OCTOBER 2006

Dear CCH Learning Center Subscriber,

Welcome to the October 2006 issue of Focus on Learning, the monthly newsletter for the CCH Learning Center that provides insights on how to use the Learning Center to your full advantage and updates on new courses and features available to you. In each issue we highlight a course (or series of courses) on a timely topic, and let you know about new courses released in the CCH Learning Center. We also inform you of new useful features, provide helpful tips on existing features, and help you use the CCH Learning Center to meet your professional development and CPE needs.

New Dynamic Course Matrix
Over the past year, CCH has added five Specialty Libraries to its Learning Center offerings. Plus, new and updated courses have been continually added to the Learning Center Core Library. To help you easily view what courses are included in your subscription, CCH has created the CCH Learning Center Course/Library Matrix. Find out more about this helpful chart.

The new Matrix can be accessed from the right side of the Specialty Libraries page, on the Search for Courses page. When you click on the Matrix link or the thumbnail, you are taken to a dynamic chart that lists all of the courses in the Learning Center, and the libraries that host them. The chart is updated as courses are added and removed from the Learning Center. It also displays the number of courses in each library. From this chart, you can link to either the course description, or to a description of the Specialty Library that hosts it.

New Tax Research Catalog
Subscribers to CCH’s Learning Center Core Library may have noticed a new catalog in their Library. The catalog was created to host all CCH courses covering how to conduct tax research in one area. Click here to find out more about this new catalog.

In 2006, CCH has released or revised five tax research courses with additional courses in development. Three of the current courses cover the steps involved in conducting tax research, researching the primary sources of federal tax law, and researching international tax law. Two courses provide training on how to use CCH Tax Research NetWork to effectively conduct tax research. The current courses can be found in the newly created Tax Research Catalog. Visit this new catalog for details on CCH’s tax research offerings. 

New Specialty Library: Wealth Management
CCH has added the new Wealth Management Library to its growing line of Specialty Libraries. The CCH Learning Center Specialty Libraries are practice area focused, covering a broad range of levels in the key topics of accounting and auditing, sales and use taxation, state taxation, tax return preparation and now wealth management. Get details on the newest Learning Center Specialty Library: Wealth Management.

This new library helps professionals offer practical wealth management planning advice to their clients. Written by top experts in the field, these courses provide timely coverage, in-depth analysis, and helpful practice aids, giving you the guidance you need to keep a step ahead of important wealth management issues. 

The library includes over 40 courses worth more than 125 CPE credits, or 110 Credits for CFP® professionals. The courses also include links to sources of additional information within CCH® Tax Research Network™ and Accounting Research Manager®. Each course includes practice aids to help you apply what you have learned, including insightful articles that provide supplementary information on the course topic. The courses address a wide range of wealth management issues, from strategic planning to preparing the appropriate tax forms, making this library perfect for anyone who wants a greater understanding of this growing and profitable practice area.

Attention CTEC Registered Tax Preparers
CCH is now an approved provider of distance learning with the California Tax Education Council (CTEC). CE Credit for distance learning is based on a 100-minute hour under CTEC standards. The CE awarded for CTEC Registered Tax Preparers (CRTPs) completing a Learning Center course can be found on the description page for each course under the Credit Available section. Learn more about CTEC accreditation here.

CCH must electronically report all CRTPs who complete courses to CTEC. If you are a CRTP, and wish to earn Credit for courses you have completed through the Learning Center, we need your CTEC ID. You may enter this information into your Learning Center profile by logging on and going to My Account. Enter your ID number in the CTEC Number field and click "Continue." CCH will begin reporting all courses you complete through the Learning Center to CTEC within 45 days of receiving this information.

New Learning Center Core Library Courses
CCH is committed to keeping you up-to-date and knowledgeable on the latest issues that impact your firm or corporation. Many new or revised courses covering a wide range of topics have been released to the CCH Learning Center Core Library over the past two months. See the new or updated titles released to the Learning Center Core Library.

• 1120S Preparation and Planning 1: Tax Fundamentals (2007 Edition)

• 1120S Preparation and Planning 2: Business Income, Deductions and Tax Payments (2007 Edition)

• 1120S Preparation and Planning 3: Schedule K (2007 Edition)

• 1120S Preparation and Planning 4: Other Schedules and Tax Planning (2007 Edition)

• Accounting and Financial Reporting: Current Developments (Second Edition)

• Boomer Planning

• Cars: Expenses and Deductions (2006-2007)

• Home Office: Expenses and Deductions (2006-2007 Edition)

• Partnerships, LLCs and S Corporations: Tax Developments in 2006

• Peer Review and the AICPA Peer Review Program Standards

• Recent Tax Developments (September-October 2006)

• Tax Research: Primary Sources of Federal Tax Law -- The Internal Revenue Code and IRS Interpretations

• Tax Research: Researching International Tax Law

Specialty Library - Accounting and Audit Courses
In addition to the accounting and auditing titles listed above, several new courses have been released exclusively to CCH’s Accounting and Audit Specialty Library. This new Library covers a broad range of topics; including fraud, recently issued standards and specialized areas such as governmental auditing and not-for-profit organization audits. The CCH Specialty Library Accounting and Audit serves as a valuable research tool and helps practitioners meet their A&A CPE requirements. New courses released exclusively to this library include:

• FASB No. 151: Inventory Costs

• FASB No. 153: Exchange of Nonmonetary Assets

• Fraud in the Financial Statement Audit

Course Spotlight
Boomer Planning is an especially relevant topic as the oldest members of the "baby boom" generation hit age 60. Baby boomers, like past and future generations, share concerns about taxes, finances, and personal health. This course presents an overview of the major considerations faced by boomers as they near or enter retirement. Get the details on this course. 

Boomer Planning explores some of the tax, pension, and quality of life questions “baby boomers” will confront as they leave the workplace for retirement or a second career. Special attention is given to some key tax events such as the home sale exclusion, maximizing the value of IRAs and Roth IRAs, pension reform, and unique planning challenges faced by same-sex couples. Topics covered in this course include:

• Home sale exclusion

• Maximizing the value of IRAs and Roth IRAs

• Long-term care insurance

• Pension reform

• Unique planning challenges faced by same-sex couples

Upcoming Courses
We will release many new courses in the CCH Learning Center in the weeks and months ahead to give you even more choices and more value. Learn more about the new CCH Learning Center courses in development.

Among the new and updated courses that are in development now, look for courses in the following areas soon:

• Compilation and review updates

• Domestic production activities deduction

• Fraud

• HSAs

• Income tax preparation

• IRS Enforcement programs

• Like-kind exchanges

• Nonqualified deferred compensation

• Peer review

• Recent tax developments

• Risk assessment

• Section 179

• Tax research