Professional Development and Event Catalog

CPAs face an ever-present threat of malpractice claims regardless of the services performed. While impossible to eliminate all risk, accountants can, with forethought, identify and implement practical techniques to help mitigate the risk of a professional liability claim. This course will discuss day-to-day risk management protocols related to firm practice management and the delivery of services. Tools will also be provided for CPA firms to leverage related to client acceptance, engagement letters, client communications and more.

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 program provides in-depth coverage of SAS 145, a major standard that helps auditors enhance risk assessment procedures through improved techniques for identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement. This session is essential for CPAs that perform audits. The discussion will also be insightful for auditees and other professionals who want to maintain awareness of current auditing guidance.

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The practical application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the accounting profession is spreading like wildfire with the release of powerful applications such as ChatGPT. A byproduct of this evolution is the origination of new ethical dilemmas for CPAs on how to address the use of this technology in the delivery of their services. This course, presented by John Higgins, CPA, a nationally recognized technology advisor to the profession, will provide CPAs with a practical framework for addressing the various ethical issues that can arise with the application of AI in their work. 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 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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The most difficult concepts to master when dealing with flow-through business entities are the basis and distribution concepts. Major error and malpractice issues occur if the CPA does not fully understand the impact of these rules. This course is designed to focus on the practical applications of these rules.

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Almost every business and individual has to file tax returns, which can be a great treasure trove of information for forensic accountants. Whether in a divorce, partnership dispute, recreating books and records, or bankruptcy proceeding, analyzing tax return information should be an initial step in uncovering income and assets. The IRS retains a large amount of information, both from taxpayers and 3rd parties who report financial transactions. This course will be your guide in gathering, analyzing, and evaluating tax return information, so that you have a full picture of the financial investigation. Your presenter is a 20 year veteran with IRS-Criminal Investigation, who used this information as a basis for his federal criminal investigations. 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 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. We'll then switch gears to review the GASB standards coming down the pike, including major projects of the GASB. When considering the audit side of the house, Yellow Book and Single Audit engagements are considered must-select engagements for Peer Review. This course will cover the Yellow Book independence requirements which are required any time an auditor performs a Yellow Book or Single Audit even when the engagement is for a for-profit entity. The session will also cover the changes to the Uniform Guidance. We'll close with a look at the key changes in the 2024 Compliance Supplement and the common deficiencies identified by the federal agencies and peer reviewers. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event. 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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Look beneath the surface of S corporation taxation in this discussion of special topics concerning S corporations.

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The objective of this course is to train new staff accountants, data processing employees, paraprofessionals, and bookkeepers to prepare a moderately complex federal individual income tax return (Form 1040). Over the years, thousands of new staff have received practical, hands-on experience to become familiar with tax forms. This course covers the latest tax law changes, making it essential for your new staff.

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Don't let the title frighten you. It is critical that staff be trained on the increasingly complex forms-related issues that challenge them each busy season. This course will help experienced staff focus on the essential amidst the cacophony of IRS and legislative changes and avoid costly mistakes. This course brings to the forefront advanced preparation issues, from individual returns to flow-through entities such as S corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.

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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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This program addresses the most recent developments impacting partnerships operating as LLCs, with a focus on legislative, administrative, and tax form changes. Emphasis will be placed on partners "tax basis" capital accounts, now required for tax form reporting. 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 provides junior tax professionals with a strong foundation in individual tax preparation for the 2025 tax year, focusing on Form 1040 and key schedules. Participants will gain step-by-step guidance on filing requirements, income reporting, deductions, tax credits, and compliance standards under Circular 230. Emphasizing preparer due diligence and ethical responsibilities, the course also covers recent tax law updates, including potential changes from the expiration of TCJA provisions. It introduces essential forms such as Schedule C, Schedule E, Form 7203, and Form 7217 to ensure participants understand business income, rental income, and shareholder reporting. By the end, junior staff will be equipped to prepare individual tax returns accurately and maintain IRS compliance. *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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Web portals, "low-code/no-code" data collection, and survey tools have changed how we collect data. Modern solutions like Microsoft 365 Forms, Zoho Survey, SurveyMonkey, Microsoft PowerApps, and legacy tools like Adobe Acrobat Forms allow users to create web forms and integrate the resulting data into business process workflows. This session introduces the range of available tools, demonstrates standard features, and shows how tools permit users to expose or conceal questions based on answers given earlier in the survey. Attend this session to learn how to use tools you already own to efficiently collect data from your team, customers, and vendors.  

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Leaders have the right to exercise customary management functions. Employees have the right to be kept free from discrimination. Neither employer rights nor employee rights are absolute. The courts are equally protective of the rights of employees and employers. A courtroom is the wrong place for anyone to find this out. This course provides practical knowledge on how to effectively balancing these two sets of rights, such that employees and leaders stay out of court. Employers avoid lawsuits, rather than win lawsuits.

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Performing engagements in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS), commonly referred to as the "Yellow Book," involves additional reporting, ethics, and performance requirements that go beyond those outlined in AICPA Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS). This course provides an overview of the guidance found in the Yellow Book and explores its relationship with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct. Participants will gain an understanding of the unique CPE requirements for GAGAS engagements and review the Yellow Book standards for financial statement audits, with a focus on ethical principles and independence. This course is designed to equip professionals with the foundational knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of Yellow Book engagements effectively.  

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Attracting and retaining staff is critical to an organization's success, especially in the age of the millennial worker who will change jobs multiple times in the course of a career. This course will focus on best practices for nurturing the human element of your organization, especially millennial workers who comprise a growing percentage or the workforce. 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 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. Due to the pandemic, Congress changed the rules for 2021 and 2022 to allow for 100% deductibility for meals. These temporary rules no longer applied starting in 2023. 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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When a new employee is hired, there are a lot of things the employer needs to take care of. Aside from getting employment contracts signed, training lined up, and the new hire breakfast planned, employers are tasked with making sure all of the payroll forms are filled out. For many small business owners, this can be a source of anxiety. They often wonder if they have everything they need. They also hear horror stories about potential IRS penalties for not having all of the boxes checked. In this course, we will explore the payroll compliance side of hiring new employees. From the alphabet soup of forms that need to be filled out to the initial payroll tax forms, we have you covered if you are a new practitioner or new business owner. We will even discuss the surprisingly difficult-to-navigate world of unemployment insurance.

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