CPE + Events Catalog
Retirement Distributions: Planning Options 25-26
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Online
8.0 Credits
Member Price: $329
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Retirement accounts may be the largest financial asset your client has. Learn to provide valuable retirement planning input rather than mere RMD calculations. Congress has been changing things: witness Secure and Secure 2.0. Beneficiary rules changed in 2019 but final regulations are not effective until 2025. Retirement benefits will be paid to beneficiaries much earlier than was required for pre-2020 deaths. Improper choices and faulty distribution calculations can result in penalties or unnecessary taxes. Retirement plans may be overhauled based on recent legislative changes and IRS interpretations; this effects self-employeds and employees. Course materials contain regulations governing plan distributions and copies of appropriate IRS forms and rulings, updated with the latest cases, rulings, regulations and legislation.
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Surgent's Annual Accounting and Auditing Update
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Online
8.0 Credits
Member Price: $299
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Designed as an all-you-need-to-know update for accounting, auditing, and attestation practitioners at all levels in public accounting and industry, this course provides a comprehensive review of recent standard-setting and rulemaking activities of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). On the financial accounting front, we will cover the FASB's Post-Implementation Review (PIR) report for revenue recognition under ASC 606 and discuss the best practices in applying the standard and identifying any ongoing issues practitioners are experiencing with applying the standard. We will also discuss the more than a dozen ASUs the FASB has issued since the beginning of 2023 and into 2025 covering crypto assets, disaggregated expenses, business combinations, and leases for entities under common control. Our focus on AICPA standards includes a detailed discussion of revamped AICPA quality management standards. The AICPA updated and modernized the standards by issuing Statement on Quality Management Standards 1, 2, and 3 (SQMS 1, SQMS 2, and SQMS 3, respectively), SSARS No. 26, and SAS 146, Quality Management for an Engagement Conducted in Accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (SAS 146). These standards, effective December 15, 2025, modernize quality management standards to reflect an increased focus on risk assessment, technology use, and the presence of outside experts on engagements. We will also cover new rules impacting public company audits and present case studies on recent fraudulent accounting stories and best practices for detecting and preventing such frauds. In summary, the course is your go-to source for all things A&A and will prepare you for your upcoming engagements throughout the rest of the year.
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Surgent's Key Current Financial and Economic Issues Facing the Financial Executive [NT]
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Online
8.0 Credits
Member Price: $279
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The course explores the challenges of the current economic trends and analyzes their impact on you as the financial executive in areas of human resource management; credit markets and banking; risk management and pandemic style disruptions; cash flow planning strategies; debt and equity mix impacts in uncertain markets; globalization of the market in times of uncertainty; retirement planning and social security funding; and acquiring distressed companies and assets. Specific recommendations and insights will be offered to you to deal with the challenges.
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Walter Haig's Personal Financial Health Checkup
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Online
8.0 Credits
Member Price: $239
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This course has significantly changed for the better the lives of a significant number of practitioners and their clients. Participants will learn a step-by-step process for performing an annual personal financial health checkup for themselves, family members, employers, and, if in the practice of accounting, their clients. This course is loaded with practical aids to enable CPAs to help individuals get a "great" financial health checkup result! This course will enable practitioners to add a huge value to their tax preparation services. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
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About the TIGTA: Who Watches the IRS? (2 hours)
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Online
2.0 Credits
Member Price: $89
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This course will provide an overview of the work and impact of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) on the US tax system, regulatory ethics, and accounting profession. TIGTA is an independent organization that provides oversight of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and conducts audits, investigations, and inspections and evaluations to promote integrity, economy, and efficiency in the administration of the nation's tax system. The course will explore the role of TIGTA in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the IRS, identifying opportunities to improve the administration of tax laws, and upholding ethical standards in the accounting profession. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
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Maximizing Fringe Benefits: Strategies for Business and Personal Needs for Today and Beyond
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Online
8.0 Credits
Member Price: $245
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As tax policies and economic conditions continue to evolve, staying ahead in fringe benefit planning is more essential than ever. This course provides financial professionals with a comprehensive update on fringe benefit strategies, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations while maximizing tax efficiency for businesses and individuals. Participants will explore the latest legislative and regulatory updates impacting employer-sponsored benefits, IRC §132 fringe benefits, cafeteria plans, and retirement healthcare strategies. This course also examines ERISA reporting requirements, tax-efficient compensation planning, and healthcare benefits, offering practical applications to help practitioners navigate compliance and optimize benefits for their clients. *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
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Next Steps Series – Development: Moving From Employee to Manager to Leader (1 hour) [NT]
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Online
1.0 Credits
Member Price: $75
First-time supervisors face unique challenges as they transition to management. They must supervise work with which they may be unfamiliar, and supervise employees with whom they had previously been co-workers or employees with greater seniority. They must understand the extent of responsibility and decision-making authority they have, finding ways to communicate expectations to their employees and making possibly unpopular decisions. Excellence in technical or financial skills does not automatically translate to excellence in leading and supervising others. This course will give new supervisors, managers, and leaders the skills and understanding needed to successfully navigate the transition.
Introduction to Not-for-Profit Accounting (2 hours)
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Online
2.0 Credits
Member Price: $79
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Not-for-profit organizations encounter distinct accounting complexities. This course provides an introduction to the financial statements and specialized accounting principles relevant to nonprofits. Attendees will explore key topics such as net assets, agency transactions, contributions, and endowments, focusing on the unique transactions and account balances that define not-for-profit accounting.
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Become a Data Analysis Expert (2 hours) [NT]
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Online
2.0 Credits
Member Price: $89
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In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, accounting professionals are expected to be more than just number crunchers, they are expected to be insightful interpreters of data. In an era where data is king, this course is your gateway to becoming a savvy data analyst, giving you a competitive edge in your field. We will guide you through the intricacies of making complex data analysis approachable and engaging. You will learn the all important Data Analysis Process Flow that will take you from collecting data all the way to making insightful decisions based upon your data. We will explore the basics of data modeling that will allow you to access data from multiple sources and use sophisticated calculations to create our data metrics. You will learn how to create interactive dashboards, perform sophisticated reporting, and uncover deep insights from your data. Whether you're looking to streamline your reporting process, enhance your data visualization skills, or make more data-driven decisions, this course is tailored to meet those needs. It's not just about learning a tool; it's about enhancing your professional identity as a forward-thinking accounting professional. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
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Surgent's Taking Advantage of Like-Kind Exchanges (2 hours)
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Online
2.0 Credits
Member Price: $99
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When real property is sold for a gain, we always try to find ways to defer recognizing income so that it won't be necessary to send a check to Uncle Sam. There is a provision within the Internal Revenue Code that allows the taxpayer to defer recognition of immediate taxable gain in the year of sale known as a "like-kind exchange." Knowing how and when to utilize this provision makes the Accounting and Finance Professionals very valuable to either their client or the entity they work for. We will also discuss recent proposals that could impact the future of this provision.
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Surgent's Working Remotely: Best Practices, Challenges, and Opportunities (2 hours) [NT]
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Online
2.0 Credits
Member Price: $99
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Working from home presents both benefits and challenges for professionals. For employees, working from home provides opportunities to be more productive and gain time that would otherwise be spent commuting to and from the office. Employers who utilize remote work enjoy fewer fixed costs, more efficiency, and greater employee satisfaction. Without proper planning, professionals who work remotely may experience increased anxiety and disorganization. They may also jeopardize data privacy. However, when executed properly, working remotely can help organizations become more efficient and profitable, while at the same time improving employee morale. This course looks at how firms and companies have successfully implemented work from home programs and discusses mistakes that can be avoided through proper planning.
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The Power of a Good Story! (4 hours) [NT]
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Online
4.0 Credits
Member Price: $129
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Achieving Balance in Work and Life - Part 1 (4 hours) [NT]
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Online
4.0 Credits
Member Price: $129
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Due to the constant stress of a fast paced life, overwork, and family demands, it’s easy to feel one’s life is out of balance. When this happens, all areas of your life can suffer. By learning key methods for setting priorities and goals, overcoming stress, and deciding what’s most important to you, you can achieve new levels of balance and greater results. Having more balance in your life will allow you to do less of what you don’t want and more of what is truly important to you.
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The Competent Accountant - Mastering the Role of the Controller/ CFO (4 hours) [NT]
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Online
4.0 Credits
Member Price: $129
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How do you raise your skills to the next level to master the Controller or CFO role? Welcome to a course that provides insights that align the CGMA Competency Framework. The course will examine each of the areas: Technical, Business, Leadership and People to increase your competency. How are your technical skills? Are you a traditional accountant or have you learned to expand your technical skills to go beyond “what are the financial numbers?” to “why did these financial results occur?” Are you able to use ratios to understand the business dynamics and the implications to change course or take corrective action? Are the systems that you implement and operate best practices or merely stop-gap solutions? How are your business skills? Can you set a vision? Can you develop a strategy? Do you understand the macroeconomic environment of your organization? Can you lead a major project to a successful conclusion? This session will explore the role of business as opposed to tracking the results of the business. How are your people skills? How good is your ability to influence others? How are successful are your negotiation skills? How well can you communicate? Are you a collaborator or a partner? This section will help accountants understand that it is people skills that drive the overall success of the accounting operations. Finally, how are your Leadership skills? Do you inspire staff or make them angry? Do you know why your staff work for your company and you? Do you understand what employees want from their position? Do you know how to deal with a difficult staff person? Can you lead difficult change? This session will help you recognize what leadership truly is as opposed to what passes for day to day management.
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New Mergers & Acquisitions: Tricks, Traps, & Terrors (4.2 hours) [NT]
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Online
4.2 Credits
Member Price: $129
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Welcome to a course that makes the process of M&A easy to understand and easy to implement within your organization or your clients' organization. The course will provide an intensive overview of the M&A process. Focus will be on practical techniques to guide you through the M&A jungle and avoid the traps that have befallen many organizations.
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Build a Data Model for Analysis in Power BI (4 hours) [NT]
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Online
4.0 Credits
Member Price: $149
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This intensive 4-hour course offers a deep dive into data modeling in Power BI, with a focus on Microsoft Excel's Power Pivot but applicable to Power BI Desktop. Designed for professionals looking to enhance their data analysis skills, the course covers the essential aspects of building robust, efficient data models. Participants will learn how to integrate different data sources, create meaningful relationships, and develop insightful metrics to drive business decisions. Participants will explore various aspects of data modeling such as establishing relationships, creating calculated columns, and understanding the intricacies of basic DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) measures. These skills are vital for anyone looking to extract meaningful insights from large and complex datasets. Attendees will be introduced to advanced concepts such as the strategic use of calculated columns versus measures, and the differentiation between explicit and implicit measures. This knowledge is crucial for developing sophisticated data models that not only provide accurate results but are also efficient in terms of performance. The course will also cover the creation and use of hierarchies and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), essential for any robust data analysis framework. To ensure that the learning is well-rounded and applicable, the course includes practical exercises in using pivot tables within Power BI. This helps in validating and enhancing the measures and models created, ensuring they are robust and reliable for real-world application. "Build a Data Model for Analysis in Power BI" is an essential course for professionals aiming to leverage the full potential of Power BI 's data model. Whether you're looking to streamline your data analysis process, enhance your reporting capabilities, or drive insightful business decisions, this course will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
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Surgent's Audit Skills Training Level 2: Preparing for Increasing Responsibilities in Public Accounting
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Online
8.0 Credits
Member Price: $279
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As you rapidly gain experience in the auditing profession, the responsibilities of the staff accountant grow exponentially. Progressing from the base-line audit skills covered in Level 1 training that allow a new auditor to perform their roles, Level 2 training covers those skills that are required for experienced staff accountants who need to audit more complex and subjective areas, such as accounts receivable and investments, and to plan and appropriately perform sampling and analytical procedures. Redesigned to provide the relevant content to staff accountants when they need it, the Level 2 reviews the underlying accounting concepts of these often-complex areas and, through examples and exercises, discusses the relevant audit procedures required by professional standards. The course is designed to allow the staff auditor to capitalize on their prior experiences and apply them in new areas, as they continue their career advancement. IMPORTANT NOTE: This course takes place over two consecutive days. Registration for both days is required.
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Fraud & Embezzlement: Case Studies from the Trenches (2 hours)
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Online
2.0 Credits
Member Price: $89
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Governmental entities are the second largest victims of embezzlement. This seminar examines recent events involving theft of public money and circumstances that allowed the fraud to occur. Case studies we examine include the 2012 $54 million embezzlement from the City of Dixon by Rita Crundwell. The events that impacted the small Illinois town of 16,000 residents was the largest governmental fraud case to date, and spanned an astonishing 20 years. This remarkable story inspired an award-winning documentary, "All the Queen's Horses." We will also examine factors that led to scandals involving the Baptist Foundation of Arizona, World Com, Collin Street Bakery and the Ohio American Cancer Society, among others. This course is ideal for CPAs, government finance personnel, all Internal Auditors, lawyers, governance professionals, accountants and human resource personnel. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
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Fringe Benefits & Compensation Planning - Today and Beyond
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Online
8.0 Credits
Member Price: $225
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In today's dynamic economic landscape, staying ahead with effective fringe benefit planning is more critical than ever for both businesses and individual clients. With evolving tax laws and shifting market dynamics, understanding the intricacies of fringe benefit planning is essential to ensure financial well-being and compliance. This course offers a comprehensive overview of essential tools and techniques tailored for financial professionals, allowing them to navigate the complexities of fringe benefit planning with confidence and precision. By attending this course, practitioners will gain invaluable insights into various planning tools and techniques essential for meeting fringe benefit planning objectives. From mastering the subtleties of employee benefit planning, including ERISA reporting and disclosure requirements, to unraveling the complexities of IRC §132 fringe benefit options, attendees will enhance their expertise to deliver superior advisory services. The curriculum also delves into the practical aspects of cafeteria plans, flexible spending accounts, group term life insurance plans, and strategies for financing retiree medical benefits, among others. With a focus on practical application and real-world scenarios, this course equips participants to tackle fringe benefit planning challenges head-on, providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to optimize benefits for both business and personal needs, now and in the 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 kori.herrera@acpen.com.
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Fraud Risk Management (2 hours)
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Online
2.0 Credits
Member Price: $79
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The ACFE/COSO Fraud Risk Management Guide (FRMG) was published in 2016 (and updated in 2023). It has quickly gained acceptance as the set of best practices for preventing, detecting, and thus deterring fraud. The fraud landscape is constantly changing and evolving. The FRMG sets out a rigorous set of principles and leading practices for managing fraud risk for forward-thinking organizations to follow. It covers: How to establish fraud risk management governance. How to conduct rigorous fraud risk assessments. How to design and implement fraud control activities. How to establish reporting mechanisms and investigative procedures. How to monitor the overall fraud risk management program. Fraud risk can be managed. All anti-fraud and accountability professionals will benefit from this session's focus on effective fraud risk management.
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