CPE & Event Catalog

Preparation. Compilations. Reviews.

Form 1040 essentials: filing requirements, due dates, and key schedules. Filing status, dependency rules, and taxable income sources (wages, business income, rental income, and investments). Adjustments to income, deductions, and tax credits (standard vs. itemized deductions, Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and Education Credits). Self-employment and business income taxation (Schedule C, self-employment tax, business deductions). Rental income and pass-through entity reporting (Schedule E, Schedule K-1, shareholder stock and debt basis on Form 7203). Preparer due diligence, Circular 230 compliance, and taxpayer rights. IRS cybersecurity considerations and best practices for taxpayer data security. Legislative updates for 2024 and potential changes in 2025.

What is Yellow Book? What is different because of Yellow Book? When might Yellow Book apply to a business? Common application of concepts to businesses. Answers to common questions.

Single audit. Yellow book.

Tackling the emotions of presenting. Use of visuals in presentations. Telling stories. Who is your audience and why is it crucial? Defining presentations in a virtual and live world dynamic. Discuss the overarching themes of effective presentations. Building out a presentation with a roadmap order. Discuss the types of presentations, including the good and the bad. Tips on the right considerations in being effective in virtual presentations.

Types of IRS letters: General notices, audits, collections, return requests, and errors. Deadlines for responding to IRS correspondence. Communication best practices for dealing with the IRS. Avoiding escalation and penalties through proactive responses. Ensuring compliance when addressing IRS correspondence. Real-world examples of successful IRS communications. Common pitfalls in handling IRS letters and how to avoid them.

Principles of visual design for dashboards and reports. Chart design for rapid understanding. Table design for efficiency. Effective use of commentary. Strategic layout techniques. Trend analysis methods. Developing organizational design standards. Excel application techniques. Critical review skills. Best practices for data presentation.

Professional skepticism - Creating a mindset for finding fraud and error. Audit documentation basics - Creating workpapers that pass review. The audit risk model - Understanding the foundational principles. Internal control fundamentals - Satisfying the requirements for evaluating the design and implementation of internal control over financial reporting.

DA and BI relationship to accountant value. Current trends in BI and DA, including the emergence of AI tools like ChatGPT. The changing accountant roles: data analyst, data scientist, and data storyteller, with an emphasis on how ChatGPT can be utilized in these capacities. Obtaining datasets to compare and contrast with their organization's data, and how ChatGPT can assist in analyzing and interpreting this data. BI tools and the inclusion of AI technologies such as ChatGPT to streamline processes and improve analytical capabilities.

Why important things don't get done on a timely basis, and what to do about it. Five ways to increase productivity that almost no one ever uses. The four proven ways to keep yourself and your staff motivated to consistently work at the highest level. How to avoid feeling stressed out, even though your to do list is endless. The three time management techniques that you're not using that are critical to your success. How to know and avoid what is a poor use or waste of your time. How to set goals that excite you, and how to guarantee they actually get done. Three ways to elicit help from others that ensure their cooperation and help. The smart things to do with the extra time you'll have when you're on top of it all.

An explanation of Artificial Intelligence. Specific ways AI is replacing human cognition. What is on the internal control horizon related to AI and other technologies.

Why professional agility is critical, and how to develop it. Foundational models for change management. Proven strategies to prepare for change as individuals, teams & organizations. Implementing change: A how-to look. Leading through change for success of all involved.

Overview of the IRS collection process and enforcement actions. Initial notices, taxpayer rights, and IRS timelines. When to use Forms 433-A or 433-B and required documentation. Offer in Compromise (OIC): criteria, process, and practical considerations. Payment options: installment agreements, partial payment plans, and OIC. Advising clients on IRS collections and avoiding penalties. Compliance strategies for minimizing tax liabilities. Real-world scenarios and examples for tax debt resolution.

Types of sampling and sampling risk. Differentiating statistical and nonstatistical sampling approaches. Attribute testing for tests of controls and compliance. Variables sampling for substantive audit assurance when performing tests of details. Determining sample sizes in a compliance audit in conformance with Uniform Guidance.

Excel shortcuts and time savers. Working with templates, formats, styles, and themes. Customizing and enhancing Excel. Protecting and securing workbooks. Formula building and the Excel function library.

Overview of the current landscape for AI in business. History of ChatGPT and generative AI. Fundamentals of generative AI technology and related nomenclature. ABC's of how to use ChatGPT. Demonstration of practical ChatGPT applications for accounting, finance and tax. A word of caution: What you should be concerned about. Developing a ChatGPT usage policy for your firm.

How to create and capture value with consulting services.

The primary purpose of workpaper documentation, and minimum documentation requirements for workpaper preparers. Best practices for documenting complex and subjective procedures and conclusions, such as estimates, substantive analytic procedures, etc. that impact the nature and extent of audit documentation needed to support audit conclusions. Discussing the financial statement audit risk concept, including how proper application better ensures a higher quality audit. Tips for an efficient workpaper review process that complies with relevant standards.

Medicare and health insurance options. Life insurance strategies for elders. Social security planning considerations. Medicaid planning and trusts. Retirement account optimization techniques. Tailored estate planning for older clients. Long-term care and housing alternatives. Gifting strategies in estate planning. Unique financial challenges of aging clients.

Legislative and regulatory changes in estate and gift taxation. Wealth transfer strategies under the new administration. Charitable deduction planning and compliance requirements. Advanced estate planning tools, including split-interest trusts. Using closely held stock for charitable contributions. Generation-skipping transfer tax planning. Strategic use of life insurance in estate planning.