CPE Catalog & Events

Why forecasts and budgets are frequently wrong: behavioral finance; improper goal setting, games, continuing the status quo, traditional budgeting techniques Incorporating strategy into budgets: improving measurement systems; common errors, developing strategies and appropriate measurements Expanding the budgeting framework: rolling forecasts; mission-based budgeting, zero-based budgeting, post-completion evaluations, contingency planning, black swan events, identifying improvements Big data: definition, challenges, goals, current uses/examples, sources of information Analytical tools: ration analysis, benchmarking, Pareto analysis, trend analysis, regression, simulation, dashboards

Recently issued FASB Accounting Standards Updates, PCC Update and items on the FASB’s Technical Agenda Leases – Topic 842 Recently issued ASUs covering common control leases, crypto assets (e.g., cryptocurrency), and income tax disclosures ASC 326: CECL Review of SAS 142 – Focus on Audit Evidence Recently issued SASs and other AICPA activity SSARS No. 25 and other recently issued SSARS Detailed review of SAS 145 Other important A&A practice matters

Comprehensive coverage of the SECURE Act 2.0 Understanding the environment: what’s new, what’s expired or expiring, and what’s likely to change Reading a tax return for developing client-specific tax strategies Changes to the lifetime estate tax exemption in light of proposed regulations  The net investment income tax: planning for compliance Family income-splitting strategies that need to be considered Income tax issues: impact on timing of other income Selling a principal residence Two principal residences at the same time Use of life insurance to protect families: Whole Life Insurance, Term Life Insurance, Universal Life Insurance, and Variable Life Insurance Using Roth IRAs and Roth contribution programs to best advantage Conversions: do they still make sense? Taking distributions: matching timing to client requirements Qualified plan contributions to reduce current income and Social Security tax: implications for business owners and self-employed Social Security solvency issues Incentive Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan considerations What to do about itemized deductions Trans-generational planning: conversions, income, and gain-splitting Tax benefits of HSAs and other tax-advantaged accounts Identifying tax opportunities: reviewing the prior-year return to develop a plan for the future Planning for middle-income taxpayers: financial planning for the young, the working, and those approaching or in retirement Best financial planning ideas for young people

Comprehensive coverage of the Inflation Reduction Act, including: The Clean Vehicle Credit, Credit for Previously Owned Clean Vehicles, Credit for Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicles, Residential Clean Energy Credit, Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, Premium Tax Credit, Elective Payment, Transferability, and Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship Requirements Comprehensive coverage of the SECURE 2.0 Act, including: Expanding Enrollment in Retirement Plans, Increase in Age for Required Beginning Date for Mandatory Distributions, New Exceptions to Penalty-Free Withdrawal from Retirement Plans, and recent IRS guidance Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation Detailed analysis and examples of Sale of Passthrough Entity Interest and Net Investment Income Tax The Gig Economy -- Tax implications, Independent Contractor vs. Employee Classification, and the 2024 DOL Final Rule Real Estate professional requirements Review of pertinent cases and rulings affecting taxpayers Practice aids, including all the numbers applicable for the current year -- inflation-adjusted amounts, mileage rates, retirement contributions, and more Advanced practice, reporting, and other issues intertwined with advanced planning and discussion ideas

The federal transfer tax exemption  What constitutes a valid will Common trust vehicles often used to safeguard assets Consequences of intestacy How to transfer property outside of a will Legal treatment of marital property Transfer of IRAs and retirement plans Probate generally and probate for property held outside of the state of decedent’s residence When an estate tax return should be filed Portability of the Deceased Spousal Unused Exclusion (DSUE) amount

Criteria that the IRS uses to select returns for examination Substantiation requirements for travel, charitable contributions, vehicles, meals, virtual currency considerations and tax-related identity theft Understanding worker classification determinations on who is an employee and who is an independent contractor Distinguishing S corporation officer’s reasonable compensation issues How the IRS holds persons other than an employer liable for unpaid payroll taxes, a.k.a., the trust fund recovery penalty Tax-related identity theft procedures

SSARS No. 21, Clarification and Recodification, and updates to SSARS No. 21 due to the issuance of SSARS No. 23, Omnibus Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services SSARS No. 22, Compilation of Pro Forma Financial Information SSARS No. 24, Omnibus Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services -- 2018 SSARS No. 25, Materiality in a Review of Financial Statements and Adverse Conclusions  SSARS No. 26, Quality Management for an Engagement Conducted in Accordance With Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services Sample comprehensive engagement work programs for preparation, compilation and review engagements Reporting and disclosure illustrations for each level of service, including attesting on personal financial statements, prescribed form, special purpose framework and other engagement variations Other communication requirements, such as sample engagement letters and management representation letters

Comprehensive coverage of the Inflation Reduction Act, including: The Clean Vehicle Credit, Credit for Previously Owned Clean Vehicles, Credit for Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicles, Residential Clean Energy Credit, Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, Premium Tax Credit, Elective Payment, Transferability, and Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship Requirements Comprehensive coverage of the SECURE 2.0 Act, including: Expanding Enrollment in Retirement Plans, Increase in Age for Required Beginning Date for Mandatory Distributions, New Exceptions to Penalty-Free Withdrawal from Retirement Plans, and recent IRS guidance Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation Detailed analysis and examples of Sale of Passthrough Entity Interest and Net Investment Income Tax The Gig Economy -- Tax implications, Independent Contractor vs. Employee Classification, and the 2024 DOL Final Rule Real Estate professional requirements Review of pertinent cases and rulings affecting taxpayers Practice aids, including all the numbers applicable for the current year -- inflation-adjusted amounts, mileage rates, retirement contributions, and more Advanced practice, reporting, and other issues intertwined with advanced planning and discussion ideas

Unconscious bias, including the five defining characteristics of unconscious bias The real-world impacts of unconscious biases, including impacts on racial minorities, women, and older workers The concept of microaggressions, with examples An effective strategy for adult learning that can be applied to change unconscious biases, which can also be used to learn other skills A framework for handling mistakes and using them to build trust and respect in the workplace. We call this the “oops, did I just say that?” section.

How to determine when an individual is subject to an RMD Coverage of RMD changes under SECURE Act 2.0 What is the required minimum distribution for an account owner? What is the required minimum distribution for a beneficiary IRA? Key explanations of RMD regulations The types of accounts that are subject to the RMD rules The parties that are subject to the RMD rules Exceptions and special considerations for RMDs Rollover and transfer rules in an RMD year The various responsibilities of interested parties Qualified charitable distributions and how they are coordinated with RMDs and IRA contributions How the 10-year rule works for beneficiaries

Types of partnership distributions Liquidating partnership distributions Basis of property distributed by a partnership Special basis adjustments under Section 732(d) Abandoned and worthless partnership interests Section 751(a) exchange Transactions between partners and their partnerships Disguised sales Section 736(a) and (b) payments

Technology and workstation arrangements Maximizing productivity Establishing procedures that can be implemented throughout the organization Understanding the relationship between remote work and employee retention Effective communication strategies for staying connected with colleagues and clients The productivity challenges unique to working from home Time management The importance of distinguishing between the “home office” and “home” Data privacy concerns Other ethical considerations that arise when working from home

The latest guidance from the IRS provided through regulations or administrative announcements Reporting requirements for all relevant pass-through entities Reporting for multiple activities within one entity Allocating common items among multiple activities Section 199A Schedule K-1 reporting for tiered entities Calculating and reporting qualified wages and the unadjusted basis immediately after acquisition of qualified property Allocating §199A relevant amounts to beneficiaries of trusts using DNI Handling separately stated items for which qualified business income status is determined at the shareholder or partner level The effects of ownership changes on §199A reporting on Schedule K-1 Reporting publicly traded partnership income and REIT income to the partners or shareholders Reporting aggregated activities Allocating §199A amounts to partners when special allocations have been made by the partnership

Proper planning of benefit plan audit engagements and developing audit strategy while improving overall efficiency Common pitfalls in planning and detailed audit procedures Changes affecting 401(k) plans, including recently issued SASs Common mistakes as noted in peer reviews and DOL inspections

Contract principles Partnerships and limited liability entities Legal issues related to various types of business organizations Worker classification Employee rights and the duties of employers Intellectual property Real property law Bankruptcy basics Environmental Law Merger Basics

What is artificial intelligence? What are the different forms of artificial intelligence? The difference between artificial intelligence and machine learning The types of problems artificial intelligence can solve The role of algorithms How artificial intelligence will affect accounting and finance careers Data governance, security, and privacy How accounting firms are using AI today The role of artificial intelligence in asset management

Definition of Data Analytics Assessing your organization’s current status and establishing an environment for success Financial staff’s core activities Common uses of analytics and current examples Behavioral forces that impact decisions Examples of inaccurate forecasts  Identifying strategic measurements (KPIs) Improving budgeting and forecasting and addressing Black Swan events Collecting and using data from traditional and non-traditional data sources Statistical tools, including Median, Mode, Moving average, Ratio analysis, Pareto analysis, Rolling forecast, Mission-based budgeting, Trend analysis, Regression, Z-Score (public and private organizations), and Simulation Analytical techniques, including Brainstorming, Mind mapping, and Delphi technique Software tools that are readily available and can assist in visually exploring data; expanding the scope of available data, as well as collecting, analyzing and presenting results (including Dashboards). Specific ideas for using Data Analytics, including immediate opportunities and areas for further consideration Expanded lists of readings and next level software for a participants’ future reference

Concepts of the Single Audit under the Uniform Guidance Performing the compliance audit of federal awards, including testing auditee compliance and internal control over compliance Auditor reporting responsibilities including the compliance audit reports, the report on the schedule of expenditures of federal awards and schedule of findings and questioned costs Requirements for the schedule of expenditures of federal awards, known as the SEFA Update on the OMB Compliance Supplement

Review of select AICPA Technical Questions and Answers Upcoming changes to accounting for goodwill, leasing and business combinations Compilation and review standards and interpretations (SSARS) Auditing standards and interpretations (SAS & SSAE)

Basis and at-risk basis How to calculate the amount of annual at-risk basis Forms 6198 and 7203 When activities may be aggregated for at-risk purposes Qualified nonrecourse financing