CPE Catalog & Events

Surgent's Ethical Considerations for the CPA

Examine the CPA's role in today's economy Compare similarities and differences between individual and business ethics Explore the link between ethics, integrity and scruples Discuss the basic attributes of ethics and professional conduct Review the history of the CPA profession and the CPA's requirement to adhere to ethics policies and codes of conduct Review the AICPA's Code of Professional Conduct and a CPA's responsibilities to the public, clients and colleagues Discuss the common rules and statutes faced daily in the CPA profession. Case studies may also be utilized to present potential ethical dilemmas CPAs may face during their careers Review CPA Independence violations by current legal case examples

Al Capone to Cybercrime: The Journey of IRS Special Agents

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to IRS Criminal Investigation (CI): Overview of its mission, role, and significance in maintaining tax compliance.Historical Evolution: From its inception in 1919 to its current role, highlighting key milestones and notable cases.Investigative Techniques and Tools: Detailed look at the methods and technologies used by CI agents to uncover financial crimes.Importance of IRS CI: Discussion on the impact of CI’s work on tax compliance, public confidence, and the broader financial system.Training of CI Agents: Insight into the rigorous training programs at FLETC and ongoing professional development.Process of Investigations: Step-by-step breakdown of how tax fraud and money laundering cases are initiated, investigated, and prosecuted.

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

Surgent's Controllership Skills Update: Current Survival Skills

Changing Role of Financial Professionals: Priorities Change in mission Valued-added actions Strategic Measurements: Common errors and guidelines for improvement Balanced scorecard Strategy development and implementation Budgeting basics and next steps Risk Management: Recent lessons, including Black Swan events Defining Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Implementation Developing a Financial Leadership Pipeline: Changing employment environment Retaining the right employees Compensation Hiring process Capital Projects: Types of projects Factors affecting capacity Valuation techniques Cash management M&A Activity: Current environment Controller’s role Strategic questions Sample transactions Due diligence Implementation Introducing Improvements/Innovation: Getting started Establishing an environment Potential first projects Organizational structure

Surgent's Tax and Advisory with Agentic AI

Agent use in transfer pricing, tax compliance automation, and M&A due diligence Examples of agent deployment in global accounting firms Regulatory frameworks Governance and controls for autonomous tax tools Strategic advisory with agent-based scenario planning

Surgent's Top 20 Effective Strategies for Avoiding RMD Mistakes and Penalties

How to determine when an individual is subject to an RMD Coverage of RMD changes under SECURE Act 2.0 What is the required minimum distribution for an account owner? What is the required minimum distribution for a beneficiary IRA? Key explanations of RMD regulations The types of accounts that are subject to the RMD rules The parties that are subject to the RMD rules Exceptions and special considerations for RMDs Rollover and transfer rules in an RMD year The various responsibilities of interested parties Qualified charitable distributions and how they are coordinated with RMDs and IRA contributions How the 10-year rule works for beneficiaries

Create Measures in Power BI that Define Your Metrics

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Introduction to DAX: Understanding the fundamentals of DAX and its role in Power BI.Advanced DAX Formulas: Delving into complex DAX functions and formulas for creating sophisticated measures.Time Intelligence in DAX: Exploring time-based functions to analyze data over different periods.Validating Measures with DAX: Techniques for ensuring accuracy and reliability in your DAX measures.Using PivotTables for Measure Validation: Employing PivotTables in Power BI to test and confirm the effectiveness of DAX measures.

Operations Level Internal Control

The major topics covered in this course include:An overview of controls that drive proceduresConsiderations for procedural control developmentUnderstanding and controlling risk that arises when organizations change

The Ethic of Recruitment and Selection

The major topics covered in this course include:Discussion of ethical and effective recruiting strategiesSelection processes that foster diversity and inclusionHow to increase talent pools to ensure hiring success

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.

The Current and Future Landscape of Audit Technology

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Explore the transformative impact of technology on the audit profession in this forward-looking courseGain practical insights into cutting-edge tools and trends, including data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and automationNavigate the evolving audit landscape with confidence and adaptability

The Impact of Machine Learning on Auditors

Navigating IRS Collections: The Collection Process

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Overview of the IRS collection process.Taxpayer rights and the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.Collection due process and appeals.Installment agreements and offers in compromise.Wage garnishments, levies, and liens.Penalties and interest.

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

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

Ethical Intelligence for Artificial Intelligence

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Benefits and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in the accounting professionSelecting and utilizing artificial intelligence resourcesApplying professional skepticism to resultsMaintaining independence while utilizing artificial intelligenceUpholding client confidentialityData security and retentionCitation of sources and related reporting considerationsApplication of the AICPA Code of Professional ConductEthical considerations when crafting policies and establishing best practices

How to Audit: Property, Plant, & Equipment

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The foundation of auditing PP&E, including the related audit assertions, risks, & threats to the PP&E balance.The various substantive auditing procedures that staff should perform.Real world auditing examples.

Surgent's Best Practices in Not-for-Profit Accounting and Reporting

The key requirements, options, and best practices seen in each of the basic financial statements Today’s core accounting and reporting requirements related to contributions and how to apply them effectively and efficiently How to analyze and incorporate the needs of financial statement users into a not-for-profit’s financial statements and disclosures

Surgent's Guide and Update to Compilations, Reviews, and Preparations

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 SSARS No. 27, Applicability of AR-C Section 70 to Financial Statements Prepared as Part of a Consulting Services Engagement Sample comprehensive engagement work programs for preparation, compilation, and review engagements

Surgent's Key Partnership and S Corporation Tax Planning Strategies

Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation Tax consequences of retiring partners seeking liquidating distributions/redemptions and S corporation shareholders seeking the redemption of their shares At-risk and passive activity loss considerations Basis planning Related party transactions: making them work Income splitting and shifting with family can create considerable benefits Sale of ownership interest and NIIT considerations