CPE & Event Calendar

We all make predictions in our personal and professional lives. We base our decisions to marry, buy a house, launch a new product or hire staff on expectations about the future. How can we use best practices and current research to improve our ability to predict the future" We will examine current best practices in forecasting to help us prepare better budgets and projections. We will also examine budgeting pitfalls and ways to avoid budget traps. We will discuss the risks that cause actual results to vary from our predictions and discuss methods to deal with both known and unknown risks.

This course is an updated overview of the single audit of state and local governments and not-for-profit organizations under the OMB Unified Circular, as well as the applicable AICPA standards for compliance audits. 

As responsible, licensed professionals, we cannot ‘look the other way.’ We have a duty to the public, and that responsibility is crystal clear. "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing" is attributed to Edmund Burke. We must take appropriate actions and stand for what is right.  Looking the other way has a cost, and that cost is high. Sometimes doing the right thing is difficult, but not doing the right thing has an even higher penalty. What can we do to remain ethical? Ethics is not a single event, being ethical is the best and only way we should live. We must proactively engage in society to combat evil and promote good.

This course offers an in-depth exploration of the "vision" capabilities of ChatGPT specifically tailored for accountants. The session demonstrates how artificial intelligence can interpret and analyze visual content to revolutionize financial management. The curriculum covers a wide range of applications, from understanding GPT Vision and its unique benefits to leveraging aerial and street view imagery for comprehensive financial analysis. Through detailed case studies, participants will learn how to access and utilize GPT Vision effectively, incorporating it into tasks like data visualization, text and object recognition from images, and the use of descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive (DDPP) analysis methods to enhance decision-making processes. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Stay informed and ahead of the curve with this timely update on ethics and independence developments from the AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC). The pace of change in ethics regulation has accelerated, and PEEC has been especially active with new interpretations, revised guidance, and significant modernization initiatives. In this interactive course, we'll walk through the most important recent developments shaping ethical requirements for the profession, including updates affecting recruiting practices, CPE programs, and tax advisory services. Participants will gain practical clarity on how these changes impact both public practitioners and professionals in industry. The course also looks ahead to proposed and ongoing projects on PEEC's agenda, providing insight into potential future changes and what they may mean for compliance planning in an evolving ethical landscape. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

ProActive Response Group's Active Shooter Response Training course educates participants in current trends of active shooter incidents, how to recognize early warning signs of violence, appropriate actions to increase chances of survival in an active shooter event, and how to use basic medical equipment to save the lives of victims.   *****(Warning: This video contains simulated graphic scenes that some viewers may find disturbing)*****

This program addresses the most recent developments impacting partnerships operating as LLCs, with a focus on legislative, administrative, and tax form changes. Emphasis will be placed on partners "tax basis" capital accounts, now required for tax form reporting. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

The employer-employee relationship strains both sides in uncertain times, and businesses need CPAs, controllers, and other advisors to provide understanding of the complex legal, tax, and health care issues associated with all aspects of employment. This course provides in-depth coverage of this critical area.

The past few years have taught us that major risks can come at us from any direction and with barely a warning. All organizations operate in a risk environment, but all too often, they either don't realize it or they don't develop a strategy to deal with the risks. In this session, we will explore how risks work in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and how they can develop a strategy to identify, evaluate, and mitigate those risks. This program will not teach how to eliminate risks, but how to strategize how to reduce their total effect. We will liberally use case studies of both for-profit and not-for-profit companies to bridge the gap between concept and actual implementation. In each area we will explore what our experiences of the pandemic have taught us about this part of risk management.

This course provides an overview of the risk assessment requirements under SAS 145, with a focus on the evaluation of Information Technology systems in the planning of an audit. SAS 145 introduced significant changes to risk assessment procedures, including an increased emphasis on understanding and evaluating IT environments. The course addresses key areas of concern related to IT systems and their impact on audit risk. Participants will gain practical insight into identifying risks within IT systems and understanding how those risks affect the audit process. As part of his presentation style, Jeff incorporates engaging elements designed to reinforce learning and maintain focus.

Unlock the full potential of Microsoft Excel PivotTables with this comprehensive course. This training is designed to equip participants with the skills to effectively analyze and summarize data, transforming raw numbers into actionable insights. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to data analysis, this course provides an in-depth understanding of PivotTables and their capabilities, helping you uncover patterns, compare data, and make informed decisions. The program includes a step-by-step approach to creating and customizing PivotTables, focusing on how to use them to analyze data efficiently. Participants will learn how to group and filter data, identify trends, and apply advanced features to solve real-world business challenges. Beyond technical knowledge, this course introduces data visualization through PivotCharts, teaching participants how to present their analysis effectively to stakeholders. By the end of the course, you'll not only master PivotTable fundamentals but also gain advanced techniques to streamline data analysis and support strategic decision-making in any context. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

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    

Step into the future of accounting and finance with our cutting-edge course on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Designed to demystify AI and transform it from a theoretical concept into a practical tool, this course will equip you with the skills to tackle modern challenges head-on. Whether you're looking to boost productivity, enhance accuracy, or streamline operations, our course has you covered. Discover the incredible problem-solving capabilities of AI, tailored specifically for accounting and financial professionals. Learn how to leverage AI features integrated into everyday applications like Excel to detect fraud, identify transaction errors, and elevate your financial operations. Witness firsthand how AI is revolutionizing the industry and positioning you at the forefront of this technological wave. Join us and unlock the full potential of AI to transform your workflow and drive success. Don't miss out on this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and lead the way in the future of accounting and finance!

Providing a practical overview of the IRS Power of Attorney, Form 2848, and IRS Tax Information Authorization, Form 8821. Participants will explore the differences between these forms, understand when each is required, and how to comply with IRS requirements for representing clients and accessing their tax information. The course will cover practical issues, ethical considerations, and best practices for managing client authorizations through the IRS Centralized Authorization File (CAF) system. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

In today's world of "Big Data" every business professional is a data analyst to some extent. This is especially true for auditors, who increasingly rely on data analytics to identify situations that require follow-up and investigation. Those who master the tools and techniques for thorough data analysis can achieve superior results in less time. Join our dynamic session to unlock the full potential of data analytics! You'll explore various tools and techniques, including Excel, multiple Excel add-ins, and Microsoft's Power BI application. Whether you're looking to enhance your skills or dive deeper into the world of data analytics, this course is designed for you. Our expert instructors will guide you through practical, real-world examples, ensuring you grasp the key concepts and apply them effectively. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your data analysis skills and stay ahead in your field. Enroll now and transform your approach to data analytics!

Unlock the power of multigenerational teams to future-proof your firm. Today’s workplace is more generationally diverse than ever—spanning five, soon to be six, distinct generations. And while this mix can create miscommunication and friction, it also holds untapped potential for innovation, connection, and resilience. This dynamic course helps professionals in accounting, law, banking, insurance, and financial services understand and harness generational dynamics. You'll explore how shared formative experiences shape values, communication styles, and expectations at work—from the frugality of the World War II generation to the digital fluency of Gen Z and the up-and-coming Generation Alpha. Rather than getting stuck in generational stereotypes, you’ll learn to lead, collaborate, and connect more effectively across ages. With insights drawn from workplace psychology, sociological research, and real-world examples, this course equips you with practical tools to bridge the gap—so you can build stronger client relationships, more collaborative teams, and a culture people want to stay in.  

Two college graduates built impressive careers: One worked in sales, the other in technology and investing. Both of those people made decisions in the course of their business that led to government investigations. They had to hire attorneys, go through judicial processes, face charges, and plead guilty. Each of those people are on their way to prison. Learn from the lessons they offer. We interview both financial professionals, and they tell us more about how their decisions influenced the consequences that followed. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Many leaders in business organizations of all sizes view the system of Internal Control almost purely as a protective security measure. A well-designed internal control system can and will drive all entity objectives which includes successful operations. This session uses information gathered from years of creating internal control systems as well as concepts from well-respected authoritative pronouncements and frameworks to illustrate the power of a strong and well supported control system as well as actions that can help establish such a system. Those that work with internal controls who are tasked with developing ways to improve operation level capabilities should strongly consider this session. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Microsoft 365 is likely the most underutilized software investment in your firm or business. This course will show how to tap in to many of the lesser known features of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem of apps to maximize your productivity and produce better outputs. Through a series of practical case study demonstrations you will learn how to leverage the full potential of Microsoft 365 in your organization. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Why do for profit organizations exist" To make money!!!!! What a great concept. But if the organization does not have the proper collections and credit procedures in place, they may not be able to access that money. Hence the importance of the credit and collection process. Credit and collections are critical areas for the financial statement controllers. Customer credit is a form of payment that allows small business customers to purchase a product or service before paying for it in full. The process works similarly to the way a credit card does - you procure something and pay it back later. Collections is a term used by a business when referring to money owed to that business by a customer. When a customer does not pay within the terms specified, the amount of the bill becomes past due and is sometimes submitted to a collection agency. The sales and collection process includes business activities related to selling products and services, maintaining customer records, billing customers, and recording payments from customers. It also includes activities necessary to manage accounts receivable, such as aging accounts and authorizing credit.  This course delves into the topics that impact the sales, credit and collections process for management. We discuss strategic steps management can take to ensure their processes are efficient and that they are able to actually collect their revenue.