CPE Catalog & Events

Accounting for simple business entities Income tax, modified cash basis and other alternatives to GAAP Avoiding the pitfalls and costs of GAAP reporting and disclosure requirements Documenting accounting decisions to minimize potential liability

Tax code hierarchy Organization of an Internal Revenue Code section Special rules for IRC citation  Citing other primary authority Private letter rulings  Primary vs. secondary authority  Secondary sources of authority Steps in the tax research process Research memoranda

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

Self-awareness Self-regulation & motivation Empathy Managing relationships

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

Key concepts of trusts, including recent trends; best practices; jurisdiction; and ways to avoid pitfalls Decanting Federal estate tax exemption and remaining relevance of trusts Irrevocable life insurance trusts The role of family dynamics Choice of trustee and other fiduciaries State trust-friendly considerations Charitable trusts Delaware Statutory Trusts Powers of attorney  Pet Trusts – the emerging necessities State, county, and local issues Portability QTIP issues Creditor considerations Potential IRA problems Problems with re-titling assets

Hiring and firing issues – What questions cannot be asked in an interview; how to document employee performance; establishing an annual review system; when an employer may and may not fire an employee, and much more Employment contracts – An analysis of the legal and planning issues in structuring employment contracts; when noncompetition agreements will and will not work Employment issues in the economy – Telecommuters and other special situations Legal liability issues – Recognition of age discrimination, sex discrimination, FLSA issues, minimum wage, overtime, sexual harassment, and more Fringe benefit issues – COBRA, Family and Medical Leave Act, and new developments in health care Medical plans – Who is a full-time employee?

Key tools used by businesses and financial professionals across the globe to measure performance Detailed, real-world examples of businesses utilizing these tools

Final Rule - Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the FLSA: the multifactor “economic reality” test; What analysis guides whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor under this final rule? Can a worker voluntarily waive employee status and choose to be classified as an independent contractor? Are any of the economic reality factors adopted in this rule more important than others when evaluating a worker’s employment status? How does the final rule explain “extent to which the work performed is an integral part of the employer’s business?” The Federal Trade Commission’s Decision on Non-compete Agreements: impact on new and existing non-competes; treatment and definitional terms for senior executives; definition of a non-compete clause; definition of a “worker” New Overtime Rules: exemptions from minimum wage and overtime pay requirements for executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees; increases in the standard level and the highly compensated employee total annual compensation threshold; new mechanism allowing for the timely and efficient updating of the salary and compensation thresholds

Review of applicable SSARS standards, including standards updates Review of AICPA professional ethics requirements In-depth discussion of non-attest services Review of independence issues for SSARS services Overview of SSARS #21 performance, documentation and other requirements Detailed analysis of preparation vs. compilation engagements Detailed analysis of review engagements

Funding options for Roth accounts 529 plans to Roth IRAs Backdoor Roth strategies The new Roth SEP and Roth SIMPLE IRAs Roth 401(k) contribution rules The tax impact of rolling a 401(k) to a Roth IRA Who can start the Roth IRA 5-year clock? The 5-year rules for Roth 401(k)s and Roth IRAs Direct and indirect Roth conversions Direct and indirect rollovers from Roth 401(k) plans The risky recapture of the 10% penalty How the ordering rules work and when they apply FIFO rules for Roth IRAs Case studies and cheat sheets to reinforce concepts

Discussion of the importance of financial education for the next generation Understanding a client’s financial values Determining a client’s financial literacy Helping clients develop a teaching roadmap Using knowledge to protect against entitlement Developing a knowledge base for the information, including a full list of recommended books on the topic and games for families to play Discussion of specific topics, including tips and tricks related to: Allowances Earning, work, and entrepreneurship Spending, saving, and investing Philanthropy Taxes Credit cards, crypto, and financial fraud

How to calculate a partner or S corporation shareholder’s basis Form 7203 and an S corporation shareholder’s basis The at risk basis rules and Form 6198 The passive activity loss limits The Section 461(l) loss rule The net operating loss limitation rules The Section 163(j) business interest limitation

Why customer service is not just having nice people; it is truly serving the customer Analysis of the value of the customer to compare it to various costs creating an ROI How to develop a compliance program that adds value to the customer A hard look at several companies and industries that have mastered the dual objectives How recent developments have affected compliance and customer service

Examine real-world misappropriations of cash, check frauds, vendor scams, credit card abuse, grant frauds, benefit schemes, inventory thefts, and payroll frauds Consider and develop controls to stop fraud Tailor controls to the size and fit of the government or nonprofit

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

Why the IRS selects a tax return for audit What happens when the taxpayer disagrees with the results of the audit IRS employees who interact with taxpayers during an audit FATCA audits Types of IRS examinations Potential IRS audit outcomes Substitute for returns Large Partnership Compliance Program IRS’s shift in audit strategies Responding to IRS Notices online Audits of high income and high net-worth individuals The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (BBA) and its impact on auditing partnerships IRS Letters of Concern

Overview of virtual currency Property transactions with virtual currency Receiving virtual currency as payment Paying using virtual currency Charitable donations with virtual currency Gifting of virtual currency Form 8300 reporting

Will Social Security be there for me? How is my benefit calculated? Can I claim my benefit and work too? When do I stop paying Social Security taxes? Why does my government pension cause my benefits to be reduced? Can I claim spousal benefits now and my own later? What is my breakeven? Can I claim benefits from my ex-spouse? What do you mean I may pay taxes on my income benefits? … and more!

Recent trends: M&A activity; contributing factors/reasons for current levels; examples of recent transactions; IPOs (Initial Public Offering) and SPACs (Special-Purpose Acquisition Company); strategic spin-offs/splits; internal venture capital activities; incubators Expanded role of financial professionals: establishing strategy; valuation techniques; execution plan; due diligence; sources of industry information; goodwill; post-completion evaluations Negotiations: Improving your communication skills; establishing an environment for success; list of dos and don’ts Alliances and outsourcing: steps to forming an alliance; examples of recent alliances; determining if outsourcing (short and long-term) is correct for your organization; steps to improve results