Select Your Conference Courses

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

The CPA in 2023: Practicing Mindfulness Daily

Learning Objectives

• Define Mindfulness and its application in daily life;
• Describe the current state of CPA (Constant.Pressured.Anxious);
• Apply ‘The Compass of Mindfulness™ to projects on hand;
• Practice the 8-minute CPA Mindfulness Practice™ (Construct.Practice.Awaken);
• Describe the Honesty of Monotasking and the Science of Neurology;
• Application of Mindfulness to daily tasks;
• Manage working in the 2023 hybrid environment; and
• Plan a roadmap to the new state of CPA (Conscious.Present.Aware.).

Course Description

Today’s accounting and financial professionals need leading-edge technologies to thrive in a high-speed economy. Unfortunately, many still use tools that first appeared over a decade ago, or are mired in manual processes.  This practice leads to inefficiency, fraud, poor decisions, and ineffective communication and collaboration.

Participate in this session to learn about today’s best accounting and finance tech tools, how to take advantage of them, and the benefits they provide. You’ll be amazed at what is available, how easy implementing these can be, and the benefits they offer.

• Using data analytics for better decisions
• Business intelligence platforms
• Automating business processes
• Integrating data across the organization
• Communication and collaboration tools
• Key security technologies

Learning Objectives

• Differentiate between data analytics and business intelligence and list examples of each;
• Identify at least three opportunities for automating transaction flows, including approvals, in any organization;
• List examples of the benefits of data integration and specific tools you and your team can use to facilitate data integration efforts;
• Cite examples of technology to facilitate intra-team communication and collaboration efforts and the related benefits; and
• List at least three security concerns facing businesses and provide examples of solutions to address these risks.

Course Description

Experience America’s most comprehensive California Federal Tax Update live and in action with our renowned tax expert, Karen Brosi. By combining the real-life experience of practicing CPAs with cutting-edge tax planning strategies, Western CPE provides you with essential knowledge while reviewing IRS, Congressional, and Judicial actions over the past year. Citing the latest legislative developments while clarifying which tax reforms pertain to California tax practitioners, our intensive update will enable participants to quickly understand and implement tax reform changes for their client’s Individual and Business preparations. Each tax season brings new challenges, and tax professionals in California experience more complexity. That’s why thousands of California Tax Professionals turn to Western CPE to get an update that helps them win every day of tax season. Be prepared for California’s unique tax fights, and always have the answers for your clients. Whether you’re a new Tax CPA or an Expert Tax Advisor, you’ll receive critical updates and in-depth explanations behind the changes Congress and the IRS make. You’ll receive the most complete and up-to-date reference manual written by our renowned tax experts. In addition, the digital PDF manual is hyperlinked to the Internal Revenue Code, tax court decisions, and other primary authorities, making it extremely convenient.  California has its own unique headaches, and its financial professionals still need to deal with the full weight of all the Federal Tax danger zones. Join us as our world-class tax instructors share cutting-edge, California-specific tax planning strategies.

Learning Objectives

• Identify requirements for various tax credits applicable to individual taxpayers and characteristics of new legislation passed to assist businesses. Help your clients avoid California Tax problems with FTB and be able to explain why more businesses will owe California taxes;
• Cite general rules and regulations for preparation of individual, business returns, and breeze through California Tax Basis work for LLCs and partnerships;
• Cite current thresholds and phase-outs for key provisions for 2022; limitations for contributions, distributions, and conversions; requirements for real estate rentals for both small investors and real estate professionals; as well as benefits and drawbacks of Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs) and Limited Liability Companies (LLCs);
• Identify key rules and regulations for IRAs, Roths, and qualified retirement plans; requirements and thresholds related to foreign financial asset reporting; tax issues for online rentals, vacation rentals, and like-kind exchanges; as well as capital loss v. ordinary loss on sale of property; and
• Describe new developments in IRS policies and procedures.

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

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.