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TOPICS AND SPEAKERSIn 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):
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 Leadership Demystified: Stepping Into True Leadership by Andy Andrews, New York Times Best Selling Author. Andy is an international bestselling author and noted authority on leadership, team building, customer service and change. This year, AAA is again hosting two all-day Fly-Ins on Tuesday, June 22 for those with a concentration in human resources or a desire for an advanced leadership course for managing CPA firms. The offered Fly-Ins are separate from the Conference, but discounts for participation in both are available. Monday, June 21, 2010 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. National Board of Directors Meeting Tuesday, June 22, 2010 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Conference Registration Cyber Café Open 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Fly-Ins Registration and Continental Breakfasts 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Pre-Conference Human Resources Fly-In: Tackling the Tricky Stuff Led by Jennifer Wilson, Co-Founder and Partner, ConvergenceCoaching LLC Program Level: Intermediate NASBA Field of Study: Personnel/HR CPE Credit: 8 hours HRCI Approved: 8 hours Even with the need to drive new business, we must also remain focused on our people – our firm’s greatest assets. As the economy embarks on recovery, the demand for top talent will be even more exasperating than it has been and retention will re-emerge as a significant issue. Those with HR and management responsibilities within a CPA firm are encouraged to attend this year’s HR Fly-In to discuss four tricky – yet differentiating -- areas affecting HR and examine strategies that will make the most impact with your people, including:
Jennifer Wilson with ConvergenceCoaching, LLC will lead this year’s Human Resources Fly-In. Jennifer 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, marketing, and training and development plans. Jennifer’s ultimate goal is to make a transformational difference in the lives of her clients and in their businesses. Named as one of Accounting Today’s 100 Most Influential People in Accounting and INSIDE Public Accounting’s Top 10 Most Recommended Consultants, 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 with nearly 100 consultants providing financial systems selection, implementation, and support services to clients. 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. Instrumental in implementing the company’s highly successful CPA marketing programs, Jennifer assisted in recruiting tens of thousands of CPAs to State Of The Art. Jennifer is a member of the Association for Accounting Administration (AAA), Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM), American Marketing Association, and International Coach Federation. She is a past Board member and among the founding members of the Information Technology Alliance (ITA) and has been both Chair and member of the planning committee for the AICPA TECH Conference. Jennifer is an active volunteer in the profession and currently serves on the Education Committee for AAM and as a member of the Bill.com Advisory Board. 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 Accounting Tomorrow with many recently published articles on leadership, practice management, and marketing. She 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. 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Pre-Conference Leadership Fly-In: Solving Your Firm’s Biggest Challenges – The Consultant’s Approach Led by Sam Allred, CPA, Founder and Director, Upstream Academy Program Level: Intermediate NASBA Field of Study: Personnel/HR CPE Credit: 8 hours HRCI Approved: 8 hours Every firm has its own unique challenges—some large, some small, and many in-between. Some firm problems are easily resolved; others never seem to go away. As a key firm leader, you spend a lot of time and energy trying to solve your firm’s challenges – challenges that hold you and the firm back from your full potential. Designed for partners, COOs, firm administrators, and other high-level firm leaders, this intense, all-day workshop will teach you how to tackle your firm’s biggest problems the way a consultant would approach them. You’ll learn principles and processes for responding to the toughest challenges your firm faces. You’ll be taught how to pick the right processes and tools and how to properly implement them so the job gets done. And you’ll learn all of this from one of the most sought-after consultants in our profession. Utilizing a highly interactive approach that will include team exercises, brainstorming, and problem-solving, you’ll learn how to deal with your firm’s biggest challenges like a consultant. Don’t pass up this opportunity to learn from one of the best! Sam Allred, CPA, is a Shareholder with Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co., P.C., a regional CPA and business consulting firm headquartered in Helena, Montana. The firm 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.” His hobbies include spending time with his family, fly fishing and golf. Sam and his wife Marlene have seven children. 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Fly-Ins Refreshment Breaks 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Human Resources Fly-In Lunch 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Leadership Fly-In Lunch 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Enterprise Network Worldwide Firm Administrator’s Meeting (Enterprise Network Members) 2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Fly-Ins Refreshment Breaks 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. BDO Seidman Alliance Gathering (BDO Seidman Alliance Members) 4:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. First Timer's Forum Led by Virginia L. Lowery, Administrative Manager, Illinois Agricultural Auditing Association and Rita Keller, President and Founder, Keller Advisors, LLC 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 as AAA helps attendees “Unmask Their Potential”. 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 23, 2010 6:00 a.m. Morning Power Walk Led by Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA, President, InfoTech Partners North America Join other attendees for a relaxing walk through some of the French Quarter’s most interesting surroundings. Time will be provided to freshen up before sessions begin. Meet in the fountain lobby of the hotel. 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Conference Registration with Our Vendors Cyber Café Open 7:20 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. Networking Breakfast Program Level: Basic NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization CPE Credit: 1 hour 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. 7:20 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. AAA Chapter Outreach Breakfast Led by the AAA Director of Membership & Growth and AAA’s Director of Chapter Development Program Level: Basic NASBA Field of Study: Personal Development CPE Credit: 1 hour This session welcomes all current chapter officers and potential chapter leaders as well as individuals looking to organize a chapter in their area. The breakfast session will review current procedures and offerings as well as provide an exchange of information between chapters regarding programs, benefits and success stories. 8:30 a.m. – 8:40 a.m. Welcoming Ceremony The official unmasking of the 2010 National Practice Management Conference. 8:40 a.m. - 10:10 a.m. The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work and Team with Positive Energy By Jon Gordon, Founder, The Jon Gordon Companies NASBA Field of Study: Personnel/HR CPE Credit: 2 hours HRCI Approved: 2 hours Based on his international best-selling book, The Energy Bus, Jon Gordon presents a powerful roadmap to overcome common life and work obstacles and bring out the best in attendees and their teams. Everyone faces challenges and every person, organization, firm and team will have to overcome negativity and adversity to define themselves and create their success. Whether attendees are leaders looking to build a positive culture, managers trying to energize and engage their team, or someone who desires to enhance their productivity and performance this talk will help Conference participants create more success and enjoy the ride of their life. Jon Gordon is a speaker, consultant and author of the international best sellers The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work and Team with Positive Energy, The No Complaining Rule: Positive Ways to Deal with Negativity at Work, and Training Camp: What the Best do Better than Everyone Else. Jon's latest book, The Shark and The Goldfish: Positive Ways to Thrive During Waves of Change, is now available. The message in Jon’s books and speaking presentations is such that NFL coaches such as Jack Del Rio, Mike Smith, the PGA Tour and the FBI have called on Jon to inspire and benefit their teams. Jon and his books have been featured on CNN, NBC’s Today Show and in Forbes, Fast Company, O Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Clients such as The Atlanta Falcons, Campbell Soup, Northwestern Mutual, Publix Super Markets and JP Morgan Chase also call on Jon to bring out the best in their leaders and teams. Jon is a graduate of Cornell University and holds a masters in teaching from Emory University. When he’s not speaking to businesses or schools, you can find him playing lacrosse or basketball with his wife and two “high energy” children. 10:10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Refreshment Break with Our Vendors 10:30 a.m. – 1:20 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS AND LUNCH 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. Lunch will be served during the last hour of the session. Program Level: Basic NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization CPE Credit: 3.0 hours
BREAKOUT SESSIONS (A) The Shark and the Goldfish: Positive Ways to Thrive During Waves of Change By Jon Gordon, Founder, The Jon Gordon Companies Program Level: Intermediate NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization CPE Credit: 1.5 hours HRCI Approved: 1.5 hours Now more than ever change and uncertainty are a part of daily work and life. During changing times, it’s easy to worry, give up, and let fear paralyze you. However, you and your team have more control than one thinks you do, and how each handles change is your choice—the only choice that matters. Participants can allow the waves of change to crush them or they can learn to ride them to a successful future. Based on his latest book The Shark and the Goldfish Jon presents a proven four-step model packed with tips and strategies to help each attendee and their team thrive during waves change. (B) Risk Assessment and Trends Based on Data and Case Studies By Stephen Vono, Partner, North American Professional Liability Insurance Agency Program Level: Basic NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization CPE Credit: 1.5 hours The goal of the presentation will be to provide the participants with risk management tools to implement at their firm to help manage and minimize risk exposures. Actual claim scenarios will be used to illustrate exposures and examples of risk mitigation will be shared as a result of those claims. Some of the topics discussed will be the first lines of defense, firm culture, network and cyber liability to name a few. Stephen Vono is a Principal of North American Professional Liability Insurance Agency (NAPLIA), which has been named to Entrepreneur magazine’s HOT 500 and Inc. magazine’s top 5000 small business in America. NAPLIA specializes in professional liability insurance and risk management to professionals. Stephen has been advising accounting firms on risk management issues for 15 years and currently NAPLIA insures about 2,000 accounting firms in North America from sole practitioners to Top 100 firms. (C) The Role of the Firm Administrator and How to Elevate By William E. Leach, Principal, Katz Sapper & Miller Program Level: Intermediate NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization CPE Credit: 1.5 hours HRCI Approved: 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. One of the country’s 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!
(D) Crucial Conversations By Dr. Kurt D. Southam, Founder, Southam Consulting, LLC Program Level: Intermediate NASBA Field of Study: Communications CPE Credit: 1.5 hours HRCI Approved: 1.5 hours A crucial conversation is a discussion between two or more people where stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong. These conversations-when handled poorly or ignored-cause teams and organizations to get less-than-desirable results. This session will teach you how to achieve spirited dialogue at all levels in your firm; you’ll begin to surface the best ideas, make the highest-quality decisions, and then act on your decisions with unity and commitment. A set of tools will be introduced that builds alignment, agreement, and interpersonal communication. Dr. Kurt D. Southam is a Principal Associate and Master Certified Trainer for Crucial Conversations, Crucial Confrontations and Influencer from VitalSmarts as well as an adjunct lecturer or guest lecturer for Creighton University, The Ohio State University, Ohio University, Brigham Young University and Kenyon College. He designed and implemented the STAR (Strategic Alignment for Results) process and has coached extensively to executives and entrepreneurs throughout the country. Kurt believes that the most important asset is management attention with effective teams and other relationships built on mutual purpose and mutual respect. Dr. Southam has his Ph.D. in Organizational Communication and Organizational Behavior & Management from Ohio University and has counseled some of the top companies and firms in a variety of industries around the globe. 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Refreshment Break with Our Vendors 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS (E) Social Networking Best Practices for CPA Firms By Rachel Gold and Kristy Gusick, Ingenuity Marketing Group Program Level: Basic NASBA Field of Study: Communications CPE Credit: 1.5 hours In online professional networks today you are either “LinkedIn” or you are out. We all know the slang, “It is not what you know. It’s who you know,” or who you get to know. With so many online networks, how do you choose which network is right for you? Learn about the most popular networking sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook and what sets online social networking sites apart. Attendees will learn what they should expect from online communities, why they are useful and best practices in getting the most out of their membership.
Rachel Gold is a Communications Consultant with Ingenuity Marketing Group; a firm focused on helping professional service providers market and sell their services effectively. Rachel has worked in communications since 1994, including seven years as a newspaper reporter and eight years in public relations and marketing for high tech companies. Her background in high tech puts her on the cutting edge of new communications. She currently trains people to use social networking tools including LinkedIn and Facebook and advises marketers on creating integrated strategies for Web 2.0. In addition to social networking, Rachel specializes in marketing and brand strategy, PR and writing engaging content. Rachel has a B.A. in English and Religious Studies from Macalester College in St. Paul and an M.F.A. in Writing from Hamline University in St. Paul. 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. Recent speaking and television engagements include topics of today's digital CPA firm, trends in technology, hardware and software for CPAs and the impact of remote computing on the profession, which he has presented to the AICPA, and various accounting associations, state societies, and software companies.
See Pre-Conference Human Resources Fly-In session for Ms. Wilson’s bio. 5:30 p.m. Transportation to AAA’s Evening Out at Mardi Gras World Meet in the main lobby of the hotel for transportation to the group’s Evening Out. 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. AAA’s Evening Out at Mardi Gras World A.C.E. Award Presentation An evening with dinner, awards and entertainment. Dress is comfortable for an evening filled with adventure. Thursday, June 24, 2010 6:00 a.m. Morning Power Walk Led by Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA, President, InfoTech Partners North America Join other attendees for a relaxing walk through some of the French Quarter’s most interesting surroundings. Time will be provided to freshen up before sessions begin. Meet in the fountain lobby of the hotel. 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Registration with Our Vendors Cyber Café Open 7:00 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. EARLY RISERS BREAKFASTS Program Level: Basic NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization CPE Credit: 1 hour The Early Risers breakfasts are open forum formats providing an opportunity for conference participants to ask questions of experts in the fields of marketing, technology, leadership and human resources. Conference attendees may select one of four breakfasts. (ER1) Marketing Facilitated by Rachel Gold, Communications Consultant, Ingenuity Marketing Group (ER2) Leadership Facilitated by Dr. Kurt Southam, Founder, Southam Consulting, LLC (ER3) Technology Facilitated by Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA, President, InfoTech Partners North America (ER4) Human Resources Facilitated by Rita Keller, Keller Advisors, LLC 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. The Next 20 Years By Dr. Michio Kaku, Futurist, Physicist, Best Selling Author and Radio and Television Personality Program Level: Basic NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Operations CPE Credit: 1.5 hours This session will feature information about the next 20 years in computers, finance, banking and commerce. Participants will learn about emerging trends and scenarios we might expect to witness in the next two decades. Those who have heard Michio’s theories and discussions have said: "He’s a spellbinding speaker. He had the crowd mesmerized.” "He electrified the audience with his glimpse into the next 20 years.” "His visionary look into the next 20 years was the highlight of the conference.” "People couldn’t stop talking about his speech. It was truly a tour de force.” Dr. Michio Kaku is a theoretical physicist, best-selling author, and popularizer of science. He’s the co-founder of string field theory (a branch of string theory), and continues Einstein’s search to unite the four fundamental forces of nature into one unified theory. Michio’s books include Physics of the Impossible: A Scientific Exploration of the World of Phasers, Force Fields, Teleportation and Time Travel, a new book already hitting the NY Times Bestseller List. Other books include: Parallel Worlds, Einstein’s Cosmos, Visions, Beyond Einstein, and Hyperspace. He has appeared on television (Discovery, BBC, ABC, Science Channel, and CNN to name a few), written for popular science publications like Discover, Wired, and New Scientist, been featured in documentaries like Me & Isaac Newton, and hosted many of his own including BBC’s recent series on Time. 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Refreshment Break with Our Vendors 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS (I) Developing an IT Strategy for Your Firm By John Higgins, CPA, Partner, CPA Crossings, LLC Program Level: Intermediate NASBA Field of Study: Computer Science CPE Credit: 1.5 hours The good news is there has never been such an abundance of opportunities to leverage technology to increase the quality and profitability of the services your firm provides. The bad news is that making the right choices for your firm can be overwhelming and making the wrong choices can be very costly. The solution is to develop a practical IT strategy tailored to the uniqueness of your firm. In this session, we will address two key topics; understanding what are the key technology initiatives you should be considering and providing you with a proven methodology for how to develop your IT strategy. You will leave this session with practical advice and tools to help you develop an optimal plan for your firm. John Higgings, CPA has authored and presented over 100 courses on technology related topics for CPAs and firms since 1984 and has consistently received top ratings. As a partner of CPA Crossings, he serves as a strategic advisor to CPA firm leaders and as a consultant to the profession. He focuses on helping CPA firms to develop strategies to offer innovative client services, achieve greater potential and improve the overall growth and profitability of the firm by leveraging technology. (J) Be Different: Understand the Unique Value of Your Firm Beyond the Cliché-Speak of Most CPA Firms By Rachel Gold, Communications Consultant, Ingenuity Marketing Group Program Level: Basic NASBA Field of Study: Marketing CPE Credit: 1.5 hours HRCI Approved: 1.5 hours Every single accounting firm claims to offer excellent client service and a wide variety of expertise to serve their clients’ needs. These promises are no longer outstanding: they are the threshold your clients demand. How can you talk about yourself and your firm in ways that really stand out from your competition? Rachel Gold, Communications Consultant at Ingenuity Marketing Group, will share with you:
See Wednesday 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. session (E) for Ms. Gold’s bio. (K) Helping Staff Pass the CPA Exam: Your Role in the Process By Ben Jones, CPA, CFA, MBA, Director of Business Operations, Becker Professional Education Program Level: Intermediate NASBA Field of Study: Personnel/HR CPE Credit: 1.5 hours HRCI Approved: 1.5 hours This session will explain your role as a CPA firm manager in assisting staff to pass the new CPA Exam. Learn how to simply the complex, put theory into practice and deliver real, immediate results. Participants will learn the most current information about some of today’s most critical and challenging standards and how your role within the CPA firm can provide for higher pass rates, greater success, top scorers and a rewarding experience not only for your firm’s staff but the firm. Ben Jones, CPA, CFA, MBA exemplifies his belief that the CPA and CFA credentials are, in his words, a “passport to anywhere.” His career has literally taken him around the world and given him a broad international perspective on business. As a CPA, he began his career managing client audit work and doing tax consulting for Ernst and Young. He then went on to serve as an international auditor in more than 20 countries for the Tupperware Corporation. Later, as senior financial analyst for that company’s European region, he won significant acclaim for his successful efforts in revitalizing the United Kingdom and Irish markets. While working in Europe, Ben earned his MBA from the University of Chicago’s Executive International Program in Barcelona, Spain. He was awarded his CFA charter in 2007. As a national instructor for Stalla’s Review for the CFA® Exams, he appears on Stalla CD course lectures at all three levels. He teaches live classes for both CPA and CFA review in the Chicago area. Jones also serves as Director of Business Operations for Becker Professional Education, managing the company’s 22-state Midwest region. (L) The Current State of Health Care By Eugene Power, EA, MAAA and Steve Villella, CEBS, CMS, Touchstone Consulting Group Program Level: Basic NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization CPE Credit: 1.5 hours We are barraged daily by health care issues, both on personal and professional levels. Health care costs are rising at unsustainable levels, 46 (or so) million Americans remain uninsured, major employers are terminating their post-retirement medical plan, and on and on. Is the U.S. health care system broken? If yes, why can’t Congress fix it? Speakers at this session will provide a mostly empirical overview of how our system runs today and will attempt to cut through the hype surrounding the health care reform debate. This is certainly a topic where reasonable opinions may differ, so audience interaction will be encouraged. Eugene Power, EA, MAAA is the Managing Director of Touchstone Consulting Group. He has over 25 years of experience in all areas of employee benefits. He is a recognized expert on employee benefits matters in federal courts and before federal mediators. He has had extensive experience in the design, administration and valuation of plans. Gene holds degrees in mathematics and chemistry from St. Lawrence University and has completed graduate studies in mathematics at Fairfield and Bridgeport Universities. He is an Enrolled Actuary and a member of both the American Academy of Actuaries and the American Society of Pension Actuaries. 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. VENDOR LUNCH & LEARNS Program Level: Basic NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization CPE Credit: 1 hour Select from one of the offered lunch sessions led by accounting industry vendors. Presentations begin at 12:30 p.m. (V1) "Accounting in an On-Demand World" By David Bergstein, CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business (V2) “Work·flow·sion – New Efficiencies for the Progressive Firm” By Todd Robinson, Thomson Reuters, Tax & Accounting (V3) “Distinguishing Yourself as a Unique and Dynamic Leader” By Sandra Wiley, Boomer Consulting, Inc. 1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSIONS (M) Legal Update By Steven W. Moore, Managing Shareholder, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. Program Level: Basic NASBA Field of Study: Business Law CPE Credit: 1.5 hours This session will examine the most notable and current employment law developments while providing practical guidance on what these changes mean for executives with human resources responsibilities. Besides timely topics, DFMLA regulations and workforce reductions will be discussed. Steven W. Moore, Managing Shareholder of Ogletree Deakins’ Denver office, represents employers in a wide range of labor and employment disputes, including discrimination, retaliation, harassment, wrongful discharge, breach of contract, and wage and hour cases. Mr. Moore is a co-editor of the American Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law, a quarterly newsletter. In recent years, he has defended employers in a variety of serious litigation matters including executive terminations, large-scale discrimination class actions, FLSA collective actions, and other multi-plaintiff and intense litigation matters. He has also represented employers against pattern and practice discrimination cases filed by the EEOC and the U.S. Department of Justice. Because of his litigation experience, companies often seek Mr. Moore’s advice regarding issues aimed at preventing employment-related claims, particularly those with class and collective action implications. Mr. Moore regularly counsels employers regarding wage and hour compliance, reductions in force, ADA reasonable accommodation issues, and the development of new personnel policies. Mr. Moore is a Fellow in the American Bar Foundation, which is an honorary organization of attorneys, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars who have been elected by their peers to become members of The Fellows and is limited to one third of one percent of lawyers licensed to practice in each jurisdiction. He also has an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating an attorney can receive from his peers. (N) Client Portals: Gateway to the Future By John Higgins, CPA, Partner, CPA Crossings, LLC Program Level: Intermediate NASBA Field of Study: Computer Science CPE Credit: 1.5 hours From time to time, every industry goes through a major transformation because of breakthrough innovation. Attend this session to hear John Higgins’ vision for portal technology to transform the CPA/client relationship. This session will cover three main topics related to client portals; what they are, the business case for portals, and how to develop your client portal strategy. You will leave this session with a deeper understanding and greater appreciation of the power of a client portal. You will also learn that this is a far reaching initiative that impacts every aspect of your client services. See Thursday 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. session (I) for Mr. Higgins’ bio. (O) M&A Planning for Postmerger Communications, Operations and Cultural Integration By Allan D. Koltin, CPA, CEO, PDI Global, Inc. Program Level: Basic NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization CPE Credit: 1.5 hours In his presentation, Mr. Koltin will talk about the merger frenzy taking place within the accounting profession today, as well as explore how to successfully integrate firms including some do’s and don’ts along the way. He will explore first-hand mergers that he has been a part of over the last decade and uncover the best practices of the successful ones. He will also share some of the integration breakdowns in some of the unsuccessful ones. Allan will talk about firm culture and values and how these areas can be great predictors of the overall success of the merger. See Thursday 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. session for Mr. Koltin’s bio. (P) Thriving in a Down Economy: The Importance of the Three M’s – Mentoring, Marketing and Managing By Rita Keller, President and Founder, Keller Advisors, LLC Program Level: Intermediate NASBA Field of Study: Personal Development CPE Credit: 1.5 hours HRCI Approved: 1.5 hours Firm administrators and other CPA firm leaders are asking themselves and their peers…..
The current economic state is one that most firms have never experienced and the need to evaluate processes and optimize efficiencies is no longer an option than can be delayed. The economy will recover and firm that aggressively address management and operational issues will be a winning position when that time comes. Join Rita and your peers to explore the possibilities! In his presentation, Mr. Koltin will share best practices of top performing firms as it relates to the governance and leadership of CPA firms. Some of the specifics he will cover in his presentation will include:
5:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Speed Networking Moderated by Jim Fahey, AAA Director of Education Using the Speed Dating format, this session will provide five sessions of seven minutes each for members to have one-on-one conversations regarding specific topics in an intensive and fast-paced forum. 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 23. 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Hospitality Suite Stop by a hospitality suite hosted by NAPLIA and CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business. 6:00 a.m. Morning Power Walk Led by Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA, President, InfoTech Partners North America Join other attendees for a relaxing walk through some of the French Quarter’s most interesting surroundings. Time will be provided to freshen up before sessions begin. Meet in the fountain lobby of the hotel. 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Registration with Our Vendors Cyber Café Open 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 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. 8:40 a.m. - 9:10 a.m. The Relationship Between the State CPA Society and the Firm Administrator By Tom Hood, CPA-SEA President and Maryland State CPA Society Executive Director Program Level: Overview NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization CPE Credit: .5 hours This session will provide an overview of the importance of the relationship between the State CPA Society and the firm’s professional manager. How can this relationship expand the opportunities for the firm and its staff? Participants will hear examples of initiatives that are working successfully in various parts of the country. 9:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. PCPS Survey Results Overview By Heidi Brundage, AICPA’s PCPS Program Level: Overview NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization CPE Credit: .5 hours 9:50 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. No Excuse Management By Richard Flint, Flint Incorporated Program Level: Basic NASBA Field of Study: Personal Development CPE Credit: 2.0 hours HRCI Approved: 2.0 hours Managing and motivating people can be two of the most challenging aspects of running an organization. Richard’s No Excuse Management program takes you through the 4 learnable, but rarely taught skills and traits of Outstanding Leaders. In a short time, you’ll walk away with the precise tools you need to make your managing more effective, easier, and with intended results. Learn the difference between being a Manager and a Leader, and how being a leader effectively eliminates problems before they start. Learn the solution to handling confrontation in a way that motivates, instead of derails, an employee’s morale and gets you the results that you need. Discover how to create effective accountability, by building a team culture of self-motivation and self-management. Look for Richard’s proven techniques and priceless information including:
Remember, as long as management makes excuses for or accepts the excuses of their people, their people have no reason to change their action pattern. Richard Flint, CSP is Chairman and CEO of Flint, Incorporated, a company specializing in the training and development of individuals, companies and associations. He has had the opportunity to address people in talks and seminars throughout the world. Richard has studied, researched, written and spoken for 30 years in his field of expertise – human behavior and development – through his programs in Leadership, Management, Customer Care, Sales, Ethics, Motivation, Organization, Personal Relationships and Human Behavior. He has made appearances on over 100 radio and TV shows, as well as host of his highly acclaimed internet radio show, Achieving A Positive Life. He has also written 13 books and produced more than 100+ audio and video learning programs, including being a finalist for The Top Self-Help book of 2005. Prior to founding his company in 1987, Richard put his four degrees to good use as a Professor of Philosophy at Ohio University and Wayne State University, where he also served as the Baptist Campus Minister. Richard speaks to corporate and public audiences on the subjects of Personal and Professional Development, including the executives and staff of many of America's largest corporations. His humorous and poignant talks and seminars on Leadership, Sales, Self-Esteem, Goals, Strategy, Creativity and Success bring about immediate changes and long-term results. |
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Resources to Complement Your Learning Experience!
Certified Public Accountant
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