CPE Catalog & Events

This course will show you how to use Excel's charting and formatting features to present financial data to a non-financial audience. As the saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words." People tend to better understand the point when visuals are used. We will explore the many capabilities of presenting data without showing rows and rows or columns and columns of data. Help your audience visualize the meaning of the data, whether it is a trend, an exception, a distribution or a good vs. a bad relationship.This session is presented using Excel 2013. Regardless of the version you are using, ALL concepts covered in this course apply to ALL versions of Excel.

Excel is the #1 data analysis tool for accountants, yet many accountants have never learned the basics of data analysis using Excel or the tools that Excel offers to help with data analysis.This session is designed to teach participants the importance of PivotTables for analyzing data. We will demonstrate how PivotTables can make analyzing data an easy task for all accountants. Participants will learn the step-by-step process to create PivotTables and PivotCharts. We will also cover all the setup options and features.This session is presented using Excel 2013. Regardless of the version you are using, ALL concepts covered in this course apply to ALL versions of Excel.

In this course, we will focus on Text functions and Date and Time functions. Want to automatically update the date and time on your spreadsheet? Or pick text strings from other cells to automatically copy and update to a different cell? You will learn how to incorporate text, date and time functions in your spreadsheet that will make data entry a breeze. In the Text function section, you will learn how to use the various Text functions to join and separate text entries as well as formatting the results. In the Date and Time function section, you will learn how to perform various date and time calculations. This session is presented using Excel 2013. Regardless of the version you are using, ALL concepts covered in this course apply to ALL versions of Excel.

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.

" Once a disaster has struck and it's time to rebuild, what resources are available? We will discuss finding money to rebuild through FEMA, charities, and the tax system, and we will discuss the tax implications of each. The Financial Remediation of Disaster Losses course is designed for CPAs, accounting, financial advisers, and tax professionals who work with individual and small business clients. "

Senior management yearns to report positive news and impressive financial results that will please investors, bankers and drive value higher. While most companies act ethically and follow prescribed accounting rules, some take advantage of gray areas in the rules or ignore them altogether in order to portray their financial results in a misleading way. This session will discuss some common financial statement shenanigans to help prevent them from fooling you.

Description: This intensive two-hour course addresses the critical need for accuracy and efficiency when developing spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. Recognizing that even minor errors can have significant implications, this course delves deep into strategies and skills required to detect and correct errors in Excel. By the end of this course, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of how to efficiently identify and correct errors in Excel spreadsheets, enhancing their overall productivity and accuracy in their professional roles. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event. Learning Objectives: After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Apply advanced Excel auditing tools, such as Trace Precedents, Trace Dependents, and the Error Checking feature, to effectively identify and rectify complex errors in financial spreadsheets.Analyze and interpret common error messages and anomalies in Excel, enabling the ability to diagnose underlying issues in spreadsheet formulas and data inputs.Distinguish between different types of Excel errors, including formula errors, reference errors, and logical errors, to implement targeted corrective actions for enhanced spreadsheet accuracy and reliability. Program Content: The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Understanding Common Excel Errors: Gain insights into the most common types of errors encountered in Excel, including formula errors, reference errors, and logic errors.Advanced Formulas and Functions: Learn to use advanced Excel functions and formulas that are crucial for error detection and data analysis.Data Validation Techniques: Master the art of data validation to prevent errors before they occur. This includes setting up data validation rules and using conditional formatting to highlight potential inaccuracies.Error Tracing and Auditing Tools: Delve into Excel's auditing tools to trace and fix errors. Learn to use Trace Precedents, Trace Dependents, and the Error Checking tool effectively. Who should attend: This course is ideal for anyone who uses Excel extensively in their work, especially those involved in financial analysis, reporting, auditing, or any role where accuracy and efficiency in handling Excel spreadsheets are paramount. Developed By: DataSmithPro Instructor: Bryan Smith (DSP) CPE Credit: 2.00 Field of Study: Auditing (2.00) Prerequisites: A comprehensive working knowledge of Excel Advanced Preparation: Download the handout and practice material prior to course Format: QAS Self Study

A well-organized chart of accounts supports robust responsibility reporting, makes it easy to answer "what if?" questions and helps eliminate data entry errors. However, many organizations cling to the primitive practices of a half-century ago that impose barriers to developing budgets, holding people accountable, gathering useful data and keeping errors from creeping into their financial statements. Best practices today look little like the examples you may have seen in business school. If you sense that your general ledger could do far more, this session will show you how to fix your problems

" The Florida Sales & Use Tax - Navigating the Unpleasant Florida Tax Audit course is designed for anyone who has a desire to learn about exposure areas involving Florida sales and use tax. This program was developed for the FICPA by David J. Brennan, Jr., Esq., LLM. It was previously recorded on April 27, 2022, at 11 a.m. The course has been approved for up to one ( 01 ) hour(s) of TB CPE credit. "

" In this seminar, we present an overview of the most effective asset protection trusts and LLCs, available both in the U.S. and abroad. Discussion will include the pros and cons of domestic vs. offshore planning and how to avoid U.S. tax. The Inflation Reduction Act is also discussed. The Foreign and Domestic Trusts and LLCs: Structuring and Tax Avoidance Strategies course is designed for CPAs, Attorneys, and other Financial Professionals who desire a basic understanding of effective asset protection strategies using LLCs and trusts in both the U.S. and abroad. Other topics discussed include: expatriation, pre-immigration, compliance issues, and the Inflation Reduction Act." " Basic Understanding of U.S. Taxation, LLCs, Trusts; General Concept of Asset Protection Integrated Asset Protection: Using LLCs, Trusts, Exempt Assets, and Titling Trusts: Domestic and International The Taxation of Trusts: Domestic and International Tax Expatriation of People and Assets Pre-Immigration Planning Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)"

This course discusses forensic accounting and fraud investigations. Gary mentions that his firm, Fisk and Company, primarily focuses on forensic accounting and valuation. He explains that forensic accounting involves investigating people and money and educating the court on the numbers. Gary also provides insights from a survey on fraud, including the types of fraud, red flags, and recovery of losses. He highlights the importance of analyzing data and using technology, such as artificial intelligence, to detect fraud. Gary concludes by emphasizing the role of CPAs as trusted advisors in proactively identifyng and addressing fraud risks for their clients.

Fraud Trends - Applying Real-life Lessons to Small- and Mid-Size Entities will focus on real-life and practical examples of fraud in smaller- and mid-size environments, including nonprofits. Fraud involves an intentional act to deceive, which may result in material misstatement in the financial statements due to fraudulent financial reporting or misappropriation of assets. Management's responsibility is to design, implement, maintain and monitor a system of internal control to prevent, or detect and correct, fraud.

" This course discusses the importance of engagement letters in the accounting profession. It covers topics such as the purpose and benefits of engagement letters, key elements to include in an engagement letter, and how to document scope creep. It also provides tips on implementing and increasing the usage of engagement letters in a firm. The course emphasizes the need for clear communication with clients and understanding the implications of engagement letter changes. It also provides resources and sample engagement letters for reference."

" For the past thirty years the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has devoted considerable?time and other?resources to developing a comprehensive set of?Best Practices?for all of the major aspects of state and local government finance. This session will focus on those GFOA Best Practices of special interest to accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and budgeting professionals. The GFOA Best Practices course is designed for accounting and auditing professionals who provide services to state or local governments."

Please join us for a introductory course on the fundamentals of preparing and filing an individual federal income tax return. We will cover topics such as what the federal income tax is and how it is computed. This course is ideal for CPAs, CFPs, EAs and other tax preparers.

Government leases are getting an overhaul. GASB Statement 87 was issued in 2017 and provides an update on the proper accounting for leases from both the lessee and lessor points-of-view.

Description: Financial statement forecasting is essential for predicting a company's future financial health, guiding strategic decisions, and attracting investments. By analyzing historical data, market trends, and assumptions, businesses can anticipate risks and opportunities, enabling effective planning, resource allocation, and long-term stability and growth. -Forecasting Process: This involves projecting future income, expenses, and resources. By leveraging historical data and market insights, businesses can predict financial health, shaping strategic planning, investment decisions, and risk management. -Forecasting Profitability: Predicting future earnings informs strategic decisions, investment planning, and resource allocation. It facilitates effective budgeting, cash flow management, risk assessment, and enhances attractiveness to investors for sustainable growth. -Forecasting the Balance Sheet: Analysts forecast to predict a company's future financial position, assessing growth potential, solvency, and capital structure. This informs investment decisions, strategic planning, and risk management, ensuring financial stability and growth. Join our webinar to explore these concepts with a practical example, guiding you through the forecasting process and demonstrating its practical applications in real-world scenarios. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event. Learning Objectives: After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Formulate the ability to project future income, expenses, and resources using historical data and market trends for strategic planning and investment decisions.Calculate future earnings and financial positions to evaluate growth potential, solvency, and capital structure for effective budgeting and risk management.Apply forecasting insights to enhance resource allocation, manage risks, and attract investments, supporting long-term financial stability and growth Program Content: The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to Financial Statement ForecastingOverview of the importance and benefits of forecasting for strategic planning and investment attraction.The Forecasting Process: Steps to project future income, expenses, and resources using historical data and market trends.Analyzing Historical Data: Methods for leveraging past financial data to inform future projections.Incorporating Market Trends: How to integrate market insights into financial forecasts.Forecasting Profitability: Techniques for predicting future earnings and their implications for budgeting, cash flow management, and investment planning.Forecasting the Balance Sheet: Approaches for predicting future financial positions, including growth potential, solvency, and capital structure Who should attend: Finance and accounting professionals interested in a better understanding of financial analysis Developed By: Eric Knight, CPA, DBA Instructor: Eric Knight CPE Credit: 2.00 Field of Study: Finance (2.00) Prerequisites: Nome Advanced Preparation: None Format: QAS Self Study

You hear it all the time. Financial products are becoming more complex. Diversification has changed. Our approach to investing has changed. What does all this mean? In this course, we will explore how investment theory has changed over time from Markowitz to Factor Investing. Using examples and practical applications, we will talk about how our modern notions of portfolio building have developed throughout history.

Description: What can we learn from one of the largest municipal frauds in U.S. history? Rita Crundwell stole nearly $54 million from the citizens of Dixon, Illinois over the course of two decades. This course examines circumstances that allowed this landmark fraud to occur. We will explore internal control deficiencies and other circumstances that hindered prevention or timely detection of Rita's scheme. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event. Learning Objectives: After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Recall factors that allowed the Dixon fraud to occurIdentify internal controls that could have prevented the fraudRecognize lessons that CPA firms should learn from this caseAnalyze the intricacies of independenceDistinguish best practices for government agencies and other organizations that utilize employees Program Content: The major topics covered in this course include:Key aspects of Rita Crundwell's theftInternal controls that could have prevented the theftInternal controls that could have detected the theft in a timely mannerIndependence in both fact and appearanceLessons for CPA firmsLessons for government agencies Who should attend: CPAs in public practice, members in industry, and other professionals who want to enhance their fraud awareness and detection skills. Developed By: Chris Harper, CPA Instructor: Chris Harper CPE Credit: 2.00 Field of Study: Auditing (2.00) Prerequisites: None Advanced Preparation: None Format: QAS Self Study

Description: The term "artificial intelligence" (AI) has become mainstream and while most have a layperson's understanding of AI, few know the depth and breadth of this technology's capability. AI is affecting just about everything in business and in people's personal lives. The operation of an internal control system is also changing because of this incredible advancement. This session explains what AI is and how it works and then goes into detail about how it can be applied to a system of internal control. The material speaks about changes occurring in today's world as well as what's coming in the not-too-distant future. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event. Learning Objectives: After attending this presentation, you will be able to...Recognize changes that are occurring because of AI.Recall specific control types that have changed.Identify ways AI will strengthen controls. Program Content: The major topics covered in this class include:An explanation of Artificial Intelligence (AI).Specific ways AI is replacing human cognition. What is on the internal control horizon related to AI and other technologies. Who should attend: Accounting and other business professionals with a need to understand internal control changes driven by AI technology. Developed By: Taymes, LLC Instructor: Karl Egnatoff CPE Credit: 4.00 Field of Study: Accounting (4.00) Prerequisites: None Advanced Preparation: None Format: QAS Self Study