Professional Development and Event Catalog

Microsoft Teams is one of the most popular tools for communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. If you use Microsoft Teams in your practice or business, this is a "must attend" course. You will learn everything you need to know to optimize the features of Teams and maximize your productivity. We will cover everything from how to effectively design your teams and channels configuration. How to utilize all the Teams features for posting conversations and working with your Office documents, PDF files and more. You will leave this course with the skills to master all the features of Teams! This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Fraud activities can be executed from within an organization, by parties outside an entity, or by both. Importantly, as the business world becomes more technological, the way fraud is carried out is changing. There must be an increased focus on understanding where new fraud vulnerabilities exist. In this session, we delve into the reasons that both internal and external intentional defalcations take place. The material discusses the new ways fraud is being actuated and looks at the factors driving those that undertake fraud. We spend time examining measures that can be implemented in order to stop fraud via the deployment of added security across the enterprise. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

In today's data-driven world, spreadsheets serve as the backbone of business and personal productivity. However, creating complex and error-prone spreadsheets can lead to critical mistakes and inefficiencies. This course aims to equip you with the knowledge and tools to build robust spreadsheets, implementing a range of controls and safeguards to ensure data integrity, streamline processes, and maximize accuracy. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Many public accountants desire to have a quick overview of only the most current changes to professional and ethical requirements. This course will provide an executive summary of the major changes in audit and other attest requirements. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

When exit planning, it is important to weigh various issues, including tax implications, to achieve an effective management and/or ownership change. Many envision tax-free reorganizations being the most preferable structure to avoid capital gains tax, but the opportunities come at a cost to the seller. This course will provide a well-rounded discussion of the various strategies to consider when advising on exiting a business.

It is no secret that accounting firms, like many other organizations, have begun launching operations in the metaverse. For those unsure, the metaverse is a digital or virtual space where participants simulate a host of activities ranging from shopping to entertainment and business transactions. Why wouldn't accounting firms and other professionals want to get in early on this new frontier? All types of businesses have begun purchasing and setting up shop in this new virtual world. These are no small endeavors - professionals are creating business plans to operate successfully in the virtual world that started off originally as a niche format for gamers. Accounting firms are starting to announce their acquisition of virtual real estate, and some are paying a premium to obtain prime locations. To operate successfully in the metaverse, professionals need to understand the environment and the rules of the game. This course provides an introduction to the metaverse and an overview of opportunities, risks and rewards for professionals who wish to stay relevant in the ever-expanding virtual world. Participants will walk away with an understanding of where we are in this rapidly developing space, plus gain insights on how to establish a presence or advise clients who wish to explore metaverse opportunities.

One of the most challenging skills for a manager or supervisor to master is delegation. This course will cover a variety of delegation-related topics and provide participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to delegate work and authority effectively.

This course begins with a look at the GASB standards effective this year, including GASB 100, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections and GASB 101, Compensated Absences. We'll include practical application of the topics in the form of case studies. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

This course empowers accountants with the knowledge and skills needed to strategically implement generative AI within their firms, positioning them at the forefront of innovation and operational efficiency. As generative AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini transform business practices, accountants will learn to harness these tools to drive value, streamline processes, and enhance decision-making. Through examination of the current AI landscape, practical frameworks, and real-world applications, participants will learn how to leverage AI technologies to enhance accounting operations while maintaining professional standards and ethical considerations. The course emphasizes a balanced approach to AI adoption that focuses on augmenting human capabilities rather than replacement. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Stay informed and prepared with this comprehensive annual update on the latest developments in accounting and auditing. We'll begin with a deep dive into the Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) effective in 2025, followed by insights from the FAF's 2024 PCC Review and an overview of FASB's Invitation to Comment - Agenda Consultation, which will shape the future of accounting standards. On the auditing side, we'll tackle the essential changes in quality management standards that firms must implement by the end of 2025. The session will also highlight common deficiencies identified by the DOL in EBP (Employee Benefit Plan) engagements and provide a peek at upcoming projects from the Auditing Standards Board (ASB). Join us to gain practical insights and actionable takeaways to navigate these updates with confidence. Finally, we will close the course by exploring the audit technology adoption process to help transform resistance into resilience as the industry embraces new technologies. We will learn how to overcome common barriers to deliver a successful implementation. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

This seminar reviews situations in which a CPA or accounting professional may be in danger of being sued. We cover common law causes of action, such as negligence, and the relevant standards and case law defining what constitutes reasonable practitioner behavior. This course is ideal for lawyers, CPAs, EAs, tax preparers, accountants and insurance personnel. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Overview: Ethical challenges in finance and accounting can be complex and far-reaching, impacting not only individual careers but also entire organizations and the public trust. This webinar will provide a practical exploration of the ethical considerations professionals face in today's financial landscape. Through real-world case studies, participants will examine common ethical issues, learn to navigate conflicts between financial performance and ethical integrity, and gain tools for making sound decisions under pressure. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

There is no shortage of data, but relatively few organizations have an environment and process to isolate, capture, analyze, and convert data into actionable information. Too often, we collect as much data as possible, continue to use historic measurements, and communicate data using traditional vehicles. Good decisions are not the result of the amount of data gathered, but of the quality and understanding of the information. The goal of this program is to explore a number of analytical tools and techniques and identify applications for them within an organization. Analytical techniques will be introduced throughout the discussion, and a significant amount of time will be spent addressing the steps needed to establish a data-driven environment and identifying and discussing potential/specific applications. In this way, participants get experience they can begin to use in their organizations. An expanded list of reference books and next level software is also provided.

The amount of electronic content that business organizations contend with is growing at incredible rates. Terms like "Big Data" and "Information Overload", are being used by overwhelmed information workers on a daily basis. Additionally, because of the move to a much larger telecommuter footprint, electronic data is now even more prevalently utilized. This session discusses the places that businesses keep digital information and addresses the importance of securing corporate electronic data. The material effectively shows ways to achieve high security standards for content stored in fixed locations, on mobile devices and in the cloud. Participants in this session will gain an understanding of the concepts needed to improve the way they, and their companies secure digital information. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

With the rapid pace of change, change now happens daily in business and our personal lives. It can be difficult to navigate change when right and wrong get a bit fuzzy. New processes, new technology, new circumstances and new impacts to people must be measured and decisions made as the change evolves. Change always becomes something different than what was originally planned or imagined. In this session, learn how to measure your ethics through change. You will learn how to filter everything you do during change through a simple litmus test. Through the power of story, you will learn from the lessons of other organizations and their ethical mistakes. Lastly, you will take away what is required to manage yourself so that when ethical decisions arise, you have the mental capacity to manage through it well. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Research tells us that leaders, supervisors and managers have more impact on an employee than does a therapist and/or life partner. Being a leader is a huge opportunity and privilege and requires introspection and personal growth. This webinar is infused with values of fairness, compassion, respect and more and will be of most value to individuals who believe that everyone, regardless of circumstance, deserve "certain general conditions that are ...equally to everyone's advantage" (John Rawls). The Noble leader believes in people. The Noble leader is curious and humble and invites challenge and feedback into his/her/ world. The Noble leader is a true believer in seeing the good in others, helping them to be their best which in turn helps the Leader grow as well. The Noble leader does not shy away from confronting bad behavior/performance in a respectful and clear way while believing in the inherent dignity of each individual This workshop based on ethical principles offers a glimpse into what it takes to become a Noble Leader and how one can journey through for increased self awareness and skill development. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Effective teamwork pays its own way by creating greater productivity and profitability in any accounting organization. A team of people working cooperatively can produce more than the sum of individual members working alone. One good idea stimulates another - but only if the team members are engaged and motivated to do so. Teamwork is inhibited in today's high-stress and changing accounting regulatory environment. Integrated into this informative yet pragmatic seminar are tried-and-true motivational principles for the realities of today's changing accounting workplace. It's not easy, but it can be done. You will learn how to form, motivate, steer, and get greater results from all team members by understanding what makes them tick and strategizing approaches to engage all team members.

Required minimum distributions (RMDs) must be taken from certain tax-deferred retirement accounts, starting when the account owner reaches their applicable age. The RMD rules are complex and must be simplified to help ensure clients understand them. Accounting and finance professionals must understand the basics of RMDs for IRAs and employer plan accounts so as to help IRA owners, plan participants, and beneficiaries meet their RMD obligations and avoid penalties that apply to RMDs not taken by their applicable deadline. Accounting and finance professionals should also be able to demonstrate tax-efficient solutions for RMDs. This course will walk accounting and finance professionals through the fundamental concepts and rules that apply to RMDs, demonstrate how to calculate RMDs, and explain how to correct RMD errors. It can be taken by anyone, including those without any experience working with RMDs. The course will include cases to promote understanding of the rules.

Do you want to build stronger relationships with your clients, improve client retention, and drive growth in your practice? This course delves into the essential strategies for effective client management in today's competitive landscape. Client relationships, like any relationship, can be challenging to manage. Miscommunication, differing work styles, and unrealistic expectations are some of the challenges accounting and finance professionals routinely encounter. However, when accounting clients and members of your team are on the same page, client loyalty and profitability improve while conflict is minimized. This webinar explores proven strategies to improve relationships between accounting and finance professionals and their clients.

Government Auditing Standards (or Yellow Book) has a unique perspective on ethics and transparency due to accountability owed to taxpayers, oversight bodies, and others. This course will discuss the foundational principles in the Yellow Book relevant to professional conduct on related engagements. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.