CPE Catalog & Events

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.

The major topics covered in this course include:ChatGPT and generative AI technology primerBuilding your generative AI vocabularyDig deeper into your engagement research to develop a higher quality advisory servicePolish your client reporting with the help of ChatGPTDeveloping your ChatGPT client advisory servicesStart with client education. You don’t need to be a technical expert to be an educatorUse AI to help your clients automate their workflows / business processesBuild better spreadsheets with ChatGPT and ExcelHelp your clients identify, evaluate and select applications for their business

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Complex and nuanced communications related to:Budget Allocation and Negotiation TechniquesCompensation and Benefits StructuringManaging Financial Performance and LayoffsFinancial and HR Aspects of Mergers and AcquisitionsRegulatory Compliance and Ethical Financial PracticesStrategies for Financial Crisis ManagementEffective Performance Management Systems

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 major topics that will be covered in this course include:Recent quality improvements to the SASs and SSARsOther matters that should be on your radar

Considerations for the maintenance of an internal control system The types of policies and procedures organizations should utilize Reviewing and testing control measures Updating controls and implementing control changes

California property taxation updated in light of Proposition 19 passage Qualified business income deductions [IRC Sec. 199A] Opportunity zone deferral related to real estate [IRC Sec. 1400Z-2] Passive activities loss rules [IRC Sec. 469] Real estate professional rules [IRC Sec. 469(c)(7)] Interest expense deduction rules [IRC Sec. 163] Home sale exclusion [IRC Sec. 121] 1031 exchanges Estate planning and gifting with real estate

The major topics covered in this course include:The power of keyboard shortcutsOft used features with more capability than meets the eyeNew helpful featuresNote: This session is taught using Hands-On methodology. We provide practice files that tie to the examples in the course materials so participants can undertake all the steps in unison with the instructor.

Critical concepts related to applying the Yellow Book including when the standards are applicable; the types of engagements involved; and the relationship between the Yellow Book and other standards The Yellow Book standards related to ethics; independence; professional judgment; competence and CPE; quality management; and peer review The Yellow Book requirements related to performing and reporting on financial audits and how those requirements affect the audit in areas like internal control

The keys that develop a plan into an actionable document The major difference between planning and budgeting Strategic planning The business plan The people plan The marketing plan Capital and technology plans

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The role of methods of proof in forensic accounting.The various types of methods of proof approved by the courts.The weakness and strengths of the methods of proof.The formulas in calculating methods of proof.Applying the formulas in various circumstances.

Considerations for the maintenance of an internal control system The types of policies and procedures organizations should utilize Reviewing and testing control measures Updating controls and implementing control changes

California property taxation updated in light of Proposition 19 passage Qualified business income deductions [IRC Sec. 199A] Opportunity zone deferral related to real estate [IRC Sec. 1400Z-2] Passive activities loss rules [IRC Sec. 469] Real estate professional rules [IRC Sec. 469(c)(7)] Interest expense deduction rules [IRC Sec. 163] Home sale exclusion [IRC Sec. 121] 1031 exchanges Estate planning and gifting with real estate

Audit requirements for ERISA §103(a)(3)(C) audits An annual update of the changes affecting 401(k) plans Compliance issues associated with eligibility and enrollments, remittances, lack of oversight, compensation, vesting, and other topics Best practices for engagement planning, internal controls, risk assessment, and detailed testing Avoiding common mistakes while performing audit procedures Plan mergers and acquisitions Common audit reporting and disclosure issues

Review an error-prone "staff-prepared" Form 1040 from client-provided information. Where do you start? Get to know your client and ask the questions Several new reporting issues for the reviewer to consider, including the main credit provisions as enacted under the American Rescue Plan What are common errors preparers make and what are the areas generating malpractice claims? The importance of engagement letters, questionnaires, and §7216 permission statement Initial administrative groundwork Identifying organizing issues in the tax return to be reviewed Avoiding “willful blindness.” Handling ethical and moral dilemmas Efficient review of certain advanced issues for income, adjustments, deductions, and credits Effective procedures for delinquent clients, filing past-due tax returns First-time client issues requiring extra scrutiny Multiple checklists of efficient procedures to identify potential issues on a 1040 return Listing of schedules for staff to prepare to make a review easier, including basis issues for 1040 clients Reconciling time pressure with thoroughness and quality control Professionals acting professionally

Comprehensive coverage of the Inflation Reduction Act, including: The Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax, The Clean Vehicle Credit, Credit for Previously Owned Clean Vehicles, Credit for Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicles, §45L New Energy Efficient Home Credit, Elective Payment, Transferability, and Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship Requirements Principles and considerations for nonresident withholding, composite payments, and passthrough entity taxes Comprehensive coverage of the SECURE 2.0 Act with a focus on provisions applicable to employers Thinking beyond §163(j) -- Interest Allocation Rules, Original Issue Discount, Applicable High Yield Discount Obligations, Convertible Corporate Debt Instruments, and Debt-Financed Distributions  Retirements and redemptions: considerations for partnerships and S corporations Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation Selected Practice and Reporting Issues: What’s new? A review of recent cases and tax law changes and IRS guidance affecting S corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, and limited liability partnerships Form 1099-K reporting requirements Bonus depreciation  Section 174 Research & Experimental Expenditures -- new guidance under Notice 2023-63 and Notice 2024-12 FinCEN reporting requirements  A review of like-kind exchange transactions under §1031

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Update on the cryptocurrency marketplaceCryptocurrency exchanges - the good, the bad and the uglyOverview of cryptocurrency taxation regulationsThe technology behind cryptocurrency - Proof of stake, Layer 2, wallets and moreBlockchain technology update

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The concept of public interestEthics, independence, and professional judgmentCompetence and continuing professional educationQuality control and peer reviewProper use of government information, resources, and positionProfessional behavior

Taxable terminations Mismatch between available exemption and GST, and utilizing excess GST GST elections on Form 709 and automatic allocations

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Tour of the PowerBI.com Interface: An in-depth walkthrough of the PowerBI.com environment, focusing on user interface elements, navigation, and customization.PowerBI.com Concepts: Fundamental concepts of PowerBI.com, including its architecture, data handling capabilities, and integration features.Connecting to Data: Techniques for connecting various data sources to PowerBI.com, ensuring seamless data integration and synchronization.Visualizations and Dashboards: Creating impactful visualizations and assembling informative dashboards to present data compellingly.Q&A Feature: Explore the interactive Q&A feature to derive insights through natural language queries.Sharing Datasets, Reports, Dashboards: Best practices for sharing datasets, reports, and dashboards with different audiences so they can leverage your data analysis work.Creating Apps: Learn how to package reports and dashboards into apps for easy distribution and consumption.