CPE Catalog & Events

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.

Cybersecurity: Protecting Your Firm's Data and Reputation

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Assessment of the current cybersecurity threat level and vulnerabilitiesDeveloping your WISP (Written Information Security Program) Deploying a password management app (PMA) to fortify the security of your login credentialsImplementing an incident response plan to minimize the damage from a cybersecurity attackUnderstanding the role of cybersecurity insurance

Microsoft 365 Application Lightning Round Review-Updated

The major topics covered in this course include:Lightning round review of the following apps, with an explanation and demonstration of what each of them offersTeams - the foundation of all that you do in Microsoft 365SharePoint / OneDrive - secure cloud storagePower BI - the new financial reporting modelStream - the YouTube for your organizationBookings - streamline your appointment scheduling OneNote - get your content organized for quick retrieval Lists - create custom list tracking reportsTo Do - consolidate all your Outlook, Planner and general "to do's" in one appPlanner - manage simple and complex engagements and projects in an intuitive appA quick look at many of the remaining apps

ACPEN: Critical Technical Skills for CFOs and Controllers

A methodical approach to business and strategic planning Overview of The Balanced Scorecard approach to creating key performance metrics Common metrics for analyzing financial statements and trends Accounting and finance role in Enterprise-wide Risk Management (ERM)

CFO and Controller Peer Group: October

ACPEN: Mastering Communication Skills for the CPA

Pervasive best practices for effective communication Specific strategies for written materials Unique considerations for verbal presentations The importance of recursive revision Tips for success Pitfalls to avoid

ACPEN: Introduction to Yellow Book

AICPA Code of Professional Conduct Accounting & Auditing Yellowbook

ChatGPT and IRS Taxation Law Research

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Utilizing ChatGPT for IRS Tax Law Research: Principles and PracticesNavigating IRS Databases Using Advanced AI TechniquesUsing IRS Prompt Templates: In-depth Analysis and ApplicationChatGPT in Action: Case Studies and Real-World ScenariosExploring IRS Tax Laws: Strategies, Loopholes, and ComplianceError Prevention and Correction in Tax Law ResearchFuture Trends: AI's Evolving Role in Taxation and Accounting

Surgent's Advanced Critical Tax Issues for S Corporations

Inclusion of OBBBA (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) provisions that are germane to this course Final regulations on “eligible terminated S corporations” (ETSCs) Cases, rulings, and tax law changes affecting S corporations Compensation planning in S corporations, including limitations in a family-controlled business; self-employment tax issues, including IRS efforts to address underreporing of S corporation officer compensation Use of redemptions: still some advantages Planning for the liquidation of an S corporation Tax issues for family ownership of S corporation stock Impact of the tax on net investment income on sales of S corporation stock Stock basis: Loss limitations, AAA, and distribution issues in depth Debt basis: what the regulations on back-to-back loans mean to investors Estate planning for S corporation shareholders, including buy-sell agreements, QSubs, ESBTs, and uses of life insurance Built-in gains: the 5-year recognition period S corporation structuring: one class of stock Methods of accounting Legislation on mortgage interest reporting, basis, statute of limitations, and tax return due dates New cases on revocation of S election in bankruptcy court and documentation of open account indebtedness and Chief Counsel Advice on carryover of losses for ESBTs

Surgent's Employer's Handbook: Legal, Tax, and Health Care Issues

Hiring and firing issues – What questions cannot be asked in an interview; how to document employee performance; establishing an annual review system; when an employer may and may not fire an employee, and much more Employment contracts – An analysis of the legal and planning issues in structuring employment contracts; when noncompetition agreements will and will not work Employment issues in the economy – Telecommuters and other special situations Legal liability issues – Recognition of age discrimination, sex discrimination, FLSA issues, minimum wage, overtime, sexual harassment, and more Fringe benefit issues – COBRA, Family and Medical Leave Act, and new developments in health care Medical plans – Who is a full-time employee?

Improve Spreadsheets by Building Controls in Excel

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Learn best practices when designing your spreadsheets How to create a proper worksheet structureLearn to use Excel's built in features to find errorsHow to create your custom controls to prevent and find errorsUsing links to quickly move to controlsUsing Conditional Formatting to highlight errors

ACPEN: Audit Blind Spots in Modern Cloud: Risks Audits Keep Missing

Cloud Audit Blindspots Continuous Change Gaps CSPM-Enabled Assurance Risk-Based Prioritization Audit Program Modernization

ACPEN: Section 174: New Rules for R&E and OBBA Update

Revised rules for tax years 2022-2024 How to change from amortizing R&E to immediately expensing R&E Analysis of the Revenue Procedure related to changes in accounting method Options available to change accounting methods Comprehensive example of how to make the accounting method change Distinction between R&E expense and R&E credit

Self-Rental Real Estate: Passive Activity & Section 199A

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Definition of self-rental property - both for Sections 199A and 469Self-rental income from directly owned properties and reporting on Form 1040, Schedule E, page 1Self-rental income from indirectly owned (partnerships, S corporations) and reporting on Form 1040, Schedule E, page 2Form 8582 (passive activity)The flow-through entity grouping electionIllustrative examples and consequences of failing to comply with the reporting standardsSelf-rental property and "former passive activities" rules

Surgent's Client Advisory Services (CAS): A Guide to the Variety of Offerings Professionals Can Provide

Details on CAS: new services or rebranding? Review the value of timely accurate automated accounting   Review the three levels of service  Discuss technology options  Assess your client base for who would benefit most from CAS Staffing requirements for CAS The value of servicing a niche

Surgent's Tax Research - Intermediate Concepts

Tax code hierarchy Organization of an Internal Revenue Code section Special rules for IRC citation Citing other primary authorities Private letter rulings Primary vs. secondary authority Secondary sources of authority Steps in the tax research process Research memoranda

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

ACPEN: How to Get a Better Return on Yellow Book and Single Audits - Avoiding the Most Misapplied Audit Concepts

Discover the fundamental differences in the auditor's responsibilities between financial statement audits performed in accordance with the SASs and Yellow Book  Understand risk assessment factors above those associated with a financial statement audit only Learn what must be done beyond the financial statement audit in order to issue required Yellow Book and Single Audit reports on internal controls and compliance Master designing, performing and documenting effective and efficient tests of compliance requirements Practice identifying, documenting and communicating the impact of internal control deficiencies and compliance audit findings to the client Common peer review deficiencies

The Future of Audit: Technology, Talent & Transformation

To purchase the report referenced in this presentation, or any of the research papers published by CPA Crossings, visit https://www.cpacrossings.com/research. The major topics that will be covered in this course include: Explore AI, blockchain, and data analytics impact on audits Address talent crisis through retention and upskilling strategies Navigate PCAOB standards and regulatory sandbox concepts Expand audits to include ESG and nonfinancial metrics Implement technology solutions for firms of all sizes

ACPEN: Awful Ethical Dilemmas – Bringing it to Life, featuring J. Michael Inzina and Don Minges

Following the letter of the Code versus following the spirit of the Code Preparing for conflicts of interest Document your analysis of the situations Five (5) case study examples