non-accelerated filers and Regulation S-B registrants; and more.
Level: Update
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Objective: To review major GAAP changes in the last several decades and learn how to implement them.
In the past 40 years, the accounting profession has experienced significant changes, including the issuance of over 200 accounting standards and interpretations—this course takes a refreshing look back at many of them. It includes discussion of why certain standards were issued and the controversies, if any, around their issuance.
Questions, such as the following, will be addressed:
- Did you know that reporting the lower of cost or market for inventory can be traced back to Accounting Research Bulletin No. 43 issued in the 1950s?
- Why did we end up with the indirect method of reporting cash from operations?
- What have been the issues surrounding the preparation of the statement of cash flows since the issuance of SFAS No. 95?
- What should be included in the summary of significant accounting policies under APB 22?
- Why does the SEC require “critical” accounting policies?
- Where did “other comprehensive income” come from?
The class includes lively discussion, problem solving, and the examination of actual corporate financial statements.
Level: Basic
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Objective: To learn how to analyze financial statements in a manner that reveals how they might be distorted due to different accounting methods being used.
Presented through the eyes of a leading Wall Street consultant and former SEC assistant chief accountant, this course will teach attendees how to effectively utilize various operational and financial metrics and relationships to detect accounting and financial reporting manipulations. Areas of accounting and financial reporting that historically have been most frequently at the core of corporate fraud, and those that continue to pose the greatest risk to auditors, analysts, and investors, will be discussed.
Level: Basic
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Objective: To learn how to put together strong teams and improve the performance of existing teams.
In today's organizations, it is rare that individuals are capable of producing significant results on their own; rather, most firms form teams to achieve results. However, many teams today do not just underproduce, they are downright dysfunctional. Fortune 500 consultant Jane Boucher first reviews characteristics of strong and weak teams and provides a practical test to determine team effectiveness. She then goes on to teach you how to (1) recognize the symptoms of poor team performance, (2) understand the importance of attitudes, (3) get the right people on teams, (4) improve communication, and (5) deal with conflicts.
Prerequisites: None
Level: Basic
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Objective: To learn the latest business federal tax law changes.
If you attend only one tax course in 2007–2008, this should be it! With a focus on business taxation, our practical tax planning course is designed for both industry accountants and public tax practitioners. It features the latest tax legislation passed and business, corporate, partnership, and IRS auditing changes.
Business topics include:
- how to properly compute the 3% “phantom” deduction for manufacturers, contractors, farmers, etc.
- major repair vs. improvement regulations
- $112,000+ §179 expensing election
- new hobby loss cases
- how to establish value for cost segregation depreciation
- day trader rules update
Corporate topics include:
- 15% dividend rate extended
- new Schedule M-3
- major tax shelter regulations
- numerous reasonable compensation cases
- certain exempt organizations being audited
- late S election allowed
- federal payroll changes
- how to eliminate IRS’s new employee vs. independent contractor audits
- how to avoid IRS problems when deducting salaries paid to children
- personal property rentals not subject to FICA (IRS disagrees)
- 100% trust fund penalty
Partnership topics include:
- new Schedule M-3
- LLC tax issues
- self-employment tax for LLC members
- non-reimbursed partner's expenses
IRS audit issues include:
- increase in audit rates
- how to respond to IRS’s aggressive new audit procedures against both taxpayers and tax preparers
- major limitation on offers in compromise
- IRS warnings about new tax scams
- new electronic filing rules
Level: Update
This course is CFP Board accepted.
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Objective: To learn practical leadership strategies from your professional financial colleagues.
After spending 2 years interviewing and filming accountants and financial professionals about leadership challenges they faced and strategies they implemented to deal with them, Stuart Ellis-Myers shares what he learned in this lively course. In conjunction with the video, Stuart’s discussion casts aside leadership theory and cuts to the core of real issues accountants face on a day-to-day basis. You’ll leave with tips and tools to help you challenge the status quo, fire up your team, rid the workplace of adversity, and promote accountability.
Level: Basic
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Objective: To gain a comprehensive understanding of estate and financial planning techniques of charitable giving.
Charitable giving in financial and estate planning can be complex in nature. For those with an understanding and familiarity of basic giving concepts, this course provides a look at a number of dynamic planning strategies.
Highlights include:
- initiating a total charitable plan (in a nutshell)
- tax consequences of charitable giving
- charitable giving options
- outright gifts
- estate bequests
- beneficiary designation gifts
- life insurance gifts
- charitable gift annuities
- traditional IRA/qualified plan gifts
- zero estate gift tax
- private foundations
- wealth replacement
- donor advised funds; plus other topics
Prerequisites: Understanding and familiarity with basic giving concepts.
Level: Intermediate
This course is CFP Board accepted.
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Objective: To learn how to resolve conflict within an organization and how to deal with difficult people.
This course teaches you skills for dealing with two inevitable challenges in any organization—employee conflict and difficult people—which are, of course, related. While every organization has its difficult people, they are not unmanageable.
You will learn:
- to identify what behaviors cause and escalate conflict
- to use a 4-step decision-making model for conflict resolution
- how to engage individuals objectively and in a controlled manner, even when emotions are running high
- how to communicate and to teach others to communicate in noncombative ways
- how to "speed-read" personalities to foresee areas of potential conflict
- to understand different mind-sets and how they set conflict in motion
This course also explores the typical types of difficult people, why they are the way they are, and what you and others need to do to retain a pleasant working environment in spite of them. Some approaches are subtle, others are definitely "tough love" techniques—Jeff Magee will teach you all of them.
Level: Basic
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Objective: To understand various insurance concerns financial professionals might encounter and to learn turnkey, logical approaches for dealing with critical issues that arise.
In this fast-paced, exciting session, Jeffrey Rattiner alerts attendees to the insurance exposures they might encounter, and he provides solutions needed to combat such exposures to minimize a family’s insurance risks. On the personal side, topics include life, disability, health, long-term care, automobile, and umbrella insurance. Business-related topics include buy-sell arrangements, key person business overhead, split dollar, death benefit only, group insurance, and deferred compensation.
This is the perfect session for CPAs who want to get a handle on addressing all these critical insurance issues.
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of insurance principles.
Level: Intermediate
This course is CFP Board accepted.
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Objective: To learn new technologies that can increase the financial professional's effectiveness.
The digital divide is upon us! There are those who are on the technology highway and those who are being left behind. This course gives the financial professional the ability to immediately access information-rich tax Web sites—for free! In addition, Danny shows off his elaborate array of gadgets and time-saving devices—everything from voice dictation to memory devices. Emphasis is on the substantial speed and cost advantages of the Internet versus traditional paper and CD tax "services." Learn how to access statutes, case law, rulings, notices, announcements, and tax commentary on the Internet. If you want "instant," up-to-the-minute tax and financial information, this course teaches you how to find it.
Level: Update
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Objective:To learn proven strategies and techniques for attracting and retaining CPAs and other employees in your firm.
For every 10 people retiring from CPA firms today, there are fewer than 3 qualified people entering the workforce. Stuart Ellis-Myers spent 2 years interviewing and filming accountants and other financial professionals who shared their insights with him about how to attract and retain employees. The course received rave reviews in 2007 and returns in 2008 with never-before-seen public and private practice CPA interviews. Take away solid tools, actions, and insights on how to measurably increase employee satisfaction and morale.
Level: Basic
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Objective: To understand basic legal issues relating to technology and environmental law.
Although the topics of environmental and technology law are not necessarily closely related, both are extremely salient in today’s business world. Anyone involved in the purchase or sale of real estate needs to be aware of critical environmental legal issues. Topics of the environmental section of the course include CERCLA, SARA, and Phase I and II Environmental Audits. Today’s business world is being swept forward by technology, but the technology has introduced important legal issues. The technology section of the course covers potential civil and criminal liability of doing business on the Internet, including such eye-opening cases as French Yahoo; copyright issues on the Web, including deep-linking issues; plus other pertinent technology legal issues.
Level: Basic
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Objective: To learn the basics of estate planning.
This course prepares participants for more advanced estate planning coursework and provides the following information: an overview of federal estate tax law; the ten most common estate planning mistakes; the five steps to computing federal estate tax; how to compute federal gift tax; technical definition of a gift; how to determine basis; tax implications of a gift; plus other estate tax topics.
Prerequisites: None
Level: Basic
This course is CFP Board accepted.
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Objective: To learn how to apply, implement, and evaluate the strategic tax aspects of marital dissolutions and living-together arrangements.
Current perspectives on property transfers, asset divisions, alimony, filing status, exemptions, and child support are examined in this course, with an emphasis on planning considerations. Property settlements, basis allocation, third-party transfers, and purchases between spouses are explored and analyzed. Special attention is given to the division of business interests, retirement plans (including QDROs), insurance policies, and the family residence.
Level: Basic
This course is CFP Board accepted.
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Objective: To learn the latest federal individual tax law changes.
This is the 2008 tax update course you should attend! Focusing on individual taxation, our practical tax planning course is designed for both industry accountants and public tax practitioners, it and features the latest tax legislation passed.
Individual changes include:
- most cash donations and donations of clothing and household goods are no longer deductible
- Medicare B premium surcharge starting in 2007
- planning ideas to avoid AMT
- $1,100 minimum personal exemption for wealthy in 2007
- itemized deduction phaseout reduced to 2%
- Social Security benefits offset by disability insurance (including workmen’s comp) includable in income
- tax credit for hybrid cars
- planning for estate and gift tax repeal
- using family limited partnerships effectively
- in-depth discussion of health savings accounts and health reimbursement plans
Real estate changes include:
- extension of 15% capital gains rate
- amazing pro-taxpayer "unforeseen" circumstances relief on sale of principal residence
- meeting passive loss real estate professional eligibility requirements
- basic like-kind exchange and deferred exchange rules
Retirement plan issues and changes include:
- tax-free distributions from IRAs for charitable purposes
- rollover allowed to non-spouse beneficiaries
- major expansion of Roth IRA and pension provisions
- problems and benefits when investing pension funds in real estate
- understanding single-person 401(k) plans
- waiver of 60-day rollover regulations and increased IRS filing costs
- how to prepare relief for 10% early withdrawal penalties
- self-directed IRAs
Level: Update
This course is CFP Board accepted.
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Objective: To gain an understanding of common legal documents involved in estate planning and of the roles and responsibilities of parties to an estate.
The legal documents involved in estate planning can be complex. This course will help you understand and interpret some of the more common ones used in the field. Highlights include a detailed overview of:
- power of appointment trust, the estate trust, and the QTIP trust
- mechanics of the QTIP trust and the impact of a reverse QTIP election
- different ways to write provisions that qualify for the maximum marital deduction
- requirements of a revocable trust
- when a revocable trust becomes irrevocable
- considerations in choosing a trustee
- requirements of a will and how the terms are decided
- how to change or revoke a will
- how to select an executor, trustee, and attorney and the duties of each
- major income and estate tax consequences of powers held by various parties
- how to review a will and a checklist of steps to take in the process
- psychological aspects found in the estate planning practice
Attendees also receive a checklist of executor's primary duties.
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of estate planning.
Level: Intermediate
This course is CFP Board accepted.
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Objective: To learn basic investment and tax strategies relating to real estate.
Whether boom or bust, real estate is a hot topic. This course surveys selected major federal income tax issues that have a direct impact on the property owners and investors. The emphasis is on problem areas where the unwary beginner and expert alike can be trapped. Participants learn to identify dangers involving installment sales, imputed interest, exchanging, equity participation, condemnation, passive loss rules, and transactions with foreign investors. Particular attention is paid to title ownership, the home sale exclusion, and §1031 exchanges.
Level: Basic
This course is CFP Board accepted.
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Objective: To update participants on cutting-edge techniques to assist their clients in preserving wealth and securing management control, while lowering both their income and gift/estate taxes at the same time.
The hottest estate planning vehicles in recent years have been FLPs and LLCs because of their associated high-valuation discounts for gift and estate tax purposes. However, the IRS is raising objections and mounting substantial attacks on entity-based discounts, including questioning the “reality of entity” and “gift on formation” claims. It is also focusing on the estate tax inclusion principles of IRC §2036 and §2038, especially in “bad facts” cases.
Dr. Owen Fiore focuses on assisting tax practitioners in avoiding litigation, achieving success, and substantially benefiting their clients. He leads participants through an “audit checklist” to ensure success in using pass-through entities to achieve estate tax reductions.
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of tax and estate planning
Level: Intermediate
This course is CFP Board accepted.
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Objective: To learn recent changes in governmental accounting.
This session will provide an "up-close" look at many of the accounting changes that are, or soon will be, applicable to all governmental entities, including a close look at the soon-to-be applicable other post-employment benefits (OPEB) standards. In addition to OPEB standards 43 and 45, GASB statements 47, 48, 49, 50, and 51 will be reviewed, along with current exposure drafts and other items of interest in the world of governmental accounting.
Level: Update
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Objective: To learn estate and financial planning issues and how different generations are affected.
At different stages in their lives, people have different financial and estate planning needs and perspectives. This course covers the different generations—Generation X, Generation Y, Baby Boomers, the Elderly—and explains their varying financial planning needs. You will learn the specific needs of each generation and how you can model estate and financial plans to meet those needs. The course integrates both estate and financial planning—you can’t deal with one without affecting the other.
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of estate and financial planning.
Level: Intermediate
This course is CFP Board accepted.
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Objective: To bring participants up to date on tax law changes that affect estate planning.
Topics will be added to this description as legislation is passed in 2008, but current possibilities include: The ten most common estate planning mistakes; the five steps to computing the federal estate tax; how to compute the federal gift tax; technical definition of a gift; rules governing the income taxation of trusts and estates; how to determine basis; what a disclaimer is and when to use such a device; when to use Code section 6166 (extension of time to pay federal taxes) and its requirements; how to use the marital/non-marital trust as a planning tool; how the mechanics of the appointment trust, bypass (family) trust and QTIP trust work; when to use a revocable trust; impact of putting investment real estate in a revocable trust; and how the terms of a will are decided.
Prerequisites: None
Level: Update
This course is CFP Board accepted.
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Level: Basic
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Objective: To understand different personality types, including your own, and to learn how to communicate effectively across the boundaries of the different archetypes.
Most of us have little idea of how we really “come across” to our coworkers. What we believe we are communicating often is totally misinterpreted, and the same is true for what others think they are communicating to us and others. This “communication gap” between colleagues is hindering the performance of your organization. In this enlightening seminar, Jane Boucher will teach you about different personality types and how each behaves and communicates. She shows you how, by understanding your own personality and others’ with whom you work, to avoid the common misunderstandings that typically occur. She explains how to reduce conflict, promote teamwork, and most importantly, achieve superior results when you apply these concepts.
Prerequisites: None.
Level: Basic
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Objective: To understand the interrelationships of estate planning, financial planning, and asset protection planning and to devise proper planning strategies that integrate all three.
Estate planning, financial planning, and asset protection planning cannot be conducted in a vacuum—each of these elements has a major impact on the others. In this course, you will be taught the interrelationships between them and the proper sequencing of planning activities among them. Special planning circumstances (e.g., for single parents), will be discussed within this context. This novel course is one you cannot afford to miss if you offer financial planning advice.
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Objective: To understand the relevant issues in IRA distribution planning.
Retirement distribution planning is often understood from an investment perspective; however, many do not fully understand the complex tax rules associated with it. Discussion will focus on the critical tax aspects of retirement distribution planning and ways to avoid some of the most common mistakes. Throughout the course, we will also cover how sophisticated advisors can use this high-level knowledge to become their clients’ most valued advisor.
Highlights include:
- understanding the foundational tax concepts of retirement distribution planning
- understanding the final minimum distribution regulations
- designating beneficiaries under the final minimum distribution regulations
- naming a trust as a qualified designated beneficiary
- using spousal rollovers and qualified disclaimers to maximize distribution “stretch-out”
- cashing out nonqualified designated beneficiaries during the “shakeout” period
- understanding the key exceptions to the 10% additional tax on pre-59½ distributions
- applying for IRS relief
- using life insurance to protect large IRAs
- working with employer securities within a qualified retirement plan
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of financial planning
Level: Intermediate
This course is CFP Board accepted.
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Objective: To learn legalities of professional liability and also the latest information on employment law.
This course will explore a number of emerging legal issues financial professionals face. A current report on theories of professional liability will set the stage for more detailed coverage of professional liability trends. We will focus on both common law contract and tort theories that are used to find professional liability, as well as recent statutes that impose liability for privacy violations.
Also covered in the course:
- A number of U.S. Supreme Court cases have attempted to define the limits of punitive damage awards. These cases have implications for financial professionals as well as for clients or employers.
- A recent plethora of privacy protections have been put in place by both federal and state regulators. These complicated and confusing privacy laws directly impact the practicing professional and apply to both the financial services industry as well as to the marketing of insurance and financial products.
- New developments in employment law as well as wrongful terminations, whistle-blower protection under Sarbanes-Oxley, trade secrets, and economic espionage.
Whether you are a seasoned accounting practitioner, management consultant, or financial planner, these topics are sure to be of interest.
Level: Basic
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Objective: To understand the elements important in formulating accounting estimates.
SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, sets the underlying tone of this course. We will discuss the new regulations contained in this statement of accounting standards and discover how it is the most pervasive of amendments, reaching all the way back to APB Opinion No. 18. The course also will cover numerous individual estimate examples, including, but not limited to, asset retirement obligations, environmental contamination liabilities, impaired goodwill, and other intangibles. This is a must-attend course for any individual involved in formulating accounting estimates.
Prerequisites: None.
Level: Basic
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Objective: To learn cutting-edge strategies and techniques for those holding controllership positions.
This is the third consecutive year of the very successful, engaging, and entertaining course developed by Michael J. Morgan. Michael blends real-life situations with the newly released professional standards that impact the lives of today’s corporate financial officers. Both small and large company issues are covered. This discussion-based course challenges participants to be engaged in the ongoing development of the course content. Bring your topics with you, and the entire group will assist in discovering opportunities. Although designed for the internal accountant, many public accountants attend this lively course to participate in the interaction.
Level: Update
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Objective: To learn strategies and techniques for achieving high performance in a firm.
What does it take for a business or an individual to achieve peak performance? In this powerful program presented by Jeff Magee, participants look at 18 years of research on peak performance and what typically needs to happen "under the hood" to make a person or a business a peak performer. Attendees investigate best practices in high-performing businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Discussion includes the traits and personalities of many top personalities in business, athletics, and entertainment, and the underlying reasons for their success. Jeff also shares the results of exhaustive research on the driving forces of peak performance, and he offers suggestions on how to achieve peak performance personally and in a business. Past participants confirm that Jeff’s program has taken them to an entirely new level of performance.
Level: Basic
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Objective: To learn effective tax planning strategies.
The Tax Acts of 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 include changes that will trigger in subsequent years. Certain provisions expire, while others phase in. Careful tax planners must weigh current rules with an eye toward the future. Learn to chart alternatives and guide clients (and yourself) through these precarious tax times. Planning is a year-round process, and this session is loaded with ideas you can use throughout the year to save money. We’ll demystify AMT, plan for charitable giving, explore tax-saving strategies for real estate owners and investors, and much more. Working systematically through Form 1040, participants receive ideas on how to reduce taxes through advance planning.
Prerequisites: Working knowledge of Form 1040.
Level: Intermediate
This course is CFP Board accepted.
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Objective: To learn the tax considerations affecting a variety of investment types.
Clients are becoming more sophisticated investors, and we are all looking for ways to keep up with their tricks. In addition, Congress made changes to Form 1099 reporting requirements is considering making even more. This session explores a number of the more advanced investment activities clients are employing. You will learn when a dividend might not qualify for favorable tax treatment, the basic strategies for puts and calls, and planning for employee stock options. Ideas for real estate investors, use of installment sales and short sales, and planning for the zero capital gains rates also will be discussed.
Level: Basic
This course is CFP Board accepted.
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Objective: To learn and then comply with the new audit standards while maintaining your level of efficiency.
New audit standards are soon to be in effect, if they are not already. From new AICPA standards (which are automatically incorporated into Government Auditing Standards, also known as the Yellow Book) to A-133 and single audits, things are continuing to change. From start to finish, the auditing of governments and nonprofits is already a challenge. How does one remain efficient and effective and still comply with all applicable audit standards?
This session will focus on SAS Nos. 102–114 of the AICPA, the July 2007 Government Auditing Standards, and changes to A-133 and single audits. Attendees will receive tips and tools for how to remain efficient and effective, yet still comply with new audit standards. Participants will interact in group case studies that illustrate the issues facing auditors and auditees alike, including the impact of SAS No. 112 (Communication of Internal Control Matters Identified in an Audit) and SAS Nos. 104–111 (Risk Assessment Suite of Standards), with a special emphasis on implementation issues related to governmental and nonprofit entities.
Level: Update
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Objective: To understand the mathematical foundations of wealth transfer planning techniques.
Most practitioners understand the basic advantages of transactions such as GRATs, SCINs, and private annuities. What many do not understand, however, are the quantitative “forces” that make these transactions work. Once understood from a quantitative perspective, it is easier to effectively design a successful overall estate plan.
Class discussion will focus on the mathematics behind the most popular estate planning transactions used today, and how these transactions can be used in combination with each other so as to create the perfect hedge against estate and gift taxes.
Topics include:
- tax-exclusive nature of gift taxes
- leveraging of the GST exemption
- grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs)
- installment sales to intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs)
- self-canceling installment notes (SCINs)
- private annuities
- “Tax Burn” SCINSM techniques, and more
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of financial and estate planning
Level: Intermediate
This course is CFP Board accepted.
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Level: Basic
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Objective: To learn a variety of tips for successful investing.
How comfortable are you in turning over your investment portfolio to a professional who may not know as much as you do? To make matters worse, do you have the luxury of paying that advisor an annual fee of 1% or more of the value of your portfolio for that privilege? In this fast-paced and exciting session, Jeffrey Rattiner provides a turnkey approach to constructing your own investment portfolio from the ground up.
Educate yourself on all the essential ingredients competent professionals use, including the various Nobel Prize-winning investment theories. Diagnose the investment concerns that might arise, determine the underlying risks, and measure your own success in tackling these difficult decisions head on. This session is designed to make you proficient as a CPA/investment advisor for your own account so you can competently address your own long-range objectives and concerns. It's a must-attend course for CPAs with minimal background or investment experience to learn how to create and manage their own investment portfolios.
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of investing principles.
Level: Intermediate
This course is CFP Board accepted.
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Objective: To gain an understanding of a variety of trusts and how they can be used.
Trusts have always been, and continue to be, used in all facets of tax, gift, estate, and financial planning. Taxpayers create trusts for a variety of reasons. Some are created primarily for tax purposes, but others can cover the gamut of the planning spectrum. This course will evaluate many creative and current planning uses of the following trusts:
- irrevocable and revocable trusts
- grantor trusts, including GRATs, GRITs, GRUTs, and PRTs
- testamentary trusts, including marital deduction trusts and unified credit trusts
- trusts for minors
- dynasty trusts
- life insurance trusts
- S corporation trusts
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of estate planning.
Level: Intermediate
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Objective: To learn about Balanced Scorecard Management and how to implement it.
Balanced Scorecard Management asks leaders to determine the issues that are critical to an organization’s success and to develop a few key metrics to measure progress in dealing those issues.
In this workshop, you’ll learn:
- how to determine the issues that are important to your organization
- how to create meaningful metrics
- how to ensure the accuracy of your measurement system
- how to communicate the organization’s progress to employees
- which questions to ask to ensure the metrics are comprehensive
Level: Basic
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Objective: To gain a solid general understanding of the new Risk Assessment Standards.
The new Risk Assessment Standards require audits be designed with intention—canned audit programs are discouraged. Vague audit objectives and canned audit programs produce uneven results and cause audit teams to waste precious audit time. This course reviews the new standards and what every CPA should know about them, even if the CPA doesn’t perform audits.
Topics include:
- which risk assessment models and documentation methods help with compliance
- how to set clear main and secondary objectives
- how to set actionable audit program procedures that can minimize fieldwork
- what are the necessary steps to take when planning an audit
- how to use a simple risk assessment model that considers inherent and control risks
- how to get a handle on a broad audit subject
- how to use the concept of stop-and-go auditing to get the most bang for your buck
Level: Basic
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Objective: To learn recent changes in accounting and auditing standards.
FASB, the PCAOB, and the Auditing Standards Board continue to issue new guidelines for certified public accountants. FASB has released a new standard that provides for the use of fair value in measuring certain assets and liabilities. Now, if they desire, companies can carry bonds payable at fair value. The PCAOB is concerned whether auditors have the expertise to issue audit reports on financial statements containing fair value measurements. FASB is also moving forward on the conceptual framework project, and two new standards on business combinations are expected out before 2008. Preliminary views on accounting for leases, revenue recognition, liabilities and equity, and new financial statement presentations should be released. Will most leases be required to be reported as operating? The PCAOB has issued AS5, which significantly modifies the requirements for internal control work under SOX. Several new interpretations of auditing, attestation, and compilations and reviews standards have been released. How familiar are you with the new conceptual framework for independence? These, many other issues, and "bits and pieces" that have occurred during the past 12 months in the accounting profession will be discussed.
Level: Update
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Course content is designed to give participants a
general overview of topic areas as opposed to in-depth technical information,
providing material of interest to public, private, and governmental
accountants and to CFP® professionals. Interaction and discussion are encouraged in all courses.