CPE + Events Catalog

Discover the transformative potential of ChatGPT and other large language models within forensic accounting during our upcoming session. This comprehensive introduction to ChatGPT and similar models is meticulously designed to enhance your understanding and application of these cutting-edge technologies in forensic accounting practices, litigation services, and financial analysis. By delving into real-world applications and case studies, you will gain valuable insights into how these tools can streamline processes, improve accuracy, and provide innovative solutions to complex financial challenges. Join us to explore the future of forensic accounting and unlock new opportunities for professional growth and efficiency. This session was recorded on March 19, 2024 at the 2024 Fraud & Forensic Accounting Virtual Conference.

The offshoring of external audit work to so-called low-cost countries is prevalent among the Big 4 professional services firms. Despite this, our understanding of how this form of offshoring influences audit practitioners and the audit process is limited. This course examines how and why offshoring emerged as an organizational matter that changed the way audit work is organized in a Big 4 firm context. Study findings demonstrate how changes in the design of offshoring processes influence interactions between onshore and offshore auditors. We'll: Uncover how individual - "boundary spanners" - struggle to coordinate audit work across the multiple boundaries that separate onshore and offshore auditors. Show how the institutionalization of - "boundary spanning" - functions in organizational structures and processes can have the unintended consequence of widening the boundaries between onshore and offshore auditors. Offer evidence of the effect of offshoring on the learning process of onshore and offshore auditors.

The statement of cash flows is an important financial statement as it offers a detailed account of a company's cash inflows and outflows from operating, investing, and financing activities, helping stakeholders assess the firm's liquidity, operational efficiency, and overall financial health. Megan Schoeps, Director in CFO Advisory with Wiss & Company, joins this segment to discuss the importance of the statement of cash flows. This includes discussion of the key sections of the statement of cash flows, working capital and non-cash considerations, cash flow ratios and metrics, as well as forecasting techniques.

Mastering Crypto Accounting: Navigating the Digital Asset Revolution is your essential guide to understanding the intersection of accounting, digital assets, and blockchain technology. Led by industry expert Aaron Jacob of Taxbit, this course explores the rapid adoption of cryptocurrencies, regulatory developments, and real-world use cases that are transforming finance. You'll gain practical insights into the latest FASB fair value standards, strategies for overcoming operational challenges, and how to implement a digital asset strategy that drives business efficiency.

Mastering multistate taxation is more critical than ever for accounting and tax professionals navigating the evolving landscape of nexus, withholding, and the convenience rule. Our expert-led course, featuring Mark Klein, Partner at Hodgson Russ, unpacks the latest developments in economic nexus standards, the impact of remote employees on tax obligations, and the complexities of state tax compliance. Equip yourself with the knowledge to help businesses and clients navigate the intricate world of multistate taxation confidently. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your expertise and safeguard your organization from costly tax liabilities!

Mastering retirement plan audits is essential for plan sponsors to ensure compliance with Department of Labor (DOL) regulations, protect participant assets, and uphold fiduciary responsibilities. Amanda Goar, CPA, Principal at Baker Tilly, highlights key changes to audit triggers, such as focusing on participants with account balances and applying the 80-120 rule, while emphasizing the importance of proactive preparation. She stresses maintaining accurate plan documentation, reconciling census data, ensuring timely contributions, and addressing common challenges like vesting provisions, participant elections, rollovers, loans, and forfeitures.

Most accounting studies use only public enforcement actions (SEC cases) to measure accounting fraud. However, private cases (securities class actions) also play an important enforcement role. We discuss the legal standards and processes for both public and private enforcement regimes, emphasize the importance of screening cases for credible fraud allegations, and show both yield credible fraud measures. We'll also demonstrate these research design choices affect inferences from prior research and a hypothetical research setting. Finally, we show common measures of accounting irregularities using Audit Analytics to proxy for fraud result in significant false positives and negatives and develop a fraud prediction model for use in future research. We recommend using both public and private enforcement with appropriate screening when examining accounting fraud to reduce Type I and II errors, or reporting the sensitivity of findings across regimes. This is particularly important given the reduction in accounting-related enforcement after 2005.

Phil Marciano, partner at Citrin Cooperman, outlines the most frequent financial statement pitfalls he encounters while reviewing not-for-profit organizations. He highlights improper classification of assets and lease items, mishandling of conditional versus unconditional contributions, board-designated versus donor-restricted net assets, errors in functional expense and cash-flow presentations, and overlooked non-cash gifts. Marciano stresses robust internal controls, staff training, and vigilant board oversight to avoid these GAAP violations.

The construction industry faces unique challenges when adapting to changes in tax laws. This session will explore recent federal and California tax developments, including the Inflation Reduction Act's green construction incentives, bonus depreciation updates, and key changes affecting the Qualified Business Income Deduction (Section 199A). We'll also examine strategies for tax credit maximization and proactive tax planning tailored to the commercial construction sector. This session was recorded on March 25, 2025 for CalCPA's Construction Management Conference.

Examine valuation techniques for private and public entities of all sizes and types of industries from the perspective of a Wall Street analyst. Gain valuation skills to assist your clients. *There is a case study associated with the course exam.

Participants will go over the changes on preparation, compilation and review engagements using SSARS rules, followed by a general overview of how to perform these services. Participants will explore how to effectively perform these services through comprehensive lectures. Designed for practitioners in small and medium-sized CPA firms, the course includes detailed explanations and practical examples, with opportunities to deepen understanding through real-world case studies. This on-demand format allows you to retain a focus on practical application to enhance your skills and knowledge.

Simplifying financial reporting without compromising quality is the mission of the Private Company Council (PCC). By advocating for the needs of private companies, the PCC reduces unnecessary complexity, making financial reporting more efficient and accessible for stakeholders like lenders, creditors, and owners. In this must-watch segment, we're joined by two industry leaders, Jere Shawver - Chair of the PCC and CEO at Baker Tilly, LLP, and Phil Marciano - Partner at Citrin Cooperman. Jere and Phil offer valuable insights into how the PCC is reshaping financial standards and streamlining processes to benefit businesses and financial users alike.

The growing interest in private equity in accounting reflects a shift towards new growth opportunities, strategic investments, and competitive positioning within the industry. Allan Kotlin, CEO of Kotlin Consulting Group, addresses the growing role of private equity in the accounting industry and explores challenges in mergers and acquisitions, including the importance of cultural fit and leadership decisions. This includes discussion of how private equity affects profitability as well as strategies for staying competitive, such as mergers, private equity rollups, and partnering with big firms. He also covers how generational conflicts and changes in compensation impact younger partners.

Revenue recognition continues to be a top compliance and advisory issue for CPAs in the construction industry. This session will dive into the complexities of ASC 606, including common pitfalls in contract modifications, variable consideration, and performance obligations. Real-world case studies will illustrate best practices for implementation and ongoing management. This session was recorded on March 25, 2025 for CalCPA's Construction Management Conference.

Revenue involves significant risks that warrant special consideration during audits. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has issued a new standard - "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" that replaces most industry-specific revenue recognition requirements in US GAAP. A new principles-based, five-step revenue recognition model now applies. Recent disclosures of qualitative and quantitative information, significant judgments, and changes in judgments are also required. New systems, processes, and controls may be needed. Poor design or implementation may pose heightened risks of material misstatement, including those due to fraud.

In this course, we will explore how auditors identify and assess the risks of material misstatements by gaining a comprehensive understanding of privately owned companies and their unique challenges. Key questions we will address include: Are identifiable controls in place? Do owners and managers actively promote compliance with company policies? Have they documented these controls and effectively communicated them to staff? Are these controls observable and testable for operating effectiveness? Additionally, do owners and managers monitor employee performance and evaluate the effectiveness of the controls implemented?

Robotic process automation (RPA) possesses several features that may give rise to similar but also new adoption effects (both benefits and challenges) relative to other information technology (IT) implementations. This study adds to the accounting and emerging technologies literature by examining the beginning-to-end process through which RPA is implemented in the accounting function. We adopt an exploratory and case-centered research methodology based on a mature RPA implementation in an accounting setting. We further corroborate it with interviews with subject matter experts and compare it with another case study of an early-stage RPA implementation. We identify five themes related to RPA adoption in accounting functions: workforce, IT governance, privacy and security, system sustainability, and the measurement of RPA success. We'll also present key takeaways that may support effective RPA adoption in accounting.

This course provides an overview of non-GAAP financial measures with a particular emphasis on comments from the SEC, the FASB, as well as comment letter analysis from several of the Big 4 accounting firms. Non-GAAP financial measures continue to rank at the top of the most frequent comment letters issued by the SEC. As a result, it's important to understand the guidance with respect to these measures to ensure that a company's financial statements remain GAAP compliant and are not misleading. Speaker/Author: Kelen F. Camehl, CPA, MBA

As the liquidating trustee, Jeremiah Foster and Resolute were responsible for the dissolution of Shoot the Moon, a restaurant group operating across three states with fifteen franchises. Through forensic accounting, they identified various financial irregularities over a five-year period, including a kiting scheme, a Ponzi scheme, and merchant cash advance lending activities. In this case study, Mr. Foster will detail the process, his role, and the fiduciary duties of a trustee, providing valuable insights into the complexities of managing such a significant financial undertaking. This session was recorded on March 20, 2024 at the 2024 Fraud & Forensic Accounting Virtual Conference.

Entities relying on agreed-upon procedures engagements must understand key enhancements in SSAE No. 19 to better tailor reporting, broaden distribution, and address evolving subject matters. Michael Manspeaker, CPA, CGMA, of SEK CPAs & Advisors explains how removing the need for pre-specified parties, allowing general-use reports, and enabling CPAs to develop procedures helps smaller entities optimize cost-effectiveness while ensuring independence, high-quality documentation, and pertinent findings.