CPE & Event Calendar

Disclosures are on of the most challenging areas of financial statement preparation and one of the most cited deficiencies in peer reviews. This program tackles the many disclosure requirements with detailed discussions on topic requirements and examples. This is a fast paced course that covers all the major balance sheet accounts, as well as revenue and expenses.  Attention is also paid to the Statement of Cash Flows.

Regardless of size, all organizations must be aware of the risks associated with intentionally fraudulent acts. Fraud can be executed from within an organization, by external parties, or both. Therefore, a primary method to thwart fraud is understanding how and why it occurs. First, understand why internal and external intentional defalcations take place. Discuss the difficulty in understanding the motives driving those who undertake fraud. Finally, review measures organizations can implement to stop fraud and add security to the enterprise.

Common Audit and Financial Reporting Deficiencies in State and Local Governments, is a 2 hour webcast detailing many of the more common mistakes that auditors and accountants are making in either the preparation of their annual financial statements or the audits of such financial statements. Deficiencies in audit standards (AICPA, GAO, Single Audit) and preparation standards (GASB) noted in this webcast are driven by the most recent results found in audit organization peer reviews, workpaper or desk reviews, and various organizations checklists for oversight. 

Increased funding resulting from the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act will allow the IRS to target many more wealthy individuals and large businesses for audit. These efforts will become more intense over the next several years as the IRS employs artificial intelligence in more of its audits. This program discusses how and when the IRS's energized audit efforts will result in more audits of taxpayers and what attendees need to know to effectively represent clients that the IRS audits.

Whether you are an experienced veteran or new to the industry, one of the toughest parts of being a tax practitioner is keeping up with all of the changes in tax legislation. This course takes a look at recent changes to tax law from a practitioner perspective. In this session, we will explore the nuances of virtual currency and the new Form 8300 reporting requirements.

This course focuses on the most common aspects and tax implications of Limited Liability Companies and S Corporations. It will further compare forms of entities, along with corporate formalities compliance issues of each entity type. Electing Subchapter S status as well as reviewing the mechanics of electing Subchapter S status will be discussed. Highlights of entity specific tax forms will be discussed, as well as accountable plans, taxable fringe benefits, officer reasonable compensation, estate planning, business continuation planning and audit strategies. Schedules K-1, K-2, K-3, and effectively connected income will be reviewed in this course as well. 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 high-level overview and introduction into the world of the forensic accountant. Most accountants have an understanding of the concept of fraud and how it impacts companies, but many individuals do not have a full comprehension of the variance in the work performed by a forensic accountant versus a typical management accountant.   This course is meant for those individuals interested in understanding the variances in the job tasks and responsibilities of forensic accountants versus typical financial or management accountants. Forensic accountants or auditors take a unique focus on performing their work.  Typically, when a person with forensic experience is called in to examine financial records, it is due to suspicion of fraud, evaluation of assets, or even to track down fundamentally incorrect accounting – intentional or not. As fraud continues to raise its head in business processes, forensic accountants are discovering new and unique ways to identify, examine, and support their hypotheses and investigative techniques.  The work performed by a forensic specialist can be interesting and full of potential potholes if evidence isn’t examined according to proper protocols and standards.  

This program addresses the critical issues and special opportunities facing S-corporations, with a focus on reporting shareholder basis and distributions.    *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    

Gain an understanding of the concept of fraud, the Fraud Triangle theory, fraud risk, fraud detection and prevention. Learn about best practices in fraud detection and fraud deterrence. This course includes real-world cases of fraud, how they were perpetrated, and how they were detected.

To get started in estate planning, learn the basics of intestate succession, probate, wills, health care directives, general powers of attorney, trusts, gift and estate tax planning, as well as transfers of assets. Become familiar with some basics of transfer tax planning, including A-B trusts and QTIPs/marital deduction planning, portability, planning with life insurance trusts, family limited partnerships and more. Also, particular attention will be paid to the human elements that are impacted by estate planning and related tax strategies.

Disclosures are on of the most challenging areas of financial statement preparation and one of the most cited deficiencies in peer reviews. This program tackles the many disclosure requirements with detailed discussions on topic requirements and examples. This is a fast paced course that covers all the major balance sheet accounts, as well as revenue and expenses.  Attention is also paid to the Statement of Cash Flows.

Regardless of size, all organizations must be aware of the risks associated with intentionally fraudulent acts. Fraud can be executed from within an organization, by external parties, or both. Therefore, a primary method to thwart fraud is understanding how and why it occurs. First, understand why internal and external intentional defalcations take place. Discuss the difficulty in understanding the motives driving those who undertake fraud. Finally, review measures organizations can implement to stop fraud and add security to the enterprise.

This webinar presents a variety of time-saving ideas, shortcuts, and tips that are sure to boost personal productivity. We discuss better summing, address one of the biggest pitfalls that Excel users have faced over the past 25 years, present the most important keyboard shortcuts, demonstrate a better alternative to hiding rows or columns, illustrate how to quickly navigate to other workbooks and files, and demonstrate using Excel with styles.

It is important for accounting and finance practitioners to help their clients understand and apply the many new provisions of OBBBA. Many of these changes are effective for the 2025 tax year and beyond. This program is an introduction to and review of some of these critical changes and their impact on taxpayers. This program is a two-hour review and analysis of what we consider some of the most current and important changes from the OBBBA. If you want the latest OBBBA information to relay to your clients, this course is for you.

Advisors often ask clarifying questions as they increasingly gain an understanding of new and existing tax laws that govern IRAs. Some provisions see more questions than others due to their complexity, popularity, and level of impact on tax benefits. This course focuses on the top 20 of these questions and on SECURE Act 1.0, SECURE Act 2.0, and other hot topics. This course aims to help the advisor provide clients with the correct responses based on their IRA profiles.

Recent generally accepted auditing standards were written to improve the quality of risk-based financial statement audits, audit reporting, and required by-product communications. This course will discuss the important clarifications and enhancements intended to improve audit quality to ensure better compliance with requirements contained in the SASs. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

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.

Workplace harassment — especially sexual harassment — has dominated headlines in the last several years. With discussions of workplace harassment in the news, employees better understand their rights and feel more empowered to speak out, and the standard of appropriate workplace conduct is changing. With workplace harassment claims continuing to be filed at a steady pace with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, state agencies, and the courts, it is more important than ever to understand how to prevent and avoid harassment in the workplace.

Over 80% of all employment-related lawsuits relate to termination. Every termination should be treated as a potential lawsuit. The facts supporting a leader's recommendation of discharge must be fully investigated. The discharge of an employee requires prior review and approval. Narrow self-interest, spite, or personal animosity must not play a part in making termination decisions. This course provides practical knowledge and scripts for handling discharges with good judgment such that personal and employer liability is avoided.

Arguably the most discussed topics to come out of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) are the taxation of tips and overtime. Practitioners need to understand these provisions now, as they are effective for 2025 tax returns. This program provides practitioners with the background currently available to advise clients regarding these two important tax developments. Both employers and employees need to understand these timely changes to taxation.