Select Your Conference Courses

Course Description

Combining the real-life experience of a practicing CPA with essential down-to-earth tax materials in a high-tech format, this powerful presentation will enable participants to grasp recent individual tax changes. You’ll receive the most complete and up-to-date reference manual, written by renowned tax experts.  The digital PDF manual is hyperlinked to the Internal Revenue Code, tax court decisions, and other primary authorities, making it an extremely convenient resource. Join us as our world-class tax instructors share cutting-edge tax planning strategies in a high energy, often humorous presentation style using real-life experiences, which make complicated tax topics easily understandable. Specific course topics will be announced and updated through year-end.

Learning Objectives

• Increased understanding of individual and business federal tax reform developments;
• Tax savings strategies for individuals;
• Enhanced knowledge of the different types of individual and business retirement plans, assessing contribution limits, elective deferral limitations, and prohibited transactions;
• The ability to compare and contrast qualified Roth contribution plans, SEPs, SIMPLE IRAs, and 401(k) plans;
• Identify top estate planning strategies; and
• Increased understanding of current IRS administration and compliance issues.

Course Description

Combining the real-life experience of a practicing CPA with essential down-to-earth tax materials in a high-tech format, this powerful presentation will enable participants to grasp recent individual tax changes. You’ll receive the most complete and up-to-date reference manual, written by renowned tax experts.  The digital PDF manual is hyperlinked to the Internal Revenue Code, tax court decisions, and other primary authorities, making it an extremely convenient resource. Join us as our world-class tax instructors share cutting-edge tax planning strategies in a high energy, often humorous presentation style using real-life experiences, which make complicated tax topics easily understandable. Specific course topics will be announced and updated through year-end.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss business tax reform developments;
• Enumerate planning ideas for business tax reform; and
• Accurately prepare returns for business taxpayers.

Course Description

COST SEGREGATION (2 HRS)
In this course, we go over cost segregation studies and their many benefits, how they are performed, and the frequent questions that arise when using these reports. We also cover other additional benefits of cost segregation including bonus depreciation, catch-up depreciation, reduced recapture, and partial asset dispositions.
§179D, §45L ENERGY CREDITS (1 HR)
Our presentation covers two of the most overlooked tax savings opportunities, the §179(D) energy deduction and §45L energy credit. We touch on qualifications, strategies for implementation, recent updates, and case study examples.
T.A.G. BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY ( 1HR)
This course provides an overview of best practices to consider when approaching business personal property tax administration. Throughout the session we will review critical elements to successfully maintain compliance while identifying state-by-state opportunities to mitigate excessive property valuations and capture tax savings.
INCREASING REVENUE USING SPECIALTY TAX SERVICES ( 1HR)
This course provides details on how to successfully implement different specialty tax services to generate additional income and increase your firm’s revenue. We will go over different important documents that are necessary to understand the process and take you through relevant case studies.
MARKETING YOUR CPA FIRM ( 1HR)
Our presentation covers the importance of marketing your CPA firm correctly. It can be used to attract the attention of your ideal client and generate new leads. We will also touch on your digital footprint and how social media can be a useful tool in marketing to your clientele, as well as how rebranding/refocusing can help your firm stand apart from others.

Learning Objectives

• Discern what Cost Segregation is, and understand how personal property is determined;
• Determine the 13 principal elements of a quality study;
• Understand Depreciation including:
  • Property classifications
  • Bonus & super bonus depreciation
•  Have a knowledge of Bonus benefits like:
  • Catch-up benefit
  • 1031 exchange
  • Partial Disposition

• Review the § 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction and its opportunities;
• §45L Energy Efficient Home Credits benefits and strategies;
• Inflation Reduction Act’s changes to these tax savings opportunities;

• Understand what is required to file, appeal, and protest business personal property taxes;
• Know the opportunity available to pursue business personal property tax reduction state-by-state;
• Be aware of the business personal property tax trends that can impact overall tax liability;

• Implement cost segregation strategies and know what to look for, like:
  • 8825
  • Schedule E
  • Depreciation Schedule
• Understand why New Construction projects can build revenue;
• Identify why specialization is important;

• Identify why Marketing matters;
• Learn wow to attract your ideal client;
• Implement social media strategies in your firm to build your digital visibility and footprint; and
• Understanding when to rebrand and refocus to target your chosen demographic.

Course Description

How good are you with the technology you use daily? What new technology tools are available that could save you time and make you more effective? Technology continues to accelerate rapidly, and the need to keep pace is important. If you are not an information technology (IT) expert, but need a technology update to maintain and improve your skills so that you can serve your companies and/or clients more efficiently and effectively, then this course is for you!

In this fast-paced, update-style course, you will survey today’s IT environment, learning about computer hardware, software (including Office 2016/Office 2019/Office 365), operating systems (including Windows 10) and what they mean for you, and peripheral devices. You will also learn about significant trends in information technology and how to take advantage of the opportunities presented by these trends. Examples include the latest Excel features, working with PDF files, and security and privacy issues. Additionally, you will learn how to improve the overall performance of your IT investment, thereby increasing your return on investment.

Throughout this program, you will learn from real-time demonstrations of practical applications of the latest tools which can provide you with knowledge you need to harness the power of technology, both now and in the future. Register now for this “don’t miss” opportunity to get the skills needed to enhance the value of your IT investment.

Learning Objectives

• Identify key hardware and software enhancements and updates that are relevant to accountants, including operating systems, desktop productivity suites, accounting software, and document management systems;
• Implement key features in Microsoft Office applications, including accountant-centric features in Excel, Word, and Outlook;
• List and apply key features found in Adobe Acrobat for working with PDFs, including commenting, reorganizing PDFs, securing PDFs, and creating and working with PDF forms; and
• Identify key security and privacy issues facing accountants, including practical tools and techniques for mitigating risk, such as data encryption, password management, biometrics, and portals.

Course Description

Join us as we address the important and hot topics for tax and estate planning in 2023. This course will cover the latest in the legislation, court decisions, and IRS rulings that emerged in late 2022 and into 2023. 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 2023? 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.  © Copyright Steven Siegel 2023.

Reproduction or reuse for purposes other than a Western CPE training event is prohibited. Notice: This publication is designed to provide accurate information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is provided with the understanding that neither the author, the publisher, nor any other individual involved in its distribution is engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice and assumes no liability in connection with its use. Because regulations, laws, and other professional guidance are constantly changing, a professional should be consulted should you require legal or other expert advice. Information is current at the time of printing. © Copyright Steven Siegel 2023.

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; and
• 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

Jeff Sailor will use his signature videos, designed to entertain and educate, to deliver a broad overview of the latest accounting standards. More time will be devoted to areas of broad interest, while a brief introduction will be given for narrow-scope topics. Major topics will include the latest issues related to, Credit Losses, Lease Implementation Issue, System of Quality Management, miscellaneous FASB updates and Compilations and Review issues.. Topics covered in this course include GAAP updates SSARS and accounting theory for useful financial information.

Learning Objectives

• Identify and apply the most pervasive GAAP updates;
• Cite the basics of the narrow scope GAAP updates;
• Apply the provisions of the new lease standard;
• Apply the major provisions of the standard for Credit Losses; and
• Apply the standards for preparations, compilations and reviews.

Course Description

There are major topics which practitioners face on a regular basis which may consistently create challenges. In this course, Jeff will go over those topics in a Step by Step format to give you the confidence you need with these topics. Major topics will include, Accounting for Income Taxes, Preparing a Statement of Cash Flows, Preparing personal Financial Statements, and Performing an Agreed-Upon Procedures Engagement.

As will all his courses, this course is sure to keep you awake with Jeff Sailor’s signature videos designed to entertain and educate.

Learning Objectives

• Apply the standards for accounting for income taxes;
• Apply the standards for preparing a statement of cash flows;
• Apply the standards for preparing personal financial statements;
• Apply the standards for performing an agreed-upon procedures engagement; and
• Cite and apply better practice skills.

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, 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

• Evaluate a number of estate planning alternatives that address a variety of personal and financial circumstances and recommend the best plan for their clients;
• Explain the tax consequences of an estate plan, taking into account the exemptions provided by law and the choices that can be made to minimize the tax consequences of death;
• 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; and
• 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.