CPE Catalog
Note
AICPA On-Demand & Self-Study courses take up to 24 hours to process.
ACPEN: The Controller Function - Cash and Investments
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Online
1.40 Credits
This course corresponds to our Controllership series. This course is dedicated to exploring the traditional controller role and stepping out of the box to identify areas where the controller can continue to add strategic value to their organizations. Within this segment of our controllership series, we discuss the area of cash and investments and explore how the controller can move these responsibilities into more of a strategic role. In today’s world, the role of cash management is often a pivotal role in the organization. In economically difficult times, controllers may find that they spend a great deal of their time on understanding and managing the organizations' cash position. This is certainly important and, in some areas, can be seen as a staple of the lifeblood of the organization’s ongoing viability. This course takes a look at some of the typical objectives involved in cash management and then evaluates how those objectives can be further stretched into strategic pillars of the organization. Presented by: Lynn FountainType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: Global Internal Audit Standards (GIAS) Domain IV - 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 Signature 2026: Managing the Risk of Fraud, and Artificial Intelligence
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Online
8.00 Credits
Accountability professionals are the first line of defense against fraud. Consequently, accountants, internal auditors, external auditors, fraud examiners, and risk management professionals need to develop the skills needed to prevent, detect, and deter fraud and need to be proactive in promoting and effecting organizational change. The fight to deter, prevent, and detect fraud continues. Accountability professionals need all the help they can get. Artificial intelligence (AI) might be able to help in this fight. In fact, AI has the potential to be a fraud-prevention game-changer. When viewed against the backdrop of the COSO/ACFE Fraud Risk Management Guide, the AI applications and potential are near limitless. AI can assist in fraud risk governance by, for example, drafting policies and procedures and maintaining dashboards showing the status of the organization’s fraud risk management programs. The fraud risk assessment might be where the AI light shines brightest. AI can identify an organization’s risk exposures, assess the likelihood and significance of these exposures, identify and assess existing controls, and determine residual risk. Better still, it can do the assessment on a continuous basis, alerting the organization to new threats as they arise. AI can identify and implement additional overt and covert fraud control activities designed to mitigate residual fraud risk. In terms of information and communication, AI can monitor and triage the hotline reporting system and assist in investigations. Finally, AI can monitor the fraud risk management process on a continuous basis. In addition to a deep dive into AI and fraud risk management, the 2026 Business Fraud Update is another fast-moving seminar that will provide a comprehensive look at the latest developments about fraud from the technical, legal, and operational perspectives and update participants on the most recent legal and regulatory developments in this important area of professional responsibility. Presented by: David CottonType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: K2’s Excel PivotTables For Accountants
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Online
8.00 Credits
Many business professionals consider PivotTables the most powerful feature in Excel, yet most accounting and financial professionals do not use them in their day-to-day activities. If you are ready to learn how to take advantage of PivotTables or extend your existing knowledge, then this course is for you! In this dynamic and engaging session, you'll master how to: • Build PivotTables from scratch • Group data inside PivotTables, including options for fiscal periods • Create user-defined calculations in your PivotTables We start with the fundamentals and quickly move to advanced techniques, including: • Building PivotTables that consolidate data from multiple ranges • Connecting PivotTables dynamically to external databases and financial accounting systems • Leveraging other Excel features associated with PivotTables, such as Slicers, Power Query, and Power Pivot This seminar is a must for anyone eager to enhance their Excel skills and transform their workflow. With guidance and coaching from your K2 instructor, you'll be ready to use PivotTables to analyze and report on extensive data sets in a fraction of the time you spend completing such tasks. Presented by: Thomas StephensType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: The Controller Function - Inventory Part 2 - Valuation, Inventory Methods and Inventory Fraud
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Online
1.50 Credits
This course is one of the courses dedicated to our Controllership Series. This series of courses is dedicated to exploring the traditional controller role and stepping out of the box to identify areas where the controller can continue to add strategic value to their organizations. Within this segment of our controllership series, we continue our discussion on inventory from segment one. This specific segment focuses on areas of inventory valuation, the types of physical inventory methods, and inventory fraud. These areas are critical for the controller to have a strong comprehension of and also participate in the development of policies and procedures. Presented by: Lynn FountainType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: Common Sense CFO: Dealing with Ever Changing Accounting Standards and Strategy Demands
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Online
2.00 Credits
GAAP is changing at an increasing rate. Every successful organization has a sound strategy. Financial leaders are faced with the dual challenge of navigating evolving accounting standards while strategically guiding their organizations toward sustainable growth and profitability. What are the newer accounting changes that will impact professional accounting? This seminar will equip finance professionals with the critical skills and practical insights needed to effectively manage the complexities of ever-changing accounting standards and upgrade your essential strategic planning skills. Strategic skills are mandatory today. Strategies that do not keep pace with the market are doomed to fail. If we do not keep up, our successor will. Presented by: Bob MimsType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: State Tax Nexus: Frequently Awkward Questions
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Online
2.00 Credits
Award winning discussion leader Mark Hugh discusses both nexus basics and new developments in the dynamic, ever changing world of state income and sales tax nexus. This valuable course answers your frequently asked questions, reviews key factors in examining potential nexus consequences, takes a tour through the rules in states comprising 50% of the US, and identifies free, online multistate resources. *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: Mark HughType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: K2’s Taking Another Look At Power BI
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Online
2.00 Credits
Although Power BI has been available for ten years, most business professionals don't fully appreciate all it can do and its easy use. Further, many are intimidated by the platform and continue to use less efficient and effective reporting practices. If this describes you, invest some time in this session to learn how to work with Power BI almost immediately. In this session, you will learn how to use Power BI to create compelling dashboard reports. You will also learn how to optimize these reports to enhance their effectiveness. If you want to improve financial and operational reporting processes, this session is for you! Presented by: Thomas StephensType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: Five Amazing Business Books in 100 Minutes
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Online
2.00 Credits
If you are efficient and want to learn lessons from the best in a short time, this seminar is for you. Popular speaker Don Minges will review the key lessons from five fantastic business books that will help you become more effective. The topics are; leadership, how to create a valuable business, how to turnaround a business, how to make terrific presentations and how do humans think? These lessons are valuable for every business leader. Presented by: Don MingesType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: Communicate Financial Concepts to Non-Accountants
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Online
2.00 Credits
Do you ever get blank looks when you present your company's financial statements? Does your board nod knowingly, during your presentation, but never seem to have any meaningful questions? It could be that they have no idea what you are talking about and are just pretending to understand! Learn how to connect with your CEO, board, fellow managers, and ordinary employees so they understand your message. Presented by: John DalyType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: K2’s Advanced Excel
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Online
8.00 Credits
Elevate your Excel expertise with K2's Advanced Excel program! This laptop-friendly course is designed for experienced Excel users who are ready to take their skills to the next level. In this session, you will master critical advanced Excel skills in six key areas: 1. Collaborating seamlessly with other users and securing your workbooks 2. Utilizing tables to analyze and report data efficiently 3. Integrating and manipulating data from external sources with ease 4. Creating and auditing complex formulas 5. Harnessing advanced data analysis tools for deeper insights 6. Employing visualization techniques to communicate information effectively Drawing from over thirty years of experience in delivering Excel training to accountants and business professionals, this program is packed with relevant, real-world examples that reinforce the topics presented. Don't miss this opportunity to become more efficient and proficient in Microsoft Excel, the go-to tool for accounting and financial professionals. This course covers advanced Excel topics that are essential for business success. Participate in this session to elevate and transform your Excel skills! Presented by: Thomas StephensType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: A Fox in the Henhouse/Courthouse
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Online
1.00 Credits
The ancient Romans had a saying about using caution when appointing someone to a position of trust, "don't set a wolf to watch the sheep". That saying is in use today and has changed to include "don't put a fox to guard the henhouses";. The thought is similar, but the wolf and fox are vastly different animals. Wolves rely upon their strength to survive while foxes rely on their cunning. Like foxes, fraudsters rely upon their cunning to defeat or circumvent internal controls. This session reviews the investigation of a deputy court clerk who exploited a weakness in internal controls and committed fraud in the courthouse. Presented by: Daniel PorterType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: The Controller Function - Elevating the Role
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Online
1.50 Credits
This is the beginning of a series that will cover major aspects of the Controllership function. Controllers are essential to the day-to-day accounting for organizations. Yet, the role is not often readily understood. In today’s world of acronyms such as CFO, CEO, COO, CAO, etc., the Controller function may get lost in the shuffle. However, they are a critical group of professionals who ensure the adequacy and transparency of accounting and financial reporting information. A Controller is an individual who has responsibility for all accounting-related activities including high-level accounting, managerial counting, and finance activities within a company. The duties of a Controller include assisting with the preparation of the operating budgets, overseeing financial reporting, and performing essential duties relating to payroll. However, in today’s evolving world, the Controller function can provide much more in-depth value to their organizations. This series is dedicated to exploring the traditional Controller role and stepping out of the box to identify areas where the Controller can add strategic value to their organizations. In this first course we focus on the typical Controller function and begin to identify ways to elevate the function. Presented by: Lynn FountainType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: Global Internal Audit Standards (GIAS) Domain V - Part 1
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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: Accounting for Leases
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Online
2.60 Credits
In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which provides new guidelines that change the accounting for leasing arrangements. To be able to properly account for leases, financial professionals must understand ASU 2016-02 (also referred to as Topic 842). This guidance covers information on how leases should be accounted for. The previous leasing standard (ASC 840) had been in existence for almost 40 years. Under ASC Topic 842, lessors continue to classify leases as operating, direct financing, or sales-type. While lessees now classify leases as operating or financing leases. Previous guidance only required capital leases to be reflected on the BS. The new guidance requires all leases to be reflected on the BS. This is a major change for organizations and will cause their balance sheets to swell as leases must now be disclosed on the balance sheet. The standards original effective dates were prior to 2019. In April 2020, due to COVID-19, FASB voted to defer the effective date for ASC 842 for private companies and certain not-for-profit's for one year. For private companies and private not-for-profits, the leasing standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. For public companies the leasing standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The course covers elements of lease classification for both lessees and lessors. Also, numerous examples are incorporated as reference. Presented by: Lynn FountainType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: K2’s Business Intelligence, Featuring Microsoft’s Power BI Tools
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Online
8.00 Credits
In today's fast-paced business world, staying ahead of the competition means leveraging every advantage. Business Intelligence (BI) is the game-changer that can transform your organization. Imagine uncovering hidden insights and gaining a competitive edge with data that was once out of reach. With tools ranging from Excel add-ins to the revolutionary Power BI, you can now harness your existing skills to create dynamic, interactive dashboards and analyses that were unimaginable just a few years ago. This program will empower you with the skills to implement "yourself business intelligence" using a variety of techniques and tools. You'll start by mastering advanced Excel data query and summarization features to create stunning Excel-based dashboards. Then, you'll take your knowledge to the next level by building even more powerful BI objects using Microsoft's Power BI tools. If you're passionate about gaining better insights into your data to make smarter decisions, this fast-paced program is for you. Presented by: Thomas StephensType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: Metrics Management Series
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Online
8.00 Credits
Metrics Management is a four-part series that answers the measurement, accountability, and performance of our strategies and financials. The titles include: Metrics Management – Linking Strategy to Performance Description – Organizations often fail not because strategy is flawed, but because performance is measured poorly. This session focuses on the critical link between strategy, measurement, and execution. Participants will explore why there is no “perfect” metric, how strategy fails due to weak measurement, and how financial and non-financial metrics work together to drive performance. The session emphasizes aligning metrics with mission, strategy, and organizational priorities using practical frameworks such as the Balanced Scorecard. Humorous videos will be incorporated to drive home some key points and keep things entertaining. Metrics Management – Selecting the Right KPIs Description – Choosing the wrong metrics can create noise, confusion, and unintended behavior. This session helps CPAs and CFOs identify and select meaningful KPIs that align with strategy and are understood by users. Participants will learn how to balance financial and operational metrics, tailor KPIs to responsibility centers, and think like customers when designing performance measures. The session emphasizes simplicity, relevance, and usability over volume and complexity. Humorous videos will be incorporated to drive home some key points and keep things entertaining. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Metrics Management – Measuring Performance in the Real World Description – Designing metrics is only half the challenge—making them work in practice is where most organizations struggle. This session focuses on applying metrics in real-world environments, including responsibility centers, profit centers, and service organizations. Participants will explore output measurements, controllable versus non-controllable costs, cost allocation challenges, and benchmarking. Case discussions illustrate how better information leads to better decisions and improved performance. Humorous videos will be incorporated to drive home some key points and keep things entertaining. Metrics Management – Dashboards, Performance Tools, and Open-Book Management Description – Metrics only add value when they are communicated clearly and used consistently. This session focuses on dashboards, performance management tools, and open-book management as ways to turn metrics into action. Participants will learn how dashboards support decision-making, why many reporting projects fail, and how transparency and trust improve performance. The session emphasizes visualization, communication, and using metrics to answer the most important management questions. Humorous videos will be incorporated to drive home some key points and keep things entertaining. Presented by: Bob MimsType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: The Controllership Series - The Future Role of the Controller Part 1
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Online
1.50 Credits
This is a two-part series that discuss new trends and concepts the financial controller should begin to execute in order to truly become a valued member of the senior leadership team. The rapid pace of the evolving technological landscape has promoted changes in how accountants and financial professionals focus attention on strategy and modernize their roles to leverage digital technology. There is increased demand for enhancing flexibility into finance cycles and initiating real-time reporting and insights. These are the core attributes that will assist in transforming the work that controllership function performs. Is the financial controllership prepared to meet future business demands? The IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) and Deloitte’s Center for Controllership aimed to better understand the current state of controllership and expectations of future demands for controllers and accounting professionals. They conducted a survey in late 2022 and identified several trends. The survey takes a look at how prepared controllership is to meet future business demands. It also highlights some insights for leaders to consider that may increase their preparedness. It also identified areas of additional insight and questions to answer on the controllership transformation journey. In this segment one, we go through numerous concepts in detail and the remaining concepts will be covered in segment two. Presented by: Lynn FountainType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: K2’s Taking Another Look At PDFs
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Online
2.00 Credits
We’re all familiar with PDF documents. However, it’s safe to say that most professionals use only a tiny fraction of their features. This circumstance is unfortunate, considering all you can do with PDF documents. Therefore, isn’t it time to take another look at PDF K2’s Taking Another Look At PDFs documents and all you can do with them? Participate in this session to learn more about PDFs and how and why they should be a cornerstone technology in most organizations. Collaboration options, long-term storage and archival, and fillable forms are just a few features you will learn about in this session. If you’re ready to elevate your PDF productivity, this session is for you! Presented by: Thomas StephensType: Live Webcast Replay
ACPEN: Common Sense CFO: Balance Sheet Issues Walk through to Understand and Build Value
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Online
2.00 Credits
We mostly focus on the income statement, but what about other financial statements and countless other accounting concerns? This seminar is dedicated to breaking down common balance sheet issues, both on-the-books and off, that have an impact on our stakeholders and the value of the organization. Using practical analysis, we highlight several key tools in understanding and communicating the importance of the forgotten cornerstone of accounting: the balance sheet. Most notably, we dedicate time to the pressing issue of “unrecorded assets”. This session is designed to also be fun and entertaining. This seminar stands on its own but is also part of the Common Sense CFO series. Presented by: Bob MimsType: Live Webcast Replay