CPE Catalog & Events

Surgent's Social Security: Dispelling Common Myths with Essential Truths

Will Social Security be there for me? How is my benefit calculated? Can I claim my benefit and work too? When do I stop paying Social Security taxes? Why does my government pension cause my benefits to be reduced? Can I claim spousal benefits now and my own later? What is my breakeven? Can I claim benefits from my ex-spouse? What do you mean I may pay taxes on my income benefits? … and more!

Disrupt to Dominate: Mastering Change Leadership

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The urgency of leading change now & the steps in leading changeThe power of crafting a vision that encourages buy-inThe art and science of building strong partnershipsAccelerating change through relationship networksCommunication strategies for changeEstablishing a feedback culture for successful changeManaging self in times of changeCase studies and real-world scenarios

Best Non-Google Search Tools for Accountants

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Why Advanced Search Skills Are So Critical for AccountantsWhy You Need More than Google to Search the InternetGARP: Generally Accepted Research PrinciplesAlternatives to GoogleAdvisory SearchSocial SearchSpecialty searchSearch Engine resourcesWhat's Ahead in Search

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.

Surgent's A Complete Guide to Reporting Form 1099-DA

Definition of a digital asset for purposes of Form 1099-DA What is a sale of a digital asset affected by a broker on behalf of another person? Mandatory 2025 reporting of gross proceeds information and voluntary reporting of basis information Treatment of sales of digital assets Who is a broker for purposes of Form 1099-DA? Information required to complete Form 1099-DA Reporting closing transactions and covered securities Who is a processor of digital asset payments? How many transactions to report on each Form 1099-DA and how many forms to file for each transaction Optional reporting methods for digital asset transactions Substitute statements for the Form 1099 Reporting a disposition of digital assets held by a widely held fixed investment trust

2025 Governmental GAAP Update: Navigating GASB Standards

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:New GASB standards:GASB 100, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.GASB 101, Compensated Absences.Practical case studies.  

Cryptocurrency Taxation: Nuts, Bolts and TaX Law Updates

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

Leveraging Marketing Automation for Accounting Firm Growth

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Content - From generating content ideas to SEO research and creating content through its distribution we will look at tools to accomplish these goals efficiently and effectively.Lead Generation - Tools to determine the best offers and get them in front of the appropriate audiences.Lead Nurturing - Once you have a prospective client "raise their hand" virtually or physically, it is critical to design and implement campaigns and other tactics to keep them engaged and move them closer to being a client. We will cover this i-depth during the course.Sales - After you have a prospect ready to get to the next phase of the purchase journey, it is imperative to answer objections, explain the process of working with your firm and then close the sale. These tools will allow you to do this without an entire sales team!Onboarding - Once the prospect becomes a client leverage automation to make onboarding seamless, systematic and simple for your team.Referrals and Reviews - Instead of chasing clients for reviews or case studies, consider baking the ask right into your current or automated processes. This course will show you how!

Ethical Performance Management

The major topics covered in this class include:Definition and Benefits of Ethical Performance ManagementSetting Standards/Goal settingPreparing and Conducting the Appraisal InterviewLegal Considerations in Performance ManagementAvoiding Rater BiasFeedback and Coaching

Forensic Accounting: Investigating Divorce Cases

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The role of a forensic accountant in divorce proceedingsThe marketing of forensic accounting services to family law attorneysHow to conduct a financial investigationCommon areas to uncover hidden assets or incomeThe basic calculations in evaluating marital assetsTestifying in depositions and divorce court

Surgent's A Complete Guide to the Yellow Book

When is the auditor required to follow the Yellow Book (aka Government Auditing Standards or GAGAS)? How the Yellow Book requirements relate to generally accepted auditing standards and the single audit requirements The different types of Yellow Book audit and attestation engagements that auditors may be called upon to perform The Yellow Book standards related to the qualifications of the auditor (i.e., requirements related to independence, CPE, peer review, and more) The Yellow Book requirements related to the performance of and reporting on a financial audit The Yellow Book requirements related to attestation engagements (i.e., examinations, reviews, and agreed-upon procedures engagements) and performance audits

Surgent's Handbook for Mastering Basis, Distributions, and Loss Limitation Issues for S Corporations, LLCs, and Partnerships

Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation Applicable coverage of any basis considerations within any recent tax legislation   Passthrough basis calculations required as attachments to certain individual returns  Executor’s form for disclosing basis in certain distributed property; what about the basis of a property distribution from a trust?  How §179 limitations affect basis and how tax-benefit rule is applied  Basis implications of personal assets converted to business use  How to calculate basis of inherited qualified and joint tenancy property  Tax basis capital account reporting requirements  S corporations: Beware of final IRS regulations regarding “open debt”; determine how to calculate basis; worksheets are included; understand the effect of stock basis and debt basis and IRS’s recent focus on “at-risk basis” for shareholders; recognize how AAA applies or doesn’t apply to S corporations; learn to apply the complex basis ordering rules and special elections that can have a big tax result; discuss loss limitation rules in depth; when you can have a taxable dividend in an S corporation; understand distributions of cash and property; understand the post-termination transition rules, and temporary post-termination rules for eligible corporations, which will be important for S corps returning to C corps  LLCs and partnerships: Learn the detailed rules of §704 for preventing the shifting of tax consequences among partners or members; learn to calculate basis under §704 & for “at-risk” under §465; recognize how recourse, nonrecourse, and qualified nonrecourse debt can create significantly different tax results; learn the difference between basis and “at-risk basis”; review §754 step-up in basis rules; the economic effect equivalence test or “dumb-but-lucky” rule; learn to apply the complex rules of distribution of cash vs. property, and the basis treatment of charitable contributions and foreign taxes paid 

The Best Individual Income Tax Update Course by Surgent

Congressional Budget Reconciliation Process - explore how this powerful legislative tool allows Congress to fast track tax law changes and how it could be used to enact significant tax reforms in the current political climate President Trump's tax proposals - review key components of President Trump's tax agenda, 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 Potential expiration of select TCJA provisions - understand the implications for individual and business taxpayers as key provisions of the TCJA approach sunset dates 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 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 Real Estate professional requirements Review of pertinent cases and rulings affecting taxpayers 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

Understanding and Creating an Internal Control System

The major topics covered in this course include:Underlying concepts of internal controlDefining where and why controls, policies and procedures are neededLegacy control measures that are still important for businesses todayCreating control measures that address the use and protection of technology

Get started with Power BI

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Overview of the Power BI Tools: Introduction to the Power BI ecosystem, including Excel’s Power BI features (Power Pivot and Power Query) and standalone tools (Power BI Desktop, Power BI Service, Power BI Report Builder and Power BI Report Server).Tour of the Tools: Introduction to the interfaces of Power Pivot, Power Query, Power BI Desktop and Power BI Services.Comparative Analysis: Understand the strengths and limitations of Excel’s Power BI features versus standalone Power BI tools.Strategic decision-making on when to use each tool for optimal efficiency and accuracy in data analysis tasks.

Ethics of AI: A CPA's Guide

The major subjects that will be covered in this course include:A primer on AI technology applications in the accounting professionEthical dilemmas that originate from the use of AI by CPAsPractical guidelines for using AI technology ethicallyStep by step guide for creating an AI usage policy for your organizationReview of a variety of reference materials to assist you in using AI ethically

Surgent's Employee Stock Options: What Financial Professionals Should Know When Advising Their Clients

What stock options are and why they are growing in popularity How stock options work, including the process of conveyance and vesting How to exercise stock options and the implications from doing so The risks associated with stock options and how to manage exposure Tax consequences and updates regarding stock options Strategies for selecting the best time to exercise stock options The difference between the two types of stock options: non-qualified and incentive The basic terminology relevant to owning and exercising options

Surgent's Ethics for Tax Professionals

What does practicing before the IRS mean? Who may practice before the IRS? What should a tax preparer do if he or she has knowledge of a client's omission of income from a tax return? May a tax preparer rely on the work of other tax return preparers? May a tax preparer rely on and use client-provided information? Standards associated with giving advice to clients Abolition of the disclaimer requirement When must a tax preparer examine a client’s books and records?

Surgent's Taxation of the Mobile Workforce

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?