MEGA CPE Conference (MEGA)

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.

Justin Thames, Director of Governmental Affairs, FICPA and French Brown, Attorney at Law, Dean Mead

This session will highlight key legislation passed during the 2022 Legislative Session including changes to state tax laws and the Florida budget.  Stay up to date with the latest state law changes.

Doug Van Dyke, MBA, CSP, Founder and CEO, Leadership Simplified

Working with a Board of Directors is easy, right? Answer: Wrong. Navigating the personalities and politics of a Board can be a minefield of woe. Learn how to help your Board best position themselves. Also, take home the core tools and skills necessary to optimize your relationship with your Board. Learn and laugh during this fast-paced session. It might just save your sanity!   

Michael E. Seip, MBA, CMMC-RP, WithumCyber

Did you know that employee benefit plans can just as easily be at risk of a cyber-attack as large corporations?  It's only a matter of if -not when- you will be affected.  Learn how you can manage cyber-threats and best utilize real-world technology practices to secure your environments.

H. French Brown IV, Attorney, Dean Mead & Dunbar

This session will explore the recent Florida tax litigation decisions with practitioners.  Recent cases will include discussions related to florida property tax, sales tax, documentary stamp tax, and more.

Learn the latest in paid leave trends, vaccination/employment verification, I-9, marijuana in the workplace, worker classifications and more!

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

James H. Sutton, Jr., CPA, Esq., Partner, Moffa, Sutton & Donnini, P.A. and Karen Lake, CPA, Director of Tax Services, Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs

Learn the complexities of Florida sales and use tax for the three major vehicle industries: planes, cars, & boats.  Each have their own nuances that can get taxpayers and CPAs in trouble.  Each also draw regular scrutiny from the Florida Department of Revenue, so this presentation is a must for anyone in these industries.

Jason Taylor, Attorney, The Krizner Group

This course will address the key issues management level employees face in addressing various issues with the employment relationship, including how to properly formulate and communicate policies, address proper actions by subordinate supervisors, and document employee actions in an effort to reduce exposure for significant employment decisions.

Jodi Malis, Partner, Hancock Askew & Co., LLP and Gwen Mazzola, 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

Jordan Goodman, Attorney, Horwood Marcus & Berk Chartered and Kevin Herzberg, Partner, Grant Thornton

Join our lively discussion of the latest state tax developments across the country.  Learn the latest and greatest in state income tax and sales tax in addition to whatever else the state and local governments around the country can throw at businesses.  The far reaching impact of the pandemic and how taxpayers have to adjust their businesses to deal with an ever-changing environment will also be covered.  Part 1 of 2 sessions.

Carrie B. Cherveny, Esq., Senior Vice President, Strategic Solutions, and Chief Compliance Officer, South Region, HUB International

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.

Jordan Goodman, Attorney, Horwood Marcus & Berk Chartered and Kevin Herzberg, Partner, Grant Thornton

Join our lively discussion of the latest state tax developments across the country.  Learn the latest and greatest in state income tax and sales tax in addition to whatever else the state and local governments around the country can throwat businesses.  The far-reaching impact of the pandemic, and how taxpayers have to adjust their businesses to deal with an ever-changing environment, will also be covered.  Part 2 of 2 sessions.

Lydia Desnoyers, CPA, CFE, CEO/Founder, DesCPA Business Advisory

Learn more about the FICPA's efforts to increase DEI within the profession and the case for member firms.

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.

Karen Lake, CPA, CFST, Leader State and Local Tax SALT, Berkowitz Pollack Brant and Mary Lou Ruderman, CPA, Co-Founder, Ruderman and Company

With tax reform, State pass-through- entity-taxes, remote workforce, the rise of the digital economy, migration to the cloud, re-examination of indirect tax post-Wayfair, and the changing global regulatory regime, state tax environment presents an increasingly complex landscape to navigate. Additionally, the speakers will provide a high level discussion of state corporate income tax compliance issues and potential planning considerations in light of select provisions of the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and accompanying administrative guidance, including IRC §163(j) interest expense limitations and the deduction for foreign-derived intangible income (FDII). Including underlying factor representation considerations; nuanced state coupling, decoupling, and other tax-base related issues; and state filing groups and other methodologies. Learn how your business may navigate the maze of ongoing and evolving complexities post-TCJA in every changing State tax world.

Raphael T. Richard, Emerging Talent Strategist and Diversity & Inclusion Innovator

Whether intentional or unconscious, assumptions and biases affect how people perceive, assess, and respond to others. This engaging session will share the benefits of understanding Unconscious Bias for achieving organizational and leadership goals. After building an awareness of how bias shows up, the workshop explores ways to counter it.

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.

Kathryn Horton, CPA, President, Kathryn Horton CPA and Aaron Fell, Manager, Grant Thornton LLP

Many tasks performed by today's tax departments are repetitive, manual, mundane and do not provide much value to the organization, especially within the indirect tax space.  By leveraging analytics, many of these tasks can be automated and deployed by a non-technical user resulting in greater efficiency, accuracy and visibility for the specific tax department deliverables.

Raphael T. Richard, Emerging Talent Strategist/Diversity and Inclusion Innovator

Different ideas and perspectives generate innovative solutions and decisions. Participants will learn the differences and barriers between Diversity and Inclusion as workplace practices. After examining the core sources of inclusion at work, the session presents methods to influence best practices in creating welcoming and sustaining environments.

Details to come!

Moderator: John Burgess, Principal, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP  Panelists: Jodi Malis, Partner, Hancock Askew & Co, LLP, Gwen Mazzola, 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!

Chris Crespo, Inclusiveness Director, Ernst & Young LLP

Embracing diversity in the workplace means learning about your colleagues and appreciating them for all they could be bringing to our workplaces when there is equity and inclusion When people are encouraged to be authentic and inclusive leaders, business is strengthened by their unique insights, creativity and innovation. During this session learn how firms and companies improve their work environment productivity, and engagement in markets by encouraging and supporting all employees, inclusive of all their diverse backgrounds.

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 perspectives of the Chief Financial Officer, NCAA compliance officer and a 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.

Chris Oatis, Managing Director-SALT, Grant Thornton

Pass through entities are subject to various levels and types of income taxation and reporting requirements, which can vary on a state-by-state basis.  Obtain a foundational understanding of these various tax types and options for pass through entities, including:

• Withholding/estimated taxes
• composite tax returns
• Viability of the recently proliferating pass through entity tax elections

Adrienne Barrett, Senior Manager, Intuit

True leadership is a choice of intention and every single person, no matter your title or position, has the ability. It is a common misconception that leaders are appointed and that is what gives them authority. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Harnessing your leadership capabilities will help you establish the confidence and credibility you need to talk to clients about your advisory services and guide them along their journey. Unlock your leadership potential and understand how to influence your own success in this area. Objectives:

· Overcome personal barriers that may be preventing you from being a leader
· Demonstrate confidence when talking to clients about your services
· More intentionally invest in your relationships to drive shared outcomes
· Identify a few of the tools you can leverage to facilitate deeper client relationships

Bruce Johnson, CEM, CRE, founding Partner, Capstan Tax Strategies 

Explore cost segregation from the vantage points of construction/manufacturing industry; commercial rental properties; residential rental properties; and Section 179.

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

Mark Arrigo, National Managing Partner, State and Local Tax, GrantThornton LLP

Learn why states are decoupling from the Internal Revenue Code.  Explore the impact of decoupling on state income tax filings and tax attribute tracking.

Victor Amaya, Director of Partner Fulfillment, Botkeeper

Forward-looking firm leaders are examining the effects that standardization and automation are having on the way they do business. Accountants that are willing to shift and expand their skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to lead toward advisory services need not fear change.
In this session, you will hear and learn:
1. How technology is changing accounting
2. AI/ML - do we need to know how to make an algorithm?
3. The goal is more technology, less human data entry and how do we get there

Jonathan Tucker, Principal, and Ian Williams, Director, R & D Tax Credits, KBKG

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

Join us for a unique networking opportunity designed to bring CPAs together with the top industry suppliers and service solution providers in the accounting and finance profession.
Space is limited to 10 attendees.  

James H. Sutton, Jr., CPA, Esq. Moffa, Sutton and Donnini, P.A. and Peter Steffens, Steffens Consulting

Learn the basics of Florida's sales and use tax, touching on various industries and issues that are common problems for CPAs and taxpayers alike.  This s a must for anyone with companies based in Florida.

Christophe Reglat, President and CEO, Coaxis International, Inc.

Financial services organizations and other firms that are responsible for the security of consumer financial data must remain vigilant in their cybersecurity efforts. With the expanding adoption of cloud-based services and data storage, more companies implementing remote and hybrid work options, and the growing use of mobile devices for work are together giving cybercriminals an ever-expanding range of opportunities to exploit. Now more than ever, CPA firms need to understand the different types of cybersecurity risks as well as their firm’s current level of risk. Learn the different types of cybersecurity risks impacting CPA firms today and why it is important to understand your firm’s current level of risk.

Jeremy Colombik, CPA, Management Services International 

Learn the advantages and benefits of NQDC for owners of small to mid-sized businesses and their key employees.

• Learn about Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation (NQDC), its uses and benefits for both the employer and employee
• Identify the differences between an NQDC program and a Qualified Program and be able to explain NQDC to colleagues and clients
• Identify clients who qualify for, and would benefit from, a NQDC

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.

Kevin Herzberg, Partner and French Brown, Attorney at Law, Dean Mead

Explore the vastly changed sales tax landscape for remote sellers just three years after the Wayfair decision.  There are significant new requirements obligating both retailers and wholesalers.  Examine the various definitions of marketplace provider, what industries are excluded, thresholds, and what additional burdens and limitations are placed on marketplace providers.  Finally, examine Florida's recent version of Economic Nexus and Marketplace Provider.

Corey Auger, Partner & Executive Vice President, Business Development, Anthem Software

How small businesses are leveraging technology to not only compete with their big box competitors but win!  Every business needs "5 Smooth Stones" to succeed in today's fast-paced, technology savvy world.  Discover 5 secrets that small businesses everywhere are using to compete and win against their large-budget competitors.  Leave with the tools and processes necessary to find, serve and keep more customers...profitability.  Objectives:

• Plans: Companies need a plan with goals in order to succeed.  What does that look like and how to begin planning in your business
• People: People are the number 1 asset of a company.  Learn the importance of hiring good people and how to keep them engaged and motivated
• Tools: Discuss the types of tools that small businesses use to furst get new clients and then keep new clients
• Process: Discuss the process that needs to be implemented in order to succeed as Plans, People and Tools are worthless without a process to utilize each of them
• Courage: It takes courage to start and continue a small business. It's important for those that are currently in the day-to-day of their business as well as those getting ready to start a new business to understand that courage is the foundation of the small business owners' success

Andrew Lassise, CEO, Tech4Accountants 

This session will focus on data security and adherence to the technical standards from the IRS, FTC and AICPA.  Highlights include:

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

Amanda Levine Ribeiro, Senior Associate, state and Local Tax, BDO and Elizabeth Ginori, Partner, Boyer Ginori CPAs LLC

The Multistate Tax Commission adopted updates to Public Law 86-272.  The new "internet rule" could change the way states determine nexus, and chips away at long-standing protections.  Could this be the next Wayfair?

Emiley Parker, Brand Manager, CPA Charge

In general, accounting professionals tend to focus more on getting the work done and not so much on how they interact with clients to actually get it done.  However, continuously improving client communication is remarkably important and should be a top priority. Learn everything you need to know but didn't think to ask about email marketing and social media as well as how and when to communicate with your clients.  Whether you know your communication needs improvement, or you just want to learn the current best practices, you don't want to miss this session.

Jason C. Jones, Managing Director, General Counsel, JD, Tri-Merit Southeast Region

If you work with closely held businesses in the state of Florida, odds are some (if not the majority) are eligible to take advantage of at least one the credits and incentives that will be covered in this session. This session will help you become a better advisor to your business clients by identifying what industries and types of businesses tend to be eligible for tax credits and incentives including 179D, 45L, cost segregation, work opportunity tax credit, R&D tax credit and the employee retention credit.

• Learn about two energy efficient tax incentives, 179D and 45L, and the certification process that businesses are required to undergo to claim

• Hear the latest updates relative to the employee retention credit, how businesses qualify, the and current IRS timeframes for receiving a check

• Why a cost segregation study is something every new building owner should consider

• Learn how employers can reduce federal income tax liability from$2,400-$9,600 (per employee), by hiring certain parts of the population.

• Learn the IRS 4-part test for proving qualifying activity under the R&D tax credit

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.

Join us for a unique networking opportunity designed to bring CPAs together with the top industry suppliers and service solution providers in the accounting and finance profession.
Space is limited to 10 attendees.  

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.

Jeremy Wortman

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.

Shawn J. McCabe, MBA, CFP, CPAlliance Director

Become a superhero to your clients by helping them achieve and protect financial independence. In this course, you will learn why CPAs make the best financial planners, what is involved with financial planning and investment advising as a CPA, what it takes to achieve and protect financial independence, how best to integrate it into your practice, and practical steps to begin helping your clients like never before.

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.

Alex Pak, Head of Customer Success and Riz Malik, Head of Product, GOAT.Tax

Explore how you might begin offering R&D tax credit consulting services to your clients via an automated R&D tax credit calculation process! In this session, you will learn:

•             Starting your consulting team

•             Identifying R&D tax credit opportunities in various industries

•             R&D credit study workflow

•             Support options through the platform

•             Final study delivery

Learn to spot the hidden fees associated with credit card processing.  Explore:

• How to develop the most efficient merchant services program
• Why business to business transactions are different than business-to-consumer transactions
• How to reduce fees without changing your processor or banking relationship
• Why some cards are more expensive
• The importance of breach protection and PCI compliance
• How to read between the lines of the complicated monthly statements
• The tactics used to bury fees in the statements
• Actionable steps to reduce processing fees

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.

Alex Jenkins, Partner and Chief Revenue Officer, Nesteggs Retirement Plan Services

With the passage of the Secure Act, CPAs can now broaden their influence over clients’ tax outcomes through the use of Pooled Employer Plans.

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.

Randall T. Coleman, Senior Vice President, Wealth Management, Merrill Lynch

Social Security claiming strategies can be complex. This course discusses important claiming considerations as they relate to clients plans for retirement and how working with investment and tax professionals may help put it all in perspective.

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

David Clauson, CHMM, CSP, Director, Enterprise Risk Solutions, BKD

What are environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards affecting banks?  Learn how to define ESG, detail regulatory developments, describe proactive measures banks can take to anticipate regulatory scrutiny, examine examples of bank ESG disclosures, and discuss how to get started building ESG programs.  Attendees will be able to define ESG, identify ESG-related regulatory activity affecting banks and explain how a bank can build ESG programs.

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

David Clauson, CHMM, CSP, Director, Enterprise Risk Solutions, BKD

The SEC has proposed broad and prescriptive climate-related disclosure rules that would require certain organizations to begin accumulating the necessary information as early as January 2023.  The presentation will address how you can begin now to prepare for the proposed SEC climate-related disclosure regulations.  Review the key provisions of the proposal, explore examples of climate-related risks and opportunities, and discuss governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets.  Attendees will be able to: Identify the key provisions of the SEC's proposed climate rule; define climate-related risks and opportunities; and describe controls and reporting considerations.

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.

Closing Night Networking Dinner, Dueling Pianos, and Fireworks!

From networking reception and chair's program to dueling pianos and fireworks, what better way to wrap up 4 great days of CPE?  Indulge in great food and drink, and outstanding company. A special guest star or two may even make an appearance!  MEGA registrants may attend for free with guest/family passes available for purchase.  See below.  Firm/company tables are also available.  Contact FICPA Sales Manager Drew Miller for more details (Drew@ficpa.org) 

6:00pm     Networking Reception
6:15pm     Dinner
7:00pm     Entertainment: Dueling Pianos
9:00pm     Cordials and Fireworks - outside on the portico

Closing Night Networking Dinner, Dueling Pianos, and Fireworks!
Adult Guest Ticket

From networking reception and chair's program to dueling pianos and fireworks, what better way to wrap up 4 great days of CPE?  Indulge in great food and drink, and outstanding company. A special guest star or two may even make an appearance!  Individual registration and group tables available. 

Closing Night Networking Dinner, Dueling Pianos, and Fireworks!
Adult Guest Ticket

From networking reception and chair's program to dueling pianos and fireworks, what better way to wrap up 4 great days of CPE?  Indulge in great food and drink, and outstanding company. A special guest star or two may even make an appearance!  Individual registration and group tables available. 

Closing Night Networking Dinner, Dueling Pianos, and Fireworks!
Child Guest Ticket

From networking reception and chair's program to dueling pianos and fireworks, what better way to wrap up 4 great days of CPE?  Indulge in great food and drink, and outstanding company. A special guest star or two may even make an appearance!  Individual registration and group tables available. 

Closing Night Networking Dinner, Dueling Pianos, and Fireworks!
Child Guest Ticket

From networking reception and chair's program to dueling pianos and fireworks, what better way to wrap up 4 great days of CPE?  Indulge in great food and drink, and outstanding company. A special guest star or two may even make an appearance!  Individual registration and group tables available.