The Bottom Line, 2017 edition

2017 Edition

Fraud prevention: Glass half full or half empty PAGE 8

Maximizing the value of non-compete agreements PAGE 14

Conquering new FASB standards PAGE 18

Lean accounting and management PAGE 24

60 Tips in 60 Minutes: Practical marketing strategies PAGE 34

Examining tax and due diligence considerations PAGE 38

Exploring IRS examinations in 2017 PAGE 46

Excel tips and tricks PAGE 50

Do you or your clients have

?

questions on retirement plan fees, features, or performance

Plan features have changed dramatically over the last few years and fees have come down notably.

“Benchmark” your or your client’s plan today and make sure it’s up-to-date and cost effective.

Benchmarking review includes: • Plan features (i.e. Roth 401(k), automatic enrollment, advanced plan design, etc.)

• Fee review – are they reasonable compared to similar plans • Investment performance review considering risk & return • Is the right type of plan in place (i.e. SEP, SIMPLE, 401(k), cash balance plan, etc.)

• We can also help if you need to start a new retirement plan

There are no costs or obligations for these review services — CALL US TODAY! Kenneth J. Schneider, MBA Managing Director – Investments 20800 Swenson Drive, Suite 200 Waukesha, WI 53186 262-798-3730 • 800-323-1410 kenneth.schneider@wfadvisors.com

James K. Schneider, CFP® First V.P. – Investments WICPA member 20800 Swenson Drive, #200 Waukesha, WI 53186 262-798-3759 • 800-323-1410 james.schneider@wfadvisors.com

Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

38

Examining tax and due diligence considerations

Contents Features 4

Audit

Audit Staff Essentials courses to hone technical, project management skills

By Anne Marchetti

6

CGMA

How financial statement audits deliver key business insights

30

Fraud

Fraud prevention: Glass half full or half empty?

34

14

Maximizing the value of non-compete agreements

38 42

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

24

Mergers & Acquisitions

46

Lean accounting and management: Saving money by streamlining operations

By Thomas N. Howard, CPA, CGMA

50

REGISTRATION 61 CONFERENCES 62 SPECIAL EVENTS 63

Tax

BREAKFAST PROGRAMS 64

From the trenches: Observations on tax controversies

Tax

Exploring IRS examinations in 2017

By Amy Plent, J.D.

Industry

CPE CALENDAR 56

Examining tax and due diligence considerations

By Robert Mathers, J.D., CPA, ABV and Robert Teuber, J.D.

Industry

Conquering new FASB standards

60 Tips in 60 Minutes: Practical marketing strategies for you & your specialty

By Stephen Renberg

By Ryan N. Parsons, J.D.

18

Marketing

By Diane L. Roundy, MBA

By Richard J. Daisley, CPA

Human Resources

Exploring advanced personal leadership skills

By Jim Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA

By Ken Tysiac

8

Leadership

CPE & Special Events

ONLINE CPE 72 SEMINARS 75 CPE FAQs 102

Technology

Excel tips and tricks

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

In this issue...

We have included a new calendar of events by geographic location. Individual sections continue to include breakfast programs and programs by areas of study and interest.

New sections have also been included to highlight our special events and conferences to build your professional connections.

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

INSIDE STAFF

The CPE publication for accounting and business professionals The Bottom Line is published annually by the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants (WICPA). Change of address should be sent to: WICPA Membership, W233N2080 Ridgeview Parkway, Suite 201, Waukesha, WI 53188; Phone: 262-785-0445 or 800-772-6939; 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 2017 The Bottom Line.

Join us online!

Tammy Hofstede Chief Financial & Operating Officer Ext. 4518 tammy@wicpa.org Amy Gaeth Vice President, Communications Ext. 4515 amy@wicpa.org Tony Hofstede Marketing & Technology Director Ext. 4508 tony@wicpa.org

Kelsey Lange Marketing Coordinator Ext. 4507 kelsey@wicpa.org Mark Gordon CPE Program Coordinator Ext. 4505 mark@wicpa.org Melissa Loth CPE Program & Event Coordinator Ext. 4506 melissa@wicpa.org

Brett Stallman Graphic Design Manager Ext. 4512 brett@wicpa.org

Fastest smartest malpractice insurance. Period.

800.906.9654 GilsbarPRO.com

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

wicpa.org

WICPA offers new programs, more events in more locations

By Tammy J. Hofstede

I

t’s an exciting time for staff and members because of the many new initiatives we’re offering this year. Through member focus group results and the WICPA strategic plan, we have added new programs, services and activities for networking, volunteering and expanding your knowledge to keep you current in your profession.

In serving our members in outstate areas, we have added more technical and soft skill programs in more locations. The CPAs in Industry Conferences have been very successful, so we’re expanding them to four conferences, adding locations in Wisconsin Dells (October) and Green Bay (April). These conferences provide a variety of topics from economic and technical updates to technology and human resources.

Networking events have been added to Eau Claire, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee and northeast Wisconsin, including a second golf outing in Wrightstown in August.

A bowling tournament is slated for April to arouse company competition after tax season. There will be a traveling trophy for “bragging rights” and defending the title for the following year. wicpa.org

The most exciting development is the launch of our new website this fall. It will be on the leading edge of technology and feature more than just a new look.

We will have reduced fees for our breakfast meetings and seminars for all retired/part-time/unemployed and leave-of-absence members.

Our $50 early bird discount will remain for early registration at all conferences and will be new for seminars, increasing the discount from $30 for early registration.

Besides a new WICPA brand and image, the new website will be responsive for a better experience on all devices, and have a unified navigation so it's quicker and easier to find the information you're seeking. And, most importantly, it will be a centralized resource devoted to WICPA members.

Early registration is vital as it determines whether a program will be held or canceled. Most facilities require 30 days advance notice to cancel or the WICPA incurs fees.

As pricing for WICPA programs is evaluated yearly, early registration and the ability to make programs a “go” helps the WICPA to keep CPE costs in line for members.

The new website features categorized news feeds, easy access to download CPE materials, new efficiencies for company administrators, a mentor matching program, a volunteer opportunity center and member-exclusive online communities. Watch for more updates to come!

The most exciting development is the launch of our new website this fall. It will be on the leading edge of technology and feature more than just a new look. We have been recognized nationally as a leader among state CPA societies for the design and features of our new website.

The WICPA staff is very enthusiastic to bring you these new programs and activities. We encourage you to attend our events and look forward to your feedback.

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

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

3

[Audit] Education

Audit Staff Essentials courses to hone technical, project management skills

By Anne Marchetti

T

he Audit Staff Essentials courses are designed to provide participants with enhanced technical knowledge and practical application guidance, as well as enriched project management and resource management skills. Each course provides auditors with the opportunity to interface with peers and explore the specific issues and challenges faced by individuals in each role in the firm. Tips and techniques for increasing audit efficiency and effectiveness are provided and discussed.

The courses provide auditors at every level with a valuable opportunity to interact with their colleagues and the discussion leader, exchange ideas and pose questions of one another.

auditor’s role in an engagement, communication skills, work paper preparation and the audit risk model.

There are four courses in the series – New Staff Core Concepts, New Staff Practical Application, Experienced Staff and Senior/In-Charge Staff. Each course focuses on technical and managerial skill enhancement.

The Experienced Staff course continues to build on the knowledge first-year staff have attained. Experienced staff typically assume an expanded engagement role that includes more technical and/or more advanced accounting subjects. Guidance, discussion, illustrations and exercises are provided to enhance the knowledge and skills of experienced staff members. Audit procedures associated with more complex areas such as debt, accrued expenses and stockholders’ equity are reviewed.

Discussion topics include risk assessment, engagement and supervision, work paper review, sampling and auditing procedures for areas commonly assigned to experienced staff members.

New Staff Core Concepts course participants are provided with the foundation and knowledge necessary for their first few engagements. Participants are introduced to the audit process from the firm perspective rather than the classroom viewpoint. Internal and client relationship dynamics are explored. This course offers new staff the core skills they will need to perform functions common to their level. Discussion topics in the New Staff Core Concepts course include audit basics, new 4 The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

The New Staff Practical Application course is a companion course to the New Staff Core Concepts course. The class expands on the skills and knowledge necessary to perform duties commonly assigned to first-year staff members. Audit procedures associated with cash, accounts receivable, inventory, prepaid assets and accounts payable, as well as property, plant and equipment, are studied. Discussion topics in this course include internal controls, fraud considerations, analytical procedures and the basic auditing procedures for areas commonly assigned to new staff members.

wicpa.org

The Senior/In-Charge course focuses on the more advanced areas of the audit. The class includes conversation, examples and exercises that focus on advanced topics that senior/in-charge staff members may be assigned, including audit planning, project management, comprehensive risk assessment and financial reporting. In addition to technical discussion, the course provides an overview of common responsibilities of new senior/in-charge staff members, such as detailed dialogue regarding the audit process, materiality, understanding the entity and group audit considerations.

Auditors at every level will realize significant benefit from participation in these courses, including augmented technical knowledge, valuable industry insights and increased managerial effectiveness and efficiency.

Anne Marchetti is president & CEO of Account-Ability Consulting in Naples, Fla., and has presented the Audit Staff Essentials courses for the WICPA for several years. Contact her at 203-209-9663 or amm013@comcast.net.

wicpa.org

Audit experts will present the following courses at the WICPA Professional Development Center in Waukesha: SEPT.

Audit Staff Essentials: New Staff: Core Concepts (ASE1)

SEPT.

Audit Staff Essentials: New Staff: Practical Application (ASE2)

OCT.

Audit Staff Essentials: Experienced Staff (ASE3)

NOV.

Audit Staff Essentials: Seniors/In-Charge Staff (ASE4)

13-14 21-22 16-17 7-8

See pages 75, 76, 79 & 80 for details.

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

5

[CGMA] Financial Statement Audits

How financial statement audits deliver key business insights

By Ken Tysiac

F

inancial statement audits are not just a compliance exercise — they are also an opportunity to gain knowledge that can generate positive business results, according to a recent survey.

also providing insights and using that as a way to help the company know about some things they didn’t know about, that should be a valuable piece of the audit, and our client would value that.”

In many cases, however, companies are not taking full advantage of the insights that audits provide, a survey of 300 executives and 100 audit committee members by Deloitte’s U.S. audit practice revealed.

Through audits, companies may learn new information about their industry and market, discover shortcomings in processes and policies, and identify inefficiencies and risks. Increased use of data analytics is helping auditors look at large pools of data in a variety of areas to find information that could be helpful to clients.

According to the survey report: • More than three-fourths (79%) of executives and 91% of audit committee members say financial statement audits identify opportunities to improve business performance.

• Almost half (46%) of executives and even more audit committee members (62%) say it’s at least somewhat likely that they would have missed important insights if the audit had not occurred.

• Companies that regularly capitalize on information received from the audit are more likely to have achieved growth over the past three to five years that survey respondents consider “good” or “great.”

“Obviously quality is the foundation here. We’ve always got to do a good, quality audit to start with,” said Adam Weissenberg, CPA, national managing audit partner— clients & industries for Deloitte & Touche LLP. “If we’re 6 The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

Whether it’s journal entry testing, analyzing contents of many leases across a company, or gleaning information from multiple contracts, data analytics is giving auditors the ability to find anomalies and discover inefficiencies that might have remained hidden in the past. These insights can provide important information for audit clients to act on.

Nonetheless, financial statement audits often represent a missed opportunity for companies. More than one out of every three companies (35%) rarely or never use the information received from their financial statement audits to improve their business, according to the Deloitte survey. About half of executives (45%) and audit committee members (48%) whose companies don’t always use information from their audits do not have processes in place to make use of the insights that can be taken from an audit. wicpa.org

Weissenberg suggested that auditors, management, and audit committees can use the following tactics to ensure the client derives maximum value from the audit.

Communicate. Management, audit committees, and auditors should communicate frequently to ensure the company is aware of and taking advantage of the insights that auditors discover. By following up and checking in with management and the audit committee, auditors know their insights have been understood.

Train auditors on judgment and communication.

“We have to continue to work on (developing) the skills in our teams so that they can deliver on this, they have the ability to communicate effectively, they have the ability to take all these analytics and innovation that we’ve done and discern from that what kind of information is important to share with the audit committees,” Weissenberg said.

The survey offers good news for those who continuously strive for the highest-quality audits, as 83% of executives and 83% of audit committee members rated the

YOU’VE GOT THE INTELLECT. NOW GET THE INTANGIBLES.

reliability of information provided during an audit as good, very good, or excellent.

“There’s an inherent trust that the auditors are doing their job,” Weissenberg said, “and that the auditors are doing a good, quality audit, and that audit committees would look at us as an independent source in doing what we’re supposed to do.”

Jim Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA will present “The Competent Accountant: Mastering the CGMA Competency Framework” on Sept. 8 at the WICPA Professional Development Center in Waukesha (CAMC). See page 86 for details.

Ken Tysiac is a CGMA Magazine editorial director. Contact him at Kenneth.Tysiac@aicpa-cima.com. © 2017 Association of International Certified Professional Accountants.

All rights reserved.

INTRODUCING THE CGMA PROGRAM DISCOVER A LIFELONG PROFESSIONAL LEARNING JOURNEY AT CGMA.org/Program ®

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

18652 – CGMA Program - State Society Ad_HALF 2.indd 3

wicpa.org

11/13/15 10:50 AM

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

7

shutterstock.com

Glass half full o W

hile most professionals agree it would be impossible to totally eliminate fraud in the workplace, that doesn’t seem to

have stopped us from trying. Over the past 15 years, American workplaces have seen almost unprecedented efforts to regulate businesses’ ethical behavior. From the Sarbanes-Oxley Act’s focus on internal controls to the Dodd-Frank Act’s efforts to improve accountability

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

and transparency in the financial markets, the federal government has enacted extensive legislation, at high regulatory cost, to safeguard market participants from unethical and illegal behavior.

By some measures, this regulatory approach has worked. We’ve seen no scandals on the level of Enron — the firm synonymous with the excesses of the new economy — since the beginning of the SOX era.

wicpa.org

[Fraud] Prevention

or half empty?

By Richard J. Daisley, CPA

We have also seen a continuing focus on the value of effective internal controls and, perhaps even more important, an emphasis on the “tone at the top� that has permeated business. And while lax if not out-andout fraudulent practices contributed greatly to the financial crisis of 2008–2009, post-crisis reforms have led to stability in the residential home mortgage and other markets.

wicpa.org

However, plenty of contradictory evidence supports a conclusion that, in spite of these successes, the prevalence of fraud in business is as great as it has ever been. Once-venerated corporate names like Volkswagen and Wells Fargo are now associated with fraudulent activity. Hacking and other cyber-crimes seem to be ever increasing, with their impact having ever greater financial and political implications.

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

9

And U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement actions continue their recent increasing trajectory.1 So when it comes to preventing fraud, is the glass half full or half empty?

The answer depends on your perspective. While the national scandals, particularly those impacting the financial markets, get the headlines, it’s the impact of fraud that occurs every day at thousands of small and midsize businesses across the globe that really adds up. According to the 2016 Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse, published by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the documented global losses from fraud total $6.3 billion, with an average loss of $2.7 million and a median loss of $150,000. Other estimates from certified fraud examiners indicate that the costs of fraud amount to 5% of a typical organization’s revenue. Using this metric, the annual cost of fraud could be in the trillions of dollars.2

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

The report makes it clear that fraud, whether in the form of asset misappropriation, corruption, or financial reporting, can occur at any organization.

Private companies made up 38% of fraud victim organizations covered in the report while public companies made up about 29%. Governments represented about 20%, with not-for-profits and other organizations making up the balance. Further, about 30% of frauds were committed at companies with fewer than 100 employees. And anyone in the organization could commit the fraud, with 40% of fraudulent activity committed by employees; 37% by managers; and about 20%, including those with the largest losses, committed by executive management or ownership.3 So the message is clear. Score one for the “glass half empty” camp. Fraud could be committed by anyone in an organization, at any place and at any time. What is a company to do?

wicpa.org

A common and effective tool to guide your anti-fraud initiatives is the fraud triangle. Popularized in Donald Cressey’s 1973 book, "Other People’s Money," this tool suggests that three components need to be present for fraud to be committed. These are: • Opportunity – The method by which the fraud is committed, which is usually abetted by poor internal controls.

• Pressure – The motivation to commit the crime.

This pressure can be internal or external to the organization but often has some financial element to it.

• Rationalization – The manner in which a fraudster justifies the action.

Per Cressey, without any one of these components, a fraudulent act can’t occur. From a fraud prevention perspective, reducing the lengths of each of these components will reduce the likelihood of fraud.

However easy this sounds in theory, its practice can be more challenging. Let’s look at each component in turn.

Opportunity: In today’s complex and fast-paced world, the opportunities for fraud are many. Companies must continually monitor the effectiveness of their internal controls to ensure they’re addressing all areas of potential fraud. As technologies evolve, controls must evolve with them. Effective controls come at a cost and no system of controls will be able to eliminate fraud all by itself. But the cost of a failed or absent control by far outweighs the cost of creating, monitoring, and continually fine-tuning effective controls.

Pressure: An organization can’t mitigate all pressures that its employees and owners face. Some internal pressures that can trigger fraud, especially bonus schemes, also serve to effectively motivate

wicpa.org

Fraud could be committed by anyone in an organization, at any place and at any time. employees and therefore are often a necessary evil (although a company must assure that these don’t go too far). Additionally, it may be very difficult for companies to even know about, let alone effectively address, many of the external pressures experienced by employees, such as financial hardships. However, through such initiatives as flexible work arrangements and employee assistance programs, companies are improving their ability to help their employees deal with the stresses of life, and may be reducing the pressures toward fraud in the process.

Rationalization: This might be the fraud triangle component that’s the most elusive to address. The decision to do, or not do, something, is inherently personal, with many companies feeling they can’t influence it much. However, to truly combat fraud, companies must care about the moral tone of the workforce and find innovative ways to positively impact an employee’s decision-making process and behavior.

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

11

The old adage that people would never steal from their family comes to mind. The challenge is to make your work environment feel like a family. Finding the right balance for your workforce on each of the three points of the fraud triangle is the key to minimizing your company risks, and such efforts in the aggregate may lead to a true and lasting reduction in fraud and a glass more than half full for the American workplace.

1 “SEC Announces Enforcement Results for FY 2016”; SEC Press Release 2016-212.

Available at www.sec.gov.

2 Report To the Nations On Occupational Fraud and Abuse: 2016 Global Fraud

Richard J. Daisley, CPA is senior director of Accounting and Financial Reporting Content at Surgent in Devon, Pa. Contact him at 800-778-7436 or DaisleyR@surgent.com.

Curtis Quickel, CPA will present “Winning the Fraud Battle in the Digital Age: Prevention & Detection” on Sept. 29 at the WICPA Professional Development Center in Waukesha (CFVV). See page 77 for details.

Study; Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Available at www.acfe.com.

3 Report To the Nations On Occupational Fraud and Abuse: 2016 Global Fraud

Study; Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Available at www.acfe.com.

Take your career to the next level As part of our commitment to the WICPA, West Bend has teamed up with a host of professional speakers and authors to bring you a library of free resources to help you take your career and business to the next level.

Just visit the Customer Resources tab of thesilverlining.com and select Professional Services Resources to find out more about ...

• Networking via LinkedIn • Managing multiple generations in the workplace • How to be an effective leader

We developed these resources to help you grow both personally and professionally. Be sure to check them out!

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

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

wicpa.org

7

PROVEN

REASONS TO JOIN THE WICPA

NETWORKING: Join nearly 7,700 of your peers at professional and social events.

DISCOUNTED CPE EVENTS:

01

The WICPA is the premier association for accounting and

business professionals in Wisconsin. Whether you’re looking to grow professionally, bring in new business, increase your expertise and leadership, or protect the business you’ve helped build, the WICPA serves as your go-to resource to help you succeed and stay connected to the profession.

02

Receive discounts on conferences, seminars, breakfast programs, webinars and on-demand programs.

Join today at wicpa.org/join

ONLINE RESOURCES:

Connect with members through the Membership Directory, find and post jobs with the Career Center, and be listed as a resource to the public with the Find a CPA Directory.

03

07 06

CREDIBILITY:

Brand yourself as a WICPA member to demonstrate your ethical standards and commitment to the profession.

500+ 93% RENEW MEMBERSHIP MEMBER VOLUNTEERS

MEDIA 7,000+ SOCIAL FOLLOWERS wicpa.org

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT:

OVER 2,500

WI COMPANIES, FIRMS AND ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTED

Enhance technical and soft skills with volunteer opportunities that help advance the profession, build the CPA pipeline and give back to the community.

04 05 EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS:

IMPORTANT NEWS:

Save up to 40% on products and services through our select Affinity Partners and Member Benefit Providers.

Keep current on legislative and financial regulations, technical topics and industry trends with our award-winning publications and e-news.

MEMBERSHIP BASE PUBLIC

41%

INDUSTRY

40%

OTHER

12%

EDUCATION

5%

GOVERNMENT The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n2% 13

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

wicpa.org

[Human Resources] Law & Employment

Maximizing the value of

non-compete agreements

By Ryan N. Parsons, J.D.

W

isconsin courts view “covenants not to compete” with disfavor and are quick to rule them unenforceable. These agreements restrict the free movement of labor and impose limitations on employees’ ability to earn a living. Yet there are many legitimate reasons an employer may want to limit its key employees from walking across the street and taking confidential information and customer contacts to a competitor.

Because of the skepticism with which courts view non-compete agreements, employers must enter into them thoughtfully and draft them with care. Here are some tips to maximize the value of your non-compete agreements: Determine who really needs to sign a non-compete. To enforce a non-compete, an employer must show that it’s necessary to protect its legitimate interests. In other words, a non-compete cannot simply be a punitive measure designed to bind an employee to her current employer by limiting her prospects elsewhere. Rather, the restrictions imposed by a non-compete agreement must directly protect the employer from unfair competition. Ordinarily, there are two factors in particular that employers can point to to justify the need for a non-compete: specialized training they provided to

wicpa.org

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

15

their employees (think white-collar jobs) and customer contacts the employees gained during the course of the job (think salespeople). Depending on the particular job duties, employees in the accounting field can potentially check both of these boxes. Accountants may receive highly specialized training in their jobs that they could use to compete against their employers, and their customer relationships could allow them to take business with them when they leave their jobs.

But this doesn’t mean every employee in the office should be subject to a non-compete. If an employee doesn’t have close contacts with customers or clients and doesn’t have specialized training beyond what he received in school, you probably don’t have a legitimate interest in preventing him from working for a competitor.

In that case, any restrictive covenant you require him to sign likely will be deemed invalid.

Don’t get greedy with time, geographic and activity restrictions. An enforceable non-compete also requires reasonable terms regarding the length of the restriction, its geographic scope, and the activities it covers.

In many states, if an agreement is overbroad in one of these areas, e.g., by imposing a 10-year restriction, a judge can “blue pencil” the agreement and write in what she believes is a reasonable time limitation, e.g., two years. In Wisconsin, however, courts must either enforce the agreement as written or completely reject it, so it’s essential that employers don’t overreach when drafting these terms.

Regarding time, a good rule of thumb is that any covenant longer than two years will be viewed with great skepticism. Consider that it may be better to have an 18-month restriction that will be enforced versus a

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

three-year restriction that the court throws out.

For geographic scope, the employer must consider where they actually do business and not impose a limitation that would be effective where the employer doesn’t compete. Thus, for an employer that gets 90% of its business from the seven-county Milwaukee metropolitan area, it would be difficult to enforce a non-compete agreement throughout the entire state of Wisconsin. Imagine being asked, “If you don’t have any customers in Shawano County, why are you preventing your employee from taking up shop there?” The mere hope of doing business there some day isn’t a sufficient reason to prevent an employee from going there today.

For employees who have a non-compete based on customer contacts, the easiest solution is often to limit them from contacting their own personal former customers, in lieu of a geographic restriction. Such a “customer list” restriction is typically enforceable by the courts and ties closely to an employer’s interest in protecting its customer goodwill.

Finally, one point that many practitioners overlook is the scope of the activities being restricted. For example, you may have a legitimate interest in preventing your star accountant from going across the street to serve in the same role for your closest competitor. But you probably don’t have an interest in preventing that accountant from working for your competitor as a janitor. If your noncompete could be read to restrict your employee’s ability to perform non-accounting work for your competitor, it’s likely too broad and will not be enforced.

Consider alternatives in lieu of (or in addition to) a broad non-compete. In addition to traditional covenants

wicpa.org

preventing employees from working for competitors, there are restrictions that can be included in an employment agreement. These include non-solicitation agreements preventing employees from soliciting customers (and possibly co-workers); non-disclosure agreements preventing employees from revealing confidential information learned during employment; and return of property agreements requiring employees to turn in all job-related items and documents when their employment ends. Any or all of these clauses can substitute for (or complement) a traditional non-compete.

Conclusion. These are just a few tips you can use when discussing potential non-compete agreements with your attorney, but they are just the tip of the iceberg.

Because courts look upon restrictive covenants with suspicion, it’s essential to engage an attorney to draft any

non-competes, as well as to periodically review them to ensure they remain compliant as state law changes.

Ryan N. Parsons, J.D. is a senior counsel and litigation attorney with Foley & Lardner LLP in Milwaukee. He is a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice and Food & Beverage Industry Team.

Contact him at 414-297-5863 or rparsons@foley.com.

Ryan N. Parsons, J.D. will provide an “Employment Law Update” for both Fall Industry Conferences. The first session will be held on Sept. 18 at the Country Springs Hotel & Conference Center in Pewaukee.

The second session will be held on Oct. 23 at the Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort in Wisconsin Dells. See page 62 for details.

Spectrum Investment Advisors is built on the premise that achieving your financial goals depends on independent financial advice, timely research, and easy access to the investments and services that best fit your specific needs.

The Spectrum Investor® Experience

"TELL me,

and I will forget;

SHOW me,

and I may remember;

INVOLVE me,

and I will understand."

- Benjamin Franklin

Retirement Plan Sponsor Services Participant Services

&

Individual Wealth Management

SPECTRUM

SM

To learn more about our patented Spectrum Investor® Communication Process and unique “Colors Simplify Investing®” educational information, please contact:

INVESTMENT ADVISORS 6329 W. Mequon Road, Mequon, WI 53092

spectruminvestor.com

800-242-4735

Investment advice offered through Spectrum Investment Advisors, a registered investment adviser. Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

wicpa.org

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

17

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

wicpa.org

[Industry] FASB

Conquering new FASB standards

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

T

he list is overwhelming: Seventeen new FASB Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) were issued in 2015; 20 in 2016; and eight so far in 2017, with the most productive months still ahead of us. The mountain of new requirements frequently seems insurmountable, but there are ways to successfully and efficiently scale those heights.

The FASB website (www.fasb.org) has a wealth of material to help smooth the road to implementation.

The effective dates for all Updates can be found at http://tinyurl.com/fasb-standards.

Of the Updates issued in 2015 – 2017, 10 are effective for PUBLIC companies for periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2016, 13 are effective for periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2017, and five are effective

wicpa.org

2018 or later. In general, NON-PUBLIC companies have effective dates one year later than public companies. Thus, it seems most appropriate to focus our attention on those currently effective or that will be effective by the end of the year.

We must first consider the Big Three: Leases; Revenue from Contracts with Customers; and Financial Instruments. The REVENUE standards (2014-09, 2015-14, 2016-08, 2016-10, 2016-12, 2016-20, 2017-05) require that we think now about how our revenue recognition practices will change when the standard becomes effective. Some companies will find little change; others will find a wide spectrum of troublesome changes. Now is the time to learn enough about the new standards

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

19

to identify areas of concern. These include the possibility that it may be useful to modify current contract provisions to simplify future calculations or to rethink how we bundle our products and services. Pricing may also be a consideration. To do this requires the participation of many levels of the organization, including sales and legal.

The LEASE standard (2017-02) primarily presents issues for the lessee. Now is the time to obtain enough of an understanding of the standard to be able to review all agreements with an eye to determining if you still have a lease under the new rules and what kind of a lease you have. This will allow time to negotiate any modifications to existing lease agreements (if you so desire) and to determine if any new terms might be advantageous for future lease agreements.

The FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS standards (2016-13, 2017-01) appear to have the greatest impact on financial institutions, but other organizations with unusual investment instruments may want to be prepared to consider the standard as it specifically applies to those instruments.

These three standards, although effective relatively far out, require attention and implementation planning NOW. So, what about the other new standards? Since most will not be relevant to any single entity, your strategy should be to get a quick overview of their content as concisely as possible. Then it’s easier to determine where to focus your attention in planning for implementation.

In many cases, the title of a standard can telegraph its applicability, but in others, it’s harder to tell.

The following tables may help:

Effective for public companies for periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2016 ASU #

Title

2015-11

Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory

2015-17

Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes

2016-05

Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships

2016-06

Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments

2016-07

Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting

2016-09

Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting

2016-17

Consolidation (Topic 810): Interests Held through Related Parties That Are Under Common Control

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

wicpa.org

Effective for public companies for periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2017 ASU #

Title

2016-04

Liabilities–Extinguishments of Liabilities (Subtopic 405-20): Recognition of Breakage for Certain Prepaid Stored-Value Products

2016-15

Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments

2016-16

Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra–Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory

2016-18

Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash

2017-01

Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business

2017-07

Compensation–Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost

Effective for public companies for periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2018 or later ASU #

Title

2017-04

Intangibles–Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment

2017-06

Plan Accounting: Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Topic 960), Defined Contribution Pension Plans (Topic 962), Health and Welfare Benefit Plans (Topic 965): Employee Benefit Plan Master Trust Reporting

2017-08

Receivables–Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities

Finally, we have two additional issues to consider.

ASU #2014-15 “Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern” is effective for financial statement periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2016, for public companies. This standard requires that management make an assessment of the ability of their company to continue as a going concern each period. Both the definition of a going concern and the related disclosures have changed. Further, the Auditing Standards Board has just issued guidance for auditors indicating the steps they should take in auditing management’s evaluation and subsequent disclosures, if required.

This will also be a difficult year for not-for-profit organizations. The landmark Accounting Standards

wicpa.org

Update 2016-14 “Not-for-Profit Entities (Topic 958): Presentation of Financial Statements of Not-forProfit Entities” becomes effective for those entities for periods beginning after Dec. 15, 2017. Of particular concern is the elimination of the concept of permanently restricted net assets. Leaders of not-forprofit organizations and their accounting experts need to prepare their boards for this change. Now is a good time to update and refresh your understanding of the nuances of not-for-profit accounting whether you are on the board or the audit committee or working for the organization itself. These nuances include the revenue recognition standards and the leasing standards, both of which are discussed above. Too often, we forget that not-for-profit entities are subject to all of the reporting standards and not just those designated as for them specifically (Topic 958).

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

21

Additionally, although of less general applicability, the guidance in ASU # 2017-02 “Not-for-Profit Entities–Consolidation (Subtopic 958-810): Clarifying When a Not-for-Profit Entity That is a General Partner or a Limited Partner Should Consolidate a For-Profit Limited Partnership or Similar Entity” can change the accounting treatment for special kinds of relationships that are useful to many larger not-for-profit entities.

All in all, this year is going to be busier than normal in terms of new standards to consider and learn about. We have done it before and we can do it again. With the appropriate care and planning and appropriately chosen continuing education, we can conquer the new FASB standards.

Joann Noe Cross, CPA, Ph.D., CMA, CGFM, CGMA is an accounting professor and co-chair of the Accounting Department at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Contact her at 920-424-1311 or crossj@uwosh.edu.

Joann Noe Cross, CPA, Ph.D., CMA, CGFM, CGMA will present “U.S. GAAP: Review for Business & Industry” on Sept. 8 at the Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center in Onalaska (FASBI). See page 75 for details.

800-637-4676 info@profinsprog.com insuranceformembers.com Professional Insurance Programs is a division of

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

Act now to discover quality, customizable Professional Liability for Accountants wicpa.org

Benefits of CPE On-Demand include: • Receive CPE credits • Watch 24/7 with an internet connection

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

• Access to the most popular WICPA conferences and breakfast sessions

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

• Special WICPA Member pricing starting as low as $39

• Download a PDF of the presentation materials

The missing piece of your marketing puzzle.

WICPA Sponsorships wicpa.org/sponsor wicpa.org

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

23

Lean accounting and management: 24 The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

wicpa.org

[Industry] Lean Accounting

Saving money by streamlining operations

By Thomas N. Howard, CPA, CGMA

L

ean is everywhere these days. Television commercials suggest several products to help you get lean. A best-selling business book advises executives to “lean in” to be more effective.

Even the accounting profession is buzzing about lean concepts.

So what is lean accounting? A more compelling term is accounting for a lean enterprise. It’s not that accounting personnel can’t take the lead and adopt lean principles in its own operations, but accounting for the lean enterprise is a much more comprehensive notion that has the potential to add even more value to the business.

What do we mean by lean enterprise? In a nutshell, a lean enterprise has adopted the business strategy of competing on the basis of time by eliminating (or significantly reducing) waste in its business processes and thereby increasing their velocity. Experience shows that this leads to lower costs, higher quality and better customer service.

To do so, the organization needs to focus on several basic principles.

Eliminating waste through value stream management. The value stream describes the entire flow of a product or service from beginning to end.

wicpa.org

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

25

This encompasses both the upstream and downstream components of the business process, not just the operations component. In other words, it extends from product design through manufacturing to delivery and even to after-sales service and support. It’s important to note that value is defined by the customer — those elements in the business process for which the customer would be willing to pay. All the rest are non-value-adding and deemed to be waste. Now, in the real world, some of these non-value-adding processes are necessary (such as compliance with laws and regulations) and therefore can't be eliminated. However, even these activities should be analyzed to determine if more streamlined methods can be used to achieve the business objective. Removing waste from the value stream is the hallmark of the lean organization.

Providing value from the customer’s viewpoint.

Listening for, and taking into account, the voice of the customer is critical to success in lean thinking. Value is the set of products and services an organization delivers to its customer and reflects the amount of money — the price — a customer is willing to pay for them. One of the methods lean accounting has adopted to quantify this

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

value component is target costing. This concept starts with the customer’s definition of value — as reflected in the price — and determines what the cost needs to be, given an acceptable profit margin. However, what is a straightforward arithmetic calculation barely scratches the surface of target costing’s power. Finding ways to achieve the target cost engages the entire organization in problem solving and achievement of business objectives, promoting teamwork and empowerment.

Developing continuous flow in the value chain.

Whenever the value chain stops moving forward, waste occurs. Once an organization has determined customer value and analyzed the value stream to identify (and eliminate) sources of waste in the underlying business processes, it should focus on making the remaining (value-adding) steps flow in an uninterrupted manner.

Two issues must be addressed in this regard: the physical layout and capacity management. Flow production involves arranging processes to minimize move and wait times. For many years, manufacturing companies have been adopting cellular layouts to improve production flow and decrease cycle times.

The same thinking can be applied to administrative

wicpa.org

work. Lean environments have studied the workflows in their business processes and rearranged the work spaces to pattern those flows.

Doing so promotes cross-training, load-balancing and open communication. With respect to capacity management, no supervisor likes to see an idle machine. Yet the alternative, making parts or products to keep the machine busy, flies in the face of lean thinking. It’s better to idle a machine when it has produced the quantity ordered than to continue making products that will end up being put into inventory. The same concept applies to the workforce. Aligning capacity to actual work volumes is necessary to achieve the lean enterprise.

Adopting a pull approach to operations scheduling. Instead of a production schedule based on a sales forecast, pull involves making the product or delivering the service in response to actual customer demand. This approach is often called “make-to-order” versus the “make-to-stock” philosophy seen in traditional environments.

Obviously, the payoff from embracing this approach is lower inventory levels, notably in finished goods

wicpa.org

but also in work-in-process. The pull approach allows the company to design and deliver products and services in accordance with actual customer’s specifications. Operational flexibility and short cycle times are required to achieve this objective.

Striving for perfection through continuous improvement. The classic Total Quality Management definition of perfection is embodied in the phrase “zero defects,” in which a defect means not meeting the expectations of your customers — both internal and external. (Actually, 3.4 defects per 1 million opportunities satisfies the Six Sigma objective in this regard.) Continuous process improvement focuses on the need for the organization to redesign its critical processes to make the company more efficient, effective and adaptable to the needs of its stakeholders. In other words, get better every day in every way. Within the lean enterprise, the war on waste is never ending.

Accounting personnel can play a major role in moving the organization on the lean thinking path.

Some examples:

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

27

• Transition from cost accounting to cost management. Take ownership of target costing.

• Redesign various accounting processes based on financial value streams. Break up the functional layout by locating accounting personnel near their internal process partners.

• Develop new performance measures, emphasizing time-based, non-financial metrics.

• Streamline the accounting close process.

The one-day close is happening in many lean environments.

• Look at making management accounting reports more relevant to internal users.

Understanding lean concepts and how they can promote lower costs, higher quality and better

customer service can make a significant contribution to your organization’s success.

Thomas N. Howard, CPA, CGMA is president and CEO of Minerva Professional Services, LLC in Cary, NC. Contact him at 919-377-2699 or thomasnhoward@gmail.com.

Thomas N. Howard, CPA, CGMA will present “Lean Accounting & Management: Saving Money by Streamlining Operations” on Oct. 26 at the WICPA Professional Development Center in Waukesha (CL4LAMA). See page 87 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

To get started, visit wicpa.org/cpetracker

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

wicpa.org

OPTIMIZE YOUR RESOURCES Gain access to exclusive member savings with these Affinity Partners!

As a student member of the WICPA, you receive a discount off the regular tuition of Becker’s in-class, online or CD-ROM CPA Review Course. Live courses starting soon in Milwaukee, Madison and Whitewater.

With comprehensive and competitively priced coverage, Pearl Insurance has been providing Accountants Professional Liability Insurance for 60 years. Our team is continuously evolving our insurance plans, ensuring we stay ahead of the curve as an industry leader with coverage that is responsive to the needs of accounting professionals.

Helping people and businesses worldwide with their insurance and financial needs. With operations in the United States, Asia, Europe and Latin America, Prudential provides customers with a variety of products and services for asset management and retirement planning strategies. Prudential strives to create long-term value for their stakeholders through strong business fundamentals, consistent with their mission guided by their vision and directed by the company’s core values. The Prudential Insurance Company of America 0282998-00002-00 The WICPA has partnered with Professional Insurance Programs, Inc. to provide quality comprehensive and affordable insurance programs to its members.

WICPA members qualify for exclusive savings from Roger CPA Review! Receive discounts on all courses and products, from full-service course packages, study tools such as flashcards, audio lectures, and more! Simple, no-fee financing options available.

Financial Advisors Ken and Jim Schneider focus on retirement plans, i.e., 401(k), SEP/SIMPLE IRA, etc., and work extensively with CPAs, individual investors, attorneys and business owners on wealth management, investment planning and estate strategies. Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC. As a CPA you have clients looking for answers related to all of their retirement and financial planning needs. The more answers you can provide, the stronger your client relationships will become. Shakespeare works in a collaborative effort with CPAs to solve client issues. As a Fee-Only Advisor, we provide unbiased advice and look comprehensively at every client situation. We function as a Fiduciary, always putting your client’s interest first.

Spectrum Investment Advisors co-sponsors the annual Retirement Plan Investment Seminar, which offers members CPE credits at a nominal cost. Members can work directly with Spectrum Investment Advisors to receive Plan Consulting Services for their retirement plan program and individual wealth/asset management services.

The Payroll Company provides award-winning payroll services, human resources consulting, timekeeping solutions and an integrated 401(k) as part of their commitment to fulfilling all of their clients’ payroll needs. Members receive a discount on their product.

U.S. Bank Provides a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, and trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions. Elavon, Inc. offers a cost-effective payment acceptance program allowing you to accept payments in a number of ways - in store, online, over the phone or from a mobile wallet like ApplePay™ or Google Wallet! Use of Elavon services supports the WICPA Educational Foundation. von Briesen offers experienced Tax attorneys in every type of matter that may present a significant tax issue and with over a half dozen advanced tax degrees or certifications have the knowledge and experience to assist in state, local, federal or international issues. The firm represent businesses, governmental agencies, not-for-profit entities, individuals and public accounting firms in tax issues.

Receive a discount on West Bend’s Home and Highway® program and be rewarded for going claim-free for the year.

wicpa.org

Visit wicpa.org/marketplace for discounted pricing, codes and links to take advantage of the buying power WICPA members The have.

Bottom

Line | 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

29

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

wicpa.org

[Leadership] Skill Development

Exploring advanced personal leadership skills

By Jim Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA

T

he role of controller/CFO has evolved from a technical role to a much broader business emphasis. An individual who wants to move up in the organization must acquire advanced leadership skills. Historically, CPA continuing education focused on the technical skills required for the accounting profession.

With the advent of the CGMA, continuing education was subdivided into four major categories: technical, business, personal and leadership. As a result, there will be a new emphasis on the broader skills required to be a successful leader in either the corporate world or the public accounting arena.

When this author leads continuing education sessions across the country, he asks the question, “Which is more important? Technical skills or people skills?” In almost all situations the attendee’s response is “people skills.”

Certainly, there are times when the accounting analysis is so critical to the overall decision that technical skills will be paramount. However, these aren’t the majority of situations. The individual who can master personal and leadership skills and apply them to his or her business position will be the most successful.

This is a hard lesson that hasn’t been mastered by many support service departments (accounting, HR, IT). The quickest way for support service leaders to be included in top business discussions is by practicing servant leadership.

wicpa.org

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

31

Support departments that complain about not being included in the strategy discussions of the organization miss the typical reason why they’re excluded. The unfortunate truth is that they are too focused on their functional specialty as opposed to the overall business success. When support service departments practice servant leadership, they will be invited to the strategic table of their organization.

Servant leadership is a term that was coined by Robert Greenleaf in the 1970s. Servant leadership has 10 characteristics (listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people, and building community) and each of those characteristics is based on personal or leadership principles as opposed to technical skills.

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

When you evaluate your skill sets, how well do you employ the following?

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE Are you able to express a full range of emotions?

Are you able to empathize with people who work for you? What do you do when an individual in your office begins crying? The individual with the greatest flexibility in emotional intelligence has the better chance of being successful.

CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION All value originates with ideas or dreams. All of our organizations were created because someone had a concept, idea, a vision of the way that your organization could do the job better, more efficiently, or more profitably. Do you know how to foster a culture that

wicpa.org

values and practices innovation and creativity? How do you reward employees for creative ideas?

TEAM CULTURE What is the relationship between team success and shared fate? Is it imperative that all organizations practice teamwork? Do you know how to get out of the way of your team and not be a hindrance? Are there certain individuals who should never be part of the team? The ability to assemble a team, forge them into a cohesive unit, and empower them to accomplish a goal or objective is an invaluable trait.

DIFFICULT EMPLOYEES How do you handle employees when their behavior is unacceptable? What should you do when a staff member makes snide comments during a staff meeting? What actions should you take when one individual is visibly upset or shouting in your department? How do you get an individual who refuses to participate, to participate? Are you aware of the underlying reason why complainers complain?

CHANGE MANAGEMENT Why do most people struggle with change management? In general, people assume that individuals are not comfortable with change. In practice, people aren’t comfortable with negative change. The skilled leader will recognize the difficulty that an employee experiences as they move through the different stages of change. Not understanding the path or forcing people to adapt may reduce the chances for change journey successful.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES Across the country, there’s a deficit of quality employees. The ability to find, attract and retain staff can be considered an art all by itself. The average tenure for a millennial worker is less than 24 months.

Anything an organization can do to reduce the turnover rate will impact the quality of the workforce.

One of the not so apparent ways to reduce turnover is via healthy lifestyles. What are you doing as the leader

wicpa.org

Across the country, there’s a deficit of quality employees. of the department to ensure that your staff maintains a healthy lifestyle? This also includes work/life balance, purpose, etc. The healthier lifestyle, the happier the employee and the more productive the employee, which should result in a longer tenure with your organization and therefore a reduced turnover.

If some of the preceding questions were uncomfortable, that is understandable. As traditional accountants, we have not been allowed to spend time on continuing education that involves areas such as these. On Nov. 30, we will explore these issues in depth as part of the “Advanced Personal Leadership Skills” course. The course will help make you a more accomplished professional and reduce the time that it will take you to ascend to the upper levels of the organization.

Jim Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA is president of Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc. in Dousman. Contact him at 262-392-3166 or jim@thorstenconsulting.com.

Jim Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA will present “Advanced Personal Leadership Skills” on Nov. 30 at the WICPA Professional Development Center in Waukesha (APLS).

See page 88 for details.

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

33

60 Tips in 60 Minutes: Practical marketing strategies for you and your specialty

By Diane L. Roundy, MBA 34 The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

wicpa.org

[Marketing] Niche Strategies

D

eveloping a niche practice within your accounting firm is a strategy that benefits both you and your organization. As you craft your niche expertise, it becomes easier to acquire new clients while also retaining and growing those you already serve. Niche practices can also contribute to increased profit margins for the firm and generate opportunities for colleague mentoring.

When deciding to develop a specialty, consider how you can incorporate your passions, past experiences and talents to focus your work and create value. Developing you and your specialty will require a marketing plan and strategies to follow. Making you and your specialty area “famous” is a process that will entail commitment and openness to trying new ideas. Here is a snapshot of some grassroots ideas to market your specialty.

} Develop your personal brand.

What is your brand promise within your organization as well as outside your company? } Team up and leverage the work.

Never develop this specialty alone. } Provide great service internally and externally.

Establish internal service standards so it is easy for your colleagues to refer work or rely on you when needed. } Develop your niche within your local office.

Establish the reputation that you are the “go-to person” within your office regarding this specialty.

Your colleagues can be your best advocates once they know you are competent and timely. } Grow your reach.

Once you establish your reputation within your office, expand this reputation across your firm.

Providing internal guidance and education is key to reinforcing your position internally. } Establish external leads.

Now that your colleagues are referring work to you internally, it is time to extend your marketing to your referral sources, which includes anyone who can recommend you, such as clients, attorneys and bankers. } Develop an elevator speech.

Have your 10-second elevator speech ready. Be succinct without telling the entire story: My name is John Jones of Schenck and I specialize in providing valuations for senior living facilities. } Update your email signature line (within your company and externally). Identify standard elements to include, such as your specialty, contact information and any designations or awards you received related to your specialty. } Become a thought leader regarding your specialty and share your expertise within your organization as well as externally through trade organizations and social media. Speak, write, teach. } Network.

Surround yourself with people who can elevate you and your expertise. wicpa.org

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

35

} Inspire team members within your specialty to help market. Educate them, share your excitement and brainstorm new ideas. } Be seen in the right places.

Be consistent in attending functions where your decision-makers are. } Showcase your success, highlight awards you’ve received and don’t be afraid to share your pride. } Pay attention to detail as it relates to your personal brand. An example: a messy car conveys disorganization. } Consider your voicemail.

Do you sound alive and ready for business? Can the caller reach you in a timely fashion? “Welcome to the voicemail of John Jones of Schenck. Today is (date) and I will be in the office all day today. If you need immediate assistance, contact _____, otherwise I will return your call today.” } Seek permission to follow up.

Have you met someone who may be a lead? Instead of requesting a meeting, ask “Are you open to me following up with you regarding this topic?” } Employ seven touches.

It takes seven touches before someone will do business with you. Develop your own individual seven-touch program so you won’t get frustrated and lose sight of your goals. A successful program involves creating a well-defined process that is personal to you. } Hold on to potential prospects.

Have you received a lead? If it does not work out now, it may down the line. Be patient, safely tuck away the lead and follow up later. } Share testimonials.

Have you received positive feedback from a happy client? Obtain a testimonial so you can market you and your team. } Patronize your clients.

Do business with those who do business with you.

Cultivating a specialty can provide immense rewards, both personally and for your firm. By developing a marketing plan, strategizing with your team and brainstorming new grassroots ideas to promote your specialty area, you will find great success.

Diane L. Roundy, MBA is director of growth and business development at Schenck SC in Appleton. Contact her at 920-996-1381 or diane.roundy@schencksc.com.

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

Diane L. Roundy, MBA will present “60 Tips in 60 Minutes: Practical Marketing Strategies for You & Your Specialty” on Feb. 21, 2018 at the WICPA Professional Development Center in Waukesha (WBP02). See page 70 for details.

wicpa.org

Whether you’re looking for a new career or a new 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 wicpa.org

CAREER CENTER at the WICPA

FIND A JOB POST A JOB

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

37

Examining tax and due diligence considerations

By Stephen Renberg

O

ne of the most beneficial services that accountants can provide their clients is in the area of business consultation services that deal with business sales and reorganizations. The various alternatives for structuring a deal can include taxable transactions and tax deferred transactions (sometimes called tax-free transactions, which is really a misnomer).

These alternatives can include, stock sales and purchases, asset sales and purchases, statutory mergers and other tax deferred mergers allowed for in the internal revenue

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

code, consolidations, business split-ups and spin-offs, employee stock ownership plan assisted deals, new financing arrangements as well as using installment sales transactions to further defer the recognition of income and payment of taxes. While any of these transactions might be the best choice in any particular set of circumstances, in this article we will discuss two – mergers and acquisitions.

In law it’s imperative to first understand the definition of terms since words have precise meanings. For this wicpa.org

[M & A] Taxes article, acquisitions will refer to taxable transactions while mergers will refer to those arrangements where taxes will be totally or partially deferred into the future. We will begin with acquisitions and then move on to mergers.

Taxable transactions include the sale by a corporation, partnership or limited liability company (LLC) of its assets to a third party buyer, the distribution of assets by a corporation to its shareholders, or the purchase by a third party of the stock from the corporate shareholders and the purchase of a partnership or membership interest from the individual partners in a partnership or members of a LLC. Since the tax consequences are different in each case, they shall be discussed separately.

In the usual situation, the third party buyer will want to purchase assets directly from the corporation, partnership or LLC. Although there are many possible reasons for this, the most common deal with the desire by the buyer to purchase only those assets that are truly needed and are essential for ongoing operations as well as the desire to avoid the assumption of unknown or contingent liabilities.

A third significant advantage is the step-up of assets to the fair market value price that is paid for them which results in higher annual depreciation or amortization write offs for the purchaser.

On the other hand, the seller will generally prefer to sell his stock or partnership interest rather than the assets of the business. The reasons for this are pretty straightforward in that most if not all of the gain will qualify for capital gain rates and the seller is also relieved of all liability exposure of the business. Under partnership taxation rules, the buyer might qualify for a Section 754 step-up in basis for the underlying assets purchased, but this step-up would not be available for corporation entities. There are also situations where some of the assets cannot be transferred from one entity to another (title restrictions as well as trademark or franchise restrictions). In such situations, the sale and purchase of stock appears to be the only transaction that is available (but in the next section, we shall see that there are ways around these restrictions).

So, if the buyer and seller have such divergent goals in structuring a transaction, who will usually win out? This

wicpa.org

question demonstrates the importance of learning good negotiation skills. The buyer does have the advantage since the seller usually has a higher incentive to sell than the buyer has to purchase, but the ability to structure the transaction properly will usually equal out the differences.

It might be worth it to the seller to accommodate the buyer if the price is adjusted to account for the additional taxes that will be owed by the seller. In addition, there are two elections that can be made under code section 338 that can convert a stock sale into an asset sale for tax purposes. Let’s take a closer look at these elections.

The first election under Code Section 338(g) is not used very much except in the area of foreign corporation transactions, but there are situations where it's still useful for domestic corporations. The main restriction deals with the fact that the target corporation (seller) must be a C corporation. While the shareholders of the C corporation ultimately receive cash for their shares and pay tax on the gain recognized, the underlying paperwork for tax purposes has the C corporation selling its assets to a new C corporation at fair market value with the initial corporation (the target) recognizing gain on the sale of those assets. Obviously, this election results in two level of taxes, corporate and shareholders, with the new C corporation taking on all of the tax attributes of the old C corporation with the exception of the step-up in basis of the assets sold. For legal purposes, the transaction was structured as a sale of the assets while for tax purposes there's also a sale of stock by the target shareholders.

The more common election is found under Code Section 338(h)(10). This election deals with S corporation targets and is similar to Section 338(g) elections in that the assets are considered to be sold to a new S corporation that becomes a subsidiary of the purchaser. The assets are sold for fair market value on the day before the stock sale, so the existing target will recognize gain on the assets sold which will be passed through to the existing shareholders.

This in turn will increase the shareholders’ basis in their shares so when their shares are considered purchased, there will not be a second taxable gain like there was under the Section 338(g) election.

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

39

Turning our attention now to tax deferred transactions, we will skip past tax-free exchanges, casualty losses and other involuntary conversions and go straight to corporate mergers and reorganizations as outlined in Code Section 368. This section contains an alphabetic list of procedures that must be carefully followed in order to attain the desired tax-deferral. If your client is contemplating the use of this code section to complete a corporate acquisition, reorganization, or division, a complete analysis of each provision must be undertaken to comply completely with the requirements. In addition, it would be wise to secure the services of a competent reorganization attorney to insure that the paperwork is prepared properly and all provisions are met. We will only give the highlights of the alphabetic list in the paragraphs that follow.

Code Section 368 (a)(1)(A) – This type of reorganization is known as a Type A Reorganization and is a statutory merger dealing with merging two companies into one under the provisions of the state laws of the various states where the companies are located. There are numerous ways for this merger to take place and the state laws vary across the country, but the usual transaction is to have the acquiring corporation issue its stock (and give other assets on occasion) to the target shareholders. The stock owned previously by the target shareholders in the target corporation is now cancelled.

The target corporation now merges into the acquiring corporation by transferring the target company assets to the acquiring company by operation of law.

Code Section 368 (a)(1)(B) – This reorganization is known as a Type B Reorganization, which is stock exchanged for stock. The acquiring corporation or its shareholders issue acquiring company voting stock to target shareholders. Target company shareholders must exchange stock representing at least 80% control in exchange for the acquiring corporation stock that was received. It’s crucial that only acquiring company voting stock can be used; no cash or other assets can be issued to the shareholders of the target. The acquisition of the 80% control can occur in a series of transactions, but if some of the stock of the target was previously purchased with cash, the step doctrine may include

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

those transactions with the reorganization efforts and the provisions can be violated.

Code Section 368 (a)(1)(C) – This reorganization is known as a Type C Reorganization, which deals with assets exchanged for stock. Under these provisions, substantially all of the target’s assets are transferred to the acquiring corporation in exchange for stock and cash or other assets (the cash of other assets are limited to 20% of the value of the assets received). Substantially all of the assets of the target is not defined in the code, but court cases and IRS rulings have given the definition to mean at least 90% of the fair market value of the assets (net of liabilities) and at least 70% of the fair market value of the target’s assets without consideration of the liabilities. The target corporation is generally liquidated in this reorganization since substantially all of the assets have been transferred.

Code Section 368 (a)(1)(D) – This reorganization is known as a Type D Reorganization, which deals with both divisive and acquisitive reorganizations. Divisive reorganizations are more common and deal with spin-offs, split-offs, and split-ups. The requirements are quite complex and are found in code section 355, so a thorough understanding of this code section is vital in order to provide accurate counsel to our

wicpa.org

clients. I personally have been involved in more Type D Divisive Reorganizations than any of the other types of reorganizations combined.

Code Section 368 (a)(1)(E) – This reorganization is known as a Type E Reorganization, which deals with single-entity corporate restructuring. This reorganization is dissimilar from the other reorganizations in the alphabet list in that it involves only a single corporation.

These types of reorganizations deal with issuance of new types of stock (preferred and non-voting) as well as stock splits and other forms of recapitalization.

Code Section 368 (a)(1)(F) – This reorganization is known as a Type F Reorganization, which is really a mere change in the identity, form or place of organization of one corporation.

This brief overview of several methods to structure a business acquisition, merger or reorganization should

highlight the need for continuing education and serious study of the precise language contained in the various code sections dealing with these issues. I would add that securing the competent understanding of an attorney familiar with the required paperwork will go a long way in avoiding challenges by the Internal Revenue Service dealing with the changes in our clients’ business structures.

Stephen Renberg, CPA is a tax specialist at Olsen, Hendricks & Company CPAs, P.A. in Meridian, Idaho. Contact him at 208-888-1595 or steverenberg@gmail.com.

Stephen Renberg, CPA will present “Mergers & Acquisitions: Tax & Due Diligence Considerations” on Sept. 21 at the WICPA Professional Development Center in Waukesha.

See page 89 for details.

ATTENTION! REVIEW YOUR CPE REQUIREMENTS • • • •

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

Reporting period: Jan. 1, 2016 – Dec. 31, 2017

For more information, turn to page 102 or visit

WICPA.ORG/CPEREQUIREMENTS wicpa.org

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

41

FROM THE

TRENCHES: 42 The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

wicpa.org

[Tax] Federal Audits

OBSERVATIONS ON

TAX CONTROVERSIES

By Robert Mathers, J.D., CPA, ABV and Robert Teuber, J.D.

O

ver the past several years, Congress has cut IRS funding, and there has been a steady decrease in the number of revenue agents conducting federal tax audits. At the same time, state departments of revenue have been adding staff.

However, this matters little to those clients who find themselves the target of an audit, whether state or federal. When facing an audit, your client wants to get through the process owing as little additional tax as possible. Having a handle on IRS procedure can help, and anticipating the next step can make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful representation. This article will focus on federal audits, but there are many parallels to state audits as well.

THE AUDIT Once notified of an audit, the IRS will issue Information Document Requests (IDRs) to require that documents and information be turned over. A thorough review of the IDRs issued during an audit can give insight into the aspects of a tax return of interest to the IRS. The response to the IDRs can impact the direction and

wicpa.org

outcome of the audit. The following are some recent observations on best practices CPAs can use when representing clients in IRS audits: • We strongly recommend “Bates stamping” all information supplied to the IRS, organized by IDR. Document organization can be key to controlling the scope and timing of the examination.

• Don’t forget about the Statements of Standards on Tax Services (SSTS). Specifically, Statement No. 6 mentions that if the member discovers an error on the return being audited, the member should gain permission from the client to disclose the error, or the member needs to consider withdrawing from the engagement.

• Although not as frequently encountered, keep in mind SSTS No. 6, Comment 11, which states that if there are any possible allegations of fraud or criminal misconduct, the member should advise the client to consult with an attorney. In particular, the civil fraud penalty may require some special considerations.

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

43

• Be cautious about possible conflicts of interest if you are representing a client in an audit, where you also prepared the return (see SSTS No. 6, Comment 10). There are many benefits in having the preparer handle the initial representation, including familiarity with the matters at hand and cost effectiveness.

However, when audit issues turn to the preparation of the return, both the SSTS and Treasury Circular 230 have provisions that should be considered.

• Don’t forget about the obligation to report a federal change to the applicable state departments of revenue and advise your client accordingly on any settlement discussions.

• Keep in mind all of the various alternative dispute resolution procedures, as these have become increasingly available to settle issues at the lowest level possible.

APPEALS AND SETTLEMENT OPPORTUNITIES Once the audit is complete, the IRS will issue a “30-Day Letter” report that gives a client 30 days to request an administrative appeals conference to challenge any issues. If an appeal isn’t requested, or issues remain following the appeal, the IRS will issue a Notice of Deficiency that formally asserts the tax, interest and penalties. On receipt of a Notice of Deficiency (also known as a “90-Day Letter”), your client has 90 days to file a Petition with the U.S. Tax Court to contest the asserted liability. If an administrative appeals conference hasn’t been requested following an earlier 30-Day Letter, a Tax Court Petition will cause the case to first be considered by an Appeals Officer before the case reaches the IRS Office of Chief Counsel.

Taxpayers have access to Tax Court by virtue of statute, which is why they’re able to obtain an adjudication in a “pre-assessment” or “pre-payment” forum. The 90-day time frame to access this forum is statutory and, if the 90 days is missed, the Tax Court is stripped of jurisdiction.

The deficiency becomes final and will make its way to the collections function of the IRS. U.S. District Courts and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims will still be available

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

options to fight the tax debts, but the tax will have to be paid before pursuing relief in these courts.

While taking a case to Appeals and Tax Court often leads to positive results, the IRS budget cuts, hiring freezes and staff reduction have not helped to reduce the backlog of cases moving through the system. In the latter half of 2015, the IRS formally implemented the Appeals Judicial Approach and Culture (AJAC) and, in early 2017, formalized a Fast Track Settlement Program (FTS) for small business and self-employed clients, which may help ease the backlog.

Under AJAC, the IRS appeals office no longer acts as a fact-finding body. Rather, the adoption of the AJAC approach is intended to return Appeals to its quasijudicial neutral role designed to settle cases. This means new issues or facts raised by a client during an appeal may cause the case to be sent back to an auditor for review. The AJAC rules have put pressure on taxpayer representatives to ensure the audit file is as complete as possible before going to Appeals, if they're seeking swift administration of their case.

The small business and self-employed FTS program formally implements an intermediate alternative dispute resolution option between an audit and appeals. This program, formalized by Revenue Procedure 2017-25, allows clients and auditors to work with Appeals to resolve contested factual or legal issues while the case is still officially in audit. Not all cases are eligible and both the client and IRS must agree to participate. But, those cases that are eligible might be concluded more quickly than a traditional appeal as cases taken to FTS are intended to be resolved within 60 days.

If a case can't be resolved in FTS, the client can still participate in a traditional appeals conference following the issuance of a 30-Day or 90-Day letter, before considering whether a court challenge is necessary.

COLLECTIONS When the dust settles and the audit, appeals and court challenges subside, a liability often remains. If your client is unable to pay the balance, understanding the

wicpa.org

available collection options is often helpful. Installment agreements, partial payment installment agreements, Offers in Compromise and currently non-collectible status may all be options. Each is subject to its own rules and analysis and some are more difficult to obtain. Yet, being aware of the options will help your clients when dealing with any remaining tax liabilities.

Robert Mathers, J.D., CPA, ABV and Robert Teuber, J.D. are attorneys with von Briesen & Roper, s.c. Mathers is a shareholder providing legal and business advisory services to Midwest businesses and their owners with a focus on closely-held businesses, estate planning and private wealth services. Contact Mathers at 920-232-4855 or rmathers@vonbriesen.com.

Teuber is a shareholder focusing his practice on tax disputes and controversies for clients nationally, regionally and locally. Contact him at 414-270-2538 or rteuber@vonbriesen.com.

Benjamin D. LaFrombois, J.D. and Robert Mathers, J.D., CPA, ABV will present “Anatomy of a Tax Controversy” on Sept. 13 at Staybridge Suites Eau Claire-Altoona in Altoona (ECBP09). Robert Mathers, J.D., CPA, ABV and Robert Teuber, J.D. will present the topic on Dec. 15 at the Northcentral Technical College Center for Business & Industry building in Wausau (WSBP12), and Jan. 10, 2018 at Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center in Onalaska (LCBP01).

See pages 64, 71 & 65 for details.

At von Briesen, we’ve transformed the traditional law firm into a modern platform for legal innovation.

Combining our industry leading expertise with innovative technology, we take a collaborative and creative approach to problem-solving the most complex matters.

The result? Game-changing advantages for our clients.

To learn more about our Tax Law Team, please contact Robert A. Mathers at rmathers@vonbriesen.com.

Milwaukee • Madison • Waukesha • Oshkosh • Green Bay • Appleton vonbriesen.com

wicpa.org

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

45

EXPLORING

EXAMINATIONS IN 2017 46 The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

wicpa.org

[Tax] IRS Exams

Resource constraints at the IRS are changing the examination process, resulting in different—but not necessarily decreased—risks

By Amy Plent, J.D.

I

n a 2015 speech at the Tax Policy Center Forum, IRS Commissioner John Koskinen lamented the fact that the IRS was, when adjusted for inflation, working with essentially the same budget it had in 1998, and would soon hit the point of having to “do less with less.”

Since that time, the resource picture at IRS hasn't improved, with additional budget cuts in intervening years and a proposed $239 million cut in President Donald J. Trump’s budget plan.

Many taxpayers who have read about these cuts assume that they bring taxpayer audit risk to virtually zero. That’s not a safe assumption.

wicpa.org

Despite Commissioner Koskinen’s dire warnings about doing less with less, the IRS has taken steps in certain areas to automate its processes and be more efficient with its limited resources.

As a result, the examination risks for taxpayers are evolving rather than disappearing, and some types of taxable activity may actually create a higher risk of examination now than in the past.

Increased focus on correspondence audits There are several different types of IRS examinations, ranging from the correspondence/ campus audits, in which the Service sends a notice explaining the issue and the eventual

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

47

outcome is driven by correspondence between the taxpayer and the IRS; to the office examination, in which the taxpayer appears in person at an IRS office; and the field examination, in which the IRS sends staff to the taxpayer’s location.

For obvious reasons, the field examination is the most resourceintensive of these options and budget cuts at the IRS have resulted in drastic reductions in the number of agents active in the field.

However, the fact that your client is unlikely to find an IRS agent on its doorstep any time soon does not mean it’ll never face an examination. The same resource constraints that have decreased field audits have resulted in a vastly increased emphasis on correspondence audits. The correspondence audit is the most challenging because under such an audit, the campus sends out a request for information and either you have the documentation or you don’t. If you don’t, the campus personnel does not have the ability to allow the item. The focus here is on mere verification.

It follows that the types of taxpayer activity most appropriate for a correspondence audit may face more scrutiny now than in the past.

Former IRS senior manager Deborah Phillips, CPA, MST, runs a practice that offers IRS audit and procedures advice. She also teaches extensively on IRS examination issues. Phillips advises clients and attendees at her classes that the Service seeks to balance its resource investment with the magnitude of the tax issue and with situations in which it can leverage automated processes to surface missing or mischaracterized documentation.

Documentation that ties neatly and completely to the return, therefore, may be the key to reducing correspondence audit risk. Once an examination is

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

initiated, Phillips said, substantiation is key to taxpayer outcomes. “The burden of proof in these audits only shifts to IRS if the taxpayer cooperates and meets their substantiation requirements,” Phillips said.

Some of the issues most likely to face scrutiny through the correspondence audit process, according to Phillips, include issues under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA); reports of income held overseas under the Reports of Foreign Bank and Financial Account (FBAR) requirements; passive activity losses; correct worker classification by employers; travel and entertainment expense deductions; hobby losses; and sizeable mortgage interest deductions.

Changes to Form 1098 may lead to more mortgage interest deduction examinations The 2015 Surface Transportation and Veterans Healthcare Choice Act quietly implemented a number of changes to Form 1098, the form on which lenders report mortgage interest payments to taxpayers and the IRS. These changes were intended to boost compliance and yield new tax revenues that would defray the highway infrastructure spending costs on which the law focused.

wicpa.org

Many taxpayers who have read about these cuts assume that they bring taxpayer audit risk to virtually zero.

That’s not a safe assumption.

The changes added new fields to Form 1098, which will allow the IRS to use automated tools to match addresses of mortgaged property from the 1098 to the taxpayer’s return, check whether the acquisition indebtedness limit has been exceeded, identify principal residence mortgages, spot situations in which a taxpayer is claiming interest on more than the allowable number of properties, and more. These are all things the IRS could not previously see from filer documentation, and now can.

The 2016 calendar year was the first for which these requirements were active. Those returns are now with the IRS for processing, meaning the coming season is the first in which we will see whether these changes will result in an uptick in examinations related to improper mortgage interest deductions. Phillips counsels that the risk of examination for mortgage interest

wicpa.org

deduction issues ramps up significantly as the deduction approaches $40,000. Whether the new capabilities unlocked by a changed Form 1098 reporting process will surface more questionable large mortgage interest deductions remains to be seen.

“What we know now is that it’s critical for tax preparers to understand and correctly apply the mortgage deduction rules to client filings and for taxpayers to keep good documentation,” Phillips said. “Maybe more than ever.”

Michael Reilly, CPA, ChFC, CLU, CASL will present “Hot IRS Tax Examination Issues for Individuals & Businesses” on Sept. 25 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Madison (EXIB).

See page 90 for details.

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

49

EXCEL

TIPS AND TRICKS

Making the most of Excel’s new features

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

E

ach new release of Excel brings new features that can enable you to get better results with Excel in less time, and the 2013 and 2016 releases of

Excel were certainly no different in that regard. Both of these versions added significant enhancements to the ubiquitous spreadsheet. In this article, you will learn tips for taking advantage of some of these new features.

FLASH FILL One of the best new features in Excel is Flash Fill, a tool that was added with the 2013 release. Flash Fill

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

is a pattern-recognition tool that allows you to quickly transform potentially large datasets by establishing a pattern on the first row of the data and then invoking Flash Fill. Upon doing so, Excel then transforms the remaining data, according to the pattern on the first row of data.

To illustrate, consider the data shown in Figure 1. To transform the data in column A so it appears as shown in column B, type Kristy Abercrombie in cell B2. Then, with cell B2 selected, click Flash Fill from the Data tab of the Ribbon and the remaining rows of data transform into the desired format.

wicpa.org

[Technology] Excel

Figure 1 - Using Flash Fill to Transform Data

Among other things, you can use Flash Fill to swap the order of data (as shown in Figure 1), to parse or split apart data, to concatenate or join data, and even to reformat data. This can be a great time-saver, and it keeps you from having to write formulas to manipulate your data so it suits your needs.

DATA MODELS Also added to the 2013 release of Excel was the Data Models tool. Data Models allows you to link or “relate� multiple tables in an Excel workbook together. Once you create a Data Model, you can use it as the source data for a PivotTable, Power View report, or Power Map/3-D Map visualization. Prior to the advent of Data Models, most Excel users would use formulas that included a VLOOKUP function to attempt to join two or more data sets together. Data Models simplifies this process and sets the stage for even more powerful PivotTables by adding new analytic capabilities to PivotTables that use Data Models as source data.

wicpa.org

To create a Data Model, the data you are working with must be stored as Tables in Excel. You can convert an existing range of data into a Table using numerous methods, including simply clicking in the range of data you wish to convert to a Table and executing a CTRL + T keyboard shortcut. Once you have converted all your desired data ranges into Tables, begin the process of creating a PivotTable by clicking in any of the Tables and choosing PivotTable from the Insert tab of the Ribbon. Excel will open the Create PivotTable dialog box pictured in Figure 2. Check the box next to Add this data to the Data Model near the bottom of the Create PivotTable dialog box, and Excel automatically adds all the Tables in the current workbook to the Data Model for that workbook. You can then proceed with the process of creating your PivotTable, Power View report, or geospatial visualization created with Power Maps/3D Maps. However, note that when doing so, you may need to establish or modify the relationships between the Tables in the Data Model to get the results you desire.

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

51

Figure 2 - Creating a Data Model in Excel

In sum, the Data Models tool facilitates creating more powerful reports and analyses than you could create using traditional data ranges in Excel. Further, with Data Models, you can build your reports and analyses from very large datasets, including those that would otherwise incorporate multiple data ranges, making Excel an even more robust reporting tool.

NEW CHARTING TOOLS FOR BETTER VISUALIZATIONS Charts and other forms of visualizations are becoming more important when trying to make it easier for team members to understand the true meaning of the data presented in Excel-based reports and analyses. To that end, Microsoft has added numerous features associated with creating charts and other forms of visualizations in Excel. One feature – Sparklines – was added to Excel 2010 and remains largely un-used by most Excel users today. As shown in Figure 3, Sparklines are simple, easy-to-understand, thumbnail-sized graphics.

Figure 3 - Using Sparklines to Perform Trend Analysis

To create Sparklines, simply choose the type of Sparkline you wish to create — Line, Column, or Win/Loss — from the Insert tab of the Ribbon, indicate the source data for the visualization, and choose the destination cell(s).

Another improvement to creating effective visualizations appeared with Excel 2013 in the form of Recommended Charts.

With Recommended Charts, you merely need to select the data for your chart, and then choose Recommended Charts from the Insert tab of the Ribbon. Upon doing so, Excel will examine your data and recommend the best chart types

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

wicpa.org

for you to use to present your data. With a dizzying number of different chart types available in Excel, Recommended Charts can be very useful in helping you create the most effective type of chart to communicate your message.

Also added to Excel 2013 was the ability to filter a chart after you have created it. To take advantage of this feature, click on the chart and then click the filter icon next to it to refine the chart to your exacting specifications. Figure 4 illustrates this process.

Figure 4 - Filtering Charts in Excel 2013 and Newer

The final improvement to be discussed in the arena of visualizations is that of new chart types. With Excel 2016, Microsoft added several new chart types to Excel, including Waterfall Charts, Treemap Charts, Funnel Charts, and Histograms. Depending on the data you need to present, one of these new chart types might prove to be your best option for communicating your message in the form of a chart.

NEW FUNCTIONS The last set of new features to be discussed in this article is that of new functions added to the Function Library in Excel 2016. Among the new functions added are TEXTJOIN, CONCAT, IFS, SWITCH, MAXIFS, and MINIFS. To illustrate the usefulness of these new functions, consider TEXTJOIN. You can use Excel’s new TEXTJOIN function to concatenate a list or range of text and it places delimiting characters, such as a space or comma, between each field that it joins together. Figure 5 provides a simple illustration of where TEXTJOIN is used to concatenate five columns of data into one. Notably, because the formula is built with relative referencing, you can copy it to join data from other rows. While TEXTJOIN is similar in some regard to the existing CONCATENATE function, it differs in how it allows you to choose the character (if any) placed between the joined data and also how it handles blank cells.

Figure 5 - Using TEXTJOIN to Concatenate Three Columns of Data

wicpa.org

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

53

The five other new functions mentioned above are equally useful and help to streamline formula-based calculations for many Excel users.

SUMMARY Excel is an ever-changing product, and new features continue to appear in this tool used by almost all business professionals. One of the keys to continued success with Excel is to stay abreast of these new features and obtain the training that is necessary to utilize Excel to its fullest potential. In particular, begin to consider how you can make the most of the new features discussed in this article — Flash Fill, Data Models, Improvements in Visualizations, and new Functions — to get better results in less time with Excel.

Thomas G. Stephens Jr., CPA, CGMA, CITP is a shareholder in K2 Enterprises, where he develops and presents continuing education programs to accounting, financial, and other business professionals.

Contact him at tommy@k2e.com.

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

Technology experts from K2 will present the following Excel courses on Oct. 2, 3, 4 & Dec. 7 at the WICPA Professional Development Center in Waukesha and on Oct. 31 at the Staybridge Suites Eau Claire-Altoona in Altoona.

OCT. 2

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

OCT. 3

Introduction to Excel Macros (EXM-4)

OCT. 4

Budgeting & Forecasting Tools & Techniques (BFT)

OCT. 31

Advanced PivotTables Including PowerPivot (APT-4)

DEC. 7

Advanced Excel (ADE) See pages 98-100 for details.

wicpa.org

Rent our Meeting Spaces

Sophisticated.

Simple. Convenient.

Experience the benefits:  Hassle-free meeting planning  Professional environment  Multiple room choices and layouts  Accommodations for groups up to 60  Electrical outlets in each table  Easy access from I-94  Free parking For more information, visit wicpa.org/meetingspaces.

To schedule a tour or reserve space, contact Mark Gordon at mark@wicpa.org or 262-785-0445 ext. 4505. wicpa.org

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

55

[Seminars] Calendar In this issue...

We have included a new calendar of events by geographic location. Individual sections continue to include breakfast programs and programs by areas of study and interest. New sections have also been included to highlight our special events and conferences to build your professional connections.

AA = Accounting & Auditing BP = Breakfast Program

COMM = Communication ETH = Ethics

GOV/NP = Government & Nonprofit

MGMT = Management & Emerging Professionals

APPLETON

56

TECH = Technology TAX = Taxation

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

DATE

TITLE

TYPE

PG

Sept. 8

Strategic Performance Management: Toss the Annual Review (NBP09)

BP

69

Sept. 20

NEW! Reviewing Individual Tax Returns: What Are You Missing? (CL4ITRM)

TAX

89

Sept. 20

Social Security & Medicare: Maximizing Retirement Benefits (CL4SSM)

TAX

89

Oct. 3

Auditing Employee Benefit Plans (EBPE)

AA

77

Oct. 26

Advisor's Workshop: Helping Small Business Clients Navigate Health Insurance & Fringe Benefits in 2017 (OBCR)

TAX

93

Nov. 7

NEW! Not-for-Profit Financial Reporting: Mastering the Unique Requirements (NFPF)

GOV/NP 84

Nov. 8

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

TAX

96

Nov. 9

NEW! Integrating Audit Data Analytics Into the Audit Process (AUDA2)

AA

78

Nov. 10

NEW! Become a Public Speaking Pro Today! Interactive Skills Building Workshop (PSTW)

COMM

82

Nov. 13

NEW! Toolkit of Best Practices for Today's Controller & Financial Manager (TKBP)

MGMT

87

Nov. 17

Wisconsin Tax Update (NBP11)

BP

69

Dec. 1

Cases in Corporate Ethics (CCE)

ETH

83

Dec. 1

Shorten Month-End: Closing Best Practices (SME)

AA

81

Dec. 13

Tax Forms Boot Camp: LLCs & Partnerships (TBCL)

TAX

96

Mar. 16, 2018

Accidental Nexus: Traps for Growing & Expanding Businesses (NBP03)

BP

69

May 18, 2018

Applying Ethics in the Real-World (NBP05)

BP

70

PG

EAU CLAIRE DATE

TITLE

TYPE

Sept. 11

Latest Developments in Government & Nonprofit Accounting & Auditing 2017 (GNAA)

GOV/NP 84

Sept. 13

Anatomy of a Tax Controversy (ECBP09)

BP

64

Sept. 19

Real-World Business Ethics (CL4RWBE)

ETH

83

Sept. 19

NEW! Data Breaches & Other Cyber Frauds: A 21 Century Risk to Your Organization (CL4DATA2)

AA

76

Oct. 18

Hottest Tax Topics for 2017 (HOT)

TAX

92

Oct. 23

Multistate Income Tax (MIT)

TAX

93

Oct. 31

NEW! Advanced PivotTables Including PowerPivot (APT-4)

TECH

99

Oct. 31

Top PDF Features You Should Know (TPF-4)

TECH

99

Nov. 1

NEW! Business Intelligence Featuring Microsoft's Power BI Tools (BIF)

TECH

100

Nov. 2

NEW! Annual Federal Tax Update (CL4PTU2)

TAX

94

Nov. 2

Tax Planning Strategies for Small Businesses: Corporations, Partnerships & LLCs (CL4STSB2)

TAX

94

Nov. 3

Compilations & Reviews: Engagement Performance & Annual Update (CRAU2)

AA

79

Nov. 15

Wisconsin Tax Update (ECBP11)

BP

64

Feb. 21, 2018

Practical Tips for Successful Recruiting (ECBP02)

BP

64

April 25, 2018

Tax Ethics Under the Trump Administration: What is Hot? What Are the Ethical Traps for Tax Practitioners? (ECBP04)

BP

64

st

wicpa.org/register

GREEN BAY

TITLE

TYPE

PG

Sept. 14

NEW! Data Breaches & Other Cyber Frauds: A 21st Century Risk to Your Organization (CL4DATA)

AA

76

Sept. 14

NEW! The Most Common Financial Statement & Asset Fraud Schemes: How to Detect & Prevent Them (CL4TTFS)

AA

76

Oct. 13

Protecting Your Data From Disaster (NBP10)

BP

69

Oct. 27

From Hiring to Firing & Everything in Between: Legal, Tax & Health Care Issues (HTOF)

TAX

94

Nov. 6

NEW! Ethical Considerations for CPAs (ETH4)

ETH

83

Nov. 6

Controller/CFO Update: Hot Topics Facing Today's Financial Professional (TCF4)

MGMT

87

Nov. 10

Common U.S. GAAP Issues Facing CPAs (FRU)

AA

81

Nov. 13

The Best Individual Income Tax Update Course (BITU)

TAX

96

Dec. 5

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

GOV/NP 85

Dec. 7

Tax Advisors Update (PTU3)

TAX

95

Dec. 15

Individual Income Tax Update (NBP12)

BP

69

Jan. 19, 2018

Public Speaking for CPAs: 10-Step Process for Delivering a Clear & Powerful Message (NBP01)

BP

69

Feb. 16, 2018

Dealing With the Finances of Long-Term Care: Planning in Advance or Last Minute Help (NBP02)

BP

69

April 20, 2018

Effectively Working the Room: The Top 10 Habits of Turning Introductions Into Leads (NBP04)

BP

69

LA CROSSE DATE

TITLE

TYPE

PG

Sept. 8

NEW! U.S. GAAP: Review for Business & Industry (FASBI)

AA

75

Sept. 19

Annual Update for Controllers (SKSB)

MGMT

86

Oct. 11

Wisconsin Tax Update (LCBP10)

BP

65

Oct. 12

NEW! Accounting & Auditing Update (CL4AUAA)

AA

79

Oct. 12

NEW! Interpreting the New Revenue Recognition Standard: What all CPAs Need to Know (CL4INRR)

AA

79

Oct. 18

Best Practices for Payroll Taxes & 1099 Issues (GPT)

TAX

91

Oct. 19

Advanced Mergers, Acquisitions & Sales of Closely Held Businesses (PSAS2)

TAX

89

Nov. 8

Tax Advisors Update (PTU)

TAX

95

Dec. 13

Individual Income Tax Update (LCBP12)

BP

65

Jan. 10, 2018

Anatomy of a Tax Controversy (LCBP01)

BP

65

March 14, 2018 Protecting Your Data From Disaster (LCBP03)

BP

65

May 23, 2018

Tax Ethics Under the Trump Administration: What is Hot? What Are the Ethical Traps for Tax Practitioners? (LCBP05)

BP

65

DATE

TITLE

TYPE

PG

Sept. 8

Business Ethics: How to Lead With Your Values (MBP09)

BP

66

Sept. 25

NEW! Hot IRS Tax Examination Issues for Individuals & Businesses (EXIB)

TAX

90

Sept. 26

Key Partnership & S Corporation Tax Planning Strategies (BTS4)

TAX

90

Sept. 26

NEW! Individual Tax Planning Ideas for 2017 (ITP4)

TAX

90

Sept. 27

Advanced Concepts in SSARS 21 & Nonattest Services: Are You Certain You Are in Compliance? (SS21)

AA

77

Oct. 4

NEW! Integrating Audit Data Analytics Into the Audit Process (AUDA)

AA

78

Oct. 13

The Power of You: Building Your Personal Brand (MBP10)

BP

66

Oct. 17

NEW! Employment Law Update: Key Risks & Recent Trends (LAWU)

MGMT

86

MADISON

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

DATE

[Seminars] Calendar MADISON (CONTINUED)

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

DATE

TITLE

TYPE

PG

Nov. 6

Social Security, Medicare & Prescription Drug Retirement Benefits: What Every Baby Boomer Needs to Know Now (SSRB)

TAX

95

Nov. 7

Determining how Much Money You Need to Retire, Tax Ideas & Money Management in Retirement (DRMM)

TAX

95

Nov. 13

NEW! Partnership & LLC Core Tax Issues From Formation Through Liquidation (PLTI)

TAX

96

Nov. 14

Advanced Controller & CFO Skills (ACCS)

MGMT

88

Nov. 14

NEW! S Corporation Core Tax Issues From Formation Through Liquidation (SCTI)

TAX

96

Nov. 17

Federal & Wisconsin Tax Law Changes (MBP11)

BP

66

Dec. 4

NEW! Forensic Accounting Investigative Practices (FAIP)

AA

81

Dec. 5

NEW! Applying the Uniform Guidance in Your Single Audits (INUG)

GOV/NP 85

Dec. 14

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

TAX

97

Dec. 15

Wisconsin Tax Update (MBP12)

BP

66

Jan. 19, 2018

Individual Income Tax Update (MBP01)

BP

66

Feb. 16, 2018

Protecting Your Data From Disaster (MBP02)

BP

66

March 16, 2018 Common Sense Employment Law (MBP03)

BP

66

April 20, 2018

Accidental Nexus: Traps for Growing & Expanding Businesses (MBP04)

BP

66

May 18, 2018

Estate & Succession Planning Strategies for You & Your Business (MBP05)

BP

67

MILWAUKEE DATE

TITLE

TYPE

PG

Sept. 8

Tax Ethics Under the Trump Administration: What is Hot? What are the Ethical Traps for Tax Practitioners? (MT09)

BP

67

Oct. 20

How To Develop a Comprehensive Financial Plan (MT10)

BP

67

Nov. 17

Crisis Planning Workshop: It Pays to Plan Ahead (MT11)

BP

67

Dec. 15

Wisconsin Tax Update (MT12)

BP

67

Jan. 5, 2018

Individual Income Tax Update (MT01A)

BP

67

Feb. 16, 2018

Implicit Bias in the Workplace (MT02)

BP

68

March 16, 2018 Protecting Your Data From Disaster & Cybersecurity for Businesses (MT03)

BP

68

April 20, 2018

Public Speaking for CPAs: 10-Step Process for Delivering a Clear & Powerful Message (MT04)

BP

68

May 18, 2018

Federal & Wisconsin Tax Law Changes (MT05)

BP

68

June 8, 2018

Alphabet Soup: The Interplay Between the ADA, FMLA, Worker’s Compensation (MT06)

BP

68

PG

WAUKESHA DATE

TITLE

TYPE

Sept. 7

Recognizing & Responding to Fraud Risk in Governmental & Not-for-Profit Organizations (FRGNP)

GOV/NP 84

Sept. 8

The Competent Accountant: Mastering the CGMA Competency Framework (CAMC)

MGMT

86

Sept. 11

NEW! Ethics: A Line in the Sand for CPAs (ETHC)

ETH

83

Sept. 12

Annual Update for Accountants & Auditors (AUAA)

AA

75

Sept. 13-14

Audit Staff Essentials: New Staff: Core Concepts (ASE1)

AA

75

Sept. 13

Financial Planning for CPAs (WBP09)

BP

70

Sept. 19

NEW! LLC Operating Agreements Workshop (LLCW)

TAX

89

Sept. 20

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

TAX

89

wicpa.org/register

WAUKESHA (CONTINUED) TITLE

TYPE

PG

Sept. 20

Comprehensive Accounting Issues of Estates & Trusts: Fiduciary Accounting & Tax Issues (FACT)

AA

76

Sept. 21-22

Audit Staff Essentials: New Staff: Practical Application (ASE2)

AA

76

Sept. 21

NEW! Reviewing Partnership Tax Returns: What Are You Missing? (CL4PTRM)

TAX

90

Sept. 21

NEW! Mergers & Acquisitions: Tax & Due Diligence Considerations (CL4IBA)

TAX

89

Sept. 26

Analytics & Big Data for Accountants (DAAN)

MGMT

86

Sept. 28

NEW! Race Toward Implementation: Tackling the Tough Issues in Adopting the New Revenue Recognition Standard (NRRS)

AA

77

Sept. 29

NEW! Winning the Fraud Battle in the Digital Age: Prevention & Detection (CFVV)

AA

77

Oct. 2

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

TECH

98

Oct. 2

Advanced Quickbooks Tips & Techniques (AQB-4)

TECH

98

Oct. 3

Accounting & Reporting for Not-for-Profit Organizations (FSNPO)

GOV/NP 84

Oct. 3

Introduction to Excel Macros (EXM-4)

TECH

98

Oct. 3

Technology Update (TUP-4)

TECH

98

Oct. 4

Budgeting & Forecasting Tools & Techniques (BFT)

TECH

99

Oct. 4

NEW! Tax "Best Practice" Ethics (TBPE)

ETH

83

Oct. 4

NEW! Year-End Tax Planning: Thinking Outside the Box (YETP)

TAX

91

Oct. 5

NEW! Key Tax Issues Facing Business & Industry (KTBI)

TAX

91

Oct. 11

NEW! Internal Control Best Practices for Small- & Medium-Sized Entities (ICSM)

AA

78

Oct. 12

Leases: Mastering the New FASB Requirements (LEAS)

AA

78

Oct. 13

Compilations & Reviews: Engagement Performance & Annual Update (CRAU)

AA

79

Oct. 16-17

Audit Staff Essentials: Experienced Staff (ASE3)

AA

79

Oct. 17

NEW! Protecting Your Client From Tax Return Identity Theft (CL4TRF)

TAX

91

Oct. 17

NEW! IRS Disputes: Identifying Options for Your Client (CL4DIRS)

TAX

91

Oct. 18

NEW! Getting the Tax Aspects of Business Planning Right From Formation to Termination (TABP)

TAX

91

Oct. 18

Crisis Management: 8 Rules for Social Media Engagement (WBP10)

BP

70

Oct. 19

NEW! Real Estate Tax Boot Camp (RETC)

TAX

92

Oct. 19

NEW! Slashing Taxes for Your Small Business Clients: Corporations, Partnerships & LLCs (STSB)

TAX

92

Oct. 20

NEW! Reviewing Pass-Through Tax Returns: What Are You Missing? (RPTR)

TAX

92

Oct. 20

NEW! The Top 10 Tax Topics of 2017 (TTEN)

TAX

93

Oct. 24

Form 990: Mastering its Unique Characteristics (EO-F990)

TAX

93

Oct. 24

Nexus Update: Latest Developments in State Income, Franchise & Sales Taxes (NXUP)

TAX

93

Oct. 26

NEW! The Changing Role of the Controller: Advancing From Tactical to Strategic (CL4COBP)

MGMT

87

Oct. 26

NEW! Lean Accounting & Management: Saving Money by Streamlining Operations (CL4LAMA)

MGMT

87

Nov. 1

NEW! Office 365: Unleash the Power in Your Organization (O311L)

TECH

100

Nov. 2

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

TECH

100

Nov. 6

Capitalized Costs & Depreciation: Key Issues & Answers (CL4CCD)

TAX

94

Nov. 6

NEW! Mergers & Acquisitions: Strategies for the Right Tax Structure (CL4MERG)

TAX

95

Nov. 7

A Complete Guide to the Yellow Book (YBYB)

GOV/NP 85

Nov. 7-8

NEW! Audit Staff Essentials: Seniors/In-Charge Staff (ASE4)

AA

80

Nov. 8

Construction Contractors: Advanced Issues (CCAI)

AA

80

Nov. 9

Annual Accounting & Auditing Update (ACAU)

AA

80

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

DATE

[Seminars] Calendar WAUKESHA (CONTINUED)

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

DATE

TITLE

TYPE

PG

Nov. 9

NEW! Business Writing Skills for CPAs (BUSW)

COMM

82

Nov. 13

NEW! Private Company Accounting: New Directions, New Challenges (PCA)

MGMT

87

Nov. 14

NEW! Breaking the CF-NO Syndrome (CFOH)

MGMT

88

Nov. 15

Nonprofit Financial Management (NPFM)

MGMT

88

Nov. 15

Data Science for Accountants (WBP11)

BP

70

Nov. 29

Tax Advisors Update (PTU2)

TAX

95

Nov. 30

NEW! Advanced Personal Leadership Skills (APLS)

MGMT

88

Dec. 6

How to Support Your Boss: 9 Key Elements to Consider (WBP12)

BP

70

Dec. 7

Advanced Excel (ADE)

TECH

100

Dec. 7

Yellow Book: Government Auditing Standards (EO-YB)

GOV/NP 85

Dec. 8

Technology for CPAs: Don't Get Left Behind (TEC)

TECH

101

Dec. 14

Preparing Individual Tax Returns for New Staff & Para-Professionals (PITR)

TAX

97

Dec. 15

The Complete Guide to Liquidation of Business Entities (CGLB)

TAX

97

Jan. 12, 2018

Individual Income Tax Update (MT01B)

BP

67

Jan. 17, 2018

Retaining Top Talent (WBP01)

BP

70

Jan. 18, 2018

Individual Income Tax Update (MT01C)

BP

67

Feb. 21, 2018

60 Tips in 60 Minutes: Practical Marketing Strategies for You & Your Specialty (WBP02)

BP

70

March 14, 2018 Employee Background Checks: Employer Best Practices to Avoid Liability (WBP03)

BP

70

April 25, 2018

How to Survive an Employee Benefit Audit (WBP04)

BP

71

May 23, 2018

Tax Ethics (WBP05)

BP

71

June 8, 2018

Audits of 401(k) Plans (AFKP)

AA

81

June 13, 2018

Practical Tips for Successful Recruiting (WBP06)

BP

71

DATE

TITLE

TYPE

PG

Sept. 6

Construction Contractors: Accounting, Auditing & Tax (CAAT)

AA

75

Sept. 12

Latest Developments in Nonprofit Accounting & Auditing 2017 (NPAA)

GOV/NP 84

Oct. 6

FASB's Big 3: Revenue Recognition, Leases & Financial Instruments (FSBT)

AA

78

Oct. 13

Wisconsin Tax Update (WSBP10)

BP

71

Oct. 24

Annual Update for Accountants & Auditors (AUAA2)

AA

75

Nov. 1

NEW! Annual Federal Tax Update (CL4PTU)

TAX

94

Nov. 1

Tax Planning Strategies for Small Businesses: Corporations, Partnerships & LLCs (CL4STSB)

TAX

94

Dec. 15

Anatomy of a Tax Controversy (WSBP12)

BP

71

April 20, 2018

Tax Ethics Under the Trump Administration: What is Hot? What Are the Ethical Traps for Tax Practitioners? (WSBP04)

BP

71

WAUSAU

WEBINARS DATE

TITLE

TYPE

PG

Sept. 25

NEW! Farm Taxation Update LIVE Webinar (WMFTR)

TAX

90

Jan. 5, 2018

Tax Advisors Update LIVE Webinar (WMPTU3)

TAX

95

WICPA CPE REGISTRATION REGISTRATION FORM COURSE SIGN-UP

CONTACT INFORMATION: Name ______________________________________________ WICPA ID # ______________

Course Acronym: __________________ Amount $ __________________

Firm/Company _______________________________________________________________

Course Acronym: __________________ Amount $ __________________

City __________________________________ State _________ Zip __________________

Course Acronym: __________________ Amount $ __________________

Email* _____________________________________________________________________

Course Acronym: __________________ Amount $ __________________

Phone (_______) ________________________ Fax (_______) ________________________ *Email address required for registration confirmation and electronic materials.

PLEASE CHECK IF YOU:

ARE YOU:

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

An AICPA member A WICPA member

Course Acronym: __________________ Amount $ __________________ Course Acronym: __________________ Amount $ __________________ Course Acronym: __________________ Amount $ __________________ Course Acronym: __________________ Amount $ __________________

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

Total amount enclosed: $ ___________ MasterCard

VISA

Total amount to be charge: $ ___________

Course Acronym: __________________ Amount $ __________________

Name on Credit Card ___________________________________________________________

Course Acronym: __________________ Amount $ __________________

Signature ___________________________________________________ Date ____________

Course Acronym: __________________ Amount $ __________________ Course Acronym: __________________ Amount $ __________________ Course Acronym: __________________ Amount $ __________________

TOTAL AMOUNT $ _____________

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: 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 Cancellations or program transfer requests received between 13-7 days prior to the presentation date will be subject to a cancellation fee of 50% per person, per program.

No refund or program transfer request will be granted for cancellations less than 7 days of the program presentation. Substitute registrants are allowed. 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.

wicpa.org/register WISCONSIN INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

W233N2080 Ridgeview Parkway | Suite 201 | Waukesha, WI 53188 | P: 262-785-0445 | F: 262-785-0838

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

Course Acronym: __________________ Amount $ __________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________

[Conferences]

I

f you’re 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 unrivaled opportunity to hear from the most highly regarded experts and thought leaders about the biggest changes and hottest issues, so save these dates for 2017-18.

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

NOTE: Registration opens eight weeks prior to the conference date. To register to attend a conference, visit wicpa.org/conferences.

controllers, directors, managers, administrators and human resource and accounting staff will leave with valuable information and ideas that can be implemented the next day.

Nov. 2 - 3 | Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, Milwaukee New Location Tax

Sept. 18 | Country Springs Hotel & Conference Center, Pewaukee

This two-day, must-attend event will greatly benefit professionals working in public practice, industry, real estate, retail sales, financial institutions, investment firms, practicing attorneys, corporate counsel, government and other areas of commerce.

Oct. 23 | Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort, Wisconsin Dells New Second Location

Nov. 14 | Country Springs Hotel & Conference Center, Pewaukee

CPAs in Industry Fall Professionals who need to stay informed with the newest developments and latest updates about the economy and market outlook, tax laws, health care reform, human resources, management and technology should not miss this conference. CPAs, CFOs, CEOs, controllers, managers and human resource and accounting staff will benefit greatly from attending. Public practitioners are encouraged to attend with their industry clients.

Sept. 25 | Country Springs Hotel & Conference Center, Pewaukee Nonprofit & Health Care Financial Public accounting and industry professionals who need to stay informed with the newest developments, latest updates and best insights specific to nonprofit and health care organizations are encouraged to attend. More specifically, CPAs, CFOs, CEOs,

Accounting, Auditing & Financial Management Accounting, auditing and financial management professionals who need to stay informed with the newest developments, latest updates and best insights don’t want to miss this conference. CPAs, CFOs, partners, principals, shareholders, sole practitioners, controllers and managers in public accounting, industry and government will leave with valuable information and ideas that can be implemented the next day.

Nov. 30 - Dec. 1 | Country Springs Hotel & Conference Center, Pewaukee Technology Accounting professionals who want to learn about trends and advancements in business technology to stay on top of day-to-day responsibilities and enhance efficiency, productivity and analytical and reporting skills should attend this two-day conference.

March 22, 2018 | Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, Milwaukee April 24, 2018 | Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay New Second Location CPAs in Industry Spring Professionals who need to stay informed with the newest developments and latest updates about the economy and market outlook, tax laws, health care reform, human resources, management and technology should not miss this conference. CPAs, CFOs, CEOs, controllers, managers and human resource and accounting staff will benefit greatly from attending.

Public practitioners are encouraged to attend with their industry clients.

May 8, 2018 | Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield Hotel, Brookfield New Location Financial Institutions This conference is designed for professionals who want to stay informed on the latest topics and issues relating to financial institutions. CPAs, CEOs, CFOs, directors, controllers, managers and other financial staff who serve all sizes and types of financial institutions will gain a wealth of knowledge by attending.

May 22, 2018 | Holiday Inn Stevens Point Convention Center, Stevens Point May 23, 2018 | Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, Milwaukee New Location School District Audit This conference is designed for beginner and advanced auditors of Wisconsin public school districts and Private School Choice Program (PSCP) schools looking for the latest updates, developments and tools to better serve school districts and their communities.

[Special Events] Golf Outings Providing a great way to network in a more informal and social atmosphere, the Golf Outings are opportunities to make new connections. In addition to playing 18 holes of golf, attendees enjoy food, drinks, raffle prizes, an "inside the circle" competition, and more.

For more information and to register, visit wicpa.org/golfoutings.

Sept. 22 | Ironwood Golf Course, Sussex Networking Nights Join us for these after-work social events to meet fellow accounting and business professionals, get to know colleagues and grow your network.

Held throughout the state, each Networking Night features a different activity and serves as an opportunity for you to socialize in a new way.

For more information and to register, visit wicpa.org/networkingnights.

Enjoy networking in the fun and social atmosphere of the Milwaukee Public Market with food and drinks from the local vendors.

Oct. 12 | Hunger Task Force, Milwaukee This activity is free to attend and limited to the first 30 volunteers who sign up. Volunteers will build and fill boxes of basic needs food for low income senior citizens. Following the activity, volunteers are welcome to enjoy appetizers and drinks at Applebees.

Note: Volunteers must be able to be on their feet for the activity and able to occasionally bend, stoop and lift, sometimes up to 30 pounds.

Oct. 17 | Cambridge Winery, Cambridge Enjoy an upscale networking opportunity while tasting six handselected wines and hearing a presentation from the owner.

Sept. 19 | Appleton Beer Factory, Appleton

Oct. 24 | Two Beagles Brewpub, Onalaska

The Networking Night at the Appleton Beer Factory includes top-notch beer samples, food and a presentation by the Brew Master in a friendly and fun atmosphere.

Join us at Two Beagles Brewpub for a fun night of networking while enjoying drinks, food and a variety of games.

63

Register at least 30 days prior:

$50 OFF

Conferences

$50 OFF Seminars

wicpa.org/register

Sept. 26 | Backstage at the Meyer, Green Bay Come to Backstage at the Meyer for a fun night of networking while enjoying drinks, food and a variety of games.

See specific event registration for details, or call and ask for the WICPA CPE Department at 262-785-0445.

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

Aug. 22 | Royal St. Patrick’s Golf Links, Wrightstown

Oct. 10 | Milwaukee Public Market, Milwaukee

[Breakfast Programs]

BREAKFAST PROGRAMS Want a quick and convenient way to earn CPE while still having the afternoon at the office?

The WICPA hosts several one- to three-credit breakfast programs throughout the state. Many find these programs the perfect way to gain credit while continuously staying current on upcoming trends and timely 64

issues happening within the profession while networking with fellow professionals.

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

EAU CLAIRE

Breakfast Programs These programs feature various topics and occur one Wednesday every other month, September through April, at the Staybridge Suites Eau Claire-Altoona in Altoona. Registration and a networking breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the presentation from 8 – 10 a.m.

CPE credit: 2 credits Registration: $50 member/$60 nonmember $45 unemployed/part-time/retired member $10 additional for printed materials

SEPT. 13 Anatomy of a Tax Controversy (ECBP09)

Benjamin D. LaFrombois, J.D.,

Shareholder, von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

Robert A. Mathers, J.D., CPA, ABV, Shareholder, von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

This program is a survey course that will cover the procedural and substantive aspect of dealing with a state or federal tax controversy. Learn best practices and how to avoid common mistakes in dealing with the IRS or Wisconsin Department

of Revenue. Also learn how to handle a tax controversy from the initial point of contact between an auditor and a taxpayer through the audit process and an administrative appeal. Find out what happens following the issuance of a 30-day letter or a Notice of Deficiency and hear about existing alternative dispute resolution processes available to taxpayers. The presenters will also discuss what happens if a case goes to the United States Tax Court or the Wisconsin Tax Appeals Commission, options for handling any remaining debt once the fight over the liability is over, and will include war stories and real-life examples of dealing with tax authorities.

NOV. 15 Wisconsin Tax Update

(ECBP11)

Nathaniel R. Weber, CPA, Administration Technical Services Section Chief, Wisconsin Department of Revenue

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue will provide an update on new tax laws and other information for preparation of 2017 Wisconsin income/franchise tax returns, as well as sales/use tax and withholding tax updates.

FEB. 21, 2018 Practical Tips for Successful Recruiting (ECBP02) John R. Hecht, CPA, President & Founder, J. Hecht Consulting LLC

Recruiting top talent is a critical skill for success, yet many businesses have yet to develop an optimal process to identify and screen the best candidates. Learn some practical and proven ideas for reducing risk when adding staff.

APRIL 25, 2018 Tax Ethics Under the Trump Administration: What’s Hot? What Are the Ethical Traps for Tax Practitioners? (ECBP04) Michael G. Goller, J.D., Shareholder & Chair, Tax Practice, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

This program will provide a summary of ethical issues that face the tax practitioner in the era of Trump. It will also examine ethical developments as they pertain to Circular 230, day to day tax practice and procedure issues and other traps for the unwary tax practitioner.

NOTE: This course qualifies toward the WICPA membership Ethics CPE requirement.

wicpa.org/register

LA CROSSE

Fee: $119 member/$139 nonmember

These programs feature various topics and occur one Wednesday every other month, October through May, at the Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center in Onalaska.

Registration and a networking breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the presentation from 8 – 10 a.m.

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 less overwhelmed and knowing you’re not alone in confusion and invigorated for the tax season ahead. The registration fee for this program includes a Master Tax Guide.

Breakfast Programs

CPE credit: 2 credits (Dec. program 4 credits) Registration: $50 member/$60 nonmember (Dec. program $119 member/$139 nonmember and includes a Master Tax Guide) $45 unemployed/part-time/retired member (Dec. program $109 and includes a Master Tax Guide) $10 additional for printed materials

OCT. 11 Wisconsin Tax Update (LCBP10) Nathaniel R. Weber, CPA, Administration Technical Services Section Chief, Wisconsin Department of Revenue

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue will provide an update on new tax laws and other information for preparation of 2017 Wisconsin income/franchise tax returns, as well as sales/use tax and withholding tax updates.

DEC. 13 Individual Income Tax Update (LCBP12) June F. Norman, CPA, MS Taxation,

Partner, Hartwig, Norman & Leskovsek, LLP

Time: 7:30 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. – noon presentation

JAN. 10, 2018 Anatomy of a Tax Controversy (LCBP01) Robert A. Mathers, J.D., CPA, ABV, Shareholder, von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

Robert B. Teuber, J.D., Shareholder, von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

This program will cover the procedural and substantive aspect of dealing with a state or federal tax controversy. Learn best practices and how to avoid common mistakes in dealing with the IRS or Wisconsin Department of Revenue. Also learn how to handle a tax controversy from the initial point of contact between an auditor and a taxpayer through the audit process and an administrative appeal. Find out what happens following the issuance of a 30-day letter or a Notice of Deficiency and hear about existing alternative dispute resolution processes available to taxpayers. The presenters will also discuss what happens if a case goes to the United States Tax Court or the Wisconsin Tax Appeals Commission, options for handling any remaining debt once the fight over the liability is over, and will include war stories and examples of dealing with tax authorities.

MARCH 14, 2018 Protecting Your Data From Disaster (LCBP03)

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

MAY 23, 2018 Tax Ethics Under the Trump Administration: What’s Hot? What are the Ethical Traps for Tax Practitioners? (LCBP05) Michael G. Goller, J.D., Shareholder & Chair, Tax Practice, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

This program will provide a summary of ethical issues that face the tax practitioner in the era of Trump. It will also examine ethical developments as they pertain to Circular 230, day to day tax practice and procedure issues and other traps for the unwary tax practitioner.

NOTE: This course qualifies toward the WICPA membership Ethics CPE requirement.

MADISON

Breakfast Programs 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.

NOTE: The Individual Income Tax Update program is on Jan. 19 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Madison. Registration and a networking breakfast being 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 (Jan. program 4 credits) Registration: $65 member/$75 nonmember (Jan. program $119 member/$139 nonmember and includes a Master Tax Guide)

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

NOTE: The Individual Income Tax Update program is on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at the Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center in Onalaska. Registration and a networking 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.

$109 unemployed/part-time/retired member

The threats are numerous and the countermeasures highly effective.

Keeping your data safe is critical to keeping your business safe. Learn about the options available to protect business data on a network, laptops/desktops and mobile devices.

[Breakfast Programs]

$60 unemployed/part-time/retired member (Jan. program $109 includes a Master Tax Guide) $10 additional for printed materials BEST DEAL! Season Pass (20 credits)

If you wish to get a handle on evaluating and building your personal brand, then this is a presentation that you cannot afford to miss. Define and build your personal brand — then watch your individual and professional growth flourish.

(MBPSP)

$574 member/$664 nonmember (includes one free program and a Master Tax Guide)

66

$464 unemployed/part-time/retired member (includes two free programs and a Master Tax Guide) $90 additional for printed materials

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

SEPT. 8 Business Ethics: How to Lead With Your Values (MBP09)

NOV. 17 Federal & Wisconsin Tax Law Changes (MBP11) Terri Lillesand, CPA, Shareholder & Firmwide Tax Leader, Schenck SC

This program will provide an update on the latest federal and Wisconsin tax law changes for 2017 and future years, including any changes on the Affordable Care Act.

DEC. 15

Mary Brophy, Principal, Lift Reputation Advisors

Wisconsin Tax Update (MBP12)

Thanks to widely reported corporate misdeeds at leading companies, today business ethics are under scrutiny like never before. Fortunately, when you lead from the heart and foster a workplace that is accountable, fair and transparent you will find that practicing good ethics is good business. This presentation reviews the five pillars that govern workplace values and lessons learned from these ethical failures.

Nathaniel R. Weber, CPA, Administration

NOTE: This course qualifies toward the WICPA membership Ethics CPE requirement.

JAN. 19, 2018

OCT. 13 The Power of You: Building Your Personal Brand (MBP10) Diane L. Roundy, MBA, Director of Growth and Business Development, Schenck SC

Brands and our interactions with them are powerful. A delightful brand experience brings us back, clamoring for more, while a dismal encounter leaves us searching for something superior. It’s the secret of marketers everywhere. Have you thought about your personal brand? What do people think of you when your name is mentioned?

When you are considered for that next project, for an award, or a future promotion?

Technical Services Section Chief, Wisconsin Department of Revenue

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue will provide an update on new tax laws and other information for preparation of 2017 Wisconsin income/franchise tax returns as well as sales/use tax and withholding tax updates.

Individual Income Tax Update (MBP01) June F. Norman, CPA, MS Taxation,

Partner, Hartwig, Norman & Leskovsek, LLP

Time: 7:30 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. – noon presentation Fee: $119 member/$139 nonmember $109 unemployed/part-time/retired member 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

less overwhelmed and knowing you’re not alone in confusion and invigorated for the tax season ahead. The registration fee for this program includes a Master Tax Guide.

FEB. 16, 2018 Protecting Your Data From Disaster (MBP02)

Michael Senkbeil, MCSE, GCFA, CISSP, CISA, Partner, Chortek LLP The threats are numerous and the countermeasures highly effective.

Keeping your data safe is critical to keeping your business safe. Learn about the options available to protect business data on a network, laptops/desktops and mobile devices.

MARCH 16, 2018 Common Sense Employment Law (MBP03)

Alan E. Seneczko, J.D., Managing Shareholder, Wessels Sherman Joerg Liszka Laverty Seneczko P.C.

In today’s ever litigious society, the fear of lawsuits and million dollar verdicts often clouds the clarity of reason and paralyzes the ability to make a decision. “Wisdom” stems from risk avoidance and “knowledge” breeds inaction — so much so that employers often fail to see what lies right before them.

Revisit some common sense, often surprising, and certainly refreshing, legal “truths” as they relate to the issues and problems that human resources professional’s encounter on a regular basis when dealing with difficult employees, discharge and discipline, documentation, investigations and the decision-making process.

APRIL 20, 2018 Accidental Nexus: Traps for Growing & Expanding Businesses (MBP04) Douglas A. Pessefall, J.D., Attorney/Shareholder, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

This program will explore the nexus standards for sales and use tax, and income and franchise tax in a changing

wicpa.org/register

landscape. Find out issues on which you can better advise your clients to avoid the nexus traps springing up.

a Master Tax Guide)

NOV. 17

$10 additional for printed materials

Crisis Planning Workshop: It Pays to Plan Ahead (MT11)

BEST DEAL! Season Pass (31 credits) (MTSP)

MAY 18, 2018 Estate & Succession Planning Strategies for You & Your Business (MBP05)

Ronald J. Altenburg, CPA, Shareholder,

$719 member/$819 nonmember (includes one free program and a Master Tax Guide) $599 unemployed/working part-time/ retired member (includes two free programs and a Master Tax Guide) $100 additional for printed materials

How will the changes in Congress impact you and the business owner?

This workshop will address the potential benefits and implications of the latest tax law changes relative to tax, employment and succession planning considerations for an individual and business owner.

SEPT. 8

MILWAUKEE

Breakfast Programs These programs feature various topics and occur one Friday a month, September through June, at the Crowne Plaza Milwaukee West in Wauwatosa.

Registration and a networking breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the presentation from 8 – 11 a.m.

NOTE: The Individual Income Tax Update programs are being held three times in January. The first program is on Friday, Jan. 5 at the Crowne Plaza Milwaukee West in Wauwatosa. The second program is on Friday, Jan. 12 at the WICPA Professional Development Center in Waukesha. The third program is on Thursday, Jan. 18 at the WICPA Professional Development Center in Waukesha. Registration and a networking 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: 3 credits (Jan. programs 4 credits) Registration: $75 member/$85 nonmember (Jan. programs $119 member/$139 nonmember and includes a Master Tax Guide) $70 unemployed/part-time/retired member (Jan. programs $109 and includes

Tax Ethics Under the Trump Administration: What’s Hot? What are the Ethical Traps for Tax Practitioners? (MT09) Michael G. Goller, J.D., Shareholder & Chair, Tax Practice, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

This program will provide a summary of ethical issues that face the tax practitioner in the era of Trump. It will also examine ethical developments as they pertain to Circular 230, day to day tax practice and procedure issues and other traps for the unwary tax practitioner.

NOTE: This course qualifies toward the WICPA membership Ethics CPE requirement.

OCT. 20 How to Develop a Comprehensive Financial Plan (MT10) Kenneth J. Schneider, MBA, Managing

Director - Investments, Schneider Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors

A comprehensive financial management plan can help you reach your financial goals as quickly as possible. So it’s important for every fiscally minded individual to have one ready. This session will summarize the steps to complete one.

Some considerations are a plan to evaluate risk versus return, asset allocation, assets and investments (401k, IRA, etc.), life insurance, real estate, social security, pensions and many more. Each asset class will be analyzed in conjunction with client goals, objectives and time horizons.

It takes years to build a good company reputation but hours or even moments to destroy it. Businesses can come under attack for a variety of reasons, some in their control and others entirely by happenstance. This workshop will take you through the threats that can leave your business most vulnerable, key elements of a thoughtful risk assessment, and essential elements to include in your crisis communications playbook. It will also examine how to craft core messages to manage communications during the crisis, developing a multi-channel strategy for consistent, coherent communication and how to prepare your spokesperson for the media onslaught.

DEC. 15 Wisconsin Tax Update (MT12) Vicki L. Gibbons, CPA, Deputy Administrator,

Income Sales and Excise Tax Division, Wisconsin Department of Revenue

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue will provide an update on new tax laws and other information for preparation of 2017 Wisconsin income/franchise tax returns, as well as sales/use tax and withholding tax updates.

JAN. 5, 2018 | Crowne Plaza Milwaukee West, Wauwatosa JAN. 12, 2018 | WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha JAN. 18, 2018 | WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Individual Income Tax Update (MT01A) & (MT01B) & (MT01C)

June F. Norman, CPA, MS Taxation,

Partner, Hartwig, Norman & Leskovsek, LLP

Time: 7:30 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. – noon Fee: $119 member/$139 nonmember

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

Schenck SC

Mary Brophy, Principal, Lift Reputation Advisors

[Breakfast Programs]

$109 unemployed/part-time/retired member $10 additional for printed materials

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

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 less overwhelmed and knowing you’re not alone in confusion and invigorated for the tax season ahead.

The registration fee for this program includes a Master Tax Guide.

FEB. 16, 2018 Implicit Bias in the Workplace (MT02) Deborah A. Biddle, MBA, MBTI® Certified Practitioner, Talent Management Consultant, and New Horizons Coach, Diversity and Inclusion and Professional Development Consultant, High Performance Development Solutions

Unconscious biases are a fact of life.

Everyone has them and takes them into the workplace. Unconscious or implicit biases in the workplace can stymie diversity, recruiting and retention efforts and unintentionally shape an organization’s culture. These biases can distort talent and performance reviews.

They affect who gets hired, promoted and developed and thereby unwittingly undermines an organization’s culture. This session will explore ways to examine and address implicit bias, discuss the impact of unconscious bias at work and to an organization’s culture, steps management and individuals can take to uncover and minimize the effects of unconscious bias, and learn about organizations attempting to address unconscious biases.

MARCH 16, 2018

JUNE 8, 2018

Protecting Your Data From Disaster & Cybersecurity for Businesses (MT03)

Alphabet Soup: The Interplay Between the ADA, FMLA, Worker’s Compensation (MT06)

Michael Senkbeil, MCSE, GCFA, CISSP, CISA, Partner, Chortek LLP The first part of this session will cover how to protect your data from disaster. The threats are numerous and the countermeasures highly effective. Keeping your data safe is critical to keeping your business safe. Join us to learn about the options available to protect business data on a network, laptops/ desktops and mobile devices.

The second part of this session will discuss cybersecurity for your business.

Most businesses are under-prepared for the increasing business risk of cyberattack. 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 like yours and learn how to systematically improve your defenses.

APRIL 20, 2018 Public Speaking for CPAs: 10-Step Process for Delivering a Clear & Powerful Message (MT04) Rhonda Noordyk, Founder & CEO,

The Women’s Financial Wellness Center

Public speaking can be one of the most effective tools to position you as an expert, build relationships and enhance your credibility. This course is designed to provide a step-by-step process for developing and delivering a powerful message.

MAY 18, 2018 Federal & Wisconsin Tax Law Changes (MT05) Terri Lillesand, CPA, Shareholder & Firmwide Tax Leader, Schenck SC

This program will provide an update on the latest federal and Wisconsin tax law changes for 2017 and future years, including any changes on the Affordable Care Act.

Kristofor Hanson, J.D., Partner, Lindner & Marsack, S.C.

Sally A. Piefer, J.D., Partner, Lindner & Marsack, S.C.

Chelsea D. Springstead, J.D., Partner,

Lindner & Marsack, S.C.

Employment decisions involving an employee with a medical issue can bring unique challenges to employers and often require employers to deal with multiple statutes, both state and federal. A panel of employment lawyers from Lindner & Marsack, S.C. will discuss the overlap of these laws and the approach employers should use to achieve compliance with these statutes.

NORTHEAST

Breakfast Programs These programs feature various topics and occur one Friday a month, September through May, alternating between the Schenck SC 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.

NOTE: The Individual Income Tax Update program is on Dec. 15 at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Green Bay. Registration and a networking 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 (Dec. program 4 credits) Registration: $60 member/$70 nonmember (Dec. program $119 member/$139 nonmember and includes a Master Tax Guide) $55 Unemployed/working part-time/ retired member (Dec. program $109 includes a Master Tax Guide) $10 additional for printed materials

wicpa.org/register

BEST DEAL! Season Pass (20 credits)

NOV. 17 | Schenck SC,

(NBPSP)

200 E. Washington St., Appleton

$539 member/$629 nonmember

Wisconsin Tax Update (NBP11)

NEW! $439 unemployed/working parttime/retired member (includes two free programs, a Master Tax Guide and breakfast) $90 additional for printed materials

SEPT. 8 | Schenck SC, 200 E. Washington St., Appleton Strategic Performance Management: Toss the Annual Review (NBP09) Human Resources Administrator & Marketing Coordinator, KerberRose SC

Exceptional leaders recognize the importance of strategic planning to their organization. Performance management is a strategic, comprehensive, continuous and flexible approach to the management of teams and individuals which organizations can leverage to better prepare for their strategic organizational needs. A successful program will help employers retain talent, engage employees, promote a learning culture and drive succession planning. This session will define the key building blocks for creating a successful performance management program and provide attendees with tools to design a program which firms can tailor to their needs.

OCT. 13 | Schenck SC,

2200 Riverside Drive, Green Bay

Protecting Your Data From Disaster (NBP10)

Technical Services Section Chief, Wisconsin Department of Revenue

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue will provide an update on new tax laws and other information for preparation of 2017 Wisconsin income/franchise tax returns as well as sales/use tax and withholding tax updates.

FEB. 16, 2018 | Schenck SC, 2200 Riverside Drive, Green Bay Dealing With the Finances of Long-Term Care: Planning in Advance or Last Minute Help (NBP02) Romeo Raabe LUTCF, LTCP, Owner, The Long Term Care Guy

June F. Norman, CPA, MS Taxation,

Long term care is coming up more frequently as 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 every day. Learn what the government pays and how best to take advantage of benefits. This session will cover planning in advance, as well as what to do last minute to preserve assets.

Time: 7:30 a.m. registration, 8 a.m. – noon presentation

MARCH 16, 2018 | Schenck SC, 200 E. Washington St., Appleton

Fee: $119 member/$139 nonmember

Accidental Nexus: Traps for Growing & Expanding Businesses (NBP03)

DEC. 15 | Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay Individual Income Tax Update (NBP12) Partner, Hartwig, Norman & Leskovsek, LLP

$109 unemployed/part-time/retired member 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 less overwhelmed and knowing you’re not alone in confusion and invigorated for the tax season ahead.

The registration fee for this program includes a Master Tax Guide.

Douglas A. Pessefall, J.D., Attorney/Shareholder, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

This program will explore the nexus standards for sales and use tax, and income and franchise tax in a changing landscape. Find out issues on which we can better advise our clients to avoid the nexus traps springing up.

APRIL 20, 2018 | Schenck SC, 2200 Riverside Drive, Green Bay Effectively Working the Room: The Top 10 Habits of Turning Introductions Into Leads (NBP04)

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

JAN. 19, 2018 | Schenck SC, 2200 Riverside Drive, Green Bay

Diane L. Roundy, MBA, Director of Growth

The threats are numerous and the countermeasures highly effective. Keeping your data safe is critical to keeping your business safe. Join us to learn about the options available to protect business data on a network, laptops/desktops and mobile devices.

Public Speaking for CPAs: 10-Step Process for Delivering a Clear & Powerful Message (NBP01)

Ever get tongue tied, nervous or freeze in social situations? Do you wish you could be one of those people who can walk into a room of strangers and leave with new business leads and even a few new friends? Then you can't afford to miss this presentation on networking basics, how to meet key people, hold lively conversations with strangers and obtain leads.

Rhonda Noordyk, Founder & CEO,

The Women’s Financial Wellness Center

Public speaking can be one of the most effective tools to position you as an expert, build relationships and enhance your

and Business Development, Schenck SC

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

Melissa Olsen, PHR/SHRM-CP,

Nathaniel R. Weber, CPA, Administration

credibility. This course is designed to provide a step-by-step process for developing and delivering a powerful message.

[Breakfast Programs]

MAY 18, 2018 | Schenck SC,

200 E. Washington St., Appleton

Applying Ethics in the Real-World (NBP05)

Karen Kerber, CPA, CFF, CITP, CGMA, Partner, KerberRose SC

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

Ethics is only easy in a textbook. Applying ethics in real-life is complicated. Ethical dilemmas involve multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, short- and longterm perspectives, risks and rewards.

This course will review various ethical codes, discuss an ethical decision-making framework and analyze a variety of real world ethical situations.

NOTE: This course qualifies toward the WICPA membership Ethics CPE requirement.

WAUKESHA

Breakfast Programs These programs feature various topics and occur one Wednesday a month, September through June, 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 Registration: $30 member/$40 nonmember $25 unemployed/part-time/retired member $10 additional for printed materials BEST DEAL! Season Pass (10 credits) (WBPSP)

$270 member/$360 nonmember $225 unemployed/part-time/retired member $100 additional for printed materials

SEPT. 13

Learn high-level financial planning strategies and techniques to lower lifetime taxes for you and your clients. We will dig into real life scenarios dealing with Roth conversions, required minimum distributions, tax loss harvesting, charitable contributions and more. The content is geared for advanced practitioners and will provide specific strategies to employ for yourself and your clients.

OCT. 18

Being a leader isn’t easy. What can you do to support your boss? This program will share nine key elements to consider that can help create a healthy, cohesive work environment.

JAN. 17, 2018 Retaining Top Talent (WBP01) Thomas Chadwick, Manager of Financial Recruiting, Baker Tilly Search & Staffing

Crisis Management: 8 Rules for Social Media Engagement (WBP10)

Beth Colson, CPA, Senior Manager of Financial

Mary Brophy, Principal, Lift Reputation Advisors

In today’s very candidate-centric market, it can be hard to hang onto your best people. This presentation will cover strategies on developing your team and creating an environment that encourages them to stay, as well as more general market insights.

Hindsight is 20/20. Once a crisis is over, it’s always easy to see with the benefit of hindsight what you should have, could have or would have done differently. In the digital age, social media platforms can be powerful tools for communication or the source of a crisis if not properly managed or utilized. Learn about the eight rules for social media engagement to protect your online reputation in a crisis and avoid a social media blunder.

NOV. 15 Data Science for Accountants (WBP11) Vashti Horvat, CISA, PCI-QSA, Director

– Data Science, IT Audit, Privacy & Security, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

In 2017 and beyond, accountants will be required to utilize analytical skills to fully understand business information.

Accountants are rapidly evolving to embrace data science for forecasting, planning, trending and anomaly detection with massive amounts of data. This presentation will focus on defining the skills, tools and techniques needed for successfully incorporating data science into your daily decisions.

DEC. 6

Recruiting, Baker Tilly Search & Staffing

FEB. 21, 2018 60 Tips in 60 Minutes: Practical Marketing Strategies for You & Your Specialty (WBP02) Diane L. Roundy, MBA, Director of Growth and Business Development, Schenck SC

This interactive workshop is designed for you to develop ways to market you and your specialty area without spending a bundle. In one hour, you’ll receive 60 grassroots marketing ideas that can help build your area of specialty. From networking to speaking engagements to social media, these ideas can be implemented without a lot of effort—or cost. A lot has to do with having a plan and execution. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover some new ways to market!

MARCH 14, 2018 Employee Background Checks: Employer Best Practices to Avoid Liability (WBP03)

Financial Planning for CPAs (WBP09)

How to Support Your Boss: 9 Key Elements to Consider (WBP12)

Sally A. Piefer, J.D., Partner,

Kevin M. Reardon, CFP®, President,

Rhonda Noordyk, Founder & CEO,

Employers are always looking to hire the “best” candidates, and background checks

Shakespeare Wealth Management, Inc.

The Women’s Financial Wellness Center

Lindner & Marsack, S.C.

wicpa.org/register

can be a valuable tool in the decisionmaking process. Recently background checks have become a hotbed for litigation. This discussion will address how the use of background checks in the hiring process is creating an increasing exposure to liability for employers and best practices to avoid liability.

APRIL 25, 2018 How to Survive an Employee Benefit Audit (WBP04) Bryan McDonald, CPA, Partner, CPAMD, Ltd.

MAY 23, 2018 Tax Ethics (WBP05) Robert A. Mathers, J.D., Shareholder, von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

John A. Sikora, J.D., Shareholder, von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

This course will cover the various issues and interpretations of Treasury Circular 230 and will include an expansive look at the Statements of Standards on Tax Services promulgated by the American Institute of CPAs. Receive practical, hands-on experience on various ethical dilemmas CPAs face and how an ethics case finds itself through the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility. Understand how to best protect the CPA Practicing and Tax Services by learning the best practices associated with delivering tax returns and tax advice to clients, whether in the form of tax planning, mergers and acquisitions, or handling a tax controversy. Find out how appropriate defenses have been successfully raised when tax practitioners have been accused of preparer penalties or other types of ethical accusations, followed by

NOTE: This course qualifies toward the WICPA membership Ethics CPE requirement.

JUNE 13, 2018 Practical Tips for Successful Recruiting (WBP06) John R. Hecht, CPA, President & Founder, J. Hecht Consulting LLC

Recruiting top talent is a critical skill for success. But many businesses have yet to develop an optimal process to identify and screen the best candidates. Learn some practical and proven ideas for reducing risk when adding staff.

WAUSAU

Breakfast Programs These programs feature various topics and occur during the months of October, December and April, 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.

DEC. 15 Anatomy of a Tax Controversy (WSBP12) Robert A. Mathers, J.D., CPA, ABV, Shareholder, von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

Robert B. Teuber, J.D., Shareholder, von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

This program is a survey course that will cover the procedural and substantive aspect of dealing with a state or federal tax controversy. Learn best practices and how to avoid common mistakes in dealing with the IRS or Wisconsin Department of Revenue. Also learn how to handle a tax controversy from the initial point of contact between an auditor and a taxpayer through the audit process and an administrative appeal. Find out what happens following the issuance of a 30-day letter or a Notice of Deficiency, and hear about existing alternative dispute resolution processes available to taxpayers. The presenters will also discuss what happens if a case goes to the United States Tax Court or the Wisconsin Tax Appeals Commission, options for handling any remaining debt once the fight over the liability is over, and will include war stories and examples of dealing with the tax authorities.

CPE credit: 2 credits

APRIL 20, 2018

Registration: $45 member/$55 nonmember

Tax Ethics Under the Trump Administration: What’s Hot? What are the Ethical Traps for Tax Practitioners? (WSBP04)

$40 unemployed/part-time/retired $10 additional for printed materials

Michael G. Goller, J.D., Shareholder & Chair,

OCT. 13

Tax Practice, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

Wisconsin Tax Update (WSBP10)

This program will provide a summary of ethical issues that face the tax practitioner in the era of Trump. It will also examine ethical developments as they pertain to Circular 230, day to day tax practice and procedure issues and other traps for the unwary tax practitioner.

Nathaniel R. Weber, CPA, Administration Technical Services Section Chief, Wisconsin Department of Revenue

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue will provide an update on new tax laws and other information for preparation of 2017 Wisconsin income/franchise tax returns as well as sales/use tax and withholding tax updates.

NOTE: This course qualifies toward the WICPA membership Ethics CPE requirement.

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

This program will touch on five key points to survive an employee benefit audit. It will include an in depth look at ERISA (The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) and the 80-120 rule, requirements for an audit, roles of a third party administrator (TPA), examination of documentation required and forms to be filed.

a discussion of best practices to avoid ethical issues and dilemmas.

[Online CPE] Webinars, Self-Study & On-Demand

ONLINE CPE

WEBINARS, SELF-STUDY & ON-DEMAND Convenience matters. Time matters. You matter.

That’s why we offer thousands of webinars and self-study options specifically for CPAs and business professionals who have limited time or can’t get away from the office. Online CPE is a great alternative to the traditional CPE seminar because just like seminars, CPE webinars are scheduled events. But unlike seminars, 72

webinars are all from the convenience of your computer.

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

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

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 one to eight CPE credits.

All webcasts are available for individual as well as group viewing. The extensive ACPEN catalog is comprised of courses from the following product lines:

ACPEN Signature Series 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, as well as 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.

The ACPEN Industry Institute™ (Aii) 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.

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, to name a few. These course offerings are designed to assist firms

and businesses, as well as individuals, in effectively managing their personal finances.

Partner Produced Programs 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.

AICPA 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 450+ CPE courses, CPExpress gives you unlimited online access to more

wicpa.org/register

than 600+ hours of professional and technical topics, hot topic issues, critical updates and more — available 24/7, for foundational to expert levels. You’ll never miss a CPE reporting deadline. Keep track of your completed CPE hours in one single source and print or save your CPE Certificates for easy compliance reporting.

With CPExpress, you get the quality, convenience and value you need for earning CPE credits.

Online

Webcasts AICPA Webcasts offer a high-resolution, studio-quality experience and real-time interaction with experts, regulations, 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.

CalCPA 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 all programs have savable, printable and fully annotatable textbooks.

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

In addition to 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 upto-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 per Learning Center 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/her own CCH Learning Center subscription. CCH also offers exclusive discounts on CCH tax and accounting books for WICPA members!

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 200 topics in the areas of technology, practice management, workflow automation, tax, ethics, fraud and accounting/auditing. Our courses range from one to eight hours with flexible scheduling, including evenings and Saturdays, so you can easily fit continuing education into your work week.

Group and prepaid discounts are available — perfect options for firm training to maximize savings.

CPEThink You’re busy, we understand. Get CPE credits anytime, anywhere, with a browser and internet connection. There’s a 100% 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 Wisconsin Institute of CPAs. 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

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

With more than 500 courses, AICPA Online CPE is an interactive learning environment for today’s busy professional. From updates on authoritative standards to award-winning certificate programs, AICPA Online CPE will meet your knowledge and CPE needs with the flexibility of learning on your own time.

not only content experts but they’re also experts in application. These individuals understand the accounting profession and offer dynamic, informative programs.

[Online CPE] Webinars, Self-Study & On-Demand

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 a variety of topics, including Excel, QuickBooks, PDFs, accounting solutions and Microsoft Office.

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

As a NASBA approved sponsor of webinar learning, you are assured that of a highquality event, that is both convenient and affordable. We look forward to helping you meet your learning objectives.

Improve your efficiency and productivity by participating in a webinar produced by K2 Enterprises!

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

Surgent has been one of the nation's leading providers of high-quality CPE for CPAs for more than 30 years. Providing over 1,200 webinars each year and offering over 300 unique self-study products, Surgent has all the CPE you need, whenever you need it.

With Surgent live webinars, you will get the practical, up-to-date information you need and meet your CPE needs from the comfort of your office or home.

Each webinar features knowledgeable and engaging 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.

Surgent self-study CPE enables you to earn CPE credits at your own pace and at a time that you choose. Whether you prefer downloadable PDF or on-demand webcast format, you’ll get the same high-quality Surgent content, plus 24/7 access, instant exam grading and certificates by email, making Surgent self-study CPE the perfect option for CPAs with less predictable schedules.

In addition to individual self-study courses and live webinars, Surgent offers a number of CPE packages that provide added convenience and 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:

No worries! With WICPA On-Demand, you can now view the most popular sessions of selected conferences and breakfast programs at your convenience.

Additional benefits of registering for CPE on-demand by WICPA 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 sideby-side with the video.

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

Visit wicpa.org/ondemand for a complete listing.

• 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.

• 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 highquality CPE from the most well-respected professionals in the industry.

Didn’t have a chance to attend one of our conferences or breakfast meetings?

Register at least 30 days prior:

$50 OFF

Conferences

$50 OFF Seminars

wicpa.org/register See specific event registration for details, or call and ask for the WICPA CPE Department at 262-785-0445.

wicpa.org/register

ACCOUNTING & AUDITING SEPT. 6 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Northcentral Technical College, Wausau Construction Contractors: Accounting, Auditing & Tax (CAAT) Jeffrey Lieman, CPA, Owner, Lieman Associates LLC

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 6 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

SEPT. 8 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, Onalaska NEW! U.S. GAAP: Review for

Business & Industry (FASBI)

Joann Noe Cross, CPA, Ph.D., CMA, CGFM, CGMA, Professor, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 8 Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

SEPT. 12 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

OCT. 24 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Northcentral Technical College, Wausau Annual Update for Accountants & Auditors (AUAA) & (AUAA2) Joann Noe Cross, CPA, Ph.D., CMA, CGFM, CGMA, Professor, 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: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid 30 days prior to program Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

SEPT. 13 - 14 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Audit Staff Essentials: New Staff: Core Concepts (ASE1) James Myers, CPA, CGMA, Sole Practitioner, James K. Myers, CPA

In the first of four comprehensive Audit Staff Essentials course, first-year staff will obtain the foundational knowledge they need to be successful, not only on their first few engagements, but throughout their careers. The information presented in this course will plant the roots of a successful auditor and member of the firm. From introducing the audit from the perspective of the firm, rather than the classroom, to understanding the dynamics of in-firm and client relationships, this course stresses the core knowledge that an auditor will need for life. Along with preparing an auditor to have early success with the firm, this course introduces concepts that auditors will need for successful career progression.

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

The construction industry is one of the most unique when it comes to being in compliance with the various accounting and auditing standards. This course examines the core knowledge necessary to succeed and the key issues impacting construction accounting, auditing and taxation. Find out what new developments may mean for you, your company or your clients. In addition, this course explores the relationship between the contractor and the surety. With construction comprising such a large portion of the economy and always growing, it’s more important than ever for you to be on top of the very latest in accounting, auditing and tax changes for the construction industry.

This course includes GAAP financial accounting and reporting topics in conjunction with an overview of recent FASB pronouncements. Applicable to a broad cross section of CPAs, this course is a must for CPAs in business and industry. Utilizing detailed descriptions and examples of how to implement the new standards, this course instructs you on how to assess new and recent FASB guidance having a major effect on all industries. It will allow you to gain an understanding of the latest pronouncements and exposure documents and how to develop implementation strategies.

[Seminars] Accounting & Auditing

Fee: $579 member/$629 nonmember $529 unemployed/part-time/retired member $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 13 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 16 credits Developed by: AICPA 76 The Bottom Line | 2 0 1 7 E d i t i o n

SEPT. 14 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – noon Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay NEW! Data Breaches & Other Cyber

NOTE: Attend Real-World Business Ethics (CL4RWBE) in the morning to meet the WICPA membership Ethics CPE requirement. See page 83 for details.

SEPT. 20 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Comprehensive Accounting Issues of Estates & Trusts: Fiduciary Accounting & Tax Issues (FACT)

$25 additional for printed materials

John Evanich, CPA, Professor, Pace University

Level of knowledge: Beginning

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

CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

SEPT. 14 | Registration noon Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay NEW! The Most Common Financial

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

Statement & Asset Fraud Schemes: How to Detect & Prevent Them (CL4TTFS)

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Warren & Tallent CPAs, PLLC

Douglas Warren, CPA, CFF, CFE, CEO,

$25 additional for printed materials

SEPT. 19 | Registration noon

Many costly fraudulent schemes have occurred repeatedly throughout the past several decades. Why do these material fraud schemes continue to succeed? Is this due to failures of properly designed internal controls? Could the internal controls be adequate but not complied with? This course provides descriptions of how the most common types of financial statement and misappropriation of asset fraud schemes are detected. Cost-effective internal controls that can be implemented to prevent these schemes are provided.

Classic and contemporary real-world fraud cases are reviewed in detail to reinforce how these schemes are perpetrated, both due to internal control failures and other factors.

Red flags that might possibly be indicative of these fraud schemes are addressed.

Frauds: A 21st Century Risk to Your Organization (CL4DATA) Douglas Warren, CPA, CFF, CFE, CEO,

Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

Staybridge Suites Eau Claire-Altoona, Altoona NEW! Data Breaches & Other Cyber

Frauds: A 21st Century Risk to Your Organization (CL4DATA2) Lynn Fountain, CGMA, CRMA, MBA, Sole Proprietor, Lynn Fountain

Is your data secure? Is your organization at risk of a data breach? What is cyber fraud and how can it affect your organization?

How can you protect your company from cyber fraud? Data breaches and cyber fraud are an ever present risk for more companies. This course will help you understand the risks associated with data breaches and other cyber frauds. You will become more aware of the policies and procedures needed to protect your company data. We will review the requirements for internal controls over technology required by the 2013 COSO Framework on Internal Controls and review internal controls that can help prevent and detect cyber frauds, including data breaches. Become a resource for your company and your clients.

Warren & Tallent CPAs, PLLC

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 20 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

SEPT. 21 - 22 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Audit Staff Essentials: New Staff: Practical Application (ASE2) Jay Giannantonio, MBA, MS, CPA, CGMA, CIA, Owner, Jay Giannantonio, CPA In the second of four comprehensive Audit Staff Essentials courses, first-year staff will obtain the foundational knowledge they need to be successful, at engagements throughout their careers. Designed as the companion course to our New Staff: Core Concepts, this course focuses on the skills and knowledge needed to perform the duties commonly assigned to first-year audit staff members. Along with insight related to the audit process, this course includes considerations associated with internal controls, substantive testing, financial

wicpa.org/register

statement captions, fraud considerations and analytical procedures.

Fee: $579 member/$629 nonmember $529 unemployed/part-time/retired member

SEPT. 28 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha NEW! Race Toward Implementation:

on what factors contribute to turning honest employees into fraudsters.

Discussion will include integrity and ethics, as well as how people may react in certain situations.

Tackling the Tough Issues in Adopting the New Revenue Recognition Standard (NRRS)

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 21

Curtis Quickel, CPA, Sole Practitioner,

$25 additional for printed materials

Level of knowledge: Beginning

Whether you’re ready or not, the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard is right around the corner. The time to execute your implementation plan is now. Are you ready? In this course, in addition to reviewing the five-step revenue recognition model and the recent updates that impact the standard, we will explore some industry specific topics that have been challenging for entities adopting the new standard. Topics covered include identifying performance obligations, licenses, customer loyalty programs, other “material right” options, plus other transition issues such as the impact on income taxes and financial systems.

$30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials

CPE credit: 16 credits Developed by: AICPA

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Madison

Advanced Concepts in SSARS 21 & Nonattest Services: Are You Certain You Are in Compliance? (SS21) Curtis Quickel, CPA, Sole Practitioner, Curtis Quickel, CPA

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. This also includes the new SSARS 21 preparation of financial statements service and other nonattest engagements.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 28 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

SEPT. 29 | Registration 8 a.m.

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

$25 additional for printed materials

NEW! Winning the Fraud Battle

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 27

in the Digital Age: Prevention & Detection (CFVV)

Level of knowledge: Advanced

Curtis Quickel, CPA, Sole Practitioner,

CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 29 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

OCT. 3 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Baker Tilly, Appleton Auditing Employee Benefit Plans (EBPE)

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: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 3 Level of knowledge: Intermediate

Curtis Quickel, CPA

CPE credit: 8 credits

Our focus is to reduce the overall risk of fraud. To that end, this course focuses

Developed by: AICPA

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

SEPT. 27 | Registration 8 a.m.

Curtis Quickel, CPA

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

[Seminars] Accounting & Auditing

OCT. 4 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Madison

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Northcentral Technical College, Wausau

NEW! Integrating Audit Data

FASB’s BIG 3: Revenue Recognition, Leases & Financial Statements (FSBT)

(AUDA)

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

Analytics Into the Audit Process Jay Giannantonio, MBA, MS, CPA, CGMA, CIA, Owner, Jay Giannantonio, CPA

NOV. 9 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Baker Tilly, Appleton 78

OCT. 6 | Registration 8 a.m.

NEW! Integrating Audit Data

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

Analytics Into the Audit Process (AUDA2)

Salvatore Collemi, CPA, Founder,

Collemi Consulting & Advisory Services, LLC

This course introduces the concept of audit data analytics, provides a brief overview of what audit data analytics are and illustrates how these tools can be integrated into the current audit process, i.e. show a few examples of how these tools can be used in the risk assessment, planning, control testing and substantive testing. The course will show examples using Excel of simple analytic tools that could help automate a traditional audit procedure that is currently being performed manually. This course is helpful for beginners, or those who are looking for additional training on how to apply content from the new AICPA Audit Data Analytics guide.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Sometimes we can avoid addressing the elephant in the room for a while. However, when there are three elephants in the room, it’s time to address the issues.

Designed for practitioners and their staff, whether in public accounting or business and industry, this course provides a comprehensive review and update of the FASB’s Big 3 accounting and reporting areas of Revenue Recognition, Leases and Financial Instruments. This course will focus on recently issued Accounting Standards Updates and Exposure Drafts which will have a major effect on all industries. It will use examples and illustrations to provide a hands-on approach that will help you better assess and implement the new standards and guidance applicable to your clients or organization.

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 11 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Developed by: AICPA

$25 additional for printed materials

OCT. 12 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 6 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

OCT. 11 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

Level of knowledge: Beginning

NEW! Internal Control Best Practices

Developed by: AICPA

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid 30 days prior to program CPE credit: 8 credits

responsibilities (auditing, monitoring, implementing, etc.) in adapting the updated COSO Internal Control Framework to small- and medium-sized entities. Internal control concepts are applicable to every entity, regardless of size. However, there is no “one size fits all” set of rules that can be applied to all entities. Often, the internal control “best practices” that have evolved over time are based upon large entity environments and aren’t necessarily relevant to small- and medium-sized entities. This course will show you some best practices for designing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and auditing cost-effective internal controls for small and medium-sized entities.

for Small- & Medium-Sized Entities (ICSM)

Joann Noe Cross, CPA, Ph.D., CMA, CGFM, CGMA, Professor, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

This course provides practical guidance for those involved with internal control

Leases: Mastering the New FASB Requirements (LEAS) Joann Noe Cross, CPA, Ph.D., CMA, CGFM, CGMA, Professor, 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

wicpa.org/register

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: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

OCT. 12 | Registration noon Program 12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, Onalaska NEW! Interpreting the New Revenue

Recognition Standard: What all CPAs Need to Know (CL4INRR)

Morris Hollander, CPA, CFF, Senior Advisor, Marcum LLP

Joann Noe Cross, CPA, Ph.D., CMA, CGFM, CGMA, Professor, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Update (CL4AUAA)

The new accounting standard for revenue recognition has finally been released! With the issuance of FASB ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with 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. 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.

Morris Hollander, CPA, CFF, Senior Advisor,

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember

$25 additional for printed materials

$219 unemployed/part-time/retired member

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid 30 days prior to program

$25 additional for printed materials

Level of knowledge: Update

Level of knowledge: Intermediate

CPE credit: 8 credits

$30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 12 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

OCT. 12 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – noon Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, Onalaska NEW! Accounting & Auditing

Marcum LLP

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 and auditing arenas. Let us sort through the complexities and help you identify and apply recently issued FASB 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: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

OCT. 13 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha NOV. 3 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Staybridge Suites Eau Claire-Altoona, Altoona Compilations & Reviews: Engagement Performance & Annual Update (CRAU) & (CRAU2)

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

OCT. 16 - 17 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Audit Staff Essentials: Experienced Staff (ASE3) Thomas Newell Jr., CPA, Shareholder, Newell & Newell, P.C.

In the third of four comprehensive Audit Staff Essentials courses, experienced staff take on an expanded role on engagements with more technical or advanced accounting and auditing topics.

This course will provide discussion,

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

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. You'll learn the ins and outs of SSARS No. 21, 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 more than 30 years ago. This course will also 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.

[Seminars] Accounting & Auditing

80

examples and exercises that focus on the increasingly advanced topics those staff with one to two years of experience will commonly be tasked with. From accounts receivable to inventory price testing and obsolescence, this course takes these types of widely used accounts into their more complex areas. Along with an application based discussion of common account balances and transactions, the course discusses other topics key to a successful and well-rounded experienced staff member, including tasks such as risk assessment, sampling, engagement management and supervision and working paper review.

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

Fee: $579 member/$629 nonmember $529 unemployed/part-time/retired member $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 16 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 16 credits Developed by: AICPA

NOV. 7 - 8 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha NEW! Audit Staff Essentials:

Seniors/In-Charge Staff (ASE4) Anne Marchetti, President, Account-Ability Consulting In the fourth of five comprehensive Audit Staff Essentials courses, this course focuses on the more advanced areas of the audit for new senior/in-charge staff and to provide guidance, examples and exercises to build the skills to successfully obtain the audit evidence necessary in these areas. This course also provides an overview of the common responsibilities of new senior/in-charge staff. This includes a deeper discussion of the audit process, highlighted by discussions on materiality, review of risk assessment, understanding the entity, opening balances, group audit considerations and review of interim

financial information. In addition, the course will look more closely at the risk assessment process. This course will provide discussion, examples and exercises that focus on the increasingly advanced topics that senior/ in-charge staff members will commonly be tasked with, including contingencies, revenue recognition, investments, intangible assets and financial reporting topics.

Fee: $579 member/$629 nonmember $529 unemployed/part-time/retired member $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 7 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 16 credits Developed by: AICPA

NOV. 8 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Construction Contractors: Advanced Issues (CCAI) Dale Ruther, CPA, CIT, CDS, CCIFP, Partner, Bober Markey Fedorovich & Company

The construction industry comes with many advanced accounting issues, audit procedure, 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 look-back 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: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

$30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 8 Level of knowledge: Advanced CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

NOV. 9 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Annual Accounting & Auditing Update (ACAU) Joann Noe Cross, CPA, Ph.D., CMA, CGFM, CGMA, Professor, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Designed for accounting and attestation practitioners at all levels in both public accounting and business and industry, this course provides a comprehensive review of recent standard setting activities of the PCC, FASB, ASB and ARSC. Not only will this course bring you up to date on the requirements, it also provides you with many hands-on examples and illustrations to help you apply the guidance in practice.

You will learn about the latest standards, exposure drafts and guidance focusing on issues applicable to accountants and attestation practitioners. This course also includes a compilation, preparation and review update specifically covering the newly effective SSARS No. 21, Clarification and Recodification and recent attestation matters on the radar.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 9 Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

wicpa.org/register

NOV. 10 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay

Common U.S. GAAP Issues Facing CPAs (FRU) Joann Noe Cross, CPA, Ph.D., CMA, CGFM, CGMA, Professor, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 10 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

DEC. 1 | Registration noon Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton Shorten Month-End: Closing Best Practices (SME) John Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM,

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: Executive Education, Inc.

DEC. 4 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Madison NEW! Forensic Accounting

Investigative Practices (FAIP) Robert Bedwell, CPA, Principal, Mallah Furman

If you're looking to gain more skills in the growing and lucrative field of forensic accounting, you’ll want to start with this course. Effective forensic accountants are part of a new breed of practitioners who possess a broad spectrum of traits and knowledge.

This course dives into the unique investigative and communications skills and analytical practices required of the best forensic accountants by teaching you how to provide expert witness testimony in mediations, arbitrations and governmental hearings. You’ll also learn how to use proven research, investigative methods and proper documentation of evidence to successfully complete a forensic accounting engagement.

President, Executive Education, Inc.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

Surveys show that the average North American company completes their monthly financial statement closing in

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $30 AICPA member discount

$25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Nov. 4 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

JUNE 8, 2018 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Audits of 401(k) Plans (AFKP) Joann Noe Cross, CPA, Ph.D., CMA, CGFM, CGMA, Professor, 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: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered by May 8 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

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

Are you looking for a review and update of common GAAP issues important to all CPAs? This broad-ranging course covers FASB accounting and reporting developments that apply to all companies. Emphasizing financial statement disclosures in addition to accounting methods, this course presents implementation guidelines and disclosure illustrations from actual financial statements. This review reporting standards for the balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows will help you to gain an understanding of the FASB standards that have the greatest impact on accounting and financial reporting.

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 cheaply and in less time.

[Seminars] Communication

COMMUNICATION NOV. 9 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

NOV. 10 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Baker Tilly, Appleton

NEW! Business Writing Skills for

CPAs (BUSW)

Today! Interactive Skills Building Workshop (PSTW)

Mark Gorman, CPA, Consultant,

Mark Gorman, CPA, Consultant,

Do not allow yourself to be relegated to the role of number cruncher. Elevating your career to the next level requires good written communication skills, which can be significantly enhanced with specific, proven and easy-to-use techniques. Also learn to quickly and efficiently translate your thoughts into a clear, concise message designed specifically for your target audience. This course provides the tools you need to write letters, memos, emails and reports that are interesting, accessible and loaded with the information readers’ need, in a format they want to read. It will transform the process of writing from a dreaded chore to a creative and productive activity.

Public speaking skill is a powerful tool for CPA success. The ability to deliver impactful presentations with poise and energy can make all the difference in firm advancement, client retention and rainmaking. Which is why it's so unfortunate that the prospect of speaking before a crowd fills so many of us with dread. Successful public speakers enjoy presenting to groups because they understand how to engage and delight their audience. But they weren't born knowing how to do this, they learned, and so can you. In this interactive workshop, you will learn strategies and tactics you can use to manage public speaking anxiety, project confidence, build rapport with an audience and communicate your message powerfully. In addition to an expert-led discussion of the issues, each participant will have several opportunities for “mini-presentations” to the presenter(s) and peers and receive real-time feedback.

Mark Gorman CPA

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

Register at least 30 days prior:

$50 OFF

Conferences

$50 OFF Seminars

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 9 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

wicpa.org/register

NEW! Become a Public Speaking Pro

Mark Gorman CPA

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 10 Level of knowledge: Beginning

See specific event registration for details, or call and ask for the WICPA CPE Department at 262-785-0445.

CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

[Seminars] Ethics

ETHICS NOTE: These courses meet the WICPA membership Ethics CPE requirement.

SEPT. 11 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha NEW! Ethics: A Line in the Sand for

CPAs (ETHC)

James Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA,

President, Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.

CPAs in public practice and industry.

Explore ethical issues in the context of actual proceedings that were resolved both in favor of and against accounting and auditing professionals. Achieve a new sense of appreciation for the difficulties faced by financial professionals and a heightened sensitivity to the types of ethical dilemmas you could face in the future.

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

OCT. 4 | Registration 8 a.m.

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 11 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.

SEPT. 19 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – noon Staybridge Suites Eau Claire-Altoona, Altoona Real-World Business Ethics (CL4RWBE) Lynn Fountain, CGMA, CRMA, MBA, Sole Proprietor, Lynn Fountain

Don’t be caught off-guard by an ethics investigation. Adopt a proactive, riskavoidance stance by sidestepping common pitfalls and taking alternative courses of action. To learn how, examine case studies based on real-life litigation and administrative proceedings involving

$219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

CPAs (ETH4)

Jay Giannantonio, MBA, MS, CPA, CGMA, CIA, Owner, Jay Giannantonio, CPA CPAs today face greater challenges than ever to maintain the high ethical standards of their profession. This course provides a framework within which to consider the ethical challenges facing CPAs and focuses on ethical requirements that CPAs must adhere to in their everyday practice, including practical examples of potential ethical dilemmas that practitioners may encounter.

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate

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

CPE credit: 4 credits

NEW! Tax “Best Practice” Ethics (TBPE)

DEC. 1 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – noon Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton

Douglas Van Der Aa, CPA, J.D., Discussion Leader, Van Der Aa Tax Ed, LLC

A detailed analysis of the Circular 230 rules for conduct of a tax practice will be given, with a review of the political, legislative and regulatory rules impacting every accounting and tax professional.

Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

Cases in Corporate Ethics (CCE) John Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM, President, Executive Education, Inc.

Level of knowledge: Overview

Anyone who has ever attended a lectureformat ethics seminar knows there is a better way. Cases in Corporate Ethics provides an opportunity for lively group discussion of real world, ethical dilemmas.

Cases in Corporate Ethics examines eight cases drawn from real-life business conflicts involving corporate financial managers.

CPE credit: 4 credits

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember

Developed by: Van Der As Tax Ed, LLC

$219 unemployed/part-time/retired member

NOV. 6 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – noon Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay

$25 additional for printed materials

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials

Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: Executive Education, Inc.

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

Ethical behavior continues to be a problem in society and even in the CPA ranks. This course looks at the behavioral issues that influence how CPAs act. CPAs will benefit from this course by learning why CPAs make ethical blunders, understanding signs that co-workers display that indicate ethical lapses and learning how corporate policy and procedure create or dispel ethical work environments.

NEW! Ethical Considerations for

[Seminars] Government & Nonprofit

GOVERNMENT & NONPROFIT SEPT. 7 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

Recognizing & Responding to Fraud Risk in Governmental & Not-for-Profit Organizations (FRGNP) Jeffrey Lieman, CPA, Owner, Lieman Associates LLC

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

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. Using a combination of examples, explanations of audit standards and case studies, obtain an understanding of the frauds most commonly perpetrated in government and not-forprofit organizations and what prevention and detection procedures are effective in responding to these fraud risks. This course also covers how auditors might address their responsibilities with respect to fraud in a financial statement audit of governmental and not-for-profit organizations.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 7 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

SEPT. 11 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Staybridge Suites Eau Claire-Altoona, Altoona

Latest Developments in Government & Nonprofit Accounting & Auditing 2017 (GNAA) Jeffrey Lieman, CPA, Owner, Lieman Associates LLC

2017 is yet another year of significant change in the world of government and nonprofit accounting and auditing. Time is valuable, and it’s hard to stay current in today’s rapidly changing environment.

Let us save you time and effort in staying current through this informative update course. The course materials utilize a highly illustrative and innovative format.

Over 30 focused exercises are included to provide an enhanced working knowledge of the latest developments in government and nonprofit accounting and auditing.

NOTE: Qualifies for Yellow Book credit.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 11 Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

SEPT. 12 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Northcentral Technical College, Wausau Latest Developments in Nonprofit Accounting & Auditing 2017 (NPAA)

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 12 Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

OCT. 3 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Accounting & Reporting for Not-for-Profit Organizations (FSNPO) Robin Scott, CPA, Director, Thomas & Thomas, LLP

This course provides you with the tools necessary to enhance your not-for-profit accounting skills and create value-added services to clients. We take you beyond the theory through a case-study-intense, highly interactive, classroom environment where you will examine, evaluate and perform case studies enhancing your working knowledge of fundamental not-for-profit accounting and reporting, presentation requirements, note disclosures unique to not-for-profits and options allowed under GAAP. NOTE: Qualifies for Yellow Book credit.

Jeffrey Lieman, CPA, Owner,

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

Lieman Associates LLC

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

2017 is yet another year of significant change in the world of nonprofit accounting and auditing. Time is valuable, and it’s hard to stay current in today’s rapidly changing environment.

Let us save you time and effort in staying current through this informative update course. The course materials utilize a highly illustrative and innovative format.

Focused exercises are included to provide an enhanced working knowledge of the latest developments in nonprofit accounting and auditing.

$30 AICPA member discount

NOTE: Qualifies for Yellow Book credit.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

Reporting: Mastering the Unique Requirements (NFPF)

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Brian Yacker, CPA, J.D., Professor,

$25 additional for printed materials

$25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 3 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

NOV. 7 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Baker Tilly, Appleton NEW! Not-for-Profit Financial

University of California Irvine

wicpa.org/register

Do you know what makes not-for-profit accounting and financial reporting different?

Are you aware of how not-for-profit financial statements will change as a result of the FASB’s Financial Statement Project? Through a combination of practical guidance and case studies, this course will provide insight into what makes not-for-profits different while training you to clear key hurdles in not-for-profit accounting and reporting in an efficient and effective manner. Avoid the potholes of confusion and provide a financial picture that end users can truly understand.

NOTE: Qualifies for Yellow Book credit.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 7 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

NOV. 7 | Registration 8 a.m.

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 7

NOTE: Qualifies for Yellow Book credit.

Level of knowledge: Beginning

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

CPE credit: 8 credits

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

$30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials

DEC. 5 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Madison

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Nov. 5

NEW! Applying the Uniform

CPE credit: 8 credits

Guidance in Your Single Audits (INUG)

Level of knowledge: Advanced Developed by: AICPA

Robert Bedwell, CPA, Principal, Mallah Furman Does a single audit have you running in circles? This course provides you with the knowledge to be more efficient and effective at planning and performing audits in accordance with the requirements of the Uniform Guidance and the Single Audit Act. Update your skills with the latest information in this challenging audit area.

NOTE: Qualifies for Yellow Book credit.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

A Complete Guide to the Yellow Book (YBYB)

$30 AICPA member discount

Jay Giannantonio, MBA, MS, CPA, CGMA, CIA, Owner, Jay Giannantonio, CPA

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Nov. 5

The Yellow Book is a comprehensive document containing general standards, performance standards and reporting standards for audit and attestation engagements. The Yellow Book features a conceptual framework approach to independence, financial auditing standards, attestation standards and more.

This course will increase this course is to increase your confidence and proficiency in performing Yellow Book engagements through a thorough understanding of the standards. The course materials utilize a highly illustrative and innovative format.

More than 20 focused exercises are included to provide an enhanced working knowledge of the Yellow Book.

Level of knowledge: Intermediate

NOTE: Qualifies for Yellow Book credit.

assess and evaluate the latest changes in the federally-assisted housing industry and efficiently plan, perform and report a HUD-assisted engagement.

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials

CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

DEC. 5 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay

DEC. 7 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Yellow Book: Government Auditing Standards (EO-YB) David Mosley, CPA, President, Mosley Consulting, LLC Do you perform engagements in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS or GAS or the Yellow Book)? This course provides an excellent baseline of information for accountants as it relates to understanding Government Auditing Standards, including the foundation of government auditing and the related concepts and standards.

It’s essential that all auditors planning and conducting engagements in accordance with Government Auditing Standards understand and discern these concepts and standards in executing their responsibilities.

NOTE: Qualifies for Yellow Book credit.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

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

$30 AICPA member discount

David Mosley, CPA, President,

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Nov. 7

Does your organization know what it takes to perform a HUD audit? During this course you will gain important insights into compliance pitfalls for HUD assisted housing owners and managers. You’ll also

Level of knowledge: Beginning

Mosley Consulting, LLC

$25 additional for printed materials

CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

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

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

[Seminars] Management & Emerging Professionals

MANAGEMENT & EMERGING PROFESSIONALS SEPT. 8 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha NEW! The Competent Accountant: 86

Mastering the CGMA Competency Framework (CAMC)

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

James Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA,

President, Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.

Understand what's necessary to lead the organization and the Accounting/ Finance department. Identify tools that are available to improve leadership, business, people and technical. Apply CGMA competency framework to each participant’s skill level and develop a plan of action to obtain competency in all levels.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 8 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.

SEPT. 19 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, Onalaska Annual Update for Controllers (SKSB) James Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA,

accounting and finance in a session that is packed with useful tips and practical guidance that you can apply immediately.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

$30 AICPA member discount

OCT. 17 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Madison

$25 additional for printed materials

NEW! Employment Law Update:

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 19

Key Risks & Recent Trends (LAWU) William Taylor, CPA, President,

Level of knowledge: Update

Benefit Solutions, Ltd.

CPE credit: 8 credits

Businesses and nonprofits today face an explosion of EEOC actions and employment litigation that can threaten the organization’s financial stability and its reputation. This course will provide tips about mitigating exposure for the key employment risks that every employer faces. These risks include cyber issues, social media, device and internet use, wrongful termination, retaliation, whistleblowers, all types of discrimination and harassment, workplace safety, wage and hour laws, immigration issues, laws such as the FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, COBRA, FLSA and more. Know how to react to developing employment issues, understand recent trends in employment claims, and arm yourself with the knowledge and assessment tools that can make a difference for your employer or your clients.

Developed by: AICPA

SEPT. 26 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Analytics & Big Data for Accountants (DAAN) James 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. This course will cover leading-edge topics in analytics and finance in a session that's packed with useful tips and practical guidance that you can apply immediately.

President, Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

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. This course will discuss leading-edge topics in managerial

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 26

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 30 Level of knowledge: Advanced CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

wicpa.org/register

OCT. 26 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – noon WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha NEW! The Changing Role of the

Controller: Advancing From Tactical to Strategic (CL4COBP) Thomas N. Howard, CPA, CGMA, President & CEO, Minerva Professional Services, LLC

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

OCT. 26 | Registration noon

Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha NEW! Lean Accounting &

Management: Saving Money by Streamlining Operations (CL4LAMA) Thomas N. Howard, CPA, CGMA, President & CEO, Minerva Professional Services, LLC

Companies using lean accounting have better information for decision making, have simple and timely reports that are clearly understood by everyone in the company, and they focus their business around the value created from their customers. Learn to minimize waste and create wealth in your organization through a lean accounting and management approach that improves profitability

NOV. 13 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Baker Tilly, Appleton

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember

When an organization fails, it is usually due to several factors. These problems often result from a number of undetected, poor practices that infect and grow throughout the entire organization. They can include a lack of understanding of costs, poor asset allocation, systems that support the status quo, failure to identify risk, tunnel vision by management and so on. Often, management will repeat poor practices across the enterprise.

This course demonstrates the use of practices, techniques and analytical tools specifically designed to assist CPAs and other financial professionals in adding value to their company. These areas include decision-making, cost and capacity management, selected accounting practices, understanding business cycles, managing continuous improvements, cash management, valuation techniques and risk management. Examples of actions by both successful and failed organizations are used throughout the session.

$219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Advanced CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

NOV. 6 | Registration noon Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay Controller/CFO Update: Hot Topics Facing Today’s Financial Professional (TCF4) Jay Giannantonio, MBA, MS, CPA, CGMA, CIA, Owner, Jay Giannantonio, CPA In today's rapidly changing world, finance professionals are required to wear many hats and are often the keys to the success of the organization. On one hand, they need to be abreast of the latest proven financial skills for making the best decisions. On the other hand, they need the best skills to motivate, manage and lead people. Being pigeon-holed into one area or another is neither good for career building or the good of the organization.

We'll cover the latest issues that all CFOs and controllers need to know about and provide how-to guidance to allow for immediate use in their organizations.

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

NEW! Toolkit of Best Practices for

Today’s Controller & Financial Manager (TKBP)

James Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA,

President, Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 13 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

NOV. 13 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha NEW! Private Company Accounting:

New Directions, New Challenges (PCA)

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

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.

by streamlining operations. Provide customer value through target-costing and eliminate waste through value-stream management. Improve flow through capacity management. Achieve perfection through continuous process improvement.

Those in both manufacturing and service industries can benefit from the techniques presented in this course.

[Seminars] Management & Emerging Professionals

William O’Brien, MBA, CPA, Lecturer,

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 14

The convergence process is beginning to wind down. Both FASB and the IASB have issued new revenue recognition standards and lease standards. Financial instrument changes will soon follow. These changes will impact both public and private companies.

Whether or not IFRS becomes the basis for U.S. accounting standards, the convergence and private company accounting changes impact activities well beyond financial reporting. Awareness of IFRS adoption efforts by the SEC is one thing; understanding how FASB’s convergence project and private company reporting can affect your company is a very different issue. You cannot afford to miss this critical, entertaining and interactive course.

Level of knowledge: Advanced

San Jose State University

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

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 13 Level of knowledge: Intermediate

CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

NOV. 14 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha NEW! Breaking the CF-NO Syndrome

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 15 CPE credit: 8 credits

San Jose State University

Successful CFOs and business unit financial managers must focus on developing the business — not just tracking historic outcomes. Learn how to build credibility and become a true business partner in your growing organization. Reconsider best practices for financial management, discuss how to turn data into action, and discover proactive reporting techniques that can help your company’s bottom line. Transform your image from a “CF-No” to a “CF-Oh!” $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials

NOV. 14 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Madison

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 14

Advanced Controller & CFO Skills (ACCS)

CPE credit: 8 credits

James Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA,

Developed by: Executive Education, Inc.

This course examines best practices of leading-edge controllers and CFOs. 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’ll 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!

NOV. 15 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

Level of knowledge: Intermediate

President, Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.

$25 additional for printed materials

$25 additional for printed materials

William O’Brien, MBA, CPA, Lecturer,

Developed by: Executive Education, Inc.

$30 AICPA member discount

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Level of knowledge: Intermediate

CPE credit: 8 credits

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

(CFOH)

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

resource management and more useful performance management information.

Choose this seminar to stimulate your focus on how to add maximum value today, and develop better strategy for tomorrow.

Nonprofit Financial Management

Developed by: Executive Education, Inc.

NOV. 30 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha NEW! Advanced Personal

Leadership Skills (APLS)

James Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA,

President, Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.

This is a stand-alone course but it's the second in a series of leadership skills that has been popularly received in the accounting CPE environment. Attendees who attend this session will improve their leadership and managerial skills to better achieve their business and personal goals. For CPAs to progress in their careers, they must master skills beyond traditional accounting fundamentals. They must understand how tools/skills such as EI, creativity, creating a culture and managing difficult employees are essential to producing a productive, competitive accounting department that adds value as opposed to profit absorbing overhead.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

(NPFM)

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

William O’Brien, MBA, CPA, Lecturer,

$25 additional for printed materials

San Jose State University

Here you will find the financial management skills and business trends most critical for success in a nonprofit today. Learn how to deliver more; more efficiency, more responsible governance, more robust accounting and controls, more effective

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 30 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.

[Seminars] Taxation

TAXATION SEPT. 19 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha NEW! LLC Operating Agreements

Workshop (LLCW)

John Evanich, CPA, Professor, Pace University

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Advanced Mergers, Acquisitions & Sales of Closely Held Businesses (PSAS2)

$25 additional for printed materials

Edgar Gee, CPA, MBA, Founder & Owner,

Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

SEPT. 20 | Registration noon Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

Baker Tilly, Appleton Social Security & Medicare: Maximizing Retirement Benefits (CL4SSM)

$25 additional for printed materials

Olsen, Hendricks & Company CPAs, P.A.

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 19

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.

CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

SEPT. 20 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – noon Baker Tilly, Appleton

NEW! Reviewing Individual Tax

Returns: What Are You Missing?

(CL4ITRM)

Stephen Renberg, CPA, Tax Specialist,

Gonzaga University Graduate School of Business

OCT. 19 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, Onalaska

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Level of knowledge: Intermediate

Brian Gosline, CPA, J.D., Professor,

Stephen Renberg, CPA, Tax Specialist,

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Edgar Gee, CPA

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: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid 30 days prior to program Level of knowledge: Advanced

Olsen, Hendricks & Company CPAs, P.A.

$25 additional for printed materials

CPE credit: 8 credits

Join us as we discuss the common errors practitioners make on individual tax returns that are often missed by review staff. The intent is to sharpen skills for reviewers by examining case studies and discussing issues where additional information from the client may be warranted and areas of tax law where proper treatment requires additional analysis and information. Multiple issues will be discussed including

Level of knowledge: Intermediate

Developed by: AICPA

CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

SEPT. 20 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Advanced Mergers, Acquisitions & Sales of Closely Held Businesses (PSAS)

SEPT. 21 | Registration noon Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha NEW! Mergers & Acquisitions: Tax &

Due Diligence Considerations (CL4IBA) Stephen Renberg, CPA, Tax Specialist, Olsen, Hendricks & Company CPAs, P.A.

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

This course covers the many complex considerations involved in utilizing and strategically structuring the partnership and operating agreements for Subchapter K entities to meet the business goals of the entity while minimizing the tax burden for the entity and its members.

You will come away with a comprehensive understanding of the key issues to consider, the tax consequences of various drafting and structuring choices, tax audit considerations and planning strategies.

pass-through K-1s, home office issues, hobby losses, rental property, hiring spouses, depreciation, §179 issues, amortization and more! This course follows a highly illustrative case study format to increase participant comprehension and retention.

[Seminars] Taxation

Become the key adviser to a client or employer who is interested in buying or selling a business. Your advice could be extremely valuable and 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. This course will cover the basics of due diligence for mergers and acquisitions and some key terminology that must be understood to provide sound tax advice.

NEW! Farm Taxation Update LIVE

Webinar (WMFTR)

Chris Hesse, CPA, Tax Partner, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

CPE credit: 4 credits

Old MacDonald had a farm, e-i-e-i…Oh, what are those farm tax deductions?

What’s new for 2017? Explore the latest tax updates, IRS guidance and court decisions affecting taxpayers in the agriculture industry. Discuss the issues you encounter every day as you learn from Chris Hesse, a farm tax expert who is active in public accounting. Come away with insights to take advantage of opportunities and avoid pitfalls within this unique industry.

Developed by: AICPA

Fee: $325 member/$375 nonmember

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember 90

SEPT. 25 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

$219 unemployed/part-time/retired member

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

$25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate

SEPT. 21 | Registration 8 a.m.

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

Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits

SEPT. 25 | Registration 8 a.m.

NEW! Reviewing Partnership Tax

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Madison

(CL4PTRM)

NEW! Hot IRS Tax Examination Issues

Returns: What Are You Missing?

Stephen Renberg, CPA, Tax Specialist, Olsen, Hendricks & Company CPAs, P.A.

Join us as we discuss the common errors practitioners make on partnership tax returns that are often missed by review staff. The intent is to sharpen skills for reviewers by examining case studies and discussing issues where additional information from the client may be warranted and areas of tax law where proper treatment requires additional analysis and information. Multiple issues will be discussed including income, deductions, K-1 reporting and more!

This course follows a highly illustrative case study format to increase participant comprehension and retention.

for Individuals & Businesses (EXIB) Michael Reilly, CPA, ChFC, CLU, CASL,

SEPT. 26 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – noon Crowne Plaza Hotel, Madison Key Partnership & S Corporation Tax Planning Strategies (BTS4) Michael Reilly, CPA, ChFC, CLU, CASL, Sole Practitioner, Michael E. Reilly, CPA

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.

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

SEPT. 26 | Registration noon Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Madison NEW! Individual Tax Planning Ideas

Sole Practitioner, Michael E. Reilly, CPA

for 2017 (ITP4)

Recently, the IRS has dramatically rampedup its examination of individuals and small business taxpayers. Now more than ever, CPAs need clients to understand the need for documentation and procedures to substantiate what IRS auditors are pursuing. Learn the high audit risk areas and ways to help clients survive an IRS audit with little or no change. It is critical for CPAs in public accounting to understand the risk to clients and to themselves in tax return preparation and planning.

Michael Reilly, CPA, ChFC, CLU, CASL,

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

$219 unemployed/part-time/retired member

$25 additional for printed materials

$25 additional for printed materials

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Aug. 25

Level of knowledge: Intermediate

Level of knowledge: Intermediate

CPE credit: 4 credits

CPE credit: 8 credits

Developed by: AICPA

Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

Sole Practitioner, Michael E. Reilly, CPA

In the fluid economic environment, clients must protect their income from taxes.

This course presents the most important income tax planning ideas wealthy clients and closely held business owners need to consider in 2017 to take advantage of the present and plan for the future. It highlights areas in the income tax return that suggest future opportunities for the individual client and updates for impacts of the Protecting Americans Against Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015.

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

wicpa.org/register

OCT. 4 | Registration noon

OCT. 17 | Registration 8 a.m.

$25 additional for printed materials

Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

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

NEW! Year-End Tax Planning:

NEW! Protecting Your Client From

Douglas Van Der Aa, CPA, J.D.,

William Murphy, CPA/PFS, ABV, CFF, CGMA, CVA, Owner, Murphy Financial Group, P.C.

This timely program will highlight significant 2016-17 tax changes and discuss key tax planning ideas for your clients as you prepare for the upcoming tax season. As many clients have interests in partnerships, S corporations and Schedule C activities, this course will guide you on flow through entity planning and key individual 1040 issues. Don’t wait until December to start planning for your clients!

$25 additional for printed materials

Identity theft has become a serious issue with clients and practitioners alike. Sixty-three percent of CPAs who answered the 2015 tax software survey conducted by The Tax Adviser and Journal of Accountancy said at least one of their clients was a victim of tax identity theft in the 2015 filing season. This course will provide examples of the ramifications of data loss and how it impacted the practitioner and the client. This course will cover best practices for your firm to protect firm and client data. In the event that a breach does occur, learn the steps to take to remedy the situation and prevent the problem from happening again.

Level of knowledge: Intermediate

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember

CPE credit: 4 credits

$219 unemployed/part-time/retired member

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. It also shows 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!

$25 additional for printed materials

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

Level of knowledge: Intermediate

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Thinking Outside the Box (YETP) Discussion Leader, Van Der Aa Tax Ed, LLC

$219 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Developed by: Van Der Aa Tax Ed, LLC

OCT. 5 | Registration 8 a.m.

CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

OCT. 18 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, Onalaska Best Practices for Payroll Taxes & 1099 Issues (GPT) Edgar Gee, CPA, MBA, Founder & Owner, Edgar Gee, CPA

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

$30 AICPA member discount

NEW! Key Tax Issues Facing Business

OCT. 17 | Registration noon

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 18

& Industry (KTBI)

Douglas Van Der Aa, CPA, J.D.,

Discussion Leader, Van Der Aa Tax Ed, LLC

This course focuses on the key federal tax issues affecting business from the internal accountant's point of view, with a focus on planning alternatives and the potential risks associated with those strategies.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 5 Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Van Der Aa Tax Ed, LLC

Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha NEW! IRS Disputes: Identifying

Options for Your Client (CL4DIRS)

William Murphy, CPA/PFS, ABV, CFF, CGMA, CVA, Owner, Murphy Financial Group, P.C. Get the confidence and understanding you need to stand up to the Internal Revenue Service. Learn about what may trigger an audit, how to negotiate with the IRS, settle on appeal and qualify for an IRS collection program. Represent your client with confidence and evaluate your client’s best options for dealing with the IRS. Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member

$25 additional for printed materials

Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

OCT. 18 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha NEW! Getting the Tax Aspects of

Business Planning Right From Formation to Termination (TABP)

John N. Sherrick, MA, CPA, Tax Partner, Sitrick & Associates, LLC

This course presents a unique ‘handson’ opportunity to understand the tax aspects of the decision-making process

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

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember

Tax Return Identity Theft (CL4TRF)

Level of knowledge: Beginning

[Seminars] Taxation

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

that a business owner must undertake throughout the life cycle of the business.

The session begins with the class agreeing to a basic set of facts about the business, its products and services, and number of owners. Then, we will proceed through a discussion of key life cycle decisions and their tax-oriented alternatives, beginning with choice of entity and moving through additional key decisions affecting the operation, maturation, and growth of the business. The day culminates with an exercise in which teams of participants will independently negotiate the terms of a sale of the mature business, based upon a final set of facts agreed to by the class as a whole. The most fascinating aspect of this exercise is watching the class react to just how different the final sales terms can be for each team. A highly interactive and participatory way to expand your understanding in this complex area.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 18 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

OCT. 18 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Staybridge Suites Eau Claire-Altoona, Altoona

Hottest Tax Topics for 2017 (HOT)

$30 AICPA member discount

Level of knowledge: Intermediate

art planning ideas and tax-saving strategies to keep more of your client’s money in their pockets. We’ll answer the tough questions and show you what strategies are best for your clients as a result of the most recent tax reform.

CPE credit: 8 credits

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

Developed by: AICPA

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

OCT. 19 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

$30 AICPA member discount

$25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 18

NEW! Real Estate Tax Boot Camp (RETC) John N. Sherrick, MA, CPA, Tax Partner,

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 19 Level of knowledge: Intermediate

Sitrick & Associates, LLC

CPE credit: 8 credits

This course is a "deep dive" into all things real estate tax related for the mid-level practitioner moving into this complex area. You will deepen your understanding of the complex considerations and strategies that individuals must navigate in acquiring, holding, managing, constructing and disposing of real estate. You will leave the course able to navigate critical issues associated with the relevant returns and plan strategically for your company or clients.

Developed by: AICPA

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 19 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits

William Taylor, CPA, President,

Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

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.

OCT. 19 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

Solid tax planning strategies are essential for your corporate and small business clients. Join us as we explore state-of-the-

Benefit Solutions, Ltd.

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

$25 additional for printed materials

NEW! Slashing Taxes for Your Small

Business Clients: Corporations, Partnerships & LLCs (STSB) Jonathan Ingber, CPA, J.D., MST,

Tax Memoranda Preparer, Kwal + Oliva, CPAs

OCT. 20 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha NEW! Reviewing Pass-Through Tax

Returns: What Are You Missing? (RPTR) Jonathan Ingber, CPA, J.D., MST,

Tax Memoranda Preparer, Kwal + Oliva, CPAs

Join us as we discuss the common errors practitioners make on pass through tax returns that are often missed by review staff.

The intent is to sharpen skills for reviewers by examining case studies and discussing issues where additional information from the client may be warranted and areas of tax law where proper treatment requires additional analysis and information. Multiple issues will be discussed, and both partnership and S corporation returns will be covered.

This course follows a highly illustrative case study format to increase participant comprehension and retention.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 20 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

wicpa.org/register

OCT. 20 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha NEW! The Top 10 Tax Topics of 2017 (TTEN)

John N. Sherrick, MA, CPA, Tax Partner, Sitrick & Associates, LLC

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 20 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

OCT. 23 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Staybridge Suites Eau Claire-Altoona, Altoona

Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

OCT. 24 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Nexus Update: Latest Developments in State Income, Franchise & Sales Taxes (NXUP) Jonathan Ingber, CPA, J.D., MST,

Tax Memoranda Preparer, Kwal + Oliva, CPAs

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 would require them to file either state income tax or sales tax returns. This class will teach you the various ways that states define and enforce nexus and determine when your company or client has nexus in a state, thus requiring the filing of tax returns.

$30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 24 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

OCT. 26 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Baker Tilly, Appleton Advisor’s Workshop: Helping Small Business Clients Navigate Health Insurance & Fringe Benefits in 2017

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Curtis Quickel, CPA, Sole Practitioner,

Patrick Kelley, CPA, Sole Practitioner,

$25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 24 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: AICPA

OCT. 24 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

Form 990: Mastering its Unique Characteristics (EO-F990)

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Robert Lyons, CPA, Managing Tax Director, MP&S

$30 AICPA member discount

Explore the tax information and inherent not-for-profit organization issues to be mastered in properly preparing the

$25 additional for printed materials

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

(OBCR)

$30 AICPA member discount

You can conquer the theoretical conundrums and compliance issues caused by the question of whether or not a business has nexus in a particular jurisdiction. Be the one to guide your client skillfully through the maze of multistate corporate tax codes. Rapidly develop a working knowledge of both multistate tax compliance and related planning opportunities. With the rate of change, you can’t afford to be out-of-date with your knowledge of this critical tax area.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

Multistate Income Tax (MIT) Patrick D. Kelley, CPA

current Form 990. This course covers the numerous reporting demands the 990 imposes, including how to respond to the Form’s demands for narrative answers.

Participants will gain an understanding of the tax and practical points essential to appropriate completion of the Form 990 and be guided on advising exempt clients on the form’s complexities and diverse demands.

Curtis Quickel, CPA

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) fundamentally changed the way in which individuals and businesses approach healthcare and even now, several years post-enactment, the changes are still being fully absorbed and understood. Both otherwise uninsured individuals and employers with 50 or more full-time or full-time equivalent employees must be on top of the complicated ACA rules as they apply in 2017 and beyond to avoid potential fines and penalties. Of equal importance is the impact of IRS Notice 2015-17 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% shareholders. This course will focus on the key issues and planning strategies that tax practitioners need to know to advise their clients on ACA compliance and other employer-provided fringe benefits.

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

Join us for our annual expedition through the harbors and swamps on the tax landscape this season. We will uncover the top issues with wide applicability and importance in 2017 and explore the practical implications, potential pitfalls and planning opportunities.

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 23

[Seminars] Taxation

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 26 Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

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

OCT. 27 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay From Hiring to Firing & Everything in Between: Legal, Tax & Health Care Issues (HTOF) Curtis Quickel, CPA, Sole Practitioner, Curtis Quickel, CPA

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.

Updated for coverage of the new U.S. Department of Labor exemption classification and overtime requirements.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 27

NOV. 2 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – noon Staybridge Suites Eau Claire-Altoona, Altoona NEW! Annual Federal Tax Update (CL4PTU2)

Peter Towle, CPA, J.D., LL.M, Sole Practitioner, Peter Towle, CPA

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember

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 and filing matters), business entities (including those regarding S corporations and their shareholders, C corporations and partnerships), retirement plans and more.

$219 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

NOV. 1 | Registration noon Program 12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Northcentral Technical College, Wausau

Level of knowledge: Beginning

Tax Planning Strategies for Small Businesses: Corporations, Partnerships & LLCs (CL4STSB)

CPE credit: 8 credits

Wendy Kravit, CPA, MBA, Sole Proprietor,

Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

NOV. 1 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – noon Northcentral Technical College, Wausau NEW! Annual Federal Tax Update (CL4PTU)

Wendy Kravit, CPA, MBA, Sole Proprietor, Wendy Kravit, CPA

your corporate and small business clients.

Join us as we explore state-of-the-art planning ideas and tax-saving strategies to keep more of your client’s money in their pockets.

We’ll answer the tough questions and show you what strategies are best for your clients as a result of the most recent tax reform.

Wendy Kravit, CPA

NOV. 2 | Registration noon

Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

Staybridge Suites Eau Claire-Altoona, Altoona

Tax Planning Strategies for Small Businesses: Corporations, Partnerships & LLCs (CL4STSB2) Peter Towle, CPA, J.D., LL.M,

Sole Practitioner, Peter Towle, CPA

Solid tax planning strategies are essential for

$25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

NOV. 6 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – noon WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Capitalized Costs & Depreciation: Key Issues & Answers (CL4CCD) Stephen Renberg, CPA, Tax Specialist, Olsen, Hendricks & Company CPAs, P.A.

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.

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: AICPA

NOV. 6 | Registration noon Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha NEW! Mergers & Acquisitions:

Strategies for the Right Tax Structure (CL4MERG)

wicpa.org/register

Stephen Renberg, CPA, Tax Specialist,

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 6

Tax Advisors Update (PTU3)

Help your client or employer determine the most advantageous tax structure for buying or selling a business. There are different strategic options and goals depending on which side of the deal your client is sitting. Become well versed in the ins and outs of taxable versus tax-free transactions, as well as asset sales so that you're equipped to provide sound technical advice to your client. Once you have determined the structuring, you will also need to understand the reporting requirements.

Level of knowledge: Beginning

CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

CPE credit: 8 credits

To maximize tax savings, minimize burdens and avoid misstep, you need real-world action steps you can put into practice. That’s exactly what you get in this federal tax update. Written by top CliftonLarsonAllen experts from across the firm, this popular course delivers a thorough review of recent tax changes, and practical ideas you should employ in response to them. It’s a strategy-packed tax course created by practitioners, for practitioners. Come away with a robust reference manual full of examples, practice aids and tax tables that will save you time during tax season and beyond.

Olsen, Hendricks & Company CPAs, P.A.

$219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 4 credits

NOV. 7 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Madison Determining how Much Money You Need to Retire, Tax Ideas & Money Management in Retirement (DRMM) Diane Lapon, CFP, Founder, Lapon Financial Services

This course gives CPAs knowledge to help their clients implement tax-effective investment and portfolio strategies for successful wealth accumulation and real after-tax retirement income maintenance.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

NOTE: This program is approved for 7.5 CLE credits.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

Developed by: AICPA

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

NOV. 6 | Registration 8 a.m.

$25 additional for printed materials

$25 additional for printed materials

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Madison

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 7

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid 30 days prior to program

Social Security, Medicare & Prescription Drug Retirement Benefits: What Every Boomer Needs to Know Now (SSRB)

Level of knowledge: Intermediate

Level of knowledge: Update

Diane Lapon, CFP, Founder, Lapon Financial Services

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: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials

CPE credit: 8 credits

CPE credit: 8 credits

Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

Developed by: CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

NOV. 8 | Registration 8 a.m.

JAN. 5, 2018 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center, Onalaska

Tax Advisors Update (PTU) Leslie Boyd, CPA, Principal, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

NOV. 29 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

Tax Advisors Update (PTU2) Andy Biebl, CPA, Tax Principal, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

DEC. 7 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay

Tax Advisors Update LIVE Webinar (WMPTU3)

Brian Buwalda, CPA, Tax Principal, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

Herb Hoffman, CPA, Tax Principal, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

To maximize tax savings, minimize burdens and avoid missteps, you need real-world action steps you can put into practice. That’s exactly what you get in this federal tax update.

Written by top CliftonLarsonAllen experts from across the firm, this popular course delivers a thorough review of recent tax changes and practical ideas you should employ in response to them. It’s a strategy-packed tax course created by practitioners, for practitioners. Come away with a robust reference manual full of examples,

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

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember

Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

Dan Greenhagen, J.D., Tax Manager,

[Seminars] Taxation

practice aids and tax tables that will save you time during tax season and beyond.

The Best Individual Income Tax Update Course (BITU)

Level of knowledge: Intermediate

NOTE: This webinar is approved for 7.5 CLE credits.

Rick J. Taylor, CPA, MST, Tax Partner, Wipfli LLP

Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

Fee: $325 member/$375 nonmember Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 8 credits

NOV. 8 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton 96

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

This highly informative course responds to all of the latest tax law developments with a full update on changed requirements and a thorough discussion of the planning opportunities that you need to understand to help your clients respond effectively. You will come away from the course with the upto-date knowledge you need to educate your individual tax clients and implement tax-saving ideas that will serve their ever-evolving needs.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

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

Brian Yacker, CPA, J.D., Professor,

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Mastery of the current Form 990 beyond its Core Form pages requires understanding of the form’s transparency demands relating to multiple complex issues; transactions with certain insiders, expanded disclosure of highly-comp’d 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 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, and how to communicate with exempt clients on each of these schedules’ unique demands.

$25 additional for printed materials

University of California Irvine

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 13 Level of knowledge: Update CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

NOV. 13 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Madison

NEW! Partnership & LLC Core Tax

Issues From Formation Through Liquidation (PLTI) James Vastarelli, CPA, Sole Practitioner, James Vastarelli, CPA

CPE credit: 8 credits

As they gain more experience, staff are expected to take on more complex assignments with minimal supervision.

This course is designed to be a step above a mere preparation seminar, including a deeper study into critical areas of formation, and special allocations of income and deductions. It will also cover, basis calculations and implications of recourse and nonrecourse debt, basis step-up under §754 on transfer of an ownership interest, distributions, self-employment tax issues and termination/liquidation of the LLC.

Developed by: AICPA

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

NOV. 13 | Registration 8 a.m.

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $30 AICPA member discount $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 8 Level of knowledge: Advanced

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay

$25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 13

CPE credit: 8 credits

NOV. 14 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Madison NEW! S Corporation Core Tax

Issues From Formation Through Liquidation (SCTI) James Vastarelli, CPA, Sole Practitioner, James Vastarelli, CPA

As they gain more experience, staff are expected to take on more complex assignments with minimal supervision. This course is designed to assist experienced staff to take the next step by taking a deeper analysis into critical issues affecting present S corporation clients. Discussions using real life examples allow for group analysis, discussion and problem solving. Updated for impacts of the Protecting Americans Against Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 14 Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

DEC. 13 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton Tax Forms Boot Camp: LLCs & Partnerships (TBCL) Edward Harter, CPA, Sole Practitioner, Edward A. Harter, CPA

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.

wicpa.org/register

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Nov. 13 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

DEC. 14 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

(PITR)

Edward Harter, CPA, Sole Practitioner,

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Nov. 14 Level of knowledge: Beginning

Edward A. Harter, CPA

CPE credit: 8 credits

This course trains new staff accountants, data processing employees, paraprofessionals and bookkeepers to prepare a complicated federal individual income tax return. Over the years, thousands of new staff have received practical, hands-on experience to become familiar with tax forms. This course covers the latest tax law changes, making it essential for your new staff.

Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

Edward A. Harter, CPA

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Liquidations may be used as an alternative to the sale of a business or as an adjunct to the sale of business assets. The objective of this course is to fully explore the technical tax and business issues in liquidating C corporations, S corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies. This unique course is essential for anyone planning to sell a business.

$25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Nov. 14 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

DEC. 14 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Madison

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

97

DEC. 15 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha The Complete Guide to Liquidation of Business Entities (CGLB) Edward Harter, CPA, Sole Practitioner,

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Nov. 15

Rick J. Taylor, CPA, MST, Tax Partner, Wipfli LLP

Level of knowledge: Intermediate

The course provides a comprehensive understanding of the preparation of both S corporation and partnership/LLC tax returns, along with the underlying

CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: Surgent McCoy CPE, LLC

ATTENTION! REVIEW YOUR CPE REQUIREMENTS 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 Reporting period: Jan. 1, 2016 – Dec. 31, 2017

WICPA.ORG/CPEREQUIREMENTS

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

Preparing Individual Tax Returns for New Staff & Para-Professionals

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.

This course has been updated for impacts of the Protecting Americans Against Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015.

[Seminars] Technology

TECHNOLOGY OCT. 2 | Registration 8 a.m.

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

Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

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

Advanced Quickbooks Tips & Techniques (AQB-4)

Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP, CGMA, Director

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 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. You’ll also 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.

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. In this seminar, you’ll learn how to take advantage of many of QuickBooks’ new and advanced features to solve important issues. For example, you’ll learn advanced inventory management techniques, 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 real-time to underlying QuickBooks data files and how to create multi-company financial statements. Additionally, you’ll learn 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.

of Strategic Relationships, K2 Enterprises

98

OCT. 2 | Registration noon

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

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 PowerPivot, to streamline and automate many of the manual processes associated with building Excel-based reports. If you generate financial or operational reports in Excel, you can’t afford to miss this program.

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Advanced CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: K2 Enterprises

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials

said repeatedly, “One day, I’ll learn how to write macros.” Well, that time has arrived because this program will introduce you to the wide world of macros and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) in Excel.

Designed for those with little, if any, experience working with macros, this course will teach the fundamentals of creating and working with macros in Excel.

More specifically, you’ll learn how to use Excel’s Macro Recorder to write simple, yet effective, macros, how to secure and share macros with other Excel users, how to create user-defined functions to solve specific accountant-centric problems in Excel and how to create macros that run automatically when a user opens a workbook. You’ll also learn the basics of VBA, including many necessary elements to write macros that can make you and your team more effective and productive with Excel. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn how to begin working with macros — one of Excel’s most powerful tools.

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: K2 Enterprises

Developed by: K2 Enterprises

OCT. 3 | Registration noon Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

OCT. 3 | Registration 8 a.m.

Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP, CGMA, Director

Level of knowledge: Advanced CPE credit: 4 credits

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

Introduction to Excel Macros (EXM-4) Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP, CGMA, Director of Strategic Relationships, K2 Enterprises

You have used Excel for years and Lotus prior to that. During this time, you have

Technology Update (TUP-4) of Strategic Relationships, K2 Enterprises

Are you ready to learn about the latest trends in technology? Do you sometimes feel lost in the technology jungle?

Would you like clear guidance regarding Windows, Office, the cloud, security and other technology related issues? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then make plans now to invest in this

wicpa.org/register

and uncertainty in your budgeting and forecasting models and why doing so is a best practice for more meaningful budgets and forecasts. If you’re involved in budgeting and forecasting activities, you don't want to miss this opportunity to learn how to reduce the amount of time you spend on these tasks while simultaneously increasing their value.

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember

Level of knowledge: Intermediate

$219 unemployed/part-time/retired member

CPE credit: 8 credits

$25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 4 credits

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Sept. 4

Developed by: K2 Enterprises

OCT. 31 | Registration 8 a.m.

Developed by: K2 Enterprises

Program 8:30 a.m. – noon Staybridge Suites Eau Claire-Altoona, Altoona

OCT. 4 | Registration 8 a.m.

NEW! Advanced PivotTables

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

Budgeting & Forecasting Tools & Techniques (BFT) Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP, CGMA, Director of Strategic Relationships, K2 Enterprises

Are your budgeting and forecasting processes working as well for you as they should? Probably not, as many organizations report that budgeting and forecasting activities consume tremendous amounts of time and yield only marginal benefits. In this course, you’ll learn how to achieve a greater return on your budgeting and forecasting activities by taking advantage of various tools and techniques available in today’s market. In addition to learning about how to use Excel more effectively for budgeting and forecasting activities, you’ll also learn about other tools, such as Budget Maestro, PROPHIX and Host Analytics, and how reducing your dependency on Excel can lead to better results. Additionally, you’ll learn how to account for risk

Including PowerPivot (APT-4)

Steve Yoss, CPA, Associate, K2 Enterprises PivotTables are Excel’s most powerful feature, and if you’re looking to raise your game with PivotTables, then you should plan to participate in this session that will surely elevate your skills.

Designed for those who already work extensively with PivotTables, this program shows how you can do even more with PivotTables to summarize, report and analyze potentially very large volumes of data. In this program, you’ll learn how to build PivotTables from Data Models and how to leverage PowerPivot to take advantage of even more advanced features and functions, such as Data Analysis Expressions, Key Performance Indicators, Hierarchies, Dimensions and OLAP reporting. If you currently use PivotTables on a regular basis and want to take advantage of the powerful advanced features available in this tool, then sign up today for this program.

This program is taught at an advanced level; other, more fundamental coverage of PivotTables is offered in K2’s Excel

PivotTables for Accountants seminar. Many concepts taught in this course depend upon access to PowerPivot, available only in the premium editions of Excel 2013 and Excel 2016.

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Advanced CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: K2 Enterprises

OCT. 31 | Registration noon Program 12:30 – 4 p.m.

Staybridge Suites Eau Claire-Altoona, Altoona Top PDF Features You Should Know (TPF-4)

Steve Yoss, CPA, Associate, K2 Enterprises Stop struggling with PDFs! Using Adobe Acrobat and other PDF tools provides access to a number of features which make working with these common files a breeze. In this course, you’ll learn how to use tools and features such as PDF forms, redaction, converting PDFs to Word and Excel files, electronic signatures, creating and applying tick marks, building indices and catalogs, portfolios and securing PDF documents to their fullest in order to work more effectively and efficiently with PDF documents. The popularity and usefulness of PDFs increases daily, but most PDF users haven't learned how to manipulate PDF documents effectively.

Accordingly, they struggle and strain with these very common files. You don't need to let this be the case. Join us in this very timely program where you’ll learn the top features necessary to optimize your work with PDF documents.

Fee: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Intermediate CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: K2 Enterprises

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

fast-paced and highly informative seminar that is sure to ramp up your return on technology investment. The technology tools available to businesses have never been better, but many are not taking full advantage of these tools. This course helps professionals at all levels understand the major trends in hardware, software and services and how to utilize these tools to meet organizational objectives both efficiently and effectively. More than just a seminar on the latest computers, you’ll learn about the full spectrum of practical technology available to you and your team and how to implement these tools for maximum impact.

[Seminars] Technology

NOV. 1 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Staybridge Suites Eau Claire-Altoona, Altoona NEW! Business Intelligence

Featuring Microsoft’s Power BI Tools (BIF) Steve Yoss, CPA, Associate, K2 Enterprises

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

In today’s business climate, Business Intelligence (BI) is perhaps the hottest topic in most professional circles.

Increasingly, organizations of all sizes are seeking to take advantage of the data that is available to them to identify previously undiscovered insights and gain competitive advantages thought to be out-of-reach just a few short years ago. A growing array of tools ranging from Excel add-ins to dedicated solutions, such as Power BI, now allow you to leverage your existing knowledge and skills to create powerful, interactive dashboards and analyses unthinkable until recently. In this program, you’ll learn how to implement “do it yourself business intelligence” using a variety of techniques and tools.

You’ll learn how to work with some of the advanced data query and summarization features in Excel to create Excel-based dashboards. You’ll also learn how to leverage that knowledge to build more powerful BI objects using Microsoft’s Power BI tools. If gaining greater insights into your data to make better decisions is of interest to you, then join us for a fastpaced look at how you can take advantage of these fantastic tools.

NEW! Office 365: Unleash the

Power in Your Organization (O311L) Bryan Smith, CPA, CITP, CISA, Virtual CIO, CPA Crossings One of the biggest trends in business information technology these days is the deployment of Microsoft’s Office 365 suite of desktop and cloud based applications.

Any organization that uses Microsoft Office needs to understand the compelling value proposition of the Office 365 ecosystem. The real value of Office 365 is everything it has to offer beyond the traditional MS Office suite of applications.

Office 365 will do for communication, collaboration and information sharing what spreadsheet software did for columnar work papers. This course will provide you with a practical guide for deploying Office 365 in your organization to maximize your return on investment and increase your productivity with everyday business documents and communications. Attending this course will pay big dividends by helping you develop the optimal Office 365 deployment strategy for your organization and avoid common mistakes that can result in unintended consequences. This isn’t a hands-on course. But to get the most out of the presentation, we recommend that you bring your laptop to follow along with the instructor.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember

$25 additional for printed materials

$369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 1

$25 additional for printed materials

Level of knowledge: Beginning

$50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Oct. 1

CPE credit: 8 credits

Level of knowledge: Advanced CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: K2 Enterprises

NOV. 1 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha

Developed by: CPA Crossings

NOV. 2 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – noon WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Cybersecurity: Securing Your Data & Devices in an Online World (TE041L) Bryan Smith, CPA, CITP, CISA, Virtual CIO, CPA Crossings

Regardless of your computer experience, this class will help you become more aware of technology-related risks and what you can do to protect yourself and your organization from them. This course will help you to understand security compliance considerations, social engineering, malware and various other data security-related concepts. We will 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: $269 member/$319 nonmember $219 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 4 credits Developed by: CPA Crossings

DEC. 7 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Advanced Excel (ADE) Steven Phelan, CPA, CITP, Associate, K2 Enterprises

If you’re an experienced Excel user seeking to elevate your skills, join the K2 team for this course. In this laptop-friendly program, you’ll learn critical advanced Excel skills in six key areas, 1) collaborating with other users and securing workbooks, 2) using tables to analyze and report data, 3) integrating and manipulating data from external sources, 4) creating and auditing complex formulas, 5) advanced data analysis tools, and 6) visualization techniques to analyze and communicate information.

The content of this course draws from over 25 years of experience in delivering Excel training to accountants and other business professionals and throughout the program, relevant, real-world examples reinforce the major topics presented. This course covers advanced Excel topics found in Excel 2007 through Excel 2016.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member

wicpa.org/register

$25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Nov. 7 Level of knowledge: Advanced CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: K2 Enterprises

DEC. 8 | Registration 8 a.m.

Program 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

WICPA Professional Development Center, Waukesha Technology for CPAs: Don’t Get Left Behind (TEC) K2 Enterprises

How good are you with the technology you use daily? What new technology tools are available that could save you time and make you more effective?

demonstrations of practical applications of the latest tools which can provide you with knowledge you need to harness the power of technology, both now and in the future.

Fee: $419 member/$469 nonmember $369 unemployed/part-time/retired member $25 additional for printed materials $50 early bird discount if registered and paid by Nov. 8 Level of knowledge: Beginning CPE credit: 8 credits Developed by: K2 Enterprises

Take the

MYSTERY

out of your member profile!

UPDATE

your profile and stay connected.

Log onto wicpa.org/memberprofile with your WICPA username and password.

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

Steven Phelan, CPA, CITP, Associate,

Technology continues to accelerate rapidly and the need to keep pace is important.

If you're not an information technology (IT) expert, but need a technology update to maintain and improve your skills so that you can serve your companies and/ or clients more efficiently and effectively, then this course is for you! In this fastpaced, update-style course, you’ll survey today’s IT environment, and learn about computer hardware, software (including Office 2016), operating systems (including Windows 10) and what they mean for you and peripheral devices. You’ll also learn about significant trends in information technology and how to take advantage of the opportunities presented by these trends. Examples include the latest Excel features, working with PDF files and security and privacy issues. Throughout this program, you’ll learn from real-time

ATTENTION! REVIEW YOUR CPE REQUIREMENTS

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

• 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. What is the current reporting period?

A. The 2-year reporting period is Jan. 1, 2016-Dec. 31, 2017.

Q. What is the 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.

Q. What learning activities count toward CPE? A. Creditable CPE activities continue to include attending, listening to or presenting inperson 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, serving on boards, committees and task forces, participating in mentor or coaching programs, watching videos and listening to podcasts.

Q. How are informal learning activities calculated and reported for CPE credit?

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. How do I register for a continuing professional education program?

A. There are three easy ways to register: online, fax, or mail. An email, phone number, and full payment must accompany all registrations. MasterCard, Visa, and American Express are accepted.

• Search the catalog and register online using our secure website wicpa.org/register • Download a printable form

Fax to: 262-785-0838 Mail to: WICPA W233N2080 Ridgeview Pkwy Suite 201 Waukesha, WI 53188 Q. Is there any advantage to registering early?

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!

A. To receive the early bird pricing of $50 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 $50, 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.

Cancellations or program transfer requests received between 13-7 days prior to the presentation date will be subject to a cancellation fee of 50% per person, per program. No refund or program transfer request will be granted for cancellations

Q. Can I send a substitute?

A. Yes. Your registration can be transferred to another person if you are unable to attend a program.

CPE credit will be given to the person who attends the program.

Substitutions may be handled at registration the day of the program.

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 will 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 on 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.

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

Q. How does the early bird discount work?

less than seven days of the program presentation. Substitute registrants are allowed. 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.

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

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

The missing piece of your marketing puzzle.

WICPA Sponsorships wicpa.org/sponsor

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

Visit wicpa.org/speakers to sign up.

(262) 814-1600

COLLABORATION.

PLANNING FOR LIFE. PROVIDING PEACE OF MIND.

We collaborate with you to solve your clients' most pressing financial planning and retirement issues.

In doing so, we help deepen your client relationships and broaden the scope of your practice. Call 262-814-1600 today to learn more and to see the client collaboration portal that is opening doors for other CPAs. Shakespeare offers the following CE courses within your office: Financial Planning for CPAs | 1040 Planning Opportunities | Tax Planning with Investments Call 262-814-1600 to book this workshop for your office.

AFF

info@ShakespeareWM.com

I N I T Y PA R T N E R

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

The CPE publication for accounting and business professionals

Milwaukee, WI Permit No. 5845

Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants W233N2080 Ridgeview Parkway, Suite 201 Waukesha, WI 53188 wicpa.org

NEW PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE PROGRAM EXCLUSIVELY FOR WICPA MEMBERS You’ve worked hard to get where you are—don’t risk losing it all.

Pearl Insurance has become an affinity partner with the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants (WICPA) to bring you Accountants Professional Liability Insurance protection.

As a WICPA member, you qualify for premium discounts and valuable coverage enhancements, including: > Risk management discounts from 5%-7.5% > Privacy and information security coverage of $25K > Moonlighting coverage for equity partners > Extended Reporting Period (“Tail” coverage) available for equity partners > Additional coverage for IRS section 7216 defense > Full waiver of deductible for early claims resolution > Longevity credit for continuous WICPA membership starting at 3 years > And many more coverage benefits only available in Wisconsin to WICPA member firms Even the best accounting professionals find themselves the subjects of a lawsuit—let Pearl Insurance help protect you.

1200 E. Glen Ave., Peoria Heights, IL 61616-5348 pearlinsurance.com

> General Star National Insurance Company is licensed in all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. General Star National Insurance Company has its principal place of business in Stamford, CT and operates under NAIC Number 0031-11967. Insurance is placed with the General Star companies by licensed producers.

For more information, contact Robin Smith: 800.438.6173 | robin.smith@pearlinsurance.com | pearlinsurance.com/WICPA 172410-WICPA-PLA-MAG-PAD