CPE Catalog & Events

Ethical Intelligence for Artificial Intelligence

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Benefits and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in the accounting professionSelecting and utilizing artificial intelligence resourcesApplying professional skepticism to resultsMaintaining independence while utilizing artificial intelligenceUpholding client confidentialityData security and retentionCitation of sources and related reporting considerationsApplication of the AICPA Code of Professional ConductEthical considerations when crafting policies and establishing best practices

Ethics and Technology for CPAs

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:The foundational ethical principles CPAs are required to follow and how these principles apply to audit quality, data privacy and security, and the use of emerging technologies.The profession's need to change to meet its ethics standard in a technology-centric environment.Changes being considered by the AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy that could impact the profession.

Unlock the Power of AI with Copilot in Excel

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to Copilot in ExcelAutomating Tasks and Enhancing ProductivityAdvanced Data Insights with Copilot

Accountants and Malpractice: Can We Get Sued for This?

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:How accountant liability is a very real threat in today's litigious society.A discussion of scenarios in which accounting professionals can find themselves inadvertently involved in a lawsuit.Pitfalls in which the accountant may find him- or her- self while dealing with clients.Real-life examples from the speaker's extensive experience as a practitioner and as an expert witness in accounting malpractice cases.

CPAs as AI Systems Evaluators

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The emerging CPA role in AI system evaluationNIST, ISO, SOC 2, COSO, and AI assurance frameworksAI regulatory and compliance developmentsHallucination, bias, model drift, sycophancy, and security risksAI benchmarks, golden datasets, red-teaming, and performance testingAI governance, controls, documentation, and evidenceAI evaluation engagements, independence, ethics, and professional liability

Finding Errors in Excel Spreadsheets

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.

The Art of Engaging in Difficult Conversations

The major subjects that will be covered in this course include:Awareness of your mindset entering the conversationTactics to build a pool of meaningClarity around story tellingBiggest mistakes to avoid

Nonprofit Section Meeting:

Corporate Finance Technology Selection: Practical Frameworks

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)

ACPEN: Navigating IRS Authorizations: Understanding Power of Attorney, Form 2848, and Form 8821 – 2 hrs

Overview of the IRS collection process and enforcement actions Initial notices, taxpayer rights, and IRS timelines When to use Forms 433-A or 433-B and required documentation Offer in Compromise (OIC): criteria, process, and practical considerations Payment options: installment agreements, partial payment plans, and OIC Advising clients on IRS collections and avoiding penalties Compliance strategies for minimizing tax liabilities Real-world scenarios and examples for tax debt resolution

Introduction to Ethics & Professional Skepticism

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants.The pressures, opportunities, and rationalizations that lead to instances of fraud. Interactive examples to illustrate various scenarios of noncompliance during engagements. 

Tax Depreciation: Review and Update

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Recent tax legislation and developments related to capitalizationEligible property for Section 179 and Section 168(k)Discussion of the Section 179 deduction and its use to depreciate real propertyThe Section 168(k) deduction and its use to depreciate real propertyDisposition of segments of real propertyExchanges of tangible personal property after repeal of the like-kind exchange rulesOther related topics

2026/27 Annual Update for Governments and Not-for-Profits

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Key accounting and auditing developments affecting governmental and not-for-profit organizations. Accounting Standards Updates issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board.The purpose of INPAS and how it compares conceptually to U.S. GAAP for not-for-profit entities.Recent developments affecting Single Audits, including the 2024 Uniform Guidance overhaul, updates to Appendix B of the AICPA GAS/Single Audit Guide, and recent guidance issued through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). 

Finance and Innovation: Reinvent Your Organization and Dept.

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:What is innovation?The different forms of innovation, e.g., sustaining and disruptive.The five discovery skills needed to be innovative?The value of why we need to find ways to say, “Yes!” How to change your processes, rules and departments to be more innovative? Lessons learned from innovative businesses with examples.How does innovation happen and how to make innovation stick?The need to improvise and embrace broad experiences.

Agentic AI in Audit and Assurance

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Agentic AI and levels of autonomy in auditAgentic AI applications across audit workflowsAgent failures, prompt injection, and emerging threatsUS, Canadian, UK, and international regulatory developmentsAudit and assurance standards for agentic systemsControls, logging, permissions, evidence, and human oversightIndependence, ethics, liability, talent, and firm strategy

ACPEN: FAQ Related to the Most Recent Audit Standards SAS Nos. 142-149

Clarification of terminology and foundational principles underlying recent generally accepted auditing standards Answers to frequently asked questions that emerge in the proper application of risk-based audit concepts  Highlights of important concepts included in SASs No. 142-149

ACPEN: Partnerships: How to Calculate Partner Basis

Calculation of basis when the entity is formed, including the impact of contributed property How to calculate partnership tax basis capital accounts Explains the use of both "inside" and "outside" basis determination Clarifies the how partnership debt impacts tax basis Discusses how distributions affect basis Explains how basis is impacted by sale and/or liquidation of the partnership interest Comprehensive examples to illustrate the mechanics of the basis determination process

Surgent's Exploring Client Advisory Services: Tax Due Dates and Penalties/Where Do I Need To File?

Estimated taxes and deadlines Tax due dates for common returns and filings Potential penalties and interest Information return penalties Penalties applicable to pass-through entities Accuracy-related penalties First-time abatement (FTA) FTA eligible returns Reasonable cause Nexus: sales tax vs. income tax Sales tax nexus with state specific examples Remote work and sales tax nexus Income tax nexus with state-specific examples Remote work and income tax nexus Sales factor: throwback rules

Surgent's Forms 7217 and 7203

Tax treatment of partnership distributions to partners of cash and property other than cash Basis of property received in a partnership distribution Executive Order 14219 withdrawing the IRS’s new regulations regarding basis shifting Organization and structure of the new Form 7217 Who must file Form 7203 Determining the S corporation shareholder’s initial basis in his or her stock Basis limitations on partnership losses and deductions Organization and structure of Form 7203 — understanding the three parts of Form 7203 Filing criteria for Form 7203 Calculating an S corporation shareholder’s share of S corporation deductions and credits Understanding stock and debt basis

Yellow Book Ethics

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The concept of public interestEthics, independence, and professional judgmentCompetence and continuing professional educationQuality control and peer reviewProper use of government information, resources, and positionProfessional behavior