CPE Catalog & Events

This is part 4 of a 4 part series. This session continues the discussion about external data and digs into the details for retrieving data from other sources. We'll pull data from an Access data base using Microsoft Query. You'll learn how to retrieve data from simple text files as well, and how to prepare data for use with Excel. This webcast concludes by examining several data visualization tools in Excel, including PivotCharts.Speaker - Jeff Lenning

This is the final webcast in the series for staff or in-charge auditors who are new to ERISA audits. The series aims to provide an understanding of 401(k) plans and their operations. Employee benefit plan audits differ significantly from corporate audits and require knowledge of the unique audit areas specific to these plans. Part 4 of the 401(k) audit basics series focuses on the notes to the financial statements and current topics, including: Unique financial statement disclosures for plans Current and trending issues for the 2025 audit seasonSpeaker - Michelle H. Buckley

Be ready for your peer review! The peer review process is an effective way to monitor practice quality, ensuring that your firm meets high standards while protecting the public interest. Gain a better understanding of the overall peer review process and learn how to fully prepare for your triennial review. This webcast will help you: Understand and compare the system and engagement review processes Address recently issued peer review guidance and quality control requirements Learn how both guidance and requirements affect your firm You'll also discover the most common areas of noncompliance with professional standards and how to avoid them well before your review is due. Participants will leave this session with the resources and tools to enhance their firm's peer review quality.Speaker - Tim Kindem,Dawn Brenner

Automating the tax practice is – or should be – a major initiative of almost all public accounting firms today. From ingesting data, processing returns, distributing draft and final copies, and billing and collecting fees, practitioners have outstanding opportunities to automate their tax practice. Those that choose to automate will experience the benefits of reduced staff turnover, increased productivity and efficiency, fewer errors, and improved cash flow. Participate in this session to learn the “how’s and why’s” of automating your tax practice. This session includes critical topics such as hardware and software options, workflows, and security and privacy issues. Plan to join us in this session to position your tax practice for greater success!  Speaker - Thomas Stephens

As discussed in the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ Occupational Fraud 2022: A Report to the Nations, 86% of all frauds are misappropriation of assets.  Why is the misappropriation of assets so large?  Because there as so many of them it creates many, many opportunities.  And the asset which is stolen the most?  CASH!  Because it’s easy to conceal and you don’t have to convert it.  During this presentation, the many, many different ways to misappropriate (steal) assets and which assets (besides cash) are most subject to misappropriation are discussed as well as how to recognize such and more importantly, how easy it is to prevent it! Speaker - Dennis Dycus

This course provides in-depth information to enable the practitioner to make a well-informed decision as to whether a trust is the appropriate vehicle for a client’s financial, estate, and/or asset protection plan, and, if so, how the trust can best be implemented and operated. Participants will learn about the many different types of trusts that can be harnessed to save clients income, estate, generation-skipping, and other taxes, at both the federal and state level. Speaker - Arthur Werner

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If sales increase, so should profits.  Yet, the opposite result often leaves executives scratching their heads.  When organizations work with inferior cost information, they make mistakes in four specific situations.  Bad information causes sellers to overprice easy, high-volume work and underprice difficult, low-volume work.  This session discusses how to use activity-based costing data to build accurate costing models that consider far more than just the labor and materials necessary to provide goods and services.   Speaker - John Daly

By the nature of our work and training, financial professionals have more personal finance knowledge than the general population. However, sometimes we spend so much time planning our company's future that we neglect or defer taking steps to build our own personal net worth. If you are dissatisfied about the speed that you are accumulating savings, this session will help put you on the right track. Even if you are meeting your goals, this session will provide insights and ideas which will add to and reinforce what you may already be doing. Speaker - John Daly

In today’s real estate market, IRC §1031 tax-deferred exchanges can be one of the most important planning tools available to the real estate investor. The use of this technique is filled with pitfalls and traps. This new course will assist the practitioner in understanding the mechanics of a tax-deferred exchange and the value of a tax-deferred exchange in both tax and financial planning. Updated August 2022 Speaker - Arthur Werner, Jordon Rosen

Stay ahead of the curve with this essential update on 401(k) plans and employee benefits for 2025. Mary Hogan will break down key changes from the SECURE Act 2.0, including higher contribution limits, faster eligibility for part-time workers, new automatic enrollment rules, and enhanced catch-up contributions for older employees. Perfect for HR professionals, financial advisors, and business leaders looking to stay compliant and competitive. This program also qualifies for 50 minutes of CLE. Purchase this webcast as an individual program, or get the members-only First Look Bundle and save! 2025 First Look Webcast Series May 28401k & Employee Benefits Update Mary Hogan • Director, Advisory - HR Advisory & OutsourcingEisner Advisory Group LLC • Pittstown, NJCategory: Management   CPE: 1 credit   CLE: 50 minutes June 18 Disaster Planning Beyond the Calculations Gerard H. Schreiber, Jr., CPA • PartnerSchreiber & Schreiber, CPAs • Metairie, LACategory: Taxation   CPE: 1 credit   CLE: 50 minutes July 30Investment Strategies in a Volatile Market Tom Stringfellow, CFA®, CPA®, CFP®, CIC • Chief Investment StrategistArgent Trust Company • San Antonio, TX  Category: Management   CPE: 1 credit  August 27SSARS Engagements – What You Need to Know Kurt Oestriecher, CPA • Managing PartnerOestriecher & Company, CPAs • Alexandria, LA  Category: A&A   CPE: 1 credit   September 27Managing Change in a High-Speed World Laila Morcos Zissis, PCC, NBC-HWC, CMC • OwnerLaila Morcos Zissis, LLC• New Orleans, LACategory: Personal Development   CPE: 1 credit   October 29Creating a Positive Workplace Culture Jim Schneider, CPA, CIA • President & Managing PartnerThe Personnel Consulting Group • New Orleans LACategory: Management   CPE: 1 credit   November 12Tax Credit Shake-Up: What the New Incentives and ITEP Rules Mean for You Keri Hart • Senior Manager, Business IncentivesKim Wallett  • Senior Manager, Business IncentivesAdvantous Consulting, LLC • Baton Rouge, LACategory: Taxation   CPE: 1 credit   CLE: 50 minutes December 9Practical Accounting Automation Using AIAndrew Schwartz, PhD • ProfessorStephenson Department of Entrepreneurship & Information SystemsLouisiana State University  Category:  Technology   CPE: 1 credit   CLE: 50 minutes

Technology and tax This webcast will be a forward-thinking exploration of the intersection of technology and taxation. As the field of tax practice evolves, staying abreast of the latest digital trends and tools is crucial for professionals seeking to enhance efficiency and accuracy in their work. We aim to provide attendees with: Insights into cutting-edge technologies Practical strategies for integrating innovation into their daily practice A glimpse into the future of tax compliance and strategySpeaker - April Walker

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Our session will include a discussion regarding indirect rate strategies for cost recovery.  We will cover negotiating indirect rates with pass-through entities and alternative indirect cost recovery methods. A look at applying the PPP Loan Forgiveness credit.  Understanding the definition of sub-awards and the MTDC allocation base, and where best  to allocate bonus expense.  Included in this session will be a selected review of the Uniform Guidance FAQs regarding indirect rates for States and Municipalities, as well as recently issued FAQs that impact indirect rates and cost recovery.   Speaker - Paul Calabrese

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First-time supervisors face unique challenges as they transition to management. They must supervise work with which they may be unfamiliar, and supervise employees with whom they had previously been co-workers or employees with greater seniority. They must understand the extent of responsibility and decision-making authority they have, finding ways to communicate expectations to their employees and making possibly unpopular decisions. Excellence in technical or financial skills does not automatically translate to excellence in leading and supervising others. This course will give new supervisors, managers, and leaders the skills and understanding needed to successfully navigate the transition.Speaker - Karl Ahlrichs

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The annual budgeting process is often criticized as an accounting exercise that is obsolete soon after it is published, prone to gamesmanship, cumbersome, not volume sensitive, and disconnected from the organization's strategy and risk management processes. You can resolve these deficiencies using capacity-sensitive driver-based projections. Driver-based budgeting allows for quick scenario planning and far easier analysis of a growing organization whose future may look nothing like today. The driver-based budgets can be periodically refreshed to create rolling financial forecasts extending well beyond the fiscal year end. Learn how managerial accounting can become managerial economics. Speaker - Gary Cokins

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In this comprehensive course, practitioners gain a deep understanding of strategic planning considerations and potential hurdles encountered when clients face difficult circumstances. Delving into an array of scenarios often classified as "challenging," the course offers tax insights. From divorce and personal bankruptcy to intricate personal relationship matters, participants will equip themselves to adeptly guide clients through these challenging scenarios by understanding the tax implications. Speaker - Arthur Werner

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Proven communication techniques (bold) In this webcast, you will learn how to: Create a simple checklist to improve your writing and presenting skills Harness The Four Pillars of Confidence Make your presentation more engaging Incorporate non-verbal tools to present powerfully "If I were to summarize in one sentence the single most important principle I have learned in the field of interpersonal relations, it would be this: Seek first to understand, then to be understood." - Dr. Stephen R. Covey, *Seven Habits of Highly Effective People* Note: You will gain more from this course if you first take "Part One: Questioning and Listening to Discover Client Needs."Speaker - Greg Conderacci

In this comprehensive course, practitioners gain a deep understanding of strategic planning considerations and potential hurdles encountered when clients face difficult circumstances. Delving into an array of scenarios often classified as "challenging," the course offers tax insights. From divorce and personal bankruptcy to intricate personal relationship matters, participants will equip themselves to adeptly guide clients through these challenging scenarios by understanding the tax implications. Speaker - Arthur Werner

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Join us for an in-depth webcast on Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs) and the essential aspects of preparing Form 5227.  This course will provide a comprehensive overview of CRTs, including their purpose, benefits, and practical considerations. Moreover, we will delve into the intricacies of Form 5227, the informational return for charitable remainder trusts, ensuring you have the necessary knowledge to accurately complete and file this crucial document. During this webcast, Art Werner will guide you through the fundamental concepts of Charitable Remainder Trusts, illustrating how they can be utilized as a strategic tool for tax planning. We will explore various types of CRTs, their formation, and the different scenarios in which they are most beneficial.  A significant portion of the webcast will be dedicated to Form 5227, the reporting requirement for charitable remainder trusts. We will provide an in-depth analysis of the form's components, line by line, ensuring you gain a comprehensive understanding of the information it requires. From trust assets and income to distributions and charitable beneficiaries, we will cover each section, discussing common pitfalls and best practices for accurate reporting. Mr. Werner will address the recent updates and changes to Form 5227, enabling you to stay up to date with the latest compliance requirements. Speaker - Arthur Werner

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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.    Understanding and Preventing Budget Calamities 2 Hours - Accounting •    Most of us lead or participate in the budget process at least annually.  Inherent flaws exist in the standard budget building process that you can solved by recognizing them and committing to solutions.   Building Flexible Budgeting Models: Walking Through and Crunching The Numbers 2 Hours - Accounting •    We can all learn from others and improve our budgeting process by listening to our colleagues’ wisdom and experience.  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 planning.  Avoiding Budget People Issues:  Managing Budgeting’s Soft Side 2 Hours - Accounting •    Financial plans have a technical component and human component.  We can resolve some of our budget issues by exploring the process’ human aspect.  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 to a better plan.   Budgeting:  Presenting and Communicating your Numbers 2 Hours - Accounting •    Now that the budget is complete, how we communicate our plan is critical.  this session reveals some key guidelines in budget presentation and will identify key problems in how people often communicate financial plans.    Speaker - Bob Mims

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.  Speaker - Mark Hugh