CPE Catalog & Events

Performance Management is about getting the best out of everyone. It's about setting the stage so staff can excel as an individual and as a team member. It's about knowing what to say, how to say it, and when to say it to inspire and elevate staff performance. For staff to hear, understand, and act on performance feedback they have to trust the person delivering the feedback. The feedback must be constructive, useful, and implementable. And surprisingly, the performance management process is as much about listening as it is about delivering feedback. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.Speaker - Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CMA, CIA, CFF, CGMA, MS

The sheer mass of Internal Revenue Code provisions affecting individual taxpayers presents a considerable challenge for CPAs and tax professionals. These provisions combined with the potential for input error when utilizing the array of income tax software available, create the potential for a multitude of errors that can occur when preparing your client's tax return. Join us as we discuss the common errors practitioners make on individual tax returns that are often missed by review staff. Sharpen your reviewing skills by examining case studies discussing issues for which additional information from the client may be warranted, and areas of tax law that require additional analysis and information.Speaker - William Harden

Developments in U.S. federal tax In this Tax Rewind quarterly, join Art Auerbach, CPA, CGMA, to discuss the latest U.S. federal tax and its impacts on individuals and businesses. Art will also cover: Tax planning strategies Legislative changes The latest IRS tax practices and proceduresSpeaker - Arthur (Art) Auerbach

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The IRS defines the "gig economy" as people earning income providing on-demand work, services, or goods on either a part-time or full-time basis. The economic times we live in are changing and tax practitioners must learn how the rules apply in this new gig economy. The tax rules that apply to gig workers challenge traditional ideas of who is an employee and who is an independent contractor, and tax practitioners must have the knowledge to make this determination. This program addresses federal and state tax issues tax practitioners must address with clients and their own workers.Speaker - Mike Tucker, Ph.D., LL.M., J.D., CPA

Making Rain - Improving Success with Retaining Clients and Attracting Prospects provides tips and techniques for ensuring that your firm has the capacity to grow and expand its book of business in a healthy way. It costs more money to develop a new client than to simply retain an existing one. While a CPA firm with longevity needs to continuously develop new business to replace departing clients, a proper balance of marketing efforts should be divided between existing clients and prospects. Note: This course is recommended as a part of a 8-hour audit skills curriculum for managers, while it is also appropriate for anyone who has client relationship or prospecting responsibilities. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.Speaker - Jennifer F. Louis, CPA

If you find yourself working with PDF files consistently throughout the day, this course will teach you how to review, annotate, format and organize PDF files more effectively and in less time. You will also learn how to use Adobe Acrobat for e-signatures to reduce document processing time significantly and enhance confidentiality. Adobe Acrobat has many features that you can take advantage of and this course will explain and demonstrate how to use them. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.Speaker - John Higgins, CPA.CITP

When we try to improve efficiency, we seek to delegate manual tasks to Excel. This implies that we seek to convert manual input cells into formula cells. When we realize that Excel can operate on and return date and text values, the opportunity for efficiency greatly expands. This webcast covers key date and text functions. It also demonstrates how to greatly improve the utility of the conditional summing function by using comparison operators. The webcast is designed with time for you to work along. This hands-on workshop is an effective way to learn Excel, since you'll be completing the same exercises demonstrated by the instructor. A link will be provided, so you can download the necessary Excel files. During the webcast, the instructor will provide time for you to complete the exercises using your Microsoft Excel for Windows. For each topic presented, the instructor explains the topic and demonstrates it with Excel exercises. Then, the instructor provides time for you to complete many of the same exercises. Finally, the instructor demonstrates the solutions for all the exercises in the practice workbook and then moves to the next topic. This format allows you to work along rather than just watch passively, enabling you to immediately practice the skills demonstrated.Speaker - Jeff Lenning

REGISTRATION CLOSES MONDAY, APRIL 28.Free to our Student and Candidate Affiliates! For many candidates, taking the CPA Exam can be one of the biggest obstacles to overcome when transitioning into the profession. Often aspiring CPAs are not sure if they are truly prepared to sit for each section. In order to help provide more transparency into exam-readiness, LCPA and Surgent CPA Review have partnered to offer student and candidate affiliates a FREE simulated CPA Exam section of your choice. This exercise will show you what it's like to sit for any CPA Exam section as you immerse yourself in questions pulled from the actual CPA Exam Blueprints.Plus, you will leave the session with your own personalized ReadySCORE™ (an accurate measurement of your actual exam score) as well as a detailed report showing your areas of strength and weakness for that section. PRO EXAM TIPS Register for this event using the same email address that you'll use the day of the simulation — it's how Surgent will identify you. Consider in advance which portion of the exam you'd like to try.  Watch for a software activation email from Surgent CPA Review the morning of the Mock Exam. Review your personalized Exam ReadySCORE along with your diagnostic report and work on areas that may need improvement. Not an LCPA Student or Candidate Affiliate? See if you qualify to join. Questions? Contact our Member Service Team, 504.464.1040.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of Form 1120S, the tax return form used by S corporations. Students will learn the intricacies of preparing and analyzing this form, including how to determine the taxable income of the S corporation, how to properly report and allocate income, deductions, and credits, and how to calculate the shareholder's basis in the S corporation. **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. Speaker - Arthur Werner

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One of the most important aspect of transforming your practice or business to a digital model is to know how to prioritize the applications and initiatives that you focus on and invest in. There is an abundance of "low hanging fruit" initiatives that can provide useful benefits quickly and economically. Using Microsoft Teams meeting app is a perfect example. Chances are pretty good that you are already investing in Microsoft 365 subscriptions for your office. This course will show you how to use the Microsoft 365 subscription ROI by fully utilizing the meeting app and eliminate the unnecessary cost of a separate third-party meeting app. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.Speaker - John Higgins, CPA.CITP

Participant data and contributions testing (bold) Employee benefit plan audits are quite different from corporate audits and require an understanding of the unique audit areas specific to plans. Part 2 of the 401(k) audit basics series addresses participant data and contribution testing, including: What participant data needs to be tested and why The different ways a participant can enroll in a plan The various types of contributions received by a 401(k) plan Parties in interest and prohibited transactions Common issues and errors seen in these areasSpeaker - Marilee Lau

In the course of legal actions, payments may be made pursuant to a final disposition of a court case or a mutually agreed-upon settlement.  This course will cover the tax implications for payments made for personal injury, emotional distress, lost wages, punitive awards, pre- and post-judgement interest, contract claims, among other damages. **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.   Speaker - Allison McLeod

Navigating the challenges of estate and gift taxation can be overwhelming for practitioners, especially those lacking extensive experience in this field. In this comprehensive course, participants will undergo a practical exploration through the preparation of the Federal Forms 706 and 709 - line by line. Through hands-on instruction, attendees will gain invaluable insights into the complexities of tax compliance, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to seamlessly integrate estate and gift tax preparation into their practice. With a focus on practical application, this course offers participants a unique opportunity to master the preparation of crucial tax returns, enhancing their professional expertise and strengthening client service offerings. From a detailed overview of the Federal Forms 706 and 709 to insights on complying with "Portability" and navigating postmortem estate planning issues, attendees will emerge with a newfound proficiency in estate and gift tax preparation, ready to excel in their practice. **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. Speaker - Arthur Werner

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Learn about the latest challenges and solutions faced by the construction industry and the CPAs who work with them.  10:00am CDT - 10:05am CDT  Welcome & Opening Remarks Michael Sause, Senior Manager, Aldrich CPAs + Advisors LLP10:05am CDT - 11:05am CDTEconomic Update: Prepare for Risks, Look for OpportunitiesSteve Scranton, Chief Investment Officer & Economist, Washington Trust BankThis session will provide an economic update for both the national and Oregon economy. Topics will current state of the economy, interest rate forecast, and risks to monitor.11:05am CDT - 12:05pm CDTConstruction Industry Compensation – Best Practices and Legal ImplicationsNicole Elgin, Attorney, Barran Liebman LLPNicole Elgin is an attorney at Barran Liebman where she advises employers on labor relations and employment law matters. In this presentation, Nicole will cover the laws governing common compensation issues in the construction industry. Topics will include prevailing wage rate rules, premium rate complications under the FLSA, bonus plans, project labor agreements, and other labor prehire agreements that all effect compensation in this field. Throughout the presentation, Nicole also always provides practice considerations and best practices for employers.12:05pm CDT - 12:20pm CDT Break 12:20pm CDT - 2:20pm CDTConstruction Tax UpdateColin Quill, State and Local Tax Manager, Moss Adams LLP2:20pm CDT - 3:20pm CDT Lunch Break 3:20pm CDT - 4:20pm CDTEverything You Need to Know About AI...But Didn't Know to AskJames Spellos, President, Meeting U.Since ChatGPT exploded in our lives in 2022, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already having a significant impact on the tasks and and requirements needed for today’s education and professional work. While many are fearful that AI will replace the need for many, thereality is much more nuanced than what many are preaching, though the skill sets and tasks required are evolving. Attend this session to keep up the various tech tools that will impact your career moving forward.4:20pm CDT - 5:20pm CDTConstruction A&A Update and Best PracticesJared Asay, Founder & Financial Partner, Conover Asay CPAs, PLLC 7819 S 42nd WayThis session will bring attendees up to date on hot topics, technical matters, and current events that affect accounting and financial reporting in the construction industry. Additional topics include best practices and characteristics of successful contractors.5:20pm CDT - 5:35pm CDT Break 5:35pm CDT - 6:35pm CDTSurety Bonding: Market UpdateWilliam Kaufmann, KPD InsuranceIn this session, we will walk through the current state of the surety bonding marketplace, and use this information to anticipate the direction of the construction industry.

Internal controls are more important than ever, and their importance increases daily. However, internal controls present a challenge for many smaller organizations. This program will teach you how to evaluate, develop, and implement an effective internal control structure in a small business environment. You will identify how to assess risk in smaller organizations and implement preventive, detective, deterrent, and compensating controls to mitigate these risks, even without proper segregation of duties. Additionally, participating in this program will teach you technology-focused techniques for preventing and detecting fraud and securing information systems and sensitive data. For small organizations, maintaining an effective system of internal controls presents a significant challenge. Realistically, implementing many theoretical concepts surrounding internal controls may not be possible in some cases. Consequently, many internal control structures foster an environment where too much risk exists. This factor and uncontrolled information systems can often lead to disastrous results. Participate in this program to learn the necessary insights and tools to design, implement, and monitor effective internal controls, security, and anti-fraud measures in small organizations. Speaker - Randolph (Randy) Johnston, Brian Tankersley, Thomas Stephens, Mac McClelland, Steven M. Yoss, Jr., CPA

AI is an extremely popular topic these days, and for good reason! However, does AI present yet another threat to your privacy? Get answers to this question and more in this session. Speaker - Thomas Stephens

"Transforming Strategic & Financial Management with ChatGPT: Insights for CPAs, CFOs, and Controllers" is a comprehensive 2-hour CPE course designed by Jim Lindell of Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc. This course delves into the revolutionary impact of ChatGPT on financial and strategic management, offering a blend of theoretical insights and practical applications tailored for financial professionals. Through an exploration of ChatGPT's capabilities in research, communication enhancement, benchmarking, risk analysis, and more, participants will learn how to leverage this advanced AI technology to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and foster innovation in their practices. The course not only highlights the current applications but also provides a glimpse into the future of AI in financial management, encouraging professionals to embrace technology for competitive advantage. Speaker - James Lindell

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The Excel for Accounting Professionals webcast series concludes by applying many of the items covered at the same time. We start by discussing dynamic headers, and how important they are when automating reporting workbooks. Next, we review how to transpose the orientation of the conditional summing function to produce horizontal or crosstab reports. We review the idea of mapping tables and show how they are the key to unlocking major efficiency gains. Lastly, we use data validation in our digital reports and review a critical worksheet that belongs in just about every recurring-use workbook: ErrorCk. The webcast is designed with time for you to work along. This hands-on workshop is an effective way to learn Excel, since you'll be completing the same exercises demonstrated by the instructor. A link will be provided so you can download the necessary Excel files. During the session, the instructor will provide time for you to complete the exercises using your Microsoft Excel for Windows. For each topic presented, the instructor explains the topic and demonstrates it with Excel exercises. Then, the instructor provides time for you to complete many of the same exercises. Finally, the instructor demonstrates the solutions for all the exercises in the practice workbook and then moves to the next topic. This format allows you to work along rather than just watch passively, enabling you to immediately practice the skills demonstrated.Speaker - Jeff Lenning

This course corresponds to our Controllership series. Within this course, we specifically address the Controllers role and pro-active potentials in organization Strategic and Annual Planning. 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 add strategic value to their organizations. 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. When it comes to the task of strategic planning, many feel this role is primarily the responsibility of the executive team and board. However, in this course, we delve into the various steps of the strategic plan and explore where the Controller can add strategic value through providing functional input and insight. Strategic planning is a process used to identify goals, the strategies necessary to accomplish those goals, and the internal performance management system that will be used to monitor and evaluate progress.   Speaker - Lynn Fountain

HR Professionals are business leaders who, regardless of their level of experience, are responsible for maintaining a high level of interpersonal proficiency in their job function. The willingness to gain a genuine understanding and respect for diversity and the incorporation of a safe and inclusive environment of employees in the workplace, is a strong measure of the HR Professionals’ efficacy in this area. This training is geared towards improving and/ or elevating the HR Professionals’ knowledge of cultural competence in the workplace and what it means to truly adopt a culture of diversity and inclusivity. When HR professionals take responsibility for teaching others about the differences and benefits that multiple cultures and diverse backgrounds bring to the organization, research shows that companies are more likely to win top talent and yield improvement in customer orientation, employee satisfaction and decision making, as well as a cycle of increasing returns. Speaker - Shannon White