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Last updated April 29, 2008 AGN and AuditWatch Present . . . 2008 Audit Staff Training Registration is open! Audit Staff Training FAQs Tax Training Info Levels 1 - 3 will be held at Hickory Ridge Conference Center in Lisle, IL (outside Chicago) Levels 4 - 5 will be held at Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, CO Classes begin at 8:00 a.m. Participants are discouraged from leaving class before it ends on the last day in order to receive full CPE credit. Ample time is needed for transportation/airport check-in. Return flights should be booked no earlier than 5:30 p.m.   Arrive in plenty of time to check-in by 6 p.m. on Sunday Attendance is required for the new opening activity/reception! COURSE INFO & REGISTRATION: LEVEL 1 >> NEW! Four days! << Sept. 21-25, 2008 2007 Evaluation Summaries Sessions: 1 & 2 LEVEL 2 July 13-16, 2008 2007 Evaluation Summaries Sessions: 1, 2,& 3 LEVEL 3 July 27-30, 2008 2007 Evaluation Summaries Sessions: 1 & 2 LEVEL 4 Nov. 9-12, 2008 2007 Evaluation Summary LEVEL 5 Nov. 16-19, 2008 2007 Evaluation Summaries Sessions: 1 & 2 MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS PER SESSION IS 25! Additional sessions of levels may be arranged if needed. Don't know your login credentials? Contact Irene at IHayden@agn.org for assistance.   Cancellation Policy: If a registration is cancelled within SIX WEEKS of a scheduled program, a fee may be assessed against the firm. If a registration is not cancelled and a participant does not attend the program, the firm will be assessed as though the person attended.   From the AGN North American Board of Directors: At the Board Meeting held on Monday, October 27, 2003 at the World Congress Meeting in Cancun, Mexico, the Board affirmed its long-standing policy regarding sharing of costs associated with AGN-NA staff training programs: "All expenses, including travel, for all offerings of a given course offered by (AGN-NA) shall be pooled and divided among the firms represented in proportion to the number of persons attending." "Spouses or guests shall not accompany participants to the course site for audit and/or tax staff training." "A hospitality event, where applicable, shall be an evening event during each course. Refreshments shall consist of domestic beer, house wine, and sodas. Attendance is required."   Costs: Costs for the training are shared by the participating firms. In 2007 an average of 22 participants were in each training session, resulting in a cost of approximately $1,613 per person. The costs for the 3-day courses included: Travel Instructor's fees Lodging Manual/book fees Food Costs in 2008 will increase due to increased fees, transportation costs, and group dinners. Participating firms will be billed for the training after the course has taken place.     COURSE DETAILS Duration NEW! - Four Days Experience 0-4 Months (new auditors with no busy season experience) Delivery Method Group-Live CPE Credits 32 Hours (23 Auditing, 7 Accounting, and 2 Communication) Prerequisites No prerequisites or advance preparation is required Refund Policy Refunds are determined on a case-by-case basis Course Registration Online at www.agn-na.org Record Retention Policy The AGN office retains all CPE records for a minimum of five years Complaint Resolution Contact Rita Hood, AGN-NA Executive Director at rhood@agn.org or phone her at 303-743-7880     Level 1: Basic Audit Staff Training Location: Hickory Ridge Conference Center Lisle, Illinois (Chicago area) Dates: September 21-25, 2008 Register here PARTICIPANTS LIST   Registration Deadline: August 10, 2008 OBJECTIVE This session helps new auditors get off on the right foot. It introduces them to the auditing field and basic auditing responsibilities. The course includes case studies on common audit areas and provides an overview of how each area fits into the big picture. Role of the Staff Auditor – 0.5 Hour (Auditing) To describe five characteristics and skills that are important to a staff person’s success Scope of Services – 1.5 Hours (Auditing) To explain the differences between attest services and bookkeeping assistance To explain the differences in the purpose and scope of audits, reviews, and compilations Basic Audit Responsibilities – 3 Hours (Auditing) To define and gather appropriate and sufficient audit evidence  To create, organize, and prepare audit documentation Introduction of the Audit Plan – 2.5 Hours (Auditing) To outline the basic components of an audit plan and to describe a staff auditor’s responsibilities for applying that plan To explain the fundamental purpose and five required components of understanding the entity and its environment To complete or participate in the completion of selected sections of key practice aids and work papers  Introduction to Internal Controls & Analytical Procedures – 4.5 Hours (Auditing) To assist in gaining an understanding of a client’s internal control structure, including performing verification procedures such as walkthroughs and document inspections To perform previously designed substantive analytical procedures Common Audit Areas – 17 Hours (10 Hours Auditing, 7 Hours Accounting) (Cash, A/R, PP&E, Inventory, Other Assets and Liabilities, A/P, Debt)  To Identify and explain the basic audit risks within each listed area To perform common previously designed audit procedures in each area and explain how the procedures address documented risks and assertions Information Gathering – 2 Hours (Communication) To create and track the status of client requests To describe an effective method for performing verbal inquiries with clients To plan for the gathering of information and evidence through the use of inquiry     Introduction to Public Accounting – 1 Hour (Auditing) To describe to clients and colleagues the nature and basic terminology of Public Accounting AGN International - North America, Inc. is 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 registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417 or by visiting the website: www.nasba.org. Back to top     COURSE DETAILS Duration Three Days Experience 5-21 Months Delivery Method Group-Live CPE Credits 24 Hours (17.5 Auditing, 4.5 Accounting, and 2 Communication) Prerequisites No prerequisites or advance preparation is required Refund Policy Refunds are determined on a case-by-case basis Course Registration Online at www.agn-na.org Record Retention Policy The AGN office retains all CPE records for a minimum of five years Complaint Resolution Contact Rita Hood, AGN-NA Executive Director at rhood@agn.org or phone her at 303-743-7880     Level 2: Experienced Audit Staff Training Location: Hickory Ridge Conference Center Lisle, Illinois (Chicago area) Dates: July 13-16, 2008 Register here PARTICIPANTS LIST   Registration Deadline: June 1, 2008 OBJECTIVE This session introduces auditors to the complete audit process and plan. It teaches auditors how to improve critical auditing skills that are necessary to complete more challenging procedures and tests.  The Role of the Experienced Staff Auditor– 1 Hours (Auditing) To describe and provide multiple examples of the increased expectations of an experienced staff person  To list core auditing concepts that are critical to the success of experienced staff auditor The Audit Process and Plan – 6 Hours (Auditing) To list the major phases of the audit process and to explain the significant elements in each phase To perform procedures to assist the team in gaining, updating, and documenting their understanding of the entity and its environment To perform procedures to gain an understanding of and document the client’s processes and controls To assist the team in identifying key controls and evaluating design effectiveness of controls To identify basic risks of material misstatement using an understanding of the entity and its environment, including internal controls  To describe the role of an experienced staff in the assessment of risk on an audit engagement Analytical Procedures – 3 Hours (Auditing)  To determine when substantive analyticals are appropriate in an audit  To design and perform analytical procedures to income statement accounts Sampling & Other Substantive Tests of Detail – 2.5 Hours (Auditing) To recommend an appropriate tests of details approach based on the nature of the account or items being tested  To perform tests of details, such as scope tests  To perform non-statistical sampling techniques  To evaluate errors and findings and list the required audit team responses to such findings  Auditing Estimates and Accruals – 2 Hours (Auditing) To identify common estimates and accruals existing at most clients To list the three general approaches to auditing estimates and to provide an example of when each is most appropriate To design an effective audit approach for a non-complex, common estimate such as the reserve for uncollectible receivables or the allowance for sales returns Revenue – 2.5 Hours (Accounting)  To list and explain the four criteria for revenue recognition To describe common revenue recognition issues and the related accounting treatments To explain and design basic auditing procedures for revenue and related accounts  Management Comments – 2 Hours (Auditing)  To list and define the two types of comments provided to management,  To define the three levels of control deficiencies and required communications  To recognize issues that require comment in a management letter or similar communication To list four procedures that increase the likelihood of identifying value-added business comments Drafting Financial Statements – 3 Hours (2 Hours Accounting, 1 Hour Auditing) To explain the purpose of each element of a financial statement package To describe common relationships between financial statement components To list five or more common mistakes made by staff when preparing or proofing financial statements  To assist a client in the preparation of a non-complex Statement of Cash Flows using the indirect method Problem Analysis and Solving – 2 hours (Communication) To use a thinking model to improve problem analysis To use creativity tools to increase brainstorming and problem solving abilities To select sufficient and appropriate information gathering procedures   AGN International - North America, Inc. is 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 registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417 or by visiting the website: www.nasba.org. Back to top     COURSE DETAILS Duration Three Days Experience 21-36 Months Delivery Method Group-Live CPE Credits 24 Hours (21 Auditing, 1 Personal Development, and 2 Communication) Prerequisites No prerequisites or advance preparation is required Refund Policy Refunds are determined on a case-by-case basis Course Registration Online at www.agn-na.org Record Retention Policy The AGN office retains all CPE records for a minimum of five years Complaint Resolution Contact Rita Hood, AGN-NA Executive Director at rhood@agn.org or phone her at 303-743-7880     Level 3: Audit In-Charge Training Location: Hickory Ridge Conference Center Lisle, Illinois (Chicago area) Dates: July 27-30, 2008 Register here PARTICIPANTS LIST   Registration Deadline: June 15, 2008 OBJECTIVE This session challenges auditors to take in-field responsibility for an audit. It provides an in-depth look at designing and completing the key steps in an audit. The course includes case studies on applying key steps, such as understanding the entity and its environment (including internal control), assessing the risk of material misstatement, designing further audit procedures, and communicating internal control deficiencies. The course also reviews project management and other technical requirements of an audit engagement, including budgeting and time management, reviewing audit documentation, performing strong analytics, and completing the engagement.  In addition, the course addresses how to communicate detailed specific instructions to staff and other basics of supervising staff auditors.   Role of the In-Charge Auditor – 1 Hour (Auditing)  To identify ten important skills and characteristics of the best performing in-charge accountants The Audit Process and Plan – 7 Hours (Auditing) To obtain an understanding of the entity and its environment sufficient to identify risks of material misstatement To obtain an understanding and participate in the evaluation of the design effectiveness of an entity’s internal control structure, including information technology controls To assess risks of material misstatement at the financial statement and assertion level  To design sufficient and appropriate audit procedures to respond to assessed risks To evaluate and draft required communications of internal control deficiencies  Engagement Management – 2 Hours (Auditing) To list five or more client and engagement management techniques and describe the situations in which they might be most effective   To list four or more key principles to creating and using budgets before, during, and after fieldwork Time Management – 1 Hour (Personal Development) To describe the key steps in an effective time management strategy To analyze common work day activities to identify unproductive time usage  To list best practices for managing short-term goals and daily activities Supervision – 4 Hours (Auditing) To describe and discuss ten or more characteristics or skills of effective and ineffective supervisors  To determine when it is appropriate to delegate and what participants must do to be effective in a delegation role To provide positive and constructive feedback using a simple four step process Communication and Information Gathering Skills – 2 Hours (Communication) To clearly communicate instructions to staff and others To describe techniques for effectively interviewing clients and processing the information obtained from inquiries To listen actively in order to increase participants’ understanding of essential information Documentation & File Review– 3 Hours (Auditing) To describe and apply the requirements of audit documentation standards To review audit documentation prepared by others and write productive review notes Analytical Procedures – 4 Hours (Auditing) To list four common sources for developing independent expectations To design and perform strong substantive analyticals in multiple audit areas   AGN International - North America, Inc. is 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 registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417 or by visiting the website: www.nasba.org. Back to top     COURSE DETAILS Duration Three Days Experience 3-5 years Delivery Method Group-Live CPE Credits 24 Hours (21 Auditing, 2 Personal Development, and 1 Accounting) Prerequisites No prerequisites or advance preparation is required Refund Policy Refunds are determined on a case-by-case basis Course Registration Online at www.agn-na.org Record Retention Policy The AGN office retains all CPE records for a minimum of five years Complaint Resolution Contact Rita Hood, AGN-NA Executive Director at rhood@agn.org or phone her at 303-743-7880     Level 4: Experienced Audit In-Charge Training Location: Cheyenne Mountain Resort Colorado Springs, CO Dates: November 9-12, 2008 Register here PARTICIPANTS LIST   Registration Deadline: Sept. 28, 2008 OBJECTIVE This session moves experienced auditors beyond the basics. The program helps participants further develop skills in completing and documenting key parts of the audit process.  In addition, the program challenges participants to consider various methods of supervision, techniques for managing multiple projects, skills needed to assume a more significant client service role, and how to provide constructive management feedback. Role of the Experienced In-Charge Auditor – 1 Hour (Auditing)  To identify the five most significant challenges facing them as an experienced in-charge Supervision – 8 Hours (Auditing) To discuss the challenges of a supervisor or in-charge accountant To explain the principles and benefits of situational leadership To motivate individuals for peak performance To describe the key steps necessary to serve as a mentor and coach to team members To provide positive and constructive performance feedback The Audit Process and Plan – 6 Hours (Auditing) To obtain an understanding of an entity and its environment, including its internal controls  To select appropriate risk assessment procedures to gain an understand of an entity To evaluate entity-level controls To describe key components of simple IT systems and IT general controls To list the steps for evaluating IT general controls To evaluate activity-level controls To identify and assess risks of material misstatement at the financial statement and assertion levels To design audit procedures responsive to assessed risk Analytical Procedures, Test Controls, and Audit Estimates – 4.5 Hours (Auditing) To determine when and how to design tests of operating effectiveness of internal controls To apply a top down approach to designing substantive analytical procedures  To select and design audit procedures for complex audit estimates, including fair value estimates Evaluating, Concluding & Reporting – 1.5 Hours (Auditing) To evaluate misstatements and control deficiencies identified in an audit and perform all required responses To explain to staff accountants the requirements of SAS No. 112 and to evaluate and report on identified control deficiencies  To list five resources that typically generate insightful management letter comments To use a three component model to draft control deficiencies and business advice comments for management  Project Management – 2 Hours (Personal Development) To list five phases of typical attest projects and to list the major activities within each phase   To describe five or more strategies for effective and efficient project management Hot Topics in Accounting and Auditing – 1 Hour (Accounting) To list and describe, at a basic level, significant new accounting or auditing pronouncements and the basic audit risks they may introduce  To recognize when new technical literature might generate a potential risk of material misstatement on their audits    AGN International - North America, Inc. is 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 registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417 or by visiting the website: www.nasba.org. Back to top     COURSE DETAILS Duration Three Days Experience 3-8 years Delivery Method Group-Live CPE Credits 24 Hours (18 Personal Development, 5 Communication, and 1 Auditing) Prerequisites No prerequisites or advance preparation is required Refund Policy Refunds are determined on a case-by-case basis Course Registration Online at www.agn-na.org Record Retention Policy The AGN office retains all CPE records for a minimum of five years Complaint Resolution Contact Rita Hood, AGN-NA Executive Director at rhood@agn.org or phone her at 303-743-7880     Level 5: Supervisory/Manager Skills Training Location: Cheyenne Mountain Resort Colorado Springs, CO Dates: November 16-19, 2008 Register here PARTICIPANTS LIST   Registration Deadline: October 5, 2008 OBJECTIVE This session helps participants develop select managerial skills and is beneficial for individuals new or growing into his/her management role. This course focuses on the multiple roles and responsibilities of a manager that may go beyond the traditional client engagement.  The course also challenges participation to improve presentation, selling, and negotiation skills. Leadership – 6 Hours (Personal Development) To list and rank in importance to their roles characteristics of effective leaders To describe five or more key skills needed to effectively lead projects, initiatives and people To describe techniques for mentoring employees, including discussion of the roles of a mentor, and various models for coaching and counseling To apply various learned techniques and skills noted above related to leadership Management Activities – 4 Hours (Personal Development) To analyze and prioritize the myriad of billable and non-billable management tasks and projects, such as the following:  Managing contracts  Staying current technically  Mentoring others  Implementing firm initiatives  Practice development To describe and apply techniques for managing colleagues, including partners, clients, seniors and administrative staff To generate a personal plan for managing non-billable responsibilities To lead effective and efficient meetings, through use of agendas, meeting organization, and attendee management Practice Management & Development – 2 Hours (Personal Development) To define the key elements of practice development in professional services  To describe techniques for managing growth through client service To identify opportunities to increase firm revenues To list methods for developing referrals  Negotiation – 3 Hours (Personal Development) To perform a self-assessment of the participant’s abilities in the various phases of negotiation To describe four or more methods for improving negotiation skills that can be used in a variety of common business situations Presentation Skills – 5 Hours (Communication) To list characteristics of effective presenters  To describe strategies for developing and delivering common public accounting related presentations  To organize and deliver a presentation Sales Process – 3 Hours (Personal Development) To perform a skills self-assessment which will identify how well participants understand and respond to sales situations To list four or more techniques for improving individual skills within the sales process Auditing and Accounting Issues – 1 Hour (Auditing) To list five recent changes in auditing and accounting guidance  To identify auditing and accounting issues that arise in common client situations   AGN International - North America, Inc. is 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 registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417 or by visiting the website: www.nasba.org. Back to top   TERMS & CONDITIONS