CPE & Event Calendar

Stay current on key developments affecting audit and attestation engagements with this comprehensive update on what's happening at the AICPA. This course begins with the next phase of quality management, with a particular focus on firms' monitoring and remediation responsibilities and what those requirements mean in practice. Participants will also review recent and upcoming standards impacting audit, attestation, and consulting engagements, including SSAE No. 24 and SSARS No. 26, along with high-impact exposure drafts related to confirmations and fraud. The course concludes with an overview of SAS No. 149 and its implications for group audits. Designed as a timely update for practitioners, this course helps participants understand how recent and proposed changes may affect engagement planning, execution, and compliance in the years ahead.  

This is Part 3 of 5 in our Emerging Risk and Resilience Series for Accountants and Finance The rapid evolution of technology, globalization, and regulatory frameworks has introduced a range of emerging risks that are transforming the fields of accounting, finance, and auditing. Innovations such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and big data analytics are redefining traditional business models while creating new challenges related to data integrity, cybersecurity, and ethical decision-making. In accounting and finance, the growing reliance on automated systems raises concerns about vulnerabilities, algorithmic bias, and the potential for misinformation. Auditors face heightened expectations for real-time assurance, transparency, and adaptability to new reporting standards, including sustainability and ESG disclosures. Geopolitical instability, economic volatility, and evolving regulatory pressures add layers of uncertainty to financial reporting and audit quality. This four-part seminar series explores these emerging risks, analyzes their implications for professionals and organizations, and highlights proactive strategies for risk management, continuous learning, and technological competency.  

The new revenue recognition standard outlines five steps for proper compliance. At the surface, these steps seem simplistic. However, there are many considerations that should be considered within each step based on your process and industry. Previous courses in this series have covered the standard at a high level and evaluated step one and two of the standard. They are: Understanding the Revenue Recognition Standard Revenue Recognition: Identify the Contract - Part One Revenue Recognition: Identify the Contract - Part Two Revenue Recognition: Identify Performance Obligations – Part One Revenue Recognition: Identify Performance Obligations – Part Two Revenue Recognition: Determine Transaction Price - Part 1 Revenue Recognition: Determine Transaction Price - Part 2 Revenue Recognition: Allocate the Transaction Price Revenue Recognition: Recognize Revenue      This segment is designed to evaluate Step Three of the new model dealing with Determining the Transaction Price.

This is Part 4 in our 5 part series on Emerging Risk and Resilience - How Accounting and Finance is Leading the Way The rapid evolution of technology, globalization, and regulatory frameworks has introduced a range of emerging risks that are transforming the fields of accounting, finance, and auditing. Innovations such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and big data analytics are redefining traditional business models while creating new challenges related to data integrity, cybersecurity, and ethical decision-making. In accounting and finance, the growing reliance on automated systems raises concerns about vulnerabilities, algorithmic bias, and the potential for misinformation. Auditors face heightened expectations for real-time assurance, transparency, and adaptability to new reporting standards, including sustainability and ESG disclosures. Geopolitical instability, economic volatility, and evolving regulatory pressures add layers of uncertainty to financial reporting and audit quality. This four-part seminar series explores these emerging risks, analyzes their implications for professionals and organizations, and highlights proactive strategies for risk management, continuous learning, and technological competency.  

Single Audits are a critical area of focus within the profession and require a thorough understanding of the Uniform Guidance and its unique requirements for auditing federal awards. This course provides a clear, practical introduction to the performance and reporting standards that distinguish Single Audits from other types of engagements. Participants will explore foundational concepts, including internal controls over compliance, the structure and use of the Compliance Supplement, and the compliance requirements applicable to federal programs. The course also covers reporting considerations and the elements of a finding in a Single Audit. Designed for professionals new to Single Audits-or those seeking a structured refresher-this course equips participants with the essential knowledge needed to understand and navigate Single Audit engagements. The course has been updated to reflect the 2024 Uniform Guidance.  

This is Part 5 in our series of Emerging Risks and Resilience - How Accountants and Finance are Leading the Way The rapid evolution of technology, globalization, and regulatory frameworks has introduced a range of emerging risks that are transforming the fields of accounting, finance, and auditing. Innovations such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and big data analytics are redefining traditional business models while creating new challenges related to data integrity, cybersecurity, and ethical decision-making. In accounting and finance, the growing reliance on automated systems raises concerns about vulnerabilities, algorithmic bias, and the potential for misinformation. Auditors face heightened expectations for real-time assurance, transparency, and adaptability to new reporting standards, including sustainability and ESG disclosures. Geopolitical instability, economic volatility, and evolving regulatory pressures add layers of uncertainty to financial reporting and audit quality. This five-part seminar series explores these emerging risks, analyzes their implications for professionals and organizations, and highlights proactive strategies for risk management, continuous learning, and technological competency.  

Do you ever get blank looks when you present your company's financial statements?  Does your board nod knowingly, during your presentation, but never seem to have any meaningful questions?  It could be that they have no idea what you are talking about and are just pretending to understand!  Learn how to connect with your CEO, board, fellow managers, and ordinary employees so they understand your message.

The new field of Positive Psychology offers many methods and ideas for helping people be happier, healthier, and better at what they do.  Nowadays, the ability to be at your best and get clients to enjoy working with you is critical to growing your business or getting ahead.   Studies show that happy people make $750,000 more over the course of their life than unhappy people, have half the number of sick days, and live 9 years longer.  In this fun and fascinating seminar, you’ll learn how to not only be happier, but help your clients be happier in working with you.

This  session provides HR Professionals with scripts for and tactics for coaching leaders in handling an array of employee relations situations with sensitivity, good judgment, and high confidence.  Topics include employee complaints, personality & attitude problems,  performance counseling, personal hygiene problems, disability-related performance issues, misconduct due to mental conditions. You will learn how to use a unique process, “Reset the Clock,” that prevents attorneys from taking something leaders did wrong or did not do in the past and using it to support legal challenges in the future.  Liability is replaced with credibility. Lawsuits are then avoided rather than won.  Financial assets are protected, morale stays high, and bad publicity is averted. HR Professionals avoid hearing from senior leaders:  “You should have anticipated this” after an avoidable legal claim.

By now you've heard of AI, and a lot about Generative AI (ChatGPT, Co-Pilot, etc.). And in experimenting with these tools, you've likely had some success and some disappointment. That's all part of the process! And it's also why we're bringing you this session, so that you can avoid the failures and accelerate the efficiencies. In this session you'll take a journey. From learning an effective method for prompting generative AI tools, to understanding the importance of data organization, to leveraging automations for strategic points in your customer experience, and to the ever-expanding area of building your own AI agents, this session will provide you with frameworks and processes to better understand AI and craft a strategy for your business.

Due to the constant stress of a fast paced life, overwork, and family demands, it’s easy to feel one’s life is out of balance. When this happens, all areas of your life can suffer. By learning key methods for setting priorities and goals, overcoming stress, and deciding what’s most important to you, you can achieve new levels of balance and greater results. Having more balance in your life will allow you to do less of what you don’t want and more of what is truly important to you.

The budgeting process can be a time consuming and frustrating process for accountants.  The constraints and pressures can lead to poor decisions in both the technical and human components.  This series will offer solutions to the budgeting woes from both the big picture and in the details.  Budget Mastery: Process, Problems, and Solutions The budgeting process can be a mundane one for accountants. Let’s be realistic and agree that even the word “budget” does not bring excitement to you and your departmental colleagues.  The constraints and pressures can lead to poor decisions in both the technical and human components.  This session is the first part of a four part series and will cover the big picture of keeping the process fresh, pragmatic and useful. We discuss these keys in an engaging manner by discussing both our flaws and strengths, including how to build on these characteristics towards an enjoyable solutions-based method that should deliver effective results for your organization.  Budget Mastery: Walkthroughs and Real World Calculations Towards Tying Budgets to Value This session takes a unique review of the fundamental budget issues faced by all and walks through a detailed modeling process intended to generate discussion and best practices to improve your organization’s financial modeling.  From the beginning of the accounting process – ‘the chart of accounts’ to the end of the process – ‘the valuation of the company’, the budgeting cycle via a live case model to learn best practices common to successful companies.   This course stands on its own but is part two of a four part budget mastery series. Budget Mastery: The Human Side of Budgeting-Navigating People's issues with 360 Insight You have a fantastic budget, but certain players are not pleased. Financial plans have a technical component and human component.  We can resolve some of our budget issues by exploring the process’ human aspect.  Understanding what makes you and others operate can enhance your understanding of the entire organization and build upon the respect and influence needed to navigate and lead the budgeting cycle. This session includes a case study that measures an individual’s personality type and then explores how to use our strengths and weaknesses to create a better budget process and quite frankly maybe a better you.  This is a great and fun course on its own, but is also part three of a four part series on budget mastery. Budget Mastery: From Numbers to Narrative: Effectively Presenting Your Budget and Reporting  Perhaps the most important element of the budget process is its communication.  If management does not understand the budget – there is an issue. Knowing the right ways to communicate at all levels is essential to stakeholders laying an ownership claim to successful budgets.  This session reveals several key guidelines in successful budget presentations and will identify key problems in how people often communicate financial plans. Presenting your budget and reporting is the final part of a four part series, but can easily stand on its own course that is intended to be fun, enjoyable and educational.

The QuickBooks Online (QBO) ecosystem is rapidly expanding, with millions of small businesses now relying on it for their accounting and business management needs. However, many QBO implementations lack adequate internal control infrastructures, which can lead to potential risks and inefficiencies. This is often due to a lack of understanding of the internal control options available in the cloud-based version of QuickBooks and how to implement them effectively. Join our session to learn about the four common types of internal controls and how to assess the internal control structure of a small business. We'll guide you through the opportunities to enhance internal controls in QBO environments using features found within the application. Additionally, you'll discover additional internal control procedures for situations where adequate controls cannot be established in QBO. Contrary to popular belief, QBO-based organizations can indeed benefit from strong internal controls, and this session will show you how. Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your QuickBooks Online implementation and ensure your business is safeguarded against risks. Sign up now and take the first step towards a more secure and efficient QBO environment!

As accounting software evolves, AI-native systems are transforming how firms manage data and measure results. This session explores emerging AI-integrated general ledger platforms such as Digits, Puzzle.io, and Docyt. It examines how new technologies, like vibe coding and low-code/no-code automation, are reshaping efficiency and improving fraud detection. Attendees will learn to assess ROI across accounting tools, identify key performance metrics, and develop an automation strategy that enhances accuracy, productivity, and profitability. This course equips professionals to make smarter technology investments and prepare for the next wave of AI-driven accounting transformation.

On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued converged guidance on recognizing revenue in contracts with customers (ASC 606). The objective of the guidance is to establish principles to report useful information to users of financial statements about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue from contracts with customers. The new guidance provides several benefits to financial statement users.   This is one in a series of courses that outline the updated revenue recognition standard.

Are you running around with a fire extinguisher permanently strapped to your back? Do everyday crises run your life, both at work and at home? Do you find yourself consistently taking care of your customers, your family, and your friends, and you are left with no time to take care of yourself? In this session, we will explore controlling your chaos and managing your energy. Make no mistake, this isn't your parent's time management class. It's an energy management class developed on behalf of and with tired, frustrated, and burned-out Professionals like yourselves! If you find yourself drained and drinking far too much coffee and approaching burnout, this is the session for you!

This course presents an overview of tax treaties and how they are used in structuring transactions and determining the tax impact of cross-border transactions.  It discusses the ordering rules for local laws versus treaty laws, and the purpose of the tax treaties in avoiding and eliminating double taxation to promote trade and investment. The participant will learn about  planning opportunities to contemplate when structuring foreign operations.  **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.  

Please join us for an introductory course in international cross border transactions.    We will discuss typical situations in which a cross-border transaction arises, and how a taxpayer can utilize the rules to potentially decrease an entities effective tax rate.  Other issues, such as documentation and IRS audit risk will also be covered.  These rules will be illustrated by a hypothetical US- Canada transaction.    **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 leighanne.conroy@acpen.com.  

Elevate your Excel expertise with K2's Advanced Excel program! This laptop-friendly course is designed for experienced Excel users who are ready to take their skills to the next level. In this session, you will master critical advanced Excel skills in six key areas:  1.    Collaborating seamlessly with other users and securing your workbooks 2.    Utilizing tables to analyze and report data efficiently 3.    Integrating and manipulating data from external sources with ease 4.    Creating and auditing complex formulas 5.    Harnessing advanced data analysis tools for deeper insights 6.    Employing visualization techniques to communicate information effectively Drawing from over thirty years of experience in delivering Excel training to accountants and business professionals, this program is packed with relevant, real-world examples that reinforce the topics presented. Don't miss this opportunity to become more efficient and proficient in Microsoft Excel, the go-to tool for accounting and financial professionals. This course covers advanced Excel topics that are essential for business success. Participate in this session to elevate and transform your Excel skills!   

Many self-employed or sole proprietors find themselves having to navigate Schedule C in reporting business income.  While this attachment to Form 1040 seems straightforward on the surface, there are many traps for the unwary. This course is ideal for CPAs, EAs, or other tax professionals. **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.