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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Course Description

Many accountants desire to have a quick overview of only the most current issues in accounting and financial reporting. This course will provide an executive summary of the most important changes in U.S. GAAP.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the reasons behind the development and implementation of new accounting standards.
• Identifying the major changes brought about by new accounting standards and their implications for financial reporting practices.

Course Description

As professionals rise to leadership positions in their organizations, they often discover gaps in their leadership training. This program addresses the following critical skills areas that will assist staff and seniors in becoming more effective managers and leaders:

• Key elements to motivate and empower your team.
• Communication strategies to change behaviors and provide feedback using proven feedback models.
• Mentoring strategies, using a 7-step template and the DISC assessment
• Exploring and managing the 5 types of conflict

Empowering Your Team

• Help employees accept responsibility and accountability
• Help identify the importance of core values in employee retention
• Identify the reasons employees leave organizations
• Identify critical elements to minimize attrition

Communicating to Change Behaviors
One biggest challenges managers have is dealing with the distractions caused by workplace dysfunctionality. In this session you will learn several techniques that will enable you to anticipate, manage and diffuse conflict and other communication issues. Mentoring Using the DiSC Assessment

• A 7-step model to mentor employees in your organization
• Using the DISC assessment to identify and assist in developing skills to get through organizational mazes
• Six questions to identify employees’ communication style and behavior.

Managing the Top Five Types of Conflict
One of the biggest challenges managers have is dealing with the distractions caused by workplace dysfunctionality. In this session you will learn several techniques that will enable you to anticipate, manage and diffuse conflict and other communication issues.

Learning Objectives

• The ego states of communication
• 5 different ways of dealing with conflict
• Critical steps for diffusing toxic situations.
• Six types of behavioral issues
• Dealing with difficult colleagues and customers
• Understanding the ego states of communication
• Identifying critical steps for diffusing toxic situations
• Using templates for giving feedback to reinforce and change behaviors.• The ego states of communication
• 5 different ways of dealing with conflict.
• Critical steps for diffusing toxic situations.
• Six types of behavioral issues
• Dealing with difficult colleagues and customers
• Dealing with distractions caused by workplace dysfunctionality.
• Implementing techniques to anticipate, manage and diffuse conflict and other communication issues.

Course Description

Whether you hold a position as an owner, operator, general manager, staff member, or department head in a hotel or restaurant property, this course will enhance your accounting knowledge and boost your confidence in decision-making. You’ll gain hands-on experience in benchmarking various hotel, lodging, and restaurant units throughout the course. This practical exposure will enable you to assess your performance relative to competitors in the lodging industry. You’ll be better equipped to make informed choices in procurement, staffing, operations, and marketing budget allocation.

The central focus of the course is on decision-making skills, including accurately interpreting financial statements, benchmarking against competitors, and drawing precise inferences to optimize your decisions.

Learning Objectives

• Examine and cite the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI)
• Learn how to apply managerial accounting tools to improve flow through
• Apply and use specific financial statements for better decision-making
• Discuss ways to benchmark hotel and restaurant performance
• Cite the best ways to prepare operating budgets and monitor performance
• Understand the consistencies and differences between USALI and U.S. GAAP with reference to IFRS