CPE & Event Calendar

The IRS believes, perhaps with some justification, that many workers classified as independent contractors are actually employees and should be treated as such for tax purposes. The result is that worker classification audits are frequent and often costly for business clients, both in terms of time as well as money expended. This program prepares accounting and finance professionals to assist their clients with worker classification audits, and to avoid them if possible, by discussing and explaining the circumstances under which workers will most likely be characterized as employees or as independent contractors. The program also deals with the first line of defense against the IRS in worker classification audits — Section 530, as well as the common law factors distinguishing an employee from an independent contractor. This program also explores the IRS Voluntary Classification Settlement Program and discusses whether a practitioner should advise a client to request admission into this program.

This course provides a practical understanding of IT controls and SOC reporting within financial audits. Participants will learn how to interpret SOC reports, evaluate control effectiveness, and determine reliance strategies. Real-world examples will demonstrate how IT controls tie directly to relevant financial statement areas and alignment with Complementary User Entity Controls (CUECs).

Getting ready for busy season involves not only knowing what's new for the current year but also understanding how the changing limits, phaseouts, and other rules apply to current-year returns. With OBBBA enactment over the past few years, the present course will constitute a one-stop "shop" that brings you the essential individual tax information. In addition, this course provides an up-to-date review of important tax form changes, new tax forms, new limitations, key developments as they are reflected in the IRS forms, IRS filing issues, and deadlines that will be invaluable to attendees who prepare tax returns during busy season.

The newest evolution of AI technology is Agentic AI. This technology enables you to deploy AI agents to take action on your behalf and execute tasks. Agentic AI is the key enabler to using AI technology to automate your workflows. Learning how to take advantage of AI agents provides a substantial competitive advantage. This course will teach you the fundamentals of agentic AI and how you can put them to work in your firm or business. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

This course provides tax and accounting professionals with a comprehensive overview of overtime requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Participants will explore the statutory definition of overtime, exemptions, and the calculation of the "regular rate of pay." Through practical examples and compliance-focused scenarios learners will gain the skills to identify risks, properly compute overtime pay, and advise clients or employers on best practices. The course emphasizes regulatory compliance, accurate application of rules, and strategies to avoid common pitfalls in wage and hour audits. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Between 2010 and 2020 a parade of Court Cases, IRS Factsheets, Job Aids and Internal Memos, plus Heightened IRS scrutiny and Preparer Penalties has brought the issue of 'Reasonable Compensation for S Corp's out of the shadows and placed it forefront as a priority issue for CPA's, EA's, Tax and Financial advisors to cover with their clients. We will explore key court cases, IRS guidelines, preparer penalties and some of the obscure tools the IRS has put in place. We debunk common myths and fiction on how reasonable compensation should be calculated and replace it with facts and methodologies that the IRS relies on. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Accountability professionals are the first line of defense against fraud. 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. The fight to deter, prevent, and detect fraud continues. Accountability professionals need all the help they can get. Artificial intelligence (AI) might be able to help in this fight. In fact, AI has the potential to be a fraud-prevention game-changer. When viewed against the backdrop of the COSO/ACFE Fraud Risk Management Guide, the AI applications and potential are near limitless. AI can assist in fraud risk governance by, for example, drafting policies and procedures and maintaining dashboards showing the status of the organization’s fraud risk management programs. The fraud risk assessment might be where the AI light shines brightest. AI can identify an organization’s risk exposures, assess the likelihood and significance of these exposures, identify and assess existing controls, and determine residual risk. Better still, it can do the assessment on a continuous basis, alerting the organization to new threats as they arise.  AI can identify and implement additional overt and covert fraud control activities designed to mitigate residual fraud risk. In terms of information and communication, AI can monitor and triage the hotline reporting system and assist in investigations. Finally, AI can monitor the fraud risk management process on a continuous basis. In addition to a deep dive into AI and fraud risk management, the 2026 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.  

This course is a case study designed to provide a comprehensive overview of U.S. taxation of a foreign corporation. Using a specific example, the course will walk through step-by-step mechanics on how to calculate the income inclusions and foreign tax credits under tested income (formerly known as global intangible low-taxed income or GILTI), Subpart F, and passive foreign investment company (PFIC) regimes. These computations have been updated to reflect changes enacted by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The case study will further evaluate the tax impact of subsequent distributions from the foreign corporation and sales of its stock. A compare-and-contrast approach will highlight the different outcomes of these regimes for individuals and for C corporations, empowering participants to advise their clients on the most tax-efficient way to structure their foreign investments.

Designed for accounting, auditing, and attestation practitioners at all levels in public accounting and business and industry, this course provides a detailed review of the multitude of FASB and AICPA standards and reports issued over the past few years, including a discussion of the FASB's Stage 3 PIR report on ASC 606. It also provides an overview of recent PCAOB inspection report findings and SEC rulemaking activity. Through hands-on examples and illustrations, this course will help you apply the guidance in practice. We further discuss other important A&A practice matters to be aware of, including an update on the quality management standards and soon-to-be-effective requirements for engagement quality reviews.

Each year brings its own set of tax planning challenges, and this year is no exception. This course aims to arm tax planners with planning strategies and ideas that all clients, but in particular, wealthy clients, middle-income clients, and closely held business owners need to consider right now to take advantage of present opportunities and plan for future tax advantages. Learn strategies that can really have an impact on client lives, while also bringing value to you and your firm. Please Note: 2026 returns are not covered in this course. They will be covered after their issuance, as part of our spring 2027 course release.

This course will help you to stay current on recent changes to the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, as well as keep you abreast of emerging trends in ethics standards and regulatory initiatives and their potential impact on your practice. We will also explore frequent practitioner ethics compliance challenges, including competence, due professional care, audit quality, and independence. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Independence requirements are foundational to audit quality, yet they vary depending on the applicable regulatory and professional framework. This course provides a practical overview of auditor independence rules and highlights key similarities and differences across major standard setters and oversight bodies. Participants will review independence requirements issued by the AICPA, Government Accountability Office (GAO), Department of Labor (DOL), and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board / SEC. The course emphasizes common areas of confusion, nuanced differences among the frameworks, and considerations auditors should keep in mind when performing attest services for different types of clients. This overview course is designed to help auditors recognize which independence rules apply in various engagement scenarios and better position themselves to meet applicable independence requirements. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

This course introduces the foundational concepts of artificial intelligence (AI) and AI's relevance to accounting. Participants will explore various AI applications and understand the benefits, challenges, and future trends associated with AI integration in accounting. Case studies of successful AI implementation in accounting firms are included to enhance learning.

Business strategies for 2026 are based on important tax changes made in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). There are a number of important business tax changes that can be used to develop tax planning strategies that have great advantages for businesses and their owners. This program covers many important business tax changes and the implications for tax planning founded on them.

This comprehensive annual update brings together key accounting, auditing, and compliance developments affecting not-for-profit organizations. The course integrates recent standard-setting activity, audit and attestation updates, and Single Audit developments to provide a practical view of changes impacting nonprofit financial reporting and oversight. Participants will begin with an overview of accounting developments affecting not-for-profit organizations, including recently issued Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) from the Financial Accounting Standards Board and an introduction to the International Non-Profit Accounting Standard (INPAS). Emphasis is placed on understanding the purpose and structure of INPAS and how it compares conceptually to U.S. GAAP requirements for NFPs. The course then shifts to auditing and attestation developments from the AICPA, including the next phase of quality management with a focus on monitoring and remediation responsibilities. Participants will also review recent and upcoming standards affecting audit, attestation, and consulting engagements, including updates related to SSAEs, SSARSs, exposure drafts on confirmations and fraud, and changes affecting group audits. Finally, the course addresses recent developments impacting Single Audits for not-for-profit organizations receiving federal funding. Topics include the 2024 Uniform Guidance overhaul, updates to Appendix B of the AICPA GAS/Single Audit Guide, recent guidance issued through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and reporting changes related to SAM.gov. Designed for nonprofit preparers, auditors, and financial leaders, this course helps participants understand how recent accounting and auditing changes intersect-and what to monitor as requirements continue to evolve. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

You could pay $0 for this course!Part one of a five-course series, address common issues new staff members face. Focus on strategies to improve efficiency and quality control, build technical skills, and make valuable contributions to a company. Dive into the fundamentals: workpaper techniques, analytical procedures, compilation and review services, tax recognition and research techniques, understanding audit objectives, and auditing and reviewing selected accounts. Per NASBA's rules effective January 1, 2024, participants are required to be on camera and participate in the full and small group discussions to earn CPE credits for this Group Live - Virtual course. As such, please make sure you are set up properly with reliable internet (hard wired is best), a working camera, and a working microphone. This course qualifies for reimbursement through the state’s Workforce Training Express Fund. Massachusetts firms/companies with fewer than 50 staff can be reimbursed up to 100% of the cost of training and firms/companies with 50-100 employees can be reimbursed up to 50% of the cost of training. You must register for the course and apply for reimbursement through the Massachusetts Workforce Training Express Fund website a minimum of three weeks prior to the start of the course. The course code for this program is C-3314. To learn more, click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@necpas.org

Mergers, acquisitions and alliances have been — and will continue to be — major avenues to organizational growth and increased competitive advantage. Yet, despite the great initial promise of many business 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 CFOs, controllers and their advisors identify, negotiate and consummate mergers and acquisitions that create shareholder value while avoiding the many traps that can cause post-acquisition failure.

Isn't it time you learned how to unlock the full potential of Microsoft 365 and take advantage of critical features available in your Microsoft 365 subscription" In this session, you will learn to use tools such as Teams, Planner, Power Automate, and others to enhance productivity and efficiency.

All entities are subject to the new expected credit loss model established by recent GAAP.  This course will provide highlights of the latest requirements for measurement, presentation, and disclosure.  

This course is designed for financial professionals looking to understand Form 1120S. It covers the essential aspects of S corporation taxation, including the preparation of Form 1120S, determining taxable income, and accurately reporting and allocating income, deductions, and credits. Participants will also learn how to calculate shareholder basis and understand the strategic advantages and limitations of an S corporation. *Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com