Professional Development and Event Catalog
Surgent's Adapting to OBBBA Changes: A Strategic Review
Monday, Dec. 28 9:00am - 11:00am
Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $119
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Accounting and finance practitioners are continually asked for strategic planning advice. In this course, we will cover topics that will make clients, and their advisors, tax smart and tax prepared for the coming year and beyond. This program is a two-hour review and analysis of what we consider some of the most important changes from the OBBBA impacting both individual and business clients.
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Surgent's Tax Research
Monday, Dec. 28 9:00am - 11:00am
Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
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Answering clients' tax questions accurately and on time is a key challenge for tax practitioners. Through simple, plain language explanations and examples, this course will help practitioners perform tax research more efficiently by describing the structure of the primary sources, highlighting the differences between primary and secondary sources, and detailing the steps in the tax research process.
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The Bookkeeper Goes to Prison
Monday, Dec. 28 9:00am - 11:00am
Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
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This course profiles Brenda, a financial executive from the state of Washington. Despite earning her college degree, Brenda did not find employment in her area of study. Instead, she landed a series of dead-end jobs. Business reversals frequently led to the loss of employment. When a company that she knew to be unethical offered her an executive position that included bookkeeping tasks, including overseeing all finances, she accepted. While on the job, Brenda saw owners of the company misappropriating funds. Rather than reporting the fraud, she created an elaborate scheme to benefit herself - without the owner's knowledge. Her bad decisions led to a guilty plea for wire fraud, after authorities accused her of absconding with more than $600,000 in corporate funds. A prison term of 20 months followed. Listen and learn from Brenda's experience. 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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2024 Revision to Government Auditing Standards Impact
Monday, Dec. 28 9:00am - 1:00pm
Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $149
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This course will provide an update of Government Auditing Standards as a result of the GAO's issuance of the 2024 Revision to Government Auditing Standards. The course will focus on the Revisions impact on financial statement audits. The course will also focus on the impact of Quality Management Standards as well as clarify as to when the concept of reporting key audit matters might apply for financial audits. 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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2026/27 Annual Update for Accountants and Auditors
Monday, Dec. 28 9:00am - 1:00pm
Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $149
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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.
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Interpreting the FASB Revenue Recognition Standard: What All CPAs Need to Know
Monday, Dec. 28 9:00am - 1:00pm
Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $139
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Mastering revenue recognition It's crucial to know the key principles of revenue recognition to recognize revenue effectively. You'll gain an understanding of these key principles by exploring the five-step revenue recognition process. You'll learn more about: Identifying a customer contract Determining performance obligations Establishing a transaction price Allocating the transaction price Recognizing revenue Fulfilling performance obligations Enhancing financial acumen through practical management strategies and real-world examples can significantly improve your organization's ability to excel in revenue recognition practices. You'll cover several aspects of performance obligations, including: Identifying distinct goods and services Implications of promised goods Complexities associated with shipping and handling activities
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Reviewing Partnership Tax Returns: What Are You Missing?
Monday, Dec. 28 9:00am - 1:00pm
Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $139
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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.
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Building Security and Efficiency with Internal Control
Monday, Dec. 28 9:00am - 5:00pm
Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $239
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A well-designed internal controls system can and will drive all entity objectives. Too many times control creators focus too much on security. It is important to properly balance protection-based measures with those designed to enhance efficiency. This session works to illustrate the power of a strong and well supported control system. It also discusses steps to take in order to establish such a system. This material is becoming more and more beneficial as companies strive to address many new business challenges such as evolving markets, the rapid rate of change in the business world and the notable increase in governmental and industry-based regulation. Those that desire a balanced and workplace enhancing control system should strongly consider this session. 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 Preparing Not-for-Profit Financial Statements
Monday, Dec. 28 9:00am - 5:00pm
Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $279
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Accurate and effective financial reporting is essential for every not-for-profit organization, and it requires a solid understanding of today's reporting requirements. This course equips professionals with the knowledge and tools to confidently navigate not-for-profit accounting standards. You'll learn how requirements are applied in financial statements, explore available reporting options, and gain clarity on key areas such as net assets, contributions, and functional expense reporting. Through a highly illustrative format and over 30 targeted exercises, this course provides a practical, hands-on approach to building expertise in not-for-profit accounting and reporting.
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Surgent's The Complete Guide to Payroll Taxes and 1099 Issues
Monday, Dec. 28 9:00am - 5:00pm
Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $279
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Employment taxes are often overlooked as an area where more planning may be effective. Payroll taxes have become an increasing burden for the average business, and IRS penalties for noncompliance have risen dramatically in recent years. The Service has announced that uncovering noncompliance by employers ranks high on its audit list. This course presents a comprehensive overview of federal payroll taxes, Form 1099, and related compliance issues.
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Claude Cowork in Practice: Advanced Workflow for Accountants
Monday, Dec. 28 9:30am - 11:30am
Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
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This course provides a concise overview of advanced, real-world applications of Claude Cowork, focusing on how accountants can operationalize agentic AI within complex financial workflows. Moving beyond foundational concepts, this session explores how AI plugins, structured workflows, and integrated data environments elevate Cowork from a capable assistant into a specialized accounting partner. Participants will examine high-impact use cases such as variance analysis, invoice automation, and board-level reporting, while learning how to embed domain intelligence through the Finance Plugin and firm-specific customization. A central theme of the course is the application of the Sparring Partner Protocol, enabling accountants to rigorously validate, challenge, and enhance AI-generated outputs. The session emphasizes that while AI can execute 70-80% of the work, professional judgment, verification, and strategic interpretation remain essential. 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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The 10 Must Know Excel Features
Monday, Dec. 28 9:30am - 11:30am
Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
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Transform your Excel skills with our comprehensive training program, designed for users at all levels seeking to master the full suite of Excel capabilities. From powerful data analysis tools like PivotTables and advanced functions such as XLOOKUP, to the nuances of Data Validations and Conditional Formatting, this course offers a deep dive into Excel's most impactful features. Whether you're streamlining complex data sets, enhancing your reporting skills, or just looking to boost your productivity, this session provides the insights and techniques you need to leverage Excel to its fullest potential, making it an indispensable tool in your professional or personal toolkit. 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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Deep Dive Into Common Auditing Deficiencies
Monday, Dec. 28 9:30am - 1:30pm
Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $149
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This course will review common deficiencies identified by the AICPA and state boards of accountancy. It features discussion on a variety of topics, including analytical procedures, sampling, group audits and risk assessment. We will review the areas of concern and how you can overcome them by employing best practices. 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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Introduction to Governmental Accounting 103
Monday, Dec. 28 10:00am - 12:00pm
Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
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Intro to Governmental Accounting 103 is the natural follow up course to the first two Intro to Governmental Accounting courses, 101 and 102, and will take a dive into more complex issues surrounding the reporting of capital assets and long-term debt, investment accounting, and a little introduction to grant accounting and reporting.
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Surgent's Starting a Small Business: What Every Trusted Advisor and Entrepreneur Needs To Know
Monday, Dec. 28 10:00am - 12:00pm
Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
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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.
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Surgent's Top Individual Tax Planning Strategies
Monday, Dec. 28 10:00am - 12:00pm
Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
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Individual tax planning strategies for 2026 and beyond will take their cue from the many tax advantageous tax law changes enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Many of the OBBBA changes are very favorable to individual taxpayers. Taxpayers and their clients now have the opportunity to utilize these new planning strategies. Tax practitioners must know about these new changes and the planning strategies associated with them to maximize the advantages to their clients. This program will cover tax changes from 2025 that impact individuals and provide individuals with significant tax reduction opportunities for 2026.
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Year-End Tax Planning: Thinking Outside the Box
Monday, Dec. 28 10:00am - 1:39pm
Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $149
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Tax planning is more than an estimated tax calculation, it's a process. Where are we now and what can we change? This timely program will highlight significant 2022-23 tax developments and discuss key tax planning ideas for your clients as you prepare for the upcoming tax season. Don’t wait until late December to start planning for your 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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S Corporation Preparation, Basis Calculations & Distributions – Form 1120S Schedule K & K-1 Analysis
Monday, Dec. 28 10:00am - 5:37pm
Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $300
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This comprehensive training is designed to get the accountant up to speed quickly with S corporation formation and preparation issues as well as a complete understanding of calculating a shareholder’s stock and debt basis. The cornerstone of this course is the in-depth line-by-line analysis of the Form 1120S Schedule K and K-1 and how these items affect the shareholder’s Federal individual income tax return. *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
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ACPEN Signature 2026: Single Audit and Uniform Guidance Issues Update
Monday, Dec. 28 10:00am - 6:00pm
Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $250
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If you thought applying one set of audit standards is tough enough, how about applying three different sets of audit standards in one “single” audit? That’s exactly what happens when the auditor applies GAAS, the Yellow Book and the OMB requirements in a Single Audit. This session will start with a single audit “nuts and bolts” overview before delving into unique aspects and audit issues of the “soon to be closed out” era of pandemic-related funding, and of course update any recent changes to the funding programs and compliance supplement issues. Recent changes now effective to the Single Audit and Uniform Guidance rules will also be covered. Join our expert panel of federal, state and local auditors and practitioners to learn what you need to know if you are performing audits under these audit standards and the Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards.
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ACPEN Signature 2026: Small Business Recurring Tax Nightmares!
Monday, Dec. 28 10:00am - 6:00pm
Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $250
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There are some areas of the tax law that seem to always create nightmares. Often, they spawn an expensive controversy. It’s been over 10 years since the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (the BBA), which significantly changed the rules and procedures governing federal income tax audits of partnerships. Practitioners still struggle with the complexity and the various available elections. And, there are traps for the unwary. Whether it’s misclassifying a worker or failing to file a report for a foreign bank account, errors can be costly. Our panel for this ACPEN Signature course will tackle some of the most contentious areas of tax practice. *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