CPE Catalog & Events

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Budgets vs. ForecastsCyclicalityCore Earnings & Sustainable GrowthIdentifying Key Forecast DriversReasonableness in ForecastingApproaches to BudgetingBudgeting VariancesHorizontal AnalysisFlexible Budgeting

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Understanding ethicsAvailable tools to aid in ethical decision makingThe role of bias in making ethical decisionsApplication through case studies

Increase productivity and profitability Communicate better and resolve conflict Learn teamwork principles in today's changing accounting workplace Motivate yourself and your team

What keeps companies from becoming streamlined?  Behavioral biases Information processing biases Emotional biases How to deal with behavioral biases  Connecting behavioral biases to cost cutting Creating a culture of cost cutting Rules of thumb for cost cutting  Managing headcount Post-COVID common areas of excess cost Budgeting techniques Budget variances Benchmarking Common size financial statements Horizontal analysis Negotiation and contracting techniques Cash flow and the business cycle

Final Rule - Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the FLSA: the multifactor “economic reality” test; What analysis guides whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor under this final rule? Can a worker voluntarily waive employee status and choose to be classified as an independent contractor? Are any of the economic reality factors adopted in this rule more important than others when evaluating a worker’s employment status? How does the final rule explain “extent to which the work performed is an integral part of the employer’s business?” The Federal Trade Commission’s Decision on Non-compete Agreements: impact on new and existing non-competes; treatment and definitional terms for senior executives; definition of a non-compete clause; definition of a “worker” New Overtime Rules: exemptions from minimum wage and overtime pay requirements for executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees; increases in the standard level and the highly compensated employee total annual compensation threshold; new mechanism allowing for the timely and efficient updating of the salary and compensation thresholds

The sources of deferred tax assets and liabilities Calculating the deferred tax asset or liability Reporting income-tax expense and balance sheet items CARES Act accounting implications Defining, analyzing, and reporting uncertain tax positions Classification of deferred tax assets and liabilities Disclosure requirements Recent and proposed changes to the accounting and disclosure requirements for income taxes

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Definition of what qualifies as an entertainment expenseStrategies to deduct business entertainment expensesDeductibility of mealsSituations not subject to the 50% meals and entertainment reductionHow to handle automobile issues related to employer-provided parkingProper accounting for deductible vs. non-deductible expendituresThe four steps to analyze business expensesThe latest federal legislation, cases and rulings

The price of fraud – ACFE’s Report to the Nations Deviant workplace behavior 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

Substantially increased IRS funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act IRS test program in 2024 to determine if it should prepare tax returns Using improved data and analytics to tailor timely collections contacts Auditing large corporations and partnerships Audits of high income and high net worth individuals Information Document Requests What happens when a client agrees or disagrees with the IRS’s audit findings The Dirty Dozen: roadmap to IRS audit issues

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Yellow Book engagements.Independence requirements in GAGAS.Quality management in Yellow Book. Common deficiencies found in Yellow Book engagements.

The major topics covered in this class include:General disclosures about the entity and its environmentCommon critical information useful to financial statement readers for making economic decisionsExplain results of operations through information that supplements the face financial statements

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:The foundational ethical principles CPAs are required to follow and how these principles apply to audit quality, data privacy and security, and the use of emerging technologies.The profession's need to change to meet its ethics standard in a technology-centric environment.Changes being considered by the AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy that could impact the profession.

Taxation of investments Reporting of business income and losses from pass-through entities including loss limitations Non-income taxes that impact individual income tax returns Retirement contributions and planning Alternative Minimum Tax (ATM) Social Security taxation Charitable contribution planning with limitations

Narcissism Studies Fraud Embezzlement Technology used in scams

Preparation Compilations Reviews

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Benefits and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in the accounting professionSelecting and utilizing artificial intelligence resourcesApplying professional skepticism to resultsMaintaining independence while utilizing artificial intelligenceUpholding client confidentialityData security and retentionCitation of sources and related reporting considerationsApplication of the AICPA Code of Professional ConductEthical considerations when crafting policies and establishing best practices

Defining progressive discipline, including typical steps in any progressive discipline process The importance of a fair disciplinary process When and how progressive discipline should be used, including using progressive discipline in the lead-up to termination Documentation best practices Limitations on at-will employment, including contracts and laws regarding discrimination and retaliation Avoiding key risks in the termination process Best practices for legally compliant termination procedures

Review real-world examples of fraud schemes perpetrated against governments and not-for-profits, including misappropriations of cash, grant frauds, vendor frauds, inventory thefts, and payroll frauds Understand and recognize fraud risk and fraud indicators Consider types of fraud prevention programs

The purpose and role of financial due diligence in the deal process, including quality of earnings analysis, evaluation of forecasts and sustainability of cash flow Working capital adjustments and balance sheet due diligence The impact of contemplated pricing, earn-outs and holdbacks The deal timeline and flow of information Understanding the terms and structure that fit the buyer and seller objectives Tax and financial accounting treatment of select issues

Review of applicable SSARS standards, including standards updates Review of AICPA professional ethics requirements In-depth discussion of non-attest services Review of independence issues for SSARS services Overview of SSARS #21 performance, documentation and other requirements Detailed analysis of preparation vs. compilation engagements Detailed analysis of review engagements