MEGA CPE Livestream Conference (MEGAWEB)
Register Now & Attend Live Stream
Overview:
MEGA 2023 - Live Stream
Explore the Possibilities
Join us online for our virtual FICPA’s Premier Event - MEGA. Explore all this year’s program has to offer with a wide variety of content focused on the profession’s latest trends and emerging topics, including cybersecurity, risk, talent management, and more.
Earn up to 21 CPE on employee benefit plans, state taxes, fraud and forensic accounting, and more.
Thank you to our Sponsors and Exhibitors!
Schedule:
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Welcome and State of the Profession
Time: Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00am Credits: 1 TB
MEGA’s opening session will highlight the most critical issues facing the CPA profession, both in Florida and across the country. We’ll touch on the current tax landscape, the changing audit, M&A, ESG, the talent pipeline and more. FICPA President & CEO Shelly Weir will moderate the discussion, as our panelists share their perspective and insight into how these topics are impacting firms of all shapes and sizes.
Presenters:
How to Plan for Cyber Security Risks
Time: Wednesday 9:10am - 10:00am Credits: 1 AA
The objective of this session is to better understand cybersecurity risk in employee benefit plans, and to discuss cybersecurity risk, responsibilities, preparedness, and response. We will review the latest DOL cybersecurity guidance, understand the applicability and responsibilities of the guidance for plan sponsors and participants, revisit the main focus areas, and identify next steps.
Presenters:
Is An ESOP Right for You or your clients?
Time: Wednesday 10:25am - 1:15am Credits: 1 AA
The course will focus on ESOP structures that are prevalent in 2023 and why ESOPs are becoming an ever increasingly utilized exit planning instrument, coupled with 409A executive comp. programs and advanced estate planning tools.
Presenters:
Accounting and Auditing Employee Benefit Plans Update
Time: Wednesday 11:25am - 12:15pm Credits: 1 AA
This session will discuss recent audit and accounting standards which impact employee benefit plan audits.
Presenters:
Secure Act 2.0
Time: Wednesday 1:25pm - 2:15pm Credits: 1 AA
In the final days of 2022, Congress passed the SECURE 2.0 Act, which is one of the most significant pieces of retirement plan legislation ever. Building on the original SECURE Act that was passed in 2019, the new laws touch nearly every facet of retirement plan design and administration, and will be phased in over the next few years. In this presentation, we'll highlight the provisions of SECURE 2.0 that CPAs will need to know as they audit retirement plans and help their clients and companies adapt to these new laws.
Presenters:
Employee Benefit Plans Audit Quality Center Practice Updates
Time: Wednesday 2:25pm - 3:15pm Credits: 1 AA
This session will discuss recent audit and accounting standards which impact employee benefit plan audits.
Presenters:
Peer Review - Identification of Fraud Risks
Time: Wednesday 3:40pm - 4:30pm Credits: 1 AA
This session will provide an update on the AICPA's Peer Review Program, focusing on the new Enhanced Audit Quality initiatives for 2023, and review the most common deficiencies noted in peer reviews.
Presenters:
Employee Benefit Plans - The Strange and Unusual Findings
Time: Wednesday 4:40pm - 5:30pm Credits: 1 AA
Just when you think you've seen it all....you haven't. In this session, we'll have a little fun as our panel discusses some of the strangest and most unusual situations that they've encountered in audits of employee benefit plans. While some of these stories might sound crazy, they'll help you identify and prepare for some of the potential issues that you should be looking for in your benefit plan audits.
Presenters:
Thursday, June 15, 2023
Sales Tax Audits
Time: Thursday 9:10am - 10:00am Credits: 1 AA
Thousands of businesses are audited each year and the disruption they create in a business can be enormous. TaxConnex conducted a study of finance professionals and found that being audited remains a top 3 concern among finance professionals. We'll discuss how to manage an audit - before, during, and after.
Presenters:
Wayfair for International Companies
Time: Thursday 10:25am - 11:15am Credits: 1 TB
Wayfair for International will focus on helping international businesses and clients understand the impact the I.S. Supreme Court's decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair case on their sales tax obligations in the United States. The following topics will be covered: Overview of Wayfair decision, Nexus and economics presence, state-by- state analysis, Compliance requirements and best practices.
Presenters:
Florida Litigation Update
Time: Thursday 11:25am - 12:15pm Credits: 1 TB
The Pass-Thru Entity Tax Puzzle: Solving Complexity
Time: Thursday 1:25pm - 2:15pm Credits: 1 TB
In this session, we will explore the complexities of pass-though entity taxes, Including the differences among 32 states and NYC PTE one regarding who can claim the PTE credit, whether the credit is refundable, effected entities, tax rate, election due date,, estimated payments, forms required opt-out for owners, and whether resident share is at 100% of apportioned income. We will also explore State pass-through-entity (PTE) taxes and ASC 740 analysis for financial statement purposes.
Presenters:
State Tax: Technology and Data Transformation
Time: Thursday 2:25pm - 3:15pm Credits: 1 TB
This session will cover how established and emerging integrated technologies are being utilized to address both direct and indirect state tax needs. Additionally, as state income and indirect tax present numerous challenges related to voluminous and complex data sets, how to plan for and address these types of scenarios will also be discussed Holistically, the discussion will address the various ways that technology can be used to reach more accurate state tax results more efficiently.
Presenters:
Intangible Valuation in the Real Estate World
Time: Thursday 3:40pm - 4:30pm Credits: 1 AA
Different assets are taxed differently by different taxing authorities. Understanding the interrelationships and legal interests at issue is critical to proper tax reporting.
Presenters:
Talent Management & Pipeline Panel CAQ
Time: Thursday 4:40pm - 5:30pm
According to the AICPA Trends Report, national college enrollments were down 9.5% from 2018 to 2022, accounting degree completions have been on the decline since 2016, and finding qualified staff remains a key issue for firms across the US.
During this timely panel discussion, moderated by FICPA President & CEO Shelly Weir, we’ll gather perspectives from academia, Big 4 leadership, and the Center for Audit Quality. We’ll outline what steps have already been taken to combat the talent shortage and address what still needs to be done to strengthen the accounting pipeline.
Presenters:
Friday, June 16, 2023
Fraud Risk: What Lessons From Past Financial Troubles Tell Us and Help Us Navigate the Current Economic Environment
Time: Friday 8:00am - 8:50am Credits: 1 AA
The session objectives include:
- Defining Fraud Risk and how suck risk can be managed financially, strategically, and operationally.
- Using Anti-Fraud tools to increase organizational effectiveness
- Understand the opportunities gained through fraud risk management
Presenters:
Who Will Watch the Watchmen? Best Practices Reviewing a Business Appraisal
Time: Friday 9:00am - 9:50am Credits: 1 AA
A business valuation just came across your desk. Where do you start in your review process? What should you be looking for? What are the most common snags? What's your liability and exposure? This session will help members, both inside and outside the valuation space, understand why valuation review is important, the background needed to be effective in your review, and how to approach an appraisal review.
Presenters:
How to Talk to your Clients About Fraud
Time: Friday 10:10am - 11:00am Credits: 1 AA
CPAs need to be prepared to talk to their clients about the real possibility of fraud occurring in their organization. This course will show professionals how to talk to their clients about the risks of fraud and the best ways to protect them.
The IRS Criminal Investigation Unit - Uncovering the Dark Web
Time: Friday 11:20am - 12:10pm Credits: 1 AA
Have you been wondering what the dark web is? Who uses it? What can be found in it? How does it work? IRS-CI will answer all of these questions, in addition to explaining how virtual currency was created and is valued. Most importantly, IRS-CI will be answer questions regarding its place in the federal tax system and accounting.
Presenters:
Becoming a Cherished Advisor - How to Grow and Scale Your CAS Practice
Time: Friday 12:40pm - 1:30pm Credits: 1 TB
You’re passionate about what you do, and that’s why you started or lead a client advisory practice. Combining your passion and business can be both exhilarating and a struggle.
Many accounting professionals stumble into starting an advisory practice because of what they love to do. But without the experience or a roadmap of how to build a new service line or practice that your clients can’t imagine living without for efficiency and scalability, it’s easy to hit pitfalls along the way. To become a “Cherished Advisor®”—a highly valued strategic partner whom your business clients rely on to grow and thrive—you need to have a solid business foundation yourself. It’s therefore essential to put into practice the same kind of advice you give your clients.
As a CPA, consultant, and entrepreneur, Amy will share insights and best practices from her own experience of starting and growing an advisory services practice independently and as a partner in accounting. She will also pull from her more than 10 years of advising thousands of firm leaders on growing and scaling their businesses. You will walk away with actionable tools, tips, and resources for creating and maintaining a solid, scalable
foundation for your business for years to come.
Learning Objectives:
? Identify your passion and purpose and determine how to align it with the focus of
your client advisory services practice;
? List the five stages of the Cherished Advisor® journey to building a solid foundation
that enables your practice to grow and thrive well into the future;
? Recognize how to select technology that will meet the needs of your practice and that
of the clients/vertical industries you choose to serve;
? Design an end-to-end customer experience that consistently provides the
high-quality level of service and engagement your clients rely on throughout the
entirety of your business relationship; and,
? Outline a B3 Innovation Plan with measurable
Presenters:
Objectives:
- Explore top employee benefit plan issues
- Learn the latest on state tax
- Discuss hot topics impacting the profession
- Fraud and Forensic Accounting Hot Topics
- Become a Cherished Advisor
Presenters:
-
Amy Elizabeth Vetter, CPA.CITP
Amy Vetter, CPA, CITP, is the CPA Programs Leader for Intacct Corporation responsible for leading the CPA/BPO Partners nationally, collaborating with CPA2Biz and working with Intacct BPO CPA Firms to help them grow their Outsourced Accounting Services Practices. Prior to Intacct, she was an Intuit Key Account Manager responsible Intuit's Major Accounts and Creator/Facilitator for the Intuit...
Read more about Amy Elizabeth Vetter here -
Karen Ann Lake, CPA
Karen Lake CPA is Associate Director of Tax Services at Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants. For nearly 20 years, Karen has placed her focus on helping businesses and individuals develop their tax structures. Through reducing their state tax risk, improving cash flow and obtaining federal and state credits and incentives, Karen is successful at resolving tax controversies in a...
Read more about Karen Ann Lake here -
Paul N Brown, CPA, CGMA
Paul Brown joined the FICPA in November 1992 and is the Director of Technical Services for the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA). One of Paul's main duties is to serve as the technical reviewer in Florida for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Peer Review Program. The program administers approximately 350 reviews annually in Florida and oversees approximately 90 peer...
Read more about Paul N Brown here -
Adam K Raschke
Adam is a Managing Director in KPMG's State and Local Tax and leads the Florida Indirect Tax practice based in Tampa, Florida. Adam has extensive experience with complex multi-state and multi-national indirect tax matters, specifically focusing on indirect tax controversy, compliance review, automation, data analytics, planning, structuring, audit defense, refund reviews, and mergers and...
Read more about Adam K Raschke here -
Melissa Lynne Ruiz
DirectorGrantThornton LLPBased in South Florida, Melissa has over 10 years of experience in public accounting with Grant Thornton in the state income and franchise tax field.Melissa serves several mid-sized and large business clients in federal and multi-state taxes, specializing in income and franchise. Her experiences include assisting taxpayers with the development and design of effective state...
Read more about Melissa Lynne Ruiz here -
Gwen Mazzola, CPA
Gwen serves as the leader of HoganTaylor's Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) practice, one of the largest in the Oklahoma/Arkansas region. 100% of Gwen's professional efforts are devoted to working within the EBP industry. Gwen has over 20 years of experience in public accounting, specializing in audits of EBPs. She is experienced in working with various retirement plans of all sizes. Gwen is a...
Read more about Gwen Mazzola here -
Jodi Malis, CPA, CGMA
Jodi is a Partner in Hancock Askew’s Atlanta office and has over 35 years of public accounting experience. Jodi began her career in Chicago at Price Waterhouse after graduating from Indiana University, with highest distinction, with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. In her role, she oversees assurance and advisory services for numerous public and private companies and manages the firm’s...
Read more about Jodi Malis here -
Aaron Fell
Aaron is a seasoned practitioner focused on serving clients within the State and Local Tax practice as well as the Tax Digital Consulting practice. Prior to joining Grant Thornton, Aaron worked at the Florida Dept. of Revenue as an indirect tax auditor for five years. Aaron has over ten years of SALT indirect tax experience both in the private and public sector. His tax audit background includes...
Read more about Aaron Fell here -
Bret Hamlin
ShareholderHill Ward & HendersonBret is a Shareholder in the firm’s Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits Group. He practices primarily in the areas of employee benefits, deferred compensation and trusts. Prior to entering the private practice of law, he provided plan design and consulting, third-party administration and investment, as well as retirement plan education services for clients...
Read more about Bret Hamlin here -
John Burgess, CPA, LLM (Tax), Esq.
John Burgess is an attorney and CPA with Jackson Lewis in Tampa who helps business owners, executives, and other senior managers with all of their employee benefits. He advises employee benefit plan committees, including 401(k) plan committees, on their fiduciary responsibilities and best practices. He has worked with plans of all sizes, ranging from those sponsored by small, local companies with...
Read more about John Burgess here -
Daniel James O'Keefe, CPA, CFE, MBA
Daniel J. O'Keefe, CPA, CFE, MBA Orlando Office Managing Shareholder Moore Stephens Lovelace CPAs & Advisors Dan O'Keefe is the Orlando Office Managing Shareholder and heads up the Governmental Practice Group of Moore Stephens Lovelace, P.A. He also serves on the Board of Directors, is the Corporate Secretary for the Firm, and is the Dean of MSL University. He has over 35 years of public...
Read more about Daniel James O'Keefe here -
Joshua James Shilts, CPA, ABV, CFF, CGMA, CPE
Joshua Shilts is president of Shilts CPA, PLLC. Mr. Shilts' practice is focused on assisting attorneys, individuals and businesses with complex financial matters and disputes. He has held roles with international consulting and public accounting firms in Miami and New York City as well as positions with large public organizations. Mr. Shilts is a frequent lecturer on a variety of forensic...
Read more about Joshua James Shilts here -
Kristin Ashley Bivona, CPA, MBA
Kristin Bivona, CPA, MBA is the Managing Partner for GellerRagans, Central Florida's oldest accounting firm. For nearly 20 years, Kristin has been working with closely held businesses in the Central Florida area providing accounting, advisory and taxation services. Her primary focus areas include: medical companies, professional service companies, employee benefit plans and wholesale and retail...
Read more about Kristin Ashley Bivona here -
Jesus Socorro
Read more about Jesus Socorro here -
Rachel E Fisch, ABV,CPA
Ms. Fisch brings over twenty years of intensive business valuation, consulting, and forensic accounting experience to the RealAdvice team. She has been recognized as an expert in numerous court jurisdictions for her analytical and valuation skills. During this time, hundreds of clients have repeatedly relied on Ms. Fisch for strategic business advice. She has provided consulting services in both...
Read more about Rachel E Fisch here -
Shelly Weir
Shelly Weir is President & Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA), the statewide professional association for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in Florida. In this role, Weir serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the FICPA and FICPA Scholarship Foundation and works in partnership with the FICPA Council to develop and execute the Institute's strategic vision. Weir leads a...
Read more about Shelly Weir here -
Luke Lucas
Luke Lucas focuses his practice on state and local tax compliance and consulting services for individuals and businesses across various industries. His experience as a state and local tax (SALT) specialist helps clients across the country navigate the entire spectrum of direct and indirect taxes imposed by state and local jurisdictions.
Read more about Luke Lucas here -
Jeff Meigs
Read more about Jeff Meigs here -
Mark H Taylor
Read more about Mark H Taylor here -
Atticus Lee Frank, CFA, ABV
Atticus Frank is a vice president with Mercer Capital. Atticus has valuation experience in engagements related to corporate planning and reorganizations, financial reporting, transaction advisory, litigation support, employee stock ownership plans, and estate and gift tax planning. As a member of Mercer Capital's Family Business Advisory Services Group, Atticus provides financial education...
Read more about Atticus Lee Frank here -
Susan Hicks
Sue is a Senior Manager with the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center (EBPAQC). In her role, she supports the EBPAQC Executive Committee, coordinates Center activities, and develops webcasts, tools and resources for member firms. She also liaises with the Department of Labor and standard setters on issues affecting employee...
Read more about Susan Hicks here -
Stephan George
Read more about Stephan George here -
Karyn Calabrese
Special Agent Karyn Calabrese has been with the IRS for over 17 years, most of her time with the Criminal Investigation Division. She has accounting and finance degrees from Florida State University and a MBA from Florida Atlantic University. As a Special Agent, she has worked on hundreds of criminal investigations, including, tax evasion, tax preparer fraud, identity theft, PPP loan fraud, money...
Read more about Karyn Calabrese here -
Ray Gandy
Ray is a Director and Leader of the IT Risk & Assurance Practice at CBIZ & MHM New England (formerly CBIZ Tofias). His IT leadership expertise encompasses the areas of security & controls, strategy, infrastructure, applications, and finance. Ray's experience includes developing and implementing strategic plans, executing large-scale integrations, improving operations, optimizing quality...
Read more about Ray Gandy here -
Amy O'Connor
Amy O'Connor is the Vice President, Stakeholder Engagement and Communications at the Center for Audit Quality. In this role, she oversees and implements the CAQ's strategy regarding external and internal communications, design, marketing, and outreach to capital markets stakeholders including investors, public company audit committees, issuers, and others.O'Connor's experience includes founding...
Read more about Amy O'Connor here -
Ellen J. Glazerman
Ellen is the Executive Director of the EY Foundation and Director of University Relations, EY Americas. In addition, she supports a variety of initiatives within the Office of Public Policy. Formerly, Ellen was the EY Americas Director of Campus Recruiting. She is also an Executive Coach who focuses on transition.Ellen is the past Chair and current member of the Board of Directors for the Graduate...
Read more about Ellen J. Glazerman here -
Stephen King, MAI MRICS
Mr. King has served as a Special Magistrate for the Orange County Value Adjustment Board (VAB) for over 10 years. One of the primary reasons the VAB was created by State law was to provide citizens a forum to address complaints regarding the Property Appraiser's assessment/valuation of property. In his capacity as a Special Magistrate, he conducted hundreds of quasi-judicial hearings and made...
Read more about Stephen King here -
Todd Jones, MBA, MAI, AI-GRS, CRE, FRICS
Since 1985, Mr. Jones has provided complex income-producing commercial property valuation, expert testimony, litigation support, ad valorem property tax counseling and representation, appraisal review, investment advice, marketability analysis, and feasibility analysis, including highest and best use analysis for virtually all types of commercial, industrial, residential, and special purpose real...
Read more about Todd Jones here -
Lauren Kocinski
Lauren Kocinski is a Supervisory Special Agent in the Fort Myers, Florida, post of duty. She also serves as the Public Information Officer for the Tampa Field Office where she liaises with stakeholders across multiple agencies and the media. She has performed outreach through presentations, media inquiries, and television appearances.Lauren joined the Tampa Field Office as a Special Agent (SA) in...
Read more about Lauren Kocinski here -
George Cassiere, ASA, CFA
George is an accredited Senior Appraiser, holding an MBA degree from the University of Virginia and a B.S. in Finance with honors from Florida State University. George has been published in numerous publications and speaks frequently to professional organizations. George has over 3 decades of corporate finance and ESOP experience and over this time he has been part of hundreds of successful...
Read more about George Cassiere here -
Kevin Guthrie
Kevin Guthrie has more than 30 years of experience in Public Safety and Emergency Management in the state of Florida, including 14 years of experience dedicated to emergency management. He spent 23 years as a Police Officer and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. He served as the Public Safety and Emergency Management Director for the Flagler County Board of...
Read more about Kevin Guthrie here
Presenters:
Amy Elizabeth Vetter, CPA.CITP
Amy Vetter, CPA, CITP, is the CPA Programs Leader for Intacct Corporation responsible for leading the CPA/BPO Partners nationally, collaborating with CPA2Biz and working with Intacct BPO CPA Firms to help them grow their Outsourced Accounting Services Practices. Prior to Intacct, she was an Intuit Key Account Manager responsible Intuit's Major Accounts and Creator/Facilitator for the Intuit...Read more about Amy Elizabeth Vetter hereKaren Ann Lake, CPA
Karen Lake CPA is Associate Director of Tax Services at Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants. For nearly 20 years, Karen has placed her focus on helping businesses and individuals develop their tax structures. Through reducing their state tax risk, improving cash flow and obtaining federal and state credits and incentives, Karen is successful at resolving tax controversies in a...Read more about Karen Ann Lake herePaul N Brown, CPA, CGMA
Paul Brown joined the FICPA in November 1992 and is the Director of Technical Services for the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA). One of Paul's main duties is to serve as the technical reviewer in Florida for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Peer Review Program. The program administers approximately 350 reviews annually in Florida and oversees approximately 90 peer...Read more about Paul N Brown hereAdam K Raschke
Adam is a Managing Director in KPMG's State and Local Tax and leads the Florida Indirect Tax practice based in Tampa, Florida. Adam has extensive experience with complex multi-state and multi-national indirect tax matters, specifically focusing on indirect tax controversy, compliance review, automation, data analytics, planning, structuring, audit defense, refund reviews, and mergers and...Read more about Adam K Raschke hereMelissa Lynne Ruiz
DirectorGrantThornton LLPBased in South Florida, Melissa has over 10 years of experience in public accounting with Grant Thornton in the state income and franchise tax field.Melissa serves several mid-sized and large business clients in federal and multi-state taxes, specializing in income and franchise. Her experiences include assisting taxpayers with the development and design of effective state...Read more about Melissa Lynne Ruiz hereGwen Mazzola, CPA
Gwen serves as the leader of HoganTaylor's Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) practice, one of the largest in the Oklahoma/Arkansas region. 100% of Gwen's professional efforts are devoted to working within the EBP industry. Gwen has over 20 years of experience in public accounting, specializing in audits of EBPs. She is experienced in working with various retirement plans of all sizes. Gwen is a...Read more about Gwen Mazzola hereJodi Malis, CPA, CGMA
Jodi is a Partner in Hancock Askew’s Atlanta office and has over 35 years of public accounting experience. Jodi began her career in Chicago at Price Waterhouse after graduating from Indiana University, with highest distinction, with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. In her role, she oversees assurance and advisory services for numerous public and private companies and manages the firm’s...Read more about Jodi Malis hereAaron Fell
Aaron is a seasoned practitioner focused on serving clients within the State and Local Tax practice as well as the Tax Digital Consulting practice. Prior to joining Grant Thornton, Aaron worked at the Florida Dept. of Revenue as an indirect tax auditor for five years. Aaron has over ten years of SALT indirect tax experience both in the private and public sector. His tax audit background includes...Read more about Aaron Fell hereBret Hamlin
ShareholderHill Ward & HendersonBret is a Shareholder in the firm’s Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits Group. He practices primarily in the areas of employee benefits, deferred compensation and trusts. Prior to entering the private practice of law, he provided plan design and consulting, third-party administration and investment, as well as retirement plan education services for clients...Read more about Bret Hamlin hereJohn Burgess, CPA, LLM (Tax), Esq.
John Burgess is an attorney and CPA with Jackson Lewis in Tampa who helps business owners, executives, and other senior managers with all of their employee benefits. He advises employee benefit plan committees, including 401(k) plan committees, on their fiduciary responsibilities and best practices. He has worked with plans of all sizes, ranging from those sponsored by small, local companies with...Read more about John Burgess hereDaniel James O'Keefe, CPA, CFE, MBA
Daniel J. O'Keefe, CPA, CFE, MBA Orlando Office Managing Shareholder Moore Stephens Lovelace CPAs & Advisors Dan O'Keefe is the Orlando Office Managing Shareholder and heads up the Governmental Practice Group of Moore Stephens Lovelace, P.A. He also serves on the Board of Directors, is the Corporate Secretary for the Firm, and is the Dean of MSL University. He has over 35 years of public...Read more about Daniel James O'Keefe hereJoshua James Shilts, CPA, ABV, CFF, CGMA, CPE
Joshua Shilts is president of Shilts CPA, PLLC. Mr. Shilts' practice is focused on assisting attorneys, individuals and businesses with complex financial matters and disputes. He has held roles with international consulting and public accounting firms in Miami and New York City as well as positions with large public organizations. Mr. Shilts is a frequent lecturer on a variety of forensic...Read more about Joshua James Shilts hereKristin Ashley Bivona, CPA, MBA
Kristin Bivona, CPA, MBA is the Managing Partner for GellerRagans, Central Florida's oldest accounting firm. For nearly 20 years, Kristin has been working with closely held businesses in the Central Florida area providing accounting, advisory and taxation services. Her primary focus areas include: medical companies, professional service companies, employee benefit plans and wholesale and retail...Read more about Kristin Ashley Bivona hereJesus Socorro
Read more about Jesus Socorro hereRachel E Fisch, ABV,CPA
Ms. Fisch brings over twenty years of intensive business valuation, consulting, and forensic accounting experience to the RealAdvice team. She has been recognized as an expert in numerous court jurisdictions for her analytical and valuation skills. During this time, hundreds of clients have repeatedly relied on Ms. Fisch for strategic business advice. She has provided consulting services in both...Read more about Rachel E Fisch hereShelly Weir
Shelly Weir is President & Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA), the statewide professional association for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in Florida. In this role, Weir serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the FICPA and FICPA Scholarship Foundation and works in partnership with the FICPA Council to develop and execute the Institute's strategic vision. Weir leads a...Read more about Shelly Weir hereLuke Lucas
Luke Lucas focuses his practice on state and local tax compliance and consulting services for individuals and businesses across various industries. His experience as a state and local tax (SALT) specialist helps clients across the country navigate the entire spectrum of direct and indirect taxes imposed by state and local jurisdictions.Read more about Luke Lucas hereJeff Meigs
Read more about Jeff Meigs hereMark H Taylor
Read more about Mark H Taylor hereAtticus Lee Frank, CFA, ABV
Atticus Frank is a vice president with Mercer Capital. Atticus has valuation experience in engagements related to corporate planning and reorganizations, financial reporting, transaction advisory, litigation support, employee stock ownership plans, and estate and gift tax planning. As a member of Mercer Capital's Family Business Advisory Services Group, Atticus provides financial education...Read more about Atticus Lee Frank hereSusan Hicks
Sue is a Senior Manager with the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center (EBPAQC). In her role, she supports the EBPAQC Executive Committee, coordinates Center activities, and develops webcasts, tools and resources for member firms. She also liaises with the Department of Labor and standard setters on issues affecting employee...Read more about Susan Hicks hereStephan George
Read more about Stephan George hereKaryn Calabrese
Special Agent Karyn Calabrese has been with the IRS for over 17 years, most of her time with the Criminal Investigation Division. She has accounting and finance degrees from Florida State University and a MBA from Florida Atlantic University. As a Special Agent, she has worked on hundreds of criminal investigations, including, tax evasion, tax preparer fraud, identity theft, PPP loan fraud, money...Read more about Karyn Calabrese hereRay Gandy
Ray is a Director and Leader of the IT Risk & Assurance Practice at CBIZ & MHM New England (formerly CBIZ Tofias). His IT leadership expertise encompasses the areas of security & controls, strategy, infrastructure, applications, and finance. Ray's experience includes developing and implementing strategic plans, executing large-scale integrations, improving operations, optimizing quality...Read more about Ray Gandy hereAmy O'Connor
Amy O'Connor is the Vice President, Stakeholder Engagement and Communications at the Center for Audit Quality. In this role, she oversees and implements the CAQ's strategy regarding external and internal communications, design, marketing, and outreach to capital markets stakeholders including investors, public company audit committees, issuers, and others.O'Connor's experience includes founding...Read more about Amy O'Connor hereEllen J. Glazerman
Ellen is the Executive Director of the EY Foundation and Director of University Relations, EY Americas. In addition, she supports a variety of initiatives within the Office of Public Policy. Formerly, Ellen was the EY Americas Director of Campus Recruiting. She is also an Executive Coach who focuses on transition.Ellen is the past Chair and current member of the Board of Directors for the Graduate...Read more about Ellen J. Glazerman hereStephen King, MAI MRICS
Mr. King has served as a Special Magistrate for the Orange County Value Adjustment Board (VAB) for over 10 years. One of the primary reasons the VAB was created by State law was to provide citizens a forum to address complaints regarding the Property Appraiser's assessment/valuation of property. In his capacity as a Special Magistrate, he conducted hundreds of quasi-judicial hearings and made...Read more about Stephen King hereTodd Jones, MBA, MAI, AI-GRS, CRE, FRICS
Since 1985, Mr. Jones has provided complex income-producing commercial property valuation, expert testimony, litigation support, ad valorem property tax counseling and representation, appraisal review, investment advice, marketability analysis, and feasibility analysis, including highest and best use analysis for virtually all types of commercial, industrial, residential, and special purpose real...Read more about Todd Jones hereLauren Kocinski
Lauren Kocinski is a Supervisory Special Agent in the Fort Myers, Florida, post of duty. She also serves as the Public Information Officer for the Tampa Field Office where she liaises with stakeholders across multiple agencies and the media. She has performed outreach through presentations, media inquiries, and television appearances.Lauren joined the Tampa Field Office as a Special Agent (SA) in...Read more about Lauren Kocinski hereGeorge Cassiere, ASA, CFA
George is an accredited Senior Appraiser, holding an MBA degree from the University of Virginia and a B.S. in Finance with honors from Florida State University. George has been published in numerous publications and speaks frequently to professional organizations. George has over 3 decades of corporate finance and ESOP experience and over this time he has been part of hundreds of successful...Read more about George Cassiere hereKevin Guthrie
Kevin Guthrie has more than 30 years of experience in Public Safety and Emergency Management in the state of Florida, including 14 years of experience dedicated to emergency management. He spent 23 years as a Police Officer and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. He served as the Public Safety and Emergency Management Director for the Flagler County Board of...Read more about Kevin Guthrie hereMajor Topics:
- State of the Profession
- Employee benefits
- State tax
- Fraud and Forensics
- Emerging Topics
Major Topics:
- State of the Profession
- Employee benefits
- State tax
- Fraud and Forensics
- Emerging Topics
Designed For:
CPAs, accountants, and other finance professionals
Prerequisites:
NoneRelated Events
Ethics: Protecting the Integrity of Florida CPAs (0004980)
CPA Personal Financial Planning Boot Camp (PFPB)
2023 Women's Leadership Summit
Testimonials
We love going to Mega conference because we can get a lot of hours in one conference that caters to tax and audit alike. Being in the public sector, we need both and not many institutions provide what FICPA does.
FICPA also always hosts a great location and provide excellent foods during the sessions. Plus they have great staff who stay connected to their constituents and always make us feel so welcome.
And you can quote me on that.
Michelle Hurst