CPE Catalog & Events

SSARS No. 21, Clarification and Recodification, and updates to SSARS No. 21 due to the issuance of SSARS No. 23, Omnibus Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services SSARS No. 22, Compilation of Pro Forma Financial Information SSARS No. 24, Omnibus Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services -- 2018 SSARS No. 25, Materiality in a Review of Financial Statements and Adverse Conclusions  SSARS No. 26, Quality Management for an Engagement Conducted in Accordance With Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services Sample comprehensive engagement work programs for preparation, compilation and review engagements Reporting and disclosure illustrations for each level of service, including attesting on personal financial statements, prescribed form, special purpose framework and other engagement variations Other communication requirements, such as sample engagement letters and management representation letters

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Key changes to audit report elements intended to improve the understandability of the nature and results of financial statement auditsEnhanced required by-product communications with management and those charged with governance to promote more reliable financial statementsClarifications related to obtaining sufficient and appropriate audit evidence, including significant unusual transactions, related parties, going concern uncertainty, and accounting estimatesNew definitions and requirements related to identifying and evaluating risks of material misstatementOther important matters contained in SAS Nos. 134-145

Ethical business behavior Ethical business decisions Ethical management decisions Ethical decisions in human resource management

Major topics covered in this course include:Introduction to ChatGPT and artificial intelligence chatbot technologiesAutomating frequently asked questions and the onboarding processVerifying and reviewing financial recordsProviding real-time support to clientsGenerating financial reportsAutomating tax return preparation and financial planningProviding guidance on financial decision making

“Tax-mageddon” – the all-important impending expiration/extension/renewal of the TCJA  Other recent legislative, judicial, and IRS developments impacting business taxpayers. Current status of Research and Experimentation costs and Interest Expense Limitation Phaseout of Bonus Depreciation and MACRS issues. Partnership and S corporation legislative updates

Challenges of marketing CPA firms Developing marketing strategy  Elements of a marketing plan Example: CPA firm marketing plan Marketing regulatory/AICPA issues Picking the right marketing channels  Marketing channel statistical analysis  Developing marketing metrics

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.

Update on significant 2024-25 business tax developments and related cases and rulings Review of recent business tax provisions and their integration into tax forms Depreciation changes in Section 179 and Sec. 168(k) bonus depreciation Tax issues impacting "gig" workers, including Form 1099-K The details on what happened to the various "sunset" provisions of the 2017 tax act

Expanding Automatic Enrollment in Retirement Plans Increased Age for RMDs Higher Catch-up Contribution Limit Emergency Expense Penalty-Free Withdrawals “Starter” 401(k)s for Certain Employers Part-time Worker Improved Coverage

Accounting Finance

Client acceptance and continuance Risk assessment and processes and controls Laws and regulations and related parties

"Tax-mageddon" – the all-important impending expiration/extension/renewal of the TCJA Recent legislative, judicial, and IRS developments impacting individual taxpayers 2025 Tax rates and inflation-adjusted figures Cryptocurrency reporting and new Form 1099-DA Form 1099-K and previously unreported income Other recent legislative developments impacting individual taxpayers

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Review the history of ChatGPTTour of the ChatGPT app and how to use itSetting up a ChatGPT account (free & premium)Variety of hands-on case study examples for accounting, finance and taxA look under the hood at how ChatGPT worksCaution - how to avoid risks in using ChatGPTA look into the future potential for AI in business

10 Principles of Tax Accounting for Trust Income Entity accounting income and Form 1041 Uniform Principal and Income Act Discretionary Power to Adjust Allocations between principal and income Trust accounting issues

Medicare and Health Insurance Options Life Insurance Strategies for Elders Social Security Planning Considerations Medicaid Planning and Trusts Retirement Account Optimization Techniques Tailored Estate Planning for Older Clients Long-Term Care and Housing Alternatives Gifting Strategies in Estate Planning Unique Financial Challenges of Aging Clients

Investigation terminology Assessment skills Investigative methodology

Communications

The major topics covered in this class include:Awareness of advanced functionsCreative methods for data manipulationUsing intellectual curiosity and professional skepticism to develop a problem-solving mentalityReal-life examples of innovative ways to analyze and report data with ExcelUsing Excel to perform e-mail mergesMany other functions and techniques that inspire you to continue exploring the depths of Excel and its seemingly bottomless toolboxEnhance creativity in your approach to developing Excel models

What is Business Consulting? Identify the types of Management services your firm could offer. How to become the trusted advisor – identification of client’s needs? Learn how client expectations may create different performance and understanding levels for CPAs in business consulting engagements. Know what it takes to create a valuable outcome for the client. Understand the competitive advantages/disadvantages that your firm has versus non-CPA business consultants. Learn techniques to become a more effective consultant. Professional standards application

Federal Disaster Relief Act provisions enacted in December, 2024 Comparison of personal use casualties with business/investment casualties When to claim casualty losses How to postpone casualty gains Business casualty gains and depreciation recapture