CPE + Events Catalog

Fraud Stories: January 2026 examines the rise and collapse of Tricolor, a fast-growing subprime auto lender, to uncover how fraud can develop and persist within complex financial systems. Through a detailed case study, participants will explore how aggressive growth, weak internal controls, and reliance on opaque lending structures enabled practices such as double pledging and data manipulation. The course highlights key warning signs, audit challenges, and systemic risks in private lending and securitization markets, providing practical insights into how fraud can be detected, prevented, and understood within real-world financial environments. Recorded January, 2026.

The Fraud Series (March 2025) centers on the "Wild Hunt" case'a real-world nonprofit fraud allegation that highlights how quickly suspicion can escalate into perceived fraud. Through this detailed case study, participants will examine fund accounting, financial disclosures, and the misinterpretation of data, while contrasting these findings with examples of actual fraud cases. This course emphasizes the difference between fraud, negligence, and misunderstanding, equipping accounting and finance professionals with practical skills to evaluate red flags, challenge assumptions, and approach fraud investigations with greater accuracy and critical thinking. Recorded March, 2025.

Tim Dreyer, a seasoned tax consultant with 50 years of experience, explores the evolving federal tax landscape as the TCJA approaches expiration. He discusses IRS enforcement shifts toward high-income individuals, small businesses, and crypto, critiques proposals like the Fair Tax Act, and reviews legislative efforts to streamline reporting and enhance taxpayer rights. Dreyer also highlights key risks for preparers under proposed Circular 230 revisions and strengthened disclosure requirements.

Kasey Pittman of Cherry Bekaert and Mark Gallegos of Porte Brown LLC examine the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), outlining the policy context behind its passage and the tax provisions with the greatest practical impact. They discuss key business, individual, and estate tax changes, highlighting planning opportunities, risks, and areas of uncertainty. The session emphasizes holistic tax planning, state conformity considerations, and advisor judgment under the new law.

Excel is the most widely used analysis tool in the world and a great starting point for diving into data analysis. In this course, you'll apply Excel's native tools to structure your data into spreadsheets and tables. You'll then analyze and produce insights from that data using pivot tables. Finally, you'll visualize those insights by building a dashboard in Excel. You'll apply these skills using modern functionality like dynamic array formulas, linked data types, Power Query, and Power Pivot. You'll work hands-on with real-world scenarios, using datasets pulled from financial statements and retail sales.

The role of finance leaders within an organization has changed considerably in more recent years. CFOs and controllers are constantly being asked to take on new tasks that involve the critical functions of the organization. This course will discuss how finance leaders can create value within their organizations in the current competitive market, how the perception of value in the area of finance has changed, the role of the finance function in cybersecurity, and how finance leaders can help create a data-driven organization.

Every CPA firm needs a succession plan'whether that means selling your practice, merging, or simply having a clear exit strategy to protect client relationships and ensure a smooth handoff of firm operations. Succession isn't just a future concern'it's a business essential. Join us for a focused webinar designed specifically for CPAs looking to prepare their practice for transition. Whether you're years away or actively planning your exit, this session will give you the insights and tools to move forward with confidence. We'll walk through current market trends and firm valuation strategies so you can understand what your practice is really worth. You'll learn what buyers are looking for'including how private equity is shaping the landscape'and what you need to do now to make your firm more attractive. We'll also explore tax implications, seller financing options, and the financial documentation that can make or break a deal. Beyond the numbers, we'll cover common pitfalls to avoid, key elements of business continuity planning, and how staffing decisions impact your succession timeline. This session is built to help you protect the legacy you've worked so hard to build'and position your firm for a smart, seamless next chapter.

Tax practice demands more than technical calculations'it requires sound judgment under Circular 230, the AICPA Code, and the 2024 SSTS revisions. This course shows how to recognize and manage conflicts of interest (possible, potential, actual), obtain and document informed consents, and decide when withdrawal is required. You'll learn what to do when client errors or omissions surface, how SSTS 1.2 and Circular 230 §§10.21/10.22 shape your duties, and how to protect clients (and yourself) with engagement letters, scope clarity, and careful documentation. We'll translate due-diligence principles into daily practice'what you may rely on, when to probe, how to mitigate §6694 exposure, and how to organize files to preserve work product. The program also covers controversy representation (2848 vs 8821), WISP/data-security expectations, and practical checklists that elevate quality review and reduce malpractice risk.

Your health is one of your most valuable assets, and the decisions you make around it can shape both your financial future and quality of life. This course breaks down the key options for medical coverage, from workplace plans to government exchanges and health savings accounts. You'll gain a clearer view of how to protect your clients "and yourself" from financially devastating health events by analyzing the personal, tax, and financial factors that matter most.

High-performing leaders and teams often feature great communicators. Ironically, we spend little of our professional time thinking and talking about what great communication looks like. Learn the secrets of high-impact communication; explore effective vs. less effective communication channels; discover the power of giving and receiving professional feedback; the benefits, and curses, of nonverbal communications; and how to make highly impactful presentations.Plus, to reinforce learning, you will actively engage in lively and informative communication-related activities. The webcast was originally broadcast on May 30, 2013. Note: There is a minimum passing rate of 70% for this course.

Firms often ask supervisors to appraise subordinates - potential to succeed in higher-level positions. These appraisals can take place within social and organizational contexts that emphasize improving the experiences of females in male-dominated settings. Using this context, we experimentally examine whether supervisors differentially interpret and use the same accounting information when appraising the potential of subordinates of different genders. We draw on attribution theory and research suggesting that a diversity emphasis sends two conflicting signals'females are less able than males, but more valuable from a diversity standpoint. We find that supervisors - beliefs about subordinates - abilities in their current positions are lower for female than male subordinates. While prior research suggests this should result in supervisors appraising female subordinates - potential as lower than males - , we find the opposite. Our results suggest that firm efforts to improve the workplace experiences of females may do little to mitigate underlying gender stereotypes.

ChatGPT and AI can enrich your accounting practice if you use it the right way. If you don't, disaster lurks. How can you make this technology work for you instead of against you? This timely, entertaining, and results-focused course will show you how five powerful principles: the principles of ethical intelligence help you make the most of ChatGPT and AI. You will get tested strategies you can implement immediately and successfully. 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.

Selling doesn't have to feel like selling. This on-demand course breaks down a 10-step sales system designed specifically for CPAs who want to grow their firms while staying energized about their work. You'll learn how to attract the right clients, deliver real value, and build a practice that feels less like a grind and more like a calling. From refining your niche to mastering consultative conversations and asking for referrals with confidence, this session walks you through a client-focused process that builds trust, drives growth, and transforms your role from CPA to CEO. You'll learn how to: Build a client-attracting funnel that works while you work Craft content and landing pages that actually convert Communicate with purpose and consistency Deliver standout service that keeps clients coming back Grow your mindset'and your business'with intention Ideal for CPAs ready to take control of their growth strategy'without ever feeling like a salesperson. This session was recorded on April 17, 2025 for CalCPA's Practice Management Bootcamp conference.

Join us for an insightful course hosted by Hancock Askew & Co., LLP and Accountants, where we delve into the dynamic changes within the accounting industry. Technological advancements have revolutionized accounting firms, prompting the surge in demand for Client Accounting Services (CAS). In this session, we will explore the intricacies of reorganizing CAS teams, including evaluating success metrics, optimizing CAS structures, and executing effective reorganization processes. Our discussion will encompass decision-making protocols, implementation strategies, and post-implementation reviews. Unlock the benefits of a streamlined CAS team and learn to leverage objective evidence for informed decision-making throughout the reorganization journey.

This course explores the fundamentals of life insurance and how to manage life policies for high-net-worth clients. Starting with an overview of major life insurance terminology and policy types, the presentation dives into best practices on how to maintain a policy. It includes essential questions to discuss with your client, guidance on how and when to implement policy reviews, strategies for monitoring a policy, and different approaches to take if your client gets declined or wishes to sell their policy. CPAs will take away important lessons on integrating discussions of life insurance policies with their high-net-worth clients.

This course will explain the psychological aspects of leading effective meetings. We'll take a look at the elements of F.O.C.U.S.S. - Focus, Organization, Conduct, yoUr presence, Stewardship and Solutions. Last Update: March, 2026

In June 2022, the AICPA Auditing Standards Board (ASB) introduced three interrelated standards on quality management, collectively known as the QM standards. These standards signify a pivotal shift for CPA firms, transitioning from a policies-based approach to a more dynamic risk-based approach to audit and attestation quality. Every firm engaged in SASs, SSARSs, and SSAEs will be impacted by these changes, which must be implemented by December 15, 2025. This course will explore the key changes introduced by the new standards, including a tailored risk assessment process, revised components of the quality management system, enhanced leadership and governance requirements, and new obligations for networks and service providers. By the end of this course, you will be equipped to navigate these changes effectively and ensure compliance with the new standards.

In today's data-driven world, spreadsheets serve as the backbone of business and personal productivity. However, creating complex and error-prone spreadsheets can lead to critical mistakes and inefficiencies. This course aims to equip you with the knowledge and tools to build robust spreadsheets, implementing a range of controls and safeguards to ensure data integrity, streamline processes, and maximize accuracy.

This course will introduce AI platforms and how they can be used to understand and create Excel formulas, understanding and writing VBA code for Macros, and much more. We'll explore the free ChatGPT service as well as Microsoft's built-in AI Excel features.

As work demands increase, so does work-related stress. Understanding how stress is created and how to manage it effectively is the key to maximizing your productivity on the job. Learn about the nature of stress, its effects on your health and work and what to do about it. Several practical techniques will be shared to help enable you to keep stress in check and under control. The webcast was originally broadcast on October 27, 2016. Note: There is a minimum passing rate of 70% for this course.