CPE Catalog & Events

Strong engagement letters protect your firm. They spell out what work you will (and won't) do, who is responsible for what, and how problems will be handled. Weak or vague letters may expose firms to potential liability. In this course, you'll learn how to draft, update, and enforce engagement letters that actually work in the real world. We pull from industry guidance, malpractice insurer data, and peer-review findings to show you the clauses that matter, how to prevent "scope creep" (work expanding beyond what was agreed), and how to not compromise your independence.

How debt is allocated to the partners in a partnership is important. It dictates how much money may be taken tax-free as a distribution, the losses that flow down to the partners, and the gain or loss on the sale of a partnership interest. However, the allocation of debt can differ depending on the type of debt it is and the type of partner we are talking about. Furthermore, 704(c) can complicate things. And what in the world is a constructive liquidation scenario? In this course, we will tackle the concept of debt allocations - how you do it, what it means, and why you do it.

This course provides a technical overview of IRC 1031 like-kind exchanges, focusing on the application of current law and regulations following the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Presented by a former IRS subject matter expert, the course is designed for practitioners who advise on, prepare, or review transactions involving real property exchanges. Participants will examine qualification requirements, definitions of real property, and the determination of like-kind versus non-like-kind property under Treasury Regulations. The course covers key concepts including relinquished and replacement property, boot, realized and recognized gain, and basis calculations. Additional topics include the interaction of 1031 with cost segregation studies, depreciation treatment under 1245 and 1250, replacement property basis allocation, depreciation of carryover and excess basis, and multi-property exchange rules. Practical compliance considerations relevant to tax return preparation and review are emphasized throughout. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

The past two years have ushered in an explosion of ransomware attacks affecting businesses and individuals. Many of us read or hear about these attacks, but there is little understanding of how they occur, how a response is undertaken, and how the chances of experiencing one can be reduced. Join us to learn about these topics so you can be prepared with the best response and the knowledge to avoid common mistakes in a ransomware event.

Persuasive communication follows a structure that has endured for centuries. In this 1-CPE session (Professional Development), participants explore the Aristotelian framework of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos and examine how credibility, logic, and emotional resonance function together in professional messaging. Drawing from course examples comparing historical and corporate speeches, participants analyze how different persuasive appeals influence audience response. The session also introduces the concept of emotional dynamics and volatility in presentations, based on research discussed in the course materials. Participants will evaluate how variation in tone and emotional movement increases engagement and how to apply this strategically in professional settings. The emphasis is on designing communication deliberately - balancing credibility, reasoning, and appropriate emotional appeal. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of cost segregation studies from both technical and compliance perspectives, emphasizing what truly distinguishes a high-quality, IRS-defensible report. Drawing from the IRS Cost Segregation Audit Techniques Guide (ATG) and the instructor's experience as a former IRS engineer and Cost Segregation subject matter expert. Participants will gain practical understanding of how to evaluate, perform, and document cost segregation studies. Topics include the fundamentals of cost segregation and depreciation methods, the differences between Section 1245 and 1250 property, and the importance of accurate cost allocations, engineering documentation, and supportable estimates. The course also covers the principal elements of a well-prepared report, common pitfalls that trigger IRS scrutiny, and practical remedies to strengthen study credibility and audit resilience. By the end of this session, tax professionals, engineers, and financial advisors will be equipped to recognize the hallmarks of a quality cost segregation study and avoid costly mistakes in the process. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

While once thought just to apply to banking and financial institutions, entities now need to apply fair value accounting under ASC 820 across a variety of transactions. Whether you are assessing financial instruments, leases, business combination accounting, or impairment measurement, GAAP either requires or allows the use of fair value measures in an expanding number of circumstances. Now is the time for you to get up-to-speed on the basics of the fair value approach. In this course, we will review when fair value accounting is required and when an entity can select to use it. Then we will review the basics of the ASC 820 model, including the concept of "exit price," the various approaches that an entity may follow when using a fair value approach, and the different levels of inputs that an entity may consider when determining fair value. Lastly, the course will provide examples of when and how to apply this complex accounting guidance.

Mastering finance with strategic insights Management accountants drive strategic directions and enhance operational efficiency. You'll learn how to integrate nonfinancial data into reporting and use scenario planning to evaluate business outcomes. Blending financial smarts with nonfinancial data Effective communication is crucial for conveying messages and handling crises. You'll explore various ways to enhance your understanding of effective communication, including: Transforming routine reports into comprehensive scenario analyses to highlight alternative business futures, influencing decision-making processes Improving effective communication skills to convey insights and analyses clearly Why sustainability matters in financial planning Integrating sustainability into financial planning is critical and beneficial for the business. Driven by evolving regulations, discussions focusing on transparency, consistency and trust in sustainability reporting are crucial in the modern business environment. You'll learn more about the sustainability considerations relevant to your business.

This course is a comprehensive overview of critical Federal tax law updates resulting from changes to current laws, regulations and court cases impacting individual taxation. We will also review recent modifications to tax forms, small business tax law and administrative updates, retirement plan changes and tax practice and procedures.

This advanced course examines the federal tax consequences of business dissolutions, ownership changes, and related restructuring transactions involving partnerships, S corporations, and closely held businesses. Using a cradle-to-grave framework, the program addresses planning, execution, valuation, reporting, and post-transaction compliance issues arising in sales, redemptions, liquidations, divorces, deaths, and internal restructurings. Participants will analyze inside and outside basis, debt basis, Section 754 adjustments, Section 302 redemption tests, Section 1041 transfers, F reorganizations, Section 751 hot assets, and the treatment of goodwill and other Section 197 intangibles. The course also incorporates practical guidance on NIIT, potential Section 1202 considerations, final-year return procedures, and selected state tax issues that commonly affect business exits and ownership transitions. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Consumers and businesses file for bankruptcy to seek protection from creditors and to reorganize or liquidate debts. Bankruptcy filings rise and fall with the economy. Surveys show that loss of income is the leading cause of consumer bankruptcies, followed by medical expenses and foreclosure. Corporate bankruptcies, on the other hand, are often the result of several factors, including excessive debt, decreased demand, increased costs, lawsuits or poor accounting practices. It is no secret bankruptcy filings will see a tremendous uptick in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. As an accountant, CFP, attorney or other professional, you need to be able to discuss the process and different available courses of action with your clients. Both landlords and tenants will be influenced tremendously. Individuals will look to your advice for a discharge and new start. Businesses will do the same and will also need to advise loyal employees. Creditors will receive proofs of claim and look to you for your expertise. Take this course and make sure you can speak fluently to both creditors and debtors. As trusted advisors, then, professionals should have a basic understanding of the bankruptcy process. This course provides a thorough review of the consumer and corporate bankruptcy practice. Participants in this course will gain an understanding of how consumer and corporate bankruptcy proceedings begin and end, as well as learn about key issues that affect debtor and creditor rights during bankruptcy. This course provides information from the perspective of both debtor and creditor. Although bankruptcy concerns the debts of the debtor, the Bankruptcy Code provides substantial protections to creditors. Creditor rights, however, vary widely depending on the status afforded the creditor under the Bankruptcy Code. Do yourself, your clients and your profit margin a favor and sign up for this invaluable program.

Do you love PivotTables? Of course, we all do! Traditional PivotTables are incredible, but they do have limitations. If you have ever encountered one of these limitations, you'll be excited to learn that by using the Data Model as the source for PivotTables, you'll be able to bypass many of the restrictions that exist with traditional PivotTables. The data model (also referred to as Power Pivot) is included in Excel 2016+ for Windows and available as a free download for previous versions (excluding Excel for Mac). Using the data model enables you to build PivotTables that were previously not practical. If you frequently build PivotTables and would like to do more with them, you'll want to understand how to use the data model (Power Pivot) to enhance your reports. Note about Excel versions: Power Pivot is not available in all versions of Excel, including Excel for Mac. If you would like to see if Power Pivot is available in your version of Excel, visit the Microsoft site.

Increased funding resulting from the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act will allow the IRS to target many more wealthy individuals and large businesses for audit. These efforts will become more intense over the next several years as the IRS employs artificial intelligence in more of its audits. This program discusses how and when the IRS's energized audit efforts will result in more audits of taxpayers and what attendees need to know to effectively represent clients that the IRS audits.

Not-for-profit organizations always need volunteers as treasurers or members of the financial oversight committee! CPAs are often asked to fulfill these roles. This course highlights the financial accounting needs of such organizations. Along with covering the status of the not-for-profit organizations, an update on recent ASC updates affecting nonprofit entities is covered. This course is geared toward hands-on, or future hands-on, treasurers of service clubs and similar not-for-profit organizations.

This annual update covers activities of the FASB and Private Company Council (PCC) and reviews new SAS and SSARS. Stay current on new standards related to financial accounting and attest and assurance services including compilations, review and auditing. You'll learn the specific requirements of the standards and their potential impact on financial statements and we will review the pipeline of proposed standards. This years' update will cover induced conversions of convertible debt, stock compensation accounting and disclosure, income tax disclosures, crypto currency accounting, joint venture accounting, and updates to the accounting for government grants. We will cover new audit standards including group audit standards, and new fraud, evidence and materiality standards. We'll do a deep dive into SAS 145 and the new quality management standards. Note: SEC reporting requirements and public company audit requirements will not be covered.

This course is a comprehensive overview of critical Federal tax law updates resulting from changes to current laws, regulations and court cases impacting individual taxation. We will also review recent modifications to tax forms, small business tax law and administrative updates, retirement plan changes and tax practice and procedures.

This webinar presents a variety of time-saving ideas, shortcuts, and tips that are sure to boost personal productivity. We discuss better summing, address one of the biggest pitfalls that Excel users have faced over the past 25 years, present the most important keyboard shortcuts, demonstrate a better alternative to hiding rows or columns, illustrate how to quickly navigate to other workbooks and files, and demonstrate using Excel with styles.

This program discusses, in a practical way, how an S corporation shareholder calculates their stock and loan basis on Form 7203. Form 7203 is the IRS Form on which a shareholder is sometimes required to calculate their stock and loan basis. This topic is particularly important when an S corporation has a loss and the shareholders wish to know whether they are entitled to fully utilize the loss that has been allocated to them against their other income.

This course provides a focused update on major recent pronouncements issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). Coverage includes GASB Statement No. 103 (financial reporting model), GASB Statement No. 104 (disclosures for capital assets), and GASB Statement No. 105 (subsequent events). Participants will also receive a high-level overview of active GASB exposure drafts and ongoing projects. The course is designed to help auditors, preparers, and financial leaders understand how these developments affect audits, financial statement preparation, and board reporting. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Calculating partnership basis is one of the most important things that we do as practitioners. However, it is also one of the most confusing. When we use the term "basis," we really could be referring to one of three different things. This course will explore the differences between inside basis, outside basis, and 704(b) basis. Through several examples and practice problems, we will show you how to easily distinguish among these terms. We will also explore the tax implications of initial contributions of property to a partnership as well as the different types of partnership distributions.