Professional Development and Event Catalog

In a rapidly evolving public practice accounting landscape, K2's CPA Firm Update continues to be your essential guide to staying ahead. This session provides actionable insights into transformative technologies and management strategies reshaping the profession. With a focus on data analytics, cybersecurity, practice management, and client service excellence, this year's update delves into how firms can thrive amidst change. Key technologies covered include AI-powered auditing, blockchain applications for financial processes, advancements in cloud computing, robotic process automation (RPA), and workflow optimization tools. Gain clarity on significant trends and how they affect your firm's strategy, enabling you to make well-informed decisions for sustainable growth.

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This course provides an in-depth exploration of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems as a critical tool for business automation. Designed for accounting professionals, it emphasizes CRM's role in streamlining workflows, organizing communications, enhancing client relationships, and improving efficiency. Participants will learn about key CRM features, integration with accounting software, and best practices for successful implementation. We will highlight practical applications with actionable insights to help attendees optimize their processes. This two-hour session ensures you walk away with a basic understanding of CRM's transformative potential for business and financial management.

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This course provides an in-depth examination of partnership basis concepts, focusing on the distinction and interaction between inside and outside basis. Participants will analyze contributions, allocations, distributions, liabilities, and basis adjustments that commonly lead to reporting errors. Emphasis is placed on reconciling partner capital accounts, K-1 reporting, and tax basis schedules.

Which technology trends will impact you and your business? What emerging technologies will potentially help you to address security and efficiency? How will the emergence of Windows 11 affect you? Should you consider subscription-based software? What does the future of communication technology have in store for you? Get answers to these and other questions by participating in K2's Technology Update, a four-hour review of technology trends and developments affecting virtually all business professionals. In this session, you will learn about significant issues such as: • Hardware trends, • Software innovations, • Communication and collaboration tools, • Security issues and solutions, • Key products to consider for implementation, and • Unusual and emerging technologies you may have missed. If you're taking just one technology-focused training session this year, this should be it!

Government accounting professionals face unique challenges—transparency requirements, budget constraints, legacy systems, and public scrutiny that demands both accuracy and efficiency. This specialized conference brings you a full day of technology updates specifically relevant to those working in local, state, county, and federal agencies. From AI tools that work within government frameworks to modern data analytics for grant tracking and fund accounting, we're covering the technology that helps you serve your constituents better while navigating the complexities of public sector operations.You'll discover practical ways to modernize government workflows, improve interdepartmental collaboration, strengthen security protocols, and make data-driven decisions with limited resources. Whether you're dealing with aging infrastructure, looking to justify tech investments to oversight committees, or trying to do more with less, this conference gives you the tools and strategies to bring your agency's operations into 2026 and position yourself for what's coming next.

*IMPORTANT:  This is a virtual conference being run in partnership with the Ohio Society of CPAs "Organizations lose 5 percent of revenue to fraud every year." - ACFE Fraud is constantly evolving and becoming more difficult to detect. Sometimes, it is a blurry gray area that we have a hard time determining whether something is fraud or not. No matter how we look at it - fraud and criminal activity is a constant threat and the best time to do something about it was yesterday. Fortunately, we can get a step ahead at the Fraud and Forensic Accounting Conference.Get essential fraud and risk management updates geared toward CPAs and related professionals who implement, assess, or consult on fraud controls at the Fraud and Forensic Conference.Don't forget—the larger the group, the bigger the discount!- 5-9 attendees = 10% off- 10+ attendees = 20% off Please reach out to Ashley to inquire about the group discount ashleys@ctcpas.org Please note that the Class Pass does not apply to this program.

The modern financial professional's efficiency is directly tied to the ecosystem of applications and hardware they navigate daily. This course provides a comprehensive tour of the most effective tools and services categorized across mobile, desktop, and cloud environments. We move beyond standard office software to explore open-source alternatives and specialized "productivity gems" that offer high value for small business practitioners. The session also addresses the intersection of professional and personal efficiency by examining how home automation can be integrated to create a more seamless and focused work-from-home experience. A significant portion of the program is dedicated to the power of Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) solutions. We will demystify how tools like n8n, Power Automate, and Zapier allow disparate systems to communicate, enabling basic but powerful no-code automation for routine tasks. Additionally, we address critical security updates for 2026, including the practical deployment of passkeys and encrypted sharing protocols. This course is designed to provide a foundational roadmap for practitioners looking to modernize their tech stack with a blend of agentic AI, robust automation, and secure, high-performance applications.

Tax Security Essentials: Implementing a WISP for Tax Professionals Tax practices face a critical responsibility: safeguarding client data against cyber threats. This course is tailored for professionals in the tax industry, offering a deep dive into the essentials of creating and maintaining a Written Information Security Plan (WISP) as mandated by IRS regulations and the FTC Safeguards Rule. With a focus on IRS Publications 4557, 5293, and 5708, along with insights from NISTIR 7621, participants will learn not just the theory but the practical steps needed to enhance their practice's security posture. The course content is designed to be direct and engaging, ensuring that attendees can easily translate knowledge into action. The curriculum covers a broad spectrum of critical topics, from developing a compliant WISP to recognizing and responding to cyber threats, and from implementing strong access controls to effective data protection measures. Special emphasis is placed on real-world strategies for preventing data breaches, including the use of encryption, backup procedures, and secure data disposal methods. Participants will also explore the importance of employee training and the continuous monitoring and improvement of security practices to address new cyber threats and business changes. For tax professionals committed to upholding the highest standards of data security and building a trust-based relationship with their clients, this course is a vital resource. Attendees will not only gain the knowledge to protect their clients' data but also the confidence to implement best practices within their organization.

Partnership taxation remains one of the most complex and high-risk areas of federal tax compliance. From basis calculations and allocation rules to disguised sales, debt allocations, and partnership audit exposure, even experienced CPAs can encounter technical pitfalls that create significant financial and professional risk. This two-hour program examines the top 10 partnership tax issues most frequently encountered in practice. Designed specifically for CPAs advising partnerships and partners, the course provides practical guidance to identify, analyze, and avoid common compliance errors under Subchapter K. Through real-world examples and application of current tax law, participants will strengthen their technical proficiency and improve the quality of client advisory services.

Much has been written and said about Artificial Intelligence (AI). But for many professionals, AI remains an enigma because they do not know how to get started using tools such as Bard, ChatGPT, and Copilot. If that describes your situation, relax because help is here! Participate in K2's Getting Started With Artificial Intelligence to learn to use today's AI tools. This session will teach you how to access and use multiple popular AI tools to improve efficiency and productivity. If you are starting with AI, this is one session you cannot miss!

This intermediate-level course provides a focused review of federal income and transfer tax reporting for trusts, estates, and taxable gifts. Participants will examine key reporting requirements and filing mechanics for Forms 1041 and 709, including income distribution deductions, Schedule K-1 reporting, and taxable gift calculations. The course emphasizes fiduciary accounting considerations, compliance risks, and common preparation errors. Practical examples reinforce accurate reporting and documentation standards in fiduciary and gift tax return preparation.

With the explosion of technology over the past thirty years, one fair question is, "what are the ethical considerations and impacts related to this technology?" Of course, practical technology issues such as data privacy and security undoubtedly carry ethical considerations. However, technology also affects the ethics associated with work-life balance, the digital divide, training needs, copyrights, and fraud, to name a few. This course will teach you about "technoethics" and its implications for individuals and organizations. To that end, you will explore many current and emerging issues associated with ethics and technology, such as copyrights, cybercrimes, privacy versus security, and geo-tracking technologies. Given the profound implications of ethics and technology, this could be the most impactful session you will ever attend.

This two-hour CPE course is designed for accounting professionals and technology enthusiasts seeking to enhance productivity through Microsoft 365's versatile applications. Participants will explore ten key apps — including Shared Mailboxes, Planner, Lists, To Do, Stream, Viva Learning, Forms, Bookings, Approvals, and Places — and learn to integrate them effectively into their workflows. The course emphasizes practical applications within accounting contexts, aiming to streamline operations and foster collaboration.

Excel is the accountant's tool of choice for analyzing and reporting financial data, yet many use time-consuming and error-prone processes to complete everyday tasks. Regardless of your experience level, if you use Excel, you need this course to learn more efficient and effective ways to work with Excel. In this course, you will discover countless tips, tricks, and techniques to improve your general level of productivity, reduce the amount of time you spend on mundane tasks, such as formatting, and customize Excel for greater accuracy and efficiency. You will also learn valuable formula-building skills and best practices for linking Excel data from other sources and streamlining report generation and printing processes. Your K2 instructor will reinforce key learning points throughout the program with practical, real-world examples to improve your understanding and comprehension of the topics presented. This highly acclaimed course draws on over twenty-five years of experience delivering spreadsheet training to accounting and financial professionals, assuring you of the relevance and usefulness of the information and guidance provided during the program.

For accounting and tax professionals, understanding the inner workings of blockchain and cryptocurrency is no longer just an advantage—it's a necessity. This course provides an in-depth look into the mechanics of digital currencies and revolutionary blockchain technology, equipping attendees with the knowledge to navigate benefits and risks effectively. Special emphasis is placed on the tax implications for both individuals and estates, ensuring that attendees can confidently advise on these issues, which are becoming increasingly relevant in financial planning and asset management. This offering is more than just a learning experience; it's an investment in one's professional growth. By understanding the tax complexities and estate planning challenges posed by digital assets, participants will be able to offer valuable insights and strategic solutions. They will emerge from this course not just with theoretical knowledge but with actionable skills that can be applied immediately. In a landscape where digital assets are becoming commonplace, this is the education that will differentiate the exceptional from the average. Join today and step into a role as a leader in finance for the digital age.

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In the modern financial landscape, the security of a CPA's practice is defined by the strength of their identity management and the resilience of their workflows. In 2026, the distinction between office and remote work has faded, as the cloud serves as our universal workspace. However, this borderless environment has increased the success of persistent threats like Business Email Compromise (BEC), ransomware, and sophisticated social engineering. This course provides a comprehensive update on these fundamental risks, examining how traditional attacks have become more frequent and harder to detect through automation. We will analyze the intersection of established security principles and emerging technological challenges. This includes managing the confidentiality risks posed by staff using unauthorized AI tools for client work and understanding why the professional "minimum standard" for cybersecurity has reached a record high. Participants will explore practical frameworks for implementing Zero Trust security and strengthening authentication protocols. By focusing on the most likely threats and the most effective defenses, this session provides a clear roadmap for protecting client trust and maintaining professional liability standards in an increasingly automated world.

Every other year, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) publishes A Report to the Nations. This landmark report is the definitive guide to understanding occupational fraud in today's workplace. The ACFE report breaks down fraud by the type of perpetrator, types of crime, categories of victim organizations, and more. The report provides fascinating insight and helpful advice to help professionals understand fraud risks in today's world. This course is an in-depth discussion and analysis of the significant findings of the 2024 edition of this report. Attendees will learn methods to spot fraud risks in their organizations and protect themselves.

In a data-driven world, financial professionals are expected to not only analyze numbers but also translate them into compelling stories that drive decisions. This course is tailored for those who want to elevate their data presentation skills using Excel and other popular tools. Participants will dive into the art of charting, learning how to choose the right graph for their data and audience. Whether it's a pie chart that reveals a budget's composition or a line chart that shows financial trends over time, attendees will leave with a thorough understanding of each chart's purpose and application. Beyond the basics, this course offers a deep dive into the Microsoft Office suite's charting capabilities, ensuring that participants can seamlessly integrate their visuals into Word, PowerPoint, and beyond. With hands-on exercises, they'll transform raw figures into clear, informative charts that make an impact. By the end of the sessions, financial professionals will be adept at mapping data in a way that tells a story, engages stakeholders, and influences strategy. Don't miss the opportunity to enhance your presentations and reports—secure your spot today and start turning your data into persuasive narratives that resonate with your audience.

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Automation can be incredibly helpful for saving time, improving accuracy, promoting effectiveness, and getting more value out of your workday. One of the best things a person can do is to invest time into automating their workday because it will help them to complete more work in the same period of time, reduce daily stress and provide better mental clarity. Automation can be permanent time savings for a person, once something is automated you always get that time back on a project. This course will discuss the various tools, methods, apps, websites, and more that a person can use to help promote personal automation in both your personal and professional life. It will incorporate technologies such as integration platform as a service (iPaaS) tools, Amazon Alexa and Google Home, the Elgato Streamdeck, and more. Participants will learn methods that can help them save anywhere from a couple of hours to weeks of time.

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The modern accounting firm is often held hostage by "software silos"—critical financial data trapped in disconnected applications that refuse to speak to one another. For years, the only solution was manual data entry or expensive custom development. This course introduces the "DIY Automation" movement, showing financial professionals how to use Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) tools like n8n, Zapier, and Power Automate to bridge these gaps. We move beyond basic triggers to explore how "localized innovation" allows practitioners to build bespoke connections between their favorite apps without writing a single line of code. Participants will gain a strategic framework for identifying automation opportunities, from client follow-ups to complex status reporting. We will explore the mechanics of the "wide ecosystem" of integration tools and demystify the role of Agentic AI, explaining how Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and the Model Context Protocol (MCP) are changing the way data is moved and interpreted. By the end of this session, you will be able to perform a clear cost-benefit analysis of your automation options and understand how to build resilient, error-aware workflows that keep your practice moving.