CPE Catalog & Events

Legislative developments A full chapter devoted to determining the best planning options for maximizing joint Social Security benefits Retirement benefits: Amount of benefits in various circumstances; how the amounts are distributed within the family unit Qualification: Has the client retired? How business entities may be used for Social Security advantage Income taxation of Social Security: avoidance tactics Spousal benefits: Should a spouse return to work? What benefits does a spouse have and when and how do they relate to benefits decisions by the client? When can hiring the spouse increase overall benefits?  Why should both spouses qualify for survivor benefits? Disability benefits When to start Social Security benefits: Advantages and disadvantages at ages 62, full retirement age, and 70 Coordinating benefits: Should you take Social Security first and higher-balance IRA distributions later, or take IRA balances first and enhanced Social Security benefits later? Pensions: Distribution strategies; how to use the minimum distribution rules in concert with Social Security benefits IRAs: Is it time to convert to a Roth? Medicare, Part D prescription drugs: what retirees need to know

The major topics covered in this course include:Underlying concepts of internal controlDefining where and why controls, policies and procedures are neededLegacy control measures that are still important for businesses todayCreating control measures that address the use and protection of technology

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.

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The urgency of leading change now & the steps in leading changeThe power of crafting a vision that encourages buy-inThe art and science of building strong partnershipsAccelerating change through relationship networksCommunication strategies for changeEstablishing a feedback culture for successful changeManaging self in times of changeCase studies and real-world scenarios

The major topics covered in this class include:Generally accepted audit requirements related to testing controls for operating effectivenessIdentifying key controls that may prove effective and efficient to test in a control reliance strategyResponses when deviations are discovered when evaluating the design or operating effectiveness of internal controlLeveraging audit evidence available for Service Organization Control (SOC1) ReportsGeneral computer control considerations when evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting

The major topics covered in this course include:Types of external fraudConsiderations as organizations work to reduce fraud riskExternal fraud and known parties/External fraud unknown perpetrators

Cyber risks: prompt injection, drift, model manipulation, data leakage Red-teaming and simulation exercises (CSA, IBM frameworks) Controls mapping: COSO, SOX, and NIST AI RMF Regulatory context: GDPR, CCPA, EU AI Act, SEC guidance Platform security discussion and comparisons

Employment at will — what this means in a practical sense Implied employment contracts What a prospective employer can ask about, and test for, during employment interviews Federal anti-discrimination rules applicable to hiring and firing How to discipline or fire an employee and not get sued FMLA/ADA/PWFA — Pregnant Worker’s Fairness Act Constructive discharge — what is it and how it affects your business?

Understanding the time commitment required to start and run a business Selecting a corporate structure to protect your personal assets Building your product or service Sales and marketing in your business Establishing your owners, investors, managers, and employees Accounting, recording-keeping, and other software programs Leases, contracts, and employee agreements Protecting intellectual property Insurance Business plans Financing Market position

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The authority of IRS in assessing and collecting taxes.The common misconceptions when dealing with IRS.Common questionable actions by business owners.How to prepare for an IRS audit.The seven options in IRS collections.Possible criminal tax violations by CFOs and small business owners.

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Summary of the impact of fraud on entities worldwide.Common fraud schemes and typical median losses that result.How smaller entity fraud risk differs from those of larger entities.The statistical profile of the most common fraud perpetrator.The most effective methods for preventing and detecting fraud.Cybersecurity risk management trends and best practices.

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Money laundering overviewRole of tax examiners and auditorsTax return examinationPre-audit indicatorsAudit flagsReal estate issuesCash indicatorsInternational trade signalsLoan considerationsProfessional service provider concernsMoney laundering and ethics

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Definition of self-rental property - both for Sections 199A and 469Self-rental income from directly owned properties and reporting on Form 1040, Schedule E, page 1Self-rental income from indirectly owned (partnerships, S corporations) and reporting on Form 1040, Schedule E, page 2Form 8582 (passive activity)The flow-through entity grouping electionIllustrative examples and consequences of failing to comply with the reporting standardsSelf-rental property and "former passive activities" rules

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The changing finance technology landscape: continuous processing, modular ecosystems, automated controls, and real-time visibility (and the risks these shifts introduce)Technology trends and “AI” definitions: automation vs. machine learning vs. generative AI vs. agentic AI—what each means for governance and auditabilityFive common challenges in finance tech projects and how to address them:Cutting through vendor claims and AI hypeIntegration complexity and hidden costsChange management and proving ROIData quality readiness for AI and automationRisk, security, and governanceVendor Evaluation Scorecard: 20 criteria across five categories, including control “deal-breakers” (audit trails, segregation of duties, logging, SOC reporting, error handling)Five-Year Total Cost Framework: software, implementation, data migration/cleanup, integration build & maintenance, internal costs, training, and ongoing operations (plus common underestimates)Industry-specific considerations (manufacturing, distribution/wholesale, SaaS/tech, professional services)Four-phase implementation roadmap with checkpoints and red flags: Assessment & Planning; Selection & Negotiation; Implementation & Testing; Optimization & Ongoing GovernanceWorking with external advisers (CPA/auditor involvement, implementation partner expectations, and common deficiencies to avoid)

The major topics covered in this class include:Explore the effects of crisis and burnout on ethical decision-makingDefine the stressors, pressures, and biases that can lead good people to make less than optimal choicesDiscuss ways to offset the pressures, ways to reduce stress on ourselves and on our team, and ways to support our teamsLearn how to recognize when an individual or an organization is heading in the wrong direction and how to stop sliding down the slippery slope

To purchase the report referenced in this presentation, or any of the research papers published by CPA Crossings, visit https://www.cpacrossings.com/research. The major topics that will be covered in this course include: Explore AI, blockchain, and data analytics impact on audits Address talent crisis through retention and upskilling strategies Navigate PCAOB standards and regulatory sandbox concepts Expand audits to include ESG and nonfinancial metrics Implement technology solutions for firms of all sizes

The major topics covered in this class include:Common applications related to initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement or derecognition, presentation, and disclosure of cryptocurrency and other digital assetsFeedback from the AICPA's Digital Assets Working Group intended to assist auditors with opining on these digital records

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to Ethics and Ethical DilemmasEthical Codes and Professional StandardsFraud and the Fraud TriangleEthical Decision-Making ModelsFinancial Statement Manipulation TacticsCash Flow and Key Metrics Misrepresentations

Final Rule - Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the FLSA: the multifactor “economic reality” test; What analysis guides whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor under this final rule? Can a worker voluntarily waive employee status and choose to be classified as an independent contractor? Are any of the economic reality factors adopted in this rule more important than others when evaluating a worker’s employment status? How does the final rule explain “extent to which the work performed is an integral part of the employer’s business?” The Federal Trade Commission’s Decision on Non-compete Agreements: impact on new and existing non-competes; treatment and definitional terms for senior executives; definition of a non-compete clause; definition of a “worker” New Overtime Rules: exemptions from minimum wage and overtime pay requirements for executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees; increases in the standard level and the highly compensated employee total annual compensation threshold; new mechanism allowing for the timely and efficient updating of the salary and compensation thresholds Current status of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) rules

Nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) Nonqualified stock options (NQSOs) Incentive stock options (ISOs) Restricted stock/restricted stock units (RSUs) Stock appreciation rights (SARs) and phantom stock Employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs) Applicable tax forms and schedules Stock sale reporting Estimated taxes Filing deadlines and extensions State taxation