FICPA Mega Conference

VIRTUAL ONLY

Wednesday June 9 – Friday June 11

(with pre-conference complimentary "Ted-Style" sessions June 8)

 

MEET. ENGAGE. GROW. ACHIEVE.

Get a glimpse of what the future holds for the CPA profession at FICPA's virtual only MEGA! Accounting and finance professionals are being looked to for advice and insight like never before.  MEGA is your opportunity to MEET ENGAGE GROW and ACHIEVE the skills needed to meet today's and tomorrow’s challenges.   Gain that competitive edge!

This three-day event brings you cutting-edge information and updates critical to your success.  Be it Employee Benefits, State Tax, Technology, Accounting and Auditing or Hot Topics, MEGA features more than 50 sessions hosted by recognized thought leaders.  Don't miss the keynote presentations which explore the state of the profession and the importance of diversity and inclusion.     

MEGA is the premier event for accounting and finance professionals in Florida.

MEGA enables you to customize the learning that’s right for you.

Register by day or get the best value with the MEGA-Buy.

  • MEGA-Buy - $515 Member fee/$890 Non-Member fee (Tailor MEGA to meet YOUR needs.  Select the sessions that are right for you from Three Days of outstanding topics - all at the reduced "MEGA-Buy" rate!)
  • Two Day - $375 Member fee/$615 Non-Member fee (select W/TH or TH/F)
  • One Day - $240 Member Fee/$365 Non-Member fee (select any day W, TH, F)

Don't Forget the 4-hours of Complimentary "Ted-Style" CPE

Don't forget to register separately for 4 more hours of great CPE - FREE!  Join us on June 8 from 1-5 pm for 8 fast-paced sessions on emerging topics featuring key presenters from the main MEGA agenda.  REGISTER HERE (complimentary but registration required.)

 

 

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Attend our popular Employee Benefits Plan Conference and get up to date guidance on performing quality audits of employee benefit plans from leaders in the industry. Or select Day 1 of our 2-day State Tax Conference and hear the latest updates related to Florida-specific issues.

Want the best of both – simply select the sessions that meet your needs.

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Attend day 2 of our 2-day State Tax Conference and hear the latest legislation, advocacy and policy issues impacting Florida businesses. Or maybe you want to gain access to key insights by attending this year’s hottest emerging topics by the industry’s leading experts.

Want the best of both – simply select the sessions that meet your needs.

Friday, June 11, 2021

We saved the best for last! Hear from industry experts on the latest in accounting and auditing. Explore key issues leading the technology trends for the profession including automation and adoption of technology-driven solutions including AI and data analytics, outsourcing, advisory services, remote work and more!

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Introduction and Opening Remarks

Time: 8:00am - 8:10am

Employee Benefits: Department of Labor Update

Time: 8:10am - 9:00am Credits: 1 AA

Marcus Aron, Acting Chief, Division of Accounting Services, Office of the Chief Accountant, EBSA

Audits of employee benefit 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.

Presenters:

 

State Tax: Economic Update

Time: 8:10am - 9:00am Credits: 1 TB

James (Jim) Glassman, Managing Director - Head Economist, Commercial Banking, JP Morgan Chase

With uncertainty following the election, COVID disruption and a dynamic international landscape, planning for your business throughout 2021 could be challenging.  Receive insight into the current economic environment and how it could affect your business in the year ahead.

Presenters:

 

Employee Benefits: The CARES and SECURE Acts and 2020 Plan Year Audits

Time: 9:05am - 9:55am Credits: 1 AA

John Burgess, Partner, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP

Recent legislation will affect benefit plan audits being conducted in 2021 for 2020 plan years. In this session, we'll review some of the key aspects of the legislation, along with IRS guidance, and how they will impact audit procedures.

Presenters:

 

State Tax: Tax Reform 3.0, and Counting: State Income Tax Analysis

Time: 9:05am - 9:55am Credits: 1 TB

Chris Oatis, Managing Director- Salt, Grant Thornton LLP and Mark Holcomb, Partner, Dean Mead & Dunbar

Corporate income taxpayers and states, alike, continue to evaluate state tax implications of the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA).  Now, they must also grapple with the impacts of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) passed by Congress in March 2020, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA) passed in December 2020.  Explore current state conformity issues with the TCJA, CARES Act and CAA, and how these federal tax laws impact state corporate income taxpayers.  Consideration will also be given to contemplated future changes in federal corporate income tax laws, and their potential impact on state tax systems.

Presenters:

 

Break

Time: 9:55am - 10:05am

 

Employee Benefits: Accounting and Auditing Update

Jodi Malis, Partner, Hancock, Askew & Co., LLP and Gwen Stoute, Assurance Partner, HoganTaylor CPAs + Advisors

Time: 10:05am - 10:55am Credits: 1 AA

This session will discuss the various accounting, auditing and reporting matters affecting employee benefit plans. Recognize accounting and auditing considerations for the upcoming audit season, including COVID auditing considerations. Preview the new upcoming accounting standards that will affect employee benefit plans.

Presenters:

 

State Tax: Trending Multi-State Tax Cases: The Impact of Your Businesses' Footprint-Part 1

Time: 10:05am - 10:55am Credits: 1 TB

Marshall Stranburg, Former Deputy Executive Director, Multistate Tax Commission, Jordon Goodman, Attorney, Horwood Marcus & Berk, and Kevin Herzberg, Partner, Grant Thornton

This 2-part presentation will get the audience up to date on recent state and local tax cases and statutory changes that will affect their client's business. The discussion will cover such topics as when a state can impose its taxing jurisdiction on an out-of-state business and what taxpayers can do to protect themselves. Learn the latest in apportionment issues, paying particular attention to sourcing of sale other than tangible personal property, including cost of performance, market-based sourcing and alternative apportionment. Examine the latest in retroactive law changes and how best businesses can avoid historical liability. Explore latest in qui tam and class actions that are becoming popular by non-tax enforcers. Examine the latest in transaction taxes both from a nexus and situsing perspective. Look at ways to comply with state law and hopefully avoid double taxation. Finally, the latest in audit developments and how best to prepare our clients for the more aggressive state audits.

Presenters:

 

Employee Benefits: Working in a Remote Environment - Panel Discussion

Time: 11:00am - 11:50am Credits: 1 AA

Moderator: Wendy Terry, Partner, WithumSmith+Brown; Henry Martin, Partner, Daszkal Bolton; and Sharon Bradley, Director, Daszkal Bolton

We will review auditing standards related to documentation to support a remote audit and we will also review, at a high level, some risks associated with auditing remotely. Best practices that may be considered will also be discussed.

Presenters:

 

State Tax: Trending Multi-State Tax Cases: The Impact of Your Businesses' Footprint-Part 2

Time: 11:00am - 11:50am Credits: 1 TB

Marshall Stranburg, Former Deputy Executive Director, Multistate Tax Commission; Jordon Goodman, Attorney, Horwood Marcus & Berk; and Kevin Herzberg, Partner, Grant Thornton

This 2-part presentation will get the audience up to date on recent state and local tax cases and statutory changes that will affect their client's business. Examine when a state can impose its taxing jurisdiction on an out-of-state business and what taxpayers can do to protect themselves. Learn the latest in apportionment issues, paying particular attention to sourcing of sale other than tangible personal property, including cost of performance, market-based sourcing and alternative apportionment. Examine the latest in retroactive law changes and how best businesses can avoid historical liability. Explore the latest in qui tam and class actions that are becoming popular by non-tax enforcers. Examine the latest in transaction taxes both from a nexus and situsing perspective. Look at ways to comply with state law and hopefully avoid double taxation. Finally, the latest in audit developments and how best to prepare our clients for the more aggressive state audits.

Presenters:

 

Lunch

Time: 11:50am - 12:50am

 

Employee Benefits: SAS 136: Forming an Opinion and Reporting on EBP Financial Statements

Time: 12:50pm - 1:40pm Credits: 1 AA

Gwen Stoute, Assurance Partner, HoganTaylor, LLP and Jodi Malis, Partner, Hancock Askew & Co, LLP

SAS 136: Forming an Opinion and Reporting on Employee Benefit Plans Subject to ERISA.  Gain an understanding of SAS 136 and prepare for the new performance requirements, including engagement acceptance considerations, risk assessment and response relating to relevant plan provisions and reportable findings, and required procedures relating to  ERISA section 103(a)(3)(C) audits.

Leaning objectives:
 - Summarize what you need to know about SAS 136
 - Identify new performance requirements and required procedures
 - Review the new auditor's report

Presenters:

 

State Tax: Pandemic in Multi-State Income Tax

Time: 12:50pm - 1:40pm Credits: 1 TB

Karen Lake, CPA, Associate Director of Tax Services, Berkowitz Pollack Brant; Kevin Herzberg, National Indirect Tax Leader; and Kenneth Rios, JD/MBA, Principal, Tax, Kaufman Rossin

Explore the changes in multi-state taxation due to shift in our economy to survive the pandemic.

Presenters:

 

Employee Benefits: Peer Review Update

Time: 1:45pm - 2:35pm Credits: 1 AA

James W. Brackens, Jr., CPA, CGMA, Vice President, Ethics and Practice Quality, AICPA

Examine recent developments in peer review, including results from the Enhancing Audit Quality initiative, emphasis in recently issued professional standards and related reporting requirements, and common issues that result in nonconforming engagements.

Presenters:

 

State Tax: Multi-State Tax Controversy: Practitioner and Industry Insights

Time: 1:45pm - 2:35pm Credits: 1 TB

Shawn Williams, Partner, Shawn M. Williams, CPA LLC and Adam N. Sabin, CPA, Tax Manager, Citrix Systems, Inc.

Get practitioner and industry perspective to protect yourself and your clients from non-Florida, multi-state audit assessments.  Examine the audit experience, hot topics and systems that help audit outcomes and sustain return positions.

Presenters:

Break

Time: 2:35pm - 2:45pm

 

Employee Benefits: ADP & ACP - Why Plans Fail and What to do About it

Time: 2:45pm - 3:35pm Credits: 1 AA

Jason Chepenik, CFP and Joe DeBello, CRPS, QKC, QPA

This presentation will review common reasons why certain 401(k) Plans continue to have ADP/ACP Testing Failures causing thousands in taxable refunds to highly compensated employees year after year.  We'll cover why some of the most commonly recommended fixes are no longer effective in todays modern 401(k) plan. In addition, we will discuss some common as well as some not so common ways to address & resolve these failures.

Presenters:

 

State Tax: The Adoption of Data Analytics Within Your Tax Department

Time: 2:45pm - 3:35pm Credits: 1 TB

Aaron Fell, Manager, and Kaila Regan, Tax Associate, Grant Thornton, LLP

With all of the technology that is being introduced at such a rapid pace, it can be difficult to understand what the benefits are and if they can be incorporated to your tax department. During this session, we will break down the current tax technology landscape and focus our attention on one of the areas that’s having a big impact; data analytics. This can often be viewed as an all encompassing area so attendees will see how to break down the overarching term and understand where each component fits into the tax deliverable lifecycle. Attendees will get a look into some of the market leading tools, the role each one plays, and where they can be inserted to the lifecycle. The Grant Thornton speakers will then demonstrate how a tax department, with a lack of a technical software background, can begin the digital transformation journey by focusing on the adoption of some common tax use cases. Participants will get a glimpse into how they can evaluate their current state and begin the move towards a more automated future state, all while becoming self-sufficient in the utilization of these tools.

Presenters:

 

Employee Benefits: Ask the Experts: Panel Discussion

Moderator: John Burgess, Partner, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, Panelists: Gwen Stoute, Assurance Partner, HoganTaylor, LLP; Jodi Malis, Partner, Hancock, Askew & Co., LLP; and Wendy Terry, Partner, WithumSmith+Brown, PC

Time: 3:40pm - 4:30pm Credits: 1 AA

This is an interactive panel in which speakers at the Employee benefits Conference will answer questions from the attendees. Bring your specific and toughest questions and hear from the experts as they strive to deal with emerging issues and current service opportunities in terms that are practical and helpful. The panel will include representatives from the DOL, Peer Review and Industry Leaders.

Presenters:

 

State Tax: Florida Tax Litigation Hot Topics: Panel Discussion

Time: 3:40pm - 4:30pm Credits: 1 TB

Moderator: Glenn A. Bedonie, Owner, Glenn A. Bedonie, CPA, PA; Liam Lyon, Senior Attorney, Department of Revenue, and Joe Moffa, Associate Attorney, Moffa, Sutton & Donnini, PA

This panel will discuss recent cases, rulings, audit and collection disputes, legislation and other "issues" that have been prominent in the last 12 months at the Florida Department of Revenue, focused on the areas where taxpayers have been most affected.

Presenters:

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Introduction and Opening Remarks

Time: 8:00am - 8:10am

 

Keynote Presentation: Acceleration of Change

Time: 8:10am - 9:00am Credits: 1 TB

Erik Asgeirsson, President & CEO, CPA.com; Carl Peterson, Vice President, Small Firm Interests, AICPA; and Lisa Simpson, Vice President, Firm Services, AICPA

Erik Asgeirsson, President & CEO, CPA.com will provide an environmental scan of today's circumstances and the pivotal response by CPA firms during times of crisis.  2020 accelerated adoption of new technology and evolved the CPAs' role with their business clients; it essentially hit fast-forward to deliver what we were on track to experience in 2025 - five years sooner.  The events of 2020 forced a new normal upon us, proving that yesterday's best-practices are not sufficient to navigate the acceleration of change that we are experiencing today.  While technologies are maturing at an exponential rate, organizational structure are being turned upside down and processes remain stubbornly linear.  These phenomena have been in motion for years, but advisory services have been catapulted to the front lines and have never been more critical to the future of organizations.  Attendees will learn to identify top accelerants and emerging technology trends; understand the growing advisory services opportunity and how it is impacting firm business models; and discuss the most pressing issues facig the accounting profession.

 

State Tax: Cryptocurrency: Regulatory Pitfalls

Time: 9:05am - 9:55am Credits: 1 TB

Michael Dobson, Policy Director and special Legal Advisor, Florida Department of Financial Services

Explore the regulatory hurdles facing bitcoin transactions in the state of Florida.

 

Hot Topic:  Best Practice for CPA Firms to Manage Cash Flow and Get Paid Quickly

Time: 9:05am - 9:55am Credits: 1 TB

Erika Segal, Associate Brand Manager, CPA Charge

Just as important as completing your work is getting paid for that work! In this webinar we'll discuss how you can tackle your current billing and collections while also making smart steps for driving cash flow in the future. Let's face it, we all want to get paid faster and more reliably, and this course will help you do just that.

Break

Time: Thursday 9:55am - 10:05am

 

State Tax: Florida Property Taxation and the Going Concern

Time: 10:05am - 10:55am Credits: 1 TB

Robert E.V. Kelley, Jr., Attorney/Shareholder, Hill Ward Henderson

Many businesses are unknowingly paying excessive property taxes because they are unable to distinguish between the value of their goinq concern and the taxable real estate and FF&E. Examine the law in Florida pertaining to property tax assessments and the intangibles inherent in a business going concern. Gain an understanding of how to counsel clients to avoid over paying property taxes.

 

Hot Topic: Reasonable Compensation Section 199A: Opportunity or Threat?

Time: 10:05am - 10:55am Credits: 1 TB

R Kevin Cross, MST, EA, CPA, Account417, LLC a cpa firm

What does the qualified business deduction (QBI - IRC 199A) have to do with reasonable compensation at the low end for small S corporations? More than meets the eye. We will:  
A. Review the QBI “sweet spot”
B. Discuss the possibility of the crumbling of the “Ostrovsky Doctrine”  in Watson v Commissioner, 668 F.3d 1008 (2012) where a CPA comrade was decided he did not pay himself reasonable compensation and was taken to the proverbial “Gorky Park” by the IRS general engineer Igor Ostrovsky.
C. Discover an IRC Section that may speak to reasonable compensation for the very first time in 199A.

Presenter:

 

State Tax: All You Need To Know About Florida Sales and Use Tax

Time: 11:00am - 11:50am Credits: 1 TB

James Sutton, CPA, Esq., LLM, Shareholder, and Jeanette Moffa, Associate Attorney, Moffa, Sutton, & Donnini, PA

Florida sales and use tax is the most complicated and misunderstood tax in the state.  Most companies and their tax professional learn about the tax the hard way - during an audit. Learn about Florida sales and use tax from two attorneys that do nothing but sales and use tax controversy.

Presenters:

 

Hot Topic: The Silent Equity Partner You Never Knew You Had

Time: 11:00am - 11:50am Credits: 1 TB

Eric Cohen, CEO, Merchant Advocate, LLC

Learn what you need to know about the unregulated merchant credit card processing industry, including the payment processing ecosystem; the lifecycle of a transaction, rates and pricing, coding and optimization and much more.  Examine facts about security and data breaches through a variety of case studies.

 

Lunch

Time: Thursday 11:50am - 12:50pm

 

State Tax: Florida Legislative Update

Time: 12:50am - 1:40pm Credits: 1 TB

French Brown, IV, Shareholder, Dean Mead and Justin Thames, Director of Governmental Affairs, FICPA

Exploring and discussing the tax changes occurring during the 2021 Florida legislative session.

Presenters:

 

Hot Topic: Hot off the Press! What Employers Need to Know About the COVID Vaccine, Health and Safety in the Workplace

Time: 12:50pm - 1:40pm Credits: 1 TB

Carrie Cherveny, Senior Vice President, Strategic Client Solutions, HUB International

The state, and federal agency guidance and regulations regarding COVID workplace safety along with employer vaccination programs has been evolving rapidly. Learn the most up-to-date, current, and accurate employer regulatory requirements, obligations, and limitations along with operational best practices.  Discuss new OSHA regulations along with guidance and updated information issued by the CDC, EEOC, and DOL.  Learn about the most recent:

1. employer OSHA health and safety obligations in a COVID working environment;
2. EEOC guidance regarding vaccines in the workplace including important guardrails for inventive programs; 
3. litigation trends and risks; and 
4. operational and employee relations best practices to minimize liability and risk.

This session is for you if:

1.  The compliance landscape around COVID health and safety and workplace vaccines has been confusing;
2.  You have received seemingly contradictory and/or confusing information regarding COVID workplace safety and/or workplace vaccine programs;
3.  You've implemented a program but would like to be sure it's compliant and complete;
4.  You've not addressed COVID in the workplace at all; and/or
5.  You're interested in obtaining the most current and accurate information regarding COVID safety in the workplace and workplace vaccine programs

Presenters:

 

State Tax: Deep Dive of Multistate Sales Tax Economic Nexus Thresholds

Time: 1:45pm - 2:35pm Credits: 1 TB

David J. Brennan, Jr., Esq, Associate, Moffa, Sutton & Donnini, P.A.

Examine problems practitioners and clients face when encountering economic nexus issues, as well as other current hot topics in the area.

Presenters:

 

Hot Topic: Be Aware or Beware: Drivers of Large Malpractice Claims

Time: 1:45pm - 2:35pm

Sarah Ference, CPA, Risk Control Director, and Deborah Rood, CPA, MST, Risk Control Consulting Director, CNA

Unfortunately, there is no magical crystal ball to tell CPA firms what will happen when a new client or engagement is accepted. Everything could go smoothly, or a dispute could arise. If a dispute does arise, will it be resolved quickly or drag out for years resulting in a significant headache for the firm?  Learn identified common indicators of claim severity and the warning signs to help mitigate the risk of a large claim before it happens to your firm.

Break

Time: 2:35pm - 2:45pm

 

State Tax: Who Moved My Sales Taxes?

Time: 2:45pm - 3:35pm Credits: 1 TB

Elizabeth Ginori, CPA, Partner, Boyer Ginori CPAs LLC

State and local jurisdictions are expanding tax bases for sales and use taxes and other consumption-based taxes.  We will discuss how these bases are being expanded and how different industries are being impacted.

Presenters:

 

Hot Topic: Professional Standards, Jury Standards, and Managing Risk

Time: 2:45pm - 3:35pm Credits: 1 TB

Duncan B. Will, CPA/ABV/CFF, CFE, Loss Prevention Manager, Accounting and Auditing Specialist, CAMICO

Did you know that some of the top liability issues facing the CPA profession today continue to be many of the same issues/themes from the past two decades?   

  • Develop a better understanding of CPA liability risks — the real world of CPA malpractice  
  • Gain a greater awareness of the jury rules by which CPAs will be judged 
  • Learn practical ideas to avoid claims: in common tax engagements, involving business clients and  regarding failure to prevent/detect an embezzlement
Presenters:

 

State Tax: Sales Tax Roadmap for E-Retailers

Time: 3:40pm - 4:30pm

Scott Peterson, Vice President, U.S. Tax Policy and Government Relations, Avalara

A E-retailer must know everything about sales tax that a physical store retailer must know multiplied by 45.  Being an E-retailer isn't a one-state process, but is instead an every state process. E-retailers will learn:
1. When and where they must register to collect sales tax
2. What it means to start collecting sales tax
3. How to know what products and services are taxable.
4. The differences between states in the process to file a tax return and make a tax payment.

Presenters:

 

Hot Topic: Becoming a CPA Financial Planner

Time: 3:40pm - 4:30pm Credits: 1 TB

Shawn J. McCabe, MBA, CFP, Director, CPAlliance

CPAs are some of the world's most trusted advisors. Clients seek advice from their CPAs well outside the realm of tax compliance, accounting, and auditing. Given the profession’s long-standing Code of Professional Conduct, objectivity, due care, and high ethical standards, CPAs make some of the most highly sought after investment advisors and financial planners around. Learn the basics of the investment advisory and financial planning business and provide and overview of what it takes to become a CPA Financial Planner.

Presenters:
Friday, June 11, 2021

Introduction and Opening Remarks

Time: 8:00am - 8:10am

 

Keynote Presentation: Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

Time: 8:10am - 9:00am Credits: 1 TB

Randall Croom, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Management, Stetson University

Explore key issues related to equity and inclusion at work, and how individuals and organizations can manage these issues successfully to create long-term value.  Also discussed is alignment between equity and inclusion issues and positive organizational values.

 

Technology: How Leading Firms Evolve: A Fireside Chat - Panel

Time: 9:05am - 9:55am Credits: 1 TB

Jasen Stine, Tax & Accounting Education Leader, Intuit, Inc., Panel Moderator; Irfan Dossani, Partner, Whitleypenn; Deborah Defer, Managing Director, Business Services and Outsourcing, BDO USA, LLP; and  Josh Beck, Managing Partner, MarksNelson

Some 76% of firms desire to have greater than 30% of their revenue from advisory, but only 19% of firms are delivering at that level today. Join us for a fireside chat with various leaders from firms across the profession as they discuss key trends - technology, hiring and managing talent, firm culture and mindset, etc. that continue to shape successful client relationships. By attending this session, you will be able to:

Identify the key ways leading firms drive meaningful change in how they operate internally.
Leverage similar approaches in how leading firms look at the technology and people they hire to carry out the firm’s vision.
Gain best practices that you can implement in your own firm right away.
Outline the steps you need to take over the longer-term to become a leading advisory firm.

Presenters:

 

Accounting & Auditing: Attestation Standards (SSAE) Update

Time: 9:05am - 9:55am Credits: 1 AA

Bruce Nunnally, CPA, CGMA, Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC

Four recently issued SSAE Standards made significant changes to Examinations, Reviews and Agreed-Upon Procedures engagements. Get up to date on these changes and the exciting new service opportunities available to practitioners.

Presenters:

 

Break

Time: 9:55am - 10:05am

 

Technology: The Dilemma of Social Media and Cybersecurity Risks to CPAs

Time: 10:05am - 10:55am Credits: 1 TB

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

From closed Facebook groups to LinkedIn profiles, the rise of social media as a business tool has opened the door to untold ways a firm’s business continuity and its client information can be put at risk. In addition to exploiting users for financial gain through surveillance capitalism and data mining, these “free” social media platforms offer a gateway for cybercriminals to up their social engineering game using sophisticated hacking tactics Now more than ever, CPA firms need to have protections and policies in place to thwart cyber-criminals at their own game. This presentation is designed for all types of CPA practices. No prerequisites required.

Objectives Learn the different ways hackers use social media to commit cybercrime and how to make your firm less vulnerable to attacks

Presenters:

 

Accounting & Auditing: SSARS Update and Activity

Time: 10:05am - 10:55am Credits: 1 AA

Bruce Nunnally, CPA, CGMA, Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC.

SSARS 25 is effective in 2021. Get the detailed impact of its changes as well as ongoing activities of the Accounting and Review Services Committee (ARSC).

Presenters:

 

Technology: Technology Needs an Accountant's Heart

Time: 11:00am - 11:50am Credits: 1 TB

Amanda Agiullard, CPA, Agiullard Accounting

AI is at the heart of tomorrow’s accounting workflows. And yet, AI itself lacks the very heart that’s needed to harness its power. That’s because accountants can proactively manage AI capabilities and best allocate the findings, trends and opportunities to create value for their clients. Join us and learn how tech-forward firms adapt to and thrive on the ever-changing technology curve.

 

Accounting & Auditing: Common Blunders in Applying Recent Accounting Standard

Time: 11:00am - 11:50am Credits: 1 AA

J. Edward Grossman, CPA, Principal, CliftonLarsenAllen

Explore accounting and financial statement presentation errors and omissions often seen in the application of recent, and some not so recent, accounting standards.

Presenter:

 

Lunch Break

Time: 11:50am - 12:50pm

 

Technology: Client Accounting Services Advisory Tools

Time: 12:50pm - 1:40pm Credits: 1TB

David Bergstein CPA, CITP, CGMA,  Chief Innovation Officer, Bergstein CPA

This session will focus on helping attendees identify the various "Advisory Service Apps" that permeate the Client Accounting Services space and how they can be utilized to transition from compliance work to advisory services. The future of accounting is all about leveraging AI, automation, and autonomous tools in your practice to minimize compliance work.

Presenters:

 

Accounting & Auditing: GASB Update

Time: 12:50pm - 1:40pm Credits: 1 AA

Lisa Parker, Project Manager, Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB)

Get the latest information on what you need to know from GASB for 2021.

 

Technology: The Simple Complexity of Automation and RPA (Robotic Process Automation)

Time: 1:45pm - 2:35pm Credits: 1TB

Rafael Casas, Senior Manager, SAGE

This session is for accountants to understand the basic foundations of RPA (Robotic Process Automation) and the immense value that this technology brings not only within innovation of technology but the innovation of your business holistically.

 

Accounting & Auditing: What's New with Peer Review

Time: 1:45pm - 2:35pm Credits: 1 AA

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

There have been many changes in peer review over the last year or so. We will cover those changes along with Enhancing Audit Quality initiatives for the last year and upcoming year that will affect peer review. We will also take a look into the AICPA Peer Review Standards Task Force clarity project and what that means for firms.

Presenters:

 

Break

Time: 2:35pm - 2:45pm

 

Technology: Are Your Business Payments Safe?

Time: 2:45pm - 3:35pm Credits: 1 TB

Jeff Peppers, Vice President, Business Development and Jeff Gainer, Director of Information Security and Risk Management, Paymerang

Did you know your current check processing is posing risks and exposing your AP payments to payment fraud risks? With internal and external threats on the rise, accounting teams have no time to lose in mitigating the risks of payment fraud, safeguarding sensitive banking information, and ensuring the integrity of the accounting system.  Electronic payment solutions, such as virtual cards and ACH transactions, provide greater protections than paper checks, mitigating the risk of payment fraud.  Learn how your company can help your accounts payable team can eliminate check writing and start making secure vendor payments today.  

  • Discuss growing payment fraud risks to your organization  
  • Highlight recent payment fraud incidents that have impacted businesses  
  • Learn how to safeguard your business payments through ePayments

 

Accounting & Auditing: COVID-19: Latest Issues for Accounting and Auditing

Time: 2:45pm - 3:35pm Credits: 1 AA

Steven Morrison, CPA, CFF, Partner-in-Charge, Audit Quality Group, CohnReznick LLP

For over a year, auditors and preparers have been dealing with COVID-19 related accounting and auditing matters.  Learn about some of the new A & A topics emerging in 2021 in an up-tempo format with an emphasis on audit quality.

Presenters:

 

Technology: Technology's Role in Changing the Accounting Profession

Time: 3:40pm - 4:30pm Credits: 1TB

Jim Bourke, CPA, CITP, CFF, CGMA, Partner & Managing Director of Advisory Services, WithumSmith+Brown

Explore technology’s role in keeping our profession functional and relevant. The recent pandemic forced change onto our profession and with that change came massive disruption on how we do business and collaborate with our clients. We will all agree that selecting the “right” technologies was a recent differentiator in an organization’s ability to survive. Some in our profession struggled with client service, some encountered challenges with a remote workforce while others did not miss a beat. Jim will share his perspective on what he witnessed during this period of change – the good and the bad, and he’ll share some of the best practices for technology in our space around technology and innovative solutions in this new world.

You’ll walk away from this session with a new appreciation and awareness about some of the unique technologies that are ready to take our profession to the next level as well a clear directive to your IT support personnel on the technologies and platforms that should currently be under consideration to allow your practice to function whether your staff are working in the office or working remotely.

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Accounting & Auditing: The Working Remotely, COVID, Fraud Cocktail: Sounds like Happy Hour for a Fraudster

Time: 3:40pm - 4:30pm Credits: 1 AA

Kevin Cross, MST, EA, CPA, Account 417, LLC

Fraud while working remotely? No way. Well yes fraud is a chameleon, it adapts to any and every situation.  During troubling times we can always expect new and creative fraud to occur but also these dicey times give rise to the discovery of existing fraud. In the words of Warren Buffet, “You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out." Frauds that might be hidden in the good times may be concealed for months or years, but unfortunately, COVID is revealing the cover up and the money stolen. Interestingly enough, Bernie Madoff’s ponzi scheme was uncovered during the last recession in 2008.  Explore the small compromises and the ethical dilemma surrounding these choices, low hanging fruit.  The Enneagram personality types that may be able to detect, deter, and fudge.

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