Professional Development and Event Catalog

This course explores the practical issues in the many instances in which a step-up in basis can create tax advantages for partners and members. This course includes case studies to illustrate the critical points.

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?

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Many small- and mid-size entities hold fewer complex investments including alternative investments. This module will provide an overview for evaluating the proper recognition, measurement, and disclosure of common investment types as well as how to audit them. Derivatives and other more complex investments will be discussed in another module. (Please Note: This module is part of Surgent's Audit Skills Training: Level 2.)

The IRS defines the "gig economy" as people earning income providing on-demand work, services, or goods on either a part-time or full-time basis. The economic times we live in are changing and tax practitioners must learn how the rules apply in this new gig economy. The tax rules that apply to gig workers challenge traditional ideas of who is an employee and who is an independent contractor, and tax practitioners must have the knowledge to make this determination. This program addresses federal and state tax issues tax practitioners must address with clients and their own workers.

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This course is designed to provide a deep understanding of NQDC plans, focusing on the regulations, tax nuances, and strategies to understand to effectively advise clients. Participants will learn about the key features of NQDC plans, their differences from qualified retirement plans, and the compliance requirements under IRC Section 409A and other relevant regulations. The course will cover the taxation of NQDC plans, including income recognition, FICA, and federal/state taxes, for both employers and employees. Attendees will explore various types of NQDC plans and discuss their unique features and benefits. The course will also delve into financing and funding options for NQDC plans and provide guidance on developing and implementing effective planning strategies based on participant demographics, company objectives, and tax efficiency. By the end of the course, participants will have the knowledge and tools to properly advise clients on NQDC plans to maximize benefits while ensuring compliance with regulations.

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Designed for accounting and auditing practitioners at all levels in both public accounting and business and industry, this course provides an overview of recently issued AICPA auditing and attest standards that will be effective for December 31, 2022 audits and beyond. Next, the course will review ethics interpretations recently issued by the Professional Ethics Executive Committee.

The past two years have ushered in an explosion of ransomware attacks affecting businesses and individuals. Many of us read or hear about these attacks, but there is little understanding of how they occur, how a response is undertaken, and how the chances of experiencing one can be reduced. Join us to learn about these topics so you can be prepared with the best response and the knowledge to avoid common mistakes in a ransomware event.

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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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Designed for accounting and attestation practitioners at all levels in both public accounting and business and industry, this course provides a comprehensive review of recent standard-setting activities of the FASB and AICPA. In addition to providing a detailed review of SAS No. 145, this course will bring you up to date on FASB and AICPA standards issued over the past few years, including the 16 SASs effective since 2021 and beyond. The course also provides many hands-on examples and illustrations to help you apply the guidance in practice. On the financial front, the course covers the 9 ASUs issued in 2023, including ASUs covering crypto assets and leases for common control entities. In addition to a financial accounting update, the course will discuss what you will need to do differently as you adopt new audit standards 142-149 over the next few years, including a detailed review of the audit requirements under SAS 142. The course will also cover the key changes related to SSARS No. 25. Finally, the course reviews the AICPA's quality management project. 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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Designed for accounting and auditing practitioners at all levels in both public accounting and business and industry, this course provides an overview of accounting matters including private company standard setting activities; a review of ASU No. 2016-02, the lease accounting standard; ASC 606 topics; and a review of ASC 326 on credit losses.

Designed for accounting, audit, and attestation practitioners at all levels in both public accounting and business and industry, this course provides an overview of the recent pronouncements and guidance issued by the AICPA related to audit and attest standards, including a discussion of SAS 142, effective for 2022 audits, and SASs 143-145, effective for 2023 audits. The course also covers recent activity by the AICPA's Professional Ethics Executive Committee related to the AICPA's Code of Professional Conduct, as well as proposed updates to the AICPA's quality management standards. Lastly, the course will provide an update on the status of the AICPA's enhancing engagement quality initiatives. The course is a one-stop shop to get you up to speed on recently issued AICPA guidance.

This course provides a detailed discussion on the key topics related to financial reporting, though in a summarized format. The course will focus on recent ASUs issued by the FASB with a concentration on issues of greatest significance to most accounting practitioners, including recently released 2024 ASUs. Specifically, the course will review recently issued FASB standards on leases and provide an update on ASC 842 and ASC 326 post-implementation items and other hot button accounting issues, such as what is on the FASB's technical agenda. This course is the place to go for a succinct but thorough update on the big topics impacting financial accounting and reporting.

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This course provides a detailed discussion on the key topics related to financial reporting, though in a summarized format. The course will focus on recent ASUs issued by the FASB with a concentration on issues of greatest significance to most accounting practitioners. Specifically, the course will review recently issued FASB standards on leases and provide an update on the status of ASC 842 implementation and other hot button accounting issues, such as what is on the FASB's technical agenda. This course is the place to go for a succinct but thorough update on the big topics impacting financial accounting and reporting.

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This course will provide a general understanding of the new reporting and disclosure requirements for employee benefit plans under the now effective SAS 136, the AICPA's new employee benefit plan auditing standard. Participants will be provided with an insight into the common errors and mistakes made by auditors and plan administrators, as well as the new requirements of both groups under the new SAS. The course will discuss the results from the Department of Labor's ("DOL") Criminal Enforcement initiative and audit quality study, and focus on the causes of the recent increase in the number of deficient engagements identified by the peer review process. This course will provide auditors and plan administrators with up-to-date information regarding defined contribution plans auditing, reporting and disclosure requirements, including those related to the new ERISA Section 103(A)(3)(c) audits under SAS 136.

With the effective date of ASC 842, Leases, imminent, it's time to get tactical with your implementation plan. In this webinar, Ane Ohm, the co-founder and CEO of leading lease accounting software provider LeaseCrunch, joins Surgent to discuss lessons learned and best practices from those who have already completed ASC 842 adoption to help assure a successful implementation of this complex accounting standard. Ane will discuss her experiences in assisting companies through the nuances of ASC 842, from navigating its complex guidance on such topics as lease term, lease payments, and discount rates to providing a road map for performing transition accounting. Plus, she'll demonstrate the value of using lease accounting software to assist in these activities. With time at a premium, this webinar will allow you to focus on the important activities that you should be doing now to complete your ASC 842 implementation.

Knowing just a little about the Yellow Book can hurt you! It is important to have a thorough understanding of the standards. This course covers the Yellow Book financial auditing requirements and prepares you to excel in applying the standards. You will learn precisely what the Yellow Book does and does not require auditors to do. Updated for the 2024 Yellow Book revision, the course materials utilize a highly illustrative and innovative format. Over 15 focused exercises are included to provide an enhanced knowledge of the Yellow Book.

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Knowing just a little about the Yellow Book can hurt you! It is important to have a thorough understanding of the standards. This course covers the Yellow Book financial auditing requirements and prepares you to excel in applying the standards. You will learn precisely what the Yellow Book does and does not require auditors to do. The course materials utilize a highly illustrative and innovative format. Over 15 focused exercises are included to provide an enhanced knowledge of the Yellow Book.

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Cash and cash equivalents tend to be one of the first areas assigned to new auditors since it tends to be straightforward with less complexity and risk as other areas. In addition, there is little subjectivity involved and persuasive audit evidence from a third-party is generally available. Interestingly enough, this is an area that can have a significant risk of misappropriation of assets if the appropriate level of segregation of duties and other internal controls is not present. New auditors should approach cash with the same professional skepticism as other areas since there is always the risk of material misstatement. (Please Note: This module is part of Surgent's Audit Skills Training: Level 1.)

Accounting and finance professionals have used different forms of automation over the years to improve the efficiency and accuracy of their work. So far, technology has not been able to replace the knowledge, experience, and decision-making of seasoned professionals. Times are rapidly changing. Today, systems easily exceed humans in accuracy and consistency. Artificial intelligence (AI) brings opportunities for accountants and finance professionals in the short term to improve efficiency and accuracy, while providing more value for businesses and customers alike. In the long term, AI will offer profound changes to how professionals work and process data. This course is designed to review where we are and where we are headed in the world of AI.

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This course provides an overview of critical challenges companies encounter under ASC 606, emphasizing several key areas that can be particularly challenging for effective revenue recognition. This includes identifying valid contracts and determining performance obligations.