CPE Catalog & Events

Rural Chapter: DSTs & 1031 Exchanges: Understanding Passive Real Estate Investing

Accounting for the Gig Economy

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Characteristics unique to the gig economyIndependent contractor and employee classification considerationsRecordkeeping considerations for independent contractorsAccounting and reporting issues for gig economy participantsAudit and attestation for clients who participate in the gig economyTax and regulatory considerationsThe CPA as a trusted advisor for independent contractors

Surgent's Avoiding the Top 10 Mistakes That Can Wipe Out Retirement Savings

Coverage of applicable rules from SECURE Act 2.0 The 10% penalty Net unrealized appreciation of employer securities Roth IRA conversions Rollovers and the limitations Direct rollovers vs indirect rollovers, and tax withholding  Beneficiary portability rules When a Roth IRA distribution is qualified to be tax-free Excess contributions and the 6% excise tax

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.

2026/27 AICPA Regulatory Ethics Update

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Update on ethics and independence developments from the AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC)Recent developments shaping ethical requirements for the professionProposed and ongoing projects on PEEC's agenda

Ethical AI Practices for CPAs: Ensuring Responsible Use

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Understanding ethical implications of AIData privacy and security considerationsCompliance with regulations and professional standardsDeveloping ethical AI policies and procedures

Smarter Tax Services with Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Overview of AI technology and how it worksIdentify where AI can be incorporated into tax research, planning, and compliance servicesDiscover new opportunities to enhance your client advisory tax services with AI toolsReview the market of emerging and AI enhanced tax software toolsLearn about the newest generation of AI enable 1040 source document collection and organizer applicationsReview specific use cases for generative AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot) in your tax services 

Hot Topics Audit & Attest Update - 2026

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Recent quality improvements to the SASs and SSARsOther matters that should be on your radar

The 10 Must Know Excel Features

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Excel Tables: Master the use of Excel tables for efficient data management, including sorting, filtering, and structured references, to manage  data more effectively.Custom Sorting: Get to grips with custom sorting options to organize data in a way that best suits your needs, enhancing data readability and analysis.XLOOKUP: Discover the power of XLOOKUP for advanced data retrieval, a game-changer for complex analysis, allowing you to extract specific data from extensive datasets with ease.SUBTOTAL: Gain proficiency in using the SUBTOTAL function, a versatile tool for calculating data in visible cells, ideal for analyses that require dynamic calculations.SUMIF(S): Explore the functionality of SUMIF and SUMIFS functions for conditional summing, crucial for precise budgeting, expense tracking, and financial reporting.Array Formulas: Dive into array formulas to perform multiple calculations on one or more items in an array, enhancing the efficiency of complex accounting computations.Data Validations: Learn to implement data validations to ensure data integrity and prevent errors in financial data entry, a critical skill for maintaining accurate accounting records.Slicers: Learn to use slicers for interactive data segmentation in tables and PivotTables, enabling accountants to quickly filter and analyze specific subsets of financial data.Conditional Formatting: Understand how to apply conditional formatting to highlight critical financial data points, trends, and variances, making data analysis and interpretation more intuitive.PivotTables: An introduction to PivotTables, one of the most powerful Excel features, for summarizing, analyzing, and presenting large sets of financial data in a digestible format.

Corporate Storytelling in Financial Reporting

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Purpose of Management Commentary (IFRS): Understanding the foundational objectivesPurpose of MD&A (AAP): SEC-mandated narrative disclosure requirementsHistorical Context: Past and present frameworks and the limitationsRecent Revisions: Key enhancements and ESG integrationPractical Examples: Real-world applications and improvementsConvergence & Guidance: Frameworks, comparisons, and implementation

Microsoft 365 Application Lightning Round Review-Updated

The major topics covered in this course include:Lightning round review of the following apps, with an explanation and demonstration of what each of them offersTeams - the foundation of all that you do in Microsoft 365SharePoint / OneDrive - secure cloud storagePower BI - the new financial reporting modelStream - the YouTube for your organizationBookings - streamline your appointment scheduling OneNote - get your content organized for quick retrieval Lists - create custom list tracking reportsTo Do - consolidate all your Outlook, Planner and general "to do's" in one appPlanner - manage simple and complex engagements and projects in an intuitive appA quick look at many of the remaining apps

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.

Unlocking Deep Secrets: Case Studies in Financial Analysis

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Overview of financial statement analysisThe impact of GAAP on financial analysisOverview of the Balance SheetOverview of the Income StatementThe importance of the Statement of Cash FlowsCommon Size AnalysisTrend AnalysisProfitability Ratio AnalysisLiquidity Ratio AnalysisSolvency Ratio Analysis

Coping With the Growth of Online Fraud

The major topics covered in this course include:The actuation of online and other cyber fraudsFraudulent acts that are initiated electronicallyAutomated and employee driven methods that can reduce cyber-fraud risk

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.

Surgent's Compilations, Reviews, and Preparations: Engagement Performance and Annual Update

SSARS No. 21, Clarification and Recodification, and updates to SSARS No. 21 due to the issuance of SSARS No. 23, Omnibus Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services SSARS No. 22, Compilation of Pro Forma Financial Information SSARS No. 24, Omnibus Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services -- 2018 SSARS No. 25, Materiality in a Review of Financial Statements and Adverse Conclusions  SSARS No. 26, Quality Management for an Engagement Conducted in Accordance With Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services Sample comprehensive engagement work programs for preparation, compilation and review engagements Reporting and disclosure illustrations for each level of service, including attesting on personal financial statements, prescribed form, special purpose framework and other engagement variations Other communication requirements, such as sample engagement letters and management representation letters

Surgent's Individual and Financial-Planning Tax Camp

Comprehensive coverage of the One Big Beautiful Tax Bill Act Reading a tax return for developing client-specific tax strategies Changes to the lifetime estate tax exemption considering proposed regulations  The net investment income tax: planning for compliance Family income-splitting strategies that need to be considered Income tax issues: impact on timing of other income Selling a principal residence Two principal residences at the same time Use of life insurance to protect families: Whole Life Insurance, Term Life Insurance, Universal Life Insurance, and Variable Life Insurance Using Roth IRAs and Roth contribution programs to best advantage Conversions: do they still make sense? Taking distributions: matching timing to client requirements Qualified plan contributions to reduce current income and Social Security tax: implications for business owners and self-employed Social Security - the latest on the looming solvency crisis Incentive Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan considerations What to do about itemized deductions Trans-generational planning: conversions, income, and gain-splitting Tax benefits of HSAs and other tax-advantaged accounts Identifying tax opportunities: reviewing the prior-year return to develop a plan for the future Planning for middle-income taxpayers: financial planning for the young, the working, and those approaching or in retirement Best financial planning ideas for young people

Auditing Standards: A Comprehensive Review 26-27

Efficient audit planning, documentation and research Risk assessment procedures relate control risk to substantive testing and reduce the risk of lawsuits Fraud requirements Testing management's estimates Auditing standards

Google Gemini Deep Dive Hands-on Bootcamp for CPAs

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Getting started with GeminiTour of the Gemini app and how to use itVariety of hands-on case study examples for accounting, finance, and taxProtecting your data privacy in Google GeminiAdvanced Gemini features reviewIntegration with Google appsSubscription plan option

Navigating IRS Authorizations: Form 2848 & Form 8821

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Overview of IRS Power of Attorney (POA) rules.Form 2848: Authority to Represent Clients before the IRS.Form 8821: Accessing Tax Information Without Representation.Identifying errors and compliance risks in POA filings.Rules for revoking or updating POA authorizations.Managing authorizations through the CAF system.Electronic submissions and the IRS online authorization process.Ethical responsibilities when holding a POA.