CPE + Events Catalog

This practical and forward-looking course introduces accounting professionals to the specialized field of forensic accounting, with a focus on how to strategically expand an existing practice into litigation support and investigative services. Designed and presented by Brian Peter Brinig, JD, CPA/ABV, ASA, this course walks you through the full landscape of forensic accounting'from foundational distinctions between investigative and litigation tracks, to the technical, ethical, and marketing strategies needed to succeed in this high-demand profession. You'll learn how to identify profitable niches, navigate the adversarial litigation environment, apply professional standards, and avoid common pitfalls such as conflicts of interest and overstepping professional boundaries. With emphasis on real-world implementation, this course provides essential tools to launch and grow a respected forensic practice grounded in objectivity, credibility, and compliance.

Are you ready to strengthen your accounting practice through ethical leadership? In this engaging 4-hour course, you'll learn how to build a successful, resilient practice by mastering the key principles of ethical intelligence. You'll discover how to hire and retain high-performing team members who embody honesty, accountability, care, and courage. You'll apply the principles of ethical intelligence-Do No Harm, Make Things Better, Respect Others, Be Fair, and Care-to enhance your practice's financial health and long-term stability. We'll also explore the power of gratitude in creating a positive work environment, reducing turnover, and strengthening client relationships. Plus, you'll confront "zombie" myths that can undermine your practice and learn how to protect your business from financial and ethical risks. Through practical tools and interactive exercises, you'll ensure your practice is ethical, resilient, and financially secure for the long term. Who knew a 4-hour ethics course could be so practical-and fun? This course offers NASBA-approved non-technical (behavioral) ethics credit and counts toward your 80-hour CPE requirement; however, it does not satisfy the California Board of Accountancy's four-hour technical (regulatory) ethics requirement.

This study uses difference-in-differences (DiD) analyses to examine the consequences of adopting the U.S. critical audit matter (CAM) disclosure requirement for preparers and users of financial reports. The CAM requirement is one of the largest expansions of the U.S. audit report since the 1940s. We document significant changes to financial statement footnotes referenced by CAMs, which suggests an indirect consequence where management disclosure changes in areas that are expected to be scrutinized following auditor-provided disclosure. Results also suggest that, on average, CAM disclosures do not provide incremental information to the market. To further examine market reaction, we develop well-specified prediction models for the expected number and subject areas of CAMs. We find limited initial evidence that the market reacts negatively when unexpected CAMs are disclosed. Overall, the findings provide insights on the new CAM standard and particularly demonstrate its relevance to management disclosure decisions and to the market.

Everyone agrees we need to administer useful employee evaluations. However, few managers take the necessary time to effectively plan for upcoming reviews or think about how to correctly administer each one. As a result, an employee review can be an unhelpful and negative event'or could be a great catalyst for future high performance. Gain insight to the performance cycle; learn the importance of continuous improvement through coaching; and identify 360s and other forms of data, among other topics. The webcast was originally broadcast on July 18, 2016. Note: There is a minimum passing rate of 70% for this course.

Qualified Opportunity Zones remain a powerful yet complex planning tool for financial professionals. In this course, Trent Baeckl explores the evolution of the Opportunity Zone program, key tax incentives, and critical planning considerations ahead of the 2026 gain recognition deadline. Participants will gain practical insight into compliance, reporting, geographic distinctions, and strategic decision-making to help clients evaluate Opportunity Zone investments with greater clarity and confidence.

Benefit plan audits, a material but less understood public accounting service, represent a non-audit service that is - audit-related. - We explore the implications of benefit plan audits for the financial statement audit and find that performing a benefit plan audit for a company significantly increases the likelihood that the firm will be selected as a company's financial statement auditor in the future, particularly for smaller audit firms. Companies that engage the same audit firm for both their benefit plan and financial statement audits have a significantly lower likelihood of misstatements and shorter audit report lags. There is also evidence consistent with the joint provision of these services creating greater bonding and higher switching costs for the financial statement audit. The findings speak to the continued debate over the effective market expansion of financial statement audit providers, audit quality determinants, and audit efficiencies.

Despite the growing interest in blockchain (BC) technology, recent research shows mixed perceptions due to its risks and returns. We utilize event study methodology to examine overall market reactions and to delineate how specific contexts associated with BC technology influence market reactions. Using 149 BC technology adoptions announced between January 2015 and December 2019, we find positive abnormal returns, reflecting investors - optimistic perception toward BC technology adoption. Specifically, we find that abnormal returns from BC technology are higher when used in a transformative strategic role and offered by leading vendors, suggesting that investors view this adoption as a value-enhancing activity. Our results are robust to the use of an alternative sample and different methods of measuring variables. Overall, our study provides insights for academics and practitioners to better understand the market value of BC technology adoptions.

A compelling narrative of Tom Hardin's Tipper X experience, offering vital lessons in ethics tailored for the accounting profession. By intertwining personal experiences with practical insights, this session seeks to clarify the intricacies of ethical decision-making, emphasizing the importance of integrity and accountability in professional practice. This session was recorded on March 19, 2024 at the 2024 Fraud & Forensic Accounting Virtual Conference.

Businesses are increasingly evaluated on factors beyond their balance sheets. Jennifer Harrity explores the realm of sustainability and the unique role accounting firms play in offering this essential service, providing a comprehensive view of clients and their organizational health. We will define sustainability in the context of modern business and discuss its emergence as a significant disruptor. You will discover how accounting firms can integrate into this progressive landscape and gain insights into one of the fastest-growing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) frameworks: B Corporation certification.

After this session examining the psychology of investigators and perpetrators, you'll never think about fraud the same way again. This story-based presentation will use first-hand accounts and the latest research to show why some traditional investigational practices are more harmful than helpful. This course exposes myths and dangers lurking in our assumptions about fraud. We'll explore misunderstandings about skepticism and learn how auditors and investigators may unwittingly assist the same fraud schemes they are trying to thwart. We will challenge the industry's "sacred cows" and help develop more effective thinking approaches for fraud investigation, detection and deterrence.

Laurie Smith, Tax Partner at Wiss & Company, LLP, outlines how recent tax reforms require a shift from compliance to strategic advisory. This session explores key provisions and how they interact to impact planning. Attendees will learn to identify modeling risks, clarify client misconceptions, and recognize when deeper analysis is needed to guide smarter, multi-year tax decisions.

Passive income doesn't require substantial capital'it can begin with expertise. In The Passive Income Playbook, Paul Mladjenovic, CFP® Board Emeritus, outlines a practical framework for turning intellectual capital into recurring revenue. The course also connects income creation to core financial planning topics, including bonds, dividends, tax reporting, and self-employed retirement strategies. Designed for accounting and finance professionals, this session expands your approach to income diversification, tax efficiency, and long-term financial resilience.

Whether you're put on the spot while attending a meeting, presenting a proposal, selling an idea or answering a barrage of questions after a stressful presentation, being able to think on your feet in unexpected situations is a skill worth mastering. In this course, you will learn to take control of the moment, organize your thoughts, respond with confidence and be prepared to handle a difficult situation with diplomacy. Please note that this product will expire either on 06/30/2026 or one year from the date of purchase (whichever occurs first). Educator discounts do not apply to this product.

Develop a framework of "effective" time management. Identify the three time factors: time wasters or stealers, time savers and time management techniques. Highlight concepts that distinguish the relationship of time management and behavioral science versus traditional time management tools or gimmicks. Also, explore the need for managing oneself in order to improve the management of time. The webcast was originally broadcast on May 4, 2017. Note: There is a minimum passing rate of 70% for this course.

The tone at the top defines the foundation of a good company. It's also a hallmark of a company with fraud. What are the red flags? What difference can the CFO make? The recent focus on social responsibility impacts accounting. Meanwhile, investors and employees are reshaping business practices. Review fraud case studies examine corporate culture and the impact of executive personnel and master risk mitigation for organizations of all sizes.

Estate planning remains a vital component of personal and business tax strategy, even for families that may never incur estate tax. With the exemption equivalent to nearly $14 million in 2025 and scheduled to rise to $15 million in 2026, fewer estates will face federal estate tax; yet, planning remains essential. This course highlights the top issues practitioners need to understand, including portability, annual and lifetime exclusions, charitable and retirement plan considerations, valuation, trusts, and basis step-up rules. Through real-world examples, you'll gain practical guidance on helping clients preserve wealth, coordinate beneficiary designations, and create meaningful legacies. Estate planning is not just for the wealthy'it affects all clients.

Your clients depend on you more than ever to help them reduce risk and position themselves for financial success in the future. This session was recorded at the Advisor Personal Financial Planning Conference , and is to help keep you on top of recent developments and the top 5 ways to fund your retirement.

Clients rely on their advisers more heavily to provide perspective and clarity as legislation and regulations evolve. Gain in-depth understanding, effective strategies and connections with expert professionals who specialize in this area.

The SECURE Act and follow-up IRS guidance turned retirement plan distribution rules on their head'especially when trusts are involved. Trusts are still a popular way to pass on IRAs and other retirement assets, but the tax treatment and distribution rules today look very different from the old playbook. In this course, we'll unpack the new landscape step by step. You'll get clear on the categories of beneficiaries, the common types of trusts used, and how distributions are actually reported. With practical examples and straightforward analysis, you'll walk away ready to: Evaluate beneficiary designations with confidence Spot tax consequences before they cause surprises Anticipate and navigate planning challenges under current law

Professional work rarely fails because of effort. It fails because the finish was never defined. In Turn Work Into Results, you will learn how to translate ambiguous requests into outcome-driven deliverables using the Name the Finish framework, a four-element system for clarifying scope, decision criteria, and measures of success before a single task begins. Through a realistic professional services case study, you will see how unclear expectations create rework and erode credibility at every level, and you will leave with a practical tool you can apply to the next deliverable in front of you.