CPE Catalog & Events

When is a person eligible to take Social Security benefits? Factors to consider when selecting an option for taking Social Security benefits Is there a best age to start taking Social Security benefits? How to maximize Social Security benefit payments for surviving spouses How can a divorced spouse collect Social Security benefits based on the work record of a former spouse? How minor children can collect Social Security benefits based on the work record of an older parent

Forecasting as a valuation tool Bank/banker selection Ten hints for toolbox success Seven cases

The importance of "going paperless" Key technologies that facilitate a paperless office Advantages of going paperless Examples of leading document management systems and processes

An overview of current state and federal laws governing marijuana A review of state boards of accountancy regarding marijuana How some financial professionals are capitalizing on the marijuana industry Providing auditing and tax services within the marijuana industry How accountants and other financial professionals can manage risk within this industry IRC Section 280E's prohibition of deductions involving controlled substances A summary of various state taxation laws on marijuana Ethical issues for accountants who work in the marijuana industry Relevant banking regulations Growth projections

Automation capabilities of Excel The "Get & Transform" Tool Using "Get & Transform" for flattening, splitting and combining data, unpivoting summarized data and combining CSV exports

May 2024: Foreign-Owned Real Estate Holding Structures: Corporate Structures In Depth June 2024: Foreign-Owned Real Estate Holding Structures: Trust Structures in Depth July 2024: Foreign-Owned Real Estate Holding Structures: Fixing Problems August 2024: Foreign-Owned Real Estate, the Ownership Phase: Income Taxation September 2024: Real Estate Disposition Case Study: Sale of a California Personal Residence -- Taxation, Withholding, Tax Returns October 2024: Preparing an Expatriation Income Tax Return and Form 8854 November 2024: What Kind of Trust is This? Foreign/Domestic, Grantor/Non-grantor, Simple/Complex January 2025: Foreign Grantor Trusts: Taxation, Tax Compliance and Use Cases February 2025: Foreign Non-grantor Trusts: Taxation, Tax Compliance and Use Cases March 2025: Foreign Non-grantor Trust Distributions to U.S. Beneficiaries

SSARS No. 21, Clarification and Recodification and updates to SSARS No. 21 due to the issuance of SSARS No. 23, Omnibus Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services SSARS No. 22, Compilation of Pro Forma Financial Information SSARS No. 24, Omnibus Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services -- 2018 SSARS No. 25, Materiality in a Review of Financial Statements and Adverse Conclusions SSARS No. 26, Quality Management for an Engagement Conducted in Accordance With Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services Sample comprehensive engagement work programs for preparation, compilation and review engagements Reporting and disclosure illustrations for each level of service, including attesting on personal financial statements, prescribed form, special purpose framework and other engagement variations Other communication requirements, such as sample engagement letters and management representation letters

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

New features in QuickBooks Desktop and Online Enhancing internal controls in QuickBooks-based environments Improving financial and operational reporting when using QuickBooks and QuickBooks Online Best practices for setting up companies

Proper planning of benefit plan audit engagements and developing audit strategy while improving overall efficiency Common pitfalls in planning and detailed audit procedures Changes affecting 401(k) plans, including SAS 136 implementation Common mistakes as noted in peer reviews and DOL inspections

Rethinking Risk Management: Historic view Challenges Rules Recent lessons Required skills Sources of Risk: Economy Competitors Operations Investments Strategy Compensation Routine practices Unethical behavior. Enterprise Risk Management (ERM): Defining ERM Areas of focus Implementation Planning for disasters Business continuity Contingencies Analytical Tools: Post-completion evaluations Simulation Z-score Hedging Brainstorming Mind mapping Delphi technique

New features in QuickBooks Desktop and Online Enhancing internal controls in QuickBooks-based environments Improving financial and operational reporting when using QuickBooks and QuickBooks Online Best practices for setting up companies

Why forecasts and budgets are frequently wrong: behavioral finance; improper goal setting, games, continuing the status quo, traditional budgeting techniques Incorporating strategy into budgets: improving measurement systems; common errors, developing strategies and appropriate measurements Expanding the budgeting framework: rolling forecasts; mission-based budgeting, zero-based budgeting, post-completion evaluations, contingency planning, black swan events, identifying improvements Big data: definition, challenges, goals, current uses/examples, sources of information Analytical tools: ration analysis, benchmarking, Pareto analysis, trend analysis, regression, simulation, dashboards

Defining three critical elements: responsibility, empowerment and accountability and how they work together to create results Designing and using clear agreements that provide clarity Skills for holding yourself and others accountable for results, no matter what Knowing where you are in the accountability game... what you do/don't do well

Leadership Development

What is artificial intelligence? What are the different forms of artificial intelligence? The difference between artificial intelligence and machine learning The types of problems artificial intelligence can solve The role of algorithms How artificial intelligence will affect accounting and finance careers Data governance, security and privacy How accounting firms are using AI today The role of artificial intelligence in asset management

Learn the power of flexibility and adaptability Manage daily changes and stressors Avoid burnout and achieve work-life balance

Recently issued FASB Accounting Standards Updates, PCC Update and items on the FASB's Technical Agenda Leases - Topic 842 ASC 326: CECL Review of SAS 142 - Focus on Audit Evidence Recently issued SASs and other AICPA activity SSARS No. 25 and other recently issued SSARS Detailed review of SAS 145 Other important A&A practice matters

Discuss how productivity strategies may improve work-life balance Understand the state tax consequences that may arise when working from home Identify and discuss challenges unique to financial professionals Review how some organizations are providing support to improve work-life balance Explore the role of alternative work arrangements Examine challenges unique to auditors versus tax professionals A comparison of work-life balance between public and industry accountants How work-family conflict varies among financial professionals Recommendations for improving work-life balance