CPE Catalog & Events

Surgent's The Risks and Benefits of ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence

What are AI tools? Where are we with AI tool development? What is ChatGPT? ChatGPT – what kind of queries are possible? Copyright and intellectual property issues Benefits of AI tools Concerns with AI tools Impact on business use of AI Policy on AI tools

More Money: Strategic Ways to Improve Cash Flow

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:How do I optimize cash flow?Qualitative Evaluations – Core Earnings & Sustainable GrowthQuantitative Evaluations – Liquidity RatiosIncreasing Customer Base vs. Payment TermsBusiness Cycle & CashInvesting Company CashWhat keeps companies from becoming streamlined?Behavioral Finance BiasesInformation Processing BiasesEmotional BiasesDealing with Behavioral Biases

Invest in Your Mental Health and Avoid Burnout

The major topics covered in this course include:How to recognize burnout and evaluate where you are on the burnout scale.How impostor syndrome drives coping reactions of overworking, over preparing and perfectionism.How mindfulness can reduce stress and save time.Silencing the critical inner voice.Tools to help you become more attuned to your needs and emotions.How attending to and regulating your nervous system impacts your mood and well-being.

Internal Control - Testing for Operating Effectiveness

The major topics covered in this class include:Generally accepted audit requirements related to testing controls for operating effectivenessIdentifying key controls that may prove effective and efficient to test in a control reliance strategyResponses when deviations are discovered when evaluating the design or operating effectiveness of internal controlLeveraging audit evidence available for Service Organization Control (SOC1) ReportsGeneral computer control considerations when evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting

Leveraging ChatGPT for Innovative Business Advisory Services

The major topics covered in this course include:Introduction to ChatGPT and its applications in the business advisory contextIn-depth exploration of enterprise evaluation methodologies like SWOT, PESTLE, BCG Matrix, McKinsey 7S Model, Ansoff Matrix, etc.Practical case studies demonstrating application of ChatGPT in accounting business analysisKey challenges faced by accounting firms and how ChatGPT can help overcome theseBest practices for implementing AI tools in the accounting sectorFuture opportunities and trends in AI-enhanced business advisory services

Mastering Microsoft 365 Copilot for CPAs

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Overview of Microsoft 365 Copilot featuresAutomating tasks with AI assistanceEnhancing content creation and data analysisCollaboration tools powered by AIBest practices for maximizing Copilot's benefits

Installment sales: Maximize Tax Benefits and Stay Compliant

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Installment sale treatment eligibilityWhen to elect out of installment sale treatmentInstallment sale of business assetsInstallment sale default and the rules for personal property versus real propertyInstallment sales and depreciation recapture

Economic Lessons With Lewis - January

Ethics in the World of AI: An Accountant's Guide to Managing the Risks

Business uses of AI Nine risk areas of AI Three ethical frameworks Risk mitigation strategies

Surgent's Introduction to Required Minimum Distributions

How SECURE Act 1.0 and SECURE Act 2.0 changed the RMD rules What is an RMD? Who is subject to RMDs? The types of accounts subject to RMDs How to calculate an RMD How to determine if a distribution can be an RMD How to determine which life expectancy table must be used when calculating an RMD The rollover and transfer rules during an RMD year IRS penalties for non-compliance with RMD regulations Applying RMD strategies to different plan types When RMDs can and cannot be aggregated How to correct an RMD shortfall How to get a waiver of the excise tax on an RMD failure The tax implication of an RMD How to donate an RMD tax-free How to determine the RMD rules that apply to a beneficiary

Understanding the New Forms K-2 and K-3

The major topics covered in this class include:Introduction to Schedules K-2 and K-3Review the filing requirementsDiscuss the different parts of the schedules and what needs to be included

Surgent's Gaining a Competitive Advantage: Critical Skills for CFOs and Controllers

Latest state of the economy Expense control that works Understanding our changing workforce and working environment Financial risk analysis Enterprise risk management Improving bank relationships

AI for CPAs - How it Works and How to Apply it

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Fundamentals of machine learning and AI algorithmsHow generative AI models like ChatGPT functionPractical examples of generative AI in accounting, finance and taxKey terminologies and concepts simplifiedAI Agents for process automation

AICPA's Annual Federal Tax Update

Strategies for tax savings Business entity changes IRS administrative issues, compliance and new forms Court cases settled in the last year that provide tax return guidance Position authority IRS rulings, procedures, and notices for the last year New, updated and expiring tax deductions and credits

How Changes in Business Methods Affects Internal Control

The major topics covered in this class include:How is business changing.What is driving the change and how long will it last.How specifically is an organizations control system important.What steps are needed to “keep up” with the upheaval.

Surgent's Advanced Individual Income Tax Return Issues

New issues for the current year tax return and §199A Installment sales — understanding the complicated issues Form 8582: Passive losses with carryovers — Complicated case with filled-in forms Puts, calls, straddling, and unusual investments — Understanding the tax laws and reporting them correctly on the tax return Capital gain and loss issues — The problem with proper reporting of installment sales issues; capital gains and losses; when is a stock worthless; and much more... At-risk rules: What a return preparer really needs to know Passive loss issues — You cannot just trust your software. What to watch out for and the questions you need your clients to answer in order to do it right! Incentive and nonqualified stock options — Reporting; key strategies for planning; dealing with the alternative minimum tax Alternative minimum tax — Understanding it; planning strategies to avoid it; using the minimum tax credit; explaining it to a client Form 6251: Detailed calculation example

Surgent's Annual Tax-Planning Guide for S Corporations, Partnerships, and LLCs

Update on latest cases, rulings, and regulations including the final regs Provisions of Revenue Procedure 2022-19: Relief for S corporations Legislative update on retirement plan changes of the SECURE Act 2.0 How to handle liabilities of LLCs Planning opportunities and pitfalls in determining basis and amounts at risk -- recourse and nonrecourse debt issues for LLCs, and much more Section 199A pass-through deduction planning Partnership planning -- Structuring partnership distributions and transfers of interests Optional basis adjustments -- §§754 and 732(d) Planning for the utilization of §179 and for the scheduled phase out of bonus depreciation  Basis, distribution, redemption, and liquidation issues of S corporations Compensation in S corporations Sale of a partnership -- the best planning concepts What you need to know about family pass-throughs -- Estate planning, family income splitting, and compensation planning Partnership and LLC allocations A brief look at possible future changes to the taxation of pass-through entities The who, what, when, where, and how of the new FinCEN BOI reporting requirements

Surgent's Employer's Handbook: Legal, Tax, and Health Care Issues

Hiring and firing issues – What questions cannot be asked in an interview; how to document employee performance; establishing an annual review system; when an employer may and may not fire an employee, and much more Employment contracts – An analysis of the legal and planning issues in structuring employment contracts; when noncompetition agreements will and will not work Employment issues in the economy – Telecommuters and other special situations Legal liability issues – Recognition of age discrimination, sex discrimination, FLSA issues, minimum wage, overtime, sexual harassment, and more Fringe benefit issues – COBRA, Family and Medical Leave Act, and new developments in health care Medical plans – Who is a full-time employee?

Yellow Book: Staying Compliant With Government Auditing Standards

Foundation and principles of generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS) Yellow Book compliance requirements Ethics, independence and professional judgment Competence and continuing professional education Quality control and peer review Standards for financial audits, attestation engagements and reviews of financial statements Fieldwork and reporting standards for performance audits

Accounting of the Soul: Making the World a Better Place

The major topics covered in this course include:Overview of Virtue Ethics and the Common GoodProfessionalismThe Virtue of CompassionGossip in the WorkplaceGratitude