CPE Catalog & Events

Financial Acumen for the HR Professional is a part of the series "The HR Professional's Guide to Evolving Business Strategy, Finance and Development." This course identifies how HR Professionals can increase their financial understanding to participate more effectively with management as well as understand the financial results and implications for the business.

This course is tailored for business leaders and HR professionals who want to enhance their strategic management skills and create actionable plans for success. You’ll learn the overall strategic management process, how to develop both simplified and detailed business and strategic plans, and the crucial role of corporate culture, leadership, and staff development in driving or hindering strategic outcomes. Additionally, you’ll explore how to leverage ChatGPT (Generative AI) as a powerful tool to improve your performance as a key business partner to the management team, helping you make data-driven decisions and enhance organizational effectiveness.

Accounting professionals face a critical technological shift with the discontinuation of QuickBooks Pro and Premier sales in 2024. This course explores the transition to modern platforms, including QuickBooks Online, Xero, Zoho Books, FreshBooks, and more. Participants will gain insights into key features, integration capabilities, add-on solutions, and payroll and reporting functionalities. Learn strategies for seamless implementation and discover how to guide clients effectively through this change. Comparative tables and expert insights will equip you to make informed recommendations for your practice or small business. Attend this session and learn more about platforms available for small businesses.

This course explores the latest tax provisions impacting non-profit entities, including charities, hospitals, and universities, with a focus on common issues CPAs may face when completing their clients Form 990. *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

Many organizations struggle to keep budgets current in an ever-changing business climate.  Twenty-first century performance metrics focus on determining what budgets should be rather than what they were in the past.  Using performance metrics effectively reduces work, reduces politics, provides flexibility and substantially improves the performance management process.  This session will show you powerful techniques to drive your organization’s performance.

In May 2023, the IIA released a draft of the new Global Internal Audit Standards. The intent was to provide more effective standards for Internal Audit globally. The new Global Internal Audit Standards were released on January 9, 2024, and will become effective January 9, 2025. The previous version, the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, released in 2017, remains approved for use during a one-year transition period. The Global Internal Audit Standards guide the worldwide professional practice of internal audit. They serve as a basis for evaluating and elevating the quality of the internal audit function. The Standards use 15 guiding principles with five separate domains that enable effective internal audit implementation and examples of evidence of conformance. The Global Standards are organized into five domains. Domain I: Purpose of Internal Auditing Domain II: Ethics and Professionalism Domain III: Governing the Internal Audit Function Domain IV: Managing the Internal Audit Function Domain V: Performing Internal Audit Service

You spent your life building retirement savings.  Now you want to make sure your savings last the rest of your life and perhaps pass some on to the next generation.  Come hear a veteran financial educator talk about money management and planning issues for this phase of your life.  

The COVID pandemic changed the way many people worked, yet others have had remote teams for decades and little changed.  Many organizations trying to bring people back to the office have experienced significant turnover.  Some practices have changed forever while some principles will always remain the same.  Keeping your people happy equals keeping your best people.  Learn the changes you should make now and the things you should do forever!

Financial statement audits often involve audits of components of a larger entity. This course will focus on the responsibilities for both the group auditor and component auditor, including implementation of SAS No. 149 relate to group audits.

The TCJA made turning business losses into tax refunds far more difficult.  The CARES Act suspended and modified many of these changes.  This course will address the revised rules for deducting business losses and discuss planning ideas and potential pitfalls.  **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.  

In order not to perform an excessive number of audit procedures (over audit) auditors must perform procedures in order to determine in what areas are there weak internal controls that could result in a risk that the financial statements would be materially misstated and not be detected.  SAS No. 122, AU 300 – 499, Measuring Audit Risk provides guidance as well as required procedures that must be performed in every audit in order to determine the risk of material misstatement.  No longer can the auditor state that they assess the risk of material misstatement at maximum without having a basis for making such assessment.  As a result, the standards now require that the auditor make such an assessment of a material misstatement of the financial statement on every audit in order to have a basis for such assessment.  This program is an overview of the statement documentation requirements in assessing such a risk.

In this course, you'll learn why being able to do public speaking well is a major advantage in becoming successful in your career.  You'll learn how to write a good talk, how to present it well, and how to use your new found ability to get more clients and/or a promotion. In addition, you'll learn how to overcome your nervousness, and how to overcome stress in less than a minute.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation tools offer incredible opportunities for all business professionals to improve productivity and accuracy. For example, generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Bard can be beneficial when conducting research or drafting reports and correspondence. Likewise, Microsoft’s Power Automate platform and similar tools such as Zapier can help you elevate efficiency to levels you may have thought unattainable. If this sounds appealing, plan to participate in this session to modernize your workflows and take advantage of these tools. This session will teach you practical applications of today’s AI and automation tools. Moving beyond fundamental discussions, you will learn how to use AI and automation to streamline workflows, improve internal control, maximize productivity, and even improve team member morale. In addition, you will learn about some potential pitfalls associated with these technologies and how to avoid making mistakes when using these tools. In sum, this session is “must-see CPE,” and you should plan to participate in this class today.

The GASB has been working on some big projects lately. This course starts with a look at the GASB standards effective this year, including GASB 94, Public Private Partnerships and GASB 96, Subscription Based IT Arrangements. We will include practical applications in the form of case studies to apply the topics. We will then switch gears to the GASB standards coming down the pike, including the major projects of the GASB.

This course focuses on the key federal tax issues affecting businesses from the internal accountant's point of view, with a focus on recent tax legislation and developments.  Planning alternatives and the potential risks associated with those strategies will also be discussed.  **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 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.  *Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Coursw Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com

Just because Microsoft Teams is no longer a new tool doesn't mean it hasn't evolved & it certainly has! Since its introduction in 2016, Teams has become the de facto business productivity platform for organizations worldwide. Yet, many users barely scratch the surface of all that Teams offers. Participate in this session to learn how to get more from Teams and enhance your ROI on the platform. In this session, you will learn about the core options available in Teams and how to leverage them. You will also learn about new enhancements in Teams, including threaded conversations, enhanced meeting features, and integration with Microsoft's Copilot platform. If you use Teams and want a deeper understanding of the platform, don't miss your opportunity to participate in this session.

This course explores the tests used to determine whether a worker is properly characterized as an employee or an independent contractor for tax purposes, with a focus on the cost of getting it wrong and possible Section 530 relief.  The game changing impact of the Dynamex case and AB5 will also be discussed.  **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.  

Yellow Book and Single Audit reporting entities have complex and unique financial statement audit, compliance and reporting issues. Deficiencies in these types of audit engagements are common. This course will reduce the likelihood of noncompliance with relevant professional and regulatory auditing and reporting standards.

This advanced course is designed to complement the 4-part 706 Preparation Series and will discuss various aspects of the Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax.