CPE & Event Calendar

Evaluating performance for professionals used to GAAP. A strong foundation in financial statement analysis is essential for understanding a company's performance and financial health across reporting standards. This seminar is designed for professionals, particularly those trained in U.S. GAAP, who want to enhance their understanding of IFRS-based financial reporting using a real-world Canadian public company as a case study. We will walk through the company's IFRS-based balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows, highlighting both presentation and interpretation differences compared to U.S. GAAP. Participants will learn key analytical tools such as common-size analysis, trend analysis, and financial ratios covering liquidity, profitability, and leverage for an IFRS reporting company. Throughout the session, comparisons to GAAP will help clarify terminology, classification differences, and measurement principles-including treatment of leases, revenue, financial instruments, and impairment. The seminar also moves beyond basic ratios to explore advanced analytical techniques, such as ROE decomposition, operating vs. non-operating performance measures, and managerial ratios that reveal cost behavior, efficiency, and cash flow dynamics. Participants will see how IFRS disclosure requirements can offer additional insight into performance, risk, and sustainability. This practical and comparative seminar is ideal for accounting, finance, and business professionals who want to sharpen analytical skills, interpret IFRS-based financial statements, and better understand how to bridge IFRS and GAAP for global comparison and decision-making. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

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 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 a comprehensive overview of nonprofit tax compliance in the evolving regulatory landscape following OBBA. Participants will examine the legislative changes impacting tax-exempt organizations, with a focus on governance, reporting obligations, unrelated business income, executive compensation, and compliance risk management. Attendees will learn how to translate regulatory requirements into accurate reporting and sound organizational policy.   *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 terri.storer@acpen.com  

Technology issues rarely come from major failures-they come from small inefficiencies that compound over time. This practical session focuses on high-impact, low-effort technology tuneups that accounting professionals can apply immediately. Participants will learn proven tips for improving workstation performance, tightening security, streamlining workflows, reducing digital friction, and extending the life and value of existing technology investments. The emphasis is on practical configuration changes, overlooked features, and operational habits that deliver measurable productivity gains without requiring major system replacements.

Even if managers have incomplete information or constraints, they still must make choices. This session provides advice for navigating rocky decision-making terrain encountered by managers who must make choices despite imperfect information and/or constrained resources. We explore ways to leverage available information to make effective decisions when seemingly critical details cannot be obtained. We also illustrate managerial accounting techniques for optimizing profitability when inputs or resources are constrained by supply chain disruptions or other limitations. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Ethics is ultimately about our relationship to ourself, others, and the world in which we live. Therefore, to enhance our relationships with those around us, we must first start with the regard we hold for ourselves. From an ethical vantage, it can be said that we have a moral obligation to work toward self-love, honor, and respect. Matters of self-esteem are important in every aspect of life including goal setting, relationships, establishing boundaries, handling conflict, levels of productivity, and expressing our needs in respectful and dignified ways. This course explores traps of low self-esteem and ways to minimize those traps. We also explore components of high self-esteem and actions to foster higher regard for self. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Consumers and businesses file for bankruptcy to seek protection from creditors and to reorganize or liquidate debts. Bankruptcy filings rise and fall with the economy. Surveys show that loss of income is the leading cause of consumer bankruptcies, followed by medical expenses and foreclosure. Corporate bankruptcies, on the other hand, are often the result of several factors, including excessive debt, decreased demand, increased costs, lawsuits or poor accounting practices. It is no secret bankruptcy filings will see a tremendous uptick in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. As an accountant, CFP, attorney or other professional, you need to be able to discuss the process and different available courses of action with your clients. Both landlords and tenants will be influenced tremendously. Individuals will look to your advice for a discharge and new start. Businesses will do the same and will also need to advise loyal employees. Creditors will receive proofs of claim and look to you for your expertise. Take this course and make sure you can speak fluently to both creditors and debtors. As trusted advisors, then, professionals should have a basic understanding of the bankruptcy process. This course provides a thorough review of the consumer and corporate bankruptcy practice. Participants in this course will gain an understanding of how consumer and corporate bankruptcy proceedings begin and end, as well as learn about key issues that affect debtor and creditor rights during bankruptcy. This course provides information from the perspective of both debtor and creditor. Although bankruptcy concerns the debts of the debtor, the Bankruptcy Code provides substantial protections to creditors. Creditor rights, however, vary widely depending on the status afforded the creditor under the Bankruptcy Code. Do yourself, your clients and your profit margin a favor and sign up for this invaluable program.

Good people believe everyone else is just like them. They cannot imagine someone could con them or their company and have no guilt or remorse about what they have done. Lack of guilt and empathy are key traits of a psychopath. Most of us envision psychopaths to be cold-blooded serial killers who are locked away in prison. However, experts estimate that 4% of corporate executives are psychopaths who may initially appear to be more normal than the rest of us. Psychopaths may present a convincing picture of virtue while helping themselves to money, status and sex while leaving a path of shattered expectations, empty wallets, and broken hearts in their wake. Learn how to recognize and deal with others who have no conscience. 

Cover the basic requirements for performing preparation, compilation, and review engagements under Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARS), including the new SSARS No. 25, Materiality in a Review of Financial Statements and Adverse Conclusions. Review common issues found on SSARS engagements in connection with peer reviews and the impact of various findings on the results of a peer review. Identify key issues to consider during SSARS engagements, and determine how to incorporate quality control recommendations and tips for performing high-quality SSARS engagements. 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 offers a comprehensive exploration of the cannabis industry, delving into essential topics such as cannabis regulations, business models, financial management, and ethical considerations. A key focus is on distinguishing between Marijuana and Industrial Hemp, including their respective tax treatments. Participants will gain a thorough understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within the cannabis sector, covering federal and state tax implications, licensing requirements, and market trends. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

While once thought just to apply to banking and financial institutions, entities now need to apply fair value accounting under ASC 820 across a variety of transactions. Whether you are assessing financial instruments, leases, business combination accounting, or impairment measurement, GAAP either requires or allows the use of fair value measures in an expanding number of circumstances. Now is the time for you to get up-to-speed on the basics of the fair value approach. In this course, we will review when fair value accounting is required and when an entity can select to use it. Then we will review the basics of the ASC 820 model, including the concept of "exit price," the various approaches that an entity may follow when using a fair value approach, and the different levels of inputs that an entity may consider when determining fair value. Lastly, the course will provide examples of when and how to apply this complex accounting guidance.

Section 199A is still the hottest tax topic related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The Act created new reporting requirements for relevant pass-through entities (RPEs). Each RPE is required to report the relevant data needed to calculate the §199A deduction to each recipient of Schedule K-1. Your clients will trust you to ensure that the relevant data is properly reported. The IRS has added disclosure lines to Schedules K-1 for S corporations, partnerships, and trusts. This course will cover the new reporting requirements on those forms and discuss uncertainties that still exist related to the reporting requirements. The course includes examples and case studies relevant to the new disclosure lines of Schedules K-1. This program will include the latest relevant IRS guidance.

Embezzlement happens often to many small businesses. Unfortunately, the lack of internal controls allow the embezzlement to remain undetected for years. But when it is discovered, the small business owner will most likely contact their CPA for advice. What should you do when your client contacts you about their employee embezzling money from their business? What options should you present to your client? How can your client protect themselves, while investigating the embezzlement? What steps need to be taken about preserving any documents, emails, texts, or phone calls? This course teaches how to engage the client, properly identify the evidence needed to prove the crime, how to write the report for civil and criminal trial, and best practices in preserving electronic and paper evidence. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Successful companies implement strategies that use their resources efficiently. By focusing on doing one thing well, organizations can create a competitive advantage that provides superior performance. Learn to create a roadmap to successful performance by tying the organization's metrics to its strategy and driving results.

This two-day, interactive workshop reviews the hottest accounting topics and recent changes in areas such as private company accounting, revenue recognition, going concern and other specialized subjects. Refresh your research skills and practice using the Codification. Case studies and real-life examples will help attendees readily apply the information covered.

This course covers SSARS requirements for preparing, compiling and reviewing financial statements through SSARS 27. With SSARS 21, the AICPA Accounting and Review Services Committee (ARSC) introduced the Preparation service to SSARS and rewrote the Compilation and Review Standards in a clarified format. SSARS 22 and 23 made minor modifications to SSARS 21. SSARS 24 and 25 made substantive modifications to the SSARS, mainly when performing review engagements. SSARS 26 updates the SSARS with conforming changes made necessary by the new Quality Management standards. SSARS 27 modifies the applicability of AR-C 70 when engaged to prepare financial statements.

Description: Divorce brings emotional and financial challenges and navigating the tax implications can be one of the most complex aspects. This in-depth, 8-credit webinar, Untying the Knot: Taxes and Divorce, is designed to equip tax professionals with the knowledge and strategies needed to guide clients through the intricate tax issues that arise during and after divorce. What You'll Learn: This comprehensive session will cover critical topics, including: - Filing Status: Determining the correct filing status during and after divorce. - Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs): Tax implications of dividing retirement accounts. - Back Taxes: Strategies for addressing unpaid tax liabilities during and after divorce. - Offers-in-Compromise & Installment Agreements: Resolving tax debts with the IRS. - Currently-Not-Collectible Status: Understanding when and how to use this option. - Innocent Spouse & Injured Spouse Relief: Protecting clients from unfair tax liabilities. - Lien Discharges & Subordinations: Managing IRS liens on property during divorce. - Reasonable Compensation: Evaluating fair compensation in divorce-related business valuations. - Case Studies: Explore unusual and complex tax issues in divorce through real-world examples. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Recent economic volatility has created added stress on accounting and finance professionals and their clients. When individuals or businesses lose money, they often blame others for their misfortune. Business disputes can sometimes lead to accounting malpractice claims. Understanding the most common types of accounting malpractice claims provides a roadmap of what not to do. This course provides a current overview of accounting malpractice litigation throughout the United States. The goal is to learn about the types of claims asserted against CPA firms and strategies to employ to avoid such claims. Reviewing malpractice claims allows us to identify patterns of behavior that may reduce litigation risk.

Accounting and finance professionals often receive questions concerning all facets of Medicare. How does Medicare work? How do I apply? How much does it cost? Is Medicare optional or required? This program provides a basic introduction to the Medicare program and covers many of the areas of the Medicare program that clients are most interested in. If you, or some of your clients, have questions relating to Medicare, this program is a must for you.

With the increasing complexity and ever-changing nature of tax laws and issues, today’s accountant needs a one-day fast-paced update course focusing on the hottest Federal income tax topics affecting individuals, businesses and their owners with an emphasis of newly enacted income 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 terri.storer@acpen.com