CPE Catalog & Events

Surgent's The CMA's Guide to Project Management

Establishing a system: identifying forces that support the status quo; setting milestones and goals; the role of the CMA Necessary first steps: set a framework for the project’s activities; identify needed resources; obtain support; decide on a structure; establish a team for a specific project; identify necessary team skill sets Project evaluation: analytical tools, strategic evaluation; sources of risk Maintaining focus: monitoring and measuring results; keeping to the project’s scope Avoiding frequent traps: sunk costs; financing pitfalls; project creep; tunnel vision; failure to integrate the team’s work internally and/or the final project with the remaining organization Introduction and examples of analytical tools throughout the session: mapping; CPM; Gantt charts; benchmarking; Pareto analysis; PESTLE analysis; valuation techniques; post-completion evaluations

Controls to Secure the Growing Digital Footprint

The major topics covered in this course include:Securing individual documentsProtecting information resident in the CloudSecuring data stored on or accessed by mobile devices

Surgent's Audit Skills Training Level 1: Developing Critical Skills for Success in Public Accounting

Each module includes a lecture followed by in-class group case studies and activities. In this two-day course, the following two-hour modules will be presented: Day 1: Transitioning to the accounting profession Code of ethics: importance of professional skepticism and independence Exceeding expectations: desired traits of entry-level auditors Risk assessment basics Internal control fundamentals Compilations and reviews: the contrasting nature of preparation engagements, compilations, and reviews Day 2: Auditing cash and cash equivalents Auditing property, plant, and equipment Auditing accounts payable and debt Audit documentation

Surgent's Compilations, Reviews, and Preparations: Engagement Performance and Annual Update

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 Sample comprehensive engagement work programs for preparation, compilation and review engagements Reporting and disclosure illustrations for each level of service, including attesting on personal financial statements, prescribed form, special purpose framework and other engagement variations Other communication requirements, such as sample engagement letters and management representation letters

Navigating IRS Authorizations: Form 2848 & Form 8821

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Overview of IRS Power of Attorney (POA) rules.Form 2848: Authority to Represent Clients before the IRS.Form 8821: Accessing Tax Information Without Representation.Identifying errors and compliance risks in POA filings.Rules for revoking or updating POA authorizations.Managing authorizations through the CAF system.Electronic submissions and the IRS online authorization process.Ethical responsibilities when holding a POA.

Fiduciary Accounting Part 3: Special Accounting Elections & Distributions 25-26

Analyze a traditional fiduciary accounting situation Determine the use of the reserve for depreciation Become acquainted with the special accounting rule for business assets Review the accounting treatment of distributions from entities

Partnership Tax Updates (2025)

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Court decisions covering partnership issues such as TEFRA, Statute of Limitations, Economic Substance, and Sec. 754 Elections.IRS procedural updates on passthrough entities.New developments on conservation easements. 

Accounting Analysis Basics 25-26

Accounting analysis and methodology Factors influencing the quality of accounting-based financial reports Impact of emerging business models on balance sheets Introduction to the Instructor's Open Balance Sheet

Tax Aspects of Stock Investing 25-26

Active and passive investing Dividend-paying stocks, value stocks, and the net investment income tax Favorable capital gain strategies and the netting process Exchange-traded funds (ETFs), stock options, and straddles

Creating an Ethical Work Environment

Ethical Values and PrinciplesHuman Factors impacting ethical choicesProfessional and organizational responsibilities in creating an ethical work environmentTools for ethical decision making

2025 Yellow Book Update

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Yellow Book engagements.Independence requirements in GAGAS.Quality management in Yellow Book. Common deficiencies found in Yellow Book engagements.

Cryptocurrency Taxation: Nuts, Bolts and TaX Law Updates

Tax Depreciation: Review and Update

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Recent tax legislation and developments related to capitalizationEligible property for Section 179 and Section 168(k)Discussion of the Section 179 deduction and its use to depreciate real propertyThe Section 168(k) deduction and its use to depreciate real propertyDisposition of segments of real propertyExchanges of tangible personal property after repeal of the like-kind exchange rulesOther related topics

Fiduciary Accounting Part 4: The New Frontier?Total Return Trusts 25-26

What are new frontier trusts Situations where the use of the trustee's power to adjust or a unitrust can be beneficial. Understanding the requirements for using a particular strategy. Authority and requirements for the trustee's power to adjust with a problem example. Authority and requirements for unitrusts with a problem example. Including capital gains in Distributable Net Income (DNI).

Written Information Security Plans

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Introduction to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and its impact on data security.Circular 230 compliance and due diligence for practitioners.AICPA Statements of Standards relevant to WISP requirements.Key components of a Written Information Security Plan.Training requirements for employees, staff, and contractors.Practical guidance for drafting and implementing a WISP.FTC enforcement of data security standards for PTIN holders.Best practices for maintaining and updating WISP compliance.

Surgent's Data Analytics for Accountants and Financial Managers

Definition of data analytics and big data; challenges and goals; establishing an environment for success; governance; common uses of analytics and current examples Behavioral forces that impact decisions; examples of inaccurate forecasts; identifying strategic measurements (KPIs); data sources Statistical tools, including median, mode, moving average, ratio analysis, Pareto analysis, trend analysis, regression, z-score, and simulation Software tools that are readily available and can assist in visually exploring data, expanding the scope of available data, as well as collecting, analyzing, and presenting results Specific ideas for using data analytics for accountants and financial managers, including current examples and areas for further consideration Lists of readings and next-level software for a participant’s future reference

Surgent's Hiring New Workers and Payroll Taxes

Form W-4 Form I-9 Form W-9 End-of-year compliance Payroll tax returns Unemployment insurance

Surgent's Weekly Expert Hour

Each week’s topics will change based on the most critical issues affecting financial professionals

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

How to Audit Expenses & Payables

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The basics of auditing expenses.Accrued liabilities and other payables.Relates audit assertions, risks, and threats to the expenses and payables balances.Substantive auditing procedures to peform.