Professional Development and Event Catalog

The COVID pandemic changed the way many people worked, yet others have had remote teams for decades and little changed.  Many organizations trying to bring people back to the office have experienced significant turnover.  Some practices have changed forever while some principles will always remain the same.  Keeping your people happy equals keeping your best people.  Learn the changes you should make now and the things you should do forever!

In this five part master series, class participants will gain a comprehensive view into the world of forensic data analytics (FDA). From understanding practical use cases of FDA in the audit, internal audit, investigations and proactive monitoring to understanding necessary data sources, validation proceudres, success factors and pitfalls to avoid. We will also explore hundreds of leading anti-fraud tests around corruption, conflicts of interest, fake vendor schemes, segregation of duties, revenue recognition and sales abuse, among dozens of other schemes.  Participants will develop their own library of anti-fraud tests from various open source locations and apply them in relevant contexts such as the COSO Fraud Risk Management Guide. Finally, participants will also peek into future innovations in FDA and how technologies such as ChatGPT, data visualization, machine learning, AI and cryptocurrencies are all impacting the discipline.  We can't promise you'll be a programmer after this course, but you will certainly be armed with the information needed to project manage an FDA project and "direct" the programmers to accomplish your fraud risk / FDA objectives.  

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Please join us for a comprehensive discussion on standards that professionals must adhere to as tax practitioners.  We will be covering the major governing rules, such as Treasury Circular 230, the AICPA Statements on Standards for Tax Services (SSTS), the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and common law.  Also included will be case studies illustrating dilemmas faced by tax practitioners. **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  

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How well do you understand your organization’s cash flow? Good cash management techniques can provide a competitive advantage! This session shows you how to effectively measure and manage your cash conversion cycle. With a more complete understanding of how cash flows through your organization, you can eliminate impediments. Better cash management lowers your borrowing costs, reduces financing needs, and creates financial flexibility in your organization.

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Starting with tax year 2021, Form 7203, S Corporation Shareholder Stock and Debt Basis Limitation, may be required to accompany shareholders’ Individual Income Tax Returns (Form 1040). This form is essential for reporting a shareholder's outside basis and debt basis to properly apply loss limitations under I.R.C. §461 and at-risk limitations. This course will provide a detailed overview of Form 7203, including its mechanics and strategies for completing it accurately. Additionally, strategies for reconstructing shareholder basis when it has not been maintained in the past will be discussed, helping practitioners handle these scenarios effectively. *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

Individuals may cite retaliatory concerns when weighing their decision to report an issue; during an investigation; or, after an investigation’s conclusion. No matter the timing, when an individual raises a retaliation concern, their claims should be taken seriously and fully reviewed. Does your organization analyze retaliation allegations and investigate outcomes as part of their cultural assessment?   Most organizations track retaliation matters at a general, non-specific level. The type of retaliation and the perceived cause of the retaliatory act are not delineated. When a retaliation matter requires investigation, an organization should gather key data points for trending purposes and to fine tune future training and policy initiatives. This course offers recommendations for (1) framing responses to retaliation allegations (2) capturing key data points (3) developing specific metrics for retaliation matters

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This is a dynamic course tailored for seasoned accountants who are looking to elevate their skills in navigating and leading through organizational change. This advanced program focuses on enhancing agility by providing the tools and techniques necessary to manage and adapt to rapid shifts in the accounting landscape. Participants will explore theoretical frameworks alongside practical strategies that support effective change management for diverse business environments.

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This is a specialized course designed for experienced accounting professionals who are looking to strengthen their interpersonal and professional skills in maintaining appropriate boundaries within and beyond the workplace. This course delves deep into the complexities of workplace relationships, personal practices, & ethical dilemmas, providing participants with advanced strategies to effectively manage professional distances and avoid problematic conflicts of all kinds. Through interactive sessions, case studies, and expert guidance, attendees will learn how to navigate sensitive situations with tact and integrity, ensuring that their professional conduct remains impeccable, and their careers continue to thrive in an increasingly complex business environment.

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*IMPORTANT:  This is the in-person option for this conference and is being run in partnership with the New York State Society of CPAs (you do have the option to attend this conference virtually as well, but please make sure to select the in-person option when registering). Please join us at the NYCPA Estate Planning Conference, long recognized as one of the premier estate planning programs in the Northeast United States. Each year, the sponsoring committee assembles a dynamic agenda designed to help practitioners navigate the most significant developments shaping estate, gift, and trust planning.This year’s Conference will once again offer timely insights into emerging trends, regulatory updates, technical planning considerations, and practical strategies relevant to professionals advising high-net-worth individuals, families, and closely held businesses. Attendees can expect in-depth discussions led by experienced practitioners, addressing the evolving federal and state landscape and its impact on modern estate planning practices. Offered both in-person and virtual, this hybrid Conference is a must-attend event! Highlights: Current developments in estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax planning Planning with the new $ 15 million federal estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemptions under The One Big Beautiful Bill Act Marital Trust Planning and the consequences of divorce down the road IRS challenges to grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs) in the Elcan case Preserving attorney-client privilege and confidential communications Planning with partnership or LLC interests, including through nongrantor trusts Estate and Gift Planning with the International Client Please note that the Class Pass does not apply to this program.

*IMPORTANT:  This is the virtual option for this conference and is being run in partnership with the New York State Society of CPAs (you do have the option to attend this conference in person as well, but please make sure to select the in-person option when registering). Please join us at the NYCPA Estate Planning Conference, long recognized as one of the premier estate planning programs in the Northeast United States. Each year, the sponsoring committee assembles a dynamic agenda designed to help practitioners navigate the most significant developments shaping estate, gift, and trust planning.This year’s Conference will once again offer timely insights into emerging trends, regulatory updates, technical planning considerations, and practical strategies relevant to professionals advising high-net-worth individuals, families, and closely held businesses. Attendees can expect in-depth discussions led by experienced practitioners, addressing the evolving federal and state landscape and its impact on modern estate planning practices. Offered both in-person and virtual, this hybrid Conference is a must-attend event! Highlights: Current developments in estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax planning Planning with the new $ 15 million federal estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemptions under The One Big Beautiful Bill Act Marital Trust Planning and the consequences of divorce down the road IRS challenges to grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs) in the Elcan case Preserving attorney-client privilege and confidential communications Planning with partnership or LLC interests, including through nongrantor trusts Estate and Gift Planning with the International Client Please note that the Class Pass does not apply to this program.

Yellow Book and Single Audit reporting entities have complex and unique financial statement audit, compliance and reporting issues. Deficiencies in these types of audit engagements are common. This course will reduce the likelihood of noncompliance with relevant professional and regulatory auditing and reporting standards.

This Conference is filled with 16 hours of fast-paced presentations designed to maximize your time and enhance your learning. Nationally recognized speakers have extensive expertise in numerous software applications. They will share their knowledge with you in order to help you do your job with efficiency and ease. Participants will receive helpful tips and advanced techniques, along with the tools and skills necessary to keep up with the ever-increasing pace of changes in computer technology. This conference is designed for CPAs in public practice or industry who want to take better advantage of technology to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

This comprehensive course provides the critical updates governmental accountants and auditors need to stay informed. We'll begin with a review of recent GASB standards, including compensated absences, asset disclosures, risk and uncertainty disclosures, and financial reporting model improvements. Participants will also gain insights into GASB's current projects, exposure drafts, and agenda progress to ensure they are up to date on what's ahead. For auditors, we'll cover key changes to governmental auditing standards, including the 2024 Yellow Book updates, the transition from quality control to quality management, and implementation timelines, with early adoption options. Single Audit updates will include the 2024 Uniform Guidance changes, the 2025 Compliance Supplement, GAO reports on improper payments and government fraud, the Financial Data Transparency Act (FDTA), and recent Department of Education guidance on related parties.

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As spreadsheets evolve, so must your practices for creating, editing, and auditing them. In this program, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the best ways to work with Excel by learning best practices associated with Excel spreadsheets in each of the following areas: creating and editing Excel workbooks, securing Excel workbooks, collaborating with others in Excel, and reporting on data contained in Excel. Today’s best practices for Excel differ significantly from those used in the past, and you will learn the best ways to work with Excel spreadsheets in this “must-see” CPE program. Course materials include relevant examples to enhance your learning experience. Join us for this program to help you utilize Excel to its fullest potential.  

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This comprehensive training is designed to get the accountant up to speed quickly with partnership and limited liability company (LLC) formation and preparation issues as well as a complete understanding of calculating a partner and LLC member’s basis. The cornerstone of this course is the in-depth line-by-line analysis of the Form 1065 Schedule K and K-1 and how these items affect the partner/member’s individual income tax return. **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

This comprehensive course covers the most common aspects and tax implications of S Corporations, providing a deep dive into their structure, tax treatment, and compliance requirements. Participants will learn the mechanics of electing Subchapter S status, with discussions on Form 2553 and relief options for late filings. The course also explores the application of Rev. Proc. 2022-19 and Rev. Proc. 2023-3, analyzing their differences and implications under I.R.C. §1361 and §1362. Key topics include corporate formalities, shareholder stock and debt basis, and highlights of Form 1120S and its schedules (K-1, K-2, and K-3). Additionally, participants will gain insights into officer reasonable compensation requirements, audit strategies, and corrective measures for eligibility errors. *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

Understanding your own and the people style of others whom you are dealing with which can establish rapport more easily, help you become more persuasive, and avoid miscommunication with the possibility of rubbing someone the wrong way.  In our session, you will gain insights into your people style, ways to improve communication connectivity and how to understand your team's functionality (or more likely dysfunctionality).  

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Stay ahead of the curve with this essential training designed for not-for-profit accountants and auditors. This course provides a comprehensive update on the latest developments impacting nonprofit financial reporting and auditing. On the accounting side, we will review the latest FASB standard-setting activities affecting NFPs, including programmatic investments and their interplay with the CECL standard. Additionally, we will explore the IFR4NPO project, a global initiative aimed at establishing universal financial reporting standards for nonprofits. Transitioning to auditing, this course covers the 2024 Yellow Book updates, the shift from quality control to quality management, and key audit matters with early adoption options. We'll also address Single Audit updates, GAO reports on improper payments and fraud, the Financial Data Transparency Act (FDTA), and recent Department of Education guidance on related parties.

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What would you do when ___? Is would the same as should? Examples; Rashmi Airan-Pace and Yale Law School. What should you do when a vendor offers to give you tickets to the NCAA Final Four basketball tournament and your organization will permit it? Prepare for ‘situations’ before they happen to you.

The ACFE/COSO Fraud Risk Management Guide (FRMG) was published in 2016 (and updated in 2023).  It has quickly gained acceptance as the set of best practices for preventing, detecting, and thus deterring fraud. The fraud landscape is constantly changing and evolving. The FRMG sets out a rigorous set of principles and leading practices for managing fraud risk for forward-thinking organizations to follow.  It covers: How to establish fraud risk management governance. How to conduct rigorous fraud risk assessments. How to design and implement fraud control activities. How to establish reporting mechanisms and investigative procedures. How to monitor the overall fraud risk management program. Fraud risk can be managed.  All anti-fraud and accountability professionals will benefit from this session's focus on effective fraud risk management.