CPE Catalog & Events

Do you want to build stronger relationships with your clients, improve client retention, and drive growth in your practice? This course delves into the essential strategies for effective client management in today's competitive landscape. Client relationships, like any relationship, can be challenging to manage. Miscommunication, differing work styles, and unrealistic expectations are some of the challenges accounting and finance professionals routinely encounter. However, when accounting clients and members of your team are on the same page, client loyalty and profitability improve while conflict is minimized. This webinar explores proven strategies to improve relationships between accounting and finance professionals and their clients.

A business conducted as a C corporation can be purchased through an asset acquisition or a stock acquisition. In an asset acquisition, the buyer purchases the business by purchasing the assets that make up the C corporation's ongoing business. In a stock acquisition, the buyer purchases the stock of the C corporation that owns all or a majority of the business assets. The seller and the buyer are usually at odds over how to structure the acquisition. Accounting and finance professionals advising their clients should be fully conversant in the tax rules that apply to stock and asset acquisitions. Discussing and explaining those rules is the focus of this course.

Tax planning strategies for now and then Clients want help with present and future business services. Which tax planning strategies will you provide for your corporate and small business clients? Course materials are updated for the latest legislation, including H.R. 1, commonly referred to as OBBBA. In this course, you get the information you need to answer tough questions and learn the best strategies for your clients. Materials are updated for the following new and updated tax provisions of H.R. 1: Section 1202 qualified small business stock exclusion State and local tax deduction cap Section 199A qualified business income deduction Bonus depreciation 100% depreciation deduction for qualified production property Section 179 expensing Meals and fringe benefits You'll also get caught up on IRS guidance on other recent tax changes, particularly those related to retirement plans and required minimum distributions. Meet the needs of small businesses at every stage Even though the materials focus on taxes, taxes are only one of many considerations a small business owner must make when forming a new entity. The course covers common small business matters at different stages in the business lifecycle: Growth stage Maturity stage Late-maturity stage Decline stage Content for all entity types What do you need to do to form a sole proprietorship, partnership, or other type of entity? As we address this question, you will consider the nuances of each entity structure. Part of Tax Staff Essentials Level 4 This self-study online course is part of Tax Staff Essentials Level 4, a comprehensive learning program that provides tax managers, directors, and partners with the advanced technical training required to work with their most sophisticated clients.

There are multiple tangible and intangible factors that can drive a CPA Firm's long-term success. Specifically, public accountants must place a priority on being both efficient and value-added business advisors when performing audit and other services. This course provides proven tips and techniques for ensuring your firm has the capacity to grow and expand your "business" from within in a healthy way, considering how to improve in three key areas: financial success, satisfaction of people, and outstanding client service.  

Innovate or die is more than a catchphrase, it is a fact. The tsunami of innovation relentlessly coming to our businesses, teams, markets and to accounting will not stop. Innovation is one of the most desirable traits, but how do we innovate? We will discuss how your company can foster, nurture, encourage and sustain innovation - and give you an action plan. Technology has significantly changed what we do and how, and this will not stop. What are the negative consequences of failing to innovate? To remain relevant, we must re-think accounting's role and how our organization innovates - or not. The status quo will go - we must embrace innovation so you and your company can thrive. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Risk-based factors are becoming exponentially important considerations for accountants in both public practice and industry. We examine the nature of risks for today's enterprises while exploring the role of internal controls for mitigating business risks. We also explore SAS 145 and other guidance aimed at risk considerations for professional engagements. Public and private accountants will enhance their capabilities for assessing and addressing risks faced by today's organizations. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

The Uniform Guidance identifies COSO and the Green Book as best practices for internal controls in governmental audits. This course provides a comprehensive review of the COSO framework, including its 2013 update, and explores its application to the Green Book. Attendees will learn to recall the five components and 17 principles of internal control, understand the benefits of adopting internal control frameworks, and recognize the rationale behind the COSO 2013 update and its impact on auditing practices. Additionally, the course will cover how to leverage Part 6 of the Compliance Supplement to effectively document internal controls.

Should CPAs in public practice use Agentic AI? How? What should I not do? Join us to review how to use AI to assist in Assurance engagements, including testing internal controls.  Agentic AI (‘Artificial Intelligence’) is rapidly being deployed by leading audit, compliance, and finance teams. While AI agents are not yet replacing all of today’s knowledge workers like auditors, accountants, and IT security professionals, the knowledge workers that effectively use Agentic AI may soon be replacing those knowledge workers who do not use these tools to drive high quality business growth and scale. AI is moving beyond automation to become a true teammate, especially in the governance, risk, and compliance processes. This session will show how supervised AI agents can work alongside accountants, auditors and IT security professionals to enhance efficiency, consistency, and assurance quality.  Of critical importance is training and supervision so that the AI agents accomplish their testing to the intended quality standards. Attendees will leave with a practical view of how AI-powered testing can be applied to both internal and external assurance.

How you onboard a new employee is critical in ensuring they understand your company culture and are immersed properly in your organization. On the flipside, in the event you are dealing with an employee termination, this too is critical in handling with care and sensitivity.  

This course examines actual fraud circumstances through the lens of potential prevention. We will examine how selected frauds were accomplished and consider what internal controls may have prevented fraudsters' ability to accomplish their nefarious acts.

Arthur Werner will provide financial professionals with the information their teams will need to successfully plan and execute mergers and acquisitions. For major topics covered, see below. This course may be customized or tailored based on the needs of your organization. *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

Client Accounting Services (CAS) has become a cornerstone of modern CPA firms, offering opportunities for enhanced client relationships, recurring revenue streams, and streamlined operations. This course provides accounting professionals with practical guidance on implementing and optimizing CAS within their firms. Participants will explore the foundational elements of CAS, including service offerings, pricing models, and client communication strategies. The course delves into the technology tools essential for CAS, including accounting software, workflow automation, and reporting platforms. It offers insights into best practices for managing client expectations and delivering consistent, high-value services. In addition, participants will examine case studies of successful CAS implementations, review current trends affecting CAS, and identify critical steps to build a scalable CAS practice aligned with their firm's goals. The course also addresses the importance of data security, governance, and compliance in providing CAS, ensuring ethical and professional service delivery

Microsoft Teams is designed to be the foundation of your Microsoft 365 ecosystem deployment. When deployed effectively, Teams can serve as a powerful platform for communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing across your firm or business. Unfortunately, most organizations are substantially underutilizing the capabilities of Teams. This course provides a review and demonstration of the key features of Microsoft Teams that you can harness to optimize the return on your Microsoft 365 investment. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Mergers and acquisitions can be complex, risky, and filled with unexpected challenges—but they don’t have to be overwhelming. This course provides a clear and practical overview of the M&A process, helping professionals understand the critical stages of evaluating opportunities, structuring deals, conducting due diligence, and navigating post-transaction integration. Participants will learn practical techniques that help organizations avoid the common traps that derail many transactions while improving the likelihood of successful outcomes. The session also explores how emerging AI tools are beginning to enhance deal analysis, uncover deeper insights, and support better decision-making throughout the M&A process.

This 6-hour program covers recent promulgations of the FASB and AICPA with broad applicability. In addition, the course includes the 2-hour Tax Basis Financial Statements, and 2-hour SSARS Highlight Reel, programs available as stand-alone courses.

Pass-throughs (S corporations and Partnerships) are the most popular choice of newly formed business entities. However, for years, taxpayers and their preparers have struggled to calculate, update, and maintain the pass-through entity owners" tax basis information in each investment correctly. Calculating and accounting for tax basis and adequately reporting the impact of operating and liquidating distributions for these entities are among the most frequently cited audit deficiencies. Taxpayers have also misapplied the tax rules when calculating the gain or loss from the sale of the interest. Recently, the IRS initiated enforcement initiatives designed to audit owners of pass-through entities regarding their calculations of tax basis and their tax treatment of distributions. This course will teach you how to properly account for both items for your clients who own an interest in a partnership or an S-corporation. Learn to identify the most common mistakes and errors and report these items correctly before your client is audited.

Any corporation or individual can be vulnerable to scams and hoaxes. Learn how to break down the deception into the psychology of the con. We'll review best practices to avoid embezzlement and fraud and case studies of embezzlement, including payroll scams, fraudulent payees, skimming and new technology scams. Fraud can also arise when companies downsize and technology goes missing because there aren't enough gatekeepers on watch. Learn about opportunistic vulnerabilities that stem from having few employees/contractors and using free software.

In today's challenging talent market, accounting firms face unprecedented pressure to retain their best performers. This course provides actionable, research-backed strategies to help firms keep their top talent from leaving. Based on comprehensive surveys of both current accounting professionals and those who have recently left the profession, participants will learn the real reasons employees stay or go-and what firms can do about it. The course goes beyond simple solutions like "pay more, expect less" to explore comprehensive retention strategies including whole-person compensation, work-life balance improvements, career development pathways, and necessary business model transformations. Participants will discover why 73% of surveyed professionals want to stay with their current firm, yet many still leave-and how to bridge that gap. Key topics include understanding the true cost of turnover versus retention, implementing flexible work arrangements that actually work, creating meaningful career paths for non-partner track professionals, and transforming firm operations to support both profitability and employee satisfaction. Special attention is given to retaining diverse talent and adapting to the expectations of younger professionals who will comprise 27% of the workforce by 2025. Whether you're a firm leader, HR professional, or manager responsible for team retention, this course provides the insights and tools needed to build a sustainable talent strategy in an evolving profession. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Penalty abatement is a technique that tax practitioners can utilize to help their clients reduce penalties and interest they owe to the IRS if the taxpayer can prove "reasonable cause". This informative and insightful webinar will provide you with some insider tips, practical steps and effective strategies to help your client manage IRS tax penalties and interest. Learn about various types of penalties that you may face, and the various forms and procedures used for requesting penalty and interest abatement, including First Time and Reasonable Cause abatement. Plus, learn about the procedure to follow when requesting refund of paid penalties. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

This year practitioners need to keep abreast of tax changes affecting pass-through entities used by their business clients and employers, and this enlightening course delivers that information. You will learn invaluable strategies, techniques, innovative tax-planning concepts, income-generating ideas, and other planning opportunities available to S corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and LLPs. In addition, this course will discuss current trends and emerging issues, helping practitioners stay informed about relevant and significant topics that may impact their clients. Continually updated to reflect enacted legislation.