CPE Catalog & Events

Surgent's Artificial Intelligence for Accounting and Finance Professionals

What is artificial intelligence? What are the different forms of artificial intelligence? The difference between artificial intelligence and machine learning The types of problems artificial intelligence can solve The role of algorithms How artificial intelligence will affect accounting and finance careers Data governance, security, and privacy How accounting firms are using AI today The role of artificial intelligence in asset management

Critical Thinking Masterclass

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Cognitive biasConducting a ƒ?othinking auditƒ??MetathinkingProfessional skepticismDecision mappingHabit replacementEmotional intelligenceMemory enhancement

Audit 203: Auditing Accounts Receivable - Common Risks

The major topics covered in this course include:Typical risks of material misstatement related to accounts receivablePractice tailoring the detailed audit plan to the assessed risk of material misstatementOverview of more complex issues, such as methods for converting accounts receivable to cashExternal confirmation audit considerations, including evaluating responses for proprietyEvaluating the valuation of accounts receivable

Surgent's A Complete Guide to Offers in Compromise

Legislative history American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 and changes to IRC Section 6159 Comprehensive coverage of the three main types of OIC Doubts as to collectability (DATC) Doubts as to liability (DATL) Effective tax administration (ETA) Hybrid of DATC Detailed walk-through of the process and key terms Practical solutions and success rates Various scams

How AI Is Automating Internal Control

The major topics covered in this class include:An explanation of Artificial Intelligence (AI).Specific ways AI is replacing human cognition. What is on the internal control horizon related to AI and other technologies.

Owning an Electric Vehicle: Costs and Considerations

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Understand how gas, electric and hybrid vehicles differVehicle typesKnow the costs to purchase, maintain, and charge electric vehiclesAnticipate start-up costs for charging an EV at your business or homeUnderstand charger types and when to use or install each oneOvercoming "range anxiety"

The Ethics of Care in the Workplace

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Ethical Values and PrinciplesCompassionManaging ExpectationsRespect and HumilityAttribution Theory

Ethics: IRS Behavioral Insights for Accountants

Behavioral insights (BI) PrimerHow and why BI are used by the IRSIRS and individual decision-makingIRS and environmental and design considerationsIRS and social normsIRS ƒ?otop of mindƒ?? issues BI and Implementation of tax reform legislation BI and private debt collectionBI and online taxpayer accountsBI and taxpayer rights in ƒ?orealƒ?? vs. ƒ?ounrealƒ?? auditsBI and the tax-exempt approval processBI and passport renewal and revocationHow to use BI to more mindfully interact with the IRS to improve outcomes

Surgent's Progressive Discipline and Termination

Defining progressive discipline, including typical steps in any progressive discipline process The importance of a fair disciplinary process When and how progressive discipline should be used, including using progressive discipline in the lead-up to termination Documentation best practices Limitations on at-will employment, including contracts and laws regarding discrimination and retaliation Avoiding key risks in the termination process Best practices for legally compliant termination procedures

Power BI - Analyze Your Data With Excel Pivot Tables

The advantages of PivotTable for Data Analysis Step-by-Step PivotTable creation Creating PivotCharts

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 todayƒ?Ts 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 speakerƒ?Ts extensive experience as a practitioner and as an expert witness in accounting malpractice cases.

Audit 204: Auditing Basic Inventory - Focus on Observations

The major topics covered in this course include:Typical inventory observation procedures and special considerationsHandling various inventory observation real-life scenariosHigh level overview of valuation and pricing methodsKey controls related to inventory

Surgent's Integrated Planning, Forecasting, and Budgeting for Organizational Success

Differences between planning and budgeting The business model Strategic plan, marketing plan, and technology plan Financial forecasting and financial risk analysis Five-year operating plan and the sales/income plan Intermediate planning and capital equipment planning One-year operating plan and monthly planning Cash plan and risk plan

Excel for Accounting Professionals Session 3: Workbook Design Principles and Organization

Surgent's Improving Your Profits: Identifying Cost Cutting Opportunities

What keeps companies from becoming streamlined?  Behavioral biases Information processing biases Emotional biases How to deal with behavioral biases  Connecting behavioral biases to cost cutting Creating a culture of cost cutting Rules of thumb for cost cutting  Managing headcount Post-COVID common areas of excess cost Budgeting techniques Budget variances Benchmarking Common size financial statements Horizontal analysis Negotiation and contracting techniques Cash flow and the business cycle

Will Your Ethics Be Burned by Burnout?

The major topics covered in this class include:Explore the effects of crisis and burnout on ethical decision-makingDefine the stressors, pressures, and biases that can lead good people to make less than optimal choicesDiscuss ways to offset the pressures, ways to reduce stress on ourselves and on our team, and ways to support our teamsLearn how to recognize when an individual or an organization is heading in the wrong direction and how to stop sliding down the slippery slope

Keeping Up with the FASB

The major topics covered in this class include:Review of current items on the FASB agendaDiscuss the new revenue recognition standardProvide an update on the new lease accounting standardAddress U.S. GAAP alternatives for certain entities

Grading Your Auditors - Are You Getting the Most Value?

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Limitations in roles and responsibilities an auditor can accept without impairing independenceAssessing the strength of your auditor's ability to think critically, strategically, and creatively in appropriate circumstancesEvaluating your auditor's time and project management stillsGrading your auditor's communication and interpersonal skills, in exceeding your expectations on an audit

Money Laundering Awareness for Accountants

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Money laundering overviewRole of tax examiners and auditorsTax return examinationPre-audit indicatorsAudit flagsReal estate issuesCash indicatorsInternational trade signalsLoan considerationsProfessional service provider concernsMoney laundering and ethics

What If Your Client Didn't Take Reasonable Compensation

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Review best practices to help your client evaluate if an S election is an appropriate choiceHow to be proactive and head off common reasonable compensation issues before they happenExplore strategies for cash management if cash isn't available at year endExplore what’s at stake when reasonable compensation isn’t paid timely