Professional Development and Event Catalog

If you find yourself working with PDF files consistently throughout the day, this course will teach you how to review, annotate, format and organize PDF files more effectively and in less time. You will also learn how to use Adobe Acrobat for e-signatures to reduce document processing time significantly and enhance confidentiality. Adobe Acrobat has many features that you can take advantage of and this course will explain and demonstrate how to use them. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

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Ethics is ultimately about our relationship to ourself, others, and the world in which we live. Therefore, to enhance our relationships with those around us, we must first start with the regard we hold for ourselves. From an ethical vantage, it can be said that we have a moral obligation to work toward self-love, honor, and respect. Matters of self-esteem are important in every aspect of life including goal setting, relationships, establishing boundaries, handling conflict, levels of productivity, and expressing our needs in respectful and dignified ways. This course explores traps of low self-esteem and ways to minimize those traps. We also explore components of high self-esteem and actions to foster higher regard for self. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

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An advanced guide to prompting techniques that maximize AI efficiency and precision in everyday business research, operational due diligence and accounting tasks. Designed for accountants with no prior AI knowledge, the session explores how simple language and strategic prompting can unlock powerful, layered responses from large language models (LLMs). Participants will learn to overcome the "lazy" defaults of AI, using specific techniques to enhance detail, accuracy, and contextual understanding in their queries. By understanding prompt engineering's role, attendees will discover how to guide AI to provide practical, relevant, and analytical insights suited to complex financial scenarios, without needing extensive technical expertise. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

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U.S. Department of Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) imposed a new reporting requirement that went into effect on January 1, 2024. Millions of businesses may have to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report. In a surprise turn of events, the Federal District Court from the Northern District of Alabama ruled on March 1, 2024 in National Small Business United v. Yellen ("NSB") that the CTA is unconstitutional. This course will discuss the CTA's provisions and the court's decision in NSB. Also covered will be future implications for business entities and steps to consider given the recent ruling. We will also discuss recent proposed rulemaking by FinCen with respect to nonfinanced purchases of residential real estate and gratuitous transfers so that businesses can prepare for any additional reporting burdens that might arise. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

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The accounting profession faces unprecedented workforce challenges that demand a fundamental rethinking of traditional firm structures. This course examines why the century-old pyramid practice model is becoming obsolete and presents the inverted pentagon framework as a sustainable alternative. Based on comprehensive research showing that 52% of firms expect to shrink by 20% or more in the next five years, participants will learn how to restructure their firms to thrive with fewer entry-level staff while expanding specialized expertise. The course explores the "6 Ps of Business Model Transformation" - Precision Hiring, Proactive Retention, Practical Technology Implementation, Pricing Expertise, Practice Area Expansion/Focus, and People Acceleration. Drawing from success stories in manufacturing, healthcare, and technology industries, attendees will discover proven strategies for accelerating staff development, implementing effective knowledge transfer programs, and building sustainable talent pipelines in an era of technological disruption and demographic shifts. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

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Although many people use ChatGPT or other Large Language Model (LLM) informally at work, very few have received training on how to engage effectively with this powerful technology. This course provides practical advice on how to exploit the full potential of LLMs, while also highlighting the risks that need to be managed.

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This intensive two-hour course addresses the critical need for accuracy and efficiency when developing spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. Recognizing that even minor errors can have significant implications, this course delves deep into strategies and skills required to detect and correct errors in Excel. By the end of this course, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of how to efficiently identify and correct errors in Excel spreadsheets, enhancing their overall productivity and accuracy in their professional roles. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

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With the AICPA's heightened focus on enhancing audit quality, increased oversight of the peer review process and the auditor's overall responsibility to provide high quality services, the focus on compliance with professional standards has never been greater. Add to that the requirement to implement the revised risk assessment standards (SAS 145) and it's easy to see why it's more important than ever to ensure that auditors have a good understanding of the requirements and comply with documentation standards. Recent peer reviews have indicated that auditors are often failing to perform and/or document certain critical components of an audit such as the auditor's assessment of risk and linking the results of the assessment to substantive procedures performed. In addition, auditors are not adequately documenting their consideration of fraud, expectations in analytical procedures and the appropriate level of work needed to understand an entity's internal control. Firms were required to implement the AICPA's Revised Quality Management Standards by December 15, 2025. And the firm's evaluation of the System of Quality Management is required within one year after that. This is not just a matter of tweaking the firm's existing QM document, the standard requires a risk assessment process to identify risk and there are new quality objectives that are specified in SQMS 1-3. The AICPA further issued a SAS, SSARS and SSAE that set forth requirements for quality at the engagement level. The objective of the course is to provide the insights necessary to help auditors and accountants improve not just the quality of their work but also the perception of the accounting profession as a whole. We will focus on the most significant items resulting in deficiencies identified in the peer review process. We will also discuss the applicable audit standards, documentation requirements, and best practices. We will address the new QM standards.

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Recent generally accepted auditing standards were written to improve the quality of risk-based financial statement audits, audit reporting, and required by-product communications. This course will discuss the important clarifications and enhancements intended to improve audit quality to ensure better compliance with requirements contained in the SASs. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

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Social Security seems poised for changes in benefits and eligibility age. The leading edge of the baby boomer generation has already reached retirement age. Financial and tax planners can expect increased demand for strategies that dovetail Social Security with other retirement and estate planning objectives. This course provides tax and financial planning professionals with both the background information on the Social Security system and the strategies clients will need in dealing with Social Security, and the myriad other related retirement planning issues.

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This course focuses on the most common aspects and tax implications of Limited Liability Companies and S Corporations. It will further compare forms of entities, along with corporate formalities compliance issues of each entity type. Electing Subchapter S status as well as reviewing the mechanics of electing Subchapter S status will be discussed. Highlights of entity specific tax forms will be discussed, as well as accountable plans, taxable fringe benefits, officer reasonable compensation, estate planning, business continuation planning and audit strategies. Schedules K-1, K-2, K-3, and effectively connected income will be reviewed in this course as well. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

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Explaining the misunderstood The S corporation form is unique and often misunderstood. You'll learn how to assist your clients with the most misconstrued areas of S corporation taxation and how they can use S status to their advantage. Updated for recent legislation, including H.R. 1 The world of taxation is never static. H.R. 1, commonly referred to as OBBBA and passed in 2025, affected virtually every type of taxpayer, including S corporations. Refreshed materials discuss the H.R. 1 provisions that affect S corporations and their shareholders, including the qualified business income deduction and Section 179 expensing. The course has also been updated for legislative and regulatory developments related to: Inflation Reduction Act SECURE 2.0 SECURE 1.0 Weighing the pros and cons S corporation status doesn't suit every business. Throughout the course, you'll learn when it is advantageous or disadvantageous to be taxed as an S corporation. Making the model work You'll be exposed to methods of effectively communicating with potential business clients and existing shareholders about how you can make the S corporation business model work for them. Part of Tax Staff Essentials Level 1 This self-study online course is part of Tax Staff Essentials Level 1, a comprehensive learning program that provides tax staff with the technical training required to support their teams.

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This highly informative course comprehensively covers all the latest tax law developments. The focus is on individual taxation and discussion of the planning opportunities practitioners need to understand to help clients respond effectively. You will come away from the course with the up-to-date knowledge to educate your individual tax clients and implement tax-saving ideas that will serve their ever-evolving needs. This course is continually updated to reflect enacted legislation. Please Note: Due to content overlap, it is recommended that this course NOT be taken together with BFTU.

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Since 1919, the Internal Revenue Service had a civil and criminal function in the United States tax system. Little do people know, the IRS has an elite criminal function that started with five United States Postal Inspectors. From its early days in taking down Al Capone to now solving cybercrimes, the IRS special agents are tasked with investigating tax fraud, money laundering, and other white collar crimes. This presentation will show you the importance of this law enforcement function, the training, techniques, expertise, and actions that cause them to be known as the "world's finest financial investigators." This presentation has been prepared by a 20 year veteran with the IRS-Criminal Investigation. The presenter investigated crimes, and trained and mentored other special agents. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

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This course will help teams and individuals improve their problem solving and decision making, especially while under pressure. Utilizing proven critical thinking tools and techniques, attendees will learn how to grow their creativity, increase ideas and innovation, and strategically solve challenges using a 360-degree perspective. The workshop will also help people deal with change and create change within the organization.

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Disaster can come in many forms, from a flood to a data breach, to the death of a critical member of your team. When a disaster happens, it is never at a convenient time. It doesn't matter if it is the holidays, right before your vacation, or at the end of a grueling busy season. It just happens and you're left to pick up the pieces. The first 24 hours of a disaster are the most critical. How are you going to get back online? How are you going to organize a safe work environment for your staff? How are you going to communicate what has occurred and what you are doing to resolve it to your stakeholders? An organization that is without its data or communications for a prolonged period has a significant risk of going out of business. Every minute of downtime is lost productivity, a missed deadline, or a forfeited opportunity. It isn't a matter of if a disaster occurs, but when it does occur how you will respond. This course will discuss a wide range of disasters from acts of God to man-made calamities, including data breaches and employee maleficence. It offers insight into the major risks, their causes, methods for mitigation of risks, and recommendations for resolution. It will have a detailed discussion on how using technology effectively can help minimize and hedge business risk and ensure continuity of operations. It will examine best practices for data security, the use of hot/cold sites, how to ensure that data is properly backed up, utilizing the Cloud for enhanced redundancy, and more. It is a good course for any organization that is concerned about the continuity of operations and surviving a disaster.

The IRS has issued final regulations regarding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act's (TCJA) elimination of the deduction for expenditures related to entertainment, amusement, or recreational activities and provided guidance to determine whether an activity is considered to be entertainment. The final regulations also address the 50% limitation on the deduction of food and beverage expenses and when the 50% limitation does not apply. To effectively advise clients, it is imperative for tax practitioners to understand these rules and be updated on the latest IRS guidance related to meals and entertainment.

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How much can clients contribute to a Roth IRA, Roth 401(k), Roth SEP IRA, or Roth SIMPLE IRA? When do enhanced (super) catch-up contributions apply, and when must those catch-up contributions be made on a Roth basis? How does a Roth distribution qualify as tax-free? How did SECURE Act 1.0 and SECURE Act 2.0 fundamentally change Roth funding and distribution rules? These are among the core Roth questions advisors must be able to answer with confidence. As Roth accounts continue to play an increasingly central role in retirement savings strategies — and as contribution rules become more layered and complex — Roth proficiency is no longer optional. In addition, new rules governing age-based enhanced catch-up contributions and the Roth mandate for certain higher-income participants have added a new level of coordination between tax planning, payroll, and retirement plan design. In this course, Denise Appleby simplifies the critical rules that govern Roth funding and Roth distributions across Roth IRAs, Roth 401(k)s, and related employer plans. Emphasis is placed on understanding how the rules interact, where advisors commonly make mistakes, and how recent legislative changes affect real-world planning.

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How debt is allocated to the partners in a partnership is important. It dictates how much money may be taken tax-free as a distribution, the losses that flow down to the partners, and the gain or loss on the sale of a partnership interest. However, the allocation of debt can differ depending on the type of debt it is and the type of partner we are talking about. Furthermore, 704(c) can complicate things. And what in the world is a constructive liquidation scenario? In this course, we will tackle the concept of debt allocations - how you do it, what it means, and why you do it.

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Fraud continues to make headlines, underscoring the importance of understanding how fraud occurs, how it can be prevented, and how auditors are expected to respond. This course begins with an overview of common fraud schemes identified in the 2026 Report to the Nations issued by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, along with key characteristics commonly observed among fraud perpetrators. The course then explores practical approaches organizations use to prevent and deter fraud, highlighting controls, policies, and cultural factors that can reduce fraud risk. Participants will also review recent fraud cases reported in the news to reinforce how these schemes manifest in real-world settings. The course concludes with a discussion of the auditor's responsibilities related to fraud under AU-C 240, including an overview of proposed changes to the fraud standards and what they may mean for future audit engagements. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

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