Gain valuable insights on maintaining professional competence amidst technological advancements and global shifts.
Just when you thought you had mastered the basic rules of ethics that apply to tax professionals, the world was turned on its head with a global pandemic and the rise of new technology. Once thought of as an easy A in college or law school, our increasingly complex work environment has presented more ethical challenges than ever before. Competence no longer means just understanding the tax code; privilege might be breached by toddlers; and the standard definitions of what it means to practice in a jurisdiction have been stretched farther than we imagined possible. Come learn what Amazon’s Alexa, the metaverse and global nomads have to do with ethics in this highly practical session discussing the ethical issues that arise in our everyday practice as tax professionals and where to look for guidance when the “old” rules no longer seem to apply.
Learning Objectives
- You will be able to describe the basic ethical duties of tax professionals.
- You will be able to discuss the differences between confidentiality, privilege, and work product protection.
- You will be able to explain the upcoming changes in the law and ethical guidelines that will affect tax professionals.
- You will be able to identify the unique ethical challenges that remote work brings.
Agenda
Back to Basics: Confidentiality, Privilege, and Work Product Protection
- Duties of Confidentiality Applicable to Tax Professionals
- Compare and Contrast - Confidentiality Versus Privilege
- Work Product - What Does It Cover and When Is It Waived?
Practitioner Core Competencies
- Competence, Diligence and Supervision
- Keeping up With Technology
- Unauthorized Practice and Global Nomads
Tax Practice in the Time of (Post-)COVID
- New/Updated Ethical Guidance
- The Particular Challenges of Remote Work
- Zoom and Zealous Representation
Recent Updates to Ethical Guidelines
- Circular 230 - How Has Its Scope Been Narrowed by the Courts?
- AICPA Statement of Standards for Tax Services - New Sstss Effective January 1, 2024!
- What to Do About the Corporate Transparency Act
Speakers
Melissa L. Wiley,
Caplin & Drysdale Attorneys- Member, Tax Controversy Practice, Caplin & Drysdale, Chartered
- Experience representing clients in all levels of the IRS administrative process, as well as in tax litigation matters; served as subject matter expert on a variety of tax controversy topics as a member of a Big 4 national tax department; acted as internal counsel to a Big 4 accounting firm on matters related to the tax practice
- Frequent speaker on topics related to IRS examinations, penalties, ethics, and return preparers
- Fellow, American College of Tax Counsel; vice-chair of Committee Operations, American Bar Association Section of Taxation; vice-chair, Tax Audits & Litigation Committee, D.C. Bar Association Tax Section; member of IRS Advocacy & Relations and National Tax Committees, AICPA
- J.D. degree, Georgetown University Law Center; B.S. degree in actuarial science, The College of Insurance
- Can be contacted at MWiley@capdale.com or 202-862-7852
Who Should Attend
This live webinar is designed for accountants, CPAs, presidents, vice presidents, CFOs, business owners and managers, controllers, tax professionals, enrolled agents, auditors and attorneys.
