CPE Catalog & Events

This course introduces CPAs, financial auditors as well as technology auditors to the foundational concepts of IT auditing. Participants will learn how IT systems support financial reporting, how to assess risk in IT environments, and how IT General Controls (ITGCs) and application controls impact audit procedures. The course also introduces IT audit planning and scoping to help auditors determine what systems and controls to evaluate.

This course focuses on the key federal tax issues affecting business from the internal accountant's point of view, with a focus on the major ramifications of the TCJA and other recent tax legislation and developments.  Planning alternatives and the potential risks associated with those strategies will also be discussed.      *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  

Gain an invaluable skill set to advance your career by learning how to design and apply a comprehensive cost accounting system modeled on a real company. This course shows you how to precisely identify all direct and indirect manufacturing costs for each product, link direct costs to their base drivers, and recognize fluctuating variable and semi-fixed costs that are actually direct in nature. You’ll also learn how to trace certain fixed costs to products, distinguish which fixed costs are directly assignable, and apply budgeting techniques to establish accurate standard costs.  It's highly recommended to take Part 1 before Part 2 as several foundational principles in Part 1 carry forward throughout Part 2.

Almost 50% of businesses that started five years ago are no longer in operation today. Controllers and CFOs can and must influence the longevity of their organization to improve their success rate.  Jim will help you be aware and understand the answers to these issues: Can you describe the financial health of your company? Can you also explain what the financial health of your industry is? Do you know your Business Cycle compared to the industry business cycle? Do you have an executable plan? Do you know what the competitive, legal and technological landscape is currently, and for the future? Is your organization aligned and incentivize to be successful? Jim has developed his groundbreaking Business Longevity concept as a keynote and a workshop, and would be happy to speak to your organization on this topic. This session will focus on assessment (financial health, competitive environment), determination (effective business planning, including the future landscape), and execution (gettin’ it done!)

Navigating the complexities of business transactions requires a deep understanding of tax and estate planning strategies. In this comprehensive course tailored for financial professionals, participants will explore the intricacies of creative approaches to buying, selling, or gifting a business. Through real-world scenarios and practical insights, attendees will gain invaluable expertise in identifying tax risks, minimizing liabilities, and safeguarding assets. From evaluating valuation methods to exploring the details of stock versus asset purchases, this course equips you with the essential tools to provide informed counsel to clients. Discover the potential for strategic success as you master topics including estate transfer and tax implications, gifting strategies, and the utilization of various trusts and partnerships. Whether you're a CPA, EA, attorney, or financial planner, this course offers indispensable knowledge to elevate your practice. With a recommended 8 credit hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE), this intermediate-level course is designed for professionals with a foundational understanding of business tax and estate planning. Join us and immerse yourself in a journey towards mastery in the vibrant landscape of business transactions. **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.

This comprehensive program equips CPAs with the knowledge and practical tools to handle clients who have failed to file tax returns for multiple years. The course covers every stage of the process-from client onboarding and transcript analysis to risk assessment, ethical considerations, and resolution strategies. Participants will learn how to manage cases involving individuals, married couples, businesses, payroll taxes, and S corporations, including situations with missing records and potential criminal exposure. Real-world examples, IRS references, and best practices are integrated throughout to ensure confidence and compliance. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

*** This is not a Florida-Approved Ethics Course*** This webinar invites participants to explore the powerful intersection of ethics, spirituality, love, and belonging in the workplace. By shifting from transactional interactions to values-driven communities, organizations can cultivate cultures that honor human dignity while enhancing productivity. This is a heart centered and practical webinar emphasizing how love, belonging and spirituality shape ethical choices. Through a blend of practical strategies for personal and organizational growth and research- based insights, the session demonstrates that these elements are not optional "nice-to-haves." Instead, they are essential drivers of organizational success; shaping environments where people feel valued, connected, and inspired to contribute their best. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Have you ever found yourself wondering why people won't just listen to you? Or maybe you have found yourself surrounded by people that make your jaw clench...you know the people...the challenging people. Leaders walk a tightrope of being strong, but not aggressive, polite, but not a pushover. It is exhausting! In this session, you will uncover the secrets to working with (and overcoming) challenging people derived from the decades of experience Summer brings from her time on the frontlines and as an HR Professional working with companies such as Walt Disney World, H-E-B and even a dude ranch.  

Tax rates, personal liability, operations - these are all factors to be weighed when advising clients about their choice of entity decision. This session provides a comparison of the multiple entity choices to start the discussion with clients and selecting the best tax efficient option for them. *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

Two seemingly similar products can have very different costs, yet many companies are completely oblivious to these differences causing them to lose money or competitive bids.  When companies compete, those with good information win the “gravy” contracts and those with bad information lose money on “dog” jobs.  Attend this session to gain insights on how to win bids for the best opportunities and give the money-losers to your competitors.  Achieve your target profitability in the process.  

Microsoft 365 is one of the most widely used business applications software suites used in business today. Microsoft Copilot is the generative AI application that is integrated directly into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. If your firm or business is a Microsoft 365 user, this course will teach you how to use Copilot AI to optimize the use of your Microsoft 365 apps. This course will provide a comprehensive review and demonstration of how to put Microsoft Copilot AI to work for you and your clients. It is designed as a "hands-on" course that facilitates following along with the presenter to apply the features of Microsoft Copilot on your computer. Practice files will be provided so that you don't have to expose your confidential data. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

SSARS 21 significantly changed the way CPA services are being offered. There is still confusion about CPA responsibilities and procedures. The course will discuss differences between bookkeeping, preparation and compilation engagements and how they differ. It will also discuss financial statement frameworks and how they influence the engagement as well as analytical procedures in review engagements.

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

*** This is not a Florida-approved Ethics course***The course provides general information on how to identify money laundering activities during the conduct of normal tax audits. Discover key resources and tools available for effective detection and deterrence. Explore the impact of money laundering on ethical decision-making, and how examiners and auditors can assist criminal investigators in countering money laundering. 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 have been a practitioner for any length of time, you know that there is often a difference between what clients should do and what they actually do. Have you ever wondered why that is? In this course, we will explore how we make decisions with less-than-perfect information. Through real-life examples and case studies, we will examine common behavioral biases and how to deal with them. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Join us for a dynamic training session tailored for leaders seeking to cultivate a culture of accountability while fostering respect and trust within their teams. High morale is intrinsically linked to high accountability in today’s fast-paced work environment. Through this session, leaders will explore the intersection of accountability, psychological safety, boundaries, and trust, gaining practical insights and actionable strategies to effectively hold their employees accountable while maintaining a positive and supportive work environment.

When asked the question, "What would you like to improve about your leadership and communication style?". More than 65% of leaders say they want to be more confident and assertive in their communication. Confidence and clarity communicate leadership. If you are responsible for growing a profitable company or a productive team, you want team members who have the ability to reach goals, make sales, finish projects, and serve customers. Being a confident, compelling leader helps to inspire better relationships, promotes trust, and reduces stress in the workplace. Confident communication cultivates cooperation, goal achievement, and a more respectful work environment. Clear and compelling leaders are better equipped to move projects forward and make things happen while improving cooperation and respect from partners and subordinates.

Understanding the principles and practices of compensation is essential for creating a motivated and satisfied workforce. In this webinar, we'll explore how these crucial elements drive fairness and engagement in HR practices. This program is designed for HR professionals and business leaders seeking to enhance their compensation strategies.

Numbers and especially the digits within those numbers can conceal a lot of information.  Benford's Law and other digital analysis techniques can be the keys to unlocking that information.  This session will explain what Benford's Law is, how it works, and how it can be used to reveal bogus information and made-up data.  Accountants and auditors should understand how to use this valuable audit tool as well as other digital analysis techniques.  But, if you attend this session, you must promise not to reveal the secret behind these techniques to any fraud perpetrators.

For accounting and tax professionals, understanding the inner workings of blockchain and cryptocurrency is no longer just an advantage—it’s a necessity. This course provides an in-depth look into the mechanics of digital currencies and revolutionary blockchain technology, equipping attendees with the knowledge to navigate benefits and risks effectively. Special emphasis is placed on the tax implications for both individuals and estates, ensuring that attendees can confidently advise on these issues, which are becoming increasingly relevant in financial planning and asset management. This offering is more than just a learning experience; it’s an investment in one’s professional growth. By understanding the tax complexities and estate planning challenges posed by digital assets, participants will be able to offer valuable insights and strategic solutions. They will emerge from this course not just with theoretical knowledge but with actionable skills that can be applied immediately. In a landscape where digital assets are becoming commonplace, this is the education that will differentiate the exceptional from the average. Join today and step into a role as a leader in finance for the digital age.