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!

AI/ChatGPT 101: Introduction to AI

Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Time: 02:00 PM EST / 01:00 PM CST / 12:00 PM MST / 11:00 AM PST
Presenter(s): Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA.CITP, CGMA, Director of Firm Technology Strategy, Rightworks
Moderator(s): Wayne Sine, CPA, Education Director, National Association of Accountants for Cooperatives
Learning Objectives:
1: Understand the various types of AI and how to safely get started using generative AI.
2: Learn a structured process to “prompt” successfully from the start and specific cautions about using ChatGPT safely.
3: Walk through specific examples of accountant usage making AI your virtual assistant.
Field of Study: Computer Software & Applications
Program Level: Basic
CPE Credit: 1 Credit Hour
Prerequisite(s): No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
  More Information   Online Registration

Internal Fraud Prevention and Detection: Incorporating AI into the Internal Control Process

Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Time: 02:00 PM EST / 01:00 PM CST / 12:00 PM MST / 11:00 AM PST
Presenter(s): Steve Dawson, CPA, CFE, President, DFG
Moderator(s): Wayne Sine, CPA, Education Director, National Association of Accountants for Cooperatives
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this session, participants should understand,
1. What Artificial Intelligence is and how it is currently misunderstood,
2. Current AI tools already available for business use,
3. How to incorporate AI into fraud prevention and detection processes to strengthen the Cooperative’s overall internal control / anti-fraud program.
Field of Study: Accounting
Program Level: Basic
CPE Credit: 1 Credit Hour
Prerequisite(s): No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
  More Information   Online Registration

Harnessing the Power of Stress

Date: Thursday, April 4, 2024
Time: 02:00 PM EST / 01:00 PM CST / 12:00 PM MST / 11:00 AM PST
Presenter(s): Amanda Chay, Owner, Wonderment, a stress management company
Moderator(s): Wayne Sine, CPA, Education Director, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives
Learning Objectives:
Upgrade your thinking about the impact stress plays in your life:
• Understand the science behind stress
• Discover how to make stress work for you
• Deepen overall resilience and performance
Field of Study: Personal Development
Program Level: Basic
CPE Credit: 1 Credit Hour
Prerequisite(s): No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
  More Information   Online Registration

Are You Sabotaging Your Internal Controls? The Theory, Science and Practice for Designing Effective Internal Controls.

Date: Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Time: 01:00 PM EST / 12:00 PM CST / 11:00 AM MST / 10:00 AM PST
Presenter(s): Beverly Ross, Vice President of Internal Audit, CFC
Moderator(s): Wayne Sine, CPA, Education Director, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives
Learning Objectives:
This one-hour classroom-style session will cover:
• Recognize three habit loops that explain employee behavior and response to internal controls.
• Explore the four common behaviors that shape your influence as a leader.
• Take steps to educate yourself and your staff on effectively applying judgment when handling control exceptions.
• Delve into a real-life fraud case and analyze what went wrong and what you would have done to prevent fraud.
Field of Study: Accounting
Program Level: Basic
CPE Credit: 1 Credit Hour
Prerequisite(s): No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
  More Information   Online Registration

Mastering Advanced Excel Functions

Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Time: 01:00 PM EST / 12:00 PM CST / 11:00 AM MST / 10:00 AM PST
Presenter(s): Brian F. Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMA, Director of Strategic Relationships, K2 Enterprises
Moderator(s): Wayne Sine, Director of Education, National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives
Learning Objectives:
Upon completing this course, you should be able to:
• List examples of best practices for constructing formulas in Excel spreadsheets
• Identify situations in which each of the following functions might be useful: SUMIFS, SWITCH, and STOCKHISTORY
• Distinguish between the XLOOKUP function and legacy Excel functions such as VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, INDEX, and MATCH
• Cite examples of when using Dynamic Arrays would be useful
• Differentiate between Excel’s AGGREGATE and SUBTOTAL functions
• Identify conditions in which the FORECAST.ETS function is preferable to the FORECAST function
Field of Study: Computer Software & Applications
Program Level: Intermediate
CPE Credit: 2 Credit Hour
Prerequisite(s): No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
  More Information   Online Registration

Time to Automate

Date: Thursday, May 9, 2024
Time: 01:00 PM EST / 12:00 PM CST / 11:00 AM MST / 10:00 AM PST
Presenter(s): Brian F. Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMA, Director of Strategic Relationships, K2 Enterprises
Moderator(s): Wayne Sine, CPA, Education Director, National Association of Accountants for Cooperatives
Learning Objectives:
Upon completing this course, you should be able to:
• Identify at least three benefits of successful automation efforts
• List two automation tools you can use to extract and transform data
• Specify examples of Microsoft 365 plans that include access to Power Automate
• Differentiate between Power Automate and Zapier
• Identify at least three tasks that most businesses should automate
Field of Study: Computer Software & Applications
Program Level: Intermediate
CPE Credit: 2 Credit Hour
Prerequisite(s): No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
  More Information   Online Registration

Accounting for Uncertain Tax Positions / ASC740

Date: Thursday, May 16, 2024
Time: 02:00 PM EST / 01:00 PM CST / 12:00 PM MST / 11:00 AM PST
Presenter(s): Mike Watson, CPA, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA), Rebecca Thoune, CPA, Signing Director, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA)
Moderator(s): Wayne Sine, CPA, Education Director, National Association of Accountants for Cooperatives
Learning Objectives:
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of current considerations related to ASC740, Income Taxes, including specific areas such as Section 174, leases, employee retention credits, nonqualifieds, mergers, acquisitions, uncertain tax positions, and Section 199A(g) implications.
• Develop the ability to analyze the need for uncertain tax positions by identifying relevant factors and considerations, and understand the potential implications of Section 199A(g) in tax planning.
• Acquire practical knowledge and insights on navigating specific cooperative matters in relation to ASC740, Income Taxes, enabling participants to effectively address challenges and make informed decisions.
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

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.