CPE Catalog & Events
BUNDLE: CFO Series - October 2025
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Virtual
8.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:All times listed are Eastern Time ZoneWeek 1: CFO Series: Design Incentive Compensation Plans That Work!CPE: 2Field of Study: Finance, Business Management & OrganizationDiscussion Leader: Don Minges, MBADate: Friday, October 3, 11:00 amDescription: Incentive plans change behavior, but do they really incentivize the performance we want? This seminar will examine incentive plans to see which ones work and which do not. We will also examine difficult issues, such as what happens when we have upper and lower limits on incentives. How do we recognize performance in divisions facing different challenges? Sadly, too many incentive plans do not achieve the intended goals. Learn from the many mistakes made by others so your incentive plans will work as planned! Week 2: CFO Series: Lease or Buy, Debt or Equity – the Decision?CPE: 2Field of Study: FinanceDiscussion Leader: Brian Maturi, MBA, FCADate: Friday, October 10, 11:00 amDescription: Is there a perfect mix of financing that we should aspire to achieve? What does financial theory tell us we should do? What is the cost of our financing decisions? Should we lease an asset, or buy it outright? How do we analyze this decision? How can we survive financial distress? These are all topics that every enterprise faces. In this seminar we will look at theory and practice to help resolve the dilemmas. If you are involved with financing the organization, this seminar is essential. Week 3: CFO Series: Changing Corporate Culture: How to Improve it?CPE: 2Field of Study: Business Management & OrganizationDiscussion Leader: Jane Mims, Ph.D.Date: Friday, October 17, 11:00 amDescription: Every organization, team, and family have its own unique culture. Additionally, everyone within each business, team, and family has their own definition for what the culture is or should be. We will review several types of culture, what makes each type work, what can destroy them, and how to shift and shape your actions to transform the culture. Learn how to shift the culture without demanding major changes in the individuals, how to reduce resistance to change, and create a culture with low fear and high confidence - which translates into higher levels of productivity, profitability, and lower turnover. The best employees actively seek out organizations with the best cultures. Culture matters. Week 4: CFO Series Beyond the Boardroom Best Governance Practices CPE: 2Field of Study: AuditingDiscussion Leader: Rob Berry, CPADate: Friday, October 24, 11:00 amDescription: Balancing financial responsibilities with ethical leadership and governance practices can often seem daunting, particularly in smaller organizations. In this session we will discuss practical skills needed to lead with accountability, set high ethical standards, how to engage with the Board effectively, and drive true governance practices that go beyond buzzwords. Numerous organizations have embraced better governance because it is needed and is effective. We will discuss why better governance is imperative and how to implement the best governance practices.
Surgent's Compilations, Reviews, and Preparations: Engagement Performance and Annual Update
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Virtual
8.00 Credits
SSARS No. 21, Clarification and Recodification, and updates to SSARS No. 21 due to the issuance of SSARS No. 23, Omnibus Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services SSARS No. 22, Compilation of Pro Forma Financial Information SSARS No. 24, Omnibus Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services -- 2018 SSARS No. 25, Materiality in a Review of Financial Statements and Adverse Conclusions SSARS No. 26, Quality Management for an Engagement Conducted in Accordance With Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services Sample comprehensive engagement work programs for preparation, compilation and review engagements Reporting and disclosure illustrations for each level of service, including attesting on personal financial statements, prescribed form, special purpose framework and other engagement variations Other communication requirements, such as sample engagement letters and management representation letters
Surgent's Technical Business Practice Issues and Tax Forms for Experienced Practitioners
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Virtual
8.00 Credits
Schedules K-2 and K-3 and filing exceptions Form 7203 IRS Tax Pro Account IRS modernization initiatives Information Returns Intake System (IRIS) Identity Theft warnings IRS guidance for the marijuana industry “Recycled” Form 1099-NEC to report nonemployee compensation Form 1065 steps for reporting capital Centralized audit regime; late filing penalties and small partnership relief “Substance over Form” argument of shareholder loans Advanced study of “At-Risk” loans Employer W-2 correction requests White House 2025 Budget Points Don't get caught watching the paint dry -- What is hot and new What is terminating S corporations today? Special allocation issues of §704 Final regulations for allocating depreciation recapture to partners and members of LLCs
How to Build a Custom AI Chatbot and GPT in Plain English
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Fundamentals of GPT Builder and AI agent customization techniquesIntegration of specialized knowledge bases and domain-specific expertiseSecurity and privacy considerations in AI chatbot deploymentCustom GPT development without coding expertiseImplementation of AI agents for customer support and workflow automationMulti-bot interactions and content creation strategiesBest practices for maintaining and scaling AI assistants
Ethics and Civility in the Workplace
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:What is civility and how it is tied to the bottom line?Principles of CivilityGiving the Benefit of the DoubtInclusivityCommunication Review of ethical values and principles with an emphasis on:RespectCourageCompassionHonor Accountability
Defining Where and Why Internal Controls are Needed
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics covered in this course include:Control design basicsAreas or segments of an enterprise to controlControls to reduce riskControls to drive operations
CFO Series: Design Incentive Compensation Plans That Work!
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:What are incentive plans really trying to achieve?Types of incentive plans commonly found.What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?What makes a plan work or fail.Compensation methods – stock, options, cash, etc.Specific issues in design – the unequal challenge, upper and lower limits, and tying to objectives.How to test a plan to ensure that it will work.
2025 Accounting & Auditing Update for Small Businesses
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) that are most likely to impact small businesses.ASUs initiated by the Private Company Council (PCC).Alternative reporting options to GAAP including FRF for SMEs and IFRS for SMEs.Audit standards that small business auditors will need to implement.
1040 Tax Prep Automation with AI Tools
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Overview of AI technology and how it works.Identify where AI can be incorporated into the 1040 process.Using ChatGPT and Microsoft 365 Copilot for 1040 tax research, analysis and communications.Using StanfordTax AI based software to automate client source document collection and organization and integrate it with the leading 1040 tax software solutions including CCH Axcess, CCH ProSystem fx, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProSeries and Drake.A roadmap for using AI to improve client communications and 1040 based advisory services.
Corporate Transparency Act Developments
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Background of the Corporate Transparency ActBeneficial Ownership Information Reporting (BOIR) Rule Entities required to report.Reporting requirements imposed by the CTADue dates of reportsInformation needed to satisfy the BOIRImpact of failure to reportHow to submit a reportCourt rulings on CTA’s unconstitutionalityImplications to entities as a result of the ruling in NSB.Potential reporting requirements due to FinCen’s proposed rulemaking with respect to non-financed purchases of residential real estate and gratuitous transfers.
Microsoft 365: Save More Time, Make More Money
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Appreciate the full potential of Microsoft 365 to drive efficiency in your businessLearn best practices for harnessing the power of Microsoft 365 Design your Teams app setup to meet the unique attributes of your businessUse SharePoint and OneDrive to organize your files and share them securely internally and externallyOrganize your thoughts, meeting notes and other content centrally in OneNoteManage your projects, large and small, with the Planner appDeploy the Stream app to document processes efficiently and effectively Bonus Content: Understand how to harness the power of AI with Microsoft Copilot
Grading Your Auditors - Are You Getting the Most Value?
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Limitations in roles and responsibilities an auditor can accept without impairing independenceAssessing the strength of your auditor's ability to think critically, strategically, and creatively in appropriate circumstancesEvaluating your auditor's time and project management stillsGrading your auditor's communication and interpersonal skills, in exceeding your expectations on an audit
Guide Strategy, Attract Investments with Financial Forecasts
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to Financial Statement ForecastingOverview of the importance and benefits of forecasting for strategic planning and investment attraction.The Forecasting Process: Steps to project future income, expenses, and resources using historical data and market trends.Analyzing Historical Data: Methods for leveraging past financial data to inform future projections.Incorporating Market Trends: How to integrate market insights into financial forecasts.Forecasting Profitability: Techniques for predicting future earnings and their implications for budgeting, cash flow management, and investment planning.Forecasting the Balance Sheet: Approaches for predicting future financial positions, including growth potential, solvency, and capital structure
Supporting Mental Wellness to Thrive in Work and Life
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Understanding Mental Wellness: Explore how the brain functions and the connection between mental and physical wellness. Learn how stress impacts brain health and overall well-being.Practical Strategies for Balanced Living: Discover techniques for improving sleep, nutrition, and physical activity to support mental wellness. Learn the importance of setting boundaries, fostering open communication, and building meaningful connections.Recognizing and Managing Support Needs: Identify when to seek additional support and learn how to integrate self-care practices that promote sustainable mental and emotional health.
Surgent's Incredible Leadership Transformations in Accounting - Ways to Improve Leadership and Communication
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
Explore the tenets of exemplary leadership which are requirements for highly effective leaders who achieve results and are respected by team members, peers, and other leaders Review key practices that recognize and build on leadership strengths to create a team environment that is productive, profitable, strengthens team members’ morale, and fosters positive energy in the work climate Examine SMART goals to inspire teams to tackle tough challenges and help team members reach and exceed their potential Review conflict management techniques to minimize negative attitudes and foster win/win resolutions for team members
Surgent's Critical Issues Involving Taxation of Construction Contractors
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
The impact of recent legislation on the construction industry How to qualify for the “small contractor exemption” and its advantages to the taxpayer Options available to the “small” contractor regarding taxation of long-term contracts How the choice of entity impacts taxation of contractors How AMT impacts the construction industry IRC §460 and “large” contractors How “uninstalled materials” impact taxation of contractors How the “look-back” rules impact contractors How the “10 percent method” can allow certain contractors to defer recognizing taxable income Critical tax planning strategies for contractors
The Ethic of Teamwork
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Virtue ethicsTeam dynamicsCharacteristics of highly effective teamsMeeting managementTeam communicationDecision making
Surgent's Guide and Update to Compilations, Reviews, and Preparations
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
SSARS No. 21, Clarification and Recodification, and updates to SSARS No. 21 due to the issuance of SSARS No. 23, Omnibus Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services SSARS No. 22, Compilation of Pro Forma Financial Information SSARS No. 24, Omnibus Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services -- 2018 SSARS No. 25, Materiality in a Review of Financial Statements and Adverse Conclusions Sample comprehensive engagement work programs for preparation, compilation, and review engagements
2025 Single Audit Update
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Review of the impact of the 2024 Compliance Supplement on Single AuditsReview of the changes to the Uniform GuidanceReview of common audit deficiencies found in Single Audits
Controls to Secure the Growing Digital Footprint
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
The major topics covered in this course include:Securing individual documentsProtecting information resident in the CloudSecuring data stored on or accessed by mobile devices
