Education Seminar Topics

Gear Up Accounting Seminar

Gear Up  Technology Seminar

QuickBooks Premiere  Accountants Edition

QuickBooks Fundamentals

Gear Up Corporation/Partnership Seminar

Financial Planning Seminar

Gear Up Individual Tax Seminar

Gear Up Fiduciary Tax Seminar

Gear Up Practice Management Seminar

Gear Up Not For Profit Seminar

Yellow Book Seminar

IRS Audits, Appeals and Collections

Mini Seminar

Maryland CPA Ethics  Seminar

Payroll Update Seminar 

Express  Seminars  

Enrolled Agent Ethics Seminar

Virginia CPA Ethics Seminar

Peer Review

2008 brings dramatic changes in the operation of the typical accounting practice.  This is the year you must attend!!  The one day course on September 23, 2008 addresses many of the same topics, but not in as much depth.  It will exclude from discussion, peer review, financial statement disclosures, and the preparation of statements and nonprofit organizations.

Topics

Compilation and Review: Find out how the standards, including SSARS #17, change the tone of the main street accountant's practice: redefining compilations, redefining reviews, changing the meaning of "third parties", expanding the need for analytical procedures, emphasizing the focus on fraudulent activity, and evaluating those responsible for governance.

Peer Review: The new standards, new language, new approach, and new ratings.  Find out what you need to do to make sure you are doing the right things.

Nonprofits: Learn the differences between nonprofit and for-profit financial statements

Updates: the latest in FASB.  You will learn which auditing standards apply to the issue of compilations and reviews.

General Topics: The Statement of Cash Flows, Forecasts and Projections, Selecting the Appropriate Accountant's Reports, Financial Statement Disclosures - these subjects and more will be part of this year's enhanced accounting course.

Yellow Book Accounting and Audit Seminar
presented by Dr George E. Nogler
8 CPE

This session will address the requirements of GAGAS-Generally Accepted Governmental Auditing Standards - as specified in the Government Accountability Office's Yellow Book.  The review will include CPE requirements for performing governmental audits, when a Yellow Book audit is required, the the standards governing the process.  All three levels of Financial Audits, Attestation Engagements and Performance Audits will be addressed.  Particular emphasis will be placed on the recent changes in Yellow Book Standards in July, 2007.  Case studies will be used to illustrate concepts throughout.

IRS Audits and Appeals and Collections Seminar
presented by Gear Up 
8 CPE

This highly interactive course will be a collective brain storming session in which we will share various strategies to success.  There is more than one way to succeed with the IRS and we will discuss various options.  If you are new to the field of IRS "controversy" work, welcome.  You will learn a great deal.

Topics

• IRS Basics, including use of the Power of Attorney, CAF, Freedom of Information Act, and the IRS e-services

• Examination: Office Audit, Field Examination and Employment Tax Audits

• Appeals: When to proceed to appeals and how to resolve the case so that everyone is satisfied

• Collection Matters: Collection Due Process, Installment Agreements and Offers in Compromise

Auditing Nonprofit Seminar
presented by Gear Up 
16 CPE

Don't be afraid of the new standards!  We will make these standards understandable and easy to implement.  Learn about nonprofit auditing and take advantage of the opportunity to increase your audit business.

Topics

• Hear about the new changes in SASs

• Hear about the new changes in Yellow Book

• Learn how to efficiently implement both of the above

• Learn how to efficiently plan an audit

Attend this new seminar to learn how to maintain control over security and privacy while maximizing productivity and efficiency through the proper use of technology.

• Ways to solve the Vista dilemma

• Software essentials for your practice

• Finding hidden productivity boosters in your existing software

• Little known ways to use the internet to increase productivity and profitability.

• The best new hardware and software

• Great tech gadgets every accountant should have

• Managing information overload from email, paper and electronic files

• Tricks and techniques to get the most out of Microsoft Office and Adobe programs

Quickbooks Fundamentals
presented by RealWorld
8 CPE

In just one day the attendee will be guided through the complexities of this powerful program's operation and will learn how to use Quickbooks to more efficiently track the progress of a business.  This course is most suitable for the Accountant/Tax Preparer who is new to Quickbooks or their clients who wish to gain a better, in-depth knowledge of the software operation.  Attendees are invited to ask questions throughout the day.

The Quickbooks 2008 family of accounting products (Simple Start, Pro and Premier) has been completely rewritten to improve both capacity and performance and sports an all new look.  Will you be ready to assist your existing QuickBooks clients (and attract new ones) with this all new program?

This seminar will cover important changes made by Congress and the IRS, including a review of recent court decisions.  The fiduciary income and estate tax issues will be reviewed including a complete analysis of Form 1041, US Income Tax Return for Estates.  We will also review new changes in the tax laws as they relate to Form 1041.

Topics

• A quick look at the decedent's final return and how to allocate income

• What a tax practitioner needs to know about probate

• What can and cannot be deducted on Form 1041

• How to calculate the income distribution deduction

• Fiduciary accounting

• Proper handling of depreciation and rental losses

• When you can (or must) distribute capital gains to the beneficiaries

 This seminar will study the life cycle of the client form the years leading up to retirement through their death, including issues of employment, government benefits, health care and insurance.

Topics

• Asset protection and reverse mortgages

• Estate planning for elder clients

• Planning for incapacity

• Retirement and Social Security benefit options, and when to choose early retirement

• Society Security survivor, dependent and death benefits

• Long-term care insurance and funding assisted living

• Health care directives, representative payees, trusts, wills

This course explores the decisions required in handling your clients' estates and trusts from beginning to close, including tax elections, allocating assets to beneficiaries, and filing the final forms.  We will analyze Form 1041, US Income Tax Return for Estates and Trusts, and Form 706, Estate Tax Return, as well as all the new changes in the tax laws.

Topics

• Important changes by Congress and the IRS, including recent court decisions

• Properly calculate and report the estate tax deduction on income in respect of a decedent

• Why making a distribution form an estate or trust can cause significant tax liabilities.

• The proper way to conclude affairs of an estate or trust

• Generation skipping issues

• Special planning trusts, including special needs and insurance

This course will provide a review of new tax laws, court cases, IRS rulings and other developments.  We will explore C Corporations, S Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, General Partnerships and Limited Partnerships including family Limited Partnerships. 

One Day - Topics

• Important issues, planning opportunities and techniques essential to providing service to all business clients

• LLC's and Partnerships

• LLCs - "the chameleon" - making it work for your clients

• Section 754 election and basis "step up"

• Debt basis for partners and LLC members

• Pricier penalties for late filing

• S Corporations

• Shareholder debt-proposed regulations bring gain recognition

• New penalties for tardy taxpayers

• Much Much more......

In addition to the topics presented in the 1-day course, 2-day course will cover:

• LLCs and partnerships

• Know the loss limit hurdles

• Distributions to owners- current and liquidating

• LLC members and the quagmire of self-employment tax

• Unreimbursed partner expenses - how to protect the deduction

• S Corporations

• The S Corporation election further simplified

• Clarified rules on basis reductions for charitable contributions

• Professional practices - the threat of built-in-gain

• Much more...

This seminar will focus on SEP-IRA, Simple-IRA, 401(k), and SARSEPs, 403(b), Defined Contribution, Defined Benefit and Non-Qualified retirement plans.  Case studies will be discussed with possible ramifications of each type of plan.

This seminar will focus on life insurance, health insurance and annuities.

Topics

Life Insurance

• Types of life insurance and their appropriate use

• Funding and taxation

• Life insurance trusts

• Business use including key person

• By/Sell and succession planning

• Compensation planning

• Estate planning

• Individual needs analysis

Health Insurance

• Current industry issues

• Group plans

• Self employed and small business

• Individual plans

• Medicare and Supplemental Plans

Annuities

• Types of annuities included variable annuities and internal cost considerations

• Retirement planning

• Consideration of annuities inside retirement plans and IRAs

• Immediate annuities funding other insurance premiums

• Taxation

This seminar will focus on many of the issues that accountants need to address when deciding to offer financial services in their existing practice.  Everything from investments, insurance and securities licensing to practice management, fee and commission, compensation structures will be discussed

This seminar will cover some of the major topics facing the Baby Boomers.  In 2008 the Baby Boomer generation consists of those between the ages of 44 and 62.  The goal of this program is to provide an experience that will enable the attendee to be sensitive to these issues and to provide information that deepens the relationship between client and accountant.

Make more...work less... have fun doing it.  This course is designed to teach you the ten secrets to a successful tax and accounting practice.  You will develop the relationships with clients and your team so that you can build a firm that has value whether you decide to work or sell it.

Topics

• Develop a vision and mission for your firm

• Customer pricing, retention and relationships

• Innovative marketing and sales strategies

• Developing strategic alliances

• Establish systems and procedures for the practice and develop key indicators to monitor the business

Last minute legislation in 2007, tax rebate legislation in 2008 and more is expected to come.  We will bring you up-to-date on all the changes and give you the essential planning tips and tools to navigate through the changes as well as provide a comprehensive review of the complexities of Form 1040.

Topics

• Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 and new 2008 tax legislation
• Provisions of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007
• Reporting foreclosures of residences and other real estate
• Re-calculating the Recovery Rebates for 2008
• Additional guidance on avoiding preparer penalties
• Increased Section 179 deductions and bonus depreciation
• Passive activity losses for real estate professionals
• Using the 0% capital gain rate
• Discussion on the implications of the expanded "Kiddie Tax"
• Anticipated AMT revisions 

This course is an overview of the payroll and 1099 reporting requirements and will provide a comprehensive reference manual for preparing W-2s and 1099's. 

Topics

• Changes in Federal and Maryland Forms

• Changes to Federal and Maryland Reporting Requirements

• Changes to Federal and Maryland Reporting Procedures

• new Federal and Maryland Forms (if any)

Arm yourself with the tools you need to get ready for and successfully survive Peer Review.  Strategies and tactics of preparing for and completing a successful Peer Review.

Topics

• Provide a clear explanation of the process of peer review

• Provide the forms required for peer review

• Review step by step instructions on preparing the required documentation

This course is a comprehensive two-hour program that satisfies the Virginia State Board of Accountancy ethics requirements, helping Certified Public Accountants to educate themselves in the ethics of the profession.

This course is a four-hour program that satisfies the Maryland State Board of Public Accountancy's ethics requirements.  The speaker will help certified public accountants to educate themselves in the ethics of the profession, specifically the Rules of Professional Conduct.

Contingency Planning Seminar
  presented by Tom Fargo, CPA
 4 CPE

The seminar will focus on the unplanned, unexpected situations that every business owner may face.  Participants will discuss ways to respond to a serious incident that could prevent if from continuing normal operations if at all in a minimum of time, with a minimum of disruption and cost.  We will view plans from the perspectives of single and multi owner businesses.  The role insurance, buy/sell and other types of agreements, lawyers and other professional advisors play in preparing for anticipated but unplanned, unexpected situations will be discussed.

Participants may not leave with a definitive contingency plan, but they will be provoked to think about unexpected and potentially catastrophic situations and given a foundation to begin preparing for that contingency.

HSAs and HRAs Seminar
  presented by Dana Brunn
 2 CPE

Health care costs driving you and your clients crazy?  At this seminar you will learn about tax saving strategies for small to mid-size businesses who are facing huge health care increases.  The government offers many options to help offset the cost of health care for individuals who are struggling and looking for health care alternatives.

Social Security and Medicare Seminar
  presented by Ron Waltijer
 4 CPE

Two-thirds of retirees receive more than half of their retirement income from Society Security.  This seminar will take an in-depth look at Social Security strategies for self employed and examine the tax moves that can be used to control Social Security taxes on a lifetime basis.  Ron's 20 years as an expert on Social Security will give attendees new insights on this crucial retirement benefit.

Social Security Seminar
  presented by Charles Liptz
 2 CPE

This course will provide the accountant detailed knowledge about the inner workings of the Social Security Administration and how to guide their client through the never ending paperwork.

Topics

• What's new at Social Security

• How to get assistance

• Registration Process

• E-file options

• What is SSNVS?

• Case Study

E-Services Seminar
  presented by Internal Revenue Service
 2 CPE

The seminar will cover:

• Requirements to register

• How to register

• Once registered, the way to start using

• Things that can be done and how to do them

**The Maryland Society of Accountants, Inc. registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors.  State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit.  Complaints regarding sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37219-2417.  Website: www.nasba.org.