CPE Catalog & Events
Surgent's The CMA's Guide to Project Management
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
Establishing a system: identifying forces that support the status quo; setting milestones and goals; the role of the CMA Necessary first steps: set a framework for the project’s activities; identify needed resources; obtain support; decide on a structure; establish a team for a specific project; identify necessary team skill sets Project evaluation: analytical tools, strategic evaluation; sources of risk Maintaining focus: monitoring and measuring results; keeping to the project’s scope Avoiding frequent traps: sunk costs; financing pitfalls; project creep; tunnel vision; failure to integrate the team’s work internally and/or the final project with the remaining organization Introduction and examples of analytical tools throughout the session: mapping; CPM; Gantt charts; benchmarking; Pareto analysis; PESTLE analysis; valuation techniques; post-completion evaluations
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
Surgent's Audit Skills Training Level 1: Developing Critical Skills for Success in Public Accounting
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Virtual
8.00 Credits
Each module includes a lecture followed by in-class group case studies and activities. In this two-day course, the following two-hour modules will be presented: Day 1: Transitioning to the accounting profession Code of ethics: importance of professional skepticism and independence Exceeding expectations: desired traits of entry-level auditors Risk assessment basics Internal control fundamentals Compilations and reviews: the contrasting nature of preparation engagements, compilations, and reviews Day 2: Auditing cash and cash equivalents Auditing property, plant, and equipment Auditing accounts payable and debt Audit documentation
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
Navigating IRS Authorizations: Form 2848 & Form 8821
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Overview of IRS Power of Attorney (POA) rules.Form 2848: Authority to Represent Clients before the IRS.Form 8821: Accessing Tax Information Without Representation.Identifying errors and compliance risks in POA filings.Rules for revoking or updating POA authorizations.Managing authorizations through the CAF system.Electronic submissions and the IRS online authorization process.Ethical responsibilities when holding a POA.
Risk Is Increasing - and Risk Management Is Evolving
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
Risk management Value stream and Plus/Delta techniques Cyber risks Black Swan events
Partnership Tax Updates (2025)
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Court decisions covering partnership issues such as TEFRA, Statute of Limitations, Economic Substance, and Sec. 754 Elections.IRS procedural updates on passthrough entities.New developments on conservation easements.
Creating an Ethical Work Environment
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
Ethical Values and PrinciplesHuman Factors impacting ethical choicesProfessional and organizational responsibilities in creating an ethical work environmentTools for ethical decision making
2025 Yellow Book Update
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Yellow Book engagements.Independence requirements in GAGAS.Quality management in Yellow Book. Common deficiencies found in Yellow Book engagements.
Tax Depreciation: Review and Update
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Recent tax legislation and developments related to capitalizationEligible property for Section 179 and Section 168(k)Discussion of the Section 179 deduction and its use to depreciate real propertyThe Section 168(k) deduction and its use to depreciate real propertyDisposition of segments of real propertyExchanges of tangible personal property after repeal of the like-kind exchange rulesOther related topics
Written Information Security Plans
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and its impact on data security.Circular 230 compliance and due diligence for practitioners.AICPA Statements of Standards relevant to WISP requirements.Key components of a Written Information Security Plan.Training requirements for employees, staff, and contractors.Practical guidance for drafting and implementing a WISP.FTC enforcement of data security standards for PTIN holders.Best practices for maintaining and updating WISP compliance.
Surgent's Data Analytics for Accountants and Financial Managers
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
Definition of data analytics and big data; challenges and goals; establishing an environment for success; governance; common uses of analytics and current examples Behavioral forces that impact decisions; examples of inaccurate forecasts; identifying strategic measurements (KPIs); data sources Statistical tools, including median, mode, moving average, ratio analysis, Pareto analysis, trend analysis, regression, z-score, and simulation Software tools that are readily available and can assist in visually exploring data, expanding the scope of available data, as well as collecting, analyzing, and presenting results Specific ideas for using data analytics for accountants and financial managers, including current examples and areas for further consideration Lists of readings and next-level software for a participant’s future reference
Surgent's Hiring New Workers and Payroll Taxes
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
Form W-4 Form I-9 Form W-9 End-of-year compliance Payroll tax returns Unemployment insurance
Surgent's Weekly Expert Hour
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
Each week’s topics will change based on the most critical issues affecting financial professionals
What If Your Client Didn't Take Reasonable Compensation
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Review best practices to help your client evaluate if an S election is an appropriate choiceHow to be proactive and head off common reasonable compensation issues before they happenExplore strategies for cash management if cash isn't available at year endExplore what’s at stake when reasonable compensation isn’t paid timely
How to Audit Expenses & Payables
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The basics of auditing expenses.Accrued liabilities and other payables.Relates audit assertions, risks, and threats to the expenses and payables balances.Substantive auditing procedures to peform.
Surgent's What Practitioners Need to Know About Estate Planning and Administering a Client's Estate
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Virtual
3.00 Credits
The federal transfer tax exemption What constitutes a valid will Common trust vehicles often used to safeguard assets Consequences of intestacy How to transfer property outside of a will Legal treatment of marital property Transfer of IRAs and retirement plans Probate generally and probate for property held outside of the state of decedent’s residence When an estate tax return should be filed Portability of the Deceased Spousal Unused Exclusion (DSUE) amount
Surgent's Buying and Selling a Business: Tax and Structuring Overview
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
An overview of the beginning of the process and documents for preliminary tax planning Recognizing the need for due diligence in acquisitions, including checklists of important points Deemed asset sales – §338 and §338(h)(10) The impact of the §197 amortizable intangibles regulations on the acquisition and disposition of a business Allocating purchase price for tax advantage Planning to avoid double taxation under the repeal of the General Utilities doctrine Special problems and opportunities when an S corporation is the buyer or seller Installment sale and interest issues Avoiding tax pitfalls and recognizing tax planning opportunities Unique issues in buying and selling LLC/partnership interests Impact of the net investment income tax (NIIT) and the §199A pass-through deduction on the tax due on the sale of a pass-through entity Individually owned goodwill
Surgent's Essential Depreciation and Expensing Update
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
Resolved technical glitches for qualified improvement property Detailed coverage of §179 expense elections and §168(k) bonus or additional first-year depreciation – how to maximize them, definitions, limitations, qualified property, etc. Sale of property and the depreciation recapture rules (§1245, §1250, unrecaptured §1250 gain for real estate, §291 for corporations) MACRS depreciation – finding the proper method, convention, and recovery period Listed property and the current limitations Amortization of start-up, organization, and other expenditures AMT depreciation adjustments and how to avoid them Examples, cases, and rulings of depreciation and amortization issues and how they impact clients, along with useful planning opportunities
Al Capone to Cybercrime: The Journey of IRS Special Agents
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to IRS Criminal Investigation (CI): Overview of its mission, role, and significance in maintaining tax compliance.Historical Evolution: From its inception in 1919 to its current role, highlighting key milestones and notable cases.Investigative Techniques and Tools: Detailed look at the methods and technologies used by CI agents to uncover financial crimes.Importance of IRS CI: Discussion on the impact of CI’s work on tax compliance, public confidence, and the broader financial system.Training of CI Agents: Insight into the rigorous training programs at FLETC and ongoing professional development.Process of Investigations: Step-by-step breakdown of how tax fraud and money laundering cases are initiated, investigated, and prosecuted.
