WICPA CPE & Special Event Catalog
The Controller Function: Elevating the Role
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Online
1.50 Credits
Member Price: $79
This is the beginning of a series that will cover major aspects of the Controllership function. 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 & transparency of accounting & financial reporting information. A Controller is an individual who has responsibility for all accounting-related activities including high-level accounting, managerial counting & finance activities within a company. The duties of a Controller include assisting with the preparation of the operating budgets, overseeing financial reporting & performing essential duties relating to payroll. However, in today's evolving world, the Controller function can provide much more in-depth value to their organizations. This series is dedicated to exploring the traditional Controller role & stepping out of the box to identify areas where the Controller can add strategic value to their organizations. In this first course we focus on the typical Controller function & begin to identify ways to elevate the function.
Better Forecasts: Be a Better Predictor
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
Imagine being able to see into the future with confidence. The ability to be a great forecaster is not innate but learned. By examining great forecasters, we can learn to improve our ability to predict the future. We will examine best practices & current research to improve our ability to predict events that will affect our business.
Fraud Busters: Controls to Prevent & Detect Fraud
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
This course investigates actual real-world fraud schemes and discusses what controls could have prevented the fraud from occurring and what controls could detect and curtail the fraud scheme. The instructor speaks from experience, finding multiple frauds very early in her career leading to a career-long focus on fraud prevention and detection. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Surgent's Controllership Skills Update: Risk Management
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
The most recent recession and its fallout, weather (look at 2017), process and product failures and unethical behavior have again highlighted failures by numerous organizations in identifying and managing risk. The size and reputation of organizations proved not to be the key to success. Again, we saw that failures can result in areas/industries thought to be "under control" through their policies, practices and/or regulations. A core activity of financial management is to effectively protect the assets of their organizations, without significantly reducing new ideas and growth. This brief program provides insights and approaches to identify risk and manage the above noted trade-off. The course is designed for financial managers looking to quickly build upon their existing knowledge and experience, as well as to help to start the less experienced individual. It offers ideas that can be used immediately, as well as longer term approaches. Updated to include new information particularly in the areas of disaster planning, business continuity and ethics, as well as a sample group exercise to test your current risk management systems.
Accounting for Leases
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Online
2.60 Credits
Member Price: $99
In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which provides new guidelines that change the accounting for leasing arrangements. To be able to properly account for leases, financial professionals must understand ASU 2016-02 (also referred to as Topic 842). This guidance covers information on how leases should be accounted for. The previous leasing standard (ASC 840) had been in existence for almost 40 years. Under ASC Topic 842, lessors continue to classify leases as operating, direct financing, or sales-type. While lessees now classify leases as operating or financing leases. Previous guidance only required capital leases to be reflected on the BS. The new guidance requires all leases to be reflected on the BS. This is a major change for organizations & will cause their balance sheets to swell as leases must now be disclosed on the balance sheet. The standards original effective dates were prior to 2019. In April 2020, due to COVID-19, FASB voted to defer the effective date for ASC 842 for private companies & certain not-for-profit's for one year. For private companies & private not-for-profits, the leasing standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021 & interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. For public companies the leasing standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The course covers elements of lease classification for both lessees & lessors. Also, numerous examples are incorporated as reference.
Forensic Accounting: Finding Hidden Treasure in Tax Returns
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $149
Almost every business and individual has to file tax returns, which can be a great treasure trove of information for forensic accountants. Whether in a divorce, partnership dispute, recreating books and records, or bankruptcy proceeding, analyzing tax return information should be an initial step in uncovering income and assets. The IRS retains a large amount of information, both from taxpayers and 3rd parties who report financial transactions. This course will be your guide in gathering, analyzing and evaluating tax return information, so that you have a full picture of the financial investigation. Your presenter is a 20 year veteran with IRS-Criminal Investigation, who used this information as a basis for his federal criminal investigations. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Hands-On Tax Return Workshop: S Corporations (Form 1120S)
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Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $300
This case-driven training is designed to get the inexperienced accountant up to speed quickly in the most common areas of S-corporation taxation. The cornerstone of this course is the preparation of the Form 1120S using a fairly complex trial balance common to most S corporation income tax returns. 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 & submit to terri.storer@acpen.com
Preparing & Reviewing Workpapers: Essential Tips for Avoiding Deficient Audit & Other Attest Engagements
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Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $250
Workpapers are the primary support for findings, conclusions & opinions on any audit or other attest engagement. This course will provide the essential tips & techniques for ensuring workpaper documentation is of a high quality, yet efficient, nature.
2025-2026 Federal Tax Updates: Business Entities
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Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $239
The tax landscape is constantly changing, challenging tax practitioner to stay abreast of these developments. This eight hour program will cover issues unique to business entities, including new court decisions, recent IRS publications and the latest tax legislation that will impact businesses and individuals. The remaining time will be spent on IRS procedure and other issues. This course will provide a concise look at the hottest topics affecting every tax practitioner. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
SEC Case Studies: Ethical Dilemmas in Finance & Accounting
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
Overview: Ethical challenges in finance and accounting can be complex and far-reaching, impacting not only individual careers but also entire organizations and the public trust. This webinar will provide a practical exploration of the ethical considerations professionals face in today's financial landscape. Through real-world case studies, participants will examine common ethical issues, learn to navigate conflicts between financial performance and ethical integrity and gain tools for making sound decisions under pressure. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.Note: This course qualifies to count toward the WICPA membership Ethics CPE requirement.
The Controllership Series: The Future Role of the Controller Part I
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Online
1.50 Credits
Member Price: $79
This is a two-part series that discuss new trends & concepts the financial controller should begin to execute in order to truly become a valued member of the senior leadership team. The rapid pace of the evolving technological landscape has promoted changes in how accountants & financial professionals focus attention on strategy & modernize their roles to leverage digital technology. There is increased demand for enhancing flexibility into finance cycles & initiating real-time reporting & insights. These are the core attributes that will assist in transforming the work that controllership function performs. Is the financial controllership prepared to meet future business demands? The IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) & Deloitte's Center for Controllership aimed to better understand the current state of controllership & expectations of future demands for controllers & accounting professionals. They conducted a survey in late 2022 & identified several trends. The survey takes a look at how prepared controllership is to meet future business demands. It also highlights some insights for leaders to consider that may increase their preparedness. It also identified areas of additional insight & questions to answer on the controllership transformation journey. In this segment one, we go through numerous concepts in detail & the remaining concepts will be covered in segment two.
No Tax on Overtime: Payroll Compliance
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
This course provides tax and accounting professionals with a comprehensive overview of overtime requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Participants will explore the statutory definition of overtime, exemptions and the calculation of the "regular rate of pay." Through practical examples and compliance-focused scenarios learners will gain the skills to identify risks, properly compute overtime pay and advise clients or employers on best practices. The course emphasizes regulatory compliance, accurate application of rules and strategies to avoid common pitfalls in wage and hour audits. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Statement of Cash Flows: Preparation & Analysis Workshop 26-27
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Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $329
The statement of cash flows is a critical component of a company's set of financial statements. Cover the proper preparation of the statement, including analysis techniques. Learn how financial statements enable CPAs and financial professionals to see a business's cash inflows and outflows relating to operating, investing and financing activities and evaluation of liquidity and quality of earnings. Case studies and sample documentation reinforce significant concepts and help participants apply the analysis techniques discussed.
Federal Tax Update: C & S Corporations, Partnerships & LLCs (Forms 1120, 1120S & 1065)
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Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $300
With the increasing complexity & ever-changing nature of tax laws & issues, today's accountant needs a one-day update course focusing on business income tax issues with an emphasis of newly enacted income tax legislation. This comprehensive class will not only review the current Federal business income tax laws but will also update tax return preparers of new tax forms, changes to existing tax forms, as well as tax planning opportunities & pitfalls. This is a "must-attend" course for all tax practitioners who want to be up to speed quickly & have a successful Federal business income tax filing season. 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 & submit to terri.storer@acpen.com
ChatGPT for Accountants: 50+ Use Cases
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
This course will explore the use of ChatGPT and artificial intelligence chatbot technologies in the accounting profession. Participants will learn how to utilize ChatGPT to automate tasks, improve efficiency and accuracy and provide real-time support to clients. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Ethics, Education & AI; Can Thy Coexist?
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Online
1.00 Credits
Member Price: $39
AI ('Artificial Intelligence') has fundamentally changed education: at all levels. These changes have ignited severe ethical dilemmas in schools, higher education & continuing professional development. There is an escalating 'arms race' between the students, teachers & professors. What does this mean for the future of education & the future of the workplace?Note: This course qualifies to count toward the WICPA membership Ethics CPE requirement.
Beyond the Basics: Financial Ratios You Might Be Overlooking
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Online
1.00 Credits
Member Price: $55
Overview: Understanding your company's financial health requires more than just traditional metrics. This webinar is designed to reveal deeper insights through advanced, underutilized financial ratios. In this session, accounting and finance professionals will explore metrics such as operating leverage, free cash flow yield and margin of safety-tools that go beyond standard ratios to deliver nuanced perspectives on profitability, risk exposure and operational efficiency. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Leverage PowerBI.com to Create Data Analysis for Others
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
Unlock the full potential of data analytics with our specialized course, "Leverage PowerBI.com to Create Data Analysis for Others". This two-hour, intensive training is specifically designed to empower professionals in harnessing the powerful features of Microsoft PowerBI.com. Whether you're a data analyst, business intelligence professional, or someone keen on mastering data visualization and report creation, this course is your gateway to becoming a proficient Power BI user. Dive into the dynamic world of data analytics and learn to transform raw data into visually compelling stories that drive decision-making. Our expertly crafted program offers a deep dive into the essentials of PowerBI.com, starting with a comprehensive tour of its interface and core concepts. You'll gain experience in connecting to diverse data sources, creating stunning visualizations and building interactive dashboards that communicate insights effectively. The course also covers the innovative Q&A feature of PowerBI.com, allowing you to explore data with natural language queries. By mastering the art of sharing datasets, reports and dashboards and creating comprehensive apps, you'll be equipped to deliver top-tier data analysis solutions to colleagues and clients alike. Through this course, attendees will gain a deep understanding of how to leverage the PowerBI.com platform to disseminate datasets, reports and dashboards, catering to the specific needs of their audience. Our course is tailored for those who aspire to lead in the data-driven landscape, offering not just theoretical knowledge but real-world applications. Upon completion, participants will not only have a thorough understanding of PowerBI.com but also the confidence to apply this tool in creating impactful data analysis for diverse audiences. Join us to elevate your professional skillset, make data-driven decisions with ease and add a valuable credential to your portfolio. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Partnership Preparation, Basis Calculations & Distributions: Form 1065 Schedule K & K-1 Analysis
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Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $300
This comprehensive training is designed to get the accountant up to speed quickly with partnership & limited liability company (LLC) formation & preparation issues as well as a complete understanding of calculating a partner & LLC member's basis. The cornerstone of this course is the in-depth line-by-line analysis of the Form 1065 Schedule K & K-1 & how these items affect the partner/member's individual income tax return. 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 & submit to terri.storer@acpen.com
Let's End Business Ethics
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
Most ethics courses focus on unethical individuals & their terrible misdeeds. We don't need another course on lessons From Enron or individuals committing fraud. Most unethical failures result From unethical individuals. Instead, this session will focus on how good people can do better, why there is no such thing as business ethics & why we only need one rule to lead ethical lives.Note: This course qualifies to count toward the WICPA membership Ethics CPE requirement.
