Calendar

Understand key terminology in SFAS No. 157. Learn how to apply the fair value hierarchy to appropriate approaches to measurement. Identify the key aspects of the new fair value option in SFAS No. 159. Discuss and evaluate the impact of the key measurement components as they pertain to management’s representations and auditors’ responsibilities. Understand how to apply fair value accounting to certain FASB Statements and Interpretations that require measurements of assets or liabilities at fair value.

Presenter: Bruce Nunnally - Carr, Riggs & Ingram LLC

Learn non-traditional skills, such as how to respond to difficult economic conditions, establish an innovative environment, manage the financial and cultural issues associated with long-term programs and acquisitions, and continuously improve the organization’s competitive position. Identify a series of specific methods and techniques designed to have an immediate and long-term impact on your company’s bottom-line. Hear how to organize the finance function to meet current and future responsibilities. Discuss how to expand the role and impact of planning, budgeting, cash management and reporting. Review how to prepare and introduce “Lean” concepts into your finance function and how to evaluate and manage capital investment programs.

 
Presenter: John Cox, CPA, JD - The Rome Group, Inc.

Corporate finance professionals, the spotlight is on you! In these ever-changing tumultuous times, there is increased scrutiny and demand, both internally and externally, for accountability, transparency and ultimate success. The world is watching you and the financial accounting profession like never before.

Are you tired of talking about Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 Internal Control? Do you want to learn how to design, evaluate, and implement internal controls that not only meet the requirements of Section 404, but also help your company improve corporate accountability? Hear how you can find value for your company as well as meet the compliance requirements of today's complex internal control rules.

Presenter: Dan R. Dalton, PhD, MBA

Corporate finance professionals, the spotlight is on you! In these ever-changing tumultuous times, there is increased scrutiny and demand, both internally and externally, for accountability, transparency and ultimate success. The world is watching you and the financial accounting profession like never before.

Are you tired of talking about Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 Internal Control? Do you want to learn how to design, evaluate, and implement internal controls that not only meet the requirements of Section 404, but also help your company improve corporate accountability? Hear how you can find value for your company as well as meet the compliance requirements of today's complex internal control rules.

Presenter: Dan R. Dalton, PhD, MBA

Know whether you are comparing apples to apples or apples to sushi. With the continued development of the European Union and the acceptance of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and International Accounting Standards (IAS) in most capital markets, understanding how IFRS/IAS and U.S. GAAP converge is becoming increasingly more important. US operations of foreign companies and foreign entities registering with US capital markets must sort through the maze of differences. Learn the basis to analyze and utilize IFRS-oriented financial statements so you can compare apples to sushi. Discuss the major differences between IAS and US GAAP, as well as the similarities and the impact on the financial and reporting process. Hear a review of financial statements prepared under IFRS/IAS to understand how IFRS/IAS differs with US GAAP. Understand the convergence of IFRS and US GAAP.

 
Presenter: Thomas E. Newell, Jr., CPA – Newell & Newell, P.C.

Budgeting is no longer a once a year event – it is now a 365 days-a-year efficient and fast-moving leadership process that you must master to stay alive in this global economy. Learn how to design a new and more effective budget process. Receive individual and group coaching on the best practices in planning used today by leading-edge organizations. Learn how to use your mission and culture as the springboard for a budget that builds accountability. Plus, receive tips on selecting budget software solutions that fit your company.

Presenter: John Cox, CPA, JD - The Rome Group, Inc.

Set aside the day to make sense of the complex and controversial financial reporting issues facing your company. This is a unique opportunity to interact with the experts who are setting today’s financial reporting policies. Receive the most up-to-date interpretations of recent pronouncements from the SEC, FASB, IASB, AcSEC and PCAOB. Plus, hear a lively debate among the policy-setters themselves as to what it all will mean for you.

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for Small and Medium-sized Entities (SMEs) was passed by the IASB in July 2009. Because of changes in the AICPA professional code of conduct, IFRS for SMEs is now an acceptable alternative for preparation of financial statements by non-public (private) entities in the United States. The potential impact of IFRS for SMEs is enormous given the sheer numbers of private entities. It’s attractive due in part to its simplicity and brevity (230 pages) compared to US GAAP (codified at about 17,000
pages) or even full IFRS (about 2,500 pages). Yet, it’s not just another set of rules. Learn about the important conceptual and technical differences between IFRS for SMEs and US GAAP as well as provide thoughtful questions about implementation based on preliminary US response. Plus, discuss what companies that adopted full IFRS in other countries wish they could go back and redo.

Presenter: Marian Powers, PhD

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for Small and Medium-sized Entities (SMEs) was passed by the IASB in July 2009.  Because of changes in the AICPA professional code of conduct, IFRS for SMEs is now an acceptable alternative for preparation of financial statements by non-public (private) entities in the United States. The potential impact of IFRS for SMEs is enormous given the sheer numbers of private entities. It’s attractive due in part to its simplicity and brevity (230 pages) compared to US GAAP (codified at about 17,000
pages) or even full IFRS (about 2,500 pages).  Yet, it’s not just another set of rules. Learn about the important conceptual and technical differences between IFRS for SMEs and US GAAP as well as provide thoughtful questions about implementation based on preliminary US response.  Plus, discuss what companies that adopted full IFRS in other countries wish they could go back and redo.

Presenter: Marian Powers, PhD

Receive a solid understanding of systems and control documentation. Review the latest COSO guidance on the components and principles of effective internal control. Learn about basic tools used to document an accounting process. Identify the risks of errors and fraud in the accounting system and the presence (or absence) of compensating controls. Practice identifying key controls and control weaknesses.

Presenter: Glenn Helms – Glenn L. Helms, Inc.

With so many performance metrics available, how are you measuring the success of your company? No two companies are alike. Using the right measures for your company is vital to managing and accurately assessing your performance and building your success.
This hands-on, interactive class will help you to design and implement a Balanced Scorecard Framework for your organization based on its
specific strategy, critical success factors and customer-value propositions. This is knowledge you can take back and utilize in your company right away.

Presenter: Mark Frigo, PhD, CMA

Receive a comprehensive overview of recent FASB, AcSEC, IASB and EITF pronouncements. Gain expertise from a high-level approach to financial reporting issues backed by detailed description and examples of the implementation of new standards. Assess recent FASB and AICPA standards that have a major effect on all industries. Understand the latest pronouncements and exposure drafts to enable you to develop implementation strategies. Learn how to apply standards for financial instruments, investments in securities and impaired loans, complex equity transactions, debt and asset impairment, consolidations, earnings per share and hedge accounting.

Presenter: Fred M. Christensen, CPA – Leavitt, Christensen & Co.

Learn how to harness the power of Sustainability to give your company a huge competitive edge – attracting and retaining the best employees, the best customers and the best suppliers, while reducing financial risk and lowering the cost of capital. Hear how Sustainability creates a new and eye-opening understanding of waste and prioritizes the many waste-reduction opportunities. Gain a practical, real-world grasp of the Triple Bottom Line that is the basis for decision-making in a sustainable company. See how sustainable-thinking and related tools and techniques can transform your operations.

 
Presenter: James Lindell – Thorsten Consulting Group Inc.

In this information-intensive business environment, shifting strategic direction and gaining competitive advantage hinges on having the latest information about your company’s strengths and weaknesses as quickly as possible. Never has there been greater urgency to produce relevant, reliable, real-time decision-quality information that can be acted on before opportunities disappear. Companies are scrambling for ways to accelerate their ability to collect and disseminate critical information to managers. What will your company do? Learn about the opportunities that a soft or virtual close can bring to your company. Develop the skills you will need to determine the resources used and the processes included in your current closing system. Review select options to improve closing and reporting. Hear how to revamp accounting processes to speed data collection and reporting and understand how to implement a closing process improvement plan.

Presenter: James Lindell – Thorsten Consulting Group Inc.

Are your financial reporting practices helping to increase your company’s value? Are you measuring the right things to drive success? Discover how you can enhance your role as a strategic business partner to help your company drive better business decisions through effective design, analysis, and communication of financial statements.

Presenter: Marian Powers, PhD

Presenter: John W. Hill

This program is designed for middle to senior managers who are heavily involved in their respective company's strategic decisions and the implementation of these decisions, as well as for CPAs and consultants who provide strategic and financial advice to corporate clients. CEOs, CFOs and other financial personnel as well as managers involved in research and development, product design, production, quality control, and marketing will all benefit from this program.

Tackle some of the thornier accounting and disclosure areas, such as derivatives, fair value and business combinations. Receive a refresher on the more complex accounting areas that are typically not handled on a regular basis. Understand the advanced FASB topics that have the greatest effect on accounting and financial reporting. Learn how to apply recent FASB pronouncements for non-specialized companies and how to prepare disclosures.

 
Presenter:  Dr. Joann N. Cross, CMA, CGFM – University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

Learn how to eliminate waste in your accounting department by trimming the day-to-day fat that often accumulates in order to become a much leaner and more efficient operation. Gain a practical and real world understanding of the “value stream mapping” tool and learn how to use it to efficiently establish and maintain a lean accounting function. Obtain insights on how lean thinking and related tools and techniques can be used to streamline your financial, operational, and managerial accounting operations. Focus on eliminating waste from financial accounting processes such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, the general ledger and month-end close. Discuss how accounting functions can be aligned with lean goals and lean performance measures and how your company can make a smooth and successful transformation to a lean accounting function.

Presenter: James Lindell – Thorsten Consulting Group Inc.

Super-charge your forensic accounting techniques! Forensic accounting is exploring uncharted territory by examining off-balance sheet transactions and non-financial performance measures. You are now called upon to detect fraudulent financial reporting and to redesign internal controls to prevent misappropriation of assets. Hidden asset investigations are required for business valuations and divorce proceedings, while wrongful death and disability claims require earnings projections and potential health care costs.

 
Utilize common forensic techniques to recognize fraud schemes and scams. Learn how to detect fraud with analytical tools and other techniques. Learn to follow cash flows, uncover accounting schemes and much more. Develop approaches to detect under- or over-valued assets. Discuss how to ferret out hidden assets and overstated damage claims. Review how to prepare for deposition phase and witness stand.

Presenter: Glenn Helms – Glenn L. Helms, Inc.