CPE Catalog & Events

Many finance departments spend considerable time managing cash, particularly if the organization is highly leveraged or cash rich.  Many opportunities exist to reduce your financing costs or increase short-term cash returns if you manage cash effectively.  This session will cover a wide variety of day-to-day cash management tools.  

If sales increase, so should profits.  Yet, the opposite result often leaves executives scratching their heads.  When organizations work with inferior cost information, they make mistakes in four specific situations.  Bad information causes sellers to overprice easy, high-volume work and underprice difficult, low-volume work.  This session discusses how to use activity-based costing data to build accurate costing models that consider far more than just the labor and materials necessary to provide goods and services.  

As reported in the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Occupational Fraud 2022:  A Report to the Nations, on average, small businesses lose 5% of their revenue due to fraud.  Can the average small business owner afford to lose 5% of their revenue due to fraud?  I think not.  This presentation is designed to illustrate the numerous ways employees commit fraud in small businesses, how to detect it, and most importantly, how to prevent it.  Both auditors and small business owners would both benefit from this presentation.

The budgeting process can be a time consuming and frustrating process for accountants.  The constraints and pressures can lead to poor decisions in both the technical and human components.  This series will offer solutions to the budgeting woes from both the big picture and in the details.    Understanding and Preventing Budget Calamities 2 Hours - Accounting •    Most of us lead or participate in the budget process at least annually.  Inherent flaws exist in the standard budget building process that you can solved by recognizing them and committing to solutions.   Building Flexible Budgeting Models: Walking Through and Crunching The Numbers 2 Hours - Accounting •    We can all learn from others and improve our budgeting process by listening to our colleagues’ wisdom and experience.  This session takes a unique review of the fundamental budget issues faced by all and walks through a detailed modeling process intended to generate discussion and best practices to improve your organization’s financial planning.  Avoiding Budget People Issues:  Managing Budgeting’s Soft Side 2 Hours - Accounting •    Financial plans have a technical component and human component.  We can resolve some of our budget issues by exploring the process’ human aspect.  This session includes a case study that measures an individual’s personality type and then explores how to use our strengths and weaknesses to create to a better plan.   Budgeting:  Presenting and Communicating your Numbers 2 Hours - Accounting •    Now that the budget is complete, how we communicate our plan is critical.  this session reveals some key guidelines in budget presentation and will identify key problems in how people often communicate financial plans.   

By the nature of our work and training, financial professionals have more personal finance knowledge than the general population. However, sometimes we spend so much time planning our company's future that we neglect or defer taking steps to build our own personal net worth. If you are dissatisfied about the speed that you are accumulating savings, this session will help put you on the right track. Even if you are meeting your goals, this session will provide insights and ideas which will add to and reinforce what you may already be doing.

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. **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.

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.

Bitcoin and crypto have been in the news recently for a variety of reasons. This course will cover the basics of accounting and auditing for cryptocurrency, including recent standard setting by the FASB as well as a look at the AICPA's Accounting for and Auditing of Digital Assets practice aid.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, telework in state and local government was not often embraced as a form of employment. As the pandemic continues, governments are beginning to experience the benefits of remote work and are reevaluating hiring practices to offer more telework and hybrid work options, not simply as a result of an emergency. This course will review various telework options and best practices for success. 

In today’s business world, there is a war for talent and organizations with the best talent will win. We clearly need to motivate talented personnel. Equity compensation plans are useful to retain, reward and recruit. The GAAP and tax accounting for equity compensation plans is not static and decisions that you make during plan set-up can have major consequences to your organization’s bottom line and your management team’s personal tax situations. We will review nuances and details that impact proper accounting. Whether you are the CFO or CEO who has not been happy with prior equity compensation plans or the accountant who performs the intricate analysis and detailed accounting for these plans - this session will help you understand the issues and get it right the first time.

Literally thousands of individual taxpayers may have increased deductions or exclusions from gross income as a result of the Disaster Relief Act of 2024. Casualty provisions of the Act are retroactive to December 19, 2019 through early 2025. Both low and high income taxpayers may benefit from the Act through exclusions of payments received as compensation for wildfire damages - retroactive to 2014! This course will review the provisions of this new act. *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

As part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), IRC § 199A was added.  This Internal Revenue Code section allows certain pass-through entities the ability to has made it deduct up to 20% of their qualified business. Although practitioners have had over three years of “experience” utilizing IRC § 100A, many practitioners still do not feel comfortable with this part of the Internal Revenue Code.  The purpose of this presentation is to provide the practitioner with an understanding of the rules of IRC § 199A as well as an understanding of the IRC § 199A regulations. **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.

This course will review the fundamentals of fiduciary accounting and provide a reporting guide for determining whether receipts and expenditures are assigned to income or principal/corpus. Critical issues, rules, and special opportunities when preparing your clients' Form 1041 U.S. Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts will be examined, including what is considered taxable income and allowable deductions. Planning and potential pitfalls will also be explored.  This course only qualifies for 2 IRS credits. *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

This program will explain the new rules for deducting travel, meals and entertainment expenses and the TCJA disallowance of business entertainment expenses.  Documentation requirements and planning opportunities related to travel, entertainment, and automobile expenses will also be addressed.  **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.

This program addresses the recent changes imposed by recent tax legislation that real estate owners and investors need to know, including Section 199A, the new Section 163(j) interest expense limits and the opportunity to elect out.  An introduction to opportunity zones and other important issues will also be addressed. **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.

Signed by President Biden on December 29, 2022 as part of the Consolidation Appropriations Act, this program provides an explanation of the Secure Act 2.0 provisions impacting individuals and business taxpayers. Learn what you need to know for this filing season and how to plan for future years for your clients. **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.

CPAs face many complex and challenging ethical issues. This course addresses the ethical and professional obligations CPAs have to their clients, employers, colleagues, regulators, and to the public.  Explore trends in business and professional ethics, along with the specific rules and requirements applicable to CPAs outlined in Florida Statutes, the Rules of the Florida Board of Accountancy, and the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct. The course fulfills the biennial ethics requirement for Florida CPAs. If you are attending MEGA 2025, please register for Ethics as part of your MEGA registration. MEGA Registration Page

CPA financial planners have never been more in-demand with personal financial planning projected to grow two times faster than tax compliance services alone. An AICPA survey of high-income and high-net-worth consumers revealed that two out of three seek advice on tax and financial planning topics from a CPA. That presents CPA financial planners with an opportunity to understand their clients' entire financial picture and to help them plan comprehensively. The FICPA, in partnership with CPAlliance (a division of CPS Investment Advisors) is offering this unique boot camp to help CPAs who offer tax, retirement, estate, risk management and investment planning services to become CPA financial planners. To help CPAs launch a successful financial planning practice, the full-day program covers: Becoming a Financial Planner  The CPA Financial Planner Playbook  Financial Planning and Investments 101  Building and Integrating Your CPA Financial Planning Practice It concludes with veteran and new practitioners sharing how they successfully incorporated financial planning into their thriving practice.  CPE Credit  This conference qualifies for up to 8 hours of Technical Business CPE credit, and is subject to change. CPE credit is subject to approval by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The type of credit earned depends on concurrent breakouts chosen. Please indicate choice of breakouts on the registration form. $tack the $avings!  In addition to FICPA member and early registration discounts, you can save up to 15% when registering groups of five or more from the same organization. Contact FICPA Member Services at MSC@ficpa.org or 850-224-2727, ext. 1 for details. FICPA Members save even more. Not a member? Join today at ficpa.org/JoinToday. Social Media Follow the FICPA on Linked in, Facebook, Instagram and X and share news about this conference using the hashtag #FICPAMEGA.  

The FICPA’s premier annual event, MEGA, is the largest education and networking event for accounting and finance professionals in Florida. MEGA is where the brightest minds from the business community “Explore the Possibilities” during subject-matter led sessions and in-person collaboration.  Why make your way to MEGA? Tackle the latest trends and emerging topics, including cybersecurity, ESG, risk management, talent pipeline and more. Knowledgeable partners and exhibitors will help you navigate the complexities of accounting today. Connect with FICPA leadership (staff, Board and Council members) and share your unique member insights and build valuable relationships. MEGA features four days of start-to-finish activity beginning on June 9 with free career-inspiring 15-minute Learning Labs offering up to 4 hours of CPE. Sign up during registration to secure your seat. “Ethics: Protecting the Integrity of Florida CPAs” is offered in conjunction with MEGA to allow you to fulfill your four required biennial ethics CPE credits.  Separate registration is required.  MEGA special events include a CPA Personal Financial Planning Boot Camp , a Women’s Leadership Summit, a Newly Certified Ceremony, an exclusive MEGA Evening Social, and our FICPA Reception. Universal’s Loews Sapphire Falls Resort is conveniently located a hop, skip and a jump from Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay and CityWalk with early park admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  CPE Credit  This conference qualifies for up to 24 hours of CPE credit including a variety of AA, TB and BH, and is subject to change. CPE credit is subject to approval by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The type of credit earned depends on concurrent breakouts chosen. Please indicate choice of breakouts on the registration form. IRS CE Credit IRS Continued Education Credit can be awarded for attending the State Tax track of this conference. CE credit is reported to the IRS on the registrants behalf. You must select you wish to earn IRS CE from the sessions menu during the registration process and provide the FICPA with your PTIN within 10 days of the conclusion of the conference for the FICPA to report your CE credits. Registrants can provide their PTIN by emailing cpe@ficpa.org. CLE Credit CLE credit is awarded by The Florida Bar and eligible for attending the State Tax learning track of this conference. You must select you wish to earn CLE from the sessions menu during the registration process and provide the FICPA with your FL BAR number to receive your CLE course codes for self reporting. $tack the $avings!  In addition to FICPA member and early registration discounts, you can save up to 15% when registering groups of five or more from the same organization. Contact FICPA Member Services at MSC@ficpa.org or 850-224-2727, ext. 1 for details. FICPA Members save even more. Not a member? Join today at ficpa.org/JoinToday. Social Media Follow the FICPA on Linked in, Facebook, Instagram and X and share news about this conference using the hashtag #FICPAMEGA. Cancellation Policy We love to see you commit to the annual MEGA conference early, but know sometimes life forces schedules to change. If that happens, you have options. Please let our member services team know which option you select below: Receive a full refund to your original payment method, transfer your balance to a future event, or place money on account by canceling before May 9th, 2025. Call or email MSC at msc@ficpa.org or call 850-224-2727. Receive a partial refund to your original payment method, transfer your balance to a future event, or place money on account, minus the event cancellation fee of $150 by canceling on or after May 9th, 2025. Call or email MSC at msc@ficpa.org or call 850-224-2727. Please review the FICPA CPE Policies for additional information: CPE Policies  

*** Save 15% on this event when you use the code SPRING25 at checkout ***Clients think that estate planning only applies to the very rich. In truth, there are many issues of critical concern for which the middle-income client needs to plan. This course is a must-attend for all Accounting and Financial Professionals who work with middle-income clients and are looking for ways to provide additional quality services. Updated for developments relative to estate tax changes.