Fall CPE Conference

This session provides a practical, practitioner-focused look at the challenges firms are encountering when performing preparation, compilation, and review engagements. Led from the perspective of a local firm practitioner, the discussion highlights common implementation issues, best practices, and real-world solutions. The session also incorporates key new accounting standards, including SQMS (SSARS No. 26), which becomes effective for 2026 year-end engagements.

Speaker: Jim Martin, CPA, CGMA | Real World Seminars of Georgia

This session qualifes for two hours of Financial Statement Presentation (FSP/SSARS) CPE credit.

This session is available to registrants only.

This session equips experienced CPAs with an authoritative, side-by-side analysis of how debt basis is established, tracked, and adjusted for S-Corporation shareholders versus partners. Work through the practical mechanics of bona fide and related-party debt, guarantees, Form 7203 reporting, and the recourse versus nonrecourse allocation rules - including constructive liquidation scenarios and the three-tier nonrecourse framework. Detailed worked examples cover 704(b) minimum gain, nonrecourse deductions, and 704(c) built-in gain allocations, translating dense regulatory language into defensible, real-world calculations. Ideal for practitioners who advise pass-through entities and want to sharpen their basis computations and client documentation practices.

Speaker: David Peters, CPA, CFP, ChFC, CLU, CPCU, CGMA, MST | Peters Professional Education

This session is available to registrants only.

Technical expertise alone isn't enough to build lasting professional success. Strengthen your ability to communicate with clarity, lead projects with confidence, and build stronger relationships with team members, peers, and clients. Gain practical strategies to navigate challenging conversations, and translate complex ideas into meaningful insights that inspire trust and drive results.

Speaker: Carrie Steffen | Iowa Society of CPAs

This session is available to registrants only.

This session covers the significant provisions of the most recent pronouncements and proposed pronouncements from the FASB, the Private Company Council, and the Auditing Standards Board. Topics are presented from the perspective of a small firm practitioner who services or works for non-publicly traded entities. Focus will be spent discussing the standards that, in the instructor’s 40 years of experience, have the broadest application to the local practitioner. As always, the floor is also open to discuss whatever current accounting and auditing topics participants may want to cover. A complete, thorough and fast moving review of all things privately held A&A!

Speaker: Jim Martin, CPA, CGMA | Real World Seminars of Georgia

This session is available to registrants only.

Building a high-performing team starts with strong leadership. Learn practical strategies for setting clear expectations, delegating with confidence, fostering accountability, and creating a culture where individuals take ownership of their work. Walk away with the tools to become the kind of leader others trust, respect, and want to follow.

Speaker: Carrie Steffen | Iowa Society of CPAs 

This session is available to registrants only.

When an S-corporation changes hands, the difference between a stock sale and an asset sale can reshape your client’s entire tax bill and the elections you recommend often determine who wins at the negotiating table. This session equips experienced CPAs to navigate the high-stakes mechanics of S-corporation sales, from Sec 338(h)(10) and Sec 336(e) elections to Type F reorganizations, QSub elections, and Sec 302 redemptions. Work through purchase-price allocation under Sec 1060, the Sec 1374 built-in gains tax, and the Sec 163(j) interest limitation, all reinforced with practical examples drawn from real deal structures. Sharpen your ability to model both sides of a transaction and deliver the kind of proactive, defensible planning your clients expect.

Speaker: David Peters, CPA, CFP, ChFC, CLU, CPCU, CGMA, MST | Peters Professional Education

This session is available to registrants only.

A strong professional network doesn’t happen by chance - it is built with intention. Learn how to identify the clients you can serve best, expand your professional network and cultivate meaningful relationships that create long-term value. Discover how curiosity, authentic conversations, and genuine rapport can open the door to new opportunities and lasting business connections.

Speaker: Carrie Steffen | Iowa Society of CPAs 

This session is available to registrants only.

Built on more than twenty years of studying fraud schemes, this session presents a comprehensive framework of the accounts most commonly involved, the methodologies behind the frauds, and - most importantly - the unique internal and external audit procedures that can be used to detect them. Explore a wide range of fraud schemes you may not have previously considered and gain practical techniques you can apply in your own audits. This indispensable course is valuable for auditors in both public accounting and industry.

Speaker: Jim Martin, CPA, CGMA | Real World Seminars of Georgia

This session is available to registrants only.

Partnership agreements aren’t just legal boilerplate - they dictate how income, deductions, and cash flow onto every partner’s Schedule K-1, and misreading them can quietly derail a return. This session walks through the provisions that matter most, from capital accounts, allocations, and guaranteed payments to distributions, buy-sell triggers, and dissolution. Go deep on Section 754 and 743(b) elections, learning when they’re required, how they keep inside and outside basis aligned, and how to spot a substantial built-in loss before it becomes a problem. Built for CPAs who already know the fundamentals, this session sharpens the judgment you need to read an agreement like a tax advisor not just a preparer.

Speaker: David Peters, CPA, CFP, ChFC, CLU, CPCU, CGMA, MST | Peters Professional Education

This session is available to registrants only.

This session covers the common peer review issues as indicated by the AICPA for the year ended June 30, 2024 and later. Gain a detailed look and explanation of these points as well as the areas and industries where these points are most prevalent. If you are approaching a peer review year, or are in one, this is a valuable look at the real world of issues firms are having. Fulfill a regulatory CPE requirement (A&A) and better your firm at the same time!

Speaker: Jim Martin, CPA, CGMA | Real World Seminars of Georgia

This session qualifes for two hours of Financial Statement Presentation (FSP/SSARS) CPE credit.

This session is available to registrants only.

Difficult conversations are an inevitable part of professional life, but they don’t have to be uncomfortable or unproductive. Learn practical strategies for addressing sensitive issues constructively, exchanging feedback with confidence and managing expectations all while preserving trust and strengthening relationships. Build the communication skills needed to navigate challenging situations with professionalism and confidence.

Speaker: Carrie Steffen | Iowa Society of CPAs 

This session is available to registrants only.

A deduction is a deduction is a deduction - right? Well, not exactly. In corporate taxation, the general rule is that a corporation can deduct any expenditure that is ordinary, necessary, and reasonable. However, there are nuances to be aware of, such as a floor on charitable contributions, limits on meals, and even a maximum amount that may be available to take on a loss from a prior year. In tax planning, simply put, the details matter! This session explores those details, discusses when a deduction is available for your accrual basis clients, and identifies when small contractor exceptions may be helpful. If you want to sharpen your ability to spot opportunities and navigate the fine print for your corporate clients, this session gives you the tools to do just that. 

Speaker: David Peters, CPA, CFP, ChFC, CLU, CPCU, CGMA, MST | Peters Professional Education

This session is available to registrants only.

This session examines the application of  the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct through real-world cases involving members whose unethical actions resulted in criminal convictions. Explore the types of activities the IRS is using to identify and prosecute fraud, and gain a practical understanding of the consequences of ethical violations. Rather than focusing on why people make unethical decisions, this session examines what they did, what happened as a result, and the lessons professionals can learn from those outcomes. Fast-paced, educational and entertaining!

Speaker: Jim Martin, CPA, CGMA | Real World Seminars of Georgia

This session qualifies for two hours of technical ethics CPE credit.

This session is available to registrants only.

Financial professionals are inundated with new information about the Internal Revenue Code on a daily basis. While it’s easy to dismiss unreliable social media posts or obscure websites, it becomes much more challenging when conflicting information comes from respected, authoritative sources. For example, is a court decision about a tax issue more important than information directly coming from the IRS? What happens if information from the IRS is inconsistent with the law? And is there ever a time when you can rely on information given by the IRS to another taxpayer? This session takes a deep dive into secondary sources of tax authority. Examine common conflicts, explore how to weigh different types of guidance, and discuss practical strategies for resolving uncertainty. Clarify the distinctions between giving tax advice, preparing a tax return, and taking a position on a return to help you navigate these situations with confidence and precision.

Speaker: David Peters, CPA, CFP, ChFC, CLU, CPCU, CGMA, MST | Peters Professional Education

This session is available to registrants and their guests

AI is reshaping accounting, tax, and finance. This session surveys the state of AI technology in 2026: core concepts, generative AI vs. Agentic AI, software tools, risks/controls, and practical CPA use cases. Leave with an expanded AI vocabulary, a current view of the AI landscape, and actionable talking points for staff, clients and service providers.

Speaker: John Higgins, CPA, CITP | Higgins Advisory LLC

This session is available to registrants only.

Not every client relationship is meant to last. While ending a client engagement can be difficult, it can also be one of the healthiest decisions you make for your firm, your team, and your peace of mind. This session explores dozens of situations that may signal it’s time to say, “You’re fired!” Gain practical insights to help you assess client risk, recognize red flags, and make informed decisions about the relationships that best support your firm’s long-term success.

Speaker: Jim Martin, CPA, CGMA | Real World Seminars of Georgia

This session is available to registrants only.

New to AI? Start here. This beginner-friendly session explains the ABC’s of how generative AI tools work. Specific recommendations for how CPAs can safely put these tools to use and what steps to take to mitigate the risks. Leave with a solid understanding of AI fundamentals and how they apply to accounting, tax and finance.

Speaker: John Higgins, CPA, CITP | Higgins Advisory LLC

This session is available to registrants only.

Move beyond the basics and master the eight advanced trust vehicles your high-net-worth clients rely on - ESBTs, QSSTs, SLATs, IDGTs, ILITs, GRATs, QPRTs, and CRUTs - all analyzed through one consistent lens covering mechanics, income tax, transfer tax, and planning strategy. This session tackles the issues that separate competent practitioners from trusted advisors: navigating compressed trust brackets, managing distributable net income and distribution timing, and controlling exposure to the 3.8% net investment income tax and Additional Medicare Tax. Work through S corporation eligibility rules, the flat 37% ESBT rate versus graduated QSST treatment, and the transfer-tax mechanics behind today’s $15 million exemption. This session equips experienced CPAs to deliver sophisticated, defensible planning advice.

Speaker: David Peters, CPA, CFP, ChFC, CLU, CPCU, CGMA, MST | Peters Professional Education

This session is available to registrants only.

Microsoft 365 is likely the most underutilized software investment in your firm or business. This session will show how to tap into many of the lesser known features of the Microsoft 365 ecosystems of apps to maximize your productivity and produce better outputs. Through a series of practical case study demonstrations learn how to leverage the full potential of Microsoft 365 in your firm or organization.

Speaker: John Higgins, CPA, CITP | Higgins Advisory LLC

This session is available to registrants only.

Agreed-upon procedures engagements are one of the most underutilized services that CPA’s perform. The SSAE 19 way of performing agreed-upon procedures is infinitely more efficient for the practitioner without sacrificing any value to the users than its predecessor standards. This session walks through every one of the 40+ paragraphs found in the standard, related explanatory materials, and sample reports.

Speaker: Jim Martin, CPA, CGMA | Real World Seminars of Georgia

This session is available to registrants only.

Master the mechanics of fiduciary income taxation in this practitioner-focused course built for experienced CPAs advising estates and trusts. Work through Form 1041 filing requirements, tax year-end and Section 645 elections, income in respect of a decedent (including post-SECURE Act inherited retirement accounts and the Section 691(c) deduction), and the deduction and charitable-contribution differences that set fiduciary returns apart from individual returns. Dig into fiduciary accounting income, the computation of distributable net income (DNI), and how trusts are taxed at the state level. Throughout, real-world elections and planning examples show how to minimize the combined estate, fiduciary, and beneficiary tax burden.

Speaker: David Peters, CPA, CFP, ChFC, CLU, CPCU, CGMA, MST | Peters Professional Education

This session is available to registrants only.

The taxation of real estate is tricky. Taxpayers can own real estate in a number of different ways, including direct and indirect investments. There are numerous exceptions to being classified as a rental activity, too. How do you know if someone is a real estate professional? This session explores all these issues and many more! Through real-world examples and discussion, dive into exceptions to rental status, qualifications for material participation, and requirements for active status. Additionally, discover the QBI and Section 1237 safe harbors and touch on some planning ideas related to depreciation recapture. In other words, you’ll walk away with lots of exceptions and planning ideas for your real estate clients!

Speaker: David Peters, CPA, CFP, ChFC, CLU, CPCU, CGMA, MST | Peters Professional Education

This session is available to registrants only.

Microsoft 365 is one of the most widely used business applications software suites in business today. Microsoft Copilot is the generative AI application that is integrated directly into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. If your firm or business is a Microsoft 365 user, this is a session that will teach how to get started, navigate, and use Copilot AI. Learn more about protecting your data privacy and get an advanced Microsoft Copilot features review. Join this session to optimize the use of your Microsoft 365 Copilot AI app.

Speaker: John Higgins, CPA, CITP | Higgins Advisory LLC

This session is available to registrants only.

If you enjoy digging into the details of accounting and financial reporting, this session is for you. Explore a selection of accounting and disclosure cases drawn from the AICPA’s 750+ page Technical Questions and Answers publication. Not only gain practical insights into challenging reporting issues but also learn how to effectively navigate and use this valuable resource to save time, strengthen your research and make your professional life easier.

Speaker: Jim Martin, CPA, CGMA | Real World Seminars of Georgia

This session is available to registrants only.