CPE Catalog+Events

2024 Business & Industry Conference - 2nd Day Only - Webcast

Surgent's Reducing a Business Owner Client's Exposure to Social Security and Self-Employment Taxes

Many business owner clients wish to minimize their Social Security and self-employment tax liabilities. This course provides tax practitioners with the background to understand what kinds of income constitute self-employment income and earned income. It covers strategies that can be used to reduce clients' exposure to the self-employment tax and Social Security tax.

Surgent's Successfully Completing a Gift Tax Return -- Form 709

Since the early 2000s, the estate tax burden on taxpayers has gradually decreased along with the number of practitioners specializing in the field. Nevertheless, some of your most wealthy clients will have a taxable estate. For these select clients, making large gifts before death can be extremely tax efficient for the client and profitable for the practitioner filing the gift tax return. Learning how to file a basic gift tax return can help you attract and retain clients, increase your value-add, and generate revenue.

Surgent's Taking Advantage of Installment Sales and Like-Kind Exchanges

When real property is sold for a gain, we always try to find ways to defer recognizing income so it won't be necessary to send a check to Uncle Sam. There are two provisions within the Internal Revenue Code that allow the taxpayer to defer recognition of immediate taxable gain in the year of sale: installment sales and like-kind exchanges. Knowing how and when to utilize these provisions makes the Accounting and Finance Professionals very valuable to either their client or the entity they work for. We will also discuss recent proposals which could impact the future of these two provisions.

Surgent's Critical Conversations

As uncomfortable as some conversations are, 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 at in a "hard to have" talk, you can learn to benefit from the conversation. In the workshop, 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.

CPE at SEA

Now boarding! LCPA is proud to offer a learning experience unlike any other with CPE at Sea! Join members from Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and other surrounding states for a 7-day cruise aboard the Carnival Jubilee departing from Galveston. While at sea, popular presenter Marc Hamilton will lead 20 hours of CPE focused on evolving technologies like AI, Blockchain, Smart Contracts, Cryptocurrency, and much more. Many times, the difficult part of learning technology evolution is connecting the practical application and seeing concepts become tools. On this learning voyage, Marc will show you first-hand the practical applications for these cutting-edge tools. Sessions include:Cruise Industry Financial Strategy Post-COVID and Ship Tour Discussion (1.0 A&A, 3.0 Economics) Introduction  Historical Financial Statement & Capital Structure Review Carnival Fleet and Key Strategic Operational Changes 4 Accounting & Economics Current Industry Perspective Economics of a Cruise Ship = Ship Tour The Evolving CPA Toolkit - Big Data, Analytics, and the Explosion of AI (4.0 IT) What is Big Data? Practical Overview of Data Analytics Tools Convergence of Technology and Implications to CPA's 4 Information Technology What is AI? "Who moved my Cheese" - Profession Changes to Embrace Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Prompt Engineering: Overview and Application (4.0 IT) What is NLP and What makes it Tick? Review of Current Application of NLP ChatGPT Overview and Practical Introduction 4 Information Technology Prompt Engineering: The Key to Success Using NLP for Code and Process Development Using AI Visualization  Brainstorming Exercise: "Building a Better Mouse Trap" Case Study (4.0 IT) Introduction and Fact Pattern Data Analytics Development Gathering and Cleaning Keeping it Simple 4 Information Technology Script Development  Data Transformation Visualization Current Technology A&A Topics of Importance (1.0 A&A, 1.0 Ethics) A Futuristic Perspective of our Accounting Profession (1.0 IT) Technology Change will only get faster!  Evolving Demands on Services Offerings Transformation of Trust  CPA meets Data Scientist meets Strategist Learnings: Reflection and Re-discussion (1.0 Personal Development) Sharpen the Saw:   Around the Table Discussion - Reflection on Learnings How can what I have learned help me tomorrow?  Lifetime Learning: Make a Commitment Conclusion CPE at Sea Certificate Awards NOTE: All courses will be held on "sea days."Step 1: Register below. Please note: The registration fee includes the price of CPE. Price does not include cabin fair (prices vary) or cost of travel to or from the port.Step 2: Contact Marc to book your perfect cabin. Before booking, Marc must enroll you in the group reservation. He can then assist you as needed with your booking and answer any questions that you may have. Questions? Email Marc Hamilton at cpe@learnvoyage.com.

Surgent's U.S. Taxation of Foreign Corporations: A Case Study Approach

This course is a case study designed to provide a comprehensive overview of U.S. taxation of a foreign corporation. Using a specific example, the course will walk through step-by-step mechanics on how to calculate the income inclusions and foreign tax credits under GILTI (Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income), Subpart F, and PFIC (Passive Foreign Investment Company) regimes. The case study will further evaluate tax impact of subsequent distributions from the foreign corporation and sales of its stock. A compare-and-contrast approach will highlight the different outcomes of these regimes for individuals and for C corporations, empowering participants to advise their clients on the most tax efficient way to structure their international investments.

2024 Forensic, Litigation & Valuation Services Conference - 1st Day Only - In Person

2024 Forensic, Litigation & Valuation Services Conference - 1st Day Only - Webcast

2024 Forensic, Litigation & Valuation Services Conference - Both Days - In Person

2024 Forensic, Litigation & Valuation Services Conference - Both Days - Webcast

Surgent's Employee vs. Independent Contractor: Achieving Success in a Worker Classification Audit

The IRS believes, perhaps with some justification, that many workers classified as independent contractors are actually employees and should be treated as such for tax purposes. The result is that worker classification audits are frequent and often costly for business clients, both in terms of time as well as money expended. This program prepares tax practitioners to assist their clients with worker classification audits, and to avoid them if possible, by discussing and explaining the circumstances under which workers will most likely be characterized as employees or as independent contractors. The program also deals with the first line of defense against the IRS in worker classification audits - Section 530, as well as the common law factors distinguishing an employee from an independent contractor. This program also explores the IRS Voluntary Classification Settlement Program and discusses whether a practitioner should advise a client to request admission into this program.

Surgent's Opportunities in the Metaverse for Accounting and Other Professionals

It is no secret that accounting firms, like many other organizations, have begun launching operations in the metaverse. For those unsure, the metaverse is a digital or virtual space where participants simulate a host of activities ranging from shopping to entertainment and business transactions. Why wouldn't accounting firms and other professionals want to get in early on this new frontier? All types of businesses have begun purchasing and setting up shop in this new virtual world. These are no small endeavors - professionals are creating business plans to operate successfully in the virtual world that started off originally as a niche format for gamers. Accounting firms are starting to announce their acquisition of virtual real estate, and some are paying a premium to obtain prime locations. To operate successfully in the metaverse, professionals need to understand the environment and the rules of the game. This course provides an introduction to the metaverse and an overview of opportunities, risks and rewards for professionals who wish to stay relevant in the ever-expanding virtual world. Participants will walk away with an understanding of where we are in this rapidly developing space, plus gain insights on how to establish a presence or advise clients who wish to explore metaverse opportunities.

Surgent's Strategies for Maximizing Social Security Benefits

As the population of the United States ages, tax practitioners will be asked to advise their individual clients with respect to when they should begin to take Social Security benefits. This program will provide you with the background to knowledgeably discuss the benefit options available to Social Security beneficiaries and the alternative payment options available to married couples, dependents, a surviving spouse, and a divorced individual.

Surgent's Current Issues in Accounting and Auditing: An Annual Update

Designed for accounting and attestation practitioners at all levels in both public accounting and business and industry, this course provides a detailed review of SAS No. 145 and brings you up to date on FASB and AICPA standards issued over the past few years. The course also provides many hands-on examples and illustrations to help apply the guidance in practice and discusses other important A&A practice matters to be aware of, including an update on peer review and audit quality.

Surgent's The Most Critical Challenges in Not-for-Profit Accounting Today

Not-for-profit entities have recently applied critical new standards related to contributions of nonfinancial assets, leases, and more. Now is the time to know more than just what the standards say - we need to know what they mean and how they will affect not-for-profit entities. This course is designed to do just that! The course materials utilize a highly illustrative and innovative format. Over 15 focused exercises are included to provide an enhanced working knowledge of the challenges in not-for-profit accounting.

Surgent's Features and Benefits of SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs

A challenge for many small business owners is choosing the `right' type of retirement plan for their businesses. Many hesitate to make a choice because they are intimidated by the governing rules. In those cases, an IRA-based retirement plan is an easy, effective, and efficient way to start a retirement plan. These IRA-based plans - SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs - have low maintenance costs and are easy to communicate to employees. In some cases, employer contributions are discretionary, providing the business owners with the choice of whether to fund every year.

Surgent's Representing a Client in an IRS Audit

Recent legislation in Congress has provided the IRS with substantially increased funding to bolster its human staff and purchase software that will allow the IRS to audit many more taxpayers in a more effective way. The IRS believes it can target the right kinds of taxpayers for audits so that it will not waste its time on audits that produce little, if any, revenue. The purpose of this program is to discuss the current state of IRS audits and the anticipated increases in the IRS's ability to audit wealthier taxpayers in an efficient way. Panelists will discuss the state of the IRS's current audits and where the IRS is headed with audits in the coming years. Tax practitioners should also be aware of the state of the IRS's efforts to target efficiencies so as to produce the most revenue.

The Best Individual Income Tax Update Course by Surgent

This highly informative course comprehensively covers all the latest tax law developments. The focus is on individual taxation and discussion of the planning opportunities practitioners need to understand to help clients respond effectively. You will come away from the course with the up-to-date knowledge to educate your individual tax clients and implement tax-saving ideas that will serve their ever-evolving needs. This course is continually updated to reflect enacted legislation. Please Note: Due to content overlap, it is recommended that this course NOT be taken together with BFTU.

2024 Forensic, Litigation & Valuation Services Conference - 2nd Day Only - In Person