CPE Catalog & Events

CFO Solutions to IRS Problems

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The authority of IRS in assessing and collecting taxes.The common misconceptions when dealing with IRS.Common questionable actions by business owners.How to prepare for an IRS audit.The seven options in IRS collections.Possible criminal tax violations by CFOs and small business owners.

2025 Annual Update for Not-for-Profit Accountants & Auditors

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee (NAC).Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs).Year 2 considerations of the leases standard.Common nonprofit deficiencies identified in peer review.What's going on at the AICPA.

Surgent's Advanced Audits of 401(k) Plans: Best Practices and Current Developments

Audit requirements for ERISA §103(a)(3)(C) audits An annual update of the changes affecting 401(k) plans Compliance issues associated with eligibility and enrollments, remittances, lack of oversight, compensation, vesting, and other topics Best practices for engagement planning, internal controls, risk assessment, and detailed testing Avoiding common mistakes while performing audit procedures Plan mergers and acquisitions Common audit reporting and disclosure issues

The Best Individual Income Tax Update Course by Surgent

Comprehensive coverage of the Inflation Reduction Act, including: The Clean Vehicle Credit, Credit for Previously Owned Clean Vehicles, Credit for Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicles, Residential Clean Energy Credit, Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, Premium Tax Credit, Elective Payment, Transferability, and Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship Requirements Comprehensive coverage of the SECURE 2.0 Act, including: Expanding Enrollment in Retirement Plans, Increase in Age for Required Beginning Date for Mandatory Distributions, New Exceptions to Penalty-Free Withdrawal from Retirement Plans, and recent IRS guidance Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation Detailed analysis and examples of Sale of Passthrough Entity Interest and Net Investment Income Tax The Gig Economy -- Tax implications, Independent Contractor vs. Employee Classification, and the 2024 DOL Final Rule Real Estate professional requirements Review of pertinent cases and rulings affecting taxpayers Practice aids, including all the numbers applicable for the current year -- inflation-adjusted amounts, mileage rates, retirement contributions, and more Advanced practice, reporting, and other issues intertwined with advanced planning and discussion ideas

Side-Hustle CFO

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The systems you need to start your own advisory service.Information on how to package, price and market your business.Transforming accounting knowledge into expertise you can sell.

Leveraging ChatGPT for Innovative Business Advisory Services

The major topics covered in this course include:Introduction to ChatGPT and its applications in the business advisory contextIn-depth exploration of enterprise evaluation methodologies like SWOT, PESTLE, BCG Matrix, McKinsey 7S Model, Ansoff Matrix, etc.Practical case studies demonstrating application of ChatGPT in accounting business analysisKey challenges faced by accounting firms and how ChatGPT can help overcome theseBest practices for implementing AI tools in the accounting sectorFuture opportunities and trends in AI-enhanced business advisory services

Ethics: How to Run Your Business Well

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The five principles of ethical intelligenceHow to make the right decisions in a range of challenging situationsThe fundamental ethical principal, "Do No Harm"

Streamlined Excel Reporting Series Session 4: External Data and PivotCharts

Surgent's Food, Beverage, and Entertainment Expensing

The 50% deduction for meals that are ordinary and necessary in carrying on a trade or business Elimination of the temporary rules that applied for 2021 and 2022 which allowed for 100% deductibility for ordinary and necessary business-related meals When meals are still 100% deductible IRS rules relating to the nondeducibility of activities considered entertainment or amusement What constitutes entertainment/amusement for tax purposes? When employers may deduct food and beverages provided to employees 50% deductibility for occasional employee meals and for overtime meals 50% deductibility for business meals during business meetings Business meals incurred during business travel Invoice meals separately from entertainment

Surgent's Strategies for Maximizing Social Security Benefits

When is a person eligible to take Social Security benefits? Factors to consider when selecting an option for taking Social Security benefits Is there a best age to start taking Social Security benefits? How to maximize Social Security benefit payments for surviving spouses How can a divorced spouse collect Social Security benefits based on the work record of a former spouse? How minor children can collect Social Security benefits based on the work record of an older parent

Surgent's Workplace Harassment: How to Prevent Harassment and Reduce Liability Risks in Today's Changing Environment

An overview of workplace harassment and discrimination laws, including the intangible benefits that come with compliance An overview of sexual harassment and workplace retaliation The supervisor’s (or manager’s) role in preventing harassment and in reducing the company’s potential liability through good faith efforts at compliance Review a compliant procedure for handling harassment concerns

Surgent's Predicting Future Financial Issues Facing the Financial Executive

CPA becoming attuned to broad based business knowledge, professional skepticism, and subordination of judgment The future of medical care in the United States in a post COVID-19 environment Future of social security and impact on retirement planning and employee retention Impact on financial executive if the dollar is no longer the world currency “Fate of the States” – will the location of your business make you less competitive Future of workmen’s compensation and unemployment compensation Future of interest rates Impact of greater reliance on technology AICPA top 10 trends and technologies National infrastructure ESG and DEI trends in the global economy Impact of continuing uncertainty in markets

Behind the Curtain: Exploring IRS Audit Technique Guides

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Overview of ATGsBest practices for utilizing ATGsSalient provisions of selected ATGsInsights auditors may obtain from analytical proceduresNuances associated with selected industries

Mastering the Excel Lookup Functions

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:A review of the various lookup functions, beyond VLOOKUPLearn which lookup works best for your situationHow to apply the many lookup functionsDiscover advanced lookup techniques like nested lookups, approximate matching, and handling errors effectivelyAn in-depth review of the following functions:VLOOKUP / HLOOKUPXLOOKUPMATCH / INDEXXMATCHINDIRECTFILTERSORT / SORTBYUNIQUEAn overview of some newer functions

How SAS Nos. 134-145 Improve Risk-Based Audits

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Key changes to audit report elements intended to improve the understandability of the nature and results of financial statement auditsEnhanced required by-product communications with management and those charged with governance to promote more reliable financial statementsClarifications related to obtaining sufficient and appropriate audit evidence, including significant unusual transactions, related parties, going concern uncertainty, and accounting estimatesNew definitions and requirements related to identifying and evaluating risks of material misstatementOther important matters contained in SAS Nos. 134-145

The Art of Engaging in Difficult Conversations

The major subjects that will be covered in this course include:Awareness of your mindset entering the conversationTactics to build a pool of meaningClarity around story tellingBiggest mistakes to avoid

Income Tax Analysis: Exploring In-Depth Concepts

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to GAAP and IRC FrameworksKey Differences Between Financial Reporting and Tax ReportingUnderstanding Timing DifferencesRecognition of Revenue and Expenses Under GAAP vs. IRCDiscussion of Deferred Tax AssetsImpact of Deferred Tax LiabilitiesPermanent vs. Temporary DifferencesReconciliation of Book Income to Taxable Income

Deep Dive Into Common Auditing Deficiencies

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Review common deficiencies identified by the AICPA and state boards of accountancy.Feature discussion on a variety of topics, including analytical procedures, sampling, group audits and risk assessment.Review of the areas of concern and how you can overcome them by employing best practices.

Understanding the New Forms K-2 and K-3

The major topics covered in this class include:Introduction to Schedules K-2 and K-3Review the filing requirementsDiscuss the different parts of the schedules and what needs to be included

401(k) Audit Basics, Part 4 - Notes to Financial Statements and Current Topics

Unique plan financial statement disclosures Current and hot issues for the 2025 audit season