CPE Catalog & Events

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.

AI is already being used in so many ways to aid business organizations in a wide array of ways. However, artificial intelligence is also being used by those seeking to steal or commit fraud to circumvent controls and mislead both people and systems working to keep fraud at bay. The use of AI for ill-intent is pervasive and difficult to detect which makes fighting defalcation attempts an even greater struggle. In this session we will look at some of the methods that are AI-centric which are being used to deceive and defraud. We will then dive deeper and explore ways to identify instances when AI is being used. Finally, we will look at control measures that can aid those working to fight AI driven fraud. If it is evident that artificial intelligence could be used as a weapon to harm you or your organization, you should strongly consider enrolling in 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.

From Enron and WorldCom in the early 2000s to Wirecard and FTX in recent years, the risk of fraud in an audit remains high, and the potential loss to the public has only increased. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) annual reports find that fraud is potentially lurking in all businesses, including not-for-profit organizations. It often goes undetected for years, and, when uncovered, management and the board may question why an auditor did not identify it - even though most corporate frauds are identified by internal personnel. Still, the auditor's responsibility in a financial statement audit is to assess risk and perform sufficient procedures to obtain reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement due to fraud (or error). However, failure to perform an adequate fraud risk assessment and report deficiencies in internal control, such as a lack of segregation of duties, can leave a firm vulnerable. This course will discuss the audit procedures that should be performed in accordance with AU-C §240, Consideration of Fraud in a Financial Statement Audit, as recently amended; best practices in performing fraud risk assessment procedures; when and how to report control deficiencies noted in an audit; and the most frequent types of fraud found in small to mid-sized entities along with internal controls that could be implemented to help prevent and detect them. We will also look at various cyber fraud schemes and how they might be prevented or detected, the use of analytics as fraud risk procedures, and assessments of fraud risk in a Single Audit. Fraud is now more complicated than ever. From deepfakes to complex denial-of-service attacks, auditors have more to consider in their risk assessment than they did even five years ago. This course features case studies and detailed illustrations to help auditors know what to look for and how to respond to potential fraud in their audits.

Specifically designed for preparation, compilation, and review practitioners, this course will provide you with a comprehensive review and hands-on application for performing financial statement preparation, compilation, and review engagements. You will learn the ins and outs of applying SSARS No. 21, Clarification and Recodification, as well as the additional guidance related to SSARS engagements through the issuance of SSARS Nos. 22-26 by the ARSC. In addition to SSARS 26, the entire suite of quality management standards is discussed. However, knowing the standards is not enough. You need to be able to effectively apply them. To support this, the course will review recent peer review feedback on SSARS engagements, providing insights on how to successfully apply this guidance. Not only will this course bring you up to date on SSARS requirements and guidance, but more importantly, it will provide you with practical examples and illustrations to help you effectively and efficiently perform these types of engagements. This course is intended to be your go-to reference for training your staff and managing your SSARS No. 21-26 services in compliance with professional, ethical, and technical requirements.

Persuasive communication follows a structure that has endured for centuries. In this 1-CPE session (Professional Development), participants explore the Aristotelian framework of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos and examine how credibility, logic, and emotional resonance function together in professional messaging. Drawing from course examples comparing historical and corporate speeches, participants analyze how different persuasive appeals influence audience response. The session also introduces the concept of emotional dynamics and volatility in presentations, based on research discussed in the course materials. Participants will evaluate how variation in tone and emotional movement increases engagement and how to apply this strategically in professional settings. The emphasis is on designing communication deliberately - balancing credibility, reasoning, and appropriate emotional appeal. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

This advanced course examines the federal tax consequences of business dissolutions, ownership changes, and related restructuring transactions involving partnerships, S corporations, and closely held businesses. Using a cradle-to-grave framework, the program addresses planning, execution, valuation, reporting, and post-transaction compliance issues arising in sales, redemptions, liquidations, divorces, deaths, and internal restructurings. Participants will analyze inside and outside basis, debt basis, Section 754 adjustments, Section 302 redemption tests, Section 1041 transfers, F reorganizations, Section 751 hot assets, and the treatment of goodwill and other Section 197 intangibles. The course also incorporates practical guidance on NIIT, potential Section 1202 considerations, final-year return procedures, and selected state tax issues that commonly affect business exits and ownership transitions. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

To many clients, CPA firms all look the same. While services and specialties may vary significantly from one firm to another, it is hard for the average person to see this by simply looking at the sign outside our office door. Is there any way to make us stand out more to the outside world? Through surveys, statistics, and examples, this course looks at how CPA firms can develop a marketing plan beyond just relying on referrals. We look at the pluses and minuses of various marketing channels, regulatory constraints, and how to measure success in the competitive financial services space.

Employee benefit plan audits present unique compliance and audit considerations that require auditors to remain alert to both recurring issues and evolving requirements. This course addresses current standards and developments affecting employee benefit plan audits while focusing on practical considerations encountered during EBP engagements. Participants will review common compliance issues identified in 401(k) plan audits and considerations related to correcting those issues. The course also covers best practices for audit areas such as participant data, payroll and compensation, contributions and remittances, participant loans, hardship distributions, investments, distributions, investment income allocations, and plan mergers and acquisitions. The program is designed for auditors of employee benefit plans who have basic knowledge of EBP audits and want to review best practices, common compliance issues, and considerations that arise during EBP audit engagements. 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 introduces the foundational concepts of artificial intelligence (AI) and AI's relevance to accounting. Participants will explore various AI applications and understand the benefits, challenges, and future trends associated with AI integration in accounting. Case studies of successful AI implementation in accounting firms are included to enhance learning.

Accounting and finance practitioners are still grappling with the many changes OBBBA has made to the tax laws, many of which will impact tax filings. This program is an introduction to and review of some of these critical changes and their impact on taxpayers. Accounting and finance practitioners will gain a better understanding of this very complex set of new tax rules. Practitioners will grasp what is new and what is a continuance of prior rules to develop deeper insights into the many changes that the OBBBA made to the law. If you still feel you need to learn more about how OBBBA works, this program is for you. We have assembled a two-hour review and analysis of what we consider the most important changes from OBBBA that impact client transactions. To the extent that Treasury has provided guidance relating to these new OBBBA changes, we will discuss that guidance. Where guidance is lacking, we will point out areas that require future attention from Treasury.

This course provides a detailed discussion on the key topics related to financial reporting, though in a summarized format. The course will focus on recent ASUs issued by the FASB, including the 12 ASUs issued in 2025, with a concentration on issues of greatest significance to most accounting practitioners. The greatest emphasis on the ASUs will focus on those effective in 2025 and 2026. Specifically, the course will review ASUs addressing financial instruments, disaggregated expenses, government grants, credit losses under ASC 326, and the final stages of the ASC 842 post-implementation review (PIR) report findings. Other hot-button accounting issues, such as what is on the FASB's technical agenda, are also discussed. This course is the place to go for a succinct but thorough update on the big topics impacting financial accounting and reporting.

Is that business jet, RV, yacht or luxury automobile really deductible? This course tackles the tricky terrain of listed property depreciation, helping tax professionals navigate IRC 280F with confidence and clarity. Whether your client is flying high, cruising the coast, or hitting the highway, this session will help you determine what qualifies, what doesn't, and how to keep the IRS at bay. 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 provides a focused update on major recent pronouncements issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). Coverage includes GASB Statement No. 103 (financial reporting model), GASB Statement No. 104 (disclosures for capital assets), and GASB Statement No. 105 (subsequent events). Participants will also receive a high-level overview of active GASB exposure drafts and ongoing projects. The course is designed to help auditors, preparers, and financial leaders understand how these developments affect audits, financial statement preparation, and board reporting. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

One of the most intimidating aspects of going into business for yourself is compliance. Tax, employment, and regulatory laws are difficult to navigate, so it often falls on the CPA to know the basics in these areas to help their clients avoid costly litigation. In this course, we will cover basic compliance areas for small business owners. We will look at the main elements of a contract, taxation of entity types, worker classification, property law, and many of the other areas that are often overwhelming for small business owners. By being able to speak to these issues, practitioners will be able to add value and help their small business owner clients grow and thrive.

The statement of cash flows is a critical component of a company's set of financial statements. Cover the proper preparation of the statement, including analysis techniques. Learn how financial statements enable CPAs and financial professionals to see a business's cash inflows and outflows relating to operating, investing and financing activities and evaluation of liquidity and quality of earnings. Case studies and sample documentation reinforce significant concepts and help participants apply the analysis techniques discussed.

One of the most favored employee benefit plans, the 401(k) plan, provides unique challenges for auditors. Through this course, auditors will obtain an understanding of the rules and regulations unique to employee benefit plans and obtain practical guidance on applying them. Auditors will enhance their knowledge of the performance and reporting requirements through real-world examples, best practices, and efficient audit techniques that can be utilized in various audit engagements. Make sure your audits don't trigger a DOL inspection by conforming to all applicable rules and regulations.

Are you a new advisor handling S Corp clients, or perhaps a seasoned professional facing this common scenario: "My S Corp client didn't take reasonable compensation last year. Now what?" Knowing that reasonable compensation isn't just a tax obligation, but a strategic financial decision, you need to be armed with expert knowledge to help your client navigate this situation. Join us to discuss IRS regulations, understand preventive measures, and address challenges within the year. 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 provides a concise overview of advanced, real-world applications of Claude Cowork, focusing on how accountants can operationalize agentic AI within complex financial workflows. Moving beyond foundational concepts, this session explores how AI plugins, structured workflows, and integrated data environments elevate Cowork from a capable assistant into a specialized accounting partner. Participants will examine high-impact use cases such as variance analysis, invoice automation, and board-level reporting, while learning how to embed domain intelligence through the Finance Plugin and firm-specific customization. A central theme of the course is the application of the Sparring Partner Protocol, enabling accountants to rigorously validate, challenge, and enhance AI-generated outputs. The session emphasizes that while AI can execute 70-80% of the work, professional judgment, verification, and strategic interpretation remain essential. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

The most recent recession and its fallout, weather (look at 2017), process and product failures, and unethical behavior have again highlighted failures by numerous organizations in identifying and managing risk. The size and reputation of organizations proved not to be the key to success. Again, we saw that failures can result in areas/industries thought to be "under control" through their policies, practices and/or regulations. A core activity of financial management is to effectively protect the assets of their organizations, without significantly reducing new ideas and growth. This brief program provides insights and approaches to identify risk and manage the above noted trade-off. The course is designed for financial managers looking to quickly build upon their existing knowledge and experience, as well as to help to start the less experienced individual. It offers ideas that can be used immediately, as well as longer term approaches. Updated to include new information particularly in the areas of disaster planning, business continuity, and ethics, as well as a sample group exercise to test your current risk management systems.

As financial leaders, CPAs are often tasked with managing organizational risk. In this respect, the supplier relationship can be a tricky one. It is often one of the more familiar and comfortable business relationships we have, yet it may also be the one that presents the most significant risk to our company. In this course, we will explore how to manage the supplier relationship from onboarding to termination. Through case studies and best practices, we will discuss how to continue being a good partner to our suppliers while also understanding where potential risks exist. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.