This course covers the important role of specialists in financial reporting and when their expertise is needed. It shows CPAs how to work with valuation, legal, actuarial, and tax specialists to support complex accounting estimates. The course starts by defining specialists, management’s responsibility to oversee their work, and how to communicate with auditors. It then reviews key transactions that often require specialist input, such as business combinations, goodwill impairment, fair value measurements, and asset retirement obligations. It also covers related topics like legal contingencies and share-based compensation. The focus is on evaluating specialist work, documenting judgments, and meeting auditor expectations to help CPAs manage complex accounting issues confidently.
Chapter 1 - Understanding and Evaluating Specialist Work - Overview
This chapter explains why specialists are often needed in financial reporting under U.S. GAAP, what defines a specialist, and the common types used in accounting. It highlights management’s ongoing responsibility to review and oversee specialist work, emphasizing that using experts does not remove that duty. The chapter also covers how to evaluate specialist qualifications, risks of not engaging them, and common misconceptions. It also outlines the engagement process, documentation expectations, and how to communicate effectively with auditors, including when auditors bring in their own specialists.
Chapter 2 - Specialist-Supported Transactions in GAAP Accounting - Overview
This chapter covers accounting transactions that commonly require valuation or economic specialists, including business combinations, goodwill impairment, fair value measurements, and asset retirement obligations. It explains how specialist expertise supports these areas and highlights key assumptions that need careful review. The chapter also touches on related topics such as legal contingencies, defined benefit and postretirement plans, share-based compensation, and uncertain tax positions, showing where specialist input is essential to accurate measurement and reporting.
SKU *: crs-4774
Sell price $: 48.00
Course Preview: <iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/451918666?autoplay=1" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="357" mozallowfullscreen="" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="635"></iframe>
Course Short Description:
This course covers the important role of specialists in financial reporting and when their expertise is needed.
Compliance Deep Tag: - None -
Credit Hours: 2.0
CPE Credits Awarded *: 2.0
Approval Status: - None -
Course is for: ** Main Course Library **
Course Duration: 2.0
Complexity of Content: Basic
Suppress in lists: No
Last Updated/Reviewed Date: October 20, 2025
Course Topic: Accounting
Prerequisitses: No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
Learning Objective:
- Identify when management should engage a specialist in financial reporting.
- Recognize the common types of specialists used and their roles.
- Explore and understand management’s responsibility to review and oversee specialist work.
- Explore and evaluate the qualifications of a specialist and recognize risks of not engaging one.
- Discover and explain best practices for documenting specialist work and communicating with auditors.
- Identify transactions that often require valuation or economic specialist input.
- Identify and understand key assumptions that impact valuations and financial measurements.
- Recognize accounting areas where valuation reports are typically expected by auditors or regulators.
- Explore and explain how specialist expertise supports accurate reporting in complex transactions.
Course Type: CPE Course
crs_type:
CPE Course
Format: on_demand
format_crs:
on_demand
Audit & Accounting: Yes
Careers: No
Ethics (NASBA): No
Excel: No
Finance: No
Human Resources (HR): No
Internal Audit: No
Leadership & Management: No
Marketing: No
Operations: No
Productivity & Tech: No
Risk Management: No
Sales: No
Tax: No
Free Trail: No
Other: No
Field of Study: Accounting
crs cat:
Audit & Accounting
CPA: Yes
CPD-IES8: Yes
CMA: Yes
CFE: Yes
Yellow Book: No
CGFM: Yes
CIA: Yes
CRMA: Yes
CPP: No
FPC: No
CTP: No
FP&A: No
CISM: No
CRISC: No
CISA: No
CIST: No
CRFS: No
SHRM-CP: No
SHRM-SCP: No
PHR: No
SPHR: No
GPHR: No
aPHR: No
PHRca: No
PHRi: No
SPHRi: No
cert type:
CPA, CPD-IED8,
CMA, CFE, CGFM, CIA, CRMA
Enable/Disable: Yes
CPE Credits CPA: 2.0
Field of Study CPA: Accounting
CPE Delivery Method CPA: QAS Self-Study
Program Location CPA:
Online
*Program Level: Basic
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
Description:
Illumeo 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 the final authority on the acceptance of individual course for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
NASBA Sponsor Number: 109504
State of New York Sponsor Number: 002746
State of Texas Sponsor Number: 009890
In accordance with the standards of the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, CPE credits have been granted based on a 50-minute hour.
NASBA Sponsor Number: 109504
State of New York Sponsor Number: 002746
State of Texas Sponsor Number: 009890
Enable/Disable: Yes
Hours CPD-IES8: 2.0
Field of Study CPD-IES8: Accounting
CPE Delivery Method CPD-IES8: QAS Self-Study
Program Location CPD-IES8:
Online
Description:
Your specific provider of Continuing Professional Development accreditation has final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPD-IES8 credit.
Enable/Disable: Yes
CPE Credits CMA: 2.0
Field of Study CMA: Accounting
CPE Delivery Method CMA: QAS Self-Study
Program Location CMA:
Online
*Program Level: Basic
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
Enable/Disable: Yes
CPE Credits CFE: 2.0
Field of Study CFE: Accounting
CPE Delivery Method CFE: QAS Self-Study
Program Location CFE:
Online
*Program Level: Basic
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
Enable/Disable: Yes
CPE Credits CGFM: 2.0
Field of Study CGFM: Accounting Principles And Standards
CPE Delivery Method CGFM: QAS Self-Study
Program Location CGFM:
Online
*Program Level: Basic
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location YB:
Online
Description:
The GAO's Yellow Book, Government Auditing Standards, establishes CPE requirements. Auditors performing work under GAGAS, including planning, directing, performing field work, or reporting on an audit or attestation engagement under GAGAS, need to maintain their professional competence through continuing professional education (CPE). Therefore, each auditor performing work under GAGAS should complete, every two years, at least 80 hours of CPE that directly enhance the auditor's professional proficiency to perform audits and/or attestation engagements. At least 24 of the 80 hours of CPE should be in subjects directly related to government auditing, the government environment, or the specific or unique environment in which the audited entity operates. At least 20 hours of the 80 should be completed in any one year of the two-year period. For details on the Yellow Book CPE requirements go to http://www.gao.gov/ and https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/693136.pdf.
Enable/Disable: Yes
CPE Credits CIA: 2.0
Field of Study CIA: Auditing and accounting
CPE Delivery Method CIA: QAS Self-Study
Program Location CIA:
Online
*Program Level: Basic
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
Description:
Recognized CPE provider, authorized by the Institute of Internal Auditors for use in the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) CPE program.
Recognized CPE provider, authorized by the Institute of Internal Auditors for use in the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) CPE program.
Enable/Disable: Yes
CPE Credits CRMA: 2.0
Field of Study CRMA: Other activities contributing to professional competence
CPE Delivery Method CRMA: QAS Self-Study
Program Location CRMA:
Online
*Program Level: Basic
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
Description:
Recognized CPE provider, authorized by the Institute of Internal Auditors for use in the Certified Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) CPE program.
Recognized CPE provider, authorized by the Institute of Internal Auditors for use in the Certified Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) CPE program.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details CPP:
 | This activity, ID No. 19 ILL 000 has been approved for 1.0 Recertification Credit Hour(s) toward CPP recertification through the American Payroll Association (APA). Please make note of the Course Code on your CPP Recertification Log. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the APA website at www.americanpayroll.org. |
Description:
This program has been approved for 12 Recertification Credit Hour(s) toward CPP recertification through the American Payroll Association (APA). For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the APA homepage at www.americanpayroll.org.
This program has been approved for 12 Recertification Credit Hour(s) toward CPP recertification through the American Payroll Association (APA). For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the APA homepage at www.americanpayroll.org.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details FPC:
| This activity, ID No. 19 ILL 000 has been approved for 1.0 Recertification Credit Hour(s) toward CPP recertification through the American Payroll Association (APA). Please make note of the Course Code on your CPP Recertification Log. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the APA website at www.americanpayroll.org. |
Description:
This program has been approved for 12 Recertification Credit Hour(s) toward RCH recertification through the American Payroll Association (APA). For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the APA homepage at www.americanpayroll.org.
This program has been approved for 12 Recertification Credit Hour(s) toward RCH recertification through the American Payroll Association (APA). For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the APA homepage at www.americanpayroll.org.
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location CTP:
On Demand/Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
Description:
Approved for up to 2.4 CTP/CCM recertification credits by the Association for Financial Professionals
Approved for up to 2.4 CTP/CCM recertification credits by the Association for Financial Professionals
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location FP&A:
On Demand/Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
Description:
Approved for up to 2.4 FP&A recertification credits by the Association for Financial Professionals
Approved for up to 2.4 FP&A recertification credits by the Association for Financial Professionals
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location IRS-EA:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details IRS-EA:
 | This activity, ID No. XXXXXX has been approved for #### CPE credit hours toward IRS Enrolled Agent (EA) continuing education requirements. In accordance with the standards set forth in Circular 230 section 10.6, CE credits have been granted based on a 50-minute hour. |
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location CISM:
Online
Description:
Your specific provider of Continuing Professional Education accreditation has final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit.
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location CRISC:
Online
Description:
Your specific provider of Continuing Professional Education accreditation has final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit.
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location CISA:
Online
Description:
Recognized CPE provider, authorized by the Institute of Internal Auditors for use in the Certified Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) CPE program.
Recognized CPE provider, authorized by the Institute of Internal Auditors for use in the Certified Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) CPE program.
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location CIST:
Online
Description:
Your specific provider of Continuing Professional Development accreditation has final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPD credit.
Enable/Disable: No
Program Location CRFS:
Online
Description:
Your specific provider of Continuing Professional Development accreditation has final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPD credit.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details SHRM-CP:
 | This activity, ID No. XXXXXX has been approved for #### recertification credit hours toward SHRM-CP™ and SHRM-SCP™ recertification through the Society of Human Resource Management® (SHRM®). Please make note of the activity ID number on your recertification application form. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the Society for Human Resource Management website at www.shrm.org. |
Description:
Illumeo is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP℠. This program is valid for 2 PDCs for the SHRM-CP℠. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.
Illumeo is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP℠. This program is valid for 2 PDCs for the SHRM-CP℠. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details SHRM-SCP:
| This activity, ID No. XXXXXX has been approved for #### recertification credit hours toward SHRM-CP™ and SHRM-SCP™ recertification through the Society of Human Resource Management® (SHRM®). Please make note of the activity ID number on your recertification application form. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the Society for Human Resource Management website at www.shrm.org. |
Description:
Illumeo is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-SCP℠. This program is valid for 2 PDCs for the SHRM-SCP℠. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.
Illumeo is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-SCP℠. This program is valid for 2 PDCs for the SHRM-SCP℠. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details PHR:
 | This activity, ID No. 000000 has been approved for 1.0 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). Please make note of the activity ID number on your recertification application form. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute website at www.hrci.org. |
Description:
This program has been approved for 2 Business aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification credit hours through the HR Certification Institute. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute homepage at www.hrci.org.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details SPHR:
| This activity, ID No. 000000 has been approved for 1.0 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). Please make note of the activity ID number on your recertification application form. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute website at www.hrci.org. |
Description:
This program has been approved for 2 Business aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification credit hours through the HR Certification Institute. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute homepage at www.hrci.org.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details GPHR:
| This activity, ID No. 000000 has been approved for 1.0 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). Please make note of the activity ID number on your recertification application form. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute website at www.hrci.org. |
Description:
This program has been approved for 2 Business aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification credit hours through the HR Certification Institute. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute homepage at www.hrci.org.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details aPHR:
| This activity, ID No. 000000 has been approved for 1.0 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). Please make note of the activity ID number on your recertification application form. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute website at www.hrci.org. |
Description:
This program has been approved for 2 Business aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification credit hours through the HR Certification Institute. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute homepage at www.hrci.org.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details PHRca:
| This activity, ID No. 000000 has been approved for 1.0 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). Please make note of the activity ID number on your recertification application form. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute website at www.hrci.org. |
Description:
This program has been approved for 2 Business aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification credit hours through the HR Certification Institute. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute homepage at www.hrci.org.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details PHRi:
| This activity, ID No. 000000 has been approved for 1.0 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). Please make note of the activity ID number on your recertification application form. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute website at www.hrci.org. |
Description:
This program has been approved for 2 Business aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification credit hours through the HR Certification Institute. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute homepage at www.hrci.org.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
Enable/Disable: No
*Program Location:
Online
*Prerequisites:
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
~Credit Details SPHRi:
| This activity, ID No. 000000 has been approved for 1.0 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). Please make note of the activity ID number on your recertification application form. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute website at www.hrci.org. |
Description:
This program has been approved for 2 Business aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification credit hours through the HR Certification Institute. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HR Certification Institute homepage at www.hrci.org.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
The use of this seal confirms that this activity has met HR Certification Institute’s® (HRCI®) criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.
Enable/Disable: Yes
Hours: 2.0
Free Marketing Course: No
Sponser: Illumeo
Participation: Solo
Instructor: Recorded
Presence: Remote