CPE Catalog & Events

AICPA hot topics and standard setting initiatives Discussion of suite of nine integrated SASs effective for years ended December 31, 2021 Discussion of the standard on audit evidence effective for years ended December 31, 2022 Discussion of the standard on auditing accounting estimates and disclosures effective as of December 31, 2023 Discussion of the two standards on use of specialists and information from a pricing service, and the newly updated risk assessment standard effective for years ended December 31, 2023 Discussion of standards that are effective beginning in 2025, including those dealing with client acceptance and questions asked of the predecessor auditor, the partner’s responsibility for engagement quality, group audits, conforming changes to compliance auditing, and more

Status of the AICPA’s Enhancing Engagement Quality initiative Recent Peer Review results Common peer review findings

Automatic enrollment requirements for 401(k) plans Change in the credit for small employer pension plan startup costs $2,000 saver’s match Changes in pooled employer plans Multiple employer 403(b) plans Increase in age for required beginning date for mandatory distributions Indexing IRA catch-up limit Higher catch-up limit to apply at age 60, 61, 62, and 63 Treatment of student loan payments as elective deferrals for purposes of matching contributions Application of credit for small employer pension startup costs to employers who join an existing plan Small immediate financial incentives for contributing to a plan Withdrawals for certain emergency expenses Starter 401(k) plans for employers with no retirement plans Improving coverage for part-time workers Recovery of retirement plan overpayments Tax treatment of IRAs involved in a prohibited transaction Clarification of substantially equal periodic payment rule

Introduction to ChatGPT and other AI (artificial intelligence) language models Discussion of best practices for using ChatGPT with Excel Use ChatGPT to create, debug, and explain formulas Use ChatGPT to learn how to use Excel features Use ChatGPT to automate repetitive tasks in Excel Use ChatGPT to easily create macros

Using the work of management’s specialist Using the work of the auditor’s specialist Using the work of internal audit Using the work of a pricing service

Eligibility for Medicare How to apply for  Medicare Introduction to Parts A, B, C, and D of Medicare Payments for Parts B and D of Medicare: the higher costs imposed on higher income beneficiaries Late enrollment penalties Medicare Advantage in lieu of original Medicare The Affordable Care Act’s impact on Medicare Legislative and regulatory developments

ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) Overall lease accounting guidance Lessor Accounting 101 Detailed review of accounting by lessees  Transition guidance Recently issued updates to the lease accounting guidance

Evaluating whether a contract meets the definition of a lease Properly calculating the lease term Determinations and decisions to be made with regard to short-term leases Distinguishing operating leases from finance leases

Evaluating whether a contract meets the definition of a lease Properly calculating the lease term Determinations to be made with regard to short-term leases

The fraud triangle The truth default theory The concept of cognitive dissonance Confirmation bias Availability

Why employee retention matters Management’s thoughts on turnover Techniques employers use to retain and grow their employees Aspects of employment that matter most to employees Factors that contribute to employee turnover in accounting and finance professions

The price of fraud – ACFE’s Report to the Nations and ancillary costs The current economy – microeconomics and analysis COSO internal control framework, particularly Principle 1 (integrity/ethics) and Principle 8 (fraud risk assessments) Power of morale – shrinking the fraud triangle and employee motivation Deviant workplace behavior Historic schemes Why good folks go bad – interesting findings and red flags Combating fraud with controls Controls used by fraud victim organizations and suggestions for better implementation Fraud’s new frontier Corporate social, environmental, governance, and equity/inclusion reports and audits

Discuss how productivity strategies may improve work-life balance Understand the state tax consequences that may arise when working from home Identify and discuss challenges unique to financial professionals Review how some organizations are providing support to improve work-life balance Explore the role of alternative work arrangements  Examine challenges unique to auditors versus tax professionals A comparison of work-life balance between public and industry accountants How work-family conflict varies among financial professionals Recommendations for improving work-life balance

Technology and workstation arrangements Maximizing productivity Establishing procedures that can be implemented throughout the organization Understanding the relationship between remote work and employee retention Effective communication strategies for staying connected with colleagues and clients The productivity challenges unique to working from home Time management The importance of distinguishing between the “home office” and “home” Data privacy concerns Other ethical considerations that arise when working from home

Projecting a professional presence Verbal communication skills to elevate your message Mastering non-verbal communication Protocol for office settings Building trust within the organization and with clients Running an impactful meeting Adding value as a meeting attendee Executive dining etiquette strategies and tips

The key requirements and audit areas that peer reviewers hone in on when reviewing Yellow Book and single audit engagements Avoiding common pitfalls seen in Yellow Book and single audits How to improve your performance on Yellow Book and single audits while staying in good graces with your peer reviewer

What entities are subject to BOI reporting? What are the deadlines for reporting? What if any are practitioners' responsibilities? Recommendations for advising your clients.

Financial Tax Planning Building an Estate Preservation of Wealth Deferral Reduction Income Splitting Elimination Estate Planning Asset Protection

Pandemic Effects on Healthcare Organizations COVID regulatory Issues Telehealth Implementation: Lessons Learned