CPE Catalog & Events

Current and Upcoming FASB Issues

· Recent accounting standards updates · Recognition and measurement projects · Presentation and disclosure projects · Post-implementation preview projects

Corporate Transparency Act Developments

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Background of the Corporate Transparency ActBeneficial Ownership Information Reporting (BOIR) Rule Entities required to report.Reporting requirements imposed by the CTADue dates of reportsInformation needed to satisfy the BOIRImpact of failure to reportHow to submit a reportCourt rulings on CTA’s unconstitutionalityImplications to entities as a result of the ruling in NSB.Potential reporting requirements due to FinCen’s proposed rulemaking with respect to non-financed purchases of residential real estate and gratuitous transfers.

ChatGPT Deep-Dive Hands-on Bootcamp for CPAs

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Getting started with ChatGPTTour of the ChatGPT app and how to use itVariety of hands-on case study examples for accounting, finance, and taxProtecting your data privacy in ChatGPTAdvanced ChatGPT features reviewSubscription plan options 

Surgent's Excel Shortcuts for Accountants

Explore the function that sums better than the SUM function Discover a variety of time-saving features, functions, and techniques Learn the workaround to a major Excel pitfall

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

Surgent's Mastering Accounting for Income Taxes

The sources of deferred tax assets and liabilities Calculating the deferred tax asset or liability Reporting income-tax expense and balance sheet items Defining, analyzing, and reporting uncertain tax positions Classification of deferred tax assets and liabilities Disclosure requirements Finalized and proposed changes to ASC 740, including ASU 2023-09, CAMT, and global tax transparency initiatives

Surgent's Tax Planning for Rental Real Estate

Rental activities and passive activities Material participation Real estate professional status Active participation status Depreciation recapture – Sections 1245, 1250, and 291 Vacation homes rented out QBI deduction and rental properties Section 1237 safe harbor for divided parcel sales Practitioner considerations

Mastering the Art of Conflict: CPA Transformative Strategies

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Common conflicts CPAs faceThe impacts of having/not having crucial conversations Learn your conflict style and how to elevate your conflict capabilitiesIdentifying conflict triggersBest practices using an integrated approach from Crucial Conversations, Fierce Conversations, and Leading with Questions.Interviews from CPAs and real-life scenarios they faced and what crucial conversation approaches they used.

Bozeman Chapter: MT State Tax Update

Schedule K-1: What is it & What do I do with it?

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Overview of Schedule K-1 for Partnerships, S Corporations, and Estates/TrustsReporting Schedule K-1 information on Form 1040Basis limitations, loss limitations, and material participation rulesQualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction and Schedule K-1 integrationSchedules K-2 and K-3 requirements

Surgent's Introduction to Forensic Accounting

Review of the different aspects of forensic accounting The civil litigation process as it relates to forensic accounting Litigation services provided by forensic accountants Fraud detection and prevention Various types of fraud Training and certifications in forensic accounting Forensic accounting in bankruptcy proceedings Forensic accounting in family law proceedings Calculating damages for use in litigation Valuations Ethical issues pertinent to forensic accounting

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

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)

Surgent's Critical Issues With Health Savings Accounts

HSA eligibility, including interactions between HSAs, FSAs, and HRAs Disqualifying coverage: Medicare, veterans’ benefits, Indian Health Service Benefits, and employer-based coverage (FSAs, HRAs) HSA deposits: rules employers must follow when making contributions and how to handle excess contributions HSA transfers and rollovers HSA withdrawals, including how to handle mistaken distributions HSA establishment date: how determined it is and the 18-month rule HSA tax reporting: responsibilities of employers, HSA trustees/custodians, and HSA owners HSA prohibited transactions Special situations: death, divorce, bankruptcy Potential disadvantages of HSAs Strategies for taking maximum advantage of HSAs

Surgent's Current Year FASB Update

Accounting for government grants Accounting for internal use software Other recent updates FASB’s technical agenda

Surgent's Opportunity Zones: Tax Planning, Compliance, and Emerging Issues

The rules governing gain deferral, basis adjustments, holding period requirements, recognition events, and the exclusion of post-investment appreciation Mandatory recognition of deferred gain for pre-2027 opportunity zone investments in 2026 The mechanics of qualifying for opportunity zone tax benefits Rules governing eligible capital gains Qualified opportunity funds, qualified opportunity zone businesses, and the applicable asset and business qualification tests Federal income tax consequences associated with opportunity zone investments Selected state tax conformity issues, planning opportunities, and challenges arising from differing state treatment of opportunity zone incentives

Surgent's Tax Reporting for Executive Compensation

Nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) Nonqualified stock options (NQSOs) Incentive stock options (ISOs) Restricted stock/restricted stock units (RSUs) Stock appreciation rights (SARs) and phantom stock Employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs) Applicable tax forms and schedules Stock sale reporting Estimated taxes Filing deadlines and extensions State taxation

Take Command of your Time

The major subjects that will be covered in this course include:Identify time wasters and adopt strategies for eliminating themRecognize the variety of causes of procrastination and apply techniques to overcome themUse practical techniques for prioritizing workDelegation strategiesIncorporate wellness and stress management into your day in short incrementsUnderstand their energy cycles and use it to manage your scheduleLearn techniques to decrease stress in the moment (based on neuroscience)

Current Audit Environment and ASB Activity

· Current environment and implication for audit planning · Key risk issues · Audit challenges · Recent Statements on Auditing Standards (SASs). · ASB workplan · SQMS No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 · SSARS No. 26

Tax Planning for Small Businesses Partnered with the Idaho Society

Starting a business - the tax life of a business Selecting a business entity type SECURE Act 1.0 and 2.0, Section 199A and the qualified business income deduction Accounting methods Compensation of owners - hiring family members Reasonable compensation Depreciation, Section 179 and bonus depreciation Transactions with owners Buy-sell and noncompete agreements Exiting the business - special exit techniques