CPE Catalog & Events

Proper planning of benefit plan audit engagements and developing audit strategy while improving overall efficiency Common pitfalls in planning and detailed audit procedures Changes affecting 401(k) plans, including recently issued SASs Common mistakes as noted in peer reviews and DOL inspections

Hiring and firing issues – What questions cannot be asked in an interview; how to document employee performance; establishing an annual review system; when an employer may and may not fire an employee, and much more Employment contracts – An analysis of the legal and planning issues in structuring employment contracts; when noncompetition agreements will and will not work Employment issues in the economy – Telecommuters and other special situations Legal liability issues – Recognition of age discrimination, sex discrimination, FLSA issues, minimum wage, overtime, sexual harassment, and more Fringe benefit issues – COBRA, Family and Medical Leave Act, and new developments in health care Medical plans – Who is a full-time employee?

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.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.

The major topics covered in this course include:Examination of actual fraudsDiscussion of internal controls that could have prevented fraudsContemplation of epiphanies for your own professional scenarios.The AICPA Code of Professional ConductOther elements of professional conduct and compliance with professional standards

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Overview of AI technology and how it works.Identify where AI can be incorporated into the 1040 process.Using ChatGPT and Microsoft 365 Copilot for 1040 tax research, analysis and communications.Using StanfordTax AI based software to automate client source document collection and organization and integrate it with the leading 1040 tax software solutions including CCH Axcess, CCH ProSystem fx, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProSeries and Drake.A roadmap for using AI to improve client communications and 1040 based advisory services.

What stock options are and why they are growing in popularity How stock options work, including the process of conveyance and vesting How to exercise stock options and the implications from doing so The risks associated with stock options and how to manage exposure Tax consequences and updates regarding stock options Strategies for selecting the best time to exercise stock options The difference between the two types of stock options: non-qualified and incentive The basic terminology relevant to owning and exercising options

Overview of estate planning The dangers of a Power of Attorney The most important aspect of a will Role, scope, rights, and responsibilities of an executor Benefits of incorporating a trust Bequests Caring for a pet Claims against the estate Insurance Consequences of poor estate planning

Complying with the beneficial ownership information reporting requirements The current status of the Employee Retention Credit Voluntary Disclosure Program Using the newly expanded access to business tax accounts for partners and shareholders of S corporations IRS guidance allowing car dealers to provide electric vehicle tax rebates upfront to qualified auto buyers Monetizing energy credits Amortization of research and experimental expenditures Dealing with the taxpayer loss in the Tax Court in Soroban Capital Partners requiring managers to pay self-employment tax on certain payments to limited partners Contributions to Roth “catch-up” plans Roth contributions to a SEP and Simple IRA Employer matching contributions to a Roth account Section 179 and bonus depreciation Roth 401(k) contributions no longer subject to RMDs during the owner’s lifetime

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Risk Assessment - Properly assessing inherent, control, and detection risk on an engagement, and linking the results to an appropriately tailored detailed audit plan based on risk assessment and client service goals, regardless of entity type.Substantive Analytics- Leveraging strong substantive analytic procedures as audit evidence to cut back on tests of details.Selecting items to test common misunderstandings related to designing, performing and concluding on tests of details, including sampling.Identifying and Evaluating Internal Control Deficiencies - Emphasizing the importance of identifying both design and operating effectiveness deficiencies during the course of the audit, and how to properly categorize deficiencies as inconsequential, significant or material for impact on the audit or required communications with management and those charged with governance.

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Explore research for common answers to "what does ethics mean to you?" and examine whether those are valid.Identify common ethical barriers - reflecting the latest from the ACFE Report to the Nations.Discover ways to improve ethical response.Practice, using practical advice from leading thinkers in ethics.

Apportionment Formulas Sourcing Rules for service income and income from intangibles Throwback and throw-out and when they apply Apportionment applied to flow-through entities and sole proprietorships Learn about Alternative Apportionment

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Role of cloud computing as the foundation for all tech trendsBig data and data analytics the new frontier for CPAsWorkflow automation with RPA, ML and AI with a focus on ChatGPTBlockchain technology, the revolutionary data storage modelCryptocurrency 15 years later, an update on the market and technologyMetaverse - what's it all aboutCloud based financial and ERP software market update

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.

Factors business owners should take into account when choosing a retirement plan SIMPLE plans Simplified employee pension plans 401(k) plans Defined benefit plans Ensuring eligible employees are covered Employees’ impact on choice of plan Ongoing compliance requirements Establishing a plan after the tax year end Changes to safe harbor 401(k) plans Pooled employer plans

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

Three different types of basis Contributions of property IRC 704(b) – Capital Accounts and Special Allocations Contributions of property and debt Contributions of services IRS Notice 2020-43

The major topics included in this course include:The reasons for fraudFraudulent acts that are initiated against smaller organizationsMethods to stop fraud attempts against small businesses

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:A review of the various lookup functions, beyond VLOOKUPLearn which lookup works best for your situationHow to apply the many lookup functionsDiscover advanced lookup techniques like nested lookups, approximate matching, and handling errors effectivelyAn in-depth review of the following functions:VLOOKUP / HLOOKUPXLOOKUPMATCH / INDEXXMATCHINDIRECTFILTERSORT / SORTBYUNIQUEAn overview of some newer functions

Preparing a valid Appeals Protest for small case requests when tax, penalties, and interest for each period are $25,000 or less Writing and filing a Formal Protest, including required information Alternative Dispute Resolution options available to clients Negotiation and time limitations Preparing and submitting a Tax Court petition to preserve a client’s rights

The major subjects that will be covered in this course include:A primer on AI technology applications in the accounting professionEthical dilemmas that originate from the use of AI by CPAsPractical guidelines for using AI technology ethicallyStep by step guide for creating an AI usage policy for your organizationReview of a variety of reference materials to assist you in using AI ethically