CPE Catalog & Events

The IRS defines the "gig economy" as people earning income providing on-demand work, services, or goods on either a part-time or full-time basis. The economic times we live in are changing, and accounting and finance professionals must learn how the rules apply in this new gig economy. The tax rules that apply to gig workers challenge traditional ideas of who is an employee and who is an independent contractor, and accounting and finance professionals must have the knowledge to make this determination. This program addresses federal and state tax issues accounting and finance professionals must address with clients and their own workers.

The Quality Management Suite of Standards was required to be implemented by December 15, 2025. The standards modernize the firm's approach to quality to reflect an increased focus on risk assessment, technology use, and the presence of outside experts on many engagements. Beginning with performing a risk-based approach, the standards provide accounting firms with the ability to enhance their quality control by shifting their focus to a proactive approach (management) from a reactive approach (control). The results of the firm's risk assessment will form the basis of its new Quality Management document. This is not just a tweak of the old document but a more robust document that adds new requirements from the new standards. We will cover how to perform a risk assessment, including the key provisions of the standards, and how to effectively implement a monitoring plan. We will also review how the firm will evaluate its System of Quality Management beginning in 2026.

With the largest overhaul of the federal income tax code in 30 years and the repeal of the physical presence nexus standards for sales tax in the Wayfair case, the states are working fast and furious to overhaul their tax laws. As some states scramble to fund their budgets, they continue to look for additional forms of revenue. Plan to attend this fast-paced class that covers developing topics in state taxation, ranging from individuals to pass-through entities to corporate taxpayers. This class will focus on issues of small and middle-market companies and offer guidance for minimizing tax liability and negotiating the treacherous waters of compliance.

Buying and selling a business can be a complex transaction with many tax issues. These issues include whether the transaction is or should be a stock or an asset sale when the business involved is a corporation, as well as the tax consequences associated with the sale of a partnership or a C or S corporation. Accounting and finance professionals who advise clients who are buying or selling a business primarily focus on the tax issues that apply. This program explains and analyzes the tax issues practitioners must address in order to properly advise clients who are either buyers or sellers of businesses.

Accounting and finance practitioners are continually asked for strategic planning advice. In this course, we will cover topics that will make clients, and their advisors, tax smart and tax prepared for the coming year and beyond. This program is a two-hour review and analysis of what we consider some of the most important changes from the OBBBA impacting both individual and business clients.

Answering clients' tax questions accurately and on time is a key challenge for tax practitioners. Through simple, plain language explanations and examples, this course will help practitioners perform tax research more efficiently by describing the structure of the primary sources, highlighting the differences between primary and secondary sources, and detailing the steps in the tax research process.

Accurate and effective financial reporting is essential for every not-for-profit organization, and it requires a solid understanding of today's reporting requirements. This course equips professionals with the knowledge and tools to confidently navigate not-for-profit accounting standards. You'll learn how requirements are applied in financial statements, explore available reporting options, and gain clarity on key areas such as net assets, contributions, and functional expense reporting. Through a highly illustrative format and over 30 targeted exercises, this course provides a practical, hands-on approach to building expertise in not-for-profit accounting and reporting.

Employment taxes are often overlooked as an area where more planning may be effective. Payroll taxes have become an increasing burden for the average business, and IRS penalties for noncompliance have risen dramatically in recent years. The Service has announced that uncovering noncompliance by employers ranks high on its audit list. This course presents a comprehensive overview of federal payroll taxes, Form 1099, and related compliance issues.

Starting and owning a small business remains one of the most powerful ways to build long-term wealth, alongside investing and real estate ownership. But today's business environment is fundamentally different than it was even a few years ago. Entrepreneurs must navigate rapid technological change, artificial intelligence, shifting workforce expectations, evolving regulatory frameworks, fluctuating capital markets, and increased federal and state scrutiny in areas such as non-compete agreements, data privacy, and employment law. Every large business begins as a small business, yet the risks and complexities of launching and scaling a company have increased. Owners and their advisors must address critical issues including selecting the proper entity, liability protection, financing, intellectual property protection, employment contracts, noncompete, insurance coverage, operations, and technology adoption. Decisions made at formation can materially affect a company's long-term value and ability to grow and ultimately sell. This course provides a practical, up-to-date overview of the legal, financial, and strategic considerations that business owners and their professional advisors must evaluate in today's environment. Drawing on current research, regulatory developments, and real-world trends, the program focuses on helping entrepreneurs build resilient, compliant, and scalable businesses in a rapidly changing economy.

Individual tax planning strategies for 2026 and beyond will take their cue from the many tax advantageous tax law changes enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Many of the OBBBA changes are very favorable to individual taxpayers. Taxpayers and their clients now have the opportunity to utilize these new planning strategies. Tax practitioners must know about these new changes and the planning strategies associated with them to maximize the advantages to their clients. This program will cover tax changes from 2025 that impact individuals and provide individuals with significant tax reduction opportunities for 2026.

The field of accounting is undergoing rapid evolution in response to a complex interplay of technological advancements, regulatory reforms, economic fluctuations, and shifting societal dynamics. In this course, we will explore the major challenges and opportunities currently facing accountants, and we will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in this dynamic environment.

Most organizations manage their income statement, but many virtually ignore the balance sheet until balance sheet problems create seemingly insurmountable emergencies. This session discusses how to analyze and manage your financial statements more holistically, allowing you to identify and correct balance sheet issues early. How do you choose whether to raise debt or equity" What are the key considerations and the advantages of each" What is the cost of capital" What are the "hidden" balance sheet risks" We will also examine several crucial ideas you can incorporate into your analyses to enhance performance and reduce risk. If you want to enhance your corporate finance skills, this session is for you.

Specifically designed for preparation, compilation, and review practitioners, this course provides 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 additional guidance related to SSARS engagements through the issuance of SSARS Nos. 22-27 by the AICPA's Accounting and Review Services Committee (ARSC). The course also reviews 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 SSARSs requirements and guidance, but more importantly, it will provide you with practical examples and illustrations to help you effectively and efficiently perform compilation, preparation, and review engagements.

Whether you're heading across town or across the globe, traveling with electronic devices carries real risks to the sensitive client and firm data stored on them. In this session, we'll explore the ethical obligations CPAs have to protect confidential information, including guidance from the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable laws. We'll examine how data can be accessed — legitimately or maliciously — by third parties during travel, and offer practical strategies to minimize risk, from using loaner devices and mobile device management to coordinating with IT before departure. The session includes current border search rules, international considerations, and actionable tips for staying secure in transit.

As Americans live longer and increasingly move away from traditional pensions, Social Security has become the main source of retirement income for many clients. Meanwhile, concerns about solvency and a lack of understanding of key rules have led to confusion and sometimes misguided decisions. This program offers tax practitioners the knowledge they need to help clients make informed choices about Social Security and retirement income.

Both businesses and individual clients face major changes as a result of new legislation, and tax professionals face the considerable challenge of delivering effective planning advice and services to address this myriad of recent developments. This course addresses this challenge and also encompasses the latest cases and rulings applicable to individual and business clients. Continually updated to reflect enacted legislation. Please Note: Due to content overlap, it is recommended that this course NOT be taken together with BIT4.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the latest U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) guidelines for accounting and financial reporting of crypto assets. Participants will learn the essential concepts for identifying, measuring, presenting, and disclosing crypto assets in financial statements, with a specific focus on the new guidance from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2023-08.

This course is designed to equip tax professionals with a deep understanding of the IRS offer in compromise (OIC) program. Participants will learn the strategic, procedural, and practical elements of preparing and negotiating successful OICs for taxpayers facing significant tax liabilities. The course will walk through the eligibility criteria, financial analysis standards, supporting documentation requirements, and techniques to enhance the likelihood of IRS acceptance. Common pitfalls, recent trends, and real-world case studies will also be covered.

Buying and selling a business can be a complex transaction with many tax issues. These issues include whether the transaction is or should be a stock or an asset sale when the business involved is a corporation, as well as the tax consequences associated with the sale of a partnership or a C or S corporation. Accounting and finance professionals who advise clients who are buying or selling a business primarily focus on the tax issues that apply. This program explains and analyzes the tax issues practitioners must address in order to properly advise clients who are either buyers or sellers of businesses.

Business professionals can automate data collection processes by using today's electronic forms. Learn about these tools and how to deploy them in this session.