CPE Catalog & Events

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The changing finance technology landscape: continuous processing, modular ecosystems, automated controls, and real-time visibility (and the risks these shifts introduce)Technology trends and “AI” definitions: automation vs. machine learning vs. generative AI vs. agentic AI—what each means for governance and auditabilityFive common challenges in finance tech projects and how to address them:Cutting through vendor claims and AI hypeIntegration complexity and hidden costsChange management and proving ROIData quality readiness for AI and automationRisk, security, and governanceVendor Evaluation Scorecard: 20 criteria across five categories, including control “deal-breakers” (audit trails, segregation of duties, logging, SOC reporting, error handling)Five-Year Total Cost Framework: software, implementation, data migration/cleanup, integration build & maintenance, internal costs, training, and ongoing operations (plus common underestimates)Industry-specific considerations (manufacturing, distribution/wholesale, SaaS/tech, professional services)Four-phase implementation roadmap with checkpoints and red flags: Assessment & Planning; Selection & Negotiation; Implementation & Testing; Optimization & Ongoing GovernanceWorking with external advisers (CPA/auditor involvement, implementation partner expectations, and common deficiencies to avoid)

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Types of IRS letters: General notices, audits, collections, return requests, and errors.Deadlines for responding to IRS correspondence.Communication best practices for dealing with the IRS.Avoiding escalation and penalties through proactive responses.Ensuring compliance when addressing IRS correspondence.Real-world examples of successful IRS communications.Common pitfalls in handling IRS letters and how to avoid them.Strategies for advising clients on IRS correspondence.

The major topics covered in this class include:Explore the effects of crisis and burnout on ethical decision-makingDefine the stressors, pressures, and biases that can lead good people to make less than optimal choicesDiscuss ways to offset the pressures, ways to reduce stress on ourselves and on our team, and ways to support our teamsLearn how to recognize when an individual or an organization is heading in the wrong direction and how to stop sliding down the slippery slope

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Resistance to resilience in embracing new technologiesOvercoming barriers and ensuring successful implementationCutting-edge audit technologies, including AI, data analytics, and automationInsights into the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)

The major topics covered in this course include:Introduction to the world of password management apps and what makes them so secureReview and demonstration of top selling password management appsSoftware features that will be reviewedPassword generationEmergency user accessEntity vs. individual password managementDesktop vs. cloud basedMulti device synchronizationPII (personally identifiable information) forms fillerCredit card storageDigital data vault

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

Private company standard-setting activities Recent FASB Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs), including those addressing financial instruments, credit losses under ASC 326, government grants, and business combinations Non-GAAP financial measures ASC 842, Leases ASC 842 final PIR report findings

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

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

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to PivotTables: Gain a solid understanding of what PivotTables are, their benefits in Excel, and how to prepare your data for creating effective PivotTables.Creating and Customizing PivotTables: Learn step-by-step how to build and format PivotTables, including filtering, sorting, and customizing layouts for optimal data analysis. Focus on Using PivotTables to Analyze Data: Explore techniques to summarize, group, and compare data with PivotTables, uncovering trends and insights for better decision-making.Advanced PivotTable Features: Discover advanced tools such as slicers, timelines, and using PowerPivot for deeper analytical capabilities. Data Visualization with PivotCharts: Learn to create PivotCharts from your PivotTables and customize them to visually present data insights effectively to stakeholders.

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:How organizations can find themselves defrauded due to lax oversight and weak internal controls.How the existence of the "trusted advisor" creates situations where CPAs can drop their professional skepticism.Illustrations of the issues companies should look for in preventing fraud and embezzlement.

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Testing internal ControlsAlign internal controls with specific compliance requirementsThe misidentification of controls and the confusion between compliance and control processes

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Background of the Corporate Transparency ActBeneficial Ownership Information Reporting (BOIR) Rule Entities required to report.Reporting requirements imposed by the CTADue dates of reportsInformation needed to satisfy the BOIRImpact of failure to reportHow to submit a reportCourt rulings on CTA’s unconstitutionalityImplications to entities as a result of the ruling in NSB.Potential reporting requirements due to FinCen’s proposed rulemaking with respect to non-financed purchases of residential real estate and gratuitous transfers.

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Explain the use of both "inside" and "outside” basis determination.How to calculate tax basis capital accounts, including when the entity is formed, including the impact of contributed property.Clarify the importance of partnership capital accounts and partnerships debt on partner's tax basis.Explanation of how basis is impacted distributions and by sale and/or liquidation of the partnership interest.Comprehensive example to illustrate the mechanics of the basis determination process.

Generative AI applications in cybersecurity (e.g., threat detection, automation) AI-enabled cyber threats, including phishing, deepfakes, and malware Real-world incidents involving AI-related cybersecurity challenges Proactive strategies for leveraging generative AI in cybersecurity Regulatory and ethical implications of generative AI in financial cybersecurity

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The rules of IRS disclosure of tax informationUnderstanding the role of IRS transcriptsInterpreting the actions of the IRS in transcriptsFOIA requestsAnalyzing tax information and returns for financial leads

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The concept of public interestEthics, independence, and professional judgmentCompetence and continuing professional educationQuality control and peer reviewProper use of government information, resources, and positionProfessional behavior

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Current ESG-related initiatives and projects underway at the Financial Accounting Standards Board, Governmental Accounting Standards Board, and the AICPA. Types of services CPAs may provide in connection with ESG reporting, including advisory and attestation engagements.

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Building Reports Workflow: Understand the steps for creating professional and functional reports.Gather and Organize Data: Learn best practices for compiling and cleaning data for accurate analysis.Set Calculations and Key Metrics: Apply formulas and functions to calculate meaningful insights. Format and Structure Report: Use formatting tools to create visually appealing and structured reports.Review and Validate: Verify data accuracy and troubleshoot potential errors.Share the Report: Learn methods for distributing reports effectively within your organization.

Auditor independence and its importance to the public accounting profession Common threats to auditor independence AICPA’s framework for assessing conflicts of interest Unique threats related to non-attest services to attest clients Common safeguards to help assure compliance with relevant rules and regulations