CPE Catalog & Events

The budget and the forecast are two common tools used by controllers and CFOs across almost every industry. However, are we really getting the most out of these tools? Or are we merely replicating whatever was done last year? In this course, we will use examples and illustrations to demonstrate various budgeting and forecasting techniques. We will discuss traditional approaches, as well as newer approaches such as flexible budgeting, in an effort to show how companies can gain more value. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

The term "artificial intelligence" (AI) has become mainstream and while most have a layperson's understanding of AI, few know the depth and breadth of this technology's capability. AI is affecting just about everything in business and in people's personal lives. The operation of an internal control system is also changing because of this incredible advancement. This session explains what AI is and how it works and then goes into detail about how it can be applied to a system of internal control. The material speaks about changes occurring in today's world as well as what's coming in the not-too-distant future. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

If you use Outlook on a daily basis to process your email, chances are pretty good that you are missing out on a lot of opportunities to improve your efficiency in composing, processing and organizing your messages. There are many different features in Outlook that often get overlooked, even though we are working in the app all day, every day. John Higgins, a strategic advisor to the profession on Microsoft 365 deployment, will review numerous tips and features to improve your productivity in Outlook. You will learn many time-saving, practical ways to improve the quality of your email message. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

A discussion of the latest tax developments impacting individual taxpayers, with a focus on important provisions, rules and concepts. 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 introduces professionals to the fundamentals of individual tax preparation. Participants will learn the essentials of Form 1040, including filing requirements, income reporting, and deductions. The session will also cover preparer responsibilities, due diligence, and taxpayer rights under Circular 230. By the end, attendees will have a solid understanding of the foundation of personal tax returns. 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 addresses the most recent legislative and regulatory developments impacting business taxpayers, with a focus on important OBBBA 2025 provisions, rules and concepts to apply when preparing client returns.   *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  

Until recently, a percentage of organizations discounted the risk related to external fraud attempts. Most were only concerned with protecting physical assets such as inventory or fixed assets. However, because of the many highly publicized corporate hacking events, such as the ones that affected the Colonial Pipeline and JBS Meats, more attention is being paid to external fraud risk of all types. In this session, we look at what is included in a definition of external fraud and then delve into specific control issues that can give rise to increased risk. We then discuss measures that organizations can employ to help reduce exposure to external attacks. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Preparing Form 1041 is essential for tax professionals working with estates and trusts. This course provides a practical, step- by-step approach to completing the U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts, covering key issues such as distributable net income (DNI), income in respect of a decedent (IRD), and tax compliance for fiduciary entities. Participants will gain a clear understanding of Subchapter J of the Internal Revenue Code and learn how to apply tax rules to real world situations. Through case studies and line-by-line instruction, this course equips professionals with the skills needed to prepare Form 1041 accurately and efficiently. Additionally, it will include updates on any new legislation or IRS guidance introduced by the current administration and its impact on fiduciary taxation. *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

It is imperative that audit staff understand the fundamentals of expenses & payables. This course will cover the basics of auditing expenses, accrued liabilities, and other payables, including the related audit assertions, risks, & threats to the expenses & payables balances. During this course, we will also highlight the various substantive auditing procedures that staff should perform, and also walk through some real-world examples. 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 tax and accounting professionals with a comprehensive overview of overtime requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Participants will examine the statutory framework governing overtime, including employee classification, the definition of a workweek, and the calculation of the regular rate of pay. Through practical examples and compliance-based scenarios, the course focuses on the accurate application of overtime rules across various compensation structures. Emphasis is placed on identifying risk areas, avoiding common misclassification and calculation errors, and maintaining proper documentation to support compliance. 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  

This course provides a concise overview of Gemini AI, Google's advanced multimodal artificial intelligence model. It explains how Gemini is integrated into different Google products, including Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and as a stand-alone chatbot. Participants will learn how Gemini enhances productivity by summarizing email threads, suggesting responses, drafting emails, generating formulas, creating tables, and more. By the end of the course, students will have a solid foundation in understanding Gemini AI's role in the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Are you a new advisor handling S Corp clients, or perhaps a seasoned professional facing this common scenario: "My S Corp client didn't take reasonable compensation last year. Now what?" Knowing that reasonable compensation isn't just a tax obligation, but a strategic financial decision, you need to be armed with expert knowledge to help your client navigate this situation. Join us to discuss IRS regulations, understand preventive measures, and address challenges within the year. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

This advanced course focuses on executing IT audits in real-world environments. Participants will learn how to perform walkthroughs, design testing procedures, evaluate control effectiveness, and prepare audit-ready documentation.

This course provides a practical understanding of IT controls and SOC reporting within financial audits. Participants will learn how to interpret SOC reports, evaluate control effectiveness, and determine reliance strategies. Real-world examples will demonstrate how IT controls tie directly to relevant financial statement areas and alignment with Complementary User Entity Controls (CUECs).

The ancient Romans had a saying about using caution when appointing someone to a position of trust, "don't set a wolf to watch the sheep". That saying is in use today and has changed to include "don't put a fox to guard the henhouses";. The thought is similar, but the wolf and fox are vastly different animals. Wolves rely upon their strength to survive while foxes rely on their cunning. Like foxes, fraudsters rely upon their cunning to defeat or circumvent internal controls. This session reviews the investigation of a deputy court clerk who exploited a weakness in internal controls and committed fraud in the courthouse.

This course is essential and designed to assist those who want to remain up to date on guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). Learn about the accounting requirements involving crypto assets, income taxes, joint ventures, governmental grants, interim reporting, and hedging. Hear about the results and findings of the FASB's post implementation review report involving the lease standard, and much more.

A harmonious working environment is one in which people feel safe, seen, heard, and respected. Critical to maintaining it are that employees have high self-esteem, are treated with respect, and work in a safe, non-violent setting. This course provides practical knowledge and scripts on how to take appropriate action and deal effectively with discriminatory comments, sexual harassment, and threats and acts of violence, such that personal and employer liability is avoided.

*** Save 15% on this event when you use the code SAVE15 at checkout *** In the rapidly evolving field of estate and financial planning, staying updated on the latest issues and methodologies is critical for practitioners. This course offers a comprehensive one-day exploration of cutting- edge trends, techniques, and challenges that are shaping the future of estate and financial planning. Participants will gain insights into the most current developments and strategies to optimize client outcomes. From addressing complex estate and gift tax planning to focusing on the distinctive needs of aging clients, this course covers a wide range of pertinent topics. By the end, participants will be equipped to tackle the most pressing issues and incorporate the latest trends into their practice.

In today's fast-paced world, automation is like having a time machine at your fingertips. By implementing strategic automation solutions, you can transform an eight-hour workday into twelve hours of productivity without working longer hours. This course explores how automation can save time, improve accuracy, promote effectiveness, and maximize the value of your workday. When you invest time in automating routine tasks, you create permanent time savings that compound over time, reducing daily stress and providing better mental clarity for more important activities. This hands-on course will equip you with practical knowledge of various automation tools, methods, apps, and technologies that can revolutionize both your personal and professional life. From home automation systems to iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) tools and the Elgato Streamdeck, you'll discover how to create a seamlessly automated environment. Join us to learn how to reclaim hours or even weeks of time through smart automation strategies that will transform your daily routine.

The audit profession stands at a critical inflection point, facing unprecedented challenges from technological disruption, evolving regulatory landscapes, and workforce transformation. This comprehensive course, based on the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs' groundbreaking research report "The Future of the Audit: Building Relevance and Sustaining Quality," provides auditors with essential insights and actionable strategies to navigate these seismic shifts. Through expert perspectives from industry leaders including PCAOB board members, Big Four executives, and audit committee chairs, participants will explore how artificial intelligence, blockchain, and data analytics are fundamentally reshaping audit practices while creating new opportunities for value creation and risk assessment. Beyond technology adoption, this course addresses the pressing talent crisis facing the profession and offers practical solutions for building a future-ready workforce. Participants will learn how to leverage emerging technologies to enhance audit quality, understand the implications of regulatory modernization including the concept of "regulatory sandboxes," and develop strategies for attracting and retaining top talent in an increasingly competitive market. Whether you're a partner in a small firm, a manager in a large organization, or an audit professional seeking to future-proof your career, this course provides the roadmap for maintaining relevance, ensuring quality, and thriving in the evolving audit landscape. You'll leave with concrete action steps for immediate implementation and a clear vision for transforming your audit practice to meet the demands of tomorrow's financial ecosystem. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.