CPE Catalog & Events

Recognizing the importance of each of the key components of a sound system of internal controls over financial reporting, regardless of a nonprofit entity's nature, size or complexity Understanding the critical role of information technology (IT) general and application controls to reliable financial reporting, even in less-complex IT environments Exercise in documenting an understanding of the design of internal controls for common classes of transactions for nonprofit entities Identifying and evaluating the sufficiency of key controls to satisfy control objectives Understanding the importance of verifying whether an understanding of the design of internal controls has actually been "implemented", and how to exactly go about doing that

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:AICPA Accounting and Review Services Committee standards update and new practice aidAICPA Auditing Standards Board standards update including recent changes to the audit and attestation standardsAICPA’s new Quality Management Standards - Overview, implementation considerations, timeline, and AICPA implementation resourcesPCAOB, IAASB standard-setting agenda and potential future AICPA ASB standards changesUpdate on AICPA’s Enhancing Audit Quality InitiativeTrends in audit quality including the DOL’s audit quality studyFrequent peer review findings and practice tips for achieving high practice qualityLatest on the DOL’s audit quality study

Emphasize form 1040 and the accompanying reporting schedules for a basic individual income tax return Identify and be able to implement basic individual income tax planning ideas for clients Familiarity with several source documents utilized in the preparation of an individual income tax return Identify common errors made in the preparation of an individual income tax return and understand how to avoid the errors in the future

Using the independent contractor rules and hobby loss rules to ensure the activity is a trade or business Reviewing Schedule C deductions for travel, meals, transportation, employee fringe benefits, costs of goods sold, depreciation, and home offices Maximizing the benefits from 1040 deductions for Keogh plans, Solo 401(k)s, Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plans, and SIMPLE plans Taking advantage of the self-employed health insurance deduction and the qualified business income (QBI) deduction Avoiding the at-risk and passive activity loss limitations Making the right business entity election I n-depth coverage of what advisers of sole proprietors and single-member limited-liability-company owners need to know

FASB Accounting Standards Codification disclosure requirements An overview of the disclosure landscape How materiality enters into disclosure decisions Navigating the FASB Codification

Fringe Benefit Planning Fundamentals Strategies Tailored for Business Owners and Employees Navigating IRC §132 Fringe Benefit Option Cafeteria Plans Demystified Tax Management in Compensation Planning Understanding the Implications of Dependent Care and Educational Assistance Plans Implementing Flexible Spending Account Plans Effectively Design Features and Regulations of Group Term Life Insurance Plans Medical Savings Accounts Regulations Financing Options for Retiree Medical Benefits Health Care Benefits: Insured Plan vs. HMO Comparison ERISA Reporting and Disclosure Requirements IRC Common Control RulesOverview of Age and Sex Discrimination Rules

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Technology Hot Topics for Audits.Accounting Standard UpdatesProjects identified by the FASB's Invitation to Comment: Agenda Consultation.Year 2 considerations for leases including modification accounting.The impact of the changes to auditing group auditsThe status of the AICPA's quality management project management.The current work of the ASB. 

Audit planning Risk assessment and control testing Documentation best practices for investments and notes receivable Key audit areas in the financial statements, such as contributions, benefit payments, and plan expense Participant data and participant accounts Initial audits, plan mergers, and other issues

Comprehensive coverage of the SECURE Act 2.0 Understanding the environment: what’s new, what’s expired or expiring, and what’s likely to change Reading a tax return for developing client-specific tax strategies Changes to the lifetime estate tax exemption in light of proposed regulations  The net investment income tax: planning for compliance Family income-splitting strategies that need to be considered Income tax issues: impact on timing of other income Selling a principal residence Two principal residences at the same time Use of life insurance to protect families: Whole Life Insurance, Term Life Insurance, Universal Life Insurance, and Variable Life Insurance Using Roth IRAs and Roth contribution programs to best advantage Conversions: do they still make sense? Taking distributions: matching timing to client requirements Qualified plan contributions to reduce current income and Social Security tax: implications for business owners and self-employed Social Security solvency issues Incentive Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan considerations What to do about itemized deductions Trans-generational planning: conversions, income, and gain-splitting Tax benefits of HSAs and other tax-advantaged accounts Identifying tax opportunities: reviewing the prior-year return to develop a plan for the future Planning for middle-income taxpayers: financial planning for the young, the working, and those approaching or in retirement Best financial planning ideas for young people

Retirement planning using variables such as desired lifestyle, travel plans, housing plans, medical needs, and family needs to customize a retirement plan unique to the client Using a residence and other real estate as retirement assets through equity and rent Using a small business as a retirement resource through creative retirement plans Overview of asset allocation, portfolio management, portfolio rebalancing, and investment selection concepts, before and after retirement The three-legged retirement stool: employer retirement, savings, and Social Security Planning with the new retirement provisions of SECURE Act 2.0 Distribution/asset liquidation planning Analysis of the most current/important research on retirement planning and sustaining retirement income levels

The key requirements and responsibilities related to the schedule of expenditures of federal awards and the determination of major programs The processes of determining the direct and material compliance requirements, obtaining an understanding of and testing the related internal controls, and performing compliance testing The development and reporting of findings in the schedule of findings and questioned costs Additional performance and reporting responsibilities

Understanding the workbook and worksheet environment Obtaining and utilizing data Editing and formatting The “Insert” Menu The “Page Layout” Menu The “View” Menu Selecting and using formulas Shortcuts and tricks

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Current and noncurrent asset impairment. Insurance claims and related recoveries. Debt and liquidity issues. Government assistance and relief. Subsequent Events. Lease modifcations. Other matters.

Issues to be evaluated pre-discharge Off-site/off work-misconduct Pre-discharge interviews Resignations Discharge meetings Exit Interviews Reference checks

Guidance, related to "plain vanilla" interest rate swaps that convert variable into fixed rate debt and other derivatives Guidance related to amortization and impairment of goodwill Guidance related to separately recognizing intangible assets from goodwill in a business combination Guidance related to lease accounting and revenue recognition options

Performance Metrics Budgets  

Calculating the home office deduction Actual expense method Simplified expense method Definition of a home for purposes of the home office deduction Whether working-from-home employees can claim a home office deduction What is a “separate, identifiable space?” The “regularly and exclusively used” rule Defining a “principal place of business” Meeting clients, patients, and customers More than one trade or business Special rules that apply to daycare providers Separate, free-standing structures Depreciating the home

Rental income and expense calculation and reporting Deciphering Schedule E (Form 1040) Nuances of vacation home rules Passive activity loss rules: foundations and implications Active vs. material participation in rental activities Tax reporting: how to group passive activities Limitations on passive losses: at-risk rules and deductions Classifying rental real estate activities Navigating exceptions in rental real estate taxation

Why the brain can remember some things a hundred times better than others Why we typically forget names and faces, and what can be done about it How our emotions follow the motion of our body, and how that can be used to instill instant confidence How to tap into a completely relaxed and/or confident state of mind in 10 seconds or less using advanced hypnotic conditioning and Neuro-Linguistic Programming techniques How to prevent dementia and brain “fog” using specific supplements and exercise How to stay motivated to use the methods outlined in this course to advance your career and achieve a higher quality of life How to use the concept of constant learning to help you maintain a balanced and fulfilling

Why the brain can remember some things a hundred times better than others Why we typically forget names and faces, and what can be done about it How our emotions follow the motion of our body, and how that can be used to instill instant confidence How to tap into a completely relaxed and/or confident state of mind in 10 seconds or less using advanced hypnotic conditioning and Neuro-Linguistic Programming techniques How to prevent dementia and brain “fog” using specific supplements and exercise How to stay motivated to use the methods outlined in this course to advance your career and achieve a higher quality of life How to use the concept of constant learning to help you maintain a balanced and fulfilling