CPE Catalog & Events

Talk This Way - Communication Skills for the CPA

The major topics covered in this course include:Pervasive best practices for effective communicationSpecific strategies for written materialsUnique considerations for verbal presentationsThe importance of recursive revisionTips for successPitfalls to avoid

2025 Governmental GAAP Update: Navigating GASB Standards

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:New GASB standards:GASB 100, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.GASB 101, Compensated Absences.Practical case studies.  

Obtaining an Understanding of Internal Control

Various definitions and aspects of internal control, including separation of duties and safeguarding of assets Key aspects of internal control from various organizations, such as COSO, SEC, and PCAOB Factors to consider, for example, industry, regulation, and nature of the entity Risk assessment procedures, namely inquiry, analytical procedures, and observation and inspection, as well as brainstorming

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

Leveraging Marketing Automation for Accounting Firm Growth

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Content - From generating content ideas to SEO research and creating content through its distribution we will look at tools to accomplish these goals efficiently and effectively.Lead Generation - Tools to determine the best offers and get them in front of the appropriate audiences.Lead Nurturing - Once you have a prospective client "raise their hand" virtually or physically, it is critical to design and implement campaigns and other tactics to keep them engaged and move them closer to being a client. We will cover this i-depth during the course.Sales - After you have a prospect ready to get to the next phase of the purchase journey, it is imperative to answer objections, explain the process of working with your firm and then close the sale. These tools will allow you to do this without an entire sales team!Onboarding - Once the prospect becomes a client leverage automation to make onboarding seamless, systematic and simple for your team.Referrals and Reviews - Instead of chasing clients for reviews or case studies, consider baking the ask right into your current or automated processes. This course will show you how!

2025 Government Contracting Conference

How to Double Your Firm's Revenue Through CFO and Advisory

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The average revenue of most accounting firms.The number of advisory clients you'll need to double your firm's revenue.How much you should be charging for advisory services.How we define CFO and advisory services.What business owners really want from their advisor.The three types of CFO/Advisory firms.How to get clients to pay you approximately $2,500 per month for advisory services.The three systems you'll need to add a CFO/Advisory service to your firm.

Comprehensive Audit & SSARS Update

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:AICPA Accounting and Review Services Committee standards update and new practice aidAICPA Auditing Standards Board standards update including recent changes to the audit and attestation standardsAICPA’s new Quality Management Standards - Overview, implementation considerations, timeline, and AICPA implementation resourcesPCAOB, IAASB standard-setting agenda and potential future AICPA ASB standards changesUpdate on AICPA’s Enhancing Audit Quality InitiativeTrends in audit quality including the DOL’s audit quality studyFrequent peer review findings and practice tips for achieving high practice qualityLatest on the DOL’s audit quality study

2025 Annual Update for Accountants & Auditors

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Technology Hot Topics for Audits.Accounting Standard UpdatesProjects identified by the FASB's Invitation to Comment: Agenda Consultation.Year 2 considerations for leases including modification accounting.The impact of the changes to auditing group auditsThe status of the AICPA's quality management project management.The current work of the ASB. 

Documenting Your EBP Audit: What You Need to Know

Audit planning Risk assessment and control testing Documentation best practices for investments and notes receivable Key audit areas in the financial statements, such as contributions, benefit payments, and plan expense Participant data and participant accounts Initial audits, plan mergers, and other issues

Surgent's Individual and Financial-Planning Tax Camp

Comprehensive coverage of the SECURE Act 2.0 Understanding the environment: what’s new, what’s expired or expiring, and what’s likely to change Reading a tax return for developing client-specific tax strategies Changes to the lifetime estate tax exemption in light of proposed regulations  The net investment income tax: planning for compliance Family income-splitting strategies that need to be considered Income tax issues: impact on timing of other income Selling a principal residence Two principal residences at the same time Use of life insurance to protect families: Whole Life Insurance, Term Life Insurance, Universal Life Insurance, and Variable Life Insurance Using Roth IRAs and Roth contribution programs to best advantage Conversions: do they still make sense? Taking distributions: matching timing to client requirements Qualified plan contributions to reduce current income and Social Security tax: implications for business owners and self-employed Social Security solvency issues Incentive Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan considerations What to do about itemized deductions Trans-generational planning: conversions, income, and gain-splitting Tax benefits of HSAs and other tax-advantaged accounts Identifying tax opportunities: reviewing the prior-year return to develop a plan for the future Planning for middle-income taxpayers: financial planning for the young, the working, and those approaching or in retirement Best financial planning ideas for young people

Surgent's Securing a Comfortable Retirement in the Age of Spending

Retirement planning using variables such as desired lifestyle, travel plans, housing plans, medical needs, and family needs to customize a retirement plan unique to the client Using a residence and other real estate as retirement assets through equity and rent Using a small business as a retirement resource through creative retirement plans Overview of asset allocation, portfolio management, portfolio rebalancing, and investment selection concepts, before and after retirement The three-legged retirement stool: employer retirement, savings, and Social Security Planning with the new retirement provisions of SECURE Act 2.0 Distribution/asset liquidation planning Analysis of the most current/important research on retirement planning and sustaining retirement income levels

Surgent's Single Auditing Made Simple

The key requirements and responsibilities related to the schedule of expenditures of federal awards and the determination of major programs The processes of determining the direct and material compliance requirements, obtaining an understanding of and testing the related internal controls, and performing compliance testing The development and reporting of findings in the schedule of findings and questioned costs Additional performance and reporting responsibilities

Accounting and Disclosure Issues After a Natural Disaster

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Current and noncurrent asset impairment. Insurance claims and related recoveries. Debt and liquidity issues. Government assistance and relief. Subsequent Events. Lease modifcations. Other matters.

Surgent's Home Office Rules

Calculating the home office deduction Actual expense method Simplified expense method Definition of a home for purposes of the home office deduction Whether working-from-home employees can claim a home office deduction What is a “separate, identifiable space?” The “regularly and exclusively used” rule Defining a “principal place of business” Meeting clients, patients, and customers More than one trade or business Special rules that apply to daycare providers Separate, free-standing structures Depreciating the home

Surgent's Real Estate for Accounting and Finance Professionals

Rental income and expense calculation and reporting Deciphering Schedule E (Form 1040) Nuances of vacation home rules Passive activity loss rules: foundations and implications Active vs. material participation in rental activities Tax reporting: how to group passive activities Limitations on passive losses: at-risk rules and deductions Classifying rental real estate activities Navigating exceptions in rental real estate taxation

The Ethic of Self-Esteem For Women

The major topics covered in this class include:Self-Esteem: What is it?Belief systemsBenefits of High Self EsteemMinimizing traps of low Self EsteemComponents of High Self Esteem

Accountants and Malpractice: Can We Get Sued for This?

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:How accountant liability is a very real threat in today's litigious society.A discussion of scenarios in which accounting professionals can find themselves inadvertently involved in a lawsuit.Pitfalls in which the accountant may find him- or her- self while dealing with clients.Real-life examples from the speaker's extensive experience as a practitioner and as an expert witness in accounting malpractice cases.

Forensic Accounting: Court Approved Methods of Proof

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The role of methods of proof in forensic accounting.The various types of methods of proof approved by the courts.The weakness and strengths of the methods of proof.The formulas in calculating methods of proof.Applying the formulas in various circumstances.

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