CPE Catalog & Events

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Course 1: Fraud Busters: Controls to Prevent & Detect FraudCPE: 2Field of Study: Auditing, AccountingDiscussion Leader: Keely GohlDescription: This course investigates actual real-world fraud schemes and discusses what controls could have prevented the fraud from occurring, and what controls could detect and curtail the fraud scheme. The instructor speaks from experience, finding multiple frauds very early in her career leading to a career-long focus on fraud prevention and detection. Course 2: Steps to Stop External FraudCPE: 2Field of Study: AccountingDiscussion Leader: Karl EgnatoffDescription: Until recently, a percentage of organizations discounted the risk related to external fraud attempts. Most were only concerned with protecting physical assets such as inventory or fixed assets. However, because of the many highly publicized corporate hacking events, such as the ones that affected the Colonial Pipeline and JBS Meats, more attention is being paid to external fraud risk of all types. In this session, we look at what is included in a definition of external fraud and then delve into specific control issues that can give rise to increased risk. We then discuss measures that organizations can employ to help reduce exposure to external attacks.  Course 3: Money Laundering 101 for CPAs CPE: 4Field of Study: Specialized KnowledgeDiscussion Leader: Robert NordlanderDescription: CPAs spend most of their working lives reviewing bank statements and books and records of businesses. They are experts in understanding how to prepare financial statements according to GAAP. But would a CPA know a possible money laundering transaction if they saw it? Would they know about a money laundering business? Money laundering is a subject of many action and thriller movies, but rarely understood. This presentation will educate the CPA in understanding the basics of money laundering and how to identify money laundering. This presentation will help the CPA know the truth about money laundering, how to identify it, the statutes that define it, and the court cases that interpret it.  

All courses in this Pack are presented by Mary Jane Hourani.The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Course 1: Navigating IRS Authorizations: Understanding Power of Attorney (Form 2848) and Tax Information Authorization (Form 8821)CPE: 2Description: Providing a practical overview of the IRS Power of Attorney, Form 2848, and IRS Tax Information Authorization, Form 8821. Participants will explore the differences between these forms, understand when each is required, and how to comply with IRS requirements for representing clients and accessing their tax information. The course will cover practical issues, ethical considerations, and best practices for managing client authorizations through the IRS Centralized Authorization File (CAF) system. Course 2: Navigating IRS Collections: Overview of Form 433 & Offer in CompromiseCPE: 2Description: This course highlights when to use Form 433-A or 433-B, along with documents needed to effectively submit an Offer in Compromise (OIC) or Installments Agreement. Settling tax debts is an important part of the IRS collection process, this course helps guide taxpayer representatives through the process so they may efficiently complete these necessary forms. Course 3: Navigating IRS Collections: The Collection ProcessCPE: 2Description: This course is designed for tax professionals seeking to understand and navigate the IRS collection process effectively. Participants will gain in-depth knowledge of the various collection methods employed by the IRS, including liens, levies and wage garnishments. Addition all, participants will learn strategies to avoid or halt collection actions and the implications of the statute of limitations on tax collection. Course 4: Navigating IRS Correspondence: Effectively Responding to IRS LettersCPE: 2Description: Participants will learn how to interpret the most common IRS correspondence, adhere to response deadlines, and effectively communicate with the IRS to resolve issues and minimize risks. It provides professionals with knowledge and strategies needed to handle the most common notices including audit requests, collections & return inquiries as well as error notices. Focusing on best practices to ensure compliance and avoiding penalties or escalation.

New and expanded energy credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Preparation of various Form 1040 individual tax returns and schedules; provided answers include “filled-in” forms  Coverage of Form 7203  Coverage of §199A qualified business income, its calculation, limitations, and examples  Dividends and interest – Ordinary, return of capital, and capital gain distribution dividends; tax-exempt interest, original issue discount, etc.  Security transactions – From Form 1099-B to Form 8949 to Schedule D, plus mutual fund sales and related basis issues  Self-employed person issues  Schedule C deductions including depreciation  Sale and exchange of property – Understanding Form 4797 and depreciation recapture; capital gains  A working understanding of passive losses – How to handle rental property and how the passive loss rules flow to the tax forms  Itemized deductions – A thorough understanding of what’s deductible and what’s not  Interest deductions – Limitations and timing problems  Charitable contributions substituting for taxes, IRS says – No!  Retirement contributions and education credits and deductions  Tax computations – The Kiddie Tax, AMT, regular tax, tax credits  Individual problems illustrated by form preparation for various items, with numerous “practice tips”  Impact of recent legislation and forms changes on the 1040 

Congressional Budget Reconciliation Process - explore how this powerful legislative tool allows Congress to fast track tax law changes and how it could be used to enact significant tax reforms in the current political climate President Trump's tax proposals - review key components of President Trump's tax agenda, including a tip income exemption, overtime pay relief, Social Security tax exemption, auto loan interest deductibility, SALT deduction modifications, a lower corporate tax rate, restoration of 100% bonus depreciation, immediate R&D expensing, and permanent extension of select TCJA provisions Potential expiration of select TCJA provisions - understand the implications for individual and business taxpayers as key provisions of the TCJA approach sunset dates Tariff policy and implementation - analyze the use of tariffs as a fiscal and trade policy tool Digital assets and tax implications - understand the new Form 1099-DA for reporting digital asset transactions, along with updated IRS guidance on cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and broker responsibilities Artificial intelligence - discover how AI and generative tools are transforming tax practices, as well as how the IRS is leveraging AI to enhance audit selection Form 1099-K reporting requirements - understand the evolving IRS thresholds and rules for third-party payment platforms The Gig Economy - examine key tax implications for gig workers, including Independent Contractor vs. Employee classification challenges, reporting responsibilities, and the impact of the 2024 Department of Labor Final Rule on worker status Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation Real Estate professional requirements Review of pertinent cases and rulings affecting taxpayers Practice aids, including all the numbers applicable for the current year -- inflation-adjusted amounts, mileage rates, retirement contributions, and more Advanced practice, reporting, and other issues intertwined with advanced planning and discussion ideas

The major topics covered in this class include:Framework for assessing the propriety of offering services within the state legal, regulated cannabis industryAssist in identifying key stakeholders to be considered in conjunction to providing cannabis industry services, including:partnersstaffclientsBanking relationshipsMalpractice insurance

The major topics covered in this class include:The State of Women in Leadership in the United StatesLeadership DefinedVirtue EthicsInternal and External Challenges for Women in LeadershipCreating a Culture of Safety and Caring

The major topics covered in this class include:An explanation of Artificial Intelligence (AI).Specific ways AI is replacing human cognition. What is on the internal control horizon related to AI and other technologies.

The importance of Business Intelligence in today’s business climate Differentiating between Power BI licensing options A hands-on approach to creating effective Power BI reports and dashboards

Internal Controls Fraud Prevention Fraud Investigation

Brief overview of digital assets. How to account for investments in crypto assets, like bitcoin. How to account for the receipt of digital assets when received as consideration from a contract with a customer. How to apply the intangible asset accounting model to holdings of digital assets. How to account for the sale of digital assets. Factors that custodians or depositors of digital assets may consider to determine when to recognize ownership of digital assets.

Remote Hiring Best Practices Personality Assessments in Hiring Effective Integration of Personality Assessments Minimizing Bias and Ensuring Cultural Fit

Classification of workers as employees or independent contractors

Employee Listening Communication Employee Experience Employee Engagement

Overview of small business accounting solutions Strengths and shortfalls of various accounting and add-on solutions

Early Warning Signs  Concerning Behavior Changes Getting out Barricading your area Fighting for survival Disarming the assailant Tourniquets (commercial and improvised) Pressure Dressings Chest Seals

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

Complying with the beneficial ownership information reporting requirements The current status of the Employee Retention Credit Voluntary Disclosure Program Using the newly expanded access to business tax accounts for partners and shareholders of S corporations IRS guidance allowing car dealers to provide electric vehicle tax rebates upfront to qualified auto buyers Monetizing energy credits Amortization of research and experimental expenditures Dealing with the taxpayer loss in the Tax Court in Soroban Capital Partners requiring managers to pay self-employment tax on certain payments to limited partners Contributions to Roth “catch-up” plans Roth contributions to a SEP and Simple IRA Employer matching contributions to a Roth account Section 179 and bonus depreciation Roth 401(k) contributions no longer subject to RMDs during the owner’s lifetime

Auditing Yellowbook GAAS

Recent legislative developments, cases and rulings impacting various business entity taxpayers Review of Inflation Reduction Act provisions impacting small businesses Business income, deductions and credits Section 174: Research and Experimentation Deduction update Form 1099-K reporting Depreciation update: Section 179 and 168(k) S Corporation and partnership update, including Schedule K-1 

Defining the budget process Common budgetary cultures and discussion of solutions Does your budget need an overhaul or just a tune up? How to make the budget flexible Making a better budget and maybe even a better you (or at least improving the perception of the budget work itself) How to build a flexible budget model that works? What are the steps we can take to budget for economic and external factors beyond our control? How the right Chart of Accounts can simply your work Budget and GAAP are not the same and why they are fine not to be Efficiently modeling payroll and benefits Identifying controllable and uncontrollable expense Using key variables to stress-test your budget Understanding your own leadership tendencies and applying them to your strengths? Understanding core personality types Learning what type of person you are? Managing and coping with the budget team Effectively dealing with the A, B, C and other players? Identifying the ‘Big Picture’ and your role in effective communication Communicating so others can understand us Understanding a presentation’s anatomy? Tips and tricks for budget presentations