CPE Catalog
Note
AICPA On-Demand & Self-Study courses take up to 24 hours to process.
Surgent's Social Security and Medicare: Planning for You and Your Clients
-
Online
8.00 Credits
Social Security seems poised for changes in benefits and eligibility age. The leading edge of the baby boomer generation has already reached retirement age. Financial and tax planners can expect increased demand for strategies that dovetail Social Security with other retirement and estate planning objectives. This course provides tax and financial planning professionals with both the background information on the Social Security system and the strategies clients will need in dealing with Social Security, and the myriad other related retirement planning issues.
Surgent's Governing Agentic AI: Cybersecurity, Data, and Risk
-
Online
2.00 Credits
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.
Surgent's Hiring and Firing of Employees - What You Can and Cannot Do
-
Online
2.00 Credits
There are numerous federal laws that restrict what businesses can do in terms of hiring and firing employees. Many of these laws impose significant penalties if employers violate them. Accordingly, it is crucial that all employers and their professional advisors understand these laws and apply them to their employment practices.
Surgent's Starting a Small Business: What Every Trusted Advisor and Entrepreneur Needs To Know
-
Online
2.00 Credits
Starting and owning a small business remains one of the most powerful ways to build long-term wealth, alongside investing and real estate ownership. But today's business environment is fundamentally different than it was even a few years ago. Entrepreneurs must navigate rapid technological change, artificial intelligence, shifting workforce expectations, evolving regulatory frameworks, fluctuating capital markets, and increased federal and state scrutiny in areas such as non-compete agreements, data privacy, and employment law. Every large business begins as a small business, yet the risks and complexities of launching and scaling a company have increased. Owners and their advisors must address critical issues including selecting the proper entity, liability protection, financing, intellectual property protection, employment contracts, noncompete, insurance coverage, operations, and technology adoption. Decisions made at formation can materially affect a company's long-term value and ability to grow and ultimately sell. This course provides a practical, up-to-date overview of the legal, financial, and strategic considerations that business owners and their professional advisors must evaluate in today's environment. Drawing on current research, regulatory developments, and real-world trends, the program focuses on helping entrepreneurs build resilient, compliant, and scalable businesses in a rapidly changing economy.
Surgent's Recent Changes in Workplace Regulations: Overtime, Non-compete Agreements, and Employee/Independent Contractor
-
Online
2.00 Credits
This program covers three topics: the Department of Labor's changes in overtime rules, the Federal Trade Commission's ban on most non-compete agreements, and the Department of Labor's new rules relating to differentiating between employees and independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Any suspensions due to court challenges will be discussed. Understanding these new changes will allow accounting and finance professionals to discuss these important business law changes with their clients.
Surgent's Tax Reporting for Executive Compensation
-
Online
2.00 Credits
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.
Surgent's Advanced Trust Issues: A Roadmap for Success in An Increasingly Complex Area
-
Online
4.00 Credits
Trusts are not cookie-cutter documents. In fact, they can be rather unwieldy, especially in explaining the functions to a client and then having the client comply with the trust terms. This course delves into best practices. Given common scenarios, what are the best trusts to use? And how can the client be best protected?
Surgent's Real Estate Taxation: Critical Considerations
-
Online
4.00 Credits
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.
Surgent's Bankruptcy Basics: Understanding the Reorganization and Liquidation Process in These Uncertain Economic Times
-
Online
2.00 Credits
Consumers and businesses file for bankruptcy to seek protection from creditors and to reorganize or liquidate debts. Bankruptcy filings rise and fall with the economy. Surveys show that loss of income is the leading cause of consumer bankruptcies, followed by medical expenses and foreclosure. Corporate bankruptcies, on the other hand, are often the result of several factors, including excessive debt, decreased demand, increased costs, lawsuits or poor accounting practices. It is no secret bankruptcy filings will see a tremendous uptick in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. As an accountant, CFP, attorney or other professional, you need to be able to discuss the process and different available courses of action with your clients. Both landlords and tenants will be influenced tremendously. Individuals will look to your advice for a discharge and new start. Businesses will do the same and will also need to advise loyal employees. Creditors will receive proofs of claim and look to you for your expertise. Take this course and make sure you can speak fluently to both creditors and debtors. As trusted advisors, then, professionals should have a basic understanding of the bankruptcy process. This course provides a thorough review of the consumer and corporate bankruptcy practice. Participants in this course will gain an understanding of how consumer and corporate bankruptcy proceedings begin and end, as well as learn about key issues that affect debtor and creditor rights during bankruptcy. This course provides information from the perspective of both debtor and creditor. Although bankruptcy concerns the debts of the debtor, the Bankruptcy Code provides substantial protections to creditors. Creditor rights, however, vary widely depending on the status afforded the creditor under the Bankruptcy Code. Do yourself, your clients and your profit margin a favor and sign up for this invaluable program.
Surgent's Ethical Considerations for CPAs
-
Online
2.00 Credits
As accounting firms' non-attest offerings to their attest clients become more diversified, such engagements increase firms' exposure to independence violations. In order to thread the needle of providing value-added services and upholding their independence obligations, firms need to have a strong foundational understanding of the applicable ethical and independence rules which govern these engagements. In this course, we'll review the relevant sections of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct regarding independence, objectivity, and conflicts of interest. The course will focus on the Code's Independence Rule and common threats to auditor's independence. In particular, the course will focus on those unique considerations related to non-attest services, both from the perspective of AICPA interpretations and other applicable rules and regulations. PLEASE NOTE: THIS COURSE COVERS GENERAL ETHICS AND IS APPLICABLE IN STATES IN WHICH STATE-SPECIFIC ETHICS IS NOT REQUIRED.
Surgent's Making Sense of Essential OBBBA Provisions
-
Online
2.00 Credits
When clients ask questions about the impact of new tax legislation embodied in OBBBA, it is important that accounting and finance practitioners can reply with accurate and relevant planning strategies. This program prepares accounting and finance practitioners with the knowledge and insights to help their clients apply the new law to their advantage. This program is an introduction and review of some of these critical changes and their impact on individual and business taxpayers. By taking this program, accounting and finance practitioners will have a broader, deeper understanding of many of the OBBBA changes that impact their clients. This course is a two-hour review and analysis of what we consider some of the most important changes from the OBBBA impacting clients and perhaps their businesses.
Surgent's Essential Depreciation and Expensing Update
-
Online
4.00 Credits
This course offers a comprehensive analysis of the evolving rules surrounding depreciation, amortization, and property transactions, incorporating the latest inflation adjustments and technical corrections. It offers practical guidance through real-world examples and case studies to clarify complex rules and help professionals stay compliant and informed amid ongoing change.
Surgent's Perplexing Financial and Economic Issues for the CFO/Controller
-
Online
8.00 Credits
For CFOs and Controllers, the emergence of regulatory, fiscal, and monetary policy directly impacting their organizations' costs, competitiveness, and financing options, are causing them to understand the effect of shocks well outside of their control. The Dodd-Frank Act, health care reform, shortfalls in Social Security, unfunded pension liabilities, and deficit spending will all be explored relative to their impact on the CFO/Controller and your organization.
The Best Federal Tax Update Course by Surgent
-
Online
8.00 Credits
In this continually revised course, tax advisors will be fully updated on the most recent enacted legislation and IRS guidance, as well as major trends on the horizon with a view toward planning considerations. This update course is designed for all practitioners, both those working in public accounting as well as those in private industry, who need the latest information on tax changes. Please Note: Due to content overlap, it is recommended that this course NOT be taken together with BITU.
Surgent's Communicating Financial Results to Stakeholders: A Guide for Client Advisory Services
-
Online
2.00 Credits
One of the most difficult things for any Client Advisory Services (CAS) professional to learn is how to communicate financial information to non-financial people. To be successful, it's crucial to master this skill, as we frequently explain accounting jargon to those unfamiliar with the field. In this course, we will explore how to properly communicate with stakeholders, including investors, clients, boards of directors, and even other departments. We will explore biases that people have when viewing financial information and even how to make sure we keep our message on point. If you are looking to move up in the financial services world, this course is a must for you.
Surgent's Engaging and Managing Young Professionals
-
Online
2.00 Credits
Younger professionals comprise a significant part of the accounting and finance workforce. Whether you are an owner of a small accounting practice or a manager in a multinational accounting firm, it is important to understand the characteristics and expectations of this large segment of the workforce. Research reveals that many of the common stereotypes surrounding young professionals are unfounded and counterproductive. This course provides an understanding of who young professionals are in comparison to their predecessors, the Gen-Xers and baby boomers. Equally important, the presentation will look at common myths regarding young professionals and why understanding this class of employees provides opportunities for your organization to grow and succeed.
Surgent's Section 529 Plans: A Comprehensive Guide
-
Online
2.00 Credits
This course provides a thorough examination of qualified tuition programs (Section 529 plans), focusing on their tax treatment, planning applications, and recent legislative changes. Participants will learn how 529 plans operate, what qualifies as education expenses, and how contributions, distributions, and beneficiary changes are treated under federal law. The course explores practical planning strategies, including 529-to-Roth IRA rollovers, multigenerational "dynasty" 529 planning, grandparent-owned account considerations, and interplay with financial aid. It also addresses state-level variations, compliance issues, and common pitfalls. Using real-world scenarios, the course evaluates when 529 plans are advantageous, the limitations families may encounter, and alternative approaches to education and long-term savings. Participants will gain a clear understanding of tax benefits, penalties, strategic funding approaches, and planning opportunities for high-net-worth families as well as typical households.
Surgent's Critical Issues Involving Taxation of Construction Contractors
-
Online
4.00 Credits
Many consider taxation of construction contractors to be the most complex area of the Internal Revenue Code. This industry is subject to many elections and considerations to reduce or defer amounts owed. In this course, we will highlight these areas and discuss potential opportunities for practitioners and their clients. We will also discuss the impact of recent legislation on construction taxation, including changes to net operating losses and the AMT rules. This is a critical presentation tailored for CPAs who work for or represent construction contractors.
Mock CPA Exam - Virtual
-
St Louis
0.00 Credits
For many candidates taking the CPA exam can be one of the biggest obstacles when transitioning into the profession. Often candidates are not sure if they have studied enough or focused on the relevant areas for each section. In order to help, Surgent has offered MOCPA student members and CPA exam candidates a means to best prepare and study for the exam. MOCPA is pleased to offer a FREE CPA exam simulation of the exam section of your choice. Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience the CPA exam and to receive your test results onsite. Questions are laid out according to the Uniform CPA Examination Blueprints. Click here for the most current version. Surgent CPA Review has offered to assist and guide CPA candidates through a 4-hour session where they will be immersed in an exam taking environment and walk away with insight on areas of focus for when you take the real thing! The goal is to simulate the environment and format of taking the CPA Exam, using actual m/c questions and simulations. Students who register will be able to select the exam portion of their choice and receive feedback. At the conclusion of the Mock Exam, candidates will receive their Exam ReadySCORE along with a diagnostic report showing areas of strength and weakness which are aligned with the CPA Exam Blueprint. Time: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Live simulation will begin at 12 p.m. and conclude at 4 p.m.Advance registration and selection of the exam section of your choice is required. The email address that you use to register for this event will be used by Surgent to set up simulation. This will expedite the start of the simulation and provide you proper access. For any questions, please contact Liz Schaetzel at (314) 392-5834 or lschaetzel@mocpa.org.
Surgent’s Weekly Expert Hour
-
Online
1.00 Credits
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.