Topics and Speakers

In addition to the customary management, marketing, human resource, personal development and technology topics, concurrent sessions will be presented by recognized experts in their fields and cover such timely topics as (partial listing):

• State of the Profession
• Breakout Sessions by Firm Size
• Do I Have to Resort to the Bottle?
• Moving from Expert to Facilitator/Advisor
• Instant Turnaround
• Implementing FISH and Revved
• Keeping Poor Performers: A Game Where Nobody Wins
• Working with Firm Owners: The Vital Keys
• The 21st Century Firm
• Get-A-Grip
• It’s a Y World
• The Digital Edge
• What, Me Market?
• Building Your Own Brand
• Branding . . . The Modern Day Gold Rush
• Big Ideas, Creativity & Innovation
• Email Policy Development & Compliance
• Why Can’t Everyone Get Along?
• Building Your Asset as a Firm Administrator: Focus on the Firm
• Building Your Asset as a Firm Administrator: A Personal Focus
• Writing Effective Email & Netiquette
• The Speed of Trust

The Association will feature speakers on various timely issues.  Plans are coming together for a fabulous conference with two and a half days of nationally known speakers and timely issue-driven topics certain to please attendees from accounting practices, regardless of firm size or the specific responsibilities of the professional manager.  The conference will kick off on Tuesday afternoon with a First Timer’s Forum followed by a Welcome Reception with our vendors that will help the Association set the tonefor the balance of the week.  Following two-and-a-half days of breakout sessions and featured presentations for professionals managing accounting practices, the conference will conclude at noon on Friday with a program entitled “The Speed of Trust” based on Stephen M.R. Covey’s book of the same name led by nationally acclaimed speaker, Greg Link, co-founder, president and chief deal-making officer of CoveyLink and co-found and senior vice president of Covery Leadership Center.  The book was named by BusinessWeek as one of the top five career books of 2006.   

This year, AAA has expanded its Accounting Technology Administrator’s Fly-In to provide two full days of education on Monday, June 16 and Tuesday, June 17 in addition to a concurrent all-day Fly-In on Tuesday, June 17 for those with a concentration in human resources for CPA firms.  The offered Fly-Ins are separate from the Conference, but discounts for participation in both are available.

Monday, June 16, 2008

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
CPA Firm Association and Network Meetings
Various CPA Firm Associations and Networks will host half and/or full-day events in conjunction with the AAA National Practice Management Conference.  Schedules and agendas will be released by the associations and networks.

7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Fly-In Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Pre-Conference Technology Fly-In
Led by Roman Kepczyk, InfoTech Partners North America, Trey James, Xcentric and Eric McMillen, The McMillen Group
Program Level: Intermediate
NASBA Field of Study: Computer Science
CPE Credit: 9 hours

This session will focus on open discussions of today’s leading technical topics of network administration, security, information management, and communications issues for those individuals with their hands on the firm’s network. The day has been specifically designed to minimize presentations and optimize the time spent sharing best practices, knowledge, and resources amongst technology administrators, and to encourage networking and solutions amongst peer firms.  Topics will include:

• Network Administration and Infrastructure Decisions
• Security Concerns, Solutions, and Opportunities
• Information Management and Storage Solutions
• Remote Access and Connectivity Tools

Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA, CITP is President of InfoTech Partners North America, Inc. and the Lead Technology Management Strategist for the firm. His primary focus is helping firms throughout North America understand what technology can do for them and directing a path towards today’s Digital Firm. Roman carries over 20 years of accounting firm experience, highlighted by 10 years with the CPA firm of Henry & Horne, where he was the partner in charge of the firm's Management Advisory Services and Microcomputer Consulting practices.  Roman also served as the firm's administrative partner where he oversaw internal accounting, marketing, human resources and was responsible for the creation and implementation of the firm's technology plan and budget. Roman was listed as one of Accounting Today's Top 100 Most Influential People within the Accounting Industry in 2000-2005 as well as INSIDE Public Accounting's Most Recommended Consultants for 2004-2006.  He is currently a member of the AICPA's PCPS Executive Committee and past Chairman of the AICPA's IT Executive Committee.  He has also served on the AICPA's Special Committee on Enhanced Business Reporting, AICPA Group of 100, AICPA Best Practices Task Force and is one of the charter Certified Information Technology Professionals (CITP) that the AICPA has designated.  Additionally, he was named a Technology Pathfinder by the AICPA Vision Project, and Chairs the Task Force to select the AICPA’s Top Technology Issues list. He also served as a member of the AICPA's E-Business Task Force and a prior member of the Information Technology Practices Subcommittee where he analyzed the impacts of technology on the accounting profession. Roman is an Advisor on the Association for Accounting Administration’s Board of Directors.

Trey James is President and CEO with Xcentric, an Alpharetta, Georgia headquartered firm providing technology solutions to CPA firms by bridging the gap and helping to build infrastructure.  Xcentric is one of the leading providers of technology driven results for CPA firms in North America as they partner with CPA firms to share knowledge and expertise, allowing firms to focus on growing their practice.  Trey speaks the “CPA language”, integrating today’s CPA firm specific software with technology of the future.  With more than 20 years of accounting profession experience, Trey and the partners of Xcentric have hundreds of network installs to their credit. Xcentric’s leaders are constantly researching and developing solutions to improve firms’ operations.  Xcentric serves as the power behind AAA’s iCommunities exchange portal.

Eric McMillen, CISSP, CISM, CISA, MCSE+Security, Security+, CCA is the CEO and Chief Security Architect with The McMillen Group, LLC headquartered in Plano, Texas. He has been consulting for the last ten years of his 15-year career. Eric’s expertise includes hacker attacks and defenses, the information security industry, and computer privacy issues. He has performed numerous penetration tests, vulnerability assessments, security audits and architecture reviews for clients in financial, accounting, healthcare, and other industries. Prior to forming The McMillen Group, he was a Manager in both the Network Security and Infrastructure practice and the National Information Systems Assurance practice for BDO Seidman, LLP, an international accounting and consulting practice; previously, he was the Chief Technology Officer for an international consulting firm, specializing in the Accounting and Professional Services sector. He holds several certifications and has published numerous articles, and is often an invited speaker at various industry conferences.

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Technology Fly-In Lunch

7:00 p.m.                                 
AAA National Board of Directors Meeting                                                             

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
CPA Firm Association and Network Meetings
Various CPA Firm Associations and Networks will host half and/or full-day events in conjunction with the AAA National Practice Management Conference.  Schedules and agendas will be released by the associations and networks.

7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Fly-In Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Pre-Conference Technology Fly-In
Led by Roman Kepczyk, InfoTech Partners North America and Trey James, Xcentric
Program Level: Intermediate
NASBA Field of Study: Computer Science
CPE Credit: 8 hours

This full-day session will focus on optimizing the use of today’s CPA firm tools and technology for those responsible with overseeing technology decisions and implementations within their firms.  The program will begin by addressing leading technology utilization within your tax, audit, client service, and administrative departments and then transition into an open discussion opportunity broken out by firm size.  The afternoon will include the addressing of firm policies, procedures and managing IT from the firm’s perspective and the day will close with a look into the future of CPA firm technology.

8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Pre-Conference Human Resources Fly-In
Led by Jennifer Wilson, ConvergenceCoaching LLC
Program Level: Intermediate
NASBA Field of Study: Personnel/HR
CPE Credit: 8 hours
HRCI Approved: 8 hours

Your firm’s team structure is the key to its success.  In this full-day program, we’ll take 2007’s HR Fly-In recruiting and retention topics to a deeper level and share best practices in attracting the right people (and weeding out the wrong ones!) to maximize the performance of your firm’s existing team members.  Topics to be discussed include:

• Recruiting positioning methods to attract the right people to your firm
• Screening techniques to identify under-doers, high-maintenance, and other unqualified candidates
• Orientation methods to familiarize new employees and bring them up-to-speed quickly, including:
  • New employee orientation processes
  • Buddy programs
  • Mentoring programs
  • Training approaches
• Performance management must-haves to set expectations, spur motivation, and manage disappointments in employee performance

This action-packed day will combine lecture, group discussion and brainstorming, and exercises to ensure eye-opening insights that participants can apply to enhance their firm’s recruiting and retention programs immediately.  Attendance at the 2007 HR Fly-in is not required. 

Jennifer Wilson is a co-founder and partner of ConvergenceCoaching, LLC, a national leadership and marketing consulting firm dedicated to helping CPA and IT firms achieve success by helping them develop and implement leadership, succession, and marketing plans. Jennifer’s ultimate goal is to make a transformational difference in the lives of her clients and in their businesses. Named to Accounting Today’s 100 Most Influential People in Accounting list and one of Accounting Technology magazine’s Technology Stars, Jennifer has worked in both the public accounting and IT sectors before co-founding ConvergenceCoaching, LLC. As a partner for the top ten accounting firm, BDO Seidman, LLP, Jennifer ran the National Financial Solutions Group practice. Prior to BDO Seidman, Jennifer was Vice President of Sales and Customer Services for State Of The Art, Inc. (now known as Sage Software, Inc.) where she was responsible for the publicly-traded software publisher’s marketing, sales, education, and customer services functions. Jennifer is a member of the Association for Accounting Administration, Association for Accounting Marketing, American Marketing Association, and International Coach Federation. Jennifer is also a member of the New Horizon Group, a forum for leading consultants to the accounting profession. She serves on the editorial advisory board and is a regular guest columnist for Accounting Today and is a nationally recognized speaker, teacher, and facilitator delivering leadership and marketing programs to accounting and technology associations, state societies, and firms on a regular basis.

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Technology Fly-In Lunch

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Human Resources Fly-In Lunch

12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Leading Edge Alliance Member Meeting with Lunch

4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
BDO Seidman Alliance Reception
For BDO Seidman Alliance members and others by invitation.

4:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.                
First Timer's Forum                                                                   
Led by Virginia Lowery, Illinois Agricultural Auditing Association and Rita Keller, Brady Ware & Schoenfeld
Program Level: Overview
NASBA Field of Study: Personal Development
CPE Credit: 1 hour

If this is your first AAA National Practice Management Conference, or first in several years, you are encouraged to participate in this lively and interactive session designed to help facilitate your conference experience. Spend time learning the ins and outs of this nationally recognized educational extravaganza. Veteran attendees and past AAA National Presidents Virginia Lowery and Rita Keller will take a fresh approach to adding value to the annual event while providing tips to receive the maximum return on your personal and firm investment.

6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.                
Welcome Reception with Our Vendors                                                                 
Join other conference participants for an evening of networking and fun. The evening will allow for introductions to the event’s vendors and will set the tone for the next two and a half days of excitement with appetizers and a cash bar.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.                
Conference Registration with Our Vendors                                                           
Cyber Café Open                                                                                             

7:00 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.                 
Vendor Continental Breakfasts
Select from breakfast breakout sessions led by accounting industry vendors.  Presentations begin at 7:30 a.m.
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Operations
CPE Credit: 1 hour

This breakfast session will allow conference participants to select a breakfast breakout facilitated by one of four vendors to the accounting profession.  Presentations and open discussions will be included.

8:30 a.m. – 8:40 a.m.                
Opening Ceremony
An official welcome to the 2008 National Practice Management Conference presented by Bob Bunting of Moss Adams.

8:40 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.                 
State of the Accounting Profession
By Bob Bunting, Moss Adams
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization
CPE Credit: 1 hour

Much has changed in the accounting profession and the firm of today needs to be ready, willing and able to change.  Compliance has increased with mandatory application of Sarbanes-Oxley and so has public oversight of accounting firms through PCAOB.  Both have replaced informal honor-oriented codes of conduct in the profession.  The areas of accounting standards, expectations regarding fraud, the health and sustainability of the public audit system and the issues of staffing must be monitored by those responsible for the management and growth of CPA firms.  This presentation will bring professional managers of accounting practices current with the state of the profession as seen by one of the industry’s most sought after authorities.

Bob Bunting is the Chair of Moss Adams' International Services Group which provides tax, accounting, and advisory services to the Firm’s over 1,300 international clients. In November of 2006 Bob became Deputy President of the International Federation of Accountants. He also serves on the IFAC Board, Planning and Finance Committee, and International Liaison with Regulatory Bodies Committee. He will become President of IFAC for a two‑year term in November of 2008. IFAC serves as the global voice of the accounting profession serving over 2.5 million professional accountants, and acting as the global standards setter for auditing, ethics, education, and public sector financial reporting. Bob served as CEO of Moss Adams for 23 years stepping down from that role in June of 2004. He is a past-chair of the AICPA Board of Directors, completing his term as Chairman in October of 2005. Moss Adams is among the 10 largest accounting firms in the U.S. with 19 offices in Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, and New Mexico.

9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Do I Have to Resort to the Bottle?
By Bill Reeb, Winters and Reeb, PLLC
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours
HRCI Credit: 1.5 hours

The role of management has undergone rapid change. This session discusses how you can improve your ability to communicate and motivate those around you. How you decode the messages you are receiving, and even more importantly, knowing the real messages you are sending, is paramount to enhancing this ability. Too often, we feel like we have successfully communicated because the words have been transmitted. That is just not true. It would be like writing a note, putting it in a bottle, sending it out to sea, and assuming our job is complete. Good communication, and improved motivation, starts with becoming a higher self-monitor. This means you have to become more aware of non-verbal queues, of differences between the way men and women translate information, aware of how status impacts messages, and much more. This session is delivered in both an informative and humorous manner while conveying what managers have to do to communicate with, and motivate their employees more effectively.

Bill Reeb, CPA has been consulting for about three decades to businesses of all sizes, from Mom and Pop operations to Fortune 100 companies, primarily in the areas of organization, automation, and revenue generation. As an entrepreneur, Bill has founded seven small businesses in the retail, software development, and services sectors, including his current consulting firm Succession Institute, LLC. As an award-winning public speaker, Bill lectures to thousands of executives and CPAs each year. In addition, he has been featured on numerous video-taped and live television programs. As an award-winning author, Bill is internationally published with his newest book, published in July of 2005 by PCPS/AICPA, titled Securing the Future: Building a Succession Plan for Your Firm. Bill has also written three editions of his first book, called Start Consulting; How to Walk the Talk, published by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) in the U.S. and by the Certified General Accountants (CGA) in Canada.  Bill is a current commissioner on the National Accreditation Commission. He has also served in numerous other roles including being an AICPA Council member. On a local level, Bill has been a member of the Executive Board, Strategic Planning, and Chaired several Technology Committees for the Texas Society of CPAs. Additionally, he has been honored by being named as a CPA Ambassador, was presented the Pathfinder Award and served as the Texas Vision Delegate. Accounting Today has recognized his efforts by listing him as one of the Top 100 Most Influential CPAs, CPA Magazine has named him as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Practitioners, and Inside Public Accounting has listed him as one of the accounting profession's most recommended consultants by CPA Firms.

10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Refreshment Break with Our Vendors                                                                   

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS BY FIRM SIZE                                                                 
Participants will be assigned to the session matching the number of personnel at their respective firms. Moderators will ensure focused discussions on topics and issues of importance to the participants. Breakout session agendas will be determined by participants prior the Conference to help allocate time to the topics of interest and need.
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours
HRCI Approved: 1.5 hours

• <=30 people
• 31-60 people
• 61-80 people
• 121-200 people
• 200+ people

12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.              
LUNCH & LEARN
This session is designed for participants to remain in the same groups as Breakout Sessions by Firm Size to continue discussions while enjoying lunch.                                                  
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization
CPE Credit: 1 hour
HRCI Approved: 1 hour

1:40 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.
Instant Turnaround
By Harry Paul, Co-Author of FISH and Revved!
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours
HRCI Credit: 1.5 hours

Seattle’s Pike Place Fish is a workplace like none other.  Every day, from open to close, employees are completely focused on their work, to their colleagues, and to their customers. Their “low-flying fish” have been seen on Good Morning America, Frazier, MTV’s Real World and numerous news reports around the world.  What’s the secret to turning an unassuming fish stand into a global phenomenon?  It’s positive attitude, top-notch customer service, and personal commitment from every employee.  This session’s featured speaker is an expert in the “fish philosophy.” He wrote the best-selling book FISH! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results and is well versed in building dedication, passion, and success in firms large and small. In this session participants will learn:

• How a playful attitude can help you laugh all the way to the bank
• How to create a customer service focus that keeps ‘em coming back for more
• The secret to building teamwork … even from a diverse group of individuals
• How to build – and maintain – a non-stop positive attitude
• Recognize and act on opportunities to live your organization’s mission, vision, and values everyday

After this session, you will be able to build a culture where playfulness and empowerment bring the kind of commitment to success every successful firm needs.

With a Ph.D. in experience, Harry Paul has over 20 years of business experience in running all aspects of a management training and consulting organization including sales, distribution, product development, and international operations. His most recent position has been as senior vice president of a speakers' group where he personally managed the speaking career of Dr. Kenneth Blanchard, co-author of The One Minute Manager, among others. He has worked on special projects ranging from a special for PBS television, to worldwide teleconferences, to book publishing. For over 20 years Harry Paul has been involved with best selling business authors and the philosophy of helping people be the best they can. He drew on this valuable experience in his first book, FISH! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results.  Harry helps people love the work they are doing and be more successful in the process. He now brings the "fish philosophy" to hundreds of corporations, sharing the benefits of employees finding joy in even the most trivial and unpleasant aspects of their work. Harry’s latest book, Revved! describes an incredible three-step program that helps managers maximize the returns that come from caring about their most important asset: their people. Harry Paul has an incredibly humorous, yet compelling way of relating information that can be instantaneously applied to an individual’s life or to an entire work environment. His real life stories touch the heartstrings, illustrate the subtle and reveal the secrets to long lasting success.

3:10 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Refreshment Break with Our Vendors                                                                   

3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.                
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Management and Operations
(A) Implementing FISH and Revved!
By Linda Pappajohn, Santora CPA Group and Harry Paul, Co-Author of FISH and Revved!
Program Level: Intermediate
NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Operations
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours
HRCI Approved: 1.5 hours

While Harry Paul has provided many of the tools and resources to help people be the best they can, it takes an effective and experienced practice manager to implement his ideas and programs for the success of the firm.  How can you ensure that your firm’s employees find joy in even the most trivial and unpleasant aspects of their work?  How can you take Revved!’s three –step program and maximize the returns that come from caring about your firm’s most value asset?  Join one of the profession’s most experienced and successful accounting practice managers with one of the business world’s most renowned and results-oriented authors and session participants will leave with an implementation blueprint for success.

Linda Pappajohn is a Principal of Santora CPA Group and heads up its HR Consulting Division. She has been with the firm for 18 years with her prior accounting experience as a controller of a large real estate
accounting service company in Boston.  Linda provides consulting services in the areas of personnel matters, benefits and payroll administration, compensation plans, customer service training, strategic planning, employee recruiting, marketing training, and customer focus groups.  She has implemented compensation and bonus plans, evaluation and goal-setting programs, and has written personnel policy manuals and competency-based job descriptions. She currently serves as the Human Resource Manager for a subsidiary of a large British chemical company that spun off from its U.S. affiliate. Linda has also implemented a compensation system for a large non-profit client with group homes and a school that complies with some of the more complex regulations under the Federal Labor Standards Act. Linda served as a past national President of the Association for Accounting Administration and was the first recipient of the A.C.E. Award (the accounting administration profession’s highest honor) and has had articles published in the Journal of Accountancy and The Practical Accountant. Recently, she has spoken at various national accounting industry conferences on developing competencies and performance appraisals, developing compensation and benefit plans, and hiring/recruiting/firing techniques.

Administration Essentials
(B) Working with Firm Owners: The Vital Keys
By Sam Allred, Upstream Academy
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Operations
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours
HRCI Credit: 1.5 hours

Your success as a professional managing a CPA firm will be heavily influenced by the working relationship you have with the firm’s owners.  What do you need to do to gain (and keep!) their trust and confidence?  How can you communicate most effectively with them?  What should you expect from the owners and what do they expect of you?  Find out the answers to these questions and more during this session.

Sam Allred, CPA is a Shareholder with Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co., P.C., a regional CPA and business consulting firm headquartered in Helena, Montana.  AZ & Co. has six offices and over 200 employees.  Sam is also the Founder and Director of Upstream Academy, an international association of CPA Firms, and was the central figure in the development of a consulting methodology now practiced by hundreds of CPA firms and consulting organizations around the country.  Sam is also the Founder of LeaderSkills Institute which develops professional training materials to help CPA firms teach and promote leadership skills internally.  Sam interacts with hundreds of CPA firms around the world every year via conferences, partner retreats, management presentations and training sessions.   He speaks and writes extensively both in the U.S. and abroad.  In high demand as a facilitator for CPA firm retreats, Sam energetically and creatively engages all of the partners in the discussion, using proven processes and their firm’s strengths to successfully navigate challenges the firm may face.  He is viewed as one of the top strategic thinkers in the profession. Sam has been regularly recognized as one of the major influencers of the accounting profession and has been listed for the past three years as one of “IPA Most Recommended Consultants.”

Leadership
(C) The 21st Century Firm
By Bob Bunting, Moss Adams
Program Level: Intermediate
NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Operations
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours

This session will focus on several specific changes that must occur in how firms operate and are led to continue to be successful.  With new competitors entering the profession and new markets opening, the traditional CPA firm is constantly evolving.  The old way of doing business will never be the same again.  Driving this paradigm shift of change and opportunity is the 21st century client, a creature who still wants the services of a trusted CPA firm.

Personal Growth & Development
(D) Moving from Expert to Facilitator/Advisor
By Bill Reeb, Winters and Reeb, PLLC
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Personal Development
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours
HRCI Approved: 1.5 hours

This session is based on Bill Reeb’s book, Start Consulting: How to Walk the Talk. In a time when traditional services are being squeezed by what the client is willing to pay, what our professional standards/legislation dictate that we do, and what our litigious environment is increasingly challenging, becoming our clients most trusted business (not just financial) advisor is one silver lining on a cloudy horizon. Businesses everywhere are asking new questions; instead of "how profitable are we," questions focus more on "where will our profits come from tomorrow." While we have the knowledge to provide this assistance, this session centers on augmenting and/or refining the skills required to effectively deliver these future focused facilitative/advisory services. Here are some of the session topics:

• Asking the kind of open-ended questions that promote the client expounding on issues beyond traditional accounting problems,
• The use of the global functions as an investigative technique,
• Following the client's lead by chaining questions around their topic,
• Considering the technique money, time and skill as to how to approach and price the project,
• Using the phasing technique in pricing/estimating,
• Incorporating To-Do List planning into standard tool-kit, and
• Learning to quantify the reasons for being hired.

5:30 p.m.
Transportation to AAA’s Evening Out at Texas Stadium
Meet in the main lobby of the hotel for motorcoach transportation to the Association’s Evening Out.

5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.              
AAA’s Evening Out at Texas Stadium
AAA’s 25th Anniversary Celebration
A.C.E. Award Presentation                                                         
An evening with dinner, awards and entertainment.  Dress casual and comfortable for an evening filled with surprises and celebration.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.                
Registration with Our Vendors                                                   
Cyber Café Open                                                                       

7:00 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.                 
Networking Breakfast
This open forum format will provide an opportunity for conference participants to ask questions of administrators, COOs, principals and partners from firms of various sizes with differing focuses and structures.

8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Get-A-Grip
By Bob Losyk, M.Ed., M.B.A., C.S.P., Innovative Training Solutions, Inc.
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Personnel/HR
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours
HRCI Approved: 1.5 hours

In this hectic and chaotic world, CPAs and those involved with CPA firms are stressed out more than ever before.  As demands become greater, chances of burnout become higher. In these uncertain times, we are constantly faced with events in the world that we can’t control, which adds to everyday stress. This practical, fast-paced, and humorous presentation will provide participants with tips, tools and techniques to get a grip on stress.  Audience members will be shown how to prevent burnout, improve health, put life back in balance, stay calm when times are rocky, and thrive in and out of your accounting firm.

• Find out how to keep attitudes up when times are down.
• Discover individual reactions to stress and change, and how they differ.
• Realize the negative toll that stress takes on your body, mind, and daily productivity
• Recognize how change and stress affect your work performance and family life, and discover how to manage them.
• Learn the four stages of burnout, and if you or your staff are at risk.
• Find ten ways that will immediately enable your staff to handle stress, and stay focused.
• Discover how humor and laughter can be valuable tools for fighting stress, and learn the unlikely places to find them.
• Recognize that what you eat and drink can affect stress levels, and which foods can magically reduce them.
• Discover how to clear your mind, and relax with a technique you can use anytime, and anywhere.
• Find out how to encourage your staff to put their life back in balance and live it to the fullest.
• Create a plan of action that will ensure your firm’s success in handling stress and change.

Bob Losyk, M.Ed., M.B.A., C.S.P., is a seasoned professional with over seventeen years of speaking experience, and over twenty years of service, sales, and top level management expertise. His programs are highly interactive and bristle with contagious energy and enthusiasm. He delivers customized keynotes and seminars with impact and humor. Bob's concepts and ideas will be remembered long after the program is over. He is the author of the best selling book, Managing A Changing Workforce: Achieving Outstanding Service With Today's Employees, which won the National Independent Publishers Association award for Best Book Content. His latest book is, Get A Grip: Overcoming Stress and Thriving in The Workplace published by Wiley & Sons. Bob has written over 150 articles that have appeared in countless magazines including, The Futurist, and many trade journals. He is also a contributing author to McGraw-Hill's 1999 Training and Performance Sourcebook. Bob has been quoted on the front page of the Wall Street Journal and his opinion has been sought for INC Magazine, USA Today, and many other newspaper and magazine interviews. He has appeared nationally on Fox News Channel's "Dayside", CBN's "Newswatch Today" TV show, and on many nationally syndicated radio shows such as, "Something You Should Know."

10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.             
Refreshment Break with Our Vendors                                                                   

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.             
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Management and Operations
(E) It’s a Y World: How to Manage and Motivate the Millennial Generation
By Bob Losyk, M.Ed., M.B.A., C.S.P., Innovative Training Solutions, Inc.
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Personnel/HR
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours
HRCI Credit: 1.5 hours

Today’s young workforce seems to be on a different wave length – more so than ever before. Accounting managers are simply frustrated by this new breed of workers.  This program will close the gap that exists between Generation Y and the seasoned workforce.  It reveals the unique characteristics of this new workforce, so that participants will immediately begin to understand them.  It will map out the smartest way to manage and motivate them so that you can tap into their true potential.  Filled with practical solutions, this program will get the young really working for the firm.

• Understand the 10 unique characteristics of today’s young workforce.
• Learn how to find what motivates each individual employee.
• Discover 10 ways to reinforce positive behaviors in young people.
• Learn to give feedback that corrects nonperformance while still respecting young employees.
• Realize what accounting firms must do to get young workers to buy into a service culture.
• Learn the best way to recognize and reward young workers for exceptional behaviors.
• Create standards of behavior, with your staff, that will make managing them much easier.
• Discover 10 new ways to find and recruit young professionals.
• Find out how to create better advertising that attracts young candidates.

Administration Essentials
(F) The Digital Edge
By Roman Kepczyk, InfoTech Partners North America
Program Level:  Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Computer Science
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours

Learn about today’s CPA Firm digital best practices on the leading, but stable edge of technology, as well as be exposed to the latest technologies that are exploding into the marketplace. We’ve brought back Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA.CITP, AAA’s own Dean of Technology, to share with you what techs to invest in and what you should stay away from to maximize your firm’s utilization of technology within each of the production areas of your practice. Hang on tight for an exhilarating ride on technologies that will provide your firm with a Digital Edge.

Leadership
(G) What, Me Market?
By Sally Glick, Sobel & Co., LLC
Program Level: Intermediate
NASBA Field of Study: Marketing
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours

In this session we will discuss the latest trends in accounting firm marketing and how those can be applied to local and small firms, with or without a full time professional marketer on staff.  Specifically, the session will address:

• Writing a strategic marketing plan – understanding the key components
• Reviewing what’s in your marketing tool box from web sites to ad campaigns to media relations
• Branding the firm –building a consistent name in the community
• Niche building – targeting your efforts to gain stature as a leading firm within key industry or functional segments; and
• Focusing your marketing internally to have a positive impact on the firm’s culture

This will be an interactive session with each firm having the chance to write a marketing plan and prioritizing the best practices that will be most relevant for them.

Sally Glick is the Chief Marketing Officer and Director of Marketing Consulting Services at Sobel & Co, LLC. in Livingston, New Jersey.  She served as President of the Association of Accounting Marketing (AAM) in 2005 and sits on both the AAM MarketTrends and the AAM-MAA committees as well.  She is also the co-chair for the annual AICPA/Northstar marketing seminar in 2007 and has participated since its inception. Sally was named Accounting Marketer of the Year for 2003 and she has also been honored as one of those listed on Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting for 2004, 2005 and 2006. She was selected as a Women of Influence for 2005 in New Jersey. She had the honor of being the first non-CPA woman to appear on the cover of Practical Accountant in August 2002. Most recently, Sally was elected to the AAM Hall of Fame, and honor she is still awed by!

Personal Growth & Development
(H) Branding . . . The Modern Day Gold Rush
By Tom Laughon, Catch Your Limit Consulting
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Marketing
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours

What is a brand?  Tom Laughon’s favorite definition is, “The essence of branding is to make sure your cows stand out from the other cattle on the range.”  His second favorite definition is that branding is the modern day gold rush.  The country’s entire communications category has suddenly become brand builders.  Research companies are branders and ad agencies are brand consultants.  And yet, as a category, they’re “all hat and no cattle,” meaning they talk a good game, but does anyone really know how to deliver?  In this session, Tom will share his wit and wisdom on his notion of branding when he rides into town with his branding iron blazing to discuss:

• Why is branding critical in everything you do?
• What are the component of a great brand?
  Why it is tougher than ever to create a brand, maintain a brand and re-brand.
• Why branding is overused, abused and an altogether misunderstood concept.
• Why agencies miss the boat when they rely solely on external communications to build brands.

Tom Laughon is President of Catch Your Limit Consulting, a management and marketing firm headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida with an affiliate office in Richmond, Virginia.  Tom has worked with some of America’s top brands: Comcast Communications, McDonald’s, Reynolds Metals, Corning/Mitsubishi, Samsung, and International Dairy Queen and The Society to Protect America’s Eagles.  Tom has spent a career in marketing, advertising, consulting and providing leadership to firms.  Tom speaks and consults for professional organizations throughout the United States and is an award winning adjunct professor at Florida State University.  His courses have included Creative Strategy, Professional Selling, Basic Marketing and Promotional Management.  In addition, he is currently writing a book about fostering creativity and strategic thinking in organizations. 

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.              
Luncheon
Extreme Humor Makeover
By Christine Holton-Cashen, CSP, A Dynamic Speaker
Program Level: Overview
NASBA Field of Study: Personal Development
CPE Credit: 1 hour

Whether it’s Oprah, the Today Show or Ellen, television producers know that a “makeover” program will assure great ratings.  It seems that everyone has something that they want to improve upon!  We are in the midst of a makeover craze- but the best makeover is one that is initiated on the inside.  More fun and less stress in the workplace improves productivity, morale and the bottom line!  Christine will give participants great ideas on how to increase productivity while having fun.

Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride.  Christine Cashen, CSP delivers a fast –paced, hilarious program with useful content that makes her a sought after speaker worldwide.  For more than 10 years, she has jazzed an amazing variety of audiences throughout the United States, Canada, South Africa and Australia. Christine is an authority on sparking innovative ideas to handle conflict, reduce stress and energize employees. Before hitting the speaking scene, Christine was a university admissions officer, corporate trainer and broadcaster. Hey—she even votes.   Christine holds a Bachelors Degree in Communication and a Masters Degree in Adult Education. She is a member of the National Speakers Association and is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP).  Fewer than 10% of the speakers on the planet hold this designation. What makes her unique is the “real” factor.  Whether talking about her “hottie engineer” husband, pet peeves or growing up in an Italian/Irish household, audience members can relate to her experiences, struggles and lessons. She combines a down-to-earth attitude with a colorful artistic streak.  Comments from audience members such as “I feel like I’ve known her forever,” “we must take her back to our workplace” and “it felt as if Christine was speaking directly to me,” are a testament to her effectiveness and style. Christine has been featured as a creativity expert in HOW Designs at Work magazine and is a co-author of the book Mission Possible, Volume Eight.  

1:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.                
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Management and Operations
(I) E-Mail Risks, Rules and Regulations: Applying E-Mail Policy and Best Practices to Minimize Risk and Maximize Compliance
By Nancy Flynn, The ePolicy Institute
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Operations
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours

In recent years, we’ve seen e-mail trigger billion-dollar jury awards and million-dollar regulatory fines, topple stock prices, savage careers, and fuel media feeding frenzies.  Fully 24% of companies have had employee e-mail subpoenaed.  Another 15% have battled lawsuits triggered by e-mail. And 26% of bosses have fired employees for e-mail misuse, according to the 2006 Workplace E-Mail, Instant Messaging & Blog Survey from American Management Association and The ePolicy Institute. In spite of the fact that e-mail creates electronic business records—the electronic equivalent of DNA evidence—the business community remains challenged by the retention and disposition of e-mail records.  Only 34% of organizations have e-mail retention policies in place.  And 34% of employees don’t know the difference between business-critical e-mail that must be retained and insignificant messages that may be purged.
 
As employers struggle to manage workplace e-mail, employees keep introducing risky new technology into the workplace.  The latest high-risk tools to enter the workplace are Blackberries, instant messenger, text messaging, social networking sites, and the blog. The potential for litigation, regulatory violations, lost productivity, and security breaches surrounding emerging technology is staggering. This session will reveal how a strategic e-mail management program—combining policy, training, and technology—can help accounting firm managers accomplish the following:

• Anticipate—and deflect—e-mail and other electronic business communications disasters.
• Prevent accidental & intentional e-mail misuse.
• Employ best practices to maximize employee compliance with organizational rules & policies.
• Identify, manage and retain electronic business records created by e-mail and other electronic business communications tools in anticipation of litigation & regulatory audits.
• Recognize and define “electronic business records”— which can include meeting notes as well as formal documents and all other electronically stored information—on an organizational or department-by-department basis.
• Reconcile employees’ privacy concerns with the firm’s monitoring rights.
• Help protect the organization’s assets, reputation and future through the successful implementation of a strategic e-mail policy and management program, based on proven best practices.

A recognized expert on workplace e-mail and Internet policy, management and communications, Nancy Flynn is founder and executive director of The ePolicy Institute. The ePolicy Institute is dedicated to helping employers limit e-mail-related risks, including litigation, through effective e-mail and Internet policies and training programs. The author of eight books published in five languages, including E-Mail Rules, Blog Rules, Instant Messaging Rules, The ePolicy Handbook, E-Mail Management and Writing Effective E-Mail, Nancy is a popular speaker, trainer, and seminar leader with clients worldwide. She also serves as an expert witness in e-mail-related litigation. Since 2001, Nancy Flynn’s ePolicy Institute has collaborated with the American Management Association on an annual nationwide survey of workplace e-mail and Internet policies, procedures and best practices. A popular media source, Nancy has been interviewed by thousands of media outlets including Fortune, Forbes, Time, NewsWeek, BusinessWeek, Wall Street Journal, US News & World Report, USA Today, Readers’ Digest, National Public Radio, CBS Early Show, CNBC, CNN Headline News, CNN Anderson Cooper 360, Fox Business News, NBC and ABC.

Administration Essentials
(J) Building Your Asset as a Firm Administrator: A Personal Focus
By Bill Leach, Katz Sapper & Miller and Rita Keller, Brady Ware & Schoenfeld
Program Level:  Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Personal Development
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours

Whether you are new to firm administration or new to the CPA world, you will benefit from this session filled with practical advice on building your career as a successful firm administrator.  This session is designed for professionals with less than five years of experience managing an accounting practice. Two of the countries best-known and most experienced CPA firm administrators will take you on a journey to building your own personal asset as a firm administrator.  They will help you answer the following questions and much much more!

• What tools and resources will you need on your journey?
• What obstacles will you encounter?
• What does it take to truly become the "go to" person in your firm?
• There are high expectations - have you identified them?
• How will you meet and surpass them?

Bill Leach is a Principal of Katz, Sapper and Miller and has served as Firm Administrator of Katz, Sapper & Miller for over 29 years. He is responsible for all administrative and business aspects of the firm, with particular emphasis in human resources, billings and collections, KSM's financial matters and facilities management. Prior to joining KSM, he was Executive Vice President of an Indianapolis engineering firm, and a member of the U.S Marine Corps, serving two tours of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Bill, a non-CPA administrator, was named a Principal of Katz, Sapper and Miller in 1985. In addition to KSM's management, he provides consulting services to clients seeking expertise in the areas of Human Resource Management, Relocation and Space Utilization, Practice Management and other management issues. Bill's firm is nationally recognized as a "Best of the Best" firm based on fiscal and management performance and has been chosen one of the top ten "Best Places to Work in lndiana." A member of the Association for Accounting Administration since 1986, Bill is a past President of the Indiana
Chapter and has served as a member of the National Board of Directors. He was selected as the CPA Firm Administrator of the Year in 1995 and awarded the inaugural National AAA Distinguished Service Award in 2002. Bill also currently serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of various national accounting management publications and has written articles for or appeared in articles by the profession’s most noteworthy publications. He has been a national speaker to hundreds of CPA firms from Seattle to Miami and New York to San Diego.

Rita Keller is Brady Ware’s administrative director. She serves as the firm’s Chief Operating Officer and is nationally known for her expertise in CPA firm management. She is responsible for firm operations, including administration, human resources, marketing, technology, training and internal accounting.
While Rita’s most important client is Brady Ware, she actively consults with CPA firms nationwide, assisting firm leaders to position themselves for success in today’s rapidly growing and changing environment. She works with individual firms and CPA firm associations and networks to address the human capital challenges and also provides personalized mentoring to firm administrators and managing partners. One of Rita’s most requested services is instilling mentoring cultures in firms that are growing and expanding rapidly. Rita’s involvement with national organizations and publications are numerous. Her passion for excellence in CPA firm management is documented by her many years of service to the profession and by being named to Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting for two consecutive years.  She is the Chair of the AICPA Practitioners’ Symposium Committee, serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of CCH Practice Management Forum, is a past national President and leader of the Association for Accounting Administration, has served as Past President of the Indiana Chapter of AAA and co-founder of the Ohio Chapter of AAA, and is a member of The New Horizon Group, an organization made up of prominent CPA profession consultants and advisors. Nationally recognized as a facilitator, speaker and author, Rita has been featured at numerous CPA conferences and in many CPA publications, including the Journal of Accountancy and The Practical Accountant.

Leadership
(K) Keeping Poor Performers: A Game Where Nobody Wins
By Sam M. Allred, CPA, Upstream Academy
Program Level: Intermediate
NASBA Field of Study: Personnel/HR
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours
HRCI Credit: 1.5 hours

In today’s tight labor market, it’s easy to justify hanging onto someone you really ought to let go; how else is the work going to get done?  But what’s the true impact on clients, on co-workers, on the firm as a whole when you keep a poor performer on the payroll?  How can letting someone go be a win for everyone?  Come find out the answers to these and other important questions when playing to win.

Personal Growth & Development
(L) Building Your Own Brand
By Sally Glick, Sobel & Co., LLC
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Personal Development
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours

In this session we will discuss how each person in the firm, from the partners to the newest staff, can focus on building his or her own reputation to complement and enhance the credibility of the firm’s brand name. We will talk about:

• The value of a personal brand -  for the firm and for the individual
• How to get established as an expert or a famous person
• The power of networking

We will create personal plans for each participant in the session, focusing on their goals, their strengths and experience, and the opportunities they have within their firms. Participants will also be taught to help others in their firm establish their own name and reputation.
                                                                                                  
3:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.                
Refreshment Break with Our Vendors                                         

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.               
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Management and Operations
(M) Why Can’t Everyone Get Along?
By Christine Holton-Cashen, CSP, A Dynamic Speaker
Program Level: Intermediate
NASBA Field of Study: Personnel/HR
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours
HRCI Credit: 1.5 hours

Wish you had the perfect words for any situation? Wish your team truly acted like a team? Tired of personal and professional conflict? Build relationships and take success to the next level! Learn the techniques to:

• Identify, understand and cope with confrontations to develop the confidence you need to resolve difficult issues.
• Discover how to script the perfect words for results.
• Understand what makes different personality styles tick and how to communicate with them.  
• Christine will help you approach conflict creatively by outlining tactics to keep your cool, defuse situations and blow off steam before you boil.

This conflict and teamwork program is a wonderful interactive session for anyone with management responsibilities.

Administration Essentials
(N) Building Your Asset as a Firm Administrator: Focus on the Firm
By Rita Keller, Brady Ware & Schoenfeld and Bill Leach, Katz Sapper & Miller
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Operations
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours

This second session for newer administrators (or those wanting a refresher) will explore the increased expectations for firm administrators to take on a high-level, leadership role in the firm's long-term success. Not only must they develop and facilitate efficient administrative work processes within the firm, they must also facilitate first-class technology plans, enable the firm to identify, hire and effectively manage the future leaders of the process, inspire "knock-your-socks-off" client service and handle the responsibility of making sure the firm is ready "inside" for the growth that firms are experiencing from the "outside."

Leadership
(O) Big Ideas, Creativity & Innovation
By Tom Laughon, Catch Your Limit Consulting
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Operations
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours
HRCI Approved: 1.5 hours

Talk to any CPA firm leader today and sooner or later the words “innovation” and “creativity” will come up.  But for many, these terms are simply buzzwords.  Few truly know how to foster creativity and innovation in their workplace.  And fewer actually do it.  In this session, we will share powerful techniques that participants can take back to their firms to help capture the imagination of their colleagues, grow and nurture creativity to its full potential and recognize its powerful payback.

Personal Growth & Development
(P) Writing Effective Email: Enhancing Electronic Communication, Netiquette Skills and Productivity
By Nancy Flynn, The ePolicy Institute
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Communications
CPE Credit: 1.5 hours

E-mail is the most common, convenient—and potentially costly and cumbersome—means of business communications. From summer interns to support staff to CPAs and firm administrators—nearly everyone uses e-mail to communicate with clients and colleagues.  According to research, 10% of U.S. employees devote half the workday (four or more hours) to e-mail, and another 66% spend two hours a day e-mailing. Fully one quarter of all employees say they’ve never gone more than a few days without checking e-mail. How great a stranglehold does e-mail have on business users?  Consider the facts:

• E-mail traffic increased more than 26-fold between 2000 and 2005, reaching a staggering 135.6 billion messages a day in 2005.
• With half the US population now e-mailing, electronic mail far surpasses the amount of snail mail sent via the postal service.
• Even when at home or on vacation, many of us find it hard to unplug from business e-mail.
• 24/7 BlackBerry use has turned some business users into self-described “CrackBerry” addicts.     

With all that e-mail traffic, it is essential to write messages that communicate as clearly, persuasively, and briefly as possible. This program reveals the secrets of writing effective e-mail and netiquette (online etiquette), which accounting firm administrators can take back to the firm and put to work immediately. In addition to revealing the secrets of writing effective e-mail and maintaining a civil business environment, this program also shares tips and techniques for uncluttering and managing e-mail inboxes. Whether you are an individual e-mail user with an overflowing inbox or a firm administrator with hundreds of employees assaulting your bandwidth and patience, take heart.  E-mail inboxes can be uncluttered, external and internal e-mail traffic can be policed, and employee productivity can be marshaled.  All it takes is a commitment to a strategic e-mail management program combining written policies and procedures, employee education, technology tools, and a willingness to apply creative solutions to the challenges of workplace e-mail management.
                                                                                                  
5:15 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.                
AAA Chapter Outreach Meeting                                                                            
Led by the AAA Director of Membership & Growth and AAA’s Director of Chapter Development      

This session welcomes all current chapter officers and potential chapter leaders as well as individuals looking to organize a chapter in their area. The session will review current procedures and offerings as well as provide an exchange of information between chapters regarding programs, benefits and success stories.

Evening                                   
Evening On Your Own                                                               
Reservations will be made at several local restaurants and sign-up sheets will be posted at the AAA Registration Desk beginning Wednesday, June 18.

Friday, June 20, 2008

7:30 a.m. – 9:10 a.m.                 
FIRM SIZE BREAKFAST BUFFET BREAKOUTS                          
Designed for participants to regroup in the same groups as Wednesday’s Breakout Sessions by Firm Size to finalize discussions based on information learned and exchanged throughout the conference.                    
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization
CPE Credit: 2 hours
HRCI Approved: 2 hours

• <=30 people
• 31-60 people
• 61-80 people
• 121-200 people
• 200+ people

9:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.               
The Speed of Trust
By Greg Link, CoveyLink and Covey Leadership Center
Program Level: Overview
NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization
CPE Credit: 2.5 hours
HRCI Approved: 2.5 hours

Trust is hard, real and quantifiable.  It measurably affects both speed and cost.  A function of character and competence, trust can be created and destroyed, effectively taught and learned.  In most cases, lost trust can even be restored.  This fast-paced and engaging presentation will dramatically reveal TRUST as the hidden variable that will become your most leverageable tool, giving you a distinct strategic advantage.  Covey calls it “Leading at the SPEED of Trust.”

By framing Trust in a new light, this presentation will: make the business and economic case for trust; show how the ability to generate trust is the critical leadership competency in this new global economy; and demonstrate how to master the skill of engendering trust-both personally and in your organization.

Greg Link is Co-founder, President and CDO (Chief Deal-making Officer) of CoveyLink, a fast growing boutique consultancy committed to influencing influencers to grow their careers and their firms at the SPEED of TRUST™.  As President of CoveyLink, he draws upon his trusted reputation among business leaders throughout the world to attract alliances, talent, and select clients.  A recognized authority on leadership, sales and marketing, Greg is a sought-after advisor and speaker.  As co-founder and Senior Vice President of the Covey Leadership Center, Link orchestrated the marketing and public relations campaign that led Stephen R. Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, to the number-one best selling business book of the 20th century (survey by CEO Magazine), selling over 15 million copies in 38 languages.  Greg continues his 18-year relationship with now FranklinCovey as the lead publishing and marketing advisor to Stephen R. Covey, Sean Covey, Roger and Rebecca Merrill, Hyrum Smith, and other FranklinCovey authors. Greg has taught Principle Centered Leadership and advised executive clients at numerous leading enterprises, including Hewlett Packard, U.S. Navy Resale, U.S. Navy Supply, Sony, Chevron Oil, San Diego Gas and Electric, IBM, Microsoft, and numerous other organizations. Greg is currently a trusted leadership and business confidant and advisor to leading authors, senior executives and other high performers in both the private and public sectors.

10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.            
Refreshment Break with Our Vendors                                                                   

11:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 
Conference Closing        

Resources to Complement Your Learning Experience!

Certified Public Accountant
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credits

Select from more than 64.5 hours of CPE to earn up to 38.5 hours of credits at the AAA Practice Management Conference and Technology and HR Fly-Ins. Two-and-a-half days of sessions are offered during the meeting and up to two full days prior, with topics of interest to those in public accounting. Attendees are responsible for determining their individual state’s requirements for CPE.

The Association for Accounting Administration is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit.  Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417.  Web site: www.nasba.org. 

Upon course and evaluation completion, participants attending the 2008 AAA Practice Management Conference desiring CPE credit can earn up to 21.5 hours.  ATA Fly-In attendees will earn up to 17 hours and HR Fly-In attendees will earn up to 8 hours. The Conference and Fly-Ins do not require advance preparation or have prerequisites.

For more information regarding administrative policies such as complaint and refund, please contact the AAA National Office at (937) 222-0030.

HRCI Approved Courses

Preliminary Program