CPE Catalog & Events

Challenges of marketing CPA firms Developing marketing strategy  Elements of a marketing plan Example: CPA firm marketing plan Marketing regulatory/AICPA issues Picking the right marketing channels  Marketing channel statistical analysis  Developing marketing metrics

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to Forensic Accounting: Gain an understanding of the fundamentals, roles, and responsibilities of forensic accountants in uncovering financial discrepancies, fraud, and economic damages.Maintain Ethical Integrity: Learn the importance of ethics in forensic accounting and strategies for ethical decision-making.Expert Report Preparation: Learn the essential components, best practices, and common pitfalls in writing clear, concise, and objective expert reports for legal proceedings.Investigation Report Writing: Explore the methodologies for conducting investigations, gathering evidence, and crafting thorough and accurate investigation reports.Economic Damages Writing: Understand the methodologies and best practices for calculating economic damages, including lost profits, business valuation, and other financial impacts.Reviewing Investigation Reports and Economic Damages: Analyze real-world examples to review and critique investigation reports and damage calculations, highlighting key insights and lessons learned.

Update on significant 2024-25 business tax developments and related cases and rulings Review of recent business tax provisions and their integration into tax forms Depreciation changes in Section 179 and Sec. 168(k) bonus depreciation Tax issues impacting "gig" workers, including Form 1099-K The details on what happened to the various "sunset" provisions of the 2017 tax act

Expanding Automatic Enrollment in Retirement Plans Increased Age for RMDs Higher Catch-up Contribution Limit Emergency Expense Penalty-Free Withdrawals “Starter” 401(k)s for Certain Employers Part-time Worker Improved Coverage

Accounting Finance

Client acceptance and continuance Risk assessment and processes and controls Laws and regulations and related parties

"Tax-mageddon" – the all-important impending expiration/extension/renewal of the TCJA Recent legislative, judicial, and IRS developments impacting individual taxpayers 2025 Tax rates and inflation-adjusted figures Cryptocurrency reporting and new Form 1099-DA Form 1099-K and previously unreported income Other recent legislative developments impacting individual taxpayers

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Review the history of ChatGPTTour of the ChatGPT app and how to use itSetting up a ChatGPT account (free & premium)Variety of hands-on case study examples for accounting, finance and taxA look under the hood at how ChatGPT worksCaution - how to avoid risks in using ChatGPTA look into the future potential for AI in business

10 Principles of Tax Accounting for Trust Income Entity accounting income and Form 1041 Uniform Principal and Income Act Discretionary Power to Adjust Allocations between principal and income Trust accounting issues

Medicare and Health Insurance Options Life Insurance Strategies for Elders Social Security Planning Considerations Medicaid Planning and Trusts Retirement Account Optimization Techniques Tailored Estate Planning for Older Clients Long-Term Care and Housing Alternatives Gifting Strategies in Estate Planning Unique Financial Challenges of Aging Clients

Investigation terminology Assessment skills Investigative methodology

Communications

The major topics covered in this class include:Awareness of advanced functionsCreative methods for data manipulationUsing intellectual curiosity and professional skepticism to develop a problem-solving mentalityReal-life examples of innovative ways to analyze and report data with ExcelUsing Excel to perform e-mail mergesMany other functions and techniques that inspire you to continue exploring the depths of Excel and its seemingly bottomless toolboxEnhance creativity in your approach to developing Excel models

What is Business Consulting? Identify the types of Management services your firm could offer. How to become the trusted advisor – identification of client’s needs? Learn how client expectations may create different performance and understanding levels for CPAs in business consulting engagements. Know what it takes to create a valuable outcome for the client. Understand the competitive advantages/disadvantages that your firm has versus non-CPA business consultants. Learn techniques to become a more effective consultant. Professional standards application

Federal Disaster Relief Act provisions enacted in December, 2024 Comparison of personal use casualties with business/investment casualties When to claim casualty losses How to postpone casualty gains Business casualty gains and depreciation recapture

Conflict resolution 

Communication

Internal Audit Internal Controls Standards Institute of Internal Auditors

Understanding narrow AI vs. general AI Machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), neural networks Natural language processing (NLP) and its role in accounting AI applications in accounting and finance Automated data entry and processing Expense management automation AI-driven audit support and compliance monitoring Financial forecasting and risk assessment Benefits and challenges of integrating AI Enhancing efficiency and accuracy in accounting processes Ethical considerations and risk management in AI adoption Overcoming resistance to AI implementation within firms Lessons learned from AI-driven transformations in finance departments Predicting AI's influence on the future of the accounting profession Preparing for the evolving role of accountants in an AI-enhanced environment

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to GPT Vision - Understanding the fundamentals of GPT Vision and its capabilities.Advantages of Vision Mode Research - Exploring the unique benefits of visual data analysis over traditional methods.Accessing GPT Vision - Guidance on how to access and utilize GPT Vision capabilities.Financial Screenshot Analysis - Techniques for analyzing financial documents and reports through screenshots.Operational Insights from Visual Data - Using images to gain insights into operational processes and asset management.Integration with Google Maps  - Learning how to combine ChatGPT's vision capabilities with mapping technologies for enhanced spatial analysis.DDPP Analysis - Applying descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analysis to visual data.Sentiment and Facial Expression Analysis - Techniques for interpreting emotions and sentiments in images to gauge client and employee feedback.Body Language Interpretation - Analyzing body language in images to understand non-verbal cues in business contexts.Effective Photo Capturing Techniques - Best practices for taking photos that provide optimal insights for financial analysis.