CPE Catalog & Events
Surgent's Controllership Skills Update – Budgeting, Forecasting, and Big Data
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
Budgets are the vehicle for allocating resources, measuring activities, and identifying needed changes and improvements. An organization's strategy is the primary driver of costs. To be effective, the budget must be linked to strategy and long-term plans. Numerous organizations have achieved a series of short-term targets (budgets) but failed longer term, demonstrating the lack of this necessary linkage. Forecasting, a critical part of any successful budgeting process, can be flawed by technical errors, organizational structure, or emotional forces. The establishment of a system to collect, process, and analyze big data can provide significant insights into the budgeting and forecasting process. An efficient system of incorporating big data and analytics into normal activities will improve management's decision-making. This brief program offers specific actions to improve your forecasting and budgeting activities. In addition, more advanced techniques are identified for the participant's further review, which can be applied throughout an organization. Good budgets effectively allocate resources, provide information for decision-making and serve as an early warning system for unforeseen events. A poor budgeting process fosters a false sense of security, provides inappropriate or inaccurate data, and reinforces the status quo. Budgets are about the organization's story, not just the raw numbers!Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: 2Program Level: UpdateThis course is being offered by a learning partner. You may access the Surgent platform through the My CPE page on vscpa.com after purchase.
Surgent's Governing Agentic AI: Cybersecurity, Data, and Risk
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $119
As accounting firms and financial institutions deploy agentic AI, they face significant governance challenges. This course focuses on cybersecurity, data governance, and risk management practices essential for the safe and effective use of autonomous systems. Participants will examine frameworks such as NIST AI RMF and the CSA's red-teaming guidelines, as well as case studies on AI-powered cyber incidents. The course equips professionals to assess agentic system vulnerabilities, implement controls, and integrate risk insights into enterprise compliance strategies. This course equips CPAs to fulfill their oversight responsibilities in safeguarding financial data and ensuring the reliability of autonomous systems within the enterprise's control environment.Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: 2Program Level: BasicThis course is being offered by a learning partner. You may access the Surgent platform through the My CPE page on vscpa.com after purchase.
Surgent's Improving Your Profits: Identifying Cost Cutting Opportunities
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
Part of one's duty as a CPA working in industry is to safeguard the assets of the organization. Cost cutting is one way to preserve assets and maintain a company's competitive position in the industry. However, what keeps us from ridding our organizations of unnecessary costs? In this course, we will look at the factors that prevent our companies from being as streamlined as they could be. By using statistics and survey data, we will attempt to show how to better negotiate and navigate budgeting and contracting decisions. We will also discuss financial statement analysis techniques, benchmarking, and cash flow management in an effort to better cut costs and maintain the long-run viability of an organization.Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: 2Program Level: BasicThis course is being offered by a learning partner. You may access the Surgent platform through the My CPE page on vscpa.com after purchase.
Surgent's The AI-augmented Professional: Practical Tools, Real Risks, and Immediate Use Cases
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future concept; it is a current necessity. This session provides a practical roadmap for practitioners to leverage AI safely and effectively. We move from a survey of available tools (from free apps to specialized software) to a deep dive into the ethical guardrails required to protect client data and maintain professional standards. Participants will leave with a playbook of real-world use cases that can be implemented immediately.Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: 2Program Level: BasicThis course is being offered by a learning partner. You may access the Surgent platform through the My CPE page on vscpa.com after purchase.
Creating A Coaching Leadership Style
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Online
3.00 Credits
Member Price: $109
This course explores the leadership and coaching principles, concepts, frameworks, techniques, and competencies that will lead to a Coaching Leadership Style. While it is often said that effective leadership is situational, the leadership style that is employed in the everyday workplace is typically the dominant style of the leader. The leadership style that emphasizes coaching in lieu of others that are more autocratic, affiliative, or even more participative can be more fulfilling for the leader, employee, and team. The course illustrates how a Coaching Leadership Style leads to a highly desirable organization culture. This course takes the attendee through a coaching process and discovery that can be applied to various situations. Results one can expect from the Coaching Leadership Style are covered as are measurements depicting the success of this leadership style. The attendee will walk away with the knowledge and skills necessary to begin leading their company towards a coaching culture that will leave employees motivated, transformed and driven to higher levels of innovation and performance from the empowerment of the Coaching Leadership Style. Delivery Method: Individual webcast CPE Credit: 3Program Level: Basic
How SAS Nos. 134-145 Improve Risk-Based Audits
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $149
Recent generally accepted auditing standards were written to improve the quality of risk-based financial statement audits, audit reporting, and required by-product communications. This course will discuss the important clarifications and enhancements intended to improve audit quality to ensure better compliance with requirements contained in SAS Nos. 134-145. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.This course is being offered by a learning partner and will not be accessible on your My CPE page. Access information will be emailed directly to you by CPA Crossings.
Reviewing Partnership Tax Returns: What Are You Missing?
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $139
Ways to avoid common errors A thorough review can spot errors that are commonly missed during the preparation of a partnership or LLC return. Course materials are designed to sharpen your reviewer skills by examining case studies and discussing complex LLC and partnership issues often missed by staff tax return preparers. Four case studies, four opportunities to apply your reviewing skills The course's case study-based approach is designed to increase comprehension and retention. Each case includes a narrative and a full 2025 tax return, developed to include the effects of H.R. 1, commonly referred to as OBBBA. Learners are encouraged to spot errors made in the returns and potential areas for improvement. Partnership tax filing requirements Course materials discuss the filing requirements for Schedules K-2 and K-3, including the availability of the domestic filing exception.
Beyond the Basics of SSARS and Nonattest Services: Are You Certain You Are in Compliance?
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Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $250
Practitioners that provide non-audit services must strike the right balance between complying with relevant professional and regulatory standards, providing value-added client service, and mitigating litigation and other practice management risks. This course contains many case studies to reinforce best practices for managing the accounting, reporting, and performance issues associated with the attest services of compilations and reviews where reports are issued, as well as the SSARS preparation of financial statements service and other nonattest engagements. Delivery Method: Individual webcast CPE Credit: 8Program Level: Basic
Surgent's You’ve Got This: An Introduction to Yellow Book and Single Audits
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $159
If you work with governments or not-for-profits, mastering the fundamentals of Yellow Book and single audits is essential. This beginner-friendly course breaks down the key requirements of the Yellow Book and the Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards into clear, manageable concepts. You'll learn the essentials of performing Yellow Book and single audits with confidence—building a strong foundation, boosting your understanding, and equipping you to conduct audits efficiently and effectively.Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: 4Program Level: BasicThis course is being offered by a learning partner. You may access the Surgent platform through the My CPE page on vscpa.com after purchase.
Controls to Secure the Growing Digital Footprint
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $149
The amount of electronic content that business organizations contend with is growing at incredible rates. Terms like "Big Data" and "Information Overload", are being used by overwhelmed information workers on a daily basis. Additionally, because of the move to a much larger telecommuter footprint, electronic data is now even more prevalently utilized. This session discusses the places that businesses keep digital information and addresses the importance of securing corporate electronic data. The material effectively shows ways to achieve high security standards for content stored in fixed locations, on mobile devices and in the cloud. Participants in this session will gain an understanding of the concepts needed to improve the way they, and their companies secure digital information. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.This course is being offered by a learning partner and will not be accessible on your My CPE page. Access information will be emailed directly to you by CPA Crossings.
Surgent’s Weekly Expert Hour
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Online
1.00 Credits
Member Price: $59
As financial and tax professionals well know, information overload is a constant struggle we face because things change quickly, and the sheer number of changes being made on a daily basis is enormous. Of great importance to small and medium tax and advisory firms is differentiating between changes that are relevant to our practice and our clients and changes that are new but totally irrelevant. Distinguishing between the two is difficult and time-consuming. Mike Tucker and a team of experts are pleased to present a weekly series designed to eliminate the clutter and get you what you need to stay up-to-date and perform for your clients. Mike and his co-presenters will dispense news on current events impacting taxes, finance, and industry. The subject matter will differ each week and intermittently include topics such as Social Security and Medicare. The panelists will discuss personal and corporate tax matters as well as other late-breaking news related to practitioners' personal finances and those of their clients. Every financial professional will benefit from this series. This is a cost-effective way for accountants to fulfill their compulsory continuing education because this weekly series will include almost 40 one-hour presentations. Sign up today — your clients and your bottom line will thank you.Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: 1Program Level: UpdateThis course is being offered by a learning partner. You may access the Surgent platform through the My CPE page on vscpa.com after purchase.
Revenue Recognition - Recognize Revenue
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Online
1.00 Credits
Member Price: $39
This segment is designed to evaluate Step Five of the new model dealing with recognizing revenue which is the final step in applying the new revenue recognition standard. For performance obligations that are fulfilled at a point in time, revenue is recognized at the fulfillment of the performance obligation. For performance obligations to be satisfied over time, an entity must decide how to appropriately measure the progress and completion of the performance obligation. A performance obligation is satisfied when or as control of the good or service is transferred to the customer. There are several issues companies should consider in applying step 5 of the standard: • Determining if a Performance Obligation is satisfied over time • Identifying indicators of transfer of control of good/services • Utilizing input and output methods to measure progress of revenue recognition • Understanding stand-ready obligations and how to apply discounts Delivery Method: Individual webcast CPE Credit: 1Program Level: Intermediate
The Controller Function - Strategic and Annual Planning
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Online
1.20 Credits
Member Price: $39
This course corresponds to our Controllership series. Within this course, we specifically address the Controllers role and pro-active potentials in organization Strategic and Annual Planning. This series of courses is dedicated to exploring the traditional controller role and stepping out of the box to identify areas where the Controller can add strategic value to their organizations. Controllers are essential to the day-to-day accounting for organizations. Yet, the role is not often readily understood. In today’s world of acronyms such as CFO, CEO, COO, CAO, etc. the Controller function may get lost in the shuffle. However, they are a critical group of professionals who ensure the adequacy and transparency of accounting and financial reporting information. When it comes to the task of strategic planning, many feel this role is primarily the responsibility of the executive team and board. However, in this course, we delve into the various steps of the strategic plan and explore where the Controller can add strategic value through providing functional input and insight. Strategic planning is a process used to identify goals, the strategies necessary to accomplish those goals, and the internal performance management system that will be used to monitor and evaluate progress. Delivery Method: Individual webcast CPE Credit: 1.2Program Level: Basic
Private Company Simplified GAAP Alternatives
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
The FASB formed the Private Company Council to provide certain alternatives in U.S. GAAP that are only available to nonpublic business entities, with limited exceptions for certain nonprofits. This course will provide insight into when adopting the accounting and financial reporting alternatives would be to the advantage of private companies. Delivery Method: Individual webcast CPE Credit: 2Program Level: Basic
S Corporations: How to Calculate Shareholder Basis
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
A detailed analysis of the calculations related to determining a shareholder's tax basis for S corporation shares and loans, with a focus on how to use Form 1120S, Schedule K-1 information for basis determination. An illustrative example demonstrates how the process works, as well as the many potential pitfalls. *Please Note: If you need credit reported to the IRS for this IRS approved program, please download the IRS CE request form on the Course Materials Tab and submit to kori.herrera@acpen.com Delivery Method: Individual webcast CPE Credit: 2Program Level: Intermediate
The Three Million Dollar Ribbon
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
Two conmen used lies and falsified documents to convince the State of Tennessee to give them a $3,000,000 economic development grant to create 1,000 jobs by purchasing and rehabilitating a vacant factory in rural Tennessee. Instead, they spent most of the money on an extravagant lifestyle and invested over $1M in a scheme to defraud the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) out of over $30,000,000 pursuant to a contract to provide the tarps for areas such as Puerto Rico, affected by hurricanes. This session provides a detailed case study of how the investigators accumulated, organized, and analyzed hundreds of documents, identified the falsifications and misrepresentations, conducted multiple interviews, and ultimately convicted the conmen. This case study provides multiple takeaways for detecting and investigating grant fraud, which is especially relevant in light of the numerous federal stimulus programs in recent years. Delivery Method: Individual webcast CPE Credit: 2Program Level: Intermediate
S Corporations: Calculating Shareholder Basis
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
A detailed analysis of the calculations related to determining a shareholder's tax basis for S corporation shares and loans. How to use the Form 1120S, Schedule K-1 information for basis determination. An illustrative example demonstrates how the process works, as well as the many potential pitfalls. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.This course is being offered by a learning partner and will not be accessible on your My CPE page. Access information will be emailed directly to you by CPA Crossings.
Surgent's Artificial Intelligence for Accounting and Finance Professionals
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the accounting and finance profession at an unprecedented pace. What began as automation of repetitive tasks has evolved into systems capable of complex data analysis, natural language processing, and predictive modeling. Modern AI tools — such as generative AI, machine learning, and intelligent automation — are reshaping how professionals audit, forecast, analyze risk, and deliver client insights. This course provides accounting and finance professionals with a comprehensive understanding of how AI is reshaping workflows, client services, and decision-making. Participants will explore current applications of AI within firms and corporate finance, assess risks and governance considerations, and learn strategies for adapting professional roles in an increasingly automated landscape. The program also examines the emerging ethical, regulatory, and data privacy challenges associated with AI adoption.Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: 2Program Level: OverviewThis course is being offered by a learning partner. You may access the Surgent platform through the My CPE page on vscpa.com after purchase.
Surgent's Key Roth IRA and Roth 401(k) Rules for Funding and Tax-free Distributions
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
How much can clients contribute to a Roth IRA, Roth 401(k), Roth SEP IRA, or Roth SIMPLE IRA? When do enhanced (super) catch-up contributions apply, and when must those catch-up contributions be made on a Roth basis? How does a Roth distribution qualify as tax-free? How did SECURE Act 1.0 and SECURE Act 2.0 fundamentally change Roth funding and distribution rules? These are among the core Roth questions advisors must be able to answer with confidence. As Roth accounts continue to play an increasingly central role in retirement savings strategies — and as contribution rules become more layered and complex — Roth proficiency is no longer optional. In addition, new rules governing age-based enhanced catch-up contributions and the Roth mandate for certain higher-income participants have added a new level of coordination between tax planning, payroll, and retirement plan design. In this course, Denise Appleby simplifies the critical rules that govern Roth funding and Roth distributions across Roth IRAs, Roth 401(k)s, and related employer plans. Emphasis is placed on understanding how the rules interact, where advisors commonly make mistakes, and how recent legislative changes affect real-world planning.Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: 2Program Level: BasicThis course is being offered by a learning partner. You may access the Surgent platform through the My CPE page on vscpa.com after purchase.
Surgent's Six Common Barriers to Investment Success
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
Many of us expect to use logic when it comes to how we allocate our investments. The adage of "buy low, sell high" is a saying that makes logical sense. So, why do we always seem to do the opposite? Every day we are faced with decisions, and we are often influenced by two seemingly opposing voices that come from two different parts of our brain. The frontal cortex processes lots of information to help us make logical and informed choices. But there's also a small part of the brain, known as the reflexive brain, that is responsible for emotions and survival instincts. Often, this reflexive brain can have a detrimental effect on the way we handle our investments. This course will discuss some behavioral biases that affect our financial decisions. As humans, we need to be aware of how our reflexive behavior impacts our investment decision-making ability. By uncovering and understanding these biases, we may have a better chance of meeting our long-term financial goals.Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: 2Program Level: BasicThis course is being offered by a learning partner. You may access the Surgent platform through the My CPE page on vscpa.com after purchase.