CPE Catalog & Events

With approximately 500 functions now available in Excel, some newer and more powerful tools are easy to overlook. But, if you do that, your productivity will suffer. In this session, you will learn how to take advantage of many of Excel's more advanced features - some new and some legacy - to elevate your productivity to higher levels. In this session, you will learn about many of Excel's newer tools, including XLOOKUP, SUMIFS, SWITCH, and STOCKHISTORY. Also included in this session are discussions of advanced financial functions, such as IPMT and PPMT, and how to retrieve summarized data easily using GETPIVOTDATA and CUBEVALUE. Additionally, you will learn how to make sophisticated calculations easier with Dynamic Array formulas, harness the AGGREGATE function's power, and create more accurate forecasts with Excel's FORECAST.ETS function. No matter your experience working with Excel, participating in this course will help you work more efficiently and effectively in Excel.Speaker - Steve Yoss

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Our session will include a discussion regarding indirect rate strategies for cost recovery.  We will cover negotiating indirect rates with pass-through entities and alternative indirect cost recovery methods. A look at applying the PPP Loan Forgiveness credit.  Understanding the definition of sub-awards and the MTDC allocation base, and where best  to allocate bonus expense.  Included in this session will be a selected review of the Uniform Guidance FAQs regarding indirect rates for States and Municipalities, as well as recently issued FAQs that impact indirect rates and cost recovery.   Speaker - Paul Calabrese

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The annual budgeting process is often criticized as an accounting exercise that is obsolete soon after it is published, prone to gamesmanship, cumbersome, not volume sensitive, and disconnected from the organization's strategy and risk management processes. You can resolve these deficiencies using capacity-sensitive driver-based projections. Driver-based budgeting allows for quick scenario planning and far easier analysis of a growing organization whose future may look nothing like today. The driver-based budgets can be periodically refreshed to create rolling financial forecasts extending well beyond the fiscal year end. Learn how managerial accounting can become managerial economics. Speaker - Gary Cokins

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Two seemingly similar products can have very different costs, yet many companies are completely oblivious to these differences causing them to lose money or competitive bids.  When companies compete, those with good information win the “gravy” contracts and those with bad information lose money on “dog” jobs.  Attend this session to gain insights on how to win bids for the best opportunities and give the money-losers to your competitors.  Achieve your target profitability in the process.   Speaker - John Daly

When the leadership in any organizations carries out their responsibilities of establishing, maintaining and monitoring internal controls, it significantly reduces the possibility of fraud occurring.  When and if it does occur, a good system of internal controls will often detect it early on.  This presentation is an illustration of what can happen when top management fails to carry out their responsibility of protecting an entity’s assets through a good system of internal controls. Speaker - Dennis Dycus

How good are you with the technology you use daily? Are new technology tools available to save time and make you more effective? Technology continues to accelerate rapidly, and keeping pace is essential. This course is for you if you are not an information technology (IT) expert but need a technology update to maintain and improve your skills to serve your companies or clients more efficiently and effectively! In this fast-paced, update-style course, you will survey today's IT environment, learning about computer hardware, software (including Microsoft Office), operating systems (including Windows 11), peripheral devices, and what they mean for you. 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, best practices for 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 the knowledge you need to harness the power of technology, both now and in the future. So register now for this "don't miss" opportunity to get the skills required to enhance the value of your IT investment.Speaker - Steve Yoss

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A common challenge for the controller role is in closing the month-end and period-end books in preparation to issue financial statements. This duty requires precision, timing and efficiency. In today’s digital world, many organizations have access to financial accounting software that will assist with the steps in the financial close. However, even with this aid it is critical the accountant understand the various steps for the close process and how they inter-relate to other accounting processes. This course gives you an insight into the inter-relationships between many processes that impact the financial close. The closing process has traditionally been a slow one with many companies taking two weeks to close its subsidiary’s books and another two to three weeks to roll up and consolidated the results. With the introduction of technology much has been done to help accelerate that process with integrated enterprise resource planning systems and general ledger and consolidate software. Within this segment we will discuss the elements of the financial close and also important concepts to assist the controller in accelerating their close timeline. This includes addressing all functional areas of the close including payroll, invoicing, payables, inventory, cash, and the general ledger. We will also discuss important concepts of ensuring your financial close is accurate by discussing bank reconciliations, overhead allocations, bad debt reserves, unpaid wages and accruals for vacation time, account reconciliations, deprecation and overall financial statement review. Note: This course does not address utilizing technology in the financial close. Its focus is to understand the varied procedures involved in the financial close whether or not technology is utilized.   Speaker - Lynn Fountain

The ACFE/COSO Fraud Risk Management Guide (FRMG) was published in 2016 (and updated in 2023).  It has quickly gained acceptance as the set of best practices for preventing, detecting, and thus deterring fraud. The fraud landscape is constantly changing and evolving. The FRMG sets out a rigorous set of principles and leading practices for managing fraud risk for forward-thinking organizations to follow.  It covers: How to establish fraud risk management governance. How to conduct rigorous fraud risk assessments. How to design and implement fraud control activities. How to establish reporting mechanisms and investigative procedures. How to monitor the overall fraud risk management program. Fraud risk can be managed.  All anti-fraud and accountability professionals will benefit from this session's focus on effective fraud risk management. Speaker - David Cotton

This course provides in-depth information to enable the practitioner to make a well-informed decision as to whether a trust is the appropriate vehicle for a client’s financial, estate, and/or asset protection plan, and, if so, how the trust can best be implemented and operated. Participants will learn about the many different types of trusts that can be harnessed to save clients income, estate, generation-skipping, and other taxes, at both the federal and state level. Speaker - Arthur Werner

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Artificial Intelligence has jumped to the forefront of technology, and perhaps no other technology receives as much attention as AI. Yet, most accounting and financial professionals struggle to take full advantage of the productivity gains that AI can provide. Change that paradigm by participating in K2’s Artificial Intelligence Conference!In this event, you will learn how to get started with the AI tools available today and the risks and benefits associated with AI. Further, you will discover some of the advanced options related to AI, including creating your own AI tools. And importantly, you will learn about various risks associated with using AI and how to mitigate those risks. If you’re seeking to improve your productivity and efficiency with AI – without compromising data security or privacy – this Conference is a “must-see” event!

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Microsoft 365/Office 365 continues to grow and evolve, yet most utilize only a fraction of the tools available in their subscription. For example, powerful resources such as SharePoint Online and audio and video conferencing can change how your organization communicates and collaborates. In contrast, more personal apps such as Teams, Planner, Flow, and Sway allow individuals to work more efficiently and effectively in virtually all facets of their jobs. Further, security enhancements to Office 365 mean that your organization can take advantage of all these features in a highly secure environment. Isn't it time you learned how to move beyond the traditional Microsoft 365/Office 365 applications such as Excel, Word, and Outlook and unleash all your subscription offers? Join us in this fast-paced and highly interactive seminar where you will learn what you need to know to succeed with Microsoft 365/Office 365.Speaker - Steve Yoss

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Accurate documentation is a cornerstone of quality management This "QM Conversation" offers participants a detailed framework for documenting their QM systems. With guidance from the subject matter expert, attendees will learn techniques to organize, maintain, and update QM documentation, enabling consistent recordkeeping and streamlined compliance. The webcast also includes hands-on exercises to create effective documentation templates, focusing on capturing essential information without unnecessary complexity. Included with your registration Documentation, peer review and the QM standards Tuesday, August 12 1:00 - 2:00pm ET 1 CPE CreditSpeaker - Melissa Bonsall

Internal controls are more important than ever, and their importance increases daily. However, internal controls present a challenge for many smaller organizations. This program will teach you how to evaluate, develop, and implement an effective internal control structure in a small business environment. You will identify how to assess risk in smaller organizations and implement preventive, detective, deterrent, and compensating controls to mitigate these risks, even without proper segregation of duties. Additionally, participating in this program will teach you technology-focused techniques for preventing and detecting fraud and securing information systems and sensitive data. For small organizations, maintaining an effective system of internal controls presents a significant challenge. Realistically, implementing many theoretical concepts surrounding internal controls may sometimes be impossible. Consequently, many internal control structures foster an environment where too much risk exists. This factor and uncontrolled information systems can often lead to disastrous results. Participate in this program to learn the necessary insights and tools to design, implement, and monitor small organizations' internal controls, security, and anti-fraud measures.Speaker - Steve Yoss

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Charts and graphs are nothing new. However, many professionals struggle with building compelling visualizations. If that statement describes you, participate in this session to improve your skills in creating Excel charts and other visualizations. As a result, you will create visualizations to enhance your communication skills. This session is much more than just a seminar on fundamental charts. Instead, in this session, you will learn how to create advanced charts that are interactive, dynamic, and aesthetically pleasing - three qualities that will help to ensure that your readers and audience will understand the data you are presenting. This seminar is a must if you want to improve your communication skills.Speaker - Steve Yoss

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Most professionals routinely use Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint, but many are self-taught and, as a result, have not used many of the best features of these three applications. Consequently, they often use "brute force," inefficient means when working with these three components of Microsoft Office. If that describes you, carve time out of your schedule to participate in this four-hour session. In it, you will learn how to work much more efficiently when using these tools to get better results in less time.Speaker - Steve Yoss

**Rooms are going fast! Lodge and Gulfview rooms are nearly sold out—register and reserve your room today! Open to all CPAs, featuring a diverse range of hot topics to keep you informed and ahead in the field.All CPAs are invited to join the Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Texas CPA Societies for the Summer Education Conference in Gulf Shores, AL. Pack up the family and enjoy 4 hours of CPE each morning, with the rest of the day free to relax on the beach, kayak, or explore local attractions. It’s the perfect blend of vacation and professional growth, offering a unique chance to network with CPAs from across the SEC! AGENDA: Sunday, July 20 4:00 pm   Registration/The Lodge Check In 5:00 - 6:00 pm  Optional CPE Bonus Session (More Info Coming Soon) 6:00 - 7:30 pm   SEC Networking Reception Tailgate Show your school spirit by wearing your team colors and join us for a lively tailgate reception to kick off the conference! Network with fellow state societies, enjoy delicious food, and connect before the sessions begin. The reception is complimentary for registrants, with adult guests at $25 and children at $10. Please remember to rsvp and pre-pay for any reception guests before arriving in Gulf Shores to secure your spot. Monday, July 21 8:00 - 11:40 amTax UpdateLisa McKinney, CPA • University of Alabama, Culverhouse School of Accountancy • Tuscaloosa, ALThis workshop will cover recent legislative, administrative, and judicial developments that affect tax compliance and consulting. CPAs from all levels can benefit from the workshop.Tuesday, July 228:00 - 9:40 amQM StandardsRandy Milligan, CPA • Landmark CPAs • Little Rock, ARSherry Chesser, CPA • Landmark CPAs • Little Rock, AR 9:40 - 10:00 am Break & Visit Exhibitors 10:00 - 11:40 amEconomic UpdateJoe Crosby • CEO – MultiState Associates, Inc. • Alexandria, VAWednesday, July 238:00 - 9:40 amFire side chat with Barry Melancon and Participating State Society CEOsBarry Melancon, CPA, CGMA • Retired CEO of AICPAHighly audience interactive session on issues impacting the profession today and tomorrow with a taste of history and why some things are the way they are today.  9:40 -10:00 am Break & Visit Exhibitors10:00 – 11:40 amAI and CybersecurityPaul M. Perry, FHFMS, CDPSE, CISM, CITP, CPA •  Warren Averett •  Birmingham, ALThis session on AI and Cybersecurity will explore the disparities in understanding these critical areas and the challenges they present. We'll discuss why these issues arise and emphasize the importance of robust governance controls to safeguard both your CPA firm and your clients' businesses. Strengthening your knowledge in these domains is essential for maintaining trust and security in today's informational ecosystem.Thursday, July 24 8:00 - 11:40 amAccounting & Auditing UpdateKurt Oestriecher, CPA • Oestriecher & Company • Alexandria, LAThis course will cover recently issued standards that relate to United States GAAP and performance of auditing through preparation engagements. You will learn how to account for crypto currency and hear about the top peer review issues. Join us to get the most up to date information from the AA world. Friday, July 258:00 - 9:40 amCurrent Fraud Trends from the FBI Perspective/The Randall Beane InvestigationParker Still • FBI • Mobile, ALSSA Parker Still will present on current fraud trends from the perspective of a white-collar FBI supervisor in the field. The trends discussion will focus on business e-mail compromise, international fraudsters, virtual currency as well as emerging trends such as synthetic identity fraud. The presentation will conclude with the Randall Beane case which takes the audience from the time a complaint is received by the FBI through trial. The Beane case highlights many of the trends that will be discussed by providing a real-world example. 9:40 -10:00 am Break & Visit Exhibitors10:00 – 11:40 amDeep WorkKenny Broom, CPA, CBP • MG Stover • Dallas, TXHow do you get the most out of your day and week? In this session, we will discuss the skills and strategies to become more productive and provide greater value to your place of work and those you serve.Learning Objectives:The goal of this session is to:•            Discuss what Deep Work is and why it is important•            Provide best practices for incorporating Deep Work into your daily routine; and•            Share best practices for eliminating distractions. Important Note: Starting June 30th, a $200 cancellation fee will apply due to commitments with the hotel, catering, and event planning. We appreciate your understanding.

Mag Bickford will cover the latest legislative, regulatory, and judicial trends affecting employers and employees—from workplace policies to compliance risks—helping you navigate an evolving legal landscape with confidence. Mag will share best practices to fine-tune your operation.This lunchtime, 2-hour program gives you time to take care of business before and after the presentation. And it all happens live — giving you the chance to ask presenters the questions you need answered. NOTE: This product is for the individual In-Person Lunch & Learn course at the LCPA Member Center. Save when you buy the Lunch & Learn In-Person Bundle! Learn more. 2025 Lunch&Learn Small Business Series includes: May 20 Cybersecurity: Managing Evolving ThreatsLes Nettleton • IT ConsultantCategory: TechnologyJune 17 SECURE 2.0: Impacts to Retirement Savings PlansAnne Oestriecher, CPA, CFP • Advisory RepresentativeOestriecher Financial Management Services • Alexandria, LACategory: Taxation July 22 Hot Topics in Employment Law in the Current Presidential TermMag Bickford, JD • Managing Member, New Orleans OfficeMcGlinchey Stafford • New Orleans, LACategory: Management August 19 Louisiana Tax Legislative Update, Tax Reform and MoreRobert S. Angelico, CPA, JD • ShareholderLiskow • New Orleans, LA ?Category: TaxationSeptember 16 Fraud in the Real World: Assessing Risk & Response Ralph A. Litolff, Jr., CPA/ABV/CFF, CVA, MBA • FounderRAL Forensics, LLC • Metairie, LACategory: A&AOctober 21 Succession Planning: Strategies for Business Continuity & GrowthNene Glenn Gianfala, CPA/ABV, ASA-BV/IARiley J. Busenlener, CPA/ABV, ASA, AEP®, JDChaffe & Associates • New Orleans, LACategory: ManagementNovember 18 Federal Tax Update Greg Booth, CPA • PartnerEisnerAmper • Metairie, LACategory: TaxationDecember 16 Year-End Economic Outlook: Cheers or Jeers? Stephen D. Morgan • Senior Vice President, Investment Director?Hancock Whitney  • New Orleans, LA Category: Specialized Knowledge

Mag Bickford will cover the latest legislative, regulatory, and judicial trends affecting employers and employees—from workplace policies to compliance risks—helping you navigate an evolving legal landscape with confidence. Mag will share best practices to fine-tune your operation.This lunchtime, 2-hour program gives you time to take care of business before and after the presentation. And it all happens live — giving you the chance to ask presenters the questions you need answered.This lunchtime, 2-hour program gives you time to take care of business before and after the presentation. And it all happens live — giving you the chance to ask presenters the questions you need answered. NOTE: This product is for the individual Webcast Lunch & Learn course. Save when you buy the Lunch & Learn Webcast Bundle! Learn more. 2025 Lunch&Learn Small Business Series includes: May 20 Cybersecurity: Managing Evolving ThreatsLes Nettleton • IT ConsultantCategory: TechnologyJune 17 SECURE 2.0: Impacts to Retirement Savings PlansAnne Oestriecher, CPA, CFP • Advisory RepresentativeOestriecher Financial Management Services • Alexandria, LACategory: Taxation July 22 Hot Topics in Employment Law in the Current Presidential TermMag Bickford, JD • Managing Member, New Orleans OfficeMcGlinchey Stafford • New Orleans, LACategory: Management August 19 Louisiana Tax Legislative Update, Tax Reform and MoreRobert S. Angelico, CPA, JD • ShareholderLiskow • New Orleans, LA ?Category: TaxationSeptember 16 Fraud in the Real World: Assessing Risk & Response Ralph A. Litolff, Jr., CPA/ABV/CFF, CVA, MBA • FounderRAL Forensics, LLC • Metairie, LACategory: A&AOctober 21 Succession Planning: Strategies for Business Continuity & GrowthNene Glenn Gianfala, CPA/ABV, ASA-BV/IARiley J. Busenlener, CPA/ABV, ASA, AEP®, JDChaffe & Associates • New Orleans, LACategory: ManagementNovember 18 Federal Tax Update Greg Booth, CPA • PartnerEisnerAmper • Metairie, LACategory: TaxationDecember 16 Year-End Economic Outlook: Cheers or Jeers? Stephen D. Morgan • Senior Vice President, Investment Director?Hancock Whitney  • New Orleans, LA Category: Specialized Knowledge

Microsoft Teams is one of the most exciting personal and organizational productivity tools ever appearing on the business landscape. With Teams, you can communicate and collaborate easily and securely with others, including colleagues outside your organization. Further, you can extend the already-robust functionality in Teams by incorporating add-in solutions with just a few mouse clicks. Unfortunately, despite Teams' power and relatively simple interface, many organizations struggle to deploy and use Teams. In this session, you will learn how to get up and running quickly in Teams to take full advantage of this powerful tool. More specifically, you will learn how to get started in Teams and critical decisions affecting your deployment. Also, you will learn how to work in Teams, take advantage of the chat, voice, and video call services, and share documents securely with others. Moreover, you will learn how to extend your Teams platform to external organizations for improved communication and collaboration. Additionally, you will identify how to add other applications to Teams and optimize Team's configuration for the best overall efficiency and security. If you are working with Teams or plan to do so, this is one CPE session you can't afford to miss!Speaker - Steve Yoss

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Discover the real-world power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and equip yourself with the skills to conquer modern challenges in accounting and finance. In this engaging course, we demystify AI and unveil its practical applications, transforming it from theory into a hands-on tool. Learn the essential AI fundamentals and unlock its remarkable potential to boost your productivity and effectiveness alongside your team. Explore the specific problem-solving capabilities of AI, tailored to address the unique challenges faced by accounting and financial professionals. Gain expertise in leveraging AI features integrated into everyday applications, including the ubiquitous Excel. Uncover how these features enable you to effortlessly detect fraud, identify potential transaction errors, and elevate your financial operations to new heights. Witness firsthand how AI is reshaping the present and future of your profession, positioning you at the forefront of this revolutionary wave.Speaker - Steve Yoss

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