CPE Catalog & Events

Designing and performing sufficient audit procedures required for all audits, particularly when auditing privately-owned companies Identify controls that exist, especially when those controls are not clearly identified or formalized Evaluate if those controls prevent or detect material misstatements in the financial statements Design effective audit procedures (including testing of controls where appropriate) in response to the auditor's assessed risk of the potential material misstatements in the financial statements

Why model codes of ethics fail The science behind organizations "Ethical DNA" Understanding the psychology behind "Tone at the Top" The interaction between critical thinking and ethics Breaking myths about motivation related to decision-making Ethical decision-making under pressure Are ethics and morals "fixed" or can we learn to improve

The reasons for fraud Fraudulent acts that are initiated against smaller organizations Methods to stop fraud attempts against small businesses

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

General rules relating to the sale of a residence under § 121 Sale of a taxpayer’s main home Qualifying for a partial exclusion of gain on the sale of a home How a taxpayer meets the residence requirement Meeting the look-back requirement Separated, divorced, and widowed taxpayers Work-related moves and unforeseeable events Inherited homes and homes received in a divorce Impact of business or rental use of home on the gain exclusion Reporting gain or loss on the sale of a home

Bounce back from adversity and pressure Avoid giving up too soon Reframe challenges Learn resilience and transform from mistakes

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

Audit process and planning Materiality, performance materiality, and tolerable misstatement Assessing the risk of material misstatement Understanding internal controls and when the auditor must evaluate the design and implementation of internal controls Designing procedures to test the effectiveness of controls Issues noted related to performing substantive procedures Documentation Communication with the Client and Governance

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

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

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

The fraud landscape in the United States Fraud risk procedures as updated by recently issued standards Most likely fraud types found in small to mid-sized entities Internal controls to prevent and detect fraud What to do when fraud is identified or suspected Case studies based on recent frauds Cyber fraud schemes and how to prevent and detect them Analytics that can be used as fraud risk procedures Assessing the risk of grant fraud in a Single Audit

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

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?

What stock options are and why they are growing in popularity How stock options work, including the process of conveyance and vesting How to exercise stock options and the implications from doing so The risks associated with stock options and how to manage exposure Tax consequences and updates regarding stock options Strategies for selecting the best time to exercise stock options The difference between the two types of stock options: non-qualified and incentive The basic terminology relevant to owning and exercising options

Overview of estate planning The dangers of a Power of Attorney The most important aspect of a will Role, scope, rights, and responsibilities of an executor Benefits of incorporating a trust Bequests Caring for a pet Claims against the estate Insurance Consequences of poor estate planning

Complying with the beneficial ownership information reporting requirements The current status of the Employee Retention Credit Voluntary Disclosure Program Using the newly expanded access to business tax accounts for partners and shareholders of S corporations IRS guidance allowing car dealers to provide electric vehicle tax rebates upfront to qualified auto buyers Monetizing energy credits Amortization of research and experimental expenditures Dealing with the taxpayer loss in the Tax Court in Soroban Capital Partners requiring managers to pay self-employment tax on certain payments to limited partners Contributions to Roth “catch-up” plans Roth contributions to a SEP and Simple IRA Employer matching contributions to a Roth account Section 179 and bonus depreciation Roth 401(k) contributions no longer subject to RMDs during the owner’s lifetime

An explanation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Specific ways AI is replacing human cognition What is on the internal control horizon related to AI and other technologies

Factors business owners should take into account when choosing a retirement plan SIMPLE plans Simplified employee pension plans 401(k) plans Defined benefit plans Ensuring eligible employees are covered Employees’ impact on choice of plan Ongoing compliance requirements Establishing a plan after the tax year end Changes to safe harbor 401(k) plans Pooled employer plans Defined benefit plans and cash balance plans

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