CPE Catalog & Events

Taking a strategic perspective relative to risk management and crisis management Reviewing the impact uncertainty and risk at the operational level relative to short- and intermediate-term decision making Determining the safety and soundness of the financial plans for your organization in an uncertain economic climate specifically as it relates to capital adequacy and strategic direction Managing the debt and equity mix for your organization in a rapidly changing economic landscape Determining the impact that competing in a global marketplace has on an organization and how to take steps to become more competitive globally Evaluating the impact of federal, state, and municipal deficits and unfunded mandates as it relates to tax planning Evaluating retirement programs with Social Security funding for your employees Determining the safety and soundness of your credit and collections processes and selection of customers in an uncertain environment Influencing growth through acquisition of distressed organizations The economic way ahead for the CFO/Controller 

Recourse debt allocations Constructive liquidation scenarios Nonrecourse debt allocations Minimum gains and nonrecourse deductions Section 704(c) gains Allocations under 704(c)

The causes of burnout in the accounting profession Effects of burnout on employee well-being Strategies to protect employee well-being in a highly demanding profession Organizational costs associated with employee burnout Tools used to measure employee well-being

Accounting analysis and methodology Factors influencing the quality of accounting-based financial reports Impact of emerging business models on balance sheets Introduction to the Instructor's Open Balance Sheet

Each week’s topics will change based on the most critical issues affecting financial professionals

-Review of ethics standards, both extant and proposed, for Arizona CPAs including the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and the Arizona Accountancy Statutes and Administrative Code. - Review recent updates to the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and Arizona Accountancy laws. - Provide practical examples of best practices in applying the laws pertaining to Professional Ethics. - Identify the latest ethics guidance to illustrate "hot topics" in professional ethics.

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

Classifying receipts between “income” and “corpus” under the Uniform Principal and Income Act Calculation of DNI utilizing three different methods, a “forms” method (Schedule B), a “code” method, and a “shortcut” method, utilizing a worksheet of common income and expenses Proper W-2 preparation and procedures in the year of death Taxpayer passes before taking a required minimum distribution; what must be done?  Forgetful fiduciaries of simple trusts Fluctuating trusts – Simple one year, complex the next Dividing income in the year of death Overview of Subchapter J Form preparation issues – Filing requirements and line-by-line explanations of Form 1041 Taxable income of estates and trusts and expense allocation issues Specific deductions and miscellaneous itemized deductions Income in respect of a decedent The income distribution deduction calculation Relation of principal and income law to DNI Understanding how to handle capital gains and losses Allocating tax items to beneficiaries: another K-1 Other considerations: excess deductions on termination Comprehensive DNI case study, with principal (cost and FMV) and income reconciliation Comprehensive trust and estate case studies, with filled-in forms

Rethinking Risk Management: Historic view Challenges Rules Recent lessons Required skills Sources of Risk: Economy Competitors Operations Investments Strategy Compensation Routine practices Unethical behavior. Enterprise Risk Management (ERM): Defining ERM Areas of focus Implementation Planning for disasters Business continuity Contingencies Analytical Tools: Post-completion evaluations Simulation Z-score Hedging Brainstorming Mind mapping Delphi technique

The evolving landscape of client expectations in the accounting profession Building strong and lasting client relationships through effective communication, empathy, and proactive service Implementing efficient client onboarding and engagement processes Leveraging technology to streamline communication, enhance collaboration, and deliver personalized service Effectively resolving client concerns and complaints Utilizing client feedback to continually improve your practice

Availability bias Herding Loss aversion Present bias Anchoring Home country bias

New Clean Vehicles (CV) and the Clean Vehicle Credit What the CV seller must provide to the buyer Credit for previously owned CVs Energy efficient home improvement credit Increase in age for required beginning date for RMDs Reduction in excise tax on RMD failures Indexing IRA catch-up limit Higher catch-up limit to apply at age 60, 61, 62 and 63 Withdrawals for certain emergency expenses Qualifying longevity annuity contracts (QLACs) One-time election for qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to split-interest entity; increase in QCD limitation

Changing Role of Financial Professionals: Priorities Change in mission Valued-added actions Strategic Measurements: Common errors and guidelines for improvement Balanced scorecard Strategy development and implementation Budgeting basics and next steps Risk Management: Recent lessons, including Black Swan events Defining Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Implementation Developing a Financial Leadership Pipeline: Changing employment environment Retaining the right employees Compensation Hiring process Capital Projects: Types of projects Factors affecting capacity Valuation techniques Cash management M&A Activity: Current environment Controller’s role Strategic questions Sample transactions Due diligence Implementation Introducing Improvements/Innovation: Getting started Establishing an environment Potential first projects Organizational structure

An overview of current state and federal laws governing marijuana A review of state boards of accountancy regarding marijuana How some financial professionals are capitalizing on the marijuana industry Providing auditing and tax services within the marijuana industry How accountants and other financial professionals can manage risk within this industry IRC Section 280E’s prohibition of deductions involving controlled substances A summary of various state taxation laws on marijuana Ethical issues for accountants who work in the marijuana industry Relevant banking regulations Growth projections

How to optimize cash flow Qualitative evaluations: core earnings and sustainable growth Quantitative evaluations: liquidity ratios Increasing customer base vs. payment terms Business cycle and cash Behavioral finance biases Managing head count Other potential areas of excess cost

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Tier 1: Basis limitations for S corporation shareholders and partners Tier 2: Section 465 at-risk limitations for S corporation shareholders and partners, including the impact of debt, indemnities, guarantees, and shareholder/partner agreements Tier 3: Section 469 passive loss limitations and exceptions to the limitations Tier 4: The excess business loss limitation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (new §461(l)), American Rescue Plan Act, and Inflation Reduction Act

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

Types of Corporate Fraud Introduction to fraud risk Fraud risk prevention programs Fraud investigations

Estimated taxes and deadlines Tax due dates for common returns and filings Potential penalties and interest Information return penalties Penalties applicable to pass-through entities Accuracy-related penalties First-time abatement (FTA) FTA eligible returns Reasonable cause Nexus: sales tax vs. income tax Sales tax nexus with state specific examples Remote work and sales tax nexus Income tax nexus with state-specific examples Remote work and income tax nexus Sales factor: throwback rules

Establishing a system: identifying forces that support the status quo; setting milestones and goals; the role of the CMA Necessary first steps: set a framework for the project’s activities; identify needed resources; obtain support; decide on a structure; establish a team for a specific project; identify necessary team skill sets Project evaluation: analytical tools, strategic evaluation; sources of risk Maintaining focus: monitoring and measuring results; keeping to the project’s scope Avoiding frequent traps: sunk costs; financing pitfalls; project creep; tunnel vision; failure to integrate the team’s work internally and/or the final project with the remaining organization Introduction and examples of analytical tools throughout the session: mapping; CPM; Gantt charts; benchmarking; Pareto analysis; PESTLE analysis; valuation techniques; post-completion evaluations