CPE & Event Calendar

This course provides a comprehensive analysis of the taxation issues affecting the cannabis industry. It covers the historical context of U.S. taxation, the distinctions between industrial hemp and marijuana, and the specific tax codes and regulations that apply to the cannabis business. Participants will gain insights into state marijuana laws, the unique challenges of a cash-intensive industry, and pertinent federal court cases. *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

This course focuses on the key federal tax issues affecting business from the internal accountant's point of view, with a focus on the major ramifications of the TCJA and other recent tax legislation and developments.  Planning alternatives and the potential risks associated with those strategies will also be discussed.    **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.

If you are an experienced Excel user seeking to elevate your skills, join the K2 team for K2’s Advanced Excel. In this laptop-friendly program, you will learn critical advanced Excel skills in six key areas: 1) collaborating with other users and securing workbooks, 2) using tables to analyze and report data, 3) integrating and manipulating data from external sources, 4) creating and auditing complex formulas, 5) advanced data analysis tools, and 6) visualization techniques to analyze and communicate information. The course draws from over twenty-five years of experience delivering Excel training to accountants and other business professionals. Throughout the program, relevant, real-world examples reinforce the topics presented. Take advantage of this opportunity to become more efficient and proficient in Microsoft Office Excel, the tool of choice for accounting and financial professionals. This course covers advanced Excel topics found in Excel 2019 and newer.

This course equips tax professionals with the knowledge and strategies needed to handle the most common IRS letters, including general notices, audit requests, collections, return inquiries, and error notices. Participants will learn how to interpret IRS correspondence, adhere to response deadlines, and effectively communicate with the IRS to resolve issues and minimize risks. The session also highlights best practices for ensuring compliance and avoiding penalties or escalation, empowering attendees to navigate IRS correspondence with confidence. *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

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

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.  

*** This CPAx Pack includes four individual sessions for a total of 10 CPE. You receive significant savings when purchasing these webinars as a Pack. Each of the courses runs live once a month beginning May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. Register for these scheduled courses as your schedule allows - at no extra cost to you. Once registered for this pack, log in instructions will be emailed to you separately for each individual course. *** Unlock the full potential of your data with our comprehensive Power BI course bundle, designed to take you from a beginner to an advanced data analyst. Get started with Power BI to familiarize yourself with the basics of setting up your workspace and learn how to clean, transform, and load data in Power BI. You will master the essential techniques for preparing your data for analysis. This bundle dives deeper into how to create measures in Power BI to help master the art of tracking and analyzing key performance indicators. Learn how to bring Power BI and Data Analysis together to integrate your skills to perform sophisticated data analysis and create compelling visualizations. Each course is meticulously crafted to provide you with practical knowledge and hands-on experience, ensuring you can confidently use Power BI to transform raw data into actionable insights. Join us and elevate your data analysis skills to new heights. Enroll today and become a Power BI expert!

*** This CPAx Pack includes five individual sessions for a total of 12 CPE. You receive significant savings when purchasing these webinars as a Pack. Each of the courses runs live once a month beginning May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. Register for these scheduled courses as your schedule allows - at no extra cost to you. Once registered for this pack, log in instructions will be emailed to you separately for each individual course. *** Transform your accounting practice with our cutting-edge course bundle, designed to harness the power of artificial intelligence. "Unlock the Power of AI with Copilot in Excel" to streamline your data analysis and reporting. Dive deeper with the "AI Prompt Engineering Masterclass for Accountants," where you'll learn to craft effective AI prompts tailored to your needs. Explore "AI for CPAs - How it Works and How to Apply it" to understand the fundamentals and practical applications of AI in accounting. Automate your tax preparation process with "1040 Tax Prep Automation with AI Tools," and discover how AI seamlessly integrates into the accounting world with "How AI Fits into the Accounting World." Each course is meticulously crafted to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to leverage AI for increased efficiency, accuracy, and innovation in your practice. Join us and become a future-ready CPA, equipped with the tools to excel in the evolving landscape of accounting. Enroll today and unlock the transformative potential of AI in your accounting career!

This intensive two-hour course addresses the critical need for accuracy and efficiency when developing spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. Recognizing that even minor errors can have significant implications, this course delves deep into strategies and skills required to detect and correct errors in Excel. By the end of this course, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of how to efficiently identify and correct errors in Excel spreadsheets, enhancing their overall productivity and accuracy in their professional roles. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Do you find yourself challenged to achieve the results you want? While leading employees can be one of the most challenging activities, it is also one of the most impactful leadership skills few seem to master. Inspirational leadership looks like lifelong employees reaching their full potential AND impactful business results that are repeated year after year. Striking the balance between these two critical aspects does not have to be rocket science. In this power-packed course, the formula to be an Inspirational leader has been masterfully developed and covers the soft skills of Inspirational leadership and the Results Model: Goal Setting + Coaching + Follow Up with proven results from dozens of both large and small companies. These cornerstones are simple but can be hard to execute because it is HOW you do it first, then WHAT you do second. This exciting course is designed to ignite your leadership skills by putting theory into practice; drilling into real live examples and experiencing first-hand what excellence sounds like through role-playing and building your action plan. Get ready to become an inspirational leader and learn the steps required to get the results you really want. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

*** This CPAx Pack includes three individual sessions for a total of 6 CPE. You receive significant savings when purchasing these webinars as a Pack. Each of the courses runs live once a month beginning May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. Register for these scheduled courses as your schedule allows - at no extra cost to you. Once registered for this pack, log in instructions will be emailed to you separately for each individual course. *** Elevate your auditing skills with our specialized course bundle, designed to provide you with in-depth knowledge and practical expertise in auditing cash, expenses, payables, and inventory. Whether you're a seasoned auditor looking to refine your skills or a newcomer eager to learn the essentials, this bundle offers comprehensive coverage of key auditing areas. Discover the intricacies of auditing cash transactions, master the techniques for auditing expenses and payables, and gain a thorough understanding of inventory auditing. Each course is crafted to equip you with the tools and insights needed to conduct effective and efficient audits, ensuring accuracy and compliance. Join us on this learning journey and transform your auditing capabilities, making you an invaluable asset in the field of finance and accounting. Enroll today and take the first step towards mastering the art of auditing!

*** This CPAx Pack includes four individual sessions for a total of 8 CPE. You receive significant savings when purchasing these webinars as a Pack. Each of the courses runs live once a month beginning May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026. Register for these scheduled courses as your schedule allows - at no extra cost to you. Once registered for this pack, log in instructions will be emailed to you separately for each individual course. *** Navigate the complexities of IRS procedures with our comprehensive course bundle, designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to handle various IRS interactions with confidence. From understanding the nuances of Power of Attorney (Form 2848) and Tax Information Authorization (Form 8821) to mastering the intricacies of IRS collections through Form 433 and Offer in Compromise, this bundle covers it all. Learn the step-by-step process of navigating IRS collections and gain insights into effectively responding to IRS correspondence. Each course is meticulously crafted to provide you with practical tools and strategies for managing IRS authorizations, collections, and communications. Join us and transform your understanding of IRS procedures, ensuring you are well-prepared to tackle any IRS-related challenges. Enroll today and take control of your IRS interactions with confidence!

The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners says that there is fraud lurking in all businesses, including not-for-profit organizations. It often goes undetected for years and when uncovered, management and the board may question why an auditor did not identify it. The auditor's responsibility in a financial statement audit is to assess risk and perform sufficient procedures to obtain reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement due to fraud or error. However, failure to perform an adequate fraud risk assessment and report deficiencies in internal control, such as a lack of segregation of duties, can leave a firm vulnerable. This course will discuss the audit procedures that should be performed in accordance with AU-C 240 as recently amended, best practices in performing fraud risk assessment procedures, when and how to report control deficiencies noted in an audit, and the most frequent types of fraud found in small to mid-sized entities along with internal controls that could be implemented to help prevent and detect them. We will look at various cyber fraud schemes and how they might be prevented or detected, the use of analytics as fraud risk procedures, and assessments of fraud risk in a Single Audit. This course features case studies.

Specifically designed for preparation, compilation, and review practitioners, this course will provide you with a comprehensive review and hands-on application for performing financial statement preparation, compilation, and review engagements. You will learn the ins and outs of applying SSARS No. 21, Clarification and Recodification, as well as the additional guidance related to SSARS engagements through the issuance of SSARS Nos. 22-26 by the ARSC. In addition to SSARS 26, the entire suite of quality management standards is discussed. However, knowing the standards is not enough. You need to be able to effectively apply them. To support this, the course will review recent peer review feedback on SSARS engagements, providing insights on how to successfully apply this guidance. Not only will this course bring you up to date on SSARS requirements and guidance, but more importantly, it will provide you with practical examples and illustrations to help you effectively and efficiently perform these types of engagements. This course is intended to be your go-to reference for training your staff and managing your SSARS No. 21-26 services in compliance with professional, ethical, and technical requirements.

Recent generally accepted auditing standards were written to improve the quality of risk-based financial statement audits, audit reporting, and required by-product communications. This course will discuss the important clarifications and enhancements intended to improve audit quality to ensure better compliance with requirements contained in SAS Nos. 134-145. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

As the managers' role continue to evolve, it is crucial for us to understand the strategic aspects of managing a diverse workforce, beginning with understanding the big trends in employee demographics. We begin with a rhetorical question - asking if employees are assets? GAAP tells us they are not, so discussion will revolve around whether this treatment delivers an unhealthy bias on our view of the people in our organization. What do the most successful organizations believe and why? If you have an opinion as to whether employees are an asset or not, this is a fun session intended to be interactive with participation either live, virtual or both.

To many clients, CPA firms all look the same. While services and specialties may vary significantly from one firm to another, it is hard for the average person to see this by simply looking at the sign outside our office door. Is there any way to make us stand out more to the outside world? Through surveys, statistics, and examples, this course looks at how CPA firms can develop a marketing plan beyond just relying on referrals. We look at the pluses and minuses of various marketing channels, regulatory constraints, and how to measure success in the competitive financial services space.

This program provides an update to the latest tax developments, rules and regulations affecting business taxpayers, including a review and integration of 2024-25 legislation.   **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.

It is imperative that audit staff understand the fundamentals of expenses & payables. This course will cover the basics of auditing expenses, accrued liabilities, and other payables, including the related audit assertions, risks, & threats to the expenses & payables balances. During this course, we will also highlight the various substantive auditing procedures that staff should perform, and also walk through some real-world examples. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Signed by President Biden on December 29, 2022 as part of the Consolidation Appropriations Act, this program provides an explanation of the Secure Act 2.0 provisions impacting individuals and business taxpayers. Learn what you need to know for this filing season and how to plan for future years for your clients. **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.