Professional Development and Event Catalog

Although the Inflation Reduction Act increased the IRS budget, Congress continues to battle about whether this funding will be continued. The IRS began replenishing its workforce with the additional funding only to have to terminate workers or lay them off due to mandated federal workforce reductions. The IRS trains its audit workforce by examining the tax returns of individuals and small businesses. As the IRS continues to examine tax returns, Accounting, Tax, and Financial Professionals need clients to understand the need for documentation and procedures to substantiate what IRS examiners are pursuing. Learn the high audit risk areas and ways to help clients survive an IRS audit with little or no change. It is critical for Accounting, Tax, and Financial Professionals in public accounting to understand the risk to clients and to themselves in tax return preparation and planning since the IRS continues to increase its audit coverage and is examining more taxpayers than it has in the recent past.

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The tools for managing performance and addressing misconduct are not identical. The failure to point this out to leaders has often resulted in the use of the wrong tool. Reinforcing good performance and securing improvements in performance requires skill in coaching employees, making effective requests, and providing effective feedback. This course provides practical knowledge and scripts for setting, communicating, and enforcing performance expectations, such that personal and employer liability is avoided.

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In this introductory course, you'll learn the fundamentals of integrating forensic data analytics into your anti-fraud risk management program. We will cover key definitions, use cases, methodologies and some of the leading innovations and techniques driving this ever-evolving field of "finding hidden money."

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If you are efficient and want to learn lessons from the best in a short time, this seminar is for you.  Popular speaker Don Minges will review the key lessons from five fantastic business books that will help you become more effective.  The topics are; leadership, how to create a valuable business, how to turnaround a business, how to make terrific presentations and how do humans think?  These lessons are valuable for every business leader. 

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Being neuro-inclusive is not only kind, but can also help your team get the right things done in less time. This course will be about what neurodiversity is, give an overview of brain science, and show you tactical tips and techniques you can use to help your company get more of the right things done in less time with a strategy designed with more brains in mind. 

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In today's dynamic business environment, preserving a unified and engaged team culture is more challenging than ever. As the rhythm of work accelerates and organizational structures evolve, silent threats can begin to undermine our established team dynamics. These undercurrents, if left unaddressed, can erode morale, dampen productivity, and weaken the team's cohesion. This session offers a deep dive into strategies that can help identify, address, and neutralize these challenges, ensuring a positive, resilient, and inclusive workplace culture. Attendees will be equipped with a blend of insights and actionable strategies, enabling them to both recognize and respond to these potential pitfalls.

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To make more money in less time, all accountants need to learn to market themselves effectively to their clients or their firm. For better or worse, promotions and more money go to those who are the best marketers, rather than the most competent accountants.  In this fascinating and fun workshop, participants will learn seven key ways to get more clients and/or promotions through the art of marketing.

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In the modern corporate landscape, the challenge for lean HR departments isn't just managing administrative tasks—it's about curating a meaningful and enriching employee journey. Small HR teams are uniquely poised to offer a level of personalization and touch that larger departments might struggle to replicate. These compact teams have the potential to craft individualized experiences, ensuring that each step of an employee's journey, from onboarding to advancement, resonates deeply and positively. Yet, knowing the potential and harnessing it are two distinct tasks. This session provides attendees with a deep dive into three transformative engagement strategies tailored for lean HR environments. By placing the employee journey at the heart of these strategies, HR professionals can ensure every interaction, every milestone, and every touchpoint is optimized for engagement, satisfaction, and growth. Discover methods that don't just streamline processes, but elevate the entire employee experience, creating a lasting impact on both individual careers and the organization's culture.

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This session provides information essential to all peer reviewers and contains an overview of the recent developments and "hot topics" in the Peer Review Program, including relevant Quality Management topics and information on presumptive referrals for consecutive non-pass reviewers.

Financial Acumen for the HR Professional is a part of the series "The HR Professional's Guide to Evolving Business Strategy, Finance and Development." This course identifies how HR Professionals can increase their financial understanding to participate more effectively with management as well as understand the financial results and implications for the business.

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This course provides a comprehensive overview of Written Information Security Plans (WISP), focusing on their purpose, requirements, and implementation. Starting with the 2024 PTIN renewal season, all PTIN holders must certify they have a WISP and have trained employees, staff, and contractors as necessary. Participants will explore the history and legal foundation of WISP under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and how compliance is enforced through Circular 230, AICPA Statements of Standards, and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations. Attendees will gain practical guidance on writing an effective WISP and ensuring compliance with due diligence standards for data security.

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Many clients are asking their advisors about Trump Accounts, one of the most anticipated yet misunderstood provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). This program will provide practitioners with the background to be able to advise their clients regarding how Trump Accounts operate. The course will also discuss the comparison between Trump Accounts and other accounts, such as 529 Plans and Roth IRAs. In addition, coverage will be provided on how the pilot program will function to give $1,000 to newborns.

With tax rates for individuals, estates and trusts changing, tax planning takes on more importance. New ideas for financial planning and retirement must be considered. The purpose of this course is to explore practical tax-planning ideas that practitioners can use to assist clients with their needs. This course is crucial for CPAs who are looking for good ideas that can save clients money! Continually updated for legislative developments.

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Anytime someone says "I want," "I need," or "Will you," you are in a negotiation.  For decades, the negotiation techniques described in Getting to Yes by Fisher and Ury of the Harvard Negotiations Project were the world's standard negotiation methods.  These techniques involved collaborative methods for discovering how to make the "pie" bigger and then split it.  More recent research on human psychology has revealed new methods that will allow you to do even better.  Sometimes, you can't settle for getting half of what you want.  Sometimes you have to have it all.  This session explores negotiating's human side, to give you powerful people skills that will help you get more.

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Arthur Werner will provide financial professionals with the information their teams will need to successfully plan and execute mergers and acquisitions. For major topics covered, see below. This course may be customized or tailored based on the needs of your organization. *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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Congress was EXTREMELY busy. There are over 50 tax-related provisions within SECURE 2.0 which an advisor needs to be able to master.  This course will provide the participants with everything that they need to know about SECURE 2.0 so that they will be able to better serve their clients’ retirement planning needs. **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 it to kori.herrera@acpen.com.

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Accounting and finance professionals often receive questions concerning all facets of Medicare. How does Medicare work? How do I apply? How much does it cost? Is Medicare optional or required? This program provides a basic introduction to the Medicare program and covers many of the areas of the Medicare program that clients are most interested in. If you, or some of your clients, have questions relating to Medicare, this program is a must for you.

Technical expertise may get you in the door—but emotional intelligence (EQ) is what builds trust, earns loyalty, and sustains lasting success. For CPAs, attorneys, financial professionals, bankers, and insurance agents, your ability to navigate emotions—your own and others'—is often the difference between a good client interaction and a great one, between a team that functions and a team that thrives. This interactive course goes beyond theory and dives into real-world application. You’ll uncover what emotional intelligence really is, why it matters more than ever in today’s professional world, and how to strengthen your EQ to improve performance, strengthen relationships, and manage stress with confidence. You’ll walk away with tools you can use immediately to transform how you lead meetings, manage conflict, build client trust, and drive results—while also enriching your personal life. Whether you're looking to become a better leader, communicate with more clarity, or create meaningful client connections, this course gives you the insight and strategies to make it happen.  

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How you say what you say is more important than what you say. According to a UCLA study, 93% of a communicators effectiveness is based on non-verbal cues. This foundational program include a focus on the verbal, vocal and visual delivery techniques appropriate for the business environment, which can improve a speakers credibility, influence and impact. Depending on the course length other topics include; managing fear, organizing your presentation, increasing attention and interaction, handling questions, infusing humor, creating impactful visuals, and more.

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Our guidance on ethics comes from the AICPA and other groups, but it does not fully address the “why” behind ethics. This session will examine and define what ethics is and what it means to varying people in the workplace. Understanding what motivates people and understanding those people are key to both solving ethical dilemmas and workplace issues that can lead to greater job satisfaction and efficiency. To correct an issue, you need to delve into the root cause – the why?

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