CPE Catalog
Note
AICPA On-Demand & Self-Study courses take up to 24 hours to process.
The CFO Series-Artificial Intelligence: A Practical Guide for Financial Leaders and CFOs
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Online
2.00 Credits
In today's world, AI hype bombards us from every direction. Every system seems to boast magical AI capabilities, leading to confusion and overwhelming information. This course cuts through the noise to reveal the true, practical applications of AI for your business today. Our goal is to give you real world examples of using AI on a day-to-day basis, with a clear understanding of its particular strengths and limitations.
Considerations of Fraud
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Online
2.00 Credits
This course provides an in-depth exploration of AU-C 240, Consideration of Fraud in a Financial Statements Audit. Participants will gain practical insights into identifying, assessing, and responding to fraud risks within the context of financial statement audits. Through engaging lectures, real-world examples, and case studies, the course examines the nature and characteristics of fraud, including fraudulent financial reporting and misappropriation of assets. It also delves into the auditor's responsibilities under AU-C 240 for planning and performing audits with fraud considerations, techniques for identifying fraud risk factors and assessing risks of material misstatement, and methods for designing and implementing effective audit procedures. Additionally, participants will explore best practices for communicating and documenting findings related to potential or identified fraud. Ideal for auditors at all experience levels, this course equips attendees with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate fraud-related complexities and maintain audit integrity.
Profitability Pricing: Boost your Bottom Line
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Online
2.00 Credits
Two seemingly similar products can have very different costs, yet many companies are completely oblivious to these differences causing them to lose money or competitive bids. When companies compete, those with good information win the “gravy” contracts and those with bad information lose money on “dog” jobs. Attend this session to gain insights on how to win bids for the best opportunities and give the money-losers to your competitors. Achieve your target profitability in the process.
S Corporations - Overview
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Online
2.00 Credits
This course provides an overview of the key aspects and tax implications of S Corporations. Participants will learn the mechanics of electing Subchapter S status, compare S Corporations to other entity structures, and explore compliance requirements such as corporate formalities. Highlights include a detailed discussion of Form 1120S, accountable plans, taxable fringe benefits, officer reasonable compensation, and IRS audit strategies. The course also covers Schedules K-1, K-2, and K-3, as well as the concept of effectively connected income. Practitioners will gain practical insights into advisory services and strategies for representing clients before the IRS. *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
Surgent's Tax Loss Limitations Imposed on Individuals and Pass-through Entities
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Online
3.00 Credits
Tax practitioners advising their business clients must be fully informed regarding the multiple loss limitation provisions that apply to individuals conducting businesses and pass-through entities. This program covers the loss limitation rules that tax practitioners must know in order to advise their individual and pass-through entity clients fully and adequately as to when and if a loss limitation applies. The loss limitations discussed in this program start with an introductory discussion of hobby loss rules and graduate to a more substantive discussion of the remaining loss limitations: basis limits, at-risk rules, passive loss limits, excess business loss limits, net operating losses, and the Section 163(j) interest limitation. Knowing when loss limits apply is essential for any tax practitioner. This program will put you in a position to advise clients fully and intelligently regarding each of the loss limits.This course qualifies for IRS credit.
Managerial Accounting: Your Prescription for Better Decision
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Online
4.00 Credits
This session revisits useful, but potentially underutilized, managerial accounting techniques. You will appreciate a fresh look at concepts you may not have considered since your college days. We will illustrate practical ways you can immediately implement managerial accounting analysis in your professional endeavors. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Best Non-Google Search Tools for Accountants
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Online
2.00 Credits
The course explains why you need more than Google to search the Internet and highlights a rich constellation of alternative search engine applications. The session also explains how to set up your own customized online research management platform, and discusses dynamic search strategies (two-step, vertical and lateral searching) that can be used to gain an extra edge when using any search engine. Participants will walk away with scores of new knowledge sources and streams that will complement their use of Google and improve their online research power. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Installment sales: Maximize Tax Benefits and Stay Compliant
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Online
1.00 Credits
This course explores the complex rules of installment sales, with a focus on their tax treatment and strategies to maximize the benefits. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Global Internal Audit Standards (GIAS) Domain II - 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
Microsoft Excel: Moving Beyond the Basics
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Online
2.00 Credits
This course explores the increasingly complex features of Excel that facilitate efficient data analysis. We will introduce numerous analytical methods and techniques by using practical examples to illustrate how to unleash the power of Excel when manipulating, analyzing and reporting information.
Partnership/LLC Taxation: Understanding Tax Basis Capital Accounts
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Online
2.00 Credits
This program addresses the most recent developments impacting partnerships operating as LLCs, with a focus on legislative, administrative, and tax form changes. Emphasis will be placed on partners "tax basis" capital accounts - now required for tax form reporting. *Please Note: If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Coursw Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com
Donating Cryptocurrency and Avoiding Traps for the Unwary
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Online
2.00 Credits
As the digital asset market continues to mature, more taxpayers may be contemplating blessing their favorite charitable organizations with gifts of cryptocurrency. Beneficiaries unfamiliar with digital assets may find it challenging to properly report any of these types of donations. Likewise, taxpayers will need to ensure that they properly value and substantiate any contributions or potentially risk their charitable deductions being denied. This course will provide a brief overview of digital assets. This will be followed by a discussion of the rules regarding the documentation required when claiming a charitable contribution of digital assets. This course will also cover recent IRS publications and cases discussing taxpayers whose deductions of digital assets charitable gifts was scrutinized. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
1040 Tax Prep Automation with AI Tools
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Online
2.00 Credits
There has never been a greater opportunity to leverage technology tools to automate various aspects of 1040 tax preparation. This course will provide specific examples of how you can use AI (artificial intelligence) based tools to complement your core 1040 tax prep software. You will learn how to leverage AI to automate the collection and organization of client source documents, enhance the engagement management process and add value to your 1040 service through AI enhanced 1040 advisory services. This course will separate the hype from reality about AI and how it can be used in 1040 tax preparation. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Ethics Aren't for the Byrdes in Ozark
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Online
1.00 Credits
Professional codes of ethics provide guidance to professionals who are frequently required to choose between doing the right thing and the wrong thing. Sometimes, professionals violate their ethical code and do the wrong thing for what they rationalize is the right reason. This session uses the popular television show "Ozark" and its multiple examples of seemingly good people doing bad things for the right reason to define ethics as well as explore why people make unethical choices and how they justify those choices.
How to Audit Prepaid Expenses
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Online
2.00 Credits
Understanding how to effectively audit prepaid expenses is a key skill for audit staff. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals, including the applicable audit assertions and common risks and threats associated with the prepaid expense balance. Participants will learn how to perform substantive auditing procedures to ensure accuracy and reliability, with guidance on applying these techniques to real-world scenarios. Designed to enhance practical knowledge, this session equips auditors with the tools and confidence needed to navigate prepaid expense audits with proficiency.
Why Auditors Fail To Detect Fraud
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Online
2.00 Credits
Prior to the original SAS No. 82 on Consideration of Fraud In A Financial Statement Audit (now codified as SAS No. 122, AU 240), the word fraud never appeared in a single SAS, nor was it described anywhere. SAS No. 82 stated that auditors failed to detect fraud for two reasons: 1) They did not know what it looked like and 2) They had not been trained to look for it. Although the SASs did not provide any guidance, auditors have always been responsible for the detection of anything that would cause a material misstatement of the financial statements whether caused by error or irregularities. (They would not even say the word fraud until it appeared in SAS No. 82) The standards were replete with guidance on the detection of an error but silent on how to detect irregularities. Now auditors are required to document in every financial statement audit their process of determining the risk of financial misstatement due to fraud. This presentation is designed to focus on frauds that were missed by the auditors and, in some cases, why it was missed. There will also be discussion as to what the auditor must do in order to improve their track record on detecting fraud. As reported on the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Occupational Fraud 2022: A Report to the Nations, only 4% of frauds were initially discovered by the external auditor. It was reported that more frauds were discovered by accident, (5%) then was discovered by the external auditor.
Ethical Performance Management
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Online
2.00 Credits
Today, more than ever, effective performance management is critical to the well-being of an organization, as well as the engagement and satisfaction of staff. Unfortunately, performance management is also often one of the most dreaded responsibilities managers face. This session will provide insight into what performance management is, how to prepare and conduct performance appraisals, how to coach the marginal employee, legal considerations to be aware of when conducting an appraisal, and ways to engage and motivate staff. In addition to providing tools to conduct effective appraisals, we will also look at the ethical implications of employee reviews. When done well, performance management has the power to improve communication between managers and their staff as well as help foster stronger career paths and routes for growth. It can motivate, re-engage, and energize everyone involved. Ethical values such as fairness, accountability, respect, intellectual honesty, and trust will be incorporated into this session. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Preparing to be a Forensic Accountant - Focus on Computer Forensics - Part 3 (Steganography)
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Online
1.60 Credits
This course is a complement to our series on Becoming a Forensic Accountant and the focus of the course is on steganography techniques. Steganography is the art and science of embedding secret messages in a cover message in such a way that no one, apart from the sender and intended recipient, suspects the existence of the message. The first use of steganography can be traced to 440 BC when ancient Greece, people wrote messages on wood and covered it with wax, that acted as a covering medium Romans used forms of Invisible Inks, to decipher those hidden messages light or heat were used. During World War II the Germans introduced microdots, which were complete documents, pictures, and plans reduced in size to the size of a dot and were attached to normal paperwork. Null Ciphers were also used to hide unencrypted secret messages in an innocent looking message. Given the amount of data being generated and transmitted electronically, it’s no surprise that numerous methods of protecting that data have evolved. There are various types of steganography: Text Steganography - Hiding information inside the text files. This involves changing format of existing text, changing words in a text, generating random character sequences or using context-free grammars to generate readable texts. Image Steganography - Process of hiding text in an image without distorting the picture. Video Steganography - Technique to hide any kind of files into a cover video file. Audio Steganography - The secret message is embedded into an audio signal which alters the binary sequence of the corresponding audio file. Network Steganography - The process of utilizing active network protocols as carriers to transmit a covert message, undetectable by an uninformed party, from a host to its destination. This session will review these methods and also discuss relevant software.
Fraud Unmasked: Understanding and Preventing White-Collar Crime with Dr. Richard G. Brody
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Online
2.00 Credits
Fraud poses a significant risk to businesses, organizations, and individuals, leading to financial losses, reputational damage, and legal consequences. This comprehensive course, led by Dr. Richard G. Brody, an esteemed expert in forensic accounting and fraud prevention, explores the underlying mechanisms, motivations, and methods of fraudulent behavior. Through real-world case studies, expert analysis, and interactive discussions, participants will gain critical insights into the psychology of fraud, organizational vulnerabilities, and ethical breakdowns that enable misconduct. The course equips attendees with the latest fraud detection techniques, risk assessment strategies, and internal control best practices to proactively identify and mitigate fraud risks while fostering a culture of integrity and accountability.
Partnerships: How to Calculate Partner Basis
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Online
2.00 Credits
This program provides a detailed analysis of the calculations related to determining tax basis for a partnership interest. Illustrated examples with filled in forms will demonstrate how the processes works and their many potential pitfalls. *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