CPE & Event Calendar

You could pay $0 for this course!This course qualifies for reimbursement through the State Workforce Training Express Fund. Firms/companies with fewer than 100 staff will receive 100% of the cost of training reimbursed. You must register for this course and apply for reimbursement through the Workforce Training Express Fund website a minimum of three weeks before the start date of the course to be eligible. The course code for this program is C-6542. To learn more click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@mscpaonline.org.This 2-hour mini course introduces how data analytics can be used to improve engagement quality and efficiency. Participants explore the use of data analytics to assess risk, support financial statement assertions, assess internal controls and uncover fraud. Apply the ADA IDEASc approach to using data analytics on engagements to ensure compliance with audit and review standards and to provide value-added services to clients. All of AHI's courses rely heavily on participant interaction and these virtual programs have co-opted many of Zoom's features to preserve the same strengths of the in-person training: visual interaction between the instructor and all participants (plan to be "on screen" throughout the program); breakout rooms to ensure small group engagement; and instructor interaction screen share for small group presentations easy delivery of video presentations fillable PDF for online note-taking in the course materials.

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.

You could pay $0 for this course!This qualifies for reimbursement through the State Workforce Training Express Fund. Firms/companies with fewer than 100 staff will receive 100% reimbusement, and firms/companies with over 100 staff will receive 50% reimbursement. You must register for this course and apply for reimbursement through the Workforce Training Express Fund website three weeks in advance to be eligible. The course code for this program is C-8902. To learn more click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@mscpaonline.org. Whether you are a seasoned CFO or a staff professional, we all have the desire to enhance our skills and become even more effective. We discuss four methods to improve, including getting the most from the sales function, how CFOs can (and should) deliver much more value, new skills to develop, and how to find the time to do this? We also review the value of sustainability, ESG reporting, and measurement. A newer technique that adds value to our role so we can become even more effective. Each of these four topics will help you truly deliver more value. Enhancing Sales: Work with Sales to Drive Result 2 Business Management and Organization credits Sales and Accounting are not alike. In many organizations the two functions are at odds with each other, causing wasteful infighting. Many times, sales will undercut the accountants and vice versa. Sometimes this is inadvertent and sometimes not. Both functions should work together to achieve superior financial performance. We must take the lead and develop a better relationship with the sales function and the sales team. Oftentimes the sales incentive plans cause friction and result in counterproductive behaviors. If Accounting and Finance were to work together effectively, then net income, revenue and sales incentives would all increase. Thinking differently about how to work together will dramatically enhance financial performance. Imagine at least a five percent increase in the bottom line? We will discuss how. Working together yields superior results.Growth Opportunities for CFOs: Value Added CFOs 2 Finance credits Many CFOs place too much emphasis on external financial and statutory compliance reporting for government regulatory agencies and not enough on corporate performance management (CPM) methods including internal management accounting. The former is for valuation (e.g., inventories and COGS). The latter is for “creating wealth value” to support better decisions. This course provides tools and information for how CFOs can transition from bean counters to bean growers. The best CFOs not only keep score, which is necessary, but they enable the organization to score more, which is much more valuable.Ready to be an Effective CFO? Skills to Succeed 2 Business Management and Organization credits With all the buzz about the additional responsibilities of CFOs today, what are the essential skillsets for success? How do you excel when you are spread so thin? Becoming the multi-skilled CFO companies are looking for requires you to balance traditional responsibilities with new demands. How do you utilize your key relationships and your team to fill the gaps and make sure nothing slips through? To be effective requires a shift in the way financial leaders think and approach their day - rather than a never-ending chase after new skillsets. Thinking differently about how to accomplish the broad spectrum of CFO responsibilities is a key lesson in your essential lifelong learning. We will review many tactics to help you become even more effective.Measuring and Reporting - ESG and Sustainability 2 Finance credits ESG broadly covers many of the non-financial issues every organization faces. The use of ESG as a term however conjures images to many of tree-huggers protecting rare species at the expense of jobs and growth, requirements that well-qualified candidates are not hired or passed over for promotion because they do not meet “diversity standards” and that companies are constrained by restrictive laws and regulations from conducting their business. ESG is not about limiting growth or profitability. It is about measuring non-financial information and using that information to make companies more efficient and more profitable. ESG is not a fad that will go away but a method of viewing our organizations so that they can be better and more profitable

You could pay $0 for this course!This course qualifies for reimbursement through the State Workforce Training Express Fund. Firms/companies with fewer than 100 staff will receive 100% of the cost of training reimbursed. You must register for this course and apply for reimbursement through the Workforce Training Express Fund website a minimum of three weeks before the start date of the course to be eligible. The course code for this program is C-8960. To learn more click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@mscpaonline.org.This course is designed for firm partners and managers to explore ways to incorporate data analytics and related technologies in their audit practices. Participants explore how small and mid-size firms are using these tools to improve engagement efficiency and quality while providing opportunities for value-added services to clients. All of AHI's courses rely heavily on participant interaction and these virtual programs have co-opted many of Zoom's features to preserve the same strengths of the in-person training: visual interaction between the instructor and all participants (plan to be "on screen" throughout the program); breakout rooms to ensure small group engagement; and instructor interaction screen share for small group presentations easy delivery of video presentations fillable PDF for online note-taking in the course materials.

You could pay $0 for this course!This course qualifies for reimbursement through the State Workforce Training Express Fund. Firms/companies with fewer than 100 staff will receive 100% of the cost of training reimbursed. You must register for this course and apply for reimbursement through the Workforce Training Express Fund website a minimum of three weeks before the start date of the course to be eligible. The course code for this program is C-9414. To learn more click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@mscpaonline.org.This 2-hour mini course is from our Level V course, which highlights leadership skills and situations that are common for managers and senior managers in CPA firms. Participants will be encouraged to examine and challenge their beliefs and approaches to managing and leading people. Leading Others - Coaching & Developing Staff - prioritizing the coaching and development of staff in a post-pandemic work environment, including delegation for development, effective feedback, and managing virtual employees. Building Leadership Communication Skills - strategies to influence and lead others through effective communication in both individual and group settings. Helping the Firm Grow - the three levels of helping the firm grow and how to involve the entire team in expanding services to existing clients and generating referrals to new clients. All of AHI's courses rely heavily on participant interaction and these virtual programs have co-opted many of Zoom's features to preserve the same strengths of the in-person training: visual interaction between the instructor and all participants (plan to be "on screen" throughout the program) breakout rooms to ensure small group engagement and instructor interaction screen share for small group presentations easy delivery of video presentations fillable PDF for online note-taking in the course material.

For organizations striving to build more inclusive cultures, leaders play an important role. Not only do they need to feel comfortable advocating for inclusion and articulating the value of diversity, they need to feel comfortable talking about the challenges, issues and differences that invariably are part of the DEI conversation. This in person session, we would focus on how unconscious bias influences group dynamics and interpersonal communication. Learning objectives include: to help leaders and managers get more comfortable holding, initiating or facilitating uncomfortable conversations to promote more open dialogue in the workplace, and more. This course is for anyone who are in a leadership position looking to promote diversity

You could pay $0 for this course!This course qualifies for reimbursement through the State Workforce Training Express Fund. Firms/companies with fewer than 100 staff will receive 100% of the cost of training reimbursed. You must register for this course and apply for reimbursement through the Workforce Training Express Fund website a minimum of three weeks before the start date of the course to be eligible. The course code for this program is C-3350. To learn more click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@mscpaonline.org.The partnership section of the Internal Revenue Code is arguably one of the most complicated. That complexity, and the reliability of tax software to properly handle it, can create many issues for you and your staff when processing your client's LLC and partnership tax returns. Join us as we discuss the common errors practitioners make on partnership tax returns that are often missed by review staff. The intent is to sharpen skills for reviewers by examining case studies and discussing issues where additional information from the client may be warranted and areas of tax law where proper treatment requires additional analysis and information. Multiple issues will be discussed, including income, deductions, K-1 reporting, and K-2 and K-3 reporting. This course follows a highly illustrative case study format to increase participant comprehension and retention.

Accounting and financial reporting for construction contractors may be the most difficult area to be in compliance with the various standards. Construction engagements are, in many instances, more "dangerous" than most lines of business due to the many users of the financial statements. In this course, we will discuss why construction accounting and financial reporting are so complex and discuss the relationship between the contractor and the surety, both from an underwriting and claims perspective. We will also explore what the surety looks for in order to maximize potential bond credit, and we will discuss key areas of tax compliance concentrating on those areas which make construction unique, including the impact of COVID-19 on the construction industry.

Tax practitioners have been hard-pressed to keep up with recent legislation and new IRS guidance. In this course, tax advisors will be fully updated on the most important legislative and regulatory developments of the season as well as major trends and changes in the case law, with a view toward planning considerations. This course is continually updated to reflect enacted legislation.

You could pay $0 for this course!This qualifies for reimbursement through the State Workforce Training Express Fund. Firms/companies with fewer than 100 staff will receive 100% reimbusement, and firms/companies with over 100 staff will receive 50% reimbursement. You must register for this course and apply for reimbursement through the Workforce Training Express Fund website three weeks in advance to be eligible. The course code for this program is C-2985. To learn more click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@mscpaonline.org.The QuickBooks platform is robust with features and capabilities that many users are unaware of or do not know how to utilize effectively. This course helps you get more out of QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online and resolve the issues even experienced QuickBooks users struggle with, such as locking down prior periods. This program starts fast with a chapter covering the top issues accountants face with QuickBooks. Then, the day continues with practical guidance and solutions designed to help accountants get the most out of QuickBooks for themselves or their clients. You will learn about issues like setting up a new company, configuring and customizing QuickBooks preferences, and enabling system security and password protection features. Also, you will learn how to lock down transactions in prior periods, use the audit trail, customize reports, export reports to Excel, and extend QuickBooks' usefulness with tools such as the Fixed Asset Manager and Loan Manager.

Tax practitioners have been hard-pressed to keep up with recent legislation and new IRS guidance. In this course, tax advisors will be fully updated on the most important legislative and regulatory developments of the season as well as major trends and changes in the case law, with a view toward planning considerations. This course is continually updated to reflect enacted legislation.

This comprehensive update will assist you in the application of Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARSs). Participants who attend this update will learn about recently issued SSARSs and other related developments impacting a SSARSs practice.  

You could pay $0 for this course!This qualifies for reimbursement through the State Workforce Training Express Fund. Firms/companies with fewer than 100 staff will receive 100% reimbusement, and firms/companies with over 100 staff will receive 50% reimbursement. You must register for this course and apply for reimbursement through the Workforce Training Express Fund website three weeks in advance to be eligible. The course code for this program is 1132182. To learn more click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@mscpaonline.org.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 controThisls, security, and anti-fraud measures in small organizations.

Tax practitioners have been hard-pressed to keep up with recent legislation and new IRS guidance. In this course, tax advisors will be fully updated on the most important legislative and regulatory developments of the season as well as major trends and changes in the case law, with a view toward planning considerations. This course is continually updated to reflect enacted legislation.

For roughly 90% of American retirees, Social Security income will be the foundation of their retirement income. Yet, many are ill-prepared and lack understanding of the critical aspects of making an informed claiming decision. Further challenged to separate fact from fiction, consumers crave accurate information from knowledgeable professionals to make the most out of these coveted monthly benefits. This course dispels common myths about Social Security that lead to confusion and replaces them with the truth to an empowered retirement. Help your clients navigate their claiming age decisions with greater confidence, equipped with the essential truths they should consider before pushing the Social Security "on" button.

This is another year of significant change in the world of nonprofit accounting and auditing. Time is valuable, and it's hard to stay current in today's rapidly changing environment. Let us save you time and effort with this informative update course. The course materials utilize a highly illustrative and innovative format. Over 30 focused exercises are included to provide an enhanced working knowledge of the latest developments in nonprofit accounting and auditing.

You could pay $0 for this course!This qualifies for reimbursement through the State Workforce Training Express Fund. Firms/companies with fewer than 100 staff will receive 100% reimbusement, and firms/companies with over 100 staff will receive 50% reimbursement. You must register for this course and apply for reimbursement through the Workforce Training Express Fund website three weeks in advance to be eligible. The course code for this program is 1136750. To learn more click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@mscpaonline.org.Staff accountants have specific needs when working with Excel. Unfortunately, these needs are often not met by their existing Excel knowledge. Chief among these are summarizing data quickly and accurately, generating accurate and aesthetically pleasing reports, and creating accounting-centric calculations for elements such as depreciation, amortization, and interest. By participating in this eight-hour session, staff accountants will gain the essential skills to maximize efficiency and accuracy when working with Excel. This session begins with a quick overview of Excel best practices. It then progresses rapidly into discussions that address PivotTables, sophisticated formulas, Tables, formatting, and working with dates in Excel. Throughout the session, you will learn from accounting-centric examples to reinforce key learning points. In this session, you will learn in a "laptop-friendly" environment, and participants will have access to all the demonstration files. In sum, this seminar is a "must" for all staff accountants seeking to improve their efficiency and accuracy when working with Excel.

You could pay $0 for this course!This course qualifies for reimbursement through the State Workforce Training Express Fund. Firms/companies with fewer than 100 staff will receive 100% of the cost of training reimbursed. You must register for this course and apply for reimbursement through the Workforce Training Express Fund website a minimum of three weeks before the start date of the course to be eligible. The course code for this program is C-4106. To learn more click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@mscpaonline.org.Develop your soft skills in training courses that benefit both the person attending and their organization. This course, the final course of the five-course series, is applicable for various accounting departments (i.e. audit, tax, consulting, and accounting services) but because these are universal leadership concepts, they are equally applicable to other professional business leaders. The Level V course highlights leadership skills and situations that are common for managers and senior managers of organizations. Participants will be encouraged to examine and challenge their beliefs and approaches to managing and leading people. Per NASBA's rules effective January 1, 2024, participants are required to be on camera and participate in the full and small group discussions to earn CPE credits for this Group Live - Virtual course. As such, please make sure you are set up properly with reliable internet (hard wired is best), a working camera, and a working microphone.

Do you prepare private company financial statement disclosures in accordance with accepted accounting principles (GAAP) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), or a “Special Purpose Framework” (SPF), such as cash or tax basis? If so, then this course is for you. This course addresses many frequently encountered disclosures associated with the preparation of financial statements for private companies.  

You could pay $0 for this course!This qualifies for reimbursement through the State Workforce Training Express Fund. Firms/companies with fewer than 100 staff will receive 100% reimbusement, and firms/companies with over 100 staff will receive 50% reimbursement. You must register for this course and apply for reimbursement through the Workforce Training Express Fund website three weeks in advance to be eligible. The course code for this program is C-8903. To learn more click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@mscpaonline.org. We all aspire to be great managers, perhaps even with management superpowers. We will discuss how, specifically what, you can do to improve your management skills? The best leaders have a never-ending passion to improve and acquire useful knowledge. Management skills can be learned, but only if one is willing to do the work. If you aspire to be a more valued, trusted, credible leader – these four sessions of two hours each will help you become a first–class manager. Learn what makes the best managers – the best.Five Management Superpowers 2 Business Management and Organization credits “Management is about persuading people to do things they do not want to do, while leadership is about inspiring people to do things they never thought they could." - Steve Jobs. We will discuss five key management strategies and skills that every successful manager has. We walk through the A-to-Z of effective management from the standpoint of self, team, and individuals. It is not enough to be a ‘good’ manager and excel in our field, we need to be more than the subject matter expert. The five management superpowers will bolster management skills for better leaders and is a proven path for those who desire to ascend the ranks to higher leadership. Leadership is a skill that can be learned, and you can learn how. Accepting Perfectionists: Understanding & Adapting 2 Business Management and Organization credits You may know people who believe, “Good, is never good enough.” They are sharp, driven, push themselves, have lofty standards, and may focus on the negative. They wear themselves out and others as well. Could they be a perfectionist? Perhaps we have some of these tendencies? We will discuss perfectionists from several perspectives and how to harness their skills to enhance results. Perfectionism is a mindset, not a disease. We will review actions to take so that perfectionists may learn how to transform their behaviors. Based on research and proven methods, we will discuss tactics that may help. If you know at least one perfectionist, this session will significantly help you and them. Why You Should Be a Learnaholic: Staying Ahead! 2 Personal Development creditsSuccessful people do know one secret that keeps them on top? The answer is - they are lifelong learners. It is a mindset and a way of life that they learned to utilize. You did not miss out, those not born with this ability have hope. This course provides quantifiable research to support that learn-aholics (or lifetime learners) are clearly more successful, as well as practical actions on how you can stop being left behind and start getting ahead by adopting the habits and mindset of a lifelong learner. The crux is to expand your mind and expand your possibilities. This is the recipe for success you don’t want to miss!Advancing Your Role as a Business Leader 2 Business Management and Organization credits Knowing the numbers is a valued skill, but not nearly enough to make you a real business leader. True leaders put in the work and make sacrifices for others. Leadership is a learned skill, a skill that must be practiced. It may look simple, and it is – only if you know what to do and how to do it. Leadership requires one to develop a greater understanding of intangibles that are difficult to quantify – but are priceless. The best leaders care about others, are trustworthy and are credible. We will discuss proven tactics to enhance those skills. Worthy for those who want to become even more valuable as a business leader.