CPE Catalog & Events

ACPEN: The Essential FASB Update with Renee Rampulla

Hot GAAP topics Income Tax Disclosures Crypto Assets Governmental Grants Interim Reporting Lease Standard Post Implementation Review

Surgent's Handbook for Mastering Basis, Distributions, and Loss Limitation Issues for S Corporations, LLCs, and Partnerships

Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation Applicable coverage of any basis considerations within any recent tax legislation   Passthrough basis calculations required as attachments to certain individual returns  Executor’s form for disclosing basis in certain distributed property; what about the basis of a property distribution from a trust?  How §179 limitations affect basis and how tax-benefit rule is applied  Basis implications of personal assets converted to business use  How to calculate basis of inherited qualified and joint tenancy property  Tax basis capital account reporting requirements  S corporations: Beware of final IRS regulations regarding “open debt”; determine how to calculate basis; worksheets are included; understand the effect of stock basis and debt basis and IRS’s recent focus on “at-risk basis” for shareholders; recognize how AAA applies or doesn’t apply to S corporations; learn to apply the complex basis ordering rules and special elections that can have a big tax result; discuss loss limitation rules in depth; when you can have a taxable dividend in an S corporation; understand distributions of cash and property; understand the post-termination transition rules, and temporary post-termination rules for eligible corporations, which will be important for S corps returning to C corps  LLCs and partnerships: Learn the detailed rules of §704 for preventing the shifting of tax consequences among partners or members; learn to calculate basis under §704 & for “at-risk” under §465; recognize how recourse, nonrecourse, and qualified nonrecourse debt can create significantly different tax results; learn the difference between basis and “at-risk basis”; review §754 step-up in basis rules; the economic effect equivalence test or “dumb-but-lucky” rule; learn to apply the complex rules of distribution of cash vs. property, and the basis treatment of charitable contributions and foreign taxes paid 

Ethics - 2026 (Counts towards DC/MD)

ACPEN: Unleashing Creativity in the Workplace

The Power of Creativity in the Workplace The Three Types of Creativity: Imagination, Creativity, Innovation Benefits of Creativity: Purpose, Productivity, Performance Applications of Creativity: Individual, Team, Organizational Culture Creative Problem-Solving Techniques (Mind Mapping, Visual Thinking) Whole Brain Thinking: Integrating Left & Right Brain Functions Creating a Culture of Innovation Measuring and Implementing Creativity for Growth

ACPEN: SAS 145: Modern Risk-Based Auditing

Introducing SAS 145 Revisiting audit risk Risk assessment in the SAS 145 Era Analyzing SAS 145 Documentation requirements

ACPEN: Strategic CFO – Developing Strategy and the Why

What strategy really means and who is involved in developing it Common reasons strategic plans fail and how to avoid them Cost leadership, differentiation, and niche strategies Using metrics, KPIs, and the Balanced Scorecard to measure success The role of non-financial drivers in financial performance Benchmarking and competitive analysis Aligning mission, culture, and strategy Case discussions on strategy execution and performance measurement

How to Audit Cash

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Auditing CashAudit assertions, risks, and threats to the cash balanceAuditing procedures to perform

ACPEN: Avoiding Peer Review Deficiencies and Professional Liability in Public Accounting

Differentiating risks faced when performing various levels of professional services, such as audits, reviews, compilations, preparing financial statements, bookkeeping, tax return preparation, and similar Best practices for preventing quality control concerns that could lead to peer review deficiencies or malpractice claims Establishing an understanding with the client to minimize misunderstandings as to the nature and scope of engagements Explain situations when independence should be appropriately safeguarded when performing nonattest services

AI 101 for CPAs: Core Concepts and Practical Applications

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:ABCs of how generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini workWhat inherent risks are associated with this powerful technologyActionable steps you can take to mitigate the risksPractical examples of how AI can be applied in accounting, auditing, tax, and finance services

Surgent's Annual Accounting and Auditing Update

Recently issued FASB Accounting Standards Updates, PCC Update, and items on the FASB’s Technical Agenda Recently issued ASUs covering derivatives, credit losses under ASC 326, government grants, and expense disaggregation FASB Final PIR Report for Leases (Topic 842) Statement on Quality Management Standards: SQMS 1, SQMS 2, and SQMS 3 Proposed SAS on the auditor’s responsibility relating to fraud Recently issued SASs and other AICPA activity Recently issued PCAOB standards and SEC rulemaking activities Other important A&A practice matters

Resistance to Resilience: Strive for Tech Change Acceptance

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Resistance to resilience in embracing new technologiesOvercoming barriers and ensuring successful implementationCutting-edge audit technologies, including AI, data analytics, and automationInsights into the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)

ACPEN: Compensation Fundamentals and Pay Transparency: Driving Fairness & Engagement

Compensation 

ACPEN: Everything You Need to Know About the Pass-Through Entity Rules: IRC §199A The Code and Regulations

Understanding the term “QBI” (qualified business income) Understanding the terms “SSTB” (specified service trade or business) Understanding the term “QTB” (qualified traded or business) Calculate the 199A deduction Understanding the phaseouts Understanding “aggregation” Rental property as a trade or business Identify how your clients can maximize the deduction Planning ideas Understand the Section 199A Regulations

ACPEN: Tactical CFO Series - Make Your Business Process Work For You

Tactical Budgeting – Moving Beyond Traditional Budgets to Manage Performance Major Subject: Budgeting as a tactical management tool to improve organizational performance. Tactical Business Systems – Getting the Most from Information Systems and ERP Major Subject: Strategic and tactical use of information systems and ERP in finance leadership. Tactical Data Management – Turning Data into Actionable Information Major Subject: Transforming organizational data into actionable insights for better decision-making. Tactical Finance Leadership – Building the Finance Team of Tomorrow Major Subject: Developing tactical leadership skills to build and lead high-performing finance teams.

Accounting for and Auditing Cryptocurrency & Digital Assets

The major topics covered in this class include:Common applications related to initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement or derecognition, presentation, and disclosure of cryptocurrency and other digital assetsFeedback from the AICPA's Digital Assets Working Group intended to assist auditors with opining on these digital records

ACPEN: New Trademark Law: What CPAs and Their Clients Should Know

Key Highlights of the TMA New Procedures brought about by the TMA Updates to Existing Procedures Takeaways

ACPEN: Depreciating & Expensing Business Assets

Recent tax legislation, rules and developments related to capitalization and depreciation Qualified improvement property Section 179, including inflation adjustments Section 168(k) 100% bonus deduction Depreciation of automobiles, including new luxury auto limits Rev. Proc. 87-57 and MACRS ADS depreciation for electing farm and real estate business Update on recent developments

Entertainment, Meals & Travel Expenses: Review and Update

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Definition of what qualifies as an entertainment expenseStrategies to deduct business entertainment expensesDeductibility of mealsSituations not subject to the 50% meals and entertainment reductionHow to handle automobile issues related to employer-provided parkingProper accounting for deductible vs. non-deductible expendituresThe four steps to analyze business expensesThe latest federal legislation, cases and rulings

Surgent's The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act

Definitions of key terms under the FMLA, including covered employer, eligible employee, and serious health condition Timing and types of leave under the FMLA Calculating leave time under the FMLA Employer and employee notice requirements The definition of a “disability” under ADA An employer’s obligation to provide employees with a reasonable accommodation under the ADA Guidance on engaging in the interactive process Dos and don’ts of medical certifications The interplay between the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act

Surgent's Understanding How the IRS Rewards Whistleblowers

Overview of the law that authorizes the IRS to reward whistleblowers who submit information leading to recovery Review of the whistleblower claim process Criteria for eligible claims Case studies of significant claim recoveries paid by the IRS to whistleblowers Issues underlying whether a practitioner should ever act as the whistleblower Addressing delays inherent in the whistleblower claim process The structure and role of the Whistleblower Office Best practices for the submission of a good whistleblower claim Working with other governmental divisions in processing whistleblower claims A brief overview of other, non-IRS whistleblower claims