CPE Catalog & Events
Surgent's Audit Skills Training Level 1: Developing Critical Skills for Success in Public Accounting
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Virtual
7.00 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 Quality management standards 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 Documentation Basics
Surgent's Preparing Individual Tax Returns for New Staff and Paraprofessionals
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Virtual
8.00 Credits
Updates related to HR 1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, incorporated throughout the course Preparation of various Form 1040 individual tax returns and schedules; provided answers include “filled-in” forms Coverage of Form 7203 Coverage of §199A qualified business income, its calculation, limitations, and examples Dividends and interest – Ordinary, return of capital, and capital gain distribution dividends; tax-exempt interest, original issue discount, etc. Security transactions – From Form 1099-B to Form 8949 to Schedule D, plus mutual fund sales and related basis issues Self-employed person issues Schedule C deductions including depreciation Sale and exchange of property – Understanding Form 4797 and depreciation recapture; capital gains A working understanding of passive losses – How to handle rental property and how the passive loss rules flow to the tax forms Itemized deductions – A thorough understanding of what’s deductible and what’s not Interest deductions – Limitations and timing problems Charitable contributions substituting for taxes, IRS says – No! Retirement contributions and education credits and deductions Tax computations – The Kiddie Tax, AMT, regular tax, tax credits Individual problems illustrated by form preparation for various items, with numerous “practice tips” Impact of recent legislation and forms changes on the 1040
Generative AI Strategy for Accountants
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Evolution and current state of AI technologies in accountingDevelopment of comprehensive AI usage policies and guidelinesImplementation frameworks for integrating AI into accounting workflowsStrategic approaches to AI-driven process automation and optimizationMethods for identifying and capitalizing on AI opportunitiesBest practices for human-AI collaboration in accountingRisk management and ethical considerations for AI implementation
ACPEN: The Ethics Hour: Heartfelt Leadership: How Ethical Leaders Build Trust, featuring John F. Levy, MBA, CPA, CIA and Don Minges, MBA
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Online
1.00 Credits
What are the three components of ethical leadership Ethical prescriptions and ethical proscriptions How to become a trusted leader
Resistance to Resilience: Strive for Tech Change Acceptance
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Resistance to resilience in embracing new technologiesOvercoming barriers and ensuring successful implementationCutting-edge audit technologies, including AI, data analytics, and automationInsights into the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)
Get started with Power BI
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Overview of the Power BI Tools: Introduction to the Power BI ecosystem, including Excel’s Power BI features (Power Pivot and Power Query) and standalone tools (Power BI Desktop, Power BI Service, Power BI Report Builder and Power BI Report Server).Tour of the Tools: Introduction to the interfaces of Power Pivot, Power Query, Power BI Desktop and Power BI Services.Comparative Analysis: Understand the strengths and limitations of Excel’s Power BI features versus standalone Power BI tools.Strategic decision-making on when to use each tool for optimal efficiency and accuracy in data analysis tasks.
ACPEN: Managerial Accounting: Your Prescription for Better Decision Making
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Online
4.00 Credits
Target profit and Break-even analysis Relevant costs and decision-making Standard costs and variances Activity-based costing Segment reporting and analysis Budgeting
Capitalized Costs & Depreciation - Tax Staff Essentials
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Virtual
5.50 Credits
Tax basis of property acquisitions Initial basis of property acquired in an exchange transaction Materials, supplies, repairs, and improvements Accounting method changes Depreciation: MACRS, Section 179 and bonus Intangible assets and amortization Organization and startup costs Research and experimental expenditures H.R. 1, commonly referred to as OBBBA
Ethics, AI, and Music: What Every CPA Must Know
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include: Four key aspects of artificial intelligence that are relevant to CPAs: machine learning, generative AI, large language models, and GPT.The role that five powerful principles—the principles of ethical intelligence—play in using AI the right way. Short, focused writing exercises (30 seconds each) designed to deepen understanding of the topic. Real-world case studies about the use of AI in music as well as accountingAnswers to several crucial questions about how to use artificial intelligence with ethical intelligence.
Securing Your Data with a Password Management App - Updated
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics covered in this course include:Introduction to the world of password management apps and what makes them so secureReview and demonstration of top selling password management appsSoftware features that will be reviewedPassword generationEmergency user accessEntity vs. individual password managementDesktop vs. cloud basedMulti device synchronizationPII (personally identifiable information) forms fillerCredit card storageDigital data vault
Individual Tax Update: OBBA and Recent Developments
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Legislation impacting individual taxpayersThe One Big Beautiful Bill ActExtenders legislation updateChild tax and dependent care creditsSection 199A deductionCapital gains and lossesRental real estateOther passive activities losses
AI-Powered Excel: Leveraging AI and ChatGPT for Supercharged Productivity
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
Harnessing AI to streamline your Excel workflows, achieving unparalleled productivity. Discover Excel's integrated AI features and learn how to utilize ChatGPT for researching, creating, understanding and troubleshooting Excel functions and formulas. Transform tasks that typically take two hours into mere minutes. Explore using ChatGPT for efficient research and learning, enabling quick access to answers for Excel-related inquiries. Optimize your Excel work, research and documentation, significantly saving time and effort in your daily tasks.
Volume to Value: A New Era of Precision Hiring in Accounting
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The shift from volume to precision hiringWhy firms are moving to targeted, competency-based hiringTalent market impacts and competitive hiring realitiesAI in recruiting: practical use cases and implicationsWhere AI tools commonly support hiring workflowsBenefits and limitations of AI-enabled screening and assessmentThe skills mismatch in accounting hiringWhy critical thinking and professional communication gaps persistWhy traditional hiring methods miss these competenciesThe new competency hierarchy for high performersDefining and prioritizing the competencies that drive resultsAI ethics awareness and professional judgment in an AI-enabled workplaceAssessment methods for precision hiringStructured behavioral interviewing and scoring rubricsWork simulations, case presentations, and client scenariosUsing AI-enabled assessments responsibly and consistentlyMetrics and ROI: evaluating successQuality-of-hire measures (performance, ramp time, manager satisfaction)Retention and turnover measuresEfficiency measures (time-to-fill, cost-to-fill) and how to balance themImplementation roadmapA phased approach to adopting precision hiring (foundation → expansion → optimization)– Building governance, documentation, and consistency for scalability
ACPEN: Taxation of the Cannabis Industry
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Online
2.00 Credits
Historical context of U.S. taxation Industrial hemp vs. marijuana Income definitions under I.R.C. §61 Tax code restrictions: §280E and §471 State-specific marijuana laws Cash management in cannabis businesses Federal court case analysis
ACPEN: K2's Building Future-Ready Businesses
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Online
2.00 Credits
Technology Infrastructure Assessment Through Organizational Case Studies Practical Implementation Strategies for Hardware and Software Solutions Change Management Techniques for Remote and In-Office Teams
Yellow Book Independence and Single Audit Fundamentals
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:The conceptual framework approach to independenceIndependence threats related to preparing financial statements and accounting recordsConsideration of specific non-audit services that would and would not impair independenceDocumentation necessary to support adequate consideration of auditor considerationFundamentals of a compliance audit performed under the Uniform GuidanceSchedule of expenditure of federal awardsDetermination of major programsUsing the Compliance Supplement Uniform Guidance administrative requirements and cost principles Testing internal control over complianceTesting complianceWriting an audit findingReporting requirements of a single audit
ACPEN: How to Get a Better Return on Yellow Book and Single Audits - Avoiding the Most Misapplied Audit Concepts
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Online
8.00 Credits
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
Public Procurement Basics: Protecting the People's Money
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Guidelines and requirements that will help lead you to public procurement success.Guidance on how governments can meet complicated procurement needs.Best practices to protect public and Federal funds.
Surgent's Applying the Yellow Book to a Financial Statement Audit
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Virtual
0.00 Credits
Circumstances requiring auditors to follow the Yellow Book (Government Auditing Standards or GAGAS) Relationship of Yellow Book requirements to GAAS and single audit requirements The Yellow Book requirements related to the performance of and reporting on a financial audit Identifying and reporting findings under the Yellow Book
Surgent's S Corporation Taxation: Advanced Issues
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
Detailed rules governing basis in the shareholder’s debt and stock AAA Built-in gains incurred from the sale of assets Redemptions and liquidations Compensation planning for shareholders, including planning strategies under the SECURE Act Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and the various stimulus acts, as applicable
