Day 1

Keynote Speakers
Rick Davis
Angie Grissom, President, The Rainmaker Companies
Christopher Marston, Esq.

Rock Band or Garage Band? Is your business performance filling stadiums or making neighbors call the police? (1 MAP, 2 TAX CPE)
Many accounting firms consider themselves to be high performing, but they may have the wrong standard of performance in mind. Every successful leader must ask the crucial question, “Am I leading sustainability in my firm?” Leaders often think their contribution to firm growth is working more hours- performing in a garage band. But working IN the business isn’t working ON the business. If you want to learn how to create a rock band you must learn to recognize the key roles and contributions of your band members/team members. Then you can identify your firm’s unique sound and hone that to success.

Speaker: Angie Grissom, President, The Rainmaker Companies

Identity Theft – Who Is You Today? (SK CPE)
Armando D’Accordo, President, CMIT Solutions of South Nassau

Identity theft is the #1 reported crime in America, attend this session to learn how to avoid it happening to you. We will cover tactics that will help your personal identity, and your business confidential information as well. Don’t wait until it’s too late… Unless you don’t mind having a new name and paying for other peoples goods and services.

2014 Labor and Employment Law Updates – Lots of Changes and Lots to Know! (TAX CPE) (CLE)
Glenn J. Franklin, Esq. & Yasmine Y. Patel

This program will provide you with updates and new developments in wage and hour laws and discrimination laws, both local and federal. Specific topics will include the New York City Paid Sick Leave law, recent changes to the New York State unemployment insurance law, and severance agreements.

The Latest Residency Audit Rules: What You Need to Know (TAX CPE) (CLE)
Karen J. Tenenbaum, Esq., LL.M. (Taxation), CPA; Yvonne R. Cort, Esq.; Brad J. Polizzano, Esq., LL.M. (Taxation)

With recent changes to the law and updated guidelines, practitioners need to know how best to advise clients who are either currently undergoing a residency audit or may have one in the future. This informative interactive panel will explain these updates, as well as offer helpful practice tips related to domicile and statutory residency, including permanent place of abode and the 183 day rule.

If you ever had a client who owned multiple homes or a client who had a residency audit, you won’t want to miss this session.

What's New for Accountants from Intuit (MAP CPE)
MB Raimondi, CPA, CITP, MS (TAX)

In this session, MaryBeth Raimondi will walk you through Intuit's latest releases for accounting professionals and their small business clients.

Financial Statement Fraud - What We See In Our Financial Statements; and What Should We See (A & A CPE)
Frank A. Gallo, CPA

We will review various financial statement frauds and misstatements and relate them to the accounting and auditing procedures we should be performing. We will review the procedures used to evaluate fraud, misstatements and errors. We will also review various real life situations and determine how they could have been avoided using the proper procedures.

Plan Design for the Closely Held Business (TAX CPE) (CFP-RP)
Stephen Abramson, CPC, CLU, ChFC

This session focuses on the common goal of small companies to design their retirement plans to provide maximum benefits for the owners and key employees with benefits to the rank and file that are necessary to satisfy the various nondiscrimination rules. We will consider the most basic plan design up to and including, creative plan design, two plan combinations; each of which focusing on a specific group of employees, and all the rules available to accomplish the stated goal above.

Divorce Doesn’t Have To Be Taxing (CFP-IC) (CLE)
Ivy H. Menchel, CFP®, CDFA™, Andrea Vacca, Esq.

Your clients are getting divorced and as their trusted advisor they turn to you for guidance...now what? This program will provide you with new and creative approaches to help minimize the financial and emotional impact on your clients and their businesses, and just as importantly, on you and your practice.

NCCPAP Membership Has Its Privileges (1 SK CPE)
Robert N. Brown, CPA and Sandra G. Johnson, CPA

This program will go over what the National Conference of CPA Practitioners (NcCPAp) as an organization has to offer. We will discuss how we as members help one another and our clients, as well as a host of valuable benefits that are available to our members.

When you are a member of NcCPAp, you never have to work alone.

Foreign Bank Accounts and Form 8938 (1 TAX CPE) (CLE) (CE G1U2N-T-00074-14-I)
Robert S. Barnett, CPA, Esq.

The new Streamlined Procedures present opportunities for Clients to get current on their foreign reporting. This presentation will feature a discussion of the foreign reporting requirements from Thomas Bishop, Special Agent in Charge at IRS Criminal Investigation Division. Accountant’s liability and Circular 230 requirements will be included.

Creating A Culture Of Ownership In Your Company (1 SK CPE)
Randi Busse, Workforce Development Group, Inc.

Do your employees care about your business like you do? Are they thinking and acting like owners, or are they thinking and acting like “renters”? Attend this program to learn how to engage your employees which will translate into a better client experience.

Branding Your Firm & Managing Your Online Presence with Web Builder CS (1 MAP CPE)
Christina Wiseman, Product Manager, Thomson Reuters

Join us for lunch, and discussion about the Do’s and Don’t’s of websites for tax and accounting firms. Why you should have a website, why it shouldn’t just be an electronic static billboard, what’s its purpose (for prospects, for existing clients, for your firm), having a “website champion”, and what options are available. Don’t be paralyzed by the choices – get something up-to-date going, then continue to update it – your website should be a living, breathing extension of your firm!

NYS Prudent Management of Institution Funds Act (1 TAX CPE)
James Sheehan, Bureau Chief, NYS Office of the Attorney General, Charities Bureau

The 2010 New York Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (NYPMIFA) governs the management and investment of endowment funds-funds which cannot be spent on a current basis because of donor restrictions.

This presentation will review the requirements for institutions and the protections for donors provided in this statute, including notice requirements to donors of certain spending plans, accounting and disclosure treatment of restricted funds, limitations and required approvals on use of endowment principal and income, and the applicability of the Act to religious and educational corporations.

Perspectives on Employment Law 2014 (1 TAX CPE) (1 CLE)
Judge Ruth B. Kraft

The presentation will focus on classification of employment status with respect to covered employment versus independent contractor status as well as exempt versus non-exempt standing. Comparison of Internal Revenue Code standards with New York State administrative interpretations will be undertaken together with an exposition of the burden of proof, applicable due process standards and audit preparation. Additionally, judicial interpretation of independent contractor agreements with respect to indicia of employment and their interpretation by the courts will be discussed.

1040 Update Part 1 (TAX CPE) (CE G1U2N-U-00002-12-O)
Robert Katz, J.D., LL.M, and Neil Katz, J.D., LL.M, CPA

Course repeats at 2041

This presentation will focus on the tax law changes that affect the preparation of the 2014 Form 1040. In addition, there will be a discussion of the latest cases, rulings and regulations that affect the preparation of the 2014 Federal Income Tax Return.

Cost Segregation & The New Tangible Property Regulations (TAX CPE) (CLE)
Eric P. Christenson, Associate, Cost Segregation Services, Inc.

The new Tangible Property Regulations will have a tremendous economical impact on clients that own and improve commercial real estate. This presentation will help make Tax Professional aware of the issues and timelines that concern them and their clients. It will illustrate the importance of researching these issues, identifying impacted clients, and when applicable, partnering with a Cost Segregation Company to assist them in accurately performing asset valuation and cost segregation studies.

Coping With Tax Levies, IRS Liens & NYS Warrants (TAX CPE) (CLE)
Karen J. Tenenbaum, Esq., LL.M. (Taxation), CPA, Yvonne R. Cort, Esq. and Brad J. Polizzano, Esq., LL.M. (Taxation)

When the IRS files a lien or NYS files a warrant, the effects can be more far reaching than the taxpayer realizes. IRS and NYS levies can completely disrupt the taxpayer’s business or personal life and can cause serious damage to the taxpayer’s finances – and even his or her reputation. Find out more about these tools and when the government implements them.

The seminar will also discuss subordination, discharge, release and withdrawal of IRS liens, and similar remedies for NYS warrants.

Projecting the Intuit World of Tomorrow (MAP CPE)
James N. Filicetti, CPA

The time is now to discover “Projecting the Intuit World of Tomorrow”. This interactive course will show how you can build a premier INTUIT hosted workflow solution for you and your Tax & Accounting firm. Take a look at the NEW QuickBooks Online, Intuit Tax Online, Lacerte and Proseries improvements to make your practice ready for the next busy season.

Accounting & Auditing Update (A & A CPE)
Alexander K. Buchholz, CPA, MBA

Learn about recent and upcoming accounting and auditing developments. In this session, you will take a deeper dive into new and proposed accounting and auditing standards. Topics include proposed lease accounting and other important accounting standards; new revisions to the COSO framework; revisions to Circular OMB A-133 audits; recent standards from the PCC; proposed changes to the Independent Auditors’ Report based on comments from the PCAOB.

Asset vs. Stock Sale: A Practical Workshop (TAX CPE) (CFP-INV) (CLE) (CE G1U2N-T-00075-14-I)
Renato D. Matos, Esq. & Robert Barnett, Esq., CPA,

This lecture will provide a practical overview of the tax consequences to sellers and purchasers in asset versus stock sale transactions, including the effect of Section 338 elections on stock sales.

The Affordable Care Act and Employer Compliance Update (TAX CPE) (CE G1U2N-U-00076-14-I)
Keith Zuckerman, President, Professional Group Plans, Inc.

During the program, you will learn about the latest developments on health care reform and what you need to advise your clients on in regard to compliance of this law. Hear from the largest distributor of Health Insurance in the region on what they are advising their clients in regard to Healthcare and ERISA compliance.

1040 Update Part 2 (TAX CPE) (CE G1U2N-U-00003-12-I)
Robert Katz, J.D., LL.M, and Neil Katz, J.D., LL.M, CPA

Course repeats at 2051

This is a continuation of Course 1041

New York State Tax Update (TAX CPE) (CFP-ITP) (CLE)
Mark S. Klein, Esq., William J. Comiskey, Esq.

Course repeats at 2011

New York has completely revamped its corporate tax scheme, and made significant changes to its estate tax. This seminar will cover these breaking developments, as well as new decisions, rulings, and administrative releases affecting New York's personal income and sales and use taxes. The impact of recent Tax Department enforcement initiatives will also be discussed.

Elder Care Advocacy and the Medicaid Application Process (TAX CPE) (CLE)
Stuart H. Schoenfeld, Esq.

Applying for Medicaid benefits begins with an effective strategy to protect and preserve the family’s resources. Using case studies, this program will highlight the intersection between tax planning and effective elder care plan design. We will examine the 2014 changes to New York estate tax laws and their impact on elder care planning as well as recent changes to Medicaid laws.

M & A Update: What are the Trends & How are Firms Being Valued in 2014 and Beyond (TAX CPE)
Joel Sinkin, President Transition Advisors, LLC & William Carlino, Transition Advisors

If you are considering acquiring a firm, merging or a succession plan, this class is for you!

• What are the current marketplace trends
• Is it a buyer or seller’s marketplace and will it remain the same?
• How are firms valuing practices
• What are the keys to retaining clients and more

Non-Profit Revitalization Act 2013 (TAX CPE)
James Sheehan, Bureau Chief, NYS Office of the Attorney General, Charities Bureau

Not-for-profits are the fastest growing type of business in New York, and state and local governments, and private entities, have a number of programs to assist these groups and to help them be successful. In the past year, state government has made major changes in agency governance under the Non-Profit Revitalization Act, and in the filing and reporting requirements for state grants qualification. These changes will require careful attention by accountants and auditors both to the new requirements and to preparation and review of annual audits, IRS-990s, and management letters in light of these requirements.

This program, presented by the chief of the New York Charities Bureau, will give you the tools to help your clients and board members with their responsibilities, and highlight the resources available from the Bureau and elsewhere to assist.

Watch the P’s, Q’s & S’s of Insurance Planning (TAX CPE) (CLE) (CFP-IP)
Moderator: Robert Barnett, Esq., CPA
Speakers: James E. Meyer & Michael Greco, Greco Planning Group

What are the newer techniques in Insurance Planning? We will discuss: alternative to paying premiums (Premium Finance), IRA Taxation (Pension Rescue), charitable gifting of insurance policies (Planned Giving), Qualified Grantor Trusts, an insurance tax update, and getting paid for existing policies (Senior Settlements).

IRC Sections 162(a) & 263(a): Deduction and Capitalization of Expenditures Related to Tangible Property (TAX CPE) (CE G1U2N-T-00089-14-I)
Scott K. Dinwiddie, IRS Special Counsel to the Associate Chief Counsel

After 10-years of development, final tangible property regulations are effective beginning in 2014. This presentation will summarize the guidance package and address significant changes, including the simplified de minimis safe harbor, the book conformity safe harbor for repair and maintenance costs, and the new rules regarding partial dispositions of tangible property, including the rules for general asset accounts.