This comprehensive annual update brings together key accounting and auditing developments affecting governmental and not-for-profit organizations. The course integrates recent standard-setting activity, emerging global frameworks, and major compliance updates to provide a well-rounded view of changes impacting financial reporting and audit requirements.

Participants will begin with an overview of recent accounting developments affecting not-for-profit organizations, including Accounting Standards Updates issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and an introduction to the International Non-Profit Accounting Standard (INPAS). Emphasis is placed on understanding the purpose of INPAS and how it compares conceptually to U.S. GAAP for not-for-profit entities.

The course then shifts to governmental accounting developments, covering recent pronouncements issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, including GASB Statements No. 103, 104, and 105, along with a high-level overview of active GASB exposure drafts and projects. Participants will gain insight into how these changes affect financial reporting, disclosures, and communication with governing bodies.

Finally, the course addresses recent developments affecting Single Audits, including the 2024 Uniform Guidance overhaul, updates to Appendix B of the AICPA GAS/Single Audit Guide, and recent guidance issued through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Reporting changes related to SAM.gov are also discussed.

Designed for auditors, preparers, and financial leaders working with governmental and not-for-profit entities, this course helps participants understand how recent accounting and auditing changes intersect—and what to monitor as requirements continue to evolve.

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Financial professionals are frequently called upon to present complex financial information to clients, boards, and stakeholders who may not have a financial background. The ability to communicate clearly and effectively in these settings is critical to building trust and driving informed decision-making. This course provides practical tools to help participants translate financial data into clear, structured, and compelling messages. Participants will explore strategies for using storytelling, visual presentation techniques, and plain language principles to simplify complexity without sacrificing accuracy. The course also examines common communication pitfalls and best practices for tailoring financial messages to diverse audiences. Designed for professionals who present financial information to nonfinancial stakeholders, this course equips participants with techniques to enhance clarity, engagement, and confidence in a variety of professional settings. 

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Independence requirements are foundational to audit quality, yet they vary depending on the applicable regulatory and professional framework. This course provides a practical overview of auditor independence rules and highlights key similarities and differences across major standard setters and oversight bodies.

Participants will review independence requirements issued by the AICPA, Government Accountability Office (GAO), Department of Labor (DOL), and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)/ Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC). The course emphasizes common areas of confusion, nuanced differences among the frameworks, and considerations auditors should keep in mind when performing attest services for different types of clients.

This overview course is designed to help auditors recognize which independence rules apply in various engagement scenarios and better position themselves to meet applicable independence requirements.

This course explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in accounting and auditing, highlighting its vast potential while addressing the associated risks and ethical considerations. Participants will discover how to harness AI tools to enhance efficiency and innovation, while mitigating challenges such as overreliance, data security vulnerabilities, and ethical dilemmas. Through case studies and interactive discussions, you'll gain practical skills to navigate AI complexities, ensure trustworthy outputs, and uphold ethical standards in today's fast-paced digital environment.

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Understanding independence is essential for CPAs providing Client Advisory and Accounting Services (CAAS) to attest clients. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct, focusing on the guidelines for maintaining independence while delivering CAAS. We’ll review the overall independence process and its application to CAAS engagements, followed by an in-depth exploration of specific services, including reconciliations, accounting standard implementation, information system services, bookkeeping, hosting, and payroll services. Attendees will gain clarity on what services are permissible and how to navigate potential independence issues to remain compliant and uphold professional standards.

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Cash is essential to every business, and is often one of the first accounts audit staff are exposed to. This course will cover the basics of auditing cash, including the related audit assertions, risks, & threats to the cash balance. During this course, we will also highlight the various substantive auditing procedures that staff should perform, and also walk through some real-world examples. 

This course provides a comprehensive overview of SOC 1 reports in the context of employee benefit plan audits. The course covers the evaluation and documentation of SOC 1 reports, understanding control objectives, complementary user entity controls (CUECs), and best practices for efficient SOC 1 review processes. Special attention is given to practical tools and templates that can streamline the review process while maintaining audit quality.

Preparation, compilation, and review engagements continue to receive heightened attention in peer review. This course examines the most common deficiencies identified in peer reviews of SSARS engagements, with an emphasis on practical compliance and engagement quality.

Participants will explore frequent problem areas in preparation, compilation, and review engagements and discuss why these deficiencies occur. The course focuses on understanding the root causes of noncompliance and highlights practical approaches firms can use to improve consistency, documentation, and overall engagement performance.

Designed for practitioners performing SSARS engagements, this course helps participants strengthen compliance while maintaining an efficient and practical approach to engagement execution.

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Step into the heart of the Cretaceous Conservatory for an unforgettable inventory observation adventure! In this immersive simulation, you’ll travel to a remote island where the inventory isn’t just vast—it’s alive. As an auditor responsible for ensuring accuracy in the company’s dinosaur-development operations, you’ll face wild risks, navigate complex inventory procedures, and confront the unexpected.

Through hands-on scenarios, you’ll learn to identify misstatements, evaluate unique inventory challenges, and apply standard observation techniques—all while staying one step ahead of potential disaster. Can you survive the wilds of the Cretaceous and emerge as the ultimate inventory explorer, or will the risks prove too much to handle?

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Stay informed—and ahead of the curve—with this VBOA-approved ethics course tailored to meet Virginia’s annual ethics requirement while bringing you the latest updates from the AICPA’s Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC). The pace of change in ethics regulation has accelerated, and PEEC has been especially active with new interpretations, revised guidance, and key modernization projects.

In this interactive session, we’ll unpack the most significant developments shaping the profession today, including new standards on recruiting, CPE programs, and tax advisory services. You’ll gain practical clarity on how these changes affect both public practitioners and industry professionals.

We’ll also take a forward look at projects on PEEC’s horizon, giving you early insights into what’s coming next—and how to position yourself for compliance success in a rapidly evolving ethical landscape.