CPE Catalog & Events
Surgent's Advanced Audits of 401(k) Plans: Best Practices and Current Developments
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Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $299
Looking to improve the quality of your 401(k) benefit plan audits? This is the course for you. Based on recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor and peer reviews on employee benefit plan audits, we know auditors need to up their game to meet stakeholder demands and provide the best possible audit services. In this advanced course, we will discuss the audit and reporting requirements in accordance with SAS 136 and other recently issued SASs. We will also discuss laws and regulations (such as ERISA) that are unique to employee benefit plans and provide practical guidance on their application. Course topics will focus on the most common compliance issues identified in 401(k) audits by the Department of Labor and peer reviews, as well as recommended corrections. Auditors will identify best practices for auditing areas such as payroll and compensation, participant loans, hardship distributions, investments, and plan mergers and acquisitions.Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: AuditingProgram Level: AdvancedThis course is being offered by a 3rd party vendor and will not be accessible on your My CPE page. Webinar access information will be emailed directly to you by Surgent McCoy.
The Single Audit from Beginning to End Update
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Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $225
This course is an updated overview of the single audit of state and local governments and not-for-profit organizations under the OMB Unified Circular, as well as the applicable AICPA standards for compliance audits. Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: Accounting (governmental), Auditing (governmental)Program Level: Intermediate
Implementing an AI-Enabled Marketing Strategy for Your Firm
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Online
1.00 Credits
Member Price: $55
Unlock the power of artificial intelligence to transform your firm's marketing strategy. This course will explore how AI can revolutionize your marketing efforts, helping you to reach your target audience more effectively and boost your firm's growth. In this session, Gaynor Meilke will guide you through the steps to implement an AI-enabled marketing strategy tailored to your firm's needs. Key Takeaways: Understand the fundamental principles of AI and its applications in marketing. Learn how to leverage AI tools and technologies to enhance your marketing campaigns. Discover practical strategies for integrating AI into your firm's marketing workflow. Gain insights into measuring the effectiveness of your AI-driven marketing efforts. Explore real-life case studies and success stories of firms that have successfully implemented AI in their marketing strategies. By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to harness the power of AI, streamline your marketing processes, and achieve remarkable results for your firm. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the competition and lead your firm to new heights with AI-enabled marketing This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: Communications & marketingProgram Level: BasicThis course is being offered by a 3rd party vendor and will not be accessible on your My CPE page. Webinar access information will be emailed directly to you by CPA Crossings.
The 10 Must Know Excel Features
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
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.Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: Computer software & applicationsProgram Level: IntermediateThis course is being offered by a 3rd party vendor and will not be accessible on your My CPE page. Webinar access information will be emailed directly to you by CPA Crossings.
Internal Controls for Small and Medium-Sized Entities
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Online
1.00 Credits
Member Price: $39
This session explores the importance of internal controls with an emphasis on best practices for small- and medium-sized entities. We will examine the roles of both preventive and detective controls and practical, cost-effective suggestions for implementing effective internal controls will be addressed. Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: AuditingProgram Level: Intermediate
Safety Synergy: Uniting Elements for a Secure Workplace
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Online
1.20 Credits
Member Price: $39
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. Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: Personnel / human resourcesProgram Level: Basic
K2's Time To Advance Automation - Strategies And Tools For Efficiency
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $79
Increasingly, automating business processes is a necessity. In this session, you will learn about real-world examples of automating business processes. Remember, the survival of your business might depend upon successful automation! Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: Information technologyProgram Level: Intermediate
Why Auditors Fail To Detect Fraud
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $79
Prior to the original SAS No. 82 on Consideration of Fraud In A Financial Statement Audit (now codified as SAS No. 122, AU 240), the word fraud never appeared in a single SAS, nor was it described anywhere. SAS No. 82 stated that auditors failed to detect fraud for two reasons: 1) They did not know what it looked like and 2) They had not been trained to look for it. Although the SASs did not provide any guidance, auditors have always been responsible for the detection of anything that would cause a material misstatement of the financial statements whether caused by error or irregularities. (They would not even say the word fraud until it appeared in SAS No. 82) The standards were replete with guidance on the detection of an error but silent on how to detect irregularities. Now auditors are required to document in every financial statement audit their process of determining the risk of financial misstatement due to fraud. This presentation is designed to focus on frauds that were missed by the auditors and, in some cases, why it was missed. There will also be discussion as to what the auditor must do in order to improve their track record on detecting fraud. As reported on the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Occupational Fraud 2022: A Report to the Nations, only 4% of frauds were initially discovered by the external auditor. It was reported that more frauds were discovered by accident, (5%) then was discovered by the external auditor. Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: AuditingProgram Level: Intermediate
Better Business Writing: Improve Your Speed and Quality
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $79
Technology has given us many new writing tools, but they may just allow an inexperienced novice to turn out poor communications more quickly. Whatever your expertise level, this webinar will help you take your writing skills to another level, saving your time and making it far more likely your reader will read and understand your message. Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: Communications & marketingProgram Level: Intermediate
ChatGPT and Advanced Financial Analysis for Accountants
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
This course provides a concise overview of how to utilize ChatGPT for advanced financial analysis in accounting. The session reveals how to combine sophisticated evaluation and interpretation of financial data with the cutting-edge AI capabilities of ChatGPT. Aimed at enhancing the understanding of an entity's performance, predicting future financial health, and aiding in informed business decision-making, this course goes beyond basic financial statement analysis to include a wide array of techniques and tools. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: Information technologyProgram Level: OverviewThis course is being offered by a 3rd party vendor and will not be accessible on your My CPE page. Webinar access information will be emailed directly to you by CPA Crossings.
Surgent's Navigating AI Compliance: The EU AI Act for U.S. Finance and Accounting Leaders
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $119
This course provides U.S.-based accounting and finance professionals with an in-depth understanding of the EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act, the first comprehensive AI regulation in the world. It explores the Act's key provisions, including its risk classification framework, compliance requirements for high-risk systems, and transparency obligations. Participants will gain insight into how the Act affects organizations operating internationally and how to prepare for compliance challenges. Interactive activities are integrated throughout the course to reinforce key concepts.Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: Specialized knowledgeProgram Level: BasicThis course is being offered by a 3rd party vendor and will not be accessible on your My CPE page. Webinar access information will be emailed directly to you by Surgent McCoy.
Deep Dive into Common Auditing Deficiencies
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $129
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. Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: AuditingProgram Level: Intermediate
Enterprise-Wide Risk Management in Accounting and Finance
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $149
Organizations are challenged with identifying, evaluating, and responding to a wide variety of risks. This course will discuss tips and best practices for enterprise-wide risk management for accounting and finance professionals. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: Management servicesProgram Level: BasicThis course is being offered by a 3rd party vendor and will not be accessible on your My CPE page. Webinar access information will be emailed directly to you by CPA Crossings.
Federal Tax Update for Individuals with Doug Van Der Aa
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Online
4.00 Credits
Member Price: $129
This program will address recent legislation, rulings and developments affecting individual taxpayers and provide practitioners with a comprehensive update for the upcoming tax 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 kori.herrera@acpen.com. Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: TaxesProgram Level: Intermediate
Preparing and Reviewing Workpapers - Essential Tips for Avoiding Deficient Audit and Other Attest Engagements
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Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $225
Workpapers are the primary support for findings, conclusions and opinions on any audit or other attest engagement. This course will provide the essential tips and techniques for ensuring workpaper documentation is of a high quality, yet efficient, nature. Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: AuditingProgram Level: Basic
K2's Advanced Excel
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Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $225
If you are an experienced Excel user seeking to elevate your skills, join the K2 team for K2’s Advanced Excel. In this laptop-friendly program, you will learn critical advanced Excel skills in six key areas: 1) collaborating with other users and securing workbooks, 2) using tables to analyze and report data, 3) integrating and manipulating data from external sources, 4) creating and auditing complex formulas, 5) advanced data analysis tools, and 6) visualization techniques to analyze and communicate information. The course draws from over twenty-five years of experience delivering Excel training to accountants and other business professionals. Throughout the program, relevant, real-world examples reinforce the topics presented. Take advantage of this opportunity to become more efficient and proficient in Microsoft Office Excel, the tool of choice for accounting and financial professionals. This course covers advanced Excel topics found in Excel 2019 and newer. Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: Accounting, Computer software & applicationsProgram Level: Advanced
Strategies for Guiding Clients Through Challenging Situations: Tax Insights
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Online
8.00 Credits
Member Price: $245
This course equips practitioners with the knowledge to help clients navigate complex tax and financial challenges. Covering a range of difficult situations—such as divorce, bankruptcy, and other personal and business matters—this course provides key tax insights and strategic planning considerations. Participants will gain practical strategies to support clients in making informed decisions while understanding the tax implications of these situations. Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: TaxesProgram Level: Intermediate
Navigating IRS Collections: The Collection Process
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $89
This course is designed for tax professionals seeking to understand and navigate the IRS collection process effectively. Participants will gain indepth knowledge of the various collection methods employed by the IRS, including liens, levies and wage garnishments. Additionall, participants will leand strategies to avoid or halt collection actions and the implications of the statute of limitations on tax collection. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: TaxesProgram Level: IntermediateThis course is being offered by a 3rd party vendor and will not be accessible on your My CPE page. Webinar access information will be emailed directly to you by CPA Crossings.
Preparing to be a Forensic Accountant - Focus on Computer Forensics - Part 3 (Steganography)
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Online
1.60 Credits
Member Price: $59
This course is a complement to our series on Becoming a Forensic Accountant and the focus of the course is on steganography techniques. Steganography is the art and science of embedding secret messages in a cover message in such a way that no one, apart from the sender and intended recipient, suspects the existence of the message. The first use of steganography can be traced to 440 BC when ancient Greece, people wrote messages on wood and covered it with wax, that acted as a covering medium Romans used forms of Invisible Inks, to decipher those hidden messages light or heat were used. During World War II the Germans introduced microdots, which were complete documents, pictures, and plans reduced in size to the size of a dot and were attached to normal paperwork. Null Ciphers were also used to hide unencrypted secret messages in an innocent looking message. Given the amount of data being generated and transmitted electronically, it’s no surprise that numerous methods of protecting that data have evolved. There are various types of steganography: Text Steganography - Hiding information inside the text files. This involves changing format of existing text, changing words in a text, generating random character sequences or using context-free grammars to generate readable texts. Image Steganography - Process of hiding text in an image without distorting the picture. Video Steganography - Technique to hide any kind of files into a cover video file. Audio Steganography - The secret message is embedded into an audio signal which alters the binary sequence of the corresponding audio file. Network Steganography - The process of utilizing active network protocols as carriers to transmit a covert message, undetectable by an uninformed party, from a host to its destination. This session will review these methods and also discuss relevant software. Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: AccountingProgram Level: Basic
Preparation, Compilation and Review Engagements
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Online
2.00 Credits
Member Price: $79
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. Delivery Method: Individual webcastCPE Credit: AuditingProgram Level: Basic