CPE Catalog & Events

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Data Analysis Process Flow: An introduction to the Data Analysis Process Flow and how it is your pathway to becoming a Data Analysis Expert.Data Modeling: A comprehensive discussion of building a data model and calculating metrics.Data Visualizations: An understanding how visualizations can present data in a more insightful and impactful manner.

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 that will be covered in this course include:Update and integration of the most recent tax legislation impacting individual and business taxpayers.Review of individual and business provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act.Update on significant individual and business tax developments related to cases and rulings.Update on earned income credit, child credit, and child and dependent care credit.Crypto reporting update.Depreciation changes in Sec. 179 and Sec. 168(k) bonus depreciation.Tax issues impacting "gig" workers, including Form 1099-K.Update on partnership and S corporations, including Schedules K-2 and K-3 of Forms 1065 and 1120S related to foreign transactions.

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.

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Autonomous general ledgers: what they are and how much can you depend upon them?Financial statement analysis using AI.AI use in Budgeting and Forecasting.Using AI for research and planning (tax & GAAP), e.g.:AI-driven fraud detection tool's capabilities and limits.What to automate and what to leave alone.Evaluating vendor claims and setting reasonable expectations.AI ramification on staffing and hiring.The impact of self-serve AI research on your relationship with your CPA firm

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Overview of current cybersecurity threats and how to mitigate data breach risk.Describe how to avoid malware and other security threats

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:All times listed are Eastern Time ZoneWeek 1: CFO Series: Accounting in the Age of AI: What to KnowCPE: 2Field of Study: AccountingDiscussion Leader: Tracy Cooper, CPA, CFEDate: Friday, December 4, 11:00 amDescription: Artificial intelligence is showing up everywhere, from "autonomous" general ledgers to AI-powered fraud detection and tax research agents. But for many leaders, these tools are either misunderstood or overhyped. Staff are concerned about being replaced. Managers are concerned about the use of AI causing chaos. This seminar gives CFOs, controllers, and tax professionals a grounded look at how AI is impacting real-world accounting departments. We'll explore how these tools work, what they can (and can't) do, and what finance leaders should be doing now to prepare their teams and processes for the changes that will happen. Week 2: CFO Series: Do Creative Accountants Belong in Prison?CPE: 2Field of Study: Regulatory EthicsDiscussion Leader: Don Minges, MBADate: Friday, December 11, 11:00 amDescription: Creativity is one of the top ten most desirable traits, but should everyone, including accountants, be creative? Are there exceptions? What are the positives and the negatives of creativity? Creativity can be used for good, but creativity can also lead to seriously unethical behaviors. There is a strong relationship between creativity and dishonesty. We will review the negative consequences of creativity and discuss how to properly utilize resourcefulness and imagination. The title is not rhetorical - creativity can easily be great or disreputable. Learn how to make it work for you and be ethical. Week 3: CFO Series: Living in the World of AI- How AI Changed EthicsCPE: 2Field of Study: Behavioral Ethics Discussion Leader: Tracy Cooper, CPA, CFEDate: Friday, December 18, 11:00 amDescription: Quietly, AI has already transformed how we work. These tools offer real opportunity, but they also raise fundamental questions. Is using AI ethical? Is it right? Is not using AI ethical? What happens when employees resist AI? How do we maintain trust and transparency in tools we don't fully understand? And how do we train and deploy AI ethically, without slowing innovation to a crawl? This seminar explores the ethical and organizational challenges of living (and working) in an AI world, with a focus on empowerment, clarity, and responsible implementation. We'll discuss how to deploy and train AI responsibly, avoid bias, and monitor for hallucinations. We'll also look at how to engage teams in the process and help people understand the proper use of AI. The goal is to make better use of these powerful tools, in a sustainable and ethical way. Week 4: CFO Series: AI is Not the Enemy: Getting the Most from AICPE: 2Field of Study: Accounting and Information TechnologyDiscussion Leader: Robert Berry MBA, CPA, CIA, CISADate: Monday, December 21, 11:00 amDescription: Are you and your organization using AI effectively today? AI isn't coming, it's already here. As a leader, you don't need to be an engineer, but you must be in control. Conscientious professionals must get a clear handle on AI: what it does well, where it goes wrong, and how to keep it from becoming a liability. We'll discuss the real risks behind the buzzwords, from deepfakes and fraud, to flawed decision tools and hidden bias. We'll also break down what smart oversight looks like and how AI can expose gaps in your internal controls. Most importantly, this isn't a doom-and-gloom session. It's about showing you how to lead confidently in a world where AI plays a growing role in financial decision making, whether you're already deploying AI or not. Those who embrace AI are ready for tomorrow, do not be left behind.

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Explain the payroll tax advantage of taking distributions over wagesReview key court cases that shape todays reasonable compensation landscapeHow to use court factors to stress test reasonable compensationBest practices for determining reasonable compensationReview of the IRS’s enforcement on reasonable compensation; past, present and future

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.

The major topics covered in this course include:Discussion of ethical and effective recruiting strategiesSelection processes that foster diversity and inclusionHow to increase talent pools to ensure hiring success

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The shift from volume to precision hiringWhy firms are moving to targeted, competency-based hiringTalent market impacts and competitive hiring realitiesAI in recruiting: practical use cases and implicationsWhere AI tools commonly support hiring workflowsBenefits and limitations of AI-enabled screening and assessmentThe skills mismatch in accounting hiringWhy critical thinking and professional communication gaps persistWhy traditional hiring methods miss these competenciesThe new competency hierarchy for high performersDefining and prioritizing the competencies that drive resultsAI ethics awareness and professional judgment in an AI-enabled workplaceAssessment methods for precision hiringStructured behavioral interviewing and scoring rubricsWork simulations, case presentations, and client scenariosUsing AI-enabled assessments responsibly and consistentlyMetrics and ROI: evaluating successQuality-of-hire measures (performance, ramp time, manager satisfaction)Retention and turnover measuresEfficiency measures (time-to-fill, cost-to-fill) and how to balance themImplementation roadmapA phased approach to adopting precision hiring (foundation → expansion → optimization)– Building governance, documentation, and consistency for scalability

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Decision-making fundamentalsCost-volume-profit refresherOptimization analysisConstraint mitigation strategiesCoping with incomplete informationSolver and other Excel capabilitiesQualitative considerations

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Form 1040 essentials: filing requirements, due dates, and key schedulesFiling status, dependency rules, and taxable income sources (wages, investment income)Adjustments to income, deductions and tax credits (standard vs. itemized deductions, EITC, Child Tax Credit, Education Credits)Preparer due diligence, Circular 230 compliance and taxpayer rightsIRS cybersecurity considerations and best practices for taxpayer data securityLegislative updates

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Individual Taxation: Child Tax Credit expansion and additional senior deduction SALT cap extensionIncome & Adjustments: Tip income exclusion, overtime relief, educator expensesEducation Incentives: Student loan discharge, 529 plan expansion, new “TRUMP Accounts”Business Taxation: Bonus depreciation, 199A expansion, interest deduction limitsEstate & Gift Tax: Increased exemption threshold, charitable deduction changesCompliance & Reporting: 1099-K, 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC threshold changes

The major topics covered in this class include:CECL for nonfinancial institutions.Accounting for Paycheck Protection Program loans.Accounting for web-hosting services.Revenue recognition.Leases.FASB projects in progress.

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the ethical guidelines outlined in Circular 230 and the newly updated Statements on Standards for Tax Services (SSTS) #4. Gain insights into how these standards apply to real-world tax resolution scenarios, ensuring compliance and integrity in your practice.

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Overview of AI technology and how it worksIdentify where AI can be incorporated into tax research, planning, and compliance servicesDiscover new opportunities to enhance your client advisory tax services with AI toolsReview the market of emerging and AI enhanced tax software toolsLearn about the newest generation of AI enable 1040 source document collection and organizer applicationsReview specific use cases for generative AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot) in your tax services 

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Overview of accounting developments affecting not-for-profit organizations, including recently issued Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) from the Financial Accounting Standards Board and an introduction to the International Non-Profit Accounting Standard (INPAS).Auditing and attestation developments from the AICPA, including the next phase of quality management with a focus on monitoring and remediation responsibilities. Recent and upcoming standards affecting audit, attestation, and consulting engagements, including updates related to SSAEs, SSARSs, exposure drafts on confirmations and fraud, and changes affecting group audits. 

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Overview of financial statement analysisThe impact of GAAP on financial analysisOverview of the Balance SheetOverview of the Income StatementThe importance of the Statement of Cash FlowsCommon Size AnalysisTrend AnalysisProfitability Ratio AnalysisLiquidity Ratio AnalysisSolvency Ratio Analysis

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