CPE Catalog & Events

What are ethics? Why study ethics? Ethical responsibilities of CPAs Professional code of ethics and conduct AICPA Codification – updated Ethical dilemmas CPA vision Real disciplinary cases to illustrate critical points

How distinctive funding sources, different operating purposes, and lack of ownership interests affect risk assessment and planning in the audit of a not-for-profit Key considerations and auditing procedures applied in auditing contributions, functional expenses, net assets, etc. Frequent issues arising in audits of not-for-profits (e.g., independence concerns, communicating with those charged with governance, Yellow Book audits, single audits, etc.)

Creating Word and PowerPoint documents with greater ease and efficiency Enabling critical Outlook options for improved productivity Best practices for working with Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint

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.

"All courses in this Pack are presented by Melissa GalassoThe major topics that will be covered in this course include:Course 1: How to Audit CashCPE: 2Description: Cash is essential to every business, and is often one of the first accounts audit staff are exposed to. This course will cover the basics of auditing cash, including the related audit assertions, risks, & threats to the cash balance. During this course, we will also highlight the various substantive auditing procedures that staff should perform, and also walk through some real-world examples. Course 2: How to Audit InventoryCPE: 2Description: Inventory observations are often a right of passage for audit staff. This course will cover the basics of auditing inventory, including the related audit assertions, risks, & threats to inventory. During this course, we will also highlight the various substantive auditing procedures that staff should perform, and also walk through how to conduct a physical inventory observation.Course 3: How to Audit Expenses & PayablesCPE: 2Description: It is imperative that audit staff understand the fundamentals of expenses & payables. This course will cover the basics of auditing expenses, accrued liabilities, and other payables, including the related audit assertions, risks, & threats to the expenses & payables balances. During this course, we will also highlight the various substantive auditing procedures that staff should perform, and also walk through some real-world examples.

California property taxation updated in light of Proposition 19 passage Qualified business income deductions [IRC Sec. 199A] Opportunity zone deferral related to real estate [IRC Sec. 1400Z-2] Passive activities loss rules [IRC Sec. 469] Real estate professional rules [IRC Sec. 469(c)(7)] Interest expense deduction rules [IRC Sec. 163] Home sale exclusion [IRC Sec. 121] 1031 exchanges Estate planning and gifting with real estate

Fundamental Excel techniques all accounting and financial professionals should know and use Creating date-based calculations in Excel How to create Excel templates Key options you should enable in Excel Linking data in Excel

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.

Evidence in the investigative process Tools used in forensic investigations Conducting interviews Forensic accounting reports Expert witness testimony

The major topics covered in this class include:How is business changing.What is driving the change and how long will it last.How specifically is an organizations control system important.What steps are needed to “keep up” with the upheaval.

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

Major provisions of security and privacy policies Key risks associated with using commercial AI tools Steps to take to mitigate AI security and privacy risks

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Review of audit procedures.Documentation requirements.Real world examples of red flags that may arise.

Team dynamics Influence Organizational behavior Leadership

Employee Listening Communication Employee Experience Employee Engagement

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

Five business books, including,    “Leaders Eat Last”, by Simon Sinek,   “Zero to One” by Peter Thiel,   “American Icon” by Bryce Hoffman,   “Slide:ology” by Nancy Duarte, and   “Brain Rules” by John Molina.

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

The major topics covered in this course include:ChatGPT and generative AI technology primerBuilding your generative AI vocabularyDig deeper into your engagement research to develop a higher quality advisory servicePolish your client reporting with the help of ChatGPTDeveloping your ChatGPT client advisory servicesStart with client education. You don’t need to be a technical expert to be an educatorUse AI to help your clients automate their workflows / business processesBuild better spreadsheets with ChatGPT and ExcelHelp your clients identify, evaluate and select applications for their business