CPE Catalog & Events

Ethics: 10 Crucial Qualities of High Character CPAs

The major topics covered in this class include:Discover why the ten crucial qualities of high-character CPAs are essential to your successLearn how to evaluate these qualities in job candidates and why you must do so

Surgent's Elder Fraud

Common elder fraud schemes How to recognize scam attempts What to do when you think you are being scammed Where and how to report a scam What you should do now to prevent being scammed How to avoid being scammed on the internet Why older Americans are disproportionately impacted by scams and fraud Technical support scams How to avoid giving money to scammers What to do if you or someone you know is targeted by fraud The National Elder Fraud Hotline How to get your money back after being scammed Types of elder law financial exploitation

Surgent's Privacy and Security Training: Obligations of Confidentiality and Safekeeping

Obligations of confidentiality and safekeeping Security best practices to apply beyond work Likely causes and effects of a large-scale cyberattack Email security best practices Remote work security Mobile device security Internet of Things (IoT) risks Public Wi-Fi risk and the importance of using a VPN Recognizing and avoiding text message/phone call phishing Data loss prevention (DLP)

Surgent's Schedules K-2 and K-3: Filing Requirements

IRS goals in requiring these schedules Detailed discussion of the domestic filing exception for 2023 tax year Filing requirements and exceptions for every part of Schedules K-2 and K-3 Examples based on client situations encountered in practice

Surgent's Section 754 Step-Up in Basis: Understanding the Tax Issues for Partnerships and LLCs

How and why a partnership makes a 754 election The effect of the 754 election when an interest in a partnership is sold or inherited How the 754 election applies when a partnership makes a distribution of property to one or more of its partners How to make the 754 basis adjustment

Surgent's The CMA’s Guide to Project Management

Establishing a system: identifying forces that support the status quo; setting milestones and goals; the role of the CMA Necessary first steps: set a framework for the project’s activities; identify needed resources; obtain support; decide on a structure; establish a team for a specific project; identify necessary team skill sets Project evaluation: analytical tools, strategic evaluation; sources of risk Maintaining focus: monitoring and measuring results; keeping to the project’s scope Avoiding frequent traps: sunk costs; financing pitfalls; project creep; tunnel vision; failure to integrate the team’s work internally and/or the final project with the remaining organization Introduction and examples of analytical tools throughout the session: mapping; CPM; Gantt charts; benchmarking; Pareto analysis; PESTLE analysis; valuation techniques; post-completion evaluations

Surgent's Trump Accounts Created by OBBBA: A Comprehensive Guide for Accounting and Finance Professionals

Establishing and administering a Trump Account Who can make contributions to a Trump Account Limits on contributions to a Trump Account Employer contributions to a Trump Account Participation in the pilot program What a Trump Account can invest in Basis tracking for after-tax contributions Taxation of distributions from a Trump Account Rolling a Trump Account into another account The potential advantages and disadvantages of having a Trump Account Opting out of a Trump Account Issues impacting a Trump Account, such as distribution, when the beneficiary turns 18

What's Changing in A&A for Governmental Entities (2026/27)

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Major pronouncements issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, including GASB Statements No. 103, 104, and 105.Overview of active GASB exposure drafts and ongoing projects.Auditing developments, covering significant updates to the Yellow Book issued by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, including changes related to quality management, effective dates, and recent updates to the Green Book. 

Capitalized Costs & Depreciation - Tax Staff Essentials

Tax basis of property acquisitions Initial basis of property acquired in an exchange transaction Materials, supplies, repairs, and improvements Accounting method changes Depreciation: MACRS, Section 179 and bonus Intangible assets and amortization Organization and startup costs Research and experimental expenditures H.R. 1, commonly referred to as OBBBA

ACPEN: Nonprofit Accounting and Financial Reporting Explained

Discussion of financial reporting risks increased by the current economic environment, including increased uncertainty related to critical financial statement amounts and significant disclosures Executive summary of recent Accounting Standards Updates  Overview of fair value disclosure requirements and implementation issues Discussion of issues related to donor-restricted endowment funds Classification of net assets and reclassifications Endowments, including accounting, disclosures and UPMIFA Noncascontributions Contributions received and receivable Expense recognition issues Reporting expenses by function and nature Other relevant matters unique to the nonprofit environment

ACPEN: Maximizing Fringe Benefits: Strategies for Business and Personal Needs for Today and Beyond

Legislative and regulatory updates affecting fringe benefit planning Employer-sponsored fringe benefits and tax compliance under evolving regulations IRC §132 fringe benefit options and applications Cafeteria plans: benefits, limitations, and tax considerations Tax treatment of dependent care and educational assistance programs Flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts Group term life insurance: design features and tax treatment Financing strategies for retiree medical benefits Comparing health care benefits: insured plans vs. HMOs ERISA reporting and disclosure requirements Common control rules and nondiscrimination regulations

Surgent's Form 1040 Return Review Boot Camp for New and Experienced Reviewers

Key provisions of the recent HR 1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, have been incorpoated throughout the course Review an error-prone "staff-prepared" Form 1040 from client-provided information. Where do you start? Get to know your client and ask the questions Several new reporting issues for the reviewer to consider, including the main credit provisions as enacted under the American Rescue Plan What are common errors preparers make and what are the areas generating malpractice claims? The importance of engagement letters, questionnaires, and §7216 permission statement Initial administrative groundwork Identifying organizing issues in the tax return to be reviewed Avoiding “willful blindness.” Handling ethical and moral dilemmas Efficient review of certain advanced issues for income, adjustments, deductions, and credits Effective procedures for delinquent clients, filing past-due tax returns First-time client issues requiring extra scrutiny Multiple checklists of efficient procedures to identify potential issues on a 1040 return Listing of schedules for staff to prepare to make a review easier, including basis issues for 1040 clients Reconciling time pressure with thoroughness and quality control Professionals acting professionally

Understanding the Rising Costs of Healthcare

ACPEN: K2's Ten Questions To Ask Your IT Team

Ten Strategic Question Frameworks for Technology Assessment      Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Oversight Through Targeted Dialogue      Cloud Governance and Remote Work Technology Evaluation

ACPEN: Defining Lines: Advanced Professional Boundaries

Best practices for personal and professional boundaries 3 types of workplace boundaries 6 fail-safe ways to implement your boundaries at work Understanding interference & how to manage related stress Developing flexibility for efficiency & ease

ACPEN: Recognizing Lies: How to Detect and Prevent

Lies abound Why is it so difficult to call out a liar? How lies devastate Why do we despise lies? What sets liars apart? Deciphering the signals that indicate dishonesty How short-term thinking leads to lies and leads to uncovering lies Analyzing the cues Differentiating concerns and guilt The deception paradox What makes a great lie so great? Proven processes to uncover lies

Surgent's Key Current Financial and Economic Issues Facing the Financial Executive

Taking a strategic perspective relative to risk management and crisis management Reviewing the impact uncertainty and risk at the operational level relative to short- and intermediate-term decision making Determining the safety and soundness of the financial plans for your organization in an uncertain economic climate specifically as it relates to capital adequacy and strategic direction Managing the debt and equity mix for your organization in a rapidly changing economic landscape Determining the impact that competing in a global marketplace has on an organization and how to take steps to become more competitive globally Evaluating the impact of federal, state, and municipal deficits and unfunded mandates as it relates to tax planning Evaluating retirement programs with Social Security funding for your employees Determining the safety and soundness of your credit and collections processes and selection of customers in an uncertain environment Influencing growth through acquisition of distressed organizations The economic way ahead for the CFO/Controller 

ChatGPT and Advanced Accounting Research

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The accounting research transformation: Comparing Google vs. AI methodologiesAI ecosystems and specialized models for accounting applicationsAdvanced prompt engineering techniques for financial and tax researchAI-powered search engines and deep research platforms for accounting professionals AI as an ideation and thinking partner for complex accounting problems Specialized accounting research tools and AI superstoresPersona priming and P&P stacking methodologies for optimal AI interactionsEthical considerations and limitations of AI in accounting researchThe compliance chess effect: AI's impact on tax planning and regulatory responseAI-driven automation for regulatory updates and compliance monitoring

The Best Individual Income Tax Update Course by Surgent

Comprehensive coverage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Review of key components of President Trump's tax bill, including a tip income exemption, overtime pay relief, Social Security tax exemption, auto loan interest deductibility, SALT deduction modifications, a lower corporate tax rate, restoration of 100% bonus depreciation, immediate R&D expensing, and permanent extension of select TCJA provisions Tariff policy and implementation - analyze the use of tariffs as a fiscal and trade policy tool Digital assets and tax implications - understand the new Form 1099-DA for reporting digital asset transactions, along with updated IRS guidance on cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and broker responsibilities Artificial intelligence - discover how AI and generative tools are transforming tax practices, as well as how the IRS is leveraging AI to enhance audit selection Form 1099-K reporting requirements - understand the evolving IRS thresholds and rules for third-party payment platforms The Gig Economy - examine key tax implications for gig workers, including Independent Contractor vs. Employee classification challenges, reporting responsibilities, and the impact of the 2024 Department of Labor Final Rule on worker status Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation 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

ACPEN: Balancing Employee and Employer Rights

Customary management functions Delegation of authority Implementing changes in terms of employment Fundamental duties owed to employer