CPE & Event Calendar

This course provides tax and accounting professionals with a comprehensive overview of overtime requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Participants will explore the statutory definition of overtime, exemptions, and the calculation of the "regular rate of pay." Through practical examples and compliance-focused scenarios learners will gain the skills to identify risks, properly compute overtime pay, and advise clients or employers on best practices. The course emphasizes regulatory compliance, accurate application of rules, and strategies to avoid common pitfalls in wage and hour audits. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

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 event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

This course is a continuation of our series on preparing to become a forensic accountant. Within this segment we focus on elements of computer forensics. This session is designed to delve into further investigative procedures used in computer forensics.  

Many public accountants desire to have a quick overview of only the most current changes to professional and ethical requirements. This course will provide an executive summary of the major changes in audit and other attest requirements. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

This webinar presents a variety of time-saving ideas, shortcuts, and tips that are sure to boost personal productivity. We discuss better summing, address one of the biggest pitfalls that Excel users have faced over the past 25 years, present the most important keyboard shortcuts, demonstrate a better alternative to hiding rows or columns, illustrate how to quickly navigate to other workbooks and files, and demonstrate using Excel with styles.

We see multiple stories about the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and its entry into our lives in the form of AI tools, including ChatGPT. They seem to be everywhere. It is difficult to overstate how much things will change with the rise of these new technologies, or how important it is that companies embrace the opportunity to execute them correctly. Having conversations regarding the proper adoption of these technologies and tools is a crucial first step, including drafting policies to assist companies with their beneficial and thoughtful implementation and use. This course will define the state of AI tools, what benefits and risks exist, and which steps to take to begin adopting these technologies with appropriate guardrails, policies, and training. It is less likely that AI will destroy industries, and more likely that companies that embrace AI will overtake those companies that do not.

Clients think that estate planning only applies to the very rich. In truth, there are many issues of critical concern for which the middle-income client needs to plan. This course is a must-attend for all Accounting and Financial Professionals who work with middle-income clients and are looking for ways to provide additional quality services. Updated for developments relative to estate tax changes.

This is a continuing part of our series on forensic accounting. Within this segment we discuss the concepts that are part of computer forensics known as cryptology. The term cryptography is from Ancient Greek and means “hidden secret”. It is the practice and study of techniques for secure communications in the presence of adversarial behavior. Cryptography is about constructing and analyzing protocols that prevent third parties or the public from reading private messages. Cryptography starts with secrets. Various aspects in information security such as data confidentiality, data integrity, authentication and non-repudiation (where a statement’s author cannot successfully dispute its authorship) are central to modern cryptography.

The new Standards emphasize that quality performance requires conformance to the Standards. Each standard within Domain III specifically identifies the responsibilities of the CAE and the board, as well as joint responsibilities. The new Global Internal Audit Standards were released on January 9, 2024, and will become effective January 9, 2025. The previous version, the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, released in 2017, remains approved for use during a one-year transition period. The Global Internal Audit Standards guide the worldwide professional practice of internal audit. They serve as a basis for evaluating and elevating the quality of the internal audit function. The Standards use 15 guiding principles with five separate domains that enable effective internal audit implementation and examples of evidence of conformance. The Global Standards are organized into five domains. Domain I: Purpose of Internal Auditing Domain II: Ethics and Professionalism Domain III: Governing the Internal Audit Function Domain IV: Managing the Internal Audit Function Domain V: Performing Internal Audit Service

This course examines the ethical and legal responsibilities of tax professionals when responding to court orders, summonses, and other legal demands for taxpayer information. Participants will review the statutory and regulatory framework governing confidentiality and disclosure, including IRC §§7216 and 6713, Circular 230, and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA). The course explains when disclosure of taxpayer information is permitted, restricted, or prohibited under federal law and professional standards. Through practical analysis and scenario-based discussion, participants will examine common situations involving divorce proceedings, mediation settings, and conflicting client interests. Emphasis is placed on evaluating disclosure requests, applying ethical decision-making frameworks, maintaining proper client consent and scope limitations, and protecting taxpayer confidentiality while complying with legal mandates. *Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to terri.storer@acpen.com    

A detailed analysis of the calculations related to determining a shareholder's tax basis for S corporation shares and loans. How to use the Form 1120S, Schedule K-1 information for basis determination. An illustrative example demonstrates how the process works, as well as the many potential pitfalls. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.

Data security is a front-of-mind topic for most businesses because the risk and cost statistics are sobering. Each of us is in the crosshairs because a typical internet-connected computer faces a cyberattack every 39 seconds. Businesses of all sizes should be cognizant of the ethical issues that must be considered when planning their approach to privacy and data security. In this webinar, we will explore both the risks we have traditionally faced in the workplace personally, as well as the novel set of data privacy threats and compliance challenge issues employers face with a remote and mobile workforce.

Network forensics - defined as the investigation of network traffic patterns and data captured in transit between computing devices - can provide insight into the source and extent of an attack. It is used in forensic accounting and with the expansion of information technology it has become a growing field. Network forensics is a relatively new field of forensic science. Computing has become network centric. Data is now available outside of disk-based digital evidence. Network forensics can be performed as a standalone investigation or alongside a computer forensics analysis. When used alongside a computer forensic analysis it is used to reveal links between digital devices or reconstruct how a crime was committed. Network investigations deal with volatile and dynamic information and is a sub-branch of digital forensics. It relates to the monitoring and analysis of computer network traffic for information gathering, legal evidence, or intrusion detection. This course is a complement to our other courses in the series on becoming a forensic accountant.  

Do you get bored with similar rubrics’ cube COSO risk model courses?  They are important and great, but this course is intended to offer a fresh approach on the view of risk using the dynamic landscape of modern business; CFOs are charged with navigating an array of external and internal risks that can impact organizational performance and sustainability. This seminar will empower finance professionals with the foresight and practical tools needed to understand, anticipate, and mitigate both external and internal risks. We must be aware and anticipate. If we do not adequately prepare, we will be exposed to avoidable and onerous risk. Essential for leaders and organizations that want to survive and thrive. This seminar stands on its own but is also part of the Common Sense CFO series.

Do you love PivotTables? Of course, we all do! Traditional PivotTables are incredible, but they do have limitations. If you have ever encountered one of these limitations, you'll be excited to learn that by using the Data Model as the source for PivotTables, you'll be able to bypass many of the restrictions that exist with traditional PivotTables. The data model (also referred to as Power Pivot) is included in Excel 2016+ for Windows and available as a free download for previous versions (excluding Excel for Mac). Using the data model enables you to build PivotTables that were previously not practical. If you frequently build PivotTables and would like to do more with them, you'll want to understand how to use the data model (Power Pivot) to enhance your reports. Note about Excel versions: Power Pivot is not available in all versions of Excel, including Excel for Mac. If you would like to see if Power Pivot is available in your version of Excel, visit the Microsoft site.

You could pay $0 for this course!"Enhance your productivity and streamline your accounting practices with ideas learned in this course. This dynamic program, designed specifically for accountants seeking a competitive edge, delves into the practical applications of ChatGPT in your daily workflow. From conducting comprehensive research and crafting compelling correspondence to swiftly addressing technical inquiries and optimizing Excel formulas, you'll gain invaluable skills to expedite your tasks and improve overall efficiency. Furthermore, we'll delve into the power of ChatGPT plugins, equipping you with the knowledge to seamlessly process PDF documents and efficiently navigate the vast expanse of the web. Join us on this transformative journey and unlock your full potential as a proficient and empowered accountant.Throughout the course, our experienced instructors will guide you through engaging discussions, real-world exercises, and valuable examples, ensuring you gain practical knowledge to apply in your professional endeavors immediately. Don't miss this opportunity to harness the power of ChatGPT and revolutionize your approach to accounting." 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-15324. To learn more, click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@necpas.org.  

This course is a complement to our series on Becoming a Forensic Accountant and the focus of the course is on steganography techniques. Steganography is the art and science of embedding secret messages in a cover message in such a way that no one, apart from the sender and intended recipient, suspects the existence of the message. The first use of steganography can be traced to 440 BC when ancient Greece, people wrote messages on wood and covered it with wax, that acted as a covering medium Romans used forms of Invisible Inks, to decipher those hidden messages light or heat were used. During World War II the Germans introduced microdots, which were complete documents, pictures, and plans reduced in size to the size of a dot and were attached to normal paperwork. Null Ciphers were also used to hide unencrypted secret messages in an innocent looking message. Given the amount of data being generated and transmitted electronically, it’s no surprise that numerous methods of protecting that data have evolved. There are various types of steganography: Text Steganography - Hiding information inside the text files. This involves changing format of existing text, changing words in a text, generating random character sequences or using context-free grammars to generate readable texts. Image Steganography - Process of hiding text in an image without distorting the picture. Video Steganography - Technique to hide any kind of files into a cover video file. Audio Steganography - The secret message is embedded into an audio signal which alters the binary sequence of the corresponding audio file. Network Steganography - The process of utilizing active network protocols as carriers to transmit a covert message, undetectable by an uninformed party, from a host to its destination. This session will review these methods and also discuss relevant software.  

For most people, funding their own retirement is the largest expense they will ever have. Due to advances in medical technology and overall healthier lifestyles, it is not unusual for someone to live 30 years or more in retirement. In this course, we will discuss how to quantify and calculate the retirement needs of the client. We will talk about time value of money concepts, how to help clients quantify their retirement goals, and even how to address risk perceptions. By doing this, we will allow practitioners to be able to better address client questions and frame trade-offs when necessary. 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!This course qualifies for EA/IRS and CFP credit. If you need EA/IRS credit, please contact Tyler Dion (tdion@necpas.org) after you have registered and provide him your PTIN number. Tax law is changing fast. Are you ready for what’s next? Federal Tax Camp with Sue Smith, CPA, is coming to Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont (and virtually) this fall! Join us virtually on December 3 for a practical, up-to-date look at the latest federal tax legislation, IRS guidance and case law, and what it means for your clients and your practice. Can't attend this session? Additional virtual and in-person options are available. Visit necpas.org/taxcamp to choose the date and format that works best for you! How to Register: Former MECPA, NHSCPA, RISCPA and VTCPA  members: You’ll need to create your NECPAs account before registering. Complete the “New England Incoming Member” application, then log in and register for the event. Your full membership profile, CPE history and other information will continue to be migrated from your original state. Non-members: We’d love to have you join us! You’ll need to create a free guest account before registering for the event. Already have a NECPAs/MassCPAs account? Simply log in with your existing username and password. [CREATE OR ACCESS YOUR ACCOUNT] If you need assistance, please reach out to Mary Chappuis at mchappuis@necpas.org or 617.556.4000 and we will help you sign up. 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-1758. To learn more, click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@necpas.org.

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.