Professional Development and Event Catalog

Unlock the full potential of your data with this cutting-edge course. Designed to span a focused, four-hour session, this course is your gateway to mastering the art of data visualization using the powerful tools of Microsoft Power BI Desktop and PowerBI.com. Whether you're a business professional, a budding data analyst, or simply someone interested in the world of data science, this course is tailored to enhance your skills in transforming raw data into visually stunning and insightful reports. Dive into the intuitive interfaces of Power BI Desktop and PowerBI.com and learn to navigate these platforms with ease and confidence. The course is meticulously structured to provide you with demonstrations and practical knowledge. Starting with a comprehensive tour of the Power BI Desktop and PowerBI.com interfaces, you'll quickly move to the core of creating impactful visuals. Explore a wide array of available visuals and learn how to select the most effective ones for your data stories. Through detailed sessions on building interactivity into your visuals, you will discover how to create dynamic reports that not only captivate but also communicate effectively. This course will also guide you through the process of publishing your reports on PowerBI.com, ensuring that your insights reach their intended audience with the right impact. By the end of this transformative journey, you will be adept at leveraging the full capabilities of Power BI. Your newfound ability to create interactive, engaging, and informative visual reports will make you an indispensable asset in any data-driven decision-making process. Embrace this opportunity to elevate your professional profile, enhance your analytical capabilities, and become a sought-after expert in the field of data visualization. Join us for this course and step into the future of data analysis with confidence and skill.

Silence isn't always golden. Problems don't solve themselves and as the engagement leader, it is your responsibility to proactively address and resolve issues, even if it means having challenging conversations. As uncomfortable as some of these conversations may be, keeping your silence won't resolve the issue and may in fact add to it. No matter which side of the table you find yourself in a "hard to have" talk, you can learn to manage the conversation. In this session, you'll learn how to recognize when a conversation becomes critical, how to plan effectively for the conversation and which communications strategies can help you create a win/win outcome. (Please Note: This module is part of Surgent's Audit Skills Training: Level 5.)

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.

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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.

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In the past, entrepreneurs who sought investment capital for their start-ups were subject to the preferences and expectations of a small set of wealthy investors. These venture capitalists and angel investors often played the role of highly selective gatekeepers, denying countless potential business leaders the opportunity to bring their well-thought ideas to market. Much has changed. Today, crowdfunding disrupts many of the traditional models for start-up investing. Crowdfunding provides capital for new businesses by asking the general public for donations. The system works by entrepreneurs creating websites enabling internet users to view information, photos and promotional videos explaining why they seek funding. Instead of receiving equity in the company, investors are often rewarded for pledging their financial support for the start-up business. Despite the incredible growth in investment revenue from crowdfunding, it remains underutilized by businesses. This course is intended to provide accounting and other professionals with a basic understanding of the crowdfunding process to better inform their clients and colleagues about this rapidly growing platform.

In today's rapidly changing world, finance professionals are required to wear many hats and are often the keys to an organization's success. On one hand, they need to be abreast of the latest proven financial skills to make the best decisions; on the other hand, they need strong skills to motivate, manage, and lead people. Being pigeonholed into one area or another is neither good for career development nor beneficial to the organization. This reality has become even more pronounced with the advent of AI. This course is designed to equip CFOs and controllers with the skills needed to lead their organizations into a rapidly changing decade, while also focusing on what we have learned from evolving management systems. Another unique aspect of this course is its constant evolution. We know change is occurring at an exponential rate, and this has proven true across finance, management, and leadership over the past year. The course addresses these emerging issues and will continue to be updated as necessary throughout the year.

Designed for accounting, auditing, and attestation practitioners at all levels in public accounting and business and industry, this course provides a detailed review of the multitude of FASB and AICPA standards and reports issued over the past few years, including a discussion of the FASB's Stage 3 PIR report on ASC 606. It also provides an overview of recent PCAOB inspection report findings and SEC rulemaking activity. Through hands-on examples and illustrations, this course will help you apply the guidance in practice. We further discuss other important A&A practice matters to be aware of, including an update on the quality management standards and soon-to-be-effective requirements for engagement quality reviews.

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Designed for accounting, auditing, and attestation practitioners at all levels in public accounting and business and industry, this course provides a detailed review of the multitude of FASB and AICPA standards and reports issued over the past few years, including a discussion of the FASB's Stage 3 PIR report on ASC 606. It also provides an overview of recent PCAOB inspection report findings and SEC rulemaking activity. Through hands-on examples and illustrations, this course will help you apply the guidance in practice. We further discuss other important A&A practice matters to be aware of, including an update on the quality management standards and soon-to-be-effective requirements for engagement quality reviews.

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This course focuses on implementing cybersecurity policies, controls, and risk management strategies tailored to financial environments. It emphasizes practical applications to mitigate threats and highlights global compliance standards, particularly their relevance and applicability to U.S. organizations.

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Data analytics and mining are the fastest growing disciplines in accounting and general management. Many organizations are either planning programs or have them already underway. Unfortunately, a number of these attempts fail due to poor planning/preparation and a lack of commitment, training, and clear vision of the program's goals. Today there is no shortage of data, but relatively few organizations have established an environment and ongoing process to isolate, capture, analyze, and convert data into actionable information. At times, even organizations that are employing leading-edge analytics are doing it with traditional, limited sets of data. This session explores how an organization can successfully become data driven. The discussion includes numerous examples demonstrating how accounting and financial professionals can build upon their current analytical skills to better perform traditional tasks and assume a role as a business partner with others in their organization. The program is aimed to assist those just beginning the journey, as well as those who want to test their current efforts or are considering the need for a restart. In addition to discussing a number of analytical tools, including available software, lists of reference books and next-level software are provided. This program continues to build upon the Controllership Update Series.

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As the rewards from data continue to grow, companies must recognize the value of data to remain competitive in the current digital economy. Companies that use data in their business processes are outperforming those that do not. Data skills will become necessary in the next few years, and your employees will need them to perform their jobs. In this course, you will gain an understanding of how to transform your organization into a data-driven company. This understanding will increase your chances of successfully achieving your goal of implementing data analytics in your organization.

There is no shortage of data, but relatively few organizations have an environment and process to isolate, capture, analyze, and convert data into actionable information. Too often, we collect as much data as possible, continue to use historic measurements, and communicate data using traditional vehicles. Good decisions are not the result of the amount of data gathered, but of the quality and understanding of the information. The goal of this program is to explore a number of analytical tools and techniques and identify applications for them within an organization. Analytical techniques will be introduced throughout the discussion, and a significant amount of time will be spent addressing the steps needed to establish a data-driven environment and identifying and discussing potential/specific applications. In this way, participants get experience they can begin to use in their organizations. An expanded list of reference books and next level software is also provided.

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Whether you're heading across town or across the globe, traveling with electronic devices carries real risks to the sensitive client and firm data stored on them. In this session, we'll explore the ethical obligations CPAs have to protect confidential information, including guidance from the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable laws. We'll examine how data can be accessed — legitimately or maliciously — by third parties during travel, and offer practical strategies to minimize risk, from using loaner devices and mobile device management to coordinating with IT before departure. The session includes current border search rules, international considerations, and actionable tips for staying secure in transit.

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Data security is a front-of-mind topic for most businesses because the risk and cost statistics are sobering. Each of us is in the crosshairs because a typical internet-connected computer faces a cyberattack every 39 seconds. Businesses of all sizes should be cognizant of the ethical issues that must be considered when planning their approach to privacy and data security. In this webinar, we will explore both the risks we have traditionally faced in the workplace personally, as well as the novel set of data privacy threats and compliance challenge issues employers face with a remote and mobile workforce.

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Cyber threats targeting accounting and finance professionals are growing more sophisticated, putting sensitive financial data at risk. This session explores the most pressing cybersecurity challenges accounting and finance professionals face today, including email fraud, phishing attacks, cloud security risks, and securing remote work environments. It also addresses the role of cyber insurance. Through real-world case studies and practical strategies, participants will learn how to recognize and mitigate cyber threats, evaluate cyber insurance policies, and implement security measures that protect their firms and clients. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to strengthen their cybersecurity posture and ensure compliance with evolving regulatory and industry standards.

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The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) had a tremendous impact on commercial real estate, including liberalizing the depreciation provisions. Bonus depreciation was expanded and increased from 50 to 100 percent for qualifying assets placed in service beginning after September 27, 2017, through December 31, 2022. After December 31, 2022, the deduction percentage for bonus depreciation began decreasing by 20 percent per year and would have been fully phased out after 2026. Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) passed in 2025, 100% bonus depreciation is now available on new and used assets. Because of changes in the OBBBA, which has restored 100% bonus depreciation. increased the depreciation that can be taken under Section 179 and added a new, important depreciation topic — qualified production property, this topic is vital for tax practitioners advising business taxpayers.

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This course provides an overview of the disclosure requirements for SEC Form 8-K, the broad form used to notify investors in U.S. publicly traded companies of certain events that may be important . This course provides an overview of the key disclosure requirements for several of the triggering events requiring the filing of a Form 8-K with the SEC. This course also provides information about how the Form 8-K requirements have evolved over time.

This course provides an overview of the disclosure requirements regarding risks and uncertainties. The disclosure requirements related to risks and uncertainties are prescribed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in ASC Topic 275. For public business entities that file their annual and interim reports with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), there are also additional disclosure requirements required by Regulation S-K. This course focuses on general disclosure requirements outlined in U.S. GAAP. This course also provides illustrative examples from both the GAAP implementation guidance as well as actual SEC filings from public business entities.

As a byproduct of the audit, the auditor has a responsibility to communicate certain information to management and those charged with governance, primarily related to risk and internal control deficiencies. In some cases the auditor may be required to report outside the entity, for example, when fraud is identified. Some of these communications to management and those charged with governance occur at the beginning of the audit, others during the audit and at the end of the audit. Two-way communication is very important to meet professional responsibilities and also as a client service. This module will discuss the most significant of the required communications and explore how to make them more effective. (Please Note: This module is part of Surgent's Audit Skills Training: Level 5.)

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As a byproduct of the audit, the auditor has a responsibility to communicate certain information to management and those charged with governance, primarily related to risk and internal control deficiencies. In some cases the auditor may be required to report outside the entity, for example, when fraud is identified. Some of these communications to management and those charged with governance occur at the beginning of the audit, others during the audit and at the end of the audit. Two-way communication is very important to meet professional responsibilities and also as a client service. This module will discuss the most significant of the required communications and explore how to make them more effective. (Please Note: This module is part of Surgent's Audit Skills Training: Level 5.)

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