CPE Catalog & Events

Award winning discussion leader Mark Hugh discusses how to create and capture value with consulting services. Whether you want to consult a little or full time, this valuable course reviews identifying a specialty, growing a practice, capturing value, creating deliverables, and effective marketplace marketing strategies.  

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the business valuation process, beginning with key terminology, professional standards, and the rules that guide the appraisal profession. Participants will explore the three primary approaches to value—Asset, Income, and Market—before focusing in depth on the Asset Approach. The course examines when and why this method is used, its advantages and limitations, and how to apply it effectively in real-world scenarios. Through practical examples and clear explanations of each of the three methods within the Asset Approach, learners will gain both the confidence and competence to apply valuation principles in their professional practice.

Unlock the power of multigenerational teams to future-proof your firm. Today’s workplace is more generationally diverse than ever—spanning five, soon to be six, distinct generations. And while this mix can create miscommunication and friction, it also holds untapped potential for innovation, connection, and resilience. This dynamic course helps professionals in accounting, law, banking, insurance, and financial services understand and harness generational dynamics. You'll explore how shared formative experiences shape values, communication styles, and expectations at work—from the frugality of the World War II generation to the digital fluency of Gen Z and the up-and-coming Generation Alpha. Rather than getting stuck in generational stereotypes, you’ll learn to lead, collaborate, and connect more effectively across ages. With insights drawn from workplace psychology, sociological research, and real-world examples, this course equips you with practical tools to bridge the gap—so you can build stronger client relationships, more collaborative teams, and a culture people want to stay in.  

As cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others become more popular, tax authorities around the world are working to create regulations for their use and transactions. This session will address cryptocurrency tax issues and their complexities and challenges that individuals and businesses face when dealing with the taxation of digital currencies. *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

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.

Discusses the Functional Approach to Employee Benefit Plan design and provides HR professionals with a clear blueprint on how to develop a benefits strategy that is aimed at addressing employee needs. The unit will also identify pathways to develop communication strategies to ensure employees view benefit programs as compensation. The end of the unit will introduce some of the different medical plan types and how they vary in terms of how total rewards are delivered.

This is Part 2 in the Series of Emerging Risks for Accountants and Finance The rapid evolution of technology, globalization, and regulatory frameworks has introduced a range of emerging risks that are transforming the fields of accounting, finance, and auditing. Innovations such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and big data analytics are redefining traditional business models while creating new challenges related to data integrity, cybersecurity, and ethical decision-making. In accounting and finance, the growing reliance on automated systems raises concerns about vulnerabilities, algorithmic bias, and the potential for misinformation. Auditors face heightened expectations for real-time assurance, transparency, and adaptability to new reporting standards, including sustainability and ESG disclosures. Geopolitical instability, economic volatility, and evolving regulatory pressures add layers of uncertainty to financial reporting and audit quality. This four-part seminar series explores these emerging risks, analyzes their implications for professionals and organizations, and highlights proactive strategies for risk management, continuous learning, and technological competency.  

We’re all familiar with PDF documents. However, it’s safe to say that most professionals use only a tiny fraction of their features. This circumstance is unfortunate, considering all you can do with PDF documents. Therefore, isn’t it time to take another look at PDF K2’s Taking Another Look At PDFs documents and all you can do with them? Participate in this session to learn more about PDFs and how and why they should be a cornerstone technology in most organizations. Collaboration options, long-term storage and archival, and fillable forms are just a few features you will learn about in this session. If you’re ready to elevate your PDF productivity, this session is for you!

We mostly focus on the income statement, but what about other financial statements and countless other accounting concerns?  This seminar is dedicated to breaking down common balance sheet issues, both on-the-books and off, that have an impact on our stakeholders and the value of the organization.  Using practical analysis, we highlight several key tools in understanding and communicating the importance of the forgotten cornerstone of accounting: the balance sheet. Most notably, we dedicate time to the pressing issue of “unrecorded assets”.  This session is designed to also be fun and entertaining. This seminar stands on its own but is also part of the Common Sense CFO series.

This course dives into the powerful, but potentially under-utilized, capabilities of Microsoft Excel.  Designed for sophisticated users willing to approach spreadsheets from a unique perspective, this program encourages users to challenge the status quo by considering opportunities to take acceptable spreadsheets to a new level.

During part 3, of this 4-part series, we'll focus on the challenges preparers of fiduciary tax returns face when trying to apply new tax laws often targeted for individuals to non-grantor trusts. This webinar explores in depth the limitations posed by the new tax rules under IRC Sec. 67(g). It also explores presentation issues when the entity has Qualified Business Income (QBI) that results in a Sec. 199A deduction. Lastly, it explores difficult issues that can arise with the charitable contribution deduction. Be sure to register for all courses in this series: Form 1041 Advanced Series Part 1: Why Complex Trusts are Complicated Form 1041 Advanced Series Part 2: Cash & Property Distribution Issues Form 1041 Advanced Series Part 3: Sec. 199. Sec. 67(g) & Charitable Deductions Form 1041 Advanced Series Part 4: Post Mortem Considerations

Participants will learn how to interpret the most common IRS correspondence, adhere to response deadlines, and effectively communicate with the IRS to resolve issues and minimize risks. It provides professionals with knowledge and strategies needed to handle the most common notices including audit requests, collections & return inquiries as well as error notices. Focusing on best practices to ensure compliance and avoiding penalties or escalation. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Personal financial planning issues evolve in an increasingly challenging environment where it's harder to keep up with important and timely changes. And since changes seem to be occurring quicker than anticipated, with several recent twists, CPAs must be prepared for the unexpected and be in tune with new approaches. As a result, CPAs must challenge clients to stay focused on their goals while managing expectations and striving for realism in order to achieve objectives. We'll focus on the newest personal financial planning changes and prepare for new opportunities related to income tax, retirement and estate planning issues. You'll learn what you need to know in identifying critical exposures and providing appropriate solutions when working with your client in these rapidly changing and life-altering disciplines. Be sure to register for all of our PFP updates: PFP Update: Income Tax, Retirement, and Estate Planning PFP Update: Issues, Exposures, and Developing Client Strategy PFP Update: Investment Planning in This New Era

Understanding unconscious bias is key to creating an inclusive workplace and to making the best business decisions. This course explores the concept of unconscious bias, the science behind it, and how it can affect the way employers hire, evaluate, and treat employees. We will also discuss strategies employers can use to reduce unconscious bias and create a more inclusive workplace.

GAAP has become too complex for many small and private entities. As an alternative, many entities have adopted special purpose frameworks (formerly called OCBOA). This program guides entities through the acceptable methods of non-GAAP financial statements, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and presentation of the statements and disclosures.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.  The same theory applies to departmental performance—the overall result is only as strong as its weakest contributor.  Leave our interactive and entertaining session with insight for developing and sustaining the best team you can possibly assemble.  The four elements in this process are (1) development, (2) leadership, (3) hiring and (4) environment.  Discuss how to effectively use these elements in your creation of an outstanding organization. Discover the power of the 10 Attributes for Leadership Success and the negative impact of Leadership’s Fatal 13. Above all, learn how to combine these four elements as a successful catalyst for sustained high-quality output and results.  

The audit landscape for 401(k) plans is shifting'fast. Recent reviews by the U.S. Department of Labor, combined with the introduction of Statement on Auditing Standards No. 136 (SAS 136), are changing how audits are conducted and what's expected of both auditors and plan sponsors. This course gives CPAs the insights and guidance they need to confidently navigate these changes. We'll explore the impact of SAS 136 and other recent updates, with a clear look at the responsibilities involved in an ERISA Section 103(a)(3)(C) audit'the new standard that has replaced the old limited scope audit. You'll also learn about the most common compliance issues flagged in 401(k) audits, based on findings from the Department of Labor and peer reviewers, and walk away with practical strategies and corrections to strengthen your audit approach.

Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of alternatives to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) financial statement presentations is vital to making proper client choices. For example, practitioners may seek to use the Other Comprehensive Basis of Accounting (OCBOA) financial statement presentations, as GAAP will increase complexity and the cost of compliance. Here, we'll explore compliance with the preparation, presentation, disclosure and reporting nuances of cash- and tax-basis financial statements. We'll also discuss the AICPA's Financial Reporting Framework for Small- and Medium-Sized Entities (FRF for SMEs). This course meets the specific OCBOA requirements that CPAs must meet for the re-issuance of their license.

With the increasing complexity and ever-changing nature of tax laws and issues, today’s accountant needs a one-day update course focusing on individual income tax issues with an emphasis of newly enacted income tax legislation. This comprehensive class will not only review the current Federal individual income tax laws but will also update tax return preparers of new tax forms, changes to existing tax forms, as well as tax planning opportunities and pitfalls. This is a “must-attend” course for all tax practitioners who want to be up to speed quickly and have a successful Federal individual income tax filing season.   *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  

Staff accountants often face unique challenges when working with Excel, and their existing knowledge might not always meet their needs. This comprehensive eight-hour session is designed to bridge that gap and empower you with the essential skills to maximize efficiency and accuracy. Participate in this dynamic and engaging session, and you will learn how to: •    Summarize data quickly and accurately •    Generate stunning, professional reports •    Create essential accounting calculations for depreciation, amortization, and interest We start with a quick overview of Excel best practices and dive into advanced topics like PivotTables, sophisticated formulas, Tables, formatting, and working with dates. Our course is packed with accounting-centric examples to reinforce key learning points. Plus, you'll enjoy a "laptop-friendly" environment with access to all demonstration files. This seminar is a must for all staff accountants eager to enhance their Excel skills and transform their workflow. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your Excel expertise and take the first step towards mastering Excel today!