CPE Beach Cluster Agenda

Concurrent Sessions

Kerry Roberts, CPA

Concurrent Session 3A: Critical Issues That CPAs in Industry Will Need to Face This Year

In this session we will tackle pressing issues at a “need to know” level and then discuss the practical implications. You will come away armed with the “big picture.” Preparedness is half the battle, so do not miss this critical briefing.

Field of Study: Accounting (2 CPE Credits), Taxes (2 CPE Credits)

Susan Smith

Concurrent Session 3B: Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits

The leading edge of the baby boomer generation has already reached retirement age. Financial and tax planners can expect increased demand for strategies that dovetail Social Security with other retirement and estate planning objectives. This course provides tax and financial planning professionals with both the background information on the Social Security system and the strategies clients will need in dealing with Social Security, and the myriad other related retirement planning issues.

Field of Study: Taxes

Thomas Newell

Concurrent Session 3C: Guide and Update to Compilations, Reviews, and Preparations 

Specifically designed for preparation, compilation, and review practitioners, this course will provide you with a comprehensive review and hands-on application for performing financial statement preparation, compilation, and review engagements. You will learn the ins and outs of applying SSARS No. 21, Clarification and Recodification, as well as the additional guidance related to SSARS engagements through the issuance of SSARS Nos. 22-25 by the ARSC. The course will also review recent peer review feedback on SSARS engagements, providing insights on how to successfully apply this guidance.

Not only will this course bring you up to date on SSARSs requirements and guidance, but more importantly, it will provide you with practical examples and illustrations to help you effectively and efficiently perform compilation, preparation, and review engagements.

Field of Study: Auditing

Concurrent Sessions

Kerry Roberts, CPA

Concurrent Session 4A: Integrated Planning, Forecasting, & Budgeting for Organizational Success

Planning may be one of the most important assignments of the finance professional; however, it is often accomplished in a way that can harm the organization. In many cases, huge sums are spent only to have a planning document developed that does not serve to bring the company together, but rather causes internal division. In some situations the budget can actually harm both productivity and alignment. This course is designed to bring planning, budgeting, and forecasting together into one fully aligned process that is easier, more efficient, and fully engages all parts of the organization. Rather than the plan being owned by the finance department, it is owned and followed by everyone from the CEO to the entry-level employee.

Field of Study: Management Services

Susan Smith

Concurrent Session 4B: Taxation of Partnership Distributions & Sales of Partnership Interests

This program focuses on two parts of Subchapter K, partnership distributions and sales of partnership interests – topics that tax practitioners are often asked about by clients. Tax practitioners are called upon to advise both the partnership which makes distributions and the partners receiving the distributions regarding the tax consequences of these transactions. Additionally, tax practitioners will be deeply involved in decisions regarding the sale and purchase of a partnership interest. These topics are thoroughly covered in this program. The presenters also discuss several types of partnership distributions and the tax rules relating to them, as well as analyze the tax rules relating to the sale of a partnership interest. Tax practitioners will be given an in-depth analysis of these complex topics, so that they can effectively answer their clients’ questions.

Field of Study: Taxes

Thomas Newell

Concurrent Session 4C: Financial Statement Disclosures: A Guide for Small & Medium-Sized Businesses

A clear and concise set of proper financial statement disclosures can make or break an entity’s financial statements. Such disclosures are no longer simply additional information provided by a business; they can be complex in nature and difficult to both prepare and understand, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. Oftentimes financial statement users will first turn to the notes in the financial statements in order to get a feel for where the business and its numbers might be heading, so these disclosures need to be well-written and follow applicable standards. This course will focus on key balance sheet and income statement disclosure as well as accounting standards related to revenue (ASC 606) and leases (ASC 842), accounting policies, changes in accounting estimates and errors, subsequent events, going concern, and related party disclosures.

Field of Study: Accounting

Concurrent Sessions

Kerry Roberts, CPA

Concurrent Session 5A: Controller/CFO Update: Hot Topics Facing Today’s Financial Professional

In today’s rapidly changing world, finance professionals are required to wear many hats and are often the keys to the success of the organization. On one hand, they need to be abreast of the latest proven financial skills for making the best decisions, and on the other hand they need the best skills to motivate, manage, and lead people. Being pigeon-holed into one area or another is neither good for career building nor good for the organization. This reality has proven to be even more true with the advent of COVID-19. We’ll cover the latest issues that all CFOs and controllers need to know about and provide how-to guidance to allow for immediate use in their organizations. The program is focused on organizational success and will concentrate on ways to manage risk and achieve greater productivity.

Field of Study: Finance

Susan Smith

Concurrent Session 5B: Surgent’s Individual Tax Planning Ideas

With the far-reaching changes brought about by recent tax reform, careful planning takes on new importance. This course presents the most important income tax planning ideas wealthy clients and closely held business owners need to consider this year to take advantage of the present and plan for the future. It highlights areas in the income tax return that suggest future opportunities for the individual client. Continuously updated for the latest legislation and IRS guidance.

Field of Study: Taxes

Thomas Newell

Concurrent Session 5C: 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 the multitude of 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.

Field of Study: Accounting (2 CPE Credits), Auditing (2 CPE Credits)

Concurrent Sessions

Kerry Roberts, CPA

Concurrent Session 6A: AI-Driven Ethics & Data Analytics: A Roadmap for Accountants

This course explores the ethical considerations and data analytics aspects of AI in accounting. Participants will examine the principles of AI data ethics, regulatory requirements, and strategies for ethical AI use, while also developing skills in leveraging AI tools for enhanced data analytics.

Access to ChatGPT 4o during the course is encouraged but not required. Participants can create a free account by visiting chatgpt.com and clicking “Sign Up.”

Field of Study: Information Technology (2 CPE Credits), Regulatory Ethics (2 CPE Credits)

Susan Smith

Concurrent Session 6B: Securing a Comfortable Retirement

This course gives CPAs the knowledge to help their clients plan for retirement by evaluating how much retirement income will be required and strategizing about how to reach retirement goals.

Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge and Applications (2 CPE Credits), Taxes (2 CPE Credits)

Thomas Newell

Concurrent Session 6C: Mastering Accounting for Income Taxes 

Since its inception nearly 30 years ago, many have continued to struggle with applying the current model for accounting for income taxes, ASC 740. But this does not have to be you. This course will provide you with the basic knowledge necessary to understand the complexities of this challenging topic. Through discussions and use of exercises, this course will analyze the authoritative literature to provide a thorough understanding of such topics as deferred taxes, income tax expense, uncertain tax positions and other classification and disclosure requirements related to income taxes. We will also explore some specialized areas of income tax accounting, such as intra-period allocations of income tax expense and accounting for changes in tax laws and rates, and we will review proposed updates to ASC 740 disclosures on which the FASB is contemplating.  In summary, this course is the place to be to enhance your accounting for income taxes IQ.

Field of Study: Accounting (2 CPE Credits), Auditing (2 CPE Credits)

Concurrent Sessions

Kerry Roberts, CPA

Concurrent Session 7A: Gaining a Competitive Advantage: Critical Skills for CFOs & Controllers

All organizations are looking for ways to gain an advantage over the competition. This practical and interactive session will present a toolkit of ideas to help CFOs, controllers and finance professionals better position their organizations for the future. We know change is occurring at an exponential rate, and that has proven to be the case in all areas of finance, management, and leadership over the past year. The course deals with these new issues and will continue to be updated as necessary throughout the year. Become the “financial hero” of your organization and make a positive impact on the bottom-line.

Field of Study: Business Management and Organization (2 CPE Credits), Finance (2 CPE Credits)

Susan Smith

Concurrent Session 7B: Select Estate & Life Planning Issues for the Middle-Income Client

Clients think that estate planning only applies to the very rich. In truth, there are many issues of critical concern for which the middle-income client needs to plan. This course is a must-attend for all Accounting and Financial Professionals who work with middle-income clients and are looking for ways to provide additional quality services. Updated for developments relative to estate tax changes.

Field of Study: Taxes