CPE Catalog & Events
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 Tax Reporting for Executive Compensation
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
This comprehensive course delves into the intricate world of executive compensation, focusing on the taxation and reporting procedures for various types of compensation arrangements. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the key differences between incentive stock options (ISOs) and nonqualified stock options (NQSOs), as well as the tax treatment and reporting requirements for restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights (SARs), phantom stock plans, and employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs). The course will also cover the accurate analysis of tax forms and schedules used for reporting executive compensation, common tax reporting errors to avoid, and strategies for handling extensions, estimated taxes, and increased IRS scrutiny.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 Understanding Corporate Taxation: Tax Credits, Disposing of Shares, and Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $119
Corporate taxation can be complex but understanding it is essential for practitioners who advise business clients. This course provides a focused, practical review of three key areas that frequently arise in corporate tax planning and compliance: corporate tax credits, stock redemptions and dispositions, and the corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT). In this course, we will examine the major corporate tax credits available under current law — including the general business credit and its components, the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, the small employer health insurance credit, and credits related to green energy and clean vehicles. We will also walk through the rules governing stock redemptions under IRC Section 302, including the requirements for substantially disproportionate redemptions, the treatment of redemptions as dividends versus capital transactions, and the federal excise tax on corporate stock buybacks under Section 4501. Finally, we will address the corporate alternative minimum tax and practical planning considerations. Through discussion and easy-to-follow examples, you will leave better equipped to advise corporate clients on these important areas of the tax law.Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: 2Program Level: IntermediateThis course is being offered by a learning partner. You may access the Surgent platform through the My CPE page on vscpa.com after purchase.
Tactical Budgeting – Moving Beyond Traditional Budgets to Manage Performance
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
Traditional budgets often consume significant time while delivering limited operational value. This session reframes budgeting as a tactical management tool rather than a once-a-year accounting exercise. Participants will explore how to redesign the budget process to improve communication, accountability, and decision-making across the organization. The session emphasizes output-based metrics, flexible budgeting approaches, benchmarking, and educating non-financial managers so budgets become a tool for managing performance, not just controlling spending. Delivery Method: Individual webcast CPE Credit: 2Program Level: Intermediate
Take Command of your Time
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
Manage distractions, decrease stress and improve productivity. This training is designed to help business professionals improve their productivity and work performance by learning how to prioritize time, decrease distractions and lower stress. 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.
The Commonsense Approach to Auditing for Fraud
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Online
3.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
As reported by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners 2024 Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse, organizations lose an average of 5% of their revenues to fraud. Yet, the report disclosed that only 3% of all frauds are detected by the external auditor. However, the thing that management depends on the detect fraud is the external audit. To detect fraud an auditor must: Know what fraud looks like; be able to think like a thief; always maintain healthy professional skepticism; be able to recognize the risk of fraud; and build your audit program to look for fraud. Auditing For Fraud addresses each of these areas as well as several others. During this presentation, I will discuss how to distinguish between an error and a fraud; how to recognize the indicators of fraud; develop and refine a hypothec as to how a fraud was committed; who steals (the basic honest person) and why and lastly; how to prove intent. If you cannot prove intent, all you have is a dumb mistake! Chances are that after this presentation, you will never look at an audit the same way you do now. Delivery Method: Individual webcast CPE Credit: 2Program Level: Intermediate
Key Tax Issues Facing Business & Industry
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $149
This course focuses on the key federal tax issues affecting business from the internal accountant's point of view, with a focus on the major ramifications of the TCJA and other recent tax legislation and developments. Planning alternatives and the potential risks associated with those strategies will also be discussed. *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 terri.storer@acpen.com Delivery Method: Individual webcast CPE Credit: 4Program Level: Intermediate
World-Class Cost Accounting: A Practical Application Part 1
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $149
Gain an invaluable skill set to advance your career by learning how to design and apply a comprehensive cost accounting system modeled on a real company. This course shows you how to precisely identify all direct and indirect manufacturing costs for each product, link direct costs to their base drivers, and recognize fluctuating variable and semi-fixed costs that are actually direct in nature. You’ll also learn how to trace certain fixed costs to products, distinguish which fixed costs are directly assignable, and apply budgeting techniques to establish accurate standard costs. It's highly recommended to take Part 1 before Part 2 as several foundational principles in Part 1 carry forward throughout Part 2. Delivery Method: Individual webcast CPE Credit: 4Program Level: Intermediate
2026/27 Annual Update for Accountants & Auditors
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $149
This comprehensive annual update brings together key accounting and auditing developments affecting accountants and auditors across industries. The course combines recent standard-setting activity issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board with major audit and attestation updates from the AICPA, providing a well-rounded view of changes impacting financial reporting and engagement performance. Participants will begin with an overview of recently issued and upcoming Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs), including standards effective for December 31, 2026 year-ends for public companies, private entities, and not-for-profit organizations. The course also highlights issued ASUs with future effective dates and provides high-level insight into recent exposure drafts to support implementation planning. The course then shifts to auditing and attestation developments, including the next phase of quality management with a focus on monitoring and remediation requirements. Participants will also review recent and proposed standards affecting audit, attestation, and consulting engagements, including SSAE No. 24, SSARS No. 26, exposure drafts related to confirmations and fraud, and SAS No. 149 addressing group audits. Designed for preparers, auditors, and firm professionals, this course helps participants understand how recent accounting and auditing changes intersect-and what to watch for as standards and expectations continue to evolve. 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.
IRAs – Contributions & Distributions for Traditional, Roth, SEP & SIMPLE IRAs
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Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $300
This case-driven training is designed to get the inexperienced accountant up to speed quickly in the most common areas of S-corporation taxation. The cornerstone of this course is the preparation of the Form 1120S using a fairly complex trial balance common to most S corporation income tax returns. *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 terri.storer@acpen.com Delivery Method: Individual webcast CPE Credit: 8Program Level: Intermediate
A Practitioner’s Guide to IRAs and Qualified Retirement Plans
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Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $250
Are you ready to expand your practice and offer comprehensive retirement planning services? Look no further! Delve deeper into the realm of IRAs and qualified retirement plans with this comprehensive eight-hour course tailored for financial practitioners. Understanding the intricate tax implications, design options, and strategic considerations of these plans is essential for meeting your clients' diverse retirement needs effectively. By the end of the program, practitioners will emerge equipped to confidently advise clients on a myriad of retirement planning strategies, enhancing their expertise and credibility in the field. Explore the intricacies of different IRAs, ranging from traditional to Roth, and gain valuable insights into SEPs, qualified plans, and contribution plans. Navigate through the complexities of 401(k) plans, including Roth 401(k)s, and master the art of seamlessly navigating minimum distribution rules. Through practical highlights, case studies, and real-world scenarios, this course empowers practitioners to not only select the optimal retirement plans for their clients' unique financial goals but also to provide personalized retirement solutions tailored to individual needs. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your practice and establish yourself as a trusted advisor in retirement planning. Enroll today and embark on a journey towards maximizing your clients' financial future! *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 terri.storer@acpen.com Delivery Method: Individual webcast CPE Credit: 8Program Level: Intermediate
Federal Tax Updates for Individuals
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Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $239
Tax developments have been in the forefront of the news, and tax practitioner can find it challenging to remain up-to-date with these changes. This 8 hour program will cover tax issues relating to individuals, including new court decisions, recent IRS publications, and the latest tax legislation. The remaining time will be spent on IRS procedure and other issues. This course will provide a concise look at the hottest topics affecting every tax practitioner. 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.
Entertainment, Meals & Travel Expenses: Review and Update
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
This program reviews the statutory and regulatory guidance as they relate to fringe benefits. There will be an emphasis on entertainment, meals and business transportation expenses, including qualified employer-provided parking, with a focus on planning opportunities. Recent federal tax legislation, cases and rulings will also be addressed. 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.
Can You Really Do That With AI?
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Online
1.00 Credits
Member Price: $39
Artificial Intelligence has taken the world by storm. In just three short years, AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot have revolutionized how business professionals approach everyday tasks. In this session, you will learn how you can use AI to help you solve specific problems and work more efficiently, effectively, and accurately. Throughout this session, we will focus on real-world scenarios and how AI can help you realize better results in less time. This is a must-see session for all who want to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Delivery Method: Individual webcast CPE Credit: 1Program Level: Basic
The Controllership Series - The Controller's Role in Pro Forma Financial Statements
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Online
1.00 Credits
Member Price: $39
Pro forma statements are used by businesses to make decisions on planning and control, as well as for external reporting to owners, investors, and creditors. For example, giving financial estimates for a given period in a standardized manner is known as “presenting pro forma,” a Latin phrase that means “as a matter of form.” Pro forma statements can be helpful tools for business owners, investors, creditors, or decision-makers to analyze various scenarios of future events based on certain financial assumptions. It might aid in making predictions performance of the company. A pro forma income statement displays a firm’s anticipated sales and revenue. It also highlights anticipated fixed or variable operational expenses and, in the end, displays the potential profits and retained earnings for a future financial quarter. There are various types of pro-forma statements and methods to develop them. The responsibilities/competencies of the Financial Controller position (FC) has changed in recent years. However, the creation of pro forma financial statements is still a core part of their responsibility. Delivery Method: Individual webcast CPE Credit: 1Program Level: Basic
The Risks of Artificial Intelligence - Part 1
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Online
1.60 Credits
Member Price: $79
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries and redefining how organizations operate. While the benefits of AI-efficiency, automation, data-driven insights, and innovation-are significant, the risks are equally profound and demand careful consideration. AI introduces a range of technical risks, such as bias, lack of transparency, data dependency, and vulnerability to manipulation. Ethical risks arise in the form of workforce disruption, diminished accountability, potential misuse, and the erosion of human autonomy. On a broader societal scale, AI threatens to widen inequalities, accelerate disinformation, and erode trust in institutions, while raising concerns of cultural homogenization and disproportionate power concentration among a few entities. Governance challenges further complicate the landscape, as regulation struggles to keep pace with technological advances, and questions emerge about the long-term safety and alignment of advanced AI systems. Leaders and organizations must recognize that AI is not only a technological innovation but also a strategic risk management issue. Responsible adoption requires robust governance, transparent and ethical frameworks, ongoing monitoring, and human oversight. By proactively addressing these risks, organizations can balance innovation with accountability, safeguard trust, and position themselves for sustainable success in an AI-driven future. Note: This is Part 1 in a two-part series on the risks of AI Delivery Method: Individual webcast CPE Credit: 1.6Program Level: Basic
State Tax Nexus: Frequently Awkward Questions
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
Award winning discussion leader Mark Hugh discusses both nexus basics and new developments in the dynamic, ever changing world of state income and sales tax nexus. This valuable course answers your frequently asked questions, reviews key factors in examining potential nexus consequences, takes a tour through the rules in states comprising 50% of the US, and identifies free, online multistate resources. *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
Critical Thinking Skills: Prevent Mistakes Now
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
What were they thinking? Why do some people make horrible decisions that severely damage themselves and their organizations? It is tempting to assume that a poor choice must be due to a leader’s incompetence, inexperience, bad character, or low intelligence – but such easily attributed factors generally aren’t the true cause when leaders blunder. In such situations, many turn to finance and accounting professionals for evaluation, answers, remedies, and solutions for improved decision-making. Delivery Method: Individual webcast CPE Credit: 2Program Level: Intermediate
How to Build a Custom AI Chatbot and GPT in Plain English
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
Participants will learn to create customized AI chatbots that can enhance client interaction and internal operations-all without coding experience. This course provides a concise overview of specialized, task-oriented AI chatbots and GPT builders, focusing on how these technologies are revolutionizing professional workflows. Through hands-on exploration of platforms like AgentGPT, Claude Projects, Gemini Gems, and NotebookLM, participants will learn to design, deploy, and manage custom AI assistants tailored to their specific needs. The course emphasizes creating advanced AI apps that can understand context and solve complex problems autonomously. 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.
PFP Update: Investment Planning in This New Era 26-27
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
How can you solidify an appropriate investment strategy based on risk, help clients stay on top of potentially life-altering situations and help them understand the intricacies of investment planning" Gain a better understanding of investment markets and the effects of world events, assess client risk and matching to expected return, deal with increasing client concerns, and develop better investment solutions in a rapidly changing environment. Attendees will consider the following questions during this course: How should you adjust your investment philosophy based on a world that is not secure" With new market heights attained often and unexpected events occurring regularly, how does one feel comfortable with an investment strategy" Where are investments headed in an economy'to some'on borrowed time" Be sure to register for all of our PFP updates: PFP Update: Income Tax, Retirement, and Estate Planning PFP Update: Issues, Exposures, and Developing Client Strategy PFP Update: Investment Planning in This New EraDelivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: 2Program Level: Intermediate