CPE Catalog & Events

ACPEN: Leases Accounting under Topic 842 – Answers to FAQ After Implementation

Alternatives to adopting Topic 842 Short-term lease and related-party leasing arrangements Identifying lease agreements under the new rules Proper treatment of lease incentives, leasehold improvements, and lease modifications 

Entertainment, Meals & Travel Expenses: Review and Update

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Definition of what qualifies as an entertainment expenseStrategies to deduct business entertainment expensesDeductibility of mealsSituations not subject to the 50% meals and entertainment reductionHow to handle automobile issues related to employer-provided parkingProper accounting for deductible vs. non-deductible expendituresThe four steps to analyze business expensesThe latest federal legislation, cases and rulings

The Future of Audit: Technology, Talent & Transformation

To purchase the report referenced in this presentation, or any of the research papers published by CPA Crossings, visit https://www.cpacrossings.com/research. The major topics that will be covered in this course include: Explore AI, blockchain, and data analytics impact on audits Address talent crisis through retention and upskilling strategies Navigate PCAOB standards and regulatory sandbox concepts Expand audits to include ESG and nonfinancial metrics Implement technology solutions for firms of all sizes

ACPEN: IRS Cybersecurity Checklist

Defining Cybersecurity and Cyber Risks Implications of Cybercrime Cyber Attack Trends Landscape of Cyberattacks Laws and Regulations Security Standards and Frameworks Cybersecurity Roadmap

Nonprofit Section Meeting: Recent HR Trends & Challenges for Nonprofits

Volume to Value: A New Era of Precision Hiring in Accounting

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The shift from volume to precision hiringWhy firms are moving to targeted, competency-based hiringTalent market impacts and competitive hiring realitiesAI in recruiting: practical use cases and implicationsWhere AI tools commonly support hiring workflowsBenefits and limitations of AI-enabled screening and assessmentThe skills mismatch in accounting hiringWhy critical thinking and professional communication gaps persistWhy traditional hiring methods miss these competenciesThe new competency hierarchy for high performersDefining and prioritizing the competencies that drive resultsAI ethics awareness and professional judgment in an AI-enabled workplaceAssessment methods for precision hiringStructured behavioral interviewing and scoring rubricsWork simulations, case presentations, and client scenariosUsing AI-enabled assessments responsibly and consistentlyMetrics and ROI: evaluating successQuality-of-hire measures (performance, ramp time, manager satisfaction)Retention and turnover measuresEfficiency measures (time-to-fill, cost-to-fill) and how to balance themImplementation roadmapA phased approach to adopting precision hiring (foundation → expansion → optimization)– Building governance, documentation, and consistency for scalability

ACPEN: Ethics, Tax Practice & The Cannabis Industry

Ethical challenges in the cannabis industry Circular 230 and its application Federal case law and cannabis-related tax disputes Preparer due diligence in cannabis tax scenarios State vs. federal legal conflicts in tax reporting IRS Office of Professional Responsibility guidance Board of Accountancy standards and enforcement Risk management for cannabis-related tax clients

Surgent's Recent Changes in Workplace Regulations: Overtime, Non-compete Agreements, and Employee/Independent Contractor

Final Rule - Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the FLSA: the multifactor “economic reality” test; What analysis guides whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor under this final rule? Can a worker voluntarily waive employee status and choose to be classified as an independent contractor? Are any of the economic reality factors adopted in this rule more important than others when evaluating a worker’s employment status? How does the final rule explain “extent to which the work performed is an integral part of the employer’s business?” The Federal Trade Commission’s Decision on Non-compete Agreements: impact on new and existing non-competes; treatment and definitional terms for senior executives; definition of a non-compete clause; definition of a “worker” New Overtime Rules: exemptions from minimum wage and overtime pay requirements for executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees; increases in the standard level and the highly compensated employee total annual compensation threshold; new mechanism allowing for the timely and efficient updating of the salary and compensation thresholds Current status of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) rules

ACPEN: Becoming an AI-Savvy Controller/CFO: Mastering Tools and Technologies

Strategic Finance Leadership Advanced Financial Analysis Business Intelligence & AI in Finance Economic Intelligence for Decision Makers Operational Insight & Business Strategy The Future Role of the Controller/CFO

Reviewing Individual Tax Returns: What Are You Missing?

Qualified business income deduction Temporary senior deduction State and local tax deduction Hobby losses Self-employment health insurance Business startup costs Depreciation Schedule C issues Like-kind exchanges

Surgent's Annual Accounting and Auditing Update

Recently issued FASB Accounting Standards Updates, PCC Update, and items on the FASB’s Technical Agenda Recently issued ASUs covering derivatives, credit losses under ASC 326, government grants, and expense disaggregation FASB Final PIR Report for Leases (Topic 842) Statement on Quality Management Standards: SQMS 1, SQMS 2, and SQMS 3 Proposed SAS on the auditor’s responsibility relating to fraud Recently issued SASs and other AICPA activity Recently issued PCAOB standards and SEC rulemaking activities Other important A&A practice matters

Surgent's Business Law Essentials for Practitioners and Controllers

Contract principles Partnerships and limited liability entities Legal issues related to various types of business organizations Worker classification Employee rights and the duties of employers Intellectual property Real property law Bankruptcy basics Environmental Law Merger basics

Surgent's Form 1065 Boot Camp: Step-by-Step Preparation with Completed Forms

Comprehensive coverage of HR 1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act  Gain a thorough understanding of federal income tax laws for partnerships and LLCs, from formation to tax return preparation issues  Filing requirements for Schedules K-2 and K-3  Who files Form 1065, and who does not file Form 1065  Tax Basis Capital Account Reporting Requirements  Trade or Business income and expenses versus Separately Stated Items  The importance of Schedule M-1  Partnership distributions -- current or liquidating, cash or property  How to allocate recourse and nonrecourse debt  Self-employment tax issues; court cases and trends in tax audits of earnings subject to self-employment taxes Complete coverage of any new legislation enacted before presentation  Section 163(j) limitations  Mastering two common tax forms, Depreciation (4562) and Sale of Assets (4797)  Final regulations on Section 168(k)  Partnership reporting oddities  Accurately preparing partnership returns and reconciling book income to taxable income  The Centralized Audit Regime under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015   

Surgent's Single Auditing Made Simple

The key requirements and responsibilities related to the schedule of expenditures of federal awards and major program determination How the auditor determines the direct and material compliance requirements, obtains an understanding of and tests the related internal controls, and performs compliance testing The development and reporting of findings in the schedule of findings and questioned costs Additional performance and reporting responsibilities

The Best Federal Tax Update Course by Surgent

Comprehensive coverage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Review of key components of President Trump's tax bill, including a tip income exemption, overtime pay relief, Social Security tax exemption, auto loan interest deductibility, SALT deduction modifications, a lower corporate tax rate, restoration of 100% bonus depreciation, immediate R&D expensing, and permanent extension of select TCJA provisions Tariff policy and implementation - analyze the use of tariffs as a fiscal and trade policy tool Digital assets and tax implications - understand the new Form 1099-DA for reporting digital asset transactions, along with updated IRS guidance on cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and broker responsibilities Artificial intelligence - discover how AI and generative tools are transforming tax practices, as well as how the IRS is leveraging AI to enhance audit selection Form 1099-K reporting requirements - understand the evolving IRS thresholds and rules for third-party payment platforms Sale of Passthrough Entity Interests and Net Investment Income Tax - analyze the tax implications of selling interests in passthrough entities, including relevant examples, and how the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) applies to these transactions  The Gig Economy - examine key tax implications for gig workers, including Independent Contractor vs. Employee classification challenges, reporting responsibilities, and the impact of the 2024 Department of Labor Final Rule on worker status Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation Practice aids, including all the numbers applicable for the current year -- inflation-adjusted amounts, mileage rates, retirement contributions, and more Advanced practice, reporting, and other issues intertwined with advanced planning and discussion ideas

Self-Rental Real Estate: Passive Activity & Section 199A

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

ACPEN: Business Valuation Fundamentals

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?  

Surgent's Top 10 Celebrity Estate Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Overview of estate planning The dangers of a Power of Attorney The most important aspect of a will Role, scope, rights, and responsibilities of an executor Benefits of incorporating a trust Bequests Caring for a pet Claims against the estate Insurance Consequences of poor estate planning

Complete Guide to Analyze Data with Excel PivotTables

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to PivotTables: Gain a solid understanding of what PivotTables are, their benefits in Excel, and how to prepare your data for creating effective PivotTables.Creating and Customizing PivotTables: Learn step-by-step how to build and format PivotTables, including filtering, sorting, and customizing layouts for optimal data analysis. Focus on Using PivotTables to Analyze Data: Explore techniques to summarize, group, and compare data with PivotTables, uncovering trends and insights for better decision-making.Advanced PivotTable Features: Discover advanced tools such as slicers, timelines, and using PowerPivot for deeper analytical capabilities. Data Visualization with PivotCharts: Learn to create PivotCharts from your PivotTables and customize them to visually present data insights effectively to stakeholders.

ACPEN: Preparing and Reviewing Workpapers – Essential Tips for Avoiding Deficient Audit and Other Attest Engagements

Best practices for documenting complex and subjective procedures and conclusions, such as estimates, substantive analytic procedures, etc. that impact the nature and extent of audit documentation needed to support audit conclusions Discussing the financial statement audit risk concept, including how proper application better ensures a higher quality audit Tips for an efficient workpaper review process that complies with relevant standards  Understanding the quality control standards and guidance related to a CPA firm’s responsibilities for its system of quality control Explain the importance of establishing, applying, and monitoring quality control policies and procedures related to audit documentation