CPE Catalog & Events

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 Motives and Mystery of Ethics-Understanding the Why

Understanding yourself and others in the workplace How emotion plays a vital role in ethical dilemmas and in solutions What are some of the various outlooks on ethics? Recognizing lies Managing ethics towards solutions

Business Losses: Going Backward and Forward

Recent legislative developments for deducting business losses TCJA net operating losses rules of §461(l) §163(j) Business Interest Expense Limitations of deducting losses and basis What is the “quickie” refund; Section 465 At-Risk amount Section 469 Passive Activity Loss rules

ChatGPT and Advanced Policy Manual Development for ACCTs

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Fundamentals of accounting policy manuals in traditional and AI contextsThe PRIME Method framework for AI-assisted policy developmentStrategic implementation of AI tools including ChatGPT, Claude, and CopilotInternal control and risk management policy creationAI and generative AI usage policies for accounting firmsSustainability and ESG reporting policy frameworksPredictive analytics and forecasting policy developmentRegulatory compliance considerations in AI-generated policies

Surgent's How to Effectively Represent Clients Under IRS Audit

Why the IRS selects a tax return for audit What happens when the taxpayer disagrees with the results of the audit IRS employees who interact with taxpayers during an audit FATCA audits Types of IRS examinations Potential IRS audit outcomes Substitute for returns Large Partnership Compliance Program IRS’s shift in audit strategies Responding to IRS Notices online Audits of high income and high net-worth individuals The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (BBA) and its impact on auditing partnerships IRS Letters of Concern

Surgent's Mastering Client Management for Accounting and Finance Professionals

The evolving landscape of client expectations in the accounting profession Building strong and lasting client relationships through effective communication, empathy, and proactive service Implementing efficient client onboarding and engagement processes Leveraging technology to streamline communication, enhance collaboration, and deliver personalized service Effectively resolving client concerns and complaints Utilizing client feedback to continually improve your practice

Surgent's Social Security: Dispelling Common Myths with Essential Truths

Will Social Security be there for me? How is my benefit calculated? Can I claim my benefit and work too? When do I stop paying Social Security taxes? Why does my government pension cause my benefits to be reduced? Can I claim spousal benefits now and my own later? What is my breakeven? Can I claim benefits from my ex-spouse? What do you mean I may pay taxes on my income benefits? … and more!

Financial Statement Analysis

Purposes of financial statement analysis Trend analysis and vertical & horizontal analysis Simple and multivariate regression; Analysis of metrics Assessment of liquidity, solvency, and profitability Using data visualizations The role of qualitative factors

Complete Guide to Analyze Data with Excel PivotTables

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to PivotTables: Gain a solid understanding of what PivotTables are, their benefits in Excel, and how to prepare your data for creating effective PivotTables.Creating and Customizing PivotTables: Learn step-by-step how to build and format PivotTables, including filtering, sorting, and customizing layouts for optimal data analysis. Focus on Using PivotTables to Analyze Data: Explore techniques to summarize, group, and compare data with PivotTables, uncovering trends and insights for better decision-making.Advanced PivotTable Features: Discover advanced tools such as slicers, timelines, and using PowerPivot for deeper analytical capabilities. Data Visualization with PivotCharts: Learn to create PivotCharts from your PivotTables and customize them to visually present data insights effectively to stakeholders.

Ethics and Technology for CPAs

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:The foundational ethical principles CPAs are required to follow and how these principles apply to audit quality, data privacy and security, and the use of emerging technologies.The profession's need to change to meet its ethics standard in a technology-centric environment.Changes being considered by the AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy that could impact the profession.

Real Estate Professionals: Passive Activity Rules

Definition, pros and cons of being a real estate professional Integration of the real estate professional rules with reporting on Form 1040, Schedule E Real estate professionals and indirectly owned (partnerships, S corporations) entity's reporting on Form 1040 How "real estate business" is interpreted under the Section 199A rules and how it integrates with the passive activity rules

Current Audit Environment and ASB Activity

Updates to auditing and attestation standards Current environment and implication for audit planning Statement on Quality Management Standards (SQMS) No. 1 and SQMS No. 2 Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services (SSARSs)

Mastering Microsoft 365 Copilot for CPAs

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Overview of Microsoft 365 Copilot featuresAutomating tasks with AI assistanceEnhancing content creation and data analysisCollaboration tools powered by AIBest practices for maximizing Copilot's benefits

QM Conversations: Peer Review

The AB5s of Employees and Independent Contractors

Four ways to classify a worker IRS 20 Factors 20% Section 199A deduction Cost of misclassifying an employee Section 530 relief Game changing impact of the Dynamex case and AB5

2025 AICPA Regulatory Ethics Update

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The Professional Ethics Executive Committee's updated ethics rules.An overview of recently issued ethics rules that CPAs need to know to be compliant.

Accounting for Digital Assets under US GAAP: Classification, Measurement, and Recognition

Brief overview of digital assets. How to account for investments in crypto assets, like bitcoin. How to account for the receipt of digital assets when received as consideration from a contract with a customer. How to apply the intangible asset accounting model to holdings of digital assets. How to account for the sale of digital assets. Factors that custodians or depositors of digital assets may consider to determine when to recognize ownership of digital assets.

Predictive Accounting: Driver-Based Budgeting & Rolling Financial Forecasts

The shift to “predictive accounting” for Decision Making, Planning, and Budgeting Problems with traditional annual budget processes Develop a driver-based “operational budget” based on resource capacity planning Classify resource capacities and their expenses as sunk, fixed, step-variable, and variable Create closed loop capacity plans Forecast demand for budgeting and rolling financial forecasts Integrating enterprise risk management (ERM) with management accounting Applying target costing for cost estimating

Ethical Intelligence for Artificial Intelligence

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Benefits and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in the accounting professionSelecting and utilizing artificial intelligence resourcesApplying professional skepticism to resultsMaintaining independence while utilizing artificial intelligenceUpholding client confidentialityData security and retentionCitation of sources and related reporting considerationsApplication of the AICPA Code of Professional ConductEthical considerations when crafting policies and establishing best practices

Surgent's Successfully Completing an Estate Tax Return -- Form 706

Changes to the IRS Form 706 How to successfully navigate the form The ins and outs of the “portability” rules, including how the rules actually work using common examples Income tax consequences How to avoid malpractice traps Overlooked GST issues