CPE & Event Calendar

One of the most difficult things for any Client Advisory Services (CAS) professional to learn is how to communicate financial information to non-financial people. To be successful, it's crucial to master this skill, as we frequently explain accounting jargon to those unfamiliar with the field. In this course, we will explore how to properly communicate with stakeholders, including investors, clients, boards of directors, and even other departments. We will explore biases that people have when viewing financial information and even how to make sure we keep our message on point. If you are looking to move up in the financial services world, this course is a must for you.

Younger professionals comprise a significant part of the accounting and finance workforce. Whether you are an owner of a small accounting practice or a manager in a multinational accounting firm, it is important to understand the characteristics and expectations of this large segment of the workforce. Research reveals that many of the common stereotypes surrounding young professionals are unfounded and counterproductive. This course provides an understanding of who young professionals are in comparison to their predecessors, the Gen-Xers and baby boomers. Equally important, the presentation will look at common myths regarding young professionals and why understanding this class of employees provides opportunities for your organization to grow and succeed.

This course provides a thorough examination of qualified tuition programs (Section 529 plans), focusing on their tax treatment, planning applications, and recent legislative changes. Participants will learn how 529 plans operate, what qualifies as education expenses, and how contributions, distributions, and beneficiary changes are treated under federal law. The course explores practical planning strategies, including 529-to-Roth IRA rollovers, multigenerational "dynasty" 529 planning, grandparent-owned account considerations, and interplay with financial aid. It also addresses state-level variations, compliance issues, and common pitfalls. Using real-world scenarios, the course evaluates when 529 plans are advantageous, the limitations families may encounter, and alternative approaches to education and long-term savings. Participants will gain a clear understanding of tax benefits, penalties, strategic funding approaches, and planning opportunities for high-net-worth families as well as typical households.

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. 

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.  

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

This section of the four-part series will cover the fundamentals of Form 706 and provide numerous examples of how to properly report deductions on the estate tax return, including marital and charitable deductions. Form 706 Series: Part 1: Overview Including Portability Part 2: Reporting Assets Part 3: Reporting Deductions Part 4: GST Schedule R, Form 8971, Payments & Credits

Personal financial planning issues evolve in an increasingly challenging environment where it's harder to keep up with important and timely changes. And since changes seem to be occurring quicker than anticipated, with several recent twists, CPAs must be prepared for the unexpected and be in tune with new approaches. As a result, CPAs must challenge clients to stay focused on their goals while managing expectations and striving for realism in order to achieve objectives. We'll focus on the newest personal financial planning changes and prepare for new opportunities related to income tax, retirement and estate planning issues. You'll learn what you need to know in identifying critical exposures and providing appropriate solutions when working with your client in these rapidly changing and life-altering disciplines. Be sure to register for all of our PFP updates: PFP Update: Income Tax, Retirement, and Estate Planning PFP Update: Issues, Exposures, and Developing Client Strategy PFP Update: Investment Planning in This New Era

Transfer taxes, such as the estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax, create a drag on the accumulation of wealth over a family's generations. However, with the One Big Beautiful Bill's continuation of the high gift and estate tax exclusion amounts for the foreseeable future, advisers have the opportunity to create trusts that extend through the grandchildren's generation. This course examines the generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax and how it is designed to discourage avoidance of the estate and gift tax by families. Randy Gardner explores: GST tax terminology, how the GST tax is calculated, ways to avoid the GST tax, and how to design a dynasty trust to pass property from generation to generation. 

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. 

"What were they thinking"— Why do business leaders sometimes make decisions that severely damage themselves and their organizations" It is tempting to attribute poor choices to a leader's assumed incompetence, inexperience, bad character or low intelligence — but reality is much more complex. Understand what factors really cause the most blunders. When business decisions go badly wrong, financial professionals usually find themselves deeply involved. This seminar provides conceptual and case study material to better equip you for the challenge.

Stay current on the latest accounting developments affecting not-for-profit organizations with this timely GAAP update. This course reviews recently issued Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) impacting NFP financial reporting, along with standard-setting projects currently in the FASB pipeline. The course also introduces the International Non-Profit Accounting Standard (INPAS)-the first comprehensive global accounting framework designed specifically for non-profit organizations, launched in October 2025. Participants will gain perspective on the purpose and structure of INPAS and how it compares conceptually to U.S. GAAP requirements for NFPs. This course is designed to help practitioners, financial leaders, and auditors of not-for-profit organizations understand both current GAAP requirements and emerging global developments shaping the future of nonprofit financial reporting. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Whether your organization is developing a new control framework or seeking to strengthen its current controls, practical development and implementation is critical. This course will review the intersectionality of controls and provide real-world examples and best practices from people to technology and process.  

This four-part series covers the fundamentals of Form 706. In this final course, we will cover GST allocations on Schedule R, Foreign Death Tax credit, Prior Transfer credit, Qualified Conservation Easements, making the 6166 election for estate tax payment and considering a Graegin or other loan to pay the estate tax. Illustrations of attachments and/or narrative examples for Schedule R will be provided. Form 706 Series: Part 1: Overview Including Portability Part 2: Reporting Assets Part 3: Reporting Deductions Part 4: GST Schedule R, Form 8971, Payments & Credits

Microsoft 365 is one of the most widely used business applications software suites used in business today. Microsoft Copilot is the generative AI application that is integrated directly into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. If your firm or business is a Microsoft 365 user, this course will teach you how to use Copilot AI to optimize the use of your Microsoft 365 apps. This course will provide a comprehensive review and demonstration of how to put Microsoft Copilot AI to work for you and your clients. It is designed as a "hands-on" course that facilitates following along with the presenter to apply the features of Microsoft Copilot on your computer. Practice files will be provided so that you don't have to expose your confidential data. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Our clients' personal financial planning issues are quickly developing and keep us challenged in a new operating environment! Many new approaches are needed in working through, understanding, diagnosing and then adopting innovative and proven strategies. Additional ways of experiencing these client situations are entering the picture. With information overload, part of the CPA's challenge is to help clients stay focused on goals while managing expectations in a rapidly changing environment. This course will update you on the newest personal financial planning changes related to insurance, investments, education, retirement, estate, cash flow management, divorce, closely held businesses and other relevant topics. We'll discuss critical issues, including planning for education, divorce, charitable, exceptional circumstances, business owners and highly compensated executives. Be sure to register for all of our PFP updates: PFP Update: Income Tax, Retirement, and Estate Planning PFP Update: Issues, Exposures, and Developing Client Strategy PFP Update: Investment Planning in This New Era

Many consider taxation of construction contractors to be the most complex area of the Internal Revenue Code. This industry is subject to many elections and considerations to reduce or defer amounts owed. In this course, we will highlight these areas and discuss potential opportunities for practitioners and their clients. We will also discuss the impact of recent legislation on construction taxation, including changes to net operating losses and the AMT rules. This is a critical presentation tailored for CPAs who work for or represent construction contractors.

U.S. Department of Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) imposed a new reporting requirement that went into effect on January 1, 2024. Millions of businesses may have to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report. In a surprise turn of events, the Federal District Court from the Northern District of Alabama ruled on March 1, 2024 in National Small Business United v. Yellen ("NSB") that the CTA is unconstitutional. This course will discuss the CTA's provisions and the court's decision in NSB. Also covered will be future implications for business entities and steps to consider given the recent ruling. We will also discuss recent proposed rulemaking by FinCen with respect to nonfinanced purchases of residential real estate and gratuitous transfers so that businesses can prepare for any additional reporting burdens that might arise. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

As financial and tax professionals well know, information overload is a constant struggle we face because things change quickly, and the sheer number of changes being made on a daily basis is enormous. Of great importance to small and medium tax and advisory firms is differentiating between changes that are relevant to our practice and our clients and changes that are new but totally irrelevant. Distinguishing between the two is difficult and time-consuming. Mike Tucker and a team of experts are pleased to present a weekly series designed to eliminate the clutter and get you what you need to stay up-to-date and perform for your clients. Mike and his co-presenters will dispense news on current events impacting taxes, finance, and industry. The subject matter will differ each week and intermittently include topics such as Social Security and Medicare. The panelists will discuss personal and corporate tax matters as well as other late-breaking news related to practitioners' personal finances and those of their clients. Every financial professional will benefit from this series. This is a cost-effective way for accountants to fulfill their compulsory continuing education because this weekly series will include almost 40 one-hour presentations. Sign up today — your clients and your bottom line will thank you.

The Quality Management Suite of Standards was required to be implemented by December 15, 2025. The standards modernize the firm's approach to quality to reflect an increased focus on risk assessment, technology use, and the presence of outside experts on many engagements. Beginning with performing a risk-based approach, the standards provide accounting firms with the ability to enhance their quality control by shifting their focus to a proactive approach (management) from a reactive approach (control). The results of the firm's risk assessment will form the basis of its new Quality Management document. This is not just a tweak of the old document but a more robust document that adds new requirements from the new standards. We will cover how to perform a risk assessment, including the key provisions of the standards, and how to effectively implement a monitoring plan. We will also review how the firm will evaluate its System of Quality Management beginning in 2026.