CPE Catalog & Events

Surgent's Controllership Skills Update: Risk Management

Rethinking Risk Management: Historic view Challenges Rules Recent lessons Required skills Sources of Risk: Economy Competitors Operations Investments Strategy Compensation Routine practices Unethical behavior. Enterprise Risk Management (ERM): Defining ERM Areas of focus Implementation Planning for disasters Business continuity Contingencies Analytical Tools: Post-completion evaluations Simulation Z-score Hedging Brainstorming Mind mapping Delphi technique

Surgent's Excel: Mastering PivotTables

Explore PivotTable capabilities and functionality Retrieve data from a database and feed it into the PivotTable Pull web tables from web pages into Excel

Surgent's Features and Benefits of SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs

The new Roth SEP IRAs and Roth SIMPLE IRAs created under SECURE Act 2.0 Key factors for choosing a retirement plan for a small business Key questions an advisor must ask a small business owner to help determine which retirement plan is suitable for their business Key questions an advisor must ask a small business owner to help ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations How SEP and SIMPLE IRAs benefit the small business owner How SEP and SIMPLE IRAs benefit employees of small businesses The tax benefits that help to offset the cost of employer contributions How to determine which business is eligible to adopt a SIMPLE IRA or SEP IRA How to determine which employees must be covered

2025 Accounting & Auditing Update for Small Businesses

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) that are most likely to impact small businesses.ASUs initiated by the Private Company Council (PCC).Alternative reporting options to GAAP including FRF for SMEs and IFRS for SMEs.Audit standards that small business auditors will need to implement.

SEC Case Studies: Ethical Dilemmas in Finance and Accounting

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to Ethics and Ethical DilemmasEthical Codes and Professional StandardsFraud and the Fraud TriangleEthical Decision-Making ModelsFinancial Statement Manipulation TacticsCash Flow and Key Metrics Misrepresentations

Surgent's Getting Ready for Busy Season: Key Changes Every Tax Practitioner Should Know

Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation Comprehensive coverage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and SECURE Act 2.0  A tour of the most recent changes starting from gross income and ending with alternative minimum tax (AMT) and selected credits including the latest IRS guidance on recent tax legislation Hot developments affecting the upcoming tax season Review of new laws and changes in old forms to provide a familiarity for the upcoming tax season Key new tax and practice developments and how they impact the current-year tax forms for individuals

How SAS Nos. 134-145 Improve Risk-Based Audits

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Key changes to audit report elements intended to improve the understandability of the nature and results of financial statement auditsEnhanced required by-product communications with management and those charged with governance to promote more reliable financial statementsClarifications related to obtaining sufficient and appropriate audit evidence, including significant unusual transactions, related parties, going concern uncertainty, and accounting estimatesNew definitions and requirements related to identifying and evaluating risks of material misstatementOther important matters contained in SAS Nos. 134-145

ChatGPT and Advanced Policy Manual Development for ACCTs

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Fundamentals of accounting policy manuals in traditional and AI contextsThe PRIME Method framework for AI-assisted policy developmentStrategic implementation of AI tools including ChatGPT, Claude, and CopilotInternal control and risk management policy creationAI and generative AI usage policies for accounting firmsSustainability and ESG reporting policy frameworksPredictive analytics and forecasting policy developmentRegulatory compliance considerations in AI-generated policies

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