CPE Catalog & Events

Definition of Data Analytics Assessing your organization's current status and establishing an environment for success Financial staff's core activities Common uses of analytics and current examples Behavioral forces that impact decisions Examples of inaccurate forecasts Identifying strategic measurements (KPIs) Improving budgeting and forecasting and addressing Black Swan events Collecting and using data from traditional and non-traditional data sources Statistical tools, including Median, Mode, Moving average, Ratio analysis, Pareto analysis, Rolling forecast, Mission-based budgeting, Trend analysis, Regression, Z-Score (public and private organizations) and Simulation Analytical techniques, including Brainstorming, Mind mapping and Delphi technique Software tools that are readily available and can assist in visually exploring data; expanding the scope of available data, as well as collecting, analyzing and presenting results (including Dashboards). Specific ideas for using Data Analytics, including immediate opportunities and areas for further consideration Expanded lists of readings and next level software for a participants' future reference

Understanding who millennials are and what distinguishes them from other sectors of the workforce Changes millennials seek in the workplace Suggestions on engaging and developing millennials Best practices by organizations who have successfully integrated millennials Expectations as to learning, development and training Work environments and schedules School to work transitions Views on salary, benefits and corporate ethics Whether millennials' expectations are significantly different from any other generation Strengths millennials offer which set them apart from others Common myths pertaining to millennials Definitions of success

Defining progressive discipline, including typical steps in any progressive discipline process The importance of a fair disciplinary process When and how progressive discipline should be used, including using progressive discipline in the lead-up to termination Documentation best practices Limitations on at-will employment, including contracts and laws regarding discrimination and retaliation Avoiding key risks in the termination process Best practices for legally compliant termination procedures

Definitions of key terms under the FMLA, including covered employer, eligible employee and serious health condition Timing and types of leave under the FMLA Calculating leave time under the FMLA Employer and employee notice requirements The definition of a "disability" under ADA An employer's obligation to provide employees with a reasonable accommodation under the ADA Guidance on engaging in the interactive process Dos and don'ts of medical certifications The interplay between the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act

Legal definitions & principals involving estates & trusts Basic principles regarding property ownership Types of trusts commonly used Trust accounting fundamentals Certain clauses that are important to understand Formula valuation clauses Requirements for a trust to be a qualified designated beneficiary of an IRA Using IRD to fund charitable bequests

Audit requirements for ERISA 103(a)(3)(C) audits An annual update of the changes affecting 401(k) plans Compliance issues associated with eligibility and enrollments, remittances, lack of oversight, compensation, vesting and other topics Best practices for engagement planning, internal controls, risk assessment and detailed testing Avoiding common mistakes while performing audit procedures Plan mergers and acquisitions Common audit reporting and disclosure issues

How a partner's outside basis and capital account differ Reconciling Schedule M-2 Form 1065 with Partnership K-1 Schedule L IRS requirement to report partner tax basis on the transactional approach Implications if a capital account is negative Deficit restoration accounts and qualified income offsets Modified outside basis method and modified previously taxed capital method Determining a partner's beginning capital account Beginning capital account for partnerships and partners consistently reporting on the tax basis The two types of adjustments under 754 and how 743 and 734 require different capital account presentations

Creating a visionary company Traits of successful, visionary companies Goal setting to create a successful organization The role of experimentation and failure in achieving success How successful organizations emphasize learning new skills The role of effective communication in achieving corporate success The importance of emotional intelligence in building corporate culture How leadership can direct a company toward success

Review of applicable SSARS standards, including standards updates Review of AICPA professional ethics requirements In-depth discussion of non-attest services Review of independence issues for SSARS services Overview of SSARS #21-performance, documentation and other requirements Detailed analysis of preparation vs. compilation engagements Detailed analysis of review engagements

Identifying weaknesses in traditional reporting processes Using leading-edge features in Excel to improve reporting practices How to work with Power Query to solve common reporting challenges Adding Slicers and Timelines to your Excel-based reports

Basis and at-risk basis How to calculate the amount of annual at-risk basis Forms 6198 and 7203 When activities may be aggregated for at-risk purposes Qualified nonrecourse financing

Changes to the IRS Form 706 How to successfully navigate the form The ins and outs of the "portability" rules, including how the rules actually work using common examples Income tax consequences How to avoid malpractice traps Overlooked GST issues

Key requirements of SAS 136 Changes affecting 401(k) plans Audit strategy and improving overall efficiency Common mistakes as noted in peer reviews and DOL inspections

What keeps companies from becoming streamlined? Behavioral biases Information processing biases Emotional biases How to deal with behavioral biases Connecting behavioral biases to cost cutting Creating a culture of cost cutting Rules of thumb for cost cutting Managing headcount Post-COVID common areas of excess cost Budgeting techniques Budget variances Benchmarking Common size financial statements Horizontal analysis Negotiation and contracting techniques Cash flow and the business cycle

The value of strategic networking Quality vs. quantity in networking Networking for professional opportunities Person-to-person networking Maintaining and expanding your current connections Networking for introverts Long-term networking strategies

Eligibility for Medicare How to apply for Medicare Introduction to Parts A, B, C and D of Medicare Payments for Parts B and D of Medicare: the higher costs imposed on higher income beneficiaries Late enrollment penalties Medicare Advantage in lieu of original Medicare The Affordable Care Act's impact on Medicare Legislative and regulatory developments

Common risks and pitfalls associated with defined contribution plans Nuances of the fair value disclosures New reporting and disclosure requirements for the current year Results of DOL Audit Quality Study

Overview of ERM and how it affects all organizations What COVID-19 has taught us about risk management Risk tolerance and developing a plan Risk identification Risk analysis Risk responses Strategy risk

The communication process and barriers that get in the way Techniques for overcoming barriers Understanding and self-assessment of each component of the communication process Gaining skills to listen more effectively, especially in stressful situations with heightened emotions Action plan to apply techniques in the workplace for communication success

Understanding the time commitment required to start and run a business Selecting a corporate structure to protect your personal assets Building your product or service Sales and marketing in your business Establishing your owners, investors, managers and employees Accounting, recording-keeping and other software programs Leases, contracts and employee agreements Protecting intellectual property Insurance Business plans Financing Market position