CPE Catalog & Events
Tax Planning for Small Businesses - Tax Staff Essentials
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
The tax life of a business Selecting a business entity type Section 199A and the qualified business income deduction Accounting methods Compensation of owners and hiring family members Reasonable compensation Depreciation, including Section 179 and bonus depreciation Transactions with owners Buy-sell and noncompete agreements Retirement plan strategies for late-stage business owners Starter 401(k) plans and SIMPLE plan enhancements Provisions of H.R. 1, commonly referred to as OBBBA
ACPEN: Qualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction (§199A) – The Ins & Outs
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Online
8.00 Credits
Detailed coverage of calculating the combined qualified business income amount (i.e., QBI component and REIT/PTP component) Determine what trade or businesses under §162 are eligible for the QBI deduction (i.e., rentals and specified service trades or businesses (SSTB)) Discuss how the 20% QBI deduction (i.e., QBI component) is subject to a wage/capital limitation and SSTB income is phased-out for taxpayers with taxable income above the inflation adjusted threshold amounts Walk through the simplified QBI Form 8995 (i.e., taxpayers below the TI threshold amounts) and detailed Form 8995-A and related schedules Determine what wages and unadjusted basis immediately after acquisition (UBIA) are for those subject to the wage and capital limitations Look at what the definition of QBI is and what items are effectively connected with that trade or business (i.e., self-employment tax, health insurance, retirement plans) Review the aggregation rules for the QBI computation and both the entity and individual level Walk through the reporting responsibilities of partnerships and S corporations to their owners on the Schedule K-1s Explain how the modifications to the net operating losses (NOLs) and §461(l) excess business loss limitations affect the QBI computation
Hot Topics Accounting Update - 2026
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:New accounting standards.The impact on Financial Reporting.Hot topics in financial reporting.Current and emerging US GAAP requirements.
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.
The Crucial Connection - Why You Should Care About Your Client's System of Internal Control
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Virtual
1.50 Credits
The audit risk model Key steps in understanding and evaluating your client's system of internal control Learn how to identify IT applications and IT controls relevant to the audit Apply risk assessment requirements to less complex entities Examples of risks arising from the use of IT and general IT controls
Surgent's Controllership Skills Update: Current Survival Skills
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
Changing Role of Financial Professionals: Priorities Change in mission Valued-added actions Strategic Measurements: Common errors and guidelines for improvement Balanced scorecard Strategy development and implementation Budgeting basics and next steps Risk Management: Recent lessons, including Black Swan events Defining Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Implementation Developing a Financial Leadership Pipeline: Changing employment environment Retaining the right employees Compensation Hiring process Capital Projects: Types of projects Factors affecting capacity Valuation techniques Cash management M&A Activity: Current environment Controller’s role Strategic questions Sample transactions Due diligence Implementation Introducing Improvements/Innovation: Getting started Establishing an environment Potential first projects Organizational structure
Surgent's Guide to Understanding the At-Risk Basis Rules and Forms 6198 and 7203
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
Basis and at-risk basis How to calculate the amount of annual at-risk basis Forms 6198 and 7203 When activities may be aggregated for at-risk purposes Qualified nonrecourse financing
ACPEN: Shorten Month-End - Closing Best Practices
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Online
4.00 Credits
Trends in financial statement closings including the Quick Close, Soft Close and Virtual Close Review and discuss information systems headaches that slow you down Work through examples of close cycle "time killers" and how to resolve them Get inventory and cost of sales under control Identify the improvement projects that will yield the biggest benefit
Deep Dive Into Common Auditing Deficiencies
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Review common deficiencies identified by the AICPA and state boards of accountancy.Feature discussion on a variety of topics, including analytical procedures, sampling, group audits and risk assessment.Review of the areas of concern and how you can overcome them by employing best practices.
Advanced Excel for Staff - Build Reports and Analyze Data
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Building Reports Workflow: Understand the steps for creating professional and functional reports.Gather and Organize Data: Learn best practices for compiling and cleaning data for accurate analysis.Set Calculations and Key Metrics: Apply formulas and functions to calculate meaningful insights. Format and Structure Report: Use formatting tools to create visually appealing and structured reports.Review and Validate: Verify data accuracy and troubleshoot potential errors.Share the Report: Learn methods for distributing reports effectively within your organization.
ACPEN: Resolving Ethical Dilemmas—You Make the Call
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Online
1.50 Credits
Ethical frameworks Threats and safeguards to objectivity and independence
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.
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.
Self-Rental Real Estate: Passive Activity & Section 199A
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Definition of self-rental property - both for Sections 199A and 469Self-rental income from directly owned properties and reporting on Form 1040, Schedule E, page 1Self-rental income from indirectly owned (partnerships, S corporations) and reporting on Form 1040, Schedule E, page 2Form 8582 (passive activity)The flow-through entity grouping electionIllustrative examples and consequences of failing to comply with the reporting standardsSelf-rental property and "former passive activities" rules
Surgent's A Guide to the 401(k): Concepts and Strategies
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
401(k) eligibility, vesting, compensation limits, and annual testing Contribution types, limits, deadlines, and reporting requirements Traditional, Roth, and other after-tax contribution planning strategies Employer match optimization and profit-sharing structures Coordination across multiple employers and plan types Distributions, penalties, and tax reporting considerations Direct vs. indirect rollovers and rollover risk management Net unrealized appreciation (NUA) planning for employer stock Qualified plan loans and appropriate use cases Inherited plan rules
Surgent's Taxation of the Mobile Workforce
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
What states do not have an income tax? What is the relevance to employers? Where does an employer have an obligation to withhold state taxes for an employee? At what point does an employee become a resident? Where is unemployment paid for an out-of-state employee?
ACPEN: Enhancing Performance Through Effective Coaching
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Online
4.00 Credits
Coaching Effective Communication Problem Solving Use of AI as a coaching tool
ACPEN: Ethics: What a CPA in Public Practice Needs to Know
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Online
2.00 Credits
Ethics for Members in Public Practice: Why Bother? Navigating the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct The Eleven Rules for Members in Public Practice Case Analysis: Members in Public Practice Conclusion
ACPEN: Let's End Business Ethics
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Online
2.00 Credits
Ethics defined Are there business ethics? How to identify ethical issues Deciphering your ethical code Why ethical behavior is good for your business How to make ethical decisions
Risk Assessment Under SAS No. 145
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
Risk assessment under SAS No. 145 Overview of the steps to perform during risk assessment Testing the design, implementation, and operating effectiveness of controls New concepts due to the issuance of SAS No. 145