CPE Catalog & Events

Surgent's How to Effectively Represent Clients Under IRS Audit

Why the IRS selects a tax return for audit What happens when the taxpayer disagrees with the results of the audit IRS employees who interact with taxpayers during an audit FATCA audits Types of IRS examinations Potential IRS audit outcomes Substitute for returns Large Partnership Compliance Program IRS’s shift in audit strategies Responding to IRS Notices online Audits of high income and high net-worth individuals The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (BBA) and its impact on auditing partnerships IRS Letters of Concern

Surgent's Mastering Client Management for Accounting and Finance Professionals

The evolving landscape of client expectations in the accounting profession Building strong and lasting client relationships through effective communication, empathy, and proactive service Implementing efficient client onboarding and engagement processes Leveraging technology to streamline communication, enhance collaboration, and deliver personalized service Effectively resolving client concerns and complaints Utilizing client feedback to continually improve your practice

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!

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.

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.

Mastering Microsoft 365 Copilot for CPAs

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Overview of Microsoft 365 Copilot featuresAutomating tasks with AI assistanceEnhancing content creation and data analysisCollaboration tools powered by AIBest practices for maximizing Copilot's benefits

2025 AICPA Regulatory Ethics Update

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The Professional Ethics Executive Committee's updated ethics rules.An overview of recently issued ethics rules that CPAs need to know to be compliant.

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

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!

QM Conversations: Peer Review

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

Forensic Accounting: Finding Hidden Treasure in Tax Returns

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The rules of IRS disclosure of tax informationUnderstanding the role of IRS transcriptsInterpreting the actions of the IRS in transcriptsFOIA requestsAnalyzing tax information and returns for financial leads

Passive Activities & Rental Real Estate Income Tax Issues 25-26

Detailed coverage of the passive activity rules under IRC 469 (and related regulations), how the 3.8% net investment income tax under 1411 and qualified business income (QBI) deduction under 199A applies to rentals and passive activities, and what is a trade or business rental is under 162 How the PAL rules apply to rental real estate activities and investments in S corporations and partnerships Definition of activity and the activity grouping and disclosure rules Real estate professional exception to the PAL rules for investments in non-passive rentals Special $25,000 loss allowance for rental real estate with active participation Material participation safe harbor rules Events that trigger suspended PALs Limitations on tax credits generated by passive activities Special rules that re-characterize passive income to non-passive income What rentals are subject to self-employment tax under 1402

2025 Annual Update for Governmental Accountants & Auditors

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:GASB 100, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.GASB 101, Compensated Absences.Yellow Book and Single Audit engagements.Yellow Book independence requirements.Changes to the Uniform Guidance.2024 Compliance Supplement and the common deficiencies identified by the federal agencies and peer reviewers.

Surgent's Preparing Individual Tax Returns for New Staff and Paraprofessionals

New and expanded energy credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Preparation of various Form 1040 individual tax returns and schedules; provided answers include “filled-in” forms  Coverage of Form 7203  Coverage of §199A qualified business income, its calculation, limitations, and examples  Dividends and interest – Ordinary, return of capital, and capital gain distribution dividends; tax-exempt interest, original issue discount, etc.  Security transactions – From Form 1099-B to Form 8949 to Schedule D, plus mutual fund sales and related basis issues  Self-employed person issues  Schedule C deductions including depreciation  Sale and exchange of property – Understanding Form 4797 and depreciation recapture; capital gains  A working understanding of passive losses – How to handle rental property and how the passive loss rules flow to the tax forms  Itemized deductions – A thorough understanding of what’s deductible and what’s not  Interest deductions – Limitations and timing problems  Charitable contributions substituting for taxes, IRS says – No!  Retirement contributions and education credits and deductions  Tax computations – The Kiddie Tax, AMT, regular tax, tax credits  Individual problems illustrated by form preparation for various items, with numerous “practice tips”  Impact of recent legislation and forms changes on the 1040 

Surgent's Technical Business Practice Issues and Tax Forms for Experienced Practitioners

Schedules K-2 and K-3 and filing exceptions Form 7203  IRS Tax Pro Account  IRS modernization initiatives Information Returns Intake System (IRIS) Identity Theft warnings   IRS guidance for the marijuana industry  “Recycled” Form 1099-NEC to report nonemployee compensation  Form 1065 steps for reporting capital  Centralized audit regime; late filing penalties and small partnership relief  “Substance over Form” argument of shareholder loans  Advanced study of “At-Risk” loans  Employer W-2 correction requests  White House 2025 Budget Points  Don't get caught watching the paint dry -- What is hot and new  What is terminating S corporations today?  Special allocation issues of §704  Final regulations for allocating depreciation recapture to partners and members of LLCs 

Finding Errors in Excel Spreadsheets

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Understanding Common Excel Errors: Gain insights into the most common types of errors encountered in Excel, including formula errors, reference errors, and logic errors.Advanced Formulas and Functions: Learn to use advanced Excel functions and formulas that are crucial for error detection and data analysis.Data Validation Techniques: Master the art of data validation to prevent errors before they occur. This includes setting up data validation rules and using conditional formatting to highlight potential inaccuracies.Error Tracing and Auditing Tools: Delve into Excel's auditing tools to trace and fix errors. Learn to use Trace Precedents, Trace Dependents, and the Error Checking tool effectively.

Partnership/LLC Taxation: Tax Basis Capital Accounts

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Discuss the impact of the Section 199A flow-through entities deduction on partnerships and their partnersThe meaning of a "tax basis capital account"How the financial accounting and tax capital accounts differ from one anotherDetermine a partner's share of the partnership's liabilitiesDistinguish "recourse" loans from "nonrecourse" loansWhat are "qualified nonrecourse financing" loans and how they affect partnersSection 704 "built-in gain or loss" rules and how they impact Schedule K-1 reportingSection 4655 "at risk" rules and how they impact Schedule K-1 reporting

Coaching the Next Generation of CPAs

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Building a high-performing team comprised of multi-generational workers.How to effectively communicate with the millennial worker.Leveraging younger staff in business development opportunities.Measuring the productivity of a millennial workforce.

Surgent's Food, Beverage, and Entertainment Expensing

The 50% deduction for meals that are ordinary and necessary in carrying on a trade or business Elimination of the temporary rules that applied for 2021 and 2022 which allowed for 100% deductibility for ordinary and necessary business-related meals When meals are still 100% deductible IRS rules relating to the nondeducibility of activities considered entertainment or amusement What constitutes entertainment/amusement for tax purposes? When employers may deduct food and beverages provided to employees 50% deductibility for occasional employee meals and for overtime meals 50% deductibility for business meals during business meetings Business meals incurred during business travel Invoice meals separately from entertainment