CPE Catalog & Events
Surgent's Ethical Considerations for the CPA
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
Examine the CPA's role in today's economy Compare similarities and differences between individual and business ethics Explore the link between ethics, integrity and scruples Discuss the basic attributes of ethics and professional conduct Review the history of the CPA profession and the CPA's requirement to adhere to ethics policies and codes of conduct Review the AICPA's Code of Professional Conduct and a CPA's responsibilities to the public, clients and colleagues Discuss the common rules and statutes faced daily in the CPA profession. Case studies may also be utilized to present potential ethical dilemmas CPAs may face during their careers Review CPA Independence violations by current legal case examples
Surgent's Avoiding the Top 10 Mistakes That Can Wipe Out Retirement Savings
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
Coverage of applicable rules from SECURE Act 2.0 The 10% penalty Net unrealized appreciation of employer securities Roth IRA conversions Rollovers and the limitations Direct rollovers vs indirect rollovers, and tax withholding Beneficiary portability rules When a Roth IRA distribution is qualified to be tax-free Excess contributions and the 6% excise tax
Taxation of the Cannabis Industry
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include: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.
Understanding Internal Control Constructs
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
The major topics covered in this course include:Underlying concepts of internal controlThe importance of control measure interdependency
Shortcuts that Excel Users Love
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics covered in this course include:The power of keyboard shortcutsOft used features with more capability than meets the eyeNew helpful featuresNote: This session is taught using Hands-On methodology. We provide practice files that tie to the examples in the course materials so participants can undertake all the steps in unison with the instructor.
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
Ethics at Work: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics covered in this class include:Overview of ethicsEthical values and principlesDEI working definitionsUnconscious bias, assumptions, microaggressionsStanding Up and Speaking OutDEI and Organizational Responsibility
Using ChatGPT with Excel
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Introduction to ChatGPT and other AI (Artificial Intelligence) language modelsDiscussion of best practices for using ChatGPT with ExcelUse ChatGPT to create, debug and explain formulasUse ChatGPT to learn how to use Excel featuresUse ChatGPT to automate repetitive tasks in ExcelUse ChatGPT to easily create macros
Advanced ChatGPT for Accountants
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to ChatGPT and its Applications in Accounting.Custom Instructions (CI) for Persistent Context in Financial Conversations.Analyzing Financial Statements and News Releases using ChatGPT.Exploring Business Opportunities through Hyper-Local and Sectoral Analysis.Advanced Data Analysis for Financial Comparisons and Capital Asset Audits.Image Analysis for Asset, Space, and User Interface Design.Voice Interaction with ChatGPT for Enhanced User Experience and Accessibility.
Ethical Considerations in Working with Cannabis
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
The major topics covered in this class include:Framework for assessing the propriety of offering services within the state legal, regulated cannabis industryAssist in identifying key stakeholders to be considered in conjunction to providing cannabis industry services, including:partnersstaffclientsBanking relationshipsMalpractice insurance
Beyond the Basics: Financial Ratios You Might Be Overlooking
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Understanding Cost Behavior and Its Impact on Decision-MakingContribution Margin and Break-Even AnalysisMargin of Safety and Its Role in Risk ManagementOperating Leverage and Financial SensitivityAnalyzing Asset Turnover for Operational EfficiencyCash Conversion Cycle and Working Capital InsightsFree Cash Flow Yield as a Valuation Tool
Build Better Budgets: Fundamental Techniques
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Advantages of budgetingThe role of budgetingMaster budgetingFlexible budgetingStandards and variancesCapital budgeting
GPT Builder for Accountants
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to GPT Builder platform and interface for accounting professionalsCreating accounting-specific custom instructions and knowledge basesImplementing financial data analysis capabilities through GPTsDesigning GPTs for tax preparation assistance and compliance checkingBuilding client communication tools with accounting terminologyEnhancing bookkeeping efficiency with automated GPT workflowsSecurity and confidentiality considerations for financial data
2025 Annual Update for Governmental Accountants & Auditors
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Virtual
8.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:GASB 100, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.GASB 101, Compensated Absences.Yellow Book and Single Audit engagements.Yellow Book independence requirements.Changes to the Uniform Guidance.2024 Compliance Supplement and the common deficiencies identified by the federal agencies and peer reviewers.
Audits of Employee Benefit Plans Subject to ERISA
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Virtual
8.50 Credits
Audit planning and pre-engagement activities Risk assessment, including consideration of internal control Auditing the statement of net assets available for benefits Auditing the statement of changes in net assets available for benefits Other auditing considerations, including prohibited transactions and tax compliance The auditor's report Financial statement disclosures Supplemental schedules
Surgent's A Complete Guide to the Yellow Book
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Virtual
8.00 Credits
When is the auditor required to follow the Yellow Book (aka Government Auditing Standards or GAGAS)? How the Yellow Book requirements relate to generally accepted auditing standards and the single audit requirements The different types of Yellow Book audit and attestation engagements that auditors may be called upon to perform The Yellow Book standards related to the qualifications of the auditor (i.e., requirements related to independence, CPE, peer review, and more) The Yellow Book requirements related to the performance of and reporting on a financial audit The Yellow Book requirements related to attestation engagements (i.e., examinations, reviews, and agreed-upon procedures engagements) and performance audits
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
Surgent's Individual and Financial-Planning Tax Camp
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Virtual
8.00 Credits
Comprehensive coverage of the SECURE Act 2.0 Understanding the environment: what’s new, what’s expired or expiring, and what’s likely to change Reading a tax return for developing client-specific tax strategies Changes to the lifetime estate tax exemption in light of proposed regulations The net investment income tax: planning for compliance Family income-splitting strategies that need to be considered Income tax issues: impact on timing of other income Selling a principal residence Two principal residences at the same time Use of life insurance to protect families: Whole Life Insurance, Term Life Insurance, Universal Life Insurance, and Variable Life Insurance Using Roth IRAs and Roth contribution programs to best advantage Conversions: do they still make sense? Taking distributions: matching timing to client requirements Qualified plan contributions to reduce current income and Social Security tax: implications for business owners and self-employed Social Security solvency issues Incentive Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan considerations What to do about itemized deductions Trans-generational planning: conversions, income, and gain-splitting Tax benefits of HSAs and other tax-advantaged accounts Identifying tax opportunities: reviewing the prior-year return to develop a plan for the future Planning for middle-income taxpayers: financial planning for the young, the working, and those approaching or in retirement Best financial planning ideas for young people
Criminal Tax: How CPAs Bring Value to Defense Attorneys
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The common weaknesses in a criminal tax investigation.The key documents to review (In a sea of thousands of documents).Crafting questions to recommend in court proceeding.
Technology Trends Update for CPAs with John Higgins
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Role of cloud computing as the foundation for all tech trendsBig data and data analytics the new frontier for CPAsWorkflow automation with RPA, ML and AI with a focus on ChatGPTBlockchain technology, the revolutionary data storage modelCryptocurrency 15 years later, an update on the market and technologyMetaverse - what's it all aboutCloud based financial and ERP software market update