Professional Development and Event Catalog

Join our course on Multistate Taxation – Issues and Planning Opportunities designed for financial professionals. Learn about crucial topics like nexus implications, state taxable income calculations, and audit defense strategies. Gain practical insights to integrate these considerations into client financial plans effectively. From deciphering complex formulas to understanding state-specific regulations, this course equips you with actionable knowledge to excel in finance. Explore multistate business activities, choice of business entity, and interstate commerce clauses. By course completion, you'll be ready to identify common pitfalls, mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with multistate taxation. Join us and navigate the complexities of finance confidently. **Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

Stay up-to-date on rapidly changing developments by participating in the 2024 Governmental Accounting and Auditing Update! Take advantage of this opportunity to find out about breaking government issues. This is your opportunity to hear about the latest challenges facing state and local governments and practitioners who work with them and audit them, presented by leading experts on governmental accounting and auditing, both those who work in the trenches and those from the regulatory world. With all of the fiscal, regulatory, and new standards challenges facing governments and their auditors, it is important to keep current on critical issues and developments. In 2024, governments and their auditors continue to operate in a rapidly changing environment as they continue to face the many challenges associated with significant federal funding with complex requirements. From a governmental accounting, auditing, and compliance perspective, 2024 will be a critical year for addressing the complex federal funding challenges as well as focusing on implementing new standards and requirements! Plus, it is imperative that you start planning for the significant changes coming in 2024 and beyond! Exciting new topics this year include focused discussions on addressing the new GASB pronouncement on risk disclosures and the GAO’s 2024 Yellow Book! You’ll receive an update on the most recent accounting and auditing developments affecting governments and government auditors. This includes Single Audit issues, AICPA and Yellow Book issues, new and recently effective GASB pronouncements, audit issues, and a look at what’s on the horizon. Join ACPEN’s panel of experts as they discuss, not only the technical requirements of new standards, but also the key implementation issues that must be addressed by auditors and their governmental clients! Benefit from their experience and insights from many perspectives, as well as their long experience in governmental accounting and auditing. **Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

The Teams app is designed to be the foundation for all that you do in Office 365. If you understand and embrace that tenet you will maximize the ROI of your Microsoft 365 subscriptions. The course will explain and demonstrate how Teams can be implemented to central hub for accessing all your M365 applications and data. John Higgins, a strategic advisor to the profession on Microsoft 365 deployment, will share a number of "best practices" for deploying teams to increase communication, collaboration and knowledge sharing within your organization, as well as externally. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

What would you do if you only had one workday to complete a financial statement audit? How would you optimize just a handful of hours? What would you test? More importantly, what would you minimize or eliminate? Although one day is unrealistically short, it illustrates how risk-based auditing can help auditors optimize professional effort. This course emphasizes the importance of risk assessment for enhancing both the effectiveness and efficiency of audit procedures.

The mad scramble to remote work and utilize apps like Teams has been trying for most organizations over the past couple of years. With a rush to install and no time to plan, most team members did their best, prioritizing remote meetings as the primary concern. Therefore, as a result, Teams is vastly misunderstood and underutilized in most organizations. Join us in this session to go beyond the remote meetings aspect of Teams and to learn how to optimize efficiency, communication, and workflow with Teams.

AI is an extremely popular topic these days, and for good reason! However, does AI present yet another threat to your privacy? Get answers to this question and more in this session.

Many organizations have implemented Microsoft 365/Office 365 at a basic level, but few have truly explored the breadth and depth of tools included with their subscriptions. Some less commonly known apps help you manage shared email boxes, create and use web forms, schedule appointments, trade shifts, create real-time closed captions, and translate presentations. Attend this session and learn more about the hidden features in Microsoft 365 that you can use to level up your productivity.

Following the ever-changing tax deprecation rules is not a game for the faint hearted!  This course analyzes the current landscape of depreciating, capitalizing and disposing of business assets, with examples and illustrated case studies to enhance the CPAs understanding of the most current tax depreciation provisions.  **Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

After more than 10 years in the marketplace, Bitcoin has been firmly planted in the global financial system as the de facto leader in the cryptocurrency market. Bitcoin is no longer looked at as a mystical concept of money made of pixie dust. Bitcoin has evolved to be a major force in the financial technology (FinTech) industry. With the collapse of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange, among others, it is important to understand how Bitcoin separates itself from all the other alternative cryptocurrencies, aka alt coins, as well as how you can protect your Bitcoin investment from these exchange collapses. As a CPA advising your clients on financial matters, it is imperative that you have a fundamental understanding of Bitcoin and how it all works and what distinguishes it from all the other cryptocurrencies. This course provides you with a solid base of Bitcoin knowledge so that you will be confident in having those client conversations, as well as participating in the Bitcoin ecosystem, including current tax implications. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

This intensive 4-hour course offers a deep dive into data modeling in Power BI, with a focus on Microsoft Excel's Power Pivot but applicable to Power BI Desktop. Designed for professionals looking to enhance their data analysis skills, the course covers the essential aspects of building robust, efficient data models. Participants will learn how to integrate different data sources, create meaningful relationships, and develop insightful metrics to drive business decisions. Participants will explore various aspects of data modeling such as establishing relationships, creating calculated columns, and understanding the intricacies of basic DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) measures. These skills are vital for anyone looking to extract meaningful insights from large and complex datasets. Attendees will be introduced to advanced concepts such as the strategic use of calculated columns versus measures, and the differentiation between explicit and implicit measures. This knowledge is crucial for developing sophisticated data models that not only provide accurate results but are also efficient in terms of performance. The course will also cover the creation and use of hierarchies and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), essential for any robust data analysis framework. To ensure that the learning is well-rounded and applicable, the course includes practical exercises in using pivot tables within Power BI. This helps in validating and enhancing the measures and models created, ensuring they are robust and reliable for real-world application. "Build a Data Model for Analysis in Power BI" is an essential course for professionals aiming to leverage the full potential of Power BI 's data model. Whether you're looking to streamline your data analysis process, enhance your reporting capabilities, or drive insightful business decisions, this course will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Navigating the complexities of business transactions requires a deep understanding of tax and estate planning strategies. In this comprehensive course tailored for financial professionals, participants will explore the intricacies of creative approaches to buying, selling, or gifting a business. Through real-world scenarios and practical insights, attendees will gain invaluable expertise in identifying tax risks, minimizing liabilities, and safeguarding assets. From evaluating valuation methods to exploring the details of stock versus asset purchases, this course equips you with the essential tools to provide informed counsel to clients. Discover the potential for strategic success as you master topics including estate transfer and tax implications, gifting strategies, and the utilization of various trusts and partnerships. Whether you're a CPA, EA, attorney, or financial planner, this course offers indispensable knowledge to elevate your practice. With a recommended 8 credit hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE), this intermediate-level course is designed for professionals with a foundational understanding of business tax and estate planning. Join us and immerse yourself in a journey towards mastery in the vibrant landscape of business transactions. **Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

Fraud Risk - Complying with Minimum Audit Requirements will highlight the audit procedures most effective in identifying, assessing and responding to fraud risk. The financial statement auditor's overall responsibility is to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to provide reasonable assurance as to whether the financial statements are materially misstated due to fraud or error. The difficulty is that there are inherent limitations related to detecting fraud due to deliberate schemes to conceal the intent to deceive, such as collusion. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

With proposed changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) salary exemption pending, knowledge of employee classification becomes crucial, especially for practitioners working with small businesses. This session will provide updates and best practices to stay compliant with laws regarding exempt employees for both your practice and for your clients.

Small businesses have better options now than ever before in the market of accounting solutions. Participate in this session to learn more about these options and which might be best for you or your clients.

How you onboard a new employee is critical in ensuring they understand your company culture and are immersed properly in your organization. On the flipside, in the event you are dealing with an employee termination, this too is critical in handling with care and sensitivity.  

Every business needs capital, and capital has a cost. Providers of debt and equity demand a return and the combination is the cost of capital for the business. This session discusses how to calculate the cost of capital, how to use it to make superior business decisions every day and some common ways organizations misuse this number. Who should understand your organization’s cost of capital? Even if you are not yet the CFO, you need to thoroughly understand the cost of capital and its use. The cost of capital allows managers to, “Get the biggest bang for the buck.” If you want to enhance your corporate finance skills, this session is for you.

Today's savvy executives use LinkedIn to accelerate hiring, as well as, to promote employee retention and engagement. This interactive session is for the financial executive who is actively growing and nurturing a team or company and wants to leverage LinkedIn, which is the best digital resource available. Join us for this powerful webinar and unlock the full potential of LinkedIn as your HR secret weapon for recruiting top talent, retaining your best employees, and elevating overall team engagement. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Are you ready to expand your practice and offer comprehensive retirement planning services? Look no further! Delve deeper into the realm of IRAs and qualified retirement plans with this comprehensive eight-hour course tailored for financial practitioners. Understanding the intricate tax implications, design options, and strategic considerations of these plans is essential for meeting your clients' diverse retirement needs effectively. By the end of the program, practitioners will emerge equipped to confidently advise clients on a myriad of retirement planning strategies, enhancing their expertise and credibility in the field. Explore the intricacies of different IRAs, ranging from traditional to Roth, and gain valuable insights into SEPs, qualified plans, and contribution plans. Navigate through the complexities of 401(k) plans, including Roth 401(k)s, and master the art of seamlessly navigating minimum distribution rules. Through practical highlights, case studies, and real-world scenarios, this course empowers practitioners to not only select the optimal retirement plans for their clients' unique financial goals but also to provide personalized retirement solutions tailored to individual needs. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your practice and establish yourself as a trusted advisor in retirement planning. Enroll today and embark on a journey towards maximizing your clients' financial future! **Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

Accountants are expected to demonstrate a questioning mindset. While such professional skepticism is an obvious requirement for assurance engagements, it is applicable elsewhere in the practice of public accounting. In fact, a skeptical mindset offers benefits to both public accountants and those who work in industry. This course provides specific examples of professional skepticism while suggesting best practices.

Tax rates, personal liability, operations – these are all factors to be weighed when advising clients about their choice of entity decision.  This session provides a comparison of the multiple entity choices to start the discussion with clients and selecting the best tax efficient option for them. **Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com.