CPE Catalog & Events

This session provides insights for enhancing the preparation and utilization of budgets. Seasoned accountants will benefit from a refreshed awareness of popular techniques.  Budding financial professionals will obtain novel insight regarding fundamental budgeting concepts. All participants will develop an appreciation for the holistic nature of budgeting as an integral tool for planning and control. 

A detailed analysis of the calculations related to determining a shareholder's tax basis for S corporation shares and loans. How to use the Form 1120S, Schedule K-1 information for basis determination. An illustrative example demonstrates how the process works, as well as the many potential pitfalls. 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 is designed to provide a deep understanding of NQDC plans, focusing on the regulations, tax nuances, and strategies to understand to effectively advise clients. Participants will learn about the key features of NQDC plans, their differences from qualified retirement plans, and the compliance requirements under IRC Section 409A and other relevant regulations. The course will cover the taxation of NQDC plans, including income recognition, FICA, and federal/state taxes, for both employers and employees. Attendees will explore various types of NQDC plans and discuss their unique features and benefits. The course will also delve into financing and funding options for NQDC plans and provide guidance on developing and implementing effective planning strategies based on participant demographics, company objectives, and tax efficiency. By the end of the course, participants will have the knowledge and tools to properly advise clients on NQDC plans to maximize benefits while ensuring compliance with regulations.

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.

To many clients, CPA firms all look the same. While services and specialties may vary significantly from one firm to another, it is hard for the average person to see this by simply looking at the sign outside our office door. Is there any way to make us stand out more to the outside world? Through surveys, statistics, and examples, this course looks at how CPA firms can develop a marketing plan beyond just relying on referrals. We look at the pluses and minuses of various marketing channels, regulatory constraints, and how to measure success in the competitive financial services space.

The new Standards emphasize that quality performance requires conformance to the Standards. Each standard within Domain III specifically identifies the responsibilities of the CAE and the board, as well as joint responsibilities. 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

Organizations are challenged with identifying, evaluating, and responding to a wide variety of risks. This course will discuss tips and best practices for enterprise-wide risk management for accounting and finance professionals. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

With the new administration proposing significant tax changes, estate and financial planning strategies must adapt to stay ahead. This course equips financial professionals with the latest techniques and insights into evolving tax laws, domicile considerations, and wealth transfer strategies. Participants will explore how potential reductions in estate and gift tax exemptions, new compliance requirements, and advanced IRA distribution planning may impact client strategies. With a focus on practical application, this course provides actionable strategies for charitable giving, domicile considerations, and estate tax efficiency to help practitioners optimize outcomes while ensuring compliance with new and anticipated tax 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

Unlock the full potential of Excel and transform your operational and financial reports like never before. With cutting-edge tools such as Data Models, Power Query, Data Analysis Expressions, and Power Pivot, you can create powerful summaries and schedules in record time. Combine these with Excel's legacy features, and you have a game-changing opportunity to elevate your reporting environment. Join our fast-paced seminar to discover the magic of Power Query and how it seamlessly links data into Excel data models, enabling more efficient and insightful reporting. Learn to incorporate Key Performance Indicators, Slicers, and Timelines into your reports to enhance data analytics and understandability. Plus, master best practices for quickly and efficiently formatting your spreadsheets, giving them a polished and professional appearance. This course is a must for anyone using Excel for reporting processes. Elevate your skills and stay ahead of the curve with our expert guidance. You will truly learn how you can revolutionize your Excel-based reporting practices by participating in this session.

Discover the power of QuickBooks Online (QBO)! Intuit's cloud-based accounting platform has evolved and thrived over the past decade, now generating approximately five times the revenue of its desktop counterpart. Yet, many accountants and business professionals are still unaware of the extensive features QBO offers. Unlock the advantages of the subscription model and learn how to leverage QBO to manage inventory, enhance internal controls, create presentation-quality financial statements, and seamlessly migrate from QuickBooks Desktop or other accounting platforms. Join our dynamic session to explore the best practices for implementing, using, and excelling with QuickBooks Online.  Don't miss out on the opportunity to elevate your accounting game with this surprisingly robust platform!

This ACPEN Signature course is designed to assist CPAs who perform financial statement preparation, compilation, or review engagements. Our panelists will provide an in-depth analysis of the SSARS and will provide practice tips that will assist you in performing profitable standard-compliant engagements. The program also includes an ethics update, discussion of new Quality Management standards, and insights into emerging accounting and review hot topics impacting practitioners.  

This program provides an update on the latest tax developments, rules and regulations impacting individual and business taxpayers, including a review and integration of the most recent legislation. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

We have passed the 15 year anniversary of the start of the cryptocurrency market with the release of Bitcoin in 2010. It is estimated today that 1 in 5 people in the U.S. trade in cryptocurrency. With the recent changes in the legislative landscape, this number is poised for substantial growth. In addition, there will be natural evolution towards "smart contracts" powered by AI and the integration of cryptocurrency as the payment mechanism. For these reasons, it is important for every CPA to have a baseline understanding of the cryptocurrency marketplace and the technology it is built on. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Award winning discussion leader Mark Hugh discusses how to create and capture value with consulting services. Whether you want to consult a little or full time, this valuable course reviews identifying a specialty, growing a practice, capturing value, creating deliverables, and effective marketplace marketing strategies.  

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the business valuation process, beginning with key terminology, professional standards, and the rules that guide the appraisal profession. Participants will explore the three primary approaches to value—Asset, Income, and Market—before focusing in depth on the Asset Approach. The course examines when and why this method is used, its advantages and limitations, and how to apply it effectively in real-world scenarios. Through practical examples and clear explanations of each of the three methods within the Asset Approach, learners will gain both the confidence and competence to apply valuation principles in their professional practice.

This course is one of the courses dedicated to our Controllership Series. This series of courses is dedicated to exploring the traditional controller role and stepping out of the box to identify areas where the controller can continue to add strategic value to their organizations. Within this segment of our controllership series, we continue our discussion on inventory from segment one. This specific segment focuses on areas of inventory valuation, the types of physical inventory methods, and inventory fraud. These areas are critical for the controller to have a strong comprehension of and also participate in the development of policies and procedures.      

Every business will be sold eventually. When you have built a great business and decide to move on – you want the most you can get for that terrific organization! What are the steps to take to maximize the value realized? What do buyers really want? What are the three levers to achieve maximum value? If you want top dollar, preparing to sell takes years of planning. This seminar helps CEOs, entrepreneurs, CFOs, Board members, controllers, and their advisors prepare for a successful sale of the organization to maximize shareholder value. We will outline the process to get the most bang for the buck. Proper exit planning demands planning and time.

Award winning discussion leader Mark Hugh discusses both nexus basics and new developments in the dynamic, ever changing world of state income and sales tax nexus. This valuable course answers your frequently asked questions, reviews key factors in examining potential nexus consequences, takes a tour through the rules in states comprising 50% of the US, and identifies free, online multistate resources.  *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

When do they exist and how to report them? This program will provide a detailed analysis of the real estate professional passive activity rules, including forms reporting examples, and integrates those rules with when real estate is considered a "business" under the Section 199A flow-through entity deduction.   *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 terri.storer@acpen.com  

Software-related transactions continue to evolve, requiring careful analysis under U.S. GAAP. This two-credit course examines the accounting treatment of software costs, with a primary focus on internal-use software and emerging guidance. Participants will walk through the lifecycle of software development, including capitalization and expense recognition, amortization, and impairment considerations. The course includes a focused review of ASU 2025-06 and its impact on accounting for internal-use software. Additional topics include accounting for website development costs, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) arrangements, and other cloud computing arrangements (CCAs), including implementation and hosting considerations. The course also addresses accounting for external-use software, including technological feasibility, capitalization thresholds, and related revenue considerations. Through practical examples and case-based scenarios, participants will strengthen their ability to interpret authoritative guidance and analyze the financial reporting implications of software-related transactions.