CPE Catalog & Events

Every organization in the world will fall victim to fraud. This course will cover the means and methods available to reduce the prevalence of fraud. We will also discuss the controls that victim organizations employ in order to seek improvements for our own organizations.

Gerald Ford once said that "[n]othing in life is more important that the ability to communicate effectively." Public speaking remains a centuries-old skill that allows individuals to effectively communicate both at a personal and professional level. The benefits of good public speaking run long, whether it be the ability to persuade others, lead a team, or encourage critical thinking. This course is designed to refresh and refine speaking skills for professionals. Through this webinar, participants will gain a better understanding of the core skills of how to communicate effectively in groups - big or small. The webinar is intended to help those who already speak in public better improve their skills, while at the same time teaching more novice speakers how to approach a task that so many professionals dread - speaking in front of others.

Regulators, investors, other capital markets stakeholders and users of the financial statements need accurate and transparent financial information for decision making. One reason that why the capital markets are as efficient as they are today, is that users believe that they can trust audited financial statements, in part, due to the fact that they are audited. The AICPA instituted its Enhancing Audit Quality Initiative in 2014 to help to improve regulator and stakeholder trust when it was being questioned. Education, outreach and changes to the peer review program have helped to increase audit quality over the last 8 years. In early 2021 the Auditing Standards Board issued an exposure draft that would make significant changes to the requirements that firms implement a system of quality control. The new standard will require a risk-based approach to quality management and enhance the guidance on the role of the engagement quality reviewer and the audit partner. This module will discuss these topics including the proposed changes to the quality standards which are expected to be effective in 2024. (Please Note: This module is part of Surgent's Audit Skills Training: Level 5.)

This course focuses on the main elements of financial education and will help accounting and finance professionals guide their clients, and their clients' children, through a personalized teaching roadmap. Clients with wealth face questions about how to teach their children about money to raise financially capable children. Often, their first contact is to their accounting and financial professionals, so it is important to be able to provide a framework to help teach clients how to prepare their children for life with privilege. This course is designed for all practitioners who want to help their clients navigate the process of teaching the next generation about personal finances. Because every family and child are different, it is critical to develop a specific plan for each client, and likely each child and grandchild. By working with their clients' descendants, accounting and finance professionals not only build rapport and trust but also get to know the children and grandchildren, building firm value and long-term connection.

This course is a `deep dive' into all things real estate tax-related for the mid-level practitioner moving into this complex area. You will deepen your understanding of the complex considerations and strategies that individuals must navigate in acquiring, holding, managing, constructing, and disposing of real estate. You will leave the course able to navigate critical issues associated with the relevant returns and plan strategically for your company or clients. We will discuss in detail the impact of recent tax legislation, as well as historically difficult areas of the law like passive activity and at-risk rules.

This course is a 'deep dive' into many aspects involving the taxation of real estate for the mid-level practitioner moving into this complex area. You will deepen your understanding of the complex considerations and strategies that individuals must navigate in acquiring, operating, and selling real estate. You will leave the course able to navigate critical issues associated with the relevant returns and plan strategically for your company or clients. We will discuss in detail the impact that recent tax changes have had on the real estate industry, as well as new credits that are available after the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

This course is a 'deep dive' into many aspects involving the taxation of real estate for the mid-level practitioner moving into this complex area. You will deepen your understanding of the complex considerations and strategies that individuals must navigate in acquiring, operating, and selling real estate. You will leave the course able to navigate critical issues associated with the relevant returns and plan strategically for your company or clients. We will discuss in detail the impact that recent tax changes have had on the real estate industry, as well as new credits that are available after the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

Explore the intricacies of federal income taxation as it intertwines with rental real estate activities. This course delves into the calculation of rental income, understanding the nuances of deductions, and unraveling the complexities of passive activity loss rules. Whether it's mastering Schedule E or understanding Congress' intent behind tax laws, professionals will leave with an enriched understanding.

When it comes to attracting the best talent, it is imperative to know your audience. It is critical for employers and managers to understand Next Gen employees (those born in 1980 or later), as this group is expected to comprise 62% of the workforce by 2025. To be successful, accounting and related professionals should understand how to create strong relationships with Next Gen talent, some of the most talented, energetic components of the workforce. Using sound research as a guide, this webinar addresses guidelines and procedures that have proven successful in attracting and retaining Next Gen employees so that companies can continue to grow.

Many business owner clients wish to minimize their Social Security and self-employment tax liabilities. This course provides tax practitioners with the background to understand what kinds of income constitute self-employment income and earned income. It covers strategies that can be used to reduce clients' exposure to the self-employment tax and Social Security tax.

The accounting industry has embraced the hybrid and, in some cases, fully remote work model for the profession. As technology has evolved to support this strategy, the need to project professionalism and leadership through a virtual platform has become a significant skill for all current and future leaders. This seminar provides practical tools to establish an impactful virtual executive presence and communicate with confidence and authority.

The Yellow Book contains performance and reporting requirements related to internal control deficiencies. This course is designed to help you understand these requirements and excel in applying them. We will also examine where the auditor draws the line as to whether an internal control deficiency is a significant deficiency or a material weakness.

This course provides an overview of the similarities and key differences between the revenue recognition standards issued by the FASB (ASC Topic 606) and the IASB (IFRS 15). While these standards are materially similar as the regulators worked jointly to issue the new converged standards, there are notable differences that are good to understand. However, this course is not intended to provide an exhaustive discussion of these differences.

For those entities who formerly recognized revenue under the guidance of Statement of Position 81-1, Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts (SOP 81-1/ASC 605-35), understanding the basics of Topic 606 is not enough. In order to effectively apply Topic 606, you need a detailed understanding of how to recognize revenue over time under Topic 606's Five-Step model. Even though Topic 606 is currently effective, changes in business and contracts will always require the need to stay current on this topic. Now is the time to get the answers to your application questions. In this course we'll explore Topic 606 from the perspective of entities that currently recognize revenue under SOP 81-1/ASC 605-35, highlighting how the accounting for revenue recognition changed following the adoption of ASC Topic 606. Next, the course will address challenging sections of the ASC 606 guidance such as identifying performance obligations and when and how you recognize revenue over time. Applying Topic 606 successfully to your long-term contracts is an ongoing exercise. This course will keep you up to date with the latest guidance and best practices in this critical area.

This course will enable practitioners to understand the basic practical issues of preparing the gift tax Form 709. This course covers the disclosure requirements and the information necessary to properly prepare the form.

Audit documentation provides the principal support for the independent auditor's report. Therefore, it is important that workpapers meet professional standards. Anything less could result in peer or regulatory review deficiencies at as a worse case, lawsuits when fraud occurs at a company. The auditor is not responsible for identifying fraud. But the auditor is responsible for planning and performing the audit to obtain reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement due to fraud or error. Effective workpaper reviewer is an important part of meeting professional standards at the engagement level as well as the overall firm level. In addition, the workpaper review process should be used as a tool for professional development and promoting efficient audits. This module will provide the tips and tools for satisfying these important workpaper reviewer responsibilities for auditors at the in charge or newer manager levels. (Please Note: This module is part of Surgent's Audit Skills Training: Level 3.)

In many smaller organizations the job of risk manager is housed with the CEO, and many of the staff who better understand the details of the various risks are not included in risk-management discussions. This program will take a hard look at risk management and show how to develop a program that is specifically designed to work well in a small business. Based on proven management techniques, the risk-management system will better focus on good risk management and especially strong mitigation.

As experienced staff members master the preparation intricacies of an 1120-S tax return, they are expected to understand and apply the underlying concepts, principles and laws governing S corporation status. This course is designed to illustrate in both theory and practice overarching principles that govern S corporations from formation to revocation, termination and liquidation. Experienced, client-facing staff should be aware of the pitfalls that may inadvertently cause an S-status termination or may generate unintended tax consequences to shareholders.

As experienced staff members master the preparation intricacies of an 1120-S tax return, they are expected to understand and apply the underlying concepts, principles and laws governing S corporation status. This course is designed to illustrate in both theory and practice overarching principles that govern S corporations from formation to revocation, termination and liquidation. Experienced, client-facing staff should be aware of the pitfalls that may inadvertently cause an S-status termination or may generate unintended tax consequences to shareholders.

This course goes beyond the basics and addresses important practical issues that an experienced practitioner must know about S corporations.