Earn Accounting CPE Credit With the Financial Learning Library (FLL)

Part of being a CFO or Controller is protecting the assets of the organization and managing risk. While many financial leaders feel comfortable with the strategic aspect of this task, finding the right insurance coverages can leave one feeling out of their element. This course will focus on three common business policies – the package policy, the business & property policy, and the cyber policy. Through case studies and illustrative examples, we will explore what these policies cover, as well as what they don’t cover. We will also discuss how to have more productive conversations with outside insurance brokers.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the basic parts of a P&C insurance policy
• Recognize the basic approach to building an insurance program for a company
• State the coverages and exclusions for commercial package, building & property, and cyber insurance policies
• Identify techniques to building a better partnership with outside insurance brokers

The goal of this program is to help you better understand how to make effective presentations and conduct effective question-and-answer (Q&A) sessions.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify various ways to manage speaking anxiety while planning and preparing presentations, while delivering presentations, and while conducting Q&A sessions.
• Recognize the basic elements of effective business presentations ranging from matching the subject matter with the audience and choosing the right visual aids to communicating confidently and persuasively.
• Identify the presentation process steps ranging from planning and preparing presentations to evaluating presentations and Q&A sessions.

You hear it all the time. Financial products are becoming more complex. Diversification has changed. Our approach to investing has changed. What does all this mean? In this course, we will explore how investment theory has changed over time from Markowitz to Factor Investing. Using examples and practical applications, we will talk about how our modern notions of portfolio building have developed throughout history.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the contributions of Harry Markowitz to Modern Portfolio Theory
• Recognize how the concept of diversification has changed over time
• Distinguish between the major factor investing models

This program discusses all facets of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) including deciding on terms, key factors to consider, pros and cons, types of arrangements, evaluative criteria, valuation methods, financial effects of the merger, holding companies, takeover bids, SEC filing requirements, accounting and reporting requirements for business combinations, and financial analysis of combinations. Also addressed is emergence of corporate development officers (CDOs).

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the characteristics of mergers and the different types of mergers.
• Recognize the benefits of mergers and why certain companies may choose an acquisition strategy.
• Recognize the definition of due diligence when considering a merger.
• Understand how different mergers may affect taxation and financial results.
• Recognize antitrust guidelines used to determine whether certain mergers would be challenged by the Department of Justice.
• Identify factors relevant to the stock acquisition of another company.
• Recognize Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules regarding mergers.
• Identify advantages of different methods of financing a merger.
• Recognize different defensive measures used by target companies.
• Identify different approaches and techniques for merger valuation.

• Recall which branch of ethics is closely aligned with regulatory guidance in organizations.
• Identify prevailing global trends in business ethics.
• Identify key concepts practitioners should be mindful of when practicing across different jurisdictions.
• Recall various ethical standards pronounced by select rule-making bodies.

This course is designed to satisfy the 4-hour ethics CPE requirement in most state jurisdictions. This ethics program will satisfy jurisdiction CPE requirements that are not state specific for a 4-hour regulatory ethics program based on the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct generally effective for periods after December 15, 2014. It addresses Ethics Code requirements for all members, members in public practice, members in business, and other members.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the major points of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.
• Identify ethical threats and safeguards associated with members practicing in public practice, in business, or applicable to other members.
• Define the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct rules applicable to all members as well as rules applicable to members in public practice and members in business.
• Identify the AICPA's Code of Professional Conduct rules applicable to integrity and objectivity, independence, general standards, acts discreditable, commissions and referral fees, advertising, confidential information, and form of organization and name.

This course is designed for accountants seeking an overview of financial accounting concepts. Topics include: The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, uses and analysis of financial statements, financial performance and financial forecasting and cash budgeting. The goals of this course are fourfold:

• It provides an understanding and working knowledge of the fundamentals of financial decision making and strategy that can be put to practical application in day-to-day jobs of accountants and managers.
• It also concentrates on providing a working vocabulary for communication.
• It uses examples and illustrations, with emphasis on the practical application of financial concepts, tools, and methodology.
• It also includes guidelines, rules of thumb, diagrams, graphs, and tables to aid your comprehension of the subjects discussed.

Important: This course, "Accountant's Guide to Accounting & Financial Management v3.0" has been republished in our new course platform. There has been a slight change to the course id; however, the content is the same, with only minor updates. If you have already received credit for this course title in our old platform, you cannot receive credit again.

Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, participants should be able to:

• Identify the objectives of managerial finance.
• Distinguish between profit maximization and stockholder wealth maximization.
• Recognize factors that affect the value of a firm.
• Recognize the role of financial managers.
• Recognize the various legal forms of business organization.
• Identify the basic financial statements used by a firm.
• Recognize how the balance sheet portrays a company's financial position.
• Identify the components of a statement of cash flows.
• Recognize how footnote disclosures are used, and requirements for segment reporting.
• Recognize reporting requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley 404.
• Identify which factors are used in evaluating a firm's stock.
• Recognize a comprehensive set of financial ratios and how to interpret them.
• Recognize how ROI can be enhanced by management.
• Identify the basic components of the Du Pont formula and how it can be used for profit improvement.
• Recognize steps in projecting financial needs by using the percent-of-sales method.
• Identify major steps in preparing the master budget.
• Recognize how the cash budget can be used to more effectively conduct financial management.

Financial markets represent the lifeblood of our global economy. These mechanisms promote greater economic efficiency by transferring funds from individuals, businesses and governments with an excess of available funds to those with a shortage. Funds are transferred in the financial markets through the purchase and sale of financial instruments (such as stocks and bonds). Short-term financial instruments are available in money markets, while longer-term financial instruments are purchased and sold in the world's capital markets. Many financial markets have been in existence for hundreds of years; however, the modern era has brought along many new innovations such as securitization and the derivatives market. This series of courses, Financial Markets Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4, provides an introductory overview of the world's largest financial markets, including the money, bond, stock, mortgage, foreign currency and derivatives markets. This series reviews the various types of financial risk that impact these markets, as well as the economic variables that influence market activity (such as interest rates and monetary policy).

Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, participants should be able to:

• Translate direct and indirect foreign exchange quotes.
• Recognize the economic factors that influence foreign exchange rates.
• Identify the differences between foreign exchange spot and forward contracts.
• Recognize how arbitrage profits are earned in foreign exchange markets.
• Identify the various types of risk that impact financial markets.
• Recognize the types of instruments traded in derivatives markets.
• Identify the unique characteristics of forwards, futures, swaps and options.

The two-part course series, Accountant's Guide to Computers and Information Technology, covers what every accountant should know about computers and information systems and technology. In Part 1 of this series, practical and efficient use of computer technology is highlighted. Popular accounting, compliance, taxes, audit, write-up, forecasting and statistical, budgeting and planning, project management, activity-based accounting (ABC) software are explained. Finally, the importance of information security and data protection is discussed. Numerous examples and graphics are interspersed throughout the course.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify components of an accounting information system.
• Recognize characteristics of accounting, compliance, tax, and audit software.
• Recognize the purpose of extensible business reporting language (XBRL).
• Recognize the function of Activity-Based Costing (ABC) systems.
• Identify the value of managerial software and cash management software.
• Identify the steps in managing computer security.
• Recognize failure points for a computer system.
• Recognize appropriate protective steps for software modification.

The two-part course series, Accountant's Guide to Computers and Information Technology, covers what every accountant should know about computers and information systems and technology. In Part 2 of this series, the importance of databases, client-server computing, and cloud computing are discussed, with an emphasis on security issues. The course also teaches you how to make lease-purchase decisions and analyze and evaluate information technology (IT) investments. Numerous examples and graphics are interspersed throughout the course.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the technical advantages of cloud computing.
• Identify business benefits from cloud computing.
• Identify protective steps for network environments.
• Identify responsibilities for accountants on a database management system.
• Recognize database types and terminology.
• Recognize several capital budgeting techniques.
• Recognize the effect of taxes and Modified Accelerated Cost - Recovery Systems (MACRS) on capital budgeting decisions.

This course provides an overview of the accounting requirements with respect to accounting changes and error corrections and the reporting implications within an entity's financial statements. The scope of accounting changes includes a discussion of changes in accounting principles, changes in accounting estimates, as well as changes of a reporting entity. The course also provides an overview of the accounting requirements of correcting errors in previously issued financial statements as well as restatement considerations. A majority of the information included within this course is sourced from the requirements found within FASB ASC Topic No 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.

Learning Objectives:

• List the different types of accounting changes and how they affect an entity's financial statements
• Differentiate between the requirements for the different types of accounting changes
• Identify the steps involved in the required assessment for a correction of an error
• Differentiate between the iron curtain and rollover methods for quantifying a correction of an error
• Recognize the different types of restatements required as a result of accounting changes.
/ul> Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None
Author/Speaker: Kelen Camehl

This course provides an overview of the accounting requirements with respect to accounting principle changes. The scope of accounting changes includes a discussion of changes in accounting principles, changes in accounting estimates, as well as changes of a reporting entity. A majority of the information included within this course is sourced from the requirements found within FASB ASC Topic No 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.

Learning Objectives:

• List the different types of accounting changes and how they affect an entity's financial statements
• Differentiate between the requirements for the different types of accounting changes
• Identify disclosure requirements related to changes in accounting principles

In 2020, the Pension Rights Center reported that one out of three older adults received income from private company or union pension plans; federal, state, or local government pension plans; or railroad retirement, military, or veterans' pensions. The need to properly administer and account for pension funds is critical. There are very specific requirements for pension accounting. ASC 715 Compensation−Retirement Benefits provides guidance on financial reporting for employers who offer pension benefits to their employees. ASC 962 Plan Accounting−Defined Contribution Pension Plans address the plan accounting standards for defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans respectively. Those detailed calculations of pension cost and reporting requirements produce a complex accounting standard.

Learning Objectives:

• Distinguish between defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Identify the way to evaluate plan assets
• Identify the components of pension expense
• Recognize the reporting requirements for defined contribution pension plans

In 2020, the Pension Rights Center reported that one out of three older adults received income from private company or union pension plans; federal, state, or local government pension plans; or railroad retirement, military, or veterans' pensions. The need to properly administer and account for pension funds is critical. There are very specific requirements for pension accounting. ASC 715 Compensation-Retirement Benefits provides guidance on financial reporting for employers who offer pension benefits to their employees. ASC 960 Plan Accounting-Defined Benefit Pension Plans address the plan accounting standards for defined benefit plans. Those detailed calculations of pension cost and reporting requirements produce a complex accounting standard.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the way to evaluate plan assets.
• Recognize various measures of pension obligations.
• Identify the components of pension expense.
• Recognize the pension assets (overfunded plan) and pension liabilities (unfunded plan).
• Recognize the reporting requirements for defined benefit pension plans.

A derivative is a financial instrument or other contract that derives its value from the movement of prices, interest rates, or exchange rates associated with an underlying item. Uncertainty about the future fair value of assets and liabilities or about future cash flows exposes firms to risk. One way to manage the risk associated with fair value and cash flow fluctuations is through the use of derivatives. The derivatives and hedging guidance codified in ASC 815, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities is considered as one of the challenging areas in GAAP due to its extensiveness and complexity. This course provides an accountant-friendly overview of derivative instruments and hedge accounting. It discusses derivatives, including the definition of a derivative, scope exceptions to ASC 815, types of risks, accounting requirements, and guidance on embedded derivatives. It addresses the requirements for applying hedge accounting and the specific requirements for fair value hedges, cash flow hedges, and net investment hedges. It also discusses the presentation and disclosure requirements. Finally, the course identifies special situations such as servicing of financial assets and mortgage servicing rights.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the attributes of conventional and derivative financial instruments.
• Recognize the criteria to qualify for hedge accounting.
• Identify the accounting requirements for different derivatives and the related disclosure requirements.

In today's modern economy, the growth of foreign operations is continuing upward and the number of companies with foreign operations has expanded. For example, a company often operates in different economic and currency environments to stay competitive in the global marketplace. Thus, it must have a process for reporting foreign currency balances to address several financial reporting issues, such as determining functional currencies, accounting for foreign currency transactions, and translating its foreign entity's financial statements. ASC 830 Foreign Currency Matters provides guidance for transactions denominated in a foreign currency, and for operations undertaken in a foreign currency environment. This course covers key aspects of the guidance and includes specific examples to illustrate its application. Relevant references to and excerpts from ASC 830 are discussed throughout the course.

Learning Objectives:

Guarantees are often included within certain purchase agreements, sales agreements, commercial agreements, and many other types of agreements. This course provides an overview of the accounting, reporting, and disclosure requirements related to guarantees. The U.S. GAAP guidance related to guarantees is prescribed by ASC Topic 460.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the primary types of guarantees
• Recognize the guarantees that are within the scope of ASC Topic 460
• Identify the recognition, measurement, and subsequent measurement requirements of guarantees
• Recognize key disclosure requirements for guarantees

This course provides an overview of the accounting for held for sale assets with a particular focus on the criteria that must be met for held for sale classification. This course also addresses considerations around the timing of held for sale classification, how held for sale assets are measured and presented, as well as how changes to a planned sale impact the measurement and presentation of held for sale assets. This course concludes with a brief discussion of the disclosure requirements related to held for sale assets.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the types of assets within the scope of held for sale accounting
• List the specific criteria that must be met for an asset to be classified as held for sale
• Recognize the accounting and reporting impacts from held for sale classification
• Identify disclosure requirements for held for sale assets
• Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Speaker/Author: Kelen F. Camehl, CPA, MBA

Historically, lease accounting has been straightforward: a capital lease vs. an operating lease. An operating lease is treated as an off-balance sheet operating expense. The FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842) in response to the growing need for transparency and comparability among organizations. The basic concept of ASC 842 is that leases of all types convey the right to direct the use and obtain substantially all the economic benefit of an identified asset, creating an asset and liability for lessees. Thus, the most significant change requires lessees to recognize the rights and obligations resulting from all leases (greater than 12 months) as assets and liabilities on their balance sheets. Although the lessor accounting is largely unchanged from ASC 840, there are some important changes and more disclosure requirements. For example, certain principles of the lessor model are updated to align with changes to the lessee model and the revenue recognition standard (ASC 606). As a result, ASC 842 brings additional scrutiny from enterprise leaders, auditors, and regulators.

This course series, Parts I, II and III, is designed to help you navigate the complexities of this standard. It explains financial accounting and reporting requirements for lessees and lessors with specific examples to illustrate the application. It also includes public business entities’ reporting responsibilities and explains how ASC 842 affects a company’s financial results. Finally, it shares insights that help companies develop a reasonable leasing policy threshold, maintain effective internal control over leases, and prepare for audits.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the general rules that apply to lessees and lessors
• Recognize the methods of accounting for different types of leases by lessees and lessors
• Identify the accounting rules for initial direct costs

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: General Accounting

Author/Speaker: Steve Spafford, CPA

Historically, lease accounting has been straightforward: a capital lease vs. an operating lease. An operating lease is treated as an off-balance sheet operating expense. The FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842) in response to the growing need for transparency and comparability among organizations. The basic concept of ASC 842 is that leases of all types convey the right to direct the use and obtain substantially all the economic benefit of an identified asset, creating an asset and liability for lessees. Thus, the most significant change requires lessees to recognize the rights and obligations resulting from all leases (greater than 12 months) as assets and liabilities on their balance sheets. Although the lessor accounting is largely unchanged from ASC 840, there are some important changes and more disclosure requirements. For example, certain principles of the lessor model are updated to align with changes to the lessee model and the revenue recognition standard (ASC 606). As a result, ASC 842 brings additional scrutiny from enterprise leaders, auditors, and regulators.

This course series, Parts I, II and III, is designed to help you navigate the complexities of this standard. It explains financial accounting and reporting requirements for lessees and lessors with specific examples to illustrate the application. It also includes public business entities’ reporting responsibilities and explains how ASC 842 affects a company’s financial results. Finally, it shares insights that help companies develop a reasonable leasing policy threshold, maintain effective internal control over leases, and prepare for audits.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the general rules that apply to lessees and lessors
• Recognize the methods of accounting for different types of leases by lessees and lessors
• Identify the accounting rules for initial direct costs

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: General Accounting

Author/Speaker: Steve Spafford, CPA

Historically, lease accounting has been straightforward: a capital lease vs. an operating lease. An operating lease is treated as an off-balance sheet operating expense. The FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842) in response to the growing need for transparency and comparability among organizations. The basic concept of ASC 842 is that leases of all types convey the right to direct the use and obtain substantially all the economic benefit of an identified asset, creating an asset and liability for lessees. Thus, the most significant change requires lessees to recognize the rights and obligations resulting from all leases (greater than 12 months) as assets and liabilities on their balance sheets. Although the lessor accounting is largely unchanged from ASC 840, there are some important changes and more disclosure requirements. For example, certain principles of the lessor model are updated to align with changes to the lessee model and the revenue recognition standard (ASC 606). As a result, ASC 842 brings additional scrutiny from enterprise leaders, auditors, and regulators.

This course series, Parts I, II and III, is designed to help you navigate the complexities of this standard. It explains financial accounting and reporting requirements for lessees and lessors with specific examples to illustrate the application. It also includes public business entities’ reporting responsibilities and explains how ASC 842 affects a company’s financial results. Finally, it shares insights that help companies develop a reasonable leasing policy threshold, maintain effective internal control over leases, and prepare for audits.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the improvement over lease accounting through the release of ASC 2016-02
• Identify the key changes in the leasing practice
• Identify the applicability of the lease standard
• Identify key concepts in lease accounting
• Recognize the difference between U.S. GAAP and IFRS affecting the lease accounting practice

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: General Accounting

Author/Speaker: Steve Spafford, CPA

This course provides an overview of the accounting for the costs of software to be sold, leased, or marketed. The accounting, reporting, and disclosure requirements related to this type of software is prescribed by ASC Topic 985-20. This course primarily addresses the concept of technological feasibility and how this impacts the cost classification of software development costs. The course also addresses the respective presentation and disclosure requirements.

Learning Objectives:

• Distinguish between the different areas of U.S. GAAP related to software
• Recognize software that is within the scope of ASC Topic 985-20
• Identify how software costs are recorded prior to and after establishing technological feasibility
• Recognize how amortization is recorded for capitalized software costs
• Identify general disclosure requirements related to software for resale

This course provides an overview of the accounting for the costs of software to be sold, leased, or marketed. The accounting, reporting, and disclosure requirements related to this type of software is prescribed by ASC Topic 985-20. This course primarily addresses the concept of technological feasibility and how this impacts the cost classification of software development costs. The course also addresses the respective presentation and disclosure requirements.

Learning Objectives:

• Distinguish between the different areas of U.S. GAAP related to software
• Recognize software that is within the scope of ASC Topic 985-20
• Identify how software costs are recorded prior to and after establishing technological feasibility
• Recognize how amortization is recorded for capitalized software costs
• Identify general disclosure requirements related to software for resale

This course provides an overview of internal control and addresses what is meant by an effective internal control system. This includes a discussion of the three primary COSO Framework objectives along with the components and principles of internal control. This course also addresses certain points of focus and how they interrelate to demonstrate an effective system of internal control.

Learning Objectives:

• Define internal control and identify characteristics of an effective internal control system.
• Recognize the three primary COSO Framework objectives.
• Identify the COSO Framework's components, relevant principles, and points of focus and how they interrelate to demonstrate an effective system of internal control.
Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None
Speaker / Author: John M. Fleming,

This course provides an overview of accounting for the lean enterprise. This includes a discussion of lean thinking, how to implement lean, and the concept of kaizen. This course also addresses topics such as the various types of costing methods, dysfunctional behavior, value stream costing, and value stream performance measures. Finally, this course outlines how to implement lean accounting for accounts payable, accounts receivable, and financial statement preparation.

Learning Objectives:

• List and understand the five key steps in implementing lean.
• Recognize key principles surrounding the 5S method for supporting lean.
• Differentiate between various inventory costing methods.
• Recognize key principles with respect to productivity measurement and reporting.
• Recognize types of lean processes that can be implemented for office operations.

This course provides an overview of the key steps involved in acquisition planning and accounting best practices. This includes a discussion of the processes involved in the pre-diligence, due diligence, deal execution, and integration stages of an acquisition. This course also provides an overview of the key differences between a business combination transaction and an asset acquisition.

Important: This course, "Acquisition Planning and Accounting Best Practices" has been republished in our new course platform. There has been a slight change to the course id; however, the content is the same, with only minor updates. If you have already received credit for this course title in our old platform, you cannot receive credit again.

Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this segment, you should be able to:

• Identify best practices with respect to acquisition planning.
• Differentiate between processes performed during various stages of an acquisition.
• Recognize key processes involved in the integration aspect of an acquisition.

Effective policies and procedures in the Accounts Payable function is critical for any organization wishing to reduce or eliminate duplicate payments, prevent and detect fraud, be cost effective and compliant with all regulatory issues affecting the payment function. The first step in that battle is having a current, detailed policy and procedures manual.

This course presents information the professional can use to create an effective manual, that not only documents the organizations policies and procedures, can be used as a reference and training guide. Industry expert Mary Schaeffer shows auditors, controllers, and managers how to create such a manual when none exists. She also includes an outline for a sample policy as well as a checklist they can use to determine if their current policy is best practice or something less.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify why an up-to-date accounts payable policy and procedures manual is needed
• Define how an accounts payable policy and procedures manual strengthens controls
• Recognize the best way to create a policy and procedures manual
• Identify how to use a manual to address the rush check problem
• Identify several short cuts to use when creating a policy and procedures manual
• Recognize how computer access levels may circumvent segregation of duties requirements
• Identify a way to update an old policy and procedures manual

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Author/Speaker: Mary Schaeffer

IMPORTANT: This course, previously titled An Effective Accounts Payable Policy and Procedures Manual," has been republished in our current course platform. Please be aware that the content is the same, with only minor updates. If you have already received credit for this course, you cannot receive credit again."

In this program, you will learn about the COSO Framework. Topics include a definition of internal control; the Framework’s objectives, components, and principles; the meaning of effective internal control; and the limitations of internal control. Examples are also included to illustrate the application of the COSO Framework. This program is Part 1 of a two-part series of programs related to the COSO Framework.

Learning Objectives:

• Determine a basic understanding of the provisions of the COSO Framework
• Define internal control and what is meant by an effective internal control system - Recognize the importance of entity-level controls and their influence on internal control at the activity levels
• Identify the COSO Framework’s objectives, components, principles and points of focus

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: Basic knowledge of accounting and auditing

Author/Speaker: John Fleming

IMPORTANT: This course, previously titled "An Overview of the COSO Framework," has been republished in our current course platform. Please be aware that the content is the same, with only minor updates. If you have already received credit for this course, you cannot receive credit again.

This course provides an overview of the independence related rules and interpretations included within the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Code of Professional Conduct. This Code prescribes a set of principles, rules, and interpretations that guide CPAs in performing their professional responsibilities. While this Code is applicable to both members in business and members in practice (an associate or affiliate member or international associate of the AICPA), this course focuses on the independence aspects for those members in public practice. A copy of the most recent AICPA Code of Professional Conduct is available on the AICPA website us.aicpa.org/research/standards/codeofconduct.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the different sections of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct
• Recognize the key steps included within the conceptual framework approach
• Differentiate among threats for members in public practice and recognize examples of threats to independence
• Recognize activities that would and would not impair independence

Finance has changed its focus over the years from relationships to commodities. Agreements that used to hold two people together are transformed into merchandise to be acquired and terminated at will. For example, an agreement to arrange a loan to a customer creates a relationship between the lender and borrower. However, that direct relationship is changed when the loan is converted into a bond or debenture. It becomes a commodity that can be traded among any number of bond buyers, who assume the role of lenders. By packaging and selling the bond into the market, the original lender's claim to receive principal and interest is transferred to anonymous others. Asset-backed securities (ABS) offer an excellent example of this trend. Using securitization, companies put their claims over assets on the market. When they convert their rights to various goods into securities and sell them, their balance sheet is wiped clean of these assets. Although they still have the assets in their possession, they have sold their responsibility or liability- along with the rights. With unique benefits to issuers and investors, asset-backed securities are a concept that has steadily gained popularity.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the various types of asset-backed securities
• Identify the steps involved in the securitization process
• Determine the process of using tranches in investing
• Identify the regulatory agency responsible for protecting the interests of the public and investors
• Recognize the process of using a barbell investment strategy
• Determine the advantages of exchange-traded funds

This course provides an overview of audit evidence including the requirements, types, and limitations. This includes a discussion of the procedures for collecting audit evidence as well as the top audit evidence issues that often result in problem audits.

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Identify key characteristics of audit evidence as well as related authoritative standards.
• Differentiate between various procedures used to obtain audit evidence.
• Recognize key characteristics of common audit failures.

This course provides an overview of Statement on Auditing Standard Number 142 related to audit evidence. This course addresses what constitutes audit evidence as well as the key attributes. This course also addresses the effect of audit evidence on documentation.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the effective date of SAS 142
• Recognize key characteristics of audit evidence
• Recognize how audit evidence is used in emerging technologies and techniques

• Recognize methods used for drafting audit reports completely and objectively.
• Identify ways to create a company-specific template to facilitate the writing process.
• Recognize ways of drafting workpapers thoroughly based on objective observations.
• Identify ways of developing clear, concise vocabulary for documenting audit reports.

This course provides an overview of key auditing standards that are effective for periods ending after December 15, 2021. This includes a discussion of the key requirements outlined within SAS 134-140 as well as the significant changes prescribed throughout.

Learning Objectives:

This course identifies and describes the primary auditing standard setters that exist in the United States as well as the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB). The course will also identify the primary auditing standards that serve as the basis for auditing standards used for external auditors, internal auditors, government auditors and international auditors.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the key principles related to an audit and the primary sources of auditing standards.
• Differentiate between the key organizations involved in the development of auditing standards.
• Recognize the key topic areas and circumstances within each of the five sources of auditing standards.

This course provides an overview of an auditors' obligation to consider the impact that fraud may have on a client's financial statements. This includes an overview of fraud-related concepts and their relevance to auditors as well as their fraud-related responsibilities. This course also includes information on several recent high-profile cases involving financial statement fraud and the fraud risk factors relevant to those cases.

Upon successful completion of this segment, you should be able to:

• Identify overall characteristics of fraud, fraud risk factors, and the impact on potential financial misstatements.
• Recognize authoritative guidance with respect to fraud consideration.
• Identify appropriate responses to fraud risk assessments.
• Recognize real-world examples involving financial statement misrepresentations.

An asset is an item of economic value expected to yield a benefit to the owing entity in future periods. To provide information about liquidity, assets are divided into current and non-current assets on the balance sheet. A current asset, such as cash, account receivable, and prepaid expenses, is expected to be consumed within one year, while non-current assets, such as long-term investments, property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets, are to be consumed in more than one year. This course discusses generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for reporting fixed assets (property, plant & equipment) on the balance sheet.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize basic principles of reporting assets on the balance sheet
• Recognize how to account for and report fixed assets

An asset is an item of economic value expected to yield a benefit to the owing entity in future periods. To provide information about liquidity, assets are divided into current and non-current assets on the balance sheet. A current asset, such as cash, account receivable, and inventory, is expected to be consumed within one year, while non-current assets, such as long-term investments, property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets, are to be consumed in more than one year. This course discusses generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for reporting inventory assets on the balance sheet.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize basic principles of reporting assets on the balance sheet
• Recognize how to how to compute inventory balances

This course provides an overview of the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970. This includes information related to both currency transaction reports and suspicious activity reports. This course also addresses various money laundering acts as well as the minimum requirements for establishing an anti-money laundering compliance program.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize key characteristics and requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act.
• Identify and describe various anti-money laundering acts.
• Recognize the minimum requirements for an anti-money laundering compliance program.

The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act was enacted to minimize abuse of the bankruptcy system. Included in this Act were tax law changes and other changes that individuals, partnerships, and corporations will see in the bankruptcy procedures and qualifications. This course both ex-amines these changes that debtors will face when filing for federal bankruptcy and also explores the many tax issues of bankruptcy. Practitioners will also learn about other issues such as homesteading and garnishment by creditors.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify changes made by the 2005 Bankruptcy Act, the common types of bankruptcy, and filing qualifications.
• Determine the impact of an automatic stay, the treatment of preferential transfers, the priority of claims, and the discharge of debts.
• Recognize the creation and taxation of an individual bankruptcy estate specifying partnership & corporate bankruptcy differences.
• Identify the scope of and special rules for homesteading and garnishment.

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: General understanding of federal income taxation.

Author/Speaker: Danny Santucci

This course is an overview of basic fringe benefits and examines their mechanics, compensation methods, valuation, withholding, and accounting. Achievement awards, term life insurance, medical reimbursement, meals & lodging, educational assistance, dependent care, employer-provided automobiles, interest-free loans, etc. are identified. Employer and employee economic and tax considerations are recognized. Fringe benefit requirements and limits are specified and ERISA compliance requirements are determined.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize basic fringe benefit planning by determining “income” under §61, and identify the differences between former nonstatutory and current statutory fringe benefits created by recent cases, rulings, and tax law changes.
• Specify the mechanics of typical fringe benefits, determine the fair market value of a fringe benefit under the general valuation rule or the special valuation rules, and identify the general accounting rule and the special two-month pour-over accounting rule.
• Identify an “employee achievement award” under §274, and recognize the rules for group term life insurance under §79 stating how to implement proper coverage.
• Determine the mechanics of self-insured medical reimbursement plans under §105, and specify the requirements of medical insurance under §106 identifying differences.
• Identify the rules for excluding the value of meals and lodging under §119, and “cafeteria plans” and how they operate.
• Recognize the requirements and limits of employee educational assistance programs and dependent care assistance specifying how to obtain each type of assistance.
• Identify “no-additional-cost services” and determine what property or services are excludable from income as qualified employee discounts under §132(c), and specify exceptions to working condition fringes and de minimis fringes.
• Determine the requirements for qualified transportation fringe benefits under §132(f), specify valuation methods for employer-provided automobiles, and identify the qualifications for the popular physical fitness exclusion, and the requirements and benefits of adoption assistance programs.
• Recognize planning services available under §§132, 212, and 67, determine interest-free and below-market loans, identify child care benefits and corporate-funded educational savings accounts, specify S corporation fringe benefits, and identify ERISA compliance requirements.

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: General understanding of federal income taxation.

Author/Speaker: Danny Santucci

Best practices for the invoice handling function are critical for those organizations concerned about their profitability. Poor practices result in excess cost, duplicate payments, increased processing expenses, fraud, and frayed vendor relationships. This course presents information the professional can use to identify best practice problems. Industry expert Mary S. Schaeffer explains the invoice issues. She then reveals the best practices for a myriad of these problems, as well as identifying almost best practices for those cases where it is not possible to use the best practice and the worst practices which are likely to cause trouble.

After completing this course, the course participant should be able to:

• Identify effective invoice receipt practices.
• Determine effective data entry rules for invoice processors.
• Recognize best practice invoice handling routines.
• Define effective practices when short-paying invoices.
• Identify the process for managing discrepant invoices.

This course provides an overview of the emerging roles of internal auditors, the related key challenges they face, and some of the top concerns of various stakeholders. In addition, this course also presents an overview of critical internal audit objectives, the requisite value-added skill sets internal auditors should seek to obtain, and specific keys to success. Finally, the course concludes with a discussion of effective interviewing techniques.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the top concerns of stakeholders concerning internal audit functions
• Identify the emerging roles of internal auditors as well as the requisite skill set needed
• Differentiate between the various keys to success for internal auditors
• Recognize effective interviewing techniques.

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Author/Speaker: Anthony S. Chan, CPA

IMPORTANT: This course, previously titled "Best Practices for Internal Auditors/Part I: Overview," has been republished in our current course platform. Please be aware that the content is the same, with only minor updates. If you have already received credit for this course, you cannot receive credit again."

This course provides an overview of the regulatory environment that drives the testing of internal control over financial reporting to help internal auditors understand the intricacies of internal controls testing. The course also includes a discussion of the various elements of an effective internal controls testing program, the components of internal control, as well as the phases involved in a typical risk-based control testing program. The course concludes with an overview of actions entities can take to strengthen internal controls.

Learning Objectives:

• Differentiate between the various organizations involved in the SOX compliance landscape
• Identify various elements of an effective internal controls testing program
• Differentiate between the five components of internal control.
• Recognize the different types of internal controls
• List the phases included within a typical risk-based controls testing program
• Identify the steps involved in the SOX testing process and differentiate between the - various testing methods
• Recognize actions that can be used to strengthen internal control.

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Author/Speaker: Anthony S. Chan, CPA

IMPORTANT: This course, previously titled "Best Practices for Internal Auditors/Part II: IC and SOX Testing," has been republished in our current course platform. Please be aware that the content is the same, with only minor updates. If you have already received credit for this course, you cannot receive credit again."

This course provides an overview of the best practices for internal auditors with respect to fraud risk management, fraud prevention, and monitoring. This includes a discussion of the current regulatory landscape, an overview of anti-fraud controls, and identification of common fraud schemes. The course also includes an overview of the building blocks to an effective fraud risk management program, actions to deter, prevent, or detect fraud, and procedures that can be implemented to enhance FCPA compliance. Finally, this course presents the key steps in a typical fraud monitoring process.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the current regulatory landscape as it relates to fraud.
• Identify questions to be asked regarding a company's anti-fraud controls.
• List the common priorities of a company's audit committee.
• Recognize common fraud schemes as it relates to accounting, procurement, and payroll.
• Identify the building blocks to an effective fraud risk management program.
• Recognize common red flags as it relates to fraud.
• Identify actions to deter, prevent, or detect fraud as well enhance FCPA compliance.
• List the steps in the fraud monitoring process.

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Author/Speaker: Anthony S. Chan, CPA

IMPORTANT: This course, previously titled "Best Practices for Internal Auditors/Part III: Fraud Risk Management," has been republished in our current course platform. Please be aware that the content is the same, with only minor updates. If you have already received credit for this course, you cannot receive credit.

This course provides an overview of the corporate investigation process, with a focus on procedures internal auditors should consider in conducting fraud investigation. In addition, this course provides a discussion of drivers of corporate investigations, factors contributing to fraudulent behavior, as well as common fraud schemes and common red flags. Finally, the course also addresses manners in which fraudulent payments are disguised as well as notable initiatives and procedures designed to deter fraud.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify common drivers of corporate investigations including common fraud schemes.
• Recognize risks and challenges with respect to doing business in emerging markets.
• Identify the factors involved with FCPA violations.
• Recognize common red flags related to fraud.
• List the steps involved in the corporate investigation process.
• Recognize fraud deterrence initiatives and procedures.

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Author/Speaker: Anthony S. Chan, CPA

IMPORTANT: This course, previously titled "Best Practices for Internal Auditors/Part V: Corporate Investigation" has been republished in our current course platform. Please be aware that the content is the same, with only minor updates. If you have already received credit for this course, you cannot receive credit.

Big Data has become one of the hottest computing issues. Organizations are now making significant financial and strategic investments in this new technology. In this segment, Inhi Cho Suh, Vice President, Big Data Integration and Governance for the IBM Software Group, discusses current trends in this field, shows where and how organizations can use Big Data to create value, and reviews the data analysis tools that are now available to accountants and financial managers.

Upon successful completion of this segment, you should be able to:

• Recognize the current trends in Big Data.
• Identify the challenges organizations face successfully navigating Big Data.
• Identify data analysis tools and solutions.

What is Blockchain? What is cryptocurrency? Blockchain is growing quickly in a number of industries and changing the way business is conducted. Learning the fundamentals of Blockchain will add value to any business leader.

Learning Objective:

• Differentiate between Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain.
• Identify key elements specific to Blockchain technology.
• Recall ways in which Blockchain can improve business processes.

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Author/Speaker: Victorianne Musonza

IMPORTANT: This course, previously titled Blockchain Fundamentals, has been republished in our current course platform. Please be aware that the content is the same, with only minor updates. If you have already received credit for this course, you cannot receive credit again.

This course provides an overview of blogging for business. This includes discussing how to connect your service to your customer through blogging and how to cultivate a library of ideas that keeps your blog fresh. This course also addresses how to use links and visuals to highlight your key points and write focused, engaging, and articulate blog posts.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize key reasons why you should blog and methods for refreshing your blog
• Recognize characteristics of good links, videos, and ways to open powerfully
• Differentiate between the six pillars of drama
• Recognize some of the best practices concerning writing and proofreading

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Philip Vassallo, Ed.D

All groups (and just about every leader) want to be regarded as ethical. But having a strong integrity program will not, by itself, ensure ethical behavior in organizations. Dr. Patricia Harned, CEO of Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI), explains how it is possible, even in a geographically and ethnically diverse workplace, to establish and sustain an ethical organizational culture. She focuses on specific challenges to the accounting profession as well as those posed by the #MeToo movement.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the ethical challenges the accounting profession faces.
• Identify the factors that employees consider when drawing conclusions about leaders' character.
• Recognize the role of culture in an organization.
• Identify the major findings from a recent survey conducted by the Ethics and Compliance Initiative.

Most financial leaders agree that budgeting is easy when business and the economy are stable. When revenues and expenses are expected to remain the same, the process becomes merely an exercise in carrying over what was done before to the current year. However, what happens when we are unsure how the market will react to our product? What happens when the competitive landscape changes? This course will discuss budgeting techniques and considerations when a business lacks stability. Through a combination of theory and real-world examples, we will explore how to build flexibility into our budget - so that it can inform and drive decision-making when we don’t quite know what is ahead.

Learning Objectives:

• Recall the difference between a forecast and a budget
• Identify the difference between top-down and bottom-up budgeting
• State the key elements of a flexible budgeting approach
• Define key cost drivers 
• State how behavioral biases may affect the budgeting process
• Identify how headcount efficiency may be measured
• Define scenario planning - Recognize best practices and controls for managing budget changes

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: A basic understanding of budgeting techniques

Speaker/Author: David R. Peters

When stepping into a leadership role in the accounting profession, many practitioners are surprised to see how their job shifts from being less about analysis and more about people. In many ways, accounting skills take a backseat to the ability to build a positive culture and increase engagement. In this course, we will utilize research and survey results to help identify the qualities of a top manager. We will use case studies to identify how leadership skills may be used in real life situations to build a better company culture.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the attributes of a good manager according to research and surveys.
• Identify ways to increase employee engagement in the workplace.
• Apply techniques to build relationships and increase engagement to a case study scenario.

While accountants deal with many complicated code sections and analytical issues, perhaps the most difficult thing that every financial professional deals with is how to create a good office environment. Utilizing discussions and case studies, this course will explore how to become a better teammate. We will learn strategies for how to form better relationships with colleagues and others. We will learn the importance of good culture – and how negative culture can work against the overall goals of the company.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the current state and problems within our workplace culture.
• Apply SHRM’s Four building blocks of ethical culture to workplace case studies.
• Identify the eight ways to build workplace trust.

As accountants have evolved from "bean counters" to strategic partners, their focus has also evolved, shifting from cost accounting to cost management and, ultimately, to cost leaders. As cost leaders, they are able to help their organizations compete and thrive in today's complex global economy. However, they can't do it alone. In this segment, Dr. Jonathan Schiff, Professor of Accounting at Fairleigh Dickinson University, explains how organizations can develop the necessary sustainable cost leadership culture.

Upon successful completion of this segment, you should be able to:

• Identify the elements of cost leadership.
• Identify the results of the Cost Acumen Survey.
• Recognize how to build a sustainable cost leadership culture.
• Recognize the benefits of a sustainable cost leadership culture.

This course provides an overview of the similarities and key differences between the business combination standards issued by the FASB (ASC Topic 805) and the IASB (IFRS 3). While these standards are very similar, as is the case with many areas of U.S. GAAP vs. IFRS, there are notable differences that are helpful to understand. Note that this course is not intended to provide an exhaustive discussion of these differences

Learning Objectives:

• List the key steps in the acquisition method for business combinations
• Recognize the applicable U.S. GAAP and IFRS standard with respect to business combinations
• Identify some of the key differences between ASC Topic 805 and IFRS 3

With the fair value requirements now applying to "hard assets", acquisition accounting takes on a whole new meaning. This course discusses not only how the business combination pronouncement expands what is accounted for as a business acquisition but also the nuances of items never before required to be valued. Specific examples of what and how acquired items must be valued are provided.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the major elements of ASC Topic 805.
• Define a business.
• Recognize the important considerations in measuring acquired assets and liabilities.
• Determine the fair value hierarchy for measuring acquired assets and liabilities.
• Identify the steps involved in measuring the cost of an acquisition.
• Account for a non-controlling interest in a business combination.

The accountant is frequently called upon to advise management of the impact of proposed combinations Knowledge of the emerging accounting rules in this area is critical in supporting this function. This course explains the characteristics of a business and identifies transactions required for the application of business combination accounting, which refers to acquisition method in ASC 805, Business Combinations.

Learning Objectives

• Recognize major principles in a business combination
• Identify events that require the application of business combination accounting
• Recognize how to account for transactions under the acquisition method
• Identify considerations for noncontrolling interests

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Author/Speaker: Steve Spafford, CPA

One's ability to communicate effectively in the professional workplace requires mastery of a number of different communication skill sets, and it is very important that those who work in such settings achieve such mastery. In organizations where effective communication is not the norm, otherwise avoidable problems typically ensue. Many of these problems, in turn, negatively impact employees' ability to perform their jobs and interact effectively with fellow employees, clients, customers, and other stakeholders effectively. The main goals of this course are to address the following topics: reading, writing mechanics, and business writing principles.

Important: This course, "Business English: Part 1" has been republished in our new course platform. There has been a slight change to the course id; however, the content is the same, with only minor updates. If you have already received credit for this course title in our old platform, you cannot receive credit again.

Learning Objectives:

• After completing this course, the course participant should be able to:
• Determine the role of reading; identify reading strategies and tips to improve your reading skills and how to read faster.
• Determine the importance of writing mechanics in the workplace.
• Recognize grammar, punctuation, capitalization, number usage, and abbreviations rules and common grammar mistakes.
• Identify grammar-related electronic tools.
• Distinguish between the eight c's business writing principles.
• Identify other business writing suggestions included in the course.

This course provides an overview of business grammar principles and best practices. This course addresses the most frequent sentence problems and teaches how to use tricky pronouns and adjectives correctly. Finally, this course addresses the differences between verb tenses and provides rules for punctuation and mechanics.

Learning Objectives:

• dentify the most frequent sentence problems
• Recognize how to use tricky pronouns and adjectives correctly
• Differentiate among various verb tenses - Recognize appropriate punctuation practices

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Speaker/Author: Philip Vassallo, Ed.D

"This course breaks down business plan writing into core elements and provides a framework for business plan writing, along with processes to assist in creating business plans. Extensive examples are used to highlight and illustrate analytical strategies and expressive techniques for use in plan development. "IMPORTANT: This course, previously titled " Business Combinations v2.0," has been republished in our current course platform. Please be aware that the content is the same, with only minor updates. If you have already received credit for this course, you cannot receive credit again.

Learning Objectives

• Recognize efficient ways for drafting business plans.
• Identify ways to focus the business plan on key ideas.
• Recognize and differentiate between the SWOT and 5C analysis.
• Recognize ways to format business plans to capture attention.
• Identify ways to draft content to maximizes the readers' benefit.

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Speaker/Author: Author/Speaker: Philip Vassallo

Taxpayers are once again looking to CPAs for guidance and planning related to travel and entertainment expenses. This comprehensive course examines and explains the practical aspects of business travel and entertainment deductions. To determine the expenses that taxpayers are able to deduct, fundamentals are reviewed and planning opportunities are identified. Practitioners will learn to master the proper administration of these complex and often cumbersome provisions.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the “away from home” requirement and related deductions, determine what constitutes transportation and travel expenses specifying the tests for tax home and recognize the differences between temporary and indefinite work assignments including their effect on a tax home.
• Identify the business purpose requirement using the 51/49 percent test, determine deductible conventions and meetings, and specify the limitations applied to meals and lodging when traveling.
• Determine what constitutes business entertainment and identify business entertainment activity deduction restrictions and disallowance.
• Specify the §274(e) exceptions to entertainment deduction disallowance, recognize the necessity of expense substantiation, and determine accountable and non-accountable plans stating the impact on deductions.

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: General understanding of federal income taxation.

Author/Speaker: Danny Santucci

This course provides an overview of the provisions of the COSO Framework. This includes defining what is internal control, understanding what is meant by an effective internal control system, and providing examples of key controls. This course also address the importance of entity level controls as well as the COSO Framework's objectives and components.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key provisions of the COSO Framework.
• Define internal control and what is meant by an effective internal control system.
• Identify and distinguish between the different components of internal control.
• Recognize the importance of entity level controls.

This is an ethics course covering the general standards of professional conduct and business practices adhered to by CPAs in order to enhance their profession and maximize idealism, justice and fairness when dealing with the public, clients and other members of their profession. Using the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, it presents general standards and acts discreditable found within the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct along with ethical dilemmas. It fulfills a 1-hour ethics requirement.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize ethical reasoning used by accountants.
• Identify different principles and rules of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.
• Recognize ethical standards and violations.

This course is designed for California CPAs to meet the 2-hour Regulatory Review requirement. It includes a review of current the California Accountancy Act and the current California Board of Accountancy Regulations. Also included are historic and recent disciplinary actions taken by the Board to help illustrate how the acts and regulations are enforced. The course must be passed with a grade of at least 90 percent. The full California Accountancy Act and the California Board of Accountancy Regulations are included in the supplemental materials.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize key sections within the California Accountancy Act.
• Recognize key sections within California Board of Accountancy Regulations.
• Identify standards of professional conduct.
• Recognize disciplinary proceedings taken by the Board and the associated misconduct.

Cloud computing manages information by providing a secure, efficient way of maintaining data, while keeping information accessible. Governmental agencies, nonprofits and the private sector have now incorporated cloud computing use as a best practice. The convenience of keeping data in the cloud frees up space that would otherwise cause uneconomical use of equipment and personnel and unnecessary expenditures to a company's budget.

This course covers the evolution of cloud computing, cloud computing architecture, the different types of cloud deployments, and the benefits to business for implementing cloud computing. It discusses how cloud computing has become popular, highlighting the different types of cloud deployments. Included is a discussion of security and threats to security. The course also looks at trends in cloud computing and how the traditional role of IT personnel is being impacted by migration to the cloud.

Learning Objectives:

• Recall key characteristics of various cloud deployment models.
• Identify the role service providers have in a cloud environment.
• Recall recent trends in cloud computing, including how traditional IT job roles are changing as a result of companies moving toward cloud computing.

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Author/Speaker: George Montsalvatge

IMPORTANT: This course, previously titled Cloud Computing: Trends, Strategies, and Best Practices, has been republished in our current course platform. Please be aware that the content is the same, with only minor updates. If you have already received credit for this course, you cannot receive credit again.

This course provides an introduction to cognitive biases and decision heuristics and the impact they have on decision makers' judgments. This includes cognitive biases that are particularly relevant to the wide range of decision contexts in independent auditing. This course also describes several methods that have been used to mitigate the impact of cognitive biases on decision makers' judgments.

Upon successful completion of this segment, you should be able to:

• Identify overall characteristics of cognitive bias.
• Differentiate between types of cognitive bias and their impact on auditing.
• Recognize techniques used to reduce bias in the auditing process.

This course focuses on identifying the principles underlying branding as well as stating a unique selling proposition that offers unique solutions. This includes a discussion of establishing personal brand objectives, setting your perception profile to heighten your presence, and creating effective introductions to heighten visibility. Additionally, this course also focuses on showcasing yourself with an executive presence that builds trust and creditability.

After completing this course, the course participant should be able to:

• Identify and differentiate between the key steps involved in the branding process.
• Recognize certain myths as it relates to branding.
• Recognize key considerations with respect to developing a mission statement checklist.
• Identify what is meant by a unique value proposition.
• Differentiate between internal and external sources of content marketing.

This course provides an overview of best practices with respect to executive communication. This includes identifying executive-level concerns and objectives to ensure focused communication as well as recognizing strategies for achieving the high points in communication. Finally, this course also includes a discussion of adapting styles and identifying those that are best suited for effective conversations.

Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, the course participant should be able to:

• Identify executive-level concerns and objectives to ensure focused communication.
• Recognize strategies for hitting the high points in executive communication.
• Identify communication styles best suited for effective conversations.

This program contains information regarding recommended customer service communication skills. The information focuses on the following major topics: Customer Service Communication, Rules for Effective Customer Service Communication, Social Media Customer Service, Verbal Customer Service Techniques, Phone Customer Service Communication Suggestions, Nonverbal Customer Service Techniques, Role of Effective Listening in Customer Service, Writing Effective Customer Service Messages, Other Useful Customer Service Communication Techniques, and Role of Feedback in Customer Service Communication. Before addressing these topics, however, the Importance of Effective Customer Service will be discussed. While the course is obviously appropriate for customer service representatives, all business people who interact with customers will find the information to be most helpful.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the importance of effective customer service.
• Identify rules for effective customer service communication.
• Recognize social media customer service practices.
• Identify techniques that enhance verbal and nonverbal customer service communication.
• Recognize listening techniques that contribute to effective customer service.
• Identify techniques that enhance written customer service communication.
• Point out other useful techniques that enhance customer service communication.
• Identify recommended practices pertaining to customer service feedback.

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Author/Speaker: Robert Insley

IMPORTANT: This course, previously titled "Communication Skills for Effective Customer Service v2.0," has been republished in our current course platform. Please be aware that the content is the same, with only minor updates. If you have already received credit for this course, you cannot receive credit again.

This program introduces the user to the process and the products of effective communication. The program walks the user through the fundamentals of both interpersonal and organizational communications as well as providing the user with a solid grounding in business ethics.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify changes in the workplace and the importance of communication skills.
• Define the process of communication.
• Recognize barriers to interpersonal communication and the importance of overcoming them.
• Determine the flow of communication in organizations including barriers and the methods for overcoming those barriers.
• Recognize the goals of ethical business communication and describe important tools for doing the right thing.

This course provides an introduction to compliance auditing with a specific focus on summarizing the results and concluding the audit. This course is the final part of a five-part series. This course provides an overview of identifying and writing findings and assessing the appropriate audit opinion to issue. This course also provides information relating to concluding steps such as reviewing for subsequent events, commitments and contingencies, and obtaining required representations from management.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key documentation requirements and findings required to be reported.
• List the key components that should be provided when reporting audit findings.
• Recognize principles related to required management representations.
• Identify processes and practices required when concluding an audit.

This course provides an overview of auditing planning as it relates to compliance auditing. This course is part two of a five-part series. This course provides an overview of GAGAS requirements, determining major programs, and as well as the risk-based approach. This course also provides information relating to determining materiality, compliance requirements, and assessing the risk of noncompliance.

Learning Objectives:

• Distinguish between different types of audit reports and their contents.
• Identify and test the provisions of laws, regulations and contracts, and grants under GAGAS.
• Recognize key requirements related to determining the entity and period to be audited.
• Recognize the requirements with respect to determining major programs.
• Identify key characteristics of the risk-based audit approach.

This course provides an introduction to compliance auditing with a specific focus on internal control. This course is part three of a five-part series. This course provides an overview of the five elements of internal control and the COSO Integrated Framework, understanding internal controls, and objectives of internal control. This course also provides information relating to the approach for testing internal controls over compliance, sampling, and documentation.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the five elements of internal control.
• Recognize key considerations and requirements with respect to internal controls.
• Recognize key procedures related to testing of internal controls and documentation.

This course provides an introduction to compliance auditing and is one of a five-part series. This course provides an overview of OMB's Uniform Guidance and information on single-audits from start to finish. This course also provides information relating to determining the type of audit necessary along with independence, CPE, and documentation requirements.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the structure and overall requirements within the Uniform Guidance.
• List the key steps involved in the compliance auditing process.
• Recognize key changes made to the latest Yellow Book publication.
• Identify the steps involved in applying the independence framework.
• Recognize key requirements related to CPE.

This course provides an introduction to compliance auditing with a specific focus on tests of compliance requirements. This course is part four of a five-part series. This course provides an overview of the auditor's responsibilities related to compliance testing, choosing a compliance sample, and determining an appropriate sample size. This course also provides information relating to testing compliance for indirect costs, summarizing the results of audit procedures, and the required documentation elements.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify audit deficiencies noted in agency and peer reviews.
• Recognize the appropriate steps for compliance auditing.
• Determine the documentation requirements related to compliance auditing.

The courses Computer Security- Part 1 and Computer Security- Part 2 are intended primarily to help business executives and information systems/computer professionals protect their computers and data from a wide variety of threats. Security concerns have heightened in the recent years; weak computer security and lack of internal controls increase an organization's vulnerability. The major steps in understanding and managing computer security are discussed in these two courses. This course, Computer Security - Part 1, along with Part 2, helps business executives identify resources in their organizations that need to be protected.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize network tools used to implement security plans.
• Identify the tools and techniques used by saboteurs.
• Identify questions that policy makers should answer when designing a security system.
• Recognize activities conducted as part of the risk analysis and management.
• Recognize human factor threats for security.
• Recognize the types of disruptions in computer processing.
• Recognize components of a contingency plan.
• Identify fire safety preventive plans.
• Identify the scope of internal and external security auditing.
• Recognize the audit trail to identify unusual activities.
• Recognize control techniques.
• Identify EDI security risks.
• Recognize penalties of the US Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
• Identify major issues regarding computer crimes and privacy issues.
• Identify new certificate programs in computer security.

This course contains information that will help you plan and conduct effective business meetings. In doing so, the information addressed in this program focuses on the following major topics: Is a Meeting Really Necessary?, Choosing the Most Appropriate Business Meeting Type, Business Meeting Manners, Business Meeting Etiquette, Planning Business Meetings, Business Meeting Facilitators, Business Meeting Chairperson Considerations, Business Meeting Participants' Considerations, Conducting Effective Business Meetings, International Business Meetings Practices & Preferences, Tips for Communicating with Difficult Business Meeting Participants, and Common Reasons Business Meetings Fail. Before addressing these topics, however, a brief introduction will be presented as a means of setting the stage. This course is designed to benefit business people who plan and lead meetings as well as those who participate in meetings in a non-leader capacity.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize how to determine if a meeting is necessary.
• Identify how to choose the most appropriate meeting type for various situations.
• Recognize several business meeting etiquette considerations.
• Identify how to plan business meetings.
• Identify meeting chairperson and meeting participant roles and effective behaviors.
• Identify international meetings practices and preferences.

This course provides an overview of the principles with respect to connecting globally. This includes a discussion of thinking globally but acting locally, as well as getting grounded but keeping flying. The course presents some of the key advantages to connecting globally and also provides a significant number of points and suggestions for effective communication.

After completing this course, the course participant should be able to:

• Identify the objectives of "think global, act local".
• Identify the objectives of "get grounded, keep flying".
• Recognize key advantages of connecting globally.
• Differentiate between BRIC countries.
• Recognize various points prescribed by the author for connecting globally.
• Identify various best practices and social conventions with respect to communication.

This course begins by looking at the general topic of a consolidation framework. The FASB has proposed revising existing consolidation guidance under Topic 810 as the proposed Topic 812. This course examines the three main sections of proposed Topic 812. It continues by examining the two models used to consolidate a reporting entity's financial statements, and by distinguishing between consolidation based on control and consolidation based on majority ownership.

After completing this course, the course participant should be able to:

• Identify and describe the two consolidation models used to consolidate a reporting entity's financial statements.
• Distinguish between consolidation based on control (VIE accounting) and based on majority ownership.

This course examines and explains the basics of corporate taxation. The focus is on regular or C corporations, their formation, and operation under tax law. The advantages and disadvantages of corporations are examined; incorporation and capitalization issues are discussed; and, basic tax rates and specialty taxes are reviewed. The tax treatment of operational expenses and deductions is outlined, and accounting periods and methods are explored. Finally, the dangers of multiple corporations and corporate distributions are highlighted.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize regular corporation elements, specify their advantages and disadvantages specifying tax treatment, and determine how to distinguish them from PSC corporations.
• Identify §351 requirements for tax-free incorporation, recognize the impact of the transfer of money, property, or both by prospective shareholders, and determine the availability of §1244 for stock losses and §195 for amortization of start-up expenditures.
• Recognize the repeal of the corporate alternative minimum, specify the corporate tax consequences of capital gains and losses, and recognize ways to avert the accumulated earnings trap identifying the potential use of the accumulated earnings credit.
• Determine accounting periods and methods available to corporations and specify the tax consequences of liquidating property distributions.

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: General understanding of federal income taxation.

Author/Speaker: Danny Santucci

Cost behavior analysis provides a useful overview of financial data and financial outcomes for planning, control, and decision making. The program is designed for managers and entrepreneurs who need hand-on knowledge and tools in processing, developing, and analyzing financial, cost, and business data for managerial use. Topics include break-even analysis, cost-volume-profit analysis, fixed and variable costing, and regression analysis.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize how the cost-volume-profit analysis is used by management.
• Determine how to calculate the sales necessary to break even or to achieve a target income.
• Compute weighted-average contribution margins.
• Recognize the concept of a margin of safety.
• Recognize examples of variable costs, fixed costs, and mixed costs.
• Identify methods for estimating the cost-volume formula.

This course provides an in-depth overview of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in June 2016. The new standard applies to nearly all entities, not just those in the financial services industry, and changes how entities document and account for credit impairment on their respective financial instruments. This new standard was effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods therein. As such, this means that calendar-year SEC filers started applying the new requirements starting in the first quarter of 2020.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the key provisions as it relates to ASU No. 2016-13
• Recognize key background information as it relates to the development of ASU No. 2016-13
• Recognize the credit loss measurement requirements for assets measured at amortized cost and available-for-sale debt securities
• Identify the incremental financial statement disclosure requirements as a result of ASU No. 2016-13
• Identify the effective date and transition requirements
• Differentiate the requirements prescribed by ASU No. 2016-13 and IFRS 9
• Recognize recent developments affecting entities who are required to apply the amendments in ASU No. 2016-13

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Author/Speaker: Kelen Camehl

The budget and the forecast are two common tools used by controllers and CFOs across almost every industry. However, are we really getting the most out of these tools? Or are we merely replicating whatever was done last year? In this course, we will use examples and illustrations to demonstrate various budgeting and forecasting techniques. We will discuss traditional approaches, as well as newer approaches such as flexible budgeting, in an effort to show how companies can gain more value.

Learning Objectives:

• State the difference between a forecast and a budget
• Identify the difference between top-down and bottom-up budgeting
• Recognize the key elements of a flexible budgeting approach
• Define a key forecast driver
• State when it may be appropriate to make a forecast adjustment

There's little doubt that accountants are once again on the look-out for complex fraud schemes that are taking place. But what is it that causes some ordinary people, including successful financial managers, to commit extraordinary crimes? Convicted fraudster Walt Pavlo and Kelly Richmond Pope, accounting professor at DePaul University, examine what causes some business people to cross the line.

Learning Objectives:

• After completing this course, the course participant should be able to:
• Identify the types of fraud that currently take place in organizations;
• Recognize the motivation for fraud among white-collar workers;
• Determine how organizations can minimize the possibility of fraud occurring.

The 21st century has ushered in the era of the global marketplace. Technology has rapidly accelerated our capacity to work in a multi-national environment. Understanding the individual and business climate of professionals in the United States is central to any overseas initiative. This course provides learners with vital knowledge and best practices when conducting business in the US.

Learning Objectives

• Identify common cultural norms and ethical standards when conducting business in the United States.
• Recall differences in business etiquette amongst various countries when using routine tech communications such as email and cellphones.
• Recall distinguishing traits routinely found with United States based organizations and management groups.
• Identify various generation of workers in the United States including shared characteristics found within each group.

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Author/Speaker: Frank Castillo

This course provides an overview of current issues in accounting for debt. This includes a discussion of the early extinguishment of existing untroubled debt as well as extinguishments, modifications, and exchanges of debt. This course also addresses the accounting and reporting requirements with respect to troubled debt restructurings as well as recently issued ASUs impacting accounting guidance related to debt.

After completing this course, the course participant should be able to:

• Recognize the principles and requirements related to the extinguishment of debt.
• Identify guidance related to extinguishments, modifications, and exchanges of debt.
• Recognize recent and proposed ASUs impacting the accounting for debt.
• Differentiate between the types of troubled debt restructurings.

This course provides an overview of customer service writing. This includes a discussion of how to use a consultative approach to build client relationships and establish a system for speaking to the client through writing. This course also provides best practices for how to format messages to guide your customers through key content and how to draft messages with a unique, client-focused formula.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify characteristics of a consultative approach to building client relationships
• Recognize best practices for speaking to the client through writing
• Identify methods to format messages to guide your customers through key content properly
• Recognize ways to draft messages with a unique, client-focused formula

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Philip Vassallo, Ed.D

This course provides an overview of data analytics with a specific focus on artificial intelligence, big data, and the technologies that assist in the audit process. This course also addresses various data analytic techniques, the blockchain, as well as a discussion of the types of audit sampling methods and journal entry testing procedures.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize key principles and practices with respect to data analytics.
• Identify what is meant by artificial intelligence and big data.
• Recognize key principles related to blockchain and cryptocurrency.
• Differentiate between various types of CAATs and sampling techniques.
• Identify various types of data analytic techniques.

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Speaker/Author: John Tate

This course provides an overview of debt and equity investments with emphasis on the classification for accounting purposes. This course also addresses the initial and subsequent measurement requirements for these investments as well as considerations related to fair value. This course also provides information relating to required disclosures for these types of investments.

Upon successful completion of this segment, you should be able to:

• Identify measurement requirements for investments in debt and equity securities.
• Identify valuation techniques used to measure fair value including respective inputs.
• Recognize required disclosures related to debt and equity securities.

More than half of financial fraud during the last 30 years have been in the area of improper revenue recognition. In this course, you will learn to recognize examples of improper revenue recognition, including fictitious revenue and fictitious journal entries. Revenue recognition guidance and the risk of improper revenue recognition in the presentation of financial statements will be discussed to help mitigate audit risk. Guidance from various organizations including the SEC, COSO, the AICPA's Accounting Standards Board, and FASB will be examined to help better identify and perhaps prevent the occurrence of improper revenue recognition in financial statements.

• Identify and describe examples of improper revenue recognition.
• Anticipate revenue recognition challenges associated with Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

A significant number of fraudulent accounting practices have taken place in the last 30 years, many of these in the area of costs and expenses. This course will discuss several case studies of companies or organizations manipulating costs and expenses by understating or overstating receivables or inventory, or perhaps participating in "cookie jar accounting schemes." This will help you identify deceptive accounting techniques in order to recognize and prevent these types of practices.

After completing this course, the course participant should be able to:

• Identify and describe deceptive accounting techniques in the area of costs and expenses.
• Recognize deceptive accounting techniques used by selected companies in the past.

This course explains what good delegating, coaching and mentoring skills consist of, why they are important and how you can improve them. Due to the challenges and change inherent in 21st century organizations, the role of the manager becomes increasing complex. Too much work and too little time is now the norm for managers. Effective managers learn how to use the power of delegation, coaching and mentoring to efficiently achieve organizational outcomes. The goal of this course is to help you identify appropriate delegating tasks and help you empower your employees, so they are ready to complete the tasks on time and on budget.

Learning Objectives:
Delegation:

• Define delegation and why it's important
• Identify reasons managers avoid delegating
• Identify benefits of delegation
• Summarize a 4-step delegation model

Coaching and Mentoring:

• Define and differentiate coaching and mentoring
• Identify skills required for coaching and mentoring
• Identify benefits to coaching and mentoring
• Summarize a 4-step model for effective coaching
• Differentiate the 2 domains of mentoring

This course provides an overview of the key parts of a business case. This includes discussing how to develop a well-structured and articulate business case based on the business’s concern. This course also provides best practices for presenting salient points of the case with credibility and purposefulness.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the key parts and contents of a business case
• Recognize the key points when writing the issue, analysis, and strategy of a business case
• Identify best practices concerning writing executive summaries
• Recognize tips for presenting business cases

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Speaker/Author: Philip Vassallo, Ed.D

This course provides a general overview of the six held for sale classification criteria outlined within ASC 360-10. This includes a discussion of the general impacts from held for sale classification as well as subsequent measurement requirements once a long-lived asset has been classified as held for sale. This course also addresses how changes to a planned sale impact the measurement and presentation of held for sale assets.

Learning Objectives:

• List the specific criteria that must be met for an asset to be classified as held for sale
• Recognize the accounting and reporting impacts from held for sale classification
• Identify potential reporting impacts from changes to a plan of sale

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Speaker/Author: Kelen F. Camehl, CPA, MBA

This course provides an overview of developing a powerful social media content strategy. This includes a discussion of creating social media goals, building social media objectives, and understanding your audience. This course also addresses how to create a content calendar, tracking strategy performance, and analytics.

• Identify different types of social media key performance indicators.
• Recognize how to create a content calendar.
• Identify best practices with respect to tracking strategy performance.

In order to be successful in today's economy, enterprises need to find ways to respond to the sky-high expectations of their digitally empowered customers and employees. Many organizations are adopting the agile mindset, which is now being applied to non technological enterprises. Dr. Robert E. Johnson, president of Becker College, reveals that benefits the agile mindset has brought to his own institution and indicates the advantages it could also provide in corporate and financial environments.

Upon successful completion of this segment, you should be able to:

• Recognize what is meant by the Agile Mindset.
• Identify the four human skills given by an Agile Mindset.
• Recognize how to implement the Agile Mindset.
• Identify the steps organizations can take to align themselves to develop an Agile Mindset.

The main goal of this course is to strengthen your ability to develop effective e-mail messages. Observations regarding using e-mail in businesses will be presented first, followed by material pertaining to developing effective e-mail messages.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify how e-mail is used in businesses.
• Define several e-mail related netiquette considerations.
• Identify common e-mail mistakes that should be avoided.
• Recognize how to write effective e-mail messages.
• Define the cardinal rules of e-mail.

Ensuring the continuation of critical business operations in the event of an unforeseeable disaster is a chief responsibility of an organization's management team, including its chief financial officer. Many companies believe that because they are small that they are at less risk and are unable to afford the protection that larger companies can afford; however, it is the smaller companies that are at the greatest risk because they are more likely to have all their eggs in one basket. This course will introduce you to the process of developing, communicating and testing a disaster recovery plan to avoid this potential pitfall and ensure the continuation of critical business operations in the case of an unforeseeable event.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the importance of having a corporate disaster plan in place within your organization
• Identify the basics of how to develop, communicate and test a disaster plan
• Identify the steps to recovering damages

This course provides an overview of the disclosure requirements regarding risks and uncertainties. The disclosure requirements related to risks and uncertainties are prescribed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in ASC Topic 275. For public business entities that file their annual and interim reports with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), there are also additional disclosure requirements required by Regulation S-K. This course focuses on general disclosure requirements outlined in U.S. GAAP. This course also provides illustrative examples from both the GAAP implementation guidance as well as actual SEC filings from public business entities.

Learning Objectives:

• List the key steps in the acquisition method for business combinations
• Recognize the applicable U.S. GAAP and IFRS standard with respect to business combinations
• Identify some of the key differences between ASC Topic 805 and IFRS 3

Participants will learn how to apply, implement, and evaluate the strategic tax aspects of marital dissolutions and living together arrangements. Current perspectives on property transfers and asset divisions are examined with an emphasis on planning considerations. This course reviews property settlements and other transfers incident to divorce. Basis allocation, third party transfers, and purchases between spouses are also examined. Common pitfalls for the unwary such as transfers in trust, installment notes, and purchases between spouses are analyzed. Application of these tax principles is exampled in selected asset divisions of the residence, business interests, insurance, and pension benefits.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the various forms of marital property and how to proceed with a tax structured property settlement stating the benefits of pre-marital agreements to avoid potential divorce problems.
• Recognize property settlements under §1041 by:
  • identifying its application to interspousal and third party transfers,
  • specifying the factors that determine whether or not a property transfer is incident to divorce under §1041,
  • determining property basis for the transferor and transferee spouse under §1041.
• Identify remedies for the deferred tax pitfall of §1041 by:
  • determining deferred tax liability of interspousal purchases,
  • recognizing the tax deferral of §1031 exchanges,
  • specifying the key elements of the home sale exclusion and stating their application;
  • recognizing benefit distribution problems and the tax advantages of QDROs.

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: General understanding of federal income taxation.

Author/Speaker: Danny Santucci

This course provides an in-depth overview of the assessment of whether or not an arrangement is or contains a lease. This includes a discussion of specific guidance prescribed by ASC Topic 842 as well as additional interpretive guidance provided several of the Big 4 accounting firms. This course also addresses the short-term lease exception available in ASC Topic 842.

Learning Objectives:

• Determine whether an arrangement is or contains a lease
• Determine whether an arrangement includes an identified asset
• Identify considerations with respect to substitution rights and decision-making rights
• Recognize the short-term lease exception prescribed by ASC Topic 842

This course provides an overview of the background history and environment that led to the passing of the Dodd-Frank Act. This course focuses on the changes made by the Dodd-Frank act on financial institutions and consumer protection and mortgages. This course also address other key provisions of the law as appropriate.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the background and environment that led to the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act.
• Recognize changes made by the Dodd-Frank Act with respect to financial institutions and consumer protection and mortgages.

This course explains why Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act as a response to the global financial crisis of 2008. It summarizes the debate over financial institutions that are "too big to fail" and how the federal government plans to monitor and regulate these institutions to avoid financial failures and their broader impacts on the U.S. financial system. The program also addresses increased capital requirements for banks and bank holding companies, changes designed to strengthen the FDIC, the regulations of derivatives and swaps, changes for the investment industry, changes in consumer protection and mortgages, and other provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the two key individuals which sponsored the Dodd-Frank Act.
• Define what is meant by orderly liquidation authority.
• Identify the types of bonds that drove the strengthening of credit rating agencies.
• Determine the debt-to-income cap for qualified mortgages.
• Specify the remittance transfer provisions of Dodd-Frank for money sent to recipients outside the United States.

The combination of growth in the commercial utilization of the Internet, the rapid changes in technology, and the complexity of management has expanded the scope of the duties of business managers. This, part 1 of a 2-part course, covers all aspects of electronic commerce: the Internet, advertising and marketing, and specific technologies. It also addresses steps to move business online, e-commerce strategies, and the concerns of business managers such as security issues.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the different characteristics of electronic commerce.
• Identify the objectives of e-commerce.
• Identify different applications of e-commerce, including extranets and electronic payments.
• Recognize different e-commerce applications, including B2B and C2C.
• Identify resources used for e-commerce.
• Recognize technological characteristics of e-commerce applications.
• Recognize different e-commerce applications, including B2B and C2C.
• Identify resources used for e-commerce.
• Recognize technological characteristics of e-commerce applications.
• Define Web 2.0 and relationship management characteristics of e-commerce.
• Recognize how different products do or do not work well with e-commerce.
• Identify the technologies used in Intranet and Extranets.
• Recognize the benefits and practical applications of using the Intranet.
• Recognize different network types used for e-commerce.

The combination of growth in the commercial utilization of the Internet, the rapid changes in technology, and the complexity of management has expanded the scope of the duties of business managers. This two-part course series, E-Commerce: Application and Technology, covers all aspects of electronic commerce: the Internet, advertising and marketing, and specific technologies. It also addresses steps to move business online, e-commerce strategies, and the concerns of business managers such as security issues.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize uses advertising and marketing for e-commerce applications.
• Identify different types of online advertising used to attract customers.
• Identify ways to use technology to track customers.
• Recognize popular online payment methods.
• Identify the uses an EDI system and understand its benefits.
• Recognize factors affecting the flow of data within the EDI system.
• Recognize laws that govern electronic commerce activities.
• Recognize tax issues surrounding electronic commerce activities.
• Recognize domain names and standards.
• Identify methods for building an effective e-commerce website.
• Recognize success factors for e-commerce website.

Many people still believe that Intelligence Quotient (IQ) outweighs Emotional Quotient (EQ) in the workplace and that success is dependent on our IQ level. Modern research, however, shows over and over that a high IQ might get you in the door, but a high EQ will get you ahead. In this course we will learn to understand IQ and EQ and why they both have their place in career success. In particular, we will review the components of EQ and learn how it is measured and tested.

Learning Objectives:

• Differentiate between Emotional Quotient (EQ) and Intelligence Quotient (IQ).
• Identify the general measurement tools used to test both IQ and EQ.
• Recognize why studies conclude that EQ may have such a great impact on a person's work performance.
• Specify what to look for and what may be needed to maximize your own EQ.

The purpose of this course is to enable the user to become familiar with the concept of economic profit and how it differs from GAAP net income. The use will also understand how economic profit compares with other performance metrics such, DCF, ROI and EPS.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the differences between net income, earnings per share, and economic profit.
• Identify related performance metrics associated with understanding economic profit.
• Recognize the strengths and weaknesses of economic profit and how to apply it in a real-world scenario.

Achieving effective communication in the workplace should be a major goal of any organization. As can be imagined, in organizations where effective communication is not the norm, avoidable problems often ensue. Many of these problems negatively impact employees' ability to perform their jobs effectively and this, in turn, has negative effects on organizations. The main goal of this course is to address a number of topics pertaining to communicating at work. With this in mind, the course is broken into the following topics: Benefits of Effective Workplace Communication, Positive and Negative Workplace Communication, The Impact of Communication Technologies on Workplace Communication, Millennials' Communication Preferences in the Workplace, Communicating with Supervisors, Accepting Constructive Feedback Graciously, Asking for Help from a Co-worker, Barriers to Effective Communication in the Workplace, Improving Communication Organization-Wide in the Workplace, Improving Employee Communication in the Workplace, Communicating Nonverbally, Communicating in Writing, Communicating on Social Media, Giving Presentations, Listening Effectively, Communicating in Meetings, Communicating in Teams, Communicating with Customers and Clients.

Learning Objectives:

• Distinguish between positive and negative workplace communication behaviors/actions.
• Identify Millennials' workplace communication preferences.
• Recognize barriers to effective communication in the workplace.
• Determine ways to improve communication organization-wide in the workplace.
• Distinguish how to communicate effectively non-verbally, in writing, and on social media.
• Define ways of communicating effectively in meetings and in teams.

This course will strengthen your teaming skills. The material is presented in these topic areas: team types, team format, team development, strengths you bring to teams, personal team communication styles, team member behaviors, team meetings, team writing, team presentations, helpful electronic teaming tools, communicating effectively with difficult teammates, nonverbal communication suggestions for effective teaming, interpersonal skills suggestions for effective teaming, team members' bill of rights and responsibilities, and characteristics of effective teams.

Learning Objectives:

This course provides an overview of the changes in the auditor opinion and reporting model as a result of SAS 136. The includes a discussion of the focus areas and additional procedures as well as changes in both management and auditor responsibilities. This course also provides examples of several auditor's reports illustrating the changes.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify overall changes made as a result of SAS 136
• Identify the effective date and early adoption considerations of SAS 136
• Recognize changes in the auditor opinion and reporting model
• Recognize requirements relating to Key Audit Matters

The various ideas, methods, and techniques to optimize the overall compensation package for key employees and principals are examined in this mini-course. Generally, businesses may deduct employees’ pay including wages, salaries, and other perks. Certain fringe benefits that can provide an unusually tax-favored manner of supplementing compensation are described and evaluated. In addition, equity participation is explored through stock sales, repurchase agreements, incentive stock options, ESOTs, stock options, and bonuses. Finally, deferred compensation arrangements are investigated. The goal of this course is to provide participants with a working knowledge of the types of compensation necessary to structure a compensation package minimizing tax liabilities and cost.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the common-law rules used by the IRS to determine whether a person is an employee for purposes of FICA, FUTA, and federal income tax withholding.
• Recognize employee and officer compensation deductibility factors and the related employment taxes and reporting obligations to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Identify fringe benefits specifying those that provide deductible incentive-based employee compensation.
• Specify the equity incentive opportunities available to employers showing the variety, tax treatment, and use of stock plans.
• Recognize the use of deferred compensation agreements to attain compensation and retirement objectives.

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: General understanding of federal income taxation.

Author/Speaker: Danny Santucci

This course provides an overview of the exceptions to the worker classification criteria. This includes an understanding of the differences between statutory and non-statutory employees as well as information regarding the safe harbor criteria under Section 530 of the Revenue Act 1978.

Learning Objectives

• Recognize exceptions to the worker classification criteria
• Identify the various categories of statutory employees and non-employees
• Recognize reporting requirements for both employees and contractors

Prerequisites/Advanced Preparation: None

Speaker/Author: Dr. Inibehe Adesanya

This is an ethics course covering standards of professional conduct and business practices adhered to by accountants such as CPAs in order to enhance their profession and maximize idealism, justice and fairness when dealing with the public, clients and other members of their profession. It also presents an approach- the threats and safeguards approach - to coping with ethical dilemmas. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and its impact on business ethics, new internal control requirements, and the CPA's responsibilities are summarized. Finally, a brief discussion of the AICPA's Standards for Tax Service and the IMA's Statement of Ethical Professional Practice are included.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize ethical reasoning used by accountants.
• Identify different principles and rules of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.
• Identify independence and objectivity issues.
• Recognize ethical standards and violations.
• Identify the key issues of corporate responsibility law (Sarbanes-Oxley Act) that influence auditor independence.
• Identify licensing and disciplinary mechanisms within the profession.
• Identify the ethical standards required of accountants and financial professionals by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).

This is an ethics course for Arizona covering standards of professional conduct and business practices adhered to by accountants such as CPAs in order to enhance their profession and maximize idealism, justice and fairness when dealing with the public, clients and other members of their profession. It reviews and includes a minimum of one hour each on the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and on the Arizona Statutes and Rules.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize ethical reasoning used by accountants.
• Identify different principles and rules of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.
• Identify independence and objectivity issues.
• Recognize ethical standards and violations.
• Identify the requirements of accountants as highlighted in the Arizona statutes and administrative rules.

This general ethics course satisfies the 3 hour ethics requirement in the area of accounting professional conduct and ethics. CPAs must take an additional 1 hour of ethics from the Arkansas Board or their website to fulfill the 4 hours of ethics required for each renewal cycle. The course covers standards of professional conduct and business practices adhered to by accountants such as CPAs in order to enhance their profession and maximize idealism, justice and fairness when dealing with the public, clients and other members of their profession. It also presents an approach - the threats and safeguards approach - to coping with ethical dilemmas. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act and its impact on business ethics, new internal control requirements, and the CPA's responsibilities are summarized. Also included are some cases of AICPA ethics violations. Note: CPAs must take 1 hour of ethics from the Arkansas Board or their website once every renewal cycle. This course fulfills 4 hours of ethics, but the 1 hour must still be taken.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize ethical reasoning used by accountants.
• Identify different principles and rules of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.
• Identify independence and objectivity issues.
• Recognize ethical standards and violations.
• Identify the key issues of corporate responsibility law (Sarbanes-Oxley Act) that influence auditor independence.
• Identify licensing and disciplinary mechanisms within the profession.
• Identify the ethical standards required of accountants and financial professionals by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).

This is an ethics course covering standards of professional conduct and business practices adhered to by accounta