BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//South Carolina Association of CPAs - ECPv6.16.4//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://sc.cpa X-WR-CALDESC:Events for South Carolina Association of CPAs REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Detroit BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250331T211120Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T035017Z UID:10004444-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSMG127/25) Surgent's Project Management: Tips\, Tricks\, and Traps DESCRIPTION:Event Description\nThis past year has shown us the need for numerous projects and the need to manage those projects in a unique way. Project management is a way of thinking highly recognized and practiced by large organizations\, but often neglected by the smallest companies and entrepreneurs. This course quickly discusses the basics of project management thought and practice and then spends the majority of the time exploring some of the greatest mistakes that can be made\, the ways to avoid them\, and some of the tricks that have been introduced into the discipline. In the program we will explore some of the specific types of project management as well as some of the available software programs to make the task of project management easier. In an effort to avoid talking theory without concrete examples\, we will often use examples born from projects needed as a result of our experiences with COVID-19. \nDesigned For\nCFOs\, controllers\, and finance professionals \nObjectives\nUnderstand the importance of project management in parts of the financial function See how project management can help an individual executive better organize the department Review different types of project management and see which one or ones might be best for the department and organization Explore some of the project management software suited for the small to medium size enterprise \nMajor Subjects\nContrasting project management with operations management Reviewing organizational culture and how it applies to project management The various types of project management including Agile\, Scrum\, Waterfall\, Critical path\, and others Looking at risk management software and its application in different types of project management Managing and leading project management stakeholders \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssmg127-25-surgents-project-management-tips-tricks-and-traps/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Video END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250331T214110Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T033718Z UID:10004524-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSMG109/25) Surgent's Enterprise Risk Management Concepts and Strategy for Small and Medium-Sized Companies DESCRIPTION:Event Description\n2020 taught us that major risks can come at us from any direction and with barely a warning. All organizations operate in a risk environment\, but all too often\, they either don’t realize it or they don’t develop a strategy to deal with the risks. In this session\, we will explore how risks work in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and how they can develop a strategy to identify\, evaluate\, and mitigate those risks. This program will not teach how to eliminate risks\, but how to strategize how to reduce their total effect. We will liberally use case studies of both for-profit and not-for-profit companies to bridge the gap between concept and actual implementation. In each area we will explore what our experiences of the pandemic have taught us about this part of risk management. \nDesigned For\nCFOs\, controllers\, and finance professionals \nObjectives\nUnderstand how risks can both positively and negatively affect the organization Learn more about how we could have been better prepared for the pandemic Determine the nature of risk in both large and small organizations Understand the tolerance for risk in the organization Match risks to proper strategy Perform risk analysis and evaluations See how the strategy of the organization represents risk \nMajor Subjects\nOverview of ERM and how it affects all organizations What COVID-19 has taught us about risk management Risk tolerance and developing a plan Risk identification Risk analysis Risk responses Strategy risk \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssmg109-25-surgents-enterprise-risk-management-concepts-and-strategy-for-small-and-medium-sized-companies/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Video END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250331T215509Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T024316Z UID:10004562-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSMG104/25) Surgent's Achieving High Levels of Compliance and Customer Service in Your Organization DESCRIPTION:Event Description\nProbably one of the greatest conflicts in an organization is determining which is more important: compliance or customer service. This program digs deeply into the issue and prepares the finance professional to achieve high levels of compliance and customer service in the department and in the entire organization. We will examine both disciplines from an analytical standpoint\, proving why they are necessary for both for-profit and nonprofit businesses to achieve success. \nDesigned For\nCFOs\, controllers\, and finance professionals \nObjectives\nIdentify why customer service is just as important as compliance for profitability Understand how some organizations have achieved top performance in their industries See how good customer service is not about being right Realize why finance professionals have a bias toward compliance Identify what is wanted by the internal customers of the finance and accounting departments \nMajor Subjects\nWhy customer service is not just having nice people; it is truly serving the customer Analysis of the value of the customer to compare it to various costs creating an ROI How to develop a compliance program that adds value to the customer A hard look at several companies and industries that have mastered the dual objectives How COVID-19 has affected compliance and customer service \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssmg104-25-surgents-achieving-high-levels-of-compliance-and-customer-service-in-your-organization/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Video END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250331T220507Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T043710Z UID:10004587-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSAA142/25) Surgent's Data Analytics for Accountants and Financial Managers DESCRIPTION:Event Description\nData analytics and mining are the fastest growing disciplines in accounting and general management. Many organizations are either planning programs or have them already underway. Unfortunately\, a number of these attempts fail due to poor planning/preparation and a lack of commitment\, training\, and clear vision of the program’s goals. Today there is no shortage of data\, but relatively few organizations have established an environment and ongoing process to isolate\, capture\, analyze\, and convert data into actionable information. At times\, even organizations that are employing leading-edge analytics are doing it with traditional\, limited sets of data.This session explores how an organization can successfully become data driven. The discussion includes numerous examples demonstrating how accounting and financial professionals can build upon their current analytical skills to better perform traditional tasks and assume a role as a business partner with others in their organization. The program is aimed to assist those just beginning the journey\, as well as those who want to test their current efforts or are considering the need for a restart. In addition to discussing a number of analytical tools\, including available software\, lists of reference books and next-level software are provided. This program continues to build upon the Controllership Update Series. \nDesigned For\nPublic\, private\, and nonprofit organizations and their members – CFOs\, CEOs\, controllers\, auditors\, and managers \nObjectives\nDetermine the current state of data analytics within an organization and provide a sound foundation to assist an organization in becoming data driven Identify common uses of analytics in organizations today and introduce expanded sources of data for analysis Explore numerous statistical and software tools that are readily available and review and improve current KPIs in an organization Offer a list of specific areas where financial professionals can add significant value\, through data analytics both today and in the future and provide references for future research by the participant \nMajor Subjects\nDefinition of data analytics and big data; challenges and goals; establishing an environment for success; governance; common uses of analytics and current examples Behavioral forces that impact decisions; examples of inaccurate forecasts; identifying strategic measurements (KPIs); data sources Statistical tools\, including median\, mode\, moving average\, ratio analysis\, Pareto analysis\, trend analysis\, regression\, z-score\, and simulation Software tools that are readily available and can assist in visually exploring data\, expanding the scope of available data\, as well as collecting\, analyzing\, and presenting results Specific ideas for using data analytics for accountants and financial managers\, including current examples and areas for further consideration Lists of readings and next-level software for a participant’s future reference \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssaa142-25-surgents-data-analytics-for-accountants-and-financial-managers/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Video END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250331T220623Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T051619Z UID:10004590-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSAA182/25) Surgent's Data Analytics Toolkit - Tools and Applications DESCRIPTION:Event Description\nThere is no shortage of data\, but relatively few organizations have an environment and process to isolate\, capture\, analyze\, and convert data into actionable information. Too often\, we collect as much data as possible\, continue to use historic measurements\, and communicate data using traditional vehicles. Good decisions are not the result of the amount of data gathered\, but of the quality and understanding of the information. The goal of this program is to explore a number of analytical tools and techniques and identify applications for them within an organization. Analytical techniques will be introduced throughout the discussion\, and a significant amount of time will be spent addressing the steps needed to establish a data-driven environment and identifying and discussing potential/specific applications. In this way\, participants get experience they can begin to use in their organizations. An expanded list of reference books and next level software is also provided. \nDesigned For\nPublic\, private\, and non-profit organizations and their members – CFOs\, CEOs\, Controllers\, Auditors and Managers \nObjectives\nDetermine and expand the current use of data analytics within an organization Identify common uses of analytics in organizations today. Improve financial staff’s core activities (measuring\, reporting\, budgeting\, and forecasting) through data analytics Understand traditional and non-traditional sources of data for analysis Explore and isolate applications for numerous statistical and software tools that are readily available Recognize specific areas where financial professionals add significant value using data analytics\, either now or in the future \nMajor Subjects\nDefinition of Data Analytics Assessing your organization’s current status and establishing an environment for success Financial staff’s core activities Common uses of analytics and current examples Behavioral forces that impact decisions Examples of inaccurate forecasts Identifying strategic measurements (KPIs) Improving budgeting and forecasting and addressing Black Swan events Collecting and using data from traditional and non-traditional data sources Statistical tools\, including Median\, Mode\, Moving average\, Ratio analysis\, Pareto analysis\, Rolling forecast\, Mission-based budgeting\, Trend analysis\, Regression\, Z-Score (public and private organizations)\, and Simulation Analytical techniques\, including Brainstorming\, Mind mapping\, and Delphi technique Software tools that are readily available and can assist in visually exploring data; expanding the scope of available data\, as well as collecting\, analyzing and presenting results (including Dashboards). Specific ideas for using Data Analytics\, including immediate opportunities and areas for further consideration Expanded lists of readings and next level software for a participants’s future reference \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssaa182-25-surgents-data-analytics-toolkit-tools-and-applications/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Video END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250331T221117Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T034818Z UID:10004604-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSMG108/25) Surgent's Enterprise Risk Management Concepts and Strategy for Small and Medium-Sized Companies DESCRIPTION:Event Description\n2020 taught us that major risks can come at us from any direction and with barely a warning. All organizations operate in a risk environment\, but all too often\, they either don’t realize it or they don’t develop a strategy to deal with the risks. In this session\, we will explore how risks work in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and how they can develop a strategy to identify\, evaluate\, and mitigate those risks. This program will not teach how to eliminate risks\, but how to strategize how to reduce their total effect. We will liberally use case studies of both for-profit and not-for-profit companies to bridge the gap between concept and actual implementation. In each area we will explore what our experiences of the pandemic have taught us about this part of risk management. \nDesigned For\nCFOs\, controllers\, and finance professionals \nObjectives\nUnderstand how risks can both positively and negatively affect the organization Learn more about how we could have been better prepared for the pandemic Determine the nature of risk in both large and small organizations Understand the tolerance for risk in the organization Match risks to proper strategy Perform risk analysis and evaluations See how the strategy of the organization represents risk \nMajor Subjects\nOverview of ERM and how it affects all organizations What COVID-19 has taught us about risk management Risk tolerance and developing a plan Risk identification Risk analysis Risk responses Strategy risk \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssmg108-25-surgents-enterprise-risk-management-concepts-and-strategy-for-small-and-medium-sized-companies/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Text END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250331T222417Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T024331Z UID:10004637-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSMG130/25) Surgent's Risk Management for the Small Business DESCRIPTION:Event Description\nIn many smaller organizations the job of risk manager is housed with the CEO\, and many of the staff who better understand the details of the various risks are not included in risk-management discussions. This program will take a hard look at risk management and show how to develop a program that is specifically designed to work well in a small business. Based on proven management techniques\, the risk-management system will better focus on good risk management and especially strong mitigation. \nDesigned For\nCFOs\, controllers\, and finance professionals \nObjectives\nLearn how to structure a risk-management system that will be accepted by the organization Know how to take the politics out of risk management See how risk management can improve the management of the organization Discover how to better mitigate risks without insurance Know how to set insurance limits and deductibles \nMajor Subjects\nWas COVID-19 a black swan or a gray rhino? Monitor centrally but control decentrally Establish specific plan for risk management Risk recognition Risk evaluation Risk mitigation \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssmg130-25-surgents-risk-management-for-the-small-business/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Video END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250331T224009Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T031432Z UID:10004663-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSMG119/25) Surgent's Metrics\, Benchmarking\, and Measurement DESCRIPTION:Event Description\nYears ago\, Peter Drucker said\, “what gets measured gets managed\,” and that is true today. As financial professionals\, we understand and desire this\, but often it’s difficult to get the concept across to the remainder of the organization. This program will take a deep dive into metrics with the goal of making them more actionable for any organization. By doing so\, we are in a much better position to sharply increase the success of the organization. \nDesigned For\nCFOs\, controllers\, and financial professionals \nObjectives\nUnderstand the importance of metrics in all departments of the organization Understand how to take the politics out of metrics Understand the proper ratios as metrics Recognize the best available industry metrics Feel comfortable with some key metrics for customer service \nMajor Subjects\nUsing metrics that correctly measure the goals of the organization How metrics will differ for non-profits and governments Using metrics to balance cost and benefit Internal and external benchmarking for comparison Having a set of balanced metrics \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssmg119-25-surgents-metrics-benchmarking-and-measurement/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Video END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250331T225421Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T024017Z UID:10004697-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSMG126/25) Surgent's Project Management: Tips\, Tricks\, and Traps DESCRIPTION:Event Description\nThis past year has shown us the need for numerous projects and the need to manage those projects in a unique way. Project management is a way of thinking highly recognized and practiced by large organizations\, but often neglected by the smallest companies and entrepreneurs. This course quickly discusses the basics of project management thought and practice and then spends the majority of the time exploring some of the greatest mistakes that can be made\, the ways to avoid them\, and some of the tricks that have been introduced into the discipline. In the program we will explore some of the specific types of project management as well as some of the available software programs to make the task of project management easier. In an effort to avoid talking theory without concrete examples\, we will often use examples born from projects needed as a result of our experiences with COVID-19. \nDesigned For\nCFOs\, controllers\, and finance professionals \nObjectives\nUnderstand the importance of project management in parts of the financial function See how project management can help an individual executive better organize the department Review different types of project management and see which one or ones might be best for the department and organization Explore some of the project management software suited for the small to medium size enterprise \nMajor Subjects\nContrasting project management with operations management Reviewing organizational culture and how it applies to project management The various types of project management including Agile\, Scrum\, Waterfall\, Critical path\, and others Looking at risk management software and its application in different types of project management Managing and leading project management stakeholders \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssmg126-25-surgents-project-management-tips-tricks-and-traps/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Text END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250331T232121Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T031301Z UID:10004752-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSMG124/25) Surgent's CFO/Controller's Roadmap to Success: Integrated Planning\, Forecasting\, and Budgeting DESCRIPTION:Event Description\nDid 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. Many organizations spend huge amounts of money and effort at planning\, forecasting\, and budgeting and all too often the three disciplines are separated and not connected throughout the company. It appears that people who are doing the strategic planning aren’t talking with the people who are doing the budgeting or forecasting. Also\, there is a lack of uniform accountability throughout the organization. The pandemic has shown us that our planning process must be far nimbler and allow our organization to shift rapidly. This course is designed to completely integrate the planning process and show how it can move from long-range thinking\, through medium-term planning\, through the annual budget\, and to the monthly cash-flow forecast. This course will teach the participant how to avoid many political pitfalls that end up causing a lack of accountability and often cause the planning process to be demotivating to the staff. This isn’t just a strategic planning course or a budgeting course. It is a course that looks at the entire planning process from beginning to end and shows how much smoother it can be when it is an integrated process. While it is a technical course discussing many of the technical tricks and tips for producing a good plan\, it is also a management course in that it will discuss the political aspects of planning. \nDesigned For\nCFOs\, controllers\, and finance professionals \nObjectives\nImplement an integrated approach to planning\, budgeting and forecasting for a more uniform process throughout the organization Avoid the political pitfalls that often come with the planning process and inhibit change Maximize the usefulness of the different plans developed for the organization Identify the differences between strategic and incremental planning Perform a financial risk analysis Perform an EVA analysis (PV\, ROI and Modified ROI) Be familiar with the results of the case studies and exercises that reinforce key learning points throughout the course \nMajor Subjects\nDifferences between planning and budgeting Building change into the planning process The business model Strategic plan\, marketing plan\, and technology plan Financial forecasting and financial risk analysis Five-year operating plan and the sales/income plan Intermediate planning and capital equipment planning One-year operating plan and monthly planning Cash plan and risk plan \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssmg124-25-surgents-cfo-controllers-roadmap-to-success-integrated-planning-forecasting-and-budgeting/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Text END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250331T232808Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T045520Z UID:10004776-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSMG123/25) Surgent's Integrated Planning\, Forecasting\, and Budgeting for Organizational Success DESCRIPTION:Event Description\nPlanning 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. \nDesigned For\nCFOs\, controllers\, and finance professionals \nObjectives\nImplement an integrated approach to planning\, budgeting and forecasting for a more uniform process throughout the organization Avoid the political pitfalls that often come with the planning process Maximize the usefulness of the different plans developed for the organization Identify the differences between strategic and incremental planning Perform a financial risk analysis Perform an EVA analysis (PV\, ROI and Modified ROI) Be familiar with the results of the case studies and exercises that reinforce key learning points throughout the course; \nMajor Subjects\nDifferences between planning and budgeting The business model Strategic plan\, marketing plan\, and technology plan Financial forecasting and financial risk analysis Five-year operating plan and the sales/income plan Intermediate planning and capital equipment planning One-year operating plan and monthly planning Cash plan and risk plan \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssmg123-25-surgents-integrated-planning-forecasting-and-budgeting-for-organizational-success/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Text END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250331T232914Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T053321Z UID:10004780-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSAA168/25) Surgent's Controllership Skills Update: Mergers\, Acquisitions\, and Alliances DESCRIPTION:Event Description\nMergers\, acquisitions\, and partnering have long been strategic vehicles to grow or change an existing organization. Corporate America has extensive experience in merging with or acquiring firms. However\, its track record of being able to unify an acquired firm with the acquirer and provide a single organization with increased growth potential has been somewhat shaky. This session provides a roadmap including specific actions for financial professionals focused on improving the results of an acquisition\, sale\, formation of an alliance\, and/or outsourced activities.This program continues to be updated based upon trends and recent events. In addition to traditional topics\, it includes discussions on the impact of taxes\, corporate structures to manage M&A and internal venture capital\, strategic spin-offs/splits\, issues concerning goodwill\, and managing outsourced activities. The program expands the topics covered in the Controllership Skills Update Series. As with the other programs\, this brief session is aimed at renewing and expanding participants’ existing skills\, by providing specific actions to improve an organization’s results. Real-world examples are used throughout the session. \nDesigned For\nPublic\, private\, and non-profit organizations and their members – CFOs\, CEOs\, controllers\, auditors\, and managers \nObjectives\nRecognize the unique role of financial professionals in a potential transaction Understand the changes that have occurred in the competitive landscape as a result of M&A and alliances Identify the potential pitfalls Be knowledgeable of the skills required for successful transactions Utilize a framework\, with specific actions\, to manage the selection\, valuation\, negotiation\, and execution of a transaction Gain a roadmap (inexperienced participants) and a review and update (experienced participants) of these strategic\, non-traditional skills \nMajor Subjects\nRecent trends: M&A activity; contributing factors/reasons for current levels; examples of recent transactions; IPOs (Initial Public Offering) and SPACs (Special-Purpose Acquisition Company); strategic spin-offs/splits; internal venture capital activities; incubators Expanded role of financial professionals: establishing strategy; valuation techniques; execution plan; due diligence; sources of industry information; goodwill; post-completion evaluations Negotiations: Improving your communication skills; establishing an environment for success; list of dos and don’ts Alliances and outsourcing: steps to forming an alliance; examples of recent alliances; determining if outsourcing (short and long-term) is correct for your organization; steps to improve results \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssaa168-25-surgents-controllership-skills-update-mergers-acquisitions-and-alliances/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Video END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250331T234008Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T051118Z UID:10004809-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSMG110/25) Surgent's Enterprise Risk Management for Small and Medium-Sized Companies DESCRIPTION:Event Description\n2020 taught us that major risks can come at us from any direction and with barely a warning. All organizations operate in a risk environment; however\, generally only the large for-profit organizations pay a lot of attention to risk management. Or\, other organizations equate risk management to insurance and completely miss some of the most important things that create and affect risk. Many years ago\, led by the financial industry\, large companies introduced systematic analysis in evaluating risk; however\, those skills have generally failed to transfer to small and medium-sized organizations. This program seeks to do exactly that. We will explore the needs and concepts of risk management\, showing how they equally affect both large and small companies as well as for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. With liberal use of case studies\, we will see how companies can face the issues of risk management and systematically develop a structure to identify\, evaluate\, and mitigate those risks. In each area we will explore what our experiences of the pandemic have taught us about this part of risk management. It is important to note that the program is not for the experienced risk manager of the large organization\, but for the finance professional dealing with a small to medium-sized company who desires to establish or refine an integrated enterprise risk management strategy. \nDesigned For\nCFOs\, controllers\, and finance professionals \nObjectives\nUnderstand the concepts of enterprise risk management Learn more about how we could have been better prepared for the pandemic Determine the nature of risk in all-sized companies Avoid being blind to obvious risks facing the company Rid the company of the approach to risk Perform risk identifications and evaluations Match risk to insurance in the most economical way Maximize organizational profits through reduction and transfer of risks Understand the best approaches to cyber risk \nMajor Subjects\nThe nature of risk in any size or type of organization What COVID-19 has taught us about risk management Risk tolerance and developing a risk plan Risk identification Risk evaluation Risk response Strategy risk Financial risk Marketing risk Compliance and liability risk Operational risk Environmental risk Cyber risk \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssmg110-25-surgents-enterprise-risk-management-for-small-and-medium-sized-companies/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Text END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250331T234010Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T051120Z UID:10004810-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSMG106/25) Surgent's Capital Planning in Light of COVID-19 DESCRIPTION:Event Description\nCapital planning as a concept has undergone few changes; however\, following the recent pandemic\, we suddenly saw that our old system didn’t work with the rapid change that was required. This program will take a look at capital planning in light of what we have learned from COVID-19\, and specifically apply it to the small businesses needing to view capital planning in a new way. \nDesigned For\nCFOs\, controllers\, and finance professionals \nObjectives\nUnderstand how to set up a formal capital expenditure system without a lot of bureaucracy Understand the relationship between the capital expenditure system and nimbleness Recognize how to take the politics out of capital purchases Recognize how to increase the productivity of the organization through a good system Understand how to audit past capital decisions \nMajor Subjects\nFormal and informal capital planning systems Capital expenditure and nimbleness Why a low average cost is not necessarily the best measurement Looking at capital expenditure in light of bank requirements Exempting certain assets from the need for analysis Exploring the best way of project and capital analysis \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssmg106-25-surgents-capital-planning-in-light-of-covid-19/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Video END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250331T234811Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T040608Z UID:10004834-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSMG117/25) Surgent's Innovative Forecasting and Budgeting: Moving Beyond the Traditional Techniques DESCRIPTION:Event Description\nDid 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. \nDesigned For\nCFOs\, controllers\, and finance professionals \nObjectives\nDevelop a one-year operating plan (formerly referred to as a budget) Avoid the political pitfalls that often come with the forecasting and budgeting processes and inhibit change Maximize the usefulness of the forecasts developed for the organization Perform a financial risk analysis Perform an EVA analysis (PV\, ROI and Modified ROI) Be familiar with the results of the case studies and exercises that reinforce key learning points throughout the course \nMajor Subjects\nBuilding change into the planning process Sales/income plan Intermediate planning Technology plan Capital equipment planning One-year operating plan Monthly planning Cash plan Risk plan \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssmg117-25-surgents-innovative-forecasting-and-budgeting-moving-beyond-the-traditional-techniques/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Text END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250331T235315Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T033017Z UID:10004850-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSMG122/25) Surgent's Integrated Planning\, Forecasting\, and Budgeting for Organizational Success DESCRIPTION:Event Description\nPlanning 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. \nDesigned For\nCFOs\, controllers\, and finance professionals \nObjectives\nUnderstand 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 \nMajor Subjects\nThe keys that develop a plan into an actionable document The major difference between planning and budgeting Strategic planning The business plan The people plan The marketing plan Capital and technology plans \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssmg122-25-surgents-integrated-planning-forecasting-and-budgeting-for-organizational-success/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Video END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250401T001310Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T044316Z UID:10004907-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSMG116/25) Surgent's Increase the Efficiency of Your Organization DESCRIPTION:Event Description\nThere are only two things that any organization needs to accomplish for success: serve the customer well and do it efficiently. This short program will concentrate on the efficiency side\, which is always near and dear to the heart of the financial professional. We will develop a well-proven program to increase efficiency in a way that is both embraced by employees and has been found to work. By following this simple formula\, any organization can become more efficient. \nDesigned For\nCFOs\, controllers\, and financial professionals \nObjectives\nDevelop an efficiency program that is embraced by employees Understand how efficiency is a key to success Understand how incentives can improve efficiency Recognize how internal competition can improve efficiency Tap into employee creativity for efficiency \nMajor Subjects\nProven ways to measure costs in relation to objectives Develop methods to measure company and department objectives Use ratios to measure and improve efficiency Develop an incentive system that rewards efficiency \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssmg116-25-surgents-increase-the-efficiency-of-your-organization/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Video END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250401T001414Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T031424Z UID:10004910-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSMG103/25) Surgent's Achieving High Levels of Compliance and Customer Service in Your Organization DESCRIPTION:Event Description\nProbably one of the greatest conflicts in an organization is determining which is more important: compliance or customer service. This program digs deeply into the issue and prepares the finance professional to achieve high levels of compliance and customer service in the department and in the entire organization. We will examine both disciplines from an analytical standpoint\, proving why they are necessary for both for-profit and nonprofit businesses to achieve success. \nDesigned For\nCFOs\, controllers\, and finance professionals \nObjectives\nIdentify why customer service is just as important as compliance for profitability Understand how some organizations have achieved top performance in their industries See how good customer service is not about being “right” Realize why finance professionals have a bias toward compliance; Identify what is wanted by the internal customers of the finance and accounting departments \n\nMajor Subjects\nWhy customer service is not just having nice people; it is truly serving the customer Analysis of the value of the customer to compare it to various costs creating an ROI How to develop a compliance program that adds value to the customer A hard look at several companies and industries that have mastered the dual objectives How COVID-19 has affected compliance and customer service \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssmg103-25-surgents-achieving-high-levels-of-compliance-and-customer-service-in-your-organization/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Text END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250401T002808Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T050218Z UID:10004936-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSMG125/25) Surgent's Project Management for Finance Professionals DESCRIPTION:Event Description\nThe past few years have shown us the need for numerous projects and the need to manage those projects in a unique way. Project management is an important part of every organization; however\, often companies do not differentiate between project management and operations management. Sometimes the finance professional is called upon to serve on a project team\, or in other cases is in a position to manage a project within the finance or accounting department. In either case\, he or she should be well versed in both the theory and practice of project management. While project management has probably been around since the time of building the pyramids\, the modern discipline started to take hold in large organizations in the late ’50s and early ’60s. From there it spread to smaller organizations to the point where almost any-sized organization can benefit from its ideas. This course is designed for the finance professional of the small and medium-sized organization. It is not meant for the experienced project manager of a large organization or the person wanting training for project management certification. In an effort to avoid talking theory without concrete examples\, we will often use examples born from projects needed as a result of our experiences with COVID-19. \nDesigned For\nCFOs\, controllers\, and finance professionals \nObjectives\nUnderstand when and when not to apply project management thinking Know how to define success in a project Understand and manage the critical path of a project Understand the theory of constraints in project management Know how to both choose and lead people on the project team \nMajor Subjects\nProject management is a way of thinking and managing Identifying projects\, needs\, objectives\, and deliverables Project feasibility evaluation Life cycle of a project What causes projects to fail Establishing the project scope and preventing “project creep” Defining and managing stakeholders Organizational politics and conflict management Establishing the detailed schedule Introduction to project management software \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssmg125-25-surgents-project-management-for-finance-professionals/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Text END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250630T120000 DTSTAMP:20260620T124000 CREATED:20250401T002809Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250401T050522Z UID:10004937-1751284800-1751284800@sc.cpa SUMMARY:(SSMG133/25) Surgent's Planning and Strategy Formulation for Your Organization's Financial Success DESCRIPTION:Event Description\nDid 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. \nDesigned For\nCFOs\, controllers\, and finance professionals \nObjectives\nDevelop strategies for the organization that make an impact Avoid the political pitfalls that often come with the planning process and inhibit change Maximize the usefulness of the different plans developed for the organization Identify the differences between strategic and incremental planning Implement strategic planning at the department level Make the planning process enjoyable and painless for the entire organization Be familiar with the results of the case studies and exercises that reinforce key learning points throughout the course \nMajor Subjects\nDifferences between planning and budgeting Building change into the planning process The business model Strategic plan Marketing plan Financial forecasting Financial risk analysis Five-year operating plan \nInstructions\nNone URL:https://sc.cpa/event/ssmg133-25-surgents-planning-and-strategy-formulation-for-your-organizations-financial-success/ CATEGORIES:Self-Study Text END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR