CPE & Event Calendar

Arguably the most discussed topics to come out of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) are the taxation of tips and overtime. Practitioners need to understand these provisions now, as they are effective for 2025 tax returns. This program provides practitioners with the background currently available to advise clients regarding these two important tax developments. Both employers and employees need to understand these timely changes to taxation.

Embezzlement happens often to many small businesses. Unfortunately, the lack of internal controls allow the embezzlement to remain undetected for years. But when it is discovered, the small business owner will most likely contact their CPA for advice. What should you do when your client contacts you about their employee embezzling money from their business? What options should you present to your client? How can your client protect themselves, while investigating the embezzlement? What steps need to be taken about preserving any documents, emails, texts, or phone calls? This course teaches how to engage the client, properly identify the evidence needed to prove the crime, how to write the report for civil and criminal trial, and best practices in preserving electronic and paper evidence. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

You could pay $0 for this course!We will take a deep look into setting up a QuickBooks Online Accountant (QBOA) account. We will examine all the various firm, staff, and client configuration options for getting this to work inside your organization. This class is going to specifically focus on the configuration options for this application. QBO is a big application and it is important to ensure you've properly set up your firm and client files. Additionally, we will look at the various import/export functionality for getting your data into or out of QBO. Participants will leave this class supercharged with the knowledge of how to set up their QBO accounts correctly for long-term success. Massachusetts firms/companies with fewer than 50 staff can be reimbursed up to 100% of the cost of training and firms/companies with 50-100 employees can be reimbursed up to 50% of the cost of training. You must register for the course and apply for reimbursement through the Massachusetts Workforce Training Express Fund website a minimum of three weeks prior to the start of the course to be eligible. The course code for this program is C-15330. To learn more, click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@necpas.org.  

Even if managers have incomplete information or constraints, they still must make choices. This session provides advice for navigating rocky decision-making terrain encountered by managers who must make choices despite imperfect information and/or constrained resources. We explore ways to leverage available information to make effective decisions when seemingly critical details cannot be obtained. We also illustrate managerial accounting techniques for optimizing profitability when inputs or resources are constrained by supply chain disruptions or other limitations.

As accounting firms and financial institutions deploy agentic AI, they face significant governance challenges. This course focuses on cybersecurity, data governance, and risk management practices essential for the safe and effective use of autonomous systems. Participants will examine frameworks such as NIST AI RMF and the CSA's red-teaming guidelines, as well as case studies on AI-powered cyber incidents. The course equips professionals to assess agentic system vulnerabilities, implement controls, and integrate risk insights into enterprise compliance strategies. This course equips CPAs to fulfill their oversight responsibilities in safeguarding financial data and ensuring the reliability of autonomous systems within the enterprise's control environment.

You could pay $0 for this course!This course is designed for firm partners and managers to explore ways to incorporate data analytics and related technologies in their audit practices. Participants explore how small and mid-size firms are using these tools to improve engagement efficiency and quality while providing opportunities for value-added services to clients. All of AHI's multi-day courses rely on live participant engagement. For this 2-hr. course, we encourage you to have a working webcam and microphone to take advantage of a live discussion leader and participant interaction. This course qualifies for reimbursement through the state’s Workforce Training Express Fund. Massachusetts firms/companies with fewer than 50 staff can be reimbursed up to 100% of the cost of training and firms/companies with 50-100 employees can be reimbursed up to 50% of the cost of training. You must register for the course and apply for reimbursement through the Massachusetts Workforce Training Express Fund website a minimum of three weeks prior to the start of the course. The course code for this program is C-14080. To learn more, click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@necpas.org

The updated revenue recognition standard outlines five steps for proper compliance. At the surface, these steps seem simplistic. However, there are many considerations that should be considered within each step based on your process and industry.  

You could pay $0 for this course!This 2-hour mini course highlights leadership skills and situations that are common for managers. Participants will be encouraged to examine and challenge their beliefs and approaches to managing and leading people. Leading Others - Coaching & Developing Staff - prioritizing the coaching and development of staff in a post-pandemic work environment, including delegation for development, effective feedback, and managing virtual employees. Building Leadership Communication Skills - strategies to influence and lead others through effective communication in both individual and group settings. All of AHI's multi-day courses rely on live participant engagement. For this 2-hr. course, we encourage you to have a working webcam and microphone to take advantage of a live discussion leader and participant interaction. This course qualifies for reimbursement through the state’s Workforce Training Express Fund. Massachusetts firms/companies with fewer than 50 staff can be reimbursed up to 100% of the cost of training and firms/companies with 50-100 employees can be reimbursed up to 50% of the cost of training. You must register for the course and apply for reimbursement through the Massachusetts Workforce Training Express Fund website a minimum of three weeks prior to the start of the course. The course code for this program is C-14082. To learn more, click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@necpas.org

Governmental accounting differs significantly from other forms of accounting and requires a distinct approach to financial reporting. This course introduces the foundational principles of governmental accounting, including fund accounting concepts and the modified accrual basis of accounting. Participants will explore the structure and purpose of governmental fund financial statements and government-wide financial statements, gaining clarity on their objectives, layouts, and key elements. The course also addresses essential topics such as component units, the role and structure of Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), and the preparation and significance of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). Designed for those new to governmental accounting—or those seeking a refresher-this course provides a solid foundation for understanding and applying governmental financial reporting principles. The course has been updated to reflect recent guidance issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, including GASB Statements 101-105.  

This course explores provisions of Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Engagements (SSARS) that govern review, compilation, and preparation engagements. Participants will recall foundational concepts, examine recent updates, understand practitioner responsibilities, and apply best practices for engagement performance. Attendees will learn how to efficiently perform SSARS engagements while complying with professional requirements.

Many entities look to their CPA as a trusted advisor when tackling complex accounting topics. This is more relevant now than ever. The FASB's big three accounting pronouncements involving revenue recognition, leasing and credit losses have placed a magnifying glass on this reality. Practitioners need to exercise caution to ensure they maintain independence as they assist their review and audit clients with such matters, as well as with compilation engagements. This course addresses these issues and explores best practices and guidance provided by the AICPA's Code of Professional Conduct.

Join Us for Our Next Community Meeting All NECPAs members are welcome to attend. Community meetings are a great way to connect with peers, share insights and stay engaged with the profession. CPE Credit Information To receive CPE credit, you must: Be in attendance for at least 50 minutes Respond to required attendance check polling questions Please note: We recommend using the email address linked to your NECPAs profile when logging into Zoom. Join the Community Roster By joining the community roster, you'll gain access to this group's forum on The HUB—an exclusive space where members can: Connect with other community members Post questions and messages Access meeting materials and resources Questions? Contact Melissa Nystedt at mnystedt@necpas.org.

Finance technology decisions (ERP, FP&A, AP/expense automation, close/consolidation, bank integrations, and AI-enabled tools) can dramatically improve close speed, forecasting, and control execution-but vendor demos and "AI" marketing often hide integration complexity, data readiness gaps, governance risk, and long-term total cost. This course provides a practical, vendor-neutral approach for CPAs and finance leaders to evaluate and implement corporate finance technology with an audit-ready mindset. Participants learn how to cut through AI claims using an AI capability framework, apply a weighted vendor evaluation scorecard focused on controls and assurance, build a five-year total cost model that captures hidden and ongoing costs, and follow an implementation roadmap with checkpoints and red flags to reduce failure risk and improve ROI realization. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Many organizations struggle to keep budgets current in an ever-changing business climate.  Twenty-first century performance metrics focus on determining what budgets should be rather than what they were in the past.  Using performance metrics effectively reduces work, reduces politics, provides flexibility and substantially improves the performance management process.  This session will show you powerful techniques to drive your organization’s performance.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 called for delivering nearly $80 billion to the IRS over 10 years to allow the IRS to purchase new technology and hire employees. This funding would have provided the IRS with new equipment and new employees, possibly to handle more audits, many of them involving very complex tax issues. The Trump Administration has reversed this with prospects for a reduction in IRS employees and less money to fund the purchase and development of new software. This program discusses the current state of IRS audits. Trump administration changes will of course have enormous impacts on these audits going forward.

You could pay $0 for this course!The course provides a comprehensive, hands-on, pencil pushing understanding of the preparation of both S corporation and partnership/LLC tax returns, along with the underlying laws, regulations, etc. The course uses the basic concepts underlying the two main types of business returns: 1120S and 1065 as building blocks for more complex concepts tax preparers should be aware of. The theoretical concepts get illustrated in comprehensive examples that incorporate the most up-to-date law changes and provisions. Massachusetts firms/companies with fewer than 50 staff can be reimbursed up to 100% of the cost of training and firms/companies with 50-100 employees can be reimbursed up to 50% of the cost of training. You must register for the course and apply for reimbursement through the Massachusetts Workforce Training Express Fund website a minimum of three weeks prior to the start of the course to be eligible. The course code for this program is C-15403. To learn more, click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@necpas.org.

Reporting findings under the Yellow Book and single audit standards comes with unique rules - but mastering them is easier than you think. This course gives you the tools and techniques to prepare, write, and present findings that meet the GAO and OMB requirements while sparking meaningful improvements for your clients. You'll learn exactly what to report, how to report it, and where to report it so you can deliver results with clarity, compliance, and impact.

Required minimum distributions (RMDs) from employer retirement plans and IRAs must be made or steep penalties will be incurred. Planning opportunities exist in certain situations to minimize distributions. Also, special rules exist for inherited retirement funds. Your clients depend on you to help them navigate the rules regarding required minimum distributions and the taxation of distributions. This course addresses compliance issues and planning opportunities regarding required minimum distributions.

This course comprehensively reviews the laws and regulations impacting S corporations. Get updated on the IRS' compliance campaign that targets the improper reporting and calculations of stock basis and distributions. Learn to calculate and report critical S corporation tax items that generate most IRS audit adjustments correctly. Topics cover issues include S corporation qualifications, making and keeping the S election, reasonable compensation, taxation of distributions, the use of Qualified Subchapter S Subsidiaries, allocation of annual operating income and loss, tax reporting elections and learning the proper method to calculate the basis of stock and debt amounts.

New technology, the move toward telecommuting, the widespread adoption of electronic documentation, and a wide range of other factors have significantly and forever changed the way business is conducted. It should go without saying that changes in tools and methods lead to upheaval in any organization's internal control system. In this session, we look at all the changes that are occurring and discuss what's coming in the not too distant future. The material then looks at how internal controls have been affected and what other updates are on the horizon. Anyone trying to use controls to keep their organization efficient and secure should consider this session because the rate of change to both operational methods and control processes has been and will continue to be incredible.