CPE Catalog
Note
AICPA On-Demand & Self-Study courses take up to 24 hours to process.
ACPEN: Global Internal Audit Standards (GIAS) Domain V - Part 2
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Online
2.00 Credits
The new Global Internal Audit Standards were released on January 9, 2024, and will become effective January 9, 2025. The previous version, the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, released in 2017, remains approved for use during a one-year transition period. The Global Internal Audit Standards guide the worldwide professional practice of internal audit. They serve as a basis for evaluating and elevating the quality of the internal audit function. The Standards use 15 guiding principles with five separate domains that enable effective internal audit implementation and examples of evidence of conformance. The Global Standards are organized into five domains. Domain I: Purpose of Internal Auditing Domain II: Ethics and Professionalism Domain III: Governing the Internal Audit Function Domain IV: Managing the Internal Audit Function Domain V: Performing Internal Audit Service Presented by: Lynn FountainType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: K2’s CRM – The Ultimate Business Automation Tool
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Online
2.00 Credits
This course provides an in-depth exploration of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems as a critical tool for business automation. Designed for accounting professionals, it emphasizes CRM's role in streamlining workflows, organizing communications, enhancing client relationships, and improving efficiency. Participants will learn about key CRM features, integration with accounting software, and best practices for successful implementation. We will highlight practical applications with actionable insights to help attendees optimize their processes. This two-hour session ensures you walk away with a basic understanding of CRM's transformative potential for business and financial management. Presented by: Brian TankersleyType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: Common Audit and Financial Reporting Deficiencies in State and Local Governments
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Online
2.00 Credits
Common Audit and Financial Reporting Deficiencies in State and Local Governments, is a 2 hour webcast detailing many of the more common mistakes that auditors and accountants are making in either the preparation of their annual financial statements or the audits of such financial statements. Deficiencies in audit standards (AICPA, GAO, Single Audit) and preparation standards (GASB) noted in this webcast are driven by the most recent results found in audit organization peer reviews, workpaper or desk reviews, and various organizations checklists for oversight. Presented by: Frank Crawford, Christopher PembrookType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: Communicating in a Virtual and Live Environment – Numbers Matter But So Do Words
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Online
2.00 Credits
People fear presenting more than they do “death”. Communicating numbers is a scary proposition to overcome for both the presenter and the recipients. This course is designed to enhance the communication skills of CPAs and CFOs by emphasizing the importance of understanding and mastering the facts before delivering any presentation, understand the key elements of presenting a narrative, and provide examples to engage live and virtual teams in effective numbers presenting. The goal is to equip financial professionals with the tools needed to overcome fears and provide the best practices research on all types of presentations-from communicating complex financial information effectively to conducting a casual virtual meeting. This is a fun session intended to be interactive with participation either live, virtual or both. Presented by: Bob MimsType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: Big Picture Mega-Trends, Big Data, and World We Now Face
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Online
2.00 Credits
It is easy for us to get caught up in our work, but it is better to examine the ‘big picture’ by studying the outside factors that impact our business beyond our internal processes and day to day responsibilities. We are sometimes so busy with our tasks that we miss new developments until the developments have a profound impact on us and the organization. This session is designed to review many of these current trends, while thinking and discussing how these trends can impact our organizations and us. This is a fun and lively session that is intended to be interactive with participants either live, virtual or both. Our ever-changing world is evolving more than many realize. Presented by: Bob MimsType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: Risk Wrangling: Surviving the Modern Business Rodeo
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Online
2.00 Credits
Risk-based factors are becoming exponentially important considerations for accountants in both public practice and industry. We examine the nature of risks for today’s enterprises while exploring the role of internal controls for mitigating business risks. We also explore SAS 145 and other guidance aimed at risk considerations for professional engagements. Public and private accountants will enhance their capabilities for assessing and addressing risks faced by today’s organizations. Presented by: Dr. Chris HarperType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: Tax Procedure
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Online
2.00 Credits
This seminar will introduce the process from filing a tax return to the IRS audit, IRS Appeals, Collections and litigation at courts of original jurisdiction. We will discuss the options taxpayers have at any point in the process with reference to real-life stories from the trenches. **Please Note: If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com. Presented by: Allison McLeodType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: Independence Requirements for Auditors
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Online
2.00 Credits
Independence is a foundational requirement for CPAs in public practice and is critical to maintaining public trust in the profession. This course provides a practical overview of independence concepts and requirements as outlined in the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, with an emphasis on real-world application. Participants will review key independence principles and common areas of risk, along with recently issued ethics interpretations from the Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC) that impact independence requirements. The course focuses on how these interpretations apply in practice and discusses practical approaches firms and practitioners can use to implement and maintain compliance. Designed for auditors performing attest engagements, this course helps participants better understand independence requirements and navigate evolving guidance with confidence. Presented by: Melisa GalassoType: Live Webcast Replay
Integrate ChatGPT into Your Client Advisory Services-Updated
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Online
2.00 Credits
Two of the hottest topics in the CPA profession today are CAS (client advisory services) and ChatGPT. This course will explain how to bring these two worlds together by integrating ChatGPT and other generative AI applications into your client advisory services. John Higgins, a leading advisor to the profession on ChatGPT and a seasoned client advisor on technology based solutions, will show you how you can position your firm and yourself as a "go to" advisor on how to embrace this technology in virtually any type of business. John will address how to use this technology as a research and writing assistant in your client services and how to advise your clients on this revolutionary technology and all benefits and "gotchas" that come with it. If you want to step up your advisory game, this course is a "must take." This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Surgent's Marijuana: A Generalized Business Viewpoint
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Online
2.00 Credits
Each year, more states legalize cannabis (i.e., marijuana) for medical or recreational purposes. As legalization grows, so too does the cannabis industry. While some financial professionals have stayed away from this growing sector of the economy, others have embraced the opportunities the cannabis industry has to offer. The legalization of cannabis brings with it a complex regulatory landscape, which includes strict compliance with federal and state regulations. However, the complexity of this emerging market provides opportunities for accountants and other financial professionals. Behind the cannabis dispensaries are scores of related business sectors including food production, retail, farming, and chemical production, as well as facilities, design, and construction. Simply stated, the commercialization of marijuana offers financial professionals an opportunity to participate in an industry expected to reach $73 billion worldwide within six years.
Surgent's Reducing a Business Owner Client’s Exposure to Social Security and Self-Employment Taxes
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Online
2.00 Credits
Many business owner clients wish to minimize their Social Security and self-employment tax liabilities. This course provides accounting and finance professionals with the background to understand what kinds of income constitute self-employment income and earned income. It covers strategies that can be used to reduce clients' exposure to the self-employment tax and Social Security tax.
Surgent's Understanding S Corporation Taxation: Compensation Issues and Entity-Level Taxes
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Online
2.00 Credits
Even though they have been around for several years, the tax laws pertaining to S corporations remain some of the more difficult areas of the Internal Revenue Code. In this course, we will examine how S corporations break away from the normal tax rules for flow-through entities. We will explore which employee benefits are disallowed for S corporation shareholders, as well as which taxes are assessed at the entity level. Finally, we will discuss how state level taxation may have changed permanently with the addition of PTE elections.
ACPEN: Fraud’s Greatest Hits!
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Online
3.00 Credits
Fraud has always been a concern for anyone associated with financial statements. In this course, Jeff takes a unique approach to the study of this topic by looking at what are considered to be the top ten accounting fraud cases. In studying the cases, you will gain insight into what to look for in the future. In addition to the cases, Jeff will cover various aspects, both authoritative and guidance, related to fraud to further improve your awareness and skills. He will also cover a couple of other significant fraud cases as well as a couple of interesting historical notes. The entire presentation is packaged into Jeff’s unique blend of teaching with humor. Each case has its own “Greatest hit”, a song parody to help you remember the case as well as other surprises along the way to keep your interest. If you are looking for a course that will keep awake and engaged and will better prepare you for detecting fraud, then this course is a must. Presented by: Jeff SailorType: Live Webcast Replay
Surgent's Avoiding Deficiencies in Peer Reviews: Focus on Engagement Quality
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Online
4.00 Credits
With the AICPA's heightened focus on enhancing audit quality, increased oversight of the peer review process and the auditor's overall responsibility to provide high quality services, the focus on compliance with professional standards has never been greater. Add to that the requirement to implement the revised risk assessment standards (SAS 145) and it's easy to see why it's more important than ever to ensure that auditors have a good understanding of the requirements and comply with documentation standards. Recent peer reviews have indicated that auditors are often failing to perform and/or document certain critical components of an audit such as the auditor's assessment of risk and linking the results of the assessment to substantive procedures performed. In addition, auditors are not adequately documenting their consideration of fraud, expectations in analytical procedures and the appropriate level of work needed to understand an entity's internal control. Firms were required to implement the AICPA's Revised Quality Management Standards by December 15, 2025. And the firm's evaluation of the System of Quality Management is required within one year after that. This is not just a matter of tweaking the firm's existing QM document, the standard requires a risk assessment process to identify risk and there are new quality objectives that are specified in SQMS 1-3. The AICPA further issued a SAS, SSARS and SSAE that set forth requirements for quality at the engagement level. The objective of the course is to provide the insights necessary to help auditors and accountants improve not just the quality of their work but also the perception of the accounting profession as a whole. We will focus on the most significant items resulting in deficiencies identified in the peer review process. We will also discuss the applicable audit standards, documentation requirements, and best practices. We will address the new QM standards.
ACPEN: 2026 Spring Tax Update for Business with Steve Dilley
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Online
4.00 Credits
This comprehensive spring tax update provides an in-depth analysis of the business tax provisions enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Participants will examine statutory changes affecting corporate, pass-through, and individual business taxation, including modifications to depreciation, credits, deductions, compliance requirements, and planning strategies. *Please Note: If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to terri.storer@acpen.com Presented by: Steven DilleyType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: K2’s Excel Charting And Visualizations
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Online
4.00 Credits
Are you tired of struggling to create compelling charts and graphs? Join our session and transform your data into stunning visualizations that captivate and inform your audience. This isn't just another seminar on basic charts; it's a comprehensive guide to mastering advanced, interactive, and dynamic visualizations in Excel. In this session, you'll learn how to create visually appealing charts that are not only informative but also engaging. Discover the secrets to making your data come alive with interactive elements that ensure your audience understands and retains the information you present. Whether you're looking to enhance your communication skills or impress your stakeholders, this seminar is a must-attend. Don't miss out on the opportunity to take your Excel skills to the next level. Sign up now and start creating visualizations that make a lasting impact! Presented by: Thomas StephensType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: K2’s Top PDF Features You Should Know
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Online
4.00 Credits
Are you tired of struggling with PDFs? Unlock the full potential of Adobe Acrobat and other PDF tools to make working with PDF files a breeze. Join our course and discover how to use powerful features such as PDF forms, redaction, converting PDFs to Word and Excel files, and electronic signatures. You'll also learn how to create and apply tick marks, build indices, catalogs, and portfolios, and secure your PDF documents to the fullest. As the popularity and usefulness of PDFs continue to grow, many users still haven't learned how to manipulate these documents effectively. Don't let this be you! Join us for this timely session and learn the top features necessary to optimize your work with PDF documents. Say goodbye to frustration and hello to efficiency! Presented by: Thomas StephensType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: 360 Budgeting: A Holistic Approach to Process and Solutions
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Online
8.00 Credits
The budgeting process can be a time consuming and frustrating process for accountants. The constraints and pressures can lead to poor decisions in both the technical and human components. This series will offer solutions to the budgeting woes from both the big picture and in the details. Budget Mastery: Process, Problems, and Solutions The budgeting process can be a mundane one for accountants. Let’s be realistic and agree that even the word “budget” does not bring excitement to you and your departmental colleagues. The constraints and pressures can lead to poor decisions in both the technical and human components. This session is the first part of a four part series and will cover the big picture of keeping the process fresh, pragmatic and useful. We discuss these keys in an engaging manner by discussing both our flaws and strengths, including how to build on these characteristics towards an enjoyable solutions-based method that should deliver effective results for your organization. Budget Mastery: Walkthroughs and Real World Calculations Towards Tying Budgets to Value This session takes a unique review of the fundamental budget issues faced by all and walks through a detailed modeling process intended to generate discussion and best practices to improve your organization’s financial modeling. From the beginning of the accounting process – ‘the chart of accounts’ to the end of the process – ‘the valuation of the company’, the budgeting cycle via a live case model to learn best practices common to successful companies. This course stands on its own but is part two of a four part budget mastery series. Budget Mastery: The Human Side of Budgeting-Navigating People's issues with 360 Insight You have a fantastic budget, but certain players are not pleased. Financial plans have a technical component and human component. We can resolve some of our budget issues by exploring the process’ human aspect. Understanding what makes you and others operate can enhance your understanding of the entire organization and build upon the respect and influence needed to navigate and lead the budgeting cycle. This session includes a case study that measures an individual’s personality type and then explores how to use our strengths and weaknesses to create a better budget process and quite frankly maybe a better you. This is a great and fun course on its own, but is also part three of a four part series on budget mastery. Budget Mastery: From Numbers to Narrative: Effectively Presenting Your Budget and Reporting Perhaps the most important element of the budget process is its communication. If management does not understand the budget – there is an issue. Knowing the right ways to communicate at all levels is essential to stakeholders laying an ownership claim to successful budgets. This session reveals several key guidelines in successful budget presentations and will identify key problems in how people often communicate financial plans. Presenting your budget and reporting is the final part of a four part series, but can easily stand on its own course that is intended to be fun, enjoyable and educational. Presented by: Bob MimsType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: Fringe Benefits & Compensation Planning - Today and Beyond
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Online
8.00 Credits
In today's dynamic economic landscape, staying ahead with effective fringe benefit planning is more critical than ever for both businesses and individual clients. With evolving tax laws and shifting market dynamics, understanding the intricacies of fringe benefit planning is essential to ensure financial well-being and compliance. This course offers a comprehensive overview of essential tools and techniques tailored for financial professionals, allowing them to navigate the complexities of fringe benefit planning with confidence and precision. By attending this course, practitioners will gain invaluable insights into various planning tools and techniques essential for meeting fringe benefit planning objectives. From mastering the subtleties of employee benefit planning, including ERISA reporting and disclosure requirements, to unraveling the complexities of IRC §132 fringe benefit options, attendees will enhance their expertise to deliver superior advisory services. The curriculum also delves into the practical aspects of cafeteria plans, flexible spending accounts, group term life insurance plans, and strategies for financing retiree medical benefits, among others. With a focus on practical application and real-world scenarios, this course equips participants to tackle fringe benefit planning challenges head-on, providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to optimize benefits for both business and personal needs, now and in the future. **Please Note: If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com. Presented by: Arthur WernerType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN Signature 2026: Not-for-Profit Accounting, Auditing & Tax Update
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Online
8.00 Credits
Stay current on the most important accounting, auditing, tax, and ethics developments impacting not-for-profit organizations in 2026. This comprehensive ACPEN Signature program delivers a practical, executive-level update designed for CPAs, auditors, CFOs, controllers, and advisors serving the nonprofit sector. On the tax front, the program covers the sweeping charitable giving changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), effective beginning in 2026. Topics include the new deduction floor for itemizers, revised corporate giving thresholds, the non-itemizer charitable deduction, the permanent 60% cash contribution limit, and the new scholarship tax credit. Our panel will also explore the expansion of the 21% excise tax on compensation exceeding $1 million to any employee and the doubling of the endowment tax rate depending on the student-adjusted endowment size. We will also discuss how donor-advised funds (DAFs) and IRA gifts fit well within this revised charitable giving landscape. Of course, we will also address the latest tax developments affecting charities and donations. The course will include a tax update and review of any new key issues in completing IRS Form 990, and related Schedules. It is more important than ever for non-profits to understand and complete this annual tax form to ensure that the organization and its donors are also protected so they can accomplish their corporate intentions and goals. On the accounting standards front, although there are no major new updates to GAAP affecting NFPs since last year’s FASB Update, the FASB has issued a number of Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) that improve various areas of GAAP affecting some or many NFPs. Among the updates we’ll discuss are: ASU 2025-05, which provides simplifications in applying the recent credit losses standard (Codification Topic 326) to various accounts receivable, such as from students, patients, and other customers; ASU 2025-06, which modernizes the guidance on capitalization of development costs for internal-use software; and a pending ASU, expected to be issued in Spring 2026, on the accounting for environmental credit programs. As the FASB has been wrapping up its current generation of projects, it undertook a new public agenda consultation in 2025 to help determine its next generation of projects. Informed by the feedback received, the FASB has already added several new projects, some of which are relevant to some or many NFPs. These include projects on whether certain Crypto Assets such as stablecoins should be classified as cash equivalents and on making targeted improvements to the Equity Method of Accounting. We’ll discuss these and any other NFP-relevant projects the FASB adds prior to the FASB Update. The FASB Update will also include helpful implementation reminders on standards issued in recent years that are now effective, such as those on fungible Crypto Assets such as Bitcoin (ASU 2023-08) and on improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU 2023-09). The auditing update will include a review of Statements on Auditing Standards 146 (Quality Management), 147 (Inquiries of the Predecessor), 148 (Amendments to AU-C 935); 149 (Audits of Group Financial Statements),as well as exposure drafts on confirmation and fraud, that will impact audits conducted in 2026 and beyond, with emphasis on practical application to NFP organizations. The program also will provide a review of recently enacted Ethics Interpretations, including Public Interest Entities, Section 529 Plans, Executive or Employee Recruiting, Simultaneous Employment or Association, and Tax Services as well as consideration of exposure drafts currently outstanding. Qualifies as one hour of ethics CPE. *Please Note: If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to terri.storer@acpen.com Presented by: C. Clinton Davis, J. Michael Inzina, Jeffrey MechanickType: Live Webcast Replay