Cooperative Learning Networks

NSAC provides accounting, tax and business education uniquely tailored to cooperatives. Our Cooperative Learning Networks (CLNs) are webinars that cover a variety of topics of interest to our members presented by experts in the field of cooperatives.

NSAC Members may register for CLNs without charge while non-members may participate for a nominal fee.

Individuals or groups are able to participate in these online courses from the convenience of their own space using their own device and immediately put what they’ve learned to work for their organization.

Review the following list of upcoming CLNs and register today!

Educating Your Workforce on Retirement Planning

Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Time: 02:00 PM EST / 01:00 PM CST / 12:00 PM MST / 11:00 AM PST
Presenter(s): Casey McKillip, MBA, CPFA, AIF, Senior Retirement Plan Consultant, Aldrich Wealth LP
Moderator(s): Wayne Sine, CPA, Education Director, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the importance of financial wellness and retirement education by analyzing industry data such as average 401k balances and the current state of the industry and recognizing how these factors impact individual financial security and retirement preparedness.
• Recognize the correlation between employee financial wellness, productivity, and the value of benefits provided by their employer, thereby gaining insight into the significance of fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes retirement education and support.
• Comprehend fiduciary responsibility and the protections offered by 404c regulations, ensuring an understanding of the legal and ethical obligations associated with managing retirement plans, and how these regulations safeguard participants' interests.
Field of Study: Personnel/Human Resources
Program Level: Basic
CPE Credit: 1 Credit Hour
Prerequisite(s): No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
  More Information   Online Registration

Financial Dashboards for Internal Management Use

Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Time: 11:00 AM EST / 10:00 AM CST / 09:00 AM MST / 08:00 AM PST
Presenter(s): Darren Hutson, Sr. Analyst – Financial Data & Operational Analytics, Southern States Cooperative
Moderator(s): Wayne Sine, Director of Education, National Society of Accounts for Cooperatives
Learning Objectives:
• Identify and understand the critical financial metrics that are essential for internal management and decision-making processes.
• Review types of dashboards and understanding how to tailor them to meet specific organizational needs.
• Explore real-world examples and case studies to see how organizations utilize financial dashboards for strategic decision-making.
Field of Study: Finance
Program Level: Basic
CPE Credit: 1 Credit Hour
Prerequisite(s): No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
  More Information   Online Registration

Property Insurance: Alternative Strategies & Solutions

Date: Thursday, November 7, 2024
Time: 01:00 PM EST / 12:00 PM CST / 11:00 AM MST / 10:00 AM PST
Presenter(s): Ross Milne, VP, Food & Agribusiness, Cottingham & Butler
Moderator(s): Wayne Sine, Education Director, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the current state of the property marketplace.
• Identify the factors driving present and future market conditions.
• Discover strategies to improve your property insurance outcomes, both for your next renewal and long-term planning.
Field of Study: Business Management & Organization
Program Level: Basic
CPE Credit: 1 Credit Hour
Prerequisite(s): No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
  More Information   Online Registration

Joint Ventures and Partnership Issues and How LLC Agreements Can Complicate

Date: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: 02:00 PM EST / 01:00 PM CST / 12:00 PM MST / 11:00 AM PST
Presenter(s): McKenzie Lubeck, Senior Manager, Moss Adams LLP
Moderator(s): Wayne Sine, Education Director, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives
Learning Objectives:
• Understand the legal distinctions between joint ventures, partnerships, and LLCs,
• Learn to identify and navigate the common issues that arise in joint ventures and partnerships, particularly those related to LLC agreements.
• Learn best Practices in structuring agreements and negotiating effective joint venture and partnership agreements.
Field of Study: Taxes
Program Level: Basic
CPE Credit: 1 Credit Hour
Prerequisite(s): No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
  More Information   Online Registration

Cash Mastery: A Deep Dive into Forecasting & Management

Date: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Time: 01:00 PM EST / 12:00 PM CST / 11:00 AM MST / 10:00 AM PST
Presenter(s): Juanita Schwartzkopf, CPA, CFE, Senior Managing Director, Focus Management Group
Moderator(s): Wayne Sine, Education Director, National Society of Accountant for Cooperatives
Learning Objectives:
• Learn to create accurate cash flow forecasts that support effective financial planning and decision-making.
• Explore advanced cash flow management techniques to optimize liquidity and enhance organizational financial health.
• Understand how to strategically apply budgeting to improve long-term financial sustainability and informed decision-making.
• Learn how to use the operating cycle to unlock additional cash.
Field of Study: Finance
Program Level: Basic
CPE Credit: 1 Credit Hour
Prerequisite(s): No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
  More Information   Online Registration

Loper Bright Supreme Court Case and Implications for Tax Regulations

Date: Thursday, December 5, 2024
Time: 01:00 PM EST / 12:00 PM CST / 11:00 AM MST / 10:00 AM PST
Presenter(s): George Benson, Counsel, McDermott Will & Emery LLP, David Antoni, CPA, Managing Director, Moss Adams
Moderator(s): Wayne Sine, Education Director, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives
Learning Objectives:
1. Gain an understanding of the Loper Bright Supreme Court decision and the implications of the Court’s overturning of Chevron deference. Will Loper Bright provide taxpayers additional support on challenges to the validity of Treasury regulations?
2. Learn recent developments in Tax Court decisions where the Loper Bright decision was referenced by the litigants or the Tax Court.
3. Hear an overview of important implications for taking a position on a tax return against a Treasury regulation and filing Form 8275-R, Regulation Disclosure Statement.
4. Consider financial statement impacts for potential uncertain tax positions under ASC 740 where a taxpayer takes a position not to follow a Treasury regulation.
Field of Study: Business Law
Program Level: Basic
CPE Credit: 1 Credit Hour
Prerequisite(s): No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
  More Information   Online Registration

In the Merger Mix: GAAP and Tax Strategies for Seamless Integration

Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Time: 12:00 PM EST / 11:00 AM CST / 10:00 AM MST / 09:00 AM PST
Presenter(s): Rodney Graham, Senior Vice President & CFO, Keystone Cooperative, Jim Halvorsen, CPA, Principal, CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP (CLA), Rebecca Thoune, CPA, Signing Director, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA)
Moderator(s): Wayne Sine, Education Director, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives
Learning Objectives:
• Understand why cooperatives merge and what are the steps in the merger process including what should be considered at each step.
• Discuss why due diligence is important and the considerations around it.
• Understand the book and tax considerations in a merger
Field of Study: Taxes
Program Level: Basic
CPE Credit: 1 Credit Hour
Prerequisite(s): No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
  More Information   Online Registration

The Frontlines of Cybersecurity: Creating a Culture of Security through Education

Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Time: 02:00 PM EST / 01:00 PM CST / 12:00 PM MST / 11:00 AM PST
Presenter(s): Todd McElmurry, IT Consultant, Heard, McElroy & Vestal, LLC (HMV)
Moderator(s): Wayne Sine CPA, Education Director, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives
Learning Objectives:
• Attendees will be able to recognize key cybersecurity threats, including phishing, ransomware, and SQL injections, and learn how these attacks are deployed and their potential impacts on businesses.
• Participants will learn best practices for keeping sensitive data secure, including encryption, secure data transfer methods, and the importance of regular system updates to mitigate vulnerabilities.
• By fostering a culture of continuous learning and vigilance, attendees will be equipped to contribute to their organization's cybersecurity efforts, ensuring compliance with regulations and minimizing the risk of security breaches through proactive behavior.
Field of Study: Information Technology
Program Level: Basic
CPE Credit: 1 Credit Hour
Prerequisite(s): No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
  More Information   Online Registration

Seeing the Elephant: Cross-Sectoral Cooperative Awareness and Opportunity

Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Time: 02:00 PM EST / 01:00 PM CST / 12:00 PM MST / 11:00 AM PST
Presenter(s): Cathy Statz, CUDE, Cooperative Educator, Ralph K. Morris Foundation, International Centre for Cooperative Management, NCBA CLUSA/Cooperative Development Foundation, National Farmers Union
Moderator(s): Wayne Sine, CPA, Education Director, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives
Learning Objectives:
• Increased understanding--and stories to share--of the scope of cooperative business.
• Connections to opportunities that can advance engagement and education for cooperators--and for young people and emerging leaders entering your cooperative spaces.
• Access to resources to advance and celebrate the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives.
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
CPE Credit: 1 Credit Hour
Prerequisite(s): No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
  More Information   Online Registration

Registration

All registration is done on-line and each registrant must provide their name and email address.

Fees and Payment Procedures

CLNs are free for all NSAC members. Non-members may register for a nominal fee. Non-members must pre-pay at the time of registration.

Delivery System

The National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives uses the Zoom platform for CLNs. Registrants will receive login instructions in advance by email and the virtual meeting room will open 15 minutes prior to the CLN start time. We recommend participants log-in 5-10 minutes prior to the start, allowing enough time to download and print any documents you wish to have available during the course presentation. It is recommended that you test your computer prior to attending a meeting. We use polling to verify active participation and you must use the Zoom app to submit poll responses. If you are unable to use the Zoom app, please contact us for an alternative arrangement prior to the start of the CLN.

Refund Policy

NSAC will not issue refunds for CLNs. If a registrant is unable to participate in the CLN and sends written notice to info@nsacoop.org 48 hours prior to the session, a credit will be provided for a future CLN. Alert the NSAC staff member monitoring the CLN if technical difficulties are encountered and technical support will be provided to eliminate problems with future CLNs.

Additional Information

Live participation is required for CPE credit and polling questions must be answered to document your active participation. All registrants will receive an email following the session with links to the slides and/or handouts, and a link to the CLN recording (unless otherwise stated). If you are unable to participate in the live session, you can still watch the recorded session, but you will not be eligible for CPE credits. Those eligible for credits will receive their certificate by email with 7 business days.

For more information regarding NSAC CLNs or administrative policies such as complaint and refund, contact the NSAC Headquarters at 937-222-6707, or info@nsacoop.org.