CPE Catalog & Events
The 10 Must Know Excel Features
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Excel Tables: Master the use of Excel tables for efficient data management, including sorting, filtering, and structured references, to manage data more effectively.Custom Sorting: Get to grips with custom sorting options to organize data in a way that best suits your needs, enhancing data readability and analysis.XLOOKUP: Discover the power of XLOOKUP for advanced data retrieval, a game-changer for complex analysis, allowing you to extract specific data from extensive datasets with ease.SUBTOTAL: Gain proficiency in using the SUBTOTAL function, a versatile tool for calculating data in visible cells, ideal for analyses that require dynamic calculations.SUMIF(S): Explore the functionality of SUMIF and SUMIFS functions for conditional summing, crucial for precise budgeting, expense tracking, and financial reporting.Array Formulas: Dive into array formulas to perform multiple calculations on one or more items in an array, enhancing the efficiency of complex accounting computations.Data Validations: Learn to implement data validations to ensure data integrity and prevent errors in financial data entry, a critical skill for maintaining accurate accounting records.Slicers: Learn to use slicers for interactive data segmentation in tables and PivotTables, enabling accountants to quickly filter and analyze specific subsets of financial data.Conditional Formatting: Understand how to apply conditional formatting to highlight critical financial data points, trends, and variances, making data analysis and interpretation more intuitive.PivotTables: An introduction to PivotTables, one of the most powerful Excel features, for summarizing, analyzing, and presenting large sets of financial data in a digestible format.
Numbers to Narrative: Storytelling in Business Communication
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Role of narrative in professional communicationSituation–complication–resolution frameworkNarrative arcs in business contextsIntegrating data within a structured storyDefining tension and resolution logicallyMaintaining accuracy while improving clarityApplication of storytelling framework to a workplace scenario
ACPEN: The Preparation of Form 706 and 709 – Understanding the Law
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Online
2.00 Credits
Estate and Gift Taxation Fundamentals Valuation of Estate Assets Components of the Gross Estate Deductions in Estate Taxation Charitable and Marital Deductions Tax Credits and Their Application
ACPEN: Schedule C of Form 1040
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Online
2.00 Credits
When Schedule C applies Cash v. Accrual method Typical business deductions Business vehicle expenses Section 179 and bonus depreciation
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.
Surgent's Understanding S Corporation Taxation: Late S Corporation Elections, Disproportionate Distributions, and Selling Shares
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
Making an S corporation election and late filing relief Disproportionate distributions Selling S corporation shares Redemption rules
Surgent's Performing an Effective Audit Risk Assessment
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
Audit process and planning Materiality, performance materiality, and tolerable misstatement Assessing the risk of material misstatement Understanding internal controls and when the auditor must evaluate the design and implementation of internal controls Designing procedures to test the effectiveness of controls Issues noted related to performing substantive procedures Documentation Communication with the Client and Governance
Enterprise-Wide Risk Management in Accounting and Finance
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Enterprise-wide risk management best practices for identifying, evaluating, and determining how to respond to relevant risks.The importance of risk and uncertainty disclosures in the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements, including evolving risks with cybersecurity and ESG.Coordinating risk management efforts, including the required involvement of corporate governance.How to embed risk management into day-to-day accounting and finance activities.
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.
ACPEN: HR Investigations – Episode 2 – Interview Techniques
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Online
2.00 Credits
Interview terminology Types of questions Levels of listening Verbal and nonverbal communications Documenting results
Surgent's Recent Changes in Workplace Regulations: Overtime, Non-compete Agreements, and Employee/Independent Contractor
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
Final Rule - Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the FLSA: the multifactor “economic reality” test; What analysis guides whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor under this final rule? Can a worker voluntarily waive employee status and choose to be classified as an independent contractor? Are any of the economic reality factors adopted in this rule more important than others when evaluating a worker’s employment status? How does the final rule explain “extent to which the work performed is an integral part of the employer’s business?” The Federal Trade Commission’s Decision on Non-compete Agreements: impact on new and existing non-competes; treatment and definitional terms for senior executives; definition of a non-compete clause; definition of a “worker” New Overtime Rules: exemptions from minimum wage and overtime pay requirements for executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees; increases in the standard level and the highly compensated employee total annual compensation threshold; new mechanism allowing for the timely and efficient updating of the salary and compensation thresholds Current status of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) rules
Surgent's Starting a Small Business: What Every Trusted Advisor and Entrepreneur Needs To Know
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Virtual
0.00 Credits
Understanding the time commitment required to start and run a business Selecting a corporate structure to protect your personal assets Building your product or service Sales and marketing in your business Establishing your owners, investors, managers, and employees Accounting, recording-keeping, and other software programs Leases, contracts, and employee agreements Protecting intellectual property Insurance Business plans Financing Market position
ACPEN: Planning for Small Business Success
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Online
4.00 Credits
The integrated planning model The strategic plan Linkage with Performance Based Management Tracking success Real world examples
Tax Season and OBBBA Update for Individual with Steve Dilley
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Update and integration of recent tax legislation impacting 2026 individual returnsUpdate on significant individual tax developments related to cases and rulingsIndividual tax changes including the earned income credit, child credit, and child and dependent care creditSection 199A changes, including use of carryforward passive activity and 199A losses and latest tax formsCrypto reporting update2027 tax rate schedule and other inflation adjusted itemsPassive activity and hobby loss rules changes.
Employee Benefit Plan Best Practices
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Current standards and developments affecting employee benefit plan audits Compliance considerations in employee benefit plan engagements Common compliance issues identified in 401(k) plan audits Correction of 401(k) plan compliance issues Participant data Payroll and compensation Contributions and remittances Participant loans Hardship distributions Plan investments Participant distributions Investment income allocations Plan mergers and acquisitions Audit best practices for employee benefit plans
ACPEN: Assessing the Real Ethics of an Organization?, featuring Joe Oringel, MBA, CPA, CIA and Don Minges, MBA
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Online
1.00 Credits
What are the signs of an ethical versus unethical organization? The need for clear policies Policies should be detailed, clear and unambiguous The importance of ‘doing the right thing when no one else is looking’ How exceptions offer opportunities to the unethical Should exceptions be allowed?
ACPEN: Listening to the Statement of Cash Flows
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Online
2.00 Credits
Preparation of the statement of cash flows Importance of identifying sources and uses of cash in financial reporting Financial statement analysis Cash-related financial statement disclosures
Google Gemini Deep Dive Hands-on Bootcamp for CPAs
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Getting started with GeminiTour of the Gemini app and how to use itVariety of hands-on case study examples for accounting, finance, and taxProtecting your data privacy in Google GeminiAdvanced Gemini features reviewIntegration with Google appsSubscription plan option
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.
Surgent's Governing Agentic AI: Cybersecurity, Data, and Risk
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Virtual
0.00 Credits
Cyber risks: prompt injection, drift, model manipulation, data leakage Red-teaming and simulation exercises (CSA, IBM frameworks) Controls mapping: COSO, SOX, and NIST AI RMF Regulatory context: GDPR, CCPA, EU AI Act, SEC guidance Platform security discussion and comparisons
