CPE Catalog & Events

Surgent's Tax Research - Intermediate Concepts

Tax code hierarchy Organization of an Internal Revenue Code section Special rules for IRC citation Citing other primary authorities Private letter rulings Primary vs. secondary authority Secondary sources of authority Steps in the tax research process Research memoranda

Avoiding the Most Misapplied Audit Concepts

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Risk Assessment - Properly assessing inherent, control, and detection risk on an engagement, and linking the results to an appropriately tailored detailed audit plan based on risk assessment and client service goals, regardless of entity type.Substantive Analytics- Leveraging strong substantive analytic procedures as audit evidence to cut back on tests of details.Selecting items to test common misunderstandings related to designing, performing and concluding on tests of details, including sampling.Identifying and Evaluating Internal Control Deficiencies - Emphasizing the importance of identifying both design and operating effectiveness deficiencies during the course of the audit, and how to properly categorize deficiencies as inconsequential, significant or material for impact on the audit or required communications with management and those charged with governance.

The Best Individual Income Tax Update Course by Surgent

Comprehensive coverage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Review of key components of President Trump's tax bill, including a tip income exemption, overtime pay relief, Social Security tax exemption, auto loan interest deductibility, SALT deduction modifications, a lower corporate tax rate, restoration of 100% bonus depreciation, immediate R&D expensing, and permanent extension of select TCJA provisions Tariff policy and implementation - analyze the use of tariffs as a fiscal and trade policy tool Digital assets and tax implications - understand the new Form 1099-DA for reporting digital asset transactions, along with updated IRS guidance on cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and broker responsibilities Artificial intelligence - discover how AI and generative tools are transforming tax practices, as well as how the IRS is leveraging AI to enhance audit selection Form 1099-K reporting requirements - understand the evolving IRS thresholds and rules for third-party payment platforms The Gig Economy - examine key tax implications for gig workers, including Independent Contractor vs. Employee classification challenges, reporting responsibilities, and the impact of the 2024 Department of Labor Final Rule on worker status Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation Real Estate professional requirements Review of pertinent cases and rulings affecting taxpayers Practice aids, including all the numbers applicable for the current year -- inflation-adjusted amounts, mileage rates, retirement contributions, and more Advanced practice, reporting, and other issues intertwined with advanced planning and discussion ideas

Agentic AI for CPAs: Automate Workflows with Intelligence

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to Agentic AI concepts and terminologyCase studies for using AI agents in accounting, finance, and tax servicesStep by step demonstration of creating and deploying an AI agentIntroduction to Microsoft Copilot Studio agent builderDeveloping your AI agent deployment strategy 

Beyond the Basics: Financial Ratios You Might Be Overlooking

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Understanding Cost Behavior and Its Impact on Decision-MakingContribution Margin and Break-Even AnalysisMargin of Safety and Its Role in Risk ManagementOperating Leverage and Financial SensitivityAnalyzing Asset Turnover for Operational EfficiencyCash Conversion Cycle and Working Capital InsightsFree Cash Flow Yield as a Valuation Tool

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!

What's Behind the Data?

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Ways in which data and information can be misleadingCommon pitfalls when encountering dataHow to re-evaluate the data to avoid those pitfalls

Comprehensive Update: FASB, AICPA (SAS, SQMS, SSARS & Ethics) 26-27

ASU effective in 2024 and beyond  Recent SAS  Selected ethics interpretations 

Federal Tax Update: Business Comprehensive 26-27

Review of recent federal legislation and administrative rulings Review of recent modifications to tax forms Review of small business tax law and administrative update changes Review of retirement plan changes Overall review of tax practice and procedures

IRAs—Traditional, Roth, SEP & SIMPLE 26-27

An emphasis on newly enacted tax legislation affecting IRAs., including the NEW final required minimum distribution (RMD) regulations Contribution limits to and tax treatment of distributions from Traditional, Roth, SEP and SIMPLE IRAs Deductible phase-out limits for Traditional IRA contributions for taxpayers who are active participants in qualified retirement plans Roth IRA contribution phase-out limits, as well as tax-free qualified distributions Planning opportunities for conversions to ROTH IRAs Rollover rules to/from different retirement accounts and the one-rollover-per-year limitation The different options of receiving IRA distributions before age 59 ½ and avoiding the 10% early distribution penalty (including substantially equal periodic payments) The required minimum distribution (RMD) rules from IRAs needed to avoid the 50% penalty after the account owner turns age 72 or dies The tax ramifications of spouse and non-spouse beneficiaries and how this affects the RMD calculation after the account owner's death Overview of health savings account (HSA) eligibility rules, contribution limits and distribution rules

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

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

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

Charting the Advisory Path: Lessons from the Inside

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

Executive Presence, Personal Brand: Structure Your Narrative

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Components of executive presenceAudience-centered elevator pitch structureProfessional value proposition frameworkStructuring a concise executive biographyAligning personal narrative with organizational valueCommon pitfalls in professional self-presentationApplication and refinement exercise 

Invest in Your Mental Health and Avoid Burnout

The major topics covered in this course include:How to recognize burnout and evaluate where you are on the burnout scale.How impostor syndrome drives coping reactions of overworking, over preparing and perfectionism.How mindfulness can reduce stress and save time.Silencing the critical inner voice.Tools to help you become more attuned to your needs and emotions.How attending to and regulating your nervous system impacts your mood and well-being.

Surgent's Artificial Intelligence for Accounting and Finance Professionals

What artificial intelligence is and how it differs from automation Current AI technologies: generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and machine learning How AI enhances accounting financial analysis, auditing, tax compliance, and client advisory services Risks and limitations of AI: bias, data integrity, and over-reliance on automation Data governance, security, and privacy in AI-enabled systems Case studies of how accounting firms and finance teams are implementing AI today Future skills for accounting and finance professionals in an AI-driven environment

Surgent's Exploring Business Valuation Fundamentals

What does value mean? Technical vs. fundamental analysis Intrinsic value Other discounted cash flow models Assumptions in the Gordon Growth Model Valuations using free cash flows Residual income model Enterprise value Value in mergers and acquisitions Small business valuations and discounts Advanced valuation models

Surgent's Recent Changes in Workplace Regulations: Overtime, Non-compete Agreements, and Employee/Independent Contractor

Final Rule - Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the FLSA: the multifactor “economic reality” test; What analysis guides whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor under this final rule? Can a worker voluntarily waive employee status and choose to be classified as an independent contractor? Are any of the economic reality factors adopted in this rule more important than others when evaluating a worker’s employment status? How does the final rule explain “extent to which the work performed is an integral part of the employer’s business?” The Federal Trade Commission’s Decision on Non-compete Agreements: impact on new and existing non-competes; treatment and definitional terms for senior executives; definition of a non-compete clause; definition of a “worker” New Overtime Rules: exemptions from minimum wage and overtime pay requirements for executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees; increases in the standard level and the highly compensated employee total annual compensation threshold; new mechanism allowing for the timely and efficient updating of the salary and compensation thresholds Current status of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) rules