Course Description

Quality management is important. Every CPA firm that provides audit and other attest services must undergo a third-party quality control review. This session will provide you with the tips on how to avoid common quality management deficiencies in all services that are subject to peer review.

Learning Objectives

• List the potential impact of risks faced by public accountants when performing audit and other attest services
• Recall common peer review deficiencies in all types of attest engagements
• Identify minimum documentation requirements contained in the SSARSs, SASs and SSAEs
• Recognize how to strengthen analytic procedures to support conclusions on reviews and audits
• Explain best practices for preparing and reviewing workpapers to ensure an effective and efficient engagement
• List the quality management standards and guidance related to a CPA firm’s responsibilities for its system of quality management over the audit and attest practice

Course Description

Technology continues to evolve and amaze! From new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), to new features in existing tools such as Excel, the possibilities for improved efficiency and internal control are seemingly endless. Participate in this session to learn about key technologies that may impact you and your team in the months and years to come.

In this session, you will learn about critical developments in Microsoft 365 subscriptions, how you can use generative AI to become more productive, developments in Windows that will impact you, security risks and concerns, and tips for using technology more efficiently and effectively. If you’re going to participate in only one technology-focused session this year, this should be the one!

Learning Objectives

• List examples of generative AI tools and how you can take advantage of them
• Identify key new features appearing in Microsoft 365 subscriptions
• Cite examples of security and privacy features that you should consider implementing

Course Description

Many for-profit and non-for-profit entities receive government assistance or are required to have financial statement or compliance audits due to law or regulation. This course will discuss the requirements under Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book) relevant to a variety of circumstances. This course will cover the latest in independence, quality control, audit planning, satisfying compliance audit requirements, reporting, and more!

Learning Objectives

• List important requirements of Government Auditing Standards
• Explain important areas of emphasis within the Yellow Book
• Describe when Generally Accepted Auditing Standards may apply to a variety of types of entities
• Explain what additional responsibilities exist with a Yellow Book financial statement audit
• Recall the importance of independence and other ethical responsibilities
• Distinguish internal control responsibilities for Yellow Book and compliance audits
• List required elements of a Yellow Book findings and publicly-available reports
• Identify proper responses to a variety of FAQ related to the application and compliance with Yellow Book

Course Description

Discover how to take your clients and businesses to the next level with Brayn Consulting’s Specialty Tax Incentives Course. This course will equip you with the skills to create effective collaboration and lead teams of professionals, including lawyers, engineers, accountants, and tax support staff. You will learn how to review, document, and substantiate tax incentives specific to your clients, and gain insight into the latest industry best practices for maximizing tax credits and deductions. With Brayn Consulting, you’ll have access to expert knowledge and guidance on the R&D Tax Credit, 174 R&E Expenses & Amortization, 45L Energy Efficient Home Credit, 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Building Deduction, Cost Segregation, Building Science Consulting, Employee Retention Tax Credit, Payroll Tax Credit, Tax Audit Resolution, and the Investment Tax Credit. Elevate your business and start empowering your clients today with Brayn Consulting’s course.

Learning Objectives

• Examine how to leverage tax incentives for renewable and energy-efficient projects
• Recognize which businesses can take advantage broad definition of “qualified research” tied to the R&D tax credit
• Cite ways Building owners can take advantage of the ability to look back and “catch-up” lost depreciation deductions without having to amend a tax return
• Discuss Tax Audit Resolution strategies and comprehensive documentation frameworks
• Understand Section 48 federal tax credit for installing renewable or recoverable property in 2023 & after
• Learn and discuss why the architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, software, transportation, and biotechnology industries are earmarked for tax incentives

Course Description

In today’s tough economic environment, Finance leaders, like CEOs, must also shift their mindset. Every firm and company faces an existential threat, whether it’s excessive cash burn, liquidity crises, or raging competition. Financial Leaders need to know how to take control of capital allocation, scrutinize areas of revenue leakage, and identify pockets of profitability.

Jennifer Elder will show you how Financial Leaders and their teams can think differently to survive and thrive during peacetime and wartime.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss & Identify current economic trends impacting your situation
• Learn to apply strategies during changing landscapes
• Identify when to shift priorities based on profitability or growth goals
• Learn & Discuss methods to create better visibility into financial data
• Apply accountability measures to address financial constraints
• Cite the right skill set financial leaders need

Course Description

This six hour course is up to date with all significant legislative, administrative and judicial developments up to the date of presentation. It includes S corporation eligibility and election requirements, taxable income, compensation, distributions basis and other loss limits. Although this program has an S corporation emphasis, several of the topics apply to other forms of closelyheld businesses, including partnerships and C corporations.

Learning Objectives

• Determine the entities which are, and which are not, eligible for S corporation status.
• Understand the corrective rules for repairing eligibility and preserving S status.
• Identify corporate income, loss, and other items that affect income, loss and basis.
• Recognize the pervasive issue of compensation of shareholder-employees.
• Understand the S corporation shareholder stock and debt basis rules.
• Calculate the effects of income, distributions, losses and other items on shareholder’s basis.
• Apply the sequence of loss limitations affecting shareholders and other business owners.

Course Description

Join us as we address the important and hot topics for tax and estate planning in 2024. This course will cover the latest in the legislation, court decisions, and IRS rulings that emerged in late 2023 and into 2024. Is the IRS becoming more aggressive about gift tax returns?  Have the Secure Acts lead to more Roth IRA conversions? Are there concerns about portability use? Will there be any new tax laws enacted in 2024? The sunset of the 2017 Act is getting closer – what planning can and should be done? What opportunities exist to guard against higher income and estate tax rates in the future? We will discuss and recommend planning techniques for all clients – including the “Middle Rich” and the wealthiest.

Learning Objectives

• Gain a practical and useful understanding of current hot issues announced by the legislature, the courts, and the IRS
• Become familiar with income tax and estate planning strategies to benefit clients
• Address planning, both in the near and long-term, to get ahead of the curve in dealing with both anticipated and unexpected changes in laws and how to advise clients to proceed.

Course Description

This course explores the impact of unresolved conflict in workplaces, emphasizing that employees often leave due to poor management rather than company issues. It introduces Conflict-IQ™ as a tool to understand and manage conflict positively within diverse organizational cultures. Drawing on extensive experience, it guides participants through foundational principles and practical applications of Conflict-IQ™, integrating emotional intelligence for effective conflict resolution. By course end, participants gain the skills to cultivate collaborative, inclusive environments, fostering growth and innovation within their organizations.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the relationship between unresolved conflict and employee turnover, distinguishing between company-related issues and management-related factors.
• Evaluate the role of effective conflict management in fostering a positive workplace culture, emphasizing the impact on employee retention and organizational success.
• Demonstrate proficiency in utilizing Conflict-IQ™ as a strategic tool to understand, address, and resolve conflicts within diverse organizational settings.
• Apply foundational principles of Conflict-IQ™ to real-life workplace scenarios, integrating emotional intelligence techniques for effective conflict resolution.
• Synthesize strategies for cultivating collaborative and inclusive environments, utilizing Conflict-IQ™ principles to promote growth and innovation within teams and organizations.
• Develop a comprehensive plan for implementing Conflict-IQ™ practices within their respective workplaces, ensuring long-term sustainability and organizational development.

Course Description

The topics of Retirement, Eldercare and Post-Mortem Planning present a constantly changing set of rules, tax thresholds and concerns about future legislation. This course will address the many planning challenges and opportunities from the perspective of tax, estate, and public benefit planning that confront individuals as they reach their senior years. This course discusses the issues of concern for an aging population. The need for a well-considered estate plan is addressed, along with some of the post-mortem planning decisions that must be considered. We examine the complexity of the social security system, particularly as it involves the various choices and planning strategies one has in taking the available benefits. The government entitlement program of Medicare is reviewed, particularly with an analysis of what is and is not covered, what penalties can be imposed, and how planning may increase one’s chances of securing the benefits of this program. Retirement planning issues are explored, particularly on the distribution planning changes and challenges required by the Secure Acts 1.0 and 2.0

Learning Objectives

• Consider the tax planning and preparation challenges confronting the survivors of a decedent and the available tools for post-mortem planning
• Appreciate the complexities of the social security system and gain an understanding of planning techniques for maximizing the timing and enjoyment of benefits
• Address what the Medicare system does and does not cover, when to apply for benefits to avoid penalties, and how planning can make a difference in what individuals may receive
• Understand the impact of the Secure Acts 1.0 and 2.0 on retirement plan distribution requirements and decisions and how to avoid the traps
• Advise clients as to what must be done with their retirement plans upon attaining age 73 as well as the best ways to minimize tax consequences when leaving retirement plan benefits to their heirs

Course Description

Bogdan Constantin will teach you how to apply entrepreneurial management strategies and tactics to your firm, team, or company. He’s committed to teaching the disciplines of entrepreneurial thinking that produce not just entrepreneurial inspiration but a strategic frame of mind. You’ll learn how to better measure success and reframe your priorities based on available business levers. You’ll see how your current business or industry environment can influence success or failure and what to do about it. You’ll learn how companies develop unique internal sources of competition to create advantages and thrive with disruptions in their marketplace or industry.

Learning Objectives

• Cite and apply KPIs to measure business success
• Learn how to develop internal sources to create competitive advantages
• Discuss ways companies win with evolving business models and value propositions
• Apply growth strategies and tactics to survive and thrive during marketplace disruptions
• Learn how to create a sustainable, continuous improvement environment
• Identify and discuss ways to Manage commercialization challenges and market launches efficiently and effectively
• See beyond current paradigms in order to uncover innovation needs and to predict impact through strategic idea and concept development