CPE Catalog & Events
Surgent's Fiduciary Income Tax Returns – Form 1041 Workshop with Filled-in Forms
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Virtual
8.00 Credits
Classifying receipts between “income” and “corpus” under the Uniform Principal and Income Act Calculation of DNI utilizing three different methods, a “forms” method (Schedule B), a “code” method, and a “shortcut” method, utilizing a worksheet of common income and expenses Proper W-2 preparation and procedures in the year of death Taxpayer passes before taking a required minimum distribution; what must be done? Forgetful fiduciaries of simple trusts Fluctuating trusts – Simple one year, complex the next Dividing income in the year of death Overview of Subchapter J Form preparation issues – Filing requirements and line-by-line explanations of Form 1041 Taxable income of estates and trusts and expense allocation issues Specific deductions and miscellaneous itemized deductions Income in respect of a decedent The income distribution deduction calculation Relation of principal and income law to DNI Understanding how to handle capital gains and losses Allocating tax items to beneficiaries: another K-1 Other considerations: excess deductions on termination Comprehensive DNI case study, with principal (cost and FMV) and income reconciliation Comprehensive trust and estate case studies, with filled-in forms
Critical Thinking and Skepticism in AI-Augmented CPA Work
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Professional skepticism and existing CPA standardsSix traits of the skeptical professional mindAutomation bias and other AI-related cognitive biasesEvidence and verification rules for AI outputsPractical questioning and challenge techniquesVendor claims, benchmarks, and AI due diligenceReview, documentation, accountability, and skeptical firm culture
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
Cybersecurity: Protecting Your Firm's Data and Reputation
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
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
Surgent's Improving Your Profits: Identifying Cost Cutting Opportunities
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
What keeps companies from becoming streamlined? Behavioral biases Information processing biases Emotional biases How to deal with behavioral biases Connecting behavioral biases to cost cutting Creating a culture of cost cutting Rules of thumb for cost cutting Managing headcount Post-COVID common areas of excess cost Budgeting techniques Budget variances Benchmarking Common size financial statements Horizontal analysis Negotiation and contracting techniques Cash flow and the business cycle
Surgent's Raising Financially Capable Children
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Virtual
0.00 Credits
Discussion of the importance of financial education for the next generation Understanding a client’s financial values Determining a client’s financial literacy Helping clients develop a teaching roadmap Using knowledge to protect against entitlement Developing a knowledge base for the information, including a full list of recommended books on the topic and games for families to play Discussion of specific topics, including tips and tricks related to: Allowances Earning, work, and entrepreneurship Spending, saving, and investing Philanthropy Taxes Credit cards, crypto, and financial fraud
Surgent's Section 529 Plans: A Comprehensive Guide
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
529 plan structure, requirements, and tax treatment Qualified education expenses, K–12 allowances, and student loan limits Contribution rules, gift-tax interactions, and the five-year election Distribution rules, penalties, and coordination with financial aid State tax considerations and recapture issues SECURE Act 2.0 529-to-Roth IRA rollover provisions Grandparent-owned 529 plans and FAFSA implications Multigenerational and dynasty 529 planning strategies Common challenges, risks, and practical decision frameworks
ACPEN: Guide to Deducting Travel, Meals and Entertainment Expenses
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Online
4.00 Credits
Recent tax legislation, rules and developments impacting travel and meals expense reporting Adequate accounting rules for reimbursements, including accountable plans, going paperless, reimbursement for non-deductible expenses Reporting travel expenses: travel status, simplified per diem "Directly related to" and associated with" tests Facility vs. activity expenses 9 exceptions to Section 274 Business meals: IRS Notice 2018-76
ACPEN: The Successful Family Business
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Online
4.00 Credits
Business Management Organization
ACPEN: Retirement Planning Issues: Where We Stand Now
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Online
4.00 Credits
Thorough Exploration of Current Retirement Planning Trends and Implications Strategies for Maximizing Retirement Savings within Existing Regulatory Structures Tax-Efficient Navigation of Various Retirement Plan Options Estate Planning Techniques Aligned with Contemporary Trends for Optimal Benefits Insight into Latest Rules for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
ACPEN: The Essential Guide to Understanding Private Company Financial Statement Disclosures with Renee Rampulla
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Online
4.00 Credits
Common Private Company Accounting Policy Disclosures Numerous Sample Lease and Revenue Disclosures Unique OCBOA Disclosure Requirements and examples Research Techniques
ACPEN: Prevention & Detection of Fraud in Small Businesses
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Online
5.00 Credits
Small Business Fraud Fraud Schemes Fraud Indicators Fraud Detection Fraud Response Fraud Prevention
Spring Tax Update with Steve Dilley
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Virtual
8.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Update and integration of the most recent tax legislation impacting individual and business taxpayers.Review of individual and business provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act.Update on significant individual and business tax developments related to cases and rulings.Update on earned income credit, child credit, and child and dependent care credit.Crypto reporting update.Depreciation changes in Sec. 179 and Sec. 168(k) bonus depreciation.Tax issues impacting "gig" workers, including Form 1099-K.Update on partnership and S corporations, including Schedules K-2 and K-3 of Forms 1065 and 1120S related to foreign transactions.
Surgent's Audit Skills Training Level 2: Preparing for Increasing Responsibilities 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: Auditing accounts receivable Physical inventory observations Sampling fundamentals Assessing fraud risk in a financial statement audit Day 2: Auditing common investments Financial statement fundamentals SSARS refresher and attestation engagement overview Analytical procedures fundamentals
Entertainment, Meals & Travel Expenses: Review and Update
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Definition of what qualifies as an entertainment expenseStrategies to deduct business entertainment expensesDeductibility of mealsSituations not subject to the 50% meals and entertainment reductionHow to handle automobile issues related to employer-provided parkingProper accounting for deductible vs. non-deductible expendituresThe four steps to analyze business expensesThe latest federal legislation, cases and rulings
ACPEN: Tricks and Treats to Avoid Litigation
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Online
1.00 Credits
Key concepts of effective employee relations Balancing employee and employer rights Handling employee complaints Addressing personality & attitude problems
ACPEN: The Role of Internal Audit in Operational Audits
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Online
2.00 Credits
The important role of operational audits Best practices for designing and performing operational audits Identifying causes of operational issues and risk exposures Developing solutions to enhance the operational performance of business activities, processes, and resourced deployed across the organization Delivering clear, transparent, and objective audit reports to convey critical information
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.
Tax Season and OBBBA Update for Business with Steve Dilley
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Update on significant 2025-26 business tax developments and related cases and rulingsReview of recent business tax provisions and their integration into tax formsDepreciation changes in Section 179 and Sec. 168(k) bonus depreciationTax issues impacting “gig” workers, including Form 1099-KRulings on OBBBA of 2025 business provisions.
ACPEN: Interviewing, Onboarding and Training 101
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Online
1.00 Credits
Best practices on interviewing Best practices for onboarding Best practices with training
