CPE Catalog & Events
ACPEN: Strategic CFO Series - Big Picture Skills
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Online
8.00 Credits
Strategic CFO – Strategic Financial Communications Financial literacy versus math literacy Common financial terms that confuse non-accountants Simplifying financial language without "dumbing it down" Building narratives and stories around financial data Using visuals and graphics effectively Communicating strategy, risk, and performance together Strategic CFO – Developing Strategy and the Why Understanding capital structure and financing priorities Debt capacity, leverage, and cost of capital considerations Cash flow versus GAAP results Financing options: debt, equity, crowdfunding, and alternative capital Strategic cash policies and liquidity planning Raising cash at different stages of an organization's life cycle Communicating cash flow and financial health to stakeholders Strategic CFO – Strategic Risk Management Overview of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and COSO standards Evolution of COSO and why it matters today Governance, culture, and board oversight of risk Defining risk appetite and linking it to strategy Identifying, assessing, and prioritizing risks Risk responses: avoid, reduce, share, and accept Black swan events and managing uncertainty Communicating and reporting risk across the organization Strategic CFO – Strategic Cash Management What strategy really means and who is involved in developing it Common reasons strategic plans fail and how to avoid them Cost leadership, differentiation, and niche strategies Using metrics, KPIs, and the Balanced Scorecard to measure success The role of non-financial drivers in financial performance Benchmarking and competitive analysis Aligning mission, culture, and strategy Case discussions on strategy execution and performance measurement
ACPEN: The Controllership Series - The Controller's Role in Pro Forma Financial Statements
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Online
1.00 Credits
Accounting Finance
CFO Series: Build Your Team, Cohesive Teams That Get Results
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The five clear signals that teamwork is brokenThe pervasive myths about teamsWhy conflict is necessary for effective teamsWhy winning teams are built on and depend on trustThe value of assessments and diversityYour fifteen-step action plan to build trust and enhance teamworkRetaining your best talentThe essential steps leaders must take to enable teamwork to flourish
ACPEN: Critical Technical Skills for CFOs and Controllers
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Online
4.00 Credits
A methodical approach to business and strategic planning Overview of The Balanced Scorecard approach to creating key performance metrics Common metrics for analyzing financial statements and trends Accounting and finance role in Enterprise-wide Risk Management (ERM)
Reviewing Individual Tax Returns: What Are You Missing?
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
Qualified business income deduction Temporary senior deduction State and local tax deduction Hobby losses Self-employment health insurance Business startup costs Depreciation Schedule C issues Like-kind exchanges
BUNDLE: CFO Series - November 2026
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Virtual
8.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:All times listed are Eastern Time ZoneWeek 1: CFO Series: Build Your Team, Cohesive Teams That Get ResultsCPE: 2Field of Study: Business Management & OrganizationDiscussion Leader: Don Minges, MBADate: Friday, November 6, 11:00 amDescription: Teamwork is the ultimate competitive advantage, both because it is so powerful and so rare. Why do some teams produce and win, while others fail? What do great team leaders do that make their team a success? Whether you run the executive staff of a multinational company, a small department within a large organization, or even if you are a team member in a small team that needs improvement, we will share proven techniques to enhance teamwork. The best leaders are unselfish and put the team first. It is not complicated to build a team, but it takes effort, and we will show you how. Week 2: CFO Series: Diversification: Risky or Risk Averse Strategy?CPE: 2Field of Study: AuditingDiscussion Leader: Brian Maturi, MBA, FCA & Don Minges, MBADate: Friday, November 13, 11:00 amDescription: Some believe that diversification is a proven method to reduce risk, but - does diversification actually increase risk? The intention for diversification is critical. Most organizations misuse diversification and the blunders have been staggering. What lessons can we learn? How can diversification be implemented to achieve the intended goals? One key is to use a holistic approach, which we will elaborate and explain. Only then will diversification be advantageous. Leaders, the Board, auditors and team members must be aware of the myriad issues of diversification. Done right - diversification is a boon. We will explain what to do, how to do it properly, and what not to do! Week 3: CFO Series: Storytelling Your Financials for ImpactCPE: 2Field of Study: Accounting and Business Management & OrganizationDiscussion Leader: Robert Mims, CPADate: Friday, November 20, 11:00 amDescription: Data alone doesn't drive decisions, stories do. Financial professionals must go beyond spreadsheets and craft compelling financial narratives that engage boards, CEOs, and team members. Using real-world examples, we'll demonstrate how to frame financial results within a broader business story, drawing insights and communicating tangible meaning instead of just displaying boring numbers. Learn how to shift from "presenting financials" to telling a story that aligns with strategic goals, inspires confidence, and drives action. This session equips attendees with the tools to turn financial statements into strategic storytelling assets. Our clients do not recall numbers, but they do remember stories. Stories are memorable, we will show you how to use them. Week 4: CFO Series: Raising Capital the Most Crucial Responsibility!CPE: 2Field of Study: FinanceDiscussion Leader: Don Minges, MBADate: Friday, November 27, 11:00 amDescription: The most essential challenge for any organization is to raise capital. No financing means no employees, no internet, and no bank account, meaning there is no organization. Raising financing provides the lifeblood, a must-do for every CEO and CFO. How do you raise funds to finance an organization? What are the alternatives in addition to debt or equity? What are the pros and cons of each? We will discuss what to do and how to do it in detail. It is vital to accept that those who consider investing their money want something in return. The riskier the investment, the higher the cost. To be successful at raising financing, you must plan extensively, have multiple alternatives, and consider the transaction from the investor's perspective. Raising financing is a challenge, but we will show you how to assess the alternatives to suit the individual organization. Raising capital is tricky and grueling, but we will show you a proven process. Whether you are the CEO, CFO, Board member, accountant, consultant, or advisor, this seminar will help you understand what to consider when raising financing and how to do it.
Volume to Value: A New Era of Precision Hiring in Accounting
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The shift from volume to precision hiringWhy firms are moving to targeted, competency-based hiringTalent market impacts and competitive hiring realitiesAI in recruiting: practical use cases and implicationsWhere AI tools commonly support hiring workflowsBenefits and limitations of AI-enabled screening and assessmentThe skills mismatch in accounting hiringWhy critical thinking and professional communication gaps persistWhy traditional hiring methods miss these competenciesThe new competency hierarchy for high performersDefining and prioritizing the competencies that drive resultsAI ethics awareness and professional judgment in an AI-enabled workplaceAssessment methods for precision hiringStructured behavioral interviewing and scoring rubricsWork simulations, case presentations, and client scenariosUsing AI-enabled assessments responsibly and consistentlyMetrics and ROI: evaluating successQuality-of-hire measures (performance, ramp time, manager satisfaction)Retention and turnover measuresEfficiency measures (time-to-fill, cost-to-fill) and how to balance themImplementation roadmapA phased approach to adopting precision hiring (foundation → expansion → optimization)– Building governance, documentation, and consistency for scalability
Becoming a Fractional CFO: What to Do and How?
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Do you have what it takes to be a successful fractional CFO?Should you be a solo practitioner or join a larger firm? 1099 versus W2?What skills are needed to be successful?Sales, marketing, etc.What are some of the ‘red flags’?Typical assignments and issues a fractional CFO will likely encounterThe greatest opportunity for fractional CFOs?Understanding your value
ACPEN: Section 25F Scholarship Granting Tax Credit: Planning and Compliance Strategies
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Online
2.00 Credits
Overview of Section 25F and legislative intent Eligibility requirements and qualifying contributions Credit calculation and limitations State-by-state conformity and eligibility considerations Interaction with other federal and state tax provisions Compliance, documentation, and reporting considerations Common pitfalls and audit risks
Business Tax Update: OBBA and Recent Developments
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Recent legislation impacting business taxpayersThe One Big Beautiful Bill ActExtenders legislation updateMeals and entertainment expense reportingPartnership and S corporation updateIncome and deductions
ACPEN: A Practitioner’s Guide to IRAs and Qualified Retirement Plans
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Online
8.00 Credits
Traditional and Roth IRAs: Understanding retirement savings options SEP and SIMPLE IRAs: Exploring retirement plans for small businesses Qualified Plans: Navigating employer-sponsored retirement plans Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Plans: Comparing retirement plan structures 401(k) Plans: Maximizing benefits with employer-sponsored options Retirement Plan Selection: Choosing the best plan for individual client needs Minimum Distribution Rules: Ensuring compliance and understanding withdrawal regulations Tax Implications: Analyzing the tax consequences of retirement plan decisions Retirement Planning Strategies: Implementing effective strategies for client financial goals
AI Prompt Engineering Masterclass for Accountants
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to Prompt Engineering: Basics of structuring effective prompts for meaningful AI responses.Understanding AI's "Lazy" Defaults: Why LLMs provide basic answers and how to push them to deliver richer insights.Multi-Layered Prompting: Techniques to encourage AI to provide responses across beginner to expert levels.Candid and Contrarian Responses: Using prompts that elicit honest and balanced insights, even on controversial topics.Ripple Effect and Cobra Effect: Probing the broader impacts and unintended consequences of financial decisions.Avoid Stupidity Checklist: A practical prompt for reducing mistakes in AI-assisted accounting tasks.Role-Based Perspective Prompts: Crafting prompts that guide AI to respond from specific professional viewpoints.Automation Ideas: Leveraging AI to optimize repetitive accounting tasks.Emotion-Driven Prompting: Exploring how emotion-focused prompts can enhance AI performance and engagement.Practical Applications in Accounting: How to apply prompt engineering in real-world financial analysis and decision-making.
Tax Implications of Retirement Plan Distributions
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Required minimum distributions for a deceased’s heirs2025 retirement plan contribution limitsRequired minimum distributions and contributions to charityKey provisions of Secure Act 2.0
ACPEN: New PCAOB Quality Control Standard Overview
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Online
2.00 Credits
Background of the new PCAOB Quality Control Standard Overview of the elements of a quality control system Examples of quality risks and potential responses Highligts of what is different between the AICPA Quality Management Standard
ACPEN: The New AICPA Statements on Standards for Tax Services
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Online
2.00 Credits
Review of the new AICPA Statement on Standards for Tax Services Reorganization of SSTS by type of work performed Discuss new standards on data protection, reliance on tools and representation of tax clients before taxing authorities
Surgent's Critical Issues Involving Taxation of Construction Contractors
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
The impact of recent legislation on the construction industry (including the OBBBA) How to qualify for the small contractor exemption and its advantages for the taxpayer Options available to small contractors regarding taxation of long-term contracts How the choice of entity impacts taxation of contractors How AMT impacts the construction industry IRC §460 and large contractors How uninstalled materials impact taxation of contractors Look-back rules Using the 10 percent method to allow certain contractors to defer recognizing taxable income Critical tax planning strategies for contractors
Smart Formula Selection in Excel: What to Use When
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Introduction to Strategic Formula Use:Why choosing the right formula matters: clarity, performance, and maintenanceCommon traps: overusing IF, defaulting to familiar tools, ignoring modern functionsHow Excel offers multiple ways to solve the same problem and how to pick wiselyConditional Logic and Branching Tools:IFS vs SWITCH vs nested IF: comparing readability and structureWhen to simplify logic and how to avoid nested nightmaresSummarizing Data:SUMIFS vs SUMPRODUCT: multiple conditions, weighted sums, totalsFiltering and Output Control:FILTER vs IF + INDEX: dynamic data extraction with vs without Excel 365Trade-offs in backward compatibility and ease of useCustom Output and Decision Trees:CHOOSE vs SWITCH vs LOOKUP: logic trees and category mappingEmbedded Variables and Reusability:LET vs named ranges: clarity and efficiency for long formulasUsing LAMBDA with LET to create custom functionsSimplifying and documenting complex calculationsBest Practices for Formula Selection:Criteria for deciding: readability, flexibility, future maintenanceTips for avoiding overengineering and formula bloat
COSO's Internal Control Framework Essentials
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Virtual
3.50 Credits
Components and principles of internal control Concepts associated with the COSO framework Management responsibilities versus auditor responsibilities Common significant accounting processes Tools and techniques used for internal control documentation
Surgent's Buying and Selling a Business: Tax and Structuring Overview
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
An overview of the beginning of the process and documents for preliminary tax planning Recognizing the need for due diligence in acquisitions, including checklists of important points Deemed asset sales – §338 and §338(h)(10) The impact of the §197 amortizable intangibles regulations on the acquisition and disposition of a business Allocating purchase price for tax advantage Planning to avoid double taxation under the repeal of the General Utilities doctrine Special problems and opportunities when an S corporation is the buyer or seller Installment sale and interest issues Avoiding tax pitfalls and recognizing tax planning opportunities Unique issues in buying and selling LLC/partnership interests Impact of the net investment income tax (NIIT) and the §199A pass-through deduction on the tax due on the sale of a pass-through entity Individually owned goodwill
ACPEN: The Ethics Hour: Accounting Scandals: What Happened and Why? Can We Prevent Them?, featuring Tracy Cooper and Don Minges
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Online
1.00 Credits
Why do some choose to deceive, cheat and steal Can accounting scandals be prevented A brief history of accounting scandals What to look for What should ethical professionals like you do
