Learning is Better at the Beach

AUGUST 9–AUGUST 12, 2022

 Holiday Inn Resort Wrightsville Beach (Beach Cluster is BACK in-person!)

2022 Agenda

NCACPA’s 2022 CPE Beach Cluster is designed for CPAs and accounting professionals at all levels in both public accounting and business and industry. We have your favorite speakers lined up to deliver valuable content curated for all four tracks (Accounting & Auditing, Tax, Industry, and Governmental).

Create your own agenda by attending a mix of sessions. The program’s format is broken up into affordable, four-hour sessions for you to choose from and tailor to your curriculum needs.

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

8:00–11:45 am

Concurrent Sessions

Thomas Newell
Surgent & Associates, LLC

1A: Current Issues in Accounting & Auditing: An Annual Update

Designed for accounting and attestation practitioners at all levels in both public accounting and business and industry, this course provides an overview of recent FASB and AICPA activity, including recently issued and proposed Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs); the latest on the new lease accounting standard, Topic 842; other relevant ASUs. The course also reviews new auditing standards effective in 2021 and beyond and the latest on new standards related to SSARS engagements. The course will also discuss other important A&A practice matters you should be aware of, including an update on peer review and audit quality.

Susan Smith
Surgent & Associates, LLC

1B: Individual Income Tax Update

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.

12:15–4:00 pm 

Concurrent Sessions

Thomas Newell
Surgent & Associates, LLC

1C: 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 those relating to adoption of new 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. The course will use illustrations, examples based on private company financial statements disclosures, and real-world excerpts from financial statements to provide you with a hands-on feel for the disclosure requirements across a number of accounting standards.

Susan Smith
Surgent & Associates, LLC

1D: S Corporation, Partnership & LLC Tax Update

If you are a practitioner who wants the latest information on tax changes affecting your business clients or employers, then you should take this enlightening course. You will learn invaluable knowledge, strategies, techniques, innovative tax-planning concepts, income-generating ideas, and other planning opportunities available to S corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and LLPs. Continually updated to reflect enacted legislation.

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

8:00–11:45 am

Concurrent Sessions

Jason Carney, CPA, CISA, PMP, CISSP, CCSP, Esq.
Surgent & Associates, LLC

2A: 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.

Thomas Newell
Surgent & Associates, LLC

2B: Guide & Update to Compilations, Reviews, & 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.

Kerry Roberts
Surgent & Associates, LLC

2C: Government & Nonprofit Frauds & Controls to Stop Them

George Washington once wrote, “We ought not to look back, unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dear bought experience.” The cost of fraud, dearly paid by governments and nonprofits, is too severe not to learn and profit from. In this course, we will look back at real-world government and nonprofit frauds and derive useful controls to stop them. The course materials utilize a highly illustrative and innovative format. Over 15 focused exercises are included to provide an enhanced working knowledge of fraud and anti-fraud controls to both auditors and industry professionals.

Susan Smith
Surgent & Associates, LLC

2D: 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 CPAs who work with middle-income clients and are looking for ways to provide additional quality services. Updated for developments relative to estate tax changes.

12:15–4:00 pm 

Concurrent Sessions

Jason Carney, CPA, CISA, PMP, CISSP, CCSP, Esq.
Surgent & Associates, LLC

3A: Planning & Strategy Formulation For Your Organization’s Financial Success

Did 2020 show us that planning doesn’t work? It might seem that way. But, obviously some organizations survived far better than others due to their ability to handle unexpected change. Sick and tired of taking CPE that has no practical application or just regurgitates the same information over and over? Join us for this practical course, which will present a fresh approach to planning and strategy formulation for your organization. Often thought of as a painful process, planning and strategy formulation is probably one of the most important processes any organization undertakes in order to achieve financial success. We’ll explore this fresh approach to many different planning stages, including the marketing plan, the technology plan, the capital plan, the five-year operating plan and much more! The pandemic has shown us that our planning process must be far nimbler and allow our organization to shift rapidly. Today’s dynamic economic environment requires much more careful planning and strategy execution. Come find out how to make that happen for your organization.

Thomas Newell
Surgent & Associates, LLC

3B: Financial Reporting Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic

In addition to being a significant business interrupter for many entities, the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is still creating a significant financial reporting impact for virtually all entities. Many formerly profitable entities will be looking at charges for once unthought-of circumstances, from fixed asset impairment to inventory and receivables write-downs. Further, many entities will need to account for debt and other contractual modifications, including restructuring, forgiveness, and debt covenant modifications, as well as the receipt and forgiveness of Paycheck Protection Program loans. Applying this often-complex accounting guidance in these areas may be challenging. In this course, we will review in detail the accounting guidance that many entities will need to apply when preparing their next set of financial statements. We will also review disclosure guidance for such topics as going concern considerations and subsequent events as well as other relevant financial statement recognition and presentation issues.

Kerry Roberts
Surgent & Associates, LLC

3C: Understanding & Testing Control & Compliance In A Single Audit

The control and compliance requirements applied in a single audit differ from the requirements applied in a GAAS audit. As a result, sometimes it’s even difficult to tell where the auditor’s responsibilities start or stop in a single audit. This course is designed to help you proceed and succeed in applying the single audit control and compliance requirements. Over 15 focused exercises are included to provide an enhanced working knowledge of the most critical challenges in single auditing today.

Susan Smith
Surgent & Associates, LLC

3D: 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.

Thursday, August 11, 2022

8:00–11:45 am

Concurrent Sessions

Jason Carney, CPA, CISA, PMP, CISSP, CCSP, Esq.
Surgent & Associates, LLC

4A: 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.

Thomas Newell
Surgent & Associates, LLC

4B: Introduction to Forensic Accounting

Forensic accounting encompasses fraud investigation and prevention, as well as a wide variety of functions in litigation. Forensic accountants provide services ranging from serving as an expert witness, to litigation consultant and bankruptcy trustee. As our economy grows more complex, the need for forensic accountants grows as well. One critical role of the forensic accountant is exposing and examining financial fraud. Technology expands the way companies conduct business; however, technology also provides greater opportunities for those willing to commit fraud. Forensic accountants rely on their skills in accounting, coupled with their investigative skills, to explain to clients, courts, and jurors how fraudulent schemes occur and the effect caused by fraud. Forensic accountants also provide expert opinions in calculating damages in litigation and administering bankruptcy estates, as well as a host of other services.

Kerry Roberts
Surgent & Associates, LLC

4C: The Most Critical Challenges in Not-for-Profit Accounting Today

This year not-for-profit entities are preparing for or applying critical new standards related to contributions, 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 most critical challenges in not-for-profit accounting today.

Susan Smith
Surgent & Associates, LLC

4D: Key Partnership & S Corporation Tax Planning Strategies

Most 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.

12:15–4:00 pm

Concurrent Sessions

Jason Carney, CPA, CISA, PMP, CISSP, CCSP, Esq.
Surgent & Associates, LLC

5A: Innovative Forecasting & Budgeting: Moving Beyond the Traditional Techniques

Did 2020 show us that planning doesn’t work? It might seem that way. But, obviously some organizations survived far better than others due to their ability to handle unexpected change. Forecasting and budgeting are two words that often draw an adverse reaction from many financial professionals; let us help you turn that frown upside down with our innovative approach to planning and budgeting. The pandemic has shown us that our planning process must be far nimbler and allow our organization to shift rapidly. We’ll move beyond the traditional techniques and show you easier ways to complete the process while cutting out the political pitfalls that end up causing a lack of accountability and can be demotivating to the staff. During the seminar we will cover such topics as the sales/income plan, capital equipment planning, the “one-year operating plan” (formerly referred to as a budget), the “monthly operating plan,” cash planning, risk planning, and much more! Join us for this seminar as we help you streamline your forecasting and budgeting processes, which turns into a win-win for the employees and the organization.

Thomas Newell
Surgent & Associates, LLC

5B: Technology Trends & Hot Topics Impacting the Accounting Profession

Never have the benefits, and related risks, of utilizing new technology 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, and focus on cyber-security risks and best practices that will allow accounting professionals to help our clients navigate these exciting but challenging times. Plus, we’ll review the newly issued guidance on audit evidence found in SAS 142, which guides our use of technology on our professional engagements.

Kerry Roberts
Surgent & Associates, LLC

5C: The Most Critical Challenges in Governmental Accounting Today

With the leasing standard and other standards looming, 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 governmental 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 most critical challenges in governmental accounting today.

Susan Smith
Surgent & Associates, LLC

5D: 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. Continually updated for recently-enacted legislation.

Friday, August 12, 2022

8:00–11:45 am

Concurrent Sessions

Thomas Newell
Surgent & Associates, LLC

6A: Annual FASB Update & Review

This course provides a detailed discussion on the key topics related to financial reporting, though in a summarized format. The course will focus on recent ASUs issued by the FASB with a concentration on issues of greatest significance to most accounting practitioners. Specifically, the course will review recently issued FASB standards on leases and provide an update on the status of ASC 842 implementation and other hot button accounting issues, such as what is on the FASB’s technical agenda. This course is the place to go for a succinct but thorough update on the big topics impacting financial accounting and reporting.

Susan Smith
Surgent & Associates, LLC

6B: Real Estate Taxation: Critical Considerations

This course is a ‘deep dive’ into many aspects involving the taxation of real estate related for the mid-level practitioner moving into this complex area. You will deepen your understanding of the complex considerations and strategies that individuals must navigate in acquiring, operating, and selling real estate. You will leave the course able to navigate critical issues associated with the relevant returns and plan strategically for your company or clients. We will discuss in detail the impact the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act continues to have on the real estate industry, as well as the impact of COVID-19.

NCACPA is a NASBA-approved sponsor of continuing education.

For complete program information (course registration, learning objectives, instructional delivery methods, CPE, field of study, prerequisites, program knowledge, level, advance preparation, program description, and speaker information), please visit the event links above.

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.