CPE Catalog & Events

Ethics, AI, and Music: What Every CPA Must Know

The major topics that will be covered in this course include: Four key aspects of artificial intelligence that are relevant to CPAs: machine learning, generative AI, large language models, and GPT.The role that five powerful principles—the principles of ethical intelligence—play in using AI the right way. Short, focused writing exercises (30 seconds each) designed to deepen understanding of the topic. Real-world case studies about the use of AI in music as well as accountingAnswers to several crucial questions about how to use artificial intelligence with ethical intelligence.  

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.

Steps to Stop External Fraud

The major topics covered in this course include:Types of external fraudConsiderations as organizations work to reduce fraud riskExternal fraud and known parties/External fraud unknown perpetrators

Surgent's Federal Tax Update

Comprehensive coverage of individual provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including but not limited to: TCJA provisions made permanent New Tip Income Deduction New Overtime Pay Deduction New Car Loan Interest Deduction New Temporary Senior Deduction Expanded SALT Cap Trump Accounts Comprehensive coverage of business provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including but not limited to: Bonus Depreciation made permanent Increased §179 deduction Changes to §174 R&E Expenditures Changes to §163(j) Form 1099/1099-K changes Qualified Small Business Stock Exclusion  The Gig Economy - examine key tax implications for gig workers, including Independent Contractor vs. Employee classification challenges and employer reporting responsibilities Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation Advanced practice, reporting, and other issues intertwined with advanced planning and discussion ideas

Surgent's Preparing and Writing Findings in Yellow Book and Single Audits

The types of audit findings reported in Yellow Book and single audit engagements The finding elements required by the GAO and OMB standards Where audit findings get communicated in the reporting process

Business Transformation: Critical Skills for CFOs and Controllers

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

S Corporations: Comprehensive walk through of Form 1120S

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Subchapter S status election and compliance requirementsRelief for late Form 2553 filings under Rev. Proc. 2022-19Comparison of Rev. Proc. 2022-19 and Rev. Proc. 2023-3I.R.C. §1361 and §1362 analysis for S Corporation electionsCorporate governance and formalities complianceShareholder stock and debt basis rulesBuilt-in capital gains and other aspects of Form 1120SSchedules K-1, K-2, and K-3 preparation and reporting requirementsOfficer reasonable compensation: requirements, advisory strategies, and audit defensesS Corporation eligibility errors and corrective measures

S Corporations: Key Issues, Compliance, and Tax Strategies - Tax Staff Essentials

Advantages and disadvantages of S corporations Electing S corporation status Termination of S corporation status S corporation tax on built-in gains S corporation pass-through to shareholders, basis, and losses S corporation distributions Taxable year of S corporations S corporation passive activity rules, fringe benefits, and other considerations

The Best Federal 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 Sale of Passthrough Entity Interests and Net Investment Income Tax - analyze the tax implications of selling interests in passthrough entities, including relevant examples, and how the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) applies to these transactions  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 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

Taxation of the Cannabis Industry

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Industrial hemp vs. marijuana.Income definitions under I.R.C. §61.Tax code restrictions: §280E and §471.State-specific marijuana laws.Cash management in cannabis businesses.Federal court case analysis.

Understanding Internal Control Constructs

The major topics covered in this course include:Underlying concepts of internal controlThe importance of control measure interdependency

Become a Data Analysis Expert

The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Data Analysis Process Flow: An introduction to the Data Analysis Process Flow and how it is your pathway to becoming a Data Analysis Expert.Data Modeling: A comprehensive discussion of building a data model and calculating metrics.Data Visualizations: An understanding how visualizations can present data in a more insightful and impactful manner.

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

Surgent's Real Estate for Accounting and Finance Professionals

Rental income and expense calculation and reporting Deciphering Schedule E (Form 1040) Nuances of vacation home rules Passive activity loss rules: foundations and implications Active vs. material participation in rental activities Tax reporting: how to group passive activities Limitations on passive losses: at-risk rules and deductions Classifying rental real estate activities Navigating exceptions in rental real estate taxation

Surgent's Work-Life Balance: Maximizing Productivity and Understanding Related Tax Issues

Discuss how productivity strategies may improve work-life balance Understand the state tax consequences that may arise when working from home Identify and discuss challenges unique to financial professionals Review how some organizations are providing support to improve work-life balance Explore the role of alternative work arrangements  Examine challenges unique to auditors versus tax professionals A comparison of work-life balance between public and industry accountants How work-family conflict varies among financial professionals Recommendations for improving work-life balance

Deep Dive Into Common Auditing Deficiencies

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Review common deficiencies identified by the AICPA and state boards of accountancy.Feature discussion on a variety of topics, including analytical procedures, sampling, group audits and risk assessment.Review of the areas of concern and how you can overcome them by employing best practices.

Financial Statement Presentation, Disclosure, and Analysis

The major topics that will be covered in this course include:U.S. GAAP and Special purpose frameworksForm and content of financial statements: Balance sheets; Income statements; Statements of cash flows; Retained earnings and/or owners’ equity statements; Comprehensive income; Supplementary informationComparative vs. single-period financial statementsSufficiency of disclosuresIllustrative disclosures frequently encountered in small-to-medium reporting entitiesIndustry-specific nuancesPurposes of financial statement analysis Trend analysis and vertical & horizontal analysisSimple and multivariate regressionAnalysis of metricsAssessment of liquidity, solvency, and profitabilityUsing data visualizationsThe role of qualitative factors

Surgent's Form 1040 Return Review Boot Camp for New and Experienced Reviewers

Key provisions of the recent HR 1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, have been incorpoated throughout the course Review an error-prone "staff-prepared" Form 1040 from client-provided information. Where do you start? Get to know your client and ask the questions Several new reporting issues for the reviewer to consider, including the main credit provisions as enacted under the American Rescue Plan What are common errors preparers make and what are the areas generating malpractice claims? The importance of engagement letters, questionnaires, and §7216 permission statement Initial administrative groundwork Identifying organizing issues in the tax return to be reviewed Avoiding “willful blindness.” Handling ethical and moral dilemmas Efficient review of certain advanced issues for income, adjustments, deductions, and credits Effective procedures for delinquent clients, filing past-due tax returns First-time client issues requiring extra scrutiny Multiple checklists of efficient procedures to identify potential issues on a 1040 return Listing of schedules for staff to prepare to make a review easier, including basis issues for 1040 clients Reconciling time pressure with thoroughness and quality control Professionals acting professionally

Surgent's Preparing C Corporation Tax Returns for New Staff and Paraprofessionals

Updates throughout regarding the recent HR 1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act Preparation of a reasonably complicated Form 1120, U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return, from trial balance to completed return The importance of Schedule M-1, including adjustments in reconciling book income to tax income and items staff may look for on all business returns New tax planning strategies for depreciation deductions, including changes to §179 and first-year depreciation under §168(k) as a result of new tax legislation Methods of accounting In-depth analysis of Form 4797 dealing with depreciation recapture Deductible expenses, including rules on meals and entertainment Section 163(j) Computation of tax liability Overview of common business deductions – deductibility and Schedule M-1 How to practically handle uniform capitalization and inventory accounting for a small manufacturing concern And more!