Professional Development and Event Catalog
Surgent's Simply Auditing Not-for-Profits Efficiently
Monday, Nov. 16 9:00am - 12:30pm
Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $159
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Auditing not-for-profits isn't the same as auditing for-profits, so why treat them alike? This course gives you the tools to recognize what makes not-for-profits unique and shows you how to incorporate those differences into your audit approach. With practical insights and 20 focused exercises, you'll learn how to plan and perform not-for-profit audits more effectively, efficiently, and with greater confidence.
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Comprehensive Audit and SSARS Update
Monday, Nov. 16 9:00am - 1:00pm
Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $149
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This course covers recently issued standards from the AICPA Auditing Standards Board and AICPA Accounting and Review Services Committee including the new Quality Management Standards. The session will highlight projects in progress at the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. The course will also recap recent changes and present common peer review findings and best practices to improve practice quality. 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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Federal Tax Update - C & S Corporations, Partnerships & LLCs (Forms 1120, 1120S & 1065)
Monday, Nov. 16 9:00am - 4:37pm
Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $300
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With the increasing complexity and ever-changing nature of tax laws and issues, today’s accountant needs a one-day update course focusing on business income tax issues with an emphasis of newly enacted income tax legislation. This comprehensive class will not only review the current Federal business income tax laws but will also update tax return preparers of new tax forms, changes to existing tax forms, as well as tax planning opportunities and pitfalls. This is a “must-attend” course for all tax practitioners who want to be up to speed quickly and have a successful Federal business income tax filing season. *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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Avoiding the Most Misapplied Audit Concepts
Monday, Nov. 16 9:00am - 5:00pm
Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $239
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Recent new auditing standards are designed to improve overall audit quality. The course will address the most common misapplied audit concepts in planning and performing effective and efficient financial statement 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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Surgent's Assessing the Risk of Fraud in a Financial Statement Audit
Monday, Nov. 16 9:00am - 5:00pm
Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $279
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From Enron and WorldCom in the early 2000s to Wirecard and FTX in recent years, the risk of fraud in an audit remains high, and the potential loss to the public has only increased. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) annual reports find that fraud is potentially lurking in all businesses, including not-for-profit organizations. It often goes undetected for years, and, when uncovered, management and the board may question why an auditor did not identify it - even though most corporate frauds are identified by internal personnel. Still, the auditor's responsibility in a financial statement audit is to assess risk and perform sufficient procedures to obtain reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material misstatement due to fraud (or error). However, failure to perform an adequate fraud risk assessment and report deficiencies in internal control, such as a lack of segregation of duties, can leave a firm vulnerable. This course will discuss the audit procedures that should be performed in accordance with AU-C §240, Consideration of Fraud in a Financial Statement Audit, as recently amended; best practices in performing fraud risk assessment procedures; when and how to report control deficiencies noted in an audit; and the most frequent types of fraud found in small to mid-sized entities along with internal controls that could be implemented to help prevent and detect them. We will also look at various cyber fraud schemes and how they might be prevented or detected, the use of analytics as fraud risk procedures, and assessments of fraud risk in a Single Audit. Fraud is now more complicated than ever. From deepfakes to complex denial-of-service attacks, auditors have more to consider in their risk assessment than they did even five years ago. This course features case studies and detailed illustrations to help auditors know what to look for and how to respond to potential fraud in their audits.
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Surgent's Audits of 401(k) Plans: New Developments and Critical Issues
Monday, Nov. 16 9:00am - 5:00pm
Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $299
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One of the most favored employee benefit plans, the 401(k) plan, provides unique challenges for auditors. Through this course, auditors will obtain an understanding of the rules and regulations unique to employee benefit plans and obtain practical guidance on applying them. Auditors will enhance their knowledge of the performance and reporting requirements through real-world examples, best practices, and efficient audit techniques that can be utilized in various audit engagements. Make sure your audits don't trigger a DOL inspection by conforming to all applicable rules and regulations.
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Surgent's Employer's Handbook: Legal, Tax, and Health Care Issues
Monday, Nov. 16 9:00am - 5:00pm
Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $279
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The employer-employee relationship strains both sides in uncertain times, and businesses need CPAs, controllers, and other advisors to provide understanding of the complex legal, tax, and health care issues associated with all aspects of employment. This course provides in-depth coverage of this critical area. It will be updated and supplemented throughout the year to cover breaking developments.
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CFO Solutions to IRS Problems
Monday, Nov. 16 9:30am - 1:30pm
Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $149
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Many CPAs are becoming full-time or fractional CFOs for small businesses. In that position, they are the resident expert in finances, cash flow planning, and budgeting. But what about dealing with the IRS? The IRS has broad powers to administer the assessment and collection of taxes. From removing penalties to criminal prosecutions, this presentation focuses on how CFOs can prevent problems with the IRS and how to develop winning strategies if the IRS knocks on the door. 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 Ethics of How We Treat People; Why it Matters?
Monday, Nov. 16 10:00am - 10:50am
Online
1.00 Credits
Member Price: $39
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As leaders in the community and in the profession – we are held to a higher standard and to do more to help others. We do not want to conduct business with unethical organizations or work with those who mistreat others. People, whether they are contractors, employees, customers, suppliers, clients or partners, all want to be treated fairly and with respect. Especially in a service business, people are the only true asset. By treating people with respect and honor – you will attract talent and clients. If you believe there is a war for talent, then listen to this discussion that proves that treating others well is THE ethical course of action and what sets us apart. Being fair, honest and supportive – is being ethical and it matters.
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Empowering HR Pros' Thriving in 2025 and Beyond
Monday, Nov. 16 10:00am - 10:59am
Online
1.00 Credits
Member Price: $39
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The workplace is shifting rapidly, and HR professionals are at the center of it all. The next four years will challenge us to embrace courageous leadership, strategic vision, and continuous learning. Here's the reality: " We're stressed, overworked, and often under-resourced. " The job market for HR professionals is more competitive than ever. " Aligning with organizations that share our values is non-negotiable. " Agility and the ability to lead change are critical. We cannot solely depend on our employers to rise to the occasion. This is our moment to rise. Join our Founder & CEO Anthony P. Howard on how we can empower ourselves and each other in 2025. Together, we can lead the future of HR. How are you stepping into courageous leadership this year? Bring the discussion to the event!
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The Ethics Hour: Dealing With Conflicts of Interest: Members in Business and Industry, featuring Don Minges
Monday, Nov. 16 10:00am - 11:00am
Online
1.00 Credits
Member Price: $39
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Often a simple situation may seem innocent, but it can lead to large complications quickly. Conflicts of interest are unavoidable and occur frequently for CPAs in business and industry. What will you do when they happen? Will you take the necessary steps to remain ethical and to protect your license? We will show you how in detail. You and I have a responsibility to our organizations and to the public to be ethical. If you do not follow the prescribed steps, as detailed in the Code of Professional Conduct, there will be problems. Do not forget your duty to the public.
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Safety Synergy: Uniting Elements for a Secure Workplace
Monday, Nov. 16 10:00am - 11:07am
Online
1.20 Credits
Member Price: $39
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Creating a culture of safety in a workplace requires attention in many different areas. We will bring these areas into focus and provide attendees with information on how to make their individual workplaces safer for everyone.
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Was It Fraud or Just Poor Audit Quality?
Monday, Nov. 16 10:00am - 11:27am
Online
1.60 Credits
Member Price: $79
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This session describes a state agency's quality review of a not-for-profit organization's A-133 Single Audit. The case study describes the organization audited, its federally- and state-funded programs, and the CPA firm retained to do the audit. Various anomalies in the financial statements alerted state officials to potential problems, and a detailed quality review followed. Find out how the entity turned hundreds of thousands of dollars in bank overdrafts into hundreds of thousands of dollars of cash on its balance sheet. Explore other “creative” ways to deal with fixed assets, accounts receivable, and related-party transactions. Were the auditors just sloppy, ignorant, negligent? Or were they active participants in producing fraudulent financial statements? You be the judge.
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K2’s Formatting Excel Spreadsheets the Right Way
Monday, Nov. 16 10:00am - 11:47am
Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
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Did you know that business professionals can spend up to half their time in Excel just formatting? It’s time to change that! Join this fast-paced, results-driven session and discover Excel formatting best practices that will save you hours and elevate your spreadsheets to a professional level. From Custom Format Codes and Templates to Styles, Precision as Displayed, and powerful date and accounting formats, you'll learn how to streamline your workflow and make your data shine. Whether you're building reports, dashboards, or financial models, these formatting techniques will help you work smarter, not harder. Don't let formatting slow you down. Transform your Excel experience, starting now!
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K2’s Getting Started with Artificial Intelligence
Monday, Nov. 16 10:00am - 11:48am
Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
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Are you intrigued by the buzz around Artificial Intelligence (AI) but unsure how to dive in? You're not alone! Many professionals find AI tools like Gemini, ChatGPT, and Copilot to be a mystery. But don't worry, we're here to help you unlock the potential of these powerful tools! Join K2's "Getting Started With Artificial Intelligence" session and discover how to harness the power of today's AI tools to boost your efficiency and productivity. This session will guide you through accessing and using multiple popular AI tools, making it easier than ever to integrate AI into your daily workflow. If you're new to AI, this is the perfect opportunity to get started and transform the way you work!
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Preparation, Compilation and Review Engagements
Monday, Nov. 16 10:00am - 11:51am
Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
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This course is an introduction to preparation, compilation, & review engagements. During this course, we will compare and contrast these different engagements by reviewing the procedures that should be performed, different reports, as well as the level of assurance specific to each type of engagement.
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Surgent's Employee Stock Options: What Financial Professionals Should Know When Advising Their Clients
Monday, Nov. 16 10:00am - 12:00pm
Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
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Companies often offer stock options as an additional form of compensation to attract and retain the best talent. Used appropriately, stock options can generate significant wealth, yet many employees are unfamiliar with how stock options work and why options serve as a valuable opportunity for employees to establish and grow their wealth. Unfortunately, employees who receive stock options are often unaware of their inherent risks. Research has shown that over 76% of employees have never exercised their stock options. Almost half of these individuals (48%), say they held off on selling their options due to fear of making a mistake. This course provides accounting and finance professionals with a broad overview of employee stock options. The webinar is designed to help participants better understand the fundamentals behind these investments and, in turn, better advise their clients.
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Surgent's Top 10 Celebrity Estate Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Monday, Nov. 16 10:00am - 12:00pm
Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
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This course uses the lives of the rich and famous as a template to better understand the realm of estate planning. With stories ripped from the headlines, we will examine pitfalls and best practices. Did you know that Prince died without a will, opening the door for 45 people claiming to be his beneficiaries? Or that Michael Jackson was not careful in properly funding his trust, leading to delays and legal battles in the administration of his estate? Even Abraham Lincoln, it turns out, did not have a will. In discussing an array of celebrities, from Jackie Kennedy, Joan Rivers, Jimi Hendrix, and Whitney Houston to Aretha Franklin, Barry White, Leona Helmsley, and Florence Griffith Joyner, the course is designed as an enjoyable learning experience with tips for all levels of expertise. We may not have their fame or fortune, but we can certainly walk the red carpet when it comes to estate planning.
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Surgent's Top Business Tax Planning Strategies
Monday, Nov. 16 10:00am - 12:00pm
Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $99
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Business strategies for 2026 are based on important tax changes made in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). There are a number of important business tax changes that can be used to develop tax planning strategies that have great advantages for businesses and their owners. This program covers many important business tax changes and the implications for tax planning founded on them.
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The Commonsense Approach to Auditing for Fraud
Monday, Nov. 16 10:00am - 12:00pm
Online
3.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
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As reported by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners 2024 Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse, organizations lose an average of 5% of their revenues to fraud. Yet, the report disclosed that only 3% of all frauds are detected by the external auditor. However, the thing that management depends on the detect fraud is the external audit. To detect fraud an auditor must: Know what fraud looks like; be able to think like a thief; always maintain healthy professional skepticism; be able to recognize the risk of fraud; and build your audit program to look for fraud. Auditing For Fraud addresses each of these areas as well as several others. During this presentation, I will discuss how to distinguish between an error and a fraud; how to recognize the indicators of fraud; develop and refine a hypothec as to how a fraud was committed; who steals (the basic honest person) and why and lastly; how to prove intent. If you cannot prove intent, all you have is a dumb mistake! Chances are that after this presentation, you will never look at an audit the same way you do now.