Calendar of Events - North Dakota CPA Society

Get the best value CPE package on the market. For one low price, enjoy 12 months of access to every Surgent CPE course in every online format--plus unlimited CPE credits! This is the only package that includes premium courses, such as our late-breaking tax updates and specialized courses. Order now and you'll receive access instructions via email, so you'll be able to start.

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Get the best value CPE package on the market. For one low price, enjoy 12 months of access to every Surgent CPE course in every online format--plus unlimited CPE credits! This is the only package that includes premium courses, such as our late-breaking updates, specialized courses, and our Weekly Expert Hour.

Order now and you'll receive access instructions via email from info@surgent.com. You'll be able to start registering for live webinars and accessing self-study courses right away. Earn as much CPE and explore as many topics as you'd like for one full year from the date of purchase.

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Surgent's Unlimited Webinar Package get unlimited access to our webinar catalog.

With 40+ webinars offered every week, including weekends, airing at a variety of convenient times throughout the day and evening, you’ll never have to worry about our webinars fitting in your schedule. And with the most modern webinar platform in the industry and interactive courses with renowned expert discussion leaders you’ll get the guidance and analysis you need with an unmatched customer experience.

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Includes 12 month of access to:

• 8,000+ credits
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• Downloadable course material and supplements
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What's Included? Click here to view the current course list:
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* Note: this package does not include premium webinar

Surgent's Unlimited Webinar Package

Surgent's Unlimited Webinar Package get unlimited access to our webinar catalog.

With 40+ webinars offered every week, including weekends, airing at a variety of convenient times throughout the day and evening, you’ll never have to worry about our webinars fitting in your schedule. And with the most modern webinar platform in the industry and interactive courses with renowned expert discussion leaders you’ll get the guidance and analysis you need with an unmatched customer experience.

As a member, you pay just $520.00 – 30% off Surgent’s retail price!
 
Why Choose the Unlimited Webinar Package?

Includes 12 month of access to:

• 8,000+ credits
• 2,100+ live webinars
• Interactive Q&A with renowned subject matter experts
• Downloadable course material and supplements
• Certificate delivery within 24 hours

 
What's Included? Click here to view the current course list:
https://www.surgentcpe.com/cpe-courses/webinars#/?Readyforsale=Yes&Includedinunlm=True&sref= 
 
* Note: this package does not include premium webinar

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Surgent's Unlimited Self-Study Package includes every PDF download course in Surgent’s catalog – over 250 courses, each from 2-16 credits.

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Get 12 months of access to the most practical guidance and analysis in the industry in the form of downloadable pdfs. With over 250 courses, including ethics, accompanied by reference materials, you can learn anytime, anywhere at a pace that works for you.

And when you’re ready, take the test with instant results and immediate certificate delivery. Order today and immediately start downloading the course material you need for the next 12 months.

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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!

Those charged with governance, with the assistance of internal audit,  are responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of the organization, and ensuring value is delivered to the entity's stakeholders. This course will provide guidance on fulfilling the responsibility for challenging how much risk and uncertainty to accept through the application of COSO's Enterprise Risk Management Framework.

• Evaluate the role of financial professionals in incident response planning and execution
• Analyze real-world cybersecurity incidents to identify lessons for organizational improvement
• Apply frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to practical scenarios
• Collaborate effectively with IT and legal teams during cybersecurity crises
• Develop strategies for integrating incident response lessons into proactive risk management

• Frameworks for incident response (e.g., NIST Cybersecurity Framework)
• Case studies of notable AI-powered cybersecurity incidents (e.g., ransomware, data breaches)
• Practical tips for financial professionals to manage crises
• Post-incident analysis and lessons learned
• Building organizational resilience through continuous improvement

With the increasing complexity and ever-changing nature of tax laws and issues, today’s accountant needs a one-day update course focusing on business income tax issues with an emphasis of newly enacted income tax legislation. This comprehensive class will not only review the current Federal business income tax laws but will also update tax return preparers of new tax forms, changes to existing tax forms, as well as tax planning opportunities and pitfalls. This is a “must-attend” course for all tax practitioners who want to be up to speed quickly and have a successful Federal business income tax filing season.

**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

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Accounting and finance managers and executives must demonstrate sound soft skills necessary for personal growth and organizational success.  This course will provide insights into the most crtical  personal skills critical for CFOs and Controllers - or those that want to be!

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.

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.

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

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

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

• Understand the advantages and disadvantages of the major pension-planning options for small- and medium-sized business owners
• Help clients evaluate pension plan options and select the best pension-planning option for them

• Factors business owners should take into account when choosing a retirement plan
• SIMPLE plans
• Simplified employee pension plans
• 401(k) plans
• Defined benefit plans
• Ensuring eligible employees are covered
• Employees’ impact on choice of plan
• Ongoing compliance requirements
• Establishing a plan after the tax year end
• Changes to safe harbor 401(k) plans
• Pooled employer plans
• Defined benefit plans and cash balance plans

Fraud has not been conquered.  Although most organizations like to think, “it can’t happen to us,” the fact of the matter is that fraud can happen to any organization and its impact can be catastrophic.  Accountability professionals are the first line of defense against fraud. When fraud happens, management always turns to the accountability professional and either says (a) “this must be your fault,” or (b) “you were right; you warned us; help us make sure this cannot happen again.” Consequently, accountants, internal auditors, external auditors, fraud examiners, and risk management professionals need to develop the skills needed to prevent, detect, and deter fraud and need to be proactive in promoting and effecting organizational change.

According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ (ACFE) 2024 Report to the Nations:

• The median loss per fraud case is $145,000; the average loss per fraud case is $1.7 million.
• 43% of frauds are discovered by tips, usually from employees.
• Asset misappropriation schemes are the most common (89%) but least costly ($120,000 median loss).
• Financial statement fraud schemes are the least common (5%) but most costly ($766,000 median loss).
• Corruption is the most common scheme in all global regions.
• Median losses for frauds by owners/executives ($459,000) were more than 7X GREATER than those carried out by employees ($60,000).
• 84% of fraudsters exhibited at least one behavioral red flag.
• Organizations that have implemented anti-fraud measures suffer significantly lower losses and find fraud much more quickly.

These conclusions are alarming and should be a wake-up call for all business and government professionals. The impact of fraud is always devastating and can be catastrophic.  The 2025 Business Fraud Update is another fast-moving seminar that will provide a comprehensive look at the latest developments about fraud from the technical, legal, and operational perspectives and update participants on the most recent legal and regulatory developments in this important area of professional responsibility.  

In addition, our panel of legal, accountability, and forensic experts will explain key steps and methods in conducting a successful fraud investigation:

• Establishing predicate for an investigation
• Gathering and preserving evidence
• Conducting interviews and obtaining confessions
• When to involve law enforcement professionals and regulators
• The CPA's Role
• Preparing an expert report
• Providing expert testimony
• Implementing corrective action plans

Do you ever get blank looks when you present your company's financial statements?  Does your board nod knowingly, during your presentation, but never seem to have any meaningful questions?  It could be that they have no idea what you are talking about and are just pretending to understand!  Learn how to connect with your CEO, board, fellow managers, and ordinary employees so they understand your message.

If you have ever had someone just read you the rules in an ethics class, you know there is a better way.  Cases in Corporate Ethics reviews 8 real life cases and puts you in the position of someone in the middle of it all. You'll learn about conflicts that corporate financial professionals often encounter, you'll gain skills for dealing with a boss who is behaving badly and find out where to go for help.

Once you have studied ethics using real world cases, you'll never want to do it any other way.

Working with a small business, you know that keeping the company's finances in order is critical to success. While numerous software programs and tools are available to help you do this, they vary substantially in many significant aspects. In addition to conventional options like QuickBooks and Sage 50, you can choose from Cloud-based tools such as Zoho Books, QuickBooks Online, Spire Systems, Xero, Accounting Suite, Accounting Power, and many more. In this session, we'll look at the best accounting tools for small businesses and discuss the benefits of each one. This session covers accounting solutions that should work for startups and companies with up to $10 million in annual revenue. We also cover various add-on solutions that can enhance the overall functionality of your accounting platform. Join us to learn your options for achieving your small business management financial goals.

This course will address the most recent tax legislation, IRS guidance and developments occurring in 2024-25 that will impact business taxpayers. Designed to prepare the practitioner for the upcoming filing season, this course will provide useful strategies to assist in the tax preparation process.

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

This comprehensive course covers the most common aspects and tax implications of S Corporations, providing a deep dive into their structure, tax treatment, and compliance requirements. Participants will learn the mechanics of electing Subchapter S status, with discussions on Form 2553 and relief options for late filings. The course also explores the application of Rev. Proc. 2022-19 and Rev. Proc. 2023-3, analyzing their differences and implications under I.R.C. §1361 and §1362. Key topics include corporate formalities, shareholder stock and debt basis, and highlights of Form 1120S and its schedules (K-1, K-2, and K-3). Additionally, participants will gain insights into officer reasonable compensation requirements, audit strategies, and corrective measures for eligibility errors.

*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

Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs), unique, identifiable digital assets based on blockchain technologies, have become a fast-growing industry. This course will provide a background on how NFTs came into the mainstream marketplace.  These materials will assist the practitioner to understand the tax implications of the creation, purchase and sale of these 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.

The Secure Act 2.0 was passed in a flurry of year-end legislation. This one hour program will cover the important changes that individuals need to know about contributions to accounts and new ways of accessing these funds.  This course will provide a concise look at these hot topics.  

**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.

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. 

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.

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.

Bitcoin and crypto have been in the news recently for a variety of reasons. This course will cover the basics of accounting and auditing for cryptocurrency, including recent standard setting by the FASB as well as a look at the AICPA's Accounting for and Auditing of Digital Assets practice aid.

Financial accounting for trusts and estates is one of the least understood branches of accounting. It is not particularly concerned with recording income and expenses but is obsessed with determining whether receipts and expenditures are assigned to income or principal/corpus. This course will dive into this tricky area and provide a reporting guide for fiduciary accounting.

Hacks, attacks, ransomware, malware – where does it end? Unfortunately, tech crimes continue to plague businesses of all sizes. Participate in this session to learn how you can reduce the risk of becoming yet another victim.

This course addresses the most recent legislative developments impacting individual taxpayers, with a focus on important provisions, rules and concepts to apply when preparing client returns. 

**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.

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.

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

Accounting and finance managers and executives must demonstrate sound technical and analytical necessary for personal growth and organizational success. This course will provide insights into the most critical technical and analytical skills needed by CFOs and Controllers - or those that want to be!

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.

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.

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?

Why can it be hard to automate accounting? Because many accountants don’t know their options and, therefore, fail to reap the rewards of accounting automation.

This session will teach you how easy and profitable accounting automation can be. In it, you will learn how to automate many traditional accounting processes, often with technology you already own. In addition to bank feeds, you will learn about automation options for processing accounts payable and receivable, approving transactions, and linking data from one platform to another. If you are serious about improving efficiency and accuracy, you should make plans to attend this session.

This course provides an in-depth comparative analysis of Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) and S Corporations, focusing on their tax implications, compliance requirements, and operational structures. Participants will explore key aspects of entity formation, tax treatment, and compliance with corporate formalities. Topics include electing Subchapter S status, mechanics of Form 2553, and relief options for late filings under Rev. Proc. 2022-19. The course also highlights entity-specific tax forms, accountable plans, taxable fringe benefits, officer reasonable compensation, estate planning, business continuation planning, and audit strategies. Additionally, participants will review Schedules K-1, K-2, K-3, and effectively connected income for both entity types.

*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

Whether you asked for it (or not) and its here!  The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed on July 4.  This program will dig into the meat of the Act that will matter to your clients, including No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, increased Section 199A Deduction, 100% Section 168(k) Bonus and much, much more!

*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

Fraud has not been conquered.  Although most organizations like to think, “it can’t happen to us,” the fact of the matter is that fraud can happen to any organization and its impact can be catastrophic.  Accountability professionals are the first line of defense against fraud. When fraud happens, management always turns to the accountability professional and either says (a) “this must be your fault,” or (b) “you were right; you warned us; help us make sure this cannot happen again.” Consequently, accountants, internal auditors, external auditors, fraud examiners, and risk management professionals need to develop the skills needed to prevent, detect, and deter fraud and need to be proactive in promoting and effecting organizational change.

According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ (ACFE) 2024 Report to the Nations:

• The median loss per fraud case is $145,000; the average loss per fraud case is $1.7 million.
• 43% of frauds are discovered by tips, usually from employees.
• Asset misappropriation schemes are the most common (89%) but least costly ($120,000 median loss).
• Financial statement fraud schemes are the least common (5%) but most costly ($766,000 median loss).
• Corruption is the most common scheme in all global regions.
• Median losses for frauds by owners/executives ($459,000) were more than 7X GREATER than those carried out by employees ($60,000).
• 84% of fraudsters exhibited at least one behavioral red flag.
• Organizations that have implemented anti-fraud measures suffer significantly lower losses and find fraud much more quickly.

These conclusions are alarming and should be a wake-up call for all business and government professionals. The impact of fraud is always devastating and can be catastrophic.  The 2025 Business Fraud Update is another fast-moving seminar that will provide a comprehensive look at the latest developments about fraud from the technical, legal, and operational perspectives and update participants on the most recent legal and regulatory developments in this important area of professional responsibility.  

In addition, our panel of legal, accountability, and forensic experts will explain key steps and methods in conducting a successful fraud investigation:

• Establishing predicate for an investigation
• Gathering and preserving evidence
• Conducting interviews and obtaining confessions
• When to involve law enforcement professionals and regulators
• The CPA's Role
• Preparing an expert report
• Providing expert testimony
• Implementing corrective action plans

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.

The majority of peer review deficiencies and malpractice claims result from nonaudit services. This course will provide best practices for avoiding legal liability and quality control concerns.

This course will serve as an introduction to conducting effective walkthroughs to gain an understanding of the client's transaction processes as well as identify internal controls within each process. This course will review the procedures, questions to ask, and documentation requirements of walkthroughs. It will also include real-world examples of the red flags that may arise while executing a walkthrough. 

• 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

• 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

Obligating Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) by December 31, 2024 is essential to ensure a recipient does not have to return funds to the Treasury. There are a number of requirements to properly obligate SLFRF funds and opportunities to make changes to projects after the obligation deadline. In this course, we will define what an obligation is under SLFRF, review guidance from the Treasury, learn how to meet the SLFRF obligation deadline in multiple areas, and identify when changes can be made to estimates, contracts, and subawards after the obligation deadline.

Staying up to date with advances in today's technology has never been more vital, and K2's Tech Update equips you with the knowledge to stay ahead of the rapid pace of innovation. This comprehensive session is designed for accountants who want to understand the evolving technological landscape and its implications for the accounting profession. Which technology trends are worth monitoring? What are the proper hardware and software products for your strategic and tactical plans? How do Artificial Intelligence, quantum computing, Software-as-a-Service, and productivity suites like Microsoft 365 influence practice, especially since this year marks the 40th anniversary of the release of Excel? Separate vendor hype from reality and discover how to achieve a 2X or more return on investment from your technology expenditures. Attendees will leave with actionable insights, including ideas they may not have previously considered.

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.
 

• Understand which income tax returns and schedules have changed for individuals and pass-through entities
• Identify the legislative, administrative, and judicial developments that affect the income tax returns and schedules of individuals and pass-through entities

• Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation
• Comprehensive coverage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)
• The latest IRS guidance on recent tax legislation
• Hot developments affecting the upcoming tax season
• Review of new laws and changes in forms to provide a familiarity for the upcoming tax season
• Key new tax and practice developments and how they impact the current-year tax forms for individuals

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.

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.

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.  

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?

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.

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.

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.

SAS 145, Understanding the Entity and Its Environment and Assessing the Risks of Material Misstatement, was issued in October 2021. This audit standard amends AU-C 315, making many changes to address common audit deficiencies. This course will provide an overview of SAS 145 and its changes to AU-C 315.

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.

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.

Sampling is often identified as a common audit deficiency in peer review. This course will review when is sampling applicable and basics of planning a sample. We'll then focus on the application of sampling in financial statement audits with a look at sampling for substantive procedures. We'll look at the use of monetary unit sampling and tools that can be leveraged to reduce bias in sampling.

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.

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.
 

This session provides insights for enhancing the preparation and utilization of budgets. Seasoned accountants will benefit from a refreshed awareness of popular techniques.  Budding financial professionals will obtain novel insight regarding fundamental budgeting concepts. All participants will develop an appreciation for the holistic nature of budgeting as an integral tool for planning and control. 

This course will dive into the fundamentals of fiduciary accounting and provide a reporting guide for determining whether receipts and expenditures are assigned to income or principal/corpus. 

This course will examine certain qualities a leader must exhibit to set an ethical tone from the top.

This course focuses on the key federal tax issues affecting business from the internal accountant's point of view, with a focus on the major ramifications of the TCJA and other recent tax legislation and developments.  Planning alternatives and the potential risks associated with those strategies will also be discussed.   

**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.

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.

This course examines the critical issues and special opportunities facing partnerships and their partners, with a focus on reporting tax basis capital accounts. 

**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.

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. 

The SSTS are tax standards that apply to all members who provide tax services and provide the framework for the AICPA ethical guidance for tax practitioners.  This program explores the revised AICPA Statements on Standards for Tax Services, effective January 1, 2024.  

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.

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.
 

Gift taxation is a critical component of estate planning, and Form 709 serves as the key reporting tool. This course provides a comprehensive line-by-line guide to preparing Form 709, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Participants will learn how to determine taxable gifts, apply exclusions, and utilize available deductions. Special attention will be given to valuation techniques, gift-splitting, and generation-skipping transfer tax (GSTT) considerations. Additionally, this course will examine any new legislative changes from the current administration and how they may impact gift tax planning and reporting.

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

The Secure Act 2.0 was passed in a flurry of year-end legislation. This one hour program will cover the important changes that employers need to know about company retirement plans. Employers will also need to consider how Secure Act 2.0 will the administration of existing plans or the creation of new ones.  This course will provide a concise look at these hot topics. 

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

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

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. 

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

This session provides an overview regarding recent standards that should be top-of-mind for auditors in addition to providing insight regarding auditing standards that will soon be effective. 

Please join us for an introductory course in international cross border transactions.    We will discuss typical situations in which a cross-border transaction arises, and how a taxpayer can utilize the rules to potentially decrease an entities effective tax rate.  Other issues, such as documentation and IRS audit risk will also be covered.  These rules will be illustrated by a hypothetical US- Canada transaction.   

**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 leighanne.conroy@acpen.com.
 

Collaboration is a key to productivity and success. But remote work can make collaboration more challenging, including collaborating on spreadsheets. Fortunately, tools such as portals with check-in/check-out capabilities, version control, comment tracking, and co-authoring can enable online spreadsheet collaboration. Further, Excel’s Inquire tool can facilitate spreadsheet collaboration in offline environments.

Don’t let remote work hamper your spreadsheet collaboration needs! Participate in this session to learn how to collaborate on spreadsheets effectively from anywhere using tools you already own or license.

Practitioners need to exercise caution to ensure they maintain independence as they assist their clients with reviews, audits, and compilation engagements. This course provides a roadmap to best practices and guidance provided by the AICPA's Code of Professional Conduct and analyzes and applies it to actual scenario-based case studies, providing accounting professionals with ethical standards to integrate into their practices.

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.

This presentation will provide a detailed analysis of the Circular 230 rules for conduct of a tax practice, with a review of the political, legislative and regulatory rules impacting every accounting and tax professional. Best practices and guidance provided by the AICPA’s Code of Professional Conduct will be discussed.

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

This 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. 
 

This session focuses on the power of pivot tables within Microsoft Excel. We initially discuss the creation of pivot tables and various ways to summarize information. Then we explore ways to utilize summarized pivot table data. The course uses several practical examples that should inspire participants to find their own creative uses for pivot tables.

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.

This course presents an overview of tax treaties and how they are used in structuring transactions and determining the tax impact of cross-border transactions.  It discusses the ordering rules for local laws versus treaty laws, and the purpose of the tax treaties in avoiding and eliminating double taxation to promote trade and investment. The participant will learn about  planning opportunities to contemplate when structuring foreign operations. 

**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.
 

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.
 

Accountants are expected to demonstrate a questioning mindset. While such professional skepticism is an obvious requirement for assurance engagements, it is applicable elsewhere in the practice of public accounting. In fact, a skeptical mindset offers benefits to both public accountants and those who work in industry. This course provides specific examples of professional skepticism while suggesting best practices.

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.
 

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.

 

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.

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

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

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

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

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

• Explain the similarities and differences between tested income, Subpart F, and PFIC regimes
• Understand the mechanics of income inclusions and foreign tax credits available under tested income, Subpart F, and PFIC regimes
• Compare and contrast the overall tax liability under different circumstances
• Identify tax-planning opportunities for income from foreign corporations

• Understand how to approach and analyze the U.S. taxation of foreign corporations
• Using an example, calculate tested income, 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
• Compare different outcomes and discuss the impact of Section 962 election
• Identify basic strategies for managing tax liabilities related to foreign corporations

This program will address the complex rules for partnership distribution of property with a focus on liquidating of a partner's interest, Section 751 and how to complete the new Form 7217.

• 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

• Reading a tax return for developing client-specific tax strategies
• Changes to the lifetime estate tax exemption considering 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 - the latest on the looming solvency crisis
• 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 program addresses Form W-9 and the TIN solicitation and back-up withholding rules; discusses the 2025 filing requirements for the tax information reporting Forms 1099-NEC and -MISC; as well as recent legislation amending the Form 1099-K reporting threshold for 2025 and changing Form 1099-NEC and Form 1099-MISC reporting thresholds for 2026; and reviews mandatory electronic filing of Forms 1099 and the three IRS e-filing systems available for 2025 tax information returns.  The presentation also includes a brief overview of the reporting and withholding rules for payments of U.S. source income made to non-U.S. persons, and current guidance on the reporting rules for purchases of software and cloud transactions.

• 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

• 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 course provides junior tax professionals with a strong foundation in individual tax preparation for the 2025 tax year, focusing on Form 1040 and key schedules. Participants will gain step-by-step guidance on filing requirements, income reporting, deductions, tax credits, and compliance standards under Circular 230.

Emphasizing preparer due diligence and ethical responsibilities, the course also covers recent tax law updates, including potential changes from the expiration of TCJA provisions. It introduces essential forms such as Schedule C, Schedule E, Form 7203, and Form 7217 to ensure participants understand business income, rental income, and shareholder reporting. By the end, junior staff will be equipped to prepare individual tax returns accurately and maintain IRS compliance.

*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

Security and privacy issues must be top-of-mind concerns for business professionals using AI. Yet, for far too many of these K2’s AI – Security And Privacy Issues professionals, no concern is given for the potential security and privacy risks associated with AI, setting the stage for potentially disastrous results!

In this session, you will learn about AI security and privacy risks and how to manage them. This session includes discussions of the major AI companies’ security and privacy policies, how AI platforms might use your data, and how you can stay in control. Given how quickly AI is spreading, this is one session you simply cannot afford to miss.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

This course will address recent tax legislation, rules, and developments related to capitalization and depreciation; Section 179 and 168(k) 100 % bonus deduction; Depreciation of automobiles, including new luxury auto limits; ADS depreciation for electing farm and real estate business.

**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.

• 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

• Lower marginal tax rates made permanent
• New, more generous depreciation rules for bonus and Section 179
• Qualified production property and bonus depreciation
• Full expensing of domestic research and experimental expenditures
• Rev. Proc. 2025-28 and options for small taxpayers
• Taking advantage of the QBI deduction
• Taking advantage of the SALT cap and the pass-through entity tax
• Form 1099 reporting changes
• Deducting business interest and business losses
• Taking advantage of the new Section 1202 tax regime

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.

• Understand the fundamental concepts of AI and its relevance to accounting
• Explore various AI applications in accounting and finance
• Identify the benefits and challenges associated with integrating AI into accounting processes
• Examine case studies of successful AI implementation in accounting firms
• Discuss the future trends and potential impacts of AI on the accounting profession

• Understanding narrow AI vs. general AI
• Machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), neural networks
• Natural language processing (NLP) and its role in accounting
• AI applications in accounting and finance
• Automated data entry and processing
• Expense management automation
• AI-driven audit support and compliance monitoring
• Financial forecasting and risk assessment
• Benefits and challenges of integrating AI
• Enhancing efficiency and accuracy in accounting processes
• Ethical considerations and risk management in AI adoption
• Overcoming resistance to AI implementation within firms
• Lessons learned from AI-driven transformations in finance departments
• Predicting AI's influence on the future of the accounting profession
• Preparing for the evolving role of accountants in an AI-enhanced environment

Stay informed and prepared with this comprehensive annual update on the latest developments in accounting and auditing. We'll begin with a deep dive into the Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) effective in 2025, followed by insights from the FAF's 2024 PCC Review and an overview of FASB's Invitation to Comment - Agenda Consultation, which will shape the future of accounting standards. On the auditing side, we'll tackle the essential changes in quality management standards that firms must implement by the end of 2025. The session will also highlight 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). Join us to gain practical insights and actionable takeaways to navigate these updates with confidence.

Most tax practitioners have multiple clients involved in some aspect of real estate whether as developers, builders, brokers or investors.  This course will explore critical tax issues directly targeted at real estate activities and real estate entities. This ACPEN course will include a panel of national tax practitioners and experts reviewing these complex rules as well as the latest judicial, legislative and regulatory developments affecting real estate including pending tax legislation.

*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

Practitioners and members in industry responsible for accounting and financial reporting for nonprofit and governmental entities.
Stay up-to-date on rapidly changing developments by participating in the 2025 Governmental Accounting and Auditing Update! Take advantage of this opportunity to find out about breaking government issues. This is your opportunity to hear about the latest challenges facing state and local governments and practitioners who work with them and audit them, presented by leading experts on governmental accounting and auditing, both those who work in the trenches and those from the regulatory world.

With all of the fiscal, regulatory, and new standards challenges facing governments and their auditors, it is important to keep current on critical issues and developments. In 2025, governments and their auditors continue to operate in a rapidly changing environment as they continue to face the many challenges associated with significant federal funding with complex requirements. From a governmental accounting, auditing, and compliance perspective, 2025 will be a critical year for addressing the complex federal and local funding challenges as well as focusing on implementing new standards and requirements! Plus, it is imperative that you start planning for the significant changes coming in 2025 and beyond! Exciting new topics this year include focused discussions on addressing the new GASB pronouncement on financial reporting model improvements and capital asset disclosures, artificial intelligence and governments, and the GAO’s 2024 Yellow Book!

You’ll receive an update on the most recent accounting and auditing developments affecting governments and government auditors. This includes Single Audit issues, AICPA and Yellow Book issues, new and recently effective GASB pronouncements, audit issues, and a look at what’s on the horizon. Join ACPEN’s panel of experts as they discuss, not only the technical requirements of new standards, but also the key implementation issues that must be addressed by auditors and their governmental clients! Benefit from their experience and insights from many perspectives, as well as their long experience in governmental accounting and auditing.

People fear presenting more than they do “death”.  Communicating numbers is a scary proposition to overcome for both the presenter and the recipients. This course is designed to enhance the communication skills of CPAs and CFOs by emphasizing the importance of understanding and mastering the facts before delivering any presentation, understand the key elements of presenting a narrative, and provide examples to engage live and virtual teams in effective numbers presenting. The goal is to equip financial professionals with the tools needed to overcome fears and provide the best practices research on all types of presentations-from communicating complex financial information effectively to conducting a casual virtual meeting.   This is a fun session intended to be interactive with participation either live, virtual or both.  

With the new administration proposing significant tax changes, estate and financial planning strategies must adapt to stay ahead. This course equips financial professionals with the latest techniques and insights into evolving tax laws, domicile considerations, and wealth transfer strategies. Participants will explore how potential reductions in estate and gift tax exemptions, new compliance requirements, and advanced IRA distribution planning may impact client strategies.

With a focus on practical application, this course provides actionable strategies for charitable giving, domicile considerations, and estate tax efficiency to help practitioners optimize outcomes while ensuring compliance with new and anticipated tax regulations.

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

The 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.

This course equips tax professionals with the knowledge and strategies needed to handle the most common IRS letters, including general notices, audit requests, collections, return inquiries, and error notices. Participants will learn how to interpret IRS correspondence, adhere to response deadlines, and effectively communicate with the IRS to resolve issues and minimize risks. The session also highlights best practices for ensuring compliance and avoiding penalties or escalation, empowering attendees to navigate IRS correspondence 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

Many team members now work remotely, whether by choice or necessity. As a result, questions abound about remote access to desktops and data, security, communications, collaboration, and other considerations in this new normal. When implemented correctly, remote work strategies can be a “win-win” for all involved; however, failed implementations may lead to inefficiencies, security issues, and dissatisfied team members.

This session will teach you today’s best practices for working remotely. Specifically, you will learn about various remote access tools, communication and collaboration options, and security best practices. You will also learn about managing and monitoring workflows in remote work environments and tools you can use. After completing this session, you can implement a remote work strategy that yields efficiency, security, and satisfaction to all involved.

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.

This comprehensive training is designed to get the accountant up to speed quickly with the complex passive activity loss (PAL) rules that apply to certain investments in trades or businesses and rental activities. The cornerstone of the course is the in-depth coverage of the detailed tax law and regulations applicable to passive activities under IRC §469 and how and when the 3.8% net investment income tax under §1411 applies.

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

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was a major overhaul of our tax system that lowered the income tax rates for individual and corporate taxpayers and introduced the new 20% qualified business income (QBI) deduction for sole proprietors and pass-through entities. The cornerstone of this course is the comprehensive discussion of the 20% QBI deduction final regulations under IRC §199A.   

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

This program provides comprehensive coverage of the major business provisions of the OBBA of 2025 (H.R.1), with detailed examples of provisions which were extended, made permanent with substantial changes, and new for 2025 and beyond.

*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

Preparing Form 706 requires a detailed understanding of estate taxation, valuation rules, and compliance requirements. This course provides a step-by-step breakdown of Form 706, helping tax professionals accurately report estate taxes while ensuring compliance with IRS regulations. Participants will explore key components, including gross estate calculations, deductions, tax computation, and portability elections. With real-world examples and practical guidance, attendees will gain confidence in preparing Form 706, even in complex scenarios. This course will also cover any recent legislative changes introduced by the new administration and their impact on estate tax planning and compliance.

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

The 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.  

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.

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

This program addresses the critical issues and special opportunities facing S-corporations, with a focus on reporting shareholder basis and distributions. 

**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.

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.

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.

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

This session isfor accounting professionals aiming to enhance their automation expertise with the low-code/no-code tools in Microsoft Power Apps and Power Automate. Participants will explore techniques to create simple workflows and develop custom applications, including "describe it to design it." The session focuses on automating processes, such as approvals, workflow automation, and data manipulation, while accessing and utilizing data from Microsoft Fabric and external databases. Attendees will learn about different types of workflows and the platform's tools for Robotic Process Automation (RPA). Further, they will leave with a better understanding of the Power Platform so they can drive digital transformation in their organizations.

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.

A solid understanding of the laws governing estate and gift taxation is essential for tax professionals handling Forms 706 and 709. This course provides an in-depth analysis of the legal framework surrounding estate and gift taxes, including key regulations, IRS guidance, and court rulings. Participants will explore how estate and
gift tax rules interact, learn strategies for minimizing tax liabilities, and gain insight into compliance challenges. The course will also provide a thorough review of any new legislative changes introduced by the current administration and their implications for estate and gift tax 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

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.

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. 

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?

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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

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.  
 

• 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

• 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

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

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

Client Accounting Services (CAS) have become a cornerstone of modern CPA firms, offering opportunities for enhanced client relationships, recurring revenue streams, and streamlined operations. This course provides accounting professionals with practical guidance on implementing and optimizing CAS within their firms. Participants will explore the foundational elements of CAS, including service offerings, pricing models, and client communication strategies. The course delves into the technology tools essential for CAS, including accounting software, workflow automation, and reporting platforms. It offers insights into best practices for managing client expectations and delivering consistent, high-value services. In addition, participants will examine case studies of successful CAS implementations, review current trends impacting CAS, and identify critical steps to build a scalable CAS practice that aligns with their firm's goals. The course also addresses the importance of data security, governance, and compliance in providing CAS to ensure ethical and professional service delivery.

This two-hour course provides a comprehensive overview of the IRS collection process, guiding tax professionals through each stage, from the initial notice to enforced collection actions. Participants will gain insights into taxpayer expectations during the collection process, as well as strategies for resolving tax debts. The course highlights when to use Form 433-A or 433-B, the documentation needed, and the criteria for submitting an Offer in Compromise (OIC) to settle tax debts for less than the full amount owed. Attendees will also learn about the various payment options available and practical approaches to advising 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

Signed by President Biden on December 29, 2022 as part of the Consolidation Appropriations Act, this program provides an explanation of the Secure Act 2.0 provisions impacting individuals and business taxpayers. Learn what you need to know for this filing season and how to plan for future years for 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.

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.

"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.

• Identify the ways not-for-profit auditing differs from commercial sector auditing
• Skillfully adjust audits to suit the characteristics of not-for-profit entities
• More efficiently audit not-for-profits using enhanced knowledge of key issues

• How distinctive funding sources, different operating purposes, and lack of ownership interests affect risk assessment and planning in the audit of a not-for-profit
• Key considerations and auditing procedures applied in auditing contributions, functional expenses, net assets, etc.
• Frequent issues arising in audits of not-for-profits (e.g., independence concerns, communicating with those charged with governance, Yellow Book audits, single audits, etc.)

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.

• 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

• 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

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

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

• 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

• 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

Following on from 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.

While the pace of FASB's standard-setting has slowed in recent years, the standards that have been issued will be impactful for many organizations. This course will begin with a review of standards effective in 2025 for public, private, and nonprofit organizations. From there, we'll explore upcoming standards, FASB exposure drafts, and ongoing projects to ensure you're prepared for what's next in financial reporting.

The second half of the course will shift focus to developments at the AICPA. From quality management to ethics standards and the talent pipeline, there's no shortage of activity. We'll start with a detailed look at the quality management standards effective this year and their impact on firms, including changes to the Peer Review Program. Next, we'll cover essential ethics standards and the latest SSARS updates. We'll also examine common deficiencies in employee benefit plan (EBP) audits and discuss the initiatives of the National Pipeline Advisory Group.
 

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.

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.

This instructor-led course offers an in-depth analysis of ethical challenges that tax professionals face, focusing on the provisions of Circular 230 and how they apply to real- world scenarios. Through the discussion of key issues such as conflicts of interest, confidentiality, diligence, contingent fees, and the handling of amended returns, participants will learn how to apply ethical principles in their practice while maintaining professional standards. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to handle ethical dilemmas, manage client pressures, and ensure compliance with regulatory expectations, all while safeguarding their professional integrity.

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

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.  

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. 

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.

Literally thousands of individual taxpayers may have increased deductions or exclusions from gross income as a result of the Disaster Relief Act of 2023 and OBBA of 2025. Casualty provisions of these Acts are retroactive to December 19, 2019 through mid 2025. Both low and high income taxpayers may benefit from the Acts through deductions for casualty losses due to natural disasters that occurred years ago and now could result in large tax savings on amended returns.  There are also exclusions of payments received as compensation for wildfire damages - retroactive to 2014! This course will review the provisions of these Acts with filled-in forms and examples.

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

This program will explain the new rules for deducting travel, meals and entertainment expenses and the TCJA disallowance of business entertainment expenses.  Documentation requirements and planning opportunities related to travel, entertainment, and automobile expenses will also be addressed. 

**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.

Collaboration remains one of today's hottest topics. Technology has fueled today's collaboration options, and work-from anywhere environments virtually demand collaboration platforms. In this session, you will learn today's best tools and practices to facilitate more effective collaboration in your organization. In this session, you will learn about today's mainstream collaboration platforms & Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Zoho - and how these options are similar and differ. You will also learn about other collaboration options, including Slack, Zoom, and Webex, and you can incorporate these tools into your collaboration environments. Further, you will learn about some of the best practices and procedures that must be in place to optimize your collaborative environments and experiences.

• Define agentic AI and differentiate it from generative AI and RPA
• Identify core use cases of agentic AI in finance and accounting, including scenario modeling and financial close automation
• Recognize the potential benefits and risks of deploying autonomous agents in financial workflows
• Understand global regulatory frameworks that govern agentic AI
• Assess the role of the accounting professional in ensuring responsible AI adoption

• Evolution from RPA to agentic AI (PRAL cycle: perceive, reason, act, and learn)
• Use cases in financial reporting and decision support
• Platform overview: simulating agents with ChatGPT; enterprise examples from IBM watsonx, Microsoft Copilot, and UiPath
• Global regulation: EU AI Act, U.S. Executive Order, AICPA Code of Conduct
• Ethical considerations and professional skepticism in autonomous systems

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

In 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.

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.

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. 

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.

This course will explore the many complex rules of installment sales, with a focus on the tax treatment and strategies to maximize the benefits.

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

In a rapidly evolving public practice accounting landscape, K2's CPA Firm Update continues to be your essential guide to staying ahead. This session provides actionable insights into transformative technologies and management strategies reshaping the profession. With a focus on data analytics, cybersecurity, practice management, and client service excellence, this year's update delves into how firms can thrive amidst change. Key technologies covered include AI-powered auditing, blockchain applications for financial processes, advancements in cloud computing, robotic process automation (RPA), and workflow optimization tools. Gain clarity on significant trends and how they affect your firm's strategy, enabling you to make well-informed decisions for sustainable growth.

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.

Peer review deficiencies and professional liability claims result from both audit and nonaudit services. This course will provide best practices for avoiding legal liability and quality control concerns for a wide variety of professional services offered by public accountants.

• 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.

• 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

• Update on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and other cases, rulings, and regulations
• 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

• 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

• 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?

• Understand the basics of §199A
• Understand how to properly report advanced transactions in financial instruments and investments
• Understand the special problems and new issues for the current return
• Identify the causes of alternative minimum tax liability and what can be done to reduce or eliminate it

• New issues for the current year tax return and §199A
• Installment sales — understanding the complicated issues
• Form 8582: Passive losses with carryovers — Complicated case with filled-in forms
• Puts, calls, straddling, and unusual investments — Understanding the tax laws and reporting them correctly on the tax return
• Capital gain and loss issues — The problem with proper reporting of installment sales issues; capital gains and losses; when is a stock worthless; and much more...
• At-risk rules: What a return preparer really needs to know
• Passive loss issues — You cannot just trust your software. What to watch out for and the questions you need your clients to answer in order to do it right!
• Incentive and nonqualified stock options — Reporting; key strategies for planning; dealing with the alternative minimum tax
• Alternative minimum tax — Understanding it; planning strategies to avoid it; using the minimum tax credit; explaining it to a client
• Form 6251: Detailed calculation example

• Make better financial decisions that have a positive impact on the organization
• Lead the organization into the rapidly changing decade
• Apply what we have learned from recent economic and political changes to have a positive impact on the organization

• Latest state of the economy
• Expense control that works
• Understanding our changing workforce and working environment
• Financial risk analysis
• Enterprise risk management
• Improving bank relationships

Learn the history of medical plans and how the American health insurance system developed into it's current state. This section will help HR and Finance professionals actually understand the mechanisms behind traditional fully insured plans and their self funded plan counterparts. It will also introduce some key concepts around Stop Loss, Third Party Administration, and Medical Plan Underwriting

Strong internal controls are the foundation of financial integrity and operational efficiency. In this interactive two-hour session, finance professionals will explore best-in-class internal control frameworks and leading practices to mitigate risks, enhance compliance, and improve organizational performance. Participants will gain insights into designing, implementing, and monitoring internal controls that align with regulatory expectations and industry standards. This course will provide real-world examples and practical strategies to strengthen controls in key financial processes, ensuring a culture of accountability and transparency.

The IRS has recently issued proposed regulations to update the Circular 230 rules for all tax practitioners, amending these rules in various ways to reflect changes in the law.  This session will review these new rules and discuss their impact on your tax practice.  The course also covers in detail major provisions of Circular 230 and analyses them using factual situations.

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

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.
 

Do you understand the root cause for many professional and personal goals not being achieved? The SMART acronym is valuable in setting goals but insufficient for achieving them. You need two types of goals to boost your chances of success. Outcome goals focus on the results you want to attain. Process goals identify the action steps required to accomplish those desired outcomes. This session explores the essence of both types of goals, and practical examples and tips for the execution of your goals.

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

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

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.

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. 

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.

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.

This course is designed to assist CPAs who perform financial statement preparation, compilation, or review engagements. Our panelists will provide an in-depth analysis of the SSARS and will provide practice tips that will assist you in performing profitable standard compliant engagements.

In this course, we will discuss what derailer habits keep you from achieving your fullest potential and deserving place.

Gear up for tax season with Steve Dilley's annual update! This program provides an update to the latest tax developments, rules and regulations affecting both business and individual taxpayers, including a review and integration of 2024-25 legislation.  

*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

• Understand new tax developments and the impact they have on the 2025 tax forms
• Note changes in 2025 tax forms from the 2024 versions of the same forms

• Major 2025 tax form changes as they relate to individual taxpayers
• Key new tax developments as they relate to 2025 and how they impact the 2025 tax forms

• What exactly is terminating S corporations, including recent rulings
• Schedules K-2 and K-3 reporting requirements and filing exceptions
• Form 7203, S Corporation Shareholder Stock and Debt Basis Limitations
• Shareholder changes Living Trust and causes S termination
• LLCs electing S status, changing agreement could terminate election
• Inherited a new client with reporting errors? What are my options?
• Debt vs. equity and §385; Federal Express battled and won, how do we?
• Are we to expect SECA tax on pass-through entities?
• Shareholders losing “substance over form” argument
• Basis neither increased by phantom income, nor reduced by non-deducted pass-through losses
• Can I accrue expenses payable to a shareholder? Sure, but can I deduct them?
• How §179 limitations affect S corp. basis
• Comparison of liquidation of a C corporation vs. the liquidation of an S corporation
• Did not timely file Form 2553? A simple method to correct
• Is there a “flexible standard of law” in regard to closely held entities?

For practitioners, it’s a challenge to stay current or ahead of the curve! Change in the tax law is a virtual certainty and keeping up to date is always difficult. Congress is actively working on the extension of many provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 scheduled to otherwise expire at the end of 2025.  The President has also made additional tax proposals involving tax cuts and some increases.  Various Congressmen have also introduced tax legislation.  This ACPEN course will include a panel of national tax practitioners and experts reviewing the latest judicial, legislative and regulatory developments affecting individuals, corporations and other business entities. They will also give the latest updates on the legislative process and try to project future developments!

Proposed changes will also affect your dealings with the IRS customer service personnel.   The IRS is instituting a variety of new audit programs. More are announced regularly! The courts and the IRS continue to churn out rulings and decisions that affect 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

As the new administration proposes changes to tax policies, estate planning strategies must adapt to evolving laws and regulations. This course equips financial professionals with advanced tools and techniques to address complex estate planning issues, including the latest legislative and regulatory updates. Participants will gain insights into tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies, charitable giving techniques, and the impact of recent tax law changes on estate and gift taxation.

With a focus on real-world application, this course provides practical strategies for leveraging closely held stock, split-interest trusts, and life insurance in estate planning. Attendees will explore how to maximize tax benefits while ensuring compliance with changing regulations, ultimately helping clients achieve their financial and legacy goals.

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