BCLU0026: CPE Beach Cluster
Description
Cluster Overview
Held at the Holiday Inn Resort Lumina on Wrightsville Beach, this Cluster Event is designed to meet the diverse demands of your job.
With specific updates in North Carolina’s business and Economic Trends, Technology, A&A, Tax, Fraud, & Personal Development.
The program’s format is broken up into affordable, four-hour sessions for you to choose from and tailor to your curriculum needs.
CPE Offered
Earn (Up To) 28.00 Credits
CPE is assigned according to (total minutes attended) and rounded down to nearest half hour
CPE is applied per NASBA Guidelines
Early Bird Rate per Session: Cutoff – 7/27/26
Non-Member: $335.00
Member: $180.00
Regular Rate per Session:
Non-Member: $360.00
Member: $205.00
Accommodations
Holiday Inn Resort Lumina on Wrightsville Beach
910-256-2231
Discounted Reservation Cut-off Date: Monday, July 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Room Rate:
$299 per night (Sunset View) Room Options: 1 King or 2 Queen
$319 per night (Oceanfront) Room Options: 1 King or 1 King + 1 Bunk Bed or 2 Queen
Book your room reservation here.
Rates and Rooms are determined by the booking deadline (and/or) the room block capacity Rates could begin 2 days prior to the event and last 2 days after the event (based on availability) $30 Resort Fee (is Waived) for any rooms that are booked under the NCACPA Promo Rate.
Onsite Information
Meals are provided according to how attendees register for sessions per each day of the event.
Morning Only (Registered Sessions) will be provided Breakfast Only
Afternoon Only (Registered Sessions) will be provided Snacks + Drinks Only
Morning + Afternoon (Registered Sessions) will be provided both Breakfast + Lunch + Snacks
Registration/Continental Breakfast: 7:00–8:00 am. Sessions begin at 8:00 am
Dress + Attire
Casual & Laidback (it’s the Beach!)
Parking Fees
$15.00 – for all guests staying at the Holiday Inn Resort you will be charged a nightly fee
Day Guest Free Parking – if you can find a spot (inside the hotel’s parking lot) there is no charge
Street Parking – payment is required and fees are determined by nearby meters (Towing Enforced)
Download Your Materials Before You Arrive Onsite!
Cluster materials will be available on event Attendee Resource Pages prior to the event. You may download your materials to a laptop, tablet, or e-reader, or print them. It’s up to you how you choose to view the materials. Printed materials will not be available on site. Downloading in advance is recommended.
Event Speaker(s)
1B: Technology Trends and Hot Topics Impacting the Accounting Profession (Morning Session)
The benefits, and related risks, of utilizing new technology have never been greater for those in the accounting profession. From Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotic Process Automation (RPA), and Audit Data Analytics (ADA) to cloud-based software solutions, our clients’ technology landscape is rapidly changing. Accordingly, we, as accounting professionals, need to be on the forefront of these changes, including having a firm understanding of the risks associated with the use of these tools. In this course, we’ll review these trends, highlight new and emerging products, such as ChatGPT, and focus on cybersecurity risks and best practices that will allow accounting professionals to help our clients navigate these exciting but challenging times. Plus, we’ll review the relevant guidance on audit evidence found in SAS 142, which guides our use of technology on our professional engagements.
Objectives:
Identify the business drivers of companies today and the need for data-driven decision making
Identify other current trends in information technology applications for clients and auditors
Discuss SAS 142 and how it applies to audit methodologies using technology
Explain how auditors are integrating audit data analytics into the audit process
Who Should Attend?
CPAs in public practice with accounting, financial reporting, or attest responsibilities
Qualifies for Yellowbook: No
Qualifies for Enrolled Agent: No
Field of Study: Auditing (2), Information Technology (2)
CPE: 4.00
- CPE – Auditing: 2
- CPE – Information Technology: 2
1A: Surgent’s Individual Income Tax Update (Morning Session)
This highly informative course will bring you up-to-speed on the latest in individual tax law developments and the corresponding or responsive planning opportunities available to your clients. You will come away from the course ready to educate your individual tax clients and implement tax-savings ideas that will serve their ever-evolving needs. Continually updated to reflect enacted legislation. Please Note: Due to content overlap, it is recommended that this course NOT be taken together with BFT4.
Objectives:
Understand strategies and tactics to use in light of new legislation
Understand how to nail down valuable deductions and other reductions to the tax base
Who Should Attend?
All tax practitioners, both those working in public accounting as well as those in private industry, who need the latest information on tax changes affecting their individual clients
Qualifies for Yellowbook: No
Qualifies for Enrolled Agent: Yes
Field of Study: Taxes
CPE: 4.00
- CPE – Taxes: 4
2A: Key Partnership and S Corporation Tax Planning Strategies (Afternoon Session)
Many of our clients are pass-through entities for which many of the general business strategies are subject to additional limitations. To provide the tax planning strategies for closely held business clients that will bring more revenue, this course focuses on the special concerns and techniques the practitioner needs to thrive in this market.
Objectives:
Identify the advantages of, and the tax issues involved with, employing one’s spouse
Discuss the tax issues and strategies that may be applicable to the client in employing one’s child to shift income and to avoid kiddie tax issues through earned income
Describe the basis adjustments that are made to reflect LLC operations
Discuss the basis limitation on the current deductibility of losses and the substantial economic effect and built-in gain limitations on how LLC income, gains, and losses may be allocated among members
Explain the concept of a passive activity loss and material participation
Identify what is an activity and when activities are or may be aggregated
Explain the concept of “amount at risk” and to whom it applies
Determine the amount at risk
Distinguish qualified nonrecourse financing from other nonrecourse financings in the context of the amount at risk
Discuss the requirements for a real estate professional, and the effect of a taxpayer’s election to be treated as such for tax purposes
Understand the tax consequences of retiring partners seeking liquidating distributions/redemptions and S corporation shareholders seeking the redemption of their shares Identify who are related parties for purposes of special characterizations of property transactions
Explain how and to what extent the gain on the sale of depreciable property will be characterized as ordinary income
Describe when a loss will be disallowed on the sale of property
Discuss the circumstances in which the sale of property at a loss to a partnership will be disallowed
Who Should Attend?
All tax practitioners, both those working in public accounting as well as those in private industry, who are responsible for tax planning for their clients and/or companies
Qualifies for Yellowbook: No
Qualifies for Enrolled Agent: Yes
Field of Study: Taxes
CPE: 4.00
- CPE – Taxes: 4
2B: Integrated Planning, Forecasting, and Budgeting for Organizational Success (Afternoon Session)
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.
Objectives:
Understand how to integrate a budget, strategic plan, and forecast into one system
See how the integrated plan helps the organization
Identify how planning causes greater accountability for the company
Perform various EVA and cash flow analysis in capital planning
Understand how to make planning more politically acceptable in the organization
Who Should Attend?
CFOs, controllers, and finance professionals
Qualifies for Yellowbook: No
Qualifies for Enrolled Agent: No
Field of Study: Management Services
CPE: 4.00
- CPE – Management Services: 4
3A: Buying and Selling a Business: Tax and Structuring Overview (Morning Session)
One of the major transactions CPA clients are faced with is the purchase or disposition of a business. To help tax professionals advise those clients, this course offers a comprehensive analysis of the business and tax aspects of buying and selling a business. It is a practical guide to help practitioners and industry CPAs understand structuring techniques. All CPAs, including controllers and executives in industry, should understand how difficult the process of buying and selling a business has become.
Objectives:
Understand the CPA’s role in the beginning of the transaction and throughout the process
Identify the different tax consequences for various forms of acquired businesses
Identify the tax consequences for sellers of various forms of businesses, including the impact of the net investment income tax (NIIT) and the §199A pass-through deduction
Appreciate §338 and §338(h)(10) elections and the benefits of installment sales
Understand the impact of §§751, 743, 734, and 754 on the purchase or sale of a partnership
Who Should Attend?
All practitioners who will be involved in the sale of a business
Qualifies for Yellowbook: No
Qualifies for Enrolled Agent: Yes
Field of Study: Taxes
CPE: 4.00
- CPE – Taxes: 4
3B: Critical Issues That CPAs in Industry Will Need to Face This Year (Morning Session)
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.
Objectives:
Understand the impacts of recent accounting pronouncements and critical tax topics on CPAs in industry
Who Should Attend?
Practicing CPAs with a need to stay on top of the issues and trends that will affect their practice this year
Qualifies for Yellowbook: No
Qualifies for Enrolled Agent: No
Field of Study: Accounting (2), Taxes (2)
CPE: 4.00
- CPE – Accounting: 2
- CPE – Taxes: 2
3C: Guide and Update to Compilations, Reviews, and Preparations (Morning Session)
Specifically designed for preparation, compilation, and review practitioners, this course provides 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 additional guidance related to SSARS engagements through the issuance of SSARS Nos. 22–27 by the AICPA’s Accounting and Review Services Committee (ARSC). The course also reviews 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.
Objectives:
Understand and apply SSARS No. 21, Clarification and Recodification
Be familiar with changes related to the issuance of SSARS Nos. 22-25
Be familiar with preparation, compilation, and review program examples
Be aware of the most recent reports and other required communications
Who Should Attend?
Accounting practitioners and their staff performing and managing compilation, preparation, and review engagement services
Qualifies for Yellowbook: No
Qualifies for Enrolled Agent: No
Field of Study: Auditing
CPE: 4.00
- CPE – Auditing: 4
4C: Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI in Accounting, Finance, and Cybersecurity: Opportunities and Threats (Afternoon Session)
Artificial Intelligence for Accounting and Finance Professionals (AIP2)
Accounting and finance professionals have used different forms of automation over the years to improve the efficiency and accuracy of their work. So far, technology has not been able to replace the knowledge, experience, and decision-making of seasoned professionals. Times are rapidly changing. Today, systems easily exceed humans in accuracy and consistency. Artificial intelligence (AI) brings opportunities for accountants and finance professionals in the short term to improve efficiency and accuracy, while providing more value for businesses and customers alike. In the long term, AI will offer profound changes to how professionals work and process data. This course is designed to review where we are and where we are headed in the world of AI.
Objectives:
Be familiar with the fundamentals of artificial intelligence
Recognize the different types of artificial intelligence in use today
Understand how artificial intelligence will change the accounting and finance professions
Be able to explain data security and privacy best practices
Who Should Attend?
Accounting and finance professionals seeking to understand the role of artificial intelligence today and in the future
Generative AI and Cybersecurity: Opportunities and Threats
This course explores how generative AI is revolutionizing cybersecurity. It highlights opportunities, such as enhanced threat detection, and risks, including AI-driven phishing and malware, particularly in finance
Objectives:
Understand how generative AI is used for both defensive and malicious cybersecurity purposes
Identify potential risks from AI-powered threats and develop mitigation strategies
Analyze real-world AI-related cybersecurity incidents in the financial sector
Propose proactive measures to integrate generative AI into cybersecurity defenses
Evaluate how AI-generated risks impact regulatory compliance in financial systems
Who Should Attend?
Experienced CPAs, CITPs, accountants, & anyone who wants to better understand current cybersecurity & data privacy threats for individuals & businesses; anyone responsible for designing or implementing data security policies
Qualifies for Yellowbook: No
Qualifies for Enrolled Agent: No
Field of Study: Information Technology
CPE: 4.00
- CPE – Information Technology: 4
4B: Controller/CFO Update: Hot Topics Facing Today’s Financial Professional (Afternoon Session)
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 pigeonholed into one area or another is neither good for career building nor good for the organization. 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.
Objectives:
Understand the current issues and latest trends impacting CFOs, controllers, and finance professionals
Understand how domestic and global economic conditions could impact an organization
Apply what we have learned from recent economic and political changes to have a positive impact on an organization
Be familiar with the results of the case studies and exercises that reinforce key learning points throughout the course
Who Should Attend?
CFOs, controllers, and finance professionals
Qualifies for Yellowbook: No
Qualifies for Enrolled Agent: No
Field of Study: Finance
CPE: 4.00
- CPE – Finance: 4
4A: Select Estate & Life Planning Issues for the Middle-Income Client (Afternoon Session)
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.
Objectives:
Understand various documents used in estate planning
Identify use of trusts and other financial arrangements
Know what issues clients confront, and potential solutions
Who Should Attend?
Accounting and Financial Professionals who advise clients on estate planning
Qualifies for Yellowbook: No
Qualifies for Enrolled Agent: Yes
Field of Study: Taxes
CPE: 4.00
- CPE – Taxes: 4
5A: Surgent’s Individual Tax Planning Ideas (Morning Session)
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.
Objectives:
Identify areas where individual taxpayers are not taking full advantage of the Code
Know the directions in which taxes are changing or are likely to change and how that affects planning
Who Should Attend?
All practitioners involved in tax planning for individuals who need to go beyond basic tax and financial planning techniques
Qualifies for Yellowbook: No
Qualifies for Enrolled Agent: Yes
Field of Study: Taxes
CPE: 4.00
- CPE – Taxes: 4
5B: Unlocking AI: Fundamentals and Generative AI for Accountants (Morning Session)
This course covers the foundational concepts of artificial intelligence (AI) and its relevance to accounting. Participants will explore various AI applications, including generative AI and prompt engineering, and understand the benefits, challenges, and future trends associated with AI integration in accounting.
Objectives:
Understand the fundamental concepts of artificial intelligence and its relevance to accounting
Explain the principles of generative AI (i.e., ChatGPT), distinguish it from non-generative AI, and explore its frequent use cases
Apply best practices for creating prompts and explore examples of impactful prompts
Practice common prompt engineering techniques and approaches for writing effective prompts
Who Should Attend?
All practitioners involved in tax planning for individuals who need to go beyond basic tax and financial planning techniques
Qualifies for Yellowbook: No
Qualifies for Enrolled Agent: No
Field of Study: Information Technology
CPE: 4.00
- CPE – Information Technology: 4
5C: Current Issues in Accounting and Auditing: An Annual Update (Morning Session)
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.
Objectives:
Recall and apply recently issued and proposed FASB and AICPA pronouncements
Understand the key findings of the FASB’s PIR report covering revenue recognition in ASC 606
Understand the main provisions of SASs No. 146 to No. 149
Identify other important A&A practice matters to be aware of
Understand the key findings in recent PCAOB inspection reports
Utilize hands-on examples and illustrations to demonstrate an overall understanding and application of the material
Who Should Attend?
Accounting, auditing, and attestation practitioners at all levels desiring to remain up to date on recent pronouncements and other standard setters’ activities
Qualifies for Yellowbook: No
Qualifies for Enrolled Agent: No
Field of Study: Accounting (2), Auditing (2)
CPE: 4.00
- CPE – Accounting: 2
- CPE – Auditing: 2
6A: Securing a Comfortable Retirement (Afternoon Session)
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.
Objectives:
Help clients determine how much retirement income is necessary for the desired retirement lifestyle
Identify resources available for retirement
Understand how to build the three-legged retirement stool: employer retirement, savings, and Social Security
Develop Plan B when the ideal retirement goal is not achievable
Explain ways that clients can convert the equity in a home to retirement income
Explain how the value of a small business can be converted to retirement income
Explain survival possibilities and how first-to-die and last-to-die survival probabilities are used in retirement planning for married couples
Understand timing regarding the use of taxable retirement funds and nontaxable funds, and strategies to minimize income tax on Social Security
Recognize the role of various investment types, such as mutual funds, equity holdings, and bonds in retirement planning
Summarize key points of recent research on the sustainability of retirement income and maintenance of desired retirement lifestyles
Who Should Attend?
Accounting, auditing, and attestation practitioners at all levels desiring to remain up to date on recent pronouncements and other standard setters’ activities
Qualifies for Yellowbook: No
Qualifies for Enrolled Agent: Yes
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge and Applications (2), Taxes (2)
CPE: 4.00
- CPE – Specialized Knowledge: 2
- CPE – Taxes: 2
6B: Gaining a Competitive Advantage: Critical Skills for CFOs and Controllers (Afternoon Session)
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. This year, we will take a special interest in the opportunities and threats of AI for the finance professional. Become the “financial hero” of your organization and make a positive impact on the bottom line.
Objectives:
Make better financial decisions that have a positive impact on the organization
Lead the organization into the rapidly changing decade
Apply what we have learned from the recent changes in organizations and in AI to have a positive impact on the organization
Apply what we have learned from recent economic and political changes to have a positive impact on the organization
Be familiar with the results of the case studies and exercises that reinforce key learning points throughout the course
Who Should Attend?
CFOs, controllers, and finance professionals
Qualifies for Yellowbook: No
Qualifies for Enrolled Agent: No
Field of Study: Business Management and Organization (2), Finance (2)
CPE: 4.00
- CPE – Business Management & Organization: 2
- CPE – Finance: 2
6C: Fraud Case Studies: Schemes and Controls (Afternoon Session)
Fraud is prevalent – especially since COVID-19 relief packages passed by legislatures around the world opened the till. The overwhelming majority of fraud cases are never publicized. In this course we will build on our knowledge of why people commit fraud to dissect the schemes and discuss transactional controls to help stop fraud faster.
Objectives:
Consider the ways perpetrators evade both soft and hard controls
Identify teachable moments
Look for the common red flags that ought to draw our attention to a potential fraud scheme
Who Should Attend?
CPAs in public practice and industry who wish to educate clients or colleagues further on how to better prevent fraud from occurring at the source – would-be fraudsters – as well as to seek means to improve anti-fraud controls
CPAs in public practice and industry who wish to educate clients or colleagues further on how to better prevent fraud from occurring at the source – would-be fraudsters – as well as to seek means to improve anti-fraud controls
Qualifies for Yellowbook: No
Qualifies for Enrolled Agent: No
Field of Study: Auditing
CPE: 4.00
- CPE – Auditing: 4
7A: Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits (Morning Session)
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.
Objectives:
Identify who is entitled to retirement benefits and in what amounts
Summarize the factors one must consider in determining when to take benefits
Discuss the taxation of Social Security benefits and how this impacts other income tax planning
Identify and describe the potential effects of retirement and estate planning strategies
Who Should Attend?
Practitioners who have clients contemplating receipt of Social Security
Practitioners who have clients contemplating receipt of Social Security
Qualifies for Yellowbook: No
Qualifies for Enrolled Agent: No
Field of Study: Taxes
CPE: 4.00
- CPE – Taxes: 4
7B: Incident Response and Cybersecurity Risk Management in AI Powered Financial Systems (Morning Session)
This course emphasizes the practical application of incident response frameworks through case studies of AI-related cyber incidents. It focuses on preparing financial professionals to effectively manage and learn from cybersecurity crises.
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.
Objectives:
Evaluate the role of financial professionals in incident response planning and execution
Analyze real-world cybersecurity incidents to identify lessons for organizational improvement
Apply frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to practical scenarios
Collaborate effectively with IT and legal teams during cybersecurity crises
Develop strategies for integrating incident response lessons into proactive risk management
Identify essential components of a cybersecurity risk management program, including policies and controls
Evaluate cybersecurity risks and develop risk mitigation strategies tailored for financial professionals
Understand global compliance standards, such as the EU AI Act and GDPR, and their implications for U.S.-based organizations.
Analyze financial impacts from cybersecurity breaches using real-world case studies
Apply cybersecurity policies and controls that align with U.S. regulatory frameworks while addressing global compliance trends
Who Should Attend:
Experienced CPAs, CITPs, accountants, & anyone who wants to better understand current cybersecurity & data privacy threats for individuals & businesses; anyone responsible for designing or implementing data security policies
Qualifies for Yellowbook: No
Qualifies for Enrolled Agent: No
Field of Study: Information Technology
CPE: 4.00
- CPE – Information Technology: 4
Event Code:BCLU0026
Fields of Study:CPE - Accounting, CPE - Auditing, CPE - Business Management & Organization, CPE - Finance, CPE - Information Technology, CPE - Management Services, CPE - Specialized Knowledge, CPE - Taxes
Other fields:
Registration Fees
| Registration | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| BCLU0026: Registration – See Individual Sessions for Pricing | BCLU0026 | $ |
The North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org/.For information regarding refund, complaint, program cancellation or other policies, visit our Registration Policies page or call 800-469-1352.