Professional Development and Event Catalog
K2'S The Best Small Business Accounting Tools
Friday, January 27th, 4:00pm - 5:40pm
Online
2.00 Credits
Working with a small business, you know that keeping the company’s finances in order is critical to success. While numerous software programs and tools are available to help you do this, they vary substantially in many significant aspects. In addition to conventional options like QuickBooks and Sage 50, you can choose from Cloud-based tools such as Zoho Books, QuickBooks Online, Spire Systems, Xero, Accounting Suite, Accounting Power, and many more. In this session, we’ll look at the best accounting tools for small businesses and discuss the benefits of each one. This session covers accounting solutions that should work for startups and companies with up to $10 million in annual revenue. So, whether you work with a startup or an established small business, attend this session to find out which tools can help you achieve your financial goals.
Business Tax Update: Recent Developments
Saturday, January 28th, 9:00am - 11:00am
Online
2.00 Credits
A discussion of the latest 2021/222 tax developments impacting business taxpayers, with a focus on important provisions, rules and concepts. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Payroll Essentials: Payroll Returns Done Right
Saturday, January 28th, 9:30am - 11:30am
Online
2.00 Credits
Payroll is among the most common tasks an employer undertakes in the course of running their business. At its most basic level, payroll consists of an agreement between an employer and employee related to compensation for services. Once you look under the hood, there is so much more to payroll, including various kinds of compensation, payroll taxes and required reporting on government forms. This course will provide a general introduction to the workings of the payroll returns an employer is required to file. We will cover the various types of federal and state payroll taxes, what various payroll returns an employer may need to file, how to complete the most common types of payroll returns accurately, and real-life illustrations for reconciling at year end and ensuring your payroll returns are correct. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
K2's Excel's Best New Features
Saturday, January 28th, 10:00am - 11:58am
Online
2.00 Credits
With recent Excel updates provided through Microsoft 365/Office 365 subscriptions, Microsoft continues to pack new features into the popular spreadsheet tool. Enhancements to data analysis tools, new functions, and improved collaboration opportunities are available in more recent Excel versions. For those who know about these new features and apply them, exciting opportunities for improved productivity await. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn how you can put Excel’s best new features to work right away!
K2's Working Remotely- The New Normal
Saturday, January 28th, 10:00am - 1:44pm
Online
4.00 Credits
Whether by choice or necessity, many team members now find themselves working remotely. In this new normal, questions abound surrounding remote access to desktops and data, security, communications, collaboration, and other considerations. When implemented correctly, remote work strategies can be a “win-win” for all involved; on the other hand, failed implementations may lead to inefficiencies, security issues, and dissatisfied team members. In this session, you will learn today’s best practices for working remotely. Specifically, you will learn about various remote access tools available to you, communication and collaboration options, and security best practices. You will also learn about managing and monitoring workflows in remote work environments and tools that you can use for that purpose. After completing this session, you will be able to implement a remote work strategy that yields efficiency, security, and satisfaction to all involved.
K2's Budgeting and Forecasting Tools and Techniques
Saturday, January 28th, 10:00am - 5:38pm
Online
8.00 Credits
Are your budgeting and forecasting processes working as well for you as they should? Probably not, as many organizations report that budgeting and forecasting activities consume tremendous amounts of time and yield only marginal benefits. In this course, you will learn how to achieve a greater return on your budgeting and forecasting activities by taking advantage of various tools and techniques available in today’s market. In addition to learning how to utilize Excel more effectively for budgeting and forecasting activities, you will also learn about other tools, such as Budget Maestro, PROPHIX, and Host Analytics, and how reducing your dependency on Excel can lead to better results. Additionally, you will learn how to account for risk and uncertainty in your budgeting and forecasting models and why doing so is a best practice for more meaningful budgets and forecasts. If you are involved in budgeting and forecasting activities, you will not want to miss this opportunity to learn how to reduce the amount of time you spend on these tasks while simultaneously increasing their value.
K2's Business Continuity - Best Practices for Managing the Risks
Saturday, January 28th, 10:00am - 5:43pm
Online
8.00 Credits
Are you and your team members prepared for a business disruption? Natural disasters, technology glitches, human failures, and even sabotage and terrorism threaten businesses of all sizes today. In this course, you will learn how to develop and implement a business continuity plan (BCP) to help manage the risks associated with business interruptions. In addition, you will learn how to address critical issues related to staffing, how virtualization can speed recovery times, and how Cloud-based storage, synchronization, and mirrored databases can help ensure that you always have access to your critical data and applications. Most importantly, you will learn how to identify your organization’s significant risks and create an effective plan to address these contingencies. Today’s technology-dependent organizations must have a plan for how they will operate when facilities, power, communications, or technology fail or become compromised. Unfortunately, many companies learn about critical weaknesses in their infrastructure only after experiencing a critical outage. Participate in this course and learn how to identify, understand, and develop strategies for mitigating business interruption risks.
Introduction to Yellow Book: 8-Credit Boot Camp
Saturday, January 28th, 10:00am - 6:00pm
Online
8.00 Credits
This course is designed for accountants in public practice and industry that focus on nonprofit and governmental entities. We will cover the basics needed to understand what makes nonprofit and governmental accounting & auditing unique. We’ll start with the key financial reporting differences for governmental and nonprofit entities. Then we’ll switch focus and review the fundamentals of Yellow Book and Uniform Guidance audits. This foundational course is perfect for those getting started in the nonprofit and governmental arena and those looking for a refresher.
Not-for-Profit GAAP Update
Saturday, January 28th, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Online
2.00 Credits
This course covers FASB Accounting Standard Updates (ASUs) that impact not-for-profit entities. It includes a deep dive into the new disclosure requirements for contributed nonfinancial assets in ASU 2020-07. We also review the impact of COVID19 on accounting for various federal funding in response to the global pandemic.
K2's Small Business Accounting Shootout
Saturday, January 28th, 10:30am - 2:09pm
Online
4.00 Credits
The market for accounting solutions designed for small businesses has never been better! From traditional desktop applications to newer Cloud-based solutions, small businesses have affordable options available today that were unthinkable for many just a few years ago. In this seminar, you will learn about these options and receive the benefit of an unbiased comparison of many of today’s leading solutions, helping you make an informed decision about the future direction of your accounting platform. Solutions from Intuit, Sage, Xero, Wave, and others will be reviewed and compared to help you decide whether you should remain with your current platform or perhaps switch to a different one. Additionally, you will learn about various third-party add-ins to help you make informed decisions about issues such as automated data entry, sales tax processing, reporting, and business intelligence. In sum, if you are the least bit curious about the accounting options available for smaller businesses, this is the most critical session in which you will participate this year.
K2's Excel Charting and Visualizations
Saturday, January 28th, 10:30am - 2:11pm
Online
4.00 Credits
Charts and graphs are nothing new. However, many professionals struggle with building compelling visualizations. If that statement describes you, take part in this session to improve your skills when creating charts and other visualizations in Excel. As a result of doing so, you will create visualizations that will enhance your communication skills. This session is much more than just a seminar on fundamental charts. Instead, in this session, you will learn how to create advanced charts that are interactive, dynamic, and aesthetically pleasing – three qualities that will help to ensure that your readers and audience will understand the data you are presenting. If you are looking to improve your communication skills, this seminar is a must for you.
Not-for-Profit Accounting & Auditing Update
Saturday, January 28th, 10:30am - 2:30pm
Online
4.00 Credits
This course covers FASB Accounting Standard Updates (ASUs) that impact NFPs. It includes a deep dive into the new disclosure requirements for contributed nonfinancial assets in ASU 2020-07. We also review the impact of COVID-19 on accounting for various federal funding in response to the global pandemic. Then we will turn our attention to the audit side of the house and focus on changes to the auditor's report. The course closes with a look at the new compliance supplement and changes to the Uniform Guidance.
Not-for-Profit Accounting Update
Saturday, January 28th, 10:30am - 2:30pm
Online
4.00 Credits
This course covers FASB Accounting Standard Updates (ASUs) that impact NFPs. It includes a deep dive into the new disclosure requirements for contributed nonfinancial assets in ASU 2020-07. We also review the impact of COVID-19 on accounting for various federal funding in response to the global pandemic. Finally, attendees will also gain an understanding of what must be considered in order to implement standards impacting nonprofit entities including leases.
Introduction to Yellow Book
Saturday, January 28th, 11:00am - 12:49pm
Online
2.00 Credits
Performing engagements in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS or “Yellow Book”) requires additional reporting, ethics, and performance requirements. This course will identify and review the guidance found in the Yellow Book and analyze the relationship between Government Auditing Standards and the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct. We will review the Yellow Book requirements for financial statement audits while also touching upon ethical principles and independence
Keeping Up with the FASB
Saturday, January 28th, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Online
2.00 Credits
This course will explore significant elements of the FASB's technical agenda, focusing on recent updates to revenue recognition and lease accounting standards. A Special Purpose Framework overview will be provided, which may reveal salient alternatives to U.S. GAAP for certain entities. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
K2's Technology Planning For A Post-Pandemic Environment
Saturday, January 28th, 12:00pm - 1:49pm
Online
2.00 Credits
Strategic and tactical business planning contributes to short and long-term success. Your technology plan should follow your business plan. But what if your goals become disrupted in the short term, and these events have long-term effects? Think 9/11, smartphones, or COVID-19 and consider if things will go back the way they were. This session will consider the impact of remote work, security risks, collaboration tools, VOIP, and other tools your team require. How do we manage our various applications and meet our business plan goals? Attend this session to consider how technology planning works in the new normal.
K2's The Very Real Risk of Ransomware
Saturday, January 28th, 12:00pm - 1:49pm
Online
2.00 Credits
Over the past two years, ransomware has surged as a major threat to individuals and organizations of all sizes. Ransomware's annual cost to businesses is now estimated at over $8 billion, up from $1 billion in 2016. Most businesses are at risk. Avoid becoming yet another victim by attending this session. The survival of your business may depend on it!
K2's Advanced Topics in Power BI
Saturday, January 28th, 12:00pm - 1:50pm
Online
2.00 Credits
So, you’ve been using Power BI to create fundamental reports and dashboards and now you’re ready for even more advanced reporting…if so, this session is for you. In this session, you will learn how to extend your Power BI environment by incorporating tools such as Data Analysis Expressions, Key Performance Indicators, Hierarchies, and Apps and Content Packs, among others. By taking advantage of the tools and techniques covered in this session, you will be able to move beyond simple reports and dashboards in Power BI and truly leverage the power of this awesome reporting tool.
K2's Backups Done Right
Saturday, January 28th, 2:00pm - 3:49pm
Online
2.00 Credits
Where is your data? Do you have it controlled and backed up? If all your information is in the cloud, how do you verify that the backup recovery is rapid? If your data is in various silos from your application providers, how do you ensure you have the necessary protection and disposal approaches? This session will help you understand and guide your IT team and providers to take the right actions to protect your business. Backup considerations, including cloud, backup appliance, disaster recovery, and business continuity approaches, are included. If you are from the trust but verify school of thought, this session will help you ask the right questions.
K2's Data Analysis Using Power Pivot
Saturday, January 28th, 2:00pm - 3:49pm
Online
2.00 Credits
With Power Pivot, your PivotTable reports can become even more powerful than you might have thought possible. This powerful tool can connect directly to many external data sources to link data directly into your reports. Alternatively, you can use it in conjunction with Power Query for superior data import and transformation capabilities. Further, DAX functions allow you to create sophisticated calculations in your PivotTables, adding even more analytical capabilities. And the relational database functionality of Power Pivot provides all the tools necessary for building an intermediary database from multiple data sources. Put Power Pivot to use immediately by participating in this session, which surely will help you improve your analytical and reporting processes.