The Bottom Line, 2016 Edition

2016-2017 Edition

PLUS Branding from the inside out PAGE 4

New overtime pay rules PAGE 18

Leasing: Minimal change, max impact PAGE 22

The strategic CFO PAGE 26

Emotional intelligence: Do you have it?

PAGE 30

Broaching big data and data analytics PAGE 34

Read about our new CPE requirements, pages 3, 100

LLCs: Best business structure PAGE 46

Office 2016: Improving productivity PAGE 52

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The Strategic CFO: What you need to know

Contents Features 4

Branding

Branding from the inside out: Recruit and retain talent for growth

30

Leadership

Emotional intelligence: Do you have it?

By Julie Kowalski

By Will Ruch

10

CGMA

Breaking down silos in your organization

34

Management

Broaching big data and data analytics

By Jim Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA

By Samantha White

14 18

Ethics

CPAs: Champions of trust

38

By Boz Bostrom, CPA, MBT

Human Resources

Millions of salaried workers qualify for overtime pay

22

Leasing: Minimal change, maximum impact

42

26

The strategic CFO: What you need to know

By John Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM

Soft Skills

Exploring the financial wellness journey for women

By Rhonda Noordyk

46

By Joann Noe Cross, Ph.D., CPA, CMA, CGFM, CGMA

Industry

Are you ready for peer review?

By Michael L. Brand, CPA, CGMA

By Scott C. Beightol, J.D. and Elizabeth N. Larson, J.D.

Industry

Peer review

Tax

LLCs: Best business structure for small business owners

CPE CONFERENCES 57 CPE CALENDAR 58 REGISTRATION 63 Register at wicpa.org/register WOMEN'S BREAKFAST SERIES 64 BREAKFAST PROGRAMS & TGIF FOR CPAS 65 CPE ONLINE 74 SEMINARS 78 CPE FAQs 100

By Rick J. Taylor, CPA, MST

52

Technology

Microsoft Office 2016: Improving productivity with new features

By Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA, CGMA, CITP

2016-2017 EDITION | wicpa.org A publication of the Wisconsin Institute of CPAs

INSIDE STAFF

The CPE publication for accounting and business professionals

Join us online!

The Bottom Line is published annually by the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants (WICPA). Change of address should be sent to: Membership, W233N2080 Ridgeview Parkway, Suite 201, Waukesha, WI 53188; Phone: 262-785-0445 or 800-772-6939 (WI/MN); Fax: 262-785-0838; email: jessica@wicpa.org. Statements and opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the WICPA. Publication of an advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of the product or service by The Bottom Line or the WICPA. Articles may be reproduced with permission. Š Copyright 2016 The Bottom Line.

Amy Gaeth Vice President Communications Editor, The Bottom Line Ext. 4515 amy@wicpa.org Tammy Hofstede Chief Financial & Operating Officer Ext. 4518 tammy@wicpa.org Ellen Engel Advertising Manager Ext. 4513 ellen@wicpa.org

Kelsey Lange CPE Program & Event Marketing Coordinator Ext. 4507 kelsey@wicpa.org Melissa Loth CPE Program & Event Coordinator Ext. 4506 melissa@wicpa.org Brett Stallman Graphic Design Manager Ext. 4512 brett@wicpa.org

Mark Gordon CPE Program Coordinator Ext. 4505 mark@wicpa.org

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A New Era for CPE

By Tammy J. Hofstede

T

he way we learn is changing – information is being consumed at a faster pace and frequently from many different sources.

Accounting and business professionals are more versatile, have greater access to information outside formal learning environments and have expectations to match.

With these advances in mind, and considering the previously established WICPA CPE requirements were based on a 1970s learning model, a Competency Enhancement Task Force was established to evaluate the CPE requirements for WICPA membership and the future of learning.

Based on their research, and the fact that the WICPA is the only one of 55 CPA licensing jurisdictions that has no continuing education requirement to renew a CPA license, the task force made the following recommendations to the WICPA Board of Directors, which were approved and made effective Jan. 1, 2016: • A two-year rather than a threeyear CPE reporting period that aligns with Wisconsin’s CPA license renewal period.

• 80 credits each two-year reporting period, with a minimum of 20 credits annually.

• Three credits of formal ethics learning to be completed in the two-year reporting period.

• Five-minute increments for credit reporting, which allows flexibility for program length and helps avoid wicpa.org

losing credit for programs that are not evenly divisible by 50 minutes.

• Expanded creditable CPE activities that allow up to half of required credits to consist of self-directed informal learning activities, including but not limited to reading, listening to or writing books and articles, performing independent research, serving on boards, committees and task forces, participating in mentor or coaching programs, and watching videos and listening to podcasts.

The changes were made to 1. allow meaningful, competency-focused CPE, 2. recognize learning that is relevant, personal and valuable to each member, 3. prepare for micro-learning as a way to deliver content in smaller increments so learners are in control of what and when they are learning, 4. encourage innovation and experimentation, and 5. acknowledge the critical importance of experiential and other non-lecture based learning.

The WICPA continues to provide a wide variety of lecture-based one- to eight-hour programs across the state in addition to an inventory of more than 100 convenient on-demand programs

to assist in meeting CPE requirements.

There are also three new on-demand ethics programs to satisfy the new ethics requirement. Members also have access to the WICPA’s CPE Tracker that automatically records WICPA-attended programs and allows members to add their non-WICPA CPE, as well as accommodates the recording of selfdirected informal learning.

The WICPA is nationally recognized as a thought leader in the implementation of these education requirement changes and will continue to progress in developing learning and competencyenhancement processes.

The next CPE change on the WICPA agenda will be continued collaboration with the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board to submit legislation in 2017 requiring CPE for CPA licensure renewal.

More information on the new WICPA CPE requirements can be found on page 100 or by visiting wicpa.org/cperequirements.

Tammy J. Hofstede is chief financial and operating officer at the Wisconsin Institute of CPAs. Contact her at 262-785-0445 ext. 4518 or tammy@wicpa.org.

Members of WICPA Competency Enhancement Task Force: Chair: Late Robert Gruber, CPA, Ph.D., CGMA, CMA Dennis Tomorsky, CPA, J.D., CGMA Tammy Hofstede Kyle Beld, CPA

Ryan Hanson, CPA, CGMA Katherine Hauser, CPA, CGMA Tyler Kleppe, CPA, MPA Scott Miller, CPA, CGMA, ABV, CVA, PFS Boula Xiong

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[branding] talent acquisition

Branding from the inside out: Recruit and retain talent for growth 4 The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

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By Will Ruch

T

he current talent shortage is real, and demands that each organization change the way it manages talent to succeed and grow.

“somewhat difficult” to hire good accounting talent.

National, state and regional hiring data is similarly daunting, and confirms that the current talent shortage will continue. Key points include:

It’s a candidate’s market.

• The decreasing number of available workers.

It’s a candidate’s market, including for accountants.

Nearly 90 percent of attendees surveyed at the WICPA Spring CPAs in Industry Conference said it’s “very” or

• Talent is more selective about an organization’s culture and work style (and willing to change employers if their interests aren’t met).

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• A changing generational mix of baby boomers, Gen X-ers and millennials (almost 50 percent of the U.S. workforce in 2020), resulting in different perceptions of employment and employer loyalty.

and tactics, such as employer (or talent) branding, are needed to establish their organizations as employers of choice, connecting, engaging and rewarding talent in innovative ways.

Is your organization well positioned with talent?

Do employees and candidates understand the unique value proposition of your organization’s workplace and culture? You’re not alone if your organization isn’t positioned to tackle the talent shortage. Only 12.33 percent of WICPA survey respondents believe their organizations are well known and desirable to candidates. (Others reported that their organizations were well known, which is unfortunately not always positive.)

The return on investment for a well-executed talent strategy is clear: the ability to attract the qualified talent you need to grow, to engage and retain the right employees, and to focus on shared goals for organizational success. Employees see the commitment to talent and the resulting opportunities for themselves to develop and grow – they get it.

Many leaders are recognizing that new strategies

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Create a destination workplace.

A “destination workplace” is recognized by talent — employees and candidates — as a good place

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to work. Employees come, stay and tell others.

They’re engaged — and engaged employees work to achieve the organization’s goals and deliver a positive experience for customers, colleagues and candidates. Why? Because they’re genuinely interested and passionate about what they do and what their organization stands for. Each destination workplace is unique, with a strong employer brand that’s integrated into leadership’s vision and mission, and reflective of the culture and workplace experience. When well-marketed, a destination workplace attracts and retains the right talent to fuel success.

Recruit members who will bring different views (think inclusion to encourage diverse thoughts and ideas). Begin with metrics to baseline the current state of recruiting, engagement and retention (cost to recruit, time to hire, cost of lost customers, cost of turnover).

Bring it to life and market it by branding from the inside out.

Review current recruiting and internal communications. Study the competition. Ask your top talent for feedback on why they joined, and why they stay.

Branding from the inside out is a strategy that allows engaged employees to tell the organization’s story about its workplace and customer experience.

These stories are unique to each organization, and must be authentic, while also capturing the aspiration of the organization and its employees.

It’s a marketing strategy that increases the organization’s profile with talent and customers by bringing leaders and employees to life and sharing the distinctive advantage of the organization — why it’s a destination for talent.

Six action steps to get started Only 5.41 percent of WICPA survey respondents felt that their organization was “well positioned” to attract top talent over the next few years. If you’re one of the 94.59 percent who wants to improve how their organization is positioned with talent, these six steps will help.

1. Create a team to help leaders see the need and urgency of developing a talent strategy to position the organization to talent.

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2. Conduct a messaging audit, including your social media process and profile. What’s the story you’re telling to employees and candidates now? What are others saying about you? (Every organization has an employer brand/workplace reputation, whether they know it or agree with it).

3. Using the metrics, audit results, top talent feedback and learning from the competition, visualize your organization as a destination workplace. What’s distinctive? Balance authenticity (current state) with aspirations for what the workplace experience could be.

Connect to your external (customer) brand.

4. Develop a roadmap to become a destination workplace. Tie your roadmap to customer and business outcomes. Share ongoing best practices and trends via social media, and explore new technologies to connect your workforce and create talent communities. Include marketing strategies in your HR practices/ methods.

5. Identify your “rock star” leaders and employees to help tell your story (branding from the inside out). Be genuine, don’t over-produce, and be concise (30 seconds

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is sufficient if you’re using video). Create referral incentives. Implement social media training to encourage effective outreach and presence.

what makes the workplace experience great, and how that contributes to the customer experience and organizational success.

6. Measure success. Track the metrics identified in step one. Celebrate with the organization. Then, take it to the next level!

Good luck as you create a destination workplace and bring it to life by branding from the inside out.

This talent shortage won’t solve itself. Recognize that recruiting and retaining talent is a valuable and ongoing investment. Begin improving how your organization is positioned with talent. The entire organization should be involved in the journey, capturing and articulating

Will Ruch is CEO of Versant, a boutique branding, marketing and communications firm that helps clients attract, retain and engage customers and talent. Contact him at 414-436-3100 or wruch@ versantsolutions.com.

Access Will Ruch’s on-demand presentation from the 2016 CPAs in Industry Spring Conference, “Branding From The Inside Out” (ODCPAIS0) at wicpa.org/on-demand.

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[CGMA] workplace issues

Breaking down silos in your organization

By Samantha White

T

he tendency to create silos is a natural human one. People are surrounded by so much information, and so many people and processes, that they look for structures and classifications that can help them cope with the chaos and make life more efficient, said Gillian Tett, anthropologist, journalist, and author of “The Silo Effect.”

Yet, however natural this propensity might be, it often inhibits communication, innovation, and in some cases, the ability of businesses to remain relevant.

The structural patterns created to suit one particular context can become outdated when the world outside moves on. Alternatively, the structures become so rigid that colleagues in the same organization not only fail to share information and join the dots between their varying experiences or perspectives to gain insight, but also end up competing with each other, Tett explained during a recent lecture in London.

One of the many companies that fell victim to siloed

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thinking in the past is Sony, she said. The company’s Walkman was a hugely successful product in the analog era, and its name came to define an entire consumer product category. The reason the company’s success didn’t translate into the digital era, said Tett, is that the company was organized into separate departments – one for software and computing, one for hardware, and one for music – all of which were in competition with each other. The structure was rigid.

Rather than collaborate, each department insisted on producing its own gadget, even though the world outside Sony was converging very fast. The competing products cannibalized each other, and the company couldn't maintain its dominance of the portable music player market in the digital era.

Information-sharing initiatives When organizations break out of those structures, valuable insights can be gained and outcomes achieved. Tett describes a project in New York’s

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City Hall to more accurately predict fire risk. The city government was traditionally fragmented into separate departments with little information sharing or collaboration. However, by bringing together data held in various pockets, such as pest control visits and incidences of mortgage default, researchers created a much more effective basis for predicting where fires were most likely to occur.

A similar approach was taken to detect the restaurants most likely to illegally dump yellow grease rather than pay a waste disposal company to remove it. Information about kitchen fires and cases of tax evasion were among the types of data brought together from different departments to identify likely offenders. The enforcement agency then linked up with another department involved in environmental waste recycling. Together, they approached the restaurants and informed them of the fines applicable for dumping the grease, as well as how to avoid the problem and generate income by selling it to biodiesel companies — a successful outcome all around.

Creating multiple networks Many companies implement management techniques to rotate staff and prevent employees from different areas from fragmenting and becoming tribal. For example, Facebook recruits, no matter how senior, are forced to go on a common six-week training course, Tett said. Theoretically, the objective is to teach participants to code, but in practice the company is looking to create a common bonding experience for that cohort.

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Maintaining these relationships means employees have an additional layer of social connections on top of their one-dimensional team affiliation. Knowing people in other departments creates collision points where colleagues can swap information and ideas.

Silo-busting ideas are generated in the ‘slack’ The first step for any organization looking to overcome structural silos is to stop and think about how it classifies the world, Tett said.

“The second step is to realize that we live in an era which worships efficiency and that we are under constant pressure to streamline and to specialize,” she said. “The problem is that when that happens, you cut out slack.”

It’s often that slack that allows people to stop and recognize the silos they are trapped in and to try to imagine alternatives. It’s where the silo-busting ideas are generated.

Initiatives to create layers of social connections require time and resources. But the long-term benefit is ultimately worth the investment. “If you want to be a good leader today, you need to have the courage to defend the slack,” Tett said.

Breaking down social silos via Twitter Social silos are also barriers to knowledge sharing and innovation. They form when members of a department or profession only speak to people just like them, who all studied the same discipline at the same institution, use a specific kind of terminology, and look at the world through

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the same lens. However, the most innovative teams have diversity not just of gender, ethnicity and age, but also of skillset and perspective.

Part of silo busting is colliding with people who have ideas and viewpoints very different from your own.

Social media can provide a way for people to break out of “intellectual and social ghettos,” Tett said.

Many Twitter users have created a bespoke, comfortable tunnel of information that reinforces their world-view, where about two-thirds of the accounts followed belong to people from the same social or intellectual tribe, creating a sort of social silo, Tett said.

She challenged the audience at the lecture to swap these likeminded people in their Twitter feed for people

YOU’VE GOT THE SMARTS. NOW GET THE SAVVY.

with a radically different world-view for two weeks.

“Try to see the world through their eyes and see what kind of information you receive with that perspective,” she said.

Samantha White (swhite@aicpa.org) is a CGMA Magazine senior editor.

Copyright © 2011-2016 American Institute of CPAs. Copyright © 2011-2016 Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

All rights reserved.

This article first appeared in CGMA Magazine. For more articles, sign up for the weekly email update from CGMA Magazine at http://bit.ly/UZ07NC.

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CGMA, CHARTERED GLOBAL MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT, and the CGMA logo are trademarks of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. These trademarks are registered in the United States and in other countries. 18652-326

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[ethics] CPA’s role

By Boz Bostrom, CPA, MBT

I

magine that one of your co-workers shows up to work one day in a new sports car instead of her usual old minivan. Also imagine that she's dressed much more fashionably than normal and has nicely upgraded her wedding ring. A few weeks later, she forgoes her typical vacation on a lake in northern Wisconsin in exchange for an all-inclusive getaway in the Caribbean.

And a few weeks after that, she moves into one of the most wealthy cities in the state.

On one hand, this seems unusual, because neither your co-worker nor her husband have switched jobs.

They abhor gambling, and their parents are still alive.

So, there's no clear justification for her new wealth. But on the other hand, this doesn’t seem like any of your business. If you suspect she or her husband may be embezzling from the company, do you have an ethical obligation to speak up?

Many residents of Dixon, Ill., faced this ethical dilemma as they watched Rita Crundwell’s wealth grow by leaps and bounds: cars, RVs, horses, and a big house on the outskirts of town. But they assumed that the city controller with a modest salary was accumulating her wealth legally, and they didn’t speak up. Over a 20year period, Rita stole nearly $55 million from the city of 16,000 residents.

Most of us will never find ourselves in the situation of those residents of Dixon, but we will face ethical decisions on a regular basis. A lifetime of hard and honest work can be erased with a single mistake when making an ethical decision. Volkswagen, 7-Eleven, and Toshiba have all been in the news this past year for

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poor ethical choices. Politicians, business executives and CPAs have seen their careers thrown away because of a bad ethical choice.

But ethics aren’t important solely to avoid bad publicity and legal trouble. Research shows that those who view their senior leadership and direct supervisors as ethical are more apt to love their job, work hard at their job and stay at their job. Acting ethically can help you get more out of your employees. And research also shows that ethical companies can outperform their less ethical peers. Costco versus Walmart is a classic example.

Recognizing the importance of ethics, the WICPA has joined other states in requiring an ethics component of membership. The society realizes that CPAs learn about ethics in two primary ways: through personal experience and through education. Unfortunately, if we're put into an ethical dilemmas without training on how to make a decision, we can make a wrong, and often costly, decision. But, if we regularly study and talk about ethical issues, we can understand how to act when faced with inevitable ethical dilemmas.

What can we learn by studying ethics? First, we can learn that attitudes of others are often different than our own. How many of us would rate accountants as high or very high when it comes to honesty and ethical standards? Probably the vast majority is my guess.

However, a new Gallup poll shows that less than 40 percent of Americans view accountants as having high or very high ethical standards. This statistic, while sobering, is important to understand as we perform services for the public.

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Second, certain behaviors are considered more or less ethical by different demographics. Women, for example, question the ethics of expensive client entertainment more than their male counterparts do. Younger employees consider it more of a serious ethical violation to mislead shareholders and creditors. Partners, owners and senior leaders aren't as concerned with falsifying expense reports as are those below the top level.

Even something as simple as stealing a small amount of office supplies is debatable. Employees who work for corporations are much more apt to consider that a serious ethical violation as are employees of CPA firms.

Third, we can learn strategies for dealing with ethical dilemmas. Often, we are faced with a decision that has two obvious choices. One choice may be ethical, but not a good business result, whereas the other choice is not ethical but has a great business result. Unfortunately, neither of these is a good choice. But when we collaborate with others and use moral imagination, we can often come up with an alternative that's both ethical and a good business decision.

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I will close with two pieces of advice when you're faced with an ethical dilemma. First, consider how others will view and be impacted by your decision. I talked with a former CPA who was convicted of insider trading, and he said, “I thought of it as a victimless crime. But had I really stepped back and thought about how it would impact my firm, my spouse and my kids, I never would have done it.”

Second, talk about the dilemma with others who don't have a stake in your decision. When we are too close to a situation, we have blind spots and often can’t think of a solution that has both a good business and ethical answer. So, develop a network of people who you can discuss ethical dilemmas with: a co-worker, family member, friend, or maybe a former professor.

Boz Bostrom, CPA, MBT is an associate professor of accounting and finance at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minn. He regularly researches ethical issues and leads CPE sessions for organizations of all types. In addition, he wrote a book on one of sport’s great ethical and effective leaders. “A Legacy Unrivaled: The Story of John Gagliardi,” will be released on Sept. 1, 2016. Contact him at 612-414-9629 or bbostrom@csbsju.edu.

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Boz Bostrom, CPA, MBT recently recorded three one-credit webinars that WICPA members may use to fulfill their ethical requirement: Ethical Attitudes & Consequences (ODETHIC1)

Ethical Leadership (ODETHIC2)

Applying the AICPA’s Code of Professional Conduct (ODETHIC3)

This session will provide examples of ethical versus unethical leadership and define the benefits of acting ethically.

This presentation will help you understand attitudes of others as they relate to ethical issues; the danger behind ignoring possible ethical violations; and the benefits of acting ethically.

This presentation will explore the framework of the AICPA Code of Conduct and how to apply the AICPA’s standards regarding gifts and integrity.

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[human resources] OT pay rules

Millions of salaried workers qualify for overtime pay

By Scott C. Beightol, J.D. and Elizabeth N. Larson, J.D.

A

fter receiving and reviewing more than 270,000 public comments, on May 18, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released its much anticipated Final Rule regarding overtime pay eligibility for certain “white collar workers” under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Effective Dec. 1, 2016, the DOL has given employers more than six months to come into compliance with the Final Rule.

The DOL estimates approximately 4.2 million workers will become eligible for overtime pay, and another 100,000 will receive salary increases to meet the new minimum salary threshold. Under the FLSA, non-exempt employees are entitled to overtime pay of 1.5 times an employee’s “regular rate of pay” for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek.

Spanning 508 pages, the Final Rule differs from the

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Proposed Rule released in 2015, but it dramatically changes the overtime eligibility landscape as expected. Of note, there are four major changes employers need to know to ensure compliance by the Dec. 1 deadline.

The first change is a doubling of the minimum salary threshold for Executive, Administrative and Professional (EAP) Exemptions. The Final Rule raises the minimum salary threshold from $455/ week ($23,660 annualized) to $913/week ($47,476 annualized) in 2016. This new threshold is based on the 40th percentile of full-time salaried workers in the “lowest wage Census region,” which is currently the South. The DOL based this number on 2015 fourthquarter data from the Current Population Survey (CPS), which is sponsored jointly by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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The second major change is a 34 percent increase to the minimum salary necessary for the Highly Compensated Employee (HCE) Exemption. The Final Rule raises the minimum salary for HCEs from $100,000 to $134,004 annually. This new threshold represents the 90th percentile of full-time salaried workers nationally and was also based on 2015 CPS data. Employers are still allowed to make one “catch-up” payment to satisfy the new HCE salary threshold “during the last pay period or within one month after the end of the 52-week period.”

Third, salary thresholds will automatically update and increase every three years. Beginning Jan. 1, 2020, the minimum threshold will raise to the 40th percentile of full-time salaried workers in the lowest wage Census region. The salary threshold is expected to rise to $51,168 in 2020, as estimated by the DOL using historical wage growth in the South. The HCE threshold will also automatically update every three years to the 90th percentile of full-time salaried workers nationally (numbers will be based on the second quarter of the year preceding the update), bringing the estimated rise for HCEs in 2020 to $147,524. The DOL is required to post new salary levels 150 days in advance of their effective date, i.e. on or about Aug. 1, 2019.

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Fourth, the DOL built in some flexibility for employers by allowing them to include non-discretionary bonuses, incentive pay and/or commissions to meet the new EAP salary threshold. These payments, however, must be made on a quarterly basis and can't exceed more than 10 percent of the required salary threshold. Employers may also make a catch-up payment not exceeding the 10 percent limit once per quarter to meet the EAP threshold.

Certain classes of white collar workers, however, aren't subject to the EAP salary level test. Such workers include teachers, academic administrative personnel, physicians, lawyers, judges and outside sales workers.

Although the DOL solicited comments and questions concerning the duties tests, no changes were ultimately made to these tests. To classify an employee as exempt from the FLSA’s overtime pay requirements, employers must establish that an employee satisfies both the minimum salary threshold and the “duties test” for the particular exemption. Each exemption has its own set of duties that an employee must perform, so employers must ensure their exempt employees satisfy the current duties test of the exemptions they rely on.

The Final Rule ushers in a new era for overtime pay.

Although the DOL has given employers a little more

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than six months to comply with the new regulations, employers should begin evaluating their workforce now (if such an evaluation has not started already) to bring their pay practices into compliance with the Final Rule.

Scott Beightol, J.D. is partner at Michael Best & Friedrich LLP who represents businesses in all aspects of employment and labor relations. His practice emphasizes litigation of discrimination, non-compete and other employment matters in federal and state court, arbitration, and before the NLRB and OFCCP. Contact him at 414-225-4994 or scbeightol@michaelbest.com.

Elizabeth N. Larson, J.D. is an attorney in Michael Best’s Labor and Employment Relations Practice Group. Her practice focuses on all areas of labor and employment law, including employment discrimination, affirmative action and OFCCP compliance. Contact her at 414-225-8295 or enlarson@michaelbest.com.

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As part of WICPA’s breakfast program series, Scott is scheduled to present on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on Sept. 9 at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Madison (MBP09); Oct. 14 at Schenck SC, Green Bay (NBP10); and Jan. 18, 2017, at the WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha (WBP01). His presentations will address emerging EEOC-related issues you need to be aware of to avoid potential liability, including the EEOC’s evolving tactics regarding discrimination law.

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[Industry ] new FASB requirements

Leasing: Minimal change, maximum impact

By Joann Noe Cross, Ph.D., CPA, CMA, CGFM, CGMA

I

n February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, which created a new codification section, FASB ASC 842. The intention of this standard, as has been with others the FASB has issued in recent years, is to “increase transparency and comparability among organizations” (FASB, 2016).

This topic has an effective date of fiscal years beginning after Dec. 15, 2018 (including interim periods) for public entities and beginning after Dec. 15, 2019 (and interim periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2020) for all other entities.

What the standard doesn't do First, the standard doesn't fundamentally change lessor accounting other than some minor changes to conform leasing to the Revenue Recognition Principles and to align lessor accounting with lessee accounting.

The Standard does not apply to leases of: • Intangible assets.

• Exploration for or use of nonregenerative natural resources.

• Biological assets.

• Inventory.

• Assets under construction.

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What the Standard does do FASB ASC 842 focuses on the lessee, underlining the assumption that “all leases create an asset and a liability for the lessee.” Thus, this Standard eliminates any quantitative test for capitalization consistent with the FASB belief that rule-based tests allow too much discretion by management in avoiding the reflection of a liability on the balance sheet. For any lease of less than 12 months, a lessee must make a policy election if they desire to not reflect the leased asset and liability on its books.

Note that this treatment is different from the exposure drafts that characterized leases as providing the lessee with “a significant portion of the asset’s utility” or “not a significant portion of the asset’s utility.” For the purposes of this Standard, the treatment depends on whether there’s a lease in the first place, not how much utility the lessee gets from the leased asset.

A lease is, by definition, a contract that conveys the right to control the use of an asset for a period of time.

A party to a contract has the right to control the use of an asset throughout the contract if it has both: a. The right to obtain substantially all the economic benefits from the asset during the contract period, and

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b. The right to direct the use of the asset during the contract period.

A contract may be a lease or may include a lease as a component of the contract. The contract consideration, then, will be allocated to the components of a contract, including any leases, on a stand-alone selling price basis similar to the methodology required under the new revenue recognition standard.

Classification of leases A lessee accounts for a lease as a finance lease if it meets one of five criteria. These criteria are the same as the current criteria form capitalizing a lease with the modification that the specific numeric rule has been replaced by softer “substantially all” and “major part” language of the exposure draft. An additional criterion for specialized assets that have no use to the lessor at the end of the lease was added. If a lessee accounts for a lease as a finance lease, the lessor accounts for it as a sales-type lease.

If the lease doesn't meet the criteria to be classified by the lessee as a finance lease, it's classified as an operating lease. Then, depending on whether the lessor expects to collect amounts approximating fair value under the lease, the lessor will classify the lease as either a direct financing lease or an operating lease.

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Note that regardless of how a lease is classified, if the lease term is greater than 12 months, the lease must be reflected as an asset and a liability on the lessee’s financial statements.

What does all this mean?

First, this means that very little outside the reporting of the leased asset and the lease liability on the lessee’s balance sheet has changed. For a finance lease, the lessee will report both interest expense (calculated on the outstanding liability on an effective interest basis) and amortization expense (calculated on the asset on a straight line basis).

For an operating lease, a lessee will report a single amount (lease expense) calculated as the periodic payment made. The lease liability will decrease by the amount of the theoretical payment on the principal of the liability and the leased asset will decline by the amount of the calculated interest.

What do I have to do right now?

The most important action to take at this time is to determine which leased assets you currently are reporting as operating leases will have to be reflected as a lease liability. These items can adversely affect any current debt covenants since a portion of the new lease liability will have to be reported as a current liability. Of

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course, no portion of the asset will be reported as current. As a result there will be an adverse effect on the current ratio, perhaps causing a violation of a related debt covenant. Now is the time to be aware of and proactive about addressing this problem.

Joann Noe Cross, Ph.D., CPA, CMA, CGFM, CGMA is an accounting professor and co-chair of the Accounting Department at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Dr. Cross was recently recognized as an Outstanding Discussion Leader for the AICPA. Contact her at 920-424-1311 or crossj@uwosh.edu.

Conclusion Very little has changed with the single exception that all long-term leases will now be reflected as liabilities (and assets) on the lessee’s balance sheet.

Ongoing calculations will not change nor will the way entities view their assets.

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Joann Noe Cross, Ph.D., CPA, CMA, CGFM, CGMA will present “Leases: Mastering the New FASB Requirements” on Dec. 7 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Madison (LEAS).

See page 85 for details.

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[industry] today’s CFO

The strategic CFO: What you need to know

By John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM

T

he same scenario plays out repeatedly in companies throughout the world. The company grows steadily as the chief financial officer (CFO) reports increasing revenue and profit to the board every quarter. There’s even talk of going public. Then, all of a sudden, the CFO learns of the company’s generous severance offer because the board wants to “go in a different direction.” It seems they want a more strategic CFO. The incumbent is left wondering: What happened? Strategic? What does the word even mean?

Too often, CFOs spend so much time focusing on gathering and reporting the numbers, giving little attention to the bigger picture.

Sometimes I ask groups of CFOs to help me list their responsibilities. Within 10 minutes, the list can quickly grow to 30 or 40 items, many of which aren't financial.

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Curiously, even though the word financial is part of our job title, less than 30 percent of the “Global 50” CFOs have an advanced accounting credential such as CPA, CA or CMA. Today, a CFO is more likely to have an MBA than an advanced accounting credential. While understanding accounting is important, the most common factor shared by most CFOs is a broad background outside accounting.

Effective CFOs understand that strategy means how your company positions itself against competitors in your market. Strategic CFOs understand that finding and focusing on a market niche will mean the company will effectively use its resources, giving it a competitive advantage.

Strategic CFOs understand how all the parts fit together. They can sit in meetings with sales, marketing, product design, operations, purchasing, quality control, human resources and information technology professionals, understanding how these functions affect the organization’s mission and talking their language.

One article recently reported that CFOs were increasingly coming from information technology backgrounds.

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Several of my colleagues were both IT professionals and CPAs before they became CFOs. Malcolm Gladwell’s book, “Outliers: The Story of Success,” cites several studies revealing that to be an expert in anything requires about 10,000 hours of practice. If we look at all the responsibilities of CFOs, we realize none of us will live long enough to be an expert in them all. Breadth is more important than depth. A CFO who broadly understands all the issues will be far more valuable than someone who's just an accounting expert.

The question begs asking, if a broad background is so important for high-level financial executives, why do many accountants only sign up for GAAP Update and Tax Update classes every year? Shouldn’t we be broadening our horizons? Consider taking classes in business strategy, risk management, information systems, marketing, quality control, lean thinking, writing and oral communications. It'll probably help our careers much more than another traditional accounting class.

I have run the numbers, and I estimate that our knowledge becomes obsolete at a rate of about 360 hours per year. Most of us take 40 hours CPE a year.

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Where will the remaining 320 hours of knowledge come from? We'll quickly realize that taking more than 40 hours of CPE a year might be a good idea. Beyond that, we need to read. Many badly-written business books and professional articles exist. Avoid reading the bad ones by asking others for recommendations.

Make a goal of reading at least four good books a year.

However, you'll need to read perhaps twice that many to really get ahead.

How will you invest your time? Will your board always view you as an accountant, or will you become a strategic CFO?

John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM is president of Executive Education, Inc., a collaboration of a dozen professional speakers who specialize in seminars for corporate management. He spent 15 years as a CFO, working for a Tier 1 automotive supplier and a large restaurant chain. He is the author of “Pricing for Profitability”, published by Wiley & Sons. Explore his recommended reading list at www.ExecutiveEducationInc.com. Contact him at 734-475-0600 or daly@executiveeducationinc.com.

John Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM will present “The Strategic CFO: Big Picture Skills” on Dec. 5 at the WICPA Professional Development Center in Waukesha (SCFO).

See page 89 for details.

ATTENTION! CPE REQUIREMENTS HAVE CHANGED • • • •

NEW ETHICS REQUIREMENT: 3 ethics credits 80 CPE credits each 2-year reporting period Up to 50% can be self-directed informal learning 5-minute increments for time-based activities

New reporting period: Jan. 1, 2016 – Dec. 31, 2017

For more information, turn to page 100 or visit

WICPA.ORG/CPEREQUIREMENTS wicpa.org

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Emotional intelligence: Do you have it?

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[leadership] personal & social competencies

By Julie Kowalski

W

e all know people who seem to get along well with others, respond carefully, even in the face of challenge, and truly connect with others. They're proactive, balanced, operate with integrity, and have great insight into themselves and others and cause us to wonder, “What's it about them that makes them this way?” Well, the answer is that they have a high level of emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence impacts everything one says and does and it’s the foundation for the skills that allow happiness and success to be achieved in both our professional and personal lives. Decision making, being appropriately assertive, holding self and others equally accountable, communicating effectively, not mindlessly and demonstrating empathy and service to others are some of the learned skills of emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence is generally defined as three personal competencies (self-awareness, self-management and selfmotivation) and three social competencies (social awareness, relationship management and leadership).

Self-awareness, the first competency, means having an accurate assessment of strengths and weaknesses, being open to feedback, and acting on the feedback received. It’s avoiding inappropriate emotional outbreaks, such as angry tirades, email bombs, sarcasm, inappropriate humor, passive aggressive behavior, playing the victim and withdrawal. It’s making decisive, sound, and timely decisions despite uncertainties and pressures.

Self-awareness also includes going out on a limb for what’s right and even voicing opinions that may be unpopular.

Self-management, the second personal competency, isn’t controlling emotions; rather it’s using emotions to create appropriate outcomes. It’s about appropriately creating and communicating the right intent, demonstrating trustworthiness, conscientiousness, and adaptability. It’s always fulfilling commitments without receiving reminders and responding in a timely manner, even if it’s merely to acknowledge receipt, to all requests, whether verbal or written. It’s proactively communicating when a deadline might be missed and providing

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the plan of attack to handle the potential fallout. In today’s 24/7 connected world, it’s easy to always be busy and in an overwhelmed state, always playing catch-up.

Self-motivation, the third personal competency, is about making the time to plan and then executing the plan. It’s about responding appropriately to challenges, roadblocks and change. Quickly adapting to new situations and figuring out how to effectively overcome challenges and roadblocks. Selfmotivation includes exerting time and energy appropriately pushing for improvement, and never accepting excuses or settling for mediocrity.

Social awareness,

suspending judgment and thoughts of how to respond when someone’s speaking, is another key trait of social awareness. It’s recognizing that there may be more than one “right” thought or plan of action and being open to new and different ways.

Relationship management, the second social competency, isn’t only about being friendly and nice. It's the ability to inspire, influence and develop others by demonstrating appreciation, understanding and support. It’s making the best of every situation and bringing positive energy and true collaboration. Relationship management is about having positive working relationships with bosses, colleagues, reports, clients and stakeholders. It’s also about being able to effectively handle conflict and conduct crucial conversations, encourage open and honest discussions and work to find the win-win.

the first social competency, isn’t group hugs and trying to be liked by everyone. Social awareness is the ability to understand and relate to the emotions of others, including the ability to read the spoken Source: Travis Bradberry Jan. 9, 2014, Forbes and unspoken thoughts and Leadership, the last feelings of others and the emotional intelligence ability to appreciate, not competency, includes the ability necessarily agree, with the to communicate effectively, not thoughts and feelings of others. In other words, it’s the mindlessly, and the ability to motivate and inspire others. capacity to respect and value people who have different True leaders, regardless of their title, facilitate discussions thoughts, ideas, backgrounds and cultures. People with rather than dictate direction and know the impact high levels of emotional intelligence recognize quickly (positive or negative) that they personally have on others. that if the same problem keeps surfacing, it’s time According to Amy Rees Anderson, a contributor at Forbes to evaluate what needs to be done differently rather magazine, “True leaders know who they are and what justify with excuses. Successfully listening, which means they stand for. They know their values and the rules they'll

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abide by, regardless of the circumstances they face.”

Leaders know how and when to push people out of their comfort zones and allow them to achieve so much more than they ever thought they were capable of achieving.

Since emotional intelligence impacts everything one says and does, and it’s the foundation for the skills that allow happiness and success to be achieved in both professional and personal lives, it’s time to take charge of one’s daily success and happiness by learning and focusing on choosing how to respond rather than

merely reacting. Emotional intelligence is a learned skill and one can learn to allow it to lead to the best actions or the worst actions. The difference will be in how one chooses to invest in learning and improving one’s level of emotional intelligence.

Julie Kowalski is a renowned speaker, trainer, executive coach and seasoned soft skills thought leader. Contact her at 262-993-4883 or Spizzerinctumgroup@gmail.com.

Benefits of WICPA On-Demand include: • Receive CPE credits

WICPA On-Demand allows you to virtually attend our most popular CPE programs at your convenience.

To watch WICPA On-Demand, visit wicpa.org/on-demand

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[management] big data

Broaching big data and data analytics

By Jim Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA

A

re you a storyteller? Are you a data scientist?

Accountants may choose to answer, “Of course not! I am an accountant, and I prepare financial statements from financial transactions and explain the financial position and results of the organization.” This previous statement is correct. However, it describes the commodity portion of the accounting job. And as is the case with commodities, they can readily be replaced.

Welcome to the topic of big data and data analytics.

The accounting position continues to morph with the advances in technology. Accountants must be prepared to embrace big data and data analytics to provide the services required in future years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that one of the largest job fields expected to decrease in employment throughout the year 2024 is that of accountants, bookkeepers and auditing clerks.

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What is the formal definition of big data? Stamford, Conn.-based IT research firm Gartner Inc. defines big data as “high-volume, high-velocity, and high variety information assets that demand cost-effective, innovative forms of information processing that enable enhanced insight, decision making and process automation.”

Each of the components of this definition is significant.

Any of them by themselves can be expounded into relevant topics and implications for an organization.

Three main types of big data should be considered: Semi-structured – represents information that isn't in a relational database but may have some organizational characteristics built into the structure.

An example would be CSV files.

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Unstructured – accounts for the largest amount of data. It may include audio, video, multimedia. Examples are email, videos, photos, web pages, social media and mobile data. These types of files typically don't fit nicely into a database. (This is also the category that's expected to yield the greatest value.)

Structured data – represents data that is stored in databases using rows and columns. It is easily accessed and is probably in a relational form allowing mapping to related information. This is the type of data that accountants are most familiar with.

How can accountants move beyond traditional training and become a part of the big data field? The first concept to understand is the new flow of information and how it relates to traditional accounting. Consider the following four steps, as well as the counterparts or examples that come from the accounting world.

1. Descriptive analytics represents the accumulation of transactional data and the preparation of traditional financial statements.

2. Diagnostic analytics is the second phase and represents the explanation of what happened in phase one. It can be characterized by the process of variance analysis as accountants attempt to explain what happened in the descriptive phrase for traditional financial statements.

3. Predictive analytics is the third stage. Accountants use the information developed in phases one and two to create budgets and forecasts in an attempt to predict where an organization is headed in regard to financial results.

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4. Prescriptive analytics, the fourth phase, is exciting and challenging. Here, the accountants turn the aggregation and prediction of financial information into action steps. For example, phase one could show us that the company lost money and had a negative cash flow.

Phase two could highlight that the disappointing income results, as well as the decrease in cash, resulted from a lack of sales. Phase three could then project that if the company losses continue for the next six months, the organization may have an insufficient line of credit to fund its working capital needs. Phase four is the fun part when recommendations are made to prescribe ways to increase sales, reduce expenses, lengthen the payment cycle or decrease the cash collection cycle. In essence, phase four prescribes the managerial actions that the company should take.

Many accountants are already behind the curve when it comes to understanding and utilizing big data and data analytics. If accountants consider big data, and their first thoughts go to, “How can I improve the flow of financial information, how can I reduce the time in the close process, and how can I make better predictions,” they’re missing the significance of big data. Big data and data analytics will help accountants perform their jobs better; there's no question about that.

However, the first and foremost goal of using big data is to generate overall enterprise value. This means big data will be used to provide insight as to research and development, customer buying habits, and identifying previously unknown patterns and relationships in stakeholder interactions.

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What kind of tools might we consider using as we investigate big data and data analytics? Some of the top software tools are Tableau, Qlik and Microsoft Business Intelligence. Should accountants be fearful that they’re going to lose their reliable Excel tool? That doesn’t seem to be on the horizon. Many of the large data analytic programs also include the function of exporting the data to Excel spreadsheets. Think of big data as paring down a large amount of information to a practical level. At this point, the accountant may just export the information to Excel for further analysis, where they are more comfortable and have greater experience.

So, are you a storyteller or data scientist? I believe the accounting positions are morphing from the descriptive phrases to the prescriptive phrases, and accountants can

play the roles of storyteller and data scientist. This will be the way to add additional value to your organization, as well as avoid becoming commoditized.

Jim Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA is president of Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc. in Dousman. He was recently recognized for the sixth time as an Outstanding Discussion Leader for the AICPA. Contact him at 262-392-3166 or jim@thorstenconsulting.com

Jim Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA will present “Analytics & Big Data for Accountants” on Dec. 9 at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Green Bay (DAAN). See page 89 for details.

TRACK YOUR CPE WITH THE WICPA’S CPE TRACKER The CPE Tracker is an easy to use tool created to keep track of all your CPE in one convenient location.

• Automatically tracks WICPA formal learning activities • Add any non-WICPA CPE courses • Print reports for any reporting period

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[peer review] changes

ARE YOU READY FOR

PEER REVIEW?

By Michael L. Brand, CPA, CGMA

S

ince the beginning of my public accounting career in 1990, peer review has been a practice area that has always had my attention. Peer review had only been mandatory for American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) members for about two years; however, it’s had a long history with CPAs since the 1970s.

Today, peer review continues to focus on the profession’s efforts to improve performance of accounting and auditing engagements and maintain the CPA’s reputation for quality and integrity in these engagements. In a profession where change seems to be the name of the game, the AICPA Peer Review Board has approved changes to its standards that will significantly affect the practice of CPAs who provide and receive peer reviews.

My path to being a peer review team captain is probably similar to many peer reviewers today. I was heavily involved

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in our own firm peer review while still a staff accountant.

At the time, I thought the reviewer just came in, looked at some reports, financials and workpapers. Little did I know, those procedures were really just a part of the peer review process that actually led to an opinion on our firm’s system of quality control. After going through my second peer review with the firm, the team captain performing our firm review encouraged me to take the initial training to become team captain qualified, which I did. Since then, I’ve performed numerous reviews all over the country.

Some firms are well prepared and some firms aren't.

Firms that are prepared typically have a successful peer review, whether their report is a pass, pass with deficiency or even a fail.

Firms that receive a less than pass report can still have a successful review. If the review helps improve their ability to perform in accordance with standards, provides new knowledge of what the standards require, offers new ideas on implementing new standards or provides tips to prevent deficiencies, it was a successful review.

Firms that are prepared see the review process as a way to improve their practice. Firms that aren't prepared see it as punitive and a necessary evil to endure every three years. They endure the process because most state boards of accountancy require peer review for licensure.

Now more than ever, firms should prepare themselves for peer review.

Peer review is changing. The last significant changes in peer review occurred in 2009. Think about what

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has happened to most other professional standards since that time. We now have clarified audit standards, clarified quality control standards, clarified attestation standards, clarified preparation, compilation, and review standards and the list goes on. Specialized industry engagements, such as the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) engagements and those engagements regulated by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), have come under increased scrutiny. This scrutiny has affected both peer reviewers and peer reviewed firms.

Changes to professional standards coupled with the results of the DOL’s most recent study have made changes to the peer review standards necessary. As part of the AICPA’s Enhancing Audit Quality (EAQ) initiative, the Peer Review Board has implemented numerous changes to the standards to raise the effectiveness of both firms and reviewers. One significant change focuses on enhanced peer reviewer training requirements. An area of emphasis for peer review training will focus on high quality training requirements for select industries. These changes are effective for reviews commencing on or after May 1, 2016. Changes focusing on resolving disagreements between the CPA firm and the reviewer, increasing qualifications required to serve as a peer reviewer, and strengthening the consistency of peer review performance criteria to help facilitate prompt remediation or removal of deficient reviewers became effective for reviews that commenced on or after Dec. 31, 2015. Finally, earlier this year, the Peer Review Board issued a discussion paper to state CPA society staff leaders outlining its consideration

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of potential long-term changes to the peer review administration process.

These potential changes in the administration of peer review may impact state society operations and resources significantly. The Peer Review Board feels the proposed changes are a natural progression, along with the other significant changes discussed earlier, to improve audit quality.

I’ve been a proponent of the AICPA Peer Review Program for many years and plan to continue to be one. I would much rather be self-regulated than to be regulated by someone outside my profession. To protect the public interest, firms and reviewers must devote substantial effort and resources to improve the performance of engagements. Firms that want to be prepared for peer

review should stay on top of these proposed changes as they could very well impact their own review and help ensure a successful review.

Michael L. Brand, CPA, CGMA is a partner with Johnson, Feigley, Newton & Brand LLP in Athens, Ala. Contact him at 256-232-7500 or mbrand@jfnb.net.

Michael L. Brand, CPA, CGMA will present “Upcoming Peer Review: Is Your Firm Ready?” on Sept. 13 at the WICPA Professional Development Center in Waukesha (SNPR). See page 79 for details.

Earn CPE by Speaking at WICPA Breakfast Programs Speakers are needed for Eau Claire, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Northeast Wisconsin, Waukesha and Wausau.

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Earn CPE while sharing your expertise, developing leadership skills and promoting your organization.

Visit wicpa.org/speakers to sign up.

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[soft skills] financial fitness

Exploring the financial wellness journey for women

By Rhonda Noordyk

W

hat is financial wellness? The Women’s Financial Wellness Center defines financial wellness as a state of being in good financial health as a result of deliberate effort. It is a journey that includes three key pillars: awareness, education and action.

Let’s begin with awareness. This is a process of self discovery about our attitudes and beliefs about money. It can be uncomfortable. It can require being vulnerable. It can take time.

However, once we are aware of our current thought patterns, we have a choice. We can either cling to our current beliefs, or we can challenge our minds to embrace change.

In Kim Kiyosaki’s book, "It’s Rising Time", she uses the analogy that our minds are like a coffee filter. Even if you don’t love coffee as much as I do, stick with me. Every day, we receive information about money (bills,

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43

income, savings, spending, debt, budgeting, retirement and more). The information is either filtered through our subconscious mindset and accepted as truth or gets caught in the filter and is rejected by our current belief system. How may our current beliefs be affecting our decision-making process?

Keeping in mind the purpose of awareness, we are now ready to seek knowledge. This may include learning a new definition, understanding financial principles or knowing what questions to ask.

While knowledge is important, knowing what questions to ask can be even more valuable. “If you don't know how to ask the right question, you discover nothing,” said W. Edwards Deming.

In working with women, this is the pillar that creates the most anxiety and fear. A 2015 survey by Fidelity found that 83 percent of women want to be more involved in their finances, but the majority reported feeling uncomfortable talking about money. Why are they uncomfortable? Because they don’t feel they “know” enough to engage in the conversation. They don’t want to be embarrassed by asking a seemingly “dumb” question, and as a result they don’t ask. Take a moment

44 The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

to reflect on some of your clients. How have you seen this play out in your interactions with them?

Fortunately, once they overcome this hurdle, they are empowered to gain insight and knowledge by asking questions. For example, we provide a list of questions for women to ask when interviewing a family law attorney.

We also coach them on how to ask the questions.

This takes the guesswork out of the process, and it empowers them with knowledge to make good decisions.

“Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice,” said Anton Chekhov, Russian playwright.

The third pillar is action. This is the manifestation of the hard work behind the scenes. Action means moving forward toward a goal or desired destination. In the spirit of achieving financial wellness, we utilize a financial wellness checklist. It serves as the framework for taking action and allows women to measure and celebrate their progress. More specifically, we encourage women to pick one item to work on. To position women for success, we ask four reflective questions: • What successes can you draw on?

• What support do you have available?

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"Metanoia – The journey of changing one’s mind, heart, self or way of life."

• What steps can you take?

• What's the deadline for completion?

While keeping in mind the three pillars of awareness, education and action, remember financial wellness is a journey that begins with one deciding to move forward.

It's a process that begins with changing one’s mind, heart, self and ultimately ends with a new way of life.

In the words of author Ernest Hemingway, “it's good to have an end to journey toward, but it's the journey that matters in the end.”

Rhonda Noordyk is a certified women’s leadership coach and founder of The Women’s Financial Wellness Center, LLC. Contact her at 262-522-1502 or rhondasnoordyk@gmail.com.

Rhonda Noordyk will present “25 Strategies for Increased Self-Esteem & Empowerment” on Oct. 3 at the WICPA Professional Development Center in Waukesha (WBS1003), and Oct. 5 at Wipfli LLP in Appleton (WBS1005).

Rhonda will teach “Life Skills for Women” on Oct. 20 at Wipfli LLP in Appleton (WBS1020); Nov. 8 at SVA Certified Public Accountants, S.C. in Madison (WBS1108); and Nov. 9 at the WICPA Professional Development Center in Waukesha (WBS1109).

She will also present “Financial Wellness for Women” on Oct. 18 at SVA Certified Public Accountants, S.C. in Madison (WBS1018).

See page 64 for full details.

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[tax] LLCs

LLCs: Best business structure for small business owners

By Rick J. Taylor, CPA, MST

O

perating a closely held business as a C corporation is probably the worst decision a small business owner can make; operating as an S corporation is better, but still doesn't produce the optimal result possible using an LLC taxed as a partnership. Any benefits of operating in the corporate form are quickly offset when all or part of the business is sold.

Unless the value of the business isn't expected to increase and/ or the business will not generate valuable intangibles such as goodwill, customer lists, and know-how, operating as an LLC will increase the overall value of the business and generate the maximum tax benefits for the owners.

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The primary benefit of operating as an LLC is the ability to sell the business in a manner that produces a step‐up in basis of the assets while subjecting the owner to only one level of tax. Although it may be possible to step‐up the inside basis of a business operated as an S corporation, §338(h)(10) imposes significant limitations.

For example, the buyer must be a corporation and acquire at least 80 percent of the business in a qualified stock purchase. As a result, it's impossible to get a step-up of the inside basis of the business assets when less than 80 percent of the business is sold. If 338(h) (10) treatment is elected when the sale involves less than 100 percent (but at least 80 percent or more), the minority shareholders must recognize gain on the interest they continue to own.

In the case of an LLC, the sale of any amount of the business will result in a step-up of the inside basis of the assets with only a single level of tax imposed on the

�ssets (3) Sales Price

owner as long as an election is made pursuant to §754.

The step-up (and accompanying gain recognition) is limited to the percentage interest sold.

Moreover, there isn't a requirement that the buyer be a corporation to obtain these benefits. The step-up in basis under §754 is available to any buyer.

Example: Taxpayer operates a software company with a FMV of $10 million. The company has been operated as a C corporation because the tax advisor thought this form was more beneficial since the owner could be given tax‐free fringe benefits and the income reinvested in the business wouldn't be subject to self‐employment tax. A buyer has approached taxpayer and offered to buy the business for $10 million in cash provided the company’s intangible assets will be stepped up in the sale. If the assets can't be stepped up, then the buyer will reduce the purchase price by the present value of the forgone tax benefits.

C Corp Stock

S Corp (3)

LLC (3)

$10,000,000

$10,000,000

$10,000,000

$10,000,000

0

(3,581,381)

0

0

Net Sales Price

10,000,000

6,418,619

10,000,000

10,000,000

Corp Level Tax

3,400,000

0

0

0

Net

6,600,000

6,418,619

10,000,000

10,000,000

(1,570,800)

(1,527,631)

(2,000,000)

(2,000,000)

5,029,200

4,890,988

8,000,000

8,000,000

Lost Tax Benefit (1)

Tax to Owner (2) Net to Owner

1. The lost tax benefit equals the present value of reduced amortization deductions of $666,667 per year for 15 years discounted at 3% annually assuming a 45% effective tax rate.

2. 20% tax rate on long term capital gains with 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax when sale does not involve flow‐through entity.

3. Inside basis of assets assumed to be zero to simplify the analysis.

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The net benefit to the owner is significantly reduced when the sale involves the sale of assets or the sale of C corporation stock discounted for the benefits of the lost step‐up to the buyer. One could argue that the seller could simply “insist” that the buyer accept the reduced tax benefits as part of the deal. However, that means the buyer would agree to pay an additional $3,581,381 for the stock. If that's the case, then the seller should get the same overpayment in the case of an LLC sale thereby preserving the favorable spread.

The above comparison also examines the impact of a sale if the seller instead operated as an S corporation for at least five years prior to and during the year of the sale.

Although §338(h)(10) requires the buyer be a corporation, similar results may be obtained using the provisions of §336(e), which doesn't require the buyer be another corporation. However, in the case of both §338(h)(10) and §336(e) the acquisition must be of at least 80 percent of the vote and value of the target company. Moreover, if the sales involves less than 100 percent of the

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S corporation stock, the target will relinquish its S election in the case of §338(h)(10).

One of the major benefits of operating as an LLC is in the case of the sale of less than 80 percent of the business, the buyer can get a step-up in the inside basis of his or her pro-rated share of the assets while the seller has only one level of tax. This is done by making a §754 election to step up the basis under §743. It's important to note that in the case of an adjustment under §743, the adjustments apply only to the transferee partner. This is beneficial to the buyer since there's no limitation on the use of the adjustments as there's in the case when appreciated property is transferred to partnership and special adjustments must be made pursuant to §704(c).

When the sale involves the sale of a regarded interest, i.e., not a single member LLC, then the adjustment is made pursuant to §743 so there will be no limitation resulting from the so‐called “ceiling rule” that applies in the case of §704(c). Although this problem could potentially be cured by the adoption of the remedial method of making

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§704(c) allocations, such method creates potential ordinary income recapture issues in the future.

Similar benefits may be possible when the seller is operating the business as an S corporation, but significant planning beyond the scope of this article would be necessary and the complexity of the arrangement increases significantly on a going forward basis.

In addition to the very significant benefit generated upon the sale of all or part of the underlying business, operating as an LLC has significant benefits over operating as a C corporation, including: 1. Basis in the entity increases by the undistributed income of the entity.

2. Basis includes the partner/LLC members share of the partnership’s debt.

3. No limitation on the use of the cash method.

4. Domestic production activities deduction (DPAD) and various credits passthrough with no adjustments to basis.

5. Not subject to NIIT on income passed through (including gain on the sale of the business) if meet the active participation requirements.

6. Generally can distribute appreciated property from the partnership/LLC without generating gain.

7. No entity‐level AMT and if the entity is profitable, exposure to individual AMT is usually greatly reduced.

C corporations are an obsolete form of business operation. There's no good reason why a closely held business should be operating as a C corporation.

Existing C corporations should consider liquidating and changing form to operate as an LLC before they have a significant amount of appreciated assets. Gain must be recognized at the corporate level if the FMV of the assets exceed their basis when the corporation is liquidated.

However, if the FMV is less than basis, losses are allowed; see §267(a)(1). If it's too expensive to liquidate, the shareholders should consider making an election to be

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taxed as an S corporation. Although S corporations are preferable to regular C corporations, they are by no means as beneficial as LLCs. If you would like an Excel spreadsheet supporting this article and/or if you have questions on the technical underpinning, please send an email to rtaylor@wipfli.com.

Rick J. Taylor, CPA, MST is tax partner at Wipfli LLP. Contact him at 414-431-9385 or rtaylor@wipfli.com.

Rick J. Taylor, CPA, MST will present “Tax Forms Boot Camp: LLCs & Partnerships” on Dec. 7 (TBCL) and “Tax Forms Boot Camp: S Corporations” on Dec. 8 (TBCS) at the WICPA Professional Development Center in Waukesha; and “Tax Forms Boot Camp: LLCs, Partnerships & S Corporations" on Dec. 14 (TFBC) at the Radisson Paper Valley in Appleton. See pages 95-96 for details.

wicpa.org

Mix & Mingle WICPA NETWORKING EVENTS FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS Further your career, strengthen your professional image or just make new friends at the WICPA's 2016 Mix & Mingle networking events.

Tuesday

AT EACH EVENT: Network with other like-minded professionals Participate in entertaining activities exclusive to each event

14 June

Wednesday

20 July

Tuesday

Visit the Committee Corner

26 July

Enjoy food and drinks Tuesday

TO REGISTER: Go to wicpa.org/YPEvents $30 per event

18

215 N. Henry St.

5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Brewery Tour & Meet the Brew Master

UW-Madison Union South | Madison 1308 W. Dayton St. 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Babcock Hall Ice Cream Tasting

Spectrum Investment Advisors | Mequon 6329 W. Mequon Rd. 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Investing 101 Presentation

Hy-Vee | Fitchburg 2920 Fitchrona Rd. 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.

October

Breakfast Demo & Wellness 101 Presentation

Thursday

History Museum at the Castle | Appleton

20 October

Wednesday

7

December

wicpa.org

Stillmank Brewery | Green Bay

330 E. College Ave. 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Tour Museum Exhibits

Pettit Center | Milwaukee 500 S. 84th St.

5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Ice Skating (optional)

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52 The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

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[technology] Office 2016

Microsoft Office 2016: Improving productivity with new features

By Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA, CGMA, CITP

A

lthough it has been several months since Microsoft made Office 2016 available to the public, many individuals and organizations have yet to adopt the new suite of desktop productivity applications. For some, it's a matter of waiting on an IT staff to give the green light. For others, it's a matter of the perceived time and hassle associated with upgrading, including determining whether investing in a new computer and/or Windows 10 is necessary. Still, for others, it's a matter of determining whether

wicpa.org

the new features are worth the cost of upgrading.

Regardless of where you might fall into this “upgrade spectrum,” read on, and you will learn the appropriate next steps for you and your team regarding Office 2016.

First, the features We should view expenditures on technology not as “expenses,” but rather as “investments.” If we adopt this mindset, we should seek to maximize our return on investment (ROI) in technology.

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Relative to Office 2016, this translates into determining whether the new features will be useful to our team members and us.

While not intended to be an all-inclusive list of new and improved features in Office 2016, the following are some that are likely to provide the greatest ROI to business users.

Co-authoring in Word and PowerPoint Using this feature, multiple users can access and edit Word documents and PowerPoint presentations simultaneously, facilitating real-time collaboration.

Clutter in Outlook Outlook’s new Clutter feature learns how you work with your email and places low priority messages in a separate folder, allowing you to stay focused on the most important items of the day.

One-click forecasting in Excel With one click of the mouse, you can forecast based on historical data, including identifying 95 percent confidence intervals. Many business professionals will find this feature to be very useful when performing budgeting tasks.

Six new chart types in Word, PowerPoint and Excel Six new chart types – histogram, treemap, waterfall, Pareto, box and whisker and sunburst – are available to help you transform raw data into more meaningful and actionable information.

Improved version history in Word, PowerPoint and Excel If you store Word, PowerPoint or Excel data in SharePoint or OneDrive for Business, you can look at prior versions of your documents and even restore a prior version, if necessary.

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View and edit across multiple devices and multiple platforms in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote and Outlook Most Office 2016 applications are now available across multiple platforms – Windows, iOS, Mac, and Android.

You can access your tools and your data regardless of the device you happen to have in your hands at any point in time.

In addition to the new features outlined above, and many not listed here, if you upgrade to Office 2016 from Office 2010 or prior, all of the enhancements made to Office 2013 will appear to be new to you. Key among these are the following: • The ability to open and edit PDF documents in Word • Recommended PivotTables and Charts in Excel • Excel’s Flash Fill tool • A drastically improved Presenter View in PowerPoint; • Slicer filters on Tables in Excel • In-line replies to email messages in Outlook • Business intelligence tools, including Data Models, Power Query, and Power Map in Excel.

Clearly, for those who choose to upgrade to Office 2016, there’s a wealth of new features available and the opportunity exists to realize a substantial return on investment.

What about the hassle? What about the hardware? Must I also upgrade to Windows 10?

Because upgrades to Office 2016 use click-to-run

wicpa.org

technology, most upgrades from an existing version of Office take only a few minutes to complete. My upgrade from Office 2013 completed in less than 10 minutes.

Further, because the user interface is largely the same as it was in Office 2010 and newer, most users will likely not experience any significant “learning curve” and should be able to get to work right away in Office 2016.

Additionally, Office 2016 identifies key settings in your current version of Office and carries these over to the new environment. All told, the hassle associated with the upgrade is virtually non-existent.

Because Microsoft released Office 2016 just two months after Windows 10, there's some confusion in the marketplace about whether Windows users must upgrade to Windows 10 prior to upgrading to Office 2016. The short answer is “no.” In fact, Windows users only need Windows 7 Service Pack 1 on their computers to run Office 2016. Other key system requirements include a 1GHz or faster processor, 2 GB of RAM, and 3 GB of hard disk space available. However, Mac users

wicpa.org

will need 4 GB of RAM and 6 GB or hard disk space available in order to upgrade. In other words, if you have a computer that is less than seven years old, there's a very strong likelihood that it has the “horsepower” to run Office 2016.

Why is my IT staff dragging their heels?

The seemingly slow responses from IT staffs frustrate many end-users when upgrades such as Office 2016 become available. However, IT staffs must ensure that an upgrade doesn't cause problems elsewhere, and to do this, thorough testing is often necessary in corporate environments before upgrades roll out en masse.

One particular Office 2016 issue that many IT staffs are struggling with is how Microsoft plans to push security and feature updates to Office 2016 users.

More specifically, if your organization obtains Office 2016 through an Office 365 subscription plan, your IT staff must wrestle with what Microsoft deems “Current Branch” and “Current Branch for Business” update

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models. If you’re in the Current Branch model (which includes Office 365 Business and Office 365 Business Professional subscribers), you'll receive monthly updates, which can include security patches, bug fixes, and new and improved features. You can choose not to deploy an update, but if you do, you won't receive future security updates.

If you're in the Current Branch for Business model (which includes Office 365 E3 and E4 subscribers and Office ProPlus subscribers), you'll receive monthly security updates, and feature updates every four months.

If you're in the Current Branch for Business update cycle, you can choose to defer updates for up to eight months, but must accept them at that time or you won't receive security updates.

While many businesses – particularly smaller ones, with relatively straightforward computing applications – will benefit from this new support methodology, larger businesses may face challenges with the mandatory updates and their potential impact on other applications that integrate with Office 2016. For this reason, many IT managers are currently taking a wait-and-see approach to Office 2016, particularly if they're considering deploying it through an Office 365 subscription plan.

Your next steps Given all that you read above, what are your next steps? For many individuals and small business users, taking the Office 365 plunge and moving forward as soon as possible will pay significant dividends, particularly if

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you’re upgrading from Office 2010 or prior. Further, if you're already running Windows 7 or newer, the upgrade to Office 2016 should be relatively fast and painless, and likely will not require hardware upgrades. However, if you integrate Office 2016 with other applications – for example, exporting financial statements into Excel – you should first test to ensure that these integrations continue to work before upgrading your entire team. In larger organizations, this testing strategy will take some time. Couple that with the uncertainty surrounding mandatory updates in Office 365 environments, we may find that Office 2016 upgrades for these organizations are still some time away.

Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA, CGMA, CITP is a shareholder in K2 Enterprises, where he develops and presents continuing professional education programs to business professionals throughout North America.

Contact him at tommy@k2e.com.

Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP, CGMA, Director of Strategic Relationships, K2 Enterprises will present “Microsoft Office 2016: Improving Productivity with New Features” (OFF-4) on Sept. 9 at the WICPA Professional Development Center in Waukesha. See page 98 for full details.

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7

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[seminars] calendar

Type

Location

1 NEW! Auditing Employee Benefit Plans (EBPE)

AA

Wausau

78

2

AA

Madison

78

Type

Location

Date

AUG

Date

SEPT 58

2016-2017

Title

Auditing Defined Contribution Retirement Plans (AEMP)

Title

Page

Page

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7

Advanced Excel (ADE)

Tech

Appleton

97

7

Cyber Security for Businesses (ECBP09)

BP

Eau Claire

66

7

Ethics & Leadership in Today’s Society (WBP09)

BP

Waukesha

65

8

Advanced Excel Reporting: Best Practices, Tools & Techniques (EXR-4)

Tech

Waukesha

97

8

Advanced Quickbooks Tips & Techniques (AQB-4)

Tech

Waukesha

97

8

Social Security, Medicare & Prescription Drug Retirement Benefits:

What Every Baby Boomer Needs to Know Now (SSRB)

TAX

Waukesha

90

9

Multigenerational Financial & Tax Planning for Clients (MGEN)

TAX

Waukesha

90

9 NEW! Microsoft Office 2016: Improving Productivity with New Features (OFF-4)

Tech

Waukesha

98

9

Do it Yourself Business Intelligence (DIY-4)

Tech

Waukesha

98

9

The EEOC in 2016: If You’re Not at the Table, You’re Probably on the Menu (MBP09)

BP

Madison

68

9

Hot IRS Practice & Procedure Issues (NBP09)

BP

Appleton

70

12

NEW! Audit Workpapers: Documenting & Reviewing Field Work (AUDW)

AA

Onalaska

78

13

NEW! Upcoming Peer Review: Is Your Firm Ready? (SNPR)

AA

Waukesha

79

13

NEW! Accounting for Deferred Income Taxes (AIT)

AA

Green Bay

79

14

NEW! Real-World Business Ethics for CPAs in A&A (CL4AARWBE)

ETH

Green Bay

86

14

NEW! Purchasing, Inventory & Cash Disbursements: Common Frauds & AA

Green Bay

79

You Are in Compliance? (SS21)

AA

Waukesha

79

14

NEW! Identity Theft: Preventing, Detecting & Investigating (IDENT)

AA

Appleton

80

15

Construction Contractors: Critical Accounting, Auditing & Tax Issues in

Today’s Environment (CONS)

AA

Onalaska

80

15-16

Audit Staff Essentials Level 1: New Staff (ASE1)

AA

Waukesha

80

19

From Hiring to Firing & Everything in Between: Health Care, Retirement &

Fringe Benefit Tax Issues (HTOF)

TAX

Waukesha

90

20

NEW! Take Your Medicine: Health Care in 2016 (OBC4)

TAX

Waukesha

90

20

NEW! Key Partnership & S Corporation Tax Planning Strategies (BTS4)

TAX

Waukesha

91

21

Advanced Selected Issues for Trusts, Estates & Their Beneficiaries (ITEB)

TAX

Waukesha

91

22

Revenue Recognition: Mastering the New FASB Requirements (INRR)

AA

Waukesha

80

22

Buying & Selling a Business: Critical Tax & Structuring Issues (SELL)

TAX

Waukesha

91

23

Comprehensive Accounting Issues of Estates & Trusts: Fiduciary Accounting

& Tax Issues (FACT)

AA

Appleton

81

23

Annual Update for Accountants & Auditors (AUAA)

AA

Wausau

81

14

Internal Controls (CL4PCD)

NEW! Advanced Concepts in SSARS 21 & Nonattest Services: Are You Certain

[ wicpa.org/register ]

Date

SEPT

Type

Location

Page

Investment Management: Proven Factors of Return & Retirement Income

Planning (MT09)

BP

Wauwatosa

69

26

Hottest Tax Topics for 2016 (HOT)

TAX

Appleton

91

28

Compilations, Reviews & New Preparations: Engagement Performance &

Annual Update (CRAU)

AA

Onalaska

81

29

Surgent’s Handbook for Mastering Basis, Distributions & Loss Limitation Issues for

TAX

Eau Claire

92

S Corporations, LLCs & Partnerships (HMBI)

30

A Practical Guide to Small Business Health Insurance & Fringe Benefits:

2016 & Beyond (OBCR)

TAX

Eau Claire

92

Type

Location

Page

Title

3

25 Strategies for Increased Self-Esteem & Empowerment (WBS1003)

WBS

Waukesha

64

5

25 Strategies for Increased Self-Esteem & Empowerment (WBS1005)

WBS

Appleton

64

11

Advanced CFO & Controller Leadership Skills (ACCS)

Mgmt Waukesha 88

12

Real Life Communication without the “Like” Button (WBP10)

BP Waukesha 65

13

Fraud Update: Detecting & Preventing the Top 10 Fraud Schemes (TTFS)

AA

Waukesha

82

14

Compilations, Reviews & New Preparations: Engagement Performance &

Annual Update (CRAU2)

AA

Waukesha

81

14

Hot IRS Practice & Procedure Issues (MT10)

BP Wauwatosa 69

14

Cyber Security for Businesses (MBP10)

BP Madison 68

14

The EEOC in 2016: If You’re Not at the Table, You’re Probably on the Menu (NBP10)

BP

Green Bay

71

17-18

Audit Staff Essentials Level 2: Experienced Staff (ASE2)

AA

Waukesha

82

18

NEW! Virtual Accounting & CFO Services (TE051L)

Tech

Waukesha

98

18

Financial Wellness for Women (WBS1018)

WBS

Madison

64

19

Wisconsin Tax Update (LCBP10)

19

2016 Productivity Tools Review (PT013L)

20

Life Skills for Women (WBS1020)

20

A Complete Guide to the Yellow Book (YBYB)

20

NEW! Health Care Reform Act: Critical Tax & Insurance Ramifications (CL4HCRA)

TAX

Waukesha

92

20

Social Security & Medicare: Maximizing Retirement Benefits (CL4SSM)

TAX

Waukesha

93

20

NEW! Cybersecurity: Securing Your Data & Devices in an Online World (TE041L)

Tech

Waukesha

99

21

Latest Developments in Government & Nonprofit Accounting & Auditing 2016 (GNAA)

21

NEW! Nexus Update: Latest Developments in State Income, Franchise &

BP Onalaska 67 Tech

Waukesha

99

WBS

Appleton

64

Gov/NFP Madison 87

Gov/NFP Waukesha 87

Sales Taxes (NXUP)

TAX Madison 93

21

Wisconsin Tax Update (WSBP10)

BP Wausau 72

24

Hottest Tax Topics for 2016 (HOT2)

TAX Onalaska 91

26

NEW! Red Flag Issues: Areas the IRS Attacks in Examination (RFI)

TAX

Waukesha

93

27-28

Audit Staff Essentials Level 3: Audit Senior/In-Charge (ASE3)

AA

Waukesha

83

59 The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

23

Date

OCT

Title

[seminars] calendar

Date

OCT

60

Type

Location

Page

NEW! WI Accounting Ethics with Emphasis on Tax Practice Issues (WIET)

ETH

Waukesha

86

28

Navigating Divorce: Tax & Litigation Issues (NDTL)

TAX

Green Bay

93

31

NEW! Audits of Banks & Other Financial Institutions (BBANK)

AA

Waukesha

83

Type

Location

Page

Title

The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

1

Not-for-Profit Accounting & Reporting: From Start to Finish (NPAR)

7

Corporate Finance Check-up: Renovate Your Analytical Toolbox (CFC)

7

Advanced Auditing of HUD – Assisted Projects (EO-AHUD)

Gov/NFP Madison 87 Mgmt Waukesha 88 AA

Waukesha

83

8 NEW! Executive Education’s Annual CFO Spotlight: 4 Select Issues (ACFOS)

ETH

Waukesha

86

8

Mgmt Waukesha 88

Annual Update for Controllers (SKSB)

8 NEW! Minimizing Internal Control Blunders Under the New COSO Framework (COSF)

AA

Appleton

83

8 NEW! Digging Deeper with Data Analysis (DDDA)

AA

Madison

83

Gov/NFP

Eau Claire

87

8

Not-for-Profit Accounting & Reporting: From Start to Finish (NPAR2)

8

Life Skills for Women (WBS1108)

9

Internal Control & COSO Essentials for Financial Managers, Accountants &

Auditors (ICDAD)

WBS Madison 64 AA

Madison

84

9 NEW! Form 990: Exploring the Form’s Complex Schedules (F990A)

TAX

Waukesha

93

9

Life Skills for Women (WBS1109)

WBS Waukesha 64

14

NEW! Recognizing & Responding to Fraud Risk in Governmental &

Not-for-Profit Organizations (FRGNP)

Gov/NFP Appleton 87

14

NEW! U.S. GAAP: Latest Developments for Business & Industry (CL4FASBI)

AA

Waukesha

84

14

NEW! The New Clarified Attestation Standards: What You Need to Know (CL4CAS)

AA

Waukesha

84

15

NEW! Identity Theft: Preventing, Detecting & Investigating (IDENT2)

AA

Madison

80

16

Wisconsin Tax Update (ECBP11)

BP

Eau Claire

67

16

Post-Election Investment Strategies (WBP11)

BP Waukesha 65

17

Buying & Selling a Business: The CPA’s Role (BASB)

TAX

Wausau

94

18

NEW! Best Practices for Payroll Taxes & 1099 Issues (GPT)

TAX

Wausau

94

18

Hot IRS Practice & Procedure Issues (MBP11)

BP Madison 68

18

Improve Your Cyber Security & Develop a Better Business Process (MT11)

BP Wauwatosa 69

18

Wisconsin Tax Update (NBP11)

BP Appleton 71

29

Annual Update for Accountants & Auditors (AUAA2)

AA

Waukesha

81

29

Tax Advisors Update (PTU)

TAX

Waukesha

94

Type

Location Green Bay

Date

DEC

Title

27

Date

NOV

2016-2017

Title

Page

5

Tax Advisors Update (PTU2)

TAX

5

The Strategic CFO: Big Picture Skills (SCFO)

Mgmt Waukesha 89

94

[ wicpa.org/register ]

Type

Location

Page

6 NEW! Cases in Corporate Ethics (CCE)

ETH

Waukesha

86

6 NEW! Shorten Month-End: Closing Best Practices (SME)

AA

Waukesha

85

7

BP Onalaska 67

Date

DEC

Title

Individual Income Tax Update (LCBP12)

7 NEW! Leases: Mastering the New FASB Requirements (LEAS)

AA

Madison

85

7 NEW! Capitalized Costs & Depreciation: Key Issues & Answers (CL4CCD)

TAX

Waukesha

95

7 NEW! Tax Planning Strategies for Small Businesses: Corporations,

Waukesha

95

TAX

Waukesha

95

8

TAX

Waukesha

96

8 NEW! Tax Forms Boot Camp: S Corporations (TBCS)

TAX

Waukesha

95

9 NEW! Analytics & Big Data for Accountants (DAAN)

Mgmt

Green Bay

89

12

Construction Contractors Advanced Issues (CCAI)

AA

Waukesha

85

14

Tax Forms Boot Camp: LLCs, Partnerships & S Corporations (TFBC)

TAX

Appleton

96

14

Tax Advisors Update (PTU3)

TAX

Onalaska

94

14

Family Law Tax Topics: Avoiding CPA Pitfalls (WBP12)

BP Waukesha 65

16

Wisconsin Tax Update (MBP12)

BP Madison 68

16

The Nuts & Bolts of Leadership: Reflections on Getting the Job Done (MT12)

BP Wauwatosa 69

16

Individual Income Tax Update (NBP12)

BP

16

Cyber Security for Businesses (WSBP12)

BP Wausau 72

Title

Type

Green Bay

Location

71

Page

6

Individual Income Tax Update (MT01A)

BP Wauwatosa 70

13

Individual Income Tax Update (MT01B)

BP Pewaukee 70

13

Investment Management: Proven Factors of Return &

Retirement Income Planning (NBP01)

BP Appleton 71

18

The EEOC in 2017 (WBP01)

BP Waukesha 65

18

Cyber Security for Businesses (LCBP01)

BP Onalaska 67

19

Individual Income Tax Update (MT01C)

BP Waukesha 70

20

Individual Income Tax Update (MBP01)

BP Madison 68

Date

FEB 2017

Advanced Mergers, Acquisitions & Sales of Closely Held Businesses (PSAS)

Title

Type

Location

Page

Eau Claire

67

15

Managing & Defending a Sales Tax Audit (ECBP02)

BP

15

Sales & Use Tax Update: Hot Topics & Recent Trends (WBP02)

BP Waukesha 66

17

Investment Management: Proven Factors of Return & Retirement Income

Planning (MBP02)

BP Madison 68

17

Post-Election Investment Strategies (MT02)

BP Wauwatosa 70

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TAX

Date

JAN 2017

Partnerships & LLCs (CL4STSB)

7 NEW! Tax Forms Boot Camp: LLCs & Partnerships (TBCL)

[seminars] calendar

Date

FEB 2017

62

MAR 2017

Project Management (NBP02)

28

NEW! Transforming Your Role as Controller to Business Partner (COBP)

Page

BP

Green Bay

71

Mgmt Waukesha 89

Type

Location

Page

The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

BP Onalaska 67

15

Identity Theft & Scams You Should Know (WBP03)

BP Waukesha 66

17

Defusing Ticking Time Bombs: Top Employee Benefits Challenges & Solutions (MBP03)

BP Madison 68

17

Tax Saving Strategies for Business (MT03)

BP Wauwatosa 70

17

Improve Your Cyber Security & Develop a Better Business Process (NBP03)

BP Appleton 72

Title

Type

Location

Page

Eau Claire

67

19

Buyer Seller Dance: Identifying the Emotional Compelling Reasons (ECBP04)

BP

19

Defusing Ticking Time Bombs: Top Employee Benefits Challenges & Solutions (WBP04)

BP Waukesha 66

21

The Ever-Changing State NEXUS Rules (MBP04)

BP Madison 69

21

Sales & Use Tax Update: Hot Topics & Recent Trends (NBP04)

BP

21

Show Me the Money: Navigating Employee Wage & Hour Requirements (MT04)

BP Wauwatosa 70

21

Project Management (WSBP04)

BP Wausau 72

17

Title

Type

Green Bay

Location

72

Page

Wisconsin Unclaimed Property Update & Taking Advantage of New

R&D Tax Credits (LCBP05)

BP Onalaska 67

17

It’s Your Estate: Are You in Control? (WBP05)

BP Waukesha 66

19

Show Me the Money: Navigating Employee Wage & Hour Requirements (MBP05)

BP Madison 69

19

Defusing Ticking Time Bombs: Top Employee Benefits Challenges & Solutions (MT05)

BP Wauwatosa 70

19

Future of Audit & Tax Technology (NBP05)

BP Appleton 72

Date

JUNE 2017

Location

Sales & Use Tax Update: Hot Topics & Recent Trends (LCBP03)

Date

MAY 2017

Title

Type

15

Date

APR 2017

Title

17

Date

2016-2017

16

Title Audits of 401(k) Plans (AFKP)

Type AA

Location

Page

Waukesha 85

WICPA CPE REGISTRATION REGISTRATION FORM COURSE SIGN-UP

CONTACT INFORMATION: Name ______________________________________________ WICPA ID # ______________

Course Aconym: __________________ Amount $ __________________

Firm/Company _______________________________________________________________

Course Aconym: __________________ Amount $ __________________

City __________________________________ State _________ Zip __________________

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Email*

Course Aconym: __________________ Amount $ __________________

Phone (_______) ________________________ Fax (_______) ________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

*Email address required for registration confirmation and electronic materials

ARE YOU: An AICPA member A WICPA member

Course Aconym: __________________ Amount $ __________________ Course Aconym: __________________ Amount $ __________________ Course Aconym: __________________ Amount $ __________________ Course Aconym: __________________ Amount $ __________________

PLEASE CHECK IF YOU: Prefer printed materials (additional $25) Will use a laptop/tablet for viewing materials Have a special requirement/food allergy If yes, please list specifics: ___________________________________

CONTACT ME ABOUT BEING A WICPA MEMBER & SAVING UP TO $50 PER COURSE (Nonmembers only) Please contact me at _________________________________________________________ PAYMENT METHOD: MasterCard Visa Check (Payable to WICPA)

American Express

Total amount to be charge: $ __________ Total amount enclosed: $ __________

Course Aconym: __________________ Amount $ __________________

Name on Credit Card ___________________________________________________________

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City __________________________________ State _________ Zip __________________

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Signature ___________________________________________________ Date ____________

Course Aconym: __________________ Amount $ __________________ Course Aconym: __________________ Amount $ __________________

TOTAL AMOUNT $ _____________

Billing Address _______________________________________________________________ Card # ___________________________________ Exp. Date _________ CVV Code ________

Course Materials: The WICPA provides electronic materials included with registration that will be distributed via email containing a link to download them. This email will be sent approximately seven days prior to the course. Attendees may purchase a hardcopy up to seven days prior to the course that will be available for pickup at the registration table.

Walk-in registrants and those registering less than seven days prior to the course will receive electronic materials by default.

Extra hardcopies are not guaranteed to be available on-site. In addition, on-site internet access cannot be guaranteed so please download any materials prior to the course.

Cancellation Policy: To receive a full refund, the WICPA CPE Department must receive a request to cancel or transfer to a different course at least 14 days prior to the course. Cancellations or transfer requests received less than 14 days prior to the course will be subject up to a $100 cancellation fee. No refund or transfer requests will be granted on or after the day of the course, or if you have downloaded any of the electronic course materials.

wicpa.org/register WISCONSIN INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS W233N2080 Ridgeview Parkway | Suite 201 | Waukesha, WI 53188 | P: 800-772-6939 | F: 262-785-0838

63 The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

Course Aconym: __________________ Amount $ __________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________

[Breakfast Series] wicpa.org/register

Women’s Breakfast Series Presented by Rhonda Noordyk, a Certified Women’s Leadership Coach and Founder of The Women’s Financial Wellness Center, LLC, this unique series offers three breakfast programs specifically designed for women.

64 The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

25 Strategies for Increased Self-Esteem & Empowerment

Financial Wellness for Women

Oct. 5 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Wipfli LLP, Appleton Women suffer from low self-esteem and a lack of empowerment on a global basis. This workshop will provide highly-interactive questions for participants to become more aware of self-defeating behaviors and relationships.

Fee: $69 member/$79 nonmember CPE credit: 3 credits

(WBS1020), (WBS1108) and (WBS1109)

(WBS1018)

(WBS1003) and (WBS1005)

Oct. 3 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

Life Skills for Women

Oct. 18 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

SVA Certified Public Accountants, S.C., Madison The Women’s Financial Wellness Center defines financial wellness as the state of being of good financial health as a result of deliberate effort. This workshop will allow women to explore their attitudes and beliefs about money, identify the top 10 questions for financial wellness and develop an action plan.

Fee: $59 member/$69 nonmember CPE credit: 2 credits

Oct. 20 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Wipfli LLP, Appleton Nov. 8 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

SVA Certified Public Accountants, S.C., Madison Nov. 9 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Women live in a fast-paced world and often attempt to juggle a hectic home life with a demanding career. Factor in the potential of aging parents, difficult children, financial constraints and emotional upheavals, and it’s possible that women are at risk for falling apart emotionally, mentally and physically.

Fee: $69 member/$79 nonmember CPE credit: 3 credits

[Breakfast Programs & TGIF for CPAs] wicpa.org/register

Want to get out of the office, earn CPE credits and still not lose a full day of work?

The WICPA hosts numerous one- to three-hour breakfast throughout the state for CPAs, accounting and business professionals. Many find these programs to be the perfect way to fit CPE credits into a tight schedule while networking and staying current on timely issues, hot topics and upcoming trends.

These programs feature various topics and occur one Wednesday a month, September through May, at the WICPA Professional Development Center in Waukesha. Registration and a networking breakfast begin at 7 a.m., followed by the presentation from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.

CPE credit: 1 credit Individual program: $30 member/$40 nonmember BEST DEAL! Season Pass (9 credits) (WBPSP) $240 member/$320 nonmember New this year: All programs will have electronic materials. Printed materials will be available for purchase up to two weeks prior to each program for $10.

Sept. 7 Ethics & Leadership in Today’s Society (WBP09) Edward Rueter, CPA, CFA, Auditor and Tax Accountant, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

The presentation will explore ethics and leadership in the changing dynamic of today’s society. In addition, controls and behavior that are vital to ensure proper business practices within business will be discussed.

Oct. 12 Real Life Communication Without the “Like” Button (WBP10)

Kevin Reardon, CFP, Owner & President, Shakespeare Wealth Management, Inc.

You will learn the following in this presentation: 1. How to run an effective client meeting.

2. Telephone versus email versus tweet.

3. When to listen.

4. When and how to speak (client meeting,

office environment, presentations).

5. The art of asking questions.

6. Handling conflict.

7. The power of empathy.

8. Tips for handling the non-business issues that come our way every day.

Nov. 16 Post-Election Investment Strategies (WBP11) Kenneth Schneider, MBA, Managing Director - Investments, Schneider Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors

This program will cover post-election strategies affecting investments and retirement strategies based on who is elected to the various offices. We will discuss tax free cash-flow utilizing life-insurance retirement plans (LIRP), which present a supplemental way regarding current life insurance contracts to include tax-free distributions. This approach is of great interest to people who earn more than $200,000 a year and desire to complement qualified retirement plans especially if their plans are maxed-out for contributions.

Dec. 14 Family Law Tax Topics: Avoiding CPA Pitfalls (WBP12) Nina Vitek, J.D., Owner, Law Office of Nina M. Vitek, S.C.

Scott Franklin, CPA, J.D., Partner, Kohler and Franklin CPAs

This presentation will provide a review of tax traps that impact tax filings in family law situations from both the CPA’s perspective and the family lawyer’s perspective.

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and TGIF programs

Waukesha Breakfast Programs

[Breakfast Programs & TGIF for CPAs] wicpa.org/register Jan. 18

April 19

The EEOC in 2017 (WBP01)

Defusing Ticking Time Bombs: Top Employee Benefits Challenges & Solutions (WBP04)

Scott Beightol, J.D., Partner, Firm Chairman, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

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The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) agenda, aided by employee advocates, puts employers “on the menu.” The EEOC continues to test the boundaries of employment discrimination in new and extensive ways. From aggressive investigation and litigation tactics, to expanding views of discrimination, e.g., gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age and systemic discrimination claims, the EEOC’s tactics continue to evolve with discrimination law. This presentation will address emerging issues you need to know to avoid potential liability.

Martin Tierney, J.D., Partner, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

Employee benefits problems have a way of demanding attention only after they explode. This presentation will address some commonly underappreciated land mines and how to proactively address them before they blow up in your face. Topics will include the Affordable Care Act, benefits issues associated with acquisitions, special challenges facing sponsors of selffunded health plans, benefits concerns with respect to contingent workers, controlled group issues and withdrawal liability, among other recurring benefits challenges.

Feb. 15

May 17

Sales & Use Tax Update: Hot Topics & Recent Trends (WBP02)

It’s Your Estate: Are You in Control? (WBP05)

Art Oberst, CPA, Sales & Use Tax Senior

Matthew Cole, Financial Advisor, The

Manager, BDO USA, LLP

Prudential Insurance Company of America

As the landscape of sales and use tax continues to change with cloud computing issues, remote seller concerns, amongst many others, it’s helpful to reflect on where we have been and where sales and use tax rules and policies are heading. This presentation will focus on sales and use tax nexus, current issues, and compliance policies and procedures.

Estate planning should be an important part of everyone’s financial planning strategy. With time, one’s focus shifts from retirement accumulation to distribution.

This may be a good time to re-examine your estate planning strategy. This presentation will feature a discussion on:

March 15 Identity Theft & Scams You Should Know (WBP03) Nancy Towle, Licensed Insurance Agent, Health Markets Insurance Agency

This program will explore local and regional identity theft and scams to aide you in learning how to spot scammers and cons to protect yourself, your finances and your loved ones. Materials will be provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

Prudential Financial, its affiliates, and its financial professionals do not render tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors for advice concerning your particular circumstances. 0291287-00001-00

• Basic estate planning strategies.

• Wills, trusts, and financial and health care powers of attorney.

• The importance of naming beneficiaries.

Eau Claire & La Crosse Breakfast Programs These programs feature various topics and occur one Wednesday a month, September through May, alternating between Staybridge Suites in Eau Claire - Altoona and Stoney Creek Inn in Onalaska. Registration and a networking breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the presentation from 8 – 10 a.m.

Note: The Individual Tax Update program is on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the Stoney Creek Inn in Onalaska. Registration and breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the presentation from 8 a.m. – Noon. The registration fee for this program includes a Master Tax Guide.

CPE credit: 2 credits (December program is 4 credits) Individual program: $45 member/$55 nonmember (December program is $109 member/$139 nonmember and includes a Master Tax Guide)

New this year: All programs will have electronic materials. Printed materials will be available for purchase up to two weeks prior to each program for $10.

• Stretching IRAs.

Sept. 7 (Staybridge Suites,

• When you should consider a retirement strategy using a trust.

Cyber Security for Businesses

• The importance of life insurance in estate planning and retirement planning strategies.

Life insurance issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Newark, N.J. and its affiliates.

Eau Claire-Altoona)

(ECBP09)

Michael Senkbeil, CISSP, CISA, MCSE, Partner, Chortek LLP

Overseas, organized crime rings are targeting individuals and businesses via the internet.

Most businesses are under-prepared for this increasing business risk. By attending this

session, you’ll learn about the risks, how they’re perpetrated, and most importantly learn how to reduce risk at your business.

Be prepared to have a lively discussion about what attacks have been repelled by businesses just like yours, and learn how to systematically improve your defenses.

Oct. 19 (Stoney Creek Inn, Onalaska) Wisconsin Tax Update (LCBP10)

Nov. 16 (Staybridge Suites, Eau Claire-Altoona)

Nathaniel Weber, CPA, Director of the Office of Technical Services, Wisconsin Department of Revenue

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue will provide an update on new tax laws and other information for preparation of 2016 Wisconsin income/franchise tax returns as well as sales and use tax and withholding tax updates.

Dec. 7 (Stoney Creek Inn, Onalaska) Individual Income Tax Update (LCBP12)

Time: 7:30 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. – Noon presentation Fee: $109 member/$139 nonmember CPE credit: 4 credits June Norman, CPA, MS Taxation, Sole Practitioner, JJ Norman & Co., CPAs

Join us for a fast-paced and lively session emphasizing practical preparation for the forthcoming tax season. We'll cover an array of individual tax topics including new and prior legislation affecting the current tax year, planning tips, changes in forms and filing requirements and insights for the small tax practitioner. You'll leave feeling a. a little less overwhelmed by all we need to know; b. like you aren't alone in your confusion; c. invigorated for the tax season ahead; and d. all of the above. Program includes Master Tax Guide.

Cyber Security for Businesses (LCBP01)

Michael Senkbeil, CISSP, CISA, MCSE, Partner, Chortek LLP

Overseas, organized crime rings are targeting individuals and businesses via the internet.

Most businesses are under-prepared for this increasing business risk. By attending this session, you’ll learn about the risks, how they’re perpetrated, and most importantly, learn how to reduce risk at your business.

Be prepared to have a lively discussion about what attacks have been repelled by businesses just like yours and learn how to systematically improve your defenses.

Feb. 15 (Staybridge Suites, Eau Claire-Altoona)

Managing & Defending a Sales Tax Audit (ECBP02) Jim San Fillippo, CPA, Sales & Use Tax Senior Director, BDO USA, LLP

Sales and use tax is a labyrinth of complex rules and numerous exceptions. Errors resulting from misapplication of sales and use tax laws could result in a very time-consuming and costly audit. In this presentation, a former Wisconsin Department of Revenue auditor will share his expertise as he provides understandable guidelines and share various strategies and tips on how to make the audit process work for you.

March 15 (Stoney Creek Inn, Onalaska) Sales & Use Tax Update: Hot Topics & Recent Trends (LCBP03) Jim San Fillippo, CPA, Sales & Use Tax Senior Director, BDO USA, LLP

Art Oberst, CPA, Sales & Use Tax Senior Manager, BDO USA, LLP

As the landscape of sales and use tax continues to change with cloud computing issues, remote seller concerns, among many others, it's helpful to reflect on where we have been and where sales and use tax rules and policies are heading. This presentation will focus on sales and use tax nexus, current issues, and compliance policies and procedures.

April 19 (Staybridge Suites, Eau Claire-Altoona)

Buyer Seller Dance: Identifying the Emotional Compelling Reasons to do Business (ECBP04) Thomas A. Carroll, Owner/ President, Strategic Solutions, Inc. dba: Sandler Training

Understand the reasons why prospective new clients end meetings with, “Everything looks good, I just need to think it over,” then they disappear. If buying decisions are made emotionally, we need to understand the techniques involved in having a “pain conversation.” Learn the three levels of pain and the pain conversations that get below the surface are why they are so important to a successful business development outcome.

May 17 (Stoney Creek Inn, Onalaska) Wisconsin Unclaimed Property Update & Taking Advantage of New R &D Tax Credit Laws (LCBP05) Nick Boegel, CPA, Midwest Regional Leader, Unclaimed Property Services, BDO USA LLP

Chad Paul, CPA, Midwest Regional Leader, R&D Tax Credit Services, BDO USA LLP

Unclaimed property audits can be an unanticipated driver of exposure for many companies, regardless of whether those companies have been in compliance with annual unclaimed property filing obligations.

This presentation will discuss the key drivers behind this audit risk, opportunities for companies to mitigate this risk through voluntary disclosure filings and the status of pending Wisconsin legislation that may create a Wisconsin unclaimed property voluntary disclosure program.

Congress recently passed laws enhancing the federal research credit, and Wisconsin recently introduced a new computation for its research credit program. In this presentation, an R&D tax credit specialist will discuss how to take advantage of these new laws while also giving a general overview of the activities and expenses that are eligible.

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Wisconsin Tax Update (ECBP11)

Jan. 18 (Stoney Creek Inn, Onalaska)

[Breakfast Programs & TGIF for CPAs] wicpa.org/register

Madison TGIF for CPAs These programs feature various topics and occur one Friday a month, September through May at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Madison. Registration and a networking breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the presentation from 8 – 10 a.m.

68 The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

The January Individual Tax Update program has registration and breakfast starting at 7:30 a.m., followed by the presentation from 8 a.m. – Noon. The registration fee for this program includes a Master Tax Guide.

menu.” The EEOC continues to test the boundaries of employment discrimination in new and extensive ways. From aggressive investigation and litigation tactics, to expanding views of discrimination, e.g., gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age and systemic discrimination claims, the EEOC’s tactics continue to evolve along with discrimination law itself. This presentation will address emerging issues you need to know to avoid potential liability.

Oct. 14 Cyber Security for Businesses (MBP10)

Individual program: $65 member/$75 nonmember

Overseas, organized crime rings are targeting individuals and businesses via the internet.

Most businesses are under-prepared for this increasing business risk. By attending this session, you’ll learn about the risks, how they’re perpetrated, and most importantly learn how to reduce risk at your business.

Be prepared to have a lively discussion about what attacks have been repelled by businesses just like yours and learn how to systematically improve your defenses.

$109 and includes a Master Tax Guide)

BEST DEAL! Season Pass (20 credits) (MBPSP)

$564 member/$664 nonmember (includes one free program and a Master Tax Guide)

$469 Unemployed/working part time/retired member (includes two free programs and a Master Tax Guide)

New this year: All programs will have electronic materials. Printed materials will be available for purchase up to two weeks prior to each program for $10.

Sept. 9 The EEOC in 2016: If You’re Not at the Table, You’re Probably on the Menu (MBP09) Scott Beightol, J.D., Partner, Firm

Partner, Chortek LLP

Nov. 18

(MBP01)

Time: 7:30 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. – Noon presentation Fee: $109 member/$139 nonmember

Join us for a fast-paced and lively session emphasizing practical preparation for the forthcoming tax season. We'll cover an array of individual tax topics, including new and prior legislation affecting the current tax year, planning tips, changes in forms and filing requirements and insights for the small tax practitioner. You'll leave feeling a. a little less overwhelmed by all we need to know; b. like you are not alone in your confusion; c. invigorated for the tax season ahead; and d. all of the above. Program includes Master Tax Guide.

Feb. 17 Investment Management: Proven Factors of Return & Retirement Income Planning (MBP02)

Hot IRS Practice & Procedure Issues (MBP11) Michael Goller, J.D., Shareholder & Chair, Tax Practice, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

This session will explore what is happening at the IRS, what industry issues are on the IRS radar screen and how best to resolve those issues.

Dec. 16 Wisconsin Tax Update

Individual Income Tax Update

Sole Practitioner, JJ Norman & Co., CPAs

Michael Senkbeil, CISSP, CISA, MCSE,

$60 Unemployed/working part time/ retired member fee (January program is

Jan. 20

June Norman, CPA, MS Taxation,

CPE credit: 2 credits (January program is 4 credits)

(January program is $109 member/$139 nonmember and includes a Master Tax Guide)

Wisconsin income/franchise tax returns as well as sales/use tax and withholding tax updates.

(MBP12)

Nathaniel Weber, CPA, Director of the

Chairman, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

Office of Technical Services, Wisconsin Department of Revenue

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) agenda, aided by employee advocates, puts employers “on the

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue will provide an update on new tax laws and other information for preparation of 2016

Kevin Reardon, CFP, Owner & President, Shakespeare Wealth Management, Inc.

Learn how to invest in a more scientific manner, using four factors of return that have been proven to add value throughout all market cycles. Discover how to use specific investment disciplines that help reduce risk and enhance return in a portfolio. Also, dissect traditional index funds, explaining the inherent flaws present within them, and find better solutions.

March 17 Defusing Ticking Time Bombs: Top Employee Benefits Challenges & Solutions (MBP03) Martin Tierney, J.D., Partner, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

Employee benefits problems have a way of demanding attention only after they explode. This session will address some commonly underappreciated land mines and how to proactively address them before they blow up in your face. Topics will include the Affordable Care Act, benefits issues associated with acquisitions, special challenges facing sponsors of self-funded health plans, benefits concerns with respect to contingent workers, controlled group issues and withdrawal liability, among other recurring benefits challenges.

The Ever-Changing State NEXUS Rules (MBP04) Bryan McDonald, CPA, Partner-in-Charge of Business Development, McDonald Doherty & Company CPAs, P.C.

The presentation will discuss changing state NEXUS laws and their increasing burden on business.

May 19 Show Me the Money: Navigating Employee Wage & Hour Requirements (MBP05) Thomas Crone, Attorney, von Briesen + Roper, s.c.

The presentation will explore classification issues, including independent contractor versus employee and exempt versus nonexempt, minimum wage and overtime pay, and remote work considerations, as well as recent developments in the law.

Milwaukee TGIF for CPAs These programs feature various topics and occur one Friday a month, September through May at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Wauwatosa. Registration and a networking breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the presentation from 8 – 11 a.m.

CPE credit: 3 credits (January programs are 4 credits) Individual program: $70 member/$80 nonmember (January programs are $109 member/$139 nonmember and includes a Master Tax Guide)

$65 Unemployed/working part time/ retired member fee (January programs are $109 and includes a Master Tax Guide)

BEST DEAL! Season Pass (28 credits) (MTSP)

$599 member/$699 nonmember (includes one free program and a Master Tax Guide)

$499 Unemployed/working part time/retired member (includes two free programs and a Master Tax Guide)

New this year: All programs will have electronic materials. Printed materials will be available for purchase up to two weeks prior to each program for $10.

Sept. 23 Investment Management: Proven Factors of Return & Retirement Income Planning (MT09) Kevin Reardon, CFP, Owner & President, Shakespeare Wealth Management, Inc.

Learn how to invest in a more scientific manner, using four factors of return that have been proven to add value throughout all market cycles. Discover how to use specific investment disciplines that help reduce risk and enhance return in a portfolio. Also, dissect traditional index funds, explaining the inherent flaws present within them, and find better solutions.

Oct. 14 Hot IRS Practice & Procedure Issues (MT10) Michael Goller, J.D., Shareholder & Chair, Tax Practice, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

This session will explore what is happening at the IRS, what industry issues are on the IRS radar screen and how best to resolve those issues.

Nov. 18 Improve Your Cyber Security & Develop a Better Business Process (MT11) Scott Hirschfeld, President, CTaccess In this two-part session, we'll address cyber security. How do we ensure that our information is secure and our company won't make headlines like Target, Home Depot or a host of other smaller organizations? How do we meet security requirements of PCI, HIPAA, ALTA, SEC and others? We’ll also address the current security risks with actionable steps to improve your organization’s protection.

During the second part of this session, we move away from the dark side and focus on improving business systems. To grow and handle increased volume, we need an effective process for everything. We'll focus on identifying, mapping, and improving our systems. The steps we discuss will create consistency, keeping things from getting lost in the process, automate the mundane, eliminate the memory game, and free people to focus on important issues.

Dec. 16 The Nuts & Bolts of Leadership: Reflections on Getting the Job Done (MT12) James Bohn, Ph.D., Principal Consultant & CEO, ProAxios

This session will cover several critical areas for leading individuals, teams and organizations. This presentation gets beyond the theory and into the real issues of managing people to achieve business results.

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April 21

There are three Individual Tax Update programs in January. Each program includes a Master Tax Guide with registration. The first program is located at the Crowne Plaza in Wauwatosa on Friday, Jan. 6; a second program is at the Holiday Inn in Pewaukee on Friday, Jan. 13, and the third program is at the WICPA on Thursday, Jan. 19. Registration and networking breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the presentation from 8 a.m. - Noon.

[Breakfast Programs & TGIF for CPAs] wicpa.org/register Jan. 6 (Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wauwatosa) Jan. 13 (Holiday Inn, Pewaukee) Jan. 19 (WICPA, Waukesha)

March 17

Individual Income Tax Update

Bryan McDonald, CPA, Partner-in-Charge

(MT01A) & (MT01B) & (MT01C)

Time: 7:30 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. – Noon presentation Fee: $109 member/$139 nonmember June Norman, CPA, MS Taxation, Sole Practitioner, JJ Norman & Co., CPAs

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Join us for a fast-paced and lively session emphasizing practical preparation for the forthcoming tax season. We'll cover an array of individual tax topics, including new and prior legislation affecting the current tax year, planning tips, changes in forms and filing requirements and insights for the small tax practitioner. You'll leave feeling a. a little less overwhelmed by all we need to know; b. like you are not alone in your confusion; c. invigorated for the tax season ahead; and d. all of the above. Program includes Master Tax Guide.

Feb. 17 Post-Election Investment Strategies (MT02) Kenneth Schneider, MBA, Managing Director - Investments, Schneider Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors

This program will cover post-election strategies affecting investments, and retirement strategies based on who is elected to the various offices.

We will discuss tax free cash-flow utilizing life-insurance retirement plans (LIRP) which present a supplemental way regarding current life insurance contracts to include tax-free distributions. This approach is of great interest to people who earn more than $200,000 a year and desire to complement qualified retirement plans especially if their plans are maxed-out for contributions.

Tax Saving Strategies for Business (MT03) of business development, McDonald Doherty & Company CPAs, P.C.

The presentation will include Research Tax Credit, IC-DISC for foreign sales and 831(b) Captive Insurance plans and available tax credits.

April 21 Show Me the Money: Navigating Employee Wage & Hour Requirements (MT04) Geoffrey Trotier, Attorney, von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

The presentation will explore classification issues, including independent contractor versus employee and exempt versus nonexempt, minimum wage and overtime pay, and remote work considerations, as well as recent developments in the law.

Northeast TGIF for CPAs These Friday programs feature various topics and occur one Friday a month September through May, alternating between the Schenck offices in Appleton and Green Bay. Registration and a networking breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the presentation from 8 – 10 a.m.

The December program is at the Radisson Hotel in Green Bay. Registration and networking breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the presentation from 8 a.m.

– Noon. The registration for this program includes a Master Tax Guide.

CPE credit: 2 credits (December program is 4 credits) Individual program: $60 member/$70 nonmember (December program is $109 member/$139 nonmember and includes a Master Tax Guide)

$55 Unemployed/working part time/ retired member fee (December program is $109 and includes a Master Tax Guide)

May 19

BEST DEAL! Season Pass (20 credits)

Defusing Ticking Time Bombs: Top Employee Benefits Challenges & Solutions (MT05)

$529 member/$629 nonmember

Martin Tierney, J.D., Partner, Michael Best

(NBPSP)

$439 Unemployed/working part time/retired member (includes two free programs and a Master Tax Guide)

& Friedrich LLP

Employee benefits problems have a way of demanding attention only after they explode. This presentation will address some commonly underappreciated land mines and how to proactively address them before they blow up in your face. Topics will include the Affordable Care Act, benefits issues associated with acquisitions, special challenges facing sponsors of selffunded health plans, benefits concerns with respect to contingent workers, controlled group issues and withdrawal liability, among other recurring benefits challenges.

New this year: All programs will have electronic materials. Printed materials will be available for purchase up to two weeks prior to each program for $10.

Sept. 9 (Schenck SC, 200 E. Washington St., Appleton)

Hot IRS Practice & Procedure Issues (NBP09) Michael Goller, J.D., Shareholder & Chair, Tax Practice, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

This session will explore what's happening at the IRS, industry issues that are on the IRS radar screen and how best to resolve those issues.

Oct. 14 (Schenck SC, 2200 Riverside Drive, Green Bay)

The EEOC in 2016: If You’re Not at the Table, You’re Probably on the Menu (NBP10) Scott Beightol, J.D., Partner, Firm Chairman, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

Speakers are needed for Eau Claire, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Northeast Wisconsin, Waukesha and Wausau.

Earn CPE while sharing your expertise, developing leadership skills and promoting your organization.

Visit wicpa.org/speakers to sign up.

Nov. 18 (Schenck SC, 200 E. Washington St., Appleton)

Wisconsin Tax Update (NBP11)

Jan. 13 (Schenck SC, 200 E. Washington St., Appleton)

Investment Management: Proven Factors of Return & Retirement Income Planning (NBP01)

Kevin Reardon, CFP, Owner & President, Shakespeare Wealth Management, Inc.

Learn how to invest in a more scientific manner, using four factors of return that have been proven to add value throughout all market cycles. We will explain how to use specific investment disciplines that help reduce risk and enhance return in a portfolio.

We will also dissect traditional index funds, explaining the inherent flaws present within them, and offer better solutions.

Nathaniel Weber, CPA, Director of the Office of Technical Services, Wisconsin Department of Revenue

Feb. 17

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue will provide an update on new tax laws and other information for preparation of 2016 Wisconsin income/franchise tax returns as well as sales/use tax and withholding tax updates.

Project Management (NBP02)

Dec. 16 (The Radisson Hotel, Green Bay)

Individual Income Tax Update (NBP12)

Time: 7:30 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. – Noon presentation Fee: $109 member/$139 nonmember June Norman, CPA, MS Taxation, Sole Practitioner, JJ Norman & Co., CPAs

Join us for a fast-paced and lively session emphasizing practical preparation for the forthcoming tax season. We'll cover an array of individual tax topics including new and

(Schenck SC, 2200 Riverside Drive, Green Bay)

Steve Hyde, MS, MBA, Chief Information Officer and Director, Information Technology Services, Schenck SC

The pace of new technology adoption increases with each advancement and, as a result, the rate at which our processes must change to accommodate those advancements is also rapidly accelerating.

Additionally, an emerging tech-savvy workforce is coming forward with novel ideas to increase productivity. How can you foster these ideas and successfully manage processes that affect multiple departments?

While project management systems are useful tools, they’re not the most important piece of the puzzle — creating a culture of listening that cultivates innovative thinking and then effectively implementing ideas is what will bring success.

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Earn CPE by Speaking at WICPA Breakfast Programs

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) agenda, aided by employee advocates, puts employers “on the menu.” The EEOC continues to test the boundaries of employment discrimination in new and extensive ways. From aggressive investigation and litigation tactics, to expanding views of discrimination, e.g., gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age and systemic discrimination claims, the EEOC’s tactics continue to evolve along with discrimination law itself. This presentation will address emerging issues you need to know to avoid potential liability.

prior legislation affecting the current tax year, planning tips, changes in forms and filing requirements and insights for the small tax practitioner. You'll leave feeling a. a little less overwhelmed by all we need to know; b. like you are not alone in your confusion; c. invigorated for the tax season ahead; and d. all of the above. Program includes Master Tax Guide.

[Breakfast Programs & TGIF for CPAs] wicpa.org/register Attend this presentation for an interactive discussion about how to take those ideas from your workforce, prioritize them based on potential return on investment and resource constraints, and then implement them using widely accepted project management best practices.

March 17 (Schenck SC, 200 E. Washington St., Appleton)

Improve Your Cyber Security & Develop a Better Business Process (NBP03) 72

Scott Hirschfeld, President, CTaccess

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In this two-part session we'll address cyber security. How do we ensure that our information is secure and our company won't make headlines like Target, Home Depot or a host of other smaller organizations?

How do we meet security requirements of PCI, HIPAA, ALTA, SEC and others? We will address the current security risks with actionable steps to improve your organization’s protection. During the second part of this session, we move away from the dark side and focus on improving business systems. To grow and handle increased volume, we need an effective process for just about everything.

We'll focus on identifying, mapping, and improving our systems. The steps we discuss will create consistency, keep things from getting lost in the process, automate the mundane, eliminate the memory game, and free people to focus on important issues.

April 21 (Schenck SC, 2200 Riverside Drive, Green Bay)

Sales & Use Tax Update: Hot Topics & Recent Trends (NBP04) Jim San Fillippo, CPA, Sales & Use Tax Senior Director, BDO USA, LLP

Art Oberst, CPA, Sales & Use Tax Senior Manager, BDO USA, LLP

As the landscape of sales and use tax continues to change with cloud computing issues, remote seller concerns, among many others, it's helpful to reflect on where we've been and where sales and use tax rules and policies are heading. This presentation will focus on sales and use tax nexus, current issues, and compliance policies and procedures.

May 19 (Schenck SC, 200 E. Washington St., Appleton)

Future of Audit & Tax Technology (NBP05) Steve Hyde, MS, MBA, Chief Information

Wisconsin income/franchise tax returns as well as sales/use tax and withholding tax updates.

Dec. 16

Officer and Director, Information Technology Services, Schenck SC

Cyber Security for Businesses

Technological advancements in the areas of machine learning and artificial intelligence could potentially disrupt the audit and tax industry. There's time before these disruptions occur, but knowing what’s coming can help adapt our workforce’s skillsets and work styles.

Attend this presentation for an interactive discussion how accounting firms are pushing to create both virtual and continuous audits.

Michael Senkbeil, CISSP, CISA, MCSE,

Wausau TGIF for CPAs These breakfast programs offer three different Friday morning presentations featuring various topics during the months of October, December, and April. These programs occur at the Northcentral Technical College Center for Business and Industry (CBI) building in Wausau. Registration and a networking breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the presentation from 8 – 10 a.m.

CPE credit: 2 credits Individual program: $45 member/$55 nonmember New this year: All programs will have electronic materials. Printed materials will be available for purchase up to two weeks prior to each program for $10.

Oct. 21 Wisconsin Tax Update (WSBP10) Nathaniel R. Weber, CPA, Director of the Office of Technical Services, Wisconsin Department of Revenue

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue will provide an update on new tax laws and other information for preparation of 2016

(WSBP12)

Partner, Chortek LLP

Overseas, organized crime rings are targeting individuals and businesses via the internet.

Most businesses are under-prepared for this increasing business risk. If you attend this session, you’ll learn about the risks, how they’re perpetrated, and most importantly learn how to reduce risk at your business.

Be prepared to have a lively discussion about what attacks have been repelled by businesses just like yours and learn how to systematically improve your defenses.

April 21 Project Management (WSBP04) Steve Hyde, MS, MBA, Chief Information Officer and Director, Information Technology Services, Schenck SC

The pace of new technology adoption increases with each advancement and, as a result, the rate at which our processes must change to accommodate those advancements is also rapidly accelerating.

Additionally, an emerging tech-savvy workforce is coming forward with novel ideas to increase productivity. How can you foster these ideas and successfully manage processes that affect multiple departments?

While project management systems are useful tools, they’re not the most important piece of the puzzle — creating a culture of listening that cultivates innovative thinking and then effectively implementing ideas is what will bring success. Attend this presentation for an interactive discussion about how to take those ideas from your workforce, prioritize them based on potential return on investment and resource constraints, and then implement them using widely accepted project management best practices.

employee, the WICPA’s Career Center can help you make the most of your search.

Sign in today to post your resume or job and find useful resources to help you with your search.

wicpa.org/careercenter

CAREER CENTER at the WICPA

Whether you’re looking for a new career or a new

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FIND A JOB POST A JOB

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CPE Online

Webinars, Self-Study & On-Demand

Convenience matters.

Time matters.

You matter.

Online CPE is an 74

alternative to the traditional CPE seminar.

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Although unlike seminars, webinars, self-study and on-demand programs are all from the convenience of your computer!

To learn more about the great options available to you, please visit wicpa.org/cpeonline.

Accounting Continuing Professional Education Network (ACPEN) The Accounting Continuing Professional Education Network (ACPEN) is the largest and most comprehensive CPE network in the nation. Sponsored by many of the state CPA Societies and NASBA accredited, ACPEN brings world-class CPE to your desktop in the most engaging and interactive way possible!

ACPEN offers a vast catalog of live video webcasts and live webcast replays ranging in length from 1 to 8 hours of CPE. All webcasts are available for individual as well as group viewing. The extensive ACPEN catalog comprises courses from the following product lines:

ACPEN Signature series

Partner Produced Programs

The ACPEN Signature series represents the top-of-the line in online CPE. All ACPEN Signature courses are 8 hours in length, and include nationally recognized experts and highly experienced practitioners and representatives from regulatory and standard setting bodies, including the IRS, GASB, FASB, GAO, and many more. These Signature CPE training courses cover the most relevant accounting, tax and finance topics in an interactive and discussion-rich format.

We’ve found that programs and conferences produced by one state are often relevant and applicable to financial professionals and CPAs in other states. The ACPEN network offers a unique opportunity for our state Society partners to share their content with practitioners across the country. This is just another example of ACPEN’s unparalleled effort to provide a vast range of topics to meet the continuing professional education needs of every CPA.

The ACPEN Industry Institute™ (Aii)

To view a complete list of ACPEN’s offerings or to register for a course, please visit http://wicpa.acpen.com/. ACPENlive CPE delivered to your desktop!

The ACPEN Industry Institute provides a full curriculum of CPE courses specifically designed for accountants working in business and industry, delivered in a live, interactive, video webcast format. This includes but is not limited to technology training, management, finance, leadership, ethics and banking.

Enter the code: WICPA2016 at checkout to receive 15 percent off your total purchase by Dec. 31, 2016.

AICPA The ACPEN Tax Institute (Ati) Ati offers the latest, most up-to-date continuing education for CPAs, finance and tax professionals. These tax CPE courses specifically focus on updates and changes in tax code and practice. These tax seminars are offered on various dates and times, all providing live CPE credits.

ACPEN Financial Planning Institute (Afpi) Newest to the line of ACPEN specialized programs, this unique course category is geared toward providing the most current and relevant information in the area of personal finance. Topics include estate planning, Medicare, and wealth preservation, among others.

These course offerings are designed to assist firms and businesses, as well as individuals, in effectively managing their personal finances.

REAL TIME. ANYTIME. YOUR TIME. Time. When it’s yours to spend, you want to use it wisely. So the minute you’re ready to complete your required CPE, you can count on us and the AICPA to provide the most relevant expert knowledge — how you need it, when you need it, wherever you are.

CPExpress With 600+ CPE courses, CPExpress gives you unlimited access to more than 900 hours of professional and technical topics, current issues, critical updates and more – available 24/7, for foundational to expert levels. And you’ll never miss a CPE reporting deadline.

With the easy-to-use course catalog organized by hot topic, new releases and annual updates, you can find what matters most to you, when it matters most.

[ wicpa.org/cpeonline ]

CalCPA

With more than 250 online courses, AICPA On-Demand is an interactive learning environment for today’s busy professional. From updates on authoritative standards to awardwinning certificate programs, AICPA On-Demand will meet your knowledge and CPE needs, with the flexibility of learning on your own time.

CalCPA Education Foundation (CalCPA) offers a full array of continuing education programs.

With CalCPA webcasts you can enjoy the flexibility of participating in CPE wherever you are. Enjoy high-quality video feeds and the ability to communicate directly with the instructor through a question box. Materials are offered in a PDF format and almost all programs have savable, printable and fully annotatable textbooks.

Webcasts AICPA Webcasts offer a highresolution, studio-quality experience and real-time interaction with experts, regulators, agency representatives and more. You’ll gain practical guidance and insights — and your organization or clients will benefit from the expertise they deserve and expect. Now, that’s making the most of your time.

CPEasy, Now Part of Thomson Reuters Value | Convenience | Experience Don’t you wish everything was CPEasy?

CPEasy Online CPE Center allows accounting professionals to conveniently meet mandatory reporting requirements and gain the knowledge needed to excel in the profession. CPEasy eliminates all of the hassles associated with traditional CPE fulfillment by providing quality CPE programs that are easy to access, simple to use and available whenever and wherever you choose.

With CPEasy, you can register for your choice of courses and monthly reports, study at home or the office, take quizzes and track your CPE online. Available formats include online, audio, software, video, textbook and webinar. Plus, WICPA members receive a 10% discount!

CalCPA’s courses cover everything from accounting, auditing, tax, management, ethics, litigation, retirement, and trusts and estates. We are changing and adding new programs every year and, with more than 600 webcasts to choose from, there’s a course for every interest area and curriculum need.

Our instructors are experts in their fields and most are also practitioners so they’re not only content experts but they’re also experts in application.

These individuals understand the accounting profession and offer dynamic, informative programs.

Besides live programs, recorded webcasts are offered as either self-study (qualifies for CPE credit once final exam is passed) or reference only (no CPE credit awarded). Search our online self-study products to find the course that meets your needs.

CCH, a Wolters Kluwer Business One solution for all your learning needs.

Whether you’re looking to earn CPE credit or advance your staff ’s professional development, CCH Learning Center is the best on-demand learning solution for you. CCH® has enlisted the help of some of the best authors in the industry to bring you a

wide variety of comprehensive and up-to-date courses to help further your staff ’s professional development and improve their tax, accounting and auditing, and financial and estate planning skills.

CCH has an exclusive offer for WICPA members! With CCH adding new topics and courses regularly, it’s easy to fulfill your CPE needs. More than 160 interactive CPE courses are available online for one low annual fee of only $329 per Learning Center seat, saving you $140 per seat! With the special WICPA CCH discount price, you can also apply it toward your renewal of the annual CCH Learning Center subscription.

Topics available include: • Accounting and auditing.

• Sales and use tax, state taxation and tax return preparation.

• U.S. international taxation.

• Wealth management.

• Corporate financing. *Note: “Seats” cannot be shared; each user needs his or her own CCH Learning Center subscription.

CPA Crossings Save money. Save time. Stay focused.

CPA Crossings, LLC provides an extensive catalog of live web-based CPE programs produced and delivered

by CPA Crossings, LLC or by one of its approved developers. Our catalog consists of more than 100 topics in the areas of technology, practice management, workflow automation, tax, ethics, fraud and accounting/ auditing. Our courses range from 1 to 8 hours with flexible scheduling, including evenings and Saturdays, so you can easily fit continuing education into your work week.

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On-Demand

CPE Online

Webinars, Self-Study & On-Demand

Group and prepaid discounts are available — perfect options for firm training to maximize savings. To link to our full online catalog, go to wicpa.org/cpeonline.

CPA Leadership Institute Promoting Continuous Improvements in CPA Firm Leadership.

CPA Leadership Institute is devoted to enhancing leadership and management development in CPA firms. We believe that firms need leadership at all levels, not just at the top. Everyone can be a leader by taking ownership of their own job.

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WICPA On-Demand allows you to virtually attend our most popular CPE programs at your convenience.

To watch WICPA On-Demand, visit wicpa.org/on-demand • Receive CPE credits • Watch 24/7 with an internet connection • Access to the most popular WICPA conferences and breakfast sessions • Download a PDF of the presentation materials • Special WICPA Member pricing starting as low as $39

Our repertoire of tools and reports includes: Live CPE Webinars, CPA Leadership Report, Leadership Forum Report, Best Practices Suggestions, Practice Management Survey and Practice Management Index.

Professional Members can attend Live CPE Webinars all year for no additional charge.

Our Webcasts Are Your Webcasts Our new product the Client Knowledge Center is a turnkey addition to any firm’s marketing initiatives. Our library of webcasts, on important business topics for your clients, is ready to add to your website as your own Knowledge Center for your clients. We also offer a quarterly video newsletter, a resource that your clients can watch that features the webcasts of your choice, to send to your clients.

CPEThink You’re busy, we understand. Get CPE credits anytime, anywhere, with a browser and internet connection.

And there’s a 100 percent money back guarantee.

CPEThink provides industry-leading online interactive self-study CPE and professional development courses and exams for CPAs, licensed

professionals, general practitioners and individuals interested in staying current in their profession.

Now offering FREE CPE with no obligation and no commitment — just FREE CPE! Check out the CPEThink Facebook page for more information and a monthly discount code.

K2 K2 Enterprises is proud to offer a broad curriculum of technology-focused CPE webinars to the members of the WICPA. Now you can have webinar access to many of the courses that have made K2 Enterprises a leader in providing CPE to professionals throughout North America.

When you take a K2 Enterprises webinar, you will have the opportunity to learn from an award-winning team of instructors with literally hundreds of years of experience in helping professionals identify, address, and solve issues through the practical application of technology. K2 Enterprises offers webinars on various topics, including Excel, QuickBooks, PDFs, accounting solutions and Microsoft Office.

As a NASBA approved sponsor of webinar learning, you are assured of a high-quality event, that is both convenient and affordable. We look forward to help you meet your learning objectives. Improve your efficiency and productivity by participating in a webinar produced by K2 Enterprises!

SmartPros Ltd. SmartPros Ltd. is a leader in online and offline continuing education for professionals.

SmartPros offers a variety of subscriptions with a compelling collection of courses and subscriptions in accounting and auditing, taxation, management, personal development and more, with savings up to $140 on a subscription for WICPA members.

[ wicpa.org/cpeonline]

SP Advantage: This skills-based subscription features more than 300 multimedia and text-based courses for accounting and finance practitioners.

Several new titles are added monthly and subscribers have access to a broad library of courses.

CPA Report Online: An annual online CPE subscription program designed for accountants in public practice, CPA Report Online (CPAR) delivers today's hottest topics and experts directly to your desktop. Each month, six new programs are added, covering current topics in public accounting. Online courses feature streaming video, easy-to-follow course outlines, online transcripts and quizzes.

Government/Not-for-Profit CPA Report: Designed specifically for practitioners in the fields of governmental and not-for-profit accounting. Each quarter, four new courses are added and subscribers have access to a full archive of courses.

Surgent Professional Education The trusted leader in tax and accounting education.

Surgent has been one of the nation's leading providers of CPE for CPAs for more than 30 years. Providing more than 1,000 webinars each year and offering more than 300 unique self-study products in download and on-demand webcast formats, Surgent has all the CPE you need, whenever you need it.

Surgent self-study CPE enables you to earn credit at your own pace and at a time that you choose. Featuring 24/7 access, instant exam grading, and certificates by email, Surgent self-study CPE is the perfect option for the busy CPA on-the-go.

Both self-study courses and live webinars are available for purchase individually or in package format for maximum value. For complete details, go to cpenow.com.

West Bend Mutual Insurance Company Take your career to the next level.

West Bend has teamed up with professional speakers and authors to bring you a library of free resources and short educational videos to help you take your career and business to the next level.

Visit the Customer Resources tab of thesilverlining.com and select Professional Services Resources to find out more about: • Networking via LinkedIn – Learn how you can use LinkedIn to grow your network, increase your visibility, and build your professional brand to grow your business; • Managing Multiple Generations in the Workplace – Learn how to respect what everyone - no matter what age - brings to the table; and

• How to be an Effective Leader – Learn techniques to energize your team to go the extra mile and to WOW your customers.

West Bend is a proud partner of the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

WICPA On-Demand CPE on your schedule. Anytime.

Anywhere.

Whether you're looking to stay on top of current issues, get the latest updates, keep up with emerging trends or broaden your knowledge with some new tips and tricks, these on-demand programs provide high-quality CPE from the most well-respected professionals in the industry.

Didn’t have a chance to attend one of our conferences or breakfast meetings? No worries! With WICPA On-Demand, you can now attend the most popular CPE programs at your convenience!

Additional benefits of registering for WICPA On-Demand include: • Watch them on your schedule anytime, anywhere with an internet connection.

• The convenience of following along with speakers as their PowerPoint slides automatically transition side-byside with the video.

• The ability to download the presentation slides as a PDF for easy referencing now and in the future.

Visit wicpa.org/on-demand for a complete listing.

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FMN Online: As the leading financial update CPE subscription program in the industry, FMN is used by more than half of Fortune 500 companies and other leading organizations. FMN produces four new 100% video-based courses per month, and subscribers have access to a complete archive of courses.

With Surgent live webinars, you meet your CPE needs from the comfort of your office or home. Each webinar features leading experts from Surgent speaking on the hottest topics in accounting, auditing, government/ nonprofit, technology, and tax, and answering your critical questions.

Webinars are offered daily, including evening and weekend options for the ultimate in convenience.

[seminars] program descriptions

Accounting & Auditing NEW! Auditing Employee Benefit Plans (EBPE)

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TRACK YOUR CPE WITH THE WICPA’S CPE TRACKER The CPE Tracker is an easy to use tool created to keep track of all your CPE in one convenient location.

• Automatically tracks WICPA formal learning activities • Add any non-WICPA CPE courses • Print reports for any reporting period To get started, visit wicpa.org/cpetracker

Aug. 1 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Northcentral Technical College, Wausau Randy Dummer, CPA, Partner, Henderson, Hutcherson & McCullough, PLLC Master the fundamentals of auditing employee benefit plans in accordance with AICPA standards and ERISA rules and regulations and avoid the problems that are often encountered.

Explore the accounting and auditing requirements unique to employee benefit plans. This course is designed to give you an understanding of requirements and audit procedures related to defined contribution, defined benefit, and health and welfare plans to help you more effectively plan and carry out your audit.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

Auditing Defined Contribution Retirement Plans (AEMP) Aug. 2 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Wegner CPAs, Madison Randy Dummer, CPA, Partner, Henderson, Hutcherson & McCullough, PLLC Learn how to go beyond the basics in preparing workpapers and financial statements in audits of employee benefit plans. This course will provide the auditor with the tools necessary to understand the complex rules and regulations that affect employee benefit plans as well as guidance on addressing deficiencies. Through

group discussions and contemporary case studies, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of the procedures needed to effectively plan and carry out your audits.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

NEW! Audit Workpapers: Documenting & Reviewing Field Work (AUDW) Sept. 12 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Stoney Creek Inn, Onalaska Michael L. Brand, CPA, CGMA, Partner, Johnson, Feigley, Newton & Brand, LLP Workpapers are the building blocks of an audit. If it’s not in the workpapers, audit quality may suffer, as its ramifications may not be fully considered. Learn the fundamentals of workpaper preparation, form and content, to make sure audit considerations, work performed, and conclusions reached are properly documented. Explore examples which show field work supervisors what factors to consider and what steps to follow when reviewing workpapers. In addition, typical workpaper deficiencies are explained to help minimize potential liability.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 12 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

[seminars] wicpa.org/register

NEW! Upcoming Peer Review: Is Your Firm Ready? (SNPR) Sept. 13 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Michael L. Brand, CPA, CGMA, Partner, Johnson, Feigley, Newton & Brand, LLP

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 13 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

Sept. 13 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay Jeffrey Lieman, CPA, Owner, Lieman Associates LLC Understand the rules of ASC 740, Income Taxes, and how these rules establish guidelines for accounting for income taxes, including income tax expense, classification of deferred tax accounts, and related disclosures. Case studies give you a practical look at how to account for different deferred tax scenarios. Receive a comparison of the accounting for income taxes under both U.S. GAAP and IFRS. Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 13 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

NEW! Purchasing, Inventory & Cash Disbursements: Common Frauds & Internal Controls (CL4PCD) Sept. 14 | Registration Noon Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay Thomas E. Newell Jr., CPA, Shareholder, Newell & Newell, P.C. Purchasing and cash disbursements are common targets for fraud in any entity’s environment. Today, many practitioners, auditors and management in industry are aware of the criticality of adequate internal controls, but may be uncertain whether existing controls in their organizations are adequate.

It's important to understand common

frauds and internal controls over the purchasing and cash disbursement cycle. This course also emphasizes smaller businesses and not-for-profit entities in addition where cost/benefit analysis is extremely important and fraud is more likely to occur. Learn how to analyze existing controls and consider or implement new controls to more effectively and efficiently address the needs of your organization.

Fee: $259 member/$309 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

NEW! Advanced Concepts in SSARS 21 & Nonattest Services: Are You Certain You are in Compliance? (SS21) Sept. 14 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha William I. Eskin, CPA, Owner, WIE Inc. Practitioners that provide non-audit services must strike the right balance between complying with relevant professional and regulatory standards, providing value-added client service, and mitigating litigation and other practice management risks. This course contains many case studies to reinforce best practices for managing the accounting, reporting, and performance issues associated with the attest services of compilations and reviews where reports are issued, as well as the new SSARS 21 preparation of financial statements service and other nonattest engagements.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 14 Level of knowledge: Advanced CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

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What does it take to have an effective quality control system that leads you to a clean, unmodified peer review report?

Find out how to prepare for your next review and what can be done on a daily basis to create a strong quality control environment for your firm. Identify the most common significant deficiencies that peer reviews uncover and what you can do to prevent them from occurring in your firm. Consider the process for selecting the appropriate peer reviewer and determine the right review year-end for your firm. If you have specialized engagements, such as governmental units, not-for-profit organizations, construction contractors, or employee benefit plans, this course examines the additional issues that may come into play.

NEW! Accounting for Deferred Income Taxes (AIT)

[seminars] program descriptions

Accounting & Auditing

NEW! Identity Theft: Preventing, Detecting & Investigating (IDENT) Sept. 14 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Baker Tilly, Appleton Jeffrey Lieman, CPA, Owner, Lieman Associates LLC 80 The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

NEW! Identity Theft: Preventing, Detecting & Investigating (IDENT2) Nov. 15 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Crowne Plaza, Madison George Heyman, CPA, CGMA, MAS, MBA, Professor Emeritus, Oakton Community College Protect yourself and your clients from identity theft, which includes the theft of personal and professional identities.

No one is immune from this rising tide of criminal misconduct and as your clients seek your advice, you'll be required to perform due diligence in protecting their IDs. Some will even be tasked with investigating the crime.

This course addresses the needs of each.

Note: Laptop, tablet, iPad or smartphone required.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid 30 days prior to program Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

Construction Contractors: Critical Accounting, Auditing & Tax Issues in Today’s Environment (CONS) Sept. 15 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Stoney Creek Inn, Onalaska William I. Eskin, CPA, Owner, WIE Inc. Accounting and financial reporting for construction contractors may be the most difficult area to be in compliance with the various standards.

Also, construction engagements are, in many instances, more “dangerous” than most lines of businesses due to the many users of the financial statements. In this course, we'll discuss why construction accounting and financial reporting are so complex, and discuss the relationship between the contractor and the surety, both from an underwriting and claims perspective.

We'll also explore what the surety looks for in order to maximize potential bond credit, and we'll discuss key areas of tax compliance concentrating on those areas which make construction unique.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 15 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

Audit Staff Essentials Level 1: New Staff (ASE1) Sept. 15-16 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Thomas E. Newell Jr., CPA, Shareholder, Newell & Newell, P.C. Designed for beginning staff, Level 1 covers key areas to ensure auditors are well prepared to begin their careers.

We'll focus on the areas of professional skepticism; internal controls; audit risk, materiality and financial statement assertions; auditing standards regarding fraud; auditing cash, fixed assets, accounts payable, debt and liabilities; and audit documentation. The Audit Staff Essentials courses establish a strong set of core skills necessary for junior staff growth.

Fee: $559 member/$609 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 15 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 16 credits Developed by: AICPA

Revenue Recognition: Mastering the New FASB Requirements (INRR) Sept. 22 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Joann Noe Cross, Ph.D., CPA, CMA, CGFM, CGMA, Professor, Department Co-Chair, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh The effective date of the new accounting standard for revenue recognition is fast approaching! With the issuance of FASB ASU No. 201409, Revenue from Contracts with

[seminars] wicpa.org/register

Customers, FASB has completed a convergence project with the IASB to improve financial reporting by creating common revenue recognition guidance for U.S. GAAP and IFRS.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 22 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

Comprehensive Accounting Issues of Estates & Trusts: Fiduciary Accounting & Tax Issues (FACT) Sept. 23 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Baker Tilly Office, Appleton Jonathan Ingber, CPA, J.D., MST, Tax Memoranda Preparer, Kwal + Oliva, CPAs Fiduciary income tax is a complex blend of state accounting rates and the tax law of Subchapter J. Only by understanding this interaction can the practitioner acquire the skills and knowledge to provide income tax planning for an estate or trust and its

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 23 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

Annual Update for Accountants & Auditors (AUAA)

Sept. 23 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Northcentral Technical College, Wausau

Annual Update for Accountants & Auditors (AUAA2)

Nov. 29 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Joann Noe Cross, Ph.D., CPA, CMA, CGFM, CGMA, Professor, Department Co-Chair, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Keep abreast of the fast-paced changes in accounting and auditing. This comprehensive course covers relevant pronouncements, exposure drafts, and other guidance recently issued in the accounting, auditing, review, and compilation arenas. Let us sort through the complexities and help you identify and apply recently issued FASB, PCAOB, and ASB standards and guidance. With the rate of change in today’s regulatory environment, you must stay current on the topics impacting the profession. Don’t get left behind!

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials

$30 early bird discount if registered and paid 30 days prior to program Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

Compilations, Reviews & New Preparations: Engagement Performance & Annual Update (CRAU) Sept. 28 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Stoney Creek Inn, Onalaska

Compilations, Reviews & New Preparations: Engagement Performance & Annual Update (CRAU2) Oct. 14 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Joann Noe Cross, Ph.D., CPA, CMA, CGFM, CGMA, Professor, Department Co-Chair, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Specifically designed for preparation, compilation, and review practitioners and their staff, this course will provide you with a comprehensive review and hands-on application for performing any SSARS No. 21 engagement.

Clarification and Recodification, effective for periods ending on or after Dec. 15, 2015, the most significant change to the compilation and review standards since their inception over 30 years ago. This course will provide you with practical examples and illustrations to help you effectively and efficiently perform preparation, compilation, and review engagements.

This powerful and comprehensive resource provides hard copies of all the sample engagement letters, procedure checklists, illustrative reports and more contained in The Essential SSARS No. 21 Implementation Toolkit to

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For years, revenue recognition has been the cause of audit failures and the focus of corporate abuse and fraud allegations. This course will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the framework for revenue recognition built around the core principle that is applied in a five step process. Supported by practical examples, this course will assist you in avoiding revenue recognition traps and provide you with latest FASB guidance. In addition, you'll understand how the new guidance impacts certain industries as a result of new criteria for recognizing revenue and changes in disclosure requirements.

beneficiaries, sure to be an important skill in practice in the new income tax environment.

[seminars] program descriptions

Accounting & Auditing

assist you with implementing new SSARS requirements. This course is intended to be your go-to reference for training your staff and managing your SSARS No. 21 services in compliance with professional, ethical, & technical requirements.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid 30 days prior to program Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

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ATTENTION! CPE REQUIREMENTS HAVE CHANGED NEW ETHICS REQUIREMENT: 3 ethics credits 80 CPE credits each 2-year reporting period Up to 50% can be self-directed informal learning 5-minute increments for time-based activities New reporting period: Jan. 1, 2016 – Dec. 31, 2017

For more information, turn to page 100 or visit

WICPA.ORG/ CPEREQUIREMENTS

Fraud Update: Detecting & Preventing the Top 10 Fraud Schemes (TTFS) Oct. 13 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Joann Noe Cross, Ph.D., CPA, CMA, CGFM, CGMA, Professor, Department Co-Chair, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Many costly fraudulent schemes have occurred repeatedly throughout the past several decades. Why do these material and frequently recurring frauds succeed? One reason is that business owners, management, auditors and employees fail to recognize the red flags that have been associated with these financial statement and misappropriation of asset frauds.

Another major reason is that the reporting and transaction processing systems do not have adequate controls to either prevent and/or detect these schemes. This course will provide descriptions of how these major frauds are perpetrated (including real-world examples) and the types of cost-effective controls that can be implemented by both small and large businesses and nonprofit entities to identify and prevent these deceptive acts.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 13 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

Audit Staff Essentials Level 2: Experienced Staff (ASE2) Oct. 17-18 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha James Myers, CPA, CGMA, Sole Practitioner, James K. Myers, CPA Designed for staff wanting to take on a greater level of responsibility on engagements, Level 2 discusses the planning of more complex, riskier audit areas and the supervision of engagements. We will take an in-depth look at understanding the entity and assessing risk and internal control design; use of confirmations and sampling methods to gather audit evidence; auditing accounts receivable; auditing inventory, including what to do before and after the inventory observation; workpaper review; and styles of supervision. The Audit Staff Essentials courses establish a strong set of skills necessary to grow the abilities and confidence of junior and senior level staff, allowing them to work through additional areas more independently.

Fee: $559 member/$609 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 17 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 16 credits Developed by: AICPA

[seminars] wicpa.org/register

Audit Staff Essentials Level 3: Audit Senior/In-Charge (ASE3)

Oct. 27-28 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Anne Marchetti, President, Account-Ability Consulting

Fee: $559 member/$609 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 27 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 16 credits Developed by: AICPA

NEW! Audits of Banks & Other Financial Institutions (BBANK)

Oct. 31 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Bruce Shepard, CPA, MBA, Consultant, AICPA This program is dedicated to demonstrating how audit, consulting, and tax associates can learn the accounting, tax, and auditing fundamentals of modern depository and lending institutions, as well as non-bank institutions. The course is

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 30 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

Advanced Auditing of HUD – Assisted Projects (EO-AHUD) Nov. 7 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Michele Kemp, CPA, Managing Member, ACAS, LLC Gain important insights into compliance pitfalls for HUD-assisted housing owners and managers. Learn to recognize and apply the latest changes in the federally-assisted housing industry and efficiently plan, perform, and report a HUD-assisted engagement. Uncover the effects of OMB on HUD-assisted not-for-profit entities.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 7 Level of knowledge: Advanced CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

NEW! Minimizing Internal Control Blunders Under the New COSO Framework (COSF) Nov. 8 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Radisson Paper Valley, Appleton Joann N. Cross, Ph.D., CPA, CMA, CGFM, CGMA, Professor, Department Co-Chair, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Technological advances, increased regulatory scrutiny, globalization, and other challenges have caused entities and auditors to struggle with proper consideration of the cost-benefit of internal controls, recognizing that a well-designed system doesn’t have to prevent or detect all internal control deficiencies — just ones that matter most to the entity’s objectives related to financial reporting, compliance, operations and strategy. This course provides practical guidance on what a sound system of internal controls looks like and its impact on the reliability of financial statements, particularly for smaller entities.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 8 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

NEW! Digging Deeper with Data Analysis (DDDA) Nov. 8 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Wegner CPAs, Madison Katrina Kiselinchev, CPA, CFE, CFF, CIA, MBA, CEO, Fit Life Creation This exciting course will demonstrate value creation to the bottom line through alignment of data analysis to the audit plan, tests per financial statement or risk area, and how to

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This level of training identifies the more difficult areas for experienced auditors. We'll focus on understanding business strategies; analyzing your client’s competitive position; audit analysis and business advice; auditing estimates and subjective accounting information; contingent liabilities; revenue recognition; and fair value measurement. This level will give staff the confidence necessary to begin assuming client and engagement management responsibilities.

complete with practical worksheets and insights such as the applicable metrics that create value for depository and lending institutions. These institutions are specialized and are one of, the most regulated industries in the world.

Numerous references to best practice audits allow the auditor and consultants the opportunity to plan efficient and effective audits and reports.

[seminars] program descriptions

Accounting & Auditing

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Register at least 30 days prior:

$50 OFF

Conferences

$30 OFF Seminars

wicpa.org/register See specific event registration for details, or call and ask for the WICPA CPE Department at 800-772-6939.

discover fraud faster. The presentation will be broken up into key areas in the search to dig deep to increase assurance, coverage, value, and testing for fraud across the organization. It'll include clear demonstrations and case studies of both cost versus benefit and overall return on investment for the organization.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 9 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

Note: Laptop required.

NEW! The New Clarified Attestation Standards: What You Need to Know

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 8 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

Internal Control & COSO Essentials for Financial Managers, Accountants & Auditors (ICDAD) Nov. 9 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Wegner CPAs, Madison Katrina Kiselinchev, CPA, CFE, CFF, CIA, MBA, CEO, Fit Life Creation Many managers, supervisors and accountants in business, government or nonprofits aren’t able to identify their departmental policies and procedures that function as the primary controls against errors and fraud. Alternately, auditors performing field work may be confused about how to interpret and evaluate management’s documentation of accounting processes and controls.

Neither party may truly understand how their duties differ. After an overview of the COSO guidance on the components and principles of internal control, this course introduces participants to basic tools used to document processes and controls. Participants also discuss the identification of the risks of errors and fraud and consideration the presence (or absence) of related controls.

(CL4CAS)

Nov. 14 | Registration Noon Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Joann Noe Cross, Ph.D., CPA, CMA, CGFM, CGMA, Professor, Department Co-Chair, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh What is an attest engagement? This course will introduce practitioners to the three main types of attest engagements: examinations, reviews and agreed upon procedures. What are the requirements of an attest engagement? Risk assessment, test of controls and reporting are among the topics that will be covered.

Fee: $259 member/$309 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

NEW! U.S. GAAP: Latest Developments for Business & Industry (CL4FASBI) Nov. 14 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – Noon WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Joann Noe Cross, Ph.D., CPA, CMA, CGFM, CGMA, Professor, Department Co-Chair, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

[seminars] wicpa.org/register

Fee: $259 member/$309 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

NEW! Shorten Month-End: Closing Best Practices (SME) Dec. 6 | Registration Noon Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha John Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM, President, Executive Education, Inc. Surveys show that the average North American company completes its monthly financial statement closing in five days. However, some companies are able to close their books in one day or less. Many financial managers who feel pressured to shorten financial statement preparation time struggle with the balance between accuracy and speed. This seminar will focus on the key aspects of every close and provide attendees with methods to prepare better quality financial information more in less time.

Fee: $259 member/$309 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: Executive Education

NEW! Leases: Mastering the New FASB Requirements (LEAS) Dec. 7 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Crowne Plaza, Madison Joann Noe Cross, Ph.D., CPA, CMA, CGFM, CGMA, Professor, Department Co-Chair, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh How do the leasing requirements in the new standard differ from current GAAP? This course addresses that question by examining the core principles of the new standard, including identification, recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure requirements. Examples are included to illustrate application of the new standard. This course explains the lessee accounting model, including lease classification, amortization of the right-of-use asset, and interest on the lease liability. This course also explains the lessor accounting model, including transfer of risk, profit recognition, and collectability.

Additional topics include short-term leases, purchase options, variable lease payments, and sale and leaseback transactions.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Nov. 7 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

Construction Contractors Advanced Issues (CCAI) Dec. 12 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Dale Ruther, CPA, CIT, CDS, CCIFP, Partner, Bober Markey Fedorovich & Company The construction industry comes with many advanced accounting issues, audit procedures and tax issues, which makes

construction contractor engagements inherently higher risk than other engagements. As a result, practitioners and financial professionals should be prepared to address difficult issues such as lookback calculations, measuring progress of contracts, overhead allocations and internal controls for construction contractors.

Learn about some of the most pervasive issues in the construction industry and how to identify and manage the risks inherent with construction contractor engagements.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Nov. 12 Level of knowledge: Advanced CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

Audits of 401(k) Plans (AFKP) June 16, 2017 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Joann Noe Cross, Ph.D., CPA, CMA, CGFM, CGMA, Professor, Department Co-Chair, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Since 401(k) plans make a popular option for employee benefit plans, auditors of employee benefit plans must have the proper skills to audit these plans effectively. You'll work through how to audit a 401(k) plan and prepare financial statements that satisfy ERISA and SEC requirements. Tap into ways to plan and conduct 401(k) audits more efficiently and effectively, and understand the differences between 401(k) audits and other employee benefit plan audits.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by May 16 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

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CPAs in business and industry will benefit from this overview of new and recent FASB pronouncements. Gain expertise from a high-level approach to financial reporting issues backed by detailed descriptions and examples of the implementation of new standards.

This training session guides you in assessing recent FASB guidance that has a major effect on all industries and provides you with an understanding of the latest pronouncements and exposure documents so that you are able to develop implementation strategies.

[seminars] program descriptions

Ethics

NEW! Real-World Business Ethics for CPAs in A&A (CL4AARWB)

Sept. 14 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – Noon Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay Thomas E. Newell Jr., CPA, Shareholder, Newell & Newell, P.C. 86 The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

This course provides case studies drawn from real-life situations involving CPAs in accounting and auditing practices. Take a proactive, risk-avoidant stance by identifying common pitfalls and presenting alternative courses of action. Explore ethical issues in the context of actual regulatory and court proceedings that were resolved both in favor of and against A&A professionals in public practice. Study real-world A&A cases that explore the professional responsibilities of engagement and engagement quality review partners, managers, and staff in the context of key A&A ethical matters such as: independence, permitted and prohibited services, earnings management issues, records management, and client confidentiality.

Consider these issues in relation to key A&A topics faced by every business and their professionals, such as revenue recognition, materiality, controls and procedures, and financial reporting questions or failures.

Fee: $259 member/$309 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

NEW! WI Accounting Ethics with Emphasis on Tax Practice Issues (WIET)

NEW! Executive Education’s Annual CFO Spotlight: 4 Select Issues (ACFOS)

Don Paul Cochran, J.D., CPA, CFP, Sole Practitioner & Co-Owner, Nichols Patrick CPE Inc.

Don Minges, MBA, CEO, Numbers Guy CFO, LLC

Oct. 27 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – Noon WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

CPAs, regardless of their areas of practice, face issues when applying the Wisconsin state accountancy law and regulations and the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct. This program is meant to take the practitioner through governing state law, state board regulations and the AICPA Code of Conduct, pointing out those areas that create issues in practice. This program helps you meet the best practices standard, other ethical standards, and regulatory requirements, as well as risks CPAs face from other regulators who may impose their standards in specific areas that CPAs practice in.

Fee: $259 member/$309 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: Nichols Patrick CPE Inc.

Nov. 8 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

Each year Executive Education spotlights four current financial management topics: dealing with someone who has no conscience, valuing a business, the microeconomics of motivating your team, and how ethical leaders build trusting organizations. Miss this year’s class and you have missed it forever!

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 8 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Executive Education

NEW! Cases in Corporate Ethics (CCE)

Dec. 6 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – Noon WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha John Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM, President, Executive Education, Inc. Cases in corporate ethics provide an opportunity for lively group discussion of real world, ethical dilemmas. This course will examine eight cases drawn from real-life business conflicts involving corporate financial managers.

Fee: $259 member/$309 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: Executive Education

[seminars] wicpa.org/register

Government/Not-for-Profit A Complete Guide to the Yellow Book (YBYB)

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 21 Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

NEW! Recognizing & Responding to Fraud Risk in Governmental & Not-forProfit Organizations (FRGNP)

The Yellow Book is a comprehensive document containing general standards, performance standards, and reporting standards for audit and attestation.

The course materials use a highly illustrative and innovative format. More than 20 focused exercises are included to provide an enhanced working knowledge of the Yellow Book.

Not-for-Profit Accounting & Reporting: From Start to Finish (NPAR)

John Georger Jr., CPA, CIA, Owner, John F. Georger Jr., CPA

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 20 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

Not-for-Profit Accounting & Reporting: From Start to Finish (NPAR2)

Oct. 20 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Crowne Plaza, Madison Theresa Creeden, CPA, Partner, Sandberg & Creeden, P.C.

Oct. 21 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Theresa Creeden, CPA, Partner, Sandberg & Creeden, P.C. 2016 is another year of significant change in the world of government and nonprofit accounting and auditing.

The course materials use a highly illustrative and innovative format with more than 30 focused exercises to provide an enhanced working knowledge of the latest developments.

Bruce Shepard, CPA, MBA, Consultant, AICPA

Nov. 8 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Staybridge Suites, Eau Claire-Altoona Brian Yacker, J.D., CPA, Managing Partner, YH Advisors Rather than training to run part of the race, train to run the entire race from start to finish. This course trains you to clear key hurdles in not-for-profit accounting and reporting in an efficient and effective manner. Avoid the potholes of confusion and finish first by providing a financial picture that end users can truly understand.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid 30 days prior to program Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

Recognizing fraud risks in governmental and not-for-profit organizations is often challenging due to the inherent nature of these organizations. In addition to their public nature, these organizations may have limited support staff or staff with limited accounting expertise, which can result in less than effective fraud prevention and detection programs and/or increased opportunities for fraud. This course uses a combination of examples, explanations of audit standards, and case studies of the frauds most commonly perpetrated and the prevention and detection procedures responding to these fraud risks and also discusses how auditors might address their responsibilities with respect to fraud in a financial statement audit.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 14 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

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Latest Developments in Government & Nonprofit Accounting & Auditing 2016 (GNAA)

Nov. 1 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Wegner CPAs, Madison

Nov. 14 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Radisson Paper Valley, Appleton

[seminars] program descriptions

Management & Emerging Professionals Advanced CFO & Controller Leadership Skills (ACCS) Oct. 11 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Jim Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA, President, Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.

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WICPA On-Demand allows you to virtually attend our most popular CPE programs at your convenience.

To watch WICPA On-Demand, visit wicpa.org/on-demand • Receive CPE credits • Watch 24/7 with an internet connection • Access to the most popular WICPA conferences and breakfast sessions • Download a PDF of the presentation materials • Special WICPA Member pricing starting as low as $39

This course examines best practices of leading-edge controllers and chief financial officer (CFO). Demonstrate your advanced skills that add value and contribute to the success of the organization. You'll learn specific skills every CFO or controller needs to be successful, and you will find that you suddenly have more power and influence than you ever thought possible. Show the company’s leadership how vital you are to their profitability!

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 11 Level of knowledge: Advanced CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

Corporate Finance Check-up: Renovate Your Analytical Toolbox (CFC) Nov. 7 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Don Minges, MBA, CEO, Numbers Guy CFO, LLC Understanding how to use common corporate finance tools is a skill that separates those who'll become CFOs

from those who will always remain accountants. This seminar provides a refresher on corporate finance skills for those who work or aspire to work, at a CFO level.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 7 Level of knowledge: Overview CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Executive Education

Annual Update for Controllers (SKSB)

Nov. 8 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Jim Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA, President, Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc. Strengthen your abilities as a controller and help your management team understand current economic issues through the latest trends in accounting, finance, human resources, treasury management and business systems.

Explore leading-edge topics in managerial accounting and finance in a session that is packed with useful tips and practical guidance that you can apply immediately.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 8 Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

[seminars] wicpa.org/register

Management & Emerging Professionals The Strategic CFO: Big Picture Skills (SCFO) Dec. 5 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha John Daly, CPA, CMA, CPIM, MBA, President, Executive Education, Inc.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Nov. 5 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Executive Education

NEW! Analytics & Big Data for Accountants (DAAN) Dec. 9 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay Jim Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA, President, Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc. Analytics is the new force driving business. Tools have been created to measure program impacts and ROI, visualize data and business processes, and uncover the relationship between key performance indicators, many utilizing the unprecedented amount of data now flowing into organizations.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Nov. 9 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

NEW! Transforming Your Role as Controller to Business Partner (COBP) Feb. 28 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Jim Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA, President, Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc. Are you ready to take your role as controller to the next level while adding significant value to the organization?

A successful controller will go beyond financial statements, internal controls and general accounting to create new value for the organization. We’ll explore new additional roles that controllers are now accepting and outline a roadmap you can use to expand your role as a controller from simply internal process/transaction oriented to externally focused understanding of industry and macro trends.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Jan. 28 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

89

Register at least 30 days prior:

$50 OFF

Conferences

$30 OFF Seminars

wicpa.org/register See specific event registration for details, or call and ask for the WICPA CPE Department at 800-772-6939.

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Your financial accounting credentials don’t automatically qualify you for a chief financial officers role. Today’s CFOs have skills that go far beyond financial accounting. Come share ideas with veteran CFOs, and learn new techniques that will make you more effective now and into the future.

Explore leading-edge topics in analytics and finance in a session that’s packed with useful tips and practical guidance that you can apply immediately.

[seminars] program descriptions

Taxation

Social Security, Medicare & Prescription Drug Retirement Benefits: What Every Baby Boomer Needs to Know Now (SSRB) Sept. 8 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha 90

Robert Thelen, CPA, Owner, Robert R. Thelen, CPA, Ltd.

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Social Security seems poised for changes in benefits and eligibility age. The leading edge of the baby boomer generation has already reached retirement age. Financial and tax planners can expect increased demand for strategies that dovetail Social Security with other retirement and estate planning objectives. This course provides tax and financial planning professionals with both the background information on the Social Security system and the strategies clients will need in dealing with Social Security, and the myriad of all the other related retirement planning issues.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 8 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

Multigenerational Financial & Tax Planning for Clients (MGEN) Sept. 9 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Robert Thelen, CPA, Owner, Robert R. Thelen, CPA, Ltd. Many clients overlook planning that takes into account not only their own issues but also the needs of other generations, above and below, of the extended family unit. Advisors can help achieve tax and financial planning objectives for multiple ties within the family. This course will explore various techniques for different net worth/ income levels of generations.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid

by Aug. 9 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

From Hiring to Firing & Everything in Between: Health Care, Retirement & Fringe Benefit Tax Issues (HTOF)

Sept. 19 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha John N. Sherrick, CPA, MA, Tax Partner, Sitrick & Associates, LLC The employer-employee relationship strains both sides in a troubled economy, and businesses need CPAs, controllers, and other advisors to provide understanding of the complex legal, tax and health care issues associated with all aspects of

employment. This course provides in-depth coverage of this critical area.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid

by Aug. 19 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

NEW! Take Your Medicine: Health Care in 2016 (OBC4) Sept. 20 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – Noon WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha John N. Sherrick, CPA, MA, Tax Partner, Sitrick & Associates, LLC Both otherwise uninsured individuals and employers with 100 or more full-time or full-time equivalent employees must be on top of the complicated Affordable Care Act (ACA) rules as they apply in 2016 and beyond. All employers, large and small, should be alert to the IRS’ release of regulations under §105(h) which will apply anti-discrimination rules to all employers regardless of size. Of equal importance is the impact of Notice 2015-17 and how it impacts employer reimbursements of employees for premiums they pay for health insurance, including S corporation reimbursements of greater than 2 percent shareholders. This course will focus on the key issues and planning strategies that tax practitioners need to know to advise their clients regarding this far-reaching legislation.

Fee: $259 member/$309 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

[seminars] wicpa.org/register

Taxation

NEW! Key Partnership & S Corporation Tax Planning Strategies (BTS4) Sept. 20 | Registration Noon Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha John N. Sherrick, CPA, MA, Tax Partner, Sitrick & Associates, LLC

Fee: $259 member/$309 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

Advanced Selected Issues for Trusts, Estates & Their Beneficiaries (ITEB) Sept. 21 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Jonathan Ingber, CPA, J.D., MST, Tax Memoranda Preparer, Kwal + Oliva, CPAs Changes in the tax rates have made knowledge of trusts and estates all the more important. This course examines more advanced tax issues that CPAs grapple with and explores how the new tax environment impacts planning for estates, trusts and their beneficiaries.

It also presents a discussion of the

Hottest Tax Topics for 2016

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid

by Aug. 21 Level of knowledge: Advanced CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

Sept. 26 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Baker Tilly, Appleton

Buying & Selling a Business: Critical Tax & Structuring Issues (SELL)

(HOT2)

Sept. 22 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Jonathan Ingber, CPA, J.D., MST, Tax Memoranda Preparer, Kwal + Oliva, CPAs One major transaction CPA clients enter into is a purchase or disposition of a business. To help tax professionals in advising those clients, this course offers a comprehensive analysis of the business and tax aspects of buying and selling a business. It's a practical guide to help practitioners and industry CPAs understand structuring techniques.

All CPAs, including controllers and executives in industry, should understand how difficult the process of buying and selling a business has become.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid

by Aug. 22 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

(HOT)

Dennis Riley, CPA, MBA, Owner, CuttingEdgeCPA.com, LLC

Hottest Tax Topics for 2016 Oct. 24 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Stoney Creek Inn, Onalaska Bruce Nelson, CPA, MA, Tax Director, EKS&H LLLP Two things you can count on are important new tax developments and economic, social and demographic trends that turn out to have important tax implications. This course highlights the hottest tax topics – those that can change every year and affect many of your clients. Learn how to better advise your clients by offering them the latest tax saving strategies.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid 30 days prior to program Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

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Most of our clients are pass-through entities for which many of the general business strategies are subject to additional limitations. To provide the tax planning strategies for closely-held business clients that will bring more revenue, this course focuses on the special concerns and techniques the practitioner needs to thrive in this market.

generation-skipping transfer tax implications of trusts and estates.

[seminars] program descriptions

Taxation

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TRACK YOUR CPE WITH THE WICPA’S CPE TRACKER The CPE Tracker is an easy to use tool created to keep track of all your CPE in one convenient location.

• Automatically tracks WICPA formal learning activities • Add any non-WICPA CPE courses • Print reports for any reporting period To get started, visit wicpa.org/cpetracker

Surgent’s Handbook for Mastering Basis, Distributions & Loss Limitation Issues for S Corporations, LLCs & Partnerships (HMBI) Sept. 29 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Plaza Hotel, Eau Claire John N. Sherrick, CPA, MA, Tax Partner, Sitrick & Associates, LLC The most difficult concepts to master when dealing with flow-through business entities are the basis and distribution concepts. Major error and malpractice issues occur if the CPA doesn't fully understand the impact of these rules.

This course is designed to focus on the practical applications of these rules.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid

by Aug. 29 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

A Practical Guide to Small Business Health Insurance & Fringe Benefits: 2016 & Beyond (OBCR) Sept. 30 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Plaza Hotel, Eau Claire John N. Sherrick, CPA, MA, Tax Partner, Sitrick & Associates, LLC The Affordable Care Act (ACA) impacts millions of individuals and millions of businesses and their owners.

Both otherwise uninsured individuals and employers with 50 or more fulltime or full-time-equivalent employees must be on top of the complicated ACA rules as they apply in 2016 and beyond. Many businesses not compliant with the ACA may ultimately be forced

to pay large penalties due to their noncompliance. Of equal importance is the impact of IRS Notice 201517 on employer reimbursements of employees for premiums they pay for health insurance. The Notice includes special rules for S corporation reimbursements of greater than 2 percent shareholders. This course will focus on the key issues and planning strategies that tax practitioners need to know in order to advise their clients regarding this far-reaching legislation.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid

by Aug. 30 Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

NEW! Health Care Reform Act: Critical Tax & Insurance Ramifications (CL4HCRA) Oct. 20 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – Noon WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha William Murphy, CPA/PFS, ABV, CFF, CGMA, CVA, Owner, Murphy Financial Group, P.C. The Health Care Reform Act continues to be phased in this year and in future years. This seminar will help you better understand the impact of the Act so you can describe to your clients how health care and paying for coverage will change in the future. In addition, you’ll discover how to use this information for tax planning opportunities. This topic is constantly changing so make sure you’re up-to-date on the latest information.

Fee: $259 member/$309 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

[seminars] wicpa.org/register

Taxation

Social Security & Medicare: Maximizing Retirement Benefits (CL4SSM) Oct. 20 | Registration Noon Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha William Murphy, CPA/PFS, ABV, CFF, CGMA, CVA, Owner, Murphy Financial Group, P.C.

Fee: $259 member/$309 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

NEW! Nexus Update: Latest Developments in State Income, Franchise & Sales Taxes (NXUP) Oct. 21 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Wegner CPAs, Madison William Murphy, CPA/PFS, ABV, CFF, CGMA, CVA, Owner, Murphy Financial Group, P.C. The barriers to doing business across state lines have significantly decreased in recent years. However, this creates additional issues for taxpayers and their preparers in determining where and when they have nexus in a state which

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid

by Sept. 21 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

NEW! Red Flag Issues: Areas the IRS Attacks in Examination (RFI) Oct. 26 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Don Paul Cochran, J.D., CPA, CFP, Sole Practitioner & Co-Owner, Nichols Patrick CPE Inc. Based on recent areas of IRS activity, this course will look at various topics that have been problematic for taxpayers or where the IRS has indicated a special interest. This course will detail cases and rulings that outline areas of conflict, emphasizing the key areas of IRS attack on taxpayer positions. This course will outline how the CPA can counsel clients in these areas to strengthen the taxpayers’ case in the event of examination.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid

by Sept. 26 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Nichols Patrick CPE Inc.

Navigating Divorce: Tax & Litigation Issues (NDTL) Oct. 28 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay Don Paul Cochran, J.D., CPA, CFP, Sole Practitioner & Co-Owner, Nichols Patrick CPE Inc. Not everyone who gets married stays married. Often, the tax advisor is in the thick of settlement negotiations!

This program provides comprehensive coverage of those issues a tax advisor must know in order to serve clients who are terminating (or planning to terminate) marriage relationships.

You'll learn how to work with clients and their attorneys to maximize aftertax cash available for settlement, to assure recognition of value in marital assets, to draft convincing settlement proposals, and to present information to mediators and judges.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid

by Sept. 28 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Nichols Patrick CPE Inc.

NEW! Form 990: Exploring the Form’s Complex Schedules (F990A) Nov. 9 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Brian Yacker, J.D., CPA, Managing Partner, YH Advisors Mastery of the current Form 990 beyond its Core Form pages requires understanding of the Form’s transparency demands relating to

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Our Social Security system provides retirement, disability and survivor benefits to millions of Americans. The long-term future of Social Security and Medicare is uncertain, triggering concerns for many workers who are now paying into the system. Attend this course to learn about FICA, the Medicare tax and more. You will cover real-world situations and use the tools provided to advise your clients to make optimal decisions when it comes to Social Security and Medicare.

would require them to file either state income tax or sales tax returns. This class will not only help equip you in learning the various ways that states define and enforce nexus but also in how to determine when your company or client has nexus in a state, thus requiring the filing of tax returns.

[seminars] program descriptions

Taxation

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multiple complex issues: transactions with certain insiders; expanded disclosure of highly-paid individuals’ calendar year compensation; identifying, and reporting in the presence of, related organizations, nuances of the two public support tests; undertaking of foreign operations; and more. This course covers the most advanced tax and nonprofit issues that are the subject of the Form 990’s Schedules. Participants will not only gain an understanding of the tax and practical points necessary to complete Schedules A, C, F, J, K, L, N and R of the current Form 990, but also be advised as to how to communicate with exempt clients on each of these Schedules’ unique demands.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid

by Oct. 9 Level of knowledge: Advanced CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

Buying & Selling a Business: The CPA’s Role (BASB) Nov. 17 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Northcentral Technical College, Wausau Jonathan Ingber, CPA, J.D., MST, Tax Memoranda Preparer, Kwal + Oliva, CPAs Become the key adviser to a client or employer who’s buying or selling a business. Your advice will impact your client for years to come! Lead the team of advisers with a keen overview of the transaction in addition to specific tax and accounting technical advice.

Buying and selling a business involves more than calculating a transaction

gain or loss — it must be valued, due diligence must be conducted, and various stakeholders will be impacted.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid

by Oct. 17 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

NEW! Best Practices for Payroll Taxes & 1099 Issues (GPT)

Nov. 18 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Northcentral Technical College, Wausau Jonathan Ingber, CPA, J.D., MST, Tax Memoranda Preparer, Kwal + Oliva, CPAs This course is designed to provide you with practical pointers for managing the payroll tax and reporting function. Learn how to avoid the frequent penalties in payroll tax reporting and stay up-to-date with the latest information. Discover how to handle reporting and withholding requirements for employee fringe benefits. Master the often confusing rules for Form 1099-MISC and other information reports including when and how much to report. Make sure you or your clients are in compliance and not subject to IRS penalties!

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid

by Oct. 18 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

Tax Advisors Update (PTU) Nov. 29 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Atrium, Waukesha Andy Biebl, CPA, Tax Principal, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

Tax Advisors Update (PTU2) Dec. 5 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay

Tax Advisors Update (PTU3) Dec. 14 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Stoney Creek Inn, Onalaska Chris Hesse, CPA, Tax Partner, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP Save time and keep current on the latest tax developments! This comprehensive course covers all legislative, judicial and IRS developments of the past year with a focus on implementation and compliance. Discover how to effectively and confidently complete tax-planning and compliance engagements. Cover current developments affecting individuals (including those regarding income, deductions and losses, tax calculations, individual credits, filing matters), business entities (including those regarding S corporations and their shareholders, C corporations, partnerships), retirement plans and more.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid 30 days prior to program Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: CliftonLarsonAllen LLP Note: This program is approved for 7.5 CLE credits.

[seminars] wicpa.org/register

Taxation

NEW! Capitalized Costs & Depreciation: Key Issues & Answers (CL4CCD) Dec. 7 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – Noon WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Robert Gilwee Jr., CPA, MS, Partner, Grandizio, Wilkins, Little & Matthews, LLP

Fee: $259 member/$309 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

NEW! Tax Planning Strategies for Small Businesses: Corporations, Partnerships & LLCs (CL4STSB) Dec. 7 | Registration Noon Program 12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Robert Gilwee Jr., CPA, MS, Partner, Grandizio, Wilkins, Little & Matthews, LLP Solid tax planning strategies are essential for your corporate and small business clients. Join us as we explore state-of-the-art planning ideas and

Fee: $259 member/$309 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

NEW! Tax Forms Boot Camp: LLCs & Partnerships (TBCL) Dec. 7 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Rick J. Taylor, CPA, MST, Tax Partner, Wipfli LLP Future tax specialists must have a strong base in the preparation of partnerships and limited liability company’s returns. This boot camp provides an in-depth foundational center of the forms, along with other common to advanced issues of partnerships and limited liability companies. The course includes a hands-on approach to completing a Form 1065, including a filled-in answer to a sample taxpayer return.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid

by Nov. 7 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

NEW! Tax Forms Boot Camp: S Corporations (TBCS) Dec. 8 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Rick J. Taylor, CPA, MST, Tax Partner, Wipfli LLP Many clients use the S corporation form of doing business, and the S corporation return is a bread-andbutter part of tax preparation practice.

This course guides new, rusty or returning-to-practice accountants and staff with a detailed study of the key fundamentals of S corporation rules from formation through distributions.

Through use of numerous cases and examples (both simple and complicated), participants also learn how S corporation income and expenses flow into the shareholders returns. Certain worksheets and a 6-step process to accurately complete Form 1120S and related sub-schedules are included.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid

by Nov. 8 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

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Gain a comprehensive and practical understanding of the various complex tax laws dealing with property transactions from acquisition to disposition. This course provides analysis of the rules dealing with depreciation, amortization, like-kind exchanges, involuntary conversions and sale of property. It also covers important property-related timing issues and planning opportunities that can lead to significant tax savings for C corporations and S corporations.

tax-saving strategies to keep more of your client’s money in their pockets.

We’ll answer the tough questions and show you the strategies that are best for your clients as a result of the most recent tax reform.

[seminars] program descriptions

Taxation

Advanced Mergers, Acquisitions & Sales of Closely Held Businesses

Tax Forms Boot Camp: LLCs, Partnerships & S Corporations (TFBC)

(PSAS)

Dec. 14 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Radisson Paper Valley, Appleton

Dec. 8 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Robert Gilwee Jr., CPA, MS, Partner, Grandizio, Wilkins, Little & Matthews, LLP

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ATTENTION! CPE REQUIREMENTS HAVE CHANGED NEW ETHICS REQUIREMENT: 3 ethics credits 80 CPE credits each 2-year reporting period Up to 50% can be self-directed informal learning 5-minute increments for time-based activities New reporting period: Jan. 1, 2016 – Dec. 31, 2017

For more information, turn to page 100 or visit

WICPA.ORG/ CPEREQUIREMENTS

If you ever wanted to know the mechanics of buying, selling or merging companies, this course offers key insights into the transaction marketplace. This material is aimed at a broad audience of business owners, senior managers, chief financial officers, advisors to closely held businesses, bankers, auditors and attorneys. Business transactions are marquee events in the history of most closely held businesses, and therefore, demand inordinate attention to detail and process. Many skill sets are involved in this process and topics such as negotiations, business valuations, strategic thinking, finance, family businesses, accounting, taxes and group dynamics are covered. Follow real-life case analysis to gain strategic insights into the fascinating transaction marketplace.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid

by Nov. 8 Level of knowledge: Advanced CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

Rick J. Taylor, CPA, MST, Tax Partner, Wipfli LLP The course provides a comprehensive understanding of the preparation of both S corporation and partnership/ LLC tax returns, along with the underlying laws and regulations. The course and instruction delivery is geared toward the basic understanding and progresses to complex issues. The boot camp allows staff to discover the connections and alterations of these widely held entity structures, while also providing a valued reference for the participant’s future use.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid

by Nov. 9 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

[seminars] program descriptions

Technology

Advanced Excel (ADE) Sept. 7 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Baker Tilly, Appleton Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP, CGMA, Director of Strategic Relationships, K2 Enterprises

Speakers are needed for Eau Claire, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Northeast Wisconsin, Waukesha and Wausau.

Earn CPE while sharing your expertise, developing leadership skills and promoting your organization.

Visit wicpa.org/speakers to sign up.

This course covers advanced Excel topics found in Excel 2007 through Excel 2016.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid

by Aug. 7 Level of knowledge: Advanced CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: K2 Enterprises

Advanced Excel Reporting: Best Practices, Tools & Techniques (EXR-4) Sept. 8 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – Noon WICPA Professional Development, Waukesha Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP, CGMA, Director of Strategic Relationships, K2 Enterprises If you need to build advanced Excel reports, including reports where the source data resides in your accounting software or another database, then this program should be at the top of

You'll also learn best practices for presenting compelling and captivating Excel-based reports and charts, and how to use two Excel add-ins, BizNet’s Excel Business Information Suite and Microsoft’s Power Pivot, to streamline and automate many of the manual processes associated with building Excel-based reports.

Fee: $259 member/$309 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Advanced CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: K2 Enterprises

Advanced Quickbooks Tips & Techniques (AQB-4) Sept. 8 | Registration Noon Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development, Waukesha Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP, CGMA, Director of Strategic Relationships, K2 Enterprises QuickBooks remains one of the leading accounting solutions for small and growing businesses and Intuit has added numerous advanced features to the application over the past few releases. You'll learn advanced inventory management techniques,

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Earn CPE by Speaking at WICPA Breakfast Programs

In this laptop-friendly program, you will learn critical advanced Excel skills in six key areas: 1. collaborating with other users and securing workbooks, 2. using tables to analyze and report data, 3. integrating and manipulating data from external sources, 4. creating and auditing complex formulas, 5. advanced data analysis tools, and 6. visualization techniques to analyze and communicate information.

your CPE list! In this seminar, you'll learn how to use Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) and Online Analytic Processing (OLAP) to connect Excel to external data sources, such as your accounting software database to extract data for reporting and analysis.

Learn how to incorporate PivotTables into your reporting routines, including how to add calculations to your PivotTables, how to group PivotTable data into fiscal reporting periods, and how to filter your PivotTables using Slicers.

[seminars] program descriptions

Technology

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including the ability to change the default costing methodology in QuickBooks, and implementing lot and serial number tracking. You'll also learn how to build complete sets of financial statements in Excel that link in realtime to underlying QuickBooks data files, how to create multiple company financial statements, and how to put the Client Data Review feature to work to streamline the process of identifying and correcting errors and closing accounting periods in QuickBooks.

Fee: $259 member/$309 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Advanced CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: K2 Enterprises

NEW! Microsoft Office 2016: Improving Productivity with New Features (OFF-4) Sept. 9 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – Noon WICPA Professional Development, Waukesha

• Real-time co-editing with other team members in Word.

• Built-in and improved business intelligence options in Excel with Power Query and enhanced visualization capabilities.

enable you to quickly and easily create reports and dashboards that might have taken days or even weeks in the past. With the knowledge you glean from these reports and dashboards, you'll have insights into your data that can help you make more informed and more profitable decisions while still retaining full control over your data.

Fee: $259 member/$309 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: K2 Enterprises

Fee: $259 member/$309 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Advanced CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: K2 Enterprises

Do it Yourself Business Intelligence (DIY-4)

NEW! Virtual Accounting & CFO Services (TE051L)

• New presentation tools with Microsoft Sway.

Sept. 9 | Registration Noon Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development, Waukesha Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP, CGMA, Director of Strategic Relationships, K2 Enterprises

• The new “Tell Me” tool that should help you to find hidden functionality.

Perhaps no term receives more coverage in business circles today than business intelligence (BI). With Microsoft’s Power BI tools, you can now create powerful, interactive, and visually compelling summaries of potentially vast quantities of data directly from your computer and without the assistance of your technology team. In this course, you'll learn how to use Microsoft’s Power BI tools to solve many of the financial and operational reporting issues you face each day. More specifically, you'll learn how to leverage your existing understanding of Microsoft Excel to harness the power of tools such as Power Query, Power View, Power Map and Power Pivot.

• A major upgrade to Outlook to enhance collaboration.

Using do-it-yourself business intelligence, provided by Power BI, will

Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP, CGMA, Director of Strategic Relationships, K2 Enterprises It’s here! Microsoft Office 2016 is now available to businesses of all sizes and if you're considering upgrading or have already upgraded, then you'll want to join us for this four-hour seminar in which you'll learn about the new features in Office 2016 and how you can, and should, put them to use.

Included in Office 2016 are subtle, but important changes to the user interface, such as the following:

Oct. 18 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Strategic Advisor, CPA Crossings One of the fastest growing services in the accounting industry today is providing outsourced accounting and CFO services via the cloud. This course will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to establish your practice.

Whether you’re working in an existing accounting practice or are looking to start a new one, this course will provide you with valuable insight and knowledge on how to tap into this growth market for the accounting industry.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid

by Sept. 18 Level of knowledge: Overview CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: CPA Crossings

[seminars] wicpa.org/register

Technology

2016 Productivity Tools Review (PT013L) Oct. 19 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Strategic Advisor, CPA Crossings

Note: This is not a hands-on course.

We recommend that you bring your laptop to follow along to get the most out of the presentation.

Fee: $399 member/$449 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials $30 early bird discount if registered and paid

by Sept. 19 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: CPA Crossings

Oct. 20 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – Noon WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Strategic Advisor, CPA Crossings Regardless of your computer experience, this class will help you become more aware of technologyrelated risks and what you can do to protect yourself and your organization from them. This four-hour course will help you to understand security compliance considerations, social engineering, malware, and various other data security-related concepts. We'll identify many of the common risks involved in using conventional end-user technology, as well as ways to use it safely to protect yourself from those risks.

Fee: $259 member/$309 nonmember $25 additional for hard copy materials Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: CPA Crossings

To learn more about the great options available to you, visit wicpa.org/cpeonline and wicpa.org/on-demand.

TRACK YOUR CPE WITH THE WICPA’S CPE TRACKER The CPE Tracker is an easy to use tool created to keep track of all your CPE in one convenient location.

• Automatically tracks WICPA formal learning activities • Add any non-WICPA CPE courses • Print reports for any reporting period To get started, visit wicpa.org/cpetracker

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Back by popular demand and better than ever, this interactive how-to course will help you get the most out of the tools you use every day and introduce some new tools that will help you become even more productive. This year's tools include: Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Outlook and OneNote, Password Managers, Electronic Signatures, Tablet Shootout, Excel Business Intelligence Overview, Office 2016 and Windows 10.

NEW! Cybersecurity: Securing Your Data & Devices in an Online World (TE041L)

ATTENTION! CPE REQUIREMENTS HAVE CHANGED 100 The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

• NEW ETHICS REQUIREMENT: 3 ethics credits

• Up to 50% can be self-directed informal learning

• 80 CPE credits each 2-year reporting period

• 5-minute increments for time-based activities

WICPA.ORG/CPEREQUIREMENTS

CPE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q. Since calendar year 2016 will be the third year of the WICPA CPE reporting cycle that began on Jan. 1, 2014, and the first year of the new 2-year reporting period, how do the new requirements impact compliance and CPE audits for the 3-year CPE period ending in 2016?

A. CPE credits earned during 2016 under the new rules will count toward compliance with both the 3-year reporting cycle ending in 2016 and the overlapping first year of the new 2-year reporting period of 2016–2017.

Q. What is the new ethics requirement?

A. A minimum of 3 ethics credits must be completed during each

2-year reporting period. Ethics credits must be obtained through a formal CPE activity that includes verification of participation.

serving on boards, committees and task forces, participating in mentor or coaching programs, watching videos and listening to podcasts.

Q. What learning activities count toward CPE?

Q. How are informal learning activities calculated and reported for CPE credit?

A. Creditable CPE activities continue to include attending, listening to or presenting in-person and online lectures as well as formal independent study programs, but have been expanded to allow up to half of required credits to consist of self-directed informal learning activities. Examples include but are not limited to reading, listening to or writing books and articles, performing independent research,

A. Rather than developing granular rules specifying CPE computation formulas to estimate competency enhancement achieved from every type of learning activity, the WICPA Board decided to adopt a principles-based approach requiring each member to apply professional judgment in computing CPE credits for learning activities.

Examples demonstrating reasonable computations and recordkeeping

for various informal learning activities can be viewed at wicpa.org/cperequirements.

Q. Can members use formal learning to complete 100% of their CPE requirements?

A. Yes, members may continue to fulfill their CPE requirements through formal learning activities.

Q. Is there any advantage to registering early?

Q. How does the early bird discount work?

A. To receive the early bird pricing of $30 off seminars and $50 off conferences, the following stipulations must be met: Each seminar or conference must be registered for, or postmarked and paid for, by the early bird advertised date. Please see individual programs for that date. The early bird discount applies only to full-day seminars and conferences (8 CPE credits or more).

Q. Do I receive other benefits on registration fees as a WICPA member?

A. Yes! WICPA members can receive additional registration discounts of up to $100, while nonmembers pay a higher registration fee.

Q. What happens if I have to cancel my registration?

A. For a full refund, the WICPA CPE Department must receive a notification of cancellation or a request to transfer to a different program at least 14 days before the program presentation date.

Q. What happens if the WICPA cancels a program?

A. If a program is cancelled fewer than 14 days prior to the presentation date, you will receive a full refund and you will be notified directly by email and receive a follow-up notification by phone.

Your early registration can help the WICPA from cancelling a program.

NOTE: The WICPA is not responsible for any personal expenses incurred if a program is cancelled.

Q. How can members keep track of their CPE credits?

A. Members may, and are encouraged to, use the WICPA’s CPE Tracker to record their formal and informal CPE activities since this will simplify the process of recording for members and assist during a member compliance audit.

All formal learning activities held by the WICPA will be automatically added. The WICPA’s CPE Tracker is for members and can be accessed at wicpa.org/cpetracker.

Q. What information or proof do I need to submit?

A. WICPA members must keep records of their CPE credits earned.

The WICPA verifies compliance with CPE requirements by conducting audits of the records of randomly selected members. To be prepared for an audit, members should maintain detailed supporting records for all CPE credits completed.

Examples of detailed supporting records can be viewed online at wicpa.org/cperequirements.

Q. Do I have to track this information every year?

A. Yes, WICPA members are selected at random for an audit of CPE membership requirements and must submit a report of their continuing education for the specified CPE reporting period.

Q. What happens if I do not meet my requirements?

A. In the event you don’t complete your CPE requirements by the end of the CPE reporting period, please contact the WICPA CPE Department to request an extension to make up the credits in a reasonable amount of time. If you don’t request an extension or fail to meet your CPE requirements with your approved extension period, it’ll result in a loss of membership with the WICPA. If an unusual circumstance or unforeseen hardship has prevented you from meeting your CPE requirements, you may contact the WICPA CPE Department to request a waiver for the current reporting year. Each waiver request will be reviewed by a case-by-case basis.

Q. What if I join the WICPA in the middle of a reporting cycle?

A. There is no CPE requirement for the calendar year in which you join. Members must complete the continuing education requirements for each year and reporting period thereafter.

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A. Yes! Most seminars are limited in size and registering early will guarantee you the seminars of your choice. Also, the WICPA can avoid having to cancel a course due to insufficient early registrations.

Plus, there’s early bird discounts!

Cancellations or program transfer requests received less than 14 days prior to the presentation date will be subject to a cancellation fee of $100 per person, per 8-hour program and 50% of the fee of a 1-to-4-hour program. No refund or program transfer request will be granted for cancellations on the day of, or subsequent to the day of, the program presentation. No refund or program transfer request will be granted if you have downloaded any electronic materials that have been provided for the program from which you are canceling.

HAVE YOU SEEN Annual Tax Conference 2014

W233N2080 Ridgeview Parkway Suite 201 | Waukesha, WI 53188

With so many sessions, how will YOU choose?

262-785-0445 | 800-772-6939

I TA L I A N COMMUNITY CENTER, M I LW A U K E E

Mandates and Rules

Coming Soon

Understanding the ACA. 4

THURSDAY, NOV. 6 & FRIDAY, NOV. 7

Annual tax conference to feature even more sessions

CPAS IN INDUSTRY FALL CONFERENCE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 COUNTRY SPRINGS HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER Estate Planning

Domestic Partnership Law and same-sex clients. 5

IT Security Issues

Data breaches, the cloud and apps. 6

What past attendees are saying…

New and returning tax pros expected to draw crowds at annual WICPA Tax Conference as they address important developments, latest issues and biggest questions.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

CLOSING SPEAKER

IRS Reaches the “Tipping Point”

Minimizing the 3.8% Surtax

Robert S. Keebler, CPA, MST, AEP addresses complex issues and answers your biggest questions revolving around the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax. 7

Rick J. Taylor, CPA, MST reviews the most important judicial, legislative and regulatory developments for late 2013 and 2014 from the practitioner’s perspective and tackles the latest hot-button issues. 4

Ways to Register: ONLINE: WWW.WICPA.ORG/CONFERENCES PHONE: 262-785-0445 FAX: 262-785-0838 MAIL: W233N2080 RIDGEVIEW PARKWAY, SUITE 201, WAUKESHA, WI 53188

Wisconsin Tax and DOR Updates

“From the speakers to the topics to the food and beverages, it’s always a great experience.”

CPAs in Industry Fall Conference

Important changes affecting tax practitioners. 6

Register to Save

“Great forum. I enjoy attending both the Spring and Fall conferences every year.”

Monday, Sept. 23, 2013 Country Springs Hotel & Conference Center

Save $30 when you register by Friday, Oct. 24!

“I can use information from each of the sessions – all pertinent to my business.”

“The speakers were great, the topics were highly relevant, and a perfect mix between technical and soft skills.”

“Excellent conference as always! Worth every penny!”

DETAILS & REGISTRATION WWW.WICPA.ORG/CONFERENCES

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS C O N F E R E N C E Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Country Springs Hotel & Conference Center

Sharpen your skills at the

School District Audit Conference Thursday, June 4

Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center Stevens Point, WI

Friday, June 5

Country Springs Hotel & Conference Center Pewaukee, WI

WHERE ACCOUNTING AND TECHNOLOGY COLLIDE!

Quality CPE is like a four leaf clover: HARD TO FIND & LUCKY TO HAVE

CPAs in Industry

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 Spring Conference

WICPA & K2 TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE THURSDAY, DEC. 4 & FRIDAY, DEC. 5, 2014 Country Springs Hotel & Conference Center, Pewaukee

ACCOUNTING, AUDITING &

Country Springs Hotel & Conference Center From early on, nothing has proven to be more important to a business’s success than accounting, and nothing has had a bigger impact on a business’s success than technology. As both continue to

evolve at tremendous rates, it is difficult to keep up with the changes, and even harder to anticipate and respond to them when they occur.

Join us at this year’s WICPA & K2 Technology Conference to witness accounting and technology collide as three of the nation’s leading IT consultants present on the top technology topics affecting your business’s success.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 Country Springs Hotel & Conference Center

NONPROFIT & HEALTH CARE

FINANCIAL CONFERENCE

TUESDAY, SEPT. 29, 2015 ------COUNTRY SPRINGS HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT C O N F E R E N C E WEDNESDAY, NOV. 19, 2014 COUNTRY SPRINGS HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER

THESE CONFERENCES? If you are looking for top-quality CPE and networking events, look no further than WICPA conferences.

Thousands of your peers attend each year, as every conference is an unrivalled opportunity to hear from the most highly regarded experts and thought leaders about the biggest changes and hottest issues, so save these dates for 2016!

Technology Conference Thursday, Dec. 1 – Friday, Dec. 2, 2016

Thursday, Nov. 3 – Friday, Nov. 4, 2016

Tax Conference

Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016

Accounting, Auditing & Financial Management Conference

Nonprofit & Health Care Financial Conference Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016

For 2016 WICPA Conference dates, visit wicpa.org/conferences.

T O G E T H E R, we can make a difference.

WICPA members participate in Advocacy Day

Your contribution to the WICPA CPAC/LIF campaign for Political Awareness allows the WICPA to: Strengthen the voice and visibility of the WICPA.

Support the election campaigns of candidates who support our issues.

Educate lawmakers about the issues impacting Wisconsin CPAs.

Ensure a healthy business climate for CPAs and the clients you serve.

Visit wicpa.org/cpaclif to learn more and make a contribution today.

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The CPE publication for accounting and business professionals

Milwaukee, WI Permit No. 5845

A publication of the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants W233N2080 Ridgeview Parkway, Suite 201 Waukesha, WI 53188 wicpa.org

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