CPE Catalog & Events
Corporate Finance Technology Selection: Practical Frameworks
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The changing finance technology landscape: continuous processing, modular ecosystems, automated controls, and real-time visibility (and the risks these shifts introduce)Technology trends and “AI” definitions: automation vs. machine learning vs. generative AI vs. agentic AI—what each means for governance and auditabilityFive common challenges in finance tech projects and how to address them:Cutting through vendor claims and AI hypeIntegration complexity and hidden costsChange management and proving ROIData quality readiness for AI and automationRisk, security, and governanceVendor Evaluation Scorecard: 20 criteria across five categories, including control “deal-breakers” (audit trails, segregation of duties, logging, SOC reporting, error handling)Five-Year Total Cost Framework: software, implementation, data migration/cleanup, integration build & maintenance, internal costs, training, and ongoing operations (plus common underestimates)Industry-specific considerations (manufacturing, distribution/wholesale, SaaS/tech, professional services)Four-phase implementation roadmap with checkpoints and red flags: Assessment & Planning; Selection & Negotiation; Implementation & Testing; Optimization & Ongoing GovernanceWorking with external advisers (CPA/auditor involvement, implementation partner expectations, and common deficiencies to avoid)
Finding Errors in Excel Spreadsheets
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Understanding Common Excel Errors: Gain insights into the most common types of errors encountered in Excel, including formula errors, reference errors, and logic errors.Advanced Formulas and Functions: Learn to use advanced Excel functions and formulas that are crucial for error detection and data analysis.Data Validation Techniques: Master the art of data validation to prevent errors before they occur. This includes setting up data validation rules and using conditional formatting to highlight potential inaccuracies.Error Tracing and Auditing Tools: Delve into Excel's auditing tools to trace and fix errors. Learn to use Trace Precedents, Trace Dependents, and the Error Checking tool effectively.
Securing Your Data with a Password Management App - Updated
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics covered in this course include:Introduction to the world of password management apps and what makes them so secureReview and demonstration of top selling password management appsSoftware features that will be reviewedPassword generationEmergency user accessEntity vs. individual password managementDesktop vs. cloud basedMulti device synchronizationPII (personally identifiable information) forms fillerCredit card storageDigital data vault
Tax Implications of Retirement Plan Distributions
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Required minimum distributions for a deceased’s heirs2025 retirement plan contribution limitsRequired minimum distributions and contributions to charityKey provisions of Secure Act 2.0
ACPEN: Tax Practice Ethical Challenges and Circular 230
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Online
2.00 Credits
Circular 230 (IRS) rules for conducting a "best" tax practice How to avoid tax return preparation penalties Recent developments impacting today's tax practice Review of tax return preparer's registration rules Explanation of the revised AICPA Code of Professional Conduct Contingent fees
ACPEN: An In-Depth Understanding of the Generation Skipping Transfer Tax
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Online
2.00 Credits
Overview of the GST tax and its policy purpose Direct skips, taxable terminations, and taxable distributions Skip persons and treatment of trusts as skip persons Application of the GST exemption and inclusion ratio Timely, late, and retroactive GST allocations Formula-based exemption allocations Planning strategies for GST tax minimization Filing considerations for Forms 706 and 709
ACPEN: Navigating IRS Collections: Overview of Form 433 & Offer in Compromise
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Online
2.00 Credits
IRS collection process overview Initial notice and subsequent notices Enforced collection actions: liens, levies, and wage garnishments Payment options and alternatives to enforced actions Detailed review of Forms 433-A & 433-B Offer in Compromise (OIC) program: qualifications and process Advising clients on compliance and payment options
ACPEN: Comprehensive Estate Planning: Administration & Postmortem Strategies
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Online
8.00 Credits
Introduction to Estate Administration How to Read a last will and testament Understanding the Entities Administration the Estate and Orderly Process The Probate process and the courts Special Issues in Estate Administration Postmortem Issues Regarding Income Taxation of Descendants and Estates Post Mortem Opportunities on the Estate Income Tax Return Available Post Mortem Estate Tax Elections Portability Election Disclaimers
ACPEN: Business Valuation Fundamentals
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Online
1.00 Credits
Business Valuation Fundamentals The Objective - What type of report is needed? The Process Agreed Upon Procedures Calculation of Value Conclusion of Value Industry Sanity Checks – Would you pay or accept the value if it were your company?
Applying AI in A&A: Creating Effective Prompts
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
Leveraging artificial intelligence in A&A Writing effective prompts. How an effective prompt improves results. Examples of effectively written prompts.
Surgent's Excel: Mastering PivotTables
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Virtual
0.00 Credits
Explore PivotTable capabilities and functionality Retrieve data from a database and feed it into the PivotTable Pull web tables from web pages into Excel
Interpreting the FASB Revenue Recognition Standard: What All CPAs Need to Know
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
Revenue recognition overview Identifying the contract with a customer and performance obligations Transaction price
ACPEN: Federal Tax Update – Individual & Business Current Developments
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Online
8.00 Credits
Discuss the most recent individual and business income tax legislation passed to date Walk through major tax changes to corporations, partnerships and/or individuals and any changes to the income tax forms and other related schedules Review numerous business income tax provisions including but not limited to the 20% qualified business income (QBI) deduction; changes to NOLs, §461(l) business loss limitations, §163(j) business interest deduction limitations, accounting method changes, depreciation, retirement plans, fringe benefits and entertainment expenses Brush up on the individual and business income tax rates (e.g., income tax rates, capital gain tax rates, self-employment tax and alternative minimum tax (AMT), 3.8% net investment income tax) Discuss other individual income tax topics and changes to filing status, personal exemptions, itemized deductions, exclusions from income, adjustments to income and income tax credits (e.g., child tax credit and dependent care credit) Walk through the NEW final required minimum distribution (RMD) regulations Review other important IRS audit areas such as basis and at-risk limitations for S shareholders and partners, passive activity losses and real estate professionals and self-employment taxes
Surgent's Yellow Book and Single Audits: How to Stay in Good Graces and Out of Bad Places with Your Peer Reviewer
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Virtual
0.00 Credits
The key requirements and audit areas that peer reviewers focus on when reviewing Yellow Book and single audit engagements Avoiding common pitfalls seen in Yellow Book and single audits How to improve your performance on Yellow Book and single audits while staying in good graces with your peer reviewer
Small Firm Success Series (8/20/2026)
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
Firm staffing shortages Emerging technologies worth investing in Preparation for new compliance requirements and regulatory updates Effective practice-management strategies
Surgent’s Weekly Expert Hour
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
Each week’s topics will change based on the most critical issues affecting financial professionals
ACPEN: No Tax on Overtime: Payroll Compliance
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Online
2.00 Credits
Overview of FLSA overtime provisions Definition of a workweek and the 40-hour threshold Time-and-a-half requirements and exclusions from overtime pay Exempt vs. nonexempt employee classifications Components of the regular rate of pay Treatment of bonuses, commissions, and other compensation Step-by-step overtime calculation examples Common compliance pitfalls and audit risk Documentation and payroll system considerations Case studies involving misclassification and miscalculation
Selected Ethics Topics 2025 - 2026
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Stay in compliance with recent ethics standards changes that impact your practice.Learn about key regulatory changes and initiatives impacting CPAs and the future of the profession.Discuss emerging issues and standard-setting activity that could affect your practice in the future.Explore practical applications of the standards and hear about common practice issues and challenges. Examples include private equity, technology, tax planning, audit quality, regulatory enforcement and standard-setting environment.Learn how failure to follow the standards can result in unwanted regulatory actions and publicity.
Surgent's Review and Analysis of Crucial OBBBA Changes
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
Changes to the standard deduction Senior deduction Deduction for auto loan interest Estate tax changes and the portability option Tax consequences associated with investing in revised opportunity zones Full expensing of domestic R&E Individual and corporate charitable contributions Wagering losses Student loan discharges Taking advantage of scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) Dependent care assistance program Other crucial OBBBA provisions
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?
