CPE Catalog
Chronological events are listed below the Featured events.
We are pleased to offer live CPE seminars throughout the year. These are virtual presentations with a live instructor allowing for live interaction. These seminars are listed in the Seminars tab below.
Tax Update for Retirement Planners and Investment Advisors
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $119
The regulatory world is complex for advisors. Not only are you subject to SEC and FINRA regulations, but what the IRS does as well. Clients expect you to be on top of what is happening in the world of investing, insurance, and taxes. It is not enough to just know the Code sections or the final rules affecting them. Your clients want to know how changes and updates affect their financial well-being.
Performing an Effective Audit Risk Assessment
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $159
Recent feedback from the AICPA has emphasized the importance of performing an effective risk assessment to identify and evaluate the risk of material misstatement in a financial statement audit. SAS 145, the 2023 amendment to AU-C 315, makes significant changes to the extant risk assessment standard and certain changes to other standards as well. The amendments clarify confusion that the AICPA believes auditors experienced under the existing standard and also conforms, for the most part, to the IAASB standard on the same topic. SAS 145 has been effective for two years now starting with December 31, 2023 audits. This course will focus on how to perform the risk assessment process under the new standard, providing participants with a summary of the changes to existing guidance. It will discuss linking the results of the risk assessment to further testing (internal control and substantive testing) and procedures performed in concluding on the evidence obtained. In addition, it will also discuss documentation and audit communications.
Where To Live in Retirement
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $119
Deciding where to live in retirement is a challenge that involves a multitude of factors that differ for everyone. Each person and couple should evaluate their current living situation to see where their goals and lifestyles in retirement can best be met. The program covers the various factors that most people should consider when thinking about where to spend their retirement years.
Lessons Learned from Successful Companies
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
Why do some companies fail while others grow and succeed for generations? Common perceptions often attribute organizational success to great leadership, timing, or unique ideas. Although these traits certainly play a role in helping companies grow, research shows that corporate success often hinges on whether a company is value driven. Such companies have core ideologies that drive almost every major decision. In this course, we look at empirical data on why some companies succeed while others fail. By looking at companies that were created prior to 1950 (e.g., Disney, Marriott, or 3M), we can understand why certain organizations have been able to grow and achieve exceptional success through many different eras in the American economy. The lessons learned from these visionary companies can be broadly applied to organizations of all sizes, including accounting and financial service firms.
Income Tax Reporting for Estates and Trusts (Form 1041): A Practical Guide
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
Many clients use trusts as part of lifetime planning, and most estates generate income during administration. These entities follow income tax rules that differ in important ways from individual taxpayers, particularly in how income, deductions, and distributions are reported. Understanding these distinctions allows practitioners to prepare accurate fiduciary returns and to advise clients on the tax impact of administration and distribution decisions. This course introduces the structure of the fiduciary income tax return and the concepts that drive how income is taxed to the entity or passed through to beneficiaries.
Tax Update for Client Advisory Services
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $159
Client advisory services (CAS) professionals are becoming a more integral part of the operations of any CPA firm. As such, they must stay on top of changing tax law. In this course, we will explore tax changes in areas CAS professionals are involved with — information reporting, payroll tax issues, and tax credit and deduction documentation. We will also discuss relevant changes to individual and business tax returns so that CAS professionals can better assist clients with tax needs in the upcoming year.
Gaining a Competitive Advantage: Critical Skills for CFOs and Controllers
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $159
All organizations are looking for ways to gain an advantage over the competition. This practical and interactive session will present a toolkit of ideas to help CFOs, controllers, and finance professionals better position their organizations for the future. We know change is occurring at an exponential rate, and that has proven to be the case in all areas of finance, management, and leadership over the past year. The course deals with these new issues and will continue to be updated as necessary throughout the year. This year, we will take a special interest in the opportunities and threats of AI for the finance professional. Become the "financial hero" of your organization and make a positive impact on the bottom line.
Tax Policy Hour With Ken Kies
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Online
1.00 Credits
Member Price: $79
This program features renowned tax attorney Ken Kies, who has extensive experience in both government and private practice. Drawing on firsthand experience working with the U.S. Treasury Department and as Acting Chief Counsel of the IRS, plus his years advising clients and practitioners in private practice, he provides a unique perspective on how tax legislation, Treasury regulations, IRS guidance, and tax policy translate into practical planning opportunities. Ken's program examines significant current tax developments and their implications for individuals, businesses, and their advisors. Particular attention will be given to emerging tax policy, recent legislative changes, IRS and Treasury guidance, and planning strategies that practitioners should consider in advising clients. Rather than simply reviewing the law, the program focuses on what the changes mean in practice, including how tax professionals can identify opportunities, anticipate potential developments, and incorporate new rules into their tax planning and compliance practices. Participants will benefit from the speaker's insider perspective on the development and administration of federal tax policy, combined with practical insights gained from representing taxpayers and advising businesses. This program provides an experienced insider's perspective on why the tax rules look the way they do, how Treasury and the IRS are likely to interpret them, and what practitioners should be doing about them now.
Understanding and Managing Burnout Among Accounting and Finance Professionals
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
According to a recent study, over 70% of accounting professionals suffer from burnout, leading to feelings of exhaustion, inefficiency, and dissatisfaction with their careers. Recurring challenges for accounting and finance professionals include long hours, repetitive work, pressing client demands, and changing rules and regulations. Together, these conditions contribute to chronic workplace stress. Burnout is real, and firms that ignore this common problem pay a high price. Nearly three out of five employees in accounting and finance professions report psychological harm from work-related stress, including an overall feeling of lack of interest, motivation, or energy. Fortunately, individuals and organizations are beginning to take career burnout more seriously, especially in the post-pandemic era. This course looks at the causes of accounting burnout and examines strategies organizations are implementing to address and reduce a well-known but often overlooked problem.
Successful Communication
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $159
Technology has created numerous ways for us to communicate with each other - but it's also increased the number of ways in which the message can get garbled. Effective communications skills are crucial to successful management. Learn how to control your message with clear communications strategies. You'll learn to recognize communication barriers, assess styles and behaviors, and learn how to listen more effectively as well.
Predicting Future Financial Issues Facing the Financial Executive
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Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $279
Our financial and economic series is designed to take key topics for financial executives and explore them in detail such that the CFO/controller/financial executive can take away useful and practical recommendations dealing with the topic at hand. The program explores the current economic trends and analyze their impact on you as the financial executive in areas professional skepticism, medical care costs, social security viability, the dollar as a world currency, the national infrastructure and the "fate of the states" as well as the AICPA's top 10 trends and technologies. Specific recommendations and insights will be offered to you to deal with the challenges.
Critical Issues With Health Savings Accounts
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $119
Health savings accounts (HSAs) are an effective way for employers to provide employees with financial help so they can pay their out-of-pocket medical expenses in a tax-efficient manner. Individuals who are not participating in an employer-funded HSA may set up their own HSA to achieve the same ends. Clients often ask accounting and finance professionals about the mechanics of HSAs and whether they are beneficial. This program is a two-hour discussion that delves into the details of HSAs for those who need to know more than just the basics. In this course, we will explain the rules for HSA eligibility, including reasons why some people cannot be eligible for an HSA. Then, we will discuss how individuals and families can maximize their HSA contributions each year and avoid unexpected tax liabilities. Finally, we will describe what HSA funds can be used for, and how both contributions and withdrawals are reported on the individual's personal income tax return.
Current Year FASB Update
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $119
The FASB technical agenda is rapidly filling up as the FASB adds new standard setting projects. Additionally, many of the new Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) issued over the past several years will become effective over the next few years. This FASB update will discuss ASUs issued over the past several years as well as those effective for the current year end and will provide a glimpse into where standard setting will be going over the next few years. The update will also discuss projects that are on the FASB's technical agenda so you can see what's coming down the pike regarding new accounting standards.
Hiring New Workers and Payroll Taxes
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
When a new employee is hired, there are a lot of things the employer needs to take care of. Aside from getting employment contracts signed, training lined up, and the new hire breakfast planned, employers are tasked with making sure all of the payroll forms are filled out. For many small business owners, this can be a source of anxiety. They often wonder if they have everything they need. They also hear horror stories about potential IRS penalties for not having all of the boxes checked. In this course, we will explore the payroll compliance side of hiring new employees. From the alphabet soup of forms that need to be filled out to the initial payroll tax forms, we have you covered if you are a new practitioner or new business owner. We will even discuss the surprisingly difficult-to-navigate world of unemployment insurance.
Representing a Client in an IRS Audit
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Online
3.00 Credits
Member Price: $169
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 called for delivering nearly $80 billion to the IRS over 10 years to allow the IRS to purchase new technology and hire employees. This funding would have provided the IRS with new equipment and new employees, possibly to handle more audits, many of them involving very complex tax issues. The Trump Administration has reversed this with prospects for a reduction in IRS employees and less money to fund the purchase and development of new software. This program discusses the current state of IRS audits. Trump administration changes will of course have enormous impacts on these audits going forward.
Engagement and Client Retention Best Practices
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $119
Positive client relationships require work. Miscommunication, unrealistic expectations, and differing personality styles may strain a client's relationship with professional advisors. Fortunately, there are tested strategies that foster and strengthen client relationships. Creating appropriate boundaries early on is one of many effective strategies that can help. This course explores actions accounting and finance professionals can take to create and grow their client relationships. This webinar provides actionable insights on how to engage new and old clients alike. Strained client relationships can harm both the client and the firm's profitability. Yet automation, for example, allows some firms to remain more engaged while others miss the mark. There is a science underlying client retention that involves understanding the client journey, ensuring consistent client interactions, and equipping employees with the tools needed to satisfy client needs. Understanding these skills should help you protect the relationships that sustain your business.
Capital Assets: Basis and Taxation for Financial Professionals
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $119
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of capital assets taxation, basis determination, and related tax planning strategies. Participants will explore the fundamental classification of capital assets, the distinction between realization and recognition of gains and losses, and the complex rules governing disallowed losses. The course thoroughly examines the various types of capital gains and losses, including short-term, long-term, and special categories such as unrecaptured Section 1250 gains and collectibles. Attendees will learn the intricacies of netting capital gains and losses, calculating tax liabilities across different income types, and distinguishing between marginal and effective tax rates. The course also covers advanced topics including basis adjustments, wash sale rules, related-party transactions, and inherited property treatment. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to guide clients in implementing effective capital asset strategies that minimize tax liabilities while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Foundations of Cybersecurity for Financial Professionals
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $119
This course introduces key cybersecurity concepts tailored for financial professionals. It emphasizes the CPA's role in cyber risk management, key terminology, and practical steps to foster a security mindset, integrating cybersecurity with financial reporting.
Controller/CFO Update: Hot Topics Facing Today's Financial Professional
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $159
In today's rapidly changing world, finance professionals are required to wear many hats and are often the keys to the success of the organization. On one hand, they need to be abreast of the latest proven financial skills for making the best decisions, and on the other hand, they need the best skills to motivate, manage, and lead people. Being pigeonholed into one area or another is neither good for career building nor good for the organization. We'll cover the latest issues that all CFOs and controllers need to know about and provide how-to guidance to allow for immediate use in their organizations.
Defending Firms: Email Fraud, Cloud Risks, Cyber Insurance, and Remote Work Security
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $119
Cyber threats targeting accounting and finance professionals are growing more sophisticated, putting sensitive financial data at risk. This session explores the most pressing cybersecurity challenges accounting and finance professionals face today, including email fraud, phishing attacks, cloud security risks, and securing remote work environments. It also addresses the role of cyber insurance. Through real-world case studies and practical strategies, participants will learn how to recognize and mitigate cyber threats, evaluate cyber insurance policies, and implement security measures that protect their firms and clients. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to strengthen their cybersecurity posture and ensure compliance with evolving regulatory and industry standards.