CPE Catalog & Events

Government fraud and embezzlement cases seem to make headlines almost daily. In this timely presentation, Kevin Harper, CPA, will examine real-life fraud cases that have impacted local governments in California. He will detail nine specific fraud schemes he has investigated, exploring how each was carried out, how it was uncovered, and the steps taken to strengthen internal controls to prevent future occurrences. Join us for an insightful session on recognizing and mitigating fraud risks in government operations. This session was recorded live at the CalCPA Governmental Accounting & Auditing Virtual Conference on April 24, 2024.

This course overviews basic fringe benefits and examines their mechanics, compensation methods, valuation, withholding, and accounting. Achievement awards, term life insurance, medical reimbursement, meals & lodging, educational assistance, dependent care, employer-provided automobiles, interest-free loans, etc., are identified. Employer and employee economic and tax considerations are recognized. Fringe benefit requirements and limits are specified and ERISA compliance requirements are determined.

In this session, we will delve into intelligence and asset search methods that enhance investigations and facilitate recoveries. We will examine various sources of publicly available information, learn how to identify and verify pertinent data, and provide examples of how this information can be effectively utilized in traditional forensic accounting scenarios. This session was recorded on March 19, 2024 at the 2024 Fraud & Forensic Accounting Virtual Conference.

Risk oversight by the board of directors is a key component of a firm's enterprise risk management framework, and recently, boards have paid more attention to their firm's tax-planning activities. In this study, we use a hand-collected sample of proxy statement disclosures about the board's role in risk oversight and provide evidence that risk oversight is negatively associated with both tax uncertainty and overall tax burdens. We find that risk oversight is most strongly associated with positions that yield permanent tax benefits and also with less risky tax-planning activities. Overall, the evidence suggests that board risk oversight is associated with more effective tax-planning practices.

In this course, You'll uncover the ten most common financial statement mistakes nonprofits make; and how these errors can jeopardize compliance, transparency, and your organization'scredibility. You'll learn practical policies and procedures to spot, prevent, and fix these pitfalls, helping you boost the accuracy and reliability of your financial reporting. Walk away empowered to strengthen your nonprofit'sfinancial health and build lasting trust with stakeholders. This session was recorded on May 29, 2025, for CalCPA'sNot-for-Profit Organizations Conference.

Contracts are the backbone of the construction industry but also a significant source of financial risk. This session will focus on risk management strategies for contract negotiation, delivery method selection, preconstruction services, change orders, and retainage policies. Learn how CPAs can help clients minimize financial exposure and enhance documentation transparency. This session was recorded on March 25, 2025 for CalCPA'sConstruction Management Conference.

For decades, scholars searched for a connection between a corporation'scurrent performance with respect to sustainability and the future returns of its stock. In 2016, Khan, Serafeim, and Yoon published an apparent breakthrough in this quest: guidance on materiality from the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board allowed the construction of corporate sustainability scales that reliably predicted stock returns. Their finding had an immediate and broad impact, but it remains, in its authors own words; just first evidence." Here, we further explore the relationship between material sustainability and stock returns by performing a "model uncertainty analysis."" We reproduce the original estimate but conclude that it is a statistical artifact. We then use machine learning to explore the practicality of employing historical associations to determine which aspects of sustainability are material to investors. We conclude that, for one popular source of data on corporate sustainability, accurate guidance on materiality may be difficult to achieve.

This course examines and explains the practical aspects of using the closely held corporation to maximize after-tax return on business operations. Recent developments giving corporations a competitive edge over other entities are explored and detailed. Practitioners are alerted to often missed fringe benefits, retirement planning opportunities, corporate business deductions, income splitting possibilities and little-known estate planning techniques. The program covers step-by-step tax procedures to form, operate, and ultimately dispose of a closely held corporation. Distinctions between S and C corporations will be unraveled and guidelines for client direction given.

This 4-hour intensive course dives into Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) to help you build and validate powerful metrics in Power BI. Starting with DAX fundamentals and progressing to advanced formulas and time-intelligence functions, You'll learn how to create accurate, insightful measures. Through hands-on practice with PivotTables and real-world scenarios, You'll gain the skills to validate calculations, streamline analysis, and make confident data-driven decisions.

Elevate your data reporting skills to new heights with our cutting-edge course, "Create Paginated Reports with Power BI Report Builder." This two-hour, expertly crafted training is designed to transform the way you visualize and present data, leveraging the powerful capabilities of Microsoft Power BI Report Builder. Ideal for professionals who aspire to turn complex data into compelling, print-ready reports, this course is a game-changer in the realm of data visualization and business intelligence. Delve into the world of paginated reporting with a curriculum that balances theoretical knowledge with practical examples and demonstrations. You'll learn how to navigate the Power BI Report Builder interface with ease, design intricate report layouts, and connect to diverse data sources for comprehensive reporting. The course covers a spectrum of skills, from creating eye-catching visualizations to utilizing advanced features like sub-reports and drill-through capabilities. By the end of this session, You'll be adept at publishing and sharing professional-grade, paginated reports that can inform and persuade your audience.

Your brand isn't just a logo; it'syour identity. It'show your firm shows up, what it stands for, and why clients remember you. In this practical session, You'll learn how to define and elevate your brand in a way that feels real, relevant, and magnetic to your ideal audience. Through real-world examples and proven strategies, You'll uncover what truly sets your firm apart; and how to use that to attract the right clients, communicate your value, and stand out in a crowded market. Whether you're just starting to think about branding or ready to take it to the next level, this session will give you the clarity and confidence to own your story. You'll learn how to: Discover and refine what makes your firm different Build messaging that reflects your values and resonates with clients Create an authentic brand experience across every touchpoint Attract the right prospects and keep them engaged Perfect for CPAs looking to build a brand that'snot just seen, but remembered. This session was recorded on April 17, 2025 for CalCPA'sPractice Management Bootcamp conference.

In this course, You'll deepen your understanding of core cybersecurity principles, risks, and threats; and see why a strong, executive-led cybersecurity program is vital for nonprofits. Discover why NFPs can face even greater cybersecurity challenges than for-profits, and learn how to strengthen your organization'scybersecurity maturity with proven frameworks. As cyber incidents become more common, You'll also gain practical best practices for response and recovery, including how to build an effective incident response plan. Your presenters - cybersecurity experts from SingerLewak'sBusiness Informatics practice - draw on decades of experience in cybersecurity, information systems, internal controls, and incident response. This session was recorded on May 29, 2025 for CalCPA'sNot-for-Profit Organizations Conference.

Build a financial planning playbook that works. This course shows you how to design a turnkey system for tackling real client challenges - from insurance and investments to taxes, retirement, and estate planning. You'll learn how to navigate tough decisions, develop practical solutions, and deliver high-impact PFP services across major accounting areas. Walk away with a ready-to-use framework tailored for business owners, high earners, Boomers, new retirees, and clients facing major life shifts.

This course offers a comprehensive and practical framework for CPAs and financial professionals involved in forensic accounting and expert witness testimony. You'll gain insights into the two essential foundations for litigation success: (1) Crafting a defensible expert opinion using the FARC Methodology (Facts, Assumptions, Rationale, Conclusion) and (2) Organizing the expert file to withstand rigorous cross-examination. The program integrates analytical creativity with disciplined documentation practices, equipping attendees to effectively defend their conclusions in court.We'll explore real-world examples, litigation strategies, and best practices to enhance your professional credibility and courtroom performance.

At the end of this module, participants will be able to differentiate between different forms of broad-based employee ownership and understand the role of the Employee Ownership Advisor. This course is offered in partnership with Project Equity.

At the end of this module, participants will be able to comprehend the structure, purpose, and key features of ESOPs, evaluate the tax advantages and legal considerations associated with them, and analyze the governance and other important details of ESOPs. This course is offered in partnership with Project Equity.

At the end of this module, participants will be able to comprehend the structure, purpose, and key features of ESOPs, evaluate the tax advantages and legal considerations associated with them, and analyze the governance and other important details of ESOPs. This course is offered in partnership with Project Equity.

At the end of this module, participants will be able to comprehend the structure, purpose, and key features of ESOPs, evaluate the tax advantages and legal considerations associated with them, and analyze the governance and other important details of ESOPs. This course is offered in partnership with Project Equity.

At the end of this module, participants will be able to assess the potential benefits of employee ownership for their business clients, apply criteria to recommend the most suitable employee ownership form considering costs, timelines, and resources, utilize financial analysis techniques to evaluate debt capacity in employee-owned businesses, measure the impact of employee ownership on company performance, and effectively communicate the financial advantages of employee ownership to clients.

At the end of this module, participants will be able to comprehend the lending prerequisites, evaluate the significance of personal guarantees, navigate the submission process, explore various funding sources, and identify the types of financing required for partial or partial onramp to full conversion in employee-owned businesses.