CPE Catalog & Events

Could you imagine a drug dealer using a credit-card terminal to accept payment? How about someone paying for a television they bought off the back of a truck with a personal check? Hard to imagine, right? Most criminals conduct their business in cash. For years, criminals kept their ill-gotten gains in cash and used it to pay for everything from real estate to jewelry to things such as private school tuition. This prompted governments around the globe to pass laws prohibiting large cash payments or, at the least, requiring such payments to be reported. These laws created the need for criminals to conceal the true source of the money or to "launder" it. To combat these threats, laws, and regulations have been enacted in countries around the globe that make financial services firms, and in some cases individuals, responsible for preventing or stopping money laundering. Within this course, we explore AML warning signs and potential mitigation techniques companies and professionals can take to help eliminate money laundering.

This course will introduce you the different types of business entities and the tax implications of contributions, distributions and earnings, among other topics. **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  

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.

Many small to medium sized companies do not properly address the risk that arises related to fraud because these organizations do not have the resources needed to mitigate this risk or because owners or those in top level management underestimate the scope of the issue. All organizations, regardless of size, must be aware of the risks associated with intentional fraudulent acts and know that a significant and effective fraud scheme could even create going concern issues for some entities. In this session, we delve into the reasons that fraud takes place. The material discusses the types of defalcations that are often executed against smaller entities and then explores measures that organizations can implement to help stop fraud activities and add security. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

This comprehensive case-driven training is designed to get the accountant up to speed quickly in the area of basis calculations and distribution planning for the owners of pass-thru entities (i.e., S corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies (LLCs)). The cornerstone of this course is the line-by-line analysis of the Schedule K-1s and how it affects the basis calculations.  **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

A comprehensive review of the newest version of the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s Government Auditing Standards, otherwise known as “the Yellow Book.”  The standard will affect all auditors who perform audits of government and nonprofit organizations who receive federal funds, or where application of GAO standards is required by law, regulation or contract.  It does not address the standards applicable to performance audits.

As a small business owner or manager, navigating the complexities of HR can be challenging, but it's crucial for your company's success. This comprehensive webinar will provide you with practical, informative, and encouraging tips to help you build a strong HR foundation for your small business. From recruitment strategies to employee retention, legal compliance to company culture, we'll cover all the essential aspects of HR that will contribute to your business's growth. Let's create a thriving workplace where both your business and your employees can flourish.

Client interactions and professionalism are at the core of what we do as accountants. However, communication with clients is not always as straightforward as it may seem. Sometimes there will be difficult conversations and disagreements that can be tough to navigate. During this course, we will discuss best practices when communicating with the client and also walk through complicated scenarios to practice what we learn. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Risk-based factors are becoming exponentially important considerations for accountants in both public practice and industry. We examine the nature of risks for today's enterprises while exploring the role of internal controls for mitigating business risks. We also explore SAS 145 and other guidance aimed at risk considerations for professional engagements. Public and private accountants will enhance their capabilities for assessing and addressing risks faced by today's organizations. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

In this cutting-edge course, participants will gain a deep understanding of how to leverage ChatGPT, OpenAI's powerful language model, to innovate and enhance business advisory services in the accounting sector. The course integrates theory and practice, demonstrating how various enterprise evaluation methodologies can be applied in conjunction with ChatGPT for increased business analysis efficiency, profitability, and growth. It also provides hands-on training for implementing these techniques in real-world scenarios. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

If there is a potential error, the IRS will assess a tax and add a hefty penalty, without even knowing the facts. As a tax professional, you will be exposed to the IRS and their methods of penalizing taxpayers for the smallest of violations. This presentation will focus on the rules and regulations that create the penalty, and the reasons that exist that the IRS will consider to remove those penalties. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Accurately identifying and testing controls over compliance is critical, yet it remains a common deficiency highlighted in peer reviews. This course offers a comprehensive overview of internal controls over compliance, with a focus on their application to Single Audits. Participants will learn how to effectively align internal controls with specific compliance requirements. Additionally, we will address one of the most frequent findings in audits of governmental entities receiving federal grants: the misidentification of controls and the confusion between compliance and control processes. This course will help clarify the distinction, equipping you with the tools to enhance audit quality and ensure compliance effectiveness. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Generative AI is revolutionizing the business world, and savvy professionals are embracing this cutting-edge technology. Why? Generative AI offers unparalleled opportunities to boost efficiency and productivity. But to truly harness its power, you need to master the art of crafting effective AI prompts. Join our session to discover the best practices for issuing AI prompts. Discover how to ask the right questions to obtain the information you need quickly and efficiently. Say goodbye to inefficient and ineffective prompts, and hello to streamlined, productive interactions with your AI platforms. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your AI game and achieve greater gains in your business. Sign up now and learn the secrets to getting the most out of your AI tools!  

How should internal auditors and finance team leaders use Agentic AI? What are the dos and do nots? When deployed properly AI is wonderful. Can AI help with SOX testing? We review how to avoid the common mistakes that eliminate the benefits that AI can provide. Join us to learn about those expensive lessons.   Agentic AI (‘Artificial Intelligence’) is rapidly being deployed by leading audit, compliance, and finance teams. While AI agents are not yet replacing all of today’s knowledge workers like auditors, accountants, and IT security professionals, the knowledge workers that effectively use Agentic AI may soon be replacing those knowledge workers who do not use these tools to drive high quality business growth and scale. AI is moving beyond automation to become a true teammate, especially in the governance, risk, and compliance processes. This session will show how supervised AI agents can work alongside accountants, auditors and IT security professionals to enhance efficiency, consistency, and assurance quality.  Of critical importance is training and supervision so that the AI agents accomplish their testing to mee the intended quality standards. Attendees will leave with a practical view of how AI-powered testing can be applied to both internal and external assurance. Be prepared and learn from others.

Overview: Understanding your company's financial health requires more than just traditional metrics. This webinar is designed to reveal deeper insights through advanced, underutilized financial ratios. In this session, accounting and finance professionals will explore metrics such as operating leverage, free cash flow yield, and margin of safety-tools that go beyond standard ratios to deliver nuanced perspectives on profitability, risk exposure, and operational efficiency. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

This webinar will explore embracing and supporting neurodiversity in the workplace, promoting inclusivity, and creating a more diverse and dynamic environment.

Staying current with today's technology is no longer optional; it is essential. Tech Update 2026 offers accounting professionals a clear, strategic view of the evolving tech landscape, enabling them to cut through the noise and make informed decisions. This forward-looking session is built for practitioners who want to leverage innovation to enhance client service, boost operational efficiency, and remain competitive. Explore the most impactful trends in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, automation, and cloud-based ecosystems. Understand how technologies like Microsoft 365 Copilot, generative AI tools, industry-specific SaaS platforms, and blockchain are reshaping the profession. Learn to identify which solutions align with your firm's goals-and which are just vendor hype.

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!

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!   

Technology has given us many new writing tools, but they may just allow an inexperienced novice to turn out poor communications more quickly.  Whatever your expertise level, this webinar will help you take your writing skills to another level, saving your time and making it far more likely your reader will read and understand your message.