CPE Catalog & Member Events

Whether you are a seasoned executive or a young staff professional, you are involved with tasks that can make or break the organization. Raising financing is the single most important duty of leadership, especially for those in finance. Learn how to raise capital efficiently, detailing a proven process. Strategy is vital, but most organizations do a poor job of implementing their strategy. Are you getting the most out of our talent? Do you really understand which clients are valuable and which are not? Are you retaining your top talent and getting the most from their contributions? Module 1: Raising Capital: How to Execute the Leaders’ Most Crucial Responsibility The most essential challenge for any organization is to raise capital. Without financing – there are no employees and no bank accounts. What is the process to raise funds to finance an organization? What are the alternatives in addition to debt or equity? What are the pros and cons of each? To successfully raise financing, you must plan extensively, have multiple alternatives, and consider the transaction from the investor’s perspective. Raising financing is a tricky challenge, tailored to suit each individual organization. Whether you are the CEO, CFO, board member, accountant, consultant, or advisor – this discussion will help you understand what to consider when raising financing. Module 2: Accounting for People: Workforce Trends and Talent to Add Value Leaders are increasingly responsible for the human resources function, despite limited formal training in people management. Explore how to account for people as a valued asset rather than an expense. Managing the costs, trends, and risks associated with today’s ever-changing workforce has changed. From recruiting and retention to engagement and compensation alternatives. The modern leader must understand how employee-related decisions drive both performance and profitability. Examine the financial implications of HR trends, workforce planning, and the evolving role of talent strategy and how to influence investments in people through accounting and reporting tools. Successful organizations have moved employees to the left side of their balance sheet. Have you? Module 3: Rethinking Your Customers to Maximize Profitability: Identifying the Right Clients Some customers are unprofitable from an economic or time perspective – but many organizations do not differentiate or know the difference. When an organization has a unique, well-differentiated service or product, understanding value from the customer’s perspective becomes a crucial factor in profitable pricing. We must take the time to fully understand what our customers value - from the customer’s point of view. What is value? Why do brand, value, and customer focus matter? Developing a deep understanding of our customers is vital. Our most important customer might be someone we have not yet recognized. Understanding both external clients and internal stakeholders - including the evolving role of the finance department, is critical to long-term success. Module 4: Activate and Execute Your Strategy: Turn Planning into Results Organizations that execute a wise strategy succeed; others are executed in the market. Many organizations invest significant time in strategic planning but fall short when it comes to execution. According to McKinsey, most fail to properly execute their strategy. Explore the critical transition from strategy to performance while challenging outdated planning models and myths. We often do not think of strategy in the same context of longer-term organizational projects like ERP transitions or risk management. Why should you consider “killing” your current plan and building a new plan centered around financial performance? Dive into the reasons strategy fails, uncover the practical tools for bridging the planning-performance gap, and explore how strong financial integration enables strategy to succeed.

Important new tax cases. Legislative updates, including administrative guidance on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).  Common circumstances that result in S Corporation terminations, including how to fix mistakes. Developments in the partnership and S Corporation areas. New administrative releases such as revenue rulings, revenue procedures and notices.  

We all want to make the organization more profitable, but do we do it the best way? Many simply hack away at costs and then repeat the same unwieldy process every eighteen months. Do your internal and external customers truly understand your numbers? There is a better way to communicate financial information, so they DO understand and take the proper actions. Building an effective team always results in improved performance, talent retention and reduces costs. Discuss the ethics of creativity – is creativity good or bad or a mixed bag? Explore how, and specifically what, you can do to rein in costs and get the most from what the organization already has and remains ethical. Learn to become better at controlling the right costs and becoming more successful. Module 1: Improving Profitability the Right Way: How to Cut the Right Costs Cost cutting is easy, cutting the right costs is not. Most cost-cutting exercises fail either; by cutting the wrong costs, cutting too much, ignoring interrelated impacts, taking shortcuts, cutting too little or waiting too late. The internal politics are problematic. One key solution is to take sufficient time to plan properly and assess the true goals and objectives. Planning is essential, explore how to cut the right costs correctly and avoid career-killing blunders. Module 2: Building High Performing Teams: Cohesive Teams Get Results Teamwork is the ultimate competitive advantage both because it is so powerful and so rare. Why do some teams produce and win, while others fail? What do great team leaders do that makes the team a success? Whether you run the executive staff of a multinational company, a small department within a large organization or even if you are in a small team that needs improvement, explore proven techniques to enhance teamwork. It is not complicated to build a team, but it takes effort. Module 3: Do Creative Accountants Belong in Prison? True or False? Creativity is one of the top ten most desirable traits, but should everyone, including accountants, be creative? Are there exceptions? What are the positives and the downsides of creativity? Creativity can be used for good, but creativity can also lead to serious, unethical behaviors. There is a strong relationship between creativity and dishonesty. Review the negative consequences of creativity and how to properly utilize resourcefulness and imagination. Creativity can easily be great or disreputable, learn how to make it work for you – and be ethical. Module 4: Storytelling Your Financials for Impact: Narrative Beats Numbers Data alone does not drive decisions- stories do. Financial professionals must go beyond spreadsheets and craft compelling financial narratives that engage boards, CEOs, and team members. Using real-world examples, demonstrate how to frame financial results within a broader business story, drawing insights and communicating tangible meaning - instead of just displaying boring numbers. Learn how to shift from “presenting financials” to telling a story that aligns with strategic goals, inspires confidence, and drives action. Explore the tools to turn financial statements into strategic storytelling assets. Clients do not recall numbers, but they do remember stories.

Join ISCPA CEO Carrie Steffen, for an interactive, town-hall style conversation that brings the latest insights, challenges and opportunities in the CPA profession directly to you. Carrie will explore key themes: the ongoing workforce development challenges, evolving client and business expectations, technology transformation, regulatory shifts, and the changing nature of what it means to be a CPA in today’s environment. Attendees are encouraged to share their perspectives and questions as we collectively explore the opportunities that lie ahead.

More info coming soon!

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Recently issued ASUs of greatest significance to smaller and medium-sized entities Recently issued ASUs impacting SEC registrants and other public entities Items on the FASB’s technical agenda ASC 606 The final PIR review report for ASC 606 IRS guidance and tax reporting requirements regarding digital asset transactions Investments – Real estate and cases Retirement – Section 401(k) limitations and self-employed persons

Data-driven decision-making processes Top technology trends and related risks, including cloud computing, AI, ChatGPT, RPA, and blockchain applications Fraud statistics and cyber threats Common IT security risks and controls Requirements of SAS 142 Use of analytical procedures on professional engagements

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a future concept - it’s already reshaping the accounting profession. From automating routine tasks to enhancing data analysis, AI is changing how CPAs work and the value they deliver. New tools, evolving regulations and emerging risks mean today’s knowledge can quickly become outdated. AI isn’t replacing CPAs, but CPAs who understand AI will lead the way forward. Staying informed isn’t optional, it’s essential. This NEW Fall/Winter AI Series delivers four, expert-led sessions designed to help confidently navigate today’s rapidly evolving AI landscape. Each session is offered in a convenient, flexible virtual format - making it easy to join from anywhere, gain actionable insights and walk away with knowledge to immediately apply.

The NEW Internal Audit Series delivers three, expert-led sessions designed to help confidently navigate today’s internal audit landscape. Each session is offered in a convenient, flexible virtual format - making it easy to join from anywhere, gain actionable insights and walk away with knowledge to immediately apply. The series is led by Elizabeth McDowell, CPA, CIA, founder of Audit Forward and a seasoned internal audit leader with more than 20 years of experience. She brings real-world insights to every session. Known as an “edutainer,” Elizabeth combines education and entertainment to make auditing concepts engaging, practical and memorable.

The CFO Series provides a convenient, one-stop way for CFOs and those who aspire to be CFOs, to earn 40 hours of CPE credit, including four hours of ethics credit, with a single decision, featuring high-quality presentations and an interactive, executive level colleague-to-colleague approach with case studies, group discussions, and team exercises.