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Accounting for Uncertain Tax Positions Under FIN 48
Will your company's tax positions pass muster with the relevant
tax authorities? That's the question posed by FIN 48, the FASB's
new interpretation of how to document and disclose uncertain tax
positions.
FIN 48 outlines a two-step process of recognition and measurement
for tax positions that requires a significant amount of analysis.
Find out what you need to do to comply with this controversial new
rule by attending our one-day seminar entitled
FIN 48: A Practical Approach.
Using case studies and real-world examples, this course
will provide you with a road map for identifying, documenting and
measuring your company's uncertain tax positions.
The Brave New World of Fair Value Accounting
With the issuance of FAS 157 on Fair Value Measurements, the FASB has
significantly altered the playing field for financial reporting. The
statement affects over 50 different accounting rules and will have a
substantial impact on hedge fund accounting.
If you want to stay on top of the changes this statement will make to
how you price assets and liabilities, then taking CPE Inc.'s
"Fair Value Accounting: Impact of FAS 157 & Beyond"
makes a great deal of sense. This
one-day seminar will provide you with an in-depth analysis of the
statement and its applications. You'll learn about the FASB's valuation
approach to pricing, how fair value applies to liabilities, the role of
probabilistic forecasting in valuation and much more.
The Role of IT in SOX Compliance
IT is an inescapable part of the modern business equation. In the absence
of a robust IT system, most companies would simply shut down.
So it stands to reason that the new reporting requirements established by
Sarbanes-Oxley would have a heavy IT component. From identifying key
controls to ensuring data security, IT plays a pivotal role in the internal
control over financial reporting audit.
And, for accountants and auditors looking to hone their understanding of
computer system auditing and how it relates to SOX, you won't find a
better primer than CPE Inc.'s "Auditing Information Systems in Today's
SOX Environment." At this one-day seminar, you'll learn how to set up
an audit plan for IT systems used in accounting and finance and how to
sustain SOX compliance by strengthening your core internal controls
skills.
Negotiating the Employment Law Minefield
As you well know, accountants are not insulated from the treacherous legal
issues that beset all organizations. Having at least a passing knowledge
of issues like Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the
Conscientious Employee Protection Act will help you keep your department
on the right side of employment law.
Whether you want to distinguish among wrongful discharges, develop policies
for Internet or email usage or administer discipline for tardiness or
insubordination, our
"Employment Law For Accountants" seminar will get you
up-to-speed on the thorniest areas of the employer/employee relationship.
IFRS versus U.S. GAAP: Competing & Converging Standards
The rise of the European Union and the increasingly global nature of
securities markets have created a need for many accountants and financial
analysts to have an intimate knowledge of the International Financial
Reporting Standards.
Simply put, staying up to date on the differences and similarities between
the IFRS and U.S. GAAP is critical to effective financial statement analysis
of foreign-listed companies. CPE Inc.'s "IFRS: A Review & Update" is a
soup-to-nuts seminar that will allow you to stay on top of the latest pronouncements
from the IASB and FASB.
If you want a refresher on the presentation differences for the various
financial statements, if you want to know the impact of the IFRS on revenue
recognition, or if you want to learn ways to standardize reporting, then
this seminar is for you.
The Value of Case Studies in SOX 404 Compliance
Taking advantage of best practices. That's the key to success in the world
of SOX 404 compliance. If you want to maximize the efficiency of your
company's 404 process, then you need the benefit of other companies'
experiences in implementing their processes. That is the premise behind
"SOX 404 Compliance: A Hands-On Workshop Using Case Studies." This seminar
uses real-world examples to help you reduce key controls to a minimum,
recognize and remediate material weaknesses and budget resources to address
the greatest risks. You'll leave with a wealth of ideas on how to
implement SOX 404 in a way that adds value to your company.
Controlling Fraud: Going Beyond SOX
Sarbanes-Oxley has been an important weapon in the battle against accounting
fraud. But it was never designed to combat the larger company-wide risks that
continue to plague corporate America. Companies need ways to build on existing
SOX anti-fraud programs to implement broader fraud protection. More and more
companies are adding Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) to their arsenal. ERM
lets companies identify fraud where it might already exist and prevent it where
it doesn't. It gives them the ability to design controls to deter these risks
and develop remediation programs that meet SOX, SEC, US Department of Justice
and COSO requirements for effective anti-fraud programs.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
With the issuance of FASB Statement 123(R) public companies must now recognize the
value of their stock-based compensation in their financial reporting.
What are the pros and cons of the different compensation structures? How do you choose the
valuation model right for you? What will be the effect on your earnings per share? And what
new disclosure requirements do you need to be aware of? The answers to these and other issues
raised by the standard are crucial to your ultimate compliance.
Hedge Funds: What Next?
In June, 2006, the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. ruled against the SEC's requirement
that hedge fund advisers register with the regulatory body. The court decision has far-reaching
implications for such issues as interim guidance from the SEC, Side Letters, capital raising
and more. Coupled with the multi-billion dollar failure of Amaranth Advisors and the matter of
how hedge fund fraud losses should be taxed, accountants who must meet financial reporting
requirements face more challenges than ever.
CPE INC. has three seminars covering various aspects of hedge funds: Hedge Funds: Formation, Operation
& Taxation; Advanced Tax Issues for Hedge Funds; and Hedge Fund Taxation: New Developments.
FAS 133 Got You Tied Up in Knots?
If so, you're not alone. In 2005, almost 60 companies had to restate their earnings because of
FAS 133 errors. The complications of this standard are legendary, and they've given headaches
to a lot of accountants as they try to correctly implement it. It doesn't have to be this way.
The trick is understanding the key implementation issues and what they mean for your company.
You need to know what controls to put in place, how to meet the documentation requirements
(both written and unwritten) and how to deal with the tax implications. Getting this information
from experts is the best way to proceed.
To Own or Lease: That is the Question
Starbucks, Wendy's International, Pep Boys and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts have all suffered lease
accounting problems. Accounting for leases has shown itself to be a major cause of restatements.
FAS 13, the applicable standard, has been modified, replaced or amended by various later FASB
statements, technical bulletins, FINS and FSPs. And Sarbanes-Oxley requirements have further
complicated the issue. The result is a minefield of regulations where accountants must tread
lightly. What is the impact of FIN 46(R) on your decision to lease? Of FIN 45? Or FAS 143?
Leases are gaining in popularity. Can the SEC be far behind?
Managing Fixed Assets: Value & Benefits
Benefits? How about saving thousands in taxes and insurance premiums?
Or increasing your cash flow? Or more accurate inventory records? Or better compliance with the
auditing requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley? These are just a few of the reasons why establishing and
maintaining a comprehensive fixed asset tracking system makes good business sense. What's more,
there is effective and affordable tracking software that can be totally integrated with your daily
business activities. Don't keep throwing money away. Make your fixed assets just that—assets to
your overall business operations.
Are You Clear on Partnership Tax Allocation Rules?
Nobody likes tax surprises, least of all clients who depend on you for accurate returns. If you need
a brush-up on Sections 704(b) and (c), Sections 752 and 754, our Partnerships—Advanced Tax Workshop:
Special Allocation Rules provides the in-depth knowledge to keep you on top of the latest developments.
Multistate Taxation
Sales and use taxes. Income tax. Capital value tax. Ad valorem taxes. Keeping track of changes
in your own state is tough enough. Multiply that by whatever number of states your company does
business in and you have a major project on your hands. Even if there are no tax law changes in
your own state, developments in nearby states have a way of trickling into yours. Staying on top
of recent changes in multistate taxation puts you in a position to plan better while taking
advantage of ways to minimize tax liability.
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