CPE Catalog & Events
What's Behind the Data?
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Ways in which data and information can be misleadingCommon pitfalls when encountering dataHow to re-evaluate the data to avoid those pitfalls
How to Get a Better Return on Financial Statement Audits - Avoiding the Most Misapplied Risk-Based Audit Concepts
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Online
8.00 Credits
Properly assessing inherent, control, and fraud risk on an engagement, and linking the results to an appropriately tailored detailed audit plan based on risk assessment and client service goals, regardless of entity type (for-profit, nonprofit, governmental) Leveraging strong substantive analytic procedures as audit evidence to cut back on tests of details The most common efficiency opportunities for tailoring your audit approach based on risk How to use the workpaper review process as a tool for producing a more effective and efficient engagement Using audit documentation to enhance audit quality, while ensuring every workpaper has a purpose How to use the client to your advantage in planning and performing the audit Learn how to get the engagement out the door – on time and on budget!
Surgent's Key Current Financial and Economic Issues Facing the Financial Executive
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Virtual
8.00 Credits
Taking a strategic perspective relative to risk management and crisis management Reviewing the impact uncertainty and risk at the operational level relative to short- and intermediate-term decision making Determining the safety and soundness of the financial plans for your organization in an uncertain economic climate specifically as it relates to capital adequacy and strategic direction Managing the debt and equity mix for your organization in a rapidly changing economic landscape Determining the impact that competing in a global marketplace has on an organization and how to take steps to become more competitive globally Evaluating the impact of federal, state, and municipal deficits and unfunded mandates as it relates to tax planning Evaluating retirement programs with Social Security funding for your employees Determining the safety and soundness of your credit and collections processes and selection of customers in an uncertain environment Influencing growth through acquisition of distressed organizations The economic way ahead for the CFO/Controller
Selected Ethics Topics - 2024 - 2025
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Stay in compliance with recent ethics standards changes that impact your practice.Learn about key regulatory changes and initiatives impacting CPAs and the future of the profession.Discuss emerging issues and standard-setting activity that could affect your practice in the future. Explore practical applications of the standards and hear about common practice issues and challenges. Examples include private equity, technology, tax planning, audit quality, regulatory enforcement and standard-setting environment.Learn how failure to follow the standards can result in unwanted regulatory actions and publicity.
AI Prompt Engineering Masterclass for Accountants
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to Prompt Engineering: Basics of structuring effective prompts for meaningful AI responses.Understanding AI's "Lazy" Defaults: Why LLMs provide basic answers and how to push them to deliver richer insights.Multi-Layered Prompting: Techniques to encourage AI to provide responses across beginner to expert levels.Candid and Contrarian Responses: Using prompts that elicit honest and balanced insights, even on controversial topics.Ripple Effect and Cobra Effect: Probing the broader impacts and unintended consequences of financial decisions.Avoid Stupidity Checklist: A practical prompt for reducing mistakes in AI-assisted accounting tasks.Role-Based Perspective Prompts: Crafting prompts that guide AI to respond from specific professional viewpoints.Automation Ideas: Leveraging AI to optimize repetitive accounting tasks.Emotion-Driven Prompting: Exploring how emotion-focused prompts can enhance AI performance and engagement.Practical Applications in Accounting: How to apply prompt engineering in real-world financial analysis and decision-making.
Lessee and Lessor Accounting
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
Lessee and lessor accounting models Lease and non-lease components Lease classifications Initial and subsequent measurement of leases
Current Nonprofit Fraud Trends
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Best practices for fraud prevention and detection.Common fraud schemes in nonprofit including cash misappropriation; payroll fraud; vendor fraud; falsified billings; improper use of credit cards or purchase cards; the redirection of cash and non-cash contributions; personal use of assets; the redirection of grant benefits; other grant related fraud; travel and expense reporting fraud; and much more!
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
Money Laundering 101 for CPAs
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
The major topics covered in this class include:The theory of money launderingCommon money laundering statutesExamples from court cases of money laundering statutesCommon occurrences with CPAsPossible money laundering transactionsApplying the money laundering statutes in real life scenarios
The Ethics Hour: Ethics in the Real World
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Online
1.00 Credits
The difficult trade-offs in making choices Functioning in the ‘gray’ areas The value of trust Consequences of ‘short-term it-is’ How lack of accountability can lead to ethical issues
Accounting and Reporting Long-Term Debt
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Online
2.00 Credits
Debt terms that impact classification of debt, such as due on demand and subjective acceleration clauses, and more! Proper treatment of short-term obligations that are expected to refinance within the next 12 months "Revolving" credit agreements, where short-term debt is automatically replaced with other short-term debt for a specified period of time Differentiating between debt modifications and troubled debt restructuring Debt covenant compliance special considerations, including the proper form of waiver of rights to call the debt for violation
What's Going on at the FASB (2025)
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Accounting Standard Updates effective in 2024 for public entities, private entities, and nonprofits. Review year 2 implications of the leases standard including modification accounting. A look at the projects identified by the FASB's Invitation to Comment: Agenda Consultation.
Ethics: Giving Thanks - How to Master the Art of Gratitude
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
We'll explore what gratitude is and how expressions of it can vary from culture to culture. We'll also unpack several ways you can regularly say "thank you" to valued clients and colleagues, and we'll examine methods for evaluating gratitude in prospective and current employees.
The Crucial Connection - Why You Should Care About Your Client's System of Internal Control
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Virtual
1.50 Credits
The audit risk model Key steps in understanding and evaluating your client's system of internal control Learn how to identify IT applications and IT controls relevant to the audit Apply risk assessment requirements to less complex entities Examples of risks arising from the use of IT and general IT controls
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 The Accountant as the Expert Witness
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
Becoming qualified as an expert witness Best practices for testifying at trial Understanding the different roles accountants can play in litigation Working with attorneys to prepare and present a case at trial The role of experts in commercial versus personal injury litigation Confidentiality orders Compensation for expert witnesses Preparing for and attending depositions Daubert challenges to experts Expert reports The role of experts in antitrust, securities litigation, and professional liability cases Credibility as a witness
The Leadership Skills of Tomorrow: Delegate and Listen
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major subjects that will be covered in this course include:Three levels of listeningStrategies to remain focusedBuilding trust through listeningTactics to practice the Titanium RuleDelegating with confidenceEstablishing an accountability system
Surgent's 2025 Tax Update for Client Advisory Services
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
Common tax deadlines and penalties Employee Retention Credit – new developments Beneficial ownership information reporting Bonus depreciation changes Form 1099 reporting and changes Online accounts and IP PINs Virtual currency updates Green energy credit compliance
Nonprofit Internal Control - Practical Insights into Mitigating Financial Reporting, Compliance and Other Risks
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Online
4.00 Credits
Recognizing the importance of each of the key components of a sound system of internal controls over financial reporting, regardless of a nonprofit entity's nature, size or complexity Understanding the critical role of information technology (IT) general and application controls to reliable financial reporting, even in less-complex IT environments Exercise in documenting an understanding of the design of internal controls for common classes of transactions for nonprofit entities Identifying and evaluating the sufficiency of key controls to satisfy control objectives Understanding the importance of verifying whether an understanding of the design of internal controls has actually been "implemented", and how to exactly go about doing that
Reviewing Partnership Tax Returns: What Are You Missing?
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
Common errors made involving the following: Form 1065 Schedules K and K-1 Schedules M-1 and M-2 Calculating recourse and nonrecourse liabilities Partner inside and outside basis Partner's capital account analysis Sections 704(b), 704(c), 721, 722, 732(b), 734(b), 737, 743(b)
