As restricted stock awards increasingly become the equity vehicle of choice and stock options fall out of favor, equity compensation professionals are experiencing a shift in the industry that requires new skills, knowledge and training.

Enroll today to learn the essentials to successful management of restricted stock plans, including key design, regulatory and administrative considerations. NASPP University’s online program provides the nuts-and-bolts guidance you need in just two webcasts.

The complex, overlapping standards governing stock plans — plus ongoing changes in accounting, taxation and required public disclosure — make it critical that anyone involved in plan administration develop a solid, working knowledge of the prevailing regulatory framework and best practices for effective plan management. Designed for professionals new to the field, Online Stock Plan Fundamentals will bring you up to date with all regulatory requirements, as well as administrative best practices.

This unique program will take an in-depth look at tax reporting and withholding for stock compensation. Leading practitioners will examine challenges and solutions for today’s most pervasive issues, including IRS deposit requirements, reporting on Forms W-2 and 1099-MISC, FICA taxes, acceleration of vesting upon retirement, domestic and global mobility, state and local taxes, Section 6039 reporting, and many other complex topics. Veteran stock plan administrators will also offer tips for dealing with special situations, such as divorce, death, former employees, changes in employment status, and excess withholding requests.

The complex, overlapping standards governing stock plans — plus ongoing changes in accounting, taxation and required public disclosure — make it critical that anyone involved in plan administration develop a solid, working knowledge of the prevailing regulatory framework and best practices for effective plan management. Designed for professionals new to the field, Online Stock Plan Fundamentals will bring you up to date with all regulatory requirements, as well as administrative best practices.

Say-on-Pay and heightened shareholder scrutiny have influenced executive compensation in numerous ways—probably none more than the design of long-term incentive programs—and particularly the use of performance-based equity. Companies have even been required to attach performance conditions to existing service-based awards to ensure passage of their Say-on-Pay proposals. Design, administration and reporting for performance awards raise new concerns for companies and administrators. Communication with award recipients and investors can be challenging and complex. This course will provide a “nuts and bolts” study of performance awards, giving attendees the tools and understanding needed to account for, administer and report on these challenging new awards.

Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs) are making a comeback! This course will develop the skills you need to oversee these complex and increasingly popular programs. Section 423 qualified ESPPs are a win-win, providing a highly valued, tax preferred benefit to employees with no cash outflow and minimal expense for employers. But the particular structure of ESPPs results in many administrative challenges. This course will explain the regulatory and accounting framework and the day-to-day procedures critical to successfully implement and manage an ESPP.

The upsurge in granting of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards continues, yet many companies struggle with issues such as administering tax withholding, acceleration of vesting upon retirement and managing dividends and dividend equivalents.  This program will go beyond the basics with industry experts discussing the challenges and presenting best practices for the more technical aspects of restricted stock and restricted stock unit plans.

The final regulations for IRC Section 409A go into effect beginning in 2009—are you prepared to Administer your option, restricted stock and ESPP plans under the new requirements? The Essential Guide to Section 409A for Equity Compensation will cover everything you need to know, including key design, regulatory, and administrative considerations for equity compensation plans under Section 409A. Designed for individuals with little or no prior experience with deferred compensation (and anyone that needs a refresher), this two-part online program explains the effect of Section 409A on all types of equity vehicles—options, restricted stock, SARs and ESPPs.