South Carolina Association of CPAs

(LITX10/26) Keeping Up with the Tax Code - Quarterly Federal Tax Update for Businesses
2025-08-13 13:00 - 16:30 (America/Detroit)
Event Description
With constant shifts in the federal tax landscape, practitioners need more than just a list of new code sections—they need clarity, strategy, and context. This quarterly update dives into the latest tax law developments, including impactful provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), current IRS enforcement priorities, and emerging business tax topics. Using real-world examples and practical insight, we’ll equip you to confidently advise clients year-round—not just during crunch time.
Enrolled Agent Approved
Objectives
After attending this course, participants will be able to:

Identify recent federal tax law changes and IRS areas of focus impacting business clients.
Analyze key provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA) and their implications for business tax planning and compliance.
Apply updates and evolving guidance to real-world business scenarios using clear, actionable strategies.
Recognize common practitioner challenges and emerging issues in payroll, deductions, credits, and reporting.
Stay informed and responsive to client needs throughout the year with quarterly insights into regulatory and industry developments.

(LITX09/26) Understanding S-Corporation Taxation - Shareholder Basis, AAA & Retained Earnings
2025-08-13 08:30 - 09:50
Event Description
Even though they have been around for several years, the tax laws pertaining to S-Corporations remain some of the more difficult areas of the Internal Revenue Code. Given the rising popularity of S-Corporations, understanding how shareholder basis and the equity section of the balance sheet work together for tax purposes is imperative for nearly any tax practitioner. In this course, we will discuss this relationship. Using examples and illustrations, we will show how contributions, operating transactions, and distributions affect both shareholder basis as well as equity.
Enrolled Agent Approved
Objectives

Recognize the formula for calculating S-Corp Shareholder basis
Identify the items of income and deduction that are allocated to AAA, PTI, AE&P, and OAA
Calculate the tax effects of a distribution on shareholder basis and AAA

(LIAA06/26) Introduction to Governmental Accounting
2025-08-12 10:20 - 12:00
Event Description
Governmental accounting is very unique. This course will introduce the financial reporting basics for governments, including fund accounting and the modified accrual basis of accounting. Attendees will analyze the layouts of the fund financial statements as well as the government-wide financial statements. The course will also cover the concept of component units, Management Discussion & Analysis (MD&A), and the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
Objectives

Describe the unique accounting principles and transactions applicable to governmental entities.

(LIAA05/26) FASB Update
2025-08-07 14:50 - 16:30
Event Description
FASB standards are constantly changing. Practioners must keep up with those changes.
Designed For
The two hour session is appropriate for any CPA in industry who prepares or analyzes financial statements. It is also appropriate for a practitioner in public practice who provides acconting or attest services for client financial statements.
Objectives

Gaining an understanding of recently issued FASB standards and when they become effective
Gaining an understanding of in prices FASB standards including the purpose and when the standard might be issued

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Major Subjects
We will cover recently issued FASB standards that are now, or soon to be, effective. We will also review the FASB’s work plan to understand what might be issued in the near future.

(LIAA04/26) Internal Control Deficiencies and Other Matters - Adding Value Through Required Auditor Communications
2025-08-07 10:20 - 12:00
Event Description
Professional and regulatory audit standards require communication of internal control matters noted in a financial statement audit. This assists management and those charged with governance with satisfying responsibilities for designing, implementing, maintaining, and monitoring internal controls. In addition, in order to retain existing clients, lower fee pressures and gain invaluable referral sources, financial statement auditors must place a priority on being a value-added business advisor. This module will help the auditor with understanding how to improve required internal control communications to be more value-added from the perspective of the client.
Designed For
Professionals responsible for evaluating the design and implementation of internal control
Objectives
Discuss what, when, and to whom to communicate identified deficiencies in internal control during the financial statement audit

Describe how to categorize the severity of identified deficiencies
Explain how to draft written communications in a way that will increase the likelihood of corrective action
Describe the importance of making value-added business advice to clients a priority
Explain how to anticipate and prevent issues that could negatively impact clients

Major Subjects

The required communication of internal control matters noted on an audit
Evaluating the severity of identified deficiencies, including consideration of qualitative considerations
Importance of placing a priority on being a value-added business advisor

(LIAA03/26) Fraud: Crossing the Line
2025-08-07 08:30 - 09:40
Event Description
When talking about occupational fraud and crossing the line, did the perpetrator pause to weigh the risk versus reward? What type of fraud schemes are being employed by the perpetrator and what should a business do to better protect itself and its employees.
Designed For
Accountants, CFOs, and anyone who has a leadership role with financial responsibilities for a business or provides business advisory services.
Objectives

Understanding of pressures and motivations behind a person crossing the line
Raising fraud awareness
Identifying ways to reduce the fraud risk in the workplace
Provide tips and tools to better protect your business and employees

Major Subjects

Discuss the reasoning behind occupational fraud
Illustrate risks and rewards through fraud-related cases and videos
Examine the impact of crossing ethical and legal boundaries
Explore the challenges of protecting your business and employees

(LIMG06/26) Building a Better Budget in a Time of Uncertainty
2025-08-06 08:30 - 12:00
Event Description
Through a combination of theory and real-world examples, we will explore how to build flexibility into our budget – so that it can inform and drive decision-making when we don’t quite know what is ahead.
Objectives

Recall the difference between a forecast and a budget
Identify the difference between top-down and bottom-up budgeting
State the key elements of a flexible budgeting approach
Define key cost drivers
State how behavioral biases may affect the budgeting process
Identify how headcount efficiency may be measured
Define scenario planning
Recognize best practices and controls for managing budget changes

(LITE03/26) Excel for Staff Level 1 - What You Never Learned
2025-08-05 10:20 - 12:00
Event Description
Most Staff Accountants learned Excel in college and many others learned Excel on their own, however most users never learned the important productivity tips that help them build spreadsheets more efficiently. This course will teach new and experienced users how to leverage the many productivity tools built within Excel in order to build spreadsheets with maximum effectiveness. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Designed For
Any Excel user that wants to learn the “real” basics of Excel that will increase their productivity.
Objectives

Identify all the ways you can select cells and ranges
Recall ways to leverage custom number formats
Recognize the importance of proper worksheet structure

Major Subjects

Navigating around worksheets
Selecting cells and ranges
How to use custom number formatting
How to leverage Views
How to build better formulas with referenced variables and defined names
Learn to quickly format cells with Cell Styles
Learn proper worksheet structure

(LITX64/26) What The Big Beautiful Bill Means for You and Your Clients: Breaking Down Key Tax Provisions
2025-07-31 13:00 - 16:30
Event Description
The “Big Beautiful Bill” is the most significant tax law package since the TCJA, and it’s now law. With dozens of TCJA provisions made permanent and plenty of new rules introduced, this session is packed with critical content for tax professionals. You’ll walk away understanding what’s changed, what’s new, and what to prepare for across individual, business, and estate taxation.
Art Werner breaks down key topics like bonus depreciation, enhanced 199A deductions, Trump accounts, SALT cap changes, estate planning, charitable limits, 1099-K thresholds, and much more. He’ll also examine areas with future sunsets, business incentives, and international tax provisions that could impact clients at all income levels.
Enrolled Agent Approved
Designed For
CPAs, EAs, attorneys, financial planners, insurance agents, and bankers
Objectives
At the end of this course, you will be able to:

Identify the major tax provisions included in The One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Analyze Changes to the Internal Revenue Code.
Determine how the bill affects individual tax planning strategies
Evaluate the impact of the bill on pass-through business taxation
Analyze changes to corporate and international tax rules
Interpret estate and gift tax modifications under the legislation
Recognize changes to depreciation and expensing rules
Assess the tax planning implications for clients affected by international provisions
Explain the impact of the legislation on 529 plans and new Trump accounts

Major Subjects

Extension of individual TCJA provisions
Expansion of IRC Section 199A
Bonus depreciation and Section 179 updates
Changes to the standard deduction and personal exemptions
Child tax credit revisions
Business interest deduction limits
Estate and gift tax thresholds
International tax changes and foreign surtax provisions
Creation of Trump Accounts and expansion of 529 plans
1099 reporting threshold changes and other administrative updates

(LIAA34/26) What's Going on at the FASB
2025-07-30 13:00 - 15:30
Event Description
The course will start with the Accounting Standard Updates effective in 2025 for public entities, private entities, and nonprofits. We will also review year 2 implications of the leases standard including modification accounting. We will then switch our attention to the items coming down the pike, including a look at the projects identified by the FASB’s Invitation to Comment: Agenda Consultation.
Objectives

Identify the impact of ASUs that are effective in 2025 on financial reporting
Describe the impact of the lease modification on financial reporting
Identify FASB ASUs that will be effective after 2025

(LIMG05/26) How To Be a Better CFO
2025-07-30 08:30 - 12:00
Event Description
Gone are the days in which the CFO was just in charge of keeping the books. Today’s CFOs are involved in all parts of a company’s operations. Utilizing case studies, research, and discussion questions, this course will explore how to look at topics such as picking out the best retirement plan, managing remote employees, strategic forecasting, and managing the budgeting process through the lens of a CFO.
Objectives

State the elements of the CGMA Competency Framework
List the different types of retirement plans and what companies they would appeal to
Identify recent trends in group health insurance plans
Recognize key differences between bottom-up, top-down, and flexible forecasting
List the different types of behavioral biases
Identify best practices for managing remote employees

(LITX07/26) Tax Talks with Bill: Sizzling Sales Tax Issues: What You Need to Know
2025-07-29 12:00 - 12:50
Event Description
Find out what is happening in South Carolina sales taxation
Designed For
CPAs who prepare sales tax returns and/or advise clients on sales tax issues
Objectives

Give a better understanding of the sales tax scheme in South Carolina

Major Subjects

What are taxable sales
What retailers need to know about sales tax

(LIOT01/26) Women in Leadership: Implementing Assertive Boundaries to Drive Career Growth
2025-07-25 08:30 - 09:20
Event Description
2025 Professional Development Program with Leadership SimplifiedRaise your bar of excellence by attending all or selected leadership development meetings. Provided virtually, each session is high-impact and engaging. The program provides immediately implementatble leadership tools/techniques that carry 1 or 1.4 credit hours. Each session will start at 8:30am and end at either 9:20am or 9:45am depending upon the amount of credit hours offered.
Confidence and clarity are essential for career advancement. This course empowers women leaders to strengthen communication, set assertive boundaries, and cultivate a presence of decisiveness—without over-apologizing or overcommitting. Learn to navigate workplace dynamics, embrace authenticity, and lead with impact while staying true to yourself.
Objectives

How to strengthen dialog
How to increase the perception of decisiveness
How to quit apologizing, as well as taking on too much stuff
How to effectively accept compliments and ignore slights
How to realize that you are not an island
Learn the root cause of unconscious bias
How to work effectively in a culture while staying true to your authenticity

(LITE02/26) Using ChatGPT with Excel
2025-07-24 13:00 - 14:40
Event Description
In this innovative course, participants will learn to combine the power of artificial intelligence with the functionality of Microsoft Excel. You will learn how to leverage ChatGPT, OpenAI’s powerful language model, to improve your Excel skills and decrease the time it takes to build spreadsheets. The course will include a quick introduction to ChatGPT but the majority of the time will be spent using ChatGPT to create an Excel spreadsheet. This event may be a rebroadcast of a live event and the instructor will be available to answer your questions during the event.
Designed For
This course is designed for students, professionals, and enthusiasts seeking to leverage the potential of ChatGPT to enhance their Excel skills and productivity.
Objectives

Identify opportunities to leverage ChatGPT to improve your Excel skills and productivity
Use ChatGPT with Excel formulas
Recall the best practices for using ChatGPT with Excel

Major Subjects

Introduction to ChatGPT and other?AI (Artificial Intelligence) language models
Discussion of best practices for using ChatGPT with Excel
Use ChatGPT to create, debug and explain formulas
Use ChatGPT to learn how to use Excel features
Use ChatGPT to automate repetitive tasks in Excel
Use ChatGPT to easily create macros

(LITX06/26) The Essential Multistate Tax Update (NEXUS)
2025-07-24 10:20 - 12:00
Event Description
Answer the question as to whether your client needs to file tax returns in South Carolina or another state.
Enrolled Agent Approved
Designed For
Tax Preparers who file multi state tax returns for their clients
Objectives

Understand what Nexus is
Understand the state of Pass through entity taxation

Major Subjects

What is Nexus?
Background of Nexus
The Wayfair case
Pass through entity taxation

(LIMG04/26) A History of Investing & a Look Ahead
2025-07-23 12:00 - 12:50
Event Description
You hear it all the time. Financial products are becoming more complex. Diversification has changed. Our approach to investing has changed. What does all this mean? In this course, we will explore how investment theory has changed over time from Markowitz to Factor Investing. Using examples and practical applications, we will talk about how our modern notions of portfolio building have developed throughout history.
Objectives

Identify the contributions of Harry Markowitz to Modern Portfolio Theory
Recognize how the concept of diversification has changed over time
Distinguish between the major factor investing models

(LITX05/26) Tax Research Part 2 - Intermediate
2025-07-22 13:00 - 13:50
Event Description
Answering clients’ tax questions accurately and on time is a key challenge for tax practitioners. Through simple, plain language explanations and examples, this course will help practitioners perform tax research more efficiently by describing the structure of the primary sources, highlighting the difference between primary and secondary sources and describing the steps in the tax research process.
Enrolled Agent Approved
Objectives

Illustrate the organization of the Internal Revenue Code, the Treasury Regulations, and Revenue Rulings
Identify the circumstances when a client may want to consider requesting a private letter ruling
Differentiate between primary and secondary pieces of authority
Illustrate the steps to the tax research process and the parts of a tax research memorandum

(LIMG03/26) Using Data Analytics to Give You a Competitive Advantage - Data Types, Data Inquiries, and Data Integrity
2025-07-22 08:30 - 12:00
Event Description
Through case studies and discussion, this course will explore what data analytics and big data is, how it is being used by companies, and how it could be used in the future. Participants will be given scenarios in which to think about the data available, and how it can be applied within specific company contexts. The focus of the course will be on how to approach big data, so that participants can better utilize the data available to them in their current working lives.
Objectives

Differentiate between data analytics and data mining
List the different dimensions of data
List the different types of data inquiries that one can make
Describe how to maintain data integrity in a corporate environment
Describe how data can be manipulated by end-users
Define the concept of data governance
Describe how companies may utilize data in the future

(LITX04/26) Roth IRAs and The Path to Tax-Free Distributions
2025-07-17 12:00 - 12:50
Event Description
There are multiple options for funding a Roth IRA. Each option is subject to a strict set of rules, and breaking any of these rules could negate the tax benefits of the Roth IRA. When done right, these funding options can help to create tax-free income for a Roth IRA owner and their beneficiaries. During this presentation, Denise will demonstrate how to operate within the regulatory limitations for funding Roth IRAs, thus avoiding excise taxes and penalties that apply to overfunding.
Designed For
Financial and Tax professionals
Objectives

Help clients avoid costly Roth funding errors

Major Subjects

Regular Roth IRA contributions and the applicable limitations
The backdoor Roth IRA contribution strategy.
Direct Roth conversions
The special rules for indirect Roth conversions
Rollovers from employer plans to a Roth IRA
529 to Roth IRA contributions
Identifying and correcting Roth IRA excess contributions
Tax reporting requirements for Roth funding

(LITX03/26) Tax Research Part 1 - Fundamentals
2025-07-16 13:00 - 13:50
Event Description
The sheer number of sources of tax law can be overwhelming when you are first starting off as a practitioner. How do you differentiate between each one? What does each of them do? And what happens when there are conflicts between them? Through simple, plain language explanations and examples, this course gives the new practitioner an introduction to tax law. It talks about the types of primary authority and how they interact with each other.
Objectives

Describe the different levels of authority in tax law
Differentiate between the different types of administrative authority in tax law
Identify the different courts that hear cases involving tax law

(LIET02/26) A Culture of Regulatory Ethics Making Ethics a Competitive Advantage
2025-07-16 08:30 - 12:00
Event Description
In a competitive market, every company is looking for any way to differentiate themselves from their competition. While we often look to new markets and data for a competitive advantage, ethics can be the factor that makes the biggest difference to customers, employees, and the public at large. Using surveys, research, case studies, and examples, this course will explore why the CPA credential and the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct is so different. We will discuss why CPAs are in a unique position of trust and how this can put their companies ahead.
Objectives

Describe the relationship between financial success and ethics
Identify the characteristics that make the CPA credential unique compared to other financial designations
Compare and contrast the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct to the ethics codes of other financial professionals
State the steps in the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct Conceptual Framework Approach
Describe the key issues currently being addressed by the AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee
State the key factors that influence employee behavior according to research
Identify the key factors of ethical communication that increase trust
Describe how the concept of ethical communication can be applied within the context of a difficult conversation

(LITX02/26) Keeping Up with the Tax Code - Required Minimum Distributions
2025-07-15 12:00 - 12:50
Event Description
Whether you are an experienced veteran or new to the industry, one of the toughest parts of being a tax practitioner is keeping up with all of the changes in tax legislation. The Keeping Up the Code series takes a look at recent changes to tax law from a practitioner perspective. We don’t just hurl code sections at you without explanation. Using examples, problems, and plain explanations, we explore a mix of new tax issues and areas of the code that tend to be misunderstood in a practical and straight-forward way. In this session, we will explore Required Minimum Distribution rules, as well as changes that have been made in light of SECURE 1, SECURE 2, and other recent IRS pronouncements.
Objectives

Identify the correct age in which RMDs need to begin after recent tax legislation
State differences between RMDs for IRAs and Qualified Plans
Recognize how RMDs are treated for inherited IRAs

(LIAA02/26) Governmental GAAP Update
2025-07-10 10:20 - 12:00
Event Description
This course begins with a look at the GASB standards effective this year, including GASB 100, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections and GASB 101, Compensated Absences. We’ll include practical application of the topics in the form of case studies.
Objectives

Recall the impact of GASB 100 and 101 on financial reporting for governments Recall the impact of standards effective in 2025

(LITX01/26) Lifecycle Financial Planning - Qualified Business Income Deduction
2025-07-09 14:50 - 15:40
Event Description
Even though it has been around several years, many practitioners fail to take full advantage of the QBI deduction due to its complexity and many nuances. In this course, we will discuss how to maximize the QBI deduction. We will get into the details of what QBI includes (and doesn’t include), which entity structures work best for the QBI deduction, and what to do if we have negative QBI. While the QBI deduction is only one deduction on the tax return, for small business owners, it may be the largest and most important deduction that they can take!
Objectives

State which activities are eligible for a QBI deduction and any limitations
Identify planning techniques to increase the QBI deduction
Recognize which entity types may increase an equity owner’s QBI deduction

(LIAA01/26) Thinking Like an Auditor When Preparing Your Financial Statements
2025-07-09 10:20 - 12:00
Event Description
External auditors understand concepts like materiality, reasonableness, and risk of material misstatement. This course will explain how to think like an auditor when preparing and fairly presenting your financial statements and related disclosures.
Designed For
Anyone responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements
Objectives

Describe important judgments made by the auditor in providing reasonable assurance about whether financial statements are materially misstated due to fraud or error
Explain how to apply subjectivity, materiality and other critical aspects of professional judgment when preparing financial statements and related disclosures
Apply illustrative examples to explain how judgment can be appropriately applied in reliable financial reporting

Major Subjects

Determining an appropriate sense of quantitative and qualitative materiality
Identifying the critical components of the financial statements that matter most to financial statement users
Evaluating where the financial statements are most likely to contain material fraud and error, and ensuring adequate internal control and monitoring to mitigate those risks

(LIET01/26) Yellow Book Ethics
2025-07-08 13:00 - 14:40
Event Description
The Yellow Book outlines essential ethical principles for governmental auditors, including serving the public interest, maintaining integrity, objectivity, and professional behavior. This course provides a focused review of these key concepts and their practical application in governmental auditing. Participants will also explore the independence standards, gaining insights on maintaining objectivity and avoiding conflicts of interest to ensure unbiased and professional audits.
Objectives

Identify independence rules in Yellow Book
Recognize the ethical principles in GAGAS

(LIMG02/26) The Risk Management Process & Insurance Fundamentals
2025-07-02 10:20 - 12:00
Event Description
Whether you are new to the risk management process or you are a seasoned pro, it always comes back to the fundamentals. Just like any other industry, insurance professionals have their own language. Through plain language and a commonsense approach, this course explores the steps involved in the risk management process, the elements of a good risk register, as well what sections make up a standard insurance policy. Whether you are an insurance professional trying to brush up or you are simply trying to better understand the terms in your insurance policy, this course provides a solid foundation for understanding risk management.
Objectives

Recall the three elements of a loss exposure
Identify the elements of a client’s risk register
Distinguish between risk control and risk financing measures
Indicate the different sections of an insurance policy

(LIMG01/26) Improving Your Profits: Identifying Cost Cutting Opportunities
2025-07-02 08:30 - 10:10
Event Description
Part of one’s duty as a CPA working in industry is to safeguard the assets of the organization. Cost cutting is one way to preserve assets and maintain a company’s competitive position in the industry. However, what keeps us from ridding our organizations of unnecessary costs? In this course, we will look at the factors that prevent our companies from being as streamlined as they could be. By using statistics and survey data, we will attempt to show how to better negotiate and navigate budgeting and contracting decisions. We will also discuss financial statement analysis techniques, benchmarking, and cash flow management in an effort to better cut costs and maintain the long-run viability of an organization.
Objectives

List behavioral biases that prevent companies from being streamlined
Identify techniques that may be used to make cost cutting a part of the company’s culture and business strategy
Describe techniques that may be used to discern whether or not additional headcount is necessary
Demonstrate vertical and horizontal financial statement analysis
List key considerations when benchmarking against competitors
Describe contracting and negotiation techniques
Discuss the business cycle and how cash flow management changes during each stage

(LITE01/26) AI for CPAs: How it Works and How to Apply It
2025-07-01 08:30 - 12:00
Event Description
Demystify the complex world of generative AI in this informative session designed specifically for CPAs. We’ll break down the nuts and bolts of how generative AI works, making the technical aspects accessible and relevant. Equip yourself with the foundational knowledge to leverage AI in your practice or business.
Objectives

Recognize the nature of generative AI and how it can be applied in the world of CPAs
Recall key concepts and terminology associated with this rapidly evolving technology

(SSAA270/25) Surgent's Revenue Recognition - U.S. GAAP vs. IFRS
2025-06-30 12:00
Event Description
This course provides an overview of the similarities and key differences between the revenue recognition standards issued by the FASB (ASC Topic 606) and the IASB (IFRS 15). While these standards are materially similar as the regulators worked jointly to issue the new converged standards, there are notable differences that are good to understand. However, this course is not intended to provide an exhaustive discussion of these differences.
Designed For
Accounting professionals
Objectives
List the key steps in the revenue recognition model Recognize the applicable U.S. GAAP and IFRS standard with respect to revenue recognition Identify some of the key differences between ASC Topic 606 and IFRS 15
Major Subjects
Key principles of Revenue Recognition Performance obligations in the Contract Noncash considerations Presentation of sales taxes Impairment reversal of capitalized contract costs Interim disclosures
Instructions
None
