CPE & Event Catalog

The audit committee. Governance. Risk management. Business processes. Internal controls. Information technology auditing. Fraud preventions and detection. Types of fraud. Internal audit management, and more.

The required communication of internal control matters noted on an audit. Evaluating the severity of identified deficiencies, including consideration of qualitative considerations. Importance of placing a priority on being a value-added business advisor. Anticipating and preventing internal control issues related to reliable financial reporting, operational efficiency or compliance. Components of a well-written internal control comment. Better writing tips and techniques.

The design and implementation of internal control over financial reporting.

Internal controls fundamentals. Management assessment of internal controls. Comprehensive examination of financial statements. Fraud management strategy. Financial reporting controls and information systems checklist-medium to large business. Sample audit programs for financial statement accounts. Fraud risk factors relating to misstatements. Computer applications checklist-medium to large business.

Evolution of internal control concepts. Revamped 2013 COSO Internal Control - Integrated Framework. Designing an adequate `umbrella' of internal controls over financial reporting to prevent, or detect and correct, material misstatement due to fraud or error. Specific internal control considerations and sample documentation for smaller entities. Additional responsibilities for the audits in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Government Auditing Standards and Single Audit Act requirements.

Interviewing on government audits. Why we interview and who to interview. Types of interviews. Open-ended questions. Close-ended questions. Preparing for and conducting interviews. Differences between interviews and interrogations. Identifying and working with difficult interviewees.

Why interview and who to interview. Types of interviews. Preparing for and conducting interviews. Differences between interviews and interrogations. Dealing with difficult interviewees.

Understanding the entity and its environment, and the applicable financial reporting framework. Understanding the components of the entity's system of internal control. Considerations for understanding IT. Identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement.

Financial statement analysis and communicating insights to financial statement users. Improving audit quality through strong analytic procedures, including identifying and responding to risk of material misstatement. Developing plausible expectations for comparison to actual financial results. Detecting earnings management and other risks through analytic procedures.

Nature of tax audit. Minimize IRS tax audit risk. Representing the client before the IRS.

Engagements for which written documentation is required or not required. Documentation for the following types of engagements - audits, reviews, compilations, and preparations. Importance of documentation. Basics for all engagements. Documentation definitions. Form, content and extent. Reviewing documentation. Documentation finalization. Revisions to documentation after the report date. Selected required documentation. Common documentation deficiencies. Preparation engagement. Review engagement. Pro forma compilation engagement. Examination under SSAE. Review under SSAE. Agreed upon procedures engagement under SSAE.

Cash receipt inefficiencies. Optimal accounting for check receipts. Optimal accounting for cash receipts. Optimal accounting for petty cash. Optimal number of bank accounts. Additional controls to consider. Monitoring of optimal systems. Effects of optimal accounting on the annual audit. Impact of optimization on the financial statements. Impact of optimization on closing the books. Impact of optimization on fraud.

Payables inefficiencies. Optimal accounting for invoice approvals. Optimal accounting for three-way matching. Optimal accounting for expense reports. Optimal accounting for data entry. Optimal accounting for payments. Monitoring of optimal systems. Impact of optimization on closing the books. Impact of optimization on fraud. Impact of optimization on the annual audit.

Overview of non-audit service options and when appropriate to apply. Agreed-upon procedure engagements. Assertion-based and direct examination engagements. Compliance attestation special considerations.

Summary of the requirements of au-c section 510. Audit process. Small audit systems. Relevant assertions.

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. Understanding the quality management standards and guidance related to a CPA firm's responsibilities for its system of quality management. Explain the importance of establishing, applying, and monitoring quality control policies and procedures related to audit documentation.

What AP needs to do to get ready for the year-end close. This year will be different: getting ready for year end. The last check run. Handling discrepant and outstanding invoices at year end. Handling invoices at year end: getting them into the correct fiscal year. Dealing with the T&E laggards. When the approving manager is the problem. The year end calendar. Handling accruals in accounts payable. A ten step plan to get any organization ready in compliance with the form 1099 reporting rules. Form 1099-MISC: filing for an extension. You're not alone: biggest 1099 and W-9 headaches. Closing tips: eight simple ways to make year end run smoother. The last detail: thanking the staff. Next year will be different: laying the groundwork for a better close next year.

The qualities of a skeptical auditor and how to utilize skepticism in assurance services.

Documentation as a means of audit quality. Responsibilities of the workpaper reviewer. Appropriate review notes at various phases of the engagement, including before and after audit report date and report release. Important tips for providing reviews notes that will promote an effective and efficient financial statement audit.

Tax planning for S corp. Audit triggers. Compliance regulations. Social security benefits.