CPE Catalog & Events

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to ChatGPT and its Applications in Accounting.Custom Instructions (CI) for Persistent Context in Financial Conversations.Analyzing Financial Statements and News Releases using ChatGPT.Exploring Business Opportunities through Hyper-Local and Sectoral Analysis.Advanced Data Analysis for Financial Comparisons and Capital Asset Audits.Image Analysis for Asset, Space, and User Interface Design.Voice Interaction with ChatGPT for Enhanced User Experience and Accessibility.

The 50% deduction for meals that are ordinary and necessary in carrying on a trade or business Elimination of the temporary rules that applied for 2021 and 2022 which allowed for 100% deductibility for ordinary and necessary business-related meals When meals are still 100% deductible IRS rules relating to the nondeducibility of activities considered entertainment or amusement What constitutes entertainment/amusement for tax purposes? When employers may deduct food and beverages provided to employees 50% deductibility for occasional employee meals and for overtime meals 50% deductibility for business meals during business meetings Business meals incurred during business travel Invoice meals separately from entertainment

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

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

Circular 230 Conflicts of interest  Loving case RTRP Other Ethical Issues  Fees Qualifying continuing education

Discuss the most recent individual income tax legislation passed to date  Review numerous individual income tax provisions related to business (i.e., sole proprietors and owners in pass through entities) including but not limited to the 20% qualified business income (QBI) deduction, §461(l) business loss limitations, §163(j) interest deduction limitations and depreciation. Cover issues related and any changes to the various taxes (i.e., income tax rates, capital gain tax rates, self-employment tax and alternative minimum tax (AMT), 3.8% net investment income tax) Brush up on other topics such as income filing status, personal exemptions, itemized deductions, exclusions from income, adjustments to income, rentals, passive activity rules and individual income tax credits (e.g., child tax credit and dependent care credit) Walk through the NEW final required minimum distribution (RMD) regulations Look at any changes to the Form 1040 and other related schedules and forms

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

Preparation of a reasonably complicated Form 1120, “U.S. Corporate Income Tax Return,” from trial balance to completed return The importance of Schedule M-1, including adjustments in reconciling book income to tax income and items staff may look for on all business returns New tax-planning strategies for depreciation deductions, including changes to §179 and first-year depreciation under §168(k) as a result of new tax legislation Methods of accounting In-depth analysis of Form 4797 dealing with depreciation recapture Deductible expenses, including rules on meals and entertainment Section 163(j) Computation of tax liability Overview of common business deductions – deductibility and Schedule M-1 How to practically handle uniform capitalization and inventory accounting for a small manufacturing concern And more!

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The five principles of ethical intelligenceHow to make the right decisions in a range of challenging situationsThe fundamental ethical principal, "Do No Harm"

Cloud technology, AI, Machine Learning and Blockchain Cloud Advisory services Utilization of remote technology and technologic innovations to create more efficient engagements Next steps for audit firms to avoid being disrupted

Internal Audit Standards GIAS Accounting Internal Controls

Awareness of advanced functions Creative methods for data manipulation Real-life examples of innovative ways to analyze and report data with Excel Using Excel to perform e-mail merges Many other functions and techniques that inspire you to continue exploring the depths of Excel and its seemingly bottomless toolbox 

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Background of the Corporate Transparency ActBeneficial Ownership Information Reporting (BOIR) Rule Entities required to report.Reporting requirements imposed by the CTADue dates of reportsInformation needed to satisfy the BOIRImpact of failure to reportHow to submit a reportCourt rulings on CTA’s unconstitutionalityImplications to entities as a result of the ruling in NSB.Potential reporting requirements due to FinCen’s proposed rulemaking with respect to non-financed purchases of residential real estate and gratuitous transfers.

Designing and performing sufficient audit procedures required for all audits, particularly when auditing privately-owned companies Identify controls that exist, especially when those controls are not clearly identified or formalized Evaluate if those controls prevent or detect material misstatements in the financial statements Design effective audit procedures (including testing of controls where appropriate) in response to the auditor s assessed risk of the potential material misstatements in the financial statements

Learn how to qualify and to make the S corporation election Determine how to calculate initial and annual stock and debt basis amounts and the three reasons why they are maintained Understand the four loss limitation rules applied on the shareholder s individual income tax return (i.e., basis, at-risk, passive, and excess business loss limitations) Understand the proper tax treatment and reporting of a distribution from the S corporation to a shareholder Determine how to calculate AAA and OAA account for an S corporation as well as the 3 potential taxes Determine the impact of health insurance, the net investment income tax, qualified business income tax deduction and unreasonable compensation issues on the reporting function of the S corporation

Examination process: organization of IRS, standards for return selection; AICPA SSTS (revised), Circular 230 guidelines, amended returns and approaches to resolving examination problems Civil penalties, delinquency penalties, accuracy-related penalty, fraud penalty, preparer penalty, promoter and protestor penalties and foreign information return penalty regime Audits and administrative appeals, nature and scope; docketed v. nondocketed appeals, appeals conferences and settlement approaches Collection process: significance of assessment; nature of tax liens and levies, installment agreements, collection due process, offers in compromise and bankruptcy Tax fraud: civil tax fraud badges, criminal tax fraud violations, defenses, voluntary disclosures the role of Kovel accountant Judicial proceedings: Tax Court process, federal district court, Court of Federal Claims and California Superior Court

Explanation of legislation enacted in 2025 along with reminders for 2024 from legislation of recent years California tax law changes Income inclusions, exclusions and deductions Property transaction updates Passive activities, hobbies and other losses Guidance and planning on energy credits Significant IRS developments affecting practice and compliance procedures California's major developments for individuals and conformity to federal law changes for 2025 Filing status, credits and retirement plan developments Expired and expiring provisions Inflation adjustments for 2026 Due diligence and planning reminder

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Enterprise-wide risk management best practices for identifying, evaluating, and determining how to respond to relevant risks.The importance of risk and uncertainty disclosures in the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements, including evolving risks with cybersecurity and ESG.Coordinating risk management efforts, including the required involvement of corporate governance.How to embed risk management into day-to-day accounting and finance activities.

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

Types of business entities (Sole proprietorship, Partnership, Corporation, Limited Liability Company and Limited Liability Partnership) Considerations in choosing a business entity, including taxes, limited liability protection, management & control, funding options & opportunities, tax consequences for the owners and the business. Future tax considerations that will impact various business entities.