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ON DEMAND (NEW)De-Stress for Success: The New Normal (2 hrs) – $65

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Course overview:

We are in a period of significant change in how we work, including working from home and the increased use of video conferencing technology for communication.  The primary catalyst for this “new normal” in our working environment is COVID-19).  Current research on our stress and mental health has highlighted how these stresses have affected our lives, including:

  • Lack of sleep
  • Decreasing motivation
  • Declining job performance

In this VOD, we examine current research to understand the impact of our “new normal” on our stress and mental health.  We will then explore research-based tools that can help us de-stress for success.

Learning objectives:

  1. Understanding the impact of our “new normal” caused by COVID-19 on our stress levels and mental health.
  2. Understanding the importance of checking-in and talking about stress.
  3. Applying mindfulness as a research-supported technique to help manage stress.
  4. Applying SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely) tips to create structure and routine in your home office to manage stress.
  5. Identifying other key stress management tools in discussion with a Professional Registered Counselor and CPA.

2.0 hrs of verifiable CPD (Certificate will be provided upon course completion)

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ON DEMAND (NEW)Introduction to audit data analytics (2.0hrs) – $65

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Course overview

This introductory on demand course will examine how auditors traditionally use analytic procedures such as means, modes, and variance analysis.  Collectively these traditional techniques are referred to as summary statistics. However, audit data analytics are much more than summary statistics.  We will define and explore the term “audit data analytics” or ADAs.  We will then walk-through ADAs’ application, including data visualization techniques using a custom programmed software.

The application of the ADAs has the potential to be a transformative change to how auditors perform testing.  The change is analogous to Major League Baseball’s journey to embracing data analytics to help make decisions captured in the book and film Moneyball.  This video aims to help auditors move into a data analytics mindset to unlock the opportunities of integrating ADAs into an audit engagement.

Learning objectives:

  1. Defining audit data analytics (ADA)
  2. Guiding the profession into the audit data analytic mindset
  3. Applying ADAs, including data visualization, through a customized software walkthrough
  4. Exploring the future of ADAs for the audit profession
  5. Identifying the benefits and challenges of using ADAs

2.0 hrs of verifiable CPD (Certificate will be provided upon course completion)

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ON DEMANDProfessional ethics (2 hrs) – $65

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Learning objectives:

In this online course, we will examine specific areas of the CPA code of professional conduct (“code”) and use case studies to highlight key learning objectives. This presentation will also introduce a critical thinking methodology that will be applied to an ethical decision-making framework. Finally, we will explore current events relevant to the professional to understand how to apply lessons learned to deepen our ethical decision-making framework.

The learning objectives of this course include:

  1. Understanding how we make decisions using tools such as the Heinz dilemma
  2. Understanding how our organizational culture affects our decision-making process
  3. Applying a critical thinking methodology that will be applied to a relevant case study

The course will also explore current events relevant to the professional to understand how to apply lessons learned to deepen our ethical decision-making framework.

2.0 hrs of verifiable CPD (Certificate will be provided upon course completion)

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Amazing! Really engages you.

ON DEMAND (NEW)Professional ethics 2: Improving psychological safety (2 hrs) – $65

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Learning objectives:

Psychological safety is a belief that you are free to share your thoughts and not be punished for speaking your mind. It is an important area of research in the field of organizational behaviour. Current research has shown that organizations and teams with higher psychological safety are more productive, creative, and happier. And teams and organizations that have higher psychological safety make better and more ethical decisions.

However, current research also shows that psychological safety is fragile within organizations and teams. Critical events such as new leadership, organizational strategy changes, and external situations (such as a pandemic) can adversely affect an organization’s psychological safety.

In this video learning course, we will examine current research to better understand psychological safety for organizations and teams. We will then introduce ways to assess and improve psychological safety for both organizations and teams.

The learning objectives of this course include:

  1. Understanding what is meant by the term psychological safety
  2. Understanding the importance of psychological safety to decision making and ethics
  3. Identifying the benefits of improving psychological safety within teams and organizations
  4. Exploring examples of organizations with both high and low psychological safety

2.0 hrs of verifiable CPD (Certificate will be provided upon course completion)

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ON DEMAND Professional ethics 1 and 2: Two course bundle (4.0 hrs) – $120

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Overview:

This two-course package includes Professional Ethics 1 (2.0 hr) and Professional Ethics 2 (2.0hr) for a total of 4.0 CPD hours in Ethics.

Professional Ethics 1 (2.0 hrs):

In this course, we will examine specific areas of the CPA code of professional conduct (“code”) and use case studies to highlight key learning objectives. This presentation will also introduce a critical thinking methodology that will be applied to an ethical decision-making framework. Finally, we will explore current events relevant to the professional to understand how to apply lessons learned to deepen our ethical decision-making framework.

Professional Ethics 2: (2.0 hrs)

Psychological safety is a belief that you are free to share your thoughts and not be punished for speaking your mind. It is an important area of research in the field of organizational behaviour. Current research has shown that organizations and teams with higher psychological safety are more productive, creative, and happier. And teams and organizations that have higher psychological safety make better and more ethical decisions.

However, current research also shows that psychological safety is fragile within organizations and teams. Critical events such as new leadership, organizational strategy changes, and external situations (such as a pandemic) can adversely affect an organization’s psychological safety.

In this video learning course, we will examine current research to better understand psychological safety for organizations and teams. We will then introduce ways to assess and improve psychological safety for both organizations and teams.

4.0 hrs of verifiable Ethics CPD (Certificate will be provided upon course completion)

Enroll now

ON DEMAND How to Provide Effective Feedback and Improve Employee Engagement (2hrs) – $65

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Course overview

This video learning course will introduce the latest research in providing effective feedback to discuss how managers can mentor and develop their staff while also improving firm retention of top talent. Providing effective feedback has a direct and positive effect on employee engagement.

The benefits of improving employee engagement within an organization are well supported:

  • Higher employee retention
  • Increased productivity
  • Increased job satisfaction

We will define the term employee engagement to understand how it is affected by receiving both effective and ineffective feedback.   This course will then demonstrate effective strategies to help provide effective feedback and improve employee engagement.

Learning objectives

  1. Defining employee engagement and why it is important to an organization.
  2. Understanding the importance of providing effective feedback to employee engagement.
  3. Identifying the challenges facing managers in providing effective feedback to employees.
  4. Examining the key components that make the difference between effective feedback and ineffective feedback.
  5. Applying research-based tools to help managers provide effective feedback and improve employee engagement.

2.0 hrs or credits of verifiable professional development (Certificate will be provided upon course completion)

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ON DEMAND Performing audits during Covid-19 (2.5 hrs) – $70

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Course overview

It is not hyperbole to say that this is the most challenging time to conduct an audit in our profession’s history. Our ability to communicate with our teams and clients has been complicated by social distancing and working remotely.  The consequence for our profession is a need to re-examine how we plan and conduct the audit for many of our clients as the same as last year (SALY) approach may be inefficient and impractical because of the pandemic.  Also, there may be increased fraud and significant risk factors to your audit clients resulting from the negative economic consequences of the pandemic.

In this video learning course, we will first examine how the coronavirus has disrupted the ways in which auditors traditionally gather evidence such as the use of inquiry, inspection, and observation (CAS 500).  For example, how do we gather evidence for the assertions of existence and valuation of inventory if the auditor is not able to observe test counts because of the coronavirus.

We will examine key areas of the Canadian Audit Standards and provide alternative ways of gathering evidence that may be more efficient and reliable during the pandemic.  We will also provide best practices to help auditors communicate with their teams and clients.

Learning objectives:

  1. Identifying the challenges to gathering audit evidence during the pandemic
  2. Identifying the benefits to re-evaluating the prior year’s audit approach for a client
  3. Understand the options that the Canadian Auditing Standards provide auditors to testing accounts and assertions.
  4. Understanding how to effectively communicate with the audit team and client virtually

2.5 hrs of verifiable CPD (Certificate will be provided upon course completion)

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ON DEMAND Performing reviews and compilations during Covid-19 (2.0hrs) – $65

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Course overview

In this video learning course, we will first examine how the coronavirus has disrupted the ways in which review and compilation engagements are conducted. For example, inquiry (per the Canadian Standard on Review Engagements 2400 par.5) is a primary way to obtain sufficient appropriate evidence for a review engagement. However, our ability to communicate with our clients has been complicated by social distancing and working remotely. Also, Canadian Standards on Related Services (CSRS) 4200 will be replacing Compilation Standards 9200. This new standard contains increased demands for documentation that will require more communication with clients.

The consequence for our profession is a need to re-examine how we plan and conduct the reviews and compilations for many of our clients as the same as last year (SALY) approach may be inefficient and impractical because of the pandemic.

We will examine key areas of the Canadian Standard on Review Engagements (CSRE) 2400 and provide alternative ways of gathering evidence that may be more efficient and reliable during the pandemic. We will examine CSRS 4200 to help practitioners prepare for the changes. We will also provide best practices to help practitioners communicate with their teams and clients.

Learning objectives:

  1. Identifying the challenges to gathering evidence for review engagements during the pandemic
  2. Understand the options that CSRE 2400 provide in gathering evidence
  3. Identifying key changes to CSRS 4200 compared to s.9100
  4. Understanding how to effectively communicate with the engagement team and client virtually

2.0 hrs of verifiable CPD (Certificate will be provided upon course completion)

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ON DEMANDBridging the generational gap (1.5 hrs) – $65

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In this online course, designed specifically for accounting and finance professionals, we will explore the perceptions of the generational differences between:

  • Baby Boomers
  • Generation X
  • Millennials
  • Generation Z
  • Generation Alpha

We will use current research to identify potential areas of misconceptions between generations and implement tools to increase understanding and communication across our diverse generational team members.  The tools discussed can improve creative problem solving, conflict management and motivation within a generationally diverse team or organization.

Learning objectives:

  1. Defining the different generational categories within the workplace
  2. Understanding the major events and influences for each generation
  3. Understanding common misperceptions among each generation
  4. Using current research models to identify the root causes of conflicts within a generationally diverse team or organization.
  5. Applying specific tools to increase our understanding and communication across our diverse generational team members

1.5 hrs of verifiable CPD (Certificate will be provided upon course completion)

Enroll now

 



I love this topic! As a fellow Gen X in the accounting profession, I can relate to when I was starting out in Accounting, now in the mid-end of my working career, working with Millennials and yes Z. Great presentation!

ARCHIVED WEBINARHow to design and deliver an engaging virtual presentation (1.5 hrs) – $25

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As a result of the pandemic, many professionals find themselves presenting to teams, clients and others using teleconferencing software such as Zoom, Go to Training, Microsoft Teams etc.  However, presentation design and delivery for a live presentation is much different than for a virtual presentation. It is not enough to simply take a prepared live presentation and just do the same thing in a virtual setting.  Current research shows that this will result in a lack of both clarity and participant engagement.  In fact, virtual presentations require more instructional design and preparation than a live presentation.

A virtual presentation must be re-designed to promote thoughtful use of virtual engagement tools such as audience feedback buttons, polling questions, breakout rooms and shared screens.  The presenters themselves must prepare differently than for a live presentation including setting up proper camera framing, audio levels and lighting.

This webinar will discuss:

  1. Virtual presentations vs live presentations room – significant differences
  2. Virtual presentations – best practices
  3. How to effectively use the virtual presentation engagement tools

Recorded on September 15, 2020.  The cost of this recorded (archived) webinar is $25 (including tax)

This archived webinar will be closed captioned (CC)

Register for Archived Webinar!

Great presentation. Garth did an excellent job breaking down simple tips to help improve our virtual presentations. Super useful. I also liked the fact that additional tips and information were shared via PDFs to provide participants with additional information should they need it.

I very much appreciated your practical insights and your energy today.

It was a very informative and interesting session

Very practical, and excellent of Garth to provide links to tools and to stay for questions!