CPE Catalog & Events

Using lookup functions as an alternative to direct cell references Understand the limitations of the VLOOKUP function Discover ways to move beyond these limitations

Factors business owners should take into account when choosing a retirement plan SIMPLE plans Simplified employee pension plans 401(k) plans Defined benefit plans Ensuring eligible employees are covered Employees' impact on choice of plan Ongoing compliance requirements Establishing a plan after the tax year end Changes to safe harbor 401(k) plans Pooled employer plans

Overview of estate planning The dangers of a Power of Attorney The most important aspect of a will Role, scope, rights and responsibilities of an executor Benefits of incorporating a trust Bequests Caring for a pet Claims against the estate Insurance Consequences of poor estate planning

Using the Table object to store data Using the conditional summing function to aggregate Table data Using the Table object to create mapping tables

Overview of the law that authorizes the IRS to reward whistleblowers who submit information leading to recovery Review of the whistleblower claim process Criteria for eligible claims Case studies of significant claim recoveries paid by the IRS to whistleblowers Issues underlying whether a practitioner should ever act as the whistleblower Addressing delays inherent in the whistleblower claim process The structure and role of the Whistleblower Office Best practices for the submission of a good whistleblower claim Working with other governmental divisions in processing whistleblower claims A brief overview of other, non-IRS whistleblower claims

ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) Overall lease accounting guidance Lessor Accounting 101 Lessee Accounting 101 Detailed review of accounting by lessees and lessors Sale and leaseback transactions Transition guidance Other operational issues Recently issued updates to the lease accounting guidance FASB guidance on accounting for COVID-19-related rent concessions Feedback from the public company adoption of Topic 842

What it takes to be effective as a manager Exploring the challenges that get in the way Looking at the driving forces that have evolved how managers engage with employees today Motivating employees of multi-generations Twelve practices that can be adopted to influence employees to become more engaged Identifying what it takes to develop employees Delegation and accountability

Challenges of marketing CPA firms Developing marketing strategy Elements of a marketing plan Example: CPA firm marketing plan Marketing regulatory/AICPA issues Picking the right marketing channels Marketing channel statistical analysis Developing marketing metrics

What is ransomware? The growing threat of ransomware; statistics Remote working and COVID-19 Ransomware infection process Incident response protocol Business considerations Legal considerations Breach notification obligations Steps to protect against malware Tabletop exercise

Definition of Data Analytics Assessing your organization's current status and establishing an environment for success Financial staff's core activities Common uses of analytics and current examples Behavioral forces that impact decisions Examples of inaccurate forecasts Identifying strategic measurements (KPIs) Improving budgeting and forecasting and addressing Black Swan events Collecting and using data from traditional and non-traditional data sources Statistical tools, including Median, Mode, Moving average, Ratio analysis, Pareto analysis, Rolling forecast, Mission-based budgeting, Trend analysis, Regression, Z-Score (public and private organizations) and Simulation Analytical techniques, including Brainstorming, Mind mapping and Delphi technique Software tools that are readily available and can assist in visually exploring data; expanding the scope of available data, as well as collecting, analyzing and presenting results (including Dashboards). Specific ideas for using Data Analytics, including immediate opportunities and areas for further consideration Expanded lists of readings and next level software for a participants' future reference

Understanding who millennials are and what distinguishes them from other sectors of the workforce Changes millennials seek in the workplace Suggestions on engaging and developing millennials Best practices by organizations who have successfully integrated millennials Expectations as to learning, development and training Work environments and schedules School to work transitions Views on salary, benefits and corporate ethics Whether millennials' expectations are significantly different from any other generation Strengths millennials offer which set them apart from others Common myths pertaining to millennials Definitions of success

Defining progressive discipline, including typical steps in any progressive discipline process The importance of a fair disciplinary process When and how progressive discipline should be used, including using progressive discipline in the lead-up to termination Documentation best practices Limitations on at-will employment, including contracts and laws regarding discrimination and retaliation Avoiding key risks in the termination process Best practices for legally compliant termination procedures

Definitions of key terms under the FMLA, including covered employer, eligible employee and serious health condition Timing and types of leave under the FMLA Calculating leave time under the FMLA Employer and employee notice requirements The definition of a "disability" under ADA An employer's obligation to provide employees with a reasonable accommodation under the ADA Guidance on engaging in the interactive process Dos and don'ts of medical certifications The interplay between the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act

Legal definitions & principals involving estates & trusts Basic principles regarding property ownership Types of trusts commonly used Trust accounting fundamentals Certain clauses that are important to understand Formula valuation clauses Requirements for a trust to be a qualified designated beneficiary of an IRA Using IRD to fund charitable bequests

Audit requirements for ERISA 103(a)(3)(C) audits An annual update of the changes affecting 401(k) plans Compliance issues associated with eligibility and enrollments, remittances, lack of oversight, compensation, vesting and other topics Best practices for engagement planning, internal controls, risk assessment and detailed testing Avoiding common mistakes while performing audit procedures Plan mergers and acquisitions Common audit reporting and disclosure issues

How a partner's outside basis and capital account differ Reconciling Schedule M-2 Form 1065 with Partnership K-1 Schedule L IRS requirement to report partner tax basis on the transactional approach Implications if a capital account is negative Deficit restoration accounts and qualified income offsets Modified outside basis method and modified previously taxed capital method Determining a partner's beginning capital account Beginning capital account for partnerships and partners consistently reporting on the tax basis The two types of adjustments under 754 and how 743 and 734 require different capital account presentations

Creating a visionary company Traits of successful, visionary companies Goal setting to create a successful organization The role of experimentation and failure in achieving success How successful organizations emphasize learning new skills The role of effective communication in achieving corporate success The importance of emotional intelligence in building corporate culture How leadership can direct a company toward success

Review of applicable SSARS standards, including standards updates Review of AICPA professional ethics requirements In-depth discussion of non-attest services Review of independence issues for SSARS services Overview of SSARS #21-performance, documentation and other requirements Detailed analysis of preparation vs. compilation engagements Detailed analysis of review engagements

Identifying weaknesses in traditional reporting processes Using leading-edge features in Excel to improve reporting practices How to work with Power Query to solve common reporting challenges Adding Slicers and Timelines to your Excel-based reports

Basis and at-risk basis How to calculate the amount of annual at-risk basis Forms 6198 and 7203 When activities may be aggregated for at-risk purposes Qualified nonrecourse financing