MEGA CPE Conference Livestream (MEGAWEB)

Marcus Aron, CPA, CGMA, Acting Chief, Division of Accounting Services, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor

Audits of employee benefits plans are neither simple or risk free.  Find out what's expected of benefit plan auditors in meeting professional standards and regulatory requirements.  Learn how to make your benefit plan audits best in class and how to add value to your clients.

Paul Brown, CPA, Director of Technical Services, Florida Institute of CPAs

Jodi Malis, Partner, Hancock Askew & Co, LLP and Gwen Mazzola, Assurance Partner, ERISA Leader, Hogan Taylor LLP

Receive an overview of the recently issued accounting and auditing standards impacting Employee Benefits Plans, with a focus on SAS 136, Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements of Employee Benefit Plans Subject to ERISA.  Objectives:

• To gain an understanding of the recently issued auditing standards and exposure drafts
• Overview of the new performance requirements per SAS 136, including engagement acceptance considerations, relevant plan provisions, and reportable findings
• Discussion of other Employee Benefit Plan resources

Jodi Malis, Partner, Hancock Askew & Co., LLP and Gwen Stoute, Assurance Partner, ERISA Leader, Hogan Taylor LLP

Explore the planning and risk assessment process for an employee benefits plan audit, including consideration of SOC 1 reports and ERISA Section 103(a)(3)(C) audits, utilizing examples of documentation tools.  Objectives:

• Discuss risk assessment and the design of and linkage to planned procedures based on risk evaluation by audit area at the assertion level utilizing examples of documentation tools
• Consider relevant plan provisions or risk assessment and planning
• Understand when an ERISA Section 103 (a)(3)(C) audit is appropriate
• Review of SOC 1 reports and its impact on planned procedures and risk assessment, walk-through a SOC 1 evaluation, including internal and user control considerations

John Burgess, Principal, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP; Sharon Bradley, Partner, Daszkal Bolton, LLP; and Henry Martin, Partner, Daszkal Bolton, LLP

Examine  some of the common errors and corrections that need to be made to employee benefit plans, including what may be required to correct a failure in annual compliance testing.  To help illustrate these concepts, the panel will discuss case studies that show the steps required to fix some of these concerns.

John Burgess, Principal, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP; Sharon Bradley, Partner, Daszkal Bolton, LLP; and Henry Martin, Partner, Daszkal Bolton, LLP

Examine some of the common errors and corrections that need to be made to employee benefit plans, including what may be required to correct a failure in annual compliance testing.  To help illustrate these concepts, the panel will discuss several case studies that show the steps required to fix some of these scenarios.

Paul Brown, CPA, Director of Technical Services, Florida Institute of CPAs

These new standards will impact almost all public accounting firms. Learn what was originally proposed, what was the final adoption, and more importantly how these standards will impact your firm going forward. Major topics considered will be: risk assessment of your firm's quality management; inspection processes; engagement quality control procedures; information and communication; and engagement partner responsibility among others.

Moderator: John Burgess, Principal, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP  Panelists: Jodi Malis, Partner, Hancock Askew & Co, LLP, Gwen Stoute, Assurance Partner, ERISA Leader, Hogan Taylor LLP and Marcus Aron, Acting Chief, Division of Accounting Services, U.S. Department of Labor

Come prepared to discuss issues in employee benefits and get your questions answered!

Jonathan Gopman, Partner, Nelson Mullins

This presentation will cover sophisticated uses of South Dakota trusts for income and wealth preservation planning purposes. We will discuss strategies that can pass significant amounts of wealth and reduce a taxpayer’s annual income tax liability in a significant manner using South Dakota asset protection dynasty trusts, GRATs, CRUTs, CRATs and CLATs. This session will also examine the benefits of using South Dakota trusts to hold Private Placement Life Insurance Policies. Finally, the session will discuss the use of South Dakota community property trusts to obtain a dual step in basis at the death of the first spouse to die.

Melissa Stuckey, Associate Athletics Director and CFO, and Kim Green, Associate Athletic Director of Compliance, University of Florida Athletic Association

Explore the growing landscape of college athletics from the perspective of the Chief Financial Officer, NCAA compliance officer and student athlete.  Florida Universities have competed in intercollegiate athletics since the early 1900’s and are on the forefront of today’s innovative and exciting changes.  Discussion will center around how the development of Name, Image and Likeness legislation has created opportunities for student athletes to promote their platform, along with insights around the shifting landscape of NCAA compliance and recent supreme court rulings.

Dan Ramey, CPA/CFF/ABV/CITP, CFE, CIA, CVA, CMA, CISA/CISM, President, Houston Financial Forensics, LLC

Cyberfraud and employee fraud are two of the largest distractions in business today, especially with our WFH environment and the COVID-19 crisis.  Now we add the rise and use of cryptocurrency and we have a dynamic environment for fraud to occur.  Learn what is occurring with  cyberfraud, employee fraud, and cryptocurrency in our 2022 world.  Learn some of the newest cyberfraud schemes and what cybercriminals are doing to relieve you of your hard-earned money.  Take aways to secure your business operations from fraud and cyberfraud, improving your cybersecurity, cryptocurrency and blockchain basics will be shared, along with strengthening internal controls related to reducing the likelihood of being a victim. Objectives:

• Understand the broad range of fraud that can be perpetrated upon a business
• Receive updates on the latest frauds occurring in businesses
• Understand the basics of cryptocurrency transactions and blockchain operations
• Receive a set of to-do items to help secure your organization from employee and cyberfraud

Dan Ramey, CPA/CFF/ABV/CITP, CFE, CIA, CVA, CMA, CISA/CISM, President, Houston Financial Forensics, LLC

Cyberfraud and employee fraud are two of the largest distractions in business today, especially with our WFH environment and the C?OVID-19 crisis.  Now we add the rise and use of cryptocurrency and we have a dynamic environment for fraud to occur.  Learn what is occurring with cyberfraud, employee fraud, and cryptocurrency in our 2022 world.  Learn some of the newest cyberfraud schemes and what cybercriminals are doing to relieve you of your hard-earned money.  Take aways to secure your business operations from fraud and cyberfraud, improving your cybersecurity, cryptocurrency and blockchain basics will be shared, along with strengthening internal controls related to reducing the liklihood of being a victim.  Objectives:

• Understand the broad range of fraud that can be perpetrated upon a business
• Receive updates on the latest frauds occurring in businesses
• Understand the basics of cryptocurrency transactions and blockchain operations
• Receive a set of to-do items to helpsecure your organizations from employee and cyberfraud

Daniel Porter, CFE, Guest Lecturer, Middle Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt University School of Law

Bears are intelligent and motivated to find food.  When I left some fried chicken in my Jeep while in Gatlinburg, a bear tore a hole in the top and ate the chicken and part of my Jeep.  He was just a bear being a bear.  I’m responsible because I left the chicken in the Jeep and gave him the opportunity.  Similarly, people are intelligent and motivated to survive.  If we give them opportunity by not implementing good internal controls, they will take our assets.

This session reviews the detection of the fraud and the subsequent investigation and prosecution of the former director of a conference center who took advantage of lax internal controls of a joint-venture and stole thousands.  She was just a fraudster being a fraudster.

Michael "Bret" Hood, Director, 21st Century Learning and Consulting

When accountants and internal auditors look to build and improve internal control systems, they frequently focus their efforts on minimizing opportunities for theft and malfeasance.  However, the latest scientific research shows that there are better ways to proactively influence those who might intentionally or inadvertently step across ethical lines.  Learn how to implement behavioral nudges into internal controls in order to better protect both your organization and the people within.  At the conclusion of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Define moral equilibrium 
• Develop internal controls that address the advantages/disadvantages of moral equilibrium 
• Create mental triggers to avoid the slippery slope of fraud and unethical decisions 
• Develop methods, policies, and procedures to trigger automatic ethical responses in employees 
• Design visual, auditory, and procedural cues that will improve the ethical culture of an organization

Michael "Bret" Hood, Director, 21st Century Learning & Consulting

When accountants and internal auditors look to build and improve internal control systems, they frequently focus their efforts on minimizing opportunities for theft and malfeasance.  However, the latest scientific research shows that there are better ways to proactively influence those who might intentionally or inadvertently step across ethical lines.  Learn how to implement behavioral nudges into internal controls in order to better protect both your organization and the people within.  After this session, attendees will be able to:

• Define Moral Equilibrium
• Develop internal controls that address the advantages/disadvantages of moral equilibrium.
• Create mental triggers to avoid the slippery slope of fraud and unethical decisions.
• Develop methods, policies, and procedures to trigger automatic ethical responses in employees.
• Design visual, auditory, and procedural cues that will improve the ethical culture of an organization.

Melanie Griffin, Secretary, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation

Leading the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and overseeing the Board of Accountancy, Secretary Melanie Griffin will share insights and highlights from her first few months as head of the agency.

Melanie Griffin is an attorney with Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick and senior advisor for business-to-business relationships for Shumaker Advisors Florida. She is also the Founder and Owner of Spread Your Sunshine, a business that provides speaking and professional-training services; and designs, manufactures and sells inspirational products and gifts.

Secretary Griffin is president of the Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers Executive Board of Directors; serves on the Florida State University College of Law Board of Visitors; and is a Fellow of The Florida Bar Foundation. She earned her bachelor’s degree in finance, master of business administration and juris doctor degree from Florida State University.

As a small business owner, Secretary Griffin has a unique perspective on government and how DBPR can best serve its clients and constituencies.

Bradley Dyer, Attorney, The Berman Law Group

This session will address:

• What Accountants Can’t Do, and How Lawyers Step in To Assist
• Document Handling between CPAs and Attorneys and Ensuring Compliance with All Legal Standards
• Merging Interests: CPAs and Attorneys and how Interests Align

Barry C. Melancon, CPA, CGMA, President and CEO, American Institute of CPAs and CEO, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants

Join AICPA President and CEO, Barry Melancon, as he explores the future of the profession, including future proofing the profession; federal regulatory issues; firm trends; talent pipelines and more.

Lisa R. Parker, CPA, CGMA, Senior Project Manager, Governmental Accounting standards Board (GASB)

Learn about the latest GASB pronouncements that become effective in the coming fiscal years. The session will also explain some of the projects on GASB's current technical agenda and research agenda.

Lisa R. Parker, CPA, CGMA, Senior Project Manager, Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB)

Learn about the latest GASB pronouncements that become effective in the coming fiscal years.  The session will also explain some of the projects on GASB's current technical agenda and research agenda.

J. Edward Grossman, CPA, CFE, CMA, CGMA, Principal, National Assurance Technical Group, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP

Learn what challenges the profession will be addressing as leasing changes are implemented.

Jonathan T. Marks, CPA, CFF, CITP, CGMA, CFE, PI & NACD Board Fellow, Partner, Firm Practice Leader, Global Forensic, Compliance & Integrity Services, Baker Tilly US LLP

On December 14, 2021, in the Northern District of California, Michael Kail, the former VP of IT operations at Netflix, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison after his fraud and money laundering conviction.  Kail was indicted in 2018 and charged with 19 counts of wire fraud, three counts of mail fraud, and seven counts of money laundering.  These corporate fraud stories are becoming more pervasive and are not isolated to a particular industry.  In recent years, we have seen stories on the illegal conduct of executives from WorldCom, Tyco, Wells Fargo, Fannie Mae, and others.  One root cause amongst all of them: internal controls.  Learn about recent cases that involve internal control failures and provide a road map to understanding better and design internal controls.  Specific topics include:

• What is internal control, really?
• What are the key enemies of controls?
• Red flags and how they can be used to design controls
• A process and methodology to properly design a control
• Fraud trends: The arrogance of some who think they can override or circumvent internal controls and believe they won't get caught

Jonathan T. Marks, CPA, CFF, CITP, CGMA, PI & NACD Board Fellow, Partner, Firm Practice Leader, Global Forensic, Compliance & Integrity Services, Baker Tilly US LLP

On December 14, 2021, in the Northern District of California, Michael Kail, the former VP of IT at Netflix, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison after his fraud and money laundering conviction.  Kail was indicted in 2018 and charged with 19 counts of wire fraud, three counts of mail fraud, and seven counts of money laundering.  These corporate fraud stories are becoming more pervasive and are not isolated to a particular industry.  In recent years, we have seen stories on the illegal conduct of executives from WorldCom, Tyco, Wells Fargo, Fannie Mae, and others.  One root cause among all of them: internal controls.  Learn about recent  cases that involve internal control failures and provide a road map to understanding better designed internal controls.  Specific topics include:

• What is internal control, really?
• What are the key enemies of controls?
• Red flags and how they can be used to design controls
• A process and methodology to properly design a control
• Fraud trends: The arrogance o some who think they can override or circumvent internal controls and believe they won't get caught

Lucas Boyce, Motivational Speaker and Former Executive Orlando Magic

This keynote presentation that details Lucas’ journey to overcome significant obstacles to achieve three once-in-a-lifetime goals. Personal history or external conditions outside of our control don’t have to determine our future trajectory, success and/or fulfillment. While some may view past and present conditions as an eternal harness and cause for inaction or paralysis, Lucas shares why our obstacles and limitations become irrelevant when we understand our life purpose and are willing to reach for something more. It doesn’t matter at what station of life we find ourselves, we are built for something more. We are meant to succeed.