CPE Catalog & Events

Become a Data Analysis Expert

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Data Analysis Process Flow: An introduction to the Data Analysis Process Flow and how it is your pathway to becoming a Data Analysis Expert.Data Modeling: A comprehensive discussion of building a data model and calculating metrics.Data Visualizations: An understanding how visualizations can present data in a more insightful and impactful manner.

QM Conversations: Standards - Documentation

Ethics: IRS Behavioral Insights for Accountants

Behavioral insights (BI) PrimerHow and why BI are used by the IRSIRS and individual decision-makingIRS and environmental and design considerationsIRS and social normsIRS "top of mind" issues BI and Implementation of tax reform legislation BI and private debt collectionBI and online taxpayer accountsBI and taxpayer rights in "real" vs. "unreal" auditsBI and the tax-exempt approval processBI and passport renewal and revocationHow to use BI to more mindfully interact with the IRS to improve outcomes

Recruit. Retain. Engage. Mastering LinkedIn for HR Success

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:How to pro-actively find, identify, and connect with new candidates from various sources within LinkedIn.Best practices for organically attracting candidates to your company and team.Strategic talent networking opportunities.Essential considerations of employee advocacy and brand building using LinkedIn.Retention strategies such as promoting a positive work environment, and expanding employee recognition and engagement strategies.

Fraud & Embezzlement: Case Studies from the Trenches

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:How organizations can find themselves defrauded due to lax oversight and weak internal controls.How the existence of the "trusted advisor" creates situations where CPAs can drop their professional skepticism.Illustrations of the issues companies should look for in preventing fraud and embezzlement.

Surgent's Guide and Update to Compilations, Reviews, and Preparations

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 Sample comprehensive engagement work programs for preparation, compilation, and review engagements

Operations Level Internal Control

The major topics covered in this course include:An overview of controls that drive proceduresConsiderations for procedural control developmentUnderstanding and controlling risk that arises when organizations change

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. 

Surgent's Partnership and LLC Core Tax Issues From Formation Through Liquidation

Reporting requirements for Schedules K-2 and K-3 Capital account reporting requirements Schedule K-1 reporting for §743 adjustments Schedule K-1 reporting for §704 gains and losses Comprehensive case on partnership/partner application of the business interest deduction Section 704(b) basis versus tax basis for capital accounts Detailed rules of §704 for preventing the shifting of tax consequences among partners or members Unreasonable uses of the traditional and curative allocation methods Layers of §704(c) allocations Treatment of recourse versus nonrecourse debt basis How to calculate basis limitations and the implications on each partner’s own tax return How §179 limitations affect partnership/LLC basis Regulations for handling basis step-ups under §754 elections and mandatory adjustments under §743 and §734 for partnerships that have not made a §754 election Subsequent contributions of property with §754 adjusted basis to another partnership or corporation Capital account adjustments in connection with admission of new members Special allocations and substantial economic effect LLCs and self-employment tax to members Distributions – current or liquidating, cash or property, and the substituted basis rule Termination and liquidation of an LLC

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

S Corporations: Calculating Shareholder Basis

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Discuss the calculation of basis when the entity is formed including the impact of contributed propertyExplain the importance of shareholder loans to the entityUses a comprehensive example to illustrate the mechanics of the basis determination processSchedule K-1 Basis and Form 7203Discuss how basis is impacted by distributions of corporation propertyExplain how basis is impacted by sale/or liquidation of the S corporation interestDiscuss how S corporation losses impact Form 1040 Schedule E reportingShow how to get from the Schedule K-1 information to the basis calculations

Surgent's Marijuana: A Generalized Business Viewpoint

An overview of current state and federal laws governing marijuana A review of state boards of accountancy regarding marijuana How some financial professionals are capitalizing on the marijuana industry Providing auditing and tax services within the marijuana industry How accountants and other financial professionals can manage risk within this industry IRC Section 280E’s prohibition of deductions involving controlled substances A summary of various state taxation laws on marijuana Ethical issues for accountants who work in the marijuana industry Relevant banking regulations Growth projections

Surgent's Reducing a Business Owner Client's Exposure to Social Security and Self-Employment Taxes

Section 1402(a)(1) exclusions from the definition of self-employment income Application of the SE tax to members of limited liability companies Taking a self-employed owner's health insurance deductions against self-employment tax How using the S corporation and the MMLLC treated as a partnership can help reduce an individual's exposure to self-employment tax How hiring a spouse and/or child helps reduce self-employment tax Differentiating between income treated as self- employment income and income that is not self-employment income

Surgent's Schedules K-2 and K-3: Filing Requirements

Detailed discussion of the domestic filing exception  Filing requirements and exceptions for every part of Schedules K-2 and K-3 Examples based on common client situations encountered in practice

Surgent's Understanding S Corporation Taxation: Compensation Issues and Entity-Level Taxes

Reasonable compensation Fringe benefits for S corporation shareholders Built-in gains tax Excess passive income tax Notice 2020-75: PTE elections

Surgent's Avoiding Deficiencies in Peer Reviews: Focus on Engagement Quality

AICPA’s Enhancing Audit Quality initiative Recent revisions to Quality Management standards Feedback from peer reviews, including areas driving deficiencies in audit Elements of an effective risk assessment and how to link to audit procedures performed Understanding internal controls and making the decision whether or not to test them Best practices in documentation

Grading Your Auditors - Are You Getting the Most Value?

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Limitations in roles and responsibilities an auditor can accept without impairing independenceAssessing the strength of your auditor's ability to think critically, strategically, and creatively in appropriate circumstancesEvaluating your auditor's time and project management stillsGrading your auditor's communication and interpersonal skills, in exceeding your expectations on an audit

Profit in Precision: The Direct Link Between Data Governance and Value Creation

Data, data governance, finance, transformation, risk, IT

AI Prompt Engineering Masterclass for Accountants

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.

Excel for Accounting Professionals Session 7: Date-Driven Workbooks and Concatenation

EOMONTH MONTH and YEAR DATE CONCAT basics SUMIFS with CONCAT