CPE Catalog & Events

Excel is the accountant's tool of choice for analyzing and reporting financial data, yet many use time-consuming and error-prone processes to complete everyday tasks. Regardless of your experience level, if you use Excel, you need this course to learn more efficient and effective ways to work with Excel. In this course, you will discover countless tips, tricks, and techniques to improve your general level of productivity, reduce the amount of time you spend on mundane tasks, such as formatting, and customize Excel for greater accuracy and efficiency. You will also learn valuable formula-building skills, best practices for linking Excel data from other worksheets and workbooks, and streamlining report generation and printing processes. Your K2 instructor will reinforce key learning points throughout the program with practical, real-world examples to improve your understanding and comprehension of the topics presented. This highly acclaimed course draws on over twenty-five years of experience delivering spreadsheet training to accounting and financial professionals, assuring you of the relevance and usefulness of the information and guidance provided during the program.Speaker - Lawrence "Mac" McClelland

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Anyone can "crunch numbers" but it takes special skills to make them meaningful to the user. Financial statements and ratios need to be interpreted correctly using a process that sets the context, identifies the right analysis tools, and makes recommendations in an understandable format. This course will help you present your insights in a way that is insightful and impactful to your client.Speaker - Jennifer H Elder

Just like competitive salaries, flexible work options are table stakes for top talent. With COVID-19, many teams have had to convert overnight to fully remote. But how do you lead in an environment where pants are optional? And what does it look like to lead someone who is more of a vendor than an employee? Using lessons learned, this session will explore the 4 Ps (Purpose, People, Platforms, and Processes) to effectively lead a remote and even gig economy team.Speaker - Rebekah Brown,Karl Ahlrichs

If you are an experienced Excel user seeking to elevate your skills, join the K2 team for K2's Advanced Excel. In this laptop-friendly program, you will learn critical advanced Excel skills in six key areas: 1) collaborating with other users and securing workbooks, 2) using tables to analyze and report data, 3) integrating and manipulating data from external sources, 4) creating and auditing complex formulas, 5) advanced data analysis tools, and 6) visualization techniques to analyze and communicate information. The course draws from over twenty-five years of experience delivering Excel training to accountants and other business professionals. Throughout the program, relevant, real-world examples reinforce the topics presented. Take advantage of this opportunity to become more efficient and proficient in Microsoft Office Excel, the tool of choice for accounting and financial professionals. This course covers advanced Excel topics found in Excel 2019 and newer.Speaker - Lawrence "Mac" McClelland

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Business intelligence efforts continue to grow, and Microsoft’s Power BI platform is central to many of these efforts. Participate in this session to learn more about business intelligence and how to create dashboards using Power BI. Speaker - Thomas Stephens

This session will focus on the most common types of fraud in the procurement and contracting arena, with a focus on fraud in construction.  The session will examine fraud vulnerabilities in the four key phases of the procurement process: Presolicitation. Negotiation. Performance. Closeout and Claims.  Within each phase, “red flags” will be discussed.  These are the indicia of possible fraud that managers should be alert for.  Also, within each phase, the most common fraud schemes will be highlighted and discussed.  Finally, the session will describe the generally accepted safeguards or controls that should be established to prevent the various fraud schemes that can occur.  This part of the program will make extensive use of actual fraud case studies designed to demonstrate fraud risks and fraud detection strategies. Speaker - David Cotton

Small business accounting solutions have never been better, with many fantastic options. In this session, you will learn about the relative strengths of these platforms so you can make the right choice when selecting and implementing a solution. Speaker - Thomas Stephens

Estate planning continues to evolve, and staying informed about the latest trends and strategies is crucial for professionals in the field. This forward-looking course delves into the intricacies of estate planning, with a specific focus on current issues. Participants will explore cutting-edge techniques, emerging legal considerations, and industry developments to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to create effective estate plans that withstand the test of time and safeguard their clients' legacies.   Speaker - Arthur Werner

This course is an updated overview of the single audit of state and local governments and not-for-profit organizations under the OMB Unified Circular, as well as the applicable AICPA standards for compliance audits.  Speaker - J. Michael Inzina

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Looking to stay ahead in tax matters? Join our 2025 Individual Tax Update course for an essential deep dive into Form 1040 essentials. Designed for tax pros eager to sharpen their skills, this course unpacks recent tax code changes and equips you with the know-how to navigate them effortlessly. From mastering IRS Form 1040 to leveraging new tax benefits, you'll emerge ready to optimize returns for your clients while staying compliant with the latest regulations. Don't miss out on this opportunity to boost your expertise and ensure financial success for both you and your clients! **Please Note:  If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com. Speaker - Arthur Werner

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This course provides a high-level overview and introduction into the world of the forensic accountant. Most accountants have an understanding of the concept of fraud and how it impacts companies, but many individuals do not have a full comprehension of the variance in the work performed by a forensic accountant versus a typical management accountant.   This course is meant for those individuals interested in understanding the variances in the job tasks and responsibilities of forensic accountants versus typical financial or management accountants. Forensic accountants or auditors take a unique focus on performing their work.  Typically, when a person with forensic experience is called in to examine financial records, it is due to suspicion of fraud, evaluation of assets, or even to track down fundamentally incorrect accounting – intentional or not. As fraud continues to raise its head in business processes, forensic accountants are discovering new and unique ways to identify, examine, and support their hypotheses and investigative techniques.  The work performed by a forensic specialist can be interesting and full of potential potholes if evidence isn’t examined according to proper protocols and standards.   Speaker - Lynn Fountain

The Technology Conference offers up to 16 hours of fast-paced presentations to make you more productive, efficient, and effective when using technology. K2 Enterprises’ nationally recognized speakers provide you with practical solutions to the real-world issues accounting, financial, and other business professionals face. In addition, you will receive helpful tips and advanced techniques, along with the tools and skills necessary to keep up with the ever-increasing pace of changes in technology. SEE FULL SESSION DESCRIPTIONS (pdf) CONFERENCE AGENDA DAY ONE: TUESDAY, MAY 13 8:15 - 8:30 am - Log-in 8:30 - 10:10 am - GENERAL SESSION | Tech Update 10:20 am - 12:00 pm - CONCURRENT SESSIONS CPA Firm Update Taking A Fresh Look At Teams Top Ten Productivity Booster Apps In Microsoft 365 12:00 - 1:00 pm - Lunch  1:00 - 2:40 pm - CONCURRENT SESSIONS Expense Reporting Automation Collaboration Tools And Best Practices Automation Beyond The Basics With The Microsoft Power Platform 2:50 - 4:30 pm - GENERAL SESSION | Excel Tips – Today’s Best Features DAY TWO: WEDNESDAY, MAY 14 8:30 - 10:10 am - GENERAL SESSION| Data Security And Privacy Issues And Solutions 10:20 am - 12:00 pm - CONCURRENT SESSIONS Client Accounting Services For CPA Firms: Strategies For Growth And Success  CRM – The Ultimate Business Automation Tool Taking Another Look At Power BI 12:00 - 12:50 pm - Lunch  12:50 - 1:40 pm CONCURRENT SESSIONS What’s New With QuickBooks AI – Better Prompts, Better Results Next Level Home Networking 1:50 - 2:40 pm CONCURRENT SESSIONS After QuickBooks, What’s Next AI – Security And Privacy Issues Ten PDF Tips You Need To Know 2:50 - 4:30 pm - GENERAL SESSION | Ripped From The Headlines: Lessons From Interesting Tech Crimes K2 Webinar FAQs

Understand FASB's important accounting and reporting areas: financial instruments and leases. Learn to assess and implement the new standards and guidance that are applicable to your practice.Speaker - Kurt G. Oestriecher,Anne Oestriecher

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Understand the complexities of PCAOB updates. Understand the new requirements of recently approved PCAOB amendments to the auditing standards and the auditor's key responsibilities in response to the amendments. Learn to sort through the complexities to identify and apply them to the audit of a public company.Speaker - Kurt G. Oestriecher,Anne Oestriecher

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When it comes to hiring, using a conventional hiring process may not be as reliant as flipping a coin. A coin flip may often be better because it would bypass a lot of hidden biases and inefficient processes. We need to get back with a clean sheet of paper and do it better. In this course we will look at improving a process that is deeply flawed, and we will look objectively and outside the box on things we can do to identify and hire high performers.Speaker - Karl Ahlrichs

Enhancing engagement and information flow Three fundamental QM components are client acceptance and continuance, engagement performance, and information and communication. You will learn methods for assessing risks associated with: Client acceptance Engagement performance Internal and external communication This "QM Conversation" will guide participants in creating responses that enhance engagement quality and ensure effective information flow. You'll also get best practices for: Managing the performance of quality engagements across diverse teams Selecting and maintaining client relationships aligned with organizational standards Enhancing information and communication flow Included with your registration Ask About QM: Client Acceptance, Engagement Performance, and Communication Tuesday, June 17 1:00 - 2:00pm ET 1 CPE Credit *The Ask About QM series is designed to be fast-paced and interactive. It offers a condensed, high-impact Q&A session and live participant-driven discussions on focused topics.*Speaker - Renee Rampulla

The budgeting process can be a time consuming and frustrating process for accountants.  The constraints and pressures can lead to poor decisions in both the technical and human components.  This session will cover: Understanding and Preventing Budget Calamities •    Most of us lead or participate in the budget process at least annually.  Inherent flaws exist in the standard budget building process that you can solved by recognizing them and committing to solutions.   Speaker - Bob Mims

Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) audit engagements remain under close examination by regulators and peer reviewers, stemming from a historical pattern of noncompliance with applicable professional standards. It is imperative that auditors possess the requisite skills to carry out EBP engagements with proficiency. This involves navigating the audit process from the initial engagement acceptance through to reporting and completion. Given that 401(k) plans represent the predominant plan type subjected to audits, we engage in a comprehensive examination of these plans. Discover strategies to meticulously plan and execute risk-based plan audits, ensuring adherence to professional standards without compromising on efficiency.Speaker - Randy M. Dummer

Participant data and contributions testing (bold) Employee benefit plan audits are quite different from corporate audits and require an understanding of the unique audit areas specific to plans. Part 2 of the 401(k) audit basics series addresses participant data and contribution testing, including: What participant data needs to be tested and why The different ways a participant can enroll in a plan The various types of contributions received by a 401(k) plan Parties in interest and prohibited transactions Common issues and errors seen in these areasSpeaker - Marilee Lau

The webcast explores the challenges of the current economic trends and analyzes their impact on you as the financial executive in areas of human resource management; credit markets and banking; risk management and pandemic style disruptions; cash flow planning strategies; debt and equity mix impacts in uncertain markets; globalization of the market in times of uncertainty; retirement planning and social security funding; and acquiring distressed companies and assets. Specific recommendations and insights will be offered to you to deal with the challenges.Speaker - Frank Ryan