CPE Catalog & Events

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

Calculating the home office deduction Actual expense method Simplified expense method Definition of a home for purposes of the home office deduction Whether working-from-home employees can claim a home office deduction What is a “separate, identifiable space?” The “regularly and exclusively used” rule Defining a “principal place of business” Meeting clients, patients, and customers More than one trade or business Special rules that apply to daycare providers Separate, free-standing structures Depreciating the home

Learn the power of flexibility and adaptability Manage daily changes and stressors Avoid burnout and achieve work-life balance

Understanding why internal fraud occurs Fraudulent acts initiated by outside organizations Policies, procedures and control measures designed to fight fraud Steps that verify anti-fraud activities are working

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

Efficient audit planning, documentation and research Risk assessment procedures relate control risk to substantive testing and reduce the risk of lawsuits Fraud requirements Testing management's estimates Auditing standards

Discuss how productivity strategies may improve work-life balance Understand the state tax consequences that may arise when working from home Identify and discuss challenges unique to financial professionals Review how some organizations are providing support to improve work-life balance Explore the role of alternative work arrangements  Examine challenges unique to auditors versus tax professionals A comparison of work-life balance between public and industry accountants How work-family conflict varies among financial professionals Recommendations for improving work-life balance

Understanding why internal fraud occurs Fraudulent acts initiated by outside organizations Policies, procedures and control measures designed to fight fraud Steps that verify anti-fraud activities are working

Efficient audit planning, documentation and research Risk assessment procedures relate control risk to substantive testing and reduce the risk of lawsuits Fraud requirements Testing management's estimates Auditing standards

The basics of nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) NQDC compliance Taxation of NQDC plans Types of NQDC plans Financing/funding NQDC plans Planning strategies

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

Explore the tenets of exemplary leadership which are requirements for highly effective leaders who achieve results and are respected by team members, peers, and other leaders Review key practices that recognize and build on leadership strengths to create a team environment that is productive, profitable, strengthens team members’ morale, and fosters positive energy in the work climate Examine SMART goals to inspire teams to tackle tough challenges and help team members reach and exceed their potential Review conflict management techniques to minimize negative attitudes and foster win/win resolutions for team members

Set up an in-cell drop-down list of budget methods  Change the calculations in the cells based on the selected budget method  Use names in worksheets

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

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

Explore the function that sums better than the SUM function Discover a variety of time-saving features, functions, and techniques Learn the workaround to a major Excel pitfall

How the application of policies and employment laws within the workplace can reduce employee complaints, and protect your company from claims of discrimination or wrongful behavior Examining wage and pay practices, FMLA examples, and other challenging workplace questions, to insure actions are consistent with laws/policies Key functions of employment including recruitment, interviewing and selection

Automatic enrollment requirements for 401(k) plans Change in the credit for small employer pension plan startup costs $2,000 saver’s match Changes in pooled employer plans Multiple employer 403(b) plans Increase in age for required beginning date for mandatory distributions Indexing IRA catch-up limit Higher catch-up limit to apply at age 60, 61, 62, and 63 Treatment of student loan payments as elective deferrals for purposes of matching contributions Application of credit for small employer pension startup costs to employers who join an existing plan Small immediate financial incentives for contributing to a plan Withdrawals for certain emergency expenses Starter 401(k) plans for employers with no retirement plans Improving coverage for part-time workers Recovery of retirement plan overpayments Tax treatment of IRAs involved in a prohibited transaction Clarification of substantially equal periodic payment rule

Understanding who millennials are and what distinguishes them from other sectors of the workforce Changes millennials seek in the workplace Suggestions on engaging and developing millennials Best practices by organizations who have successfully integrated millennials Expectations as to learning, development and training Work environments and schedules School to work transitions Views on salary, benefits and corporate ethics Whether millennials’ expectations are significantly different from any other generation Strengths millennials offer which set them apart from others Common myths pertaining to millennials Definitions of success

Elements of inventory cost and full-absorption costing Valuation methodologies, including LIFO, FIFO, weighted average, and specific identification Obsolescence reserves LIFO accounting Differences between book and tax cost capitalization and related income tax accounting Retail inventory valuation methodology Physical inventory observation approaches Accounting issues related to consigned inventory Other challenging issues related to inventory accounting