CPE Catalog & Events

Human Resources professionals are often tasked with investigating allegations of employee misconduct, discrimination, and others. Investigation training is traditionally presented from the position of an outsider looking in, such as a governmental agency, law firm, or private investigator. HR investigations require similar skills, but the environment and the approach are quite different. This session is an introduction to these differences and provides best practices for assessing allegations of employee misconduct and planning the investigation. Attendees will end the session with takeaways to immediately implement in future HR investigations. Episodes 2 and 3 complete the series.

Properly identifying performance obligations is a critical step in the five-step revenue recognition model. It is a step that must be completed at the inception of the contract and prior to moving on to step three of the model. As discussed in segment one on performance obligations, there are many types and variations of obligations and as such, management will be required to utilize significant judgment when applying this step. However,  it is important that the judgment be supported by considerations of the proper factors. The course further evaluates areas that impact performance obligations. We utilize multiple examples from various industries to illustrate the considerations that must be evaluated in line with both identifying performance obligations and allocating the transaction price appropriately.    

This course examines the critical issues and special opportunities facing partnerships and their partners, with a focus on reporting tax basis capital accounts.   *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    

Accounting is a man-made science, built on principles that require a consistent framework to ensure comparability and reliability in practice. This course introduces participants to the FASB Conceptual Framework, which serves not only as the foundation for developing accounting standards but also as a guide for applying sound judgment in practice. Jeff Sailor will cover the key elements of the framework, focusing on recognition, measurement, qualitative characteristics, and disclosure requirements. The course will draw on all eight chapters of Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (Concept 8), bringing clarity to how the framework supports financial reporting. Jeff’s signature video parodies will also be featured, offering memorable reinforcement of the material. 

Stay current on key developments affecting audit and attestation engagements with this comprehensive update on what's happening at the AICPA. This course begins with the next phase of quality management, with a particular focus on firms' monitoring and remediation responsibilities and what those requirements mean in practice. Participants will also review recent and upcoming standards impacting audit, attestation, and consulting engagements, including SSAE No. 24 and SSARS No. 26, along with high-impact exposure drafts related to confirmations and fraud. The course concludes with an overview of SAS No. 149 and its implications for group audits. Designed as a timely update for practitioners, this course helps participants understand how recent and proposed changes may affect engagement planning, execution, and compliance in the years ahead.  

This session is designed as a primer to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) and to discuss how it will impact accountants as they work. The material will briefly explain what AI is and then focus on ways that it is already serving those in the accounting realm. It will close with a look at future AI-centric developments that will have great potential to positively impact the accounting profession. Those wishing to gain an understanding of what artificial intelligence is and how it will be used by accountants should consider attending 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.

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!

Appreciation isn’t a soft skill—it’s a strategic advantage. In today's competitive professional landscape, your ability to express appreciation effectively can be the difference between retaining top talent, building strong client relationships, and creating a thriving team culture—or not. This course introduces a powerful, research-backed framework for understanding how appreciation works—and how to use it to fuel performance, loyalty, and engagement across your firm, practice, or department. Based on the work of Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Paul White, you’ll explore the four core "languages of appreciation" and learn how to recognize and use them in a way that resonates with clients, colleagues, and team members. The truth is, everyone wants to feel valued—but not everyone receives appreciation the same way. In this hands-on session, you’ll discover your own appreciation style, learn to spot others’, and develop practical tools to build a more energized, connected, and committed workplace.  

This session will address the complex rules of retirement distributions, review key provisions of the SECURE Act 2.0, and provide practical strategies of maximizing tax benefits for your client. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Go in-depth to understand the three main components of self-funded plans: Stop Loss, Third Party Administrators (TPA), and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM). This section will review both Specific and Aggregate Stop Loss as a concept while also providing in-depth knowledge of contract terms and risk management. It will discuss the key components of a TPAs/PBMS and show examples of admin agreements. The instructor will also use real world examples to show how to avoid common pitfalls and use cost savings tools to ensure that waste, fraud, and abuse are eliminated from your plan structures. The end of this unit will also introduce point solutions and how they can be used to ensure peak plan performance and claims savings.

Co-hosted by CalCPA President & CEO Denise LeDuc Froemming and CalCPA Health CEO Ron Lang, CalCPA's Workplace Wellness Series offer actionable strategies to support employee wellbeing, and are free to members. Mastering our emotions is a lifelong journey essential for personal fulfillment and professional success. In this engaging class, participants will explore various types of emotions, delve into how neuroscience influences our reactions to triggers, and examine the profound impact our feelings have on our daily lives. Those who are emotionally intelligent tend to be empathetic, positive, productive, and goal-oriented?qualities that many of us aspire to embody. If you're looking to enhance your emotional intelligence and cultivate these traits, this is the perfect class for you!

The Uniform Guidance identifies COSO and the Green Book as best practices for internal controls in governmental audits. This course provides a comprehensive review of the COSO framework, including its 2013 update, and explores its application to the Green Book. Attendees will learn to recall the five components and 17 principles of internal control, understand the benefits of adopting internal control frameworks, and recognize the rationale behind the COSO 2013 update and its impact on auditing practices. Additionally, the course will cover how to leverage Part 6 of the Compliance Supplement to effectively document internal controls.

This session provides an overview regarding recent standards that should be top-of-mind for auditors in addition to providing insight regarding auditing standards that will soon be effective. 

Thsi course provides a comprehensive overview of Written Information Security Plans (WISP), focusing on their purpose, requirements, and implentation. All PTIN holders must certify they have a WISP prior to renewal, along with certifying the training of employees, staff and contractors as necessary. Participants will explore the history and legal foundation of WISP under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and how compliances is enforsed through IRS Circular 230, AICPA Statments of Standards, The American Bar Associations and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

How you onboard a new employee is critical in ensuring they understand your company culture and are immersed properly in your organization. On the flipside, in the event you are dealing with an employee termination, this too is critical in handling with care and sensitivity.  

This two-hour course provides a comprehensive overview of the IRS collection process, guiding tax professionals through each stage, from the initial notice to enforced collection actions. Participants will gain insights into taxpayer expectations during the collection process, as well as strategies for resolving tax debts. The course highlights when to use Form 433-A or 433-B, the documentation needed, and the criteria for submitting an Offer in Compromise (OIC) to settle tax debts for less than the full amount owed. Attendees will also learn about the various payment options available and practical approaches to advising clients. *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

Financial statement audits often involve audits of components of a larger entity. This course will focus on the responsibilities for both the group auditor and component auditor, including implementation of SAS No. 149 relate to group audits.

Are you ready to unlock Excel's full potential? In today's fast-paced world, mastering Excel isn't just a nice-to-have-it';s a must for anyone who wants to work smarter, faster, and with greater accuracy. Make plans to participate in this dynamic, Excel-centric session designed for professionals like you. Discover how you can leverage features like templates, Precision as Displayed, and PivotTables along with new tools such as Dynamic Arrays, advanced data cleaning, PIVOTBY and GROUPBY functions, and seamless Copilot integration. These features will transform the how you and your team analyze data, automate reporting, and deliver actionable insights from Excel.

How to properly account for and audit digital records is increasingly gathering importance as more entities have cryptocurrency and other digital assets on their financial statements. This course will address common questions, risks, and challenges evolving in this area. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Client Accounting Services (CAS) has become a cornerstone of modern CPA firms, offering opportunities for enhanced client relationships, recurring revenue streams, and streamlined operations. This course provides accounting professionals with practical guidance on implementing and optimizing CAS within their firms. Participants will explore the foundational elements of CAS, including service offerings, pricing models, and client communication strategies. The course delves into the technology tools essential for CAS, including accounting software, workflow automation, and reporting platforms. It offers insights into best practices for managing client expectations and delivering consistent, high-value services. In addition, participants will examine case studies of successful CAS implementations, review current trends affecting CAS, and identify critical steps to build a scalable CAS practice aligned with their firm's goals. The course also addresses the importance of data security, governance, and compliance in providing CAS, ensuring ethical and professional service delivery