Annual Accounting Show Recap
Everyone’s still talking about it!
The 26th Annual Accounting Show
By Wendy Johnson, CPE conference manager
Everyone’s still buzzing about the success of the FICPA’s 26th Annual Accounting Show! This year’s event, held at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, included a little flair that has everyone talking. See photos form the 2011 Annual Accounting Show here!
With expert speakers delivering more than 50 CPE sessions, the show offered a variety of topics and allowed attendees to customize their learning options to fit their practice needs. And with more than 800 participants, the show provided valuable networking opportunities with accounting and business vendors.
These sessions were among the most popular.
Keynote Address – Blue Ribbon Panel on Private Company Auditing – Dr. Hubert Glover, clinical associate professor at Drexel University and senior partner at REDE Inc. Dr. Glover summarized the process the Blue Ribbon Panel executed to arrive at the landmark decision to establish a separate board to oversee GAAP for privately held companies.
FASB Update – J. Edward Grossman, CPA, CMA, CFE. Grossman gave an overview of the major projects and proposals that will affect financial-statement preparers, auditors and users.
Not-for-Profit Update – Dave Moja, CPA. Moja delved into the myriad issues that exempt organizations face, now and in the future. He discussed board governance; IFRS; health care reform; and proposed audit/accounting pronouncements.
The Estate Tax, Federal Tax and Choice of Entities sessions were a big draw in the Tax Track. Dominick D’Ambrozio looked at issues affecting personal representatives in assigning exemptions to assets distributed to heirs. Vicki Meyer highlighted recent income-tax developments, including legislation; regulations; cases; rulings; and other administrative pronouncements. Jeff Greene closed the track by discussing the rules that pertain to social security, with a selection on an LLC and the advantages and disadvantages.
Back by popular demand, the Fraud Track was a big hit. Former CPA and fraudster Sam Antar enthralled the audience with true stories of how he helped his cousin, Eddie Antar, swindle millions from investors in the Crazy Eddie electronics store in the 1980s. Accompanying Antar was FBI Special Agent Bret Hood, who offered his expertise in helping CPAs detect and prevent fraud in their practices.
Exhibit-hall visitors play, dance and relax
Attendees enjoyed a few new activities while visiting with exhibitors this year. When they arrived at the show, attendees received bingo cards. As they worked their way through the exhibit hall, vendors stamped their cards. Attendees who had at least five stamps on their cards, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, were eligible to win one of several prizes, including $250 in cash. The bingo game was a huge success – many attendees asked if they could play twice to increase their chances of winning!
Attendees also had a chance to test their skill at the Xbox Kinect game.
Staff members showed them the ropes by playing a variety of games, from minimal motion to extensive jumping and dancing. And after getting their exercise, or after a long day of sitting in class, attendees were treated to a back or foot massage, or both, compliments of the FICPA.
Conference highlights social networking
The FICPA Member Resource Booth buzzed with activity this year, as members signed up for and learned how to use social media for business and fun. By connecting with the FICPA through Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, attendees learned how to get even more out of their membership.
Attendees asked questions of keynote presenters through Twitter and uploaded pictures from show events to Facebook. They also were entered to win a $100 cash prize just for using the event hash tag in a tweet. Trade-show exhibitors joined in the fun by tweeting about the prizes they were giving away.
The Annual Show was a great way to showcase how CPAs can use social media not only to stay ahead of the curve, but to promote their businesses and engage in their communities.
Attendees enjoy cocktail reception, prize giveaways
The ever-popular Thursday cocktail reception, offering food and fun, was a huge hit again this year. During the reception, the FICPA Educational Foundation announced the Silent Auction winners and the winner of the $500 Raffle, Stacy Patrick. Patrick also won a $250 giveaway from the FICPA! Congratulations go to her, and to these other lucky FICPA-prize winners.
Mary Braznell – $250 cash
Ramon Fernandez-Rubio Jr. – stay at the Peabody in Orlando
Barry Brazer – stay at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota
James Woodward – stay at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront
Peter Fishell – large beach towel
Marjorie Nguyen, Rick Shapiro, Misty Weinger and Gordon Danser – FICPA seminars
FICPA thanks sponsors, committee members
The FICPA Accounting Show wouldn’t be possible without the support of our program sponsors. Sponsors for the 26th Annual Accounting Show include ADP; Bisk Education; Thomson Reuters; The Tax Advisor; and the AICPA Journal of Accountancy. We thank all of them for their contributions.
Many thanks go to the dedicated group of FICPA members who selflessly contributed their time and energy to facilitate this great event. The Accounting Show Committee spent more than a year planning the event, making sure they selected the most pertinent topics and qualified speakers. Whether it was the ever-popular Accounting & Auditing or Tax tracks, or the more specialized Yellow Book or Finance tracks, each session offered something for everyone.
2010-2011 Accounting Show Committee
Chris Moreno, chair
Lynn Clements, vice chair
Alan Campbell
Wayne DeWitt
Richard Dotson
Gary Fracassi
Cindy Gallagher
Paulette Holder
Sharon Lassar
Jim Luffman
Bill Maloney
Mario Nowogrodzki
Pat Patterson
Bob Rankin
Diane Reich
Poornima Srinivasan
Frank Ward
Wendy Johnson is the FICPA’s CPE conference manager. She can be reached at (850) 224-2727, Ext. 411, or johnsonw@ficpa.org.
