into the 1040 process.
- Using ChatGPT and Microsoft 365 Copilot for 1040 tax research, analysis and communications.
- Using StanfordTax AI based software to automate client source document collection and organization and integrate it with the leading 1040 tax software solutions including CCH Axcess, CCH ProSystem fx, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProSeries and Drake.
- A roadmap for using AI to improve client communications and 1040 based advisory services.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall ASUs impacting small businesses.
Identify reporting options for small entities other than GAAP.
Recognize the changes to quality required of small firms.
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) that are most likely to impact small businesses.
- ASUs initiated by the Private Company Council (PCC).
- Alternative reporting options to GAAP including FRF for SMEs and IFRS for SMEs.
- Audit standards that small business auditors will need to implement.
In this unique and engaging ethics course, the instructor, Dr. Bruce Weinstein, The Ethics Guy (R), reveals ten crucial qualities of CPAs. They are:
1. Honesty
2. Accountability
3. Care
4. Courage
5. Fairness
6. Gratitude
7. Humility
8. Loyalty
9. Patience
10. Presence (focus or mindfulness)
You're already a good CPA and a good person. This course will show you how to be even better. The result will be greater satisfaction in your professional relationships, a deeper commitment to the profession of accounting, and much more business.
Please note that this is a stand-alone course for 2 CPE credits in Behavioral Ethics, but you'll maximize your ROI by also taking "Ethics: How to Build and Keep Your A-Team". Together these courses are two of the surest pathways to sustained success in accounting.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify ten crucial qualities of high-character CPAs
Recognize why each quality is essential to sustained success in accounting
Select focused questions to evaluate the character of job applicants
Put yourself ahead of the competition if you're applying for a job (Hint: It involves explaining how your high character has consistently delivered positive results)
Instructor:
Bruce Weinstein
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Discover why the ten crucial qualities of high-character CPAs are essential to your success
- Learn how to evaluate these qualities in job candidates and why you must do so
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.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
This course provides practical suggestions for improving leadership skills, including self-awareness, communication, delegation, empowerment, coaching, and counseling.
Speakers:
Laura Middleton
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
In this session, learn how to measure your ethics through change. You will learn how to filter everything you do during change through a simple litmus test. Through the power of story, you will learn from the lessons of other organizations and their ethical mistakes. Lastly, you will take away what is required to manage yourself so that when ethical decisions arise, you have the mental capacity to manage through it well.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish the difference between a Compliance Strategy and an Integrity Strategy
List the questions in the litmus test for your decisions and actions
Recall ethical principles when managing through change
Identify and give examples of how to put ethical principles into practice
List the organizational pressures that threaten ethical change management
Analyze case study of prizing outcomes over process
Recall case study of poorly managed Change Agents and Networks
Apply case study of poorly managed leadership alignment
Assess case study of non-transparent leadership
List the winning strategies for ethical self-regulation
Instructor:
Tammy Daugherty
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- The litmus test for all of your decisions and actions
- Ethical principles when managing through change
- Pressures that threaten ethical change management
- Case studies of what can go sideways when ethics are not part of every stage of change
- Winning strategies for ethical self-regulation
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify taxation nuances that are important but difficult for non-tax professionals to understand.
Apply techniques for educating clients regarding taxation.
Distinguish methods for simplifying and communicating complicated tax concepts.
Instructor:
Dr. Christopher J. Harper, CPA, MBA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Accounting as a foreign language
- Commonly misunderstood concepts
- Communicating tax matters
- Client-practitioner interactions
- Interacting with tax authorities
This course is designed to take participants from the basics of Power Query to exploring its more sophisticated features. It is an ideal blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, centered around diverse data scenarios encountered in multiple industries. The aim is to ensure that the skills and techniques learned are universally applicable and beneficial in any professional context.
Structured to be participant-focused, the course encourages active learning through a series of practical exercises, live demonstrations, and illustrative case studies. This approach not only deepens the understanding of Power Query's features but also demonstrates how to turn complex data sets into actionable insights.
While the course is broad in its application, it remains detailed in its instruction, catering to both the novice and the seasoned professional. It is particularly beneficial for those who regularly interact with data, such as business analysts, project managers, and financial professionals, providing them with the tools to streamline data processes and enhance data analysis capabilities.
Additionally, the course underscores best practices in data management. Participants will learn strategic approaches to data challenges, ensuring that their data processes are efficient, scalable, and sustainable. This is not just a course about mastering a tool; it's about empowering professionals with the skills to transform data into a strategic business resource. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to leverage Power Query in Excel or Power BI desktop to its full potential, turning data into a powerful driver for business success and innovation.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to ...
Identify the key features and functionalities of Microsoft Power Query.
Distinguish between different data transformation techniques in Power Query, including data cleaning, merging, and pivoting.
Indicate the best practices for documenting each step in your data transformation process.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Introduction to Power Query in Power BI: Understanding the interface and basic functionalities.
- Data Cleaning Techniques: Removing duplicates, handling null values, and data type conversions.
- Data Transformation: Advanced methods for manipulating data, including pivoting, merging, and appending queries.
- Data Loading: Efficiently loading data into the Power BI data model.
- Document the Process Steps: Setting up details for each step in the process so you can document what is happening and why.
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?
Speakers:
Gary Cokins, MBA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
from one firm to another, it is hard for the average person to see this by simply looking at the sign
outside our office door. Is there any way to make us stand out more to the outside world? Through
surveys, statistics, and examples, this course looks at how CPA firms can develop a marketing plan
beyond just relying on referrals. We look at the pluses and minuses of various marketing channels,
regulatory constraints, and how to measure success in the competitive financial services space.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Communications and Marketing (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Apply guidance of the "big picture" of qualified deductible expenses and strategies and guidance on what to do and when to do it
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Definition of what qualifies as an entertainment expense
- Strategies to deduct business entertainment expenses
- Deductibility of meals
- Situations not subject to the 50% meals and entertainment reduction
- How to handle automobile issues related to employer-provided parking
- Proper accounting for deductible vs. non-deductible expenditures
- The four steps to analyze business expenses
- The latest federal legislation, cases and rulings
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identity the conceptual framework for making independence determinations
Identify independence threats related to preparing financial statements and accounting records
Identify specific non-audit services that would and would not impair independence
Complete proper audit documentation to support adequate consideration of auditor independence
Identify what a single audit entails
Identify the basic audit requirements in a Uniform Guidance compliance audit
Identify key auditee and auditor responsibilities in the compliance audit of federal awards
Recognize key consideration related to the auditor's responsibilities regarding testing and reporting on compliance under the Uniform Guidance
Instructor:
Adelina Burke, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- The conceptual framework approach to independence
- Independence threats related to preparing financial statements and accounting records
- Consideration of specific non-audit services that would and would not impair independence
- Documentation necessary to support adequate consideration of auditor consideration
- Fundamentals of a compliance audit performed under the Uniform Guidance
- Schedule of expenditure of federal awards
- Determination of major programs
- Using the Compliance Supplement
- Uniform Guidance administrative requirements and cost principles
- Testing internal control over compliance
- Testing compliance
- Writing an audit finding
- Reporting requirements of a single audit
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Charlie Blanton, CPA
Field of Study:
Auditing (Governmental) (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
To be a part of a team, a team that truly cares for its people, is to be granted an opportunity for growth and inclusion and a sense of belonging. It doesn't get better than that!
This ethics-based webinar examines the essence of what constitutes teams that are high functioning and highly collaborative. One essential component is the balance between content (getting the job done!) and process (how we get things done...how we treat each other). This webinar will offer concrete practical suggestions for teams both for content and process effectiveness. It will also offer opportunities for self-reflection and actions to take to enhance team performance.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze how habit influences character.
Recall phases of team work and typical responses to each phase that enhance team performance.
Identify high performing team characteristics and suggestions of effectiveness.
Apply principles to team meetings that maximize productivity and enhance relationships between team members.
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Virtue ethics
- Team dynamics
- Characteristics of highly effective teams
- Meeting management
- Team communication
- Decision making
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.
Speakers:
Mark Hugh, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Steve Cadigan
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the stages of the IRS collection process, from initial notice to enforced collection actions.
Recognize when Forms 433-A or 433-B are required and understand the information necessary to complete them.
Evaluate the criteria for submitting an Offer in Compromise (OIC) and outline the submission process.
Recall the different payment options available to taxpayers facing IRS collections.
Determine how to effectively advise clients on navigating the IRS collection process.
Minimize potential penalties and ensure compliance during the resolution process.
Assess the implications of different settlement strategies, including OIC and installment agreements.
Apply practical insights to real-world scenarios for resolving tax liabilities.
Instructor:
Mary Jane Hourani, MM, EA, NTPI Fellow
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of the IRS collection process and enforcement actions.
- Initial notices, taxpayer rights, and IRS timelines.
- When to use Forms 433-A or 433-B and required documentation.
- Offer in Compromise (OIC): criteria, process, and practical considerations.
- Payment options: installment agreements, partial payment plans, and OIC.
- Advising clients on IRS collections and avoiding penalties.
- Compliance strategies for minimizing tax liabilities.
- Real-world scenarios and examples for tax debt resolution.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize the features and benefits of using ChatGPT
Identify practical applications for ChatGPT in accounting, finance and tax
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Review the history of ChatGPT
- Tour of the ChatGPT app and how to use it
- Setting up a ChatGPT account (free & premium)
- Variety of hands-on case study examples for accounting, finance and tax
- A look under the hood at how ChatGPT works
- Caution - how to avoid risks in using ChatGPT
- A look into the future potential for AI in business
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to:
Understand that ethics is more than just behavior
Apply AICPA requirements and resources related to ethics
Apply the AICPA framework to case studies
Consider the role of bias when facing ethical decisions
Instructor:
Keely Gohl, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Understanding ethics
- Available tools to aid in ethical decision making
- The role of bias in making ethical decisions
- Application through 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:
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Mark McCreary, CIPP/US
Field of Study:
Information Technology (1)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Tina DePrisco
Field of Study:
Business Management and Organization (1), Personal Development (1)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Select ChatGPT for efficient budget negotiation and allocation.
Distinguish strategies for compensation and benefits discussions.
Recognize financial performance issues, including layoffs, with sensitivity.
Indicate the financial and HR implications of mergers and acquisitions.
Distinguish compliance with financial and employment laws.
Identify crisis management strategies in financial downturns.
Select performance management systems aligning with financial goals.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Complex and nuanced communications related to:
- Budget Allocation and Negotiation Techniques
- Compensation and Benefits Structuring
- Managing Financial Performance and Layoffs
- Financial and HR Aspects of Mergers and Acquisitions
- Regulatory Compliance and Ethical Financial Practices
- Strategies for Financial Crisis Management
- Effective Performance Management Systems
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Discuss common financial statement disclosures for small- and medium-sized nonpublic entities
Describe critical information useful to financial statement readers for making economic decisions
Explain results of operations through information that supplements the face financial statements
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- General disclosures about the entity and its environment
- Common critical information useful to financial statement readers for making economic decisions
- Explain results of operations through information that supplements the face financial statements
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Apply advanced Excel auditing tools, such as Trace Precedents, Trace Dependents, and the Error Checking feature, to effectively identify and rectify complex errors in financial spreadsheets.
Analyze and interpret common error messages and anomalies in Excel, enabling the ability to diagnose underlying issues in spreadsheet formulas and data inputs.
Distinguish between different types of Excel errors, including formula errors, reference errors, and logical errors, to implement targeted corrective actions for enhanced spreadsheet accuracy and reliability.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
- Understanding Common Excel Errors: Gain insights into the most common types of errors encountered in Excel, including formula errors, reference errors, and logic errors.
- Advanced Formulas and Functions: Learn to use advanced Excel functions and formulas that are crucial for error detection and data analysis.
- Data Validation Techniques: Master the art of data validation to prevent errors before they occur. This includes setting up data validation rules and using conditional formatting to highlight potential inaccuracies.
- Error Tracing and Auditing Tools: Delve into Excel's auditing tools to trace and fix errors. Learn to use Trace Precedents, Trace Dependents, and the Error Checking tool effectively.
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
This one-hour webinar includes an overview of Aristotle's virtue ethics and its application to present day life. We will focus on the virtue of compassion both individually and organizationally and its impact on individual, organizational and world wellbeing.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this course, you will be able to...
Identify behavioral ethics and how our behaviors impact the world around us.
Recognize what is meant by professionalism and its relationship to ethics.
Recall benefits and obstacles to Compassion.
Identify causes of bad gossip and ways to minimize impact in the workplace.
Recognize the importance of gratitude in our daily lives at work and at home.
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Overview of Virtue Ethics and the Common Good
- Professionalism
- The Virtue of Compassion
- Gossip in the Workplace
- Gratitude
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.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
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!)
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Gary Cokins, MBA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Gary Cokins, MBA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Mark Hugh, CPA
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.
Speakers:
LeAnne Lagasse, SHRM-SCP
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!
Speakers:
Summer Jelinek
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Brian F. Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMA
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Charlie Blanton, CPA
Field of Study:
Accounting (Governmental) (4), Auditing (Governmental) (4)
Major Topics:
- 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)
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
This informative and insightful webinar will provide you with some insider tips, practical steps and effective strategies to help your client manage IRS tax penalties and interest. Learn about various types of penalties that you may face, and the various forms and procedures used for requesting penalty and interest abatement, including First Time and Reasonable Cause abatement. Plus, learn about the procedure to follow when requesting refund of paid penalties.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify situations where penalties can be imposed
Utilize techniques for preventing or reducing any penalty assessments
Ascertain when the First Time Abatement can be used
Obtain a working knowledge of the procedure governing the request for refund
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Various types of penalties: Accuracy related, fraud, understatement of valuation, reporting requirement, failure to pay, and pay or deposit penalties
- Rules on waiver of penalties and interests
- Various forms and procedures for requesting relief
- First Time Abatement: Requirements and procedures
- How an individual taxpayer qualifies for Reasonable Cause abatement
- Procedures for requesting refund of paid penalties
- Available administrative options
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the impact of recently issued ASUs on financial reporting.
Analyze the impact of recent SASes on audit engagements.
Identify the impact of the SQMSs on firms.
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Technology Hot Topics for Audits.
- Accounting Standard Updates
- Projects identified by the FASB's Invitation to Comment: Agenda Consultation.
- Year 2 considerations for leases including modification accounting.
- The impact of the changes to auditing group audits
- The status of the AICPA's quality management project management.
- The current work of the ASB.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the nature of generative AI and how it can be applied in the world of CPAs
Recall key concepts and terminology associated with this rapidly evolving technology
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Fundamentals of machine learning and AI algorithms
- How generative AI models like ChatGPT function
- Practical examples of generative AI in accounting, finance and tax
- Key terminologies and concepts simplified
- AI Agents for process automation
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Gain an understanding of who should be considered and consulted prior to undertaking work in the cannabis sector
Develop a checklist of considerations for firms choosing to offer services within the cannabis sector
Learn where to find resources to assist in evaluating work opportunities
Instructor:
Ronald L Seigneur, CPA/ABV, ASA, CVA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Framework for assessing the propriety of offering services within the state legal, regulated cannabis industry
- Assist in identifying key stakeholders to be considered in conjunction to providing cannabis industry services, including:
- partners
- staff
- clients
- Banking relationships
- Malpractice insurance
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize external fraud
Identify control issues that can give rise to external fraud occurrences
Recall ways to reduce external fraud risk
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Types of external fraud
- Considerations as organizations work to reduce fraud risk
- External fraud and known parties/External fraud unknown perpetrators
Every organization claims to be ethical, but words and deeds do not always jibe. How do you assess the real Ethics of an organization? What are the key factors and behaviors to be aware of? Many organizations lack prescriptive policies, but is that an excuse to deviate from the spirit of doing the right thing?
How can professionals abuse ‘what is right’ and circumvent policies for their personal benefit. What are some egregious examples of violating policies? How allowing exceptions invites abuse. This seminar outlines steps to gauge the ethics of an organization.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Joe Oringel, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Andy Sexton
Chad Ayers
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.
Speakers:
Connie Clark
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Tara Singer
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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
Speakers:
Robin Rohmer
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.
Speakers:
Christine Wilson, LPC
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Denise Appleby, MJ, APA, CISP, CRPS, CRC
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Amy McAndrew, Esquire
Field of Study:
Personnel / Human Resources (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
In the first part of the course, participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of Power BI. This includes an overview of Power BI's interface, key features, and its seamless integration with Excel. The course will cover Excel's Power BI tools - Power Pivot, for advanced data modeling, and Power Query, for efficient data transformation and preparation. This segment is essential for understanding how Power BI extends and enhances the data processing and analytical capabilities of Excel.
The second section of the course delves into the standalone Power BI tools. Here, participants will explore Power BI Desktop for creating complex data models and sophisticated reports, Power BI Service for cloud-based collaboration and sharing, and Power BI Report Server for on-premises report deployment. This part of the course will focus on the unique features and strengths of these standalone tools, providing attendees with the skills to leverage Power BI in a variety of business contexts.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the differences and synergies between Excel's Power BI tools and the standalone Power BI tools, enabling a clear understanding of when and how to use each tool effectively in various business scenarios.
Distinguish between the various functionalities and use cases of Power BI tools, empowering participants to select the most appropriate Power BI tool for specific data analysis and reporting needs in their professional roles.
Recognize the impact of integrating Power BI with Excel on the efficiency and effectiveness of data processing, analysis, and visualization tasks, aiding in the development of more streamlined and powerful data analytics strategies within their organizations.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Overview of the Power BI Tools: Introduction to the Power BI ecosystem, including Excel’s Power BI features (Power Pivot and Power Query) and standalone tools (Power BI Desktop, Power BI Service, Power BI Report Builder and Power BI Report Server).
- Tour of the Tools: Introduction to the interfaces of Power Pivot, Power Query, Power BI Desktop and Power BI Services.
- Comparative Analysis:
- Understand the strengths and limitations of Excel’s Power BI features versus standalone Power BI tools.
- Strategic decision-making on when to use each tool for optimal efficiency and accuracy in data analysis tasks.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Apply the PRIME Method to develop comprehensive accounting policy manualsEvaluate various AI tools to determine optimal solutions for policy developmentCreate tailored policy manuals for specific accounting contextsAnalyze how AI can enhance traditional policy manual creation workflowsDevelop strategies for maintaining regulatory compliance in AI-generated contentDesign iterative refinement processes for policy manual improvementImplement human oversight frameworks for AI-generated policy content
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Fundamentals of accounting policy manuals in traditional and AI contexts
- The PRIME Method framework for AI-assisted policy development
- Strategic implementation of AI tools including ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot
- Internal control and risk management policy creation
- AI and generative AI usage policies for accounting firms
- Sustainability and ESG reporting policy frameworks
- Predictive analytics and forecasting policy development
- Regulatory compliance considerations in AI-generated policies
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify guidance that IRS auditors use when examining tax returns
Distinguish industry-specific nuances for an auditor's perspective
Apply IRS guidance when preparing income tax returns
Instructor:
Dr. Christopher J. Harper, CPA, MBA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of ATGs
- Best practices for utilizing ATGs
- Salient provisions of selected ATGs
- Insights auditors may obtain from analytical procedures
- Nuances associated with selected industries
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to:
Increase understanding of human factors affecting ethical choices
Offer tools for sound ethical decision making
Provide concrete actions for creating an ethical work environment
Increase awareness of our individual impact on the work environment
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
Ethical Values and Principles
- Human Factors impacting ethical choices
- Professional and organizational responsibilities in creating an ethical work environment
- Tools for ethical decision making
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Indicate how different stakeholders utilize financial statements
Recognize how flexible budgeting may be used by CFOs and Controllers
Recall how time series analysis and common size financial statements are used in trend analysis
Calculate liquidity, leverage, and profitability ratios
Identify the uses and limitations of ratio analysis
Instructor:
David Peters
Fields of Study:
Finance
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Purpose of Financial Statement Analysis
- Comparing Actuals vs. Expectations & Benchmarking
- Case Studies 1 & 2
- Ratio Analysis
- Case Study 3
- Analysis of Statement of Cash Flows
- Case Studies 4 & 5
- Other Uses of Ratios
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Apply the latest provisions and developments, rules and regulations impacting individual taxpayers
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- 2025 Tax Provision Sunsets
- Residential Energy Credit
- Virtual currency reporting and Form 1099-DA
- Student loans
- Recent individual taxpayer case rulings
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Robin Rohmer
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.
Speakers:
Brian F. Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMA
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!
Speakers:
Randolph (Randy) P. Johnston
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Mary Gormandy White, M.A., SHRM-SCP,
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.
Speakers:
Christine Wilson, LPC
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Educate on what is important to attract and retain millennial workers.
Distinguish how generational viewpoints differ, and how to get them to see "eye-to-eye."
Apply tips and techniques for mentoring and developing younger workers.
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Personnel/Human Resources
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Building a high-performing team comprised of multi-generational workers.
- How to effectively communicate with the millennial worker.
- Leveraging younger staff in business development opportunities.
- Measuring the productivity of a millennial workforce.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize the ethical challenges created by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the foundational principles included in the Code of Professional Standards.
Recall the ethical imperative to remain competent in this new environment in order to serve in the public interest.
Consider whether current ethics standards address all of the challenges associated with data privacy and security.
Instructor:
Allison M. Henry, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- The foundational ethical principles CPAs are required to follow and how these principles apply to audit quality, data privacy and security, and the use of emerging technologies.
- The profession's need to change to meet its ethics standard in a technology-centric environment.
- Changes being considered by the AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy that could impact the profession.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify some of the security risks that affect electronic information
Select cloud storage providers by employing vetting process
Recognize the steps to effectively set up and control cloud storage
Recall ways to add security to individual electronic documents as well as to storage areas that must be controlled
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Securing individual documents
- Protecting information resident in the Cloud
- Securing data stored on or accessed by mobile devices
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.
Speakers:
James R Laird, CPA/ABV, CVA
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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.
Speakers:
Joy Principe
"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!"
Speakers:
Chuck Gallagher
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Accounting (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Management Services - Technical (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
Form 7203 is designed to assist in tracking an S corporation shareholder’s stock and debt basis. Form 7203 is a significant improvement from the worksheets the IRS provided formerly and over time will serve to help partners and partnerships keep track of their stock and debt basis. The course covers the structure and organization of Form 7203 as well as how an S corporation shareholder’s stock and debt basis are calculated.
Objectives:
- Understand the latest regarding distributions of property from partnerships
- Understand shareholders’ stock and debt basis
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
This course takes a deep dive into the critical aspects of using Power BI to its fullest potential, emphasizing a holistic approach to data analytics. You'll learn how to build a streamlined workflow, ensuring every step in your data journey contributes to actionable insights. The course also focuses on optimizing performance for data models, utilizing advanced features of Power BI Services, and moving beyond basic data models to create advanced solutions tailored to real-world business needs.
By the end of the course, you'll be able to synthesize all your Power BI skills to design and deliver powerful analytics solutions tailored to any audience. Whether you're presenting to stakeholders, sharing insights across teams, or managing enterprise-level reporting, this course will equip you with the tools and strategies to succeed. Perfect for Power BI users looking to tie all the pieces together into a comprehensive, efficient workflow.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Categorize the components of an efficient Power BI workflow and identify areas for optimization.
Evaluate Power BI performance metrics and apply optimization techniques for enhanced usability.
Assess the capabilities of Power BI Services to effectively share, collaborate, and manage data insights across teams and organizations.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Building a Comprehensive Workflow in Power BI: Streamline and enhance your end-to-end data processes for improved efficiency and clarity.
- Exploring What's Next After Creating Data Models and Measures: Understand advanced strategies to further enhance the value of your existing data models.
- Best Practices for Performance Optimization: Learn key tips to ensure smooth, fast, and reliable performance in your existing data models.
- Leveraging Your Data Model Through PowerBI.com/Power BI Services: Explore advanced functionalities of Power BI Services to make your data insights more accessible and impactful.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recall the difference between a forecast and a budget
Identify the difference between top-down and bottom-up budgeting
State the key elements of a flexible budgeting approach
Identify key cost drivers
State how behavioral biases may affect the budgeting process
Identify how headcount efficiency may be measured
Determine scenario planning
Recognize best practices and controls for managing budget changes
Instructor:
David Peters
Fields of Study:
Finance
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Budgets vs. Forecasts
- Cyclicality
- Core Earnings & Sustainable Growth
- Identifying Key Forecast Drivers
- Reasonableness in Forecasting
- Approaches to Budgeting
- Budgeting Variances
- Horizontal Analysis
- Flexible Budgeting
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to:
Recall the effects of the rapid move to distance employees
Indicate the factors that make supporting and controlling telecommuters challenging, and
Identify the types of controls to consider for the new geographically dispersed work environment
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- The benefits and pitfalls of remote employees.
- How to maximize the value provided by distance workers.
- Policies, procedures, and control measures designed for a more geographically dispersed workforce.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
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?
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Robin Rohmer
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
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.
Speakers:
Christine Wilson, LPC
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Denise Appleby, MJ, APA, CISP, CRPS, CRC
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- Avoid common mistakes regarding ransomware events
- Identify and respond to a ransomware incident
Presenters:
Mark McCreary, CIPP/US
Field of Study:
Information Technology (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- Understand how a partner determines and reports his or her tax basis capital account
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Michael Frost, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish between the authorities granted by Form 2848 and Form 8821.
Identify situations where a Power of Attorney is required for IRS representation.
Analyze limitations imposed by IRS rules on the authority granted through these forms.
Evaluate common mistakes and compliance risks when filing Forms 2848 and 8821.
Utilize of the IRS Centralized Authorization File (CAF) system for managing authorizations.
Instructor:
Mary Jane Hourani, MM, EA, NTPI Fellow
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of IRS Power of Attorney (POA) rules.
- Form 2848: Authority to Represent Clients before the IRS.
- Form 8821: Accessing Tax Information Without Representation.
- Identifying errors and compliance risks in POA filings.
- Rules for revoking or updating POA authorizations.
- Managing authorizations through the CAF system.
- Electronic submissions and the IRS online authorization process.
- Ethical responsibilities when holding a POA.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending the presentation, you will be able to
Determine the situations, circumstances, and people where you avoid difficult conversations
Identify where you are making up a story about the situation
Distinguish where you are creating obstacles
Instructor:
Julie G. Holunga, MBA, CPCC, ACC and Stephanie Wachman
Fields of Study:
Personal Development
Major Topics:
The major subjects that will be covered in this course include:
- Awareness of your mindset entering the conversation
- Tactics to build a pool of meaning
- Clarity around story telling
- Biggest mistakes to avoid
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
John Levy, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Micheal Towers
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Raise awareness of bank fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion
Identify red flags that lead to investigations and indictments
Review key indicators of illicit activities
Recognize how responses to investigations influence sanctions
Instructor:
Justin Paperny
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
Major topics covered in this course include:
- What is bank fraud?
- What is wire fraud?
- Role of financial service professionals in combating tax evasion and white-collar crime
- Red flags indicating of white-collar crimes
- Importance of knowing customers
- Criminal justice proceedings
- Relationship between victim impact and sentencing
- Relationship between loss amounts and sentencing
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Analyze current ethical violations in the news
Determine possible choices when placed in the middle of an ethical dilemma
Determine a nine-step process to improve ethical decision-making
Instructor:
Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CMA, CIA, CFF, CGMA, MS
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Discuss ethics from an every-day real-world perspective
- How to prevent an ethical lapse that can turn your business into the next news story
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.
Speakers:
Robin Rohmer
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Comprehend and apply ChatGPT tools for effective IRS tax law research.
Analyze complex tax scenarios using AI-assisted techniques.
Develop skills in crafting precise prompts for accurate data retrieval.
Interpret and implement IRS tax regulations and guidelines.
Identify common pitfalls in tax law research and learn strategies for avoidance.
Evaluate the reliability and accuracy of AI-generated tax law insights.
Foster a proactive approach towards continual learning in AI and tax law.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Utilizing ChatGPT for IRS Tax Law Research: Principles and Practices
- Navigating IRS Databases Using Advanced AI Techniques
- Using IRS Prompt Templates: In-depth Analysis and Application
- ChatGPT in Action: Case Studies and Real-World Scenarios
- Exploring IRS Tax Laws: Strategies, Loopholes, and Compliance
- Error Prevention and Correction in Tax Law Research
- Future Trends: AI's Evolving Role in Taxation and Accounting
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Does this sound familiar? If so, this webinar is for you.
This course is for any practice owner looking to transform their practice - and double their revenue - by offering a productized CFO/Advisory service. We'll cover the systems you need to transform your practice and the services you should offer to double your firm's revenue.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Determine the number of advisory clients you'll need and the amount you should be charging to double your firm's revenue.
Recall how we define CFO and advisory services.
Determine which of the three types of CFO/Advisory firms is right for you.
Identify the three systems you'll need to add a CFO/Advisory service to your firm.
Instructor:
Adam Lean
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The average revenue of most accounting firms.
- The number of advisory clients you'll need to double your firm's revenue.
- How much you should be charging for advisory services.
- How we define CFO and advisory services.
- What business owners really want from their advisor.
- The three types of CFO/Advisory firms.
- How to get clients to pay you approximately $2,500 per month for advisory services.
- The three systems you'll need to add a CFO/Advisory service to your firm.
“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.
Speakers:
Joy Principe
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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!
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Frank Ryan, CPA
Field of Study:
Management Services (8)
Major Topics:
- Key tools used by businesses and financial professionals across the globe to measure performance
- Detailed, real-world examples of businesses utilizing these tools
Objectives:
- Apply accounting and financial reporting standards to construction contractors
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Accounting (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify requirements related to audit reporting when the requirements for reporting on key audit matter apply
Recall core concepts fundamental to determining and documenting independence
Recognize supplemental requirements imposed by the 2024 Yellow Book during the performance of a financial statement audit
Recall significant changes made by the 20248 version of Government Auditing Standards
Recognize the impact of the Quality Management Standards to a financial statement audit conducted under the 2024 Revision to Government Auditing Standards
Instructor:
Daniel W. Bradley, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Key changes made by the 2024 Revision to Government Auditing Standards
- Review when the GAGAS requirements are applicable to a financial statement audit
- When reporting on key audit matters may apply in a GAGAS audit
- Clarifications related to the independence requirements in a financial statement audit imposed by the 2024 Yellow Book
- Review the impact of the Quality Management Standards to a financial statement audit conducted under the 2024 Revision to Government Auditing Standards
- Other important matters contained in the 2024 Government Auditing Standards related to financial statement audits
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify all the Outlook features you can use to process and organize your email more efficiently.
Recall the various tools in Outlook to automate the management of your email.
Configure your Outlook to create customized views and feature settings.
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Using Quick Parts to streamline message composition.
- Eliminating inefficient back and forth appointment scheduling with the Bookings app.
- Using category codes and contacts to send bulk emails.
- Sending emails to Teams and OneNote.
- Organizing your inbox with custom views, rules and folders.
- Mastering the search tools to find emails quickly.
- Review of key option settings to maximize email productivity.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish reasons that employees and others that are internal to an organization choose to undertake fraudulent acts
Determine the ways that fraud activities are changing as business methods change
Differentiate between the types of control measures that work best as entities strive to mitigate fraud risk
Select specific internal control measures that reduce fraud activities
Identify how anti-fraud measures add security to all segments and aspects of a business organization
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Fraudulent acts initiated from outside organizations
- Why internal fraud occurs
- The importance of fighting cyber-fraud
- Steps that verify anti-fraud activities are working
These areas include:
1. Social media
2. Content development.
3. Email marketing.
4. Text (SMS) marketing.
5. Chatbots and other interactive AI tools.
6. Drip marketing campaigns.
Attendees will receive a practical guide to the technologies and tactics needed to improve marketing efforts with efficiency and ease!
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Discover how to segment your marketing and sales process in order to automate the areas that will have the most impact on revenue generation.
Identify tools that you can use to simplify and shorten the lead generation, lead nurturing, sales, and onboarding processes.
Leverage artificial intelligence the right way to develop content ideas and content that will engage ideal clients and nurture existing ones.
Create a roadmap for an automated marketing and sales process in your firm to reduce time spent on marketing and sales while creating a consistent and cost-effective lead generation cycle to grow your firm.
Instructor:
Gaynor Hardy (Meilke), MS, CBC
Fields of Study:
Communications and Marketing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Content - From generating content ideas to SEO research and creating content through its distribution we will look at tools to accomplish these goals efficiently and effectively.
- Lead Generation - Tools to determine the best offers and get them in front of the appropriate audiences.
- Lead Nurturing - Once you have a prospective client "raise their hand" virtually or physically, it is critical to design and implement campaigns and other tactics to keep them engaged and move them closer to being a client. We will cover this i-depth during the course.
- Sales - After you have a prospect ready to get to the next phase of the purchase journey, it is imperative to answer objections, explain the process of working with your firm and then close the sale. These tools will allow you to do this without an entire sales team!
- Onboarding - Once the prospect becomes a client leverage automation to make onboarding seamless, systematic and simple for your team.
- Referrals and Reviews - Instead of chasing clients for reviews or case studies, consider baking the ask right into your current or automated processes. This course will show you how!
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to ...
Apply best practices when creating your spreadsheets
Determine which controls you need to develop for your spreadsheets
Use controls to build more accurate spreadsheets
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Learn best practices when designing your spreadsheets
- How to create a proper worksheet structure
- Learn to use Excel's built in features to find errors
- How to create your custom controls to prevent and find errors
- Using links to quickly move to controls
- Using Conditional Formatting to highlight errors
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.
Speakers:
Anthony P. Howard, SPHP. SHRM-SCP
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Steve Cadigan
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Looking to improve the quality of your 401(k) benefit plan audits? This is the course for you. Based on recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor and peer reviews on employee benefit plan audits, we know auditors need to up their game to meet stakeholder demands and provide the best possible audit services.
In this advanced course, we will discuss the audit and reporting requirements in accordance with auditing standards. We will also discuss laws and regulations (such as ERISA) that are unique to employee benefit plans and provide practical guidance on their application. Course topics will focus on the most common compliance issues identified in 401(k) audits by the Department of Labor and peer reviews, as well as recommended corrections. Auditors will identify best practices for auditing areas such as payroll and compensation, participant loans, hardship distributions, investments, and plan mergers and acquisitions.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Melissa Critcher, CPA, PC
Field of Study:
Auditing (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
With only a few months to go before the AICPA’s Statement on Quality Management Standards 1, 2, and 3 (SQMS 1, SQMS 2, and SQMS 3, respectively), SSARS No. 26, SAS 146, and SSAE 23 are required to be implemented, this course can help you meet the deadline. It focuses not simply on theory but on HOW to perform the steps involved.
The Quality Management Suite of Standards must be implemented by December 15, 2025. The standards modernize the firm’s approach to quality to reflect an increased focus on risk assessment, technology use, and the presence of outside experts on many engagements. Beginning with performing a risk-based approach, the standards provide accounting firms with the ability to enhance their quality control by shifting their focus to a proactive approach (management) from a reactive approach (control).
The results of the firm’s risk assessment will form the basis of its new Quality Management document. This is not just a tweak of the old document but a more robust document that adds new requirements from the new standards.
We will cover how to perform a risk assessment, including the key provisions of the standards, and how to effectively implement a monitoring plan. We will also review how the firm will evaluate its System of Quality Management beginning in 2026.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Marci Thomas, CPA
Field of Study:
Auditing (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
- Timing Differences: Variations in income recognition and deductible expenses between GAAP and IRC create timing differences, impacting reported profitability and tax liabilities.
- Deferred Tax Assets: Companies accrue deferred tax assets from overpaid taxes or carried-forward credits, which can offset future taxable income, reducing tax liabilities.
- Deferred Tax Liabilities: When taxable income is less than reported income, deferred tax liabilities arise, necessitating future tax payments when temporary differences reverse.
Join us to delve into these concepts, exploring how financial reporting choices and tax strategies shape a company's financial performance and compliance obligations.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize variations in income recognition.
Recognize deductible expenses between GAAP and IRC affect reported profitability and tax liabilities.
Compute deferred tax assets and liabilities, learning their impact on financial statements and future tax obligations.
Instructor:
Eric Knight, CPA, DBA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to GAAP and IRC Frameworks
- Key Differences Between Financial Reporting and Tax Reporting
- Understanding Timing Differences
- Recognition of Revenue and Expenses Under GAAP vs. IRC
- Discussion of Deferred Tax Assets
- Impact of Deferred Tax Liabilities
- Permanent vs. Temporary Differences
- Reconciliation of Book Income to Taxable Income
In this power-packed course, the formula to be an Inspirational leader has been masterfully developed and covers the soft skills of Inspirational leadership and the Results Model: Goal Setting + Coaching + Follow Up with proven results from dozens of both large and small companies. These cornerstones are simple but can be hard to execute because it is HOW you do it first, then WHAT you do second. This exciting course is designed to ignite your leadership skills by putting theory into practice; drilling into real live examples and experiencing first-hand what excellence sounds like through role-playing and building your action plan. Get ready to become an inspirational leader and learn the steps required to get the results you really want.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify performance management statistics driving human behavior.
List the components of the Results Model and why ethical performance management matters.
Identify the purpose of a scorecard and state the key components that matter.
How to always operate "above the line" and the impact that has on driving results.
Distinguish the most important components that take a scorecard from good to great.
Identify the criterion that matters most during goal-setting.
Compare and contrast various role-play examples of coaching conversations and assess the effectiveness of each; what components make them good and what makes them great.
Identify and recall what short affirmations and re-directs sound like and how to use them effectively during coaching.
Apply the follow-up rules of success.
Recognize the crucial role of empathy and how to apply/cultivate it in your leadership approach.
Effectively use the support tools provided to create your action plan to improve performance management with your people and yourself.
Instructor:
Tammy Daugherty
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- How Inspirational leadership is the foundation that ethically drives results.
- Simplify the complex: Walk through the Results Model and discover practical how-to examples of execution.
- Hacks for getting great results with specific examples you can leverage in your business:
- The How: Empower your people to feel like an owner, managing difficult conversations well, leading with empathy and what that looks like, how it should feel, motivational coaching techniques to get your employee relationships back on track, and unleashing the power of appreciation and gratitude.
- The What: Powerful score-carding, transformational goal-setting conversations, and positive accountable follow- up.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Discuss generally accepted audit requirements related to testing controls for operating effectiveness
Explain how to evaluate the results of a control reliance test for operating effectiveness
Describe the use of Service Organization Control (SOC1) Reports on a financial statement audit
Identify the impact of a control reliance strategy on a detailed audit plan
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Generally accepted audit requirements related to testing controls for operating effectiveness
- Identifying key controls that may prove effective and efficient to test in a control reliance strategy
- Responses when deviations are discovered when evaluating the design or operating effectiveness of internal control
- Leveraging audit evidence available for Service Organization Control (SOC1) Reports
- General computer control considerations when evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting
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.
Speakers:
Randolph (Randy) P. Johnston
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
LeAnne Lagasse, SHRM-SCP
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the different waves of AI evolution and their implications for accounting
Evaluate strategic approaches for implementing AI within accounting organizations
Design effective AI usage policies that align with professional standards
Apply frameworks for integrating AI into specific accounting workflows and processes
Create strategies for fostering productive human-AI collaboration
Assess potential risks and ethical considerations in AI implementation
Develop metrics for measuring AI implementation success and impact
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Evolution and current state of AI technologies in accounting
- Development of comprehensive AI usage policies and guidelines
- Implementation frameworks for integrating AI into accounting workflows
- Strategic approaches to AI-driven process automation and optimization
- Methods for identifying and capitalizing on AI opportunities
- Best practices for human-AI collaboration in accounting
- Risk management and ethical considerations for AI implementation
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the skill set needed for an engagement with family law attorneys
Implement a marketing plan for your forensic accounting services
Evaluate the types of source documents needed for a financial investigation
Trace assets and income commonly found in divorce proceeding
Recognize red flags in a financial investigation
Conduct basic calculations of marital assets
Prepare a report of your findings for court proceedings
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The role of a forensic accountant in divorce proceedings
- The marketing of forensic accounting services to family law attorneys
- How to conduct a financial investigation
- Common areas to uncover hidden assets or income
- The basic calculations in evaluating marital assets
- Testifying in depositions and divorce court
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending the presentation you will be able to...
Define the elements of negligence, the common law cause of action.
Explain what constitutes reasonable practitioner behavior with reference to practice standards and common law.
Ascertain how to avoid common pitfalls that could lead to the practitioner being sued.
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- How accountant liability is a very real threat in today's litigious society.
- A discussion of scenarios in which accounting professionals can find themselves inadvertently involved in a lawsuit.
- Pitfalls in which the accountant may find him- or her- self while dealing with clients.
- Real-life examples from the speaker's extensive experience as a practitioner and as an expert witness in accounting malpractice cases.
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Apply an update of the tax provisions related to
capitalization
depreciation
disposition
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Recent tax legislation and developments related to capitalization
- Eligible property for Section 179 and Section 168(k)
- Discussion of the Section 179 deduction and its use to depreciate real property
- The Section 168(k) deduction and its use to depreciate real property
- Disposition of segments of real property
- Exchanges of tangible personal property after repeal of the like-kind exchange rules
- Other related topics
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recall and discuss current items on the FASB agenda
Apply practical strategies in using GAAP alternatives
Instructor:
Chris Harper, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Review of current items on the FASB agenda
- Discuss the new revenue recognition standard
- Provide an update on the new lease accounting standard
- Address U.S. GAAP alternatives for certain entities
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Darrell (Coach D) Andrews
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Objectives:
- Advise clients on the latest applicable Social Security strategies
- Implement effective Social Security strategies for practitioners’ own needs
Presenters:
Heather Schreiber, RICP®
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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!
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Amy McAndrew, Esquire
Field of Study:
Personnel/Human Resources (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
The Noble leader believes in people. The Noble leader is curious and humble and invites challenge and feedback into his/her/ world. The Noble leader is a true believer in seeing the good in others, helping them to be their best which in turn helps the Leader grow as well. The Noble leader does not shy away from confronting bad behavior/performance in a respectful and clear way while believing in the inherent dignity of each individual This workshop based on ethical principles offers a glimpse into what it takes to become a Noble Leader and how one can journey through for increased self awareness and skill development.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the Role of Habit in Character Development
Compare the relationship of Virtue Ethics to Leadership
Create cultures of Dignity and Respect
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Leadership Definition
- Virtue Ethics
- Relationship of Virtue Ethics to Leadership
- Characteristics of the Noble Leader
- Actions to create a culture of respect and dignity
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize changes that are occurring because of AI.
Recall specific control types that have changed.
Identify ways AI will strengthen controls.
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- An explanation of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- Specific ways AI is replacing human cognition.
- What is on the internal control horizon related to AI and other technologies.
Therefore, you should have a basic understanding of how the income tax applies uniquely to trusts and estates. For example, “distributable net income” (DNI) is a trust-only concept that is essential to understand. Plus, the deductions for fiduciary fees, charitable deductions and certain miscellaneous deductions (such as investment advisory fees, and attorney/accountant fees) are treated differently than for individual taxpayers.
However, with a decent understanding of the basic income tax and net investment income tax (NIIT) rules, you can add significant value to your clients.
Objectives:
- Understand how to file a basic income tax return for an estate or trust – form 1041
Presenters:
Bob Keebler, CPA/PFS, MST, AEP (Distinguished), CGMA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Passive activity rules for trusts including the NIIT
- The different types of trusts for income tax purposes (e.g. simple, complex, grantor, charitable)
- The critical categorization of income (taxable income vs. fiduciary accounting income)
- Distributable net income (DNI) and how it works
- The “Tier” Rules
- The Separate Share Rule
- IRC 663(b) “65-Day” Rule
- IRC §691(c) Deduction
- QSST and EBST elections
- How to treat excess deductions on termination
- Grantor trust rules and how they impact planning and return preparation
- The income tax side of Domestic Asset Protection Trusts
Objectives:
- Identify common frauds occurring in governments and nonprofits today
- Skillfully develop controls to combat frauds
- Protect governments and nonprofits from fraud
Presenters:
Charlie Blanton, CPA
Field of Study:
Auditing (Governmental) (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Taxes (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize how to manage risk associated with audit and non-audit services and changing professional, technical, regulatory, or ethical requirements
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Recent quality improvements to the SASs and SSARs
- Other matters that should be on your radar
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.
Speakers:
Connie Clark
This course explores actions accounting and finance professionals can take to create and grow their client relationships. This webinar provides actionable insights on how to engage new and old clients alike. Strained client relationships can harm both the client and the firm’s profitability. Yet automation, for example, allows some firms to remain more engaged while others miss the mark. There is a science underlying client retention that involves understanding the client journey, ensuring consistent client interactions, and equipping employees with the tools needed to satisfy client needs. Understanding these skills should help you protect the relationships that sustain your business.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Business Management and Organization (1), Communications and Marketing (1)
Major Topics:
- 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
Mike and his co-presenters will dispense news on current events impacting taxes, finance, and industry. The subject matter will differ each week and intermittently include topics such as Social Security and Medicare. The panelists will discuss personal and corporate tax matters as well as other late-breaking news related to practitioners’ personal finances and those of their clients.
Every financial professional will benefit from this series. This is a cost-effective way for accountants to fulfill their compulsory continuing education because this weekly series will include almost 40 one-hour presentations. Sign up today — your clients and your bottom line will thank you.
Objectives:
- Be well informed on current topics impacting taxes, finance, and industry
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (1)
Major Topics:
- Each week’s topics will change based on the most critical issues affecting financial professionals
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Compare the changes to Chapter 5 of Yellow Book.
Recognize common Yellow Book deficiencies.
Recall the independence requirements in Yellow Book.
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Yellow Book engagements.
- Independence requirements in GAGAS.
- Quality management in Yellow Book.
- Common deficiencies found in Yellow Book engagements.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After completing this course, you will be able to:
Identify the most recent FASB accounting and financial statement reporting standards.
Instructor:
Allison M. Henry, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- CECL for nonfinancial institutions.
- Accounting for Paycheck Protection Program loans.
- Accounting for web-hosting services.
- Revenue recognition.
- Leases.
- FASB projects in progress.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the different types of AI technology
Recognize the potential of this powerful technology for CPAs
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of AI and its evolution in business
- Deep dive into generative AI and its applications
- Impact of AI on accounting, tax and finance sectors
- Future trends and opportunities for CPAs
- Preparing for the AI-driven business environment
Breaking the Wall of blind acceptance; avoiding habitual complacency and Yoking the dots between cause and effect.
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
The course emphasizes practical application, providing participants with guidance on Excel's advanced tools and functions. By mastering workflows and best practices, learners will gain the confidence to tackle complex data challenges and streamline reporting processes. Additionally, participants will explore methods to validate and share their work, ensuring that reports are accurate, insightful, and easily communicated across teams.
Whether you are tasked with preparing financial summaries, tracking performance metrics, or generating operational insights, this course will equip you with the tools to maximize Excel's potential, saving time and improving the quality of your outputs.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Apply Excel workflows to build efficient and accurate data reports.
Analyze data sets to calculate key performance metrics and insights.
Utilize Excel formatting tools to structure reports for clarity and professional presentation.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Building Reports Workflow: Understand the steps for creating professional and functional reports.
- Gather and Organize Data: Learn best practices for compiling and cleaning data for accurate analysis.
- Set Calculations and Key Metrics: Apply formulas and functions to calculate meaningful insights.
- Format and Structure Report: Use formatting tools to create visually appealing and structured reports.
- Review and Validate: Verify data accuracy and troubleshoot potential errors.
- Share the Report: Learn methods for distributing reports effectively within your organization.
While accountants are numbers people by training (not detectives per se with the exception of forensic accountants), practitioners are increasingly being called upon by governments and economic organizations at all levels to step up and help law enforcement battle financial impropriety.
The stakes are huge. In the United States alone, the OECD estimates that 5% to 10% of the annual budget of the US health care programs, Medicare and Medicaid, is wasted as a result of corruption. Every dollar lost to monetary malfeasance has a crippling effect that ripples through countries, industries, companies, communities and individual lives. Government resources are wasted, public services are compromised, companies are financially destabilized, shareholders are cheated, employers are swindled, charities are undermined and much more.
By increasing their awareness of what and how the IRS investigates and prosecutes, accountants can heighten their "spidey sense" of what doesn't look right in financial records. This includes honing skills to more readily notice -- and report -- ledger anomalies and irregularities, and even rethink a "silence is always safer" mindset. As technology disrupts and automates many fundamental accounting functions, practitioners can add value by more diligently scanning for "creative accounting" red flags on the frontlines.
Prioritizing transparency and behaving ethically -- the core of the profession -- not only helps society and the economy as a whole, it can help accountants boost their reputation as highly trusted business advisors and even supercharge their bottom line.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
Heighten awareness of IRS investigative priorities.
Review criminal case files across the United States from an accounting perspective.
Help practitioners be more mindful of their frontline role to act in the public interest and assist law enforcement to detect corruption and report financial misdeeds.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
- Snapshot of IRS Criminal Investigations
- General tax fraud
- Abusive tax schemes
- Refund fraud
- Employment tax fraud
- Identity theft
- Data compromises
- Money laundering
- Public corruption
- Corporate fraud
- General frauds
- Cyber crimes
- Global tax and economic crimes
- Narcotics, counter-terrorism and transnational organized crime
- Selected Field Office Case Files from Across US
- New England
- Middle Atlantic
- East
- North
- Central
- West
- North Central
- South Atlantic
- East South
- Central West
- South Central
- Mountain
- Pacific
- How accountants can add value to their operations by aiding law enforcement and fighting economic crime
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
We believe that leadership and ethics are intrinsically connected and will explore women in leadership through an ethics-based lens.
The reality is, despite women representing approximately half of our world's population, they are significantly underrepresented in the workforce and most notably in leadership positions. In fact, not only do women have to cross more hurdles to advance into leadership positions, but when they do, they are burning out at a much faster rate than their male counterparts.
In this course, we will discuss both the external societal barriers as well as the internal barriers that sabotage women from moving into leadership positions. We will examine common believes ("I should be nice," "I am an imposter", etc.) as well as behaviors that can hold women back and then offer suggestions for moving forward.
We will provide tools to enhance one's self-awareness, create openings for self-reflection as well as provide opportunities to take on new perspectives.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Recognize the State of Women and Leadership in the United StatesDistinguish and appreciate the relationship of ethics to leadershipIdentify internal and external barriers to leadership and have suggestions for minimizing those challenges.Act upon suggestions to create a culture of Safety and Caring
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz and Jennifer Sullivan
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- The State of Women in Leadership in the United States
- Leadership Defined
- Virtue Ethics
- Internal and External Challenges for Women in Leadership
- Creating a Culture of Safety and Caring
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Implement practical strategies based on a thorough understanding of the complex rules for retirement distributionsIdentify and recall key compliance issuesIdentify and recall significant issues in the taxation of retirement distributions
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Required minimum distributions for a deceased’s heirs
- 2025 retirement plan contribution limits
- Required minimum distributions and contributions to charity
- Key provisions of Secure Act 2.0
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!
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
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.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
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.
Speakers:
Tina Hallis, Ph.D.
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
Storytelling makes wisdom stick.
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
LeAnne Lagasse, SHRM-SCP
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Steve Cadigan
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.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Charla Welch
Strategic Planning for SMEs
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Burt Hamner
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Once registered for this bundle, log in instructions will be emailed to you separately for each individual course.
You receive significant savings when purchasing these webinars as a bundle.
The CFO Series provides a convenient, one-stop way for senior level financial managers and executives, CFOs and those who aspire to be CFOs, to attend multiple webinars of CPE with a single decision. The CFO Series features high-quality presentations and an interactive, executive level colleague-to-colleague approach with case studies, group discussions, and team exercises.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Week 1 - Recognize some new methods that individual tax jurisdictions are employing to raise tax revenue, and the impact on cross border (interstate) operations. Comprehend the changes in SALT taxation so your employer/clients can be in compliance.Week 2 - Apply ethical decision-making models to real-world scenarios. Analyze consequences and stakeholders' perspectives in ethical conflicts and use effective communication in resolving ethical challenges.Week 3 - Successfully integrate ERM into everyday business practice to identify and assess risks. Tailor a comprehensive ERM framework for your firms strategic planning and decision-making processes. Week 4 - Appreciate the paramount need for an excellent balance sheet. Testify to the critical nature of using both practical analysis and common sense in our application and approach to balance sheet accounting.
Instructor:
Various Instructors
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Regulatory Ethics
Auditing
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
All times listed are Eastern Time Zone
Week 1: CFO Series: SALT for CFOs: What You Don’t Know & Should Know
CPE: 2
Field of Study: Tax
Discussion Leader: David Barrons, CPA
Date: Friday, June 6, 11:00 am
Description: The changes to state and local taxation are numerous and profound. What are the major changes to state and local taxes (SALT) beyond Wayfair? Be aware of the new, creative methods used to raise taxes. Why does every state need more revenue? How have the rules changed? What information, accounting systems, and software could be helpful? Virtually every organization may not be SALT compliant; the risk is real. For leaders who are not tax focused, you at least need to understand the risks of noncompliance and to learn more about minimizing those risks. Avoid penalties!
Week 2: CFO Series: Ethical Decisions Made Easier: Blurred Lines?
CPE: 2
Field of Study: Regulatory Ethics
Discussion Leader: Rob Berry, CPA
Date: Friday, June 13, 11:00 am
Description: Ethics is always complicated. Enhancing your ethical decision-making skills is vital when dealing with omnipresent pressures in today's world. This seminar discusses a clear and easy-to-follow framework for navigating complex ethical dilemmas. You will gain the confidence to make sound ethical decisions in various professional settings using a practical and straightforward approach to ethics. Maintain your integrity and maintain your license. Ethics is not something to merely satisfy requirements; ethics is who we are, what we stand for, and why we are valuable.
Week 3: CFO Series: Enterprise Risk Management Implementation Keys
CPE: 2
Field of Study: Auditing & Management Services
Discussion Leader: Brian Maturi, MBA, FCA
Date: Friday, June 20, 11:00 am
Description: Every organization faces risks, but successful organizations identify, monitor, and manage risks before they become real. This seminar will help you understand Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and help you confidently implement an ERM framework in your organization. This seminar will explore what ERM is, why it is crucial, and how you can seamlessly integrate it into your strategic planning. We will discuss a route map of how to implement an effective ERM program without disrupting the organization by building ERM practices into everyday management and planning.
Week 4: CFO Series: Decoding Balance Sheet Accounting Issues
CPE: 2
Field of Study: Accounting
Discussion Leader: Bob Mims, CPA
Date: Friday, June 27, 11:00 am
Description: We mostly focus on the income statement, but what about other accounting concerns? This seminar discusses multiple common balance sheet issues, both on-the-books and off, that have an impact on our stakeholders and the value of the organization. Using practical analysis and case discussions, we highlight several key tools in understanding and communicating the importance of the cornerstone of accounting: the balance sheet. We must understand the real drivers of accounting issues to ensure that the balance sheet will be exemplary.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Ken Levine
Field of Study:
Regulatory Ethics (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Charlie Blanton, CPA
Field of Study:
Accounting (Governmental) (4), Auditing (Governmental) (4)
Major Topics:
- 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)
Objectives:
- Identify current issues that practitioners are most often called on to address
- Be familiar with planning techniques employed in dealing with the life cycle of pass-through entities
- Distinguish the roles S corporations and partnerships/LLCs play in the changing tax environment
- Evaluate the impact of recent legislation, guidance, and judicial decisions
- Identify planning opportunities under current laws and regulations
- Be familiar with the results of the case studies that reinforce key learning points
- Be familiar with retirement plan provisions of the SECURE Act 2.0
Presenters:
Michael Frost, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Daniel Johnson
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Summarize the results of recent fraud surveys that indicate trends in today's operating environment.
Identify the most common fraud schemes, and how they are evolving with time.
Recall best practices for preventing or detecting fraudulent financial reporting and misappropriation of assets.
List cybersecurity risk trends and best practices for avoiding them.
Recognize important components of internal controls that contribute to fraud risk mitigation.
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Summary of the impact of fraud on entities worldwide.
- Common fraud schemes and typical median losses that result.
- How smaller entity fraud risk differs from those of larger entities.
- The statistical profile of the most common fraud perpetrator.
- The most effective methods for preventing and detecting fraud.
- Cybersecurity risk management trends and best practices.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify changes to single audits as a result of the 2024 Compliance Supplement.
Recognize changes to the Uniform Guidance.
Recall common deficiencies found related to Single Audits.
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Review of the impact of the 2024 Compliance Supplement on Single Audits
- Review of the changes to the Uniform Guidance
- Review of common audit deficiencies found in Single Audits
This presentation has been prepared by a 20 year veteran with the IRS-Criminal Investigation. The presenter investigated crimes, and trained and mentored other special agents.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the Role of IRS Criminal Investigation (CI)
Assess the Historical Development of IRS CI
Identify Key Investigative Techniques and Tools
Recognize the Importance of IRS CI's Work
Assess the Training and Development of CI Agents
Recognize the Process of Tax Fraud and Money Laundering Investigations
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to IRS Criminal Investigation (CI): Overview of its mission, role, and significance in maintaining tax compliance.
- Historical Evolution: From its inception in 1919 to its current role, highlighting key milestones and notable cases.
- Investigative Techniques and Tools: Detailed look at the methods and technologies used by CI agents to uncover financial crimes.
- Importance of IRS CI: Discussion on the impact of CI’s work on tax compliance, public confidence, and the broader financial system.
- Training of CI Agents: Insight into the rigorous training programs at FLETC and ongoing professional development.
- Process of Investigations: Step-by-step breakdown of how tax fraud and money laundering cases are initiated, investigated, and prosecuted.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the basic elements in a typical supplier contract
Recall when it is necessary to obtain a Form W-9
Recognize company risks when working with suppliers
Instructor:
David Peters
Fields of Study:
Finance
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of supplier contracts
- Case studies of successful and not-so-successful supplier relationships
- Risk potentials
Throughout this comprehensive course, participants will dive deep into the world of lookup functions and gain experience through practical exercises and real-world scenarios. Whether you're a seasoned Excel user looking to fine-tune your skills or a beginner eager to unlock Excel's full potential, this course is tailored to meet your learning needs.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to ...
Identify which lookup function works for your needs
Distinguish the difference between the many lookup functions
Recall how to effectively utilize Excel's lookup functions
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
- A review of the various lookup functions, beyond VLOOKUP
- Learn which lookup works best for your situation
- How to apply the many lookup functions
- Discover advanced lookup techniques like nested lookups, approximate matching, and handling errors effectively
- An in-depth review of the following functions:
- VLOOKUP / HLOOKUP
- XLOOKUP
- MATCH / INDEX
- XMATCH
- INDIRECT
- FILTER
- SORT / SORTBY
- UNIQUE
- An overview of some newer functions
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Tracy Cooper, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Randolph (Randy) P. Johnston
This course provides a broad overview of the critical issues business owners, as well as their professional advisors, must consider when starting and growing a small business. There is extensive research regarding best practices in this area, and this webinar is intended to distill down such information and focus on what is critical to get a small business up and running as seamlessly as possible.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Business Management & Organization (Non-technical) (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
With IRA-based employer plans, employer contributions are sometimes discretionary, giving business owners the choice of whether to fund every year. Despite the simplicity of these plans, employers must ensure that applicable compliance requirements are met to avoid penalties. To that end, this course will cover some key provisions of SEP and SIMPLE IRAs.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Denise Appleby, MJ, APA, CISP, CRPS, CRC
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Form W-4
- Form I-9
- Form W-9
- End-of-year compliance
- Payroll tax returns
- Unemployment insurance
Clients often ask tax practitioners about the mechanics of HSAs and whether they are beneficial. This program is a two-hour discussion of the topic led by Roy Ramthun, who will take you through the many rules and complexities of this challenging subject.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Roy Ramthun
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the core functionalities of ChatGPT and its applications in business advisory services
Analyze accounting firm challenges using a variety of enterprise evaluation methodologies
Develop strategies to overcome identified challenges and enhance profitability and growth using ChatGPT
Evaluate the efficiency of these strategies in real-world contexts
Create innovative solutions leveraging ChatGPT for unique business scenarios
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
- Introduction to ChatGPT and its applications in the business advisory context
- In-depth exploration of enterprise evaluation methodologies like SWOT, PESTLE, BCG Matrix, McKinsey 7S Model, Ansoff Matrix, etc.
- Practical case studies demonstrating application of ChatGPT in accounting business analysis
- Key challenges faced by accounting firms and how ChatGPT can help overcome these
- Best practices for implementing AI tools in the accounting sector
- Future opportunities and trends in AI-enhanced business advisory services
From an ethical vantage, it can be said that we have a moral obligation to work toward self-love, honor, and respect. Matters of self-esteem are important in every aspect of life including goal setting, relationships, establishing boundaries, handling conflict, levels of productivity, and expressing our needs in respectful and dignified ways.
This course explores traps of low self-esteem and ways to minimize those traps. We also explore components of high self-esteem and actions to foster higher regard for self.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize the impact our level of self-esteem has on wellbeing in our personal and professional lives
Recognize that we have choice to let go of unhealthy beliefs about ourselves and replace them with positive ones
Recognize the benefits of high self-esteem
Identify traps of low self-esteem and ways to minimize them
Recognize the components of self-esteem and ways to enhance positive feelings toward self
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Self-Esteem: What is it?
- Belief systems
- Benefits of High Self Esteem
- Minimizing traps of low Self Esteem
- Components of High Self Esteem
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.
Speakers:
Andy Sexton
Chad Ayers
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
Enterprise Risk Management for SMEs
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Roger Wolkoff
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.
Speakers:
Burt Hamner
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.
Speakers:
Jane Mims, PhD.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize some of the numerous new methods that individual tax jurisdictions are employing to raise tax revenue, and the impact on cross border (interstate) operations.
Comprehend the changes in SALT taxation so your employer/clients can be in compliance.
Instructor:
David Barrons or Don Minges
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Why do local jurisdictions (e.g., states) need more tax revenue?
- The creative new methods to raise taxes:
- Including new taxes, rates, limits, exceptions, boundaries, etc.
- Exporting the tax burden.
- Employee vs independent contractors.
- Mobile workforce issues.
- The myriad, novel schemes to tax.
- Fees and licensing matters.
- Leading SALT software providers.
- Common implementation problems.
- States' expectations that technology makes compliance simple for the taxpayer.
- Do the costs of compliance outstrip the taxes due?
- Officer liability for taxes – it is a real thing!
- How variable is SALT taxation?
- Examples of the differences.
- Entity classification considerations in the SALT equation.
- Variability by state and each county within each state.
- The benefit/necessity of an annual review.
- Risk reduction strategies.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish key internal control concepts, including the four types of internal control: preventive, detective, deterrent and compensating
Determine how each control becomes a piece of an overall internal control structure
Identify both organization-wide measures as well as more segmented controls and how these must co-exist
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Underlying concepts of internal control
- The importance of control measure interdependency
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Select the capabilities of Microsoft 365 to enhance operational efficiency.
Determine best practices for deploying Microsoft 365 applications, with a focus on optimizing the Teams app for your organization's unique needs.
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Appreciate the full potential of Microsoft 365 to drive efficiency in your business
- Learn best practices for harnessing the power of Microsoft 365
- Design your Teams app setup to meet the unique attributes of your business
- Use SharePoint and OneDrive to organize your files and share them securely internally and externally
- Organize your thoughts, meeting notes and other content centrally in OneNote
- Manage your projects, large and small, with the Planner app
- Deploy the Stream app to document processes efficiently and effectively
Bonus Content: Understand how to harness the power of AI with Microsoft Copilot
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
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!
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Over ninety percent of women executives are feeling significantly higher levels of stress that they attribute to increased responsibilities and priorities outside the workplace compared to life before the pandemic. Burnout is a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that causes exhaustion, negativity toward one's job and reduced professional efficacy. It has become so pervasive that it's now recognized as an occupational phenomenon by the World Health Organization.
To reignite your enthusiasm at work, you don't necessarily need to find a new job or time for a spa day or bubble bath. You need concrete strategies to invest in your mental health without compromising your ability to rise to the next level in your career.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Create a short daily routine that will increase your energy and focus.
Identify the obstacles that get in the way of you investing in your mental health.
Practice setting boundaries at work and home so you can focus on your priorities.
Instructor:
Tara Whitney, CPA, ACC
Fields of Study:
Personal Development
Major Topics:
- How to recognize burnout and evaluate where you are on the burnout scale.
- How impostor syndrome drives coping reactions of overworking, over preparing and perfectionism.
- How mindfulness can reduce stress and save time.
- Silencing the critical inner voice.
- Tools to help you become more attuned to your needs and emotions.
- How attending to and regulating your nervous system impacts your mood and well-being.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the roles, responsibilities, and key skills required for forensic accountants.
Evaluate the ethics in forensic accounting and strategies for ethical decision-making.
Prepare clear, concise, and objective expert reports, including understanding their components and best practices.
Conduct thorough investigations, gather evidence, and write accurate and detailed investigation reports.
Critique investigation reports and economic damage calculations through real-world examples and case studies.
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to Forensic Accounting: Gain an understanding of the fundamentals, roles, and responsibilities of forensic accountants in uncovering financial discrepancies, fraud, and economic damages.
- Maintain Ethical Integrity: Learn the importance of ethics in forensic accounting and strategies for ethical decision-making.
- Expert Report Preparation: Learn the essential components, best practices, and common pitfalls in writing clear, concise, and objective expert reports for legal proceedings.
- Investigation Report Writing: Explore the methodologies for conducting investigations, gathering evidence, and crafting thorough and accurate investigation reports.
- Economic Damages Writing: Understand the methodologies and best practices for calculating economic damages, including lost profits, business valuation, and other financial impacts.
- Reviewing Investigation Reports and Economic Damages: Analyze real-world examples to review and critique investigation reports and damage calculations, highlighting key insights and lessons learned.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify the key features to look for in e-signature software.
Distinguish between the features of top selling e-signature applications.
Recognize best practices for deploying e-signature software.
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Review of the digital document signing process.
- Key features to evaluate in selecting a solution.
- Review and distinguish top selling e-signature applications.
- Best practices for deploying e-signature software in your practice or business.
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Roger Wolkoff
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.
Speakers:
Summer Jelinek
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.
Speakers:
Andy Sexton
Chad Ayers
Sarah Pregel, Ed.S, M.Ed, LPC
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.
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Frank Ryan, CPA
Field of Study:
Regulatory Ethics (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Tony La Russo, BA, MBA, CMA
Field of Study:
Accounting (1), Business Management and Organization (1)
Major Topics:
- 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
From a tax perspective, in terms of selecting an entity to do business in, the universe shifted with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted at the end of 2017. The tax rate for C corporations was lowered to 21% and the §199A deduction offered pass-through entities the chance to significantly lower the rate at which they are taxed. But how do all these options work and which option is best for which business? Those questions are at the heart of this webinar.
In this program, we discuss whether there is a “best entity” for our clients. Tax practitioners know that re-examining choice of entity determination is at the top of the agenda for client meetings because clients continue to want reassurance that they have the most tax-efficient entity structure. This program will equip you with the knowledge and insights you need to lead those discussions.
Objectives:
- Help clients choose the tax entity that is most advantageous to them
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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.
The course emphasizes practical, easy-to-implement techniques tailored for busy working parents. From setting boundaries to prioritizing sleep and physical activity, you'll learn how to create sustainable habits that enhance your well-being. You'll also explore how to recognize the signs that additional support -whether from friends, family, therapy, or other resources- is necessary, and how to seek help without guilt or hesitation.
Ultimately, this course will help you regain a sense of balance and control in your life by equipping you with tools to manage stress, build resilience, and rediscover joy in both your professional and personal roles.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify cultural expectations that contribute to stress and develop strategies to counter them.
Recognize the signs of mental health challenges and the appropriate times to seek professional help.
Select self-care practices and routines that align with their personal and family needs.
Instructor:
Alexis Smith, PA-C
Fields of Study:
Personal Development
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Challenging Cultural Expectations and Managing Stress: Explore the impact of societal pressures and develop strategies to counter unrealistic expectations while managing stress effectively.
- Prioritizing Self-Care and Physical Well-Being: Learn the importance of self-care, including sleep, exercise, relaxation, and setting boundaries, as well as understanding the critical connection between physical and mental health.
- Seeking Support and Building Resilience: Recognize when to seek help -whether through therapy, friends, or family- and develop skills to build resilience, create flexible work arrangements, and identify when additional support, such as professional intervention, is needed.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Implement practical strategies based on a thorough understanding of the complex rulesIdentify and recall key compliance issuesIdentify and recall significant issues in the installment sale tax form
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Installment sale treatment eligibility
- When to elect out of installment sale treatment
- Installment sale of business assets
- Installment sale default and the rules for personal property versus real property
- Installment sales and depreciation recapture
In today's competitive marketplace, retaining talented employees is becoming increasingly difficult. A solid benefits program can make a difference in the fight for talent - but only if those benefits matter to the employees you are trying to hire! Through statistics and case studies, this course will explore what benefits are most valuable to employees. We will also explore the basic types of retirement and health insurance plans and discuss what financial leaders should consider before adopting a benefits package.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify what types of benefits employees find valuable
Recall the basic types of retirement plans and how they differ
Distinguish between the basic health insurance plan types
Recognize how life insurance may be incorporated into an employee benefits package
Instructor:
David Peters
Fields of Study:
Personnel/Human Resources
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Decision Making Theory
- Compensation & Employee Satisfaction
- What benefits do employees care about?
- Retirement Plan Basics
- Health Insurance Basics
- Disability Insurance Basics
- Life Insurance Basics
- Fringe Benefits
- Summing It Up
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Jane Mims, PhD.
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?
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
John Levy, MBA, CPA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the purpose of Schedule K-2 and Schedule K-3
Identify components of each form and the areas which will need to be completed
Distinguish these new forms that affect partnerships and S Corporations
Recall when they must be filed
Determine which taxpayers need to complete these forms
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Introduction to Schedules K-2 and K-3
- Review the filing requirements
- Discuss the different parts of the schedules and what needs to be included
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify the opportunities to leverage the power of ChatGPT into your client advisory services
Recognize the key concepts and nomenclature related to ChatGPT and generative AI
Develop specific applications for ChatGPT in your client advisory service
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- ChatGPT and generative AI technology primer
- Building your generative AI vocabulary
- Dig deeper into your engagement research to develop a higher quality advisory service
- Polish your client reporting with the help of ChatGPT
- Developing your ChatGPT client advisory services
- Start with client education. You don’t need to be a technical expert to be an educator
- Use AI to help your clients automate their workflows / business processes
- Build better spreadsheets with ChatGPT and Excel
- Help your clients identify, evaluate and select applications for their business
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Charla Welch
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)*****
Speakers:
Andy Sexton
Chad Ayers
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!
Speakers:
Summer Jelinek
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.
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify ethical issues that may arise from the utilization of artificial intelligence
Recognize the importance of upholding the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
Recall the importance of professional skepticism when evaluating information
Recall the importance of source citations and other documentation considerations
Distinguish best practices for crafting policies and procedures that address threats and related safeguards
Instructor:
Dr. Christopher J. Harper, CPA, MBA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Benefits and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in the accounting profession
- Selecting and utilizing artificial intelligence resources
- Applying professional skepticism to results
- Maintaining independence while utilizing artificial intelligence
- Upholding client confidentiality
- Data security and retention
- Citation of sources and related reporting considerations
- Application of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
- Ethical considerations when crafting policies and establishing best practices
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Implement practical strategies based on a thorough understanding of the complex rules for retirement distributions
Implement practical strategies in determining a partner's tax basis for a partnership interest
Identify the use of Form 1065, Schedule K-1 information for basis determination.
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Explain the use of both "inside" and "outside” basis determination.
- How to calculate tax basis capital accounts, including when the entity is formed, including the impact of contributed property.
- Clarify the importance of partnership capital accounts and partnerships debt on partner's tax basis.
- Explanation of how basis is impacted distributions and by sale and/or liquidation of the partnership interest.
- Comprehensive example to illustrate the mechanics of the basis determination process.
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Jane Mims, PhD.
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Bob Mims, CPA
This webinar, based on ethical principles and values, is designed to look at the fundamental relationship skills that foster workplace civility. Understanding that workplace civility is far more than manners, we will dive into behaviors that help promote a workplace where each individual feels respected and valued.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the concepts of respect, inclusivity and compassion and behaviors that foster these concepts
Address potential obstacles/ challenges and ways to navigate
Determine when to give the benefit of the doubt if appropriate
Apply listening skills
Reflect on your own behaviors and how you can contribute to civility at work and at home
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- What is civility and how it is tied to the bottom line?
- Principles of Civility
- Giving the Benefit of the Doubt
- Inclusivity
- Communication
- Review of ethical values and principles with an emphasis on:
- Respect
- Courage
- Compassion
- Honor
- Accountability
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Implement AI tools to transform business ideas into marketable digital productsCreate professional audio-visual content using AI-powered platformsDesign effective e-commerce strategies for digital product distributionDevelop comprehensive content marketing workflows using AI toolsEvaluate opportunities for revenue generation through AI-assisted ideationGenerate diverse content formats using AI transformation techniquesConstruct cohesive digital asset portfolios for multiple platforms
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- AI-powered ideation and opportunity identification techniques
- Digital asset creation workflows using generative AI tools
- Audio and video content generation using AI avatars and synthesis
- E-commerce integration and product development strategies
- AI-driven presentation and visual content creation
- Social media content optimization and distribution
- Multi-format content transformation (articles, songs, comics, storyboards)
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Christopher Pembrook, CPA, MBA, CGAP, CRFA
On the financial front, the course covers the 9 ASUs issued in 2023, including ASUs covering crypto assets and leases for common control entities. In addition to a financial accounting update, the course will discuss what you will need to do differently as you adopt new audit standards 142–149 over the next few years, including a detailed review of the audit requirements under SAS 142. The course will also cover the key changes related to SSARS No. 25. Finally, the course reviews the AICPA’s quality management project.
In summary, the course is your go-to source for all things A&A and will prepare you for your upcoming engagements throughout the rest of the year.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Jason Carney, CPA, PMP, CISA
Field of Study:
Accounting (4), Auditing (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
- 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 2024 DOL Final Rule
- Real Estate professional requirements
- Review of pertinent cases and rulings affecting taxpayers
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
Rob Berry, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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!
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
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.
Speakers:
Shannon T. White, MSW, LCSW
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Roger Wolkoff
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
John Levy, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Mark Hugh, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Andy Sexton
Chad Ayers
Sarah Pregel, Ed.S, M.Ed, LPC
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Shelli Huston, CPA, MS
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Tracy Cooper, CPA
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.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
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?
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Gary Zeune, CPA
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?
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
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.
Speakers:
Albert D. Spalding Jr.
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Steven M. Yoss, Jr., CPA
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Shelli Huston, CPA, MS
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Chuck Gallagher
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
- 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 2024 DOL Final Rule
- Real Estate professional requirements
- Review of pertinent cases and rulings affecting taxpayers
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Debbie Phillips, M.S.T., CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
However, knowing the standards is not enough. You need to be able to effectively apply them. To support this, the course will review recent peer review feedback on SSARS engagements, providing insights on how to successfully apply this guidance.
Not only will this course bring you up to date on SSARS requirements and guidance, but more importantly, it will provide you with practical examples and illustrations to help you effectively and efficiently perform these types of engagements. This course is intended to be your go-to reference for training your staff and managing your SSARS No. 21-26 services in compliance with professional, ethical, and technical requirements.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Ken Levine
Field of Study:
Auditing (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- Advise clients regarding the latest information on estate planning and administration
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Lance Weiss, CPA, CVA
Edward Renn, Esq.
Field of Study:
Taxes (3)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Implement practical strategies based on a thorough understanding of the complex rules for casualty losses and casualty gainsIdentify and recall key compliance issuesIdentify and recall significant issues in the casualty loss tax form
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Federal Disaster Relief Act provisions enacted in December, 2024
- Comparison of personal use casualties with business/investment casualties
- When to claim casualty losses
- How to postpone casualty gains
- Business casualty gains and depreciation recapture
This foundational course is perfect for those getting started in the nonprofit and governmental arena and those looking for a refresher.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the key differences in governmental GAAP.
Recognize the basic requirements in a Yellow Book Audit.
Compare performance requirements for Uniform Guidance.
Identify topics unique to nonprofit accounting.
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting (Governmental)
Auditing (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The basics needed to understand what makes nonprofit and governmental accounting & auditing unique.
- The key financial reporting differences for governmental and nonprofit entities.
- The fundamentals of Yellow Book and Uniform Guidance audits.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify what constitutes compensation between traditional compensation and executive compensation plans
Apply the multi factor test and independent investor test as established in landmark US Tax Court case law
Determine where to find resources
Instructor:
Ronald L Seigneur, CPA/ABV, ASA, CVA
Fields of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- An analytical framework for analyzing and opining on reasonable replacement compensation for owner-employees of closely held businesses and professional practices in the context of tax planning, compliance, management consulting and business appraisal assignments
- Executive compensation components, including the valuation of non-qualified plans and restricted stock units
Money laundering is a subject of many action and thriller movies, but rarely understood. This presentation will educate the CPA in understanding the basics of money laundering and how to identify money laundering. This presentation will help the CPA know the truth about money laundering, how to identify it, the statutes that define it, and the court cases that interpret it.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish the three stages of money laundering
Recall possible money laundering techniques
Identify the possible money laundering statute
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- The theory of money laundering
- Common money laundering statutes
- Examples from court cases of money laundering statutes
- Common occurrences with CPAs
- Possible money laundering transactions
- Applying the money laundering statutes in real life scenarios
Even if you believe you're already a deeply grateful person, you'll still learn some new strategies for expressing gratitude effectively. Forbes Contributor Bruce Weinstein, The Ethics Guy, will show you how to use LinkedIn in a novel way to say "thank you." You'll also find better and worse ways of letting clients, team members, family members and friends know that you care about them.
You'll understand why gratitude is a matter of ethics and not merely etiquette.
Finally, you'll discover how to use questions about gratitude in job interviews and performance reviews. Why not hire and promote people who are not only knowledgeable and skilled but also grateful?
You will be thankful for having taken this valuable webinar!
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to:
Identify ways to evaluate gratitude in job applicants and current employees so that your team is made up of people who are knowledgeable, skilled, and grateful-a winning trifecta!
Recognize how gratitude varies in different cultures
Instructor:
Bruce Weinstein
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
We'll explore what gratitude is and how expressions of it can vary from culture to culture. We'll also unpack several ways you can regularly say "thank you" to valued clients and colleagues, and we'll examine methods for evaluating gratitude in prospective and current employees.
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.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
Does your firm have interest in expanding its’ services beyond traditional CPA services? Do you have staff with the expertise to compete against non-CPA firms? Welcome to a course that will lead you through the maze of creating a successful Consulting Business Practice for your CPA firm. The course will help you understand: where consulting business opportunities exist, what are the firm’s professional responsibilities and most importantly how to recognize the needs of the client.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
Target setting can drive breathtaking positive results, the moonlandings, the eradication of smallpox or the repair of the ozone layer, for example.
They can also have a dark side that can put executives in jail, bring global businesses to their knees and even cause wholesale loss of life.
Using practical examples and case studies, this course walks you through the steps you need to follow to design robust, effective and credible targets for your organization.
Speakers:
Bernie Smith
In this course, participants will learn about the five principals of COSO's Fraud Risk Management Guide and the linkages each principal has to the use of forensic data analytics to measurably demonstrate effectiveness and ROI. We will also explore key elements to a successful program that is sustainable as well as pitfalls to avoid. Finally, we will cover several case studies that demonstrate the key concepts discussed.
Speakers:
Vincent M. Walden, CPA, CFE
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 provides best practices for interviewing to gather accurate information, such as creating and asking open ended questions, effective listening, and understanding verbal and non-verbal communication. Attendees will end the session with takeaways to immediately implement in future HR investigations. Two of three Episodes in the series.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
Fraud continues to plague businesses at epidemic levels, and technology control failures are a big reason fraud occurs. Using a case study approach, in this session, you will learn about the pervasiveness of fraud, the control failures that contribute to fraud, and what you can do to mitigate fraud risk.
A specific focus of this course is the application of information technology general controls and information technology application controls. In this course, you will examine numerous reported fraud cases and identify the general control and application control failures that contributed to each of these frauds. By learning through these real-world case studies, you will be better positioned to reduce fraud risk.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Internal controls are more important than ever, and their importance increases daily. However, internal controls present a challenge for many smaller organizations. This program will teach you how to evaluate, develop, and implement an effective internal control structure in a small business environment. You will identify how to assess risk in smaller organizations and implement preventive, detective, deterrent, and compensating controls to mitigate these risks, even without proper segregation of duties. Additionally, participating in this program will teach you technology-focused techniques for preventing and detecting fraud and securing information systems and sensitive data.
For small organizations, maintaining an effective system of internal controls presents a significant challenge. Realistically, implementing many theoretical concepts surrounding internal controls may not be possible in some cases. Consequently, many internal control structures foster an environment where too much risk exists. This factor and uncontrolled information systems can often lead to disastrous results. Participate in this program to learn the necessary insights and tools to design, implement, and monitor effective internal controls, security, and anti-fraud measures in small organizations.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Objectives:
- Uncover unconscious processes at play in decision-making, including during hiring, candidate selection, and performance assessments and how these automatic processes can adversely impact ourselves and others, particularly minority groups
- Strategize to reduce/eliminate the impact of inaccurate biases in decision-making
- Understand how to recover from a mistake rooted in unconscious bias in a way that builds trust, respect, and a foundation for an inclusive workplace
Presenters:
Ciana Williams
Field of Study:
Personnel/Human Resources (2)
Major Topics:
- Unconscious bias, including the five defining characteristics of unconscious bias
- The real-world impacts of unconscious biases, including impacts on racial minorities, women, and older workers
- The concept of microaggressions, with examples
- An effective strategy for adult learning that can be applied to change unconscious biases, which can also be used to learn other skills
- A framework for handling mistakes and using them to build trust and respect in the workplace. We call this the “oops, did I just say that?” section.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify all the ways you can use Adobe Acrobat to create, edit and manage PDF files
Distinguish between the various features of Adobe and when to use them
Recognize the opportunity to use Adobe to create fillable forms and process documents for e-signature
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Review of all that Adobe Acrobat has to offer
- Organizing your PDFs with bookmarks, links, file attachments and more
- Formatting the presentation of PDFs with headers, footers and watermarks
- Creating and processing fillable forms
- Processing documents for e-signature
- Tips for converting email messages, documents and spreadsheets into PDF format
- Combining multiple PDF files into a single binder
- Utilizing the security features of Adobe Acrobat to protect document confidentiality
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Analyze fundamental managerial accounting concepts that may not be part of your daily routine
Apply managerial accounting techniques to actual business circumstances
Instructor:
Chris Harper, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Target profit analysis
- Break-even analysis
- Relevant costs and decision-making
- Standard costs and variances
- Activity-based costing
- Segment reporting and analysis
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify requirements related to audit reporting when the requirements for reporting on key audit matter apply
Recall core concepts fundamental to determining and documenting independence
Recognize supplemental requirements imposed by the 2024 Yellow Book during the performance of a financial statement audit
Recall significant changes made by the 20248 version of Government Auditing Standards
Recognize the impact of the Quality Management Standards to a financial statement audit conducted under the 2024 Revision to Government Auditing Standards
Instructor:
Daniel W. Bradley, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Key changes made by the 2024 Revision to Government Auditing Standards
- Review when the GAGAS requirements are applicable to a financial statement audit
- When reporting on key audit matters may apply in a GAGAS audit
- Clarifications related to the independence requirements in a financial statement audit imposed by the 2024 Yellow Book
- Review the impact of the Quality Management Standards to a financial statement audit conducted under the 2024 Revision to Government Auditing Standards
- Other important matters contained in the 2024 Government Auditing Standards related to financial statement audits
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.
Speakers:
John Levy, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
When the leadership in any organizations carries out their responsibilities of establishing, maintaining and monitoring internal controls, it significantly reduces the possibility of fraud occurring. When and if it does occur, a good system of internal controls will often detect it early on.
This presentation is an illustration of what can happen when top management fails to carry out their responsibility of protecting an entity’s assets through a good system of internal controls.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
In the last year, our country has seen the passage of multiple federal laws impacting the enforceability to common employment documents. Several federal agencies have also issued opinions that could impact common employment documents. This presentation will review those new laws and opinions and discuss the potential impact they may have on arbitration agreements, severance agreements, confidentiality agreement, and non-disparagement agreements.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
We all want to be successful and deeply fulfilled, but most of us have not learned what really leads to a life of abundance, happiness, purpose, and great relationships. In this seminar, you will learn the most effective methods for creating the life you really want. In his interviews with such people as Oprah, the Dalai Lama, Deepak Chopra, Tony Robbins, Ted Turner, and dozens of others, Jonathan has learned what really works and what does not. In this seminar you’ll learn the best personal and professional growth techniques he’s acquired over his career. Once you know these great ideas and methods, you'll be able to take your life and career to a whole new level.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
QuickBooks remains one of the leading accounting solutions for small and growing businesses and Intuit has added numerous advanced features to the application over the past few releases. In this seminar, you will learn how to take advantage of many of QuickBooks’ new and advanced features to solve important issues. For example, you will learn advanced inventory management techniques, including the ability to change the default costing methodology in QuickBooks, and implementing lot and serial number tracking. You will also learn how to build complete sets of financial statements in Excel that link in real-time to underlying QuickBooks data files and how to create multi-company financial statements. Additionally, you will learn how to put the Client Data Review feature to work to streamline the process of identifying and correcting errors and closing accounting periods in QuickBooks.
Knowing how to take advantage of the advanced tools and features available can determine your level of success when working with QuickBooks. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about QuickBooks’ “deep” features so that you maximize your effectiveness with the application.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish the newest tax developments and changes to the Internal Revenue Code
Select effective and efficient techniques for implementing new standards
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Current individual tax issues
- Current business entity tax issues
- Any current tax legislation occurring during the period
- Other issues affecting the profession, including IRS procedure, current cases, payroll, and other federal tax issues
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify Key Features: After completing this course, participants will be able to identify and describe the key features and capabilities of Gemini AI, including its multimodal functions and integration into Google products.
Utilize AI Tools: Participants will be able to utilize Gemini AI tools within Google products such as Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Slides to enhance productivity and efficiency in accounting tasks.
Apply AI in Accounting: Participants will learn to apply Gemini AI to automate routine accounting tasks, such as generating financial reports, creating data visualizations, and performing data analysis.
Evaluate AI Integration: Participants will be able to evaluate the integration of AI technologies in their accounting workflows and assess the potential benefits and challenges.
Recall the ethical considerations and implications of using AI in accounting, ensuring compliance with professional standards and regulations.
Improve Decision-Making: Participants will learn to leverage AI-generated insights to support strategic decision-making processes in financial management and accounting.
Stay Current with AI Trends: Participants will be able to stay current with emerging trends and advancements in AI technology relevant to the accounting profession, ensuring continuous professional development.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Google Gemini Quick Start
- Gemini Standalone Chatbot
- Mobile App
- Gemini integration with:
- Workspace
- Gmail
- Docs
- Sheets
- Slides
- User Tips
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the fraud triangle and identify common profiles of fraud perpetrators
Identify types of controls
Apply specific controls to transaction types to prevent and deter fraud
Instructor:
Keely Gohl, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Fraud motivators - the fraud triangle, typical profiles of fraud perpetrators
- Revisiting the basics of controls - design vs effectiveness, preventative vs. detective
- Entity-wide controls and how they can assist in fraud deterrence
- Specific fraud types and the controls that could prevent and detect them
To move beyond the HR realm it is essential for HR professionals to understand planning at the strategic and tactical level. This session is designed to help HR professionals understand the overall strategic planning process so they can contribute at the executive level.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
This presentation will review what sex harassment is under the law, company compliance obligations, and describe how promoting a positive company culture can prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
What obligations does an employer have when an employee needs to take a leave of absence? This presentation will provide an overview of the complicated, intertwined compliance obligations triggered when an employee requests a medical leave of absence (including for pregnancy, mental health, or addiction).
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
Selecting the right KPIs for your organization can be complex and stressful. Rather than resorting to brainstorming and internet searches, there is a better way to discover the best KPIs for your organization - the ROKS method. In this session Bernie Smith, creator of the ROKS method, walks you through the first five steps of this powerful approach, using real-world stories to bring each step to life.
Speakers:
Bernie Smith
In this course, participants will gain a broad understanding of the various anti-fraud preventive and detective tests available to practitioners and take initial steps in building their own library of tests unique to their business or industry risks. Specific discussions and examples will include vendor analysis to look for potentially improper payments around conflicts of interests, fake vendor schemes, bribery & corruption, sanctions and trade compliance, anomalous payments, segregation of duties, among other risk categories. Participants will also explore tests around customers or distributors that include margin analysis, free goods, discounts and revenue recognition. Further, we will explore employee related test to mitigate travel & entertainment expense abuses. We will also point out various online and public resources for participants to start building their own library of tests to support both reactive investigations as well as proactive prevention and detection.
Speakers:
Vincent M. Walden, CPA, CFE
In this five part master series, class participants will gain a comprehensive view into the world of forensic data analytics (FDA). From understanding practical use cases of FDA in the audit, internal audit, investigations and proactive monitoring to understanding necessary data sources, validation proceudres, success factors and pitfalls to avoid. We will also explore hundreds of leading anti-fraud tests around corruption, conflicts of interest, fake vendor schemes, segregation of duties, revenue recognition and sales abuse, among dozens of other schemes. Participants will develop their own library of anti-fraud tests from various open source locations and apply them in relevant contexts such as the COSO Fraud Risk Management Guide. Finally, participants will also peek into future innovations in FDA and how technologies such as ChatGPT, data visualization, machine learning, AI and cryptocurrencies are all impacting the discipline. We can't promise you'll be a programmer after this course, but you will certainly be armed with the information needed to project manage an FDA project and "direct" the programmers to accomplish your fraud risk / FDA objectives.
Speakers:
Vincent M. Walden, CPA, CFE
Just as there is some convergence of U.S. accounting standards (GAAP) with international standards (IFRS), a convergence of U.S. professional ethics standards (AICPA Code of Professional Conduct) with the international Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants is continuing to emerge. This workshop compares these two sets of ethics standards, emphasizing both the theoretical aspects and practical implications for today's accounting professionals.
Speakers:
Albert D. Spalding Jr.
While outsourcing and automation have been used in multinational corporations, the decline in accounting program enrollment at many universities has made finding qualified entry-level staff more challenging and forced a new conversation about these tools in small and mid-sized businesses. This session will discuss the business environment for outsourcing and review the ethical, regulatory, and practical considerations associated with revealing data and relying on the work of others in your organization.
Speakers:
Brian F. Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMA
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 provides best practices for gathering and analyzing evidence and reporting the investigation results. Attendees will end the session with takeaways to immediately implement in future HR investigations. Three of three Episodes in the series.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
Fraud continues to plague businesses at epidemic levels, and technology control failures are a significant reason fraud occurs. Using a case study approach, in this session, you will learn about the pervasiveness of fraud, the control failures that contribute to fraud, and what you can do to mitigate fraud risk.
A specific focus of this course is the application of information technology general controls and information technology application controls. In this course, you will examine numerous reported fraud cases and identify the general control and application control failures that contributed to each of these frauds. By learning through these real-world case studies, you will be positioned better to reduce fraud risk.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify ethical dilemmas in finance and accounting using real-world scenarios and SEC case studies.
Recognize the warning signs of fraudulent financial reporting and unethical practices.
Distinguish between ethical and unethical decision-making processes in complex business situations.
Select appropriate actions and reporting channels when faced with conflicts of interest or ethical breaches.
Instructor:
Eric Knight, CPA, DBA
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to Ethics and Ethical Dilemmas
- Ethical Codes and Professional Standards
- Fraud and the Fraud Triangle
- Ethical Decision-Making Models
- Financial Statement Manipulation Tactics
- Cash Flow and Key Metrics Misrepresentations
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish key internal control concepts, including the four types of internal control: preventive, detective, deterrent and compensating
Determine how each control becomes a piece of an overall internal control structure
Identify both organization-wide measures as well as more segmented controls and how these must co-exist
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Underlying concepts of internal control
- The importance of control measure interdependency
During this course, you'll discover how Copilot leverages AI to enhance productivity and streamline operations. Whether you're a seasoned Excel user or just beginning your journey, this course will guide you through practical applications and best practices to make the most of Copilot's capabilities. Through hands-on demonstrations and real-world examples, you'll see how Copilot can save time, improve decision-making, and elevate your analytical skills to new heights.
This course not only focuses on the technical aspects of Copilot but also highlights its potential to transform your day-to-day work, from automating repetitive tasks to uncovering trends and insights you might otherwise overlook. By the end of the session, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to integrate Copilot into your workflows and unlock its full potential in Microsoft Excel.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify key features of Copilot in Excel and their applications in data analysis.
Distinguish between traditional Excel workflows and AI-enhanced capabilities.
Select appropriate AI-driven tools within Excel to streamline specific tasks.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to Copilot in Excel
- Automating Tasks and Enhancing Productivity
- Advanced Data Insights with Copilot
Imagine being able to see into the future with confidence. The ability to be a great forecaster is not innate but learned. By examining great forecasters, we can learn to improve our ability to predict the future. We will examine best practices and current research to improve our ability to predict events that will affect our business.
Speakers:
John Levy, MBA, CPA
The audit standards state that one of the reasons auditors fail to detect fraud is that they don’t know what it looks like. Prior to the original SAS No. 82, Consideration of Fraud In A Financial Statement Audit, nowhere in any SAS was there a description of what fraud looked like. So, as they say, if you don’t know what you are looking for, you can often look right at it and not recognize it!
This presentation illustrates some of the more common indicators of fraud they most individuals would overlook unless they 1) knew what they were looking for and were 2) actually looking for it. Contrary to what the standards say about fraud being concealed, I have found that fraud is often laying on the table right in front of you; but no one has discovered it because they have no idea what the indicators of fraud are.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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 Part 2 of this seminar we will go into more depth about how to get more done in less time, as well as how to not burnout from all the work you do. We will discuss additional methods for working smarter through technology, communication, stress reduction, and creating smart and helpful goals.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
Objectives:
- Understand the key provisions of Circular 230 and how they apply to your practice
- Know your rights and responsibilities under Circular 230
- Understand the lifecycle of a disciplinary case and its possible outcomes
Presenters:
Karen Hawkins, Attorney at Law
Field of Study:
Regulatory Ethics (2)
Major Topics:
- Office of Professional Responsibility – Authority and Procedures
- Current status of the regulations governing tax practice before the IRS (Circular 230 Rev. 6/2014)
- In depth coverage of the various Due Diligence obligations of tax professionals
- Overview of other key Circular 230 provisions
- Practitioner responsibilities to their clients and to the Tax Administration System
- Best Practices for all tax professionals
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Denise Appleby, MJ, APA, CISP, CRPS, CRC
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
Tax practitioners are called upon to advise both the partnership which makes distributions and the partners receiving the distributions regarding the tax consequences of these transactions. Additionally, tax practitioners will be deeply involved in decisions regarding the sale and purchase of a partnership interest. These topics are thoroughly covered in this program.
The presenters also discuss several types of partnership distributions and the tax rules relating to them, as well as analyze the tax rules relating to the sale of a partnership interest. Tax practitioners will be given an in-depth analysis of these complex topics, so that they can effectively answer their clients’ questions.
Objectives:
- Be familiar with the complex issues related to partnership distributions and sales
- Advise individual and business clients regarding these practice issues
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Lance Weiss, CPA, CVA
Edward Renn, Esq.
Field of Study:
Taxes (4)
Major Topics:
- Types of partnership distributions
- Liquidating partnership distributions
- Basis of property distributed by a partnership
- Special basis adjustments under Section 732(d)
- Abandoned and worthless partnership interests
- Section 751(a) exchange
- Transactions between partners and their partnerships
- Disguised sales
- Section 736(a) and (b) payments
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the many different ways in which you can apply the power of AI within your Microsoft 365 applications
Recognize the potential to increase your productivity and quality of your information with Microsoft 365 Copilot
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of Microsoft 365 Copilot features
- Automating tasks with AI assistance
- Enhancing content creation and data analysis
- Collaboration tools powered by AI
- Best practices for maximizing Copilot's benefits
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Apply the latest provisions and developments, rules and regulations impacting business taxpayers
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- 2024/25 legislation impacting business taxpayers
- Tax depreciation update
- GIG workers and Form 1099-K
- Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit
- Recent business taxpayer case rulings
- FINCEN Beneficial Ownership Information reporting update
Nonprofit entities have a high degree of public accountability. This course will examine the most common fraud schemes and provide multiple examples of how to prevent or detect these schemes.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize real-world frauds occurring in not-for-profit entities.
Identify useful fraud prevention tools.
Educate on how real-world frauds were detected.
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Best practices for fraud prevention and detection.
- Common fraud schemes in nonprofit including cash misappropriation; payroll fraud; vendor fraud; falsified billings; improper use of credit cards or purchase cards; the redirection of cash and non-cash contributions; personal use of assets; the redirection of grant benefits; other grant related fraud; travel and expense reporting fraud; and much more!
In this course, participants will learn about key trends and innovations impacting the field of forensic data analytics. From generative AI to ChatGPT, machine learning and transaction review, data sharing consortiums and cryptocurrency trends, this course is for the futurist who wants to be leading edge in compliance and anti-fraud technology innovation.
Speakers:
Vincent M. Walden, CPA, CFE
In this introductory course, you'll learn the fundamentals of integrating forensic data analytics into your anti-fraud risk management program. We will cover key definitions, use cases, methodologies and some of the leading innovations and techniques driving this ever-evolving field of "finding hidden money."
Speakers:
Vincent M. Walden, CPA, CFE
Running or advising a small business? KPI Bootcamp can help you quickly find and deploy the right KPIs to achieve your, or your client's, goals. Delivered by Bernie Smith, KPI specialist and overloaded small business owner, this course will help you quickly select a handful of powerful measures that apply to your business. The step-by-step approach helps you sharpen your objectives and select the right KPIs to drive growth and profit.
Every one of the 412 included KPIs (as free PDF download for every participant) includes a full plain-English definition and also covers business benefits, case-study examples and practical tips.
Speakers:
Bernie Smith
Performance targets and incentives can drive breathtakingly positive results: the moon landings, the eradication of smallpox, or the repair of the ozone layer, for example. They can also have a dark side that can create stress, overload and anxiety and even drive lawbreaking.
What is the difference between a healthy ‘stretch’ target and one pushes people too far? How can we spot potential problems in advance and systematically design sensible, humane and effective performance targets?
Using practical examples and case studies, Bernie will give you an overview of the essential steps for designing robust, effective, and credible targets for any organization.
Designing effective, practical and realistic performance targets will never be easy, but this session will introduce you to the tools that help make the process clearer, simpler and more consistent.
Speakers:
Bernie Smith
Professional codes of ethics provide guidance to professionals who are frequently required to choose between doing the right thing and the wrong thing. Sometimes, professionals violate their ethical code and do the wrong thing for what they rationalize is the right reason. This session uses the popular television show "Ozark" and its multiple examples of seemingly good people doing bad things for the right reason to define ethics as well as explore why people make unethical choices and how they justify those choices.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
Without proper planning, professionals who work remotely may experience increased anxiety and disorganization. They may also jeopardize data privacy. However, when executed properly, working remotely can help organizations become more efficient and profitable, while at the same time improving employee morale. This course looks at how firms and companies have successfully implemented work from home programs and discusses mistakes that can be avoided through proper planning.
Objectives:
- Formulate a plan to implement a successful work from home program
- Understand how other organizations successfully utilize remote work
- Be familiar with research and related studies identifying challenges and benefits of working remotely
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Personnel/Human Resources (2)
Major Topics:
- Technology and workstation arrangements
- Maximizing productivity
- Establishing procedures that can be implemented throughout the organization
- Understanding the relationship between remote work and employee retention
- Effective communication strategies for staying connected with colleagues and clients
- The productivity challenges unique to working from home
- Time management
- The importance of distinguishing between the “home office” and “home”
- Data privacy concerns
- Other ethical considerations that arise when working from home
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify the fundamental features and functionalities of ChatGPT in an accounting context.
Apply Custom Instructions to tailor ChatGPT's responses for specific financial scenarios.
Analyze financial statements, news releases, and other relevant data using ChatGPT.
Explore and identify business opportunities using hyper-local and sectoral analysis techniques.
Utilize Advanced Data Analysis for financial comparisons, and capital project evaluations.
Evaluate assets, space, and user interfaces using image analysis with ChatGPT.
Implement voice interaction with ChatGPT to enhance user experience and accessibility in financial tasks.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to ChatGPT and its Applications in Accounting.
- Custom Instructions (CI) for Persistent Context in Financial Conversations.
- Analyzing Financial Statements and News Releases using ChatGPT.
- Exploring Business Opportunities through Hyper-Local and Sectoral Analysis.
- Advanced Data Analysis for Financial Comparisons and Capital Asset Audits.
- Image Analysis for Asset, Space, and User Interface Design.
- Voice Interaction with ChatGPT for Enhanced User Experience and Accessibility.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Develop an outline of presentation topics
Draft talking points for a media interview
Edit your written work for clarity and length
Adapt content depth and delivery as appropriate for the intended audience
Recognize best practices for both written and verbal formats
Avoid plagiarism by providing appropriate credit for sourced material
Enhance audience engagement
Instructor:
Chris Harper, CPA
Fields of Study:
Communications and Marketing
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Pervasive best practices for effective communication
- Specific strategies for written materials
- Unique considerations for verbal presentations
- The importance of recursive revision
- Tips for success
- Pitfalls to avoid
We all make predictions in our personal and professional lives. We base our decisions to marry, buy a house, launch a new product or hire staff on expectations about the future. In the past few years, research into improving predictions has advanced. We will look at this research and current best practices in forecasting to help us prepare better budgets and projections.
Speakers:
John Levy, MBA, CPA
Review of the major employment laws governing the workplace, when they are triggered, and key compliance aspects under each law. This presentation is designed to give viewers enough information to issue spot when matters arise in the workplace.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
Various legal tests are used to evaluate whether a worker should be classified as an employee or an independent contractor. There is no uniform standard or bright-line rule for determining whether an individual is properly classified as an independent contractor. Instead, the inquiry is always fact-intensive, and the analysis can vary based what body is performing it, i.e. the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), Department of Labor (“DOL”), various state agencies, or the courts. This presentation will review the various tests and highlight some of the common, most important factors for consideration.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify how white-collar crime investigations begin
Recall terminology associated with criminal justice proceedings
Recognize the relationship between a criminal charge and a conviction
Recognize how judges identify appropriate sentences for business-related crimes
Instructor:
Justin Paperny
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
Major topics covered in this course include:
- What starts a government investigation for white-collar crime?
- What is an indictment?
- What is extradition?
- What are pre-trial proceedings?
- What is a mitigation strategy?
- What is a plea agreement?
- What is discovery in a criminal case?
- What factors influence a sentence in a white-collar crime?
- What collateral consequences follow for people convicted of business-related crime?
Our expertly crafted program offers a deep dive into the essentials of PowerBI.com, starting with a comprehensive tour of its interface and core concepts. You'll gain experience in connecting to diverse data sources, creating stunning visualizations, and building interactive dashboards that communicate insights effectively. The course also covers the innovative Q&A feature of PowerBI.com, allowing you to explore data with natural language queries. By mastering the art of sharing datasets, reports, and dashboards, and creating comprehensive apps, you'll be equipped to deliver top-tier data analysis solutions to colleagues and clients alike.
Through this course, attendees will gain a deep understanding of how to leverage the PowerBI.com platform to disseminate datasets, reports, and dashboards, catering to the specific needs of their audience. Our course is tailored for those who aspire to lead in the data-driven landscape, offering not just theoretical knowledge but real-world applications. Upon completion, participants will not only have a thorough understanding of PowerBI.com but also the confidence to apply this tool in creating impactful data analysis for diverse audiences. Join us to elevate your professional skillset, make data-driven decisions with ease, and add a valuable credential to your portfolio.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to ...
Identify the key components and functionalities of the PowerBI.com interface, enabling efficient navigation and utilization for data analysis tasks.
Recognize the capabilities of the Q&A feature in PowerBI.com, so you can leverage it for generating quick insights from data using natural language queries.
Select the appropriate data sharing and collaboration methods within PowerBI.com for your situation.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Tour of the PowerBI.com Interface: An in-depth walkthrough of the PowerBI.com environment, focusing on user interface elements, navigation, and customization.
- PowerBI.com Concepts: Fundamental concepts of PowerBI.com, including its architecture, data handling capabilities, and integration features.
- Connecting to Data: Techniques for connecting various data sources to PowerBI.com, ensuring seamless data integration and synchronization.
- Visualizations and Dashboards: Creating impactful visualizations and assembling informative dashboards to present data compellingly.
- Q&A Feature: Explore the interactive Q&A feature to derive insights through natural language queries.
- Sharing Datasets, Reports, Dashboards: Best practices for sharing datasets, reports, and dashboards with different audiences so they can leverage your data analysis work.
- Creating Apps: Learn how to package reports and dashboards into apps for easy distribution and consumption.
How do you raise your skills to the next level to master the Controller or CFO role? Welcome to a course that provides insights that align the CGMA Competency Framework. The course will examine each of the areas: Technical, Business, Leadership and People to increase your competency.
- How are your technical skills? Are you a traditional accountant or have you learned to expand your technical skills to go beyond “what are the financial numbers?” to “why did these financial results occur?” Are you able to use ratios to understand the business dynamics and the implications to change course or take corrective action? Are the systems that you implement and operate best practices or merely stop-gap solutions?
- How are your business skills? Can you set a vision? Can you develop a strategy? Do you understand the macroeconomic environment of your organization? Can you lead a major project to a successful conclusion? This session will explore the role of business as opposed to tracking the results of the business.
- How are your people skills? How good is your ability to influence others? How are successful are your negotiation skills? How well can you communicate? Are you a collaborator or a partner? This section will help accountants understand that it is people skills that drive the overall success of the accounting operations.
- Finally, how are your Leadership skills? Do you inspire staff or make them angry? Do you know why your staff work for your company and you? Do you understand what employees want from their position? Do you know how to deal with a difficult staff person? Can you lead difficult change? This session will help you recognize what leadership truly is as opposed to what passes for day to day management.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
If you...
- Produce or revise dashboards and reports
- Find your current reports and dashboards confusing
- Are frustrated by the length, complexity and structure of your existing reports
- Have many different styles of dashboards and reports in use and want to simplify things
- Need to create a consistent “house style” that can be replicated by different teams
- Want to look like a star by creating reports and dashboards that your internal customers love
... this workshop can help. In this session we explore the principles of what makes reports and dashboards easy, or hard, to understand, distil this into a simple set of rules and show you how to apply these rules using Excel.
Speakers:
Bernie Smith
In this course, we will explore the various types of data - both structured and unstructured - used in conducting fraud risk investigations and proactive monitoring. We will explore the various tools available on the market and techniques to confirm completeness and accuracy of the data before the analysis begins. The course will cover the process for selecting the right data sources to align with the various risks as well as pitfalls to avoid when preparing the data for analysis.
Speakers:
Vincent M. Walden, CPA, CFE
Accountants in the various financial services industries are expected to be alert to potential money laundering situations, even if they are not specifically tasked with monitoring AML compliance. This workshop unpacks the basic AML compliance requirements and considers real world cases involving financial professionals & responses to AML red flags. The content of this workshop emphasizes the ethical considerations faced by accountants who encounter money laundering situations.
Speakers:
Albert D. Spalding Jr.
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 is an introduction to these differences and provides best practices for assessing allegations of employee misconduct and planning the investigation. Attendees will end the session with takeaways to immediately implement in future HR investigations. Episodes 2 and 3 complete the series.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
How often have you said, "It would just be easier if I did this myself?" or "Nobody can do this task as well as I can, so I'll just do it myself." If this sounds like you, then it's time to start working on your delegation skills. Delegation is not only important as a means to save you time, but it is also about developing the next generation of leaders.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending the presentation, you will be able to...
Use your focus and attention, no matter your audience
Recognize when, and with whom, you are distracted
Apply trust building from several different dimensions
Use strategies to train others and offer support, rather than micromanage
Use delegation strategies
Instructor:
Julie G. Holunga, MBA, CPCC, ACC and Stephanie Wachman
Fields of Study:
Personal Development
Major Topics:
The major subjects that will be covered in this course include:
- Three levels of listening
- Strategies to remain focused
- Building trust through listening
- Tactics to practice the Titanium Rule
- Delegating with confidence
- Establishing an accountability system
We will also address issues such as going from "buddy to boss", how to manage if you are newly assigned to an existing employee that was previously supervised by someone else, and critical skill sets necessary for supervisory/managerial positions.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this course, you will be able to...
Distinguish the relationship of ethics to supervisory/managerial responsibilities
Identify ethical traps of supervision/management
Recognize how to set job standards and analyze performance
Recognize the importance of fairness in managing unconscious bias
Strengthen or develop communication skills
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz and Jennifer Sullivan
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Overview of Virtue Ethics
- Milgram and Zimbardo case studies
- Navigating the transition from "Buddy to Boss"
- Self-Awareness and Regard for Others
- Setting Standards and Analyzing Performance
- Unconscious Bias
- Communication Skills
This course will review the Federal Trade Commission's proposed rule banning non-competes. It will also briefly go over the rule making process and timeline for the proposed rule to go into effect. In the second half, the presentation will review the patchwork quilt of state laws that have curtailed enforcement of non-competes, as well as best practices for businesses to consider when implementing non-competes in the workforce.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
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.
Speakers:
LeAnne Lagasse, SHRM-SCP
Are you looking to fortify your practice against the ever-growing threats in the digital landscape? Join us for the third installment of our exclusive webinar series, "Mastering Cybersecurity," brought to you by Practice Protect.
In today's digitally connected world, the need for comprehensive cybersecurity is paramount. With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, it's crucial to stay ahead of the curve in protecting your sensitive client data. This webinar series is designed to equip CPAs with the knowledge and tools needed to secure their practices and client information effectively.
Speakers:
Jon Melloy
Excel is the accountant’s tool of choice for analyzing and reporting financial data, yet many use time-consuming and error-prone processes to complete everyday tasks. Regardless of your level of experience, if you use Excel, you need this course to learn more efficient and effective ways to work with Excel. In this course, you will discover countless tips, tricks, and techniques to improve your general level of productivity, reduce the amount of time you spend on mundane tasks, such as formatting, and customize Excel for greater accuracy and efficiency. You will also learn valuable formula-building skills, best practices for linking Excel data from other worksheets and workbooks, and how to streamline report generation and printing processes.
Your K2 instructor will reinforce key learning points throughout the program with practical, real-world examples that will improve your understanding and comprehension of the topics presented. This highly acclaimed course draws on over twenty-five years of experience in delivering spreadsheet training to accounting and financial professionals, which assures you of the relevance and usefulness of the information and guidance provided during the program.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Objectives:
- Understand how to complete the required Schedule K-1 disclosures related to §199A
- Understand how to allocate §199A relevant amounts to shareholders, partners, and trust beneficiaries
- Understand how to calculate the amounts of wages and unadjusted basis immediately after acquisition of qualified property
- Use case studies to reinforce the learning objectives
Presenters:
Michael Frost, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (Technical) (4)
Major Topics:
- The latest guidance from the IRS provided through regulations or administrative announcements
- Reporting requirements for all relevant pass-through entities
- Reporting for multiple activities within one entity
- Allocating common items among multiple activities
- Section 199A Schedule K-1 reporting for tiered entities
- Calculating and reporting qualified wages and the unadjusted basis immediately after acquisition of qualified property
- Allocating §199A relevant amounts to beneficiaries of trusts using DNI
- Handling separately stated items for which qualified business income status is determined at the shareholder or partner level
- The effects of ownership changes on §199A reporting on Schedule K-1
- Reporting publicly traded partnership income and REIT income to the partners or shareholders
- Reporting aggregated activities
- Allocating §199A amounts to partners when special allocations have been made by the partnership
Objectives:
- Identify the most common legal issues arising in the business context
- State the general legal rules applicable to business situations
- Recognize the role that accountants can play in identifying and resolving legal problems
- Identify compliance aspects of different entity types
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Business Law (8)
Major Topics:
- Contract principles
- Partnerships and limited liability entities
- Legal issues related to various types of business organizations
- Worker classification
- Employee rights and the duties of employers
- Intellectual property
- Real property law
- Bankruptcy basics
- Environmental Law
- Merger basics
One of the most favored employee benefit plans, the 401(k) plan, provides unique challenges for auditors.
Through this course, auditors will obtain an understanding of the rules and regulations unique to employee benefit plans and obtain practical guidance on applying them. Auditors will enhance their knowledge of the performance and reporting requirements through real-world examples, best practices, and efficient audit techniques that can be utilized in various audit engagements. Make sure your audits don’t trigger a DOL inspection by conforming to all applicable rules and regulations.
Objectives:
- Identify the key provisions of recently issued SASs
- Properly document understanding of the plan, the environment, and internal controls for an employee benefit plan
- Understand the importance of reading, reviewing, and documenting the controls in a service organization control report
- Identify potential audit triggers that may result in Department of Labor inspections
- Understand the risks associated with a benefit plan audit engagement
- Avoid common mistakes noted during peer reviews
Presenters:
Melissa Critcher, CPA, PC
Field of Study:
Auditing (8)
Major Topics:
- Proper planning of benefit plan audit engagements and developing audit strategy while improving overall efficiency
- Common pitfalls in planning and detailed audit procedures
- Changes affecting 401(k) plans, including recently issued SASs
- Common mistakes as noted in peer reviews and DOL inspections
What should you do when your client contacts you about their employee embezzling money from their business? What options should you present to your client? How can your client protect themselves, while investigating the embezzlement? What steps need to be taken about preserving any documents, emails, texts, or phone calls?
This course teaches how to engage the client, properly identify the evidence needed to prove the crime, how to write the report for civil and criminal trial, and best practices in preserving electronic and paper evidence.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Prepare for an investigation
Recall how to review paper and electronic handling procedures
Identify the process of preserving, analyzing, and evaluating evidence
Recall how to conduct the investigation efficiently
Discuss the characteristics of a quality investigative report that can be used in court
Evaluate options for civil and criminal legal actions
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- A step-by-step process from the initial client phone call to you writing a report of your findings for any civil or criminal actions that may be pursued
- How to advise your client in approaching an allegation of embezzlement
- What pitfalls may arise in finding the truth
- The best practices to ensure that the evidence is preserved properly for potential civil or criminal actions
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify the components of a control system
Identify the ways that risk affects all business activities
Use concepts such as risk appetite and risk tolerance to properly create controls
Apply the concepts set forth in the COSO framework that relate to the control environment
Choose the necessary steps to increase the quality of control development activities
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- An overview of control frameworks and concepts
- Strategic considerations that can be incorporated into control development
- Understanding and controlling risk that arises when organizations change or choose not to
- The COSO Internal Control Framework and the COSO ERM Framework
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Evaluate the differences between traditional search engine research and AI-driven accounting researchApply effective prompt engineering techniques to optimize AI interactions for accounting queriesAnalyze the capabilities and limitations of various AI platforms for specific accounting tasksCreate specialized AI personas to enhance the quality and relevance of financial research insightsImplement AI tools to automate routine research tasks and regulatory monitoringAssess the ethical implications and limitations of AI-generated accounting insightsDevelop strategies to verify and validate AI-produced financial informationIntegrate AI research tools into professional accounting workflowsDemonstrate how AI can enhance, rather than replace, professional accounting judgmentEvaluate emerging trends in AI-driven tax compliance and regulatory responses
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The accounting research transformation: Comparing Google vs. AI methodologies
- AI ecosystems and specialized models for accounting applications
- Advanced prompt engineering techniques for financial and tax research
- AI-powered search engines and deep research platforms for accounting professionals
- AI as an ideation and thinking partner for complex accounting problems
- Specialized accounting research tools and AI superstores
- Persona priming and P&P stacking methodologies for optimal AI interactions
- Ethical considerations and limitations of AI in accounting research
- The compliance chess effect: AI's impact on tax planning and regulatory response
- AI-driven automation for regulatory updates and compliance monitoring
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
Learn how one proven tech stack replaced more than half a traditional team while improving client satisfaction and reducing overhead. Walk away with practical steps to streamline operations, automate repetitive tasks, and focus your resources on what really matters.
Attendees will gain practical insights into streamlining operations, automating repetitive tasks, and focusing resources on high-value activities. The session also includes an exclusive look at a proven tech stack used to replace over half a traditional team, offering actionable steps to create a leaner, tech-driven, scalable firm.
Perfect for firm owners ready to rethink staffing, reduce overhead, and embrace the future of accounting efficiency.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Find and Automate the Right Tasks: spot tasks and processes that can be automated, using the latest tech to make your business more efficient and free up valuable time.Use Outsourcing to Grow: choose the right outsourcing opportunities that fit your business needs, tap into specialized skills while keeping costs down.Integrate Scalable Tech Solutions: bring technology into your business in a way that supports growth, simplifies workflows, and saves you money.
Instructor:
Sharrin Fuller
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- How to leverage tech and automation to fill workflow gaps,
- How to build a strong tech stack, and connect tools seamlessly.
- How one proven tech stack replaced more than half a traditional team while improving client satisfaction and reducing overhead.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify areas of focus by the SEC, new rules, and developments by the PCAOB.
List comment letters and areas of PCAOB emphasis to help registrants improve the quality of financial reporting.
Recall enforcement actions by the SEC.
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Developments at the PCAOB.
- Recent trends in SEC comment letters.
- Enforcement actions and administrative proceedings.
- Conclusions and predictions for the future.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
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.
In this course, we will share tips and tricks for working remotely. You will learn what to do/what not to do in a virtual working environment, strategies for leading teams remotely, employee engagement ideas, and techniques and tools for teleworking.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
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?
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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. For example:
- 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 into further investigative procedures used including digital forensics. Future sessions will focus on computer forensics, network forensics and mobile forensics.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Artificial intelligence (AI) brings opportunities for accountants and finance professionals in the short term to improve efficiency and accuracy, while providing more value for businesses and customers alike. In the long term, AI will offer profound changes to how professionals work and process data. This course is designed to review where we are and where we are headed in the world of AI.
Objectives:
- Be familiar with the fundamentals of artificial intelligence
- Recognize the different types of artificial intelligence in use today
- Understand how artificial intelligence will change the accounting and finance professions
- Be able to explain data security and privacy best practices
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Information Technology (2)
Major Topics:
- What is artificial intelligence?
- What are the different forms of artificial intelligence?
- The difference between artificial intelligence and machine learning
- The types of problems artificial intelligence can solve
- The role of algorithms
- How artificial intelligence will affect accounting and finance careers
- Data governance, security, and privacy
- How accounting firms are using AI today
- The role of artificial intelligence in asset management
An expanded list of reference books and next level software is also provided.
Objectives:
- Determine and expand the current use of data analytics within an organization
- Identify common uses of analytics in organizations today.
- Improve financial staff’s core activities (measuring, reporting, budgeting, and forecasting) through data analytics
- Understand traditional and non-traditional sources of data for analysis
- Explore and isolate applications for numerous statistical and software tools that are readily available
- Recognize specific areas where financial professionals add significant value using data analytics, either now or in the future
Presenters:
Tony La Russo, BA, MBA, CMA
Field of Study:
Accounting (1), Management Services (1)
Major Topics:
- Definition of Data Analytics
- Assessing your organization’s current status and establishing an environment for success
- Financial staff’s core activities
- Common uses of analytics and current examples
- Behavioral forces that impact decisions
- Examples of inaccurate forecasts
- Identifying strategic measurements (KPIs)
- Improving budgeting and forecasting and addressing Black Swan events
- Collecting and using data from traditional and non-traditional data sources
- Statistical tools, including Median, Mode, Moving average, Ratio analysis, Pareto analysis, Rolling forecast, Mission-based budgeting, Trend analysis, Regression, Z-Score (public and private organizations), and Simulation
- Analytical techniques, including Brainstorming, Mind mapping, and Delphi technique
- Software tools that are readily available and can assist in visually exploring data; expanding the scope of available data, as well as collecting, analyzing and presenting results (including Dashboards).
- Specific ideas for using Data Analytics, including immediate opportunities and areas for further consideration
- Expanded lists of readings and next level software for a participants’ future reference
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the impact of ASUs on nonprofit organizations.
Recognize the activities of the nonprofit advisory committee.
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Accounting Standard Updates issued by the FASB.
- Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee (NAC) and the projects they are advising the FASB on.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify the authority and regulations of the IRS.
Develop a plan of action to prepare for an audit.
Recognize questionable tax strategies by owners.
Develop a plan for unpaid taxes.
Recognize possible criminal tax violations.
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
- The authority of IRS in assessing and collecting taxes.
- The common misconceptions when dealing with IRS.
- Common questionable actions by business owners.
- How to prepare for an IRS audit.
- The seven options in IRS collections.
- Possible criminal tax violations by CFOs and small business owners.
Charts and graphs are nothing new. However, many professionals struggle with building compelling visualizations. If that statement describes you, participate in this session to improve your skills in creating Excel charts and other visualizations. As a result, you will create visualizations to enhance your communication skills.
This session is much more than just a seminar on fundamental charts. Instead, in this session, you will learn how to create advanced charts that are interactive, dynamic, and aesthetically pleasing – three qualities that will help to ensure that your readers and audience will understand the data you are presenting. This seminar is a must if you want to improve your communication skills.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the stages of the IRS collection process.
Analyze differences between IRS employee designations and their authorities.
Explore strategies to avoid or stop collection actions.
Determine individuals who may represent taxpayers at the various stages of the collection process.
Recall the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
Instructor:
Mary Jane Hourani, MM, EA, NTPI Fellow
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of the IRS collection process.
- Taxpayer rights and the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
- Collection due process and appeals.
- Installment agreements and offers in compromise.
- Wage garnishments, levies, and liens.
- Penalties and interest.
Overview of the most important labor and employment policies and practices that every business should have. The review will go over confidentiality agreements, arbitration agreements, restrictive covenants, training, and severance agreements, as well as compliance issues related to each of them.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
According to the Gallup Organization, only 10% of employees believe that their organization does a good job onboarding new employees. This means most organizations are overlooking this crucial phase of the employee lifecycle, which not only includes the often-neglected pre-boarding stage but also the continuous efforts to reduce uncertainty, bolster excitement, and foster connections for their new recruits. By streamlining these processes and crafting impactful moments from pre-boarding through the initial weeks, HR and Business leaders can significantly enhance efficiency, foster trust, and establish a foundation of psychological safety for years to come. In this session, attendees will discover strategies and resources that craft a holistic onboarding experience, mitigating risks like employee ghosting, and paving the way for heightened engagement and retention.
Speakers:
LeAnne Lagasse, SHRM-SCP
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.
Speakers:
Connie Clark
Managerial accounting provides economic and financial information for managers and other internal users. Managerial and Financial Accounting have similarities and differences. Each field of accounting deals with the economic events of a business. Both managerial and financial accounting require that a company’s economic events be quantified and communicated to interested parties.
This another course in our series on the controller’s role. The controller’s role encompasses many traditional functions. Within this segment of our controllership series, we discuss the area of managerial accounting and the basic concepts that surround this discipline as it primarily relates to cost accounting issues.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize key risk assessment concepts applying to SAS No. 145 in identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement
Determine the impact to the risk assessment process and the work to be performed
Identify risk assessment procedures related to the various components of the entity's system of internal control
Recall how to scale risk assessment requirements to be effective and efficient, particularly for less complex entities
Recall when and how to evaluate design and determine the implementation of controls
Recognize risk assessment requirements to appropriately identify risks arising from the use of information technology (IT) and related general IT controls
Identify potential risk assessment and related audit documentation traps
Instructor:
Heather Trower, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The topics that will be covered in this class include:
- New concepts due to the issuance of SAS No. 145
- Revised requirement to separately assess inherent risk and control risk
- A new definition of significant risk
- New emphasis on IT controls and risk of material misstatement
- New guidance on maintaining professional skepticism
- Revised requirements to evaluate the design of certain controls
- Revised requirements regarding audit documentation
- New guidance on scalability
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the impact of GASB 100 and 101 on financial reporting for governments.
Recall the impact of standards effective in 2024.
Identify changes to single audits as a result of the 2024 Compliance Supplement.
Recall common deficiencies found related to Single Audits.
Recognize changes to the Uniform Guidance.
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting (Governmental)
Auditing (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- A look at the GASB standards that are effective this year.
- GASB 100, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.
- GASB 101, Compensated Absences.
- The impact of the 2024 Compliance Supplement on Single Audits.
- Changes to the Uniform Guidance.
- Common deficiencies found in Single Audits.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Apply recent tax developments affecting the partnership entity and its partners
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Discuss the impact of the Section 199A flow-through entities deduction on partnerships and their partners
- The meaning of a "tax basis capital account"
- How the financial accounting and tax capital accounts differ from one another
- Determine a partner's share of the partnership's liabilities
- Distinguish "recourse" loans from "nonrecourse" loans
- What are "qualified nonrecourse financing" loans and how they affect partners
- Section 704 "built-in gain or loss" rules and how they impact Schedule K-1 reporting
- Section 4655 "at risk" rules and how they impact Schedule K-1 reporting
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize the value proposition for deploying the OneDrive Sync app
Identify all the steps necessary to setup the Sync app properly
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Overview of the OneDrive Sync app functionality
- Step-by-step review and demonstration of how to deploy this app
- Installing the Sync app on your local devices
- Configuring the files and folders to synchronize toy your local device
- Manage the locally stored files
- Best practice tips for using the Sync app and avoiding common mistakes
Each topic and each day stand on its own. If you are not sure about making a multi-day commitment, sign up for just a single day. We think you will come back for more!
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
Rob Berry, CPA
Estate planning continues to evolve, and staying informed about the latest trends and strategies is crucial for professionals in the field. This forward-looking course delves into the intricacies of estate planning, with a specific focus on current issues. Participants will explore cutting-edge techniques, emerging legal considerations, and industry developments to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to create effective estate plans that withstand the test of time and safeguard their clients' legacies.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
With increasing competition for finding the best qualified candidates and retaining today’s workforce, it’s more important than ever to consider flexible work options in the workplace. We will review the most popular flexible work options your company could consider implementing: telecommuting, compressed work weeks, flexible hours, phased return from leave of absence, job sharing, early release days, and more! We’ll discuss the benefits of this talent management strategy, including increased productivity, decreased costs, better work-life “integration”, and increased employee engagement and satisfaction. You’ll learn how to propose flexible scheduling to your executive team, including how to logistically roll out this program. Whether you’re in a manufacturing plant, corporate headquarters, or retail industry, you can apply any of these flexible work options to your organization.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
Two conmen used lies and falsified documents to convince the State of Tennessee to give them a $3,000,000 economic development grant to create 1,000 jobs by purchasing and rehabilitating a vacant factory in rural Tennessee. Instead, they spent most of the money on an extravagant lifestyle and invested over $1M in a scheme to defraud the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) out of over $30,000,000 pursuant to a contract to provide the tarps for areas such as Puerto Rico, affected by hurricanes. This session provides a detailed case study of how the investigators accumulated, organized, and analyzed hundreds of documents, identified the falsifications and misrepresentations, conducted multiple interviews, and ultimately convicted the conmen. This case study provides multiple takeaways for detecting and investigating grant fraud, which is especially relevant in light of the numerous federal stimulus programs in recent years.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
By the end of this course, the participant will be able to...
Understand the factors that create an environment for fraud to easily occur.
Identify areas where there could be an inadvertent failure to separate duties.
Ascertain the proper role of an external auditor and identify areas where independence can be compromised.
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- How organizations can find themselves defrauded due to lax oversight and weak internal controls.
- How the existence of the "trusted advisor" creates situations where CPAs can drop their professional skepticism.
- Illustrations of the issues companies should look for in preventing fraud and embezzlement.
Listen and learn from Brenda's experience.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize how poor judgment on the job can lead to a prison term
Recall how government investigations begin
Recognize that illegal behavior by one group does not justify illegal behavior by another group
Indicate how loss amounts influence sentence lengths
Recall the aftermath of a criminal charge
Instructor:
Justin Paperny
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Career choices
- Ethical dilemmas
- Judicial proceedings
- Mitigation strategies
- Creating tools to help make better decisions
- Atonement and reconciliation
Cybercrime is on the rise and CPAs that handle sensitive client data are often the target of cybercrimes. By attending this session you'll learn what the eight biggest threats are to your business and uncover the three pillars of cybersecurity that you can build your firm's defense around.
Speakers:
Jon Melloy
Accountants are routinely placed in the middle of competing forces and are called upon to sort out the ethical and regulatory priorities while at the same time providing technical and financial expertise. This workshop discusses the accountant/client & and accountant/employer & dynamics that often include serious ethical questions.
Speakers:
Albert D. Spalding Jr.
For HR and Business professionals, navigating the intricate dynamics of executive decision-making can often be a daunting task. Despite the meticulous hours invested in research, strategy formulation, and planning, the true challenge often lies in effectively communicating and gaining acceptance for these transformative ideas. A key aspect of this is the art of persuasion, ensuring that the merits of our proposals are not just understood but wholeheartedly embraced by decision-makers. This session is designed to empower leaders with the tools and insights needed to craft persuasive pitches, build a robust business case, and confidently communicate the ROI of their initiatives. Moreover, attendees will gain insights into the common pitfalls that can hinder their pitches and learn techniques to address objections frequently raised by executive leadership.
Speakers:
LeAnne Lagasse, SHRM-SCP
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Objectives:
- Understand how a client determines his or her at-risk basis in his or her pass through entity
- Understand how the at-risk basis calculation differs from a regular basis calculation
- Calculate the amount of an investor's annual at-risk basis
- Understand the structure of IRS Form 6198 and how it relates to calculating a taxpayer's at-risk basis
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Basis and at-risk basis
- How to calculate the amount of annual at-risk basis
- Forms 6198 and 7203
- When activities may be aggregated for at-risk purposes
- Qualified nonrecourse financing
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to:
Apply common ratio analysis to financial statements
Consider qualitative analysis outside of the basic financial statements
Understand how nuances within and between industries can affect the analysis
Instructor:
Keely Gohl, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Balance sheet analysis
- Income statement analysis
- Cash flow statement analysis
- Clues in the notes and MD&A
- Industry nuances
The course will cover the basics of inventory capitalization, for both book and tax, as well as the basic inventory valuation methods, LIFO, FIFO, weighted average, and specific identification. Then the course will give a more detailed review of the LIFO and retail methodologies. It will cover the topics of inventory obsolescence reserves and other issues related to inventory accounting, including a discussion of how COVID-19 has impacted these accounting considerations.
This course will be the one-shop stop to get you up-to-speed on the accounting for this critical, revenue-producing asset.
Objectives:
- Recall the elements of inventory cost for book and income tax accounting purposes
- Apply inventory valuation methodologies to various types of inventory
- Determine reserve methodologies for inventory obsolescence
- Determine appropriate inventory observation approaches
- Recall issues related to consignment inventory
Presenters:
Samuel Monastra, CPA
Field of Study:
Accounting (4)
Major Topics:
- Elements of inventory cost and full-absorption costing
- Valuation methodologies, including LIFO, FIFO, weighted average, and specific identification
- Obsolescence reserves
- LIFO accounting
- Differences between book and tax cost capitalization and related income tax accounting
- Retail inventory valuation methodology
- Physical inventory observation approaches
- Accounting issues related to consigned inventory
- Other challenging issues related to inventory accounting
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the most common cybersecurity threats and protections
Analyze methods to protect data
Utilize resources available for designing and implementing a cybersecurity risk management program
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of current cybersecurity threats and how to mitigate data breach risk.
- Describe how to avoid malware and other security threats
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?
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Now more than ever, navigating loss, grief and crisis in the workplace is a skillset that leaders must possess. Keeping the heart in human resources is so important, especially in this post-pandemic state we are living in. We will explore ways that you can show empathy to your employees while also balancing your business needs.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
The ability to create and ask good questions as well as the ability to know when someone is being deceptive are important skills for managers, auditors, and investigators. This session will improve your interview techniques and your lie detection abilities. Multiple videos from various movies, TV shows, and public figures showcasing the behaviors of liars are included.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
This is a continuing part of our series on forensic accounting. Within this segment we discuss the concepts that are part of computer forensics known as cryptology. The term cryptography is from Ancient Greek and means “hidden secret”. It is the practice and study of techniques for secure communications in the presence of adversarial behavior. Cryptography is about constructing and analyzing protocols that prevent third parties or the public from reading private messages. Cryptography starts with secrets. Various aspects in information security such as data confidentiality, data integrity, authentication and non-repudiation (where a statement’s author cannot successfully dispute its authorship) are central to modern cryptography.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Pro forma statements are used by businesses to make decisions on planning and control, as well as for external reporting to owners, investors, and creditors. For example, giving financial estimates for a given period in a standardized manner is known as “presenting pro forma,” a Latin phrase that means “as a matter of form.”
Pro forma statements can be helpful tools for business owners, investors, creditors, or decision-makers to analyze various scenarios of future events based on certain financial assumptions. It might aid in making predictions performance of the company.
A pro forma income statement displays a firm’s anticipated sales and revenue. It also highlights anticipated fixed or variable operational expenses and, in the end, displays the potential profits and retained earnings for a future financial quarter. There are various types of pro-forma statements and methods to develop them.
The responsibilities/competencies of the Financial Controller position (FC) has changed in recent years. However, the creation of pro forma financial statements is still a core part of their responsibility.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Objectives:
- Advise clients on unique tax issues faced by U.S. residents living, doing business, or investing abroad
- Understand how foreign-source income is taxed in the U.S.
- Advise clients on key tax-saving opportunities available
Presenters:
Renata Maroney (Stasaityte), CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (3)
Major Topics:
- Residency status for U.S. federal income tax purposes
- Key provisions of U.S. income tax treaties
- Overview of the taxation of income from foreign entities
- Understanding Foreign Tax Credit
- Identifying foreign-source and U.S.-source income
- Foreign earned income and housing exclusion
- Foreign informational form filing requirements
The course content is thoughtfully structured to ensure a comprehensive learning experience. Starting with the foundational elements of DAX, you'll rapidly progress to tackle advanced formulas and time-intelligent functions, essential for nuanced data analysis. The highlight of the course is the emphasis on the DAX calculation process, a crucial aspect for validating measures in Power BI. Additionally, the practical application of PivotTables for measure validation will equip you with the skills to confirm the accuracy and effectiveness of your data measures. These advanced techniques are not just theoretical concepts but are presented through engaging, real-world scenarios, enabling you to apply your learning immediately to your daily tasks. This course is an invaluable step towards mastering Power BI and making data-driven decisions with confidence.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to ...
Apply advanced DAX formulas in Power BI to create dynamic and efficient data measures tailored to specific business needs.
Determine the most effective time-intelligent functions in DAX for analyzing temporal data trends and patterns in Power BI.
Identify key differences between common DAX functions and their use cases, enabling more strategic and informed decision-making in Power BI measure creation.
Choose the appropriate DAX calculation processes for validating and ensuring the accuracy of measures in various data scenarios.
Use PivotTables in Power BI to validate and test the effectiveness of DAX measures, enhancing the reliability of data analysis.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Introduction to DAX: Understanding the fundamentals of DAX and its role in Power BI.
- Advanced DAX Formulas: Delving into complex DAX functions and formulas for creating sophisticated measures.
- Time Intelligence in DAX: Exploring time-based functions to analyze data over different periods.
- Validating Measures with DAX: Techniques for ensuring accuracy and reliability in your DAX measures.
- Using PivotTables for Measure Validation: Employing PivotTables in Power BI to test and confirm the effectiveness of DAX measures.
Join us for this powerful webinar and unlock the full potential of LinkedIn as your HR secret weapon for recruiting top talent, retaining your best employees, and elevating overall team engagement.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Understand how to attract candidates using basic tools such as a LinkedIn company page, job postings, and LinkedIn profiles.
Proactively find and identify new candidates using LinkedIn. Establish a pipeline of future candidates.
Encourage and support employee advocacy to enhance your brand's presence.
Develop employee engagement strategies that provide recognition and boost team morale.
Identify the top organic (free) and premium LinkedIn features to leverage for hiring, retention, and engagement.
Instructor:
Sandra Long
Fields of Study:
Personnel/Human Resources
Business Management & Organization
Major Topics:
- How to pro-actively find, identify, and connect with new candidates from various sources within LinkedIn.
- Best practices for organically attracting candidates to your company and team.
- Strategic talent networking opportunities.
- Essential considerations of employee advocacy and brand building using LinkedIn.
- Retention strategies such as promoting a positive work environment, and expanding employee recognition and engagement strategies.
Objectives:
- Understand how to navigate and successfully complete a simple federal estate tax return
Presenters:
Bob Keebler, CPA/PFS, MST, AEP (Distinguished), CGMA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Changes to the IRS Form 706
- How to successfully navigate the form
- The ins and outs of the “portability” rules, including how the rules actually work using common examples
- Income tax consequences
- How to avoid malpractice traps
- Overlooked GST issues
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event
Objectives:
After completing this course, you will be able to:
Recognize the foundational principles of SSARS.
Identify the new requirements included in SSARS No. 25, Materiality in a Review of Financial Statements and Adverse Conclusions.
Indicate processes to achieve high-quality SSARS engagements.
Instructor:
Allison M. Henry, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Basic requirements included in AR-C Section 60, General Principles; AR-C Section 70, Preparation of Financial Statements; AR-C Section 80, Compilation Engagements; and AR-C Section 90, Review of Financial Statements.
- New requirements included in SSARS No. 25, Materiality in a Review of Financial Statements and Adverse Conclusions.
- Common peer review findings.
- Practice tips for high-quality engagements.
Are you looking to fortify your practice against the ever-growing threats in the digital landscape? Join us for the second installment of our exclusive webinar series, "Mastering Cybersecurity," brought to you by Practice Protect.
In today's digitally connected world, the need for comprehensive cybersecurity is paramount. With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, it's crucial to stay ahead of the curve in protecting your sensitive client data.
This webinar series is designed to equip CPAs with the knowledge and tools needed to secure their practices and client information effectively.
Speakers:
Jon Melloy
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.
Speakers:
LeAnne Lagasse, SHRM-SCP
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!
Speakers:
Randolph (Randy) P. Johnston
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Design effective prompts to extract meaningful, context-rich responses from AI in financial contexts.Identify strategies to overcome AI's "lazy" response defaults and elicit deeper analysis.Apply multi-layered prompting techniques to explore topics from different perspectives and depths.Evaluate the impact of using candid and contrarian prompts for balanced financial insights.Use specialized prompts to uncover ripple and cobra effects in financial scenarios.Develop an "Avoid Stupidity" checklist for avoiding common mistakes in AI-assisted financial tasks.Integrate perspective-based prompts to receive responses tailored to accounting-specific viewpoints.Automate repetitive accounting tasks by prompting AI for optimized workflows.Utilize emotion-driven prompts to improve the quality and engagement of AI responses.Implement practical prompt engineering techniques to enhance accuracy and depth in financial analysis.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to Prompt Engineering: Basics of structuring effective prompts for meaningful AI responses.
Understanding AI's "Lazy" Defaults: Why LLMs provide basic answers and how to push them to deliver richer insights.
Multi-Layered Prompting: Techniques to encourage AI to provide responses across beginner to expert levels.
Candid and Contrarian Responses: Using prompts that elicit honest and balanced insights, even on controversial topics.
Ripple Effect and Cobra Effect: Probing the broader impacts and unintended consequences of financial decisions.
Avoid Stupidity Checklist: A practical prompt for reducing mistakes in AI-assisted accounting tasks.
Role-Based Perspective Prompts: Crafting prompts that guide AI to respond from specific professional viewpoints.
Automation Ideas: Leveraging AI to optimize repetitive accounting tasks.
Emotion-Driven Prompting: Exploring how emotion-focused prompts can enhance AI performance and engagement.
Practical Applications in Accounting: How to apply prompt engineering in real-world financial analysis and decision-making.
So many of us suffer with mental health issues at some point in our lives. Poor mental health impacts, from a work perspective, productivity, absenteeism, retention and more. On a personal level it often causes personal distress and hopelessness.
The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) is addressing mental illness as a critical factor for the wellbeing of organizations. Additionally, the EEOC is cracking down on mental health discrimination. It is a very important topic for any functional business!
This ethics-based webinar will bring awareness to this issue and offer suggestions on managing mental health issues in ethical, compassionate and healthy ways. It will offer suggestions on managing mental health issues for leaders, managers and all staff to create and environment of safety and belonging. This webinar will also address the topic of suicide talking about warning signs and resources.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize mental health challenges and the impact they have on the workplace.
Analyze the legal aspects of mental health challenges in the workplace.
Assess ongoing support to self and others.
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz and Jennifer Sullivan
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Virtue Ethics and Mental Health
- Definition, Myths and Bias of Mental Health
- Suicide: Facts and Resources
- Recognizing signs of potential mental health challenges
- Empathy and Listening
- Mental Health and Generational Expectations
- Becoming a Mental Health Ally
Learn why creating an employer brand is so important and instrumental in competing in today's competitive marketplace. Elevate your recruiting experience for candidates and onboarding process for new hires to enhance your employer's brand.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
The Art of Accountability is a dynamic training session tailored for leaders seeking to cultivate a culture of accountability while fostering respect and trust within their teams. High morale is intrinsically linked to high accountability in todays fast-paced work environment.
Speakers:
Summer Jelinek
This course provides a high-level overview and introduction into the world of the forensic accountant. Most accountants have an understanding of the concept of fraud and how it impacts companies, but many individuals do not have a full comprehension of the variance in the work performed by a forensic accountant versus a typical management accountant.
This course is meant for those individuals interested in understanding the variances in the job tasks and responsibilities of forensic accountants versus typical financial or management accountants. Forensic accountants or auditors take a unique focus on performing their work. Typically, when a person with forensic experience is called in to examine financial records, it is due to suspicion of fraud, evaluation of assets, or even to track down fundamentally incorrect accounting – intentional or not.
As fraud continues to raise its head in business processes, forensic accountants are discovering new and unique ways to identify, examine, and support their hypotheses and investigative techniques. The work performed by a forensic specialist can be interesting and full of potential potholes if evidence isn’t examined according to proper protocols and standards.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the importance of budgeting
Identify components of a master budget
Distinguish the utility of flexible budgets
Analyze the role of variances
Apply capital budgeting techniques
Instructor:
Dr. Christopher J. Harper, CPA, MBA
Fields of Study:
Finance
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Advantages of budgeting
- The role of budgeting
- Master budgeting
- Flexible budgeting
- Standards and variances
- Capital budgeting
Objectives:
- Understand how to file a simple gift tax return
Presenters:
Bob Keebler, CPA/PFS, MST, AEP (Distinguished), CGMA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Taxpayers who do not file gift tax returns but should
- The annual exclusion rules for gifts to trusts including required Crummey notices
- What should be disclosed on the return for purposes of running the statute of limitations
- The reporting of installment sales and split-interest
- Valuations and valuation discounts for gifts of closely held businesses
- The utilization of Generation Skipping Transfer Tax and the related automatic allocation rules
- Reporting the use of a deceased spouse’s unused exclusion exemption amount (DSUEA)
- A line-by-line explanation of Form 709
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.
Speakers:
Brian F. Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMA
Professional Codes of Conduct make Ethics seem easy and clear cut. However, this is not so in real life. This session discusses five cases where the ethics is not so clear cut. What should be considered? We will explain how you can be more diligent and maintain awareness of ethical issues to become more effective and enhance the reputation of the profession.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
J. Michael Inzina
What if being nice, or specifically being a positive best version of yourself, made 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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
Dr. Harry D. Cohen, PhD
There are multiple facets to ethical choices, including should you use your ‘head’ or your ‘heart’? What are the pros and the cons? How can we balance these opposing views?
This seminar outlines the value of; trust, courage, fairness, sensitivity, persistence, honesty and gracefulness – to help us make better ethical decisions.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Bob Mims, CPA
Overview of the most important labor and employment policies and practices that every business should have. The review will go over confidentiality agreements, arbitration agreements, restrictive covenants, training, and severance agreements, as well as compliance issues related to each of them.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
Over 80% of all employment-related lawsuits relate to termination. Every termination should be treated as a potential lawsuit. The facts supporting a leader's recommendation of discharge must be fully investigated. The discharge of an employee requires prior review and approval. Narrow self-interest, spite, or personal animosity must not play a part in making termination decisions. This course provides practical knowledge and scripts for handling discharges with good judgment such that personal and employer liability is avoided.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
Do you ever get tired of other people's complaining and negativity? How can you stay calm, upbeat, and motivated despite other people’s grumpiness, rudeness, or pessimism? This program is all about helping you be your best. Even though you may not be able to change your colleagues, customers, or even your boss, you can reduce your stress and frustration by changing how you respond. Staying positive and calm is easier when you learn how to build your immunity.
This course teaches you Tina’s proprietary five-step “Immunity to Negativity Formula™”. You’ll learn simple techniques for staying calm and choosing to respond as your best self. This is a key skill you can build for yourself so you can enjoy less stress and frustration. You can even teach others so they can improve customer service, teamwork, and relationships within your company.
Speakers:
Tina Hallis, Ph.D.
Various legal tests are used to evaluate whether a worker should be classified as an employee or an independent contractor. There is no uniform standard or bright-line rule for determining whether an individual is properly classified as an independent contractor. Instead, the inquiry is always fact-intensive, and the analysis can vary based what body is performing it, i.e. the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), Department of Labor (“DOL”), various state agencies, or the courts. This presentation will review the various tests and highlight some of the common, most important factors for consideration.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
Are you looking to fortify your practice against the ever-growing threats in the digital landscape? Join us for the second installment of our exclusive webinar series, "Mastering Cybersecurity," brought to you by Practice Protect.
In today's digitally connected world, the need for comprehensive cybersecurity is paramount. With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, it's crucial to stay ahead of the curve in protecting your sensitive client data.
This webinar series is designed to equip CPAs with the knowledge and tools needed to secure their practices and client information effectively.
Speakers:
Jon Melloy
Today’s economy and all of the digital enhancements have impacted the way companies engage with their customers as well as how the company manages their internal practices. The business control function needs to keep pace.
The rising importance of analytical capability is critical when defining the role of the modern controller. Execution of analytics can vary but there are still key questions that must be asked. What are the options and what we need to understand to decide the best way forward?
This course focuses on the value that can be brought by the Controller when becoming involved with data analytics powered by technology and also Big Data. The digitized world we live in has made it important for the Controller function to evolve and take on this advanced task.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
A common challenge for the controller role is in closing the month-end and period-end books in preparation to issue financial statements. This duty requires precision, timing and efficiency.
In today’s digital world, many organizations have access to financial accounting software that will assist with the steps in the financial close. However, even with this aid it is critical the accountant understand the various steps for the close process and how they inter-relate to other accounting processes. This course gives you an insight into the inter-relationships between many processes that impact the financial close.
The closing process has traditionally been a slow one with many companies taking two weeks to close its subsidiary’s books and another two to three weeks to roll up and consolidated the results. With the introduction of technology much has been done to help accelerate that process with integrated enterprise resource planning systems and general ledger and consolidate software.
Within this segment we will discuss the elements of the financial close and also important concepts to assist the controller in accelerating their close timeline. This includes addressing all functional areas of the close including payroll, invoicing, payables, inventory, cash, and the general ledger. We will also discuss important concepts of ensuring your financial close is accurate by discussing bank reconciliations, overhead allocations, bad debt reserves, unpaid wages and accruals for vacation time, account reconciliations, deprecation and overall financial statement review.
Note: This course does not address utilizing technology in the financial close. Its focus is to understand the varied procedures involved in the financial close whether or not technology is utilized.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
This course is a complement to our series on Becoming a Forensic Accountant and the focus of the course is on steganography techniques. Steganography is the art and science of embedding secret messages in a cover message in such a way that no one, apart from the sender and intended recipient, suspects the existence of the message.
The first use of steganography can be traced to 440 BC when ancient Greece, people wrote messages on wood and covered it with wax, that acted as a covering medium Romans used forms of Invisible Inks, to decipher those hidden messages light or heat were used. During World War II the Germans introduced microdots, which were complete documents, pictures, and plans reduced in size to the size of a dot and were attached to normal paperwork. Null Ciphers were also used to hide unencrypted secret messages in an innocent looking message. Given the amount of data being generated and transmitted electronically, it’s no surprise that numerous methods of protecting that data have evolved.
There are various types of steganography: Text Steganography - Hiding information inside the text files. This involves changing format of existing text, changing words in a text, generating random character sequences or using context-free grammars to generate readable texts. Image Steganography - Process of hiding text in an image without distorting the picture. Video Steganography - Technique to hide any kind of files into a cover video file. Audio Steganography - The secret message is embedded into an audio signal which alters the binary sequence of the corresponding audio file. Network Steganography - The process of utilizing active network protocols as carriers to transmit a covert message, undetectable by an uninformed party, from a host to its destination. This session will review these methods and also discuss relevant software.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Bears are intelligent and motivated to find food. When I left some fried chicken in my Jeep while in Gatlinburg, a bear tore a hole in the top and ate the chicken and part of my Jeep. He was just a bear being a bear. I'm responsible because I left the chicken in the Jeep and gave him the opportunity. Similarly, people are intelligent and motivated to survive. If we give them opportunity by not implementing good internal controls, they will take our assets. This session reviews the investigation and prosecution of the former director of a conference center who took advantage of lax internal controls of a joint-venture and stole thousands. She was just a fraudster being a fraudster.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Christopher Pembrook, CPA, MBA, CGAP, CRFA
The Accountant role is evolving from data aggregation to knowledge extraction, with a significant emphasis on understanding and leveraging technological advancements. In this era of rapid digital transformation, it is crucial for accountants to grasp the shift towards more analytical roles, learn the tools, and integrate Business Intelligence (BI) and Data Analytics (DA) in their organization and daily practices. This course will focus on raising the accountant's awareness of BI and DA practices, the impact of AI technologies like ChatGPT, and how these can benefit their organization. By embracing these technologies, accountants can enhance their value proposition by transitioning from traditional accounting roles to becoming strategic advisors and decision-makers.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
The QuickBooks platform is a robust environment with features and capabilities that many users are unaware of or do not know how to utilize effectively. This course helps you get more out of QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online and resolve the issues that even experienced QuickBooks users struggle with, such as locking down prior periods. This program starts fast with a chapter covering the top issues accountants face with QuickBooks. The day continues with practical guidance and solutions designed to help accountants get the most out of QuickBooks for themselves or their clients. You will learn about issues, such as setting up a new company, configuring and customizing QuickBooks preferences, and enabling system security and password protection features. Also, you will learn how to lock down transactions in prior periods, the audit trail, customizing reports, exporting reports to Excel, and extending QuickBooks’ usefulness with tools such as the Fixed Asset Manager and Loan Manager.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Objectives:
- Understand the calculation of required minimum distributions
- Understand when required minimum distributions are required
- Understand how to treat inherited retirement accounts and how to utilize stretch IRAs
- Understand the importance of designated beneficiaries of retirement accounts
- Discuss the process of requesting the abatement of penalties for failure to make required minimum distributions and how to correct a failure to make a required distribution
- Understand how to handle an incorrect Form 1099-R
- Discuss how distributions are taxed when the retirement account has basis that can be returned free of tax
- Understand the changes to RMD, penalty, and rollover rules under SECURE Act 2.0
Presenters:
Michael Frost, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (Technical) (4)
Major Topics:
- Minimum distribution requirement changes by the SECURE Act 2.0
- Latest guidance issued by the IRS related to required minimum distributions
- The calculation of required minimum distributions using the Uniform Life Table
- Required minimum distributions from multiple accounts
- New §401(k) rules of SECURE Act 2.0
- Inherited employer retirement accounts and IRAs: Changes to spousal and non-spousal beneficiary distribution options and stretch IRAs under the SECURE Act
- Required minimum distributions in the year of death
- Roth conversions for estate planning and avoiding required minimum distributions
- Timing of distributions for maximum tax-free compounding
- Section 529 rollovers to Roth accounts under SECURE Act 2.0
- Qualified charitable distributions from IRAs and the relationship between deductible IRAs and QCDs under the new anti-abuse rules. Includes SECURE Act 2.0 rollovers to CRUTs and CRATs
- Taxation of distributions
- Penalties for missed required minimum distributions and reasonable cause for abatement of penalties. Includes SECURE Act 2.0 changes
Objectives:
- Thoroughly understand the requirements of the Yellow Book and how they relate to the AICPA and single audit requirements
- Excel in the Yellow Book auditing arena
- Save time and stress on Yellow Book engagements via in-depth knowledge of the requirements
Presenters:
Charlie Blanton, CPA
Field of Study:
Auditing (Governmental) (8)
Major Topics:
- When is the auditor required to follow the Yellow Book (aka Government Auditing Standards or GAGAS)?
- How the Yellow Book requirements relate to generally accepted auditing standards and the single audit requirements
- The different types of Yellow Book audit and attestation engagements that auditors may be called upon to perform
- The Yellow Book standards related to the qualifications of the auditor (i.e., requirements related to independence, CPE, peer review, and more)
- The Yellow Book requirements related to the performance of and reporting on a financial audit
- The Yellow Book requirements related to attestation engagements (i.e., examinations, reviews, and agreed-upon procedures engagements) and performance audits
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify how the federal income tax differs from other types of federal taxes
Determine the steps in computing a taxpayer's federal income tax liability
Differentiate tax consequences for terms commonly used for the federal income tax, such as "adjusted gross income," "qualifying child," "tax credits," "filing status," and "kiddie tax"
Recognize how an individual's standard deduction is determined
Indicate differences in the tax for ordinary income, capital gains, and qualified dividend income
Recall the difference between the cash and accrual method, and the correct period in which taxpayers must recognize income and/or deductions
Identify deadlines for filing income tax returns and estimated taxes and how to obtain an extension of time for filing a return
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Defining Federal Income Taxes
- Computing federal income tax liability
- Calculating adjusted gross income
- Defining Qualifying Child
- Determining filing status
- Calculating the Kiddie Tax
- Standard deduction
- Tax Rates for ordinary income, capital gains, and qualified dividend income
- Cash v. Accrual Method
- Filing deadlines and obtaining extensions
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Apply financial ratios to assess profitability, operational efficiency, and risk exposure.
Calculate key metrics, including operating leverage, margin of safety, and free cash flow yield, to evaluate financial performance.
Analyze cost behavior to determine its impact on break-even points and financial stability.
Differentiate between traditional ratios and underutilized metrics for a more comprehensive financial analysis.
Select appropriate financial ratios to compare company performance and support strategic decision-making.
Instructor:
Eric Knight, CPA, DBA
Fields of Study:
Finance
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Understanding Cost Behavior and Its Impact on Decision-Making
- Contribution Margin and Break-Even Analysis
- Margin of Safety and Its Role in Risk Management
- Operating Leverage and Financial Sensitivity
- Analyzing Asset Turnover for Operational Efficiency
- Cash Conversion Cycle and Working Capital Insights
- Free Cash Flow Yield as a Valuation Tool
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall changes to nonprofit and governmental accounting standards.
Identify key issues in governmental auditing.
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting (Governmental)
Auditing (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- New GASB standards
- GASB 100, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections
- GASB 101, Compensated Absences.
- Accounting Standard Updates issued by the FASB
- Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee (NAC) and the projects they advise the FASB on.
- Yellow Book and Single Audit engagements.
- Changes in the 2024 Compliance Supplement
- Changes to the Uniform Guidance
- Common deficiencies identified by the federal agencies and peer reviewers.
Would you like to find important documents in 10 seconds or less? Would you like to ensure your digital information is safe and secure? Would you like to improve workflow efficiency? Of course, you would, and with some planning and guidance, you will realize these and other benefits of a paperless office. Naturally, no one expects a fully “paperless” office, but reducing the amount of paper we shuffle can offer tremendous rewards. This course will teach you the best practices and proven processes for effective document management.
Participating in this program will teach you how to implement simple, inexpensive document management systems at an individual, workgroup, or small business level. You will also learn about sophisticated and comprehensive document management systems appropriate for larger offices and organizations, including systems with automated workflow processing. Your instructor will guide you through issues such as digitizing paper files, exporting and importing data from specialized applications into a document management system, essential hardware and software considerations, and the policies necessary to facilitate a successful office. Upon completing this course, you will have a comprehensive understanding of your options and a clear direction for implementing your version of a Paperless Office.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Apply the new financial accounting concepts of leases
Gain a working knowledge of accounting rules as they apply to leases
Instructor:
Chris Harper, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- What is a lease?
- Recognition and measurement of lease assets and liabilities Impact on lessors and lessees
- Disclosures and transition rules
- Effective dates
The course is meticulously structured to provide you with demonstrations and practical knowledge. Starting with a comprehensive tour of the Power BI Desktop and PowerBI.com interfaces, you'll quickly move to the core of creating impactful visuals. Explore a wide array of available visuals and learn how to select the most effective ones for your data stories. Through detailed sessions on building interactivity into your visuals, you will discover how to create dynamic reports that not only captivate but also communicate effectively. This course will also guide you through the process of publishing your reports on PowerBI.com, ensuring that your insights reach their intended audience with the right impact.
By the end of this transformative journey, you will be adept at leveraging the full capabilities of Power BI. Your newfound ability to create interactive, engaging, and informative visual reports will make you an indispensable asset in any data-driven decision-making process. Embrace this opportunity to elevate your professional profile, enhance your analytical capabilities, and become a sought-after expert in the field of data visualization. Join us for "Create Visuals in Power BI to Successfully Analyze Data" and step into the future of data analysis with confidence and skill.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Apply advanced features of Power BI Desktop to optimize data visualization and report customization.
Determine the most effective visualization techniques for various data sets by exploring the range of available options in Power BI.
Choose appropriate visuals and tools within Power BI to enhance the storytelling aspect of data analysis.
Use Power BI's interactivity features to create dynamic, engaging, and user-responsive data reports.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Tour of the Power BI Desktop Interface: Understand the layout, tools, and features of Power BI Desktop.
- Tour of PowerBI.com Interface: Familiarize with the online environment of Power BI for report creation.
- Importing Power Pivot Data Model: Understand how to integrate Power Pivot models into Power BI for more complex data analysis.
- Building Visuals: Learn the step-by-step process to create compelling visuals and understand the importance of visual context in data storytelling.
- Review of Available Visuals: Explore the variety of visuals available in Power BI and their appropriate applications.
- Power BI Desktop Features: Delve into the advanced features of Power BI Desktop, enhancing data manipulation and visualization capabilities.
- Building Interactivity into Visuals: Learn to create dynamic and interactive reports that engage and inform.
- Publishing Reports to PowerBI.com: Gain skills in uploading and managing reports on PowerBI.com for wider access and collaboration.
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.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
HR Professionals are business leaders who, regardless of their level of experience, are responsible for maintaining a high level of interpersonal proficiency in their job function. The willingness to gain a genuine understanding and respect for diversity and the incorporation of a safe and inclusive environment of employees in the workplace, is a strong measure of the HR Professionals’ efficacy in this area. This training is geared towards improving and/ or elevating the HR Professionals’ knowledge of cultural competence in the workplace and what it means to truly adopt a culture of diversity and inclusivity. When HR professionals take responsibility for teaching others about the differences and benefits that multiple cultures and diverse backgrounds bring to the organization, research shows that companies are more likely to win top talent and yield improvement in customer orientation, employee satisfaction and decision making, as well as a cycle of increasing returns.
Speakers:
Shannon T. White, MSW, LCSW
This course is an updated overview of the single audit of state and local governments and not-for-profit organizations under the OMB Unified Circular, as well as the applicable AICPA standards for compliance audits.
Speakers:
J. Michael Inzina
A comprehensive review of the newest version of the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s Government Auditing Standards, otherwise known as “the Yellow Book.” The standard will affect all auditors who perform audits of government and nonprofit organizations who receive federal funds, or where application of GAO standards is required by law, regulation or contract. It does not address the standards applicable to performance audits.
Speakers:
J. Michael Inzina
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
In today’s real estate market, IRC §1031 tax-deferred exchanges can be one of the most important planning tools available to the real estate investor. The use of this technique is filled with pitfalls and traps. This new course will assist the practitioner in understanding the mechanics of a tax-deferred exchange and the value of a tax-deferred exchange in both tax and financial planning.
Updated August 2022
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Jordon Rosen, CPA, MST, AEP®
In the fast moving world where everyone is communicating through email, text and instant messaging we have forgotten the power of face-to-face conversation. Communication and connection is the foundation for building a thriving network and business.
During this talk, The Connector’s Advantage author, Michelle Tillis Lederman will inspire you to leverage the power of personal connection in the digital age while still incorporating the efficiency of virtual communication.
Speakers:
Michelle Tillis Lederman
Microsoft 365/Office 365 continues to grow and evolve, yet most utilize only a fraction of the tools available in their subscription. For example, powerful resources such as SharePoint Online and audio and video conferencing can change how your organization communicates and collaborates. In contrast, more personal apps such as Teams, Planner, Flow, and Sway allow individuals to work more efficiently and effectively in virtually all facets of their jobs. Further, security enhancements to Office 365 mean that your organization can take advantage of all these features in a highly secure environment.
Isn’t it time you learned how to move beyond the traditional Microsoft 365/Office 365 applications such as Excel, Word, and Outlook and unleash all your subscription offers? Join us in this fast-paced and highly interactive seminar where you will learn what you need to know to succeed with Microsoft 365/Office 365.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
In the workshop, you’ll learn how to recognize when a conversation becomes critical, how to plan effectively for the conversation, and which communications strategies can help you create a win/win outcome.
Objectives:
- Recognize when a conversation becomes “critical”
- Plan effectively for the difficult conversation
- Identify steps to follow during the conversation
- Demonstrate communication skills to master those difficult conversations and result in win/win outcomes
- Prepare for having your critical conversation; build a script during the session using the 6-Step Model
- Prepare an Action Plan to have a difficult conversation
Presenters:
Deb Brown
Field of Study:
Personnel/Human Resources (2)
Major Topics:
- High stakes conversations where the goal or outcome is paramount
- A Critical Conversation Worksheet to use as a tool
- Self-assessment of interpersonal approaches on a continuum from aggressive to silent
- The stories: mine and yours — are they the same?
- Contrast statements for ensuring a shared understanding
- Building confidence in conducting a Critical Conversation
Objectives:
- Understand statutory basis for establishing domicile and residency
- Understand the factual criteria for establishing domicile and residency
Presenters:
Ciro Poppiti, Esq.
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Typical provisions in state statutes regarding domicile and residency
- In depth analysis of domicile and residency definitions
- Issues regarding one’s permanent abode
- Analysis of jurisdiction where taxpayer has the greatest connections
- Detailed discussion of criteria used to establish domicile and residency
Objectives:
- Understand how Circular 230 addresses the more commonly encountered ethical questions tax return preparers face in practice on a regular basis
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Lance Weiss, CPA, CVA
Field of Study:
Regulatory Ethics (2)
Major Topics:
- What does practicing before the IRS mean?
- Who may practice before the IRS?
- What should a tax preparer do if he or she has knowledge of a client's omission of income from a tax return?
- May a tax preparer rely on the work of other tax return preparers?
- May a tax preparer rely on and use client-provided information?
- Standards associated with giving advice to clients
- Abolition of the disclaimer requirement
- When must a tax preparer examine a client’s books and records?
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Describe how some people begin their career with good intentions yet end up in prison.
Explain how seemingly benign decisions can lead to severe problems later.
Identify how gray areas can expose people to problems they cannot foresee.
Understand how seizing the wrong opportunity can cost people their job and freedom.
Instructor:
Justin Paperny
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- The importance of values
- Identifying success
- Ethical dilemmas
- Mitigation strategies
- Creating tools to help make better decisions
- Personal accountability strategies
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.
Speakers:
Tina Hallis, Ph.D.
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).
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Christopher Pembrook, CPA, MBA, CGAP, CRFA
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
It is the role of a leader to build and maintain a great culture in the organization. The culture is the driving force that shapes the attitudes and behaviors of everyone in the organization. A relationship driven organization is built on trust and is the most effective way to improve productivity, engagement, and the bottom line. Understand the components that enable trust to be created and maintained throughout teams and organizations.
Speakers:
Michelle Tillis Lederman
Objectives:
- Identify differences in how business entity types are taxed for income tax purposes
- Recognize how personal financial planning for a business owner is related to financial planning for a flow-through entity business
- Identify how S-Corporations are taxed for self-employment tax purposes
- Recognize double-taxation and when it applies
- Identify when a transaction should be recorded on the accounting records under the cash method
- Recognize when income is recognized and an expense must be accrued on the accounting records under the accrual method
- Identify what account should not appear on the financial records if the accrual method is being used
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Financial planning pyramid
- What to consider when picking an entity
- Single member LLC vs. sole proprietorship
- Corporations – S vs. C
- Double taxation
Robbie offers findings on strategies that work to improve DEI efforts based on best practices and interviews with experts in the field. Please note that for those of you who have taken courses from Robbie there will be some duplication and much new content. This session is designed for people who wish for a more fair and just world and workplace.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Explore ethical values and principles related to diversity, equity and inclusion
Raise awareness of systematic injustices in the workplace
Provoke curiosity and reflection about self with regard to unconscious bias, assumptions, and microaggression
Learn some ways to intervene when witnessing unethical practices and behaviors
Offer examples of successful initiatives of DEI
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz and Jennifer Sullivan
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Overview of ethics
- Ethical values and principles
- DEI working definitions
- Unconscious bias, assumptions, microaggressions
- Standing Up and Speaking Out
- DEI and Organizational Responsibility
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the impact of Accounting Standards Updates effective in 2025 on financial reporting.
Recall the changes made to PCC processes as a result of the 2024 PCC Review.
Identify potential topics identified by advisory groups in the FASB's ITC agenda consultation.
Identify the components of quality management.
Recall deficiencies identified by the DOL for EBP audits.Recall key projects of the Auditing Standards Board.
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Deep dive into the Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) effective in 2025.
- Insights from the FAF's 2024 PCC Review.
- Overview of FASB's Invitation to Comment - Agenda Consultation.
- The essential changes in quality management standards that firms must implement by the end of 2025.
- Common deficiencies identified by the DOL in EBP (Employee Benefit Plan) engagements and provide a peek at upcoming projects from the Auditing Standards Board (ASB).
Objectives:
- Understand the major issues on which taxpayers and the IRS are in conflict
- Understand recent IRS guidance and legislation impacting pass-through entities
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
Highlight the corporate cognitive-culture and psychological foundations of IRS processes, policies, information products and rulingsExplore IRS communication dynamics with taxpayers and tax professionalsUse an "IRS lens" to more rationally and pragmatically interact with the agency
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
- Behavioral insights (BI) Primer
- How and why BI are used by the IRS
- IRS and individual decision-making
- IRS and environmental and design considerations
- IRS and social norms
- IRS "top of mind" issues
- BI and Implementation of tax reform legislation
- BI and private debt collection
- BI and online taxpayer accounts
- BI and taxpayer rights in "real" vs. "unreal" audits
- BI and the tax-exempt approval process
- BI and passport renewal and revocation
- How to use BI to more mindfully interact with the IRS to improve outcomes
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
A harmonious working environment is one in which people feel safe, seen, heard, and respected. Critical to maintaining it are that employees have high self-esteem, are treated with respect, and work in a safe, non-violent setting. This course provides practical knowledge and scripts on how to take appropriate action and deal effectively with discriminatory comments, sexual harassment, and threats and acts of violence,such that personal and employer liability is avoided.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
Leaders have the right to exercise customary management functions. Employees have the right to be kept free from discrimination. Neither employer rights nor employee rights are absolute. The courts are equally protective of the rights of employees and employers. A courtroom is the wrong place for anyone to find this out. This course provides practical knowledge on how to effectively balancing these two sets of rights, such that employees and leaders stay out of court. Employers avoid lawsuits, rather than win lawsuits.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
How do you keep your team connected with the limitations of virtual meetings? Suddenly, it’s more important than ever for each member to understand and appreciate their differences; to see beyond the screen and see each other’s human-side to maintain trust. In this session, Tina Hallis, Ph.D., will explore the neuroscience of trust and why it’s critical for optimum teamwork. But more importantly, you will leave with specific strategies and tools that you can choose from to use with your people.
Speakers:
Tina Hallis, Ph.D.
Over 80% of all employment-related lawsuits relate to termination. Every termination should be treated as a potential lawsuit. The facts supporting a leader's recommendation of discharge must be fully investigated. The discharge of an employee requires prior review and approval. Narrow self-interest, spite, or personal animosity must not play a part in making termination decisions. This course provides practical knowledge and scripts for handling discharges with good judgment such that personal and employer liability is avoided.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
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.
Speakers:
Shannon T. White, MSW, LCSW
As the digital asset market continues to mature, more taxpayers may be contemplating blessing their favorite charitable organizations with gifts of cryptocurrency. Beneficiaries unfamiliar with digital assets may find it challenging to properly report any of these types of donations. Likewise, taxpayers will need to ensure that they properly value and substantiate any contributions or potentially risk their charitable deductions being denied. This course will provide a brief overview of digital assets. This will be followed by a discussion of the rules regarding the documentation required when claiming a charitable contribution of digital assets. This course will also cover recent IRS publications and cases discussing taxpayers whose deductions of digital assets charitable gifts were scrutinized.
**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.
Speakers:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending the presentation, you will be able to
Identify ways to save between 60-120 minutes
Determine time wasters and common distractions that interfere with productivity and focus
Apply stress management by taking short incremental breaks and understand how it impacts time management and work efficiency
Analyze and prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
Determine how to delegate effectively and with greater confidence
Instructor:
Stephanie Wachman
Fields of Study:
Personal Development
Major Topics:
- Identify time wasters and adopt strategies for eliminating them
- Recognize the variety of causes of procrastination and apply techniques to overcome them
- Use practical techniques for prioritizing work
- Delegation strategies
- Incorporate wellness and stress management into your day in short increments
- Understand their energy cycles and use it to manage your schedule
- Learn techniques to decrease stress in the moment (based on neuroscience)
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
State the relationship between sustainable growth, core earnings, and company cash flow
Recognize how time assessments and customer segmentation can be used to identify cash flow negative clients.
Identify common behavioral biases which influence how a company spends money
List behavioral biases that prevent companies from being streamlined
State techniques that may be used to make cost cutting a part of the company's culture and business strategy
Identify techniques that may be used to discern whether or not additional headcount is necessary
Recognize vertical and horizontal financial statement analysis
List contracting and negotiation techniques
Recognize the business cycle and how cash flow management changes during each stage
Instructor:
David Peters
Fields of Study:
Management Services
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- How do I optimize cash flow?
- Qualitative Evaluations – Core Earnings & Sustainable Growth
- Quantitative Evaluations – Liquidity Ratios
- Increasing Customer Base vs. Payment Terms
- Business Cycle & Cash
- Investing Company Cash
- What keeps companies from becoming streamlined?
- Behavioral Finance Biases
- Information Processing Biases
- Emotional Biases
- Dealing with Behavioral Biases
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
Participants will learn about the risks involved in using social media as it relates to the accounting profession and the related sections of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.
Instructor:
Albert D. Spalding, JD, PhD, CPA/CFF
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
- Risks Associated with Social Media
- Sections of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct That Might Be Violated Using Social Media
- Case Study Discussions
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.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Christopher Pembrook, CPA, MBA, CGAP, CRFA
Do you often hear people complaining about coworkers or other departments? Do you have talented people with the right skills who struggle to collaborate and cooperate as a team? You’re not alone. This can be a common situation when people’s values, beliefs and their approach to solving problems differ. The key is to help everyone understand that our differences aren't bad – they’re interesting and extremely valuable.
In this course, Tina guides you through tools and activities you can use to help your people (and yourself) broaden their perspective so they can more easily cooperate, collaborate, and communicate with the people around them. This program explores ways to help them connect, from personality assessments to team building activities. When coworkers or team-members understand each other better, it's easier to appreciate their differences.
Speakers:
Tina Hallis, Ph.D.
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Shelli Huston, CPA, MS
Poorly handled conflicts can lead to break downs in communication, reduced morale, and higher turnover. However, when managed well, conflict has the potential to bring value to the organization and the team. Conflict is a costly and often mishandled occurrence in the workplace. Successful conflict resolution occurs by listening to and providing opportunities to meet each side needs, and adequately addressing their interests so that they are each satisfied with the outcome. In this you will learn the different conflict modes, how to choose the appropriate strategy for your situation, and how relationships impact your ability to promote the positive outcomes and minimize the negative outcomes of conflict.
Speakers:
Michelle Tillis Lederman
Objectives:
- Identify why customer service is just as important as compliance for profitability
- Understand how some organizations have achieved top performance in their industries
- See how good customer service is not about being “right”
- Realize why finance professionals have a bias toward compliance
- Identify what is wanted by the internal customers of the finance and accounting departments
Presenters:
Art Pulis, MBA
Field of Study:
Management Services (4)
Major Topics:
- Why customer service is not just having nice people; it is truly serving the customer
- Analysis of the value of the customer to compare it to various costs creating an ROI
- How to develop a compliance program that adds value to the customer
- A hard look at several companies and industries that have mastered the dual objectives
- How recent developments have affected compliance and customer service
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Identify the recently revised SSTS guidelines for all tax practitionersApply new standards surrounding the AICPA Statements on Standards for Tax Services
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Review of the new AICPA Statement on Standards for Tax Services
- Reorganization of SSTS by type of work performed
- Discuss new standards on data protection, reliance on tools and representation of tax clients before taxing authorities
What should an accounting professional learn from Casey's story?
Stay tuned to find out!
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize why corporate documentation and training materials may lessen vulnerabilities to government investigations
Distinguish motivations of government investigators and prosecutors
Identify tactics witnesses use to lower their exposure to sanctions
Recall how government investigations begin
Instructor:
Justin Paperny
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Ethical dilemmas
- Judicial proceedings
- Mitigation strategies
- Creating tools to help make better decisions
- Atonement and reconciliation
Money laundering is a subject of many action and thriller movies, but rarely understood. This presentation will educate the CPA in understanding the basics of money laundering and how to identify money laundering. This presentation will help the CPA know the truth about money laundering, how to identify it, the statutes that define it, and the court cases that interpret it.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish the three stages of money laundering
Recall possible money laundering techniques
Identify the possible money laundering statute
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- The theory of money laundering
- Common money laundering statutes
- Examples from court cases of money laundering statutes
- Common occurrences with CPAs
- Possible money laundering transactions
- Applying the money laundering statutes in real life scenarios
Although organizations are trying to create and manage diverse and inclusive workplaces, many are not aware of some of the best practices and simple strategies they can incorporate to promote such an environment. We are currently living in unprecedented times. Division, bias, and exclusion, based on factors associated with social injustice and a general lack of appreciation for diversity, seems to have become our current societal norm. With the high stress and anxiety created by these current trends in society, it is even more important for organizations to provide a safe space for their employees where there is a genuine sense of belonging and fair access to opportunity. The goal of this course is to outline the relationship between diversity and inclusion, while providing very practical strategies for HR Professionals in their role to promote a culture of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Speakers:
Shannon T. White, MSW, LCSW
The tools for managing performance and addressing misconduct are not identical. The failure to point this out to leaders has often resulted in the use of the wrong tool. Reinforcing good performance and securing improvements in performance requires skill in coaching employees, making effective requests, and providing effective feedback This course provides practical knowledge and scripts for setting, communicating, and enforcing performance expectations, such that personal and employer liability is avoided.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
What do people say about you when you leave the room? Is it what you want them to say? How you show up in the room, get listened to, build trust, and are known amongst your colleagues are all critical components of your future success. In this workshop Michelle Tillis Lederman, CEO and Founder of Executive Essentials, will discuss how to determine you brand attributes, demonstrate the nuances of body language on your professional presence, and discuss how to strengthen trust and the lasting impressions you make on your network, expanding upon lessons from her books The Connectors; Advantage and The 11 Laws of Likability.
Speakers:
Michelle Tillis Lederman
Objectives:
- Explain the similarities and differences between GILTI, Subpart F, and PFIC regimes
- Understand the mechanics of income inclusions and foreign tax credits available under GILTI, Subpart F, and PFIC regimes
- Compare and contrast the overall tax liability under different circumstances
- Identify tax planning opportunities for income from foreign corporations
Presenters:
Renata Maroney (Stasaityte), CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (3)
Major Topics:
- Understand how to approach and analyze the U.S. taxation of foreign corporations
- Using an example, calculate GILTI, Subpart F, and PFIC income inclusions for an individual and C corporation
- Determine how much foreign tax credit can be claimed against such income inclusions
- Determine how subsequent dividend distributions from the foreign corporation are taxed
- Calculate capital gain on the disposition of the foreign corporation
- Discuss the impact of Section 962 election
- Compare different outcomes under GILTI, Subpart F, and PFIC regimes for individuals and corporations
- Identify basic strategies for managing tax liabilities related to foreign corporations
All types of businesses have begun purchasing and setting up shop in this new virtual world. These are no small endeavors – professionals are creating business plans to operate successfully in the virtual world that started off originally as a niche format for gamers. Accounting firms are starting to announce their acquisition of virtual real estate, and some are paying a premium to obtain prime locations.
To operate successfully in the metaverse, professionals need to understand the environment and the rules of the game. This course provides an introduction to the metaverse and an overview of opportunities, risks and rewards for professionals who wish to stay relevant in the ever-expanding virtual world. Participants will walk away with an understanding of where we are in this rapidly developing space, plus gain insights on how to establish a presence or advise clients who wish to explore metaverse opportunities.
Objectives:
- Understand how professionals are utilizing the metaverse
- Be familiar with strategies for participating in the metaverse
- Recognize how metaverse real estate assets are approaching real-world values
- Understand how metaverse and blockchain interrelate
- Be familiar with the growing list of big businesses entering the metaverse
- Understand the similarities and distinctions in various metaverses
- Recognize emerging taxation issues in the metaverse
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Information Technology (2)
Major Topics:
- Understanding what the metaverse is and what it is not
- How to access the metaverse
- Why accounting and other professionals should use the metaverse
- Where accountants can find their space in the metaverse
- How the metaverse is changing the way we work
- Ownership opportunities in the metaverse
- Work and taxation in the metaverse
This distinctive webinar will show you why it is in your best interest to accept criticism with gratitude. It's even better to welcome criticism. It's also a good idea to learn how to give criticism the right way.
A related topic is the art of giving and receiving apologies, and we'll do a deep dive into this area as well.
You'll leave with clear guidelines for how to criticize others, accept criticism from them, give meaningful apologies, and accept apologies with grace and ethical intelligence. The result will be a stronger CPA practice and a better you.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Apply criticism in the right way for the right reasons
Choose to accept criticism when it's called for
Apologize with ethical intelligence
Accept apologies that are offered sincerely
Distinguish why it is in your own interest to give and take both criticism and apologies
Instructor:
Bruce Weinstein
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Entertaining lecture by a professional presenter, illustrated with relevant video clips and photographs, to cover the main points of the webinar
- Writing exercises, so you can see how these lessons apply to your own CPA practice and personal life
- True stories about CPAs and other leaders to show what can happen when apologies and criticism are done right, and the pitfalls of doing them the wrong way
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Select the capabilities of Microsoft 365 to enhance operational efficiency.
Determine best practices for deploying Microsoft 365 applications, with a focus on optimizing the Teams app for your organization's unique needs.
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Appreciate the full potential of Microsoft 365 to drive efficiency in your business
- Learn best practices for harnessing the power of Microsoft 365
- Design your Teams app setup to meet the unique attributes of your business
- Use SharePoint and OneDrive to organize your files and share them securely internally and externally
- Organize your thoughts, meeting notes and other content centrally in OneNote
- Manage your projects, large and small, with the Planner app
- Deploy the Stream app to document processes efficiently and effectively
Bonus Content: Understand how to harness the power of AI with Microsoft Copilot
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this course, you will be able to...
List and use powerful but often hidden tools available in Excel
Discuss some of the new features built into the spreadsheet application
Work in a more efficient manner because of keyboard and ribbon-based tools
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- The power of keyboard shortcuts
- Oft used features with more capability than meets the eye
- New helpful features
Note: This session is taught using Hands-On methodology. We provide practice files that tie to the examples in the course materials so participants can undertake all the steps in unison with the instructor.
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Christopher Pembrook, CPA, MBA, CGAP, CRFA
Do you ever get tired of other people's complaining and negativity? How can you stay calm, upbeat, and motivated despite other people’s grumpiness, rudeness, or pessimism? This program is all about helping you be your best. Even though you may not be able to change your colleagues, customers, or even your boss, you can reduce your stress and frustration by changing how you respond. Staying positive and calm is easier when you learn how to build your immunity.
This course teaches you Tina’s proprietary five-step “Immunity to Negativity Formula™”. You’ll learn simple techniques for staying calm and choosing to respond as your best self. This is a key skill you can build for yourself so you can enjoy less stress and frustration. You can even teach others so they can improve customer service, teamwork, and relationships within your company.
Speakers:
Tina Hallis, Ph.D.
This course provides an in-depth exploration of Form 1120S, the tax return form used by S corporations. Students will learn the intricacies of preparing and analyzing this form, including how to determine the taxable income of the S corporation, how to properly report and allocate income, deductions, and credits, and how to calculate the shareholder's basis in the S corporation.
**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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
How you say what you say is more important than what you say. According to a UCLA study, 93% of a communicators effectiveness is based on non-verbal cues. This foundational program include a focus on the verbal, vocal and visual delivery techniques appropriate for the business environment, which can improve a speakers credibility, influence and impact. Depending on the course length other topics include; managing fear, organizing your presentation, increasing attention and interaction, handling questions, infusing humor, creating impactful visuals, and more.
Speakers:
Michelle Tillis Lederman
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Describe how to identify signs that your auditors may be over- or under-auditing
Explain the "soft" skills, such as communication, creativity, critical thinking, and more that your auditor should readily exhibit in order to give you the greatest return for your audit dollars
Apply illustrative examples, of value-added business advice and assistance the auditor may apply without impairing independence
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Limitations in roles and responsibilities an auditor can accept without impairing independence
- Assessing the strength of your auditor's ability to think critically, strategically, and creatively in appropriate circumstances
- Evaluating your auditor's time and project management stills
- Grading your auditor's communication and interpersonal skills, in exceeding your expectations on an audit
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Determine the common weaknesses in a criminal tax investigation.
Identify the key documents to review (In a sea of thousands of documents).
Select questions for your client to use in court proceedings.
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
- The common weaknesses in a criminal tax investigation.
- The key documents to review (In a sea of thousands of documents).
- Crafting questions to recommend in court proceeding.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Indicate ChatGPT to enhance financial modeling techniques.
Analyze financial ratios using advanced methods for better comparison.
Distinguish various financial risks through detailed scenario analysis.
Apply ChatGPT in advanced valuation techniques.
Distinguish sophisticated performance metrics for operational insights.
Apply AI for effective data analysis and interpretation in finance.
Use in-depth investment analysis using AI-enhanced tools.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Financial Modeling with ChatGPT Integration
- Advanced Ratio Analysis Techniques
- Risk Assessment and Scenario Analysis
- Valuation Methods and ChatGPT Applications
- Utilizing Performance Metrics in Financial Analysis
- Data Analysis and Interpretation with AI
- Investment Analysis Enhanced by ChatGPT
Objectives:
- Recognize the latest in blockchain technology and how it is impacting our world
- Understand how to interact with cryptocurrency
- Understand the tax implications of investing in cryptocurrency, running a mining operation, using NFTs, and using cryptocurrency as a payment method
- Recognize challenges in dealing with cryptocurrency-related clients
- Apply tax planning opportunities
- Serve clients with cryptocurrency transactions using a tool like CoinTracker.io
Presenters:
Shehan Chandrasekera, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- What is blockchain technology?
- How do you buy crypto?
- How do you store crypto?
- Use cases of cryptocurrency
- Blockchain technology
- Use cases of cryptocurrency
- Tax overview
- How taxes work for cryptocurrency investors
- How taxes work for cryptocurrency mining
- Taxation of other transactions
- Foreign reporting requirements and crypto
- How to use a tool like CoinTracker to calculate capital gains and losses
- New developments in the space
- Tax planning opportunities
- Why do accountants need to care?
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Implement practical strategies based on a thorough understanding of the complex rules for partnership distributions of propertyIdentify and recall key compliance issuesIdentify and recall significant issues in the Form 7217
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Property distributions in liquidation of a partner’s interest
- Section 751 and its impact on property distributions from a partnership
- Mechanics of completing Form 7217 – new for 2024
- The Section 754 election and its role in partnership property distributions
“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.
Speakers:
Joy Principe
New features in Excel provide tremendous opportunities to improve Excel-based operational and financial reports. For example, Data Models, Power Query, Data Analysis Expressions, Power Pivot, and many others can help you create more powerful summaries and schedules in less time than ever. Bundle these tools with some of Excel’s “legacy” features, and you have significant new opportunities to improve your Excel-based reporting environments.
In this fast-paced seminar, you will learn about the importance of using Power Query to link data into Excel data models and how you can manage these data models to facilitate better and more efficient reporting. Additionally, you will learn how to incorporate Key Performance Indicators, Slicers, and Timelines into your reports to enhance the analytics and understandability of the data. Further, you will learn best practices to quickly and easily format your spreadsheets to give them a polished and professional appearance. This course should be at the top of your professional development list if you use Excel for any reporting process.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Objectives:
- Analyze how basis in an ownership interest in a pass-through entity is established
- Discuss how activity of the entity, distributions, and optional adjustments increase or decrease basis
- Discuss when basis is "at-risk" under Section 465, and the resulting loss disallowance and carryforward related to basis that is not at-risk
- Define passive activities under Section 469 and exceptions to the passive loss rules
- Discuss when and how aggregation of activities should be used to avoid the passive loss rules
- Analyze §461(l) created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and understand the limitation calculation and resulting carryforward
- Analyze the hierarchy of the loss limitations with examples of the application of the four tiers of losses and how they interact
- Use case studies to reinforce the learning objectives
Presenters:
Michael Frost, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (4)
Major Topics:
- The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
- Tier 1: Basis limitations for S corporation shareholders and partners
- Tier 2: Section 465 at-risk limitations for S corporation shareholders and partners, including the impact of debt, indemnities, guarantees, and shareholder/partner agreements
- Tier 3: Section 469 passive loss limitations and exceptions to the limitations
- Tier 4: The excess business loss limitation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (new §461(l)), American Rescue Plan Act, and Inflation Reduction Act
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Charlie Blanton, CPA
Field of Study:
Accounting (Governmental) (4), Auditing (Governmental) (4)
Major Topics:
- 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)
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
The final regulations basically characterize certain partnership-related basis adjustments as transactions of interest on the part of the IRS. In a practical sense, this means that property transfers in a partnership with related party partners may run the risk of IRS scrutiny if audited. It is common for certain types of partnerships, such as real estate limited partnerships, to have related-partner partnerships. The IRS may decide to scrutinize partnerships with related party transfers.
Since these final regulations presume an understanding of the rules for partnership distributions and Section 754 elections, the program begins with coverage of those two topics, with time devoted to adjustments under both Section 743(b) and Section 734(b). It would be hard to understand the IRS’s claim of abuse without a working knowledge of these transactions.
Objectives:
- Understand the final regulations addressing basis shifting from one related party partner in a partnership to another
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Lance Weiss, CPA, CVA
Edward Renn, Esq.
Field of Study:
Taxes (4)
Major Topics:
- What is a transaction of interest?
- Reporting transactions of interest on Form 8886
- Why make a Section 754 election?
- Adjustments under Sections 743(b), 734(b), and 732
- Applicable threshold amounts for reporting
- What is a basis shift?
- Who is a material advisor and why is that status important?
- Section 755 rules for allocating the Section 743(b) and Section 734(b) basis adjustments
- Transfers of a partnership interest on death
- What is a substantially similar transaction?
- Who is a “tax-indifferent” party in a partnership?
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify key changes in recently issued AICPA SSARS standards.
Recognize common deficiencies in SSARS engagements as identified in peer reviews.
Recall common deficiencies in SSARS engagements as identified in lawsuits.
Instructor:
Walter J. Haig
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Analysis of the ''Preparation of Financial Statements'' standards as amended by SSARS 26 with detailed implementation guidance.
- Analysis of the ''Compilation'' standards as amended by SSARS 26 with implementation guidance.
- Analysis of the ''Review'' standards as amended by SSARS 26 with detailed implementation guidance.
- Common mistakes made in SSARS engagements as identified in peer reviews and in litigation.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Evaluate the relationship between financial success and ethics
Identify the characteristics that make the CPA credential unique compared to other financial designations
Compare and contrast the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct to the ethics codes of other financial professionals
Analyze the steps in the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct Conceptual Framework Approach
Recognize the key issues currently being addressed by the AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee
Recognize the key factors that influence employee behavior according to research
Identify the key factors of ethical communication that increase trust
Indicate how the concept of ethical communication can be applied within the context of a difficult conversation
Instructor:
David Peters
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Does it pay for a company to have strong ethics?
- Can you measure the financial impact of ethics?
- Does ethics make a difference in financial performance?
- Can ethics be used as a competitive advantage?
- What sets the CPA designation apart?
- AICPA Code of Professional Conduct & the Conceptual Framework Approach
- Ethics as a marketing tool
- Personalizing your Code of Ethics
- Four building blocks of ethical culture
- What influences employee behavior?
- Ethical research
- Building trust in organizations
- Maintaining objectivity in difficult situations
Key Takeaways:
Understand the fundamental principles of AI and its applications in marketing.
Learn how to leverage AI tools and technologies to enhance your marketing campaigns.
Discover practical strategies for integrating AI into your firm's marketing workflow.
Gain insights into measuring the effectiveness of your AI-driven marketing efforts.
Explore real-life case studies and success stories of firms that have successfully implemented AI in their marketing strategies.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to harness the power of AI, streamline your marketing processes, and achieve remarkable results for your firm. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the competition and lead your firm to new heights with AI-enabled marketing
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Recall the fundamental principles of AI and its applications in marketing.Leverage AI tools and technologies to enhance marketing campaigns.Utilize practical strategies for integrating AI into your firm's marketing workflow.Measure the effectiveness of AI-driven marketing efforts.Compare real-life case studies and success stories of successful AI implementations in marketing.
Instructor:
Gaynor Hardy (Meilke), MS, CBC
Fields of Study:
Communications and Marketing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Module 1: Introduction to AI in Marketing
- The Basics of AI – Concepts and Terminology
- The Basics of AI – Concepts and Terminology
- Module 2: Leveraging AI Tools and Technologies
Overview of AI Tools for Marketing
- Module 3: Practical Strategies for AI Integration
Integrating AI into Your Marketing Workflow
- Module 4: Measuring AI-Driven Marketing Effectiveness
Key Metrics for Assessing AI-Driven Campaigns
- Module 5: Real-Life Case Studies and Success Stories
Case Studies of Firms Successfully Using AI in Marketing
Module 6: Developing Your AI-Enabled Marketing Strategy
Creating a Custom AI Marketing Strategy
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Design custom AI chatbots tailored to specific business needs and use casesEvaluate different AI platforms to select the most appropriate solutionImplement security measures to protect sensitive data in AI applicationsDevelop AI agents that can operate autonomously with minimal guidanceCreate effective repository for training specialized AI assistantsAnalyze the performance and effectiveness of deployed AI chatbotsIntegrate AI assistants into existing workflows and systems
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Fundamentals of GPT Builder and AI agent customization techniques
- Integration of specialized knowledge bases and domain-specific expertise
- Security and privacy considerations in AI chatbot deployment
- Custom GPT development without coding expertise
- Implementation of AI agents for customer support and workflow automation
- Multi-bot interactions and content creation strategies
- Best practices for maintaining and scaling AI assistants
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.
Speakers:
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
Most of the models of work that we use today were not built for the pace of change and the dynamism of work today. In this course, you will learn how so many models we use at work are fundamentally broken and no longer useful. Models that rely on people staying a long time in a firm are no longer helpful in a reality where employees are staying for increasingly shorter periods with their employers. This course will reveal how so much of the architecture of work was not built with short tenure in mind: career paths, compensation, and retention objectives.
Speakers:
Steve Cadigan
Leaders were once chosen for their character, but today we live in an age where loudmouthed extroverts seem to take center stage in everything, including business, politics and entertainment. While the talkative, charismatic leader makes the front page of business magazines, recent research shows that successful business leaders tend to be more reserved, pensive and sometimes outright shy. Learn why your desire to spend significant time inside your own head may be your greatest asset. Whether you are introverted or not, you likely work with, manage or are a related to an introvert. We will discuss proven methods to better understand introverts, how to manage them, and how to get the most out of their amazing talents. If you want to enhance your leadership skills, this seminar is for you.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Bob Mims, CPA
How good are you with the technology you use daily? What new technology tools are available that could save you time and make you more effective? Technology continues to accelerate rapidly, and the need to keep pace is essential. If you are not an information technology (IT) expert but need a technology update to maintain and improve your skills to serve your companies or clients more efficiently and effectively, this course is for you!
In this fast-paced, update-style course, you will survey today’s IT environment, learning about computer hardware, software (including Microsoft Office), operating systems (including Windows 10), and what they mean for you, and peripheral devices. You will also learn about significant trends in information technology and how to take advantage of the opportunities presented by these trends. Examples include the latest Excel features, working with PDF files, and security and privacy issues. Additionally, you will learn how to improve the overall performance of your IT investment, thereby increasing your return on investment.
Throughout this program, you will learn from real-time demonstrations of practical applications of the latest tools, which can provide you with the knowledge you need to harness the power of technology, both now and in the future. Register now for this “don’t miss” opportunity to get the skills required to enhance the value of your IT investment.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Presently, over seven million businesses use QuickBooks Online. However, these businesses often struggle to get the reports they need. In some cases, they are limited because of their chosen subscription. However, necessary reports are available in other cases, yet users do not know how to access them. Join us in this session to learn about better reporting options in QuickBooks Online.
In this session, you will learn how to create and customize your reports in QuickBooks Online. You will learn about Standard, Custom, and Management reports. You will also learn about the new Spreadsheet Sync tool that allows you to create customized reports, including multi-company reports in Excel. If you use QuickBooks Online and want to improve reporting, this session is for you!
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Objectives:
- Understand the prophetic financial issues for the CFO/Controller including:
- Professional skepticism and the CPA
- Becoming attuned to broad-based business knowledge
- Becoming a futurist to effectively lead your organization to success
Presenters:
Frank Ryan, CPA
Field of Study:
Accounting (4), Business Management and Organization (4)
Major Topics:
- CPA becoming attuned to broad based business knowledge, professional skepticism, and subordination of judgment
- The future of medical care in the United States in a post COVID-19 environment
- Future of social security and impact on retirement planning and employee retention
- Impact on financial executive if the dollar is no longer the world currency
- “Fate of the States” – will the location of your business make you less competitive
- Future of workmen’s compensation and unemployment compensation
- Future of interest rates
- Impact of greater reliance on technology
- AICPA top 10 trends and technologies
- National infrastructure
- ESG and DEI trends in the global economy
- Impact of continuing uncertainty in markets
The RMD rules are complex and must be simplified to help ensure clients understand them. Accounting and finance professionals must understand the basics of RMDs for IRAs and employer plan accounts so as to help IRA owners, plan participants, and beneficiaries meet their RMD obligations and avoid penalties that apply to RMDs not taken by their applicable deadline. Accounting and finance professionals should also be able to demonstrate tax-efficient solutions for RMDs.
This course will walk accounting and finance professionals through the fundamental concepts and rules that apply to RMDs, demonstrate how to calculate RMDs, and explain how to correct RMD errors. It can be taken by anyone, including those without any experience working with RMDs.
The course will include cases to promote understanding of the rules.
Objectives:
- Understand what Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are, why they exist, and the accounts to which they apply
- Recognize the important deadlines for starting and taking RMDs, including the consequences of missing an RMD deadline and how to avoid penalties
- Calculate RMDs using IRS tables, account balances, and other impacting data
- Recognize common scenarios where RMDs apply for IRA owners, employer plan participants, and beneficiaries.
Presenters:
Denise Appleby, MJ, APA, CISP, CRPS, CRC
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- How SECURE Act 1.0 and SECURE Act 2.0 changed the RMD rules
- What is an RMD?
- Who is subject to RMDs?
- The types of accounts subject to RMDs
- How to calculate an RMD
- How to determine if a distribution can be an RMD
- How to determine which life expectancy table must be used when calculating an RMD
- The rollover and transfer rules during an RMD year
- IRS penalties for non-compliance with RMD regulations
- Applying RMD strategies to different plan types
- When RMDs can and cannot be aggregated
- How to correct an RMD shortfall
- How to get a waiver of the excise tax on an RMD failure
- The tax implication of an RMD
- How to donate an RMD tax-free
- How to determine the RMD rules that apply to a beneficiary
Objectives:
- Understand the importance of confidentiality and safekeeping of information in the accounting and finance professions, as outlined by professional conduct rules
- Identify the potential causes and consequences of a major cybersecurity breach
- Be familiar with email security best practices to mitigate the risk of phishing attacks and unauthorized access to sensitive information
- Understand security measures for remote work environments, including securing home networks and being cautious of phishing attempts
- Recognize the risks associated with IoT devices and public Wi-Fi networks, and implement strategies to mitigate these risks
- Understand the benefits of using a VPN for encrypting internet traffic and protecting against cyber threats while using public Wi-Fi networks
- Gain awareness of common phishing scams targeting text messages and phone calls, and learn techniques to identify and avoid falling victim to these scams
- Appreciate the importance of data loss prevention measures, including data classification, policy development, access controls, and endpoint security
- Understand the risks associated with third-party file sharing services and cloud storage, and learn best practices for securely sharing and storing sensitive information
- Recognize the importance of multi-factor authentication and other security measures in protecting against unauthorized access to confidential data
- Understand the potential risks and ethical considerations associated with the use of artificial intelligence and data profiling in the context of privacy and security
- Develop a culture of security awareness and cooperation within the organization, including effective communication channels for reporting security incidents and seeking assistance
Presenters:
Mark McCreary, CIPP/US
Field of Study:
Information Technology (2)
Major Topics:
- Obligations of confidentiality and safekeeping
- Security best practices to apply beyond work
- Likely causes and effects of a large-scale cyberattack
- Email security best practices
- Remote work security
- Mobile device security
- Internet of Things (IoT) risks
- Public Wi-Fi risk and the importance of using a VPN
- Recognizing and avoiding text message/phone call phishing
- Data loss prevention (DLP)
Objectives:
- Describe the different levels of authority in tax law
- Differentiate between the different types of administrative authority in tax law
- Identify the different courts that hear cases involving tax law
- Illustrate the organization of the Internal Revenue Code, the Treasury Regulations, and Revenue Rulings
- Identify the circumstances when a client may want to consider requesting a private letter ruling
- Differentiate between primary and secondary pieces of authority
- Illustrate the steps to the tax research process and the parts of a tax research memorandum
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Tax code hierarchy
- Organization of an Internal Revenue Code section
- Special rules for IRC citation
- Citing other primary authority
- Private letter rulings
- Primary vs. secondary authority
- Secondary sources of authority
- Steps in the tax research process
- Research memoranda
Objectives:
- Understand and explain the taxation and reporting procedures for nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) arrangements
- Distinguish between incentive stock options (ISOs) and nonqualified stock options (NQSOs) in terms of taxation and reporting requirements
- Describe the tax treatment and reporting procedures for restricted stock awards
- Differentiate between the taxation and reporting requirements for stock appreciation rights (SARs) and stock options
- Discuss the taxation and reporting considerations for phantom stock plans
- Explain the tax benefits, reporting procedures, and participant eligibility for employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs)
- Understand the tax consequences and reporting requirements of stock bonus plans
- Outline the tax incentives, contribution limits, and reporting procedures for employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs)
- Interpret and analyze the tax forms and schedules used for reporting executive compensation
- Recognize and prevent common tax reporting errors associated with executive compensation plans
- Formulate strategies for stock sale reporting, estimated taxes, filing deadlines and extensions, and state taxation
Presenters:
Daniel Johnson
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC)
- Nonqualified stock options (NQSOs)
- Incentive stock options (ISOs)
- Restricted stock/restricted stock units (RSUs)
- Stock appreciation rights (SARs) and phantom stock
- Employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs)
- Applicable tax forms and schedules
- Stock sale reporting
- Estimated taxes
- Filing deadlines and extensions
- State taxation
Objectives:
- Prepare attendees for changes in the depreciation rules taking place in 2026 and after
- Alert attendees to potential changes in bonus depreciation taking place in 2026 and after
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Bruce Johnson, MBA, CEM
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- President Trump’s promise to restore full bonus depreciation effective January 20, 2025
- Bonus and Section 179 depreciation rules for 2025
- 2025 legislative changes that could extend the TCJA depreciation changes for many years or even make them permanent
- Possible return of 100% bonus depreciation
- What will the depreciation rules be in 2026 and beyond if the TCJA depreciation rules are not extended beyond 2025
- Section 179 expensing rules for 2025 and beyond, including how Section 179 applies to business vehicles
- 2025 rules for vehicle depreciation
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the authority of the IRS to assess penalties.
Recognize the common types of penalties that can be abated.
Develop a plan to request penalty abatement.
Review real examples of successful penalty abatement.
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- The authority of the IRS in assessing tax penalties.
- The types of penalties that can be removed.
- The process the IRS uses to evaluate penalty abatements.
- How to request penalty abatements.
- Best practices in asking for penalty abatement, including using appeals.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to ...
Select the most appropriate Excel functions and features for specific tasks, ensuring optimal efficiency and accuracy in data management and reporting across a range of business applications.
Apply advanced Excel features like PivotTables and Array Formulas to streamline complex data analysis and enhance reporting accuracy in diverse professional contexts.
Differentiate between the uses of custom sorting and slicers in Excel to enhance data presentation and facilitate more efficient data navigation and analysis.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Excel Tables: Master the use of Excel tables for efficient data management, including sorting, filtering, and structured references, to manage data more effectively.
- Custom Sorting: Get to grips with custom sorting options to organize data in a way that best suits your needs, enhancing data readability and analysis.
- XLOOKUP: Discover the power of XLOOKUP for advanced data retrieval, a game-changer for complex analysis, allowing you to extract specific data from extensive datasets with ease.
- SUBTOTAL: Gain proficiency in using the SUBTOTAL function, a versatile tool for calculating data in visible cells, ideal for analyses that require dynamic calculations.
- SUMIF(S): Explore the functionality of SUMIF and SUMIFS functions for conditional summing, crucial for precise budgeting, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
- Array Formulas: Dive into array formulas to perform multiple calculations on one or more items in an array, enhancing the efficiency of complex accounting computations.
- Data Validations: Learn to implement data validations to ensure data integrity and prevent errors in financial data entry, a critical skill for maintaining accurate accounting records.
- Slicers: Learn to use slicers for interactive data segmentation in tables and PivotTables, enabling accountants to quickly filter and analyze specific subsets of financial data.
- Conditional Formatting: Understand how to apply conditional formatting to highlight critical financial data points, trends, and variances, making data analysis and interpretation more intuitive.
- PivotTables: An introduction to PivotTables, one of the most powerful Excel features, for summarizing, analyzing, and presenting large sets of financial data in a digestible format.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall relevant provisions of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
Understand factors that allowed selected frauds to occur.
Recognize controls that may have prevented or mitigated selected frauds.
Consider application of these lessons to circumstances you encounter in your professional endeavors
Apply ethical guidance to scenarios that accounting professionals may encounter in public practice.
Instructor:
Dr. Christopher J. Harper, CPA, MBA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Salient provisions the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
- Examination of actual frauds
- Discussion of internal controls that could have prevented or mitigated actual frauds
- Contemplation of epiphanies for your own professional scenarios.
- Implications for professional conduct and compliance with professional standards
Objectives:
- Name legal principles and definitions essential to estate planning
- Identify best practices for working closely with legal counsel
- List main property law concepts
- Identify complex community property issues
- Determine best methods for filing special forms: Form SS-4, Form 56, Form 4810, Form 5495
- Arrange an executor checklist
Presenters:
Bob Keebler, CPA/PFS, MST, AEP (Distinguished), CGMA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Legal principles and definitions
- Trust accounting issues
- Working closely with legal counsel proactively in the best interest of the client
- Property law concepts
- Complex community property issues
- Filing special forms: Form SS-4, Form 56, Form 4810, and Form 5495
- Executor checklist
- The basics of filing a Form 1041 for an estate or non-grantor trust
- Filing a final Form 709
- The basics of filing Form 706
- Understanding 706 elections
- Understanding Estate Valuations, including GST and portability
- Special considerations for IRAs and ERISA plans
- When to make Section 454 elections
- When to make Section 754 elections
- Understanding the fine points of basis
- S corp issues
- Partnership and LLC considerations
- Passive loss carryforwards and estates
- Fiscal year elections
- 65-day election for trusts and estates
- Tax aspects of pecuniary and specific bequests
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify basic constructs of AI.
Distinguish between discriminative and generative artificial intelligence, and
Analyze AI improvement efforts to properly account for an organization.
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- An overview of AI constructs.
- How artificial intelligence is being used by accountants today.
- Accounting-centric AI developments on the horizon.
The standard also requires information about the following categories:
- disaggregation of revenue
- contract balances
- performance obligations
This webinar will deal directly with disclosure requirements for the standard. Several courses currently exist on the platform related to an overview of the standard and deep dive into individual steps of the standards.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Tracy Cooper, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Jane Mims, PhD.
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.
Speakers:
Jane Mims, PhD.
It's time to change the way you think and operate in your role. You need to move from doer to leader. You're familiar with the saying that if you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.
In this workshop, you'll learn key strategies that are unique and critical to women to be successful in their careers. These strategies will help you grow, expand and elevate yourself professionally.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Create a three step plan that allows you to be a more strategic and influential leader.
Practice increasing your confidence even in the most uncertain situations.
Determine your next step to build a supportive and engaging community around you.
Instructor:
Tara Whitney, CPA, ACC
Fields of Study:
Personal Development
Major Topics:
- How to increase your visibility instead of flying under the radar.
- Critical time management techniques that allow you to focus and prioritize the right strategic initiatives.
- How your inner critic operates and how to silence it.
- How to build a network of community support and mentoring.
- What impostor syndrome is and how it may be holding you back.
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
On the financial front, the course covers the 9 ASUs issued in 2023, including ASUs covering crypto assets and leases for common control entities. In addition to a financial accounting update, the course will discuss what you will need to do differently as you adopt new audit standards 142–149 over the next few years, including a detailed review of the audit requirements under SAS 142. The course will also cover the key changes related to SSARS No. 25. Finally, the course reviews the AICPA’s quality management project.
In summary, the course is your go-to source for all things A&A and will prepare you for your upcoming engagements throughout the rest of the year.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Jason Carney, CPA, PMP, CISA
Field of Study:
Accounting (4), Auditing (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this course, you will be able to...
Select a recruiting process and strategies for attracting and hiring diverse talent in accord with ethical principles
Identify how to plan for the employment
Distinguish how to conduct a legal and ethical interview.
Recognize the importance of employer branding in the recruitment process.
Indicate how bias can play out in the selection process and suggestions to minimize bias.>
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz and Jennifer Sullivan
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Discussion of ethical and effective recruiting strategies
- Selection processes that foster diversity and inclusion
- How to increase talent pools to ensure hiring success
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Apply the passive activity and flow-through entity rules for "self-rental property" and show how these situations should be reported on various tax forms
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Definition of self-rental property - both for Sections 199A and 469
- Self-rental income from directly owned properties and reporting on Form 1040, Schedule E, page 1
- Self-rental income from indirectly owned (partnerships, S corporations) and reporting on Form 1040, Schedule E, page 2
- Form 8582 (passive activity)
- The flow-through entity grouping election
- Illustrative examples and consequences of failing to comply with the reporting standards
- Self-rental property and "former passive activities" rules
Participants will explore various aspects of data modeling such as establishing relationships, creating calculated columns, and understanding the intricacies of basic DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) measures. These skills are vital for anyone looking to extract meaningful insights from large and complex datasets.
Attendees will be introduced to advanced concepts such as the strategic use of calculated columns versus measures, and the differentiation between explicit and implicit measures. This knowledge is crucial for developing sophisticated data models that not only provide accurate results but are also efficient in terms of performance. The course will also cover the creation and use of hierarchies and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), essential for any robust data analysis framework. To ensure that the learning is well-rounded and applicable, the course includes practical exercises in using pivot tables within Power BI. This helps in validating and enhancing the measures and models created, ensuring they are robust and reliable for real-world application.
"Build a Data Model for Analysis in Power BI" is an essential course for professionals aiming to leverage the full potential of Power BI 's data model. Whether you're looking to streamline your data analysis process, enhance your reporting capabilities, or drive insightful business decisions, this course will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Apply fundamental principles of data modeling in Power BI to integrate various data sources effectively.
Determine the most appropriate scenarios for using calculated columns versus measures in Power BI data analysis.
Choose and implement the correct type of DAX measures (explicit or implicit) for specific data modeling needs.
Use pivot tables in Power BI to validate and refine data measures, ensuring accuracy and reliability in reporting.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Data Modeling Essentials: Understanding the core concepts of data modeling in Power BI, including integration of various data sources.
- Building Relationships: Techniques to establish and manage relationships between different data sets.
- Calculated Columns and Basic DAX Measures: Introduction to DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) and its application in creating calculated columns and basic measures.
- Calculated Columns vs Measures: Insights into when to use calculated columns and when to opt for measures.
- Explicit vs Implicit Measures: Understanding the difference and appropriate application of explicit and implicit measures in data analysis.
- Hierarchies in Data: Creating and utilizing hierarchies to enhance data analysis and reporting.
- Using Pivot Tables to Validate Measures: Practical skills in using pivot tables within Power BI to validate and refine measures.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
Increased appreciation for the role and importance of the Code of Professional Conduct.
Review five basic rules applicable to members in business.
Increased awareness of the threats to noncompliance faced by members in business and industry per the Conceptual Framework
Enhanced ethics-related critical thinking skills through case analysis.
Instructor:
Albert D. Spalding, JD, PhD, CPA/CFF
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
- Ethics for Members in Business: Why Bother?
- Re-Introducing the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
- The Basic Ethics Rules for Members in Business
- The Conceptual Framework: Avoiding the Risk of Noncompliance
- Case Analysis: Members in Business
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
Objectives:
- Understand the process of project management
- Provide management and organizational techniques to establish the necessary environment for success and provide examples of alternative approaches to the process
- Demonstrate the use of analytical tools to assist throughout the process. These tools/techniques can improve the outcome of each step from selecting a project through planning, implementing, controlling, and when necessary, modifying the project.
- Identify traps that frequently occur, and steps to manage through them
- Find references for further research
Presenters:
Tony La Russo, BA, MBA, CMA
Field of Study:
Accounting (1), Business Management and Organization (1)
Major Topics:
- Establishing a system: identifying forces that support the status quo; setting milestones and goals; the role of the CMA
- Necessary first steps: set a framework for the project’s activities; identify needed resources; obtain support; decide on a structure; establish a team for a specific project; identify necessary team skill sets
- Project evaluation: analytical tools, strategic evaluation; sources of risk
- Maintaining focus: monitoring and measuring results; keeping to the project’s scope
- Avoiding frequent traps: sunk costs; financing pitfalls; project creep; tunnel vision; failure to integrate the team’s work internally and/or the final project with the remaining organization
- Introduction and examples of analytical tools throughout the session: mapping; CPM; Gantt charts; benchmarking; Pareto analysis; PESTLE analysis; valuation techniques; post-completion evaluations
Objectives:
- Describe the factors affecting the value of a business
- Compare and contrast market value, investment value, bankruptcy value, and going concern value
- List the key differences between technical and fundamental analysis
- Calculate intrinsic value using discounted cash flow methods, such as the GGM and the H-Model
- Calculate intrinsic value using free cash flow
- Calculate the gains and losses to the buyer/seller in a merger/acquisition
- List key discounts when valuing privately held companies
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge (2)
Major Topics:
- What does value mean?
- Technical vs. fundamental analysis
- Intrinsic value
- Other discounted cash flow models
- Assumptions in the Gordon Growth Model
- Valuations using free cash flows
- Residual income model
- Enterprise value
- Value in mergers and acquisitions
- Small business valuations and discounts
- Advanced valuation models
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Identify the impact of ASUs that are effective in 2024 on financial reporting
Recognize the impact of the lease modification on financial reporting
Identify FASB ASUs that will be effective after 2024
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Accounting Standard Updates effective in 2024 for public entities, private entities, and nonprofits.
- Review year 2 implications of the leases standard including modification accounting.
- A look at the projects identified by the FASB's Invitation to Comment: Agenda Consultation.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available for your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify minimum understanding and documentation requirements if the auditor does not intend to rely on internal controls.
Recognize internal controls of less-sophisticated, small-to-medium sized audit clients.
Utilize identified internal controls for an efficient, risk-based approach to audits conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
Document your procedures and related conclusions
Instructor:
Chris Harper, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Specific matters auditors should consider when obtaining and documenting an understanding of the client's internal control system
- Development of a tailored audit approach that considers the potential reliance on internal controls
- Guidance for establishing an adequate basis for reliance on internal controls of less formal, smaller clients
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
If you are efficient and want to learn lessons from the best in a short time, this seminar is for you. Popular speaker Don Minges will review the key lessons from five fantastic business books that will help you become more effective. The topics are; leadership, how to create a valuable business, how to turnaround a business, how to make terrific presentations and how do humans think? These lessons are valuable for every business leader.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
Mike and his co-presenters will dispense news on current events impacting taxes, finance, and industry. The subject matter will differ each week and intermittently include topics such as Social Security and Medicare. The panelists will discuss personal and corporate tax matters as well as other late-breaking news related to practitioners’ personal finances and those of their clients.
Every financial professional will benefit from this series. This is a cost-effective way for accountants to fulfill their compulsory continuing education because this weekly series will include almost 40 one-hour presentations. Sign up today — your clients and your bottom line will thank you.
Objectives:
- Be well informed on current topics impacting taxes, finance, and industry
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (1)
Major Topics:
- Each week’s topics will change based on the most critical issues affecting financial professionals
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize the key concepts and nomenclature related to ChatGPT and generative AI
Identify opportunities to leverage the power of ChatGPT in your organization
Determine how to integrate ChatGPT into your daily work
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Overview of the current landscape for AI in business
- History of ChatGPT and generative AI
- Fundamentals of generative AI technology and related nomenclature
- ABC's of how to use ChatGPT
- Demonstration of practical ChatGPT applications for accounting, finance and tax
- A word of caution: What you should be concerned about
- Developing a ChatGPT usage policy for your firm / business
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Stay in compliance with ethics requirements
Recall recent standard-setting projects and changes to the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
Analyze the regulatory requirements created by other state boards of accountancy, the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, and recent regulatory initiatives
Apply these standards in practice.
Instructor:
Allison M. Henry, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Stay in compliance with recent ethics standards changes that impact your practice.
- Learn about key regulatory changes and initiatives impacting CPAs and the future of the profession.
- Discuss emerging issues and standard-setting activity that could affect your practice in the future.
- Explore practical applications of the standards and hear about common practice issues and challenges. Examples include private equity, technology, tax planning, audit quality, regulatory enforcement and standard-setting environment.
- Learn how failure to follow the standards can result in unwanted regulatory actions and publicity.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the rules to get the IRS to disclose information
Request pertinent information from the IRS
Evaluate the information recorded in IRS transcripts
Recognize the potential leads on individual and business tax returns
Conduct an analysis of information into a spreadsheet
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The rules of IRS disclosure of tax information
- Understanding the role of IRS transcripts
- Interpreting the actions of the IRS in transcripts
- FOIA requests
- Analyzing tax information and returns for financial leads
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the historical view of U.S. taxation.
Distinguish between industrial hemp and marijuana.
Recall the definition of income as defined by I.R.C. 61.
Apply the restrictions and limitations of 280E and 471.
Examine state marijuana laws.
Recognize the challenges of a cash-intensive business.
Analyze relevant federal court cases.
Instructor:
Mary Jane Hourani, MM, EA, NTPI Fellow
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Industrial hemp vs. marijuana.
- Income definitions under I.R.C. §61.
- Tax code restrictions: §280E and §471.
- State-specific marijuana laws.
- Cash management in cannabis businesses.
- Federal court case analysis.
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.
Speakers:
James R Laird, CPA/ABV, CVA
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!
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
"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!"
Speakers:
Chuck Gallagher
The updated 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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Jane Mims, PhD.
We will also discuss recent proposed rulemaking by FinCen with respect to nonfinanced purchases of residential real estate and gratuitous transfers so that businesses can prepare for any additional reporting burdens that might arise.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the CTA's reporting requirements for certain businesses.
Identify how the business will file its reporting requirements with FinCEN relating to the beneficial owners
Identify who must file a report and what information must be provided
Recall the necessary information needed for each Reporting Company.
Identify which individuals must be included in the report.
Recognize which entities are excepted from filing.
Recall what penalties are imposed for not reporting on a timely basis
Formulate a plan for reporting post-NSB.
Compare the potential implications of FinCen's proposed rulemaking with respect to non-financed purchases of residential real estate and gratuitous transfers.
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Background of the Corporate Transparency Act
- Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting (BOIR) Rule
- Entities required to report.
- Reporting requirements imposed by the CTA
- Due dates of reports
- Information needed to satisfy the BOIR
- Impact of failure to report
- How to submit a report
- Court rulings on CTA’s unconstitutionality
- Implications to entities as a result of the ruling in NSB.
- Potential reporting requirements due to FinCen’s proposed rulemaking with respect to non-financed purchases of residential real estate and gratuitous transfers.
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.
Speakers:
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the essential privacy, security, and compliance considerations when working with Generative AI technologies.
Identify best practices for secure data sharing with GPT models.
Evaluate the do's and don'ts of AI policy implementation to ensure regulatory adherence.
Analyze AI copyright compliance and its implications for your organization.
Assess the increasing threat of deepfakes and their potential impact on fraud and misinformation.
Apply ethical AI practices to uphold data ethics and safeguard sensitive information.
Design strategies to mitigate risks associated with AI deployment in professional environments.
Implement robust security measures to protect data integrity and confidentiality.
Create comprehensive AI policies that align with industry standards and legal requirements.
Monitor ongoing AI activities to ensure continuous compliance and ethical usage.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction: What is AI Security, Privacy and Compliance (AISPC)?
- Why AI Security, Privacy and Compliance (AISPC) is Increasingly Important for Accountants
- AISPC Policy Best Practices
- Key Tactical Questions for Addressing Data Security and Privacy
- OpenAI and Compliance with Government Regulations
- OpenAI and Two-Factor Authentication
- Other OpenAI Security, Privacy and Compliance Considerations
- Best Practices for Secure Data Sharing with GPT
- How to Create a GenAI and ChatGPT Usage Policy for Your Operations
- General AI Policy Do’s and Don’ts
- AI Copyright Compliance & Protection Guide
- Deepfakes and Synthetic Media: A New Frontier for Fraud and Misinformation
- From Financial Oversight to AI Governance: The Sarbanes-Oxley Legacy and Accountants' New Frontier in AI Security, Privacy, Compliance and Ethics
- Key Takeaways
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall reasons to create controls such as to reduce errors, thwart fraud or enhance efficiency
Distinguish between proactively and reactively created measures
Identify control type segments such as administrative or operation level measures
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
- Control design basics
- Areas or segments of an enterprise to control
- Controls to reduce risk
- Controls to drive operations
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.
Speakers:
Jane Mims, PhD.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze today's market place to help advisors with their clients.
Instructor:
Katana Abbott, CFP, CSA
Fields of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The need to fund for long-term care in America
- Client's attitudes and misconceptions
- Innovative long-term care solutions and funding
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.
Speakers:
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
Leaders have the right to exercise customary management functions. Employees have the right to be kept free from discrimination. Neither employer rights nor employee rights are absolute. The courts are equally protective of the rights of employees and employers. A courtroom is the wrong place for anyone to find this out. This course provides practical knowledge on how to effectively balancing these two sets of rights, such that employees and leaders stay out of court. Employers avoid lawsuits, rather than win lawsuits.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
The tools for managing performance and addressing misconduct are not identical. The failure to point this out to leaders has often resulted in the use of the wrong tool. Reinforcing good performance and securing improvements in performance requires skill in coaching employees, making effective requests, and providing effective feedback This course provides practical knowledge and scripts for setting, communicating, and enforcing performance expectations, such that personal and employer liability is avoided.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
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).
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
Do you often hear people complaining about coworkers or other departments? Do you have talented people with the right skills who struggle to collaborate and cooperate as a team? You’re not alone. This can be a common situation when people’s values, beliefs and their approach to solving problems differ. The key is to help everyone understand that our differences aren't bad – they’re interesting and extremely valuable.
In this course, Tina guides you through tools and activities you can use to help your people (and yourself) broaden their perspective so they can more easily cooperate, collaborate, and communicate with the people around them. This program explores ways to help them connect, from personality assessments to team building activities. When coworkers or team-members understand each other better, it's easier to appreciate their differences.
Speakers:
Tina Hallis, Ph.D.
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.
Speakers:
Joy Principe
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.
Speakers:
Summer Jelinek
The world of work today has never before faced so many simultaneous changes. From rising turnover and rising employee disengagement to the changing psychology of the workforce, the world of work is changing fast. In order to understand how to thrive in this complex landscape - we must begin by understanding the key drivers of change. What is changing in the world of work, why are these changes happening, and what can we expect will continue to change and what may not change. These are the elements we will explore in this class.
Speakers:
Steve Cadigan
This course aims to reveal many examples of companies, leaders and industries who are building new talent models. The world of work is less certain than ever before and this world requires experimentation. In this course you will learn about many experiments that organizations are deploying to build a new model that fits the pace of change the world is experiencing today. IN this course we will consider many new models and approaches and learn from them. In a world of work with few benchmarks - today organizations need to learn how to experiment and become the benchmark.
Speakers:
Steve Cadigan
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
Why not learn, or re-learn, some amazing business lessons from the past that are still effective today? What did Henry Ford do when annual employee turnover was 370% and workers demanded more pay? Sound familiar to today’s world? Ford’s solution worked! We see today’s problems and believe that these problems have never occurred before. Not true. We will discuss timeless business lessons that are as practical today as when they were written decades ago. We will review; ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People,’ ‘Today and Tomorrow,’ and ‘The Art of War.’ Let's learn from the very best, as these lessons have been battle-tested and proven over time.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
If a great leader is someone we are willing to sacrifice for – what do those leaders do that makes us want to do more? Many of us work in dysfunctional organizations that want followers, but have no leaders that lead. What makes a leader effective? True leaders sacrifice, they are trustworthy and they empathize. We discuss the steps to take so you can become a true leader: including, integrity, humility, communication, self-control and self-awareness. With diligence, you can become a better leader and we will discuss how.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Jane Mims, PhD.
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Charla Welch
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)*****
Speakers:
Andy Sexton
Chad Ayers
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!
Speakers:
Summer Jelinek
Objectives:
- Identify who is entitled to retirement benefits and in what amounts
- Identify factors to consider in determining when to take benefits
- Discuss taxation of Social Security benefits and how this impacts other income tax planning
- Identify and describe the potential effects of retirement and estate planning strategies and tactics that can enhance overall retirement
- Explain Medicare and the prescription drug provision; describe the basic supplementary insurance plans that are available to fill in the gaps in basic Medicare coverage
Presenters:
Michael Frost, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- Legislative developments
- A full chapter devoted to determining the best planning options for maximizing joint Social Security benefits
- Retirement benefits: Amount of benefits in various circumstances; how the amounts are distributed within the family unit
- Qualification: Has the client retired? How business entities may be used for Social Security advantage
- Income taxation of Social Security: avoidance tactics
- Spousal benefits: Should a spouse return to work? What benefits does a spouse have and when and how do they relate to benefits decisions by the client?
- When can hiring the spouse increase overall benefits? Why should both spouses qualify for survivor benefits?
- Disability benefits
- When to start Social Security benefits: Advantages and disadvantages at ages 62, full retirement age, and 70
- Coordinating benefits: Should you take Social Security first and higher-balance IRA distributions later, or take IRA balances first and enhanced Social Security benefits later?
- Pensions: Distribution strategies; how to use the minimum distribution rules in concert with Social Security benefits
- IRAs: Is it time to convert to a Roth?
- Medicare, Part D prescription drugs: what retirees need to know
Objectives:
- Obtain a working knowledge of the not-for-profit financial reporting requirements
- Skillfully prepare a not-for-profit’s financial statements with superior knowledge of accounting and reporting requirements
- Effectively apply today’s core not-for-profit accounting requirements
Presenters:
Charlie Blanton, CPA
Field of Study:
Accounting (Governmental) (8)
Major Topics:
- Key requirements, options, and disclosures related to each of the basic financial statements
- The reporting of functional and natural expense information
- Requirements related to providing liquidity and availability of financial assets information
- Core not-for-profit accounting requirements related to conditional and unconditional contributions, promises to give, contributed services, net assets, special events, the classification of expenses, and more
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
This course is designed to bring planning, budgeting, and forecasting together into one fully aligned process that is easier, more efficient, and fully engages all parts of the organization. Rather than the plan being owned by the finance department, it is owned and followed by everyone from the CEO to the entry-level employee.
Objectives:
- Understand how to integrate a budget, strategic plan, and forecast into one system
- See how the integrated plan helps the organization
- Identify how planning causes greater accountability for the company
- Perform various EVA and cash flow analysis in capital planning
- Understand how to make planning more politically acceptable in the organization
Presenters:
Art Pulis, MBA
Field of Study:
Management Services (4)
Major Topics:
- The keys that develop a plan into an actionable document
- The major difference between planning and budgeting
- Strategic planning
- The business plan
- The people plan
- The marketing plan
- Capital and technology plans
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify opportunities to leverage ChatGPT to improve your Excel skills and productivity
Use ChatGPT with Excel formulas
Recall the best practices for using ChatGPT with Excel
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
- Introduction to ChatGPT and other AI (Artificial Intelligence) language models
- Discussion of best practices for using ChatGPT with Excel
- Use ChatGPT to create, debug and explain formulas
- Use ChatGPT to learn how to use Excel features
- Use ChatGPT to automate repetitive tasks in Excel
- Use ChatGPT to easily create macros
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Distinguish the financial accounting and tax aspect of S corporation and partnerships with special emphasis on accounting for capital accounts
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Review the Accounting Standards Codification, OCBOA/Special Purpose Frameworks, and AICPA financial reporting framework and their application to partnerships, LLCs and S corporations
- Financial accounting issues arising from changes in ownership
- Financial vs. tax accounting for partnership/LLC capital accounts
- Section 704(b) substantial economic effect rules and their relation to financial accounting
- The integration of financial accounting with Forms 1065 and 1120S
- Financial accounting basis for ownership interests vs. tax accounting basis for ownership interests
- Deferred tax accounting for partnerships/LLCs and S corporations
- Financial accounting for the operations of a partnership/LLC
- Financial accounting impact of the C to S election and the S to C election
- Financial and tax accounting for S corporation shareholder equity and partner capital accounts
- Financial vs. tax accounting for loans to and from S corporations and their shareholders
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recall enterprise-wide risk management best practices for identifying, evaluating, and determining how to respond to relevant risks.
Recognize the importance of risk and uncertainty disclosures in the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements, including evolving risks with cybersecurity and ESG.
Identify how to coordinate risk management efforts, including the required involvement of corporate governance.
Recall how to embed risk management into day-to-day accounting and finance activities.
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Management Services
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Enterprise-wide risk management best practices for identifying, evaluating, and determining how to respond to relevant risks.
- The importance of risk and uncertainty disclosures in the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements, including evolving risks with cybersecurity and ESG.
- Coordinating risk management efforts, including the required involvement of corporate governance.
- How to embed risk management into day-to-day accounting and finance activities.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the various ways that data can be misleading.
Recognize that data interpretation is affected by many factors.
Identify how these factors can lead to pitfalls in interpretation.
Overcome data interpretation pitfalls.
Instructor:
Keely Gohl, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Ways in which data and information can be misleading
- Common pitfalls when encountering data
- How to re-evaluate the data to avoid those pitfalls
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize the potential to leverage all the Microsoft 365 apps
Identify which app(s) to utilize for specific business processes
Select the proper sequence for deploying the Microsoft 365 apps for your organization
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Lightning round review of the following apps, with an explanation and demonstration of what each of them offers
- Teams - the foundation of all that you do in Microsoft 365
- SharePoint / OneDrive - secure cloud storage
- Power BI - the new financial reporting model
- Stream - the YouTube for your organization
- Bookings - streamline your appointment scheduling
- OneNote - get your content organized for quick retrieval
- Lists - create custom list tracking reports
- To Do - consolidate all your Outlook, Planner and general "to do's" in one app
- Planner - manage simple and complex engagements and projects in an intuitive app
- A quick look at many of the remaining apps
This session reviews the three elements of fraud, how fraudsters think, how proper internal controls can prevent and detect fraud, and the red flags to look for to identify fraud. It looks at Radar O'Reilly, one of the most beloved characters of the TV show M*A*S*H. He was trusted by his boss to run the administrative side of the US Army medical unit. Were there red flags all around Radar? Did he have the opportunity to steal? Was he a fraudster? We'll find out? Attendees learn to recognize the traits of this type fraudster that are present in many organization. Case studies of various Radars are included.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
This comprehensive 8-hour course explores the pervasive issue of fraud in State and Local governments. Our panel of experts from inside and outside government will provide participants with the tools and knowledge necessary to identify, prevent, and respond to fraudulent activities in State and local governments.
The course begins by examining the types of fraud commonly encountered in governmental settings, including financial fraud, procurement fraud, and abuse of power. With our experienced panelists, participants will delve into real-world case studies to understand the tactics used by fraudsters and the impact on public trust, resources, and governance. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding regulatory frameworks and compliance measures designed to mitigate fraud risks.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Mr. Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
Daniel Porter
Cindy Byrd
Objectives:
- Recognize when and why a lookup function is better than a direct cell reference
- Use three of Excel's many lookup functions
- Gain comfort with the arguments of the functions presented
Presenters:
Jeff Lenning
Field of Study:
Computer Software & Applications (2)
Major Topics:
- Using lookup functions as an alternative to direct cell references
- Understand the limitations of the VLOOKUP function
- Discover ways to move beyond these limitations
President Trump has also proposed other tax changes unrelated to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that could significantly impact business. This program analyzes the new opportunities and challenges that legislative changes offer to businesses and their owners that impact 2025 and later years.
Objectives:
- Alert business clients to legislative changes enacted in 2025 that would impact them
- Advise business owner clients on adopting tax planning strategies that would reduce their tax liability for 2025 and later
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Edward Renn, Esq.
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Use of the budget reconciliation process to enact major tax legislation
- Whether the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 expires after 2025
- Elimination of income taxation on tips, Social Security payments, and overtime
- Changes in marginal tax rates after 2025, including 15% rate on corporations for domestic manufacturing
- Section 163(j) — deduction limitation based on EBIT rather than EBITDA
- Various tariff proposals ranging from 10% to 200%
- Reinstatement of 100% bonus depreciation
- Changes in research and development expensing
- Increased tax-free benefits for commuting, health, and child care
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the role and responsibilities of TIGTA in the US tax system
Identify the ways in which TIGTA conducts audits, investigations, and inspections and evaluations to promote integrity, economy, and efficiency in the tax system
Identify the impact of TIGTA's work on the tax system and accounting profession
Analyze the importance of trust and confidence in the tax system
Evaluate the effectiveness of TIGTA's efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the IRS
Analyze the role of TIGTA in identifying opportunities to improve the administration of tax laws
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
Major topics covered in this course include:
- The role of TIGTA in the US tax system
- Auditing, investigating, and inspecting and evaluating IRS programs and operations
- Identifying opportunities to improve the administration of tax laws
- Promoting integrity, economy, and efficiency in the tax system
- Responding to requests from Congress and other external stakeholders
- Upholding ethical standards in the accounting profession
- Building trust and confidence in the tax system
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Articulate the urgency of proactive change leadership
List and apply the seven steps of leading change, incorporating empathy mapping
Draft a compelling case for change that integrates emotional intelligence
Assess effective relationships and change networks
Implement robust communication strategies that foster trust and transparency
Develop and utilize 360-degree feedback mechanisms
Enhance personal skills for navigating ambiguity
Lead with clarity amidst uncertainty, using empathy and foresight
Instructor:
Tammy Daugherty
Fields of Study:
Business Management & Organization
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The urgency of leading change now & the steps in leading change
- The power of crafting a vision that encourages buy-in
- The art and science of building strong partnerships
- Accelerating change through relationship networks
- Communication strategies for change
- Establishing a feedback culture for successful change
- Managing self in times of change
- Case studies and real-world scenarios
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish between a forecast and a budget
Recognize the difference between top-down and bottom-up budgeting
Recognize the key elements of a flexible budgeting approach
Utilize key forecast drivers
Apply judgement when it may be appropriate to make a forecast adjustment
Instructor:
David Peters
Fields of Study:
Finance
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of budgeting tools
- Overview of difference between budgeting and forecasting
- Examples of various budgeting and forecasting techniques
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Charla Welch
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Burt Hamner
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.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Evaluate ethical dilemmas using proven frameworks.
Apply ethical decision-making models to real-world scenarios.
Analyze consequences and stakeholders' perspectives in ethical conflicts.
Display effective communication in resolving ethical challenges.
Develop a personal ethical code to guide professional conduct.
Instructor:
Robert Berry, CPA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Ethics and moral principles.
- Identifying ethical dilemmas.
- Analyzing consequences and the impact on stakeholders.
- Applying ethical decision-making models.
- Effectively using the Code of Professional Conduct.
- Managing ethical conflicts and resolutions.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize changes that are occurring because of AI.
Recall specific control types that have changed.
Identify ways AI will strengthen controls.
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- An explanation of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- Specific ways AI is replacing human cognition.
- What is on the internal control horizon related to AI and other technologies.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the purpose of a walkthrough.
Perform proper procedures while conducting a walkthrough.
Identify red flags that may arise while performing walkthrough procedures.
Instructor:
Jaclyn M. Veno, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Review of audit procedures.
- Documentation requirements.
- Real world examples of red flags that may arise.
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this course, you will be able to...
Recall major elements of the statement of cash flows
Identify the two broad methods for preparing the statement of cash flows
Perform certain calculations for preparing both the indirect and direct statements of cash flows
Use the statement of cash flows as part of financial statement analysis
Instructor:
Chris Harper, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Preparation of the statement of cash flows
- Importance of identifying sources and uses of cash in financial reporting
- Financial statement analysis
- Cash-related financial statement disclosures
This workshop will provide an intimate understanding of how to deal with conflict in collaborative and constructive ways. Using ethical values and principles, we will explore how to move conflict from an obstacle to an opportunity.
This workshop is geared toward individuals who are wanting to improve their conflict management skills and create more harmonious and positive working environments.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recall conflict concepts and tools to help move conflict to productive outcomes
Identify human tendencies that hamper conflict management and offer ways to minimize them
Distinguish gossip and emotions related to conflict
Recognize mindset and skills helpful in collaboration
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Professionalism, Conflict and Ethics
- Sources and approaches to conflict
- Managing Conflict from the Inside: Awareness of human tendencies, human emotions, and gossip
- Guidelines for managing conflict collaboratively
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
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.
Speakers:
Paul H. Calabrese
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.
Speakers:
Andy Sexton
Chad Ayers
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.
Speakers:
Gary Cokins, MBA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Roger Wolkoff
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.
Speakers:
Burt Hamner
Ethical behavior continues to be a problem in society and even in the CPA ranks. "Ethics - A Line in the Sand" looks at the behavioral issues that influence how CPA's act. The course will address why individuals make ethical blunders, the state of ethical conduct in business organizations, the relationship between strong cultures, policy and procedures and successful ethical work environments. In addition, the course will highlight the one behavior to watch for as an indicator of potential ethical violations.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
Objectives:
- Understand how and when to use the Table feature
- Comprehend the function arguments for conditional summing
- Discover how to use the mapping table technique
Presenters:
Jeff Lenning
Field of Study:
Computer Software & Applications (2)
Major Topics:
- Using the Table object to store data
- Using the conditional summing function to aggregate Table data
- Using the Table object to create mapping tables
Objectives:
- Understand the most commonly used forms of ownership for real estate holdings and the scenario-based advantages and disadvantages of each
- Know and be able to apply the key considerations in determinations surrounding depreciation and recapture, like-kind exchanges, and the determination of passive activity losses
- Recognize how recent tax legislation impacts commercial real estate
- Recognize how recent tax legislation impacts homeowners
- Identify components for determing a property's tax basis
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Taxes (4)
Major Topics:
- The impact of recent tax legislation on the real estate industry
- Depreciation and recapture
- Determining the basis when acquiring real estate
- Passive activity losses
- Calculation of gain or loss on sale of real estate
- Rental operations
- Installment sales
Objectives:
- Understand the latest nuts and bolts rules on retirement for yourself and your accounting and finance clients
- Competently discuss the current state of retirement planning with your accounting and finance clients
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Denise Appleby, MJ, APA, CISP, CRPS, CRC
Edward Renn, Esq.
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Automatic enrollment requirements for 401(k) plans
- Change in the credit for small employer pension plan startup costs
- $2,000 saver’s match
- Changes in pooled employer plans
- Multiple employer 403(b) plans
- Increase in age for required beginning date for mandatory distributions
- Indexing IRA catch-up limit
- Higher catch-up limit to apply at age 60, 61, 62, and 63
- Treatment of student loan payments as elective deferrals for purposes of matching contributions
- Application of credit for small employer pension startup costs to employers who join an existing plan
- Small immediate financial incentives for contributing to a plan
- Withdrawals for certain emergency expenses
- Starter 401(k) plans for employers with no retirement plans
- Improving coverage for part-time workers
- Recovery of retirement plan overpayments
- Tax treatment of IRAs involved in a prohibited transaction
- Clarification of substantially equal periodic payment rule
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize what business owners are looking for in a CFO/business advisor.
Identify the steps required to start and offer a CFO service to business clients.
Recall a proven 6-step system to conduct a CFO service that gets results.
Determine the steps needed to sell the CFO service to new clients and to upsell to existing clients.
Instructor:
Adam Lean
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- What business owners really want from a CFO/business advisory service (it's not what you think).
- How to determine if you're qualified to provide CFO/business advisory services.
- Why now is the right time to be providing CFO/business advisory services.
- How to get new clients to your practice and how to approach existing clients.
- Why clients need you and why you need them.
- How much you should be charging for this type of service.
- How to provide a CFO/business advisory service in the most efficient way possible.
Whether you're struggling with burnout, seeking better work-life harmony, or simply looking to improve your overall well-being, this course offers valuable insights and tools to help you thrive. Designed to fit into your busy schedule, it delivers the guidance you need to make practical, sustainable changes in your life, starting today.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish between healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms for managing stress and anxiety.
Recognize the signs of burnout and implement practical tools and strategies to help create a balanced, fulfilling life.
Select effective strategies for improving sleep, nutrition, and overall wellness.
Instructor:
Alexis Smith, PA-C
Fields of Study:
Personal Development
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Understanding Mental Wellness: Explore how the brain functions and the connection between mental and physical wellness. Learn how stress impacts brain health and overall well-being.
- Practical Strategies for Balanced Living: Discover techniques for improving sleep, nutrition, and physical activity to support mental wellness. Learn the importance of setting boundaries, fostering open communication, and building meaningful connections.
- Recognizing and Managing Support Needs: Identify when to seek additional support and learn how to integrate self-care practices that promote sustainable mental and emotional health.
Young doctors sometimes arrive at an exotic medical diagnosis (You've got Kuru!), when a more common place explanation is likely (You've got a cold). These diagnoses are known as Zebras and doctors are taught, "When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses not zebras". Sometimes, the patient really has a rare disease and suffers from misdiagnosis and subsequent improper treatment. Similarly, managers, auditors, and investigators often see indicators of fraud, but dismiss them because they've been taught or assume based upon experience that it is just a mistake that looks like fraud. This session uses case studies to explore some of the more common symptoms of fraud that are often misdiagnosed.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
This comprehensive 8-hour course explores the pervasive issue of fraud in State and Local governments. Our panel of experts from inside and outside government will provide participants with the tools and knowledge necessary to identify, prevent, and respond to fraudulent activities in State and local governments.
The course begins by examining the types of fraud commonly encountered in governmental settings, including financial fraud, procurement fraud, and abuse of power. With our experienced panelists, participants will delve into real-world case studies to understand the tactics used by fraudsters and the impact on public trust, resources, and governance. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding regulatory frameworks and compliance measures designed to mitigate fraud risks.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Mr. Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
Daniel Porter
Cindy Byrd
The course will discuss the state of the IRS’s current audits and where the IRS is headed with audits in the coming years. Tax practitioners should also be aware of the state of the IRS’s efforts to target efficiencies so as to produce the most revenue.
Objectives:
- Thoroughly understand the current state of IRS audits
- Advise clients regarding anticipated changes in upcoming IRS audits
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Karen Davis, EA, MBA, Ph.D.
Shannon Retzke Smith
Field of Study:
Taxes (3)
Major Topics:
- Substantially increased IRS funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act
- IRS test program in 2024 to determine if it should prepare tax returns
- Using improved data and analytics to tailor timely collections contacts
- Auditing large corporations and partnerships
- Audits of high income and high net worth individuals
- Information Document Requests
- What happens when a client agrees or disagrees with the IRS’s audit findings
- The Dirty Dozen: roadmap to IRS audit issues
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall recent court cases on substantive partnership tax issues.
Analyze new IRS initiatives for passthrough taxpayers.
Recognize the current state of conservation easement syndicate partnerships.
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Court decisions covering partnership issues such as TEFRA, Statute of Limitations, Economic Substance, and Sec. 754 Elections.
- IRS procedural updates on passthrough entities.
- New developments on conservation easements.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to... - Identify the various court approved methods of proof.- Recognize the court cases approving the methods of proof.- Calculate the different methods of proof.- Using given facts, choose the appropriate method of proof.
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
- The role of methods of proof in forensic accounting.
- The various types of methods of proof approved by the courts.
- The weakness and strengths of the methods of proof.
- The formulas in calculating methods of proof.
- Applying the formulas in various circumstances.
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Shelli Huston, CPA, MS
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the ethical implications and risks associated with the use of generative AI
Identify specific methods you can put into practice to ensure the ethical and safe use of AI
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Understanding ethical implications of AI
- Data privacy and security considerations
- Compliance with regulations and professional standards
- Developing ethical AI policies and procedures
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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?
Speakers:
Gary Cokins, MBA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Gary Cokins, MBA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Roger Wolkoff
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.
Speakers:
Summer Jelinek
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.
Speakers:
Andy Sexton
Chad Ayers
Sarah Pregel, Ed.S, M.Ed, LPC
The ancient Romans had a saying about using caution when appointing someone to a position of trust, "don't set a wolf to watch the sheep". That saying is in use today and has changed to include "don't put a fox to guard the henhouses";. The thought is similar, but the wolf and fox are vastly different animals. Wolves rely upon their strength to survive while foxes rely on their cunning. Like foxes, fraudsters rely upon their cunning to defeat or circumvent internal controls. This session reviews the investigation of a deputy court clerk who exploited a weakness in internal controls and committed fraud in the courthouse.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify characteristics of the gig economy and its participants
Distinguish unique circumstances encountered by gig economy participants
Analyze implications of independent contractor considerations
Identify recordkeeping, reporting and attestation issues for independent contractors
Recognize unique regulatory compliance and external reporting considerations
Identify best practices for CPAs who serve independent contractor clientele
Instructor:
Dr. Christopher J. Harper, CPA, MBA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Characteristics unique to the gig economy
- Independent contractor and employee classification considerations
- Recordkeeping considerations for independent contractors
- Accounting and reporting issues for gig economy participants
- Audit and attestation for clients who participate in the gig economy
- Tax and regulatory considerations
- The CPA as a trusted advisor for independent contractors
- Forecasting Process: This involves projecting future income, expenses, and resources. By leveraging historical data and market insights, businesses can predict financial health, shaping strategic planning, investment decisions, and risk management.
- Forecasting Profitability: Predicting future earnings informs strategic decisions, investment planning, and resource allocation. It facilitates effective budgeting, cash flow management, risk assessment, and enhances attractiveness to investors for sustainable growth.
- Forecasting the Balance Sheet: Analysts forecast to predict a company's future financial position, assessing growth potential, solvency, and capital structure. This informs investment decisions, strategic planning, and risk management, ensuring financial stability and growth.
Join our webinar to explore these concepts with a practical example, guiding you through the forecasting process and demonstrating its practical applications in real-world scenarios.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Formulate the ability to project future income, expenses, and resources using historical data and market trends for strategic planning and investment decisions.
Calculate future earnings and financial positions to evaluate growth potential, solvency, and capital structure for effective budgeting and risk management.
Apply forecasting insights to enhance resource allocation, manage risks, and attract investments, supporting long-term financial stability and growth
Instructor:
Eric Knight, CPA, DBA
Fields of Study:
Finance
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to Financial Statement Forecasting
- Overview of the importance and benefits of forecasting for strategic planning and investment attraction.
- The Forecasting Process: Steps to project future income, expenses, and resources using historical data and market trends.
- Analyzing Historical Data: Methods for leveraging past financial data to inform future projections.
- Incorporating Market Trends: How to integrate market insights into financial forecasts.
- Forecasting Profitability: Techniques for predicting future earnings and their implications for budgeting, cash flow management, and investment planning.
- Forecasting the Balance Sheet: Approaches for predicting future financial positions, including growth potential, solvency, and capital structure
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Raise awareness of tax examiners and tax auditors about money laundering and tax crimes
How to identify possible suspicious transactions
Review key indicators of criminal money
Explain how money laundering impacts ethical decision-making
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Money laundering overview
- Role of tax examiners and auditors
- Tax return examination
- Pre-audit indicators
- Audit flags
- Real estate issues
- Cash indicators
- International trade signals
- Loan considerations
- Professional service provider concerns
- Money laundering and ethics
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify key questions to ask your clients before making an S election to help them stay proactive and make the best entity choice
Determine proactive measures you can take as an accounting professional to help your clients stay compliant with S Corp regulations
Evaluate scenarios for cash management when reasonable compensation has not been paid, but should have been
Recognize complications and penalties, and leverage early detection to mitigate risks of late payroll tax deposits
Illustrate nuances related to health insurance and reasonable compensation, including vision and dental benefits, to optimize tax planning strategies
Instructor:
John Morse, CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Review best practices to help your client evaluate if an S election is an appropriate choice
- How to be proactive and head off common reasonable compensation issues before they happen
- Explore strategies for cash management if cash isn't available at year end
- Explore what’s at stake when reasonable compensation isn’t paid timely
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
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.
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
Breaking the Wall of blind acceptance; avoiding habitual complacency and Yoking the dots between cause and effect.
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Connie Clark
QuickBooks remains one of the leading accounting solutions for small and growing businesses and Intuit has added numerous advanced features to the application over the past few releases. In this seminar, you will learn how to take advantage of many of QuickBooks’ new and advanced features to solve important issues. For example, you will learn advanced inventory management techniques, including the ability to change the default costing methodology in QuickBooks, and implementing lot and serial number tracking. You will also learn how to build complete sets of financial statements in Excel that link in real-time to underlying QuickBooks data files and how to create multi-company financial statements. Additionally, you will learn how to put the Client Data Review feature to work to streamline the process of identifying and correcting errors and closing accounting periods in QuickBooks.
Knowing how to take advantage of the advanced tools and features available can determine your level of success when working with QuickBooks. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about QuickBooks’ “deep” features so that you maximize your effectiveness with the application.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
However, knowing the standards is not enough. You need to be able to effectively apply them. To support this, the course will review recent peer review feedback on SSARS engagements, providing insights on how to successfully apply this guidance.
Not only will this course bring you up to date on SSARS requirements and guidance, but more importantly, it will provide you with practical examples and illustrations to help you effectively and efficiently perform these types of engagements. This course is intended to be your go-to reference for training your staff and managing your SSARS No. 21-26 services in compliance with professional, ethical, and technical requirements.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Ken Levine
Field of Study:
Auditing (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available for questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify what factors allowed certain frauds to occur.
Recognize what internal controls may have prevented the frauds.
Consider application of these lessons to circumstances you encounter in your professional endeavors.
Apply ethical guidance to scenarios that accounting professionals may encounter in public practice.
Instructor:
Chris Harper, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Examination of actual frauds
- Discussion of internal controls that could have prevented frauds
- Contemplation of epiphanies for your own professional scenarios.
- The AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
- Other elements of professional conduct and compliance with professional standards
You will learn the all important Data Analysis Process Flow that will take you from collecting data all the way to making insightful decisions based upon your data. We will explore the basics of data modeling that will allow you to access data from multiple sources and use sophisticated calculations to create our data metrics. You will learn how to create interactive dashboards, perform sophisticated reporting, and uncover deep insights from your data.
Whether you're looking to streamline your reporting process, enhance your data visualization skills, or make more data-driven decisions, this course is tailored to meet those needs. It's not just about learning a tool; it's about enhancing your professional identity as a forward-thinking accounting professional.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify key features of the Data Analysis Process Flow.
Recognize how your organization's key metrics can help you make insightful decisions.
Distinguish between different data visualization techniques.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
- Data Analysis Process Flow: An introduction to the Data Analysis Process Flow and how it is your pathway to becoming a Data Analysis Expert.
- Data Modeling: A comprehensive discussion of building a data model and calculating metrics.
- Data Visualizations: An understanding how visualizations can present data in a more insightful and impactful manner.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the current state of the cryptocurrency marketplace and the technology that supports it
Identify key developments in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Update on the cryptocurrency marketplace
- Cryptocurrency exchanges - the good, the bad and the ugly
- Overview of cryptocurrency taxation regulations
- The technology behind cryptocurrency - Proof of stake, Layer 2, wallets and more
- Blockchain technology update
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the tax issues related to S corporation owner's basis for shares and loans from formation through operations
Determine strategies of a sale and/or liquidation
Analyze how S corporation losses impact Form 1040 Schedule E-reporting
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Discuss the calculation of basis when the entity is formed including the impact of contributed property
- Explain the importance of shareholder loans to the entity
- Uses a comprehensive example to illustrate the mechanics of the basis determination process
- Schedule K-1 Basis and Form 7203
- Discuss how basis is impacted by distributions of corporation property
- Explain how basis is impacted by sale/or liquidation of the S corporation interest
- Discuss how S corporation losses impact Form 1040 Schedule E reporting
- Show how to get from the Schedule K-1 information to the basis calculations
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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?
Speakers:
Gary Cokins, MBA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
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.
Speakers:
Paul H. Calabrese
This course will review the Federal Trade Commission's proposed rule banning non-competes. It will also briefly go over the rule making process and timeline for the proposed rule to go into effect. In the second half, the presentation will review the patchwork quilt of state laws that have curtailed enforcement of non-competes, as well as best practices for businesses to consider when implementing non-competes in the workforce.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
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!
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
When the leadership in any organizations carries out their responsibilities of establishing, maintaining and monitoring internal controls, it significantly reduces the possibility of fraud occurring. When and if it does occur, a good system of internal controls will often detect it early on.
This presentation is an illustration of what can happen when top management fails to carry out their responsibility of protecting an entity’s assets through a good system of internal controls.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Roger Wolkoff
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
This is a continuing part of our series on forensic accounting. Within this segment we discuss the concepts that are part of computer forensics known as cryptology. The term cryptography is from Ancient Greek and means “hidden secret”. It is the practice and study of techniques for secure communications in the presence of adversarial behavior. Cryptography is about constructing and analyzing protocols that prevent third parties or the public from reading private messages. Cryptography starts with secrets. Various aspects in information security such as data confidentiality, data integrity, authentication and non-repudiation (where a statement’s author cannot successfully dispute its authorship) are central to modern cryptography.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Christine Wilson, LPC
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?
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
John Levy, MBA, CPA
Fraud continues to plague businesses at epidemic levels, and technology control failures are a big reason fraud occurs. Using a case study approach, in this session, you will learn about the pervasiveness of fraud, the control failures that contribute to fraud, and what you can do to mitigate fraud risk.
A specific focus of this course is the application of information technology general controls and information technology application controls. In this course, you will examine numerous reported fraud cases and identify the general control and application control failures that contributed to each of these frauds. By learning through these real-world case studies, you will be better positioned to reduce fraud risk.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to:
Recall the primary methods of online fraud
Identify the types of weaknesses that can be exploited by those undertaking electronically based frauds
Recognize specific internal control measures that can help to reduce these types of fraud activities.
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- The actuation of online and other cyber frauds
- Fraudulent acts that are initiated electronically
- Automated and employee driven methods that can reduce cyber-fraud risk
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.
Speakers:
Mark Hugh, CPA
Through engaging, real-life "What would you do?" scenarios, an exploration of the principles of ethical intelligence, and a few fun writing exercises, you'll gain practical insights you can apply professionally and personally.
We'll also answer some frequently asked questions about ethics that will enrich your understanding of a topic you can't afford to ignore.
We end with a Call to Action, so that you can put the lessons you learn into practice immediately.
You'll leave with the tools to foster trust, build a thriving practice, and impress clients with the high standards of service you live by.
Who knew an ethics webinar could be both practical and fun?
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify five ethical principles that are the basis of a solid, built-to-last accounting practice
Apply these principles to a range of "What should I do?" scenarios you encounter
Determine the ethically intelligent choice in every aspect of your business and in your personal life too
Instructor:
Bruce Weinstein
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The five principles of ethical intelligence
- How to make the right decisions in a range of challenging situations
- The fundamental ethical principal, "Do No Harm"
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
John Levy, MBA, CPA
Imagine being able to see into the future with confidence. The ability to be a great forecaster is not innate but learned. By examining great forecasters, we can learn to improve our ability to predict the future. We will examine best practices and current research to improve our ability to predict events that will affect our business.
Speakers:
John Levy, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
Although organizations are trying to create and manage diverse and inclusive workplaces, many are not aware of some of the best practices and simple strategies they can incorporate to promote such an environment. We are currently living in unprecedented times. Division, bias, and exclusion, based on factors associated with social injustice and a general lack of appreciation for diversity, seems to have become our current societal norm. With the high stress and anxiety created by these current trends in society, it is even more important for organizations to provide a safe space for their employees where there is a genuine sense of belonging and fair access to opportunity. The goal of this course is to outline the relationship between diversity and inclusion, while providing very practical strategies for HR Professionals in their role to promote a culture of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Speakers:
Shannon T. White, MSW, LCSW
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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!
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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.
Speakers:
Charla Welch
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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.
Speakers:
Burt Hamner
Storytelling makes wisdom stick.
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Charla Welch
According to the Gallup Organization, only 10% of employees believe that their organization does a good job onboarding new employees. This means most organizations are overlooking this crucial phase of the employee lifecycle, which not only includes the often-neglected pre-boarding stage but also the continuous efforts to reduce uncertainty, bolster excitement, and foster connections for their new recruits. By streamlining these processes and crafting impactful moments from pre-boarding through the initial weeks, HR and Business leaders can significantly enhance efficiency, foster trust, and establish a foundation of psychological safety for years to come. In this session, attendees will discover strategies and resources that craft a holistic onboarding experience, mitigating risks like employee ghosting, and paving the way for heightened engagement and retention.
Speakers:
LeAnne Lagasse, SHRM-SCP
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.
Speakers:
Summer Jelinek
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)*****
Speakers:
Andy Sexton
Chad Ayers
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 Part 2 of this seminar we will go into more depth about how to get more done in less time, as well as how to not burnout from all the work you do. We will discuss additional methods for working smarter through technology, communication, stress reduction, and creating smart and helpful goals.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Young doctors sometimes arrive at an exotic medical diagnosis (You've got Kuru!), when a more common place explanation is likely (You've got a cold). These diagnoses are known as Zebras and doctors are taught, "When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses not zebras". Sometimes, the patient really has a rare disease and suffers from misdiagnosis and subsequent improper treatment. Similarly, managers, auditors, and investigators often see indicators of fraud, but dismiss them because they've been taught or assume based upon experience that it is just a mistake that looks like fraud. This session uses case studies to explore some of the more common symptoms of fraud that are often misdiagnosed.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the newest tax developments contained in in the Secure Act 2.0.
Recall the new provisions modifying the administration of employer retirement plans.
Recall expanded contribution and catch-up limits for individuals.
Recognize the new required beginning dates for distributions.
Recall the newest developments on required minimum distribution dates.
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Implications for individuals
- Changes to the Saver’s Credit
- Changing the required minimum distribution rules for Roth 401(k)s
- Changes to required beginning dates for required minimum distributions of retirement plans.
- Penalty-Free Withdrawals for Certain Emergency Expenses
- Special provisions for firefighters and military personnel spouses
- Increases in catch-up contributions
- Impact on 529 plans
- Opportunities for student loan payment matching
- Implications for Employers
- Starter § 401(k) plans for small employers
- Requiring automatic 401(k) enrollment
- Improving worker access to emergency savings
- Increasing part-time workers’ access to retirement accounts
- Statute of Limitations on excise taxes imposed on overcontributions to retirement plans
- Multiple employer §403(b) plans
- Automatic portability provisions
- Other changes in the administration of company retirement plans
This session explores ethical values and principles as they apply to creating an Ethic of Care in the workplace with specific emphasis on compassion, accountability and respect.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to:
Promote individual compassion, accountability and respect in the workplace
Enhance dignity of self and others
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Ethical Values and Principles
- Compassion
- Managing Expectations
- Respect and Humility
- Attribution Theory
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the importance of in-house AI R&D for staying competitive in accounting.Identify strategies for moving from AI concepts to practical, value-adding applications.Recognize the urgency of adapting to AI's exponential advancements.Conduct proactive AI assessments, benchmarks, and explorations in your organization.Evaluate the dual role accountants play in AI development as both innovators and data protectors.Encourage the creation of internal AI tools to address specific accounting challenges.Develop strategies to mitigate AI-related cyber threats and protect sensitive data.Recognize potential misuse patterns of generative AI and implement preventive measures.Address challenges in AI adoption and foster a supportive learning environment.Design a sustainable, adaptive approach to AI that supports ongoing development and ethical integration.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to AI R&D in Accounting: Why internal AI research is essential for modern firms.
- Theory to Practice: Moving quickly from speculative AI concepts to actionable strategies.
- Managing Exponential Change: Understanding the urgency of adapting to AI’s rapid evolution.
- Proactive AI Engagement: Conducting in-house AI benchmarks, research, and hackathons.
- The Dual Role in AI Development: Balancing innovation with data security and ethical responsibilities.
- Internal AI Tools Creation: Encouraging accountants to develop AI solutions tailored to their needs.
- Data Security and Cyber Threats: Addressing AI-enabled cybercrime and protecting against internal risks.
- Mitigating AI Misuse: Recognizing abuse patterns and implementing safe practices.
- Challenges in AI Integration: Handling resistance, management concerns, and rapid technological shifts.
- Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Building a resilient, R&D-focused AI culture in accounting.
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Designed for CPAs, but also applicable to enrolled agents and accountants, this webinar covers the steps necessary to effectively transform a tax or accounting practice into an advisory service. We explore what it means to be a CFO/advisor to small-to-medium sizes businesses and what qualifications are necessary to offer such a service. We will also cover how to find and convert leads and how to price and package services, including combining advisory services with the firm's current offerings.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify exactly what a CFO/Advisor does
Determine if you're qualified to provide CFO/Advisory services
Replace your income with just advisory clients
Package and price your advisory services
Combine tax and advisory services (if you still want to offer tax)
Deliver an advisory service in a way that keeps clients coming back for more
Instructor:
Lacey Harnar
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The steps necessary to effectively transform a tax or accounting practice into an advisory service.
- What it means to be a CFO/advisor to small-to-medium sizes businesses.
- What qualifications are necessary to offer an advisory service.
- How to find and convert leads and how to price and package services, including combining advisory services with the firm’s current offerings.
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
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.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Christopher Pembrook, CPA, MBA, CGAP, CRFA
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
Review of the major employment laws governing the workplace, when they are triggered, and key compliance aspects under each law. This presentation is designed to give viewers enough information to issue spot when matters arise in the workplace.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
Various legal tests are used to evaluate whether a worker should be classified as an employee or an independent contractor. There is no uniform standard or bright-line rule for determining whether an individual is properly classified as an independent contractor. Instead, the inquiry is always fact-intensive, and the analysis can vary based what body is performing it, i.e. the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), Department of Labor (“DOL”), various state agencies, or the courts. This presentation will review the various tests and highlight some of the common, most important factors for consideration.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Objectives:
- Understand the current economic issues for the CFO/Controller, including:
- Strategic operational planning and risk management
- Regulatory, fiscal, and monetary policies and their impact on the organization
- Managing the finances of the organization during periods of rapid changes
- Managing risk in an uncertain economic climate
Presenters:
Frank Ryan, CPA
Field of Study:
Business Management and Organization (8)
Major Topics:
- Taking a strategic perspective relative to risk management and crisis management
- Reviewing the impact uncertainty and risk at the operational level relative to short- and intermediate-term decision making
- Determining the safety and soundness of the financial plans for your organization in an uncertain economic climate specifically as it relates to capital adequacy and strategic direction
- Managing the debt and equity mix for your organization in a rapidly changing economic landscape
- Determining the impact that competing in a global marketplace has on an organization and how to take steps to become more competitive globally
- Evaluating the impact of federal, state, and municipal deficits and unfunded mandates as it relates to tax planning
- Evaluating retirement programs with Social Security funding for your employees
- Determining the safety and soundness of your credit and collections processes and selection of customers in an uncertain environment
- Influencing growth through acquisition of distressed organizations
- The economic way ahead for the CFO/Controller
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Charlie Blanton, CPA
Field of Study:
Accounting (Governmental) (4), Auditing (Governmental) (4)
Major Topics:
- 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)
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Indicate core principles underlying the any Code of Professional Conduct that apply to both CPAs in public practice and industry, whether designated by the AICPA, PCAOB, or an international body
Recall common ethical dilemmas faced by all CPAs and how they can be safeguarded to an acceptable level
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Core principles of any Code of Professional Conduct applicable to all CPAs, including conflicts of interest, preparing and reporting information, competence, confidential information, and more
- The importance of maintaining independence for CPAs in public practice, especially when also performing nonattest services for the attest client
- Comparing and contrasting various ethical standards, including those promulgated by the AICPA, PCAOB, and international bodies
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Compare and contrast LLCs and S Corporations to determine suitability for various clients.
Analyze LLC structures and their tax implications.
Compare the interplay of LLCs and S Corporations with self-employment tax.
Prepare Form 2553 for electing Subchapter S status and identify relief options for late filings.
Analyze Rev. Proc. 2022-19 and Rev. Proc. 2023-3, and understand their differences and applications under I.R.C. 1361 and 1362.
Identify and address S Corporation eligibility errors and implement corrective measures.
Recall corporate governance procedures and compliance requirements for LLCs and S Corporations.
Assess shareholder stock and debt basis for S Corporations.
Recall key aspects of Forms 1120S, 1065, and related schedules (K-1, K-2, K-3).
Indicate officer reasonable compensation and general partner guaranteed payment requirements.
Apply facts and circumstances in advisory services to determine reasonable compensation.
Instructor:
Mary Jane Hourani, MM, EA, NTPI Fellow
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Comparative analysis of LLCs and S Corporations
- Entity formation, compliance, and operational structures
- Self-employment tax and its implications for LLCs and S Corporations
- Form 2553 preparation and relief for late filings
- Rev. Proc. 2022-19 and Rev. Proc. 2023-3: analysis and application
- S Corporation eligibility errors and corrective measures
- Corporate governance and formalities for both entity types
- Shareholder stock and debt basis for S Corporations
- Forms 1120S, 1065, and related schedules (K-1, K-2, K-3)
- Officer reasonable compensation and general partner guaranteed payments
- Audit strategies, estate planning, and business continuation planning
- What is organizational culture
- A self assessment
- Why culture matters
- How to change your culture
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the impact of good culture
Build a framework to change organizational culture
Instructor:
Jim Bitterle
Fields of Study:
Personnel/Human Resources
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- What is culture
- Why culture matters
- A process to change your organization’s culture
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities most relevant to finance and compliance roles.
Interpret key terms, technologies, and strategies, including zero trust, ransomware, and Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs).
Identify how emerging threats like deepfakes and supply chain vulnerabilities impact financial operations.
Integrate cybersecurity strategies with compliance requirements such as SOX, PCI DSS, GDPR, and CCPA.
Apply risk management principles to quantify cybersecurity risks and determine ROI on security investments.
Ensure readiness for audits by aligning cybersecurity practices with compliance objectives.
Outline the essential components of an effective incident response plan tailored to finance and compliance teams.
Instructor:
Dr. Kenneth W. Cooper, DCS, CISSP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Specialized Knowledge
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Understanding Cyber Threats and Risks in Finance
- Cybersecurity Frameworks and Best Practices for Financial Professionals
- Financial Data Security and Encryption Techniques
- Cybersecurity Auditing and Forensic Investigations
- Emerging Technologies and Trends in Financial Cybersecurity
- Leadership and Governance in Cybersecurity for Financial Executives
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!)
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
This presentation will review what sex harassment is under the law, company compliance obligations, and describe how promoting a positive company culture can prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
What obligations does an employer have when an employee needs to take a leave of absence? This presentation will provide an overview of the complicated, intertwined compliance obligations triggered when an employee requests a medical leave of absence (including for pregnancy, mental health, or addiction).
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
If you...
- Produce or revise dashboards and reports
- Find your current reports and dashboards confusing
- Are frustrated by the length, complexity and structure of your existing reports
- Have many different styles of dashboards and reports in use and want to simplify things
- Need to create a consistent “house style” that can be replicated by different teams
- Want to look like a star by creating reports and dashboards that your internal customers love
... this workshop can help. In this session we explore the principles of what makes reports and dashboards easy, or hard, to understand, distil this into a simple set of rules and show you how to apply these rules using Excel.
Speakers:
Bernie Smith
In this course, we will explore the various types of data - both structured and unstructured - used in conducting fraud risk investigations and proactive monitoring. We will explore the various tools available on the market and techniques to confirm completeness and accuracy of the data before the analysis begins. The course will cover the process for selecting the right data sources to align with the various risks as well as pitfalls to avoid when preparing the data for analysis.
Speakers:
Vincent M. Walden, CPA, CFE
In this five part master series, class participants will gain a comprehensive view into the world of forensic data analytics (FDA). From understanding practical use cases of FDA in the audit, internal audit, investigations and proactive monitoring to understanding necessary data sources, validation proceudres, success factors and pitfalls to avoid. We will also explore hundreds of leading anti-fraud tests around corruption, conflicts of interest, fake vendor schemes, segregation of duties, revenue recognition and sales abuse, among dozens of other schemes. Participants will develop their own library of anti-fraud tests from various open source locations and apply them in relevant contexts such as the COSO Fraud Risk Management Guide. Finally, participants will also peek into future innovations in FDA and how technologies such as ChatGPT, data visualization, machine learning, AI and cryptocurrencies are all impacting the discipline. We can't promise you'll be a programmer after this course, but you will certainly be armed with the information needed to project manage an FDA project and "direct" the programmers to accomplish your fraud risk / FDA objectives.
Speakers:
Vincent M. Walden, CPA, CFE
Form 1065 is the tax return filed by partnerships, which is one of the most common forms of business organizations in the United States. This course provides an in-depth understanding of the preparation and filing of Form 1065.
The course will cover the basics of partnership taxation, including how partnerships are taxed, the different types of partnerships, and the tax obligations of partners. It will also discuss the importance of keeping accurate financial records, the role of the partnership agreement in tax reporting, and the filing deadlines for Form 1065.
Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the various sections of Form 1065, including the Schedule K-1, which reports each partner's share of the partnership's income, deductions, and credits. The course will also cover how to report partnership income, expenses, and deductions, as well as the tax implications of buying and selling partnership interests.
In addition, the course will provide an overview of common errors and omissions made when preparing Form 1065, and how to avoid them. It will also cover recent changes in tax laws that affect partnership taxation.
Overall, this course is designed for tax professionals, accountants, business owners, and individuals who need to understand the intricacies of partnership taxation and the preparation and filing of Form 1065. Upon completion of the course, participants will have a solid understanding of partnership taxation and will be able to prepare and file Form 1065 with confidence.
**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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
As the digital asset market continues to mature, more taxpayers may be contemplating blessing their favorite charitable organizations with gifts of cryptocurrency. Beneficiaries unfamiliar with digital assets may find it challenging to properly report any of these types of donations. Likewise, taxpayers will need to ensure that they properly value and substantiate any contributions or potentially risk their charitable deductions being denied. This course will provide a brief overview of digital assets. This will be followed by a discussion of the rules regarding the documentation required when claiming a charitable contribution of digital assets. This course will also cover recent IRS publications and cases discussing taxpayers whose deductions of digital assets charitable gifts were scrutinized.
**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.
Speakers:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Research has shown that over 76% of employees have never exercised their stock options. Almost half of these individuals (48%), say they held off on selling their options due to fear of making a mistake. This course provides accounting and finance professionals with a broad overview of employee stock options. The webinar is designed to help participants better understand the fundamentals behind these investments and, in turn, better advise their clients.
Objectives:
- Understand the opportunities and risks associated with employee stock options
- Assist clients with making informed decisions concerning options
- Explain strategies for owning and selling options, including tax consequences
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge (1), Taxes (1)
Major Topics:
- What stock options are and why they are growing in popularity
- How stock options work, including the process of conveyance and vesting
- How to exercise stock options and the implications from doing so
- The risks associated with stock options and how to manage exposure
- Tax consequences and updates regarding stock options
- Strategies for selecting the best time to exercise stock options
- The difference between the two types of stock options: non-qualified and incentive
- The basic terminology relevant to owning and exercising options
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
- 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 2024 DOL Final Rule
- Real Estate professional requirements
- Review of pertinent cases and rulings affecting taxpayers
- 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
Objectives:
- Understand how Circular 230 addresses the more commonly encountered ethical questions tax return preparers face in practice on a regular basis
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Lance Weiss, CPA, CVA
Field of Study:
Regulatory Ethics (2)
Major Topics:
- What does practicing before the IRS mean?
- Who may practice before the IRS?
- What should a tax preparer do if he or she has knowledge of a client's omission of income from a tax return?
- May a tax preparer rely on the work of other tax return preparers?
- May a tax preparer rely on and use client-provided information?
- Standards associated with giving advice to clients
- Abolition of the disclaimer requirement
- When must a tax preparer examine a client’s books and records?
custom versions of ChatGPT with added skills and knowledge for specific tasks or industries.
This course is designed to guide accountants on how to leverage these enhanced ChatGPT
functionalities to streamline financial workflows, analyze data, and engage in more dynamic,
multi-modal interactions.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Design custom GPTs that address specific accounting challenges and workflowsDevelop effective instructions that ensure GPTs follow accounting standards and best practicesAnalyze existing accounting processes to identify opportunities for GPT automationCreate knowledge bases with accounting regulations, tax codes, and firm policiesEvaluate the effectiveness of accounting GPTs through testing and refinementImplement security protocols to protect sensitive financial information in GPTsApply GPT Builder to generate practical accounting tools that increase productivity
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to GPT Builder platform and interface for accounting professionals
- Creating accounting-specific custom instructions and knowledge bases
- Implementing financial data analysis capabilities through GPTs
- Designing GPTs for tax preparation assistance and compliance checking
- Building client communication tools with accounting terminology
- Enhancing bookkeeping efficiency with automated GPT workflows
- Security and confidentiality considerations for financial data
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
Learning objectives include:
Be familiar with common roadblocks to becoming financially self-sufficient
Be familiar with the structure of a "management" personal financial statement
Be familiar with common mistakes in HIPAA Medical Disclosure Documents, Living Wills, Medical Durable Power of Attorneys, Financial Durable Power of Attorneys and Letters of Instruction at Death
Be familiar with the basic process in performing a "personal financial health checkup"
Understand the relationship of happiness and the management of financial affairs
Instructor:
Walter J. Haig
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Preparing a personal financial statement following U.S. GAAP
- Recasting U.S. GAAP personal financial statements into powerful management tools
- Identifying key financial factors that must be managed in order to achieve financial self-sufficiency
- Key personal planning documents including HIPAA Medical Disclosure Document, Living Will, Medical Durable Power of Attorneys, and Letter of Instruction at Death
- How to create "goal" statements that achieve results
Throughout this comprehensive course, participants will dive deep into the world of lookup functions and gain experience through practical exercises and real-world scenarios. Whether you're a seasoned Excel user looking to fine-tune your skills or a beginner eager to unlock Excel's full potential, this course is tailored to meet your learning needs.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to ...
Identify which lookup function works for your needs
Distinguish the difference between the many lookup functions
Recall how to effectively utilize Excel's lookup functions
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
- A review of the various lookup functions, beyond VLOOKUP
- Learn which lookup works best for your situation
- How to apply the many lookup functions
- Discover advanced lookup techniques like nested lookups, approximate matching, and handling errors effectively
- An in-depth review of the following functions:
- VLOOKUP / HLOOKUP
- XLOOKUP
- MATCH / INDEX
- XMATCH
- INDIRECT
- FILTER
- SORT / SORTBY
- UNIQUE
- An overview of some newer functions
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
As spreadsheets evolve, so must your practices for creating, editing, and auditing them. In this program, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the best ways to work with Excel by learning best practices associated with Excel spreadsheets in each of the following areas: creating and editing Excel workbooks, securing Excel workbooks, collaborating with others in Excel, and reporting on data contained in Excel.
Today’s best practices for Excel differ significantly from those used in the past, and you will learn the best ways to work with Excel spreadsheets in this “must-see” CPE program. Course materials include relevant examples to enhance your learning experience. Join us for this program to help you utilize Excel to its fullest potential.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish the newest tax developments and changes to the Internal Revenue Code
Select effective and efficient techniques for implementing new standards
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Current individual tax issues
- Current business entity tax issues
- Any current tax legislation occurring during the period
- Other issues affecting the profession, including IRS procedure, current cases, payroll, and other federal tax issues
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze common audit deficiencies
Identify proper methods of performing risk assessment and documentation
Recall best practices for auditing estimates
Recognize changes to auditing standards for estimates and risk assessment
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Review common deficiencies identified by the AICPA and state boards of accountancy.
- Feature discussion on a variety of topics, including analytical procedures, sampling, group audits and risk assessment.
- Review of the areas of concern and how you can overcome them by employing best practices.
On the financial front, the course covers the 9 ASUs issued in 2023, including ASUs covering crypto assets and leases for common control entities. In addition to a financial accounting update, the course will discuss what you will need to do differently as you adopt new audit standards 142–149 over the next few years, including a detailed review of the audit requirements under SAS 142. The course will also cover the key changes related to SSARS No. 25. Finally, the course reviews the AICPA’s quality management project.
In summary, the course is your go-to source for all things A&A and will prepare you for your upcoming engagements throughout the rest of the year.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Jason Carney, CPA, PMP, CISA
Field of Study:
Accounting (4), Auditing (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify all the Outlook features you can use to process and organize your email more efficiently.
Recall the various tools in Outlook to automate the management of your email.
Configure your Outlook to create customized views and feature settings.
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Using Quick Parts to streamline message composition.
- Eliminating inefficient back and forth appointment scheduling with the Bookings app.
- Using category codes and contacts to send bulk emails.
- Sending emails to Teams and OneNote.
- Organizing your inbox with custom views, rules and folders.
- Mastering the search tools to find emails quickly.
- Review of key option settings to maximize email productivity.
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.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
Target setting can drive breathtaking positive results, the moonlandings, the eradication of smallpox or the repair of the ozone layer, for example.
They can also have a dark side that can put executives in jail, bring global businesses to their knees and even cause wholesale loss of life.
Using practical examples and case studies, this course walks you through the steps you need to follow to design robust, effective and credible targets for your organization.
Speakers:
Bernie Smith
In this course, participants will learn about the five principals of COSO's Fraud Risk Management Guide and the linkages each principal has to the use of forensic data analytics to measurably demonstrate effectiveness and ROI. We will also explore key elements to a successful program that is sustainable as well as pitfalls to avoid. Finally, we will cover several case studies that demonstrate the key concepts discussed.
Speakers:
Vincent M. Walden, CPA, CFE
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Shelli Huston, CPA, MS
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
The Noble leader believes in people. The Noble leader is curious and humble and invites challenge and feedback into his/her/ world. The Noble leader is a true believer in seeing the good in others, helping them to be their best which in turn helps the Leader grow as well. The Noble leader does not shy away from confronting bad behavior/performance in a respectful and clear way while believing in the inherent dignity of each individual This workshop based on ethical principles offers a glimpse into what it takes to become a Noble Leader and how one can journey through for increased self awareness and skill development.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the Role of Habit in Character Development
Compare the relationship of Virtue Ethics to Leadership
Create cultures of Dignity and Respect
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Leadership Definition
- Virtue Ethics
- Relationship of Virtue Ethics to Leadership
- Characteristics of the Noble Leader
- Actions to create a culture of respect and dignity
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the full potential of the Microsoft Teams app and how to use it for maximum benefit
Identify how to use all the specific features of the Microsoft Teams app
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Understanding the "big picture" of the role the Teams app plays in your Microsoft 365 ecosystem
- How to effectively design your teams / channels configuration
- Detailed review of all the features for creating conversation posts
- Detailed review of all the features for creating, editing and managing Office files within the Teams app
- How to use the search features to find Teams content instantly
- Step by step review of how to host and participate in Teams online meetings
- Using Teams calling features for your phone system
- How to manage your notification settings in Teams
- And more
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify at least 7 ways Google information needs to be interpreted to ensure the results are taken in their proper context
Use at least 4 general search engines that complement their use of Google
Recognize at least 5 cluster search engines that group information by topic and discover unexpected relationships between topics
Recall at least 4 privacy search engines that do not store your queries or track your steps on the Internet
Access at least 12 user-generated content search engines that index content-text, videos, images, reviews-created by people, rather than brands
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Why Advanced Search Skills Are So Critical for Accountants
- Why You Need More than Google to Search the Internet
- GARP: Generally Accepted Research Principles
- Alternatives to Google
- Advisory Search
- Social Search
- Specialty search
- Search Engine resources
- What's Ahead in Search
In the last year, our country has seen the passage of multiple federal laws impacting the enforceability to common employment documents. Several federal agencies have also issued opinions that could impact common employment documents. This presentation will review those new laws and opinions and discuss the potential impact they may have on arbitration agreements, severance agreements, confidentiality agreement, and non-disparagement agreements.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
The legalization of cannabis brings with it a complex regulatory landscape, which includes strict compliance with federal and state regulations. However, the complexity of this emerging market provides opportunities for accountants and other financial professionals. Behind the cannabis dispensaries are scores of related business sectors including food production, retail, farming, and chemical production, as well as facilities, design, and construction. Simply stated, the commercialization of marijuana offers financial professionals an opportunity to participate in an industry expected to reach $73 billion worldwide within six years.
Objectives:
- Understand the legal framework that allows accounting and financial firms to operate and grow within the marijuana industry
- Be familiar with applicable Internal Revenue Code sections applicable to this industry
- Be well versed in the potential risks and rewards for financial professionals working in the marijuana industry
- Understand the issues unique to the production, delivery, and retail aspects of this market
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Specialized Knowledge (1), Taxes (1)
Major Topics:
- An overview of current state and federal laws governing marijuana
- A review of state boards of accountancy regarding marijuana
- How some financial professionals are capitalizing on the marijuana industry
- Providing auditing and tax services within the marijuana industry
- How accountants and other financial professionals can manage risk within this industry
- IRC Section 280E’s prohibition of deductions involving controlled substances
- A summary of various state taxation laws on marijuana
- Ethical issues for accountants who work in the marijuana industry
- Relevant banking regulations
- Growth projections
Objectives:
- Recall the rules for a late S corporation election
- Identify the tax implications of an S corporation making disproportionate distributions to S corporation shareholders
- Recognize the tax rate applicable to the sale of S corporation shares
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Making an S corporation election and late filing relief
- Disproportionate distributions
- Selling S corporation shares
- Redemption rules
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Melissa Critcher, CPA, PC
Field of Study:
Accounting (1), Auditing (1)
Major Topics:
- 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
The course emphasizes practical, easy-to-implement techniques tailored for busy working parents. From setting boundaries to prioritizing sleep and physical activity, you'll learn how to create sustainable habits that enhance your well-being. You'll also explore how to recognize the signs that additional support -whether from friends, family, therapy, or other resources- is necessary, and how to seek help without guilt or hesitation.
Ultimately, this course will help you regain a sense of balance and control in your life by equipping you with tools to manage stress, build resilience, and rediscover joy in both your professional and personal roles.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify cultural expectations that contribute to stress and develop strategies to counter them.
Recognize the signs of mental health challenges and the appropriate times to seek professional help.
Select self-care practices and routines that align with their personal and family needs.
Instructor:
Alexis Smith, PA-C
Fields of Study:
Personal Development
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Challenging Cultural Expectations and Managing Stress: Explore the impact of societal pressures and develop strategies to counter unrealistic expectations while managing stress effectively.
- Prioritizing Self-Care and Physical Well-Being: Learn the importance of self-care, including sleep, exercise, relaxation, and setting boundaries, as well as understanding the critical connection between physical and mental health.
- Seeking Support and Building Resilience: Recognize when to seek help -whether through therapy, friends, or family- and develop skills to build resilience, create flexible work arrangements, and identify when additional support, such as professional intervention, is needed.
Objectives:
- Understand the fundamental legal principles of trust instruments
- Utilize trust instruments to accomplish certain tax results
Presenters:
Bob Keebler, CPA/PFS, MST, AEP (Distinguished), CGMA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Legal definitions & principals involving estates & trusts
- Basic principles regarding property ownership
- Types of trusts commonly used
- Trust accounting fundamentals
- Certain clauses that are important to understand
- Formula valuation clauses
- Requirements for a trust to be a qualified designated beneficiary of an IRA
- Using IRD to fund charitable bequests
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Answer common questions related to the fair presentation and disclosure of cryptocurrency and other digital assets
Recognize common risks and audit techniques relevant to digital records
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Common applications related to initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement or derecognition, presentation, and disclosure of cryptocurrency and other digital assets
- Feedback from the AICPA's Digital Assets Working Group intended to assist auditors with opining on these digital records
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.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
Selecting the right KPIs for your organization can be complex and stressful. Rather than resorting to brainstorming and internet searches, there is a better way to discover the best KPIs for your organization - the ROKS method. In this session Bernie Smith, creator of the ROKS method, walks you through the first five steps of this powerful approach, using real-world stories to bring each step to life.
Speakers:
Bernie Smith
In this course, participants will gain a broad understanding of the various anti-fraud preventive and detective tests available to practitioners and take initial steps in building their own library of tests unique to their business or industry risks. Specific discussions and examples will include vendor analysis to look for potentially improper payments around conflicts of interests, fake vendor schemes, bribery & corruption, sanctions and trade compliance, anomalous payments, segregation of duties, among other risk categories. Participants will also explore tests around customers or distributors that include margin analysis, free goods, discounts and revenue recognition. Further, we will explore employee related test to mitigate travel & entertainment expense abuses. We will also point out various online and public resources for participants to start building their own library of tests to support both reactive investigations as well as proactive prevention and detection.
Speakers:
Vincent M. Walden, CPA, CFE
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Steven M. Yoss, Jr., CPA
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Apply an update of the tax provisions related to
capitalization
depreciation
disposition
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Recent tax legislation and developments related to capitalization
- Eligible property for Section 179 and Section 168(k)
- Discussion of the Section 179 deduction and its use to depreciate real property
- The Section 168(k) deduction and its use to depreciate real property
- Disposition of segments of real property
- Exchanges of tangible personal property after repeal of the like-kind exchange rules
- Other related topics
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize why effective conflict management is vital for CPAs today
Identify common conflict scenarios faced in CPA roles and anticipate potential challenges
Apply integrated communication techniques from "Crucial Conversations," "Fierce Conversations," and "Leading with Questions"
Use strategic questioning to facilitate open dialogue and achieve positive outcomes
Develop and implement a customized conflict resolution strategy
Draw inspiration from real-life CPA success stories
Instructor:
Tammy Daugherty
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Common conflicts CPAs face
- The impacts of having/not having crucial conversations
- Learn your conflict style and how to elevate your conflict capabilities
- Identifying conflict triggers
- Best practices using an integrated approach from Crucial Conversations, Fierce Conversations, and Leading with Questions.
- Interviews from CPAs and real-life scenarios they faced and what crucial conversation approaches they used.
We believe that leadership and ethics are intrinsically connected and will explore women in leadership through an ethics-based lens.
The reality is, despite women representing approximately half of our world's population, they are significantly underrepresented in the workforce and most notably in leadership positions. In fact, not only do women have to cross more hurdles to advance into leadership positions, but when they do, they are burning out at a much faster rate than their male counterparts.
In this course, we will discuss both the external societal barriers as well as the internal barriers that sabotage women from moving into leadership positions. We will examine common believes ("I should be nice," "I am an imposter", etc.) as well as behaviors that can hold women back and then offer suggestions for moving forward.
We will provide tools to enhance one's self-awareness, create openings for self-reflection as well as provide opportunities to take on new perspectives.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Recognize the State of Women and Leadership in the United StatesDistinguish and appreciate the relationship of ethics to leadershipIdentify internal and external barriers to leadership and have suggestions for minimizing those challenges.Act upon suggestions to create a culture of Safety and Caring
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz and Jennifer Sullivan
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- The State of Women in Leadership in the United States
- Leadership Defined
- Virtue Ethics
- Internal and External Challenges for Women in Leadership
- Creating a Culture of Safety and Caring
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending the presentation, you will be able to
Determine the situations, circumstances, and people where you avoid difficult conversations
Identify where you are making up a story about the situation
Distinguish where you are creating obstacles
Instructor:
Julie G. Holunga, MBA, CPCC, ACC and Stephanie Wachman
Fields of Study:
Personal Development
Major Topics:
The major subjects that will be covered in this course include:
- Awareness of your mindset entering the conversation
- Tactics to build a pool of meaning
- Clarity around story telling
- Biggest mistakes to avoid
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify the key features to look for in e-signature software.
Distinguish between the features of top selling e-signature applications.
Recognize best practices for deploying e-signature software.
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Review of the digital document signing process.
- Key features to evaluate in selecting a solution.
- Review and distinguish top selling e-signature applications.
- Best practices for deploying e-signature software in your practice or business.
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.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
In this course, participants will learn about key trends and innovations impacting the field of forensic data analytics. From generative AI to ChatGPT, machine learning and transaction review, data sharing consortiums and cryptocurrency trends, this course is for the futurist who wants to be leading edge in compliance and anti-fraud technology innovation.
Speakers:
Vincent M. Walden, CPA, CFE
In this introductory course, you'll learn the fundamentals of integrating forensic data analytics into your anti-fraud risk management program. We will cover key definitions, use cases, methodologies and some of the leading innovations and techniques driving this ever-evolving field of "finding hidden money."
Speakers:
Vincent M. Walden, CPA, CFE
Running or advising a small business? KPI Bootcamp can help you quickly find and deploy the right KPIs to achieve your, or your client's, goals. Delivered by Bernie Smith, KPI specialist and overloaded small business owner, this course will help you quickly select a handful of powerful measures that apply to your business. The step-by-step approach helps you sharpen your objectives and select the right KPIs to drive growth and profit.
Every one of the 412 included KPIs (as free PDF download for every participant) includes a full plain-English definition and also covers business benefits, case-study examples and practical tips.
Speakers:
Bernie Smith
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?
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
Performance targets and incentives can drive breathtakingly positive results: the moon landings, the eradication of smallpox, or the repair of the ozone layer, for example. They can also have a dark side that can create stress, overload and anxiety and even drive lawbreaking.
What is the difference between a healthy ‘stretch’ target and one pushes people too far? How can we spot potential problems in advance and systematically design sensible, humane and effective performance targets?
Using practical examples and case studies, Bernie will give you an overview of the essential steps for designing robust, effective, and credible targets for any organization.
Designing effective, practical and realistic performance targets will never be easy, but this session will introduce you to the tools that help make the process clearer, simpler and more consistent.
Speakers:
Bernie Smith
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Implement AI tools to transform business ideas into marketable digital productsCreate professional audio-visual content using AI-powered platformsDesign effective e-commerce strategies for digital product distributionDevelop comprehensive content marketing workflows using AI toolsEvaluate opportunities for revenue generation through AI-assisted ideationGenerate diverse content formats using AI transformation techniquesConstruct cohesive digital asset portfolios for multiple platforms
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- AI-powered ideation and opportunity identification techniques
- Digital asset creation workflows using generative AI tools
- Audio and video content generation using AI avatars and synthesis
- E-commerce integration and product development strategies
- AI-driven presentation and visual content creation
- Social media content optimization and distribution
- Multi-format content transformation (articles, songs, comics, storyboards)
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the basic elements in a typical supplier contract
Recall when it is necessary to obtain a Form W-9
Recognize company risks when working with suppliers
Instructor:
David Peters
Fields of Study:
Finance
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of supplier contracts
- Case studies of successful and not-so-successful supplier relationships
- Risk potentials
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
Are you looking to fortify your practice against the ever-growing threats in the digital landscape? Join us for the second installment of our exclusive webinar series, "Mastering Cybersecurity," brought to you by Practice Protect.
In today's digitally connected world, the need for comprehensive cybersecurity is paramount. With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, it's crucial to stay ahead of the curve in protecting your sensitive client data.
This webinar series is designed to equip CPAs with the knowledge and tools needed to secure their practices and client information effectively.
Speakers:
Jon Melloy
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.
Speakers:
LeAnne Lagasse, SHRM-SCP
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 Part 2 of this seminar we will go into more depth about how to get more done in less time, as well as how to not burnout from all the work you do. We will discuss additional methods for working smarter through technology, communication, stress reduction, and creating smart and helpful goals.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Objectives:
- Understand the CPA’s role in the beginning of the transaction and throughout the process
- Identify the different tax consequences for various forms of acquired businesses
- Identify the tax consequences for sellers of various forms of businesses, including the impact of the net investment income tax (NIIT) and the §199A pass-through deduction
- Appreciate §338 and §338(h)(10) elections and the benefits of installment sales
- Understand the impact of §§751, 743, 734, and 754 on the purchase or sale of a partnership
Presenters:
Michael Frost, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (4)
Major Topics:
- An overview of the beginning of the process and documents for preliminary tax planning
- Recognizing the need for due diligence in acquisitions, including checklists of important points
- Deemed asset sales – §338 and §338(h)(10)
- The impact of the §197 amortizable intangibles regulations on the acquisition and disposition of a business
- Allocating purchase price for tax advantage
- Planning to avoid double taxation under the repeal of the General Utilities doctrine
- Special problems and opportunities when an S corporation is the buyer or seller
- Installment sale and interest issues
- Avoiding tax pitfalls and recognizing tax planning opportunities
- Unique issues in buying and selling LLC/partnership interests
- Impact of the net investment income tax (NIIT) and the §199A pass-through deduction on the tax due on the sale of a pass-through entity
- Individually owned goodwill
Objectives:
- Recognize the impact recent tax legislation has had on the construction industry
- Identify when the cash method of accounting may be used for long-term contracts
- Recall the authoritative source of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) impacting the construction industry in general and long-term contracts in particular
- Recognize how the IRC impacts specialized sectors of the construction industry, such as homebuilders and residential construction
- State how a contractor qualifies for the small contractor exemption and the advantages it presents the contractor
- Recognize the different methods of income recognition from long-term contracts available when the contractor qualifies for the small contractor exemption
- Identify the qualifications for the 10 percent deferral election
- Identify the major differences regarding cost capitalization rules between U.S. GAAP, exempt contracts, and nonexempt contracts
- Recognize the five basic rules concerning cost allocation for tax purposes
- Recognize how the alternative minimum tax impacts the construction industry
- Identify ways to reduce the impact of the alternative minimum tax
- Recognize the issues involved with the “look-back” provisions
- Recognize the issues involved in determining a worker’s status as an employee or independent contractor and how this determination impacts the construction industry
- Recognize the key provisions of “FIN 48” and how it specifically impacts the construction industry
- Identify the most commonly missed tax strategies for contractors
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Taxes (4)
Major Topics:
- The impact of recent legislation on the construction industry
- How to qualify for the “small contractor exemption” and its advantages to the taxpayer
- Options available to the “small” contractor regarding taxation of long-term contracts
- How the choice of entity impacts taxation of contractors
- How AMT impacts the construction industry
- IRC §460 and “large” contractors
- How “uninstalled materials” impact taxation of contractors
- How the “look-back” rules impact contractors
- How the “10 percent method” can allow certain contractors to defer recognizing taxable income
- Critical tax planning strategies for contractors
Objectives:
- Be aware of fiduciary accounting principles
- Calculate Distributable Net Income and the income distribution deduction
- Prepare Form 1041 and Schedule K-1
Presenters:
Michael Frost, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- Classifying receipts between “income” and “corpus” under the Uniform Principal and Income Act
- Calculation of DNI utilizing three different methods, a “forms” method (Schedule B), a “code” method, and a “shortcut” method, utilizing a worksheet of common income and expenses
- Proper W-2 preparation and procedures in the year of death
- Taxpayer passes before taking a required minimum distribution; what must be done?
- Forgetful fiduciaries of simple trusts
- Fluctuating trusts – Simple one year, complex the next
- Dividing income in the year of death
- Overview of Subchapter J
- Form preparation issues – Filing requirements and line-by-line explanations of Form 1041
- Taxable income of estates and trusts and expense allocation issues
- Specific deductions and miscellaneous itemized deductions
- Income in respect of a decedent
- The income distribution deduction calculation
- Relation of principal and income law to DNI
- Understanding how to handle capital gains and losses
- Allocating tax items to beneficiaries: another K-1
- Other considerations: excess deductions on termination
- Comprehensive DNI case study, with principal (cost and FMV) and income reconciliation
- Comprehensive trust and estate case studies, with filled-in forms
Participants will explore various aspects of data modeling such as establishing relationships, creating calculated columns, and understanding the intricacies of basic DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) measures. These skills are vital for anyone looking to extract meaningful insights from large and complex datasets.
Attendees will be introduced to advanced concepts such as the strategic use of calculated columns versus measures, and the differentiation between explicit and implicit measures. This knowledge is crucial for developing sophisticated data models that not only provide accurate results but are also efficient in terms of performance. The course will also cover the creation and use of hierarchies and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), essential for any robust data analysis framework. To ensure that the learning is well-rounded and applicable, the course includes practical exercises in using pivot tables within Power BI. This helps in validating and enhancing the measures and models created, ensuring they are robust and reliable for real-world application.
"Build a Data Model for Analysis in Power BI" is an essential course for professionals aiming to leverage the full potential of Power BI 's data model. Whether you're looking to streamline your data analysis process, enhance your reporting capabilities, or drive insightful business decisions, this course will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Apply fundamental principles of data modeling in Power BI to integrate various data sources effectively.
Determine the most appropriate scenarios for using calculated columns versus measures in Power BI data analysis.
Choose and implement the correct type of DAX measures (explicit or implicit) for specific data modeling needs.
Use pivot tables in Power BI to validate and refine data measures, ensuring accuracy and reliability in reporting.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Data Modeling Essentials: Understanding the core concepts of data modeling in Power BI, including integration of various data sources.
- Building Relationships: Techniques to establish and manage relationships between different data sets.
- Calculated Columns and Basic DAX Measures: Introduction to DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) and its application in creating calculated columns and basic measures.
- Calculated Columns vs Measures: Insights into when to use calculated columns and when to opt for measures.
- Explicit vs Implicit Measures: Understanding the difference and appropriate application of explicit and implicit measures in data analysis.
- Hierarchies in Data: Creating and utilizing hierarchies to enhance data analysis and reporting.
- Using Pivot Tables to Validate Measures: Practical skills in using pivot tables within Power BI to validate and refine measures.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recall and discuss current items on the FASB agenda
Apply practical strategies in using GAAP alternatives
Instructor:
Chris Harper, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Review of current items on the FASB agenda
- Discuss the new revenue recognition standard
- Provide an update on the new lease accounting standard
- Address U.S. GAAP alternatives for certain entities
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the impact of recent GASB standards on financial reporting.
Identify independence requirements of Yellow Book.
Identify changes in the 2024 Compliance Supplement.
Recognize changes to the Uniform Guidance.
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting (Governmental)
Auditing (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- GASB 100, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.
- GASB 101, Compensated Absences.
- Yellow Book and Single Audit engagements.
- Yellow Book independence requirements.
- Changes to the Uniform Guidance.
- 2024 Compliance Supplement and the common deficiencies identified by the federal agencies and peer reviewers.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Undertake an assessment of your current situation and where you have evolved from
Identify tactics to survive and prosper in a virtual work environment will be covered
Create your own unique bucket list and learn how to use it to maintain a proper balance in your life
Instructor:
Ronald L Seigneur, CPA/ABV, ASA, CVA
Fields of Study:
Personal Development
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- How to get more out of one's work
- How to achieve greater balance between today's ever more demanding and complex demands of work without losing sight of what is important in daily routines
- Example of how to develop and be challenged by your own personal bucket list
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the core functionalities of ChatGPT and its applications in business advisory services
Analyze accounting firm challenges using a variety of enterprise evaluation methodologies
Develop strategies to overcome identified challenges and enhance profitability and growth using ChatGPT
Evaluate the efficiency of these strategies in real-world contexts
Create innovative solutions leveraging ChatGPT for unique business scenarios
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
- Introduction to ChatGPT and its applications in the business advisory context
- In-depth exploration of enterprise evaluation methodologies like SWOT, PESTLE, BCG Matrix, McKinsey 7S Model, Ansoff Matrix, etc.
- Practical case studies demonstrating application of ChatGPT in accounting business analysis
- Key challenges faced by accounting firms and how ChatGPT can help overcome these
- Best practices for implementing AI tools in the accounting sector
- Future opportunities and trends in AI-enhanced business advisory services
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to:
Recall the primary methods of online fraud
Identify the types of weaknesses that can be exploited by those undertaking electronically based frauds
Recognize specific internal control measures that can help to reduce these types of fraud activities.
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- The actuation of online and other cyber frauds
- Fraudulent acts that are initiated electronically
- Automated and employee driven methods that can reduce cyber-fraud risk
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Enhance your productivity and streamline your accounting practices with ideas learned in this course. This dynamic program, designed specifically for accountants seeking a competitive edge, delves into the practical applications of ChatGPT in your daily workflow. From conducting comprehensive research and crafting compelling correspondence to swiftly addressing technical inquiries and optimizing
Excel formulas, you will gain invaluable skills to expedite your tasks and improve overall efficiency. Furthermore, we will delve into the power of ChatGPT plugins, equipping you with the knowledge to process PDF documents seamlessly and efficiently navigate the vast expanse of the web. Join us on this transformative journey and unlock your potential as a proficient and empowered accountant.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
In this course, we look at empirical data on why some companies succeed while others fail. By looking at companies that were created prior to 1950 (e.g., Disney, Marriott, or 3M), we can understand why certain organizations have been able to grow and achieve exceptional success through many different eras in the American economy. The lessons learned from these visionary companies can be broadly applied to organizations of all sizes, including accounting and financial service firms.
Objectives:
- Understand what differentiates highly successful organizations from their less successful peers, according to research
- Recognize the myths regarding organizational success
- Implement strategies to improve corporate culture and effectiveness
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Business Management & Organization (Non-technical) (2)
Major Topics:
- Creating a visionary company
- Traits of successful, visionary companies
- Goal setting to create a successful organization
- The role of experimentation and failure in achieving success
- How successful organizations emphasize learning new skills
- The role of effective communication in achieving corporate success
- The importance of emotional intelligence in building corporate culture
- How leadership can direct a company toward success
Objectives:
- Explain the concept of delegation
- Assess delegation skills
- List poor delegation outcomes
- Identify the ten steps to delegating effectively
- Recognize the barriers and benefits of delegation
- Begin a delegation action plan
Presenters:
Deb Brown
Field of Study:
Personal Development (2)
Major Topics:
- What is delegation?
- Why is delegation important?
- When and to whom should tasks be assigned?
- How can you delegate effectively?
- How do you deal with problems and issues when they arise?
Objectives:
- Advise clients with respect to the risks associated with their treating workers as independent contractors rather than employees
- Understand how to employ Section 530 for purposes of defending against an IRS allegation that one or more workers are employees and not independent contractors
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Edward Renn, Esq.
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- The 20 common law factors in a worker classification audit that are used to distinguish an employee from an independent contractor
- How disgruntled independent contractors can use IRS Form 8919 against a former employer
- When and how to use §530 as a defense in worker classification audits
- What is "industry practice" for §530 purposes
- Common sense steps that will avoid the recharacterization of workers treated as independent contractors to employees
- The IRS’s Voluntary Classification Settlement Program — advantages and disadvantages
- The DOL Final Rule
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall evaluating long-lived assets for impairment.
Recognize unique valuation considerations with customer receivables and inventory.
Assess accounting and disclosure considerations related to insurance claims.
Recognize other matters, such as lease terminations, debt compliance and more!
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Current and noncurrent asset impairment.
- Insurance claims and related recoveries.
- Debt and liquidity issues.
- Government assistance and relief.
- Subsequent Events.
- Lease modifcations.
- Other matters.
Over two dynamic days in June, 2025, you'll delve into the strategies and tools that will empower you to enhance your advisory capabilities. Confidently step into Client Advisory and Accounting Services (CAAS) or elevate your existing CAAS offerings? This event is perfect for accountants and managers in public accounting firms who want to build or enhance their CAAS capabilities and leverage new tools and frameworks to deliver real value to clients. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this workshop series is designed to provide you with actionable skills and confidence to transform your advisory practice.
Join us and take the first step towards mastering advisory excellence! Don't miss this opportunity to master advisory excellence-register now and take the first step towards a brighter future for your advisory services!
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify two main categories of mental obstacles to help you expand your CAAS
Apply narrative structure to clarify the fundamental differences between compliance and advisory services
Create internal buy-in in your firm Convert current clients to CAAS
Identify how to acquire knowledge of a system for selling
Move away from hourly billing to value pricing
Create different packages
Utilize a system for pricing
Apply a CAAS Delivery Framework to prospect and client work
Utilize a self-assessment to uncover client needs
Enhance client profitability through benchmarking
Advise clients on effective cash flow strategies
Design and recommend technology application stacks
Identify the narrative structure's application to the CAAS advisory role
Apply the psychology of meaning attachment (""The Thing Under the Thing"") to the process of effective client advisory
Apply the ABT (""And. But. Therefore."") framework to conflict resolution and overall clarity in client communication.
Instructor:
Various - see description
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Communications and Marketing
Finance
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this WORKSHOP include:
Day 1:
Tues., June 17, 2025
10:00am ET – 4:00pm ET
6 CPE
Day 1 of this CAAS online workshop will feature three sessions that will help attendees communicate, scope, market, price, and sell CAAS to prospects and customers. One session will focus on marketing and communications, another will focus on accounting, and the third will focus on CAAS from a finance perspective.
Day 2:
Wed., June 18, 2025
10:00am ET – 3:00pm ET
4 CPE
Day 2 of this CAAS online workshop will feature two sessions that will help attendees communicate and deliver CAAS to prospects and customers. One session will focus on an accounting perspective and the other session will focus on CAAS from a marketing and communications perspective. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the different types of AI technology
Recognize the potential of this powerful technology for CPAs
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of AI and its evolution in business
- Deep dive into generative AI and its applications
- Impact of AI on accounting, tax and finance sectors
- Future trends and opportunities for CPAs
- Preparing for the AI-driven business environment
This course will review the Federal Trade Commission's proposed rule banning non-competes. It will also briefly go over the rule making process and timeline for the proposed rule to go into effect. In the second half, the presentation will review the patchwork quilt of state laws that have curtailed enforcement of non-competes, as well as best practices for businesses to consider when implementing non-competes in the workforce.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
LeAnne Lagasse, SHRM-SCP
Are you looking to fortify your practice against the ever-growing threats in the digital landscape? Join us for the third installment of our exclusive webinar series, "Mastering Cybersecurity," brought to you by Practice Protect.
In today's digitally connected world, the need for comprehensive cybersecurity is paramount. With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, it's crucial to stay ahead of the curve in protecting your sensitive client data. This webinar series is designed to equip CPAs with the knowledge and tools needed to secure their practices and client information effectively.
Speakers:
Jon Melloy
This course provides in-depth information to enable the practitioner to make a well-informed decision as to whether a trust is the appropriate vehicle for a client’s financial, estate, and/or asset protection plan, and, if so, how the trust can best be implemented and operated. Participants will learn about the many different types of trusts that can be harnessed to save clients income, estate, generation-skipping, and other taxes, at both the federal and state level.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize differences between financial and managerial accounting.
Revisit fundamental managerial accounting concepts.
Utilize managerial accounting to facilitate decision-making.
Apply managerial accounting techniques to actual business circumstances.
Instructor:
Dr. Christopher J. Harper, CPA, MBA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Target profit and Break-even analysis.
- Relevant costs and decision-making.
- Standard costs and variances.
- Activity-based costing.
- Segment reporting and analysis.
- Budgeting.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
We interview both financial professionals, and they tell us more about how their decisions influenced the consequences that followed.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify business decisions that can lead to federal criminal charges
Recognize how federal sentencing guidelines relate to convictions for fraud
Spot triggers that lead to charges for white collar crime
Recall strategies to protect against accusations against charges for white collar crime
Estimate the aftermath of a criminal charge
Instructor:
Justin Paperny
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Career choices
- Ethical dilemmas
- Judicial proceedings
- Mitigation strategies
- Creating tools to help make better decisions
- Atonement and reconciliation
Trust is essential, because without trust, there can be no teamwork. Trust is like oxygen, when it is gone - we suffocate. This session provides a 15-step action plan to gain commitment from your team members, build trust, hold each person accountable and create results for your organization.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
The Corporate Transparency Act now requires many entities to file BOI reports with information about their owners. The due date for most initial reports is January 1, 2025, which is quickly approaching. Depending on the entity structure selected and whether the entity falls within one of 23 exceptions, an entity may be considered a reporting company and an individual may be considered a beneficial owner. The broad language of the statute and regulations has potential for surprise results. This course provides a guide for the new filing requirements, and examines the impact of choice of entity on BOI reports.
Speakers:
Matthew S. Beard, JD, LLM
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to:
Increase understanding of human factors affecting ethical choices
Offer tools for sound ethical decision making
Provide concrete actions for creating an ethical work environment
Increase awareness of our individual impact on the work environment
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
Ethical Values and Principles
- Human Factors impacting ethical choices
- Professional and organizational responsibilities in creating an ethical work environment
- Tools for ethical decision making
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify new requirements related to audit reporting and required by-product communications
Recall core concepts fundamental to obtaining sufficient and appropriate audit evidence in compliance with recently-issued auditing standards
Recognize recent clarifications and enhancements made to improve the quality of the risk-based audit process
Recall significant new requirements of SAS Nos 134-145
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Key changes to audit report elements intended to improve the understandability of the nature and results of financial statement audits
- Enhanced required by-product communications with management and those charged with governance to promote more reliable financial statements
- Clarifications related to obtaining sufficient and appropriate audit evidence, including significant unusual transactions, related parties, going concern uncertainty, and accounting estimates
- New definitions and requirements related to identifying and evaluating risks of material misstatement
- Other important matters contained in SAS Nos. 134-145
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Apply guidance of the "big picture" of qualified deductible expenses and strategies and guidance on what to do and when to do it
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Definition of what qualifies as an entertainment expense
- Strategies to deduct business entertainment expenses
- Deductibility of meals
- Situations not subject to the 50% meals and entertainment reduction
- How to handle automobile issues related to employer-provided parking
- Proper accounting for deductible vs. non-deductible expenditures
- The four steps to analyze business expenses
- The latest federal legislation, cases and rulings
Overview of the most important labor and employment policies and practices that every business should have. The review will go over confidentiality agreements, arbitration agreements, restrictive covenants, training, and severance agreements, as well as compliance issues related to each of them.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
When the leadership in any organizations carries out their responsibilities of establishing, maintaining and monitoring internal controls, it significantly reduces the possibility of fraud occurring. When and if it does occur, a good system of internal controls will often detect it early on.
This presentation is an illustration of what can happen when top management fails to carry out their responsibility of protecting an entity’s assets through a good system of internal controls.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
We all want to be successful and deeply fulfilled, but most of us have not learned what really leads to a life of abundance, happiness, purpose, and great relationships. In this seminar, you will learn the most effective methods for creating the life you really want. In his interviews with such people as Oprah, the Dalai Lama, Deepak Chopra, Tony Robbins, Ted Turner, and dozens of others, Jonathan has learned what really works and what does not. In this seminar you’ll learn the best personal and professional growth techniques he’s acquired over his career. Once you know these great ideas and methods, you'll be able to take your life and career to a whole new level.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Although state laws vary, non-competes are often used to protect the creation and development of corporate goodwill, customer relationships, and specialized training, among others. Today, employees are more likely to be asked to sign non-compete agreements as a condition of employment. Non-compete agreements are also a common component of a business sale agreement. This program surveys non-compete agreements from all angles, including the current state of play regarding the usefulness and enforceability of agreements going forward. Whether you advise individual clients or work for an employer, this course provides an understanding of common issues that arise in the negotiation and enforcement of non-competes.
Objectives:
- Understand the issues that arise when an employer seeks to enforce a non-compete or when an employee challenges the validity of a non-compete agreement
- Understand how non-compete laws vary significantly by state
- Be aware of common issues that arise when drafting and litigating non-compete agreements
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Business Law (2)
Major Topics:
- Review of the current legal and regulatory framework surrounding non-compete agreements
- Enforcement of non-compete agreements from the employer’s perspective
- Opposing enforcement of non-compete agreements from the employee’s perspective
- Understanding reasonable geographic scope and time limitations for non-compete agreements
- Understanding key issues that arise during enforcement and opposition to enforcement of non-compete agreements
With IRA-based employer plans, employer contributions are sometimes discretionary, giving business owners the choice of whether to fund every year. Despite the simplicity of these plans, employers must ensure that applicable compliance requirements are met to avoid penalties. To that end, this course will cover some key provisions of SEP and SIMPLE IRAs.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Denise Appleby, MJ, APA, CISP, CRPS, CRC
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- Identify compliance issues
- Understand how health care mandates apply to employers and individuals
- Explain the nondiscrimination rules that apply to employer-sponsored retirement and health care plans
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Business Law (2), Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- ERISA compliance: employee welfare plans and qualified plans
- Fringe benefit issues: COBRA, Family and Medical Leave Act, and new developments in health care
- Health care plans: HRAs, HSAs, and other employer-sponsored plans
- Qualified plan requirements: eligibility, coverage, and vesting
Objectives:
- Advise individual clients on the benefits of using a trust to achieve their personal goals
- Save clients money in their estate planning
Presenters:
Ciro Poppiti, Esq.
Field of Study:
Taxes (4)
Major Topics:
- Key concepts of trusts, including recent trends; best practices; jurisdiction; and ways to avoid pitfalls
- Decanting
- Federal estate tax exemption and remaining relevance of trusts
- Irrevocable life insurance trusts
- The role of family dynamics
- Choice of trustee and other fiduciaries
- State trust-friendly considerations
- Charitable trusts
- Delaware Statutory Trusts
- Powers of attorney
- Pet Trusts – the emerging necessities
- State, county, and local issues
- Portability
- QTIP issues
- Creditor considerations
- Potential IRA problems
- Problems with re-titling assets
Objectives:
- Advise individual clients on tax changes and opportunities in 2025 and after
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Edward Renn, Esq.
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- New Clean Vehicles (CV) and the Clean Vehicle Credit
- What the CV seller must provide to the buyer
- Credit for previously owned CVs
- Energy efficient home improvement credit
- Increase in age for required beginning date for RMDs
- Reduction in excise tax on RMD failures
- Indexing IRA catch-up limit
- Higher catch-up limit to apply at age 60, 61, 62 and 63
- Withdrawals for certain emergency expenses
- Qualifying longevity annuity contracts (QLACs)
- One-time election for qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to split-interest entity; increase in QCD limitation
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending the presentation you will be able to...
Define the elements of negligence, the common law cause of action.
Explain what constitutes reasonable practitioner behavior with reference to practice standards and common law.
Ascertain how to avoid common pitfalls that could lead to the practitioner being sued.
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- How accountant liability is a very real threat in today's litigious society.
- A discussion of scenarios in which accounting professionals can find themselves inadvertently involved in a lawsuit.
- Pitfalls in which the accountant may find him- or her- self while dealing with clients.
- Real-life examples from the speaker's extensive experience as a practitioner and as an expert witness in accounting malpractice cases.
Objectives:
- Identify common frauds occurring in federal awards today
- Avoid losing sight of the potential for fraud occurring in single audits
- Protect governments and nonprofits from fraud
Presenters:
Charlie Blanton, CPA
Field of Study:
Auditing (Governmental) (4)
Major Topics:
- Study real-life misappropriations involving federal awards and how they were carried out
- The backgrounds, motivations and methodologies of the fraudsters
- Brainstorm where things went wrong that allowed the frauds to occur without prevention or detection
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify the authority and regulations of the IRS.
Develop a plan of action to prepare for an audit.
Recognize questionable tax strategies by owners.
Develop a plan for unpaid taxes.
Recognize possible criminal tax violations.
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
- The authority of IRS in assessing and collecting taxes.
- The common misconceptions when dealing with IRS.
- Common questionable actions by business owners.
- How to prepare for an IRS audit.
- The seven options in IRS collections.
- Possible criminal tax violations by CFOs and small business owners.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify the elements of the "Ethical Diamond"
Distinguish between the effects of a crisis and burnout on ethics
Select methods for reducing stress, supporting your coworkers, and ensuring compliance
Instructor:
Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CMA, CIA, CFF, CGMA, MS
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Explore the effects of crisis and burnout on ethical decision-making
- Define the stressors, pressures, and biases that can lead good people to make less than optimal choices
- Discuss ways to offset the pressures, ways to reduce stress on ourselves and on our team, and ways to support our teams
- Learn how to recognize when an individual or an organization is heading in the wrong direction and how to stop sliding down the slippery slope
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Discuss common financial statement disclosures for small- and medium-sized nonpublic entities
Describe critical information useful to financial statement readers for making economic decisions
Explain results of operations through information that supplements the face financial statements
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- General disclosures about the entity and its environment
- Common critical information useful to financial statement readers for making economic decisions
- Explain results of operations through information that supplements the face financial statements
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to:
Recall the effects of the rapid move to distance employees
Indicate the factors that make supporting and controlling telecommuters challenging, and
Identify the types of controls to consider for the new geographically dispersed work environment
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- The benefits and pitfalls of remote employees.
- How to maximize the value provided by distance workers.
- Policies, procedures, and control measures designed for a more geographically dispersed workforce.
Imagine being able to see into the future with confidence. The ability to be a great forecaster is not innate but learned. By examining great forecasters, we can learn to improve our ability to predict the future. We will examine best practices and current research to improve our ability to predict events that will affect our business.
Speakers:
John Levy, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
Cybercrime is on the rise and CPAs that handle sensitive client data are often the target of cybercrimes. By attending this session you'll learn what the eight biggest threats are to your business and uncover the three pillars of cybersecurity that you can build your firm's defense around.
Speakers:
Jon Melloy
For HR and Business professionals, navigating the intricate dynamics of executive decision-making can often be a daunting task. Despite the meticulous hours invested in research, strategy formulation, and planning, the true challenge often lies in effectively communicating and gaining acceptance for these transformative ideas. A key aspect of this is the art of persuasion, ensuring that the merits of our proposals are not just understood but wholeheartedly embraced by decision-makers. This session is designed to empower leaders with the tools and insights needed to craft persuasive pitches, build a robust business case, and confidently communicate the ROI of their initiatives. Moreover, attendees will gain insights into the common pitfalls that can hinder their pitches and learn techniques to address objections frequently raised by executive leadership.
Speakers:
LeAnne Lagasse, SHRM-SCP
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
While accountants are numbers people by training (not detectives per se with the exception of forensic accountants), practitioners are increasingly being called upon by governments and economic organizations at all levels to step up and help law enforcement battle financial impropriety.
The stakes are huge. In the United States alone, the OECD estimates that 5% to 10% of the annual budget of the US health care programs, Medicare and Medicaid, is wasted as a result of corruption. Every dollar lost to monetary malfeasance has a crippling effect that ripples through countries, industries, companies, communities and individual lives. Government resources are wasted, public services are compromised, companies are financially destabilized, shareholders are cheated, employers are swindled, charities are undermined and much more.
By increasing their awareness of what and how the IRS investigates and prosecutes, accountants can heighten their "spidey sense" of what doesn't look right in financial records. This includes honing skills to more readily notice -- and report -- ledger anomalies and irregularities, and even rethink a "silence is always safer" mindset. As technology disrupts and automates many fundamental accounting functions, practitioners can add value by more diligently scanning for "creative accounting" red flags on the frontlines.
Prioritizing transparency and behaving ethically -- the core of the profession -- not only helps society and the economy as a whole, it can help accountants boost their reputation as highly trusted business advisors and even supercharge their bottom line.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
Heighten awareness of IRS investigative priorities.
Review criminal case files across the United States from an accounting perspective.
Help practitioners be more mindful of their frontline role to act in the public interest and assist law enforcement to detect corruption and report financial misdeeds.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
- Snapshot of IRS Criminal Investigations
- General tax fraud
- Abusive tax schemes
- Refund fraud
- Employment tax fraud
- Identity theft
- Data compromises
- Money laundering
- Public corruption
- Corporate fraud
- General frauds
- Cyber crimes
- Global tax and economic crimes
- Narcotics, counter-terrorism and transnational organized crime
- Selected Field Office Case Files from Across US
- New England
- Middle Atlantic
- East
- North
- Central
- West
- North Central
- South Atlantic
- East South
- Central West
- South Central
- Mountain
- Pacific
- How accountants can add value to their operations by aiding law enforcement and fighting economic crime
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify the opportunities to leverage the power of ChatGPT into your client advisory services
Recognize the key concepts and nomenclature related to ChatGPT and generative AI
Develop specific applications for ChatGPT in your client advisory service
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- ChatGPT and generative AI technology primer
- Building your generative AI vocabulary
- Dig deeper into your engagement research to develop a higher quality advisory service
- Polish your client reporting with the help of ChatGPT
- Developing your ChatGPT client advisory services
- Start with client education. You don’t need to be a technical expert to be an educator
- Use AI to help your clients automate their workflows / business processes
- Build better spreadsheets with ChatGPT and Excel
- Help your clients identify, evaluate and select applications for their business
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.
Speakers:
Steven M. Yoss, Jr., CPA
In this unique and engaging ethics course, the instructor, Dr. Bruce Weinstein, The Ethics Guy (R), reveals ten crucial qualities of CPAs. They are:
1. Honesty
2. Accountability
3. Care
4. Courage
5. Fairness
6. Gratitude
7. Humility
8. Loyalty
9. Patience
10. Presence (focus or mindfulness)
You're already a good CPA and a good person. This course will show you how to be even better. The result will be greater satisfaction in your professional relationships, a deeper commitment to the profession of accounting, and much more business.
Please note that this is a stand-alone course for 2 CPE credits in Behavioral Ethics, but you'll maximize your ROI by also taking "Ethics: How to Build and Keep Your A-Team". Together these courses are two of the surest pathways to sustained success in accounting.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify ten crucial qualities of high-character CPAs
Recognize why each quality is essential to sustained success in accounting
Select focused questions to evaluate the character of job applicants
Put yourself ahead of the competition if you're applying for a job (Hint: It involves explaining how your high character has consistently delivered positive results)
Instructor:
Bruce Weinstein
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Discover why the ten crucial qualities of high-character CPAs are essential to your success
- Learn how to evaluate these qualities in job candidates and why you must do so
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze potential non-compliance situations which are not necessarily protected by the accountant's ethical duty of confidentiality.
Recognize how matters constrained by confidentiality can sometimes include violations of laws and regulations.
Identify when an accountant may or may not set aside the duty of confidentiality in order to disclose NOCLAR to appropriate authorities.
Recall a recent real-world case that includes a NOCLAR situation.
Instructor:
Albert D. Spalding, JD, PhD, CPA/CFF
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Are Accountants the Conscience of Business?
- Today’s Ethical Duty of Confidentiality
- IESBA NOCLAR Pronouncement
- Where We Go from Here (No Clarity?)
- Case Discussion and Analysis
- Conclusion
We all make predictions in our personal and professional lives. We base our decisions to marry, buy a house, launch a new product or hire staff on expectations about the future. In the past few years, research into improving predictions has advanced. We will look at this research and current best practices in forecasting to help us prepare better budgets and projections.
Speakers:
John Levy, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
John Levy, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
The audit standards state that one of the reasons auditors fail to detect fraud is that they don’t know what it looks like. Prior to the original SAS No. 82, Consideration of Fraud In A Financial Statement Audit, nowhere in any SAS was there a description of what fraud looked like. So, as they say, if you don’t know what you are looking for, you can often look right at it and not recognize it!
This presentation illustrates some of the more common indicators of fraud they most individuals would overlook unless they 1) knew what they were looking for and were 2) actually looking for it. Contrary to what the standards say about fraud being concealed, I have found that fraud is often laying on the table right in front of you; but no one has discovered it because they have no idea what the indicators of fraud are.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
Strategic Planning for SMEs
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
How do you keep your team connected with the limitations of virtual meetings? Suddenly, it’s more important than ever for each member to understand and appreciate their differences; to see beyond the screen and see each other’s human-side to maintain trust. In this session, Tina Hallis, Ph.D., will explore the neuroscience of trust and why it’s critical for optimum teamwork. But more importantly, you will leave with specific strategies and tools that you can choose from to use with your people.
Speakers:
Tina Hallis, Ph.D.
Enterprise Risk Management for SMEs
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
According to the Gallup Organization, only 10% of employees believe that their organization does a good job onboarding new employees. This means most organizations are overlooking this crucial phase of the employee lifecycle, which not only includes the often-neglected pre-boarding stage but also the continuous efforts to reduce uncertainty, bolster excitement, and foster connections for their new recruits. By streamlining these processes and crafting impactful moments from pre-boarding through the initial weeks, HR and Business leaders can significantly enhance efficiency, foster trust, and establish a foundation of psychological safety for years to come. In this session, attendees will discover strategies and resources that craft a holistic onboarding experience, mitigating risks like employee ghosting, and paving the way for heightened engagement and retention.
Speakers:
LeAnne Lagasse, SHRM-SCP
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Christopher Pembrook, CPA, MBA, CGAP, CRFA
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
However, knowing the standards is not enough. You need to be able to effectively apply them. To support this, the course will review recent peer review feedback on SSARS engagements, providing insights on how to successfully apply this guidance.
Not only will this course bring you up to date on SSARS requirements and guidance, but more importantly, it will provide you with practical examples and illustrations to help you effectively and efficiently perform these types of engagements. This course is intended to be your go-to reference for training your staff and managing your SSARS No. 21-26 services in compliance with professional, ethical, and technical requirements.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Ken Levine
Field of Study:
Auditing (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- Understand the process of selling a business from finding a buyer to completing the sale
- Understand how business brokers operate and the fees that they charge
- Discuss the difference between selling the business and leaving the business: the transition period
- Protect the seller’s interest in a seller-financed sale
- Understand how estate planning and family succession of a business interact
- Understand the use of discounts in transfers of ownership interests to family members
- Discuss when to turn over operations while maintaining control of a family business: drawing distributions from the business for retirement and receiving a step-up in basis at death
- Understand various structuring options for family business succession
Presenters:
Michael Frost, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (Technical) (4)
Major Topics:
- How to find unrelated buyers of a business
- Maintaining control of the business succession process
- Turning over the reins to family members: when to give up control
- Finding the right team to sell a business
- Options for selling a business to an unrelated party
- Options for selling a business to family members
- Options for selling a business to employees
- Overcoming the emotional attachment to a business
- Selling to family members for a life annuity
- Using family partnerships and trusts to transfer a business
Objectives:
- Obtain a working knowledge of the not-for-profit financial reporting requirements
- Skillfully prepare a not-for-profit’s financial statements with superior knowledge of accounting and reporting requirements
- Effectively apply today’s core not-for-profit accounting requirements
Presenters:
Charlie Blanton, CPA
Field of Study:
Accounting (Governmental) (8)
Major Topics:
- Key requirements, options, and disclosures related to each of the basic financial statements
- The reporting of functional and natural expense information
- Requirements related to providing liquidity and availability of financial assets information
- Core not-for-profit accounting requirements related to conditional and unconditional contributions, promises to give, contributed services, net assets, special events, the classification of expenses, and more
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify common mistakes in the preparation of financial statements for small- and medium-sized entities
Handle common principle departures in the financial statements of small- and medium-sized entities
Recall common footnote disclosures in small- and medium-sized entities
Recognize the new lease accounting standard implementation issues
Instructor:
Walter J. Haig
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Amendments to the U.S. Accounting Standards Codification (i.e. - U.S. GAAP) issued during the 18-month period prior to the program that impact SMEs
- Update and review of the tax and cash special purpose frameworks
- Update and review of the AICPA Financial Reporting Framework for SMEs
- Update on common errors and deficiencies as identified in financial statements as identified in peer reviews and in litigation
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the purpose of Schedule K-2 and Schedule K-3
Identify components of each form and the areas which will need to be completed
Distinguish these new forms that affect partnerships and S Corporations
Recall when they must be filed
Determine which taxpayers need to complete these forms
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Introduction to Schedules K-2 and K-3
- Review the filing requirements
- Discuss the different parts of the schedules and what needs to be included
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Implement practical strategies based on a thorough understanding of the complex rules for retirement distributionsIdentify and recall key compliance issuesIdentify and recall significant issues in the taxation of retirement distributions
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Required minimum distributions for a deceased’s heirs
- 2025 retirement plan contribution limits
- Required minimum distributions and contributions to charity
- Key provisions of Secure Act 2.0
In today's competitive marketplace, retaining talented employees is becoming increasingly difficult. A solid benefits program can make a difference in the fight for talent - but only if those benefits matter to the employees you are trying to hire! Through statistics and case studies, this course will explore what benefits are most valuable to employees. We will also explore the basic types of retirement and health insurance plans and discuss what financial leaders should consider before adopting a benefits package.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify what types of benefits employees find valuable
Recall the basic types of retirement plans and how they differ
Distinguish between the basic health insurance plan types
Recognize how life insurance may be incorporated into an employee benefits package
Instructor:
David Peters
Fields of Study:
Personnel/Human Resources
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Decision Making Theory
- Compensation & Employee Satisfaction
- What benefits do employees care about?
- Retirement Plan Basics
- Health Insurance Basics
- Disability Insurance Basics
- Life Insurance Basics
- Fringe Benefits
- Summing It Up
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the impact of Accounting Standards Updates effective in 2025 on financial reporting.
Recall the changes made to PCC processes as a result of the 2024 PCC Review.
Identify potential topics identified by advisory groups in the FASB's ITC agenda consultation.
Identify the components of quality management.
Recall deficiencies identified by the DOL for EBP audits.Recall key projects of the Auditing Standards Board.
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Deep dive into the Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) effective in 2025.
- Insights from the FAF's 2024 PCC Review.
- Overview of FASB's Invitation to Comment - Agenda Consultation.
- The essential changes in quality management standards that firms must implement by the end of 2025.
- Common deficiencies identified by the DOL in EBP (Employee Benefit Plan) engagements and provide a peek at upcoming projects from the Auditing Standards Board (ASB).
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Comprehend and apply ChatGPT tools for effective IRS tax law research.
Analyze complex tax scenarios using AI-assisted techniques.
Develop skills in crafting precise prompts for accurate data retrieval.
Interpret and implement IRS tax regulations and guidelines.
Identify common pitfalls in tax law research and learn strategies for avoidance.
Evaluate the reliability and accuracy of AI-generated tax law insights.
Foster a proactive approach towards continual learning in AI and tax law.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Utilizing ChatGPT for IRS Tax Law Research: Principles and Practices
- Navigating IRS Databases Using Advanced AI Techniques
- Using IRS Prompt Templates: In-depth Analysis and Application
- ChatGPT in Action: Case Studies and Real-World Scenarios
- Exploring IRS Tax Laws: Strategies, Loopholes, and Compliance
- Error Prevention and Correction in Tax Law Research
- Future Trends: AI's Evolving Role in Taxation and Accounting
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Chuck Gallagher
This course is an updated overview of the single audit of state and local governments and not-for-profit organizations under the OMB Unified Circular, as well as the applicable AICPA standards for compliance audits.
Speakers:
J. Michael Inzina
A comprehensive review of the newest version of the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s Government Auditing Standards, otherwise known as “the Yellow Book.” The standard will affect all auditors who perform audits of government and nonprofit organizations who receive federal funds, or where application of GAO standards is required by law, regulation or contract. It does not address the standards applicable to performance audits.
Speakers:
J. Michael Inzina
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.
Speakers:
Mark Hugh, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
The world of work today has never before faced so many simultaneous changes. From rising turnover and rising employee disengagement to the changing psychology of the workforce, the world of work is changing fast. In order to understand how to thrive in this complex landscape - we must begin by understanding the key drivers of change. What is changing in the world of work, why are these changes happening, and what can we expect will continue to change and what may not change. These are the elements we will explore in this class.
Speakers:
Steve Cadigan
Why not learn, or re-learn, some amazing business lessons from the past that are still effective today? What did Henry Ford do when annual employee turnover was 370% and workers demanded more pay? Sound familiar to today’s world? Ford’s solution worked! We see today’s problems and believe that these problems have never occurred before. Not true. We will discuss timeless business lessons that are as practical today as when they were written decades ago. We will review; ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People,’ ‘Today and Tomorrow,’ and ‘The Art of War.’ Let's learn from the very best, as these lessons have been battle-tested and proven over time.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Objectives:
- Analyze the impact on an organization of current economic trends to include employment, deficits, unfunded liabilities, municipal debt, and interest rates
- Analyze the impact of the Dodd-Frank Bill on banking relationship and financial needs of the organization
- Review the impact of the Health Reform legislation
- Determine the safety and soundness of the financial plans for your organization in an uncertain economic climate
- Manage cash in a rapidly changing economic landscape
- Determine the impact on an organization of an aging U. S. population and succession planning
- Evaluate the impact of federal, state, and municipal deficits and unfunded mandates as it relates to tax planning
- Evaluate programs with Social Security funding as it relates to providing retirement plans for employees
- Determine the safety and soundness of credit and collections processes and selection of customers in an uncertain environment
- Identify factors influencing the debt and equity mix to manage growth and risk
- Influence growth through acquisition of distressed organizations
- Pinpoint the economic way ahead for 2017 and beyond
Presenters:
Frank Ryan, CPA
Field of Study:
Accounting (8)
Major Topics:
- Regulatory, fiscal, and monetary policies impact on the organization
- Dodd-Frank Bill and impact on financial reform
- Health insurance reform and the impact on the employer
- Managing risk in an uncertain economic climate
Objectives:
- Understand how managing to millennials allows organizations to grow and reduce turnover
- Understand how other organizations are attracting and retaining millennials
- Use research to learn millennials’ expectations, strengths and motivations
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Business Management and Organization (2)
Major Topics:
- Understanding who millennials are and what distinguishes them from other sectors of the workforce
- Changes millennials seek in the workplace
- Suggestions on engaging and developing millennials
- Best practices by organizations who have successfully integrated millennials
- Expectations as to learning, development and training
- Work environments and schedules
- School to work transitions
- Views on salary, benefits and corporate ethics
- Whether millennials’ expectations are significantly different from any other generation
- Strengths millennials offer which set them apart from others
- Common myths pertaining to millennials
- Definitions of success
Objectives:
- Identify penalties that can apply to distributions, and how they can be avoided
- Help clients avoid the portability mistakes that can result in unintended tax consequences
- Move inherited retirement assets in a manner that preserves tax deferred status
- Help clients avoid ineligible contributions
- Explain the operational and compliance requirements for Roth IRA conversions
Presenters:
Denise Appleby, MJ, APA, CISP, CRPS, CRC
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Coverage of applicable rules from SECURE Act 2.0
- The 10% penalty
- Net unrealized appreciation of employer securities
- Roth IRA conversions
- Rollovers and the limitations
- Direct rollovers vs indirect rollovers, and tax withholding
- Beneficiary portability rules
- When a Roth IRA distribution is qualified to be tax-free
- Excess contributions and the 6% excise tax
Objectives:
- Recognize the formula for calculating S corporation shareholder basis
- Identify the items of income and deduction that are allocated to AAA, PTI, AE&P, and OAA
- Calculate the tax effects of a distribution on shareholder basis and AAA
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- S corporation earnings layers
- Observations on earnings layers
- S corporation basis calculation
- IRC 351 transactions
- Four loss tiers
- Appreciated property distributions
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
Delve into the world of paginated reporting with a curriculum that balances theoretical knowledge with practical examples and demonstrations. You'll learn how to navigate the Power BI Report Builder interface with ease, design intricate report layouts, and connect to diverse data sources for comprehensive reporting. The course covers a spectrum of skills, from creating eye-catching visualizations to utilizing advanced features like sub-reports and drill-through capabilities. By the end of this session, you'll be adept at publishing and sharing professional-grade, paginated reports that can inform and persuade your audience. Enroll now and take the first step towards mastering the art of paginated reporting with Power BI Report Builder.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the comprehensive functionalities of Power BI Report Builder necessary for designing advanced paginated reports.
Recall the steps for publishing and sharing paginated reports created in Power BI Report Builder.
Distinguish between the different report design choices to enhance the overall readability and user engagement in Power BI Report Builder.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Introduction to Power BI Report Builder: Overview of the tool, its interface, and integration with the Power BI ecosystem.
- Designing Report Layouts: Techniques for setting up professional layouts, including headers, footers, and managing pagination.
- Data Connection and Management: Connecting to various data sources and preparing data for reporting.
- Creating Visualizations: Utilizing Power BI’s visualization tools for impactful data presentation.
- Advanced Report Features: Exploring sub-reports, drill-through capabilities, and dynamic expressions.
- Publishing and Sharing: Guidelines for publishing reports to the Power BI service and sharing them with relevant stakeholders.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Evaluate lesser-known but powerful Excel functions
Categorize your level of intellectual curiosity as you unearth ways to utilize Excel in manners you may not have previously considered
Assess your mindset of professional skepticism that helps you explore the edges of Excel's capabilities
Instructor:
Chris Harper, CPA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Awareness of advanced functions
- Creative methods for data manipulation
- Using intellectual curiosity and professional skepticism to develop a problem-solving mentality
- Real-life examples of innovative ways to analyze and report data with Excel
- Using Excel to perform e-mail merges
- Many other functions and techniques that inspire you to continue exploring the depths of Excel and its seemingly bottomless toolbox
- Enhance creativity in your approach to developing Excel models
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Christopher Pembrook, CPA, MBA, CGAP, CRFA
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
"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.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to:
Understand that ethics is more than just behavior
Apply AICPA requirements and resources related to ethics
Apply the AICPA framework to case studies
Consider the role of bias when facing ethical decisions
Instructor:
Keely Gohl, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Understanding ethics
- Available tools to aid in ethical decision making
- The role of bias in making ethical decisions
- Application through case studies
The course content is thoughtfully structured to ensure a comprehensive learning experience. Starting with the foundational elements of DAX, you'll rapidly progress to tackle advanced formulas and time-intelligent functions, essential for nuanced data analysis. The highlight of the course is the emphasis on the DAX calculation process, a crucial aspect for validating measures in Power BI. Additionally, the practical application of PivotTables for measure validation will equip you with the skills to confirm the accuracy and effectiveness of your data measures. These advanced techniques are not just theoretical concepts but are presented through engaging, real-world scenarios, enabling you to apply your learning immediately to your daily tasks. This course is an invaluable step towards mastering Power BI and making data-driven decisions with confidence.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to ...
Apply advanced DAX formulas in Power BI to create dynamic and efficient data measures tailored to specific business needs.
Determine the most effective time-intelligent functions in DAX for analyzing temporal data trends and patterns in Power BI.
Identify key differences between common DAX functions and their use cases, enabling more strategic and informed decision-making in Power BI measure creation.
Choose the appropriate DAX calculation processes for validating and ensuring the accuracy of measures in various data scenarios.
Use PivotTables in Power BI to validate and test the effectiveness of DAX measures, enhancing the reliability of data analysis.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Introduction to DAX: Understanding the fundamentals of DAX and its role in Power BI.
- Advanced DAX Formulas: Delving into complex DAX functions and formulas for creating sophisticated measures.
- Time Intelligence in DAX: Exploring time-based functions to analyze data over different periods.
- Validating Measures with DAX: Techniques for ensuring accuracy and reliability in your DAX measures.
- Using PivotTables for Measure Validation: Employing PivotTables in Power BI to test and confirm the effectiveness of DAX measures.
- Vertical Analysis: Learn how to express each line item of financial statements as a percentage, making it easier to compare companies of different sizes and identify key trends.
- Horizontal Analysis: Discover how to compare financial information over multiple periods to spot significant changes and trends, providing a clearer picture of a company's growth and performance.
- Ratio Analysis: Dive into calculating and interpreting financial ratios to assess profitability, liquidity, and solvency. Understand how these ratios reveal the effectiveness of management and the potential of the business.
This seminar goes beyond just teaching terms and formulas. We will apply these analytical tools to real-world financial data, demonstrating how to derive meaningful insights and make informed decisions. Join us to enhance your financial analysis skills and gain a competitive edge in evaluating business performance.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Utilize vertical analysis by converting each financial statement line item into a percentage of a base figure, facilitating effective comparisons across different companies and identifying significant financial trends.
Calculate horizontal analysis for review of financial data over multiple periods, to identify notable changes and trends that reflect a company's growth and performance trajectory.
Calculate and interpret key financial ratios, assessing aspects such as profitability, liquidity, and solvency. Gain insights into management performance and business viability, leveraging this analysis to make informed decisions based on real-world financial data.
Instructor:
Eric Knight, CPA, DBA
Fields of Study:
Finance
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of financial statement analysis
- The impact of GAAP on financial analysis
- Overview of the Balance Sheet
- Overview of the Income Statement
- The importance of the Statement of Cash Flows
- Common Size Analysis
- Trend Analysis
- Profitability Ratio Analysis
- Liquidity Ratio Analysis
- Solvency Ratio Analysis
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
Rob Berry, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Mark Hugh, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
The Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) pertains to the management of Federal Financial Assistance for grants and cooperative agreements. The Biden Administration has performed a comprehensive update where the revised Uniform Guidance was released in April 2024. We will review all of the significant compliance and threshold changes. In addition, we will provide a brief presentation of the revised guidance as it pertains to Time and Effort reporting.
Speakers:
Paul H. Calabrese
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Most of the models of work that we use today were not built for the pace of change and the dynamism of work today. In this course, you will learn how so many models we use at work are fundamentally broken and no longer useful. Models that rely on people staying a long time in a firm are no longer helpful in a reality where employees are staying for increasingly shorter periods with their employers. This course will reveal how so much of the architecture of work was not built with short tenure in mind: career paths, compensation, and retention objectives.
Speakers:
Steve Cadigan
Leaders were once chosen for their character, but today we live in an age where loudmouthed extroverts seem to take center stage in everything, including business, politics and entertainment. While the talkative, charismatic leader makes the front page of business magazines, recent research shows that successful business leaders tend to be more reserved, pensive and sometimes outright shy. Learn why your desire to spend significant time inside your own head may be your greatest asset. Whether you are introverted or not, you likely work with, manage or are a related to an introvert. We will discuss proven methods to better understand introverts, how to manage them, and how to get the most out of their amazing talents. If you want to enhance your leadership skills, this seminar is for you.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Raise awareness of bank fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion
Identify red flags that lead to investigations and indictments
Review key indicators of illicit activities
Recognize how responses to investigations influence sanctions
Instructor:
Justin Paperny
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
Major topics covered in this course include:
- What is bank fraud?
- What is wire fraud?
- Role of financial service professionals in combating tax evasion and white-collar crime
- Red flags indicating of white-collar crimes
- Importance of knowing customers
- Criminal justice proceedings
- Relationship between victim impact and sentencing
- Relationship between loss amounts and sentencing
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the most significant impact on financial reporting.
Identify "hot topics" in accounting and financial reporting.
Recall "plain language" explanations of current and emerging U.S. GAAP requirements.
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- New accounting standards.
- The impact on Financial Reporting.
- Hot topics in financial reporting.
- Current and emerging US GAAP requirements.
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).
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Christopher Pembrook, CPA, MBA, CGAP, CRFA
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
Web portals, "low-code/no-code" data collection, and survey tools have changed how we collect data. Modern solutions like Microsoft 365 Forms, Zoho Survey, SurveyMonkey, Microsoft PowerApps, and legacy tools like Adobe Acrobat Forms allow users to create web forms and integrate the resulting data into business process workflows. This session introduces the range of available tools, demonstrates standard features, and shows how tools permit users to expose or conceal questions based on answers given earlier in the survey. Attend this session to learn how to use tools you already own to efficiently collect data from your team, customers, and vendors.
Speakers:
Brian F. Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMA
Objectives:
- State the accountant’s role within a company
- Recognize how different stakeholders view financial statements
- Identify how to focus on just the key points when reporting financial results
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Communications and Marketing (2)
Major Topics:
- Communicating financial results
- The role of the accountant in communication
- The challenges accountants face in communication
- Creating better awareness of a company’s financials
- Behavioral biases of stakeholders
- Tips for staying on-point in communication
- Case study
Objectives:
- Complete Form 990 to advise clients with respect to the tax rules relating to public charities
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Helen Cheng
Field of Study:
Taxes (4)
Major Topics:
- Organization and structure of Form 990
- Form 990 and its various schedules
- Form 990 filing requirements
- The public support tests
- Taxation of unrelated business income
- Compensation-related reporting issues
This program summarizes the key research studies, provides stories from those who have made this work, and offers thoughtful, practical exercises from my award winning book NEXT STAGE. It will help you (or your clients) address key issues and develop a Master Plan for the transition. If not now, when?
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this program you will be able to...
Recognize a healthy and holistic understanding of this new stage of life.
Recognize new sense of direction and purpose for your life.
Recall what needs to change or remain regarding your financial conditions, relationships and healthy habits.
Recognize a new way to describe yourself and your identity.
Develop a Master Plan for being successful in this new stage of your life.
Recall a few key ideas that you can do now which will prepare yourself for this stage later.
Instructor:
Tom Wilson
Fields of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Welcome to Your Next Stage -- Developing a new perspective on what this next stage is really all about
- It's About Time -- Discovering a new sense of purpose
- Money Matters -- Assessing your financial conditions
- Relationships Matter Too -- Addressing needed or potential changes in your relationships
- Healthy Habits -- Examining new or renewed ways to stay healthy
- Who I Am -- Creating a new identity, and answering "So what do you do?"
- My Master Plan -- Figuring out what to do next
Designed exclusively for accountants and CPAs, this class focuses on how you can use your knowledge and experience to start an advisory service in your spare time. By providing a service that your clients really want, you can supplement your income by upwards of $6k per month working only 4 hours per client - with only 3 clients. We'll cover the systems you need to start your own advisory service including how to package, price and market your business.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify what a CFO/Advisor does
Determine whether you're qualified to provide CFO/Advisory services
Recognize how to make $6k on the side per month with just 3 clients
Package, price and market your CFO/Advisory services
Deliver an advisory service in less than 4 hours per month per client
Instructor:
Adam Lean
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The systems you need to start your own advisory service.
- Information on how to package, price and market your business.
- Transforming accounting knowledge into expertise you can sell.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending the presentation, you will be able to....
Recognize the ethical dilemmas with AI applications that CPAs can encounter
Identify practical guidelines for resolving these ethical dilemmas
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major subjects that will be covered in this course include:
- A primer on AI technology applications in the accounting profession
- Ethical dilemmas that originate from the use of AI by CPAs
- Practical guidelines for using AI technology ethically
- Step by step guide for creating an AI usage policy for your organization
- Review of a variety of reference materials to assist you in using AI ethically
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.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
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?
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Gary Zeune, CPA
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?
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
This course aims to reveal many examples of companies, leaders and industries who are building new talent models. The world of work is less certain than ever before and this world requires experimentation. In this course you will learn about many experiments that organizations are deploying to build a new model that fits the pace of change the world is experiencing today. IN this course we will consider many new models and approaches and learn from them. In a world of work with few benchmarks - today organizations need to learn how to experiment and become the benchmark.
Speakers:
Steve Cadigan
Gerald Ford once said that “[n]othing in life is more important that the ability to communicate effectively.” Public speaking remains a centuries-old skill that allows individuals to effectively communicate both at a personal and professional level. The benefits of good public speaking run long, whether it be the ability to persuade others, lead a team, or encourage critical thinking.
This course is designed to refresh and refine speaking skills for professionals. Through this webinar, participants will gain a better understanding of the core skills of how to communicate effectively in groups — big or small. The webinar is intended to help those who already speak in public better improve their skills, while at the same time teaching more novice speakers how to approach a task that so many professionals dread — speaking in front of others.
Objectives:
- Understand strategies to harness public speaking anxiety
- Be familiar with the three elements of effective persuasion
- Differentiate the three styles of speech
- Explore using storytelling to improve presentations
- Review strategies to improve the pace of your speech
- Recognize the role of volume and pace
- Understand how best to use pauses
- Recognize when and how to use visual aids
- Master the “Three P’s” of public speaking
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Communications and Marketing (2)
Major Topics:
- How experienced speakers manage presentation anxiety
- The elements of effective persuasion
- The three styles of speech
- Strategies to improve speech pace
- The importance of volume when presenting
- The art of the pause
- Methods for using visual aids
- Best practices for preparing for a presentation
- Components of an effective presentation
If a great leader is someone we are willing to sacrifice for – what do those leaders do that makes us want to do more? Many of us work in dysfunctional organizations that want followers, but have no leaders that lead. What makes a leader effective? True leaders sacrifice, they are trustworthy and they empathize. We discuss the steps to take so you can become a true leader: including, integrity, humility, communication, self-control and self-awareness. With diligence, you can become a better leader and we will discuss how.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the capabilities and features of GPT Vision to enhance the understanding of how AI can analyze visual content in financial contexts.
Recognize the unique advantages of using visual data analysis over traditional text-based data processing in accounting practices.
Access GPT Vision tools to analyze financial screenshots and documents effectively.
Analyze various types of financial and operational images to extract meaningful insights that can influence decision-making processes.
Evaluate the effectiveness of integrating ChatGPT with Google Maps and Google Earth for spatial analysis in financial and strategic contexts.
Create strategies using descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analysis techniques to address complex financial challenges using visual data.
Apply learned photo capturing techniques to produce high-quality images that maximize the accuracy and relevance of financial data analysis.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to GPT Vision - Understanding the fundamentals of GPT Vision and its capabilities.
- Advantages of Vision Mode Research - Exploring the unique benefits of visual data analysis over traditional methods.
- Accessing GPT Vision - Guidance on how to access and utilize GPT Vision capabilities.
- Financial Screenshot Analysis - Techniques for analyzing financial documents and reports through screenshots.
- Operational Insights from Visual Data - Using images to gain insights into operational processes and asset management.
- Integration with Google Maps - Learning how to combine ChatGPT's vision capabilities with mapping technologies for enhanced spatial analysis.
- Sentiment and Facial Expression Analysis - Techniques for interpreting emotions and sentiments in images to gauge client and employee feedback.
- Body Language Interpretation - Analyzing body language in images to understand non-verbal cues in business contexts.
- Effective Photo Capturing Techniques - Best practices for taking photos that provide optimal insights for financial analysis.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the skill set needed for an engagement with family law attorneys
Implement a marketing plan for your forensic accounting services
Evaluate the types of source documents needed for a financial investigation
Trace assets and income commonly found in divorce proceeding
Recognize red flags in a financial investigation
Conduct basic calculations of marital assets
Prepare a report of your findings for court proceedings
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The role of a forensic accountant in divorce proceedings
- The marketing of forensic accounting services to family law attorneys
- How to conduct a financial investigation
- Common areas to uncover hidden assets or income
- The basic calculations in evaluating marital assets
- Testifying in depositions and divorce court
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize external fraud
Identify control issues that can give rise to external fraud occurrences
Recall ways to reduce external fraud risk
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Types of external fraud
- Considerations as organizations work to reduce fraud risk
- External fraud and known parties/External fraud unknown perpetrators
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.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Christopher Pembrook, CPA, MBA, CGAP, CRFA
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Please note: Surgent also offers a companion course, “Schedules K-2 and K-3: Preparation of Forms” (KPF2).
Objectives:
- Understand filing requirements for Schedules K-2 and K-3
- Identify what parts of Schedules K-2 and K-3 need to be completed
Presenters:
Renata Maroney (Stasaityte), CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Detailed discussion of the domestic filing exception
- Filing requirements and exceptions for every part of Schedules K-2 and K-3
- Examples based on common client situations encountered in practice
The course emphasizes practical application, providing participants with guidance on Excel's advanced tools and functions. By mastering workflows and best practices, learners will gain the confidence to tackle complex data challenges and streamline reporting processes. Additionally, participants will explore methods to validate and share their work, ensuring that reports are accurate, insightful, and easily communicated across teams.
Whether you are tasked with preparing financial summaries, tracking performance metrics, or generating operational insights, this course will equip you with the tools to maximize Excel's potential, saving time and improving the quality of your outputs.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Apply Excel workflows to build efficient and accurate data reports.
Analyze data sets to calculate key performance metrics and insights.
Utilize Excel formatting tools to structure reports for clarity and professional presentation.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Building Reports Workflow: Understand the steps for creating professional and functional reports.
- Gather and Organize Data: Learn best practices for compiling and cleaning data for accurate analysis.
- Set Calculations and Key Metrics: Apply formulas and functions to calculate meaningful insights.
- Format and Structure Report: Use formatting tools to create visually appealing and structured reports.
- Review and Validate: Verify data accuracy and troubleshoot potential errors.
- Share the Report: Learn methods for distributing reports effectively within your organization.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Apply the latest provisions and developments, rules and regulations impacting individual taxpayers
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- 2025 Tax Provision Sunsets
- Residential Energy Credit
- Virtual currency reporting and Form 1099-DA
- Student loans
- Recent individual taxpayer case rulings
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Mark Hugh, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
If you are efficient and want to learn lessons from the best in a short time, this seminar is for you. Popular speaker Don Minges will review the key lessons from five fantastic business books that will help you become more effective. The topics are; leadership, how to create a valuable business, how to turnaround a business, how to make terrific presentations and how do humans think? These lessons are valuable for every business leader.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Steve Cadigan
For all the HGTV lovers out there, this session mirrors a television show where an individual/family must decide if they want to stay in their current home (after renovations and home improvements) or move to a new space. This webinar title seems apt in describing the current issues around engagement and retention. When an employee chooses to "love it" or stay with their current employer, it typically means they are engaged in their work and they feel seen, heard and valued- they are content. Conversely, the notion of "leaving it" typically symbolizes an employee who cannot wait to get out of their current job. These employees often have negative attitudes and/or behaviors at work.
The purpose of this webinar is to recognize the significance of attracting and retaining employees, building your brand as an employer of choice and developing a culture where individual employees feel valued, cared for and ultimately engaged, all though an ethical lens.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the importance of virtue ethics and its impact on engagement and retention.
Select ways to determine the engagement level of an employee/pulse checks
Identify ways to enhance employee commitment and satisfaction.
Determine ways to help employees feel seen, heard and valued.
Identify Generation X values in order to attract and retain this growing segment in the workplace.
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz and Jennifer Sullivan
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Personnel/Human Resources
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Ethical Values and Engagement and Retention
- Enhancing Employee engagement
- Strategic/Intentional Actions to Enhance Retention
- Generation X
These areas include:
1. Social media
2. Content development.
3. Email marketing.
4. Text (SMS) marketing.
5. Chatbots and other interactive AI tools.
6. Drip marketing campaigns.
Attendees will receive a practical guide to the technologies and tactics needed to improve marketing efforts with efficiency and ease!
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Discover how to segment your marketing and sales process in order to automate the areas that will have the most impact on revenue generation.
Identify tools that you can use to simplify and shorten the lead generation, lead nurturing, sales, and onboarding processes.
Leverage artificial intelligence the right way to develop content ideas and content that will engage ideal clients and nurture existing ones.
Create a roadmap for an automated marketing and sales process in your firm to reduce time spent on marketing and sales while creating a consistent and cost-effective lead generation cycle to grow your firm.
Instructor:
Gaynor Hardy (Meilke), MS, CBC
Fields of Study:
Communications and Marketing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Content - From generating content ideas to SEO research and creating content through its distribution we will look at tools to accomplish these goals efficiently and effectively.
- Lead Generation - Tools to determine the best offers and get them in front of the appropriate audiences.
- Lead Nurturing - Once you have a prospective client "raise their hand" virtually or physically, it is critical to design and implement campaigns and other tactics to keep them engaged and move them closer to being a client. We will cover this i-depth during the course.
- Sales - After you have a prospect ready to get to the next phase of the purchase journey, it is imperative to answer objections, explain the process of working with your firm and then close the sale. These tools will allow you to do this without an entire sales team!
- Onboarding - Once the prospect becomes a client leverage automation to make onboarding seamless, systematic and simple for your team.
- Referrals and Reviews - Instead of chasing clients for reviews or case studies, consider baking the ask right into your current or automated processes. This course will show you how!
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.
Speakers:
James R Laird, CPA/ABV, CVA
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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.
Speakers:
Joy Principe
"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!"
Speakers:
Chuck Gallagher
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the most recent changes in auditing, reviews, compilations and other attestation engagements
Apply practice tips for achieving high quality engagements.
Recognize updates on enhancing audit quality
Analyze AICPA's new Quality Management Standards
Recognize trends in the practice landscape, how AICPA's Enhancing Audit Quality Initiative is improving practice quality
Recall SQMS implementation resources.
Instructor:
Allison M. Henry, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- AICPA Accounting and Review Services Committee standards update and new practice aid
- AICPA Auditing Standards Board standards update including recent changes to the audit and attestation standards
- AICPA’s new Quality Management Standards - Overview, implementation considerations, timeline, and AICPA implementation resources
- PCAOB, IAASB standard-setting agenda and potential future AICPA ASB standards changes
- Update on AICPA’s Enhancing Audit Quality Initiative
- Trends in audit quality including the DOL’s audit quality study
- Frequent peer review findings and practice tips for achieving high practice quality
- Latest on the DOL’s audit quality study
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this session you will be able to...
Distinguish key internal control concepts, including the four types of internal control: preventive, detective, deterrent and compensating
Identify ways to create strong internal controls
Identify reasons that control measures are required, such as to deter fraud or reduce operational inefficiencies
Determine why the control environment is important as implementation efforts are ongoing
Apply COSO Framework concepts to three segments of an organization's technology infrastructure that must be controlled.
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Underlying concepts of internal control
- Defining where and why controls, policies and procedures are needed
- Legacy control measures that are still important for businesses today
- Creating control measures that address the use and protection of technology
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Apply advanced Excel auditing tools, such as Trace Precedents, Trace Dependents, and the Error Checking feature, to effectively identify and rectify complex errors in financial spreadsheets.
Analyze and interpret common error messages and anomalies in Excel, enabling the ability to diagnose underlying issues in spreadsheet formulas and data inputs.
Distinguish between different types of Excel errors, including formula errors, reference errors, and logical errors, to implement targeted corrective actions for enhanced spreadsheet accuracy and reliability.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
- Understanding Common Excel Errors: Gain insights into the most common types of errors encountered in Excel, including formula errors, reference errors, and logic errors.
- Advanced Formulas and Functions: Learn to use advanced Excel functions and formulas that are crucial for error detection and data analysis.
- Data Validation Techniques: Master the art of data validation to prevent errors before they occur. This includes setting up data validation rules and using conditional formatting to highlight potential inaccuracies.
- Error Tracing and Auditing Tools: Delve into Excel's auditing tools to trace and fix errors. Learn to use Trace Precedents, Trace Dependents, and the Error Checking tool effectively.
This one-hour webinar includes an overview of Aristotle's virtue ethics and its application to present day life. We will focus on the virtue of compassion both individually and organizationally and its impact on individual, organizational and world wellbeing.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this course, you will be able to...
Identify behavioral ethics and how our behaviors impact the world around us.
Recognize what is meant by professionalism and its relationship to ethics.
Recall benefits and obstacles to Compassion.
Identify causes of bad gossip and ways to minimize impact in the workplace.
Recognize the importance of gratitude in our daily lives at work and at home.
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Overview of Virtue Ethics and the Common Good
- Professionalism
- The Virtue of Compassion
- Gossip in the Workplace
- Gratitude
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify specific applications for AI in accounting, auditing, tax and advisory services
Recognize the potential to leverage AI technology to reduce costs and increase revenue
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Implementing AI for accounting automation
- Enhancing auditing processes with AI tools
- AI applications in tax compliance
- Leveraging AI for business advisory services
There are multiple facets to ethical choices, including should you use your ‘head’ or your ‘heart’? What are the pros and the cons? How can we balance these opposing views?
This seminar outlines the value of; trust, courage, fairness, sensitivity, persistence, honesty and gracefulness – to help us make better ethical decisions.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Robin Rohmer
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.
Speakers:
Brian F. Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMA
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
As spreadsheets evolve, so must your practices for creating, editing, and auditing them. In this program, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the best ways to work with Excel by learning best practices associated with Excel spreadsheets in each of the following areas: creating and editing Excel workbooks, securing Excel workbooks, collaborating with others in Excel, and reporting on data contained in Excel.
Today’s best practices for Excel differ significantly from those used in the past, and you will learn the best ways to work with Excel spreadsheets in this “must-see” CPE program. Course materials include relevant examples to enhance your learning experience. Join us for this program to help you utilize Excel to its fullest potential.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
- Timing Differences: Variations in income recognition and deductible expenses between GAAP and IRC create timing differences, impacting reported profitability and tax liabilities.
- Deferred Tax Assets: Companies accrue deferred tax assets from overpaid taxes or carried-forward credits, which can offset future taxable income, reducing tax liabilities.
- Deferred Tax Liabilities: When taxable income is less than reported income, deferred tax liabilities arise, necessitating future tax payments when temporary differences reverse.
Join us to delve into these concepts, exploring how financial reporting choices and tax strategies shape a company's financial performance and compliance obligations.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize variations in income recognition.
Recognize deductible expenses between GAAP and IRC affect reported profitability and tax liabilities.
Compute deferred tax assets and liabilities, learning their impact on financial statements and future tax obligations.
Instructor:
Eric Knight, CPA, DBA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to GAAP and IRC Frameworks
- Key Differences Between Financial Reporting and Tax Reporting
- Understanding Timing Differences
- Recognition of Revenue and Expenses Under GAAP vs. IRC
- Discussion of Deferred Tax Assets
- Impact of Deferred Tax Liabilities
- Permanent vs. Temporary Differences
- Reconciliation of Book Income to Taxable Income
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Discuss generally accepted audit requirements related to testing controls for operating effectiveness
Explain how to evaluate the results of a control reliance test for operating effectiveness
Describe the use of Service Organization Control (SOC1) Reports on a financial statement audit
Identify the impact of a control reliance strategy on a detailed audit plan
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Generally accepted audit requirements related to testing controls for operating effectiveness
- Identifying key controls that may prove effective and efficient to test in a control reliance strategy
- Responses when deviations are discovered when evaluating the design or operating effectiveness of internal control
- Leveraging audit evidence available for Service Organization Control (SOC1) Reports
- General computer control considerations when evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting
“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.
Speakers:
Joy Principe
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Tara Singer
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Select ChatGPT for efficient budget negotiation and allocation.
Distinguish strategies for compensation and benefits discussions.
Recognize financial performance issues, including layoffs, with sensitivity.
Indicate the financial and HR implications of mergers and acquisitions.
Distinguish compliance with financial and employment laws.
Identify crisis management strategies in financial downturns.
Select performance management systems aligning with financial goals.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Complex and nuanced communications related to:
- Budget Allocation and Negotiation Techniques
- Compensation and Benefits Structuring
- Managing Financial Performance and Layoffs
- Financial and HR Aspects of Mergers and Acquisitions
- Regulatory Compliance and Ethical Financial Practices
- Strategies for Financial Crisis Management
- Effective Performance Management Systems
This presentation has been prepared by a 20 year veteran with the IRS-Criminal Investigation. The presenter investigated crimes, and trained and mentored other special agents.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the Role of IRS Criminal Investigation (CI)
Assess the Historical Development of IRS CI
Identify Key Investigative Techniques and Tools
Recognize the Importance of IRS CI's Work
Assess the Training and Development of CI Agents
Recognize the Process of Tax Fraud and Money Laundering Investigations
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to IRS Criminal Investigation (CI): Overview of its mission, role, and significance in maintaining tax compliance.
- Historical Evolution: From its inception in 1919 to its current role, highlighting key milestones and notable cases.
- Investigative Techniques and Tools: Detailed look at the methods and technologies used by CI agents to uncover financial crimes.
- Importance of IRS CI: Discussion on the impact of CI’s work on tax compliance, public confidence, and the broader financial system.
- Training of CI Agents: Insight into the rigorous training programs at FLETC and ongoing professional development.
- Process of Investigations: Step-by-step breakdown of how tax fraud and money laundering cases are initiated, investigated, and prosecuted.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the impact of interpretations issued by PEEC.
Identify changes to the independence standards.
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The Professional Ethics Executive Committee's updated ethics rules.
- An overview of recently issued ethics rules that CPAs need to know to be compliant.
Professional Codes of Conduct make Ethics seem easy and clear cut. However, this is not so in real life. This session discusses five cases where the ethics is not so clear cut. What should be considered? We will explain how you can be more diligent and maintain awareness of ethical issues to become more effective and enhance the reputation of the profession.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
J. Michael Inzina
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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
Speakers:
Robin Rohmer
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Determine your natural reactions to conflict
Identify when you are entering conflict
Use strategies to de-escalate conflict before it is too late
Choose to engage with colleagues and clients to turn conflict into innovation
Instructor:
Julie G. Holunga, MBA, CPCC, ACC and Stephanie Wachman
Fields of Study:
Personal Development
Major Topics:
Major topics covered in this course include:
- Levels of conflict
- Strategies to de-escalate conflict
- Distinction between miscommunication and conflict
- Responses to conflict
- Tactics to address, rather than avoid, conflict
The program includes a step-by-step approach to creating and customizing PivotTables, focusing on how to use them to analyze data efficiently. Participants will learn how to group and filter data, identify trends, and apply advanced features to solve real-world business challenges.
Beyond technical knowledge, this course introduces data visualization through PivotCharts, teaching participants how to present their analysis effectively to stakeholders. By the end of the course, you'll not only master PivotTable fundamentals but also gain advanced techniques to streamline data analysis and support strategic decision-making in any context.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Apply advanced PivotTable techniques to analyze complex datasets.
Determine the most effective way to structure data for analysis.
Choose appropriate PivotTable functions for specific business needs.
Analyze trends and patterns within large datasets using PivotTables.
Compare different data segments to draw actionable insights.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to PivotTables: Gain a solid understanding of what PivotTables are, their benefits in Excel, and how to prepare your data for creating effective PivotTables.
- Creating and Customizing PivotTables: Learn step-by-step how to build and format PivotTables, including filtering, sorting, and customizing layouts for optimal data analysis.
- Focus on Using PivotTables to Analyze Data: Explore techniques to summarize, group, and compare data with PivotTables, uncovering trends and insights for better decision-making.
- Advanced PivotTable Features: Discover advanced tools such as slicers, timelines, and using PowerPivot for deeper analytical capabilities.
- Data Visualization with PivotCharts: Learn to create PivotCharts from your PivotTables and customize them to visually present data insights effectively to stakeholders.
Over ninety percent of women executives are feeling significantly higher levels of stress that they attribute to increased responsibilities and priorities outside the workplace compared to life before the pandemic. Burnout is a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that causes exhaustion, negativity toward one's job and reduced professional efficacy. It has become so pervasive that it's now recognized as an occupational phenomenon by the World Health Organization.
To reignite your enthusiasm at work, you don't necessarily need to find a new job or time for a spa day or bubble bath. You need concrete strategies to invest in your mental health without compromising your ability to rise to the next level in your career.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Create a short daily routine that will increase your energy and focus.
Identify the obstacles that get in the way of you investing in your mental health.
Practice setting boundaries at work and home so you can focus on your priorities.
Instructor:
Tara Whitney, CPA, ACC
Fields of Study:
Personal Development
Major Topics:
- How to recognize burnout and evaluate where you are on the burnout scale.
- How impostor syndrome drives coping reactions of overworking, over preparing and perfectionism.
- How mindfulness can reduce stress and save time.
- Silencing the critical inner voice.
- Tools to help you become more attuned to your needs and emotions.
- How attending to and regulating your nervous system impacts your mood and well-being.
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Implement practical strategies based on a thorough understanding of the complex rulesIdentify and recall key compliance issuesIdentify and recall significant issues in the installment sale tax form
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Installment sale treatment eligibility
- When to elect out of installment sale treatment
- Installment sale of business assets
- Installment sale default and the rules for personal property versus real property
- Installment sales and depreciation recapture
To be a part of a team, a team that truly cares for its people, is to be granted an opportunity for growth and inclusion and a sense of belonging. It doesn't get better than that!
This ethics-based webinar examines the essence of what constitutes teams that are high functioning and highly collaborative. One essential component is the balance between content (getting the job done!) and process (how we get things done...how we treat each other). This webinar will offer concrete practical suggestions for teams both for content and process effectiveness. It will also offer opportunities for self-reflection and actions to take to enhance team performance.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze how habit influences character.
Recall phases of team work and typical responses to each phase that enhance team performance.
Identify high performing team characteristics and suggestions of effectiveness.
Apply principles to team meetings that maximize productivity and enhance relationships between team members.
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Virtue ethics
- Team dynamics
- Characteristics of highly effective teams
- Meeting management
- Team communication
- Decision making
Unfortunately, adult financial abuse on the rise. Analyze the top types of elder financial abuse, including undue influence, exploitation, scams and identity theft, and discuss appropriate CPA roles and responses.
Speakers:
Christopher W. Smith
This informative and insightful webinar will provide you with some insider tips, practical steps and effective strategies to help your client manage IRS tax penalties and interest. Learn about various types of penalties that you may face, and the various forms and procedures used for requesting penalty and interest abatement, including First Time and Reasonable Cause abatement. Plus, learn about the procedure to follow when requesting refund of paid penalties.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify situations where penalties can be imposed
Utilize techniques for preventing or reducing any penalty assessments
Ascertain when the First Time Abatement can be used
Obtain a working knowledge of the procedure governing the request for refund
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Various types of penalties: Accuracy related, fraud, understatement of valuation, reporting requirement, failure to pay, and pay or deposit penalties
- Rules on waiver of penalties and interests
- Various forms and procedures for requesting relief
- First Time Abatement: Requirements and procedures
- How an individual taxpayer qualifies for Reasonable Cause abatement
- Procedures for requesting refund of paid penalties
- Available administrative options
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.
Speakers:
Robin Rohmer
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.
Speakers:
Randolph (Randy) P. Johnston
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the full potential of the Microsoft Teams app and how to use it for maximum benefit
Identify how to use all the specific features of the Microsoft Teams app
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Understanding the "big picture" of the role the Teams app plays in your Microsoft 365 ecosystem
- How to effectively design your teams / channels configuration
- Detailed review of all the features for creating conversation posts
- Detailed review of all the features for creating, editing and managing Office files within the Teams app
- How to use the search features to find Teams content instantly
- Step by step review of how to host and participate in Teams online meetings
- Using Teams calling features for your phone system
- How to manage your notification settings in Teams
- And more
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify important components and sub-components of an Internal Control System
Recognize how the control environment can help or hinder the operation of control measures and help or hinder operational effectiveness
Recall important steps that an organization can undertake, specifically related to control development that can drive the methodologies of the entity
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- An overview of controls that drive procedures
- Considerations for procedural control development
- Understanding and controlling risk that arises when organizations change
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Compare the changes to Chapter 5 of Yellow Book.
Recognize common Yellow Book deficiencies.
Recall the independence requirements in Yellow Book.
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Yellow Book engagements.
- Independence requirements in GAGAS.
- Quality management in Yellow Book.
- Common deficiencies found in Yellow Book engagements.
What if being nice, or specifically being a positive best version of yourself, made 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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
Dr. Harry D. Cohen, PhD
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize how to manage risk associated with audit and non-audit services and changing professional, technical, regulatory, or ethical requirements
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Recent quality improvements to the SASs and SSARs
- Other matters that should be on your radar
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish between the authorities granted by Form 2848 and Form 8821.
Identify situations where a Power of Attorney is required for IRS representation.
Analyze limitations imposed by IRS rules on the authority granted through these forms.
Evaluate common mistakes and compliance risks when filing Forms 2848 and 8821.
Utilize of the IRS Centralized Authorization File (CAF) system for managing authorizations.
Instructor:
Mary Jane Hourani, MM, EA, NTPI Fellow
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of IRS Power of Attorney (POA) rules.
- Form 2848: Authority to Represent Clients before the IRS.
- Form 8821: Accessing Tax Information Without Representation.
- Identifying errors and compliance risks in POA filings.
- Rules for revoking or updating POA authorizations.
- Managing authorizations through the CAF system.
- Electronic submissions and the IRS online authorization process.
- Ethical responsibilities when holding a POA.
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Robin Rohmer
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Apply array formulas and functions in Excel to solve complex data analysis problems, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of calculations.
Differentiate between regular and array formulas, and determine when to use each for optimal data management and processing in various scenarios.
Analyze and select the most appropriate array functions and constants for specific tasks, improving the effectiveness of data manipulation and presentation in Excel
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to Array Formulas: This segment establishes the foundation by differentiating array formulas from regular Excel formulas and explaining their significance.
- Using Array Formulas: This section focuses on the practical application of array formulas, teaching participants how to effectively implement and utilize these formulas in a variety of common Excel tasks and scenarios.
- Dynamic Arrays and Spill Functions: This part covers the utilization of dynamic arrays and spill functions, highlighting their role in modern Excel data handling.
- Advanced Array Functions: Participants will delve into complex functions such as SUMPRODUCT, UNIQUE, SORT, and FILTER, focusing on multi-condition summing and data management.
- Using Array Constants: This section teaches how simplify the use of static values called Array Constants
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify taxation nuances that are important but difficult for non-tax professionals to understand.
Apply techniques for educating clients regarding taxation.
Distinguish methods for simplifying and communicating complicated tax concepts.
Instructor:
Dr. Christopher J. Harper, CPA, MBA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Accounting as a foreign language
- Commonly misunderstood concepts
- Communicating tax matters
- Client-practitioner interactions
- Interacting with tax authorities
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Each topic and each day stand on its own. If you are not sure about making a multi-day commitment, sign up for just a single day. We think you will come back for more!
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
Rob Berry, CPA
HR Professionals are business leaders who, regardless of their level of experience, are responsible for maintaining a high level of interpersonal proficiency in their job function. The willingness to gain a genuine understanding and respect for diversity and the incorporation of a safe and inclusive environment of employees in the workplace, is a strong measure of the HR Professionals’ efficacy in this area. This training is geared towards improving and/ or elevating the HR Professionals’ knowledge of cultural competence in the workplace and what it means to truly adopt a culture of diversity and inclusivity. When HR professionals take responsibility for teaching others about the differences and benefits that multiple cultures and diverse backgrounds bring to the organization, research shows that companies are more likely to win top talent and yield improvement in customer orientation, employee satisfaction and decision making, as well as a cycle of increasing returns.
Speakers:
Shannon T. White, MSW, LCSW
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
For HR and Business professionals, navigating the intricate dynamics of executive decision-making can often be a daunting task. Despite the meticulous hours invested in research, strategy formulation, and planning, the true challenge often lies in effectively communicating and gaining acceptance for these transformative ideas. A key aspect of this is the art of persuasion, ensuring that the merits of our proposals are not just understood but wholeheartedly embraced by decision-makers. This session is designed to empower leaders with the tools and insights needed to craft persuasive pitches, build a robust business case, and confidently communicate the ROI of their initiatives. Moreover, attendees will gain insights into the common pitfalls that can hinder their pitches and learn techniques to address objections frequently raised by executive leadership.
Speakers:
LeAnne Lagasse, SHRM-SCP
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Looking to improve the quality of your 401(k) benefit plan audits? This is the course for you. Based on recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor and peer reviews on employee benefit plan audits, we know auditors need to up their game to meet stakeholder demands and provide the best possible audit services.
In this advanced course, we will discuss the audit and reporting requirements in accordance with auditing standards. We will also discuss laws and regulations (such as ERISA) that are unique to employee benefit plans and provide practical guidance on their application. Course topics will focus on the most common compliance issues identified in 401(k) audits by the Department of Labor and peer reviews, as well as recommended corrections. Auditors will identify best practices for auditing areas such as payroll and compensation, participant loans, hardship distributions, investments, and plan mergers and acquisitions.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Melissa Critcher, CPA, PC
Field of Study:
Auditing (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- Understand the current issues and latest trends impacting CFOs, controllers, and finance professionals
- Understand how domestic and global economic conditions could impact an organization
- Apply what we have learned from recent economic and political changes to have a positive impact on an organization
- Be familiar with the results of the case studies and exercises that reinforce key learning points throughout the course
Presenters:
Art Pulis, MBA
Field of Study:
Finance (4)
Major Topics:
- Economic update
- Leadership and management changes as a result of the pandemic
- Managing for productivity
- Metrics and benchmarking
- Social media's place in our organizations
From a tax perspective, in terms of selecting an entity to do business in, the universe shifted with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted at the end of 2017. The tax rate for C corporations was lowered to 21% and the §199A deduction offered pass-through entities the chance to significantly lower the rate at which they are taxed. But how do all these options work and which option is best for which business? Those questions are at the heart of this webinar.
In this program, we discuss whether there is a “best entity” for our clients. Tax practitioners know that re-examining choice of entity determination is at the top of the agenda for client meetings because clients continue to want reassurance that they have the most tax-efficient entity structure. This program will equip you with the knowledge and insights you need to lead those discussions.
Objectives:
- Help clients choose the tax entity that is most advantageous to them
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize what constitutes digital assets.
Determine the differences between cryptocurrency and NFTs.
Identify the IRS forms needed to report digital asset contributions.
Calculate the value of the contribution.
Compare differences in required substantiation based on the amount of the contribution.
Recall the latest rulings by the Treasury Department and courts on these contributions.
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Intro to digital assets
- Differences between cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs)
- IRS Notice 2014-12
- Tax implications of contributing digital assets
- Gift tax rules for donating, gifting or bequeathing cryptocurrency and NFTs.
- Substantiating charitable contributions of digital assets
- Traps for the unwary.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Gain an understanding of who should be considered and consulted prior to undertaking work in the cannabis sector
Develop a checklist of considerations for firms choosing to offer services within the cannabis sector
Learn where to find resources to assist in evaluating work opportunities
Instructor:
Ronald L Seigneur, CPA/ABV, ASA, CVA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Framework for assessing the propriety of offering services within the state legal, regulated cannabis industry
- Assist in identifying key stakeholders to be considered in conjunction to providing cannabis industry services, including:
- partners
- staff
- clients
- Banking relationships
- Malpractice insurance
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall recent developments of the FASB, GAO, OMB and AICPA relevant to nonprofit entities
Analyze the impact of new technical, professional, and regulatory requirements on nonprofit entities
Recall current accounting, reporting, and compliance issues faced by nonprofit entities
Apply best practices to minimize noncompliance with Yellow Book and Single Audits
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting (Governmental)
Auditing (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify important components and sub-components of an Internal Control System
Recognize how the control environment can help or hinder the operation of control measures and help or hinder operational effectiveness
Recall important steps that an organization can undertake, specifically related to control development that can drive the methodologies of the entity
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- An overview of controls that drive procedures
- Considerations for procedural control development
- Understanding and controlling risk that arises when organizations change
How do you raise your skills to the next level to master the Controller or CFO role? Welcome to a course that provides insights that align the CGMA Competency Framework. The course will examine each of the areas: Technical, Business, Leadership and People to increase your competency.
- How are your technical skills? Are you a traditional accountant or have you learned to expand your technical skills to go beyond “what are the financial numbers?” to “why did these financial results occur?” Are you able to use ratios to understand the business dynamics and the implications to change course or take corrective action? Are the systems that you implement and operate best practices or merely stop-gap solutions?
- How are your business skills? Can you set a vision? Can you develop a strategy? Do you understand the macroeconomic environment of your organization? Can you lead a major project to a successful conclusion? This session will explore the role of business as opposed to tracking the results of the business.
- How are your people skills? How good is your ability to influence others? How are successful are your negotiation skills? How well can you communicate? Are you a collaborator or a partner? This section will help accountants understand that it is people skills that drive the overall success of the accounting operations.
- Finally, how are your Leadership skills? Do you inspire staff or make them angry? Do you know why your staff work for your company and you? Do you understand what employees want from their position? Do you know how to deal with a difficult staff person? Can you lead difficult change? This session will help you recognize what leadership truly is as opposed to what passes for day to day management.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
from one firm to another, it is hard for the average person to see this by simply looking at the sign
outside our office door. Is there any way to make us stand out more to the outside world? Through
surveys, statistics, and examples, this course looks at how CPA firms can develop a marketing plan
beyond just relying on referrals. We look at the pluses and minuses of various marketing channels,
regulatory constraints, and how to measure success in the competitive financial services space.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Communications and Marketing (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- Recognize when a worker might have an implied employment contract
- Know what to ask about and what to discuss during an employment interview
- Know how to discharge an employee — what, and what not, to say and do
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Louis Federici
Field of Study:
Business Law (2)
Major Topics:
- Employment at will — what this means in a practical sense
- Implied employment contracts
- What a prospective employer can ask about, and test for, during employment interviews
- Federal anti-discrimination rules applicable to hiring and firing
- How to discipline or fire an employee and not get sued
- FMLA/ADA/PWFA — Pregnant Worker’s Fairness Act
- Constructive discharge — what is it and how it affects your business?
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize specific ways to leverage AI technology in your 1040 tax preparation services.
Identify specific AI tools that can be leveraged to automate and enhance 1040 tax preparation services.
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of AI technology and how it works.
- Identify where AI can be incorporated into the 1040 process.
- Using ChatGPT and Microsoft 365 Copilot for 1040 tax research, analysis and communications.
- Using StanfordTax AI based software to automate client source document collection and organization and integrate it with the leading 1040 tax software solutions including CCH Axcess, CCH ProSystem fx, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProSeries and Drake.
- A roadmap for using AI to improve client communications and 1040 based advisory services.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the most recent changes in auditing, reviews, compilations and other attestation engagements
Apply practice tips for achieving high quality engagements.
Recognize updates on enhancing audit quality
Analyze AICPA's new Quality Management Standards
Recognize trends in the practice landscape, how AICPA's Enhancing Audit Quality Initiative is improving practice quality
Recall SQMS implementation resources.
Instructor:
Allison M. Henry, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- AICPA Accounting and Review Services Committee standards update and new practice aid
- AICPA Auditing Standards Board standards update including recent changes to the audit and attestation standards
- AICPA’s new Quality Management Standards - Overview, implementation considerations, timeline, and AICPA implementation resources
- PCAOB, IAASB standard-setting agenda and potential future AICPA ASB standards changes
- Update on AICPA’s Enhancing Audit Quality Initiative
- Trends in audit quality including the DOL’s audit quality study
- Frequent peer review findings and practice tips for achieving high practice quality
- Latest on the DOL’s audit quality study
In the first part of the course, participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of Power BI. This includes an overview of Power BI's interface, key features, and its seamless integration with Excel. The course will cover Excel's Power BI tools - Power Pivot, for advanced data modeling, and Power Query, for efficient data transformation and preparation. This segment is essential for understanding how Power BI extends and enhances the data processing and analytical capabilities of Excel.
The second section of the course delves into the standalone Power BI tools. Here, participants will explore Power BI Desktop for creating complex data models and sophisticated reports, Power BI Service for cloud-based collaboration and sharing, and Power BI Report Server for on-premises report deployment. This part of the course will focus on the unique features and strengths of these standalone tools, providing attendees with the skills to leverage Power BI in a variety of business contexts.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the differences and synergies between Excel's Power BI tools and the standalone Power BI tools, enabling a clear understanding of when and how to use each tool effectively in various business scenarios.
Distinguish between the various functionalities and use cases of Power BI tools, empowering participants to select the most appropriate Power BI tool for specific data analysis and reporting needs in their professional roles.
Recognize the impact of integrating Power BI with Excel on the efficiency and effectiveness of data processing, analysis, and visualization tasks, aiding in the development of more streamlined and powerful data analytics strategies within their organizations.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Overview of the Power BI Tools: Introduction to the Power BI ecosystem, including Excel’s Power BI features (Power Pivot and Power Query) and standalone tools (Power BI Desktop, Power BI Service, Power BI Report Builder and Power BI Report Server).
- Tour of the Tools: Introduction to the interfaces of Power Pivot, Power Query, Power BI Desktop and Power BI Services.
- Comparative Analysis:
- Understand the strengths and limitations of Excel’s Power BI features versus standalone Power BI tools.
- Strategic decision-making on when to use each tool for optimal efficiency and accuracy in data analysis tasks.
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Connie Clark
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Successfully integrate ERM into everyday business practice.
Comprehend the key components and benefits of an ERM framework.
Identify and assess risks using various ERM tools and techniques.
Implement tactics to tailor a comprehensive ERM framework for your firm.
Integrate ERM into your organization's strategic planning and decision-making processes.
Foster a risk-aware culture and effectively communicate ERM practices within your organization.
Instructor:
Robert Berry, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Management Services
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- What is ERM and why is it important?
- What is your risk appetite and risk tolerance?
- The COSO framework for ERM and its recent updates.
- The ERM Steering committee – what is it for and what does it do?
- Risk heat maps – evaluating what is hot and what is not.
- Risk owners and the risk control plan.
- Measuring the effectiveness of the implementation.
- The role of leading and lagging indicators - KRIs.
- Making it part of everyday management.
- The need to integrate ERM into strategic planning.
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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!
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the capabilities and features of GPT Vision to enhance the understanding of how AI can analyze visual content in financial contexts.
Recognize the unique advantages of using visual data analysis over traditional text-based data processing in accounting practices.
Access GPT Vision tools to analyze financial screenshots and documents effectively.
Analyze various types of financial and operational images to extract meaningful insights that can influence decision-making processes.
Evaluate the effectiveness of integrating ChatGPT with Google Maps and Google Earth for spatial analysis in financial and strategic contexts.
Create strategies using descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analysis techniques to address complex financial challenges using visual data.
Apply learned photo capturing techniques to produce high-quality images that maximize the accuracy and relevance of financial data analysis.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to GPT Vision - Understanding the fundamentals of GPT Vision and its capabilities.
- Advantages of Vision Mode Research - Exploring the unique benefits of visual data analysis over traditional methods.
- Accessing GPT Vision - Guidance on how to access and utilize GPT Vision capabilities.
- Financial Screenshot Analysis - Techniques for analyzing financial documents and reports through screenshots.
- Operational Insights from Visual Data - Using images to gain insights into operational processes and asset management.
- Integration with Google Maps - Learning how to combine ChatGPT's vision capabilities with mapping technologies for enhanced spatial analysis.
- DDPP Analysis - Applying descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analysis to visual data.
- Sentiment and Facial Expression Analysis - Techniques for interpreting emotions and sentiments in images to gauge client and employee feedback.
- Body Language Interpretation - Analyzing body language in images to understand non-verbal cues in business contexts.
- Effective Photo Capturing Techniques - Best practices for taking photos that provide optimal insights for financial analysis.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Implement practical strategies based on a thorough understanding of the complex rules for retirement distributions
Implement practical strategies in determining a partner's tax basis for a partnership interest
Identify the use of Form 1065, Schedule K-1 information for basis determination.
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Explain the use of both "inside" and "outside” basis determination.
- How to calculate tax basis capital accounts, including when the entity is formed, including the impact of contributed property.
- Clarify the importance of partnership capital accounts and partnerships debt on partner's tax basis.
- Explanation of how basis is impacted distributions and by sale and/or liquidation of the partnership interest.
- Comprehensive example to illustrate the mechanics of the basis determination process.
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.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
Does your firm have interest in expanding its’ services beyond traditional CPA services? Do you have staff with the expertise to compete against non-CPA firms? Welcome to a course that will lead you through the maze of creating a successful Consulting Business Practice for your CPA firm. The course will help you understand: where consulting business opportunities exist, what are the firm’s professional responsibilities and most importantly how to recognize the needs of the client.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Steve Cadigan
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Jane Mims, PhD.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify guidance that IRS auditors use when examining tax returns
Distinguish industry-specific nuances for an auditor's perspective
Apply IRS guidance when preparing income tax returns
Instructor:
Dr. Christopher J. Harper, CPA, MBA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of ATGs
- Best practices for utilizing ATGs
- Salient provisions of selected ATGs
- Insights auditors may obtain from analytical procedures
- Nuances associated with selected industries
In addition to providing tools to conduct effective appraisals, we will also look at the ethical implications of employee reviews. When done well, performance management has the power to improve communication between managers and their staff as well as help foster stronger career paths and routes for growth. It can motivate, re-engage, and energize everyone involved. Ethical values such as fairness, accountability, respect, intellectual honesty, and trust will be incorporated into this session.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize how to collaboratively set standards of performance
Recall how to prepare and conduct performance appraisals that are fair, respectful, and effective
Identify common rater bias and legal considerations of performance management
Recall principles of feedback and coaching regarding performance
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Definition and Benefits of Ethical Performance Management
- Setting Standards/Goal setting
- Preparing and Conducting the Appraisal Interview
- Legal Considerations in Performance Management
- Avoiding Rater Bias
- Feedback and Coaching
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Objectives:
- Understand the differences between a Power of Attorney, guardianship, and a will
- Understand the factors to consider in choosing an executor
- Understand why everyone should have a will
- Understand why a trust can be a powerful tool in administering the estate
- Understand how to care for a pet after death
- Review good practices in regards to estate claims and insurance
Presenters:
Ciro Poppiti, Esq.
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Overview of estate planning
- The dangers of a Power of Attorney
- The most important aspect of a will
- Role, scope, rights, and responsibilities of an executor
- Benefits of incorporating a trust
- Bequests
- Caring for a pet
- Claims against the estate
- Insurance
- Consequences of poor estate planning
Objectives:
- Be familiar with the practical issues surrounding Section 754 and its application
- Effectively advise clients on these complex issues
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Lance Weiss, CPA, CVA
Field of Study:
Taxes (4)
Major Topics:
- How does a partner compute his or her basis in a partnership?
- What is the difference between a partner’s inside and outside basis?
- What is the difference between a partner’s capital account and partner’s outside basis?
- How does Section 732(d) impact the buyer of a partnership interest?
- How does a partnership report a Section 754 election on the partnership’s tax return?
- How does a partnership make a Section 754 election?
- How does a partnership make a Section 743(b) adjustment?
- How does a partnership make a Section 734(b) adjustment?
- How is a Section 743(b) adjustment or Section 734(b) adjustment allocated to the assets of a partnership?
- How is a Section 743(b) adjustment allocated within the class of ordinary income property and capital gain property?
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Analyze current ethical violations in the news
Determine possible choices when placed in the middle of an ethical dilemma
Determine a nine-step process to improve ethical decision-making
Instructor:
Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CMA, CIA, CFF, CGMA, MS
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Discuss ethics from an every-day real-world perspective
- How to prevent an ethical lapse that can turn your business into the next news story
Does this sound familiar? If so, this webinar is for you.
This course is for any practice owner looking to transform their practice - and double their revenue - by offering a productized CFO/Advisory service. We'll cover the systems you need to transform your practice and the services you should offer to double your firm's revenue.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Determine the number of advisory clients you'll need and the amount you should be charging to double your firm's revenue.
Recall how we define CFO and advisory services.
Determine which of the three types of CFO/Advisory firms is right for you.
Identify the three systems you'll need to add a CFO/Advisory service to your firm.
Instructor:
Adam Lean
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The average revenue of most accounting firms.
- The number of advisory clients you'll need to double your firm's revenue.
- How much you should be charging for advisory services.
- How we define CFO and advisory services.
- What business owners really want from their advisor.
- The three types of CFO/Advisory firms.
- How to get clients to pay you approximately $2,500 per month for advisory services.
- The three systems you'll need to add a CFO/Advisory service to your firm.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Evaluate the relationship between financial success and ethics
Identify the characteristics that make the CPA credential unique compared to other financial designations
Compare and contrast the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct to the ethics codes of other financial professionals
Analyze the steps in the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct Conceptual Framework Approach
Recognize the key issues currently being addressed by the AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee
Recognize the key factors that influence employee behavior according to research
Identify the key factors of ethical communication that increase trust
Indicate how the concept of ethical communication can be applied within the context of a difficult conversation
Instructor:
David Peters
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Does it pay for a company to have strong ethics?
- Can you measure the financial impact of ethics?
- Does ethics make a difference in financial performance?
- Can ethics be used as a competitive advantage?
- What sets the CPA designation apart?
- AICPA Code of Professional Conduct & the Conceptual Framework Approach
- Ethics as a marketing tool
- Personalizing your Code of Ethics
- Four building blocks of ethical culture
- What influences employee behavior?
- Ethical research
- Building trust in organizations
- Maintaining objectivity in difficult situations
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify what ethics is and is not.
Discover common barriers to ethical behaviors.
Explore and practice practical tips to overcome those barriers and increase your ethical response.
Instructor:
Keely Gohl, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Explore research for common answers to "what does ethics mean to you?" and examine whether those are valid.
- Identify common ethical barriers - reflecting the latest from the ACFE Report to the Nations.
- Discover ways to improve ethical response.
- Practice, using practical advice from leading thinkers in ethics.
To move beyond the HR realm it is essential for HR professionals to understand planning at the strategic and tactical level. This session is designed to help HR professionals understand the overall strategic planning process so they can contribute at the executive level.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
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!
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Steve Cadigan
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recall the fundamental concepts and applications of cloud computing, big data, and data analytics in the accounting sector, emphasizing their role in enhancing efficiency and decision-making processes for CPAs.
Identify the key principles of Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and their transformative impact on accounting, enabling CPAs to streamline operations and optimize services.
Recognize the emerging trends and potential implications of cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and the metaverse in the financial industry, preparing CPAs to navigate these innovations with informed strategies and solutions.
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Role of cloud computing as the foundation for all tech trends
- Big data and data analytics the new frontier for CPAs
- Workflow automation with RPA, ML and AI with a focus on ChatGPT
- Blockchain technology, the revolutionary data storage model
- Cryptocurrency 15 years later, an update on the market and technology
- Metaverse - what's it all about
- Cloud based financial and ERP software market update
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize the ethical challenges created by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the foundational principles included in the Code of Professional Standards.
Recall the ethical imperative to remain competent in this new environment in order to serve in the public interest.
Consider whether current ethics standards address all of the challenges associated with data privacy and security.
Instructor:
Allison M. Henry, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- The foundational ethical principles CPAs are required to follow and how these principles apply to audit quality, data privacy and security, and the use of emerging technologies.
- The profession's need to change to meet its ethics standard in a technology-centric environment.
- Changes being considered by the AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy that could impact the profession.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the impact of GASB 100 and 101 on financial reporting for governments.
Analyze the impact of standards effective in 2024.
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- New GASB standards:
- GASB 100, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.
- GASB 101, Compensated Absences.
- Practical case studies.
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Objectives:
- Explain best practices with regard to progressive discipline
- Advise employers regarding steps they can take to reduce litigation risks associated with employee termination
- Understand wrongful termination and discrimination claims, including how to avoid them
Presenters:
Amy McAndrew, Esquire
Field of Study:
Personnel/Human Resources (2)
Major Topics:
- Defining progressive discipline, including typical steps in any progressive discipline process
- The importance of a fair disciplinary process
- When and how progressive discipline should be used, including using progressive discipline in the lead-up to termination
- Documentation best practices
- Limitations on at-will employment, including contracts and laws regarding discrimination and retaliation
- Avoiding key risks in the termination process
- Best practices for legally compliant termination procedures
This course is designed to take participants from the basics of Power Query to exploring its more sophisticated features. It is an ideal blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, centered around diverse data scenarios encountered in multiple industries. The aim is to ensure that the skills and techniques learned are universally applicable and beneficial in any professional context.
Structured to be participant-focused, the course encourages active learning through a series of practical exercises, live demonstrations, and illustrative case studies. This approach not only deepens the understanding of Power Query's features but also demonstrates how to turn complex data sets into actionable insights.
While the course is broad in its application, it remains detailed in its instruction, catering to both the novice and the seasoned professional. It is particularly beneficial for those who regularly interact with data, such as business analysts, project managers, and financial professionals, providing them with the tools to streamline data processes and enhance data analysis capabilities.
Additionally, the course underscores best practices in data management. Participants will learn strategic approaches to data challenges, ensuring that their data processes are efficient, scalable, and sustainable. This is not just a course about mastering a tool; it's about empowering professionals with the skills to transform data into a strategic business resource. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to leverage Power Query in Excel or Power BI desktop to its full potential, turning data into a powerful driver for business success and innovation.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to ...
Identify the key features and functionalities of Microsoft Power Query.
Distinguish between different data transformation techniques in Power Query, including data cleaning, merging, and pivoting.
Indicate the best practices for documenting each step in your data transformation process.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Introduction to Power Query in Power BI: Understanding the interface and basic functionalities.
- Data Cleaning Techniques: Removing duplicates, handling null values, and data type conversions.
- Data Transformation: Advanced methods for manipulating data, including pivoting, merging, and appending queries.
- Data Loading: Efficiently loading data into the Power BI data model.
- Document the Process Steps: Setting up details for each step in the process so you can document what is happening and why.
In this session, learn how to measure your ethics through change. You will learn how to filter everything you do during change through a simple litmus test. Through the power of story, you will learn from the lessons of other organizations and their ethical mistakes. Lastly, you will take away what is required to manage yourself so that when ethical decisions arise, you have the mental capacity to manage through it well.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish the difference between a Compliance Strategy and an Integrity Strategy
List the questions in the litmus test for your decisions and actions
Recall ethical principles when managing through change
Identify and give examples of how to put ethical principles into practice
List the organizational pressures that threaten ethical change management
Analyze case study of prizing outcomes over process
Recall case study of poorly managed Change Agents and Networks
Apply case study of poorly managed leadership alignment
Assess case study of non-transparent leadership
List the winning strategies for ethical self-regulation
Instructor:
Tammy Daugherty
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- The litmus test for all of your decisions and actions
- Ethical principles when managing through change
- Pressures that threaten ethical change management
- Case studies of what can go sideways when ethics are not part of every stage of change
- Winning strategies for ethical self-regulation
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
The AICPA issued new Quality Management Standards that require all accounting firms that perform audit, review, compilation, attestation, and agreed-upon procedures engagements to comply with the enhanced Quality Management Standards by December 15, 2025.
The most significant change in the new Quality Management Standards is the requirement that firms identify and assess quality risks specific to their practices and then design and implement responses to each identified quality risk.
This program will help you understand the new Quality Management Standards, provide practical guidance for adoption, and respond to the requirements of the new Quality Management Standards.
Speakers:
Peter Sawchuk
James Skrobosinski
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the basics of ChatGPT and artificial intelligence chatbot technologies
Use ChatGPT to automate tasks and improve efficiency in the accounting profession
Utilize ChatGPT to improve accuracy and reduce the risk of mistakes in financial records
Supply real-time support to clients using ChatGPT
Generate financial reports using ChatGPT
Use ChatGPT to automate tax return preparation and financial planning
Deliver guidance on financial decision making using ChatGPT
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
Major topics covered in this course include:
- Introduction to ChatGPT and artificial intelligence chatbot technologies
- Automating frequently asked questions and the onboarding process
- Verifying and reviewing financial records
- Providing real-time support to clients
- Generating financial reports
- Automating tax return preparation and financial planning
- Providing guidance on financial decision making
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Christopher Pembrook, CPA, MBA, CGAP, CRFA
Estate planning continues to evolve, and staying informed about the latest trends and strategies is crucial for professionals in the field. This forward-looking course delves into the intricacies of estate planning, with a specific focus on current issues. Participants will explore cutting-edge techniques, emerging legal considerations, and industry developments to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to create effective estate plans that withstand the test of time and safeguard their clients' legacies.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Objectives:
- Understand the major issues on which taxpayers and the IRS are in conflict
- Understand recent IRS guidance and legislation impacting pass-through entities
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
On the financial front, the course covers the 9 ASUs issued in 2023, including ASUs covering crypto assets and leases for common control entities. In addition to a financial accounting update, the course will discuss what you will need to do differently as you adopt new audit standards 142–149 over the next few years, including a detailed review of the audit requirements under SAS 142. The course will also cover the key changes related to SSARS No. 25. Finally, the course reviews the AICPA’s quality management project.
In summary, the course is your go-to source for all things A&A and will prepare you for your upcoming engagements throughout the rest of the year.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Jason Carney, CPA, PMP, CISA
Field of Study:
Accounting (4), Auditing (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
State the relationship between sustainable growth, core earnings, and company cash flow
Recognize how time assessments and customer segmentation can be used to identify cash flow negative clients.
Identify common behavioral biases which influence how a company spends money
List behavioral biases that prevent companies from being streamlined
State techniques that may be used to make cost cutting a part of the company's culture and business strategy
Identify techniques that may be used to discern whether or not additional headcount is necessary
Recognize vertical and horizontal financial statement analysis
List contracting and negotiation techniques
Recognize the business cycle and how cash flow management changes during each stage
Instructor:
David Peters
Fields of Study:
Management Services
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- How do I optimize cash flow?
- Qualitative Evaluations – Core Earnings & Sustainable Growth
- Quantitative Evaluations – Liquidity Ratios
- Increasing Customer Base vs. Payment Terms
- Business Cycle & Cash
- Investing Company Cash
- What keeps companies from becoming streamlined?
- Behavioral Finance Biases
- Information Processing Biases
- Emotional Biases
- Dealing with Behavioral Biases
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending the presentation you will be able to...
Define integrity and objectivity as promulgated by the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and understand its importance to the CPA.
Have the ability to identify situations where the CPA may be susceptible to subordinating his/her judgment to a client or employer.
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- AICPA Code of Conduct: Integrity and Objectivity
- Case Study: Mortgage crisis of 2007-2010
- Case Study: World Com
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Shelli Huston, CPA, MS
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Educate on what is important to attract and retain millennial workers.
Distinguish how generational viewpoints differ, and how to get them to see "eye-to-eye."
Apply tips and techniques for mentoring and developing younger workers.
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Personnel/Human Resources
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Building a high-performing team comprised of multi-generational workers.
- How to effectively communicate with the millennial worker.
- Leveraging younger staff in business development opportunities.
- Measuring the productivity of a millennial workforce.
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
Does your firm have interest in expanding its’ services beyond traditional CPA services? Do you have staff with the expertise to compete against non-CPA firms? Welcome to a course that will lead you through the maze of creating a successful Consulting Business Practice for your CPA firm. The course will help you understand: where consulting business opportunities exist, what are the firm’s professional responsibilities and most importantly how to recognize the needs of the client.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
Cybercrime is on the rise and CPAs that handle sensitive client data are often the target of cybercrimes. By attending this session you'll learn what the eight biggest threats are to your business and uncover the three pillars of cybersecurity that you can build your firm's defense around.
Speakers:
Jon Melloy
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
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.
Speakers:
Gary Cokins, MBA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
The audit standards state that one of the reasons auditors fail to detect fraud is that they don’t know what it looks like. Prior to the original SAS No. 82, Consideration of Fraud In A Financial Statement Audit, nowhere in any SAS was there a description of what fraud looked like. So, as they say, if you don’t know what you are looking for, you can often look right at it and not recognize it!
This presentation illustrates some of the more common indicators of fraud they most individuals would overlook unless they 1) knew what they were looking for and were 2) actually looking for it. Contrary to what the standards say about fraud being concealed, I have found that fraud is often laying on the table right in front of you; but no one has discovered it because they have no idea what the indicators of fraud are.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
Learn why creating an employer brand is so important and instrumental in competing in today's competitive marketplace. Elevate your recruiting experience for candidates and onboarding process for new hires to enhance your employer's brand.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
"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!"
Speakers:
Chuck Gallagher
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!
Speakers:
Summer Jelinek
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to ...
Apply best practices when creating your spreadsheets
Determine which controls you need to develop for your spreadsheets
Use controls to build more accurate spreadsheets
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Learn best practices when designing your spreadsheets
- How to create a proper worksheet structure
- Learn to use Excel's built in features to find errors
- How to create your custom controls to prevent and find errors
- Using links to quickly move to controls
- Using Conditional Formatting to highlight errors
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Articulate the urgency of proactive change leadership
List and apply the seven steps of leading change, incorporating empathy mapping
Draft a compelling case for change that integrates emotional intelligence
Assess effective relationships and change networks
Implement robust communication strategies that foster trust and transparency
Develop and utilize 360-degree feedback mechanisms
Enhance personal skills for navigating ambiguity
Lead with clarity amidst uncertainty, using empathy and foresight
Instructor:
Tammy Daugherty
Fields of Study:
Business Management & Organization
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The urgency of leading change now & the steps in leading change
- The power of crafting a vision that encourages buy-in
- The art and science of building strong partnerships
- Accelerating change through relationship networks
- Communication strategies for change
- Establishing a feedback culture for successful change
- Managing self in times of change
- Case studies and real-world scenarios
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify the key features to evaluate in password management apps
Recognize the important role password management apps play in your cybersecurity protection
Distinguish between the features of top selling password management apps
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Introduction to the world of password management apps and what makes them so secure
- Review and demonstration of top selling password management apps
- Software features that will be reviewed
- Password generation
- Emergency user access
- Entity vs. individual password management
- Desktop vs. cloud based
- Multi device synchronization
- PII (personally identifiable information) forms filler
- Credit card storage
- Digital data vault
Every organization claims to be ethical, but words and deeds do not always jibe. How do you assess the real Ethics of an organization? What are the key factors and behaviors to be aware of? Many organizations lack prescriptive policies, but is that an excuse to deviate from the spirit of doing the right thing?
How can professionals abuse ‘what is right’ and circumvent policies for their personal benefit. What are some egregious examples of violating policies? How allowing exceptions invites abuse. This seminar outlines steps to gauge the ethics of an organization.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Joe Oringel, MBA, CPA
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Bob Mims, CPA
There are multiple facets to ethical choices, including should you use your ‘head’ or your ‘heart’? What are the pros and the cons? How can we balance these opposing views?
This seminar outlines the value of; trust, courage, fairness, sensitivity, persistence, honesty and gracefulness – to help us make better ethical decisions.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
We all make predictions in our personal and professional lives. We base our decisions to marry, buy a house, launch a new product or hire staff on expectations about the future. In the past few years, research into improving predictions has advanced. We will look at this research and current best practices in forecasting to help us prepare better budgets and projections.
Speakers:
John Levy, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
Performance targets and incentives can drive breathtakingly positive results: the moon landings, the eradication of smallpox, or the repair of the ozone layer, for example. They can also have a dark side that can create stress, overload and anxiety and even drive lawbreaking.
What is the difference between a healthy ‘stretch’ target and one pushes people too far? How can we spot potential problems in advance and systematically design sensible, humane and effective performance targets?
Using practical examples and case studies, Bernie will give you an overview of the essential steps for designing robust, effective, and credible targets for any organization.
Designing effective, practical and realistic performance targets will never be easy, but this session will introduce you to the tools that help make the process clearer, simpler and more consistent.
Speakers:
Bernie Smith
The ability to create and ask good questions as well as the ability to know when someone is being deceptive are important skills for managers, auditors, and investigators. This session will improve your interview techniques and your lie detection abilities. Multiple videos from various movies, TV shows, and public figures showcasing the behaviors of liars are included.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
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.
Speakers:
Burt Hamner
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Determine what factors allowed certain frauds to occur
Identify what internal controls may have prevented the frauds
Consider application of these lessons to circumstances you encounter in your professional endeavors
Instructor:
Chris Harper, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Examination of actual frauds
- Discussion of internal controls that could have prevented the frauds
- Contemplation of epiphanies for your own professional scenarios
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the different waves of AI evolution and their implications for accounting
Evaluate strategic approaches for implementing AI within accounting organizations
Design effective AI usage policies that align with professional standards
Apply frameworks for integrating AI into specific accounting workflows and processes
Create strategies for fostering productive human-AI collaboration
Assess potential risks and ethical considerations in AI implementation
Develop metrics for measuring AI implementation success and impact
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Evolution and current state of AI technologies in accounting
- Development of comprehensive AI usage policies and guidelines
- Implementation frameworks for integrating AI into accounting workflows
- Strategic approaches to AI-driven process automation and optimization
- Methods for identifying and capitalizing on AI opportunities
- Best practices for human-AI collaboration in accounting
- Risk management and ethical considerations for AI implementation
Professional Codes of Conduct make Ethics seem easy and clear cut. However, this is not so in real life. This session discusses five cases where the ethics is not so clear cut. What should be considered? We will explain how you can be more diligent and maintain awareness of ethical issues to become more effective and enhance the reputation of the profession.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
J. Michael Inzina
How do you raise your skills to the next level to master the Controller or CFO role? Welcome to a course that provides insights that align the CGMA Competency Framework. The course will examine each of the areas: Technical, Business, Leadership and People to increase your competency.
- How are your technical skills? Are you a traditional accountant or have you learned to expand your technical skills to go beyond “what are the financial numbers?” to “why did these financial results occur?” Are you able to use ratios to understand the business dynamics and the implications to change course or take corrective action? Are the systems that you implement and operate best practices or merely stop-gap solutions?
- How are your business skills? Can you set a vision? Can you develop a strategy? Do you understand the macroeconomic environment of your organization? Can you lead a major project to a successful conclusion? This session will explore the role of business as opposed to tracking the results of the business.
- How are your people skills? How good is your ability to influence others? How are successful are your negotiation skills? How well can you communicate? Are you a collaborator or a partner? This section will help accountants understand that it is people skills that drive the overall success of the accounting operations.
- Finally, how are your Leadership skills? Do you inspire staff or make them angry? Do you know why your staff work for your company and you? Do you understand what employees want from their position? Do you know how to deal with a difficult staff person? Can you lead difficult change? This session will help you recognize what leadership truly is as opposed to what passes for day to day management.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
In this course, we will share tips and tricks for working remotely. You will learn what to do/what not to do in a virtual working environment, strategies for leading teams remotely, employee engagement ideas, and techniques and tools for teleworking.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
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.
Speakers:
Connie Clark
From an ethical vantage, it can be said that we have a moral obligation to work toward self-love, honor, and respect. Matters of self-esteem are important in every aspect of life including goal setting, relationships, establishing boundaries, handling conflict, levels of productivity, and expressing our needs in respectful and dignified ways.
This course explores traps of low self-esteem and ways to minimize those traps. We also explore components of high self-esteem and actions to foster higher regard for self.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize the impact our level of self-esteem has on wellbeing in our personal and professional lives
Recognize that we have choice to let go of unhealthy beliefs about ourselves and replace them with positive ones
Recognize the benefits of high self-esteem
Identify traps of low self-esteem and ways to minimize them
Recognize the components of self-esteem and ways to enhance positive feelings toward self
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Self-Esteem: What is it?
- Belief systems
- Benefits of High Self Esteem
- Minimizing traps of low Self Esteem
- Components of High Self Esteem
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 provides best practices for interviewing to gather accurate information, such as creating and asking open ended questions, effective listening, and understanding verbal and non-verbal communication. Attendees will end the session with takeaways to immediately implement in future HR investigations. Two of three Episodes in the series.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
Excel is the accountant’s tool of choice for analyzing and reporting financial data, yet many use time-consuming and error-prone processes to complete everyday tasks. Regardless of your level of experience, if you use Excel, you need this course to learn more efficient and effective ways to work with Excel. In this course, you will discover countless tips, tricks, and techniques to improve your general level of productivity, reduce the amount of time you spend on mundane tasks, such as formatting, and customize Excel for greater accuracy and efficiency. You will also learn valuable formula-building skills, best practices for linking Excel data from other worksheets and workbooks, and how to streamline report generation and printing processes.
Your K2 instructor will reinforce key learning points throughout the program with practical, real-world examples that will improve your understanding and comprehension of the topics presented. This highly acclaimed course draws on over twenty-five years of experience in delivering spreadsheet training to accounting and financial professionals, which assures you of the relevance and usefulness of the information and guidance provided during the program.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and its requirements for data security.
Analyze compliance requirements under Circular 230 related to WISP and data security.
Identify AICPA Statements of Standards applicable to WISP.
Recall the essential components of a WISP and how to draft one.
Recognize the role of employee and contractor training in maintaining data security compliance.
Assess how FTC regulations impact WISP implementation and enforcement.
Evaluate due diligence practices for ensuring WISP compliance.
Develop strategies for monitoring and updating a WISP to meet evolving standards.
Instructor:
Mary Jane Hourani, MM, EA, NTPI Fellow
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and its impact on data security.
- Circular 230 compliance and due diligence for practitioners.
- AICPA Statements of Standards relevant to WISP requirements.
- Key components of a Written Information Security Plan.
- Training requirements for employees, staff, and contractors.
- Practical guidance for drafting and implementing a WISP.
- FTC enforcement of data security standards for PTIN holders.
- Best practices for maintaining and updating WISP compliance.
Charts and graphs are nothing new. However, many professionals struggle with building compelling visualizations. If that statement describes you, participate in this session to improve your skills in creating Excel charts and other visualizations. As a result, you will create visualizations to enhance your communication skills.
This session is much more than just a seminar on fundamental charts. Instead, in this session, you will learn how to create advanced charts that are interactive, dynamic, and aesthetically pleasing – three qualities that will help to ensure that your readers and audience will understand the data you are presenting. This seminar is a must if you want to improve your communication skills.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
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.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
With increasing competition for finding the best qualified candidates and retaining today’s workforce, it’s more important than ever to consider flexible work options in the workplace. We will review the most popular flexible work options your company could consider implementing: telecommuting, compressed work weeks, flexible hours, phased return from leave of absence, job sharing, early release days, and more! We’ll discuss the benefits of this talent management strategy, including increased productivity, decreased costs, better work-life “integration”, and increased employee engagement and satisfaction. You’ll learn how to propose flexible scheduling to your executive team, including how to logistically roll out this program. Whether you’re in a manufacturing plant, corporate headquarters, or retail industry, you can apply any of these flexible work options to your organization.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
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.
Speakers:
Connie Clark
To move beyond the HR realm it is essential for HR professionals to understand planning at the strategic and tactical level. This session is designed to help HR professionals understand the overall strategic planning process so they can contribute at the executive level.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
Now more than ever, navigating loss, grief and crisis in the workplace is a skillset that leaders must possess. Keeping the heart in human resources is so important, especially in this post-pandemic state we are living in. We will explore ways that you can show empathy to your employees while also balancing your business needs.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- Identify the critical changes occurring in governmental accounting today
- Skillfully implement today’s most challenging GASB standards
- More effectively audit governmental entities through superior knowledge of key accounting issues
Presenters:
Charlie Blanton, CPA
Field of Study:
Accounting (Governmental) (4)
Major Topics:
- The implementation of GASB No. 101 on compensated absences
- The 2025 application of GASB No. 102 regarding certain risk disclosures
- GASB No. 103 addressing improvements to the financial reporting model
- Additional recently issued GASB standards and projects
Objectives:
- Understand strategies and techniques to use in light of new legislation
- Understand the latest enacted tax law changes
- Understand current cases and rulings affecting your clients
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Taxes (4)
Major Topics:
- 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, and New Exceptions to Penalty-Free Withdrawal from Retirement Plans
- Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation
- The Gig Economy -- Tax implications, Independent Contractor vs. Employee Classification, and the 2024 DOL Final Rule
- Advanced practice, reporting, and other issues intertwined with advanced planning and discussion ideas
Tax practitioners who advise clients who are buying or selling a business primarily focus on the tax issues that apply. This program explains and analyzes the tax issues practitioners must address in order to properly advise clients who are either buyers or sellers of businesses.
Objectives:
- Advise clients regarding the tax aspects associated with buying and selling a business
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Edward Renn, Esq.
Field of Study:
Taxes (3)
Major Topics:
- Asset sales and stock sales and their attendant results to buyers and sellers
- Section 1060 and using the residual method
- Consequences of making a Section 754 election with adjustments under Sections 743(b) and 734(b)
- Section 338 and Section 338(h)(10) elections
- Allocating some of the purchase price of a business to personal goodwill
- Partnership distributions to retiring partners under Section 736(a) and 736(b)
- Consulting agreements and employment agreements as between buyers and sellers
- Advantages of a C corporation having Section 1202 stock
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this course, you will be able to...
Recall major elements of the statement of cash flows
Identify the two broad methods for preparing the statement of cash flows
Perform certain calculations for preparing both the indirect and direct statements of cash flows
Use the statement of cash flows as part of financial statement analysis
Instructor:
Chris Harper, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Preparation of the statement of cash flows
- Importance of identifying sources and uses of cash in financial reporting
- Financial statement analysis
- Cash-related financial statement disclosures
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identity the conceptual framework for making independence determinations
Identify independence threats related to preparing financial statements and accounting records
Identify specific non-audit services that would and would not impair independence
Complete proper audit documentation to support adequate consideration of auditor independence
Identify what a single audit entails
Identify the basic audit requirements in a Uniform Guidance compliance audit
Identify key auditee and auditor responsibilities in the compliance audit of federal awards
Recognize key consideration related to the auditor's responsibilities regarding testing and reporting on compliance under the Uniform Guidance
Instructor:
Adelina Burke, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- The conceptual framework approach to independence
- Independence threats related to preparing financial statements and accounting records
- Consideration of specific non-audit services that would and would not impair independence
- Documentation necessary to support adequate consideration of auditor consideration
- Fundamentals of a compliance audit performed under the Uniform Guidance
- Schedule of expenditure of federal awards
- Determination of major programs
- Using the Compliance Supplement
- Uniform Guidance administrative requirements and cost principles
- Testing internal control over compliance
- Testing compliance
- Writing an audit finding
- Reporting requirements of a single audit
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Understand the many keyboard shortcuts that are available to save time and effort
Use Excel Templates, Styles, and Themes to add uniformity to workbooks they design or edit
Design custom number and date formats to meet their specific needs
Add security to the workbooks they use. This includes workbook encryption, and the use of sheet level, range level and cell level security features
Understand formula building conventions such as order of operation
Troubleshoot formulas that are not working properly
Work with functions in the function library to create powerful formulas
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
- Excel shortcuts and time savers
- Working with templates, formats, styles, and themes
- Customizing and enhancing Excel
- Protecting and securing workbooks
- Formula building and the Excel function library
Note: This session is taught using a Hands-On methodology. We provide practice files that tie to the examples in the course materials so participants can undertake all the steps in unison with the instructor.
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
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.
Speakers:
Steven M. Yoss, Jr., CPA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to ...
Select the most appropriate Excel functions and features for specific tasks, ensuring optimal efficiency and accuracy in data management and reporting across a range of business applications.
Apply advanced Excel features like PivotTables and Array Formulas to streamline complex data analysis and enhance reporting accuracy in diverse professional contexts.
Differentiate between the uses of custom sorting and slicers in Excel to enhance data presentation and facilitate more efficient data navigation and analysis.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Excel Tables: Master the use of Excel tables for efficient data management, including sorting, filtering, and structured references, to manage data more effectively.
- Custom Sorting: Get to grips with custom sorting options to organize data in a way that best suits your needs, enhancing data readability and analysis.
- XLOOKUP: Discover the power of XLOOKUP for advanced data retrieval, a game-changer for complex analysis, allowing you to extract specific data from extensive datasets with ease.
- SUBTOTAL: Gain proficiency in using the SUBTOTAL function, a versatile tool for calculating data in visible cells, ideal for analyses that require dynamic calculations.
- SUMIF(S): Explore the functionality of SUMIF and SUMIFS functions for conditional summing, crucial for precise budgeting, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
- Array Formulas: Dive into array formulas to perform multiple calculations on one or more items in an array, enhancing the efficiency of complex accounting computations.
- Data Validations: Learn to implement data validations to ensure data integrity and prevent errors in financial data entry, a critical skill for maintaining accurate accounting records.
- Slicers: Learn to use slicers for interactive data segmentation in tables and PivotTables, enabling accountants to quickly filter and analyze specific subsets of financial data.
- Conditional Formatting: Understand how to apply conditional formatting to highlight critical financial data points, trends, and variances, making data analysis and interpretation more intuitive.
- PivotTables: An introduction to PivotTables, one of the most powerful Excel features, for summarizing, analyzing, and presenting large sets of financial data in a digestible format.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize why effective conflict management is vital for CPAs today
Identify common conflict scenarios faced in CPA roles and anticipate potential challenges
Apply integrated communication techniques from "Crucial Conversations," "Fierce Conversations," and "Leading with Questions"
Use strategic questioning to facilitate open dialogue and achieve positive outcomes
Develop and implement a customized conflict resolution strategy
Draw inspiration from real-life CPA success stories
Instructor:
Tammy Daugherty
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Common conflicts CPAs face
- The impacts of having/not having crucial conversations
- Learn your conflict style and how to elevate your conflict capabilities
- Identifying conflict triggers
- Best practices using an integrated approach from Crucial Conversations, Fierce Conversations, and Leading with Questions.
- Interviews from CPAs and real-life scenarios they faced and what crucial conversation approaches they used.
Although organizations are trying to create and manage diverse and inclusive workplaces, many are not aware of some of the best practices and simple strategies they can incorporate to promote such an environment. We are currently living in unprecedented times. Division, bias, and exclusion, based on factors associated with social injustice and a general lack of appreciation for diversity, seems to have become our current societal norm. With the high stress and anxiety created by these current trends in society, it is even more important for organizations to provide a safe space for their employees where there is a genuine sense of belonging and fair access to opportunity. The goal of this course is to outline the relationship between diversity and inclusion, while providing very practical strategies for HR Professionals in their role to promote a culture of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Speakers:
Shannon T. White, MSW, LCSW
The tools for managing performance and addressing misconduct are not identical. The failure to point this out to leaders has often resulted in the use of the wrong tool. Reinforcing good performance and securing improvements in performance requires skill in coaching employees, making effective requests, and providing effective feedback This course provides practical knowledge and scripts for setting, communicating, and enforcing performance expectations, such that personal and employer liability is avoided.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
Ethical behavior continues to be a problem in society and even in the CPA ranks. "Ethics - A Line in the Sand" looks at the behavioral issues that influence how CPA's act. The course will address why individuals make ethical blunders, the state of ethical conduct in business organizations, the relationship between strong cultures, policy and procedures and successful ethical work environments. In addition, the course will highlight the one behavior to watch for as an indicator of potential ethical violations.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Shelli Huston, CPA, MS
Objectives:
- Determine what options a given client has with respect to initiating Social Security payments
- Identify other factors that could affect a claiming age decision
- Advise divorced clients with respect to their ability to receive Social Security benefits from a former spouse
- Advise married clients regarding their options with respect to maximizing Social Security benefits for the couple and for a surviving spouse
Presenters:
Heather Schreiber, RICP®
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- When is a person eligible to take Social Security benefits?
- Factors to consider when selecting an option for taking Social Security benefits
- Is there a best age to start taking Social Security benefits?
- How to maximize Social Security benefit payments for surviving spouses
- How can a divorced spouse collect Social Security benefits based on the work record of a former spouse?
- How minor children can collect Social Security benefits based on the work record of an older parent
This course provides a current overview of accounting malpractice litigation throughout the United States. The goal is to learn about the types of claims asserted against CPA firms and strategies to employ to avoid such claims. Reviewing malpractice claims allows us to identify patterns of behavior that may reduce litigation risk.
Objectives:
- Identify high risk activities to avoid
- Recognize common defenses to malpractice claims
- Be well versed in standards of professional conduct
- Understand the litigation process for malpractice claims
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Business Law (1), Regulatory Ethics (1)
Major Topics:
- Common instances of accounting malpractice
- Current claim trends
- Frequent defenses to claims
- Statute of limitations
- Damages
- Claims by practice area
Objectives:
- Understand key issues regarding exit planning
- Discuss tax implications of exit planning strategies
- Compare exit planning between entity types (C corporations, S corporations, partnerships, etc.)
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Gain exclusion and tax-free reorganization planning
- Gain exclusion with sales of C corporation stock – Section 1202
- Deferral of gain with installment reporting
- Gain planning with partnerships
- Basis planning – basis step-up at death, gifts of interests to family
- Restructuring the business entity – C vs. S corporation, partnerships, LLCs
- Real estate planning – retention vs sales, like-kind exchanges
- Employee stock ownership plans – special tax incentives
- Employee benefit planning with ownership change
- Taxes other than the federal income tax – state tax, estate, gift and generation-skipping taxes, and property taxes
- Prospects for tax law change
This workshop will provide an intimate understanding of how to deal with conflict in collaborative and constructive ways. Using ethical values and principles, we will explore how to move conflict from an obstacle to an opportunity.
This workshop is geared toward individuals who are wanting to improve their conflict management skills and create more harmonious and positive working environments.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recall conflict concepts and tools to help move conflict to productive outcomes
Identify human tendencies that hamper conflict management and offer ways to minimize them
Distinguish gossip and emotions related to conflict
Recognize mindset and skills helpful in collaboration
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Professionalism, Conflict and Ethics
- Sources and approaches to conflict
- Managing Conflict from the Inside: Awareness of human tendencies, human emotions, and gossip
- Guidelines for managing conflict collaboratively
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Bob Mims, CPA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Design custom AI chatbots tailored to specific business needs and use casesEvaluate different AI platforms to select the most appropriate solutionImplement security measures to protect sensitive data in AI applicationsDevelop AI agents that can operate autonomously with minimal guidanceCreate effective repository for training specialized AI assistantsAnalyze the performance and effectiveness of deployed AI chatbotsIntegrate AI assistants into existing workflows and systems
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Fundamentals of GPT Builder and AI agent customization techniques
- Integration of specialized knowledge bases and domain-specific expertise
- Security and privacy considerations in AI chatbot deployment
- Custom GPT development without coding expertise
- Implementation of AI agents for customer support and workflow automation
- Multi-bot interactions and content creation strategies
- Best practices for maintaining and scaling AI assistants
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
Do you ever get tired of other people's complaining and negativity? How can you stay calm, upbeat, and motivated despite other people’s grumpiness, rudeness, or pessimism? This program is all about helping you be your best. Even though you may not be able to change your colleagues, customers, or even your boss, you can reduce your stress and frustration by changing how you respond. Staying positive and calm is easier when you learn how to build your immunity.
This course teaches you Tina’s proprietary five-step “Immunity to Negativity Formula™”. You’ll learn simple techniques for staying calm and choosing to respond as your best self. This is a key skill you can build for yourself so you can enjoy less stress and frustration. You can even teach others so they can improve customer service, teamwork, and relationships within your company.
Speakers:
Tina Hallis, Ph.D.
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.
Speakers:
Jane Mims, PhD.
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish the newest tax developments and changes to the Internal Revenue Code
Select effective and efficient techniques for implementing new standards
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Current individual tax issues
- Current business entity tax issues
- Any current tax legislation occurring during the period
- Other issues affecting the profession, including IRS procedure, current cases, payroll, and other federal tax issues
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available for your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify minimum understanding and documentation requirements if the auditor does not intend to rely on internal controls.
Recognize internal controls of less-sophisticated, small-to-medium sized audit clients.
Utilize identified internal controls for an efficient, risk-based approach to audits conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
Document your procedures and related conclusions
Instructor:
Chris Harper, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Specific matters auditors should consider when obtaining and documenting an understanding of the client's internal control system
- Development of a tailored audit approach that considers the potential reliance on internal controls
- Guidance for establishing an adequate basis for reliance on internal controls of less formal, smaller clients
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Describe the foundational ethical principles contained in the Yellow Book
Indicate the independence requirements, including when performing both audit and non-audit services
Recall the continuing education rules contained in Yellow Book that support ethical principles
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The concept of public interest
- Ethics, independence, and professional judgment
- Competence and continuing professional education
- Quality control and peer review
- Proper use of government information, resources, and position
- Professional behavior
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
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.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
HR Professionals are business leaders who, regardless of their level of experience, are responsible for maintaining a high level of interpersonal proficiency in their job function. The willingness to gain a genuine understanding and respect for diversity and the incorporation of a safe and inclusive environment of employees in the workplace, is a strong measure of the HR Professionals’ efficacy in this area. This training is geared towards improving and/ or elevating the HR Professionals’ knowledge of cultural competence in the workplace and what it means to truly adopt a culture of diversity and inclusivity. When HR professionals take responsibility for teaching others about the differences and benefits that multiple cultures and diverse backgrounds bring to the organization, research shows that companies are more likely to win top talent and yield improvement in customer orientation, employee satisfaction and decision making, as well as a cycle of increasing returns.
Speakers:
Shannon T. White, MSW, LCSW
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Tracy Cooper, CPA
How good are you with the technology you use daily? What new technology tools are available that could save you time and make you more effective? Technology continues to accelerate rapidly, and the need to keep pace is essential. If you are not an information technology (IT) expert but need a technology update to maintain and improve your skills to serve your companies or clients more efficiently and effectively, this course is for you!
In this fast-paced, update-style course, you will survey today’s IT environment, learning about computer hardware, software (including Microsoft Office), operating systems (including Windows 10), and what they mean for you, and peripheral devices. You will also learn about significant trends in information technology and how to take advantage of the opportunities presented by these trends. Examples include the latest Excel features, working with PDF files, and security and privacy issues. Additionally, you will learn how to improve the overall performance of your IT investment, thereby increasing your return on investment.
Throughout this program, you will learn from real-time demonstrations of practical applications of the latest tools, which can provide you with the knowledge you need to harness the power of technology, both now and in the future. Register now for this “don’t miss” opportunity to get the skills required to enhance the value of your IT investment.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Identify the impact of ASUs that are effective in 2024 on financial reporting
Recognize the impact of the lease modification on financial reporting
Identify FASB ASUs that will be effective after 2024
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Accounting Standard Updates effective in 2024 for public entities, private entities, and nonprofits.
- Review year 2 implications of the leases standard including modification accounting.
- A look at the projects identified by the FASB's Invitation to Comment: Agenda Consultation.
This webinar, based on ethical principles and values, is designed to look at the fundamental relationship skills that foster workplace civility. Understanding that workplace civility is far more than manners, we will dive into behaviors that help promote a workplace where each individual feels respected and valued.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the concepts of respect, inclusivity and compassion and behaviors that foster these concepts
Address potential obstacles/ challenges and ways to navigate
Determine when to give the benefit of the doubt if appropriate
Apply listening skills
Reflect on your own behaviors and how you can contribute to civility at work and at home
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- What is civility and how it is tied to the bottom line?
- Principles of Civility
- Giving the Benefit of the Doubt
- Inclusivity
- Communication
- Review of ethical values and principles with an emphasis on:
- Respect
- Courage
- Compassion
- Honor
- Accountability
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!
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Tina Hallis, Ph.D.
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.
Speakers:
Randolph (Randy) P. Johnston
New features in Excel provide tremendous opportunities to improve Excel-based operational and financial reports. For example, Data Models, Power Query, Data Analysis Expressions, Power Pivot, and many others can help you create more powerful summaries and schedules in less time than ever. Bundle these tools with some of Excel’s “legacy” features, and you have significant new opportunities to improve your Excel-based reporting environments.
In this fast-paced seminar, you will learn about the importance of using Power Query to link data into Excel data models and how you can manage these data models to facilitate better and more efficient reporting. Additionally, you will learn how to incorporate Key Performance Indicators, Slicers, and Timelines into your reports to enhance the analytics and understandability of the data. Further, you will learn best practices to quickly and easily format your spreadsheets to give them a polished and professional appearance. This course should be at the top of your professional development list if you use Excel for any reporting process.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Professionals by nature place a high value on their time. Still, successful time management strategies vary based upon the personality, motivation, and discipline of each individual. This course provides simple, practical, and powerful techniques that help professionals work efficiently and achieve better balance in their lives. Successful time management skills also reduce the risk of burnout, which in turn improves the likelihood of achieving success in any endeavor.
Objectives:
- Recognize how you use your time most effectively
- Understand your priorities when budgeting time
- Understand ways to schedule your time appropriately
- Manage external events that consume time
- Use strategies and tools to assist in properly managing time
- Be familiar with strategies for resolving time management problems
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Personal Development (2)
Major Topics:
- Managing interruptions
- The role of activity logs, to-do lists and a priority matrix
- The psychology of time management
- Staying on track of your time management plan
- Controlling procrastination
- Blocking out time
- Creating an effective time management plan
Objectives:
- Understand the tax return treatment of the Form 1099-K, a form that millions of taxpayers will receive and/or send in 2025
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Karen Davis, EA, MBA, Ph.D.
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- What Form 1099-K is designed to do
- Filing thresholds for the Form 1099-K
- Who sends and who receives Form 1099-K
- Form 1099-K reporting thresholds
- Personal payments from family and friends
- Personal items sold at a gain or a loss
- Reporting provisions for gig workers, partnerships, and corporations
- Mistaken receipt of a Form 1099-K
- What to do when the Form 1099-K has a mistake
- Situations when the gross amount on a Form 1099-K must be shared
- How to handle the receipt of multiple Forms 1099-K
Designed for CPAs, but also applicable to enrolled agents and accountants, this webinar covers the steps necessary to effectively transform a tax or accounting practice into an advisory service. We explore what it means to be a CFO/advisor to small-to-medium sizes businesses and what qualifications are necessary to offer such a service. We will also cover how to find and convert leads and how to price and package services, including combining advisory services with the firm's current offerings.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify exactly what a CFO/Advisor does
Determine if you're qualified to provide CFO/Advisory services
Replace your income with just advisory clients
Package and price your advisory services
Combine tax and advisory services (if you still want to offer tax)
Deliver an advisory service in a way that keeps clients coming back for more
Instructor:
Lacey Harnar
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The steps necessary to effectively transform a tax or accounting practice into an advisory service.
- What it means to be a CFO/advisor to small-to-medium sizes businesses.
- What qualifications are necessary to offer an advisory service.
- How to find and convert leads and how to price and package services, including combining advisory services with the firm’s current offerings.
Whether you're struggling with burnout, seeking better work-life harmony, or simply looking to improve your overall well-being, this course offers valuable insights and tools to help you thrive. Designed to fit into your busy schedule, it delivers the guidance you need to make practical, sustainable changes in your life, starting today.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish between healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms for managing stress and anxiety.
Recognize the signs of burnout and implement practical tools and strategies to help create a balanced, fulfilling life.
Select effective strategies for improving sleep, nutrition, and overall wellness.
Instructor:
Alexis Smith, PA-C
Fields of Study:
Personal Development
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Understanding Mental Wellness: Explore how the brain functions and the connection between mental and physical wellness. Learn how stress impacts brain health and overall well-being.
- Practical Strategies for Balanced Living: Discover techniques for improving sleep, nutrition, and physical activity to support mental wellness. Learn the importance of setting boundaries, fostering open communication, and building meaningful connections.
- Recognizing and Managing Support Needs: Identify when to seek additional support and learn how to integrate self-care practices that promote sustainable mental and emotional health.
Objectives:
- Prepare not-for-profit financial statements that make a difference
- Select the accounting and reporting options that work best for the individual not-for-profit
- Skillfully apply today’s not-for-profit accounting and reporting requirements
Presenters:
Charlie Blanton, CPA
Field of Study:
Accounting (Governmental) (4)
Major Topics:
- The key requirements, options, and best practices seen in each of the basic financial statements
- Today’s core accounting and reporting requirements related to contributions and how to effectively and efficiently apply them
- How to analyze and incorporate the needs of financial statement users into a not-for-profit’s financial statements and disclosures
Even if you believe you're already a deeply grateful person, you'll still learn some new strategies for expressing gratitude effectively. Forbes Contributor Bruce Weinstein, The Ethics Guy, will show you how to use LinkedIn in a novel way to say "thank you." You'll also find better and worse ways of letting clients, team members, family members and friends know that you care about them.
You'll understand why gratitude is a matter of ethics and not merely etiquette.
Finally, you'll discover how to use questions about gratitude in job interviews and performance reviews. Why not hire and promote people who are not only knowledgeable and skilled but also grateful?
You will be thankful for having taken this valuable webinar!
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to:
Identify ways to evaluate gratitude in job applicants and current employees so that your team is made up of people who are knowledgeable, skilled, and grateful-a winning trifecta!
Recognize how gratitude varies in different cultures
Instructor:
Bruce Weinstein
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
We'll explore what gratitude is and how expressions of it can vary from culture to culture. We'll also unpack several ways you can regularly say "thank you" to valued clients and colleagues, and we'll examine methods for evaluating gratitude in prospective and current employees.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities most relevant to finance and compliance roles.
Interpret key terms, technologies, and strategies, including zero trust, ransomware, and Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs).
Identify how emerging threats like deepfakes and supply chain vulnerabilities impact financial operations.
Integrate cybersecurity strategies with compliance requirements such as SOX, PCI DSS, GDPR, and CCPA.
Apply risk management principles to quantify cybersecurity risks and determine ROI on security investments.
Ensure readiness for audits by aligning cybersecurity practices with compliance objectives.
Outline the essential components of an effective incident response plan tailored to finance and compliance teams.
Instructor:
Dr. Kenneth W. Cooper, DCS, CISSP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Specialized Knowledge
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Understanding Cyber Threats and Risks in Finance
- Cybersecurity Frameworks and Best Practices for Financial Professionals
- Financial Data Security and Encryption Techniques
- Cybersecurity Auditing and Forensic Investigations
- Emerging Technologies and Trends in Financial Cybersecurity
- Leadership and Governance in Cybersecurity for Financial Executives
A harmonious working environment is one in which people feel safe, seen, heard, and respected. Critical to maintaining it are that employees have high self-esteem, are treated with respect, and work in a safe, non-violent setting. This course provides practical knowledge and scripts on how to take appropriate action and deal effectively with discriminatory comments, sexual harassment, and threats and acts of violence,such that personal and employer liability is avoided.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
Leaders have the right to exercise customary management functions. Employees have the right to be kept free from discrimination. Neither employer rights nor employee rights are absolute. The courts are equally protective of the rights of employees and employers. A courtroom is the wrong place for anyone to find this out. This course provides practical knowledge on how to effectively balancing these two sets of rights, such that employees and leaders stay out of court. Employers avoid lawsuits, rather than win lawsuits.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
How do you keep your team connected with the limitations of virtual meetings? Suddenly, it’s more important than ever for each member to understand and appreciate their differences; to see beyond the screen and see each other’s human-side to maintain trust. In this session, Tina Hallis, Ph.D., will explore the neuroscience of trust and why it’s critical for optimum teamwork. But more importantly, you will leave with specific strategies and tools that you can choose from to use with your people.
Speakers:
Tina Hallis, Ph.D.
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
Over 80% of all employment-related lawsuits relate to termination. Every termination should be treated as a potential lawsuit. The facts supporting a leader's recommendation of discharge must be fully investigated. The discharge of an employee requires prior review and approval. Narrow self-interest, spite, or personal animosity must not play a part in making termination decisions. This course provides practical knowledge and scripts for handling discharges with good judgment such that personal and employer liability is avoided.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
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.
Speakers:
Shannon T. White, MSW, LCSW
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Jane Mims, PhD.
Objectives:
- Recall which states do not have an income tax.
- Determine when employer withholding obligations exist.
- Recognize how withholding obligations are affected by reciprocal agreements between states.
- Identify where employers are obligated to pay unemployment for employees.
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- What states do not have an income tax? What is the relevance to employers?
- Where does an employer have an obligation to withhold state taxes for an employee?
- At what point does an employee become a resident?
- Where is unemployment paid for an out of state employee?
In this power-packed course, the formula to be an Inspirational leader has been masterfully developed and covers the soft skills of Inspirational leadership and the Results Model: Goal Setting + Coaching + Follow Up with proven results from dozens of both large and small companies. These cornerstones are simple but can be hard to execute because it is HOW you do it first, then WHAT you do second. This exciting course is designed to ignite your leadership skills by putting theory into practice; drilling into real live examples and experiencing first-hand what excellence sounds like through role-playing and building your action plan. Get ready to become an inspirational leader and learn the steps required to get the results you really want.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify performance management statistics driving human behavior.
List the components of the Results Model and why ethical performance management matters.
Identify the purpose of a scorecard and state the key components that matter.
How to always operate "above the line" and the impact that has on driving results.
Distinguish the most important components that take a scorecard from good to great.
Identify the criterion that matters most during goal-setting.
Compare and contrast various role-play examples of coaching conversations and assess the effectiveness of each; what components make them good and what makes them great.
Identify and recall what short affirmations and re-directs sound like and how to use them effectively during coaching.
Apply the follow-up rules of success.
Recognize the crucial role of empathy and how to apply/cultivate it in your leadership approach.
Effectively use the support tools provided to create your action plan to improve performance management with your people and yourself.
Instructor:
Tammy Daugherty
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- How Inspirational leadership is the foundation that ethically drives results.
- Simplify the complex: Walk through the Results Model and discover practical how-to examples of execution.
- Hacks for getting great results with specific examples you can leverage in your business:
- The How: Empower your people to feel like an owner, managing difficult conversations well, leading with empathy and what that looks like, how it should feel, motivational coaching techniques to get your employee relationships back on track, and unleashing the power of appreciation and gratitude.
- The What: Powerful score-carding, transformational goal-setting conversations, and positive accountable follow- up.
- Forecasting Process: This involves projecting future income, expenses, and resources. By leveraging historical data and market insights, businesses can predict financial health, shaping strategic planning, investment decisions, and risk management.
- Forecasting Profitability: Predicting future earnings informs strategic decisions, investment planning, and resource allocation. It facilitates effective budgeting, cash flow management, risk assessment, and enhances attractiveness to investors for sustainable growth.
- Forecasting the Balance Sheet: Analysts forecast to predict a company's future financial position, assessing growth potential, solvency, and capital structure. This informs investment decisions, strategic planning, and risk management, ensuring financial stability and growth.
Join our webinar to explore these concepts with a practical example, guiding you through the forecasting process and demonstrating its practical applications in real-world scenarios.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Formulate the ability to project future income, expenses, and resources using historical data and market trends for strategic planning and investment decisions.
Calculate future earnings and financial positions to evaluate growth potential, solvency, and capital structure for effective budgeting and risk management.
Apply forecasting insights to enhance resource allocation, manage risks, and attract investments, supporting long-term financial stability and growth
Instructor:
Eric Knight, CPA, DBA
Fields of Study:
Finance
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to Financial Statement Forecasting
- Overview of the importance and benefits of forecasting for strategic planning and investment attraction.
- The Forecasting Process: Steps to project future income, expenses, and resources using historical data and market trends.
- Analyzing Historical Data: Methods for leveraging past financial data to inform future projections.
- Incorporating Market Trends: How to integrate market insights into financial forecasts.
- Forecasting Profitability: Techniques for predicting future earnings and their implications for budgeting, cash flow management, and investment planning.
- Forecasting the Balance Sheet: Approaches for predicting future financial positions, including growth potential, solvency, and capital structure
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify what constitutes compensation between traditional compensation and executive compensation plans
Apply the multi factor test and independent investor test as established in landmark US Tax Court case law
Determine where to find resources
Instructor:
Ronald L Seigneur, CPA/ABV, ASA, CVA
Fields of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- An analytical framework for analyzing and opining on reasonable replacement compensation for owner-employees of closely held businesses and professional practices in the context of tax planning, compliance, management consulting and business appraisal assignments
- Executive compensation components, including the valuation of non-qualified plans and restricted stock units
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
Do you often hear people complaining about coworkers or other departments? Do you have talented people with the right skills who struggle to collaborate and cooperate as a team? You’re not alone. This can be a common situation when people’s values, beliefs and their approach to solving problems differ. The key is to help everyone understand that our differences aren't bad – they’re interesting and extremely valuable.
In this course, Tina guides you through tools and activities you can use to help your people (and yourself) broaden their perspective so they can more easily cooperate, collaborate, and communicate with the people around them. This program explores ways to help them connect, from personality assessments to team building activities. When coworkers or team-members understand each other better, it's easier to appreciate their differences.
Speakers:
Tina Hallis, Ph.D.
President Trump has also proposed other tax changes unrelated to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that could significantly impact business. This program analyzes the new opportunities and challenges that legislative changes offer to businesses and their owners that impact 2025 and later years.
Objectives:
- Alert business clients to legislative changes enacted in 2025 that would impact them
- Advise business owner clients on adopting tax planning strategies that would reduce their tax liability for 2025 and later
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Edward Renn, Esq.
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Use of the budget reconciliation process to enact major tax legislation
- Whether the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 expires after 2025
- Elimination of income taxation on tips, Social Security payments, and overtime
- Changes in marginal tax rates after 2025, including 15% rate on corporations for domestic manufacturing
- Section 163(j) — deduction limitation based on EBIT rather than EBITDA
- Various tariff proposals ranging from 10% to 200%
- Reinstatement of 100% bonus depreciation
- Changes in research and development expensing
- Increased tax-free benefits for commuting, health, and child care
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending the presentation, you will be able to
Identify ways to save between 60-120 minutes
Determine time wasters and common distractions that interfere with productivity and focus
Apply stress management by taking short incremental breaks and understand how it impacts time management and work efficiency
Analyze and prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
Determine how to delegate effectively and with greater confidence
Instructor:
Stephanie Wachman
Fields of Study:
Personal Development
Major Topics:
- Identify time wasters and adopt strategies for eliminating them
- Recognize the variety of causes of procrastination and apply techniques to overcome them
- Use practical techniques for prioritizing work
- Delegation strategies
- Incorporate wellness and stress management into your day in short increments
- Understand their energy cycles and use it to manage your schedule
- Learn techniques to decrease stress in the moment (based on neuroscience)
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Indicate ChatGPT to enhance financial modeling techniques.
Analyze financial ratios using advanced methods for better comparison.
Distinguish various financial risks through detailed scenario analysis.
Apply ChatGPT in advanced valuation techniques.
Distinguish sophisticated performance metrics for operational insights.
Apply AI for effective data analysis and interpretation in finance.
Use in-depth investment analysis using AI-enhanced tools.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Financial Modeling with ChatGPT Integration
- Advanced Ratio Analysis Techniques
- Risk Assessment and Scenario Analysis
- Valuation Methods and ChatGPT Applications
- Utilizing Performance Metrics in Financial Analysis
- Data Analysis and Interpretation with AI
- Investment Analysis Enhanced by ChatGPT
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Steven M. Yoss, Jr., CPA
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Jane Mims, PhD.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify areas of focus by the SEC, new rules, and developments by the PCAOB.
List comment letters and areas of PCAOB emphasis to help registrants improve the quality of financial reporting.
Recall enforcement actions by the SEC.
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Developments at the PCAOB.
- Recent trends in SEC comment letters.
- Enforcement actions and administrative proceedings.
- Conclusions and predictions for the future.
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize the potential to leverage all the Microsoft 365 apps
Identify which app(s) to utilize for specific business processes
Select the proper sequence for deploying the Microsoft 365 apps for your organization
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Lightning round review of the following apps, with an explanation and demonstration of what each of them offers
- Teams - the foundation of all that you do in Microsoft 365
- SharePoint / OneDrive - secure cloud storage
- Power BI - the new financial reporting model
- Stream - the YouTube for your organization
- Bookings - streamline your appointment scheduling
- OneNote - get your content organized for quick retrieval
- Lists - create custom list tracking reports
- To Do - consolidate all your Outlook, Planner and general "to do's" in one app
- Planner - manage simple and complex engagements and projects in an intuitive app
- A quick look at many of the remaining apps
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.
Speakers:
Roger Wolkoff
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.
Speakers:
Summer Jelinek
Fraud continues to plague businesses at epidemic levels, and technology control failures are a significant reason fraud occurs. Using a case study approach, in this session, you will learn about the pervasiveness of fraud, the control failures that contribute to fraud, and what you can do to mitigate fraud risk.
A specific focus of this course is the application of information technology general controls and information technology application controls. In this course, you will examine numerous reported fraud cases and identify the general control and application control failures that contributed to each of these frauds. By learning through these real-world case studies, you will be positioned better to reduce fraud risk.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify how the federal income tax differs from other types of federal taxes
Determine the steps in computing a taxpayer's federal income tax liability
Differentiate tax consequences for terms commonly used for the federal income tax, such as "adjusted gross income," "qualifying child," "tax credits," "filing status," and "kiddie tax"
Recognize how an individual's standard deduction is determined
Indicate differences in the tax for ordinary income, capital gains, and qualified dividend income
Recall the difference between the cash and accrual method, and the correct period in which taxpayers must recognize income and/or deductions
Identify deadlines for filing income tax returns and estimated taxes and how to obtain an extension of time for filing a return
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Defining Federal Income Taxes
- Computing federal income tax liability
- Calculating adjusted gross income
- Defining Qualifying Child
- Determining filing status
- Calculating the Kiddie Tax
- Standard deduction
- Tax Rates for ordinary income, capital gains, and qualified dividend income
- Cash v. Accrual Method
- Filing deadlines and obtaining extensions
The program includes a step-by-step approach to creating and customizing PivotTables, focusing on how to use them to analyze data efficiently. Participants will learn how to group and filter data, identify trends, and apply advanced features to solve real-world business challenges.
Beyond technical knowledge, this course introduces data visualization through PivotCharts, teaching participants how to present their analysis effectively to stakeholders. By the end of the course, you'll not only master PivotTable fundamentals but also gain advanced techniques to streamline data analysis and support strategic decision-making in any context.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Apply advanced PivotTable techniques to analyze complex datasets.
Determine the most effective way to structure data for analysis.
Choose appropriate PivotTable functions for specific business needs.
Analyze trends and patterns within large datasets using PivotTables.
Compare different data segments to draw actionable insights.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to PivotTables: Gain a solid understanding of what PivotTables are, their benefits in Excel, and how to prepare your data for creating effective PivotTables.
- Creating and Customizing PivotTables: Learn step-by-step how to build and format PivotTables, including filtering, sorting, and customizing layouts for optimal data analysis.
- Focus on Using PivotTables to Analyze Data: Explore techniques to summarize, group, and compare data with PivotTables, uncovering trends and insights for better decision-making.
- Advanced PivotTable Features: Discover advanced tools such as slicers, timelines, and using PowerPivot for deeper analytical capabilities.
- Data Visualization with PivotCharts: Learn to create PivotCharts from your PivotTables and customize them to visually present data insights effectively to stakeholders.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Apply financial ratios to assess profitability, operational efficiency, and risk exposure.
Calculate key metrics, including operating leverage, margin of safety, and free cash flow yield, to evaluate financial performance.
Analyze cost behavior to determine its impact on break-even points and financial stability.
Differentiate between traditional ratios and underutilized metrics for a more comprehensive financial analysis.
Select appropriate financial ratios to compare company performance and support strategic decision-making.
Instructor:
Eric Knight, CPA, DBA
Fields of Study:
Finance
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Understanding Cost Behavior and Its Impact on Decision-Making
- Contribution Margin and Break-Even Analysis
- Margin of Safety and Its Role in Risk Management
- Operating Leverage and Financial Sensitivity
- Analyzing Asset Turnover for Operational Efficiency
- Cash Conversion Cycle and Working Capital Insights
- Free Cash Flow Yield as a Valuation Tool
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall changes to financial reporting for nonprofits
Recognize the impact of audit changes on nonprofit audit engagements
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting (Governmental)
Auditing (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee (NAC).
- Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs).
- Year 2 considerations of the leases standard.
- Common nonprofit deficiencies identified in peer review.
- What's going on at the AICPA.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Apply the new financial accounting concepts of leases
Gain a working knowledge of accounting rules as they apply to leases
Instructor:
Chris Harper, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- What is a lease?
- Recognition and measurement of lease assets and liabilities Impact on lessors and lessees
- Disclosures and transition rules
- Effective dates
How often have you said, "It would just be easier if I did this myself?" or "Nobody can do this task as well as I can, so I'll just do it myself." If this sounds like you, then it's time to start working on your delegation skills. Delegation is not only important as a means to save you time, but it is also about developing the next generation of leaders.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending the presentation, you will be able to...
Use your focus and attention, no matter your audience
Recognize when, and with whom, you are distracted
Apply trust building from several different dimensions
Use strategies to train others and offer support, rather than micromanage
Use delegation strategies
Instructor:
Julie G. Holunga, MBA, CPCC, ACC and Stephanie Wachman
Fields of Study:
Personal Development
Major Topics:
The major subjects that will be covered in this course include:
- Three levels of listening
- Strategies to remain focused
- Building trust through listening
- Tactics to practice the Titanium Rule
- Delegating with confidence
- Establishing an accountability system
To move beyond the HR realm it is essential for HR professionals to understand planning at the strategic and tactical level. This session is designed to help HR professionals understand the overall strategic planning process so they can contribute at the executive level.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
How you say what you say is more important than what you say. According to a UCLA study, 93% of a communicators effectiveness is based on non-verbal cues. This foundational program include a focus on the verbal, vocal and visual delivery techniques appropriate for the business environment, which can improve a speakers credibility, influence and impact. Depending on the course length other topics include; managing fear, organizing your presentation, increasing attention and interaction, handling questions, infusing humor, creating impactful visuals, and more.
Speakers:
Michelle Tillis Lederman
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 is an introduction to these differences and provides best practices for assessing allegations of employee misconduct and planning the investigation. Attendees will end the session with takeaways to immediately implement in future HR investigations. Episodes 2 and 3 complete the series.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
Objectives:
- State the relationship between sustainable growth, core earnings, and company cash flow
- Recognize how time assessments and customer segmentation can be used to identify cash flow negative clients
- Identify common behavioral biases which influence how a company spends money
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Management Services (2)
Major Topics:
- How to optimize cash flow
- Qualitative evaluations: core earnings and sustainable growth
- Quantitative evaluations: liquidity ratios
- Increasing customer base vs. payment terms
- Business cycle and cash
- Behavioral finance biases
- Managing head count
- Other potential areas of excess cost
One of the most favored employee benefit plans, the 401(k) plan, provides unique challenges for auditors.
Through this course, auditors will obtain an understanding of the rules and regulations unique to employee benefit plans and obtain practical guidance on applying them. Auditors will enhance their knowledge of the performance and reporting requirements through real-world examples, best practices, and efficient audit techniques that can be utilized in various audit engagements. Make sure your audits don’t trigger a DOL inspection by conforming to all applicable rules and regulations.
Objectives:
- Identify the key provisions of recently issued SASs
- Properly document understanding of the plan, the environment, and internal controls for an employee benefit plan
- Understand the importance of reading, reviewing, and documenting the controls in a service organization control report
- Identify potential audit triggers that may result in Department of Labor inspections
- Understand the risks associated with a benefit plan audit engagement
- Avoid common mistakes noted during peer reviews
Presenters:
Melissa Critcher, CPA, PC
Field of Study:
Auditing (8)
Major Topics:
- Proper planning of benefit plan audit engagements and developing audit strategy while improving overall efficiency
- Common pitfalls in planning and detailed audit procedures
- Changes affecting 401(k) plans, including recently issued SASs
- Common mistakes as noted in peer reviews and DOL inspections
On the financial front, the course covers the 9 ASUs issued in 2023, including ASUs covering crypto assets and leases for common control entities. In addition to a financial accounting update, the course will discuss what you will need to do differently as you adopt new audit standards 142–149 over the next few years, including a detailed review of the audit requirements under SAS 142. The course will also cover the key changes related to SSARS No. 25. Finally, the course reviews the AICPA’s quality management project.
In summary, the course is your go-to source for all things A&A and will prepare you for your upcoming engagements throughout the rest of the year.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Jason Carney, CPA, PMP, CISA
Field of Study:
Accounting (4), Auditing (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
The world is too complex now for any one person to have all the answers. Sometimes those in charge need and want your support. Learn how to manage the managers in “Managing Up the Ladder.” It takes a special finesse and approach.
You’ll learn strategies for acquiring buy-in from those above you in the organization and tools for more effective communications and building respect.
Objectives:
- Understand how to get buy-in from those above you in the organization
- Use your acquired skills to influence and persuade for success
- Understand how to communicate more effectively with your manager
- Avoid 10 critical mistakes when it comes to managing upward
- Understand the 5 questions NOT to ask your manager that can impact your success
Presenters:
Susan Ward
Field of Study:
Personnel/Human Resources (2)
Major Topics:
- Influence, persuasion, and power
- Navigating without position power
Objectives:
- Determine when avoiding earned income/SE income works favorably for the client
- Understand how hiring a spouse and/or child helps reduce self-employment tax
- Differentiate between income treated as self- employment income and income that is not self-employment income
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Section 1402(a)(1) exclusions from the definition of self-employment income
- Application of the SE tax to members of limited liability companies
- Taking a self-employed owner's health insurance deductions against self-employment tax
- How using the S corporation and the MMLLC treated as a partnership can help reduce an individual's exposure to self-employment tax
- How hiring a spouse and/or child helps reduce self-employment tax
- Differentiating between income treated as self- employment income and income that is not self-employment income
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Apply the passive activity and flow-through entity rules for "self-rental property" and show how these situations should be reported on various tax forms
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Definition of self-rental property - both for Sections 199A and 469
- Self-rental income from directly owned properties and reporting on Form 1040, Schedule E, page 1
- Self-rental income from indirectly owned (partnerships, S corporations) and reporting on Form 1040, Schedule E, page 2
- Form 8582 (passive activity)
- The flow-through entity grouping election
- Illustrative examples and consequences of failing to comply with the reporting standards
- Self-rental property and "former passive activities" rules
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available for questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify what factors allowed certain frauds to occur.
Recognize what internal controls may have prevented the frauds.
Consider application of these lessons to circumstances you encounter in your professional endeavors.
Apply ethical guidance to scenarios that accounting professionals may encounter in public practice.
Instructor:
Chris Harper, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Examination of actual frauds
- Discussion of internal controls that could have prevented frauds
- Contemplation of epiphanies for your own professional scenarios.
- The AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
- Other elements of professional conduct and compliance with professional standards
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the essential privacy, security, and compliance considerations when working with Generative AI technologies.
Identify best practices for secure data sharing with GPT models.
Evaluate the do's and don'ts of AI policy implementation to ensure regulatory adherence.
Analyze AI copyright compliance and its implications for your organization.
Assess the increasing threat of deepfakes and their potential impact on fraud and misinformation.
Apply ethical AI practices to uphold data ethics and safeguard sensitive information.
Design strategies to mitigate risks associated with AI deployment in professional environments.
Implement robust security measures to protect data integrity and confidentiality.
Create comprehensive AI policies that align with industry standards and legal requirements.
Monitor ongoing AI activities to ensure continuous compliance and ethical usage.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction: What is AI Security, Privacy and Compliance (AISPC)?
- Why AI Security, Privacy and Compliance (AISPC) is Increasingly Important for Accountants
- AISPC Policy Best Practices
- Key Tactical Questions for Addressing Data Security and Privacy
- OpenAI and Compliance with Government Regulations
- OpenAI and Two-Factor Authentication
- Other OpenAI Security, Privacy and Compliance Considerations
- Best Practices for Secure Data Sharing with GPT
- How to Create a GenAI and ChatGPT Usage Policy for Your Operations
- General AI Policy Do’s and Don’ts
- AI Copyright Compliance & Protection Guide
- Deepfakes and Synthetic Media: A New Frontier for Fraud and Misinformation
- From Financial Oversight to AI Governance: The Sarbanes-Oxley Legacy and Accountants' New Frontier in AI Security, Privacy, Compliance and Ethics
- Key Takeaways
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
John Levy, MBA, CPA
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)*****
Speakers:
Andy Sexton
Chad Ayers
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!
Speakers:
Summer Jelinek
In the fast moving world where everyone is communicating through email, text and instant messaging we have forgotten the power of face-to-face conversation. Communication and connection is the foundation for building a thriving network and business.
During this talk, The Connector’s Advantage author, Michelle Tillis Lederman will inspire you to leverage the power of personal connection in the digital age while still incorporating the efficiency of virtual communication.
Speakers:
Michelle Tillis Lederman
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify ethical dilemmas in finance and accounting using real-world scenarios and SEC case studies.
Recognize the warning signs of fraudulent financial reporting and unethical practices.
Distinguish between ethical and unethical decision-making processes in complex business situations.
Select appropriate actions and reporting channels when faced with conflicts of interest or ethical breaches.
Instructor:
Eric Knight, CPA, DBA
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to Ethics and Ethical Dilemmas
- Ethical Codes and Professional Standards
- Fraud and the Fraud Triangle
- Ethical Decision-Making Models
- Financial Statement Manipulation Tactics
- Cash Flow and Key Metrics Misrepresentations
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
- 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 2024 DOL Final Rule
- Real Estate professional requirements
- Review of pertinent cases and rulings affecting taxpayers
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify ethical issues that may arise from the utilization of artificial intelligence
Recognize the importance of upholding the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
Recall the importance of professional skepticism when evaluating information
Recall the importance of source citations and other documentation considerations
Distinguish best practices for crafting policies and procedures that address threats and related safeguards
Instructor:
Dr. Christopher J. Harper, CPA, MBA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Benefits and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in the accounting profession
- Selecting and utilizing artificial intelligence resources
- Applying professional skepticism to results
- Maintaining independence while utilizing artificial intelligence
- Upholding client confidentiality
- Data security and retention
- Citation of sources and related reporting considerations
- Application of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
- Ethical considerations when crafting policies and establishing best practices
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the nature of generative AI and how it can be applied in the world of CPAs
Recall key concepts and terminology associated with this rapidly evolving technology
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Fundamentals of machine learning and AI algorithms
- How generative AI models like ChatGPT function
- Practical examples of generative AI in accounting, finance and tax
- Key terminologies and concepts simplified
- AI Agents for process automation
Every organization claims to be ethical, but words and deeds do not always jibe. How do you assess the real Ethics of an organization? What are the key factors and behaviors to be aware of? Many organizations lack prescriptive policies, but is that an excuse to deviate from the spirit of doing the right thing?
How can professionals abuse ‘what is right’ and circumvent policies for their personal benefit. What are some egregious examples of violating policies? How allowing exceptions invites abuse. This seminar outlines steps to gauge the ethics of an organization.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Joe Oringel, MBA, CPA
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?
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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?
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
This course provides an in-depth exploration of Form 1120S, the tax return form used by S corporations. Students will learn the intricacies of preparing and analyzing this form, including how to determine the taxable income of the S corporation, how to properly report and allocate income, deductions, and credits, and how to calculate the shareholder's basis in the S corporation.
**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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Christine Wilson, LPC
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 provides best practices for interviewing to gather accurate information, such as creating and asking open ended questions, effective listening, and understanding verbal and non-verbal communication. Attendees will end the session with takeaways to immediately implement in future HR investigations. Two of three Episodes in the series.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
Would you like to find important documents in 10 seconds or less? Would you like to ensure your digital information is safe and secure? Would you like to improve workflow efficiency? Of course, you would, and with some planning and guidance, you will realize these and other benefits of a paperless office. Naturally, no one expects a fully “paperless” office, but reducing the amount of paper we shuffle can offer tremendous rewards. This course will teach you the best practices and proven processes for effective document management.
Participating in this program will teach you how to implement simple, inexpensive document management systems at an individual, workgroup, or small business level. You will also learn about sophisticated and comprehensive document management systems appropriate for larger offices and organizations, including systems with automated workflow processing. Your instructor will guide you through issues such as digitizing paper files, exporting and importing data from specialized applications into a document management system, essential hardware and software considerations, and the policies necessary to facilitate a successful office. Upon completing this course, you will have a comprehensive understanding of your options and a clear direction for implementing your version of a Paperless Office.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Internal controls are more important than ever, and their importance increases daily. However, internal controls present a challenge for many smaller organizations. This program will teach you how to evaluate, develop, and implement an effective internal control structure in a small business environment. You will identify how to assess risk in smaller organizations and implement preventive, detective, deterrent, and compensating controls to mitigate these risks, even without proper segregation of duties. Additionally, participating in this program will teach you technology-focused techniques for preventing and detecting fraud and securing information systems and sensitive data.
For small organizations, maintaining an effective system of internal controls presents a significant challenge. Realistically, implementing many theoretical concepts surrounding internal controls may not be possible in some cases. Consequently, many internal control structures foster an environment where too much risk exists. This factor and uncontrolled information systems can often lead to disastrous results. Participate in this program to learn the necessary insights and tools to design, implement, and monitor effective internal controls, security, and anti-fraud measures in small organizations.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Join us for this powerful webinar and unlock the full potential of LinkedIn as your HR secret weapon for recruiting top talent, retaining your best employees, and elevating overall team engagement.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Understand how to attract candidates using basic tools such as a LinkedIn company page, job postings, and LinkedIn profiles.
Proactively find and identify new candidates using LinkedIn. Establish a pipeline of future candidates.
Encourage and support employee advocacy to enhance your brand's presence.
Develop employee engagement strategies that provide recognition and boost team morale.
Identify the top organic (free) and premium LinkedIn features to leverage for hiring, retention, and engagement.
Instructor:
Sandra Long
Fields of Study:
Personnel/Human Resources
Business Management & Organization
Major Topics:
- How to pro-actively find, identify, and connect with new candidates from various sources within LinkedIn.
- Best practices for organically attracting candidates to your company and team.
- Strategic talent networking opportunities.
- Essential considerations of employee advocacy and brand building using LinkedIn.
- Retention strategies such as promoting a positive work environment, and expanding employee recognition and engagement strategies.
So many of us suffer with mental health issues at some point in our lives. Poor mental health impacts, from a work perspective, productivity, absenteeism, retention and more. On a personal level it often causes personal distress and hopelessness.
The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) is addressing mental illness as a critical factor for the wellbeing of organizations. Additionally, the EEOC is cracking down on mental health discrimination. It is a very important topic for any functional business!
This ethics-based webinar will bring awareness to this issue and offer suggestions on managing mental health issues in ethical, compassionate and healthy ways. It will offer suggestions on managing mental health issues for leaders, managers and all staff to create and environment of safety and belonging. This webinar will also address the topic of suicide talking about warning signs and resources.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize mental health challenges and the impact they have on the workplace.
Analyze the legal aspects of mental health challenges in the workplace.
Assess ongoing support to self and others.
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz and Jennifer Sullivan
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Virtue Ethics and Mental Health
- Definition, Myths and Bias of Mental Health
- Suicide: Facts and Resources
- Recognizing signs of potential mental health challenges
- Empathy and Listening
- Mental Health and Generational Expectations
- Becoming a Mental Health Ally
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.
Speakers:
Charla Welch
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.
Speakers:
Burt Hamner
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
It is the role of a leader to build and maintain a great culture in the organization. The culture is the driving force that shapes the attitudes and behaviors of everyone in the organization. A relationship driven organization is built on trust and is the most effective way to improve productivity, engagement, and the bottom line. Understand the components that enable trust to be created and maintained throughout teams and organizations.
Speakers:
Michelle Tillis Lederman
Objectives:
- Identify when a pass-through entity is able to deduct state taxes it pays at the entity level
- Recognize the tax implications of hot assets in the sale of a partnership interest
- State the character of a gain on the sale of a partnership interest
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Notice 2020-75: PTE elections
- What is a 754 election?
- What if a 754 election is not in effect?
- Tax implications of a partnership interest sale on the seller
- Look-through provisions
The home office tax deduction for the self-employed would cover expenses for the business use of a home, which includes mortgage interest, rent, insurance, utilities, repairs, and depreciation. This program discusses many of the most important issues relating to the deductibility of home office–related expenses.
Objectives:
- Understand the rules relating to taxpayers who are entitled to deduct expenses associated with a home office
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Calculating the home office deduction
- Actual expense method
- Simplified expense method
- Definition of a home for purposes of the home office deduction
- Whether working-from-home employees can claim a home office deduction
- What is a “separate, identifiable space?”
- The “regularly and exclusively used” rule
- Defining a “principal place of business”
- Meeting clients, patients, and customers
- More than one trade or business
- Special rules that apply to daycare providers
- Separate, free-standing structures
- Depreciating the home
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify all the ways you can use Adobe Acrobat to create, edit and manage PDF files
Distinguish between the various features of Adobe and when to use them
Recognize the opportunity to use Adobe to create fillable forms and process documents for e-signature
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Review of all that Adobe Acrobat has to offer
- Organizing your PDFs with bookmarks, links, file attachments and more
- Formatting the presentation of PDFs with headers, footers and watermarks
- Creating and processing fillable forms
- Processing documents for e-signature
- Tips for converting email messages, documents and spreadsheets into PDF format
- Combining multiple PDF files into a single binder
- Utilizing the security features of Adobe Acrobat to protect document confidentiality
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Charlie Blanton, CPA
Field of Study:
Auditing (Governmental) (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall evaluating long-lived assets for impairment.
Recognize unique valuation considerations with customer receivables and inventory.
Assess accounting and disclosure considerations related to insurance claims.
Recognize other matters, such as lease terminations, debt compliance and more!
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Current and noncurrent asset impairment.
- Insurance claims and related recoveries.
- Debt and liquidity issues.
- Government assistance and relief.
- Subsequent Events.
- Lease modifcations.
- Other matters.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the rules to get the IRS to disclose information
Request pertinent information from the IRS
Evaluate the information recorded in IRS transcripts
Recognize the potential leads on individual and business tax returns
Conduct an analysis of information into a spreadsheet
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The rules of IRS disclosure of tax information
- Understanding the role of IRS transcripts
- Interpreting the actions of the IRS in transcripts
- FOIA requests
- Analyzing tax information and returns for financial leads
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.
Speakers:
Tracy Cooper, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Shelli Huston, CPA, MS
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.
Speakers:
Christine Wilson, LPC
Poorly handled conflicts can lead to break downs in communication, reduced morale, and higher turnover. However, when managed well, conflict has the potential to bring value to the organization and the team. Conflict is a costly and often mishandled occurrence in the workplace. Successful conflict resolution occurs by listening to and providing opportunities to meet each side needs, and adequately addressing their interests so that they are each satisfied with the outcome. In this you will learn the different conflict modes, how to choose the appropriate strategy for your situation, and how relationships impact your ability to promote the positive outcomes and minimize the negative outcomes of conflict.
Speakers:
Michelle Tillis Lederman
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 provides best practices for gathering and analyzing evidence and reporting the investigation results. Attendees will end the session with takeaways to immediately implement in future HR investigations. Three of three Episodes in the series.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Client relationships, like any relationship, can be challenging to manage. Miscommunication, differing work styles, and unrealistic expectations are some of the challenges accounting and finance professionals routinely encounter. However, when accounting clients and members of your team are on the same page, client loyalty and profitability improve while conflict is minimized. This webinar explores proven strategies to improve relationships between accounting and finance professionals and their clients.
Objectives:
- Identify and manage client risks and expectations
- Develop strategies for boosting client satisfaction and loyalty
- Understand client management best practices
- Develop practical skills to build stronger client relationships and improve client satisfaction
- Leverage technology to enhance your client service capabilities
- Discover strategies to optimize client retention and drive growth in your practice
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Business Management and Organization (2)
Major Topics:
- The evolving landscape of client expectations in the accounting profession
- Building strong and lasting client relationships through effective communication, empathy, and proactive service
- Implementing efficient client onboarding and engagement processes
- Leveraging technology to streamline communication, enhance collaboration, and deliver personalized service
- Effectively resolving client concerns and complaints
- Utilizing client feedback to continually improve your practice
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this course, you will be able to...
List and use powerful but often hidden tools available in Excel
Discuss some of the new features built into the spreadsheet application
Work in a more efficient manner because of keyboard and ribbon-based tools
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- The power of keyboard shortcuts
- Oft used features with more capability than meets the eye
- New helpful features
Note: This session is taught using Hands-On methodology. We provide practice files that tie to the examples in the course materials so participants can undertake all the steps in unison with the instructor.
In today’s real estate market, IRC §1031 tax-deferred exchanges can be one of the most important planning tools available to the real estate investor. The use of this technique is filled with pitfalls and traps. This new course will assist the practitioner in understanding the mechanics of a tax-deferred exchange and the value of a tax-deferred exchange in both tax and financial planning.
Updated August 2022
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Jordon Rosen, CPA, MST, AEP®
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the fraud triangle and identify common profiles of fraud perpetrators
Identify types of controls
Apply specific controls to transaction types to prevent and deter fraud
Instructor:
Keely Gohl, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Fraud motivators - the fraud triangle, typical profiles of fraud perpetrators
- Revisiting the basics of controls - design vs effectiveness, preventative vs. detective
- Entity-wide controls and how they can assist in fraud deterrence
- Specific fraud types and the controls that could prevent and detect them
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Andy Sexton
Chad Ayers
This course provides practical suggestions for improving leadership skills, including self-awareness, communication, delegation, empowerment, coaching, and counseling.
Speakers:
Laura Middleton
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.
Speakers:
Burt Hamner
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Connie Clark
What do people say about you when you leave the room? Is it what you want them to say? How you show up in the room, get listened to, build trust, and are known amongst your colleagues are all critical components of your future success. In this workshop Michelle Tillis Lederman, CEO and Founder of Executive Essentials, will discuss how to determine you brand attributes, demonstrate the nuances of body language on your professional presence, and discuss how to strengthen trust and the lasting impressions you make on your network, expanding upon lessons from her books The Connectors; Advantage and The 11 Laws of Likability.
Speakers:
Michelle Tillis Lederman
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the tax issues related to S corporation owner's basis for shares and loans from formation through operations
Determine strategies of a sale and/or liquidation
Analyze how S corporation losses impact Form 1040 Schedule E-reporting
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Discuss the calculation of basis when the entity is formed including the impact of contributed property
- Explain the importance of shareholder loans to the entity
- Uses a comprehensive example to illustrate the mechanics of the basis determination process
- Schedule K-1 Basis and Form 7203
- Discuss how basis is impacted by distributions of corporation property
- Explain how basis is impacted by sale/or liquidation of the S corporation interest
- Discuss how S corporation losses impact Form 1040 Schedule E reporting
- Show how to get from the Schedule K-1 information to the basis calculations
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify how white-collar crime investigations begin
Recall terminology associated with criminal justice proceedings
Recognize the relationship between a criminal charge and a conviction
Recognize how judges identify appropriate sentences for business-related crimes
Instructor:
Justin Paperny
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
Major topics covered in this course include:
- What starts a government investigation for white-collar crime?
- What is an indictment?
- What is extradition?
- What are pre-trial proceedings?
- What is a mitigation strategy?
- What is a plea agreement?
- What is discovery in a criminal case?
- What factors influence a sentence in a white-collar crime?
- What collateral consequences follow for people convicted of business-related crime?
Does your firm have interest in expanding its’ services beyond traditional CPA services? Do you have staff with the expertise to compete against non-CPA firms? Welcome to a course that will lead you through the maze of creating a successful Consulting Business Practice for your CPA firm. The course will help you understand: where consulting business opportunities exist, what are the firm’s professional responsibilities and most importantly how to recognize the needs of the client.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Christine Wilson, LPC
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.
Speakers:
Tracy Cooper, CPA
Professional codes of ethics provide guidance to professionals who are frequently required to choose between doing the right thing and the wrong thing. Sometimes, professionals violate their ethical code and do the wrong thing for what they rationalize is the right reason. This session uses the popular television show "Ozark" and its multiple examples of seemingly good people doing bad things for the right reason to define ethics as well as explore why people make unethical choices and how they justify those choices.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
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?
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
John Levy, MBA, CPA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the role and responsibilities of TIGTA in the US tax system
Identify the ways in which TIGTA conducts audits, investigations, and inspections and evaluations to promote integrity, economy, and efficiency in the tax system
Identify the impact of TIGTA's work on the tax system and accounting profession
Analyze the importance of trust and confidence in the tax system
Evaluate the effectiveness of TIGTA's efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the IRS
Analyze the role of TIGTA in identifying opportunities to improve the administration of tax laws
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
Major topics covered in this course include:
- The role of TIGTA in the US tax system
- Auditing, investigating, and inspecting and evaluating IRS programs and operations
- Identifying opportunities to improve the administration of tax laws
- Promoting integrity, economy, and efficiency in the tax system
- Responding to requests from Congress and other external stakeholders
- Upholding ethical standards in the accounting profession
- Building trust and confidence in the tax system
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.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
How do you raise your skills to the next level to master the Controller or CFO role? Welcome to a course that provides insights that align the CGMA Competency Framework. The course will examine each of the areas: Technical, Business, Leadership and People to increase your competency.
- How are your technical skills? Are you a traditional accountant or have you learned to expand your technical skills to go beyond “what are the financial numbers?” to “why did these financial results occur?” Are you able to use ratios to understand the business dynamics and the implications to change course or take corrective action? Are the systems that you implement and operate best practices or merely stop-gap solutions?
- How are your business skills? Can you set a vision? Can you develop a strategy? Do you understand the macroeconomic environment of your organization? Can you lead a major project to a successful conclusion? This session will explore the role of business as opposed to tracking the results of the business.
- How are your people skills? How good is your ability to influence others? How are successful are your negotiation skills? How well can you communicate? Are you a collaborator or a partner? This section will help accountants understand that it is people skills that drive the overall success of the accounting operations.
- Finally, how are your Leadership skills? Do you inspire staff or make them angry? Do you know why your staff work for your company and you? Do you understand what employees want from their position? Do you know how to deal with a difficult staff person? Can you lead difficult change? This session will help you recognize what leadership truly is as opposed to what passes for day to day management.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Andy Sexton
Chad Ayers
Sarah Pregel, Ed.S, M.Ed, LPC
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
A harmonious working environment is one in which people feel safe, seen, heard, and respected. Critical to maintaining it are that employees have high self-esteem, are treated with respect, and work in a safe, non-violent setting. This course provides practical knowledge and scripts on how to take appropriate action and deal effectively with discriminatory comments, sexual harassment, and threats and acts of violence,such that personal and employer liability is avoided.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
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.
Speakers:
Mark Hugh, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Charla Welch
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.
Speakers:
Roger Wolkoff
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.
Speakers:
Tracy Cooper, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Tracy Cooper, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Objectives:
- Understand the major issues on which taxpayers and the IRS are in conflict
- Understand recent IRS guidance and legislation impacting pass-through entities
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- Identify the legal issues in hiring, evaluating, and firing employees
- Discuss federal laws that curtail an employer in taking actions involving employees and applicants
- Understand the requirements that fringe benefits and compensation programs place on employers
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Business Law (5), Taxes (3)
Major Topics:
- Hiring and firing issues – What questions cannot be asked in an interview; how to document employee performance; establishing an annual review system; when an employer may and may not fire an employee, and much more
- Employment contracts – An analysis of the legal and planning issues in structuring employment contracts; when noncompetition agreements will and will not work
- Employment issues in the economy – Telecommuters and other special situations
- Legal liability issues – Recognition of age discrimination, sex discrimination, FLSA issues, minimum wage, overtime, sexual harassment, and more
- Fringe benefit issues – COBRA, Family and Medical Leave Act, and new developments in health care
- Medical plans – Who is a full-time employee?
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the current state of the cryptocurrency marketplace and the technology that supports it
Identify key developments in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Specialized Knowledge
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Update on the cryptocurrency marketplace
- Cryptocurrency exchanges - the good, the bad and the ugly
- Overview of cryptocurrency taxation regulations
- The technology behind cryptocurrency - Proof of stake, Layer 2, wallets and more
- Blockchain technology update
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Compare S Corporations to other entity structures to assess suitability.
Prepare Form 2553 and explain relief options for late filings under Rev. Proc. 2022-19.
Distinguish between Rev. Proc. 2022-19 and Rev. Proc. 2023-3.
Analyze I.R.C. 1361 and 1362 in the context of S Corporation elections and compliance.
Identify and address S Corporation eligibility errors and implement corrective measures.
Apply corporate governance procedures and corporate formalities.
Assess shareholder stock and debt basis rules and implications.
Recall critical aspects of Form 1120S, including built-in capital gains and accountable plans.
Recall the preparation and reporting requirements for Schedules K-1, K-2, and K-3.
Recall officer reasonable compensation requirements, including advisory strategies and audit defenses.
Instructor:
Mary Jane Hourani, MM, EA, NTPI Fellow
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Subchapter S status election and compliance requirements
- Relief for late Form 2553 filings under Rev. Proc. 2022-19
- Comparison of Rev. Proc. 2022-19 and Rev. Proc. 2023-3
- I.R.C. §1361 and §1362 analysis for S Corporation elections
- Corporate governance and formalities compliance
- Shareholder stock and debt basis rules
- Built-in capital gains and other aspects of Form 1120S
- Schedules K-1, K-2, and K-3 preparation and reporting requirements
- Officer reasonable compensation: requirements, advisory strategies, and audit defenses
- S Corporation eligibility errors and corrective measures
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Evaluate the differences between traditional search engine research and AI-driven accounting researchApply effective prompt engineering techniques to optimize AI interactions for accounting queriesAnalyze the capabilities and limitations of various AI platforms for specific accounting tasksCreate specialized AI personas to enhance the quality and relevance of financial research insightsImplement AI tools to automate routine research tasks and regulatory monitoringAssess the ethical implications and limitations of AI-generated accounting insightsDevelop strategies to verify and validate AI-produced financial informationIntegrate AI research tools into professional accounting workflowsDemonstrate how AI can enhance, rather than replace, professional accounting judgmentEvaluate emerging trends in AI-driven tax compliance and regulatory responses
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The accounting research transformation: Comparing Google vs. AI methodologies
- AI ecosystems and specialized models for accounting applications
- Advanced prompt engineering techniques for financial and tax research
- AI-powered search engines and deep research platforms for accounting professionals
- AI as an ideation and thinking partner for complex accounting problems
- Specialized accounting research tools and AI superstores
- Persona priming and P&P stacking methodologies for optimal AI interactions
- Ethical considerations and limitations of AI in accounting research
- The compliance chess effect: AI's impact on tax planning and regulatory response
- AI-driven automation for regulatory updates and compliance monitoring
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Describe how some people begin their career with good intentions yet end up in prison.
Explain how seemingly benign decisions can lead to severe problems later.
Identify how gray areas can expose people to problems they cannot foresee.
Understand how seizing the wrong opportunity can cost people their job and freedom.
Instructor:
Justin Paperny
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- The importance of values
- Identifying success
- Ethical dilemmas
- Mitigation strategies
- Creating tools to help make better decisions
- Personal accountability strategies
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall ASUs impacting small businesses.
Identify reporting options for small entities other than GAAP.
Recognize the changes to quality required of small firms.
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) that are most likely to impact small businesses.
- ASUs initiated by the Private Company Council (PCC).
- Alternative reporting options to GAAP including FRF for SMEs and IFRS for SMEs.
- Audit standards that small business auditors will need to implement.
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.
Speakers:
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
A harmonious working environment is one in which people feel safe, seen, heard, and respected. Critical to maintaining it are that employees have high self-esteem, are treated with respect, and work in a safe, non-violent setting. This course provides practical knowledge and scripts on how to take appropriate action and deal effectively with discriminatory comments, sexual harassment, and threats and acts of violence,such that personal and employer liability is avoided.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
Leaders have the right to exercise customary management functions. Employees have the right to be kept free from discrimination. Neither employer rights nor employee rights are absolute. The courts are equally protective of the rights of employees and employers. A courtroom is the wrong place for anyone to find this out. This course provides practical knowledge on how to effectively balancing these two sets of rights, such that employees and leaders stay out of court. Employers avoid lawsuits, rather than win lawsuits.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
How do you keep your team connected with the limitations of virtual meetings? Suddenly, it’s more important than ever for each member to understand and appreciate their differences; to see beyond the screen and see each other’s human-side to maintain trust. In this session, Tina Hallis, Ph.D., will explore the neuroscience of trust and why it’s critical for optimum teamwork. But more importantly, you will leave with specific strategies and tools that you can choose from to use with your people.
Speakers:
Tina Hallis, Ph.D.
Over 80% of all employment-related lawsuits relate to termination. Every termination should be treated as a potential lawsuit. The facts supporting a leader's recommendation of discharge must be fully investigated. The discharge of an employee requires prior review and approval. Narrow self-interest, spite, or personal animosity must not play a part in making termination decisions. This course provides practical knowledge and scripts for handling discharges with good judgment such that personal and employer liability is avoided.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
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.
Speakers:
Shannon T. White, MSW, LCSW
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.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
Trust is essential, because without trust, there can be no teamwork. Trust is like oxygen, when it is gone - we suffocate. This session provides a 15-step action plan to gain commitment from your team members, build trust, hold each person accountable and create results for your organization.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
This webinar will explore embracing and supporting neurodiversity in the workplace, promoting inclusivity, and creating a more diverse and dynamic environment.
Speakers:
Amy Gomez, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Tax return preparation and consulting always involves the accountant's review of – and reliance on – information provided by the client. Not everything can, or need be, verified. This workshop considers the duty of CPA tax return preparers to make further inquiries, from the perspective of Circular 230, preparer penalties and professional ethics.
Speakers:
Albert D. Spalding Jr.
Form 1065 is the tax return filed by partnerships, which is one of the most common forms of business organizations in the United States. This course provides an in-depth understanding of the preparation and filing of Form 1065.
The course will cover the basics of partnership taxation, including how partnerships are taxed, the different types of partnerships, and the tax obligations of partners. It will also discuss the importance of keeping accurate financial records, the role of the partnership agreement in tax reporting, and the filing deadlines for Form 1065.
Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the various sections of Form 1065, including the Schedule K-1, which reports each partner's share of the partnership's income, deductions, and credits. The course will also cover how to report partnership income, expenses, and deductions, as well as the tax implications of buying and selling partnership interests.
In addition, the course will provide an overview of common errors and omissions made when preparing Form 1065, and how to avoid them. It will also cover recent changes in tax laws that affect partnership taxation.
Overall, this course is designed for tax professionals, accountants, business owners, and individuals who need to understand the intricacies of partnership taxation and the preparation and filing of Form 1065. Upon completion of the course, participants will have a solid understanding of partnership taxation and will be able to prepare and file Form 1065 with confidence.
**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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Micheal Towers
However, knowing the standards is not enough. You need to be able to effectively apply them. To support this, the course will review recent peer review feedback on SSARS engagements, providing insights on how to successfully apply this guidance.
Not only will this course bring you up to date on SSARS requirements and guidance, but more importantly, it will provide you with practical examples and illustrations to help you effectively and efficiently perform these types of engagements. This course is intended to be your go-to reference for training your staff and managing your SSARS No. 21-26 services in compliance with professional, ethical, and technical requirements.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Ken Levine
Field of Study:
Auditing (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- Identify key tax due dates by entity type
- Recognize how late filing, late payment, and other common penalties are calculated
- Recall common information return due dates and applicable penalties
- State first time abatement relief qualifications and other common remedies
- State what the term nexus means and how it differs for sales tax and income tax reporting obligations
- Recognize economic nexus and when it applies
- Identify when a company has to file an income tax return or sales tax return
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Estimated taxes and deadlines
- Tax due dates for common returns and filings
- Potential penalties and interest
- Information return penalties
- Penalties applicable to pass-through entities
- Accuracy-related penalties
- First-time abatement (FTA)
- FTA eligible returns
- Reasonable cause
- Nexus: sales tax vs. income tax
- Sales tax nexus with state specific examples
- Remote work and sales tax nexus
- Income tax nexus with state-specific examples
- Remote work and income tax nexus
- Sales factor: throwback rules
Objectives:
- Organize thoughts to create purposeful, clear, and concise writing
- Understand how to write for your reader
- Practice applying techniques for writing more efficient, readable, outcome-focused emails
- Use an appropriate tone and professionalism in business communications
- Plan for continued improvement and apply learned skills
Presenters:
Margaret Uhrich
Field of Study:
Personal Development (2)
Major Topics:
- Preparing to write: what is my purpose and objective and who is my audience
- When email is the appropriate communication methodology and when it’s not
- Common email mistakes and how to avoid them
- Proven techniques for writing more efficient, readable, and outcome-focused emails
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Erica Dumpel, CLU
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
This distinctive webinar will show you why it is in your best interest to accept criticism with gratitude. It's even better to welcome criticism. It's also a good idea to learn how to give criticism the right way.
A related topic is the art of giving and receiving apologies, and we'll do a deep dive into this area as well.
You'll leave with clear guidelines for how to criticize others, accept criticism from them, give meaningful apologies, and accept apologies with grace and ethical intelligence. The result will be a stronger CPA practice and a better you.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Apply criticism in the right way for the right reasons
Choose to accept criticism when it's called for
Apologize with ethical intelligence
Accept apologies that are offered sincerely
Distinguish why it is in your own interest to give and take both criticism and apologies
Instructor:
Bruce Weinstein
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Entertaining lecture by a professional presenter, illustrated with relevant video clips and photographs, to cover the main points of the webinar
- Writing exercises, so you can see how these lessons apply to your own CPA practice and personal life
- True stories about CPAs and other leaders to show what can happen when apologies and criticism are done right, and the pitfalls of doing them the wrong way
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the most significant impact on financial reporting.
Identify "hot topics" in accounting and financial reporting.
Recall "plain language" explanations of current and emerging U.S. GAAP requirements.
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- New accounting standards.
- The impact on Financial Reporting.
- Hot topics in financial reporting.
- Current and emerging US GAAP requirements.
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!
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
Do you often hear people complaining about coworkers or other departments? Do you have talented people with the right skills who struggle to collaborate and cooperate as a team? You’re not alone. This can be a common situation when people’s values, beliefs and their approach to solving problems differ. The key is to help everyone understand that our differences aren't bad – they’re interesting and extremely valuable.
In this course, Tina guides you through tools and activities you can use to help your people (and yourself) broaden their perspective so they can more easily cooperate, collaborate, and communicate with the people around them. This program explores ways to help them connect, from personality assessments to team building activities. When coworkers or team-members understand each other better, it's easier to appreciate their differences.
Speakers:
Tina Hallis, Ph.D.
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.
Speakers:
Andy Sexton
Chad Ayers
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Analyze fundamental managerial accounting concepts that may not be part of your daily routine
Apply managerial accounting techniques to actual business circumstances
Instructor:
Chris Harper, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Target profit analysis
- Break-even analysis
- Relevant costs and decision-making
- Standard costs and variances
- Activity-based costing
- Segment reporting and analysis
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to... - Identify the various court approved methods of proof.- Recognize the court cases approving the methods of proof.- Calculate the different methods of proof.- Using given facts, choose the appropriate method of proof.
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
- The role of methods of proof in forensic accounting.
- The various types of methods of proof approved by the courts.
- The weakness and strengths of the methods of proof.
- The formulas in calculating methods of proof.
- Applying the formulas in various circumstances.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the historical view of U.S. taxation.
Distinguish between industrial hemp and marijuana.
Recall the definition of income as defined by I.R.C. 61.
Apply the restrictions and limitations of 280E and 471.
Examine state marijuana laws.
Recognize the challenges of a cash-intensive business.
Analyze relevant federal court cases.
Instructor:
Mary Jane Hourani, MM, EA, NTPI Fellow
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Industrial hemp vs. marijuana.
- Income definitions under I.R.C. §61.
- Tax code restrictions: §280E and §471.
- State-specific marijuana laws.
- Cash management in cannabis businesses.
- Federal court case analysis.
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.
Speakers:
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
Although organizations are trying to create and manage diverse and inclusive workplaces, many are not aware of some of the best practices and simple strategies they can incorporate to promote such an environment. We are currently living in unprecedented times. Division, bias, and exclusion, based on factors associated with social injustice and a general lack of appreciation for diversity, seems to have become our current societal norm. With the high stress and anxiety created by these current trends in society, it is even more important for organizations to provide a safe space for their employees where there is a genuine sense of belonging and fair access to opportunity. The goal of this course is to outline the relationship between diversity and inclusion, while providing very practical strategies for HR Professionals in their role to promote a culture of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Speakers:
Shannon T. White, MSW, LCSW
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
The tools for managing performance and addressing misconduct are not identical. The failure to point this out to leaders has often resulted in the use of the wrong tool. Reinforcing good performance and securing improvements in performance requires skill in coaching employees, making effective requests, and providing effective feedback This course provides practical knowledge and scripts for setting, communicating, and enforcing performance expectations, such that personal and employer liability is avoided.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Amy Gomez, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
Bears are intelligent and motivated to find food. When I left some fried chicken in my Jeep while in Gatlinburg, a bear tore a hole in the top and ate the chicken and part of my Jeep. He was just a bear being a bear. I'm responsible because I left the chicken in the Jeep and gave him the opportunity. Similarly, people are intelligent and motivated to survive. If we give them opportunity by not implementing good internal controls, they will take our assets. This session reviews the investigation and prosecution of the former director of a conference center who took advantage of lax internal controls of a joint-venture and stole thousands. She was just a fraudster being a fraudster.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize key risk assessment concepts applying to SAS No. 145 in identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement
Determine the impact to the risk assessment process and the work to be performed
Identify risk assessment procedures related to the various components of the entity's system of internal control
Recall how to scale risk assessment requirements to be effective and efficient, particularly for less complex entities
Recall when and how to evaluate design and determine the implementation of controls
Recognize risk assessment requirements to appropriately identify risks arising from the use of information technology (IT) and related general IT controls
Identify potential risk assessment and related audit documentation traps
Instructor:
Heather Trower, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The topics that will be covered in this class include:
- New concepts due to the issuance of SAS No. 145
- Revised requirement to separately assess inherent risk and control risk
- A new definition of significant risk
- New emphasis on IT controls and risk of material misstatement
- New guidance on maintaining professional skepticism
- Revised requirements to evaluate the design of certain controls
- Revised requirements regarding audit documentation
- New guidance on scalability
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify key questions to ask your clients before making an S election to help them stay proactive and make the best entity choice
Determine proactive measures you can take as an accounting professional to help your clients stay compliant with S Corp regulations
Evaluate scenarios for cash management when reasonable compensation has not been paid, but should have been
Recognize complications and penalties, and leverage early detection to mitigate risks of late payroll tax deposits
Illustrate nuances related to health insurance and reasonable compensation, including vision and dental benefits, to optimize tax planning strategies
Instructor:
John Morse, CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Review best practices to help your client evaluate if an S election is an appropriate choice
- How to be proactive and head off common reasonable compensation issues before they happen
- Explore strategies for cash management if cash isn't available at year end
- Explore what’s at stake when reasonable compensation isn’t paid timely
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish the importance of clarity in CPA communications
Apply strategies to simplify complex financial information for diverse audiences
Implement persuasive communication techniques to enhance professional influence
Build trust-based relationships by leveraging credibility and transparency
Analyze and learn from real-world case studies involving CPA-client interactions
Employ active listening skills to reinforce client engagement and interpretation
Utilize principles from Influencer to drive change and improve communication efficacy
Instructor:
Tammy Daugherty
Fields of Study:
Communications and Marketing
Personal Development
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Techniques for simplifying complex financial information for clients and stakeholders
- Persuasive communication principles aligned with CPA roles
- Building and maintaining trust and credibility with diverse stakeholders
- Case studies and Interviews with Finance, Accounting and CPA professionals
- Developing empathy and emotional intelligence in communications
- Best practices for active listening to strengthen client relationships
- Application of Influencer principles for impactful change in communication
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
By the end of this course, the participant will be able to...
Understand the factors that create an environment for fraud to easily occur.
Identify areas where there could be an inadvertent failure to separate duties.
Ascertain the proper role of an external auditor and identify areas where independence can be compromised.
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- How organizations can find themselves defrauded due to lax oversight and weak internal controls.
- How the existence of the "trusted advisor" creates situations where CPAs can drop their professional skepticism.
- Illustrations of the issues companies should look for in preventing fraud and embezzlement.
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
Do you ever get tired of other people's complaining and negativity? How can you stay calm, upbeat, and motivated despite other people’s grumpiness, rudeness, or pessimism? This program is all about helping you be your best. Even though you may not be able to change your colleagues, customers, or even your boss, you can reduce your stress and frustration by changing how you respond. Staying positive and calm is easier when you learn how to build your immunity.
This course teaches you Tina’s proprietary five-step “Immunity to Negativity Formula™”. You’ll learn simple techniques for staying calm and choosing to respond as your best self. This is a key skill you can build for yourself so you can enjoy less stress and frustration. You can even teach others so they can improve customer service, teamwork, and relationships within your company.
Speakers:
Tina Hallis, Ph.D.
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.
Speakers:
Mary Gormandy White, M.A., SHRM-SCP,
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Objectives:
- Understand the key provisions of Circular 230 and how they apply to your practice
- Know your rights and responsibilities under Circular 230
- Understand the lifecycle of a disciplinary case and its possible outcomes
Presenters:
Karen Hawkins, Attorney at Law
Field of Study:
Regulatory Ethics (2)
Major Topics:
- Office of Professional Responsibility – Authority and Procedures
- Current status of the regulations governing tax practice before the IRS (Circular 230 Rev. 6/2014)
- In depth coverage of the various Due Diligence obligations of tax professionals
- Overview of other key Circular 230 provisions
- Practitioner responsibilities to their clients and to the Tax Administration System
- Best Practices for all tax professionals
Objectives:
- Define nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) and explain how it differs from qualified retirement plans
- Identify and describe the key compliance requirements for NQDC plans, including IRC Section 409A and other relevant regulations
- Understand the taxation of NQDC plans, including the timing of income recognition, FICA, and federal/state taxes, and the tax consequences for both employers and employees
- Distinguish between the various types of NQDC plans, such as salary deferral arrangements, and supplemental executive retirement plans (SERPs), and understand their unique features and benefits
- Understand the financing and funding options available for NQDC plans and the pros and cons of each approach
- Develop and implement effective planning strategies for NQDC plans, considering factors such as participant demographics, company objectives, and tax efficiency
- Summarize the key takeaways from the course, emphasizing the importance of proper plan design, compliance, and administration in maximizing the benefits of NQDC plans for both employers and employees
Presenters:
Daniel Johnson
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- The basics of nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC)
- NQDC compliance
- Taxation of NQDC plans
- Types of NQDC plans
- Financing/funding NQDC plans
- Planning strategies
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify the fundamental features and functionalities of ChatGPT in an accounting context.
Apply Custom Instructions to tailor ChatGPT's responses for specific financial scenarios.
Analyze financial statements, news releases, and other relevant data using ChatGPT.
Explore and identify business opportunities using hyper-local and sectoral analysis techniques.
Utilize Advanced Data Analysis for financial comparisons, and capital project evaluations.
Evaluate assets, space, and user interfaces using image analysis with ChatGPT.
Implement voice interaction with ChatGPT to enhance user experience and accessibility in financial tasks.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to ChatGPT and its Applications in Accounting.
- Custom Instructions (CI) for Persistent Context in Financial Conversations.
- Analyzing Financial Statements and News Releases using ChatGPT.
- Exploring Business Opportunities through Hyper-Local and Sectoral Analysis.
- Advanced Data Analysis for Financial Comparisons and Capital Asset Audits.
- Image Analysis for Asset, Space, and User Interface Design.
- Voice Interaction with ChatGPT for Enhanced User Experience and Accessibility.
Objectives:
- Identify common frauds occurring in governments and nonprofits today
- Skillfully develop controls to combat frauds
- Protect governments and nonprofits from fraud
Presenters:
Charlie Blanton, CPA
Field of Study:
Auditing (Governmental) (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Identify the recently revised SSTS guidelines for all tax practitionersApply new standards surrounding the AICPA Statements on Standards for Tax Services
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Review of the new AICPA Statement on Standards for Tax Services
- Reorganization of SSTS by type of work performed
- Discuss new standards on data protection, reliance on tools and representation of tax clients before taxing authorities
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.
Speakers:
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
HR Professionals are business leaders who, regardless of their level of experience, are responsible for maintaining a high level of interpersonal proficiency in their job function. The willingness to gain a genuine understanding and respect for diversity and the incorporation of a safe and inclusive environment of employees in the workplace, is a strong measure of the HR Professionals’ efficacy in this area. This training is geared towards improving and/ or elevating the HR Professionals’ knowledge of cultural competence in the workplace and what it means to truly adopt a culture of diversity and inclusivity. When HR professionals take responsibility for teaching others about the differences and benefits that multiple cultures and diverse backgrounds bring to the organization, research shows that companies are more likely to win top talent and yield improvement in customer orientation, employee satisfaction and decision making, as well as a cycle of increasing returns.
Speakers:
Shannon T. White, MSW, LCSW
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.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
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.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
Two conmen used lies and falsified documents to convince the State of Tennessee to give them a $3,000,000 economic development grant to create 1,000 jobs by purchasing and rehabilitating a vacant factory in rural Tennessee. Instead, they spent most of the money on an extravagant lifestyle and invested over $1M in a scheme to defraud the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) out of over $30,000,000 pursuant to a contract to provide the tarps for areas such as Puerto Rico, affected by hurricanes. This session provides a detailed case study of how the investigators accumulated, organized, and analyzed hundreds of documents, identified the falsifications and misrepresentations, conducted multiple interviews, and ultimately convicted the conmen. This case study provides multiple takeaways for detecting and investigating grant fraud, which is especially relevant in light of the numerous federal stimulus programs in recent years.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
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.
Speakers:
Amy Gomez, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Objectives:
- Recognize the impact of partner/S corporation’s shareholder basis on the ability to take losses
- Advise clients regarding the taking of losses from pass-through entities
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Lance Weiss, CPA, CVA
Field of Study:
Taxes (3)
Major Topics:
- How to calculate a partner or S corporation shareholder’s basis
- Form 7203 and an S corporation shareholder’s basis
- The at risk basis rules and Form 6198
- The passive activity loss limits
- The Section 461(l) loss rule
- The net operating loss limitation rules
- The Section 163(j) business interest limitation
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Describe the foundational ethical principles contained in the Yellow Book
Indicate the independence requirements, including when performing both audit and non-audit services
Recall the continuing education rules contained in Yellow Book that support ethical principles
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The concept of public interest
- Ethics, independence, and professional judgment
- Competence and continuing professional education
- Quality control and peer review
- Proper use of government information, resources, and position
- Professional behavior
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify reasons that employees and others that are internal to an organization choose to undertake fraudulent acts
Recall the factors that make smaller organizations attractive to those considering fraud
Recognize specific internal control measures that can help to reduce fraud activities executed against smaller and medium sized companies
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics included in this course include:
- The reasons for fraud
- Fraudulent acts that are initiated against smaller organizations
- Methods to stop fraud attempts against small businesses
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the impact of ASUs on nonprofit organizations.
Recognize the activities of the nonprofit advisory committee.
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Accounting Standard Updates issued by the FASB.
- Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee (NAC) and the projects they are advising the FASB on.
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.
Speakers:
Tina Hallis, Ph.D.
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
We will also address issues such as going from "buddy to boss", how to manage if you are newly assigned to an existing employee that was previously supervised by someone else, and critical skill sets necessary for supervisory/managerial positions.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this course, you will be able to...
Distinguish the relationship of ethics to supervisory/managerial responsibilities
Identify ethical traps of supervision/management
Recognize how to set job standards and analyze performance
Recognize the importance of fairness in managing unconscious bias
Strengthen or develop communication skills
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz and Jennifer Sullivan
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Overview of Virtue Ethics
- Milgram and Zimbardo case studies
- Navigating the transition from "Buddy to Boss"
- Self-Awareness and Regard for Others
- Setting Standards and Analyzing Performance
- Unconscious Bias
- Communication Skills
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the authority of the IRS to assess penalties.
Recognize the common types of penalties that can be abated.
Develop a plan to request penalty abatement.
Review real examples of successful penalty abatement.
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- The authority of the IRS in assessing tax penalties.
- The types of penalties that can be removed.
- The process the IRS uses to evaluate penalty abatements.
- How to request penalty abatements.
- Best practices in asking for penalty abatement, including using appeals.
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
The ability to create and ask good questions as well as the ability to know when someone is being deceptive are important skills for managers, auditors, and investigators. This session will improve your interview techniques and your lie detection abilities. Multiple videos from various movies, TV shows, and public figures showcasing the behaviors of liars are included.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
Our expertly crafted program offers a deep dive into the essentials of PowerBI.com, starting with a comprehensive tour of its interface and core concepts. You'll gain experience in connecting to diverse data sources, creating stunning visualizations, and building interactive dashboards that communicate insights effectively. The course also covers the innovative Q&A feature of PowerBI.com, allowing you to explore data with natural language queries. By mastering the art of sharing datasets, reports, and dashboards, and creating comprehensive apps, you'll be equipped to deliver top-tier data analysis solutions to colleagues and clients alike.
Through this course, attendees will gain a deep understanding of how to leverage the PowerBI.com platform to disseminate datasets, reports, and dashboards, catering to the specific needs of their audience. Our course is tailored for those who aspire to lead in the data-driven landscape, offering not just theoretical knowledge but real-world applications. Upon completion, participants will not only have a thorough understanding of PowerBI.com but also the confidence to apply this tool in creating impactful data analysis for diverse audiences. Join us to elevate your professional skillset, make data-driven decisions with ease, and add a valuable credential to your portfolio.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to ...
Identify the key components and functionalities of the PowerBI.com interface, enabling efficient navigation and utilization for data analysis tasks.
Recognize the capabilities of the Q&A feature in PowerBI.com, so you can leverage it for generating quick insights from data using natural language queries.
Select the appropriate data sharing and collaboration methods within PowerBI.com for your situation.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Tour of the PowerBI.com Interface: An in-depth walkthrough of the PowerBI.com environment, focusing on user interface elements, navigation, and customization.
- PowerBI.com Concepts: Fundamental concepts of PowerBI.com, including its architecture, data handling capabilities, and integration features.
- Connecting to Data: Techniques for connecting various data sources to PowerBI.com, ensuring seamless data integration and synchronization.
- Visualizations and Dashboards: Creating impactful visualizations and assembling informative dashboards to present data compellingly.
- Q&A Feature: Explore the interactive Q&A feature to derive insights through natural language queries.
- Sharing Datasets, Reports, Dashboards: Best practices for sharing datasets, reports, and dashboards with different audiences so they can leverage your data analysis work.
- Creating Apps: Learn how to package reports and dashboards into apps for easy distribution and consumption.
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
Objectives:
- Understand and apply the professional and ethical conduct requirements specifically applicable to Delaware CPAs, including 2016 amendments to the Delaware Licensure Law
- Review the core principles of professional conduct – integrity, objectivity, and independence
- Be familiar with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
- Be familiar with the principles and concepts which form the foundation of ethical behavior
Presenters:
Sharon Martin
Field of Study:
Delaware/Regulatory Ethics (4)
Major Topics:
- Professional and ethical conduct requirements specifically applicable to Delaware CPAs, including 2016 amendments to the Delaware Licensure Law
- The core principles of professional conduct – integrity, objectivity, and independence
- The AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
- Principles and concepts which form the foundation of ethical behavior
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify new requirements related to audit reporting and required by-product communications
Recall core concepts fundamental to obtaining sufficient and appropriate audit evidence in compliance with recently-issued auditing standards
Recognize recent clarifications and enhancements made to improve the quality of the risk-based audit process
Recall significant new requirements through SAS 149
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Key changes to audit report elements intended to improve the understandability of the nature and results of financial statement audits
- Enhanced required by-product communications with management and those charged with governance to promote more reliable financial statements
- Clarifications related to obtaining sufficient and appropriate audit evidence, including significant unusual transactions, related parties, going concern uncertainty, and accounting estimates
- New definitions and requirements related to identifying and evaluating risks of material misstatement
- Other important matters contained in recent SASs
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the audit assertions applicable to the cash balance
Recognize the risks & threats related to the cash balance
Identify substantive auditing procedures that are used to obtain comfort over cash
Instructor:
Jaclyn M. Veno, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Auditing Cash
- Audit assertions, risks, and threats to the cash balance
- Auditing procedures to perform
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify common profitability key factors
Recognize common "management" financial statements
Analyze common internal controls utilized by non-public businesses
Instructor:
Walter J. Haig
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- How to use analytical procedures as a management tool to identify areas hindering the profitability of the entity
- How to use analytical procedures to identify misstatements in financial information
- Techniques for developing a "workable" business plan
- Recasting GAAP financial statements into powerful management tools
- Developing and using benchmarks to identify profitability problems
- Identifying profitability key factors
- The relationship of internal controls and the health of an entity
- Common weaknesses in the internal controls of SMEs using the guidelines in the COSO Report on Internal Controls and common internal controls to address those weaknesses
- How to create "goal" statements that achieve results
You will learn the all important Data Analysis Process Flow that will take you from collecting data all the way to making insightful decisions based upon your data. We will explore the basics of data modeling that will allow you to access data from multiple sources and use sophisticated calculations to create our data metrics. You will learn how to create interactive dashboards, perform sophisticated reporting, and uncover deep insights from your data.
Whether you're looking to streamline your reporting process, enhance your data visualization skills, or make more data-driven decisions, this course is tailored to meet those needs. It's not just about learning a tool; it's about enhancing your professional identity as a forward-thinking accounting professional.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify key features of the Data Analysis Process Flow.
Recognize how your organization's key metrics can help you make insightful decisions.
Distinguish between different data visualization techniques.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
- Data Analysis Process Flow: An introduction to the Data Analysis Process Flow and how it is your pathway to becoming a Data Analysis Expert.
- Data Modeling: A comprehensive discussion of building a data model and calculating metrics.
- Data Visualizations: An understanding how visualizations can present data in a more insightful and impactful manner.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Implement practical strategies based on a thorough understanding of the complex rules for casualty losses and casualty gainsIdentify and recall key compliance issuesIdentify and recall significant issues in the casualty loss tax form
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Federal Disaster Relief Act provisions enacted in December, 2024
- Comparison of personal use casualties with business/investment casualties
- When to claim casualty losses
- How to postpone casualty gains
- Business casualty gains and depreciation recapture
In this course, participants will learn about key trends and innovations impacting the field of forensic data analytics. From generative AI to ChatGPT, machine learning and transaction review, data sharing consortiums and cryptocurrency trends, this course is for the futurist who wants to be leading edge in compliance and anti-fraud technology innovation.
Speakers:
Vincent M. Walden, CPA, CFE
In this introductory course, you'll learn the fundamentals of integrating forensic data analytics into your anti-fraud risk management program. We will cover key definitions, use cases, methodologies and some of the leading innovations and techniques driving this ever-evolving field of "finding hidden money."
Speakers:
Vincent M. Walden, CPA, CFE
Running or advising a small business? KPI Bootcamp can help you quickly find and deploy the right KPIs to achieve your, or your client's, goals. Delivered by Bernie Smith, KPI specialist and overloaded small business owner, this course will help you quickly select a handful of powerful measures that apply to your business. The step-by-step approach helps you sharpen your objectives and select the right KPIs to drive growth and profit.
Every one of the 412 included KPIs (as free PDF download for every participant) includes a full plain-English definition and also covers business benefits, case-study examples and practical tips.
Speakers:
Bernie Smith
Objectives:
- Understand the current economic issues for the CFO/Controller, including:
- Strategic operational planning and risk management
- Regulatory, fiscal, and monetary policies and their impact on the organization
- Managing the finances of the organization during periods of rapid changes
- Managing risk in an uncertain economic climate
Presenters:
Frank Ryan, CPA
Field of Study:
Business Management and Organization (8)
Major Topics:
- Taking a strategic perspective relative to risk management and crisis management
- Reviewing the impact uncertainty and risk at the operational level relative to short- and intermediate-term decision making
- Determining the safety and soundness of the financial plans for your organization in an uncertain economic climate specifically as it relates to capital adequacy and strategic direction
- Managing the debt and equity mix for your organization in a rapidly changing economic landscape
- Determining the impact that competing in a global marketplace has on an organization and how to take steps to become more competitive globally
- Evaluating the impact of federal, state, and municipal deficits and unfunded mandates as it relates to tax planning
- Evaluating retirement programs with Social Security funding for your employees
- Determining the safety and soundness of your credit and collections processes and selection of customers in an uncertain environment
- Influencing growth through acquisition of distressed organizations
- The economic way ahead for the CFO/Controller
Data analytics and mining are the fastest growing disciplines in accounting and general management. Many organizations are either planning programs or have them already underway. Unfortunately, a number of these attempts fail due to poor planning/preparation and a lack of commitment, training, and clear vision of the program’s goals. Today there is no shortage of data, but relatively few organizations have established an environment and ongoing process to isolate, capture, analyze, and convert data into actionable information. At times, even organizations that are employing leading-edge analytics are doing it with traditional, limited sets of data.
This session explores how an organization can successfully become data driven. The discussion includes numerous examples demonstrating how accounting and financial professionals can build upon their current analytical skills to better perform traditional tasks and assume a role as a business partner with others in their organization. The program is aimed to assist those just beginning the journey, as well as those who want to test their current efforts or are considering the need for a restart. In addition to discussing a number of analytical tools, including available software, lists of reference books and next-level software are provided. This program continues to build upon the Controllership Update Series.
Objectives:
- Determine the current state of data analytics within an organization and provide a sound foundation to assist an organization in becoming data driven
- Identify common uses of analytics in organizations today and introduce expanded sources of data for analysis
- Explore numerous statistical and software tools that are readily available and review and improve current KPIs in an organization
- Offer a list of specific areas where financial professionals can add significant value, through data analytics both today and in the future and provide references for future research by the participant
Presenters:
Tony La Russo, BA, MBA, CMA
Field of Study:
Accounting (1), Management Services (1)
Major Topics:
- Definition of data analytics and big data; challenges and goals; establishing an environment for success; governance; common uses of analytics and current examples
- Behavioral forces that impact decisions; examples of inaccurate forecasts; identifying strategic measurements (KPIs); data sources
- Statistical tools, including median, mode, moving average, ratio analysis, Pareto analysis, trend analysis, regression, z-score, and simulation
- Software tools that are readily available and can assist in visually exploring data, expanding the scope of available data, as well as collecting, analyzing, and presenting results
- Specific ideas for using data analytics for accountants and financial managers, including current examples and areas for further consideration
- Lists of readings and next-level software for a participant’s future reference
Objectives:
- Recognize the elements required to create a valid contract
- Understand common techniques to enforce a contract
- Be well versed in the rules of contract interpretation
- Understand defenses used to prevent contract enforcement
- Explain remedies that are available to a party enforcing a contract
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Business Law (2)
Major Topics:
- Contract formation
- The necessary components of an enforceable contract
- Common defenses to enforcement
- Legal capacity requirements
- Contract interpretation
To effectively advise clients, it is imperative for tax practitioners to understand these rules and be updated on the latest IRS guidance related to meals and entertainment.
Objectives:
- Understand the new rules relating to the deductibility of expenses associated with meals, entertainment, and food and beverages that employers provide to employees
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Karen Davis, EA, MBA, Ph.D.
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- The 50% deduction for meals that are ordinary and necessary in carrying on a trade or business
- Elimination of the temporary rules that applied for 2021 and 2022 which allowed for 100% deductibility for ordinary and necessary business-related meals
- When meals are still 100% deductible
- IRS rules relating to the nondeducibility of activities considered entertainment or amusement
- What constitutes entertainment/amusement for tax purposes?
- When employers may deduct food and beverages provided to employees
- 50% deductibility for occasional employee meals and for overtime meals
- 50% deductibility for business meals during business meetings
- Business meals incurred during business travel
- Invoice meals separately from entertainment
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Raise awareness of tax examiners and tax auditors about money laundering and tax crimes
How to identify possible suspicious transactions
Review key indicators of criminal money
Explain how money laundering impacts ethical decision-making
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Money laundering overview
- Role of tax examiners and auditors
- Tax return examination
- Pre-audit indicators
- Audit flags
- Real estate issues
- Cash indicators
- International trade signals
- Loan considerations
- Professional service provider concerns
- Money laundering and ethics
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify reasons that employees and others that are internal to an organization choose to undertake fraudulent acts
Recall the factors that make smaller organizations attractive to those considering fraud
Recognize specific internal control measures that can help to reduce fraud activities executed against smaller and medium sized companies
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics included in this course include:
- The reasons for fraud
- Fraudulent acts that are initiated against smaller organizations
- Methods to stop fraud attempts against small businesses
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event
Objectives:
After completing this course, you will be able to:
Recognize the foundational principles of SSARS.
Identify the new requirements included in SSARS No. 25, Materiality in a Review of Financial Statements and Adverse Conclusions.
Indicate processes to achieve high-quality SSARS engagements.
Instructor:
Allison M. Henry, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Basic requirements included in AR-C Section 60, General Principles; AR-C Section 70, Preparation of Financial Statements; AR-C Section 80, Compilation Engagements; and AR-C Section 90, Review of Financial Statements.
- New requirements included in SSARS No. 25, Materiality in a Review of Financial Statements and Adverse Conclusions.
- Common peer review findings.
- Practice tips for high-quality engagements.
Review of the major employment laws governing the workplace, when they are triggered, and key compliance aspects under each law. This presentation is designed to give viewers enough information to issue spot when matters arise in the workplace.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
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.
Speakers:
Gary Cokins, MBA, CPIM
Various legal tests are used to evaluate whether a worker should be classified as an employee or an independent contractor. There is no uniform standard or bright-line rule for determining whether an individual is properly classified as an independent contractor. Instead, the inquiry is always fact-intensive, and the analysis can vary based what body is performing it, i.e. the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), Department of Labor (“DOL”), various state agencies, or the courts. This presentation will review the various tests and highlight some of the common, most important factors for consideration.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
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.
Speakers:
Anthony P. Howard, SPHP. SHRM-SCP
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
This session explores ethical values and principles as they apply to creating an Ethic of Care in the workplace with specific emphasis on compassion, accountability and respect.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to:
Promote individual compassion, accountability and respect in the workplace
Enhance dignity of self and others
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Ethical Values and Principles
- Compassion
- Managing Expectations
- Respect and Humility
- Attribution Theory
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recall the difference between a forecast and a budget
Identify the difference between top-down and bottom-up budgeting
State the key elements of a flexible budgeting approach
Identify key cost drivers
State how behavioral biases may affect the budgeting process
Identify how headcount efficiency may be measured
Determine scenario planning
Recognize best practices and controls for managing budget changes
Instructor:
David Peters
Fields of Study:
Finance
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Budgets vs. Forecasts
- Cyclicality
- Core Earnings & Sustainable Growth
- Identifying Key Forecast Drivers
- Reasonableness in Forecasting
- Approaches to Budgeting
- Budgeting Variances
- Horizontal Analysis
- Flexible Budgeting
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the stages of the IRS collection process.
Analyze differences between IRS employee designations and their authorities.
Explore strategies to avoid or stop collection actions.
Determine individuals who may represent taxpayers at the various stages of the collection process.
Recall the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
Instructor:
Mary Jane Hourani, MM, EA, NTPI Fellow
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of the IRS collection process.
- Taxpayer rights and the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
- Collection due process and appeals.
- Installment agreements and offers in compromise.
- Wage garnishments, levies, and liens.
- Penalties and interest.
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
In this five part master series, class participants will gain a comprehensive view into the world of forensic data analytics (FDA). From understanding practical use cases of FDA in the audit, internal audit, investigations and proactive monitoring to understanding necessary data sources, validation proceudres, success factors and pitfalls to avoid. We will also explore hundreds of leading anti-fraud tests around corruption, conflicts of interest, fake vendor schemes, segregation of duties, revenue recognition and sales abuse, among dozens of other schemes. Participants will develop their own library of anti-fraud tests from various open source locations and apply them in relevant contexts such as the COSO Fraud Risk Management Guide. Finally, participants will also peek into future innovations in FDA and how technologies such as ChatGPT, data visualization, machine learning, AI and cryptocurrencies are all impacting the discipline. We can't promise you'll be a programmer after this course, but you will certainly be armed with the information needed to project manage an FDA project and "direct" the programmers to accomplish your fraud risk / FDA objectives.
Speakers:
Vincent M. Walden, CPA, CFE
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.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
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.
Speakers:
LeAnne Lagasse, SHRM-SCP
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize the value proposition for deploying the OneDrive Sync app
Identify all the steps necessary to setup the Sync app properly
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Overview of the OneDrive Sync app functionality
- Step-by-step review and demonstration of how to deploy this app
- Installing the Sync app on your local devices
- Configuring the files and folders to synchronize toy your local device
- Manage the locally stored files
- Best practice tips for using the Sync app and avoiding common mistakes
What should you do when your client contacts you about their employee embezzling money from their business? What options should you present to your client? How can your client protect themselves, while investigating the embezzlement? What steps need to be taken about preserving any documents, emails, texts, or phone calls?
This course teaches how to engage the client, properly identify the evidence needed to prove the crime, how to write the report for civil and criminal trial, and best practices in preserving electronic and paper evidence.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Prepare for an investigation
Recall how to review paper and electronic handling procedures
Identify the process of preserving, analyzing, and evaluating evidence
Recall how to conduct the investigation efficiently
Discuss the characteristics of a quality investigative report that can be used in court
Evaluate options for civil and criminal legal actions
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- A step-by-step process from the initial client phone call to you writing a report of your findings for any civil or criminal actions that may be pursued
- How to advise your client in approaching an allegation of embezzlement
- What pitfalls may arise in finding the truth
- The best practices to ensure that the evidence is preserved properly for potential civil or criminal actions
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify basic constructs of AI.
Distinguish between discriminative and generative artificial intelligence, and
Analyze AI improvement efforts to properly account for an organization.
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- An overview of AI constructs.
- How artificial intelligence is being used by accountants today.
- Accounting-centric AI developments on the horizon.
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Please note: Surgent also offers a companion course, “Schedules K-2 and K-3: Filing Requirements” (KFR2).
Objectives:
- Identify and understand what information is required to be reported on Schedules K-2 and K-3
Presenters:
Renata Maroney (Stasaityte), CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- How to read and complete Parts II and III for Foreign Tax Credit
- Practical tips on how to tackle Parts IV and IX for corporate partners
- How to correctly fill out Parts X and XIII for foreign partners
- Comprehensive examples for operating, real estate rental, and investment partnerships with filled-in sample forms
Objectives:
- Recognize the behavioral biases that may negatively affect financial decision-making
- Overcome these biases so as to be better able to meet long-term financial goals
Presenters:
T.J. Zak, CFP®, AIF®
Field of Study:
Economics (2)
Major Topics:
- Availability bias
- Herding
- Loss aversion
- Present bias
- Anchoring
- Home country bias
Objectives:
- Calculate inside basis, outside basis, and 704(b) basis
- Recognize the concept of substantial economic effect
- List the three requirements that need to be present for an allocation to be deemed to have economic effect
- Calculate the reallocation of items of gains and loss under IRC 704(b) when a qualified income offset is present
- Recognize the tax effects of transferring cash, property, and services to a partnership
- Recall the tax effects of contributing assets that are encumbered by debt to a partnership
- List the key rules of thumb to remember when dealing with distributions
- State the ordering rules for calculating a partner’s tax basis
- Describe the key differences between liquidating and non-liquidating distributions
- Determine any applicable tax gains and losses of cash and property distributions
- State the ordering rules for hybrid distributions that involve both cash and property
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Taxes (4)
Major Topics:
- Three different types of basis
- Contributions of property
- IRC 704(b) – Capital Accounts and Special Allocations
- Contributions of property and debt
- Contributions of services
- IRS Notice 2020-43
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Answer common questions related to the fair presentation and disclosure of cryptocurrency and other digital assets
Recognize common risks and audit techniques relevant to digital records
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Common applications related to initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement or derecognition, presentation, and disclosure of cryptocurrency and other digital assets
- Feedback from the AICPA's Digital Assets Working Group intended to assist auditors with opining on these digital records
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall relevant provisions of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
Understand factors that allowed selected frauds to occur.
Recognize controls that may have prevented or mitigated selected frauds.
Consider application of these lessons to circumstances you encounter in your professional endeavors
Apply ethical guidance to scenarios that accounting professionals may encounter in public practice.
Instructor:
Dr. Christopher J. Harper, CPA, MBA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Salient provisions the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
- Examination of actual frauds
- Discussion of internal controls that could have prevented or mitigated actual frauds
- Contemplation of epiphanies for your own professional scenarios.
- Implications for professional conduct and compliance with professional standards
QuickBooks remains one of the leading accounting solutions for small and growing businesses and Intuit has added numerous advanced features to the application over the past few releases. In this seminar, you will learn how to take advantage of many of QuickBooks’ new and advanced features to solve important issues. For example, you will learn advanced inventory management techniques, including the ability to change the default costing methodology in QuickBooks, and implementing lot and serial number tracking. You will also learn how to build complete sets of financial statements in Excel that link in real-time to underlying QuickBooks data files and how to create multi-company financial statements. Additionally, you will learn how to put the Client Data Review feature to work to streamline the process of identifying and correcting errors and closing accounting periods in QuickBooks.
Knowing how to take advantage of the advanced tools and features available can determine your level of success when working with QuickBooks. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about QuickBooks’ “deep” features so that you maximize your effectiveness with the application.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish between a forecast and a budget
Recognize the difference between top-down and bottom-up budgeting
Recognize the key elements of a flexible budgeting approach
Utilize key forecast drivers
Apply judgement when it may be appropriate to make a forecast adjustment
Instructor:
David Peters
Fields of Study:
Finance
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of budgeting tools
- Overview of difference between budgeting and forecasting
- Examples of various budgeting and forecasting techniques
Target setting can drive breathtaking positive results, the moonlandings, the eradication of smallpox or the repair of the ozone layer, for example.
They can also have a dark side that can put executives in jail, bring global businesses to their knees and even cause wholesale loss of life.
Using practical examples and case studies, this course walks you through the steps you need to follow to design robust, effective and credible targets for your organization.
Speakers:
Bernie Smith
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.
Speakers:
Randolph (Randy) P. Johnston
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Denise Appleby, MJ, APA, CISP, CRPS, CRC
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
Mike and his co-presenters will dispense news on current events impacting taxes, finance, and industry. The subject matter will differ each week and intermittently include topics such as Social Security and Medicare. The panelists will discuss personal and corporate tax matters as well as other late-breaking news related to practitioners’ personal finances and those of their clients.
Every financial professional will benefit from this series. This is a cost-effective way for accountants to fulfill their compulsory continuing education because this weekly series will include almost 40 one-hour presentations. Sign up today — your clients and your bottom line will thank you.
Objectives:
- Be well informed on current topics impacting taxes, finance, and industry
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (1)
Major Topics:
- Each week’s topics will change based on the most critical issues affecting financial professionals
It's time to change the way you think and operate in your role. You need to move from doer to leader. You're familiar with the saying that if you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.
In this workshop, you'll learn key strategies that are unique and critical to women to be successful in their careers. These strategies will help you grow, expand and elevate yourself professionally.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Create a three step plan that allows you to be a more strategic and influential leader.
Practice increasing your confidence even in the most uncertain situations.
Determine your next step to build a supportive and engaging community around you.
Instructor:
Tara Whitney, CPA, ACC
Fields of Study:
Personal Development
Major Topics:
- How to increase your visibility instead of flying under the radar.
- Critical time management techniques that allow you to focus and prioritize the right strategic initiatives.
- How your inner critic operates and how to silence it.
- How to build a network of community support and mentoring.
- What impostor syndrome is and how it may be holding you back.
Fraud continues to plague businesses at epidemic levels, and technology control failures are a big reason fraud occurs. Using a case study approach, in this session, you will learn about the pervasiveness of fraud, the control failures that contribute to fraud, and what you can do to mitigate fraud risk.
A specific focus of this course is the application of information technology general controls and information technology application controls. In this course, you will examine numerous reported fraud cases and identify the general control and application control failures that contributed to each of these frauds. By learning through these real-world case studies, you will be better positioned to reduce fraud risk.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Listen and learn from Brenda's experience.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize how poor judgment on the job can lead to a prison term
Recall how government investigations begin
Recognize that illegal behavior by one group does not justify illegal behavior by another group
Indicate how loss amounts influence sentence lengths
Recall the aftermath of a criminal charge
Instructor:
Justin Paperny
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Career choices
- Ethical dilemmas
- Judicial proceedings
- Mitigation strategies
- Creating tools to help make better decisions
- Atonement and reconciliation
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.
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.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
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.
Speakers:
Paul H. Calabrese
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.
Speakers:
Gary Cokins, MBA, CPIM
CPAs get a bad rep regarding bookkeeping services. Walk through how to overhaul your offering by reviewing your client expectations, tech stack, and workflows.
Speakers:
Eman Abdur-Rahman
In the last year, our country has seen the passage of multiple federal laws impacting the enforceability to common employment documents. Several federal agencies have also issued opinions that could impact common employment documents. This presentation will review those new laws and opinions and discuss the potential impact they may have on arbitration agreements, severance agreements, confidentiality agreement, and non-disparagement agreements.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
The Corporate Transparency Act now requires many entities to file BOI reports with information about their owners. The due date for most initial reports is January 1, 2025, which is quickly approaching. Depending on the entity structure selected and whether the entity falls within one of 23 exceptions, an entity may be considered a reporting company and an individual may be considered a beneficial owner. The broad language of the statute and regulations has potential for surprise results. This course provides a guide for the new filing requirements, and examines the impact of choice of entity on BOI reports.
Speakers:
Matthew S. Beard, JD, LLM
Objectives:
- Understand the rules relating to Form 1099-DA
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Karen Davis, EA, MBA, Ph.D.
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Definition of a digital asset for purposes of Form 1099-DA
- What is a sale of a digital asset affected by a broker on behalf of another person?
- Mandatory 2025 reporting of gross proceeds information and voluntary reporting of basis information
- Treatment of sales of digital assets
- Who is a broker for purposes of Form 1099-DA?
- Information required to complete Form 1099-DA
- Reporting closing transactions and covered securities
- Who is a processor of digital asset payments?
- How many transactions to report on each Form 1099-DA and how many forms to file for each transaction
- Optional reporting methods for digital asset transactions
- Substitute statements for the Form 1099
- Reporting a disposition of digital assets held by a widely held fixed investment trust
We will also discuss recent proposed rulemaking by FinCen with respect to nonfinanced purchases of residential real estate and gratuitous transfers so that businesses can prepare for any additional reporting burdens that might arise.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the CTA's reporting requirements for certain businesses.
Identify how the business will file its reporting requirements with FinCEN relating to the beneficial owners
Identify who must file a report and what information must be provided
Recall the necessary information needed for each Reporting Company.
Identify which individuals must be included in the report.
Recognize which entities are excepted from filing.
Recall what penalties are imposed for not reporting on a timely basis
Formulate a plan for reporting post-NSB.
Compare the potential implications of FinCen's proposed rulemaking with respect to non-financed purchases of residential real estate and gratuitous transfers.
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Background of the Corporate Transparency Act
- Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting (BOIR) Rule
- Entities required to report.
- Reporting requirements imposed by the CTA
- Due dates of reports
- Information needed to satisfy the BOIR
- Impact of failure to report
- How to submit a report
- Court rulings on CTA’s unconstitutionality
- Implications to entities as a result of the ruling in NSB.
- Potential reporting requirements due to FinCen’s proposed rulemaking with respect to non-financed purchases of residential real estate and gratuitous transfers.
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.
Speakers:
Christine Wilson, LPC
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to:
Apply common ratio analysis to financial statements
Consider qualitative analysis outside of the basic financial statements
Understand how nuances within and between industries can affect the analysis
Instructor:
Keely Gohl, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Balance sheet analysis
- Income statement analysis
- Cash flow statement analysis
- Clues in the notes and MD&A
- Industry nuances
Selecting the right KPIs for your organization can be complex and stressful. Rather than resorting to brainstorming and internet searches, there is a better way to discover the best KPIs for your organization - the ROKS method. In this session Bernie Smith, creator of the ROKS method, walks you through the first five steps of this powerful approach, using real-world stories to bring each step to life.
Speakers:
Bernie Smith
In this course, participants will gain a broad understanding of the various anti-fraud preventive and detective tests available to practitioners and take initial steps in building their own library of tests unique to their business or industry risks. Specific discussions and examples will include vendor analysis to look for potentially improper payments around conflicts of interests, fake vendor schemes, bribery & corruption, sanctions and trade compliance, anomalous payments, segregation of duties, among other risk categories. Participants will also explore tests around customers or distributors that include margin analysis, free goods, discounts and revenue recognition. Further, we will explore employee related test to mitigate travel & entertainment expense abuses. We will also point out various online and public resources for participants to start building their own library of tests to support both reactive investigations as well as proactive prevention and detection.
Speakers:
Vincent M. Walden, CPA, CFE
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Apply recent tax developments affecting the partnership entity and its partners
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Discuss the impact of the Section 199A flow-through entities deduction on partnerships and their partners
- The meaning of a "tax basis capital account"
- How the financial accounting and tax capital accounts differ from one another
- Determine a partner's share of the partnership's liabilities
- Distinguish "recourse" loans from "nonrecourse" loans
- What are "qualified nonrecourse financing" loans and how they affect partners
- Section 704 "built-in gain or loss" rules and how they impact Schedule K-1 reporting
- Section 4655 "at risk" rules and how they impact Schedule K-1 reporting
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify Key Features: After completing this course, participants will be able to identify and describe the key features and capabilities of Gemini AI, including its multimodal functions and integration into Google products.
Utilize AI Tools: Participants will be able to utilize Gemini AI tools within Google products such as Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Slides to enhance productivity and efficiency in accounting tasks.
Apply AI in Accounting: Participants will learn to apply Gemini AI to automate routine accounting tasks, such as generating financial reports, creating data visualizations, and performing data analysis.
Evaluate AI Integration: Participants will be able to evaluate the integration of AI technologies in their accounting workflows and assess the potential benefits and challenges.
Recall the ethical considerations and implications of using AI in accounting, ensuring compliance with professional standards and regulations.
Improve Decision-Making: Participants will learn to leverage AI-generated insights to support strategic decision-making processes in financial management and accounting.
Stay Current with AI Trends: Participants will be able to stay current with emerging trends and advancements in AI technology relevant to the accounting profession, ensuring continuous professional development.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Google Gemini Quick Start
- Gemini Standalone Chatbot
- Mobile App
- Gemini integration with:
- Workspace
- Gmail
- Docs
- Sheets
- Slides
- User Tips
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
Performance targets and incentives can drive breathtakingly positive results: the moon landings, the eradication of smallpox, or the repair of the ozone layer, for example. They can also have a dark side that can create stress, overload and anxiety and even drive lawbreaking.
What is the difference between a healthy ‘stretch’ target and one pushes people too far? How can we spot potential problems in advance and systematically design sensible, humane and effective performance targets?
Using practical examples and case studies, Bernie will give you an overview of the essential steps for designing robust, effective, and credible targets for any organization.
Designing effective, practical and realistic performance targets will never be easy, but this session will introduce you to the tools that help make the process clearer, simpler and more consistent.
Speakers:
Bernie Smith
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
This presentation will review what sex harassment is under the law, company compliance obligations, and describe how promoting a positive company culture can prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
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?
Speakers:
Gary Cokins, MBA, CPIM
What obligations does an employer have when an employee needs to take a leave of absence? This presentation will provide an overview of the complicated, intertwined compliance obligations triggered when an employee requests a medical leave of absence (including for pregnancy, mental health, or addiction).
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
In this course, participants will learn about the five principals of COSO's Fraud Risk Management Guide and the linkages each principal has to the use of forensic data analytics to measurably demonstrate effectiveness and ROI. We will also explore key elements to a successful program that is sustainable as well as pitfalls to avoid. Finally, we will cover several case studies that demonstrate the key concepts discussed.
Speakers:
Vincent M. Walden, CPA, CFE
If you...
- Produce or revise dashboards and reports
- Find your current reports and dashboards confusing
- Are frustrated by the length, complexity and structure of your existing reports
- Have many different styles of dashboards and reports in use and want to simplify things
- Need to create a consistent “house style” that can be replicated by different teams
- Want to look like a star by creating reports and dashboards that your internal customers love
... this workshop can help. In this session we explore the principles of what makes reports and dashboards easy, or hard, to understand, distil this into a simple set of rules and show you how to apply these rules using Excel.
Speakers:
Bernie Smith
In this course, we will explore the various types of data - both structured and unstructured - used in conducting fraud risk investigations and proactive monitoring. We will explore the various tools available on the market and techniques to confirm completeness and accuracy of the data before the analysis begins. The course will cover the process for selecting the right data sources to align with the various risks as well as pitfalls to avoid when preparing the data for analysis.
Speakers:
Vincent M. Walden, CPA, CFE
Running or advising a small business? KPI Bootcamp can help you quickly find and deploy the right KPIs to achieve your, or your client's, goals. Delivered by Bernie Smith, KPI specialist and overloaded small business owner, this course will help you quickly select a handful of powerful measures that apply to your business. The step-by-step approach helps you sharpen your objectives and select the right KPIs to drive growth and profit.
Every one of the 412 included KPIs (as free PDF download for every participant) includes a full plain-English definition and also covers business benefits, case-study examples and practical tips.
Speakers:
Bernie Smith
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.
Speakers:
Darrell (Coach D) Andrews
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
Imagine being able to see into the future with confidence. The ability to be a great forecaster is not innate but learned. By examining great forecasters, we can learn to improve our ability to predict the future. We will examine best practices and current research to improve our ability to predict events that will affect our business.
Speakers:
John Levy, MBA, CPA
Cybercrime is on the rise and CPAs that handle sensitive client data are often the target of cybercrimes. By attending this session you'll learn what the eight biggest threats are to your business and uncover the three pillars of cybersecurity that you can build your firm's defense around.
Speakers:
Jon Melloy
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
When the leadership in any organizations carries out their responsibilities of establishing, maintaining and monitoring internal controls, it significantly reduces the possibility of fraud occurring. When and if it does occur, a good system of internal controls will often detect it early on.
This presentation is an illustration of what can happen when top management fails to carry out their responsibility of protecting an entity’s assets through a good system of internal controls.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
For HR and Business professionals, navigating the intricate dynamics of executive decision-making can often be a daunting task. Despite the meticulous hours invested in research, strategy formulation, and planning, the true challenge often lies in effectively communicating and gaining acceptance for these transformative ideas. A key aspect of this is the art of persuasion, ensuring that the merits of our proposals are not just understood but wholeheartedly embraced by decision-makers. This session is designed to empower leaders with the tools and insights needed to craft persuasive pitches, build a robust business case, and confidently communicate the ROI of their initiatives. Moreover, attendees will gain insights into the common pitfalls that can hinder their pitches and learn techniques to address objections frequently raised by executive leadership.
Speakers:
LeAnne Lagasse, SHRM-SCP
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Accounting (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- Recall common tax deadlines, penalties, and potential remedies
- Identify the requirements and how to file for withdrawal of an ERC claim
- Recognize where to file an initial beneficial ownership report on the FINCEN website
- Identify where to claim deductions for software on Form 4562
- State the differences between 1099-K, 1099-NEC, and 1099-MISC
- Recognize when a taxpayer must file electronically
- Identify when a taxpayer may obtain an IP PIN
- State the reporting requirements for virtual currency
- Recognize reporting and substantiation requirements related to green energy credits
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Taxes (4)
Major Topics:
- Common tax deadlines and penalties
- Employee Retention Credit – new developments
- Beneficial ownership information reporting
- Bonus depreciation changes
- Form 1099 reporting and changes
- Online accounts and IP PINs
- Virtual currency updates
- Green energy credit compliance
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the underlying moral philosophies that inform typical ethics statements such as "Do the right thing."
Analyze the principles of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct to discover its philosophical underpinnings.
Examine a real world case in light of purposes and requirements of AICPA Code.
Evaluate the contribution of the Conceptual Framework to accountants ethical framework in real life situations.
Instructor:
Albert D. Spalding, JD, PhD, CPA/CFF
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction: "Bumper Sticker Ethics"
- Thinking About Ethics: Digging a Little Deeper
- Compare: Principles of Professional Ethics in Accounting
- Case Study: Frank v. Dana Corp.
- Conclusion: The Conceptual Framework as an Ethics Resource
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the roles, responsibilities, and key skills required for forensic accountants.
Evaluate the ethics in forensic accounting and strategies for ethical decision-making.
Prepare clear, concise, and objective expert reports, including understanding their components and best practices.
Conduct thorough investigations, gather evidence, and write accurate and detailed investigation reports.
Critique investigation reports and economic damage calculations through real-world examples and case studies.
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to Forensic Accounting: Gain an understanding of the fundamentals, roles, and responsibilities of forensic accountants in uncovering financial discrepancies, fraud, and economic damages.
- Maintain Ethical Integrity: Learn the importance of ethics in forensic accounting and strategies for ethical decision-making.
- Expert Report Preparation: Learn the essential components, best practices, and common pitfalls in writing clear, concise, and objective expert reports for legal proceedings.
- Investigation Report Writing: Explore the methodologies for conducting investigations, gathering evidence, and crafting thorough and accurate investigation reports.
- Economic Damages Writing: Understand the methodologies and best practices for calculating economic damages, including lost profits, business valuation, and other financial impacts.
- Reviewing Investigation Reports and Economic Damages: Analyze real-world examples to review and critique investigation reports and damage calculations, highlighting key insights and lessons learned.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Determine the steps needed to implement a developed system of internal controls
Apply steps to build control measure schedules that function weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly, and that are designed to test and monitor the internal control structure of an organization
Analyze developed control measures to make sure they are working properly
Determine why there is a need to update existing controls to keep them viable as business operations change
Identify methods that can be used to communicate policy and procedure changes to those that are affected by these changes
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Control creation and implementation basics
- Implementation and update procedures for an Internal Control system
- Maintaining existing internal controls
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the importance of budgeting
Identify components of a master budget
Distinguish the utility of flexible budgets
Analyze the role of variances
Apply capital budgeting techniques
Instructor:
Dr. Christopher J. Harper, CPA, MBA
Fields of Study:
Finance
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Advantages of budgeting
- The role of budgeting
- Master budgeting
- Flexible budgeting
- Standards and variances
- Capital budgeting
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize the key concepts and nomenclature related to ChatGPT and generative AI
Identify opportunities to leverage the power of ChatGPT in your organization
Determine how to integrate ChatGPT into your daily work
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Overview of the current landscape for AI in business
- History of ChatGPT and generative AI
- Fundamentals of generative AI technology and related nomenclature
- ABC's of how to use ChatGPT
- Demonstration of practical ChatGPT applications for accounting, finance and tax
- A word of caution: What you should be concerned about
- Developing a ChatGPT usage policy for your firm / business
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.
Today’s economy and all of the digital enhancements have impacted the way companies engage with their customers as well as how the company manages their internal practices. The business control function needs to keep pace.
The rising importance of analytical capability is critical when defining the role of the modern controller. Execution of analytics can vary but there are still key questions that must be asked. What are the options and what we need to understand to decide the best way forward?
This course focuses on the value that can be brought by the Controller when becoming involved with data analytics powered by technology and also Big Data. The digitized world we live in has made it important for the Controller function to evolve and take on this advanced task.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
This course provides a high-level overview and introduction into the world of the forensic accountant. Most accountants have an understanding of the concept of fraud and how it impacts companies, but many individuals do not have a full comprehension of the variance in the work performed by a forensic accountant versus a typical management accountant.
This course is meant for those individuals interested in understanding the variances in the job tasks and responsibilities of forensic accountants versus typical financial or management accountants. Forensic accountants or auditors take a unique focus on performing their work. Typically, when a person with forensic experience is called in to examine financial records, it is due to suspicion of fraud, evaluation of assets, or even to track down fundamentally incorrect accounting – intentional or not.
As fraud continues to raise its head in business processes, forensic accountants are discovering new and unique ways to identify, examine, and support their hypotheses and investigative techniques. The work performed by a forensic specialist can be interesting and full of potential potholes if evidence isn’t examined according to proper protocols and standards.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Objectives:
- Advise owners of C corporations and those wishing to acquire C corporations of the tax consequences associated with an asset or stock acquisition
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Edward Renn, Esq.
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Advantages and disadvantages to buyer and seller of an asset acquisition and a stock acquisition
- Tax treatment of consulting agreements and covenants not to compete
- Sale of personal goodwill associated with an asset acquisition
- Tax consequences associated with a stock acquisition and an asset acquisition
- Acquisitive reorganizations
- Non-tax issues that must be considered when a corporation is acquired
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the importance of in-house AI R&D for staying competitive in accounting.Identify strategies for moving from AI concepts to practical, value-adding applications.Recognize the urgency of adapting to AI's exponential advancements.Conduct proactive AI assessments, benchmarks, and explorations in your organization.Evaluate the dual role accountants play in AI development as both innovators and data protectors.Encourage the creation of internal AI tools to address specific accounting challenges.Develop strategies to mitigate AI-related cyber threats and protect sensitive data.Recognize potential misuse patterns of generative AI and implement preventive measures.Address challenges in AI adoption and foster a supportive learning environment.Design a sustainable, adaptive approach to AI that supports ongoing development and ethical integration.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to AI R&D in Accounting: Why internal AI research is essential for modern firms.
- Theory to Practice: Moving quickly from speculative AI concepts to actionable strategies.
- Managing Exponential Change: Understanding the urgency of adapting to AI’s rapid evolution.
- Proactive AI Engagement: Conducting in-house AI benchmarks, research, and hackathons.
- The Dual Role in AI Development: Balancing innovation with data security and ethical responsibilities.
- Internal AI Tools Creation: Encouraging accountants to develop AI solutions tailored to their needs.
- Data Security and Cyber Threats: Addressing AI-enabled cybercrime and protecting against internal risks.
- Mitigating AI Misuse: Recognizing abuse patterns and implementing safe practices.
- Challenges in AI Integration: Handling resistance, management concerns, and rapid technological shifts.
- Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Building a resilient, R&D-focused AI culture in accounting.
Most business professionals have used Excel for years, often without the benefit of any formal training. Thus, they don't know about key features in the application and, therefore, don't use them. Of course, this leads to inefficiencies and errors. Isn't it time to stop this madness? This session is for you if you're ready to become more efficient and effective with Excel! You will learn ten critical features that can help you get more work done in less time and improve your accuracy. We encourage you to make plans to join us for this session to learn the best ways of working with Excel!
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify opportunities to leverage ChatGPT to improve your Excel skills and productivity
Use ChatGPT with Excel formulas
Recall the best practices for using ChatGPT with Excel
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
- Introduction to ChatGPT and other AI (Artificial Intelligence) language models
- Discussion of best practices for using ChatGPT with Excel
- Use ChatGPT to create, debug and explain formulas
- Use ChatGPT to learn how to use Excel features
- Use ChatGPT to automate repetitive tasks in Excel
- Use ChatGPT to easily create macros
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recall the fundamental concepts and applications of cloud computing, big data, and data analytics in the accounting sector, emphasizing their role in enhancing efficiency and decision-making processes for CPAs.
Identify the key principles of Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and their transformative impact on accounting, enabling CPAs to streamline operations and optimize services.
Recognize the emerging trends and potential implications of cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and the metaverse in the financial industry, preparing CPAs to navigate these innovations with informed strategies and solutions.
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Role of cloud computing as the foundation for all tech trends
- Big data and data analytics the new frontier for CPAs
- Workflow automation with RPA, ML and AI with a focus on ChatGPT
- Blockchain technology, the revolutionary data storage model
- Cryptocurrency 15 years later, an update on the market and technology
- Metaverse - what's it all about
- Cloud based financial and ERP software market update
We all make predictions in our personal and professional lives. We base our decisions to marry, buy a house, launch a new product or hire staff on expectations about the future. In the past few years, research into improving predictions has advanced. We will look at this research and current best practices in forecasting to help us prepare better budgets and projections.
Speakers:
John Levy, MBA, CPA
The audit standards state that one of the reasons auditors fail to detect fraud is that they don’t know what it looks like. Prior to the original SAS No. 82, Consideration of Fraud In A Financial Statement Audit, nowhere in any SAS was there a description of what fraud looked like. So, as they say, if you don’t know what you are looking for, you can often look right at it and not recognize it!
This presentation illustrates some of the more common indicators of fraud they most individuals would overlook unless they 1) knew what they were looking for and were 2) actually looking for it. Contrary to what the standards say about fraud being concealed, I have found that fraud is often laying on the table right in front of you; but no one has discovered it because they have no idea what the indicators of fraud are.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
Breaking the Wall of blind acceptance; avoiding habitual complacency and Yoking the dots between cause and effect.
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
Are you looking to fortify your practice against the ever-growing threats in the digital landscape? Join us for the second installment of our exclusive webinar series, "Mastering Cybersecurity," brought to you by Practice Protect.
In today's digitally connected world, the need for comprehensive cybersecurity is paramount. With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, it's crucial to stay ahead of the curve in protecting your sensitive client data.
This webinar series is designed to equip CPAs with the knowledge and tools needed to secure their practices and client information effectively.
Speakers:
Jon Melloy
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.
Speakers:
LeAnne Lagasse, SHRM-SCP
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 Part 2 of this seminar we will go into more depth about how to get more done in less time, as well as how to not burnout from all the work you do. We will discuss additional methods for working smarter through technology, communication, stress reduction, and creating smart and helpful goals.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
We all want to be successful and deeply fulfilled, but most of us have not learned what really leads to a life of abundance, happiness, purpose, and great relationships. In this seminar, you will learn the most effective methods for creating the life you really want. In his interviews with such people as Oprah, the Dalai Lama, Deepak Chopra, Tony Robbins, Ted Turner, and dozens of others, Jonathan has learned what really works and what does not. In this seminar you’ll learn the best personal and professional growth techniques he’s acquired over his career. Once you know these great ideas and methods, you'll be able to take your life and career to a whole new level.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Appreciate the paramount need for an excellent balance sheet.
Testify to the critical nature of using both practical analysis and common sense in our application and approach to balance sheet accounting.
Instructor:
Robert Mims, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Typical accounting issues that impact the balance sheet.
- Where are the 'hidden' issues in unrecorded liabilities?
- Why and how most balance sheets are not correct?
- What are unrecorded assets, and why do they matter?
- Suggestions to improve balance sheets
- Identification and resolution of balance sheet challenges and changes.
- Communicating with your audience and stakeholders
Excel is the accountant’s tool of choice for analyzing and reporting financial data, yet many use time-consuming and error-prone processes to complete everyday tasks. Regardless of your level of experience, if you use Excel, you need this course to learn more efficient and effective ways to work with Excel. In this course, you will discover countless tips, tricks, and techniques to improve your general level of productivity, reduce the amount of time you spend on mundane tasks, such as formatting, and customize Excel for greater accuracy and efficiency. You will also learn valuable formula-building skills, best practices for linking Excel data from other worksheets and workbooks, and how to streamline report generation and printing processes.
Your K2 instructor will reinforce key learning points throughout the program with practical, real-world examples that will improve your understanding and comprehension of the topics presented. This highly acclaimed course draws on over twenty-five years of experience in delivering spreadsheet training to accounting and financial professionals, which assures you of the relevance and usefulness of the information and guidance provided during the program.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the newest tax developments contained in in the Secure Act 2.0.
Recall the new provisions modifying the administration of employer retirement plans.
Recall expanded contribution and catch-up limits for individuals.
Recognize the new required beginning dates for distributions.
Recall the newest developments on required minimum distribution dates.
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Implications for individuals
- Changes to the Saver’s Credit
- Changing the required minimum distribution rules for Roth 401(k)s
- Changes to required beginning dates for required minimum distributions of retirement plans.
- Penalty-Free Withdrawals for Certain Emergency Expenses
- Special provisions for firefighters and military personnel spouses
- Increases in catch-up contributions
- Impact on 529 plans
- Opportunities for student loan payment matching
- Implications for Employers
- Starter § 401(k) plans for small employers
- Requiring automatic 401(k) enrollment
- Improving worker access to emergency savings
- Increasing part-time workers’ access to retirement accounts
- Statute of Limitations on excise taxes imposed on overcontributions to retirement plans
- Multiple employer §403(b) plans
- Automatic portability provisions
- Other changes in the administration of company retirement plans
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the audit assertions applicable to inventory
Recognize risks & threats related to the inventory balance
Identify substantive auditing procedures that are used to obtain comfort over inventory
Instructor:
Jaclyn M. Veno, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Auditing Inventory.
- Related Audit assertions, risks, and threats to inventory.
- Substantive auditing procedures that staff should perform.
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
The Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) pertains to the management of Federal Financial Assistance for grants and cooperative agreements. The Biden Administration has performed a comprehensive update where the revised Uniform Guidance was released in April 2024. We will review all of the significant compliance and threshold changes. In addition, we will provide a brief presentation of the revised guidance as it pertains to Time and Effort reporting.
Speakers:
Paul H. Calabrese
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. For example:
- 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 into further investigative procedures used including digital forensics. Future sessions will focus on computer forensics, network forensics and mobile forensics.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
A common challenge for the controller role is in closing the month-end and period-end books in preparation to issue financial statements. This duty requires precision, timing and efficiency.
In today’s digital world, many organizations have access to financial accounting software that will assist with the steps in the financial close. However, even with this aid it is critical the accountant understand the various steps for the close process and how they inter-relate to other accounting processes. This course gives you an insight into the inter-relationships between many processes that impact the financial close.
The closing process has traditionally been a slow one with many companies taking two weeks to close its subsidiary’s books and another two to three weeks to roll up and consolidated the results. With the introduction of technology much has been done to help accelerate that process with integrated enterprise resource planning systems and general ledger and consolidate software.
Within this segment we will discuss the elements of the financial close and also important concepts to assist the controller in accelerating their close timeline. This includes addressing all functional areas of the close including payroll, invoicing, payables, inventory, cash, and the general ledger. We will also discuss important concepts of ensuring your financial close is accurate by discussing bank reconciliations, overhead allocations, bad debt reserves, unpaid wages and accruals for vacation time, account reconciliations, deprecation and overall financial statement review.
Note: This course does not address utilizing technology in the financial close. Its focus is to understand the varied procedures involved in the financial close whether or not technology is utilized.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Tara Singer
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Describe how to identify signs that your auditors may be over- or under-auditing
Explain the "soft" skills, such as communication, creativity, critical thinking, and more that your auditor should readily exhibit in order to give you the greatest return for your audit dollars
Apply illustrative examples, of value-added business advice and assistance the auditor may apply without impairing independence
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Limitations in roles and responsibilities an auditor can accept without impairing independence
- Assessing the strength of your auditor's ability to think critically, strategically, and creatively in appropriate circumstances
- Evaluating your auditor's time and project management stills
- Grading your auditor's communication and interpersonal skills, in exceeding your expectations on an audit
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify the many different ways in which you can apply the power of AI within your Microsoft 365 applications
Recognize the potential to increase your productivity and quality of your information with Microsoft 365 Copilot
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Overview of Microsoft 365 Copilot features
- Automating tasks with AI assistance
- Enhancing content creation and data analysis
- Collaboration tools powered by AI
- Best practices for maximizing Copilot's benefits
This course will review the Federal Trade Commission's proposed rule banning non-competes. It will also briefly go over the rule making process and timeline for the proposed rule to go into effect. In the second half, the presentation will review the patchwork quilt of state laws that have curtailed enforcement of non-competes, as well as best practices for businesses to consider when implementing non-competes in the workforce.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
Storytelling makes wisdom stick.
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
LeAnne Lagasse, SHRM-SCP
Are you looking to fortify your practice against the ever-growing threats in the digital landscape? Join us for the third installment of our exclusive webinar series, "Mastering Cybersecurity," brought to you by Practice Protect.
In today's digitally connected world, the need for comprehensive cybersecurity is paramount. With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, it's crucial to stay ahead of the curve in protecting your sensitive client data. This webinar series is designed to equip CPAs with the knowledge and tools needed to secure their practices and client information effectively.
Speakers:
Jon Melloy
Managerial accounting provides economic and financial information for managers and other internal users. Managerial and Financial Accounting have similarities and differences. Each field of accounting deals with the economic events of a business. Both managerial and financial accounting require that a company’s economic events be quantified and communicated to interested parties.
This another course in our series on the controller’s role. The controller’s role encompasses many traditional functions. Within this segment of our controllership series, we discuss the area of managerial accounting and the basic concepts that surround this discipline as it primarily relates to cost accounting issues.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Objectives:
- Understand how to submit a good whistleblower claim that satisfies IRS criteria
- Understand the process by which the IRS reviews and pursues whistleblower claims
- Learn about large recoveries by IRS whistleblowers
- Understand non-IRS whistleblower claim programs including claims arising under the False Claims Act, Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd-Frank
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Overview of the law that authorizes the IRS to reward whistleblowers who submit information leading to recovery
- Review of the whistleblower claim process
- Criteria for eligible claims
- Case studies of significant claim recoveries paid by the IRS to whistleblowers
- Issues underlying whether a practitioner should ever act as the whistleblower
- Addressing delays inherent in the whistleblower claim process
- The structure and role of the Whistleblower Office
- Best practices for the submission of a good whistleblower claim
- Working with other governmental divisions in processing whistleblower claims
- A brief overview of other, non-IRS whistleblower claims
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Ken Levine
Field of Study:
Regulatory Ethics (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol use, including withdrawal symptoms
- Understand how to help enforce the company’s drug and alcohol abuse policy through reasonable suspicion testing
- Explain the steps for observing, documenting, interviewing, and referring employees for testing based upon reasonable suspicion
Presenters:
Amy McAndrew, Esquire
Field of Study:
Personnel/Human Resources (1)
Major Topics:
- The psychosocial, physiological, and behavioral aspects of drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace
- The impact of drug and alcohol abuse on workplace safety
- The possible connection between performance issues and drug or alcohol abuse
- The role of documentation in reasonable suspicion testing
- Confidentiality concerns in the testing process
Objectives:
- Understand how a partner determines and reports his or her tax basis capital account
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Michael Frost, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Stay in compliance with ethics requirements
Recall recent standard-setting projects and changes to the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
Analyze the regulatory requirements created by other state boards of accountancy, the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, and recent regulatory initiatives
Apply these standards in practice.
Instructor:
Allison M. Henry, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Stay in compliance with recent ethics standards changes that impact your practice.
- Learn about key regulatory changes and initiatives impacting CPAs and the future of the profession.
- Discuss emerging issues and standard-setting activity that could affect your practice in the future.
- Explore practical applications of the standards and hear about common practice issues and challenges. Examples include private equity, technology, tax planning, audit quality, regulatory enforcement and standard-setting environment.
- Learn how failure to follow the standards can result in unwanted regulatory actions and publicity.
Nonprofit entities have a high degree of public accountability. This course will examine the most common fraud schemes and provide multiple examples of how to prevent or detect these schemes.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize real-world frauds occurring in not-for-profit entities.
Identify useful fraud prevention tools.
Educate on how real-world frauds were detected.
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Best practices for fraud prevention and detection.
- Common fraud schemes in nonprofit including cash misappropriation; payroll fraud; vendor fraud; falsified billings; improper use of credit cards or purchase cards; the redirection of cash and non-cash contributions; personal use of assets; the redirection of grant benefits; other grant related fraud; travel and expense reporting fraud; and much more!
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this course, you will be able to...
Select a recruiting process and strategies for attracting and hiring diverse talent in accord with ethical principles
Identify how to plan for the employment
Distinguish how to conduct a legal and ethical interview.
Recognize the importance of employer branding in the recruitment process.
Indicate how bias can play out in the selection process and suggestions to minimize bias.>
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz and Jennifer Sullivan
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Discussion of ethical and effective recruiting strategies
- Selection processes that foster diversity and inclusion
- How to increase talent pools to ensure hiring success
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.
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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
This course is a complement to our series on Becoming a Forensic Accountant and the focus of the course is on steganography techniques. Steganography is the art and science of embedding secret messages in a cover message in such a way that no one, apart from the sender and intended recipient, suspects the existence of the message.
The first use of steganography can be traced to 440 BC when ancient Greece, people wrote messages on wood and covered it with wax, that acted as a covering medium Romans used forms of Invisible Inks, to decipher those hidden messages light or heat were used. During World War II the Germans introduced microdots, which were complete documents, pictures, and plans reduced in size to the size of a dot and were attached to normal paperwork. Null Ciphers were also used to hide unencrypted secret messages in an innocent looking message. Given the amount of data being generated and transmitted electronically, it’s no surprise that numerous methods of protecting that data have evolved.
There are various types of steganography: Text Steganography - Hiding information inside the text files. This involves changing format of existing text, changing words in a text, generating random character sequences or using context-free grammars to generate readable texts. Image Steganography - Process of hiding text in an image without distorting the picture. Video Steganography - Technique to hide any kind of files into a cover video file. Audio Steganography - The secret message is embedded into an audio signal which alters the binary sequence of the corresponding audio file. Network Steganography - The process of utilizing active network protocols as carriers to transmit a covert message, undetectable by an uninformed party, from a host to its destination. This session will review these methods and also discuss relevant software.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Charts and graphs are nothing new. However, many professionals struggle with building compelling visualizations. If that statement describes you, participate in this session to improve your skills in creating Excel charts and other visualizations. As a result, you will create visualizations to enhance your communication skills.
This session is much more than just a seminar on fundamental charts. Instead, in this session, you will learn how to create advanced charts that are interactive, dynamic, and aesthetically pleasing – three qualities that will help to ensure that your readers and audience will understand the data you are presenting. This seminar is a must if you want to improve your communication skills.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the impact of GASB 100 and 101 on financial reporting for governments.
Recall the impact of standards effective in 2024.
Identify changes to single audits as a result of the 2024 Compliance Supplement.
Recall common deficiencies found related to Single Audits.
Recognize changes to the Uniform Guidance.
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Accounting (Governmental)
Auditing (Governmental)
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- A look at the GASB standards that are effective this year.
- GASB 100, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.
- GASB 101, Compensated Absences.
- The impact of the 2024 Compliance Supplement on Single Audits.
- Changes to the Uniform Guidance.
- Common deficiencies found in Single Audits.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify the basic advantages of Distributions V. Salary/Wages
Assess the consequences of an IRS re-characterization of distributions
Review Reasonable Compensation in the courts
Select the IRS guidelines for determining Reasonable Compensation
Determine when Reasonable Compensation applies to your client
Illustrate advanced scenarios
Examine Tips from the pros and IRS Red Flags
Study why Reasonable Compensation has become a priority for the SB/SE division of the IRS
Identify options for determining Reasonable Compensation
Instructor:
Paul Hamann
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Explain the payroll tax advantage of taking distributions over wages
- Review key court cases that shape todays reasonable compensation landscape
- How to use court factors to stress test reasonable compensation
- Best practices for determining reasonable compensation
- Review of the IRS’s enforcement on reasonable compensation; past, present and future
During this course, you'll discover how Copilot leverages AI to enhance productivity and streamline operations. Whether you're a seasoned Excel user or just beginning your journey, this course will guide you through practical applications and best practices to make the most of Copilot's capabilities. Through hands-on demonstrations and real-world examples, you'll see how Copilot can save time, improve decision-making, and elevate your analytical skills to new heights.
This course not only focuses on the technical aspects of Copilot but also highlights its potential to transform your day-to-day work, from automating repetitive tasks to uncovering trends and insights you might otherwise overlook. By the end of the session, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to integrate Copilot into your workflows and unlock its full potential in Microsoft Excel.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify key features of Copilot in Excel and their applications in data analysis.
Distinguish between traditional Excel workflows and AI-enhanced capabilities.
Select appropriate AI-driven tools within Excel to streamline specific tasks.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to Copilot in Excel
- Automating Tasks and Enhancing Productivity
- Advanced Data Insights with Copilot
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.
Speakers:
John Levy, MBA, CPA
Overview of the most important labor and employment policies and practices that every business should have. The review will go over confidentiality agreements, arbitration agreements, restrictive covenants, training, and severance agreements, as well as compliance issues related to each of them.
Speakers:
Alana Ackels
This session will provide a basic overview of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (“ESOPs”). It will specifically address what companies are well suited for establishing an ESOP, how ESOPs are implemented, and how employees and departing owners alike can benefit from them. The session is intended to provide business and tax advisors with talking points about how an ESOP may be used as a succession planning strategy.
Speakers:
Mindi Johnson
Amanda Dernovshek
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.
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
According to the Gallup Organization, only 10% of employees believe that their organization does a good job onboarding new employees. This means most organizations are overlooking this crucial phase of the employee lifecycle, which not only includes the often-neglected pre-boarding stage but also the continuous efforts to reduce uncertainty, bolster excitement, and foster connections for their new recruits. By streamlining these processes and crafting impactful moments from pre-boarding through the initial weeks, HR and Business leaders can significantly enhance efficiency, foster trust, and establish a foundation of psychological safety for years to come. In this session, attendees will discover strategies and resources that craft a holistic onboarding experience, mitigating risks like employee ghosting, and paving the way for heightened engagement and retention.
Speakers:
LeAnne Lagasse, SHRM-SCP
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
What should an accounting professional learn from Casey's story?
Stay tuned to find out!
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize why corporate documentation and training materials may lessen vulnerabilities to government investigations
Distinguish motivations of government investigators and prosecutors
Identify tactics witnesses use to lower their exposure to sanctions
Recall how government investigations begin
Instructor:
Justin Paperny
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Ethical dilemmas
- Judicial proceedings
- Mitigation strategies
- Creating tools to help make better decisions
- Atonement and reconciliation
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
Highlight the corporate cognitive-culture and psychological foundations of IRS processes, policies, information products and rulingsExplore IRS communication dynamics with taxpayers and tax professionalsUse an "IRS lens" to more rationally and pragmatically interact with the agency
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
- Behavioral insights (BI) Primer
- How and why BI are used by the IRS
- IRS and individual decision-making
- IRS and environmental and design considerations
- IRS and social norms
- IRS "top of mind" issues
- BI and Implementation of tax reform legislation
- BI and private debt collection
- BI and online taxpayer accounts
- BI and taxpayer rights in "real" vs. "unreal" audits
- BI and the tax-exempt approval process
- BI and passport renewal and revocation
- How to use BI to more mindfully interact with the IRS to improve outcomes
This is a continuing part of our series on forensic accounting. Within this segment we discuss the concepts that are part of computer forensics known as cryptology. The term cryptography is from Ancient Greek and means “hidden secret”. It is the practice and study of techniques for secure communications in the presence of adversarial behavior. Cryptography is about constructing and analyzing protocols that prevent third parties or the public from reading private messages. Cryptography starts with secrets. Various aspects in information security such as data confidentiality, data integrity, authentication and non-repudiation (where a statement’s author cannot successfully dispute its authorship) are central to modern cryptography.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Pro forma statements are used by businesses to make decisions on planning and control, as well as for external reporting to owners, investors, and creditors. For example, giving financial estimates for a given period in a standardized manner is known as “presenting pro forma,” a Latin phrase that means “as a matter of form.”
Pro forma statements can be helpful tools for business owners, investors, creditors, or decision-makers to analyze various scenarios of future events based on certain financial assumptions. It might aid in making predictions performance of the company.
A pro forma income statement displays a firm’s anticipated sales and revenue. It also highlights anticipated fixed or variable operational expenses and, in the end, displays the potential profits and retained earnings for a future financial quarter. There are various types of pro-forma statements and methods to develop them.
The responsibilities/competencies of the Financial Controller position (FC) has changed in recent years. However, the creation of pro forma financial statements is still a core part of their responsibility.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Clients are living longer. Not only does that present challenges to the work we do with them to make sure that their money lasts, but it also brings into play additional issues and challenges that we may not have had to tackle in the past. How do we plan for where clients will live (possibly as solo agers)? How do we deal with issues of diminished capacity? How do we plan for long term care and end of life issues? How do we have complicated family conversations? How do we make sure that our clients have their best long lives possible both financially and otherwise? Find out in this session where we will present tools you can use with clients to engage them in the planning process.
Speakers:
Sandra D. Adams
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Apply the latest provisions and developments, rules and regulations impacting business taxpayers
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- 2024/25 legislation impacting business taxpayers
- Tax depreciation update
- GIG workers and Form 1099-K
- Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit
- Recent business taxpayer case rulings
- FINCEN Beneficial Ownership Information reporting update
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
Enterprise Risk Management for SMEs
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
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.
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
However, knowing the standards is not enough. You need to be able to effectively apply them. To support this, the course will review recent peer review feedback on SSARS engagements, providing insights on how to successfully apply this guidance.
Not only will this course bring you up to date on SSARS requirements and guidance, but more importantly, it will provide you with practical examples and illustrations to help you effectively and efficiently perform these types of engagements. This course is intended to be your go-to reference for training your staff and managing your SSARS No. 21-26 services in compliance with professional, ethical, and technical requirements.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Ken Levine
Field of Study:
Auditing (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize what business owners are looking for in a CFO/business advisor.
Identify the steps required to start and offer a CFO service to business clients.
Recall a proven 6-step system to conduct a CFO service that gets results.
Determine the steps needed to sell the CFO service to new clients and to upsell to existing clients.
Instructor:
Adam Lean
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- What business owners really want from a CFO/business advisory service (it's not what you think).
- How to determine if you're qualified to provide CFO/business advisory services.
- Why now is the right time to be providing CFO/business advisory services.
- How to get new clients to your practice and how to approach existing clients.
- Why clients need you and why you need them.
- How much you should be charging for this type of service.
- How to provide a CFO/business advisory service in the most efficient way possible.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Indicate how different stakeholders utilize financial statements
Recognize how flexible budgeting may be used by CFOs and Controllers
Recall how time series analysis and common size financial statements are used in trend analysis
Calculate liquidity, leverage, and profitability ratios
Identify the uses and limitations of ratio analysis
Instructor:
David Peters
Fields of Study:
Finance
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- Purpose of Financial Statement Analysis
- Comparing Actuals vs. Expectations & Benchmarking
- Case Studies 1 & 2
- Ratio Analysis
- Case Study 3
- Analysis of Statement of Cash Flows
- Case Studies 4 & 5
- Other Uses of Ratios
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Indicate core principles underlying the any Code of Professional Conduct that apply to both CPAs in public practice and industry, whether designated by the AICPA, PCAOB, or an international body
Recall common ethical dilemmas faced by all CPAs and how they can be safeguarded to an acceptable level
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Regulatory Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Core principles of any Code of Professional Conduct applicable to all CPAs, including conflicts of interest, preparing and reporting information, competence, confidential information, and more
- The importance of maintaining independence for CPAs in public practice, especially when also performing nonattest services for the attest client
- Comparing and contrasting various ethical standards, including those promulgated by the AICPA, PCAOB, and international bodies
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.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Tish Times
In this course, participants will learn about key trends and innovations impacting the field of forensic data analytics. From generative AI to ChatGPT, machine learning and transaction review, data sharing consortiums and cryptocurrency trends, this course is for the futurist who wants to be leading edge in compliance and anti-fraud technology innovation.
Speakers:
Vincent M. Walden, CPA, CFE
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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Christopher Pembrook, CPA, MBA, CGAP, CRFA
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.
Speakers:
Andy Sexton
Chad Ayers
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.
Speakers:
Gary Cokins, MBA, CPIM
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.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
If you are efficient and want to learn lessons from the best in a short time, this seminar is for you. Popular speaker Don Minges will review the key lessons from five fantastic business books that will help you become more effective. The topics are; leadership, how to create a valuable business, how to turnaround a business, how to make terrific presentations and how do humans think? These lessons are valuable for every business leader.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze common audit deficiencies
Identify proper methods of performing risk assessment and documentation
Recall best practices for auditing estimates
Recognize changes to auditing standards for estimates and risk assessment
Instructor:
Melisa F. Galasso, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Review common deficiencies identified by the AICPA and state boards of accountancy.
- Feature discussion on a variety of topics, including analytical procedures, sampling, group audits and risk assessment.
- Review of the areas of concern and how you can overcome them by employing best practices.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall reasons to create controls such as to reduce errors, thwart fraud or enhance efficiency
Distinguish between proactively and reactively created measures
Identify control type segments such as administrative or operation level measures
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
- Control design basics
- Areas or segments of an enterprise to control
- Controls to reduce risk
- Controls to drive operations
Robbie offers findings on strategies that work to improve DEI efforts based on best practices and interviews with experts in the field. Please note that for those of you who have taken courses from Robbie there will be some duplication and much new content. This session is designed for people who wish for a more fair and just world and workplace.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Explore ethical values and principles related to diversity, equity and inclusion
Raise awareness of systematic injustices in the workplace
Provoke curiosity and reflection about self with regard to unconscious bias, assumptions, and microaggression
Learn some ways to intervene when witnessing unethical practices and behaviors
Offer examples of successful initiatives of DEI
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz and Jennifer Sullivan
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Overview of ethics
- Ethical values and principles
- DEI working definitions
- Unconscious bias, assumptions, microaggressions
- Standing Up and Speaking Out
- DEI and Organizational Responsibility
Each topic and each day stand on its own. If you are not sure about making a multi-day commitment, sign up for just a single day. We think you will come back for more!
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
Rob Berry, CPA
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Richard A. Karwic, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
James R Laird, CPA/ABV, CVA
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.
Speakers:
Jill Schiefelbein
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!
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
If you...
- Produce or revise dashboards and reports
- Find your current reports and dashboards confusing
- Are frustrated by the length, complexity and structure of your existing reports
- Have many different styles of dashboards and reports in use and want to simplify things
- Need to create a consistent “house style” that can be replicated by different teams
- Want to look like a star by creating reports and dashboards that your internal customers love
... this workshop can help. In this session we explore the principles of what makes reports and dashboards easy, or hard, to understand, distil this into a simple set of rules and show you how to apply these rules using Excel.
Speakers:
Bernie Smith
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.
Speakers:
Joy Principe
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.
Speakers:
Mark Hugh, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
We all want to be successful and deeply fulfilled, but most of us have not learned what really leads to a life of abundance, happiness, purpose, and great relationships. In this seminar, you will learn the most effective methods for creating the life you really want. In his interviews with such people as Oprah, the Dalai Lama, Deepak Chopra, Tony Robbins, Ted Turner, and dozens of others, Jonathan has learned what really works and what does not. In this seminar you’ll learn the best personal and professional growth techniques he’s acquired over his career. Once you know these great ideas and methods, you'll be able to take your life and career to a whole new level.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
In today’s real estate market, IRC §1031 tax-deferred exchanges can be one of the most important planning tools available to the real estate investor. The use of this technique is filled with pitfalls and traps. This new course will assist the practitioner in understanding the mechanics of a tax-deferred exchange and the value of a tax-deferred exchange in both tax and financial planning.
Updated August 2022
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Jordon Rosen, CPA, MST, AEP®
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.
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
Professional codes of ethics provide guidance to professionals who are frequently required to choose between doing the right thing and the wrong thing. Sometimes, professionals violate their ethical code and do the wrong thing for what they rationalize is the right reason. This session uses the popular television show "Ozark" and its multiple examples of seemingly good people doing bad things for the right reason to define ethics as well as explore why people make unethical choices and how they justify those choices.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
Two conmen used lies and falsified documents to convince the State of Tennessee to give them a $3,000,000 economic development grant to create 1,000 jobs by purchasing and rehabilitating a vacant factory in rural Tennessee. Instead, they spent most of the money on an extravagant lifestyle and invested over $1M in a scheme to defraud the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) out of over $30,000,000 pursuant to a contract to provide the tarps for areas such as Puerto Rico, affected by hurricanes. This session provides a detailed case study of how the investigators accumulated, organized, and analyzed hundreds of documents, identified the falsifications and misrepresentations, conducted multiple interviews, and ultimately convicted the conmen. This case study provides multiple takeaways for detecting and investigating grant fraud, which is especially relevant in light of the numerous federal stimulus programs in recent years.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
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.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Bob Mims, CPA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall recent court cases on substantive partnership tax issues.
Analyze new IRS initiatives for passthrough taxpayers.
Recognize the current state of conservation easement syndicate partnerships.
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Court decisions covering partnership issues such as TEFRA, Statute of Limitations, Economic Substance, and Sec. 754 Elections.
- IRS procedural updates on passthrough entities.
- New developments on conservation easements.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
- 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 2024 DOL Final Rule
- Real Estate professional requirements
- Review of pertinent cases and rulings affecting taxpayers
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Develop an outline of presentation topics
Draft talking points for a media interview
Edit your written work for clarity and length
Adapt content depth and delivery as appropriate for the intended audience
Recognize best practices for both written and verbal formats
Avoid plagiarism by providing appropriate credit for sourced material
Enhance audience engagement
Instructor:
Chris Harper, CPA
Fields of Study:
Communications and Marketing
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Pervasive best practices for effective communication
- Specific strategies for written materials
- Unique considerations for verbal presentations
- The importance of recursive revision
- Tips for success
- Pitfalls to avoid
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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!)
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
The world of work today has never before faced so many simultaneous changes. From rising turnover and rising employee disengagement to the changing psychology of the workforce, the world of work is changing fast. In order to understand how to thrive in this complex landscape - we must begin by understanding the key drivers of change. What is changing in the world of work, why are these changes happening, and what can we expect will continue to change and what may not change. These are the elements we will explore in this class.
Speakers:
Steve Cadigan
Why not learn, or re-learn, some amazing business lessons from the past that are still effective today? What did Henry Ford do when annual employee turnover was 370% and workers demanded more pay? Sound familiar to today’s world? Ford’s solution worked! We see today’s problems and believe that these problems have never occurred before. Not true. We will discuss timeless business lessons that are as practical today as when they were written decades ago. We will review; ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People,’ ‘Today and Tomorrow,’ and ‘The Art of War.’ Let's learn from the very best, as these lessons have been battle-tested and proven over time.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Design effective prompts to extract meaningful, context-rich responses from AI in financial contexts.Identify strategies to overcome AI's "lazy" response defaults and elicit deeper analysis.Apply multi-layered prompting techniques to explore topics from different perspectives and depths.Evaluate the impact of using candid and contrarian prompts for balanced financial insights.Use specialized prompts to uncover ripple and cobra effects in financial scenarios.Develop an "Avoid Stupidity" checklist for avoiding common mistakes in AI-assisted financial tasks.Integrate perspective-based prompts to receive responses tailored to accounting-specific viewpoints.Automate repetitive accounting tasks by prompting AI for optimized workflows.Utilize emotion-driven prompts to improve the quality and engagement of AI responses.Implement practical prompt engineering techniques to enhance accuracy and depth in financial analysis.
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Introduction to Prompt Engineering: Basics of structuring effective prompts for meaningful AI responses.
Understanding AI's "Lazy" Defaults: Why LLMs provide basic answers and how to push them to deliver richer insights.
Multi-Layered Prompting: Techniques to encourage AI to provide responses across beginner to expert levels.
Candid and Contrarian Responses: Using prompts that elicit honest and balanced insights, even on controversial topics.
Ripple Effect and Cobra Effect: Probing the broader impacts and unintended consequences of financial decisions.
Avoid Stupidity Checklist: A practical prompt for reducing mistakes in AI-assisted accounting tasks.
Role-Based Perspective Prompts: Crafting prompts that guide AI to respond from specific professional viewpoints.
Automation Ideas: Leveraging AI to optimize repetitive accounting tasks.
Emotion-Driven Prompting: Exploring how emotion-focused prompts can enhance AI performance and engagement.
Practical Applications in Accounting: How to apply prompt engineering in real-world financial analysis and decision-making.
Strategic Planning for SMEs
Speakers:
William F. O’Brien, MBA, CPA
“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.
Speakers:
Joy Principe
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Learn how one proven tech stack replaced more than half a traditional team while improving client satisfaction and reducing overhead. Walk away with practical steps to streamline operations, automate repetitive tasks, and focus your resources on what really matters.
Attendees will gain practical insights into streamlining operations, automating repetitive tasks, and focusing resources on high-value activities. The session also includes an exclusive look at a proven tech stack used to replace over half a traditional team, offering actionable steps to create a leaner, tech-driven, scalable firm.
Perfect for firm owners ready to rethink staffing, reduce overhead, and embrace the future of accounting efficiency.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Find and Automate the Right Tasks: spot tasks and processes that can be automated, using the latest tech to make your business more efficient and free up valuable time.Use Outsourcing to Grow: choose the right outsourcing opportunities that fit your business needs, tap into specialized skills while keeping costs down.Integrate Scalable Tech Solutions: bring technology into your business in a way that supports growth, simplifies workflows, and saves you money.
Instructor:
Sharrin Fuller
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- How to leverage tech and automation to fill workflow gaps,
- How to build a strong tech stack, and connect tools seamlessly.
- How one proven tech stack replaced more than half a traditional team while improving client satisfaction and reducing overhead.
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.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
Most of the models of work that we use today were not built for the pace of change and the dynamism of work today. In this course, you will learn how so many models we use at work are fundamentally broken and no longer useful. Models that rely on people staying a long time in a firm are no longer helpful in a reality where employees are staying for increasingly shorter periods with their employers. This course will reveal how so much of the architecture of work was not built with short tenure in mind: career paths, compensation, and retention objectives.
Speakers:
Steve Cadigan
Leaders were once chosen for their character, but today we live in an age where loudmouthed extroverts seem to take center stage in everything, including business, politics and entertainment. While the talkative, charismatic leader makes the front page of business magazines, recent research shows that successful business leaders tend to be more reserved, pensive and sometimes outright shy. Learn why your desire to spend significant time inside your own head may be your greatest asset. Whether you are introverted or not, you likely work with, manage or are a related to an introvert. We will discuss proven methods to better understand introverts, how to manage them, and how to get the most out of their amazing talents. If you want to enhance your leadership skills, this seminar is for you.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
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.
Speakers:
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
This course aims to reveal many examples of companies, leaders and industries who are building new talent models. The world of work is less certain than ever before and this world requires experimentation. In this course you will learn about many experiments that organizations are deploying to build a new model that fits the pace of change the world is experiencing today. IN this course we will consider many new models and approaches and learn from them. In a world of work with few benchmarks - today organizations need to learn how to experiment and become the benchmark.
Speakers:
Steve Cadigan
If a great leader is someone we are willing to sacrifice for – what do those leaders do that makes us want to do more? Many of us work in dysfunctional organizations that want followers, but have no leaders that lead. What makes a leader effective? True leaders sacrifice, they are trustworthy and they empathize. We discuss the steps to take so you can become a true leader: including, integrity, humility, communication, self-control and self-awareness. With diligence, you can become a better leader and we will discuss how.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
This course provides in-depth information to enable the practitioner to make a well-informed decision as to whether a trust is the appropriate vehicle for a client’s financial, estate, and/or asset protection plan, and, if so, how the trust can best be implemented and operated. Participants will learn about the many different types of trusts that can be harnessed to save clients income, estate, generation-skipping, and other taxes, at both the federal and state level.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Jane Mims, PhD.
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.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
On the financial front, the course covers the 9 ASUs issued in 2023, including ASUs covering crypto assets and leases for common control entities. In addition to a financial accounting update, the course will discuss what you will need to do differently as you adopt new audit standards 142–149 over the next few years, including a detailed review of the audit requirements under SAS 142. The course will also cover the key changes related to SSARS No. 25. Finally, the course reviews the AICPA’s quality management project.
In summary, the course is your go-to source for all things A&A and will prepare you for your upcoming engagements throughout the rest of the year.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Jason Carney, CPA, PMP, CISA
Field of Study:
Accounting (4), Auditing (4)
Major Topics:
- 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
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (8)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify some of the security risks that affect electronic information
Select cloud storage providers by employing vetting process
Recognize the steps to effectively set up and control cloud storage
Recall ways to add security to individual electronic documents as well as to storage areas that must be controlled
Instructor:
Karl Egnatoff, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this course include:
- Securing individual documents
- Protecting information resident in the Cloud
- Securing data stored on or accessed by mobile devices
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify the key changes in recently issued AICPA auditing standards
Recognize common audit deficiencies as identified in peer reviews
Distinguish common audit deficiencies as identified in lawsuits centered on audit engagements
Instructor:
Walter J. Haig
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:
- AICPA auditing standards issued during the 18-month period prior to the program that impact audits of Small- and Medium- sized entities (SMEs)
- The new SAS 145 risk assessment requirements
- The new SAS 134 as amended audit reports
- How to fulfill responsibility to detect fraud under AU-C Section 240
- How to help clients design, implement and maintain their internal controls
- Troublesome areas in the audits of Small- and Medium-sized Entities (SMEs) as identified in peer reviews and litigation
- How to perform profitable audits of Small- and medium-Sized Entities (SMEs)
Key Takeaways:
Understand the fundamental principles of AI and its applications in marketing.
Learn how to leverage AI tools and technologies to enhance your marketing campaigns.
Discover practical strategies for integrating AI into your firm's marketing workflow.
Gain insights into measuring the effectiveness of your AI-driven marketing efforts.
Explore real-life case studies and success stories of firms that have successfully implemented AI in their marketing strategies.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to harness the power of AI, streamline your marketing processes, and achieve remarkable results for your firm. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the competition and lead your firm to new heights with AI-enabled marketing
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Recall the fundamental principles of AI and its applications in marketing.Leverage AI tools and technologies to enhance marketing campaigns.Utilize practical strategies for integrating AI into your firm's marketing workflow.Measure the effectiveness of AI-driven marketing efforts.Compare real-life case studies and success stories of successful AI implementations in marketing.
Instructor:
Gaynor Hardy (Meilke), MS, CBC
Fields of Study:
Communications and Marketing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Module 1: Introduction to AI in Marketing
- The Basics of AI – Concepts and Terminology
- The Basics of AI – Concepts and Terminology
- Module 2: Leveraging AI Tools and Technologies
Overview of AI Tools for Marketing
- Module 3: Practical Strategies for AI Integration
Integrating AI into Your Marketing Workflow
- Module 4: Measuring AI-Driven Marketing Effectiveness
Key Metrics for Assessing AI-Driven Campaigns
- Module 5: Real-Life Case Studies and Success Stories
Case Studies of Firms Successfully Using AI in Marketing
Module 6: Developing Your AI-Enabled Marketing Strategy
Creating a Custom AI Marketing Strategy
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify specific applications for AI in accounting, auditing, tax and advisory services
Recognize the potential to leverage AI technology to reduce costs and increase revenue
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Implementing AI for accounting automation
- Enhancing auditing processes with AI tools
- AI applications in tax compliance
- Leveraging AI for business advisory services
What if being nice, or specifically being a positive best version of yourself, made 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.
Speakers:
John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM
Dr. Harry D. Cohen, PhD
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
Now more than ever, navigating loss, grief and crisis in the workplace is a skillset that leaders must possess. Keeping the heart in human resources is so important, especially in this post-pandemic state we are living in. We will explore ways that you can show empathy to your employees while also balancing your business needs.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
The Art of Accountability is a dynamic training session tailored for leaders seeking to cultivate a culture of accountability while fostering respect and trust within their teams. High morale is intrinsically linked to high accountability in todays fast-paced work environment.
Speakers:
Summer Jelinek
The Accountant role is evolving from data aggregation to knowledge extraction, with a significant emphasis on understanding and leveraging technological advancements. In this era of rapid digital transformation, it is crucial for accountants to grasp the shift towards more analytical roles, learn the tools, and integrate Business Intelligence (BI) and Data Analytics (DA) in their organization and daily practices. This course will focus on raising the accountant's awareness of BI and DA practices, the impact of AI technologies like ChatGPT, and how these can benefit their organization. By embracing these technologies, accountants can enhance their value proposition by transitioning from traditional accounting roles to becoming strategic advisors and decision-makers.
Speakers:
James T. Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Estate planning continues to evolve, and staying informed about the latest trends and strategies is crucial for professionals in the field. This forward-looking course delves into the intricacies of estate planning, with a specific focus on current issues. Participants will explore cutting-edge techniques, emerging legal considerations, and industry developments to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to create effective estate plans that withstand the test of time and safeguard their clients' legacies.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
Young doctors sometimes arrive at an exotic medical diagnosis (You've got Kuru!), when a more common place explanation is likely (You've got a cold). These diagnoses are known as Zebras and doctors are taught, "When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses not zebras". Sometimes, the patient really has a rare disease and suffers from misdiagnosis and subsequent improper treatment. Similarly, managers, auditors, and investigators often see indicators of fraud, but dismiss them because they've been taught or assume based upon experience that it is just a mistake that looks like fraud. This session uses case studies to explore some of the more common symptoms of fraud that are often misdiagnosed.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
This comprehensive 8-hour course explores the pervasive issue of fraud in State and Local governments. Our panel of experts from inside and outside government will provide participants with the tools and knowledge necessary to identify, prevent, and respond to fraudulent activities in State and local governments.
The course begins by examining the types of fraud commonly encountered in governmental settings, including financial fraud, procurement fraud, and abuse of power. With our experienced panelists, participants will delve into real-world case studies to understand the tactics used by fraudsters and the impact on public trust, resources, and governance. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding regulatory frameworks and compliance measures designed to mitigate fraud risks.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Mr. Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
Daniel Porter
Cindy Byrd
Fraud continues to plague businesses at epidemic levels, and technology control failures are a big reason fraud occurs. Using a case study approach, in this session, you will learn about the pervasiveness of fraud, the control failures that contribute to fraud, and what you can do to mitigate fraud risk.
A specific focus of this course is the application of information technology general controls and information technology application controls. In this course, you will examine numerous reported fraud cases and identify the general control and application control failures that contributed to each of these frauds. By learning through these real-world case studies, you will be better positioned to reduce fraud risk.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Internal controls are more important than ever, and their importance increases daily. However, internal controls present a challenge for many smaller organizations. This program will teach you how to evaluate, develop, and implement an effective internal control structure in a small business environment. You will identify how to assess risk in smaller organizations and implement preventive, detective, deterrent, and compensating controls to mitigate these risks, even without proper segregation of duties. Additionally, participating in this program will teach you technology-focused techniques for preventing and detecting fraud and securing information systems and sensitive data.
For small organizations, maintaining an effective system of internal controls presents a significant challenge. Realistically, implementing many theoretical concepts surrounding internal controls may not be possible in some cases. Consequently, many internal control structures foster an environment where too much risk exists. This factor and uncontrolled information systems can often lead to disastrous results. Participate in this program to learn the necessary insights and tools to design, implement, and monitor effective internal controls, security, and anti-fraud measures in small organizations.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Objectives:
- State the basic distinctions between various entity types
- Identify when self-employment taxes must be paid by a flow-through entity owner
- Recognize how an S corporation can avoid the built-in gains tax
- Recall which entity types may make a PTE election under IRS Notice 2020-75
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- Considerations for a small business owner
- Self-employment taxes
- Guaranteed payments to partners
- QBI deductions: Section 199A
- Built-in gains tax: S corporations
- Excess passive income tax: S corporations
- PTE elections: S corporations and partnerships
- Taxation of fringe benefits: S corporations
- Double taxation of C corporation dividends
- Taxation of limited liability companies
- Which entity to choose?
From a tax perspective, in terms of selecting an entity to do business in, the universe shifted with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted at the end of 2017. The tax rate for C corporations was lowered to 21% and the §199A deduction offered pass-through entities the chance to significantly lower the rate at which they are taxed. But how do all these options work and which option is best for which business? Those questions are at the heart of this webinar.
In this program, we discuss whether there is a “best entity” for our clients. Tax practitioners know that re-examining choice of entity determination is at the top of the agenda for client meetings because clients continue to want reassurance that they have the most tax-efficient entity structure. This program will equip you with the knowledge and insights you need to lead those discussions.
Objectives:
- Help clients choose the tax entity that is most advantageous to them
Presenters:
Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA
Bob Lickwar, CPA
Field of Study:
Taxes (2)
Major Topics:
- 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.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Determine the common weaknesses in a criminal tax investigation.
Identify the key documents to review (In a sea of thousands of documents).
Select questions for your client to use in court proceedings.
Instructor:
Robert Nordlander, CPA, CFE
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
- The common weaknesses in a criminal tax investigation.
- The key documents to review (In a sea of thousands of documents).
- Crafting questions to recommend in court proceeding.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the nature, timing, and extent of planned audit procedures that can (and should) vary commensurate with assessed risk of material misstatement.
Assess common deficiencies in performing and documenting further audit procedures, including tests of details.
Recall tips for strengthening the design, documentation and evaluation of substantive analytic procedures.
Recognize how to properly satisfy the requirement to evaluate and communicate internal control matters noted during the course the financial statement audit.
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Risk Assessment - Properly assessing inherent, control, and detection risk on an engagement, and linking the results to an appropriately tailored detailed audit plan based on risk assessment and client service goals, regardless of entity type.
- Substantive Analytics- Leveraging strong substantive analytic procedures as audit evidence to cut back on tests of details.
- Selecting items to test common misunderstandings related to designing, performing and concluding on tests of details, including sampling.
- Identifying and Evaluating Internal Control Deficiencies - Emphasizing the importance of identifying both design and operating effectiveness deficiencies during the course of the audit, and how to properly categorize deficiencies as inconsequential, significant or material for impact on the audit or required communications with management and those charged with governance.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Assess the differences between traditional software and AI technologies in accountingIdentify specific applications of AI that can enhance accounting workflows and servicesEvaluate current accounting processes to determine opportunities for AI enhancementDevelop strategies to balance automation with maintaining valuable client relationshipsApply AI-driven approaches to offer higher-value advisory and strategic servicesCreate a framework for continuous learning and adaptation to emerging AI technologiesAnalyze the unique value human accountants bring in an AI-augmented profession
Instructor:
Garrett Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FIBP
Fields of Study:
Information Technology
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Fundamentals of AI and how it differs from traditional accounting software
- Generative AI, AI agents, and embedded AI applications in accounting
- AI-powered automation for routine accounting tasks and workflows
- Data security and privacy considerations in digital accounting environments
- Strategies for maintaining client relationships while embracing automation
- Future trends including frontier AI models and embodied AI (robotics)
- Practical implementation of AI tools in accounting practice management
There are multiple facets to ethical choices, including should you use your ‘head’ or your ‘heart’? What are the pros and the cons? How can we balance these opposing views?
This seminar outlines the value of; trust, courage, fairness, sensitivity, persistence, honesty and gracefulness – to help us make better ethical decisions.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Bob Mims, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
The ancient Romans had a saying about using caution when appointing someone to a position of trust, "don't set a wolf to watch the sheep". That saying is in use today and has changed to include "don't put a fox to guard the henhouses";. The thought is similar, but the wolf and fox are vastly different animals. Wolves rely upon their strength to survive while foxes rely on their cunning. Like foxes, fraudsters rely upon their cunning to defeat or circumvent internal controls. This session reviews the investigation of a deputy court clerk who exploited a weakness in internal controls and committed fraud in the courthouse.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
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.
Speakers:
Jane Mims, PhD.
QuickBooks remains one of the leading accounting solutions for small and growing businesses and Intuit has added numerous advanced features to the application over the past few releases. In this seminar, you will learn how to take advantage of many of QuickBooks’ new and advanced features to solve important issues. For example, you will learn advanced inventory management techniques, including the ability to change the default costing methodology in QuickBooks, and implementing lot and serial number tracking. You will also learn how to build complete sets of financial statements in Excel that link in real-time to underlying QuickBooks data files and how to create multi-company financial statements. Additionally, you will learn how to put the Client Data Review feature to work to streamline the process of identifying and correcting errors and closing accounting periods in QuickBooks.
Knowing how to take advantage of the advanced tools and features available can determine your level of success when working with QuickBooks. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about QuickBooks’ “deep” features so that you maximize your effectiveness with the application.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish the newest tax developments and changes to the Internal Revenue Code
Select effective and efficient techniques for implementing new standards
Instructor:
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Current individual tax issues
- Current business entity tax issues
- Any current tax legislation occurring during the period
- Other issues affecting the profession, including IRS procedure, current cases, payroll, and other federal tax issues
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recall enterprise-wide risk management best practices for identifying, evaluating, and determining how to respond to relevant risks.
Recognize the importance of risk and uncertainty disclosures in the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements, including evolving risks with cybersecurity and ESG.
Identify how to coordinate risk management efforts, including the required involvement of corporate governance.
Recall how to embed risk management into day-to-day accounting and finance activities.
Instructor:
Jennifer F. Louis, CPA
Fields of Study:
Management Services
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Enterprise-wide risk management best practices for identifying, evaluating, and determining how to respond to relevant risks.
- The importance of risk and uncertainty disclosures in the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements, including evolving risks with cybersecurity and ESG.
- Coordinating risk management efforts, including the required involvement of corporate governance.
- How to embed risk management into day-to-day accounting and finance activities.
Microsoft 365/Office 365 continues to grow and evolve, yet most utilize only a fraction of the tools available in their subscription. For example, powerful resources such as SharePoint Online and audio and video conferencing can change how your organization communicates and collaborates. In contrast, more personal apps such as Teams, Planner, Flow, and Sway allow individuals to work more efficiently and effectively in virtually all facets of their jobs. Further, security enhancements to Office 365 mean that your organization can take advantage of all these features in a highly secure environment.
Isn’t it time you learned how to move beyond the traditional Microsoft 365/Office 365 applications such as Excel, Word, and Outlook and unleash all your subscription offers? Join us in this fast-paced and highly interactive seminar where you will learn what you need to know to succeed with Microsoft 365/Office 365.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recall the audit assertions applicable to the expenses & payables balances.
Recognize risks & threats to the expenses & payables balances.
Identify substantive auditing procedures that are used to obtain comfort over expenses & payables.
Instructor:
Jaclyn M. Veno, CPA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The basics of auditing expenses.
- Accrued liabilities and other payables.
- Relates audit assertions, risks, and threats to the expenses and payables balances.
- Substantive auditing procedures to peform.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
Allison M. McLeod, LL.M., CPA
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
Learn why creating an employer brand is so important and instrumental in competing in today's competitive marketplace. Elevate your recruiting experience for candidates and onboarding process for new hires to enhance your employer's brand.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
While outsourcing and automation have been used in multinational corporations, the decline in accounting program enrollment at many universities has made finding qualified entry-level staff more challenging and forced a new conversation about these tools in small and mid-sized businesses. This session will discuss the business environment for outsourcing and review the ethical, regulatory, and practical considerations associated with revealing data and relying on the work of others in your organization.
Speakers:
Brian F. Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMA
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.
Speakers:
Arthur Werner
The QuickBooks platform is a robust environment with features and capabilities that many users are unaware of or do not know how to utilize effectively. This course helps you get more out of QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online and resolve the issues that even experienced QuickBooks users struggle with, such as locking down prior periods. This program starts fast with a chapter covering the top issues accountants face with QuickBooks. The day continues with practical guidance and solutions designed to help accountants get the most out of QuickBooks for themselves or their clients. You will learn about issues, such as setting up a new company, configuring and customizing QuickBooks preferences, and enabling system security and password protection features. Also, you will learn how to lock down transactions in prior periods, the audit trail, customizing reports, exporting reports to Excel, and extending QuickBooks’ usefulness with tools such as the Fixed Asset Manager and Loan Manager.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Fraud continues to plague businesses at epidemic levels, and technology control failures are a significant reason fraud occurs. Using a case study approach, in this session, you will learn about the pervasiveness of fraud, the control failures that contribute to fraud, and what you can do to mitigate fraud risk.
A specific focus of this course is the application of information technology general controls and information technology application controls. In this course, you will examine numerous reported fraud cases and identify the general control and application control failures that contributed to each of these frauds. By learning through these real-world case studies, you will be positioned better to reduce fraud risk.
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
Most business professionals have used Excel for years, often without the benefit of any formal training. Thus, they don't know about key features in the application and, therefore, don't use them. Of course, this leads to inefficiencies and errors. Isn't it time to stop this madness? This session is for you if you're ready to become more efficient and effective with Excel! You will learn ten critical features that can help you get more work done in less time and improve your accuracy. We encourage you to make plans to join us for this session to learn the best ways of working with Excel!
Speakers:
Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA
In addition to providing tools to conduct effective appraisals, we will also look at the ethical implications of employee reviews. When done well, performance management has the power to improve communication between managers and their staff as well as help foster stronger career paths and routes for growth. It can motivate, re-engage, and energize everyone involved. Ethical values such as fairness, accountability, respect, intellectual honesty, and trust will be incorporated into this session.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Recognize how to collaboratively set standards of performance
Recall how to prepare and conduct performance appraisals that are fair, respectful, and effective
Identify common rater bias and legal considerations of performance management
Recall principles of feedback and coaching regarding performance
Instructor:
Robbie Glantz
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Definition and Benefits of Ethical Performance Management
- Setting Standards/Goal setting
- Preparing and Conducting the Appraisal Interview
- Legal Considerations in Performance Management
- Avoiding Rater Bias
- Feedback and Coaching
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After completing this course, you will be able to:
Identify the most recent FASB accounting and financial statement reporting standards.
Instructor:
Allison M. Henry, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- CECL for nonfinancial institutions.
- Accounting for Paycheck Protection Program loans.
- Accounting for web-hosting services.
- Revenue recognition.
- Leases.
- FASB projects in progress.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Analyze the various ways that data can be misleading.
Recognize that data interpretation is affected by many factors.
Identify how these factors can lead to pitfalls in interpretation.
Overcome data interpretation pitfalls.
Instructor:
Keely Gohl, CPA, CGMA
Fields of Study:
Auditing
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Ways in which data and information can be misleading
- Common pitfalls when encountering data
- How to re-evaluate the data to avoid those pitfalls
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
The standard also requires information about the following categories:
- disaggregation of revenue
- contract balances
- performance obligations
This webinar will deal directly with disclosure requirements for the standard. Several courses currently exist on the platform related to an overview of the standard and deep dive into individual steps of the standards.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
The saying goes it takes a Village to raise a child. Well, the same goes for running and growing a successful business. For CPA firm owners, the same applies to you. This session will share how you can align with others and create partnerships to boost revenue and take your firm to the next level.
Speakers:
Nellie Akalp
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.
Speakers:
Jane Mims, PhD.
Objectives:
- Identify the most common legal issues arising in the business context
- Recognize the role that accountants can play in identifying and resolving legal problems
- Identify compliance aspects of different entity types
Presenters:
Dave Peters, CPA, CFP, CLU, CPCU, MST, MBA
Field of Study:
Business Law (4)
Major Topics:
- Contract principles
- Legal issues related to various types of business organizations
- Worker classification
- Employee rights and the duties of employers
- Real property law
With only a few months to go before the AICPA’s Statement on Quality Management Standards 1, 2, and 3 (SQMS 1, SQMS 2, and SQMS 3, respectively), SSARS No. 26, SAS 146, and SSAE 23 are required to be implemented, this course can help you meet the deadline. It focuses not simply on theory but on HOW to perform the steps involved.
The Quality Management Suite of Standards must be implemented by December 15, 2025. The standards modernize the firm’s approach to quality to reflect an increased focus on risk assessment, technology use, and the presence of outside experts on many engagements. Beginning with performing a risk-based approach, the standards provide accounting firms with the ability to enhance their quality control by shifting their focus to a proactive approach (management) from a reactive approach (control).
The results of the firm’s risk assessment will form the basis of its new Quality Management document. This is not just a tweak of the old document but a more robust document that adds new requirements from the new standards.
We will cover how to perform a risk assessment, including the key provisions of the standards, and how to effectively implement a monitoring plan. We will also review how the firm will evaluate its System of Quality Management beginning in 2026.
Objectives:
- 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
Presenters:
Marci Thomas, CPA
Field of Study:
Auditing (2)
Major Topics:
- 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
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Implement practical strategies based on a thorough understanding of the complex rules for partnership distributions of propertyIdentify and recall key compliance issuesIdentify and recall significant issues in the Form 7217
Instructor:
Steven C. Dilley, CPA, JD, PhD
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Property distributions in liquidation of a partner’s interest
- Section 751 and its impact on property distributions from a partnership
- Mechanics of completing Form 7217 – new for 2024
- The Section 754 election and its role in partnership property distributions
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Recognize the ethical implications and risks associated with the use of generative AI
Identify specific methods you can put into practice to ensure the ethical and safe use of AI
Instructor:
John Higgins, CPA.CITP
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Understanding ethical implications of AI
- Data privacy and security considerations
- Compliance with regulations and professional standards
- Developing ethical AI policies and procedures
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify characteristics of the gig economy and its participants
Distinguish unique circumstances encountered by gig economy participants
Analyze implications of independent contractor considerations
Identify recordkeeping, reporting and attestation issues for independent contractors
Recognize unique regulatory compliance and external reporting considerations
Identify best practices for CPAs who serve independent contractor clientele
Instructor:
Dr. Christopher J. Harper, CPA, MBA
Fields of Study:
Accounting
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Characteristics unique to the gig economy
- Independent contractor and employee classification considerations
- Recordkeeping considerations for independent contractors
- Accounting and reporting issues for gig economy participants
- Audit and attestation for clients who participate in the gig economy
- Tax and regulatory considerations
- The CPA as a trusted advisor for independent contractors
Professional Codes of Conduct make Ethics seem easy and clear cut. However, this is not so in real life. This session discusses five cases where the ethics is not so clear cut. What should be considered? We will explain how you can be more diligent and maintain awareness of ethical issues to become more effective and enhance the reputation of the profession.
Speakers:
Don Minges, MBA
J. Michael Inzina
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.
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
In this course, we will share tips and tricks for working remotely. You will learn what to do/what not to do in a virtual working environment, strategies for leading teams remotely, employee engagement ideas, and techniques and tools for teleworking.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
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.
Speakers:
Steve Cadigan
This session reviews the three elements of fraud, how fraudsters think, how proper internal controls can prevent and detect fraud, and the red flags to look for to identify fraud. It looks at Radar O'Reilly, one of the most beloved characters of the TV show M*A*S*H. He was trusted by his boss to run the administrative side of the US Army medical unit. Were there red flags all around Radar? Did he have the opportunity to steal? Was he a fraudster? We'll find out? Attendees learn to recognize the traits of this type fraudster that are present in many organization. Case studies of various Radars are included.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
This comprehensive 8-hour course explores the pervasive issue of fraud in State and Local governments. Our panel of experts from inside and outside government will provide participants with the tools and knowledge necessary to identify, prevent, and respond to fraudulent activities in State and local governments.
The course begins by examining the types of fraud commonly encountered in governmental settings, including financial fraud, procurement fraud, and abuse of power. With our experienced panelists, participants will delve into real-world case studies to understand the tactics used by fraudsters and the impact on public trust, resources, and governance. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding regulatory frameworks and compliance measures designed to mitigate fraud risks.
Speakers:
Frank Crawford, CPA
Mr. Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM
Daniel Porter
Cindy Byrd
Artificial intelligence (AI) brings opportunities for accountants and finance professionals in the short term to improve efficiency and accuracy, while providing more value for businesses and customers alike. In the long term, AI will offer profound changes to how professionals work and process data. This course is designed to review where we are and where we are headed in the world of AI.
Objectives:
- Be familiar with the fundamentals of artificial intelligence
- Recognize the different types of artificial intelligence in use today
- Understand how artificial intelligence will change the accounting and finance professions
- Be able to explain data security and privacy best practices
Presenters:
Jason Cornell, Esq.
Field of Study:
Information Technology (2)
Major Topics:
- What is artificial intelligence?
- What are the different forms of artificial intelligence?
- The difference between artificial intelligence and machine learning
- The types of problems artificial intelligence can solve
- The role of algorithms
- How artificial intelligence will affect accounting and finance careers
- Data governance, security, and privacy
- How accounting firms are using AI today
- The role of artificial intelligence in asset management
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Distinguish the importance of clarity in CPA communications
Apply strategies to simplify complex financial information for diverse audiences
Implement persuasive communication techniques to enhance professional influence
Build trust-based relationships by leveraging credibility and transparency
Analyze and learn from real-world case studies involving CPA-client interactions
Employ active listening skills to reinforce client engagement and interpretation
Utilize principles from Influencer to drive change and improve communication efficacy
Instructor:
Tammy Daugherty
Fields of Study:
Communications and Marketing
Personal Development
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Techniques for simplifying complex financial information for clients and stakeholders
- Persuasive communication principles aligned with CPA roles
- Building and maintaining trust and credibility with diverse stakeholders
- Case studies and Interviews with Finance, Accounting and CPA professionals
- Developing empathy and emotional intelligence in communications
- Best practices for active listening to strengthen client relationships
- Application of Influencer principles for impactful change in communication
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify the basic advantages of Distributions V. Salary/Wages
Assess the consequences of an IRS re-characterization of distributions
Review Reasonable Compensation in the courts
Select the IRS guidelines for determining Reasonable Compensation
Determine when Reasonable Compensation applies to your client
Illustrate advanced scenarios
Examine Tips from the pros and IRS Red Flags
Study why Reasonable Compensation has become a priority for the SB/SE division of the IRS
Identify options for determining Reasonable Compensation
Instructor:
Paul Hamann
Fields of Study:
Taxes
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Explain the payroll tax advantage of taking distributions over wages
- Review key court cases that shape todays reasonable compensation landscape
- How to use court factors to stress test reasonable compensation
- Best practices for determining reasonable compensation
- Review of the IRS’s enforcement on reasonable compensation; past, present and future
Each topic and each day stand on its own. If you are not sure about making a multi-day commitment, sign up for just a single day. We think you will come back for more!
Speakers:
Bob Mims, CPA
Rob Berry, CPA
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.
Speakers:
Jonathan Robinson, MA, MFT
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.
Speakers:
Daniel Porter, CFE
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
Through engaging, real-life "What would you do?" scenarios, an exploration of the principles of ethical intelligence, and a few fun writing exercises, you'll gain practical insights you can apply professionally and personally.
We'll also answer some frequently asked questions about ethics that will enrich your understanding of a topic you can't afford to ignore.
We end with a Call to Action, so that you can put the lessons you learn into practice immediately.
You'll leave with the tools to foster trust, build a thriving practice, and impress clients with the high standards of service you live by.
Who knew an ethics webinar could be both practical and fun?
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Identify five ethical principles that are the basis of a solid, built-to-last accounting practice
Apply these principles to a range of "What should I do?" scenarios you encounter
Determine the ethically intelligent choice in every aspect of your business and in your personal life too
Instructor:
Bruce Weinstein
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- The five principles of ethical intelligence
- How to make the right decisions in a range of challenging situations
- The fundamental ethical principal, "Do No Harm"
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation you will be able to...
Identify the elements of the "Ethical Diamond"
Distinguish between the effects of a crisis and burnout on ethics
Select methods for reducing stress, supporting your coworkers, and ensuring compliance
Instructor:
Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CMA, CIA, CFF, CGMA, MS
Fields of Study:
Behavioral Ethics
Major Topics:
The major topics covered in this class include:
- Explore the effects of crisis and burnout on ethical decision-making
- Define the stressors, pressures, and biases that can lead good people to make less than optimal choices
- Discuss ways to offset the pressures, ways to reduce stress on ourselves and on our team, and ways to support our teams
- Learn how to recognize when an individual or an organization is heading in the wrong direction and how to stop sliding down the slippery slope
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.
Speakers:
Mike Mirarchi
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!
Speakers:
Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM
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.
Speakers:
Steve Cadigan
With increasing competition for finding the best qualified candidates and retaining today’s workforce, it’s more important than ever to consider flexible work options in the workplace. We will review the most popular flexible work options your company could consider implementing: telecommuting, compressed work weeks, flexible hours, phased return from leave of absence, job sharing, early release days, and more! We’ll discuss the benefits of this talent management strategy, including increased productivity, decreased costs, better work-life “integration”, and increased employee engagement and satisfaction. You’ll learn how to propose flexible scheduling to your executive team, including how to logistically roll out this program. Whether you’re in a manufacturing plant, corporate headquarters, or retail industry, you can apply any of these flexible work options to your organization.
Speakers:
Kelly Simants, SHRM-SPC
This course takes a deep dive into the critical aspects of using Power BI to its fullest potential, emphasizing a holistic approach to data analytics. You'll learn how to build a streamlined workflow, ensuring every step in your data journey contributes to actionable insights. The course also focuses on optimizing performance for data models, utilizing advanced features of Power BI Services, and moving beyond basic data models to create advanced solutions tailored to real-world business needs.
By the end of the course, you'll be able to synthesize all your Power BI skills to design and deliver powerful analytics solutions tailored to any audience. Whether you're presenting to stakeholders, sharing insights across teams, or managing enterprise-level reporting, this course will equip you with the tools and strategies to succeed. Perfect for Power BI users looking to tie all the pieces together into a comprehensive, efficient workflow.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...
Categorize the components of an efficient Power BI workflow and identify areas for optimization.
Evaluate Power BI performance metrics and apply optimization techniques for enhanced usability.
Assess the capabilities of Power BI Services to effectively share, collaborate, and manage data insights across teams and organizations.
Instructor:
Bryan L. Smith, CPA.CITP, CISA
Fields of Study:
Computer Software & Applications
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Building a Comprehensive Workflow in Power BI: Streamline and enhance your end-to-end data processes for improved efficiency and clarity.
- Exploring What's Next After Creating Data Models and Measures: Understand advanced strategies to further enhance the value of your existing data models.
- Best Practices for Performance Optimization: Learn key tips to ensure smooth, fast, and reliable performance in your existing data models.
- Leveraging Your Data Model Through PowerBI.com/Power BI Services: Explore advanced functionalities of Power BI Services to make your data insights more accessible and impactful.
The updated 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.
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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
Speakers:
Lynn Fountain
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.
Speakers:
Jane Mims, PhD.
This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Objectives:
After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Assess your organizational culture Evaluate the benefits of a great culture Determine what servant leadership is Coach employees using a servant leadership style
Instructor:
Jim Bitterle
Fields of Study:
Business Management & Organization
Major Topics:
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:
- Assessing your organization’s culture
- The benefits of great cultures
- The basics of what servant leadership is, and is not
- How to coach using a servant leadership style
Use the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline financial analysis, uncover deeper insights, and enhance decision-making. Learn how to leverage AI tools to analyze financial statements more efficiently, identify trends and anomalies, and make data-driven recommendations with confidence. Gain cutting-edge techniques to elevate your financial analysis to drive strategic outcomes.
Major subjects:
- How AI is transforming financial statement analysis
- Automating financial data collection and processing
- Detecting anomalies and trends with AI
- Predictive analytics and forecasting
- Enhancing reporting and visualization with AI
- Understand AI’s role in financial analysis.
- Gain skills to use AI for efficiently gathering and processing financial data from statements and other sources.
- Develop the ability to leverage AI for analyzing key financial statements, ratios and performance metrics.
Credits: 1.5 (NASBA FOS: Information Technology)
Speaker: Tommy Stephens
Prerequisites:
- Comprehension of basic AI capabilities and concepts
- Fundamental understanding of privacy and security risks
- Understanding of basic Excel commands
Level: Intermediate
Member Price: $75
Non-member Price: $10
Packed with practical tips and perspectives on data gathering, this course is a "must" gateway for beginning and intermediate preparers that will allow participants to appreciate the 990’s underlying parameters and somewhat convoluted disclosure paths.
Program Content:
- Overview of the Form 990's design and goals behind the Core Form’s and Schedules
- Address of the key factors that make a third-party organization a "related organization"
- Exploration of the key definitions comprising Part VII-A’s managers (i.e., “TDOKEs”): Trustee/Director (TD)/Officer (O)/Key Employee (KE) and “High 5s”, two of which categories are based upon the definition (and magnitude) of "reportable compensation"
- Understanding the definitions of "family member”, “business relationship”, "independence" and “35% controlled entity which are central to both Core Form Part VI and Schedule L
- Sequencing of the form's preparation tasks and appreciating who will likely be the providers of relevant caches of data
- Need for 990-filers to engage a filer’s Board of Directors in understanding what the completed Form 990 conveys to the public and regulators
- Appreciate the public relations and regulatory impact of the 12-page Core Form and the most-common substantive-topic Schedules
- Identify the circumstances "triggering" each of the 15 substantive-topic Schedules
- Master the six key Glossary Terms that all 990 preparers must be able to apply
- Embrace the impact of Board member’s failure to be "independent" when they are the subject directly or indirectly, of Schedule L reporting
- Discern the variety of parties most likely to be able to provide preparers with the data necessary to correctly disclose information relating to the 990's inquiries
- Recognize the value of, and discern approaches appropriate to, public relation sensitive disclosures and presenting the completed form to a filer's Board
Prerequisites: Familiarity with the nonprofit sector helpful, but not necessary
Developed and Instructed By: Eve Rose Borenstein, J.D. (via Eve Rose Borenstein, LLC)
Unlock the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance your research and reporting by learning how to leverage AI tools to gather data, analyze trends, and create compelling, data-driven reports in a fraction of the time. Gain cutting-edge techniques to streamline your research process, ensure accuracy, and generate impactful insights.
Major subjects:
- AI for data collection and analysis
- Accelerating research tasks
- AI-assisted reporting techniques
- Understand the role of AI in research in reporting
- Leverage AI for efficient data collection and analysis
- Increase efficiency of research processes with AI tools
- Implement AI in your reporting workflow
Credits: 1.5 (NASBA FOS: Information Technology)
Speaker: Jennifer Elder
Designed for: Accounting and financial professionals seeking to learn how to use artificial intelligence to improve business processes
Prerequisites: None
Level: Basic
Member Price: $75
Non-member Price: $10
This course is for you if you have been leery of working with PivotTables or have struggled to realize their many benefits. With some information, guidance, and coaching from your K2 instructor, you will be ready to use PivotTables to analyze and report on extensive data sets in a fraction of the time you spend completing such tasks.
Major Topics:
• PivotTable fundamentals, including Recommended PivotTables and the six elements of PivotTables
• Formatting PivotTables
• Advanced PivotTable techniques and options, including consolidation PivotTables, user-defined calculations, and working with Power Pivot
• Analytical techniques available in PivotTables
Learning Objectives:
• Identify the six main elements of a PivotTable report and their use when creating PivotTables
• Create PivotTables and manipulate data in PivotTables using grouping techniques, modified Field Settings, user-defined calculations, and sorting and filtering options
• Import and link data from external data sources into PivotTables; additionally, use Tables and Data Models as data sources for PivotTables
• Create Consolidation PivotTables to consolidate data from multiple data sources in Excel
• Construct PivotTables in enterprise-class organizations using Power Pivot and Slicers
• Analyze data in PivotTables using tools and techniques, such as sorting, filtering, Excel’s GETPIVOTDATA function, and PivotCharts
• Apply specific PivotTable methods to solve problems in areas of PivotTable formatting, creating multiple PivotTables from a single data source, grouping PivotTable data into fiscal reporting periods, and keeping PivotTable row order intact
Who Should Attend: Accounting and financial professionals who want to use the power of Excel PivotTables to analyze and summarize data
Program Level: Advanced
Field of Study: 4 hours Accounting and 4 hours Computer Software and Applications (8 CPE)
Prerequisites: Fundamental knowledge of Microsoft Office Excel 2019 or newer
Today’s best practices for Excel differ significantly from those used in the past, and you will learn the best ways to work with Excel spreadsheets in this “must-see” CPE program. Course materials include relevant examples to enhance your learning experience. Join us for this program to help you utilize Excel fully.
Major Topics:
- Best practices associated with creating Excel workbooks, including managing workbooks
- How to secure Excel workbooks
- Collaboration options and best practices in Excel
- Effective reporting techniques in Excel
- List critical spreadsheet design fundamentals
- Identify techniques used to minimize data input errors
- Utilize Excel’s Table feature as a foundational component of spreadsheets
- Identify and implement three different methods for consolidating data
- Utilize various Excel features, such as Go To Special, to solve specific spreadsheet issues
- List and apply four techniques for sharing an Excel workbook and collaborating with others
- Implement different practices for auditing and error-checking Excel workbooks, including Trace Precedents, Trace Dependents, and Formula Auditing
- Identify the advantages of working with Defined Names in Excel
- List and apply six techniques for securing Excel data
Program Level: Intermediate
Field of Study: Computer Software and Applications (8 CPE)
Prerequisites: Fundamental knowledge of Microsoft Office Excel 2019 or newer
This course will teach you about “technoethics” and its implications for individuals and organizations. To that end, you will explore many current and emerging issues associated with ethics and technology, such as copyrights, cybercrimes, privacy versus security, and geo-tracking technologies. Given the profound implications of ethics and technology, this could be the most impactful session you will ever attend.
Major Topics:
• Understanding the differences between ethics, morals, and laws
• Key technology issues that can impact ethical behavior in businesses
• Examples of potential ethical conflicts precipitated by modern technologies
Learning Objectives:
• Distinguish between morals and ethics
• Define “technoethics” and identify examples of business ethics issues and how they are affected by technology
• Recognize the influence of ethics requirements in Codes of Conduct
• List at least five examples of potential ethical issues associated with leading technologies today
Who Should Attend: CPAs who desire a deeper understanding of critical ethical issues facing accountants today
Program Level: Basic
Field of Study: Behavioral Ethics (4 CPE)
Prerequisites: None
This session will teach you practical applications of today’s AI and automation tools. Moving beyond fundamental discussions, you will learn how to use AI and automation to streamline workflows, improve internal control, maximize productivity, and even improve team member morale. In addition, you will learn about some potential pitfalls associated with these technologies and how to avoid making mistakes when using these tools. In sum, this session is “must-see CPE,” and you should plan to participate in this class today.
Major Topics:
• Practical opportunities to leverage artificial intelligence and automation in business settings
• Potential risks associated with using AI and automation, including inherent ethical issues
• Pros and cons associated with tools such as ChatGPT, Bard, Power Automate, and Zapier
Learning Objectives:
• List potential benefits and risks associated with artificial intelligence and automation
• Identify examples of tasks that you can improve using AI
• List examples of how you can use Power Automate and similar tools to automate tasks
• Specify characteristics of tasks that lend themselves to automated workflows
Who Should Attend: CPAs and other accounting, financial, and business professionals who want to work more efficiently using AI and automation
Program Level: Intermediate
Field of Study: Computer Software and Applications (4 CPE)
Prerequisites: Fundamental understanding of business technologies and workflows
Program Content:
- The benefits of a 501(c)(3) organization being classified as a public charity rather than a private foundation (and how Schedule A, Part I "claims" qualification as such)
- The public policy precepts and approach preparers need apply in demonstrating filer has met the predominant "public support test" which is demonstrated at Schedule A's Part II
- The overarching needs and preparation tasks of Schedule B and related worksheets, including which donors are to be listed and with what identifying information required (dependent on the filer’s 501(c)-subsection); and what information 501(c)(3) filers may omit from the 990’s public inspection copy
- Recognize function of Schedule A Part I in reporting the primary basis of a filer’s non-private foundation classification in the tax year, regardless of prior years' qualification
- Identify the revenue input differences underlying each of the two public support tests' bottom-line "public support” percentage-result evaluated over rolling five tax year periods
- Understand "public support" as a measure of donors’ diversity (or of those purchasing related services) and appreciate that both public support tests apply limits on how much of a donor’s gifts (or a purchaser of service’s fees) can comprise “public support”
- Identify the pertinent reporting conventions applicable in Schedule B for disclosing donors' contributions (and/or donors' identity to the IRS or via public inspection conventions)
- Embrace and appreciate: (a) the key six inquiries in Part VI of the 990 and their public relations impact; (b) the narratives to be provided in relation to those key Part VI lines, and (c) that the face of the Form is misleading as to what are appropriate narratives!
- Learn the objective criteria by which the Board can garner a “Yes” answer to the inquiry at Part VI’s Line 11a with respect having been provided the Form 990 pre-filing
- Identify the multiple disclosures required when a management company is employed at any time in the tax year being reported upon and contrast these with Part VII-A reporting
Prerequisites: Some familiarity with the nonprofit sector
Developed and Instructed By: Eve Rose Borenstein, J.D. (via Eve Rose Borenstein, LLC)