CPE Catalog & Events

A well-designed internal controls system can and will drive all entity objectives. Too many times control creators focus too much on security. It is important to properly balance protection-based measures with those designed to enhance efficiency. This session works to illustrate the power of a strong and well supported control system. It also discusses steps to take in order to establish such a system. This material is becoming more and more beneficial as companies strive to address many new business challenges such as evolving markets, the rapid rate of change in the business world and the notable increase in governmental and industry-based regulation. Those that desire a balanced and workplace enhancing control system should strongly consider this session. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Looking to improve the quality of your 401(k) benefit plan audits? This is the course for you. Based on recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor and peer reviews on employee benefit plan audits, we know auditors need to up their game to meet stakeholder demands and provide the best possible audit services. In this advanced course, we will discuss the audit and reporting requirements in accordance with auditing standards. We will also discuss laws and regulations (such as ERISA) that are unique to employee benefit plans and provide practical guidance on their application. Course topics will focus on the most common compliance issues identified in 401(k) audits by the Department of Labor and peer reviews, as well as recommended corrections. Auditors will identify best practices for auditing areas such as payroll and compensation, participant loans, hardship distributions, investments, and plan mergers and acquisitions.

This year practitioners need to keep abreast of tax changes affecting pass-through entities used by their business clients and employers, and this enlightening course delivers that information. You will learn invaluable strategies, techniques, innovative tax-planning concepts, income-generating ideas, and other planning opportunities available to S corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and LLPs. In addition, this course will discuss current trends and emerging issues, helping practitioners stay informed about relevant and significant topics that may impact their clients. Continually updated to reflect enacted legislation.

This course provides a focused analysis of the individual and small business provisions in Pub. L. 119-21 (H.R.1), "One Big Beautiful Bill." Tailored for tax professionals working with Form 1040 filers, the course explores impactful updates, from the no-tax-on-tips provision to enhanced bonus depreciation. Designed to inform planning strategies and compliance for the 2025 tax year and beyond. Participants will gain actionable insight into newly proposed deductions and expanded credits. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

This session provides insights for enhancing the preparation and utilization of budgets. Seasoned accountants will benefit from a refreshed awareness of popular techniques.  Budding financial professionals will obtain novel insight regarding fundamental budgeting concepts. All participants will develop an appreciation for the holistic nature of budgeting as an integral tool for planning and control. 

Intro to Governmental Accounting 102 is the natural follow up course to the original Intro to Governmental Accounting 101. In this session, we will tackle unique things like what makes a fund a major fund, what are the differing basis of accountings used, why geography matters in the world of state and local governmental reporting, and many other intermediate type topics. A great course to take after you have taken Intro to Governmental Accounting 101.  

*** This is not a Florida-approved Ethics course*** Two college graduates built impressive careers: One worked in sales, the other in technology and investing. Both of those people made decisions in the course of their business that led to government investigations. They had to hire attorneys, go through judicial processes, face charges, and plead guilty. Each of those people are on their way to prison. Learn from the lessons they offer. We interview both financial professionals, and they tell us more about how their decisions influenced the consequences that followed. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Cyber threats targeting accounting and finance professionals are growing more sophisticated, putting sensitive financial data at risk. This session explores the most pressing cybersecurity challenges accounting and finance professionals face today, including email fraud, phishing attacks, cloud security risks, and securing remote work environments. It also addresses the role of cyber insurance. Through real-world case studies and practical strategies, participants will learn how to recognize and mitigate cyber threats, evaluate cyber insurance policies, and implement security measures that protect their firms and clients. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to strengthen their cybersecurity posture and ensure compliance with evolving regulatory and industry standards.

This program covers all of the major individual provisions of the OBBA of 2025 (H.R. 1), including detailed examples of provisions which were extended, made permanent with substantial changes, and new for 2025 and beyond. A comprehensive case study will apply many of these provisions to illustrate the impact of these provisions on the individual taxpayer. Other current individual tax issues, including dependent care and student loan reporting, will also be review.   *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  

Unlock the full potential of Excel and transform your operational and financial reports like never before. With cutting-edge tools such as Data Models, Power Query, Data Analysis Expressions, and Power Pivot, you can create powerful summaries and schedules in record time. Combine these with Excel's legacy features, and you have a game-changing opportunity to elevate your reporting environment. Join our fast-paced seminar to discover the magic of Power Query and how it seamlessly links data into Excel data models, enabling more efficient and insightful reporting. Learn to incorporate Key Performance Indicators, Slicers, and Timelines into your reports to enhance data analytics and understandability. Plus, master best practices for quickly and efficiently formatting your spreadsheets, giving them a polished and professional appearance. This course is a must for anyone using Excel for reporting processes. Elevate your skills and stay ahead of the curve with our expert guidance. You will truly learn how you can revolutionize your Excel-based reporting practices by participating in this session.

Discover the power of QuickBooks Online (QBO)! Intuit's cloud-based accounting platform has evolved and thrived over the past decade, now generating approximately five times the revenue of its desktop counterpart. Yet, many accountants and business professionals are still unaware of the extensive features QBO offers. Unlock the advantages of the subscription model and learn how to leverage QBO to manage inventory, enhance internal controls, create presentation-quality financial statements, and seamlessly migrate from QuickBooks Desktop or other accounting platforms. Join our dynamic session to explore the best practices for implementing, using, and excelling with QuickBooks Online.  Don't miss out on the opportunity to elevate your accounting game with this surprisingly robust platform!

This course is designed for financial professionals looking to understand Form 1120S. It covers the essential aspects of S corporation taxation, including the preparation of Form 1120S, determining taxable income, and accurately reporting and allocating income, deductions, and credits. Electing Subchapter S status as well as reviewing the mechanics of electing Subchapter S status will be discussed. It will further compare the S Corporation to other forms of entities, along with compliance with corporate formalities. Highlights of Form 1120S will be discussed, including build-in capital gains, accountable plans, taxable fringe benefits, officer reasonable compensation and audit strategies. Schedules K-1, K-2, K-3, and effectively connected income will be reviewed in this course as well. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Every business will be sold eventually. When you have built a great business and decide to move on – you want the most you can get for that terrific organization! What are the steps to take to maximize the value realized? What do buyers really want? What are the three levers to achieve maximum value? If you want top dollar, preparing to sell takes years of planning. This seminar helps CEOs, entrepreneurs, CFOs, Board members, controllers, and their advisors prepare for a successful sale of the organization to maximize shareholder value. We will outline the process to get the most bang for the buck. Proper exit planning demands planning and time.

Understand and master the various methods of medical claim reimbursements. This foundation is critical to understand health plan networks and how they function as the baseline for cost in fully insured and self-funded plans. This unit will expand on the previous unit's analysis of point solutions and how to build those into your plan design not only for the benefit if rate structures, but employees as well. The instructor will show you how to structure your medical plans to save the plan money by incentivizing the member through cost reduction programs.

Cash is essential to every business, and is often one of the first accounts audit staff are exposed to. This course will cover the basics of auditing cash, including the related audit assertions, risks, & threats to the cash balance. 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 will provide an update of Government Auditing Standards as a result of the GAO's issuance of the 2024 Revision to Government Auditing Standards. The course will focus on the Revisions impact on financial statement audits. The course will also focus on the impact of Quality Management Standards as well as clarify as to when the concept of reporting key audit matters might apply for financial audits. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

In today's fast-paced business environment, internal controls are more crucial than ever, especially for small organizations. However, many small businesses face significant challenges in implementing effective internal control structures. Our comprehensive program is designed to help you evaluate, develop, and implement a robust internal control system tailored to the unique needs of small businesses. Join us to learn how to assess risks and implement preventive, detective, deterrent, and compensating controls to mitigate these risks, even in the absence of proper segregation of duties. Our program also covers technology-focused techniques for preventing and detecting fraud, securing information systems, and protecting sensitive data. Don't let the complexities of internal controls overwhelm you. Our expert-led sessions will provide you with the insights and tools necessary to design, implement, and monitor effective internal controls, security measures, and anti-fraud strategies. Ensure your small business is safeguarded against risks and positioned for success.

There has never been a greater opportunity to leverage technology tools to automate your tax services. This course will provide specific examples of how you can use AI (artificial intelligence) based tools to complement your tax planning, research and compliance services. You will learn how to leverage AI to automate the collection and organization of client data, the engagement management process, tax research, and enhance client advisory services with AI too This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

The accounting profession faces unprecedented workforce challenges that demand a fundamental rethinking of traditional firm structures. This course examines why the century-old pyramid practice model is becoming obsolete and presents the inverted pentagon framework as a sustainable alternative. Based on comprehensive research showing that 52% of firms expect to shrink by 20% or more in the next five years, participants will learn how to restructure their firms to thrive with fewer entry-level staff while expanding specialized expertise. The course explores the "6 Ps of Business Model Transformation" - Precision Hiring, Proactive Retention, Practical Technology Implementation, Pricing Expertise, Practice Area Expansion/Focus, and People Acceleration. Drawing from success stories in manufacturing, healthcare, and technology industries, attendees will discover proven strategies for accelerating staff development, implementing effective knowledge transfer programs, and building sustainable talent pipelines in an era of technological disruption and demographic shifts. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

In the fast moving world where everyone is communicating through email, text and instant messaging we have forgotten the power of face-to-face conversation. Communication and connection is the foundation for building a thriving network and business. During this talk, The Connector’s Advantage author, Michelle Tillis Lederman will inspire you to leverage the power of personal connection in the digital age while still incorporating the efficiency of virtual communication.