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10: AI - Implications for the Profession and Its Clients

GenAI provides powerful capabilities that can be used by CPAs and market fraudsters. This session will discuss the practical uses of GenAI within the accounting analytical domain as well as the rising tide of impersonation frauds powered by increasingly available GenAI capabilities that practicing accountants and investors should consider in their professional and personal risk management efforts.  

22: Economic Update

Are you in search of an informed view of the current economic outlook? The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland’s presentation will touch on data series used to understand economic trends and discuss some of the recent work being done at the Cleveland Fed to track the economy during these tumultuous times. 

24: What I Learned from Making Deals, Building Brands, and Running Businesses in Asia

Author of From the Mouse's House to the Penthouse.

25: Financial Playbook for Athletic Success: Budgeting, Resource Allocation, and Leadership in College Athletics 

Explore how �鶹ӰԺ State’s Athletic Director navigates the rapidly evolving college sports business model. Discover strategies for managing a multi-million-dollar athletics budget and learn valuable lessons in leadership and teamwork that apply beyond sports. 

1A: Financial Reporting Panel - SEC, FASB, Big 4 

The conference continues its 49-year popular tradition of providing a distinguished panel of top regulators. Joining us this year are leaders from the SEC, FASB, and a representative of public accounting to discuss the latest regulations and their practical application to the world of financial reporting. Please come with questions for our Friday panel. Kyle Moffatt, PwC, will moderate the discussion, and attendees are encouraged to ask questions of the panel.

1B: Financial Reporting Panel - SEC, FASB, Big 4

Q&A session

3: CFO, CAO and Corporate Controller Discussion Panel

Join a panel of local CFOs, CAOs and seasoned Controllers as they delve into the challenges of developing high performance Finance and Accounting teams. Gain strategic financial insights into financial transparency, regulatory compliance, and collaborative value-added management. This session promises actionable tactics and practical strategies on managing change in today's financial landscape, ensuring you stay ahead in an ever-evolving marketplace. 

5: Accounting for Business Combinations under ASC 805 

A panel discussion on accounting for business combinations under ASC 805 including the procedures to be performed to appropriately value the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and properly record them on the balance sheet. This discussion will touch on the transaction reporting requirements and accounting complexities that arise post-transaction including the common pitfalls seen in accounting for business combinations and the best practices on how to avoid these issues/errors.

6: Accounting for Business Combinations under ASC 805: A Deeper Dive 

Session #2: Dive deeper into more complex and less common valuation and accounting issues that may arise in business combinations, including post-acquisition accounting. The panelists will also be available to answer attendee questions and discuss related topics of interest in a small group session.

7: ESG Reporting Panel 

ESG and other sustainability reporting requirements continue to evolve as the deadlines for adoption get closer. Recent changes in the political environment will also have an impact on these requirements, our panel of experts will discuss what to expect in the next year from the standards and from the regulatory perspective.

9A: Accounting Research: Skills for Corporate Accountants 

Session #1: Grow your skillset by learning to efficiently and effectively perform accounting research using the FASB Codification and other sources. Hear from a leading textbook author on accounting research: When to perform research; How to perform quality research; and Documentation strategies.

9B: Skills for Accounting Research: A Deeper Dive into Accounting Judgments 

Session #2: Dive deeper into accounting research by practicing your research skills on judgmental issues involving leases, revenue recognition, and more. Join us for an interactive session where we further explore research sources and discuss what to do when faced with issues involving judgment.

11A: Accounting for Cannabis Industry 

Session #1: Accounting for Cannabis Overview – Gain an understanding of the accounting and regulatory conflict surrounding the state-legalized cannabis industry as it relates to operations, internal controls, taxation, and third-party vendor considerations.

11B: Accounting for Cannabis Industry – Deep Dive 

Session #2: Compliance and Risk Management in the Cannabis Industry – Explore best practices for how to build and sustain effective internal controls tailored to marijuana and other inherently risky industries, ensuring operational integrity and regulatory compliance while minimizing risks. Navigating Taxation and Federal Legal Conflict in the Cannabis Industry – Explore the impact of federal laws, state-level regulations, and current IRS guidelines on marijuana operations.

13: Finance Transformation Panel

Explore successful financial transformations in this dynamic panel session led by experienced Financial Leadership. Discover how innovative management strategies and innovative technologies are transforming financial operations, driving efficiency, and enabling strategic decision-making. From process automation to data analytics and organizational redesign, this session will provide a framework for navigating the challenges and opportunities of finance transformation in today’s rapidly evolving business environment. 

15: Improving the Foundation of G/L Account Reconciliations

2: Audit Quality Panel: A Roundtable Discussion

Audit quality remains a critical focus in today's financial reporting landscape. Join us for a roundtable discussion of audit quality from the regulator, preparer, and auditor perspective. The wide-ranging discussion will touch on key factors impacting the audit profession. These will include: talent, the impacts of evolving regulatory standards, the growing emphasis on transparency, the impact of technology and how audits are being delivered in today’s environment, and the increasing level of stakeholder expectations.

16A: Chief Audit Executive (CAE) Panel 

The Northeast Ohio Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors (NEO IIA) is partnering with KPMG and local Chief Audit Executives (CAEs) to bring you the 7th Annual CAE Roundtable. Five local CAEs will hold an interactive session where they discuss current issues impacting the internal audit profession and attendees will be able to ask questions to the panel. 

17: Audit Technology - Client Successes Panel

Companies are increasingly leveraging technology to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of their audit processes. Elements such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, and cloud-based auditing platforms may allow for a more thorough and real-time assessment of financial data. This panel will explore the success and challenges frequently experienced in employing popular audit-related technology and touching on areas such as risk assessment and detection of anomalies.

4: Integration and Divestiture Panel

Mergers, Integrations, & Divestitures represent some of the most significant corporate change events for accounting and finance personnel and departments. Each unique transaction has many different challenges before, during, and after the transaction. Join a panel of financial executives who have recently experienced transactions to share practical insights regarding significant considerations and experiences.

12A: Effective Data-Driven Storytelling

Session #1: This session is designed to introduce people to the key principles behind effective data-driven storytelling. This involves how combining the data, visuals, and narrative is necessary to tell a data-driven story. We will share the role of all 3 and key principles for designing meaningful visuals that aid the storytelling process. 

12B: Effective Design Principles for Financial Modeling

Session #2: This session is designed to walk through the steps necessary to design a robust financial model. This will involve reviewing bad and good examples in Excel and showing examples of 12 guiding principles for financial modeling. This session will focus on the # 1 reasons financial models fail and it is due to poor design. This session will be hands-on with examples and software provided in KSU's new computer lab.

12C: Effective Data Visualization for Finance Professionals: Tools and Best Practices

Session #3: This session is designed to focus on building effective data visuals. This session will build on the Effective Data-Driven Storytelling session but is not required to attend. We will review effective data visualization principles and walk through how to build several data visualizations in Excel and then mention the benefits of common BI platforms such as Power BI and Tableau. You will get hands-on practice with examples and software provided in KSU's new computer lab.

22: Economic Update

Are you in search of an informed view of the current economic outlook? The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland’s presentation will touch on data series used to understand economic trends and discuss some of the recent work being done at the Cleveland Fed to track the economy during these tumultuous times. 

18: Professional Ethics – Thursday sessions (2)

Ethical issues are not exclusive to large-scale organizations and do not become prominent only when scandals are exposed. Ethical issues arise daily in all types of business conditions and wherever decisions are being made. Within an organizational culture, ethical awareness should lead to ethical judgment that drives ethical action. In this ethics course, Tiffany Crosby, Chief Learning Officer, OSCPA, will guide us as we explore the risks of moral disengagement and ethical failure. We will discuss warning signs and how you can integrate ethical awareness into your culture. (The program provides 3-CPE hours of professional ethics).

19: Professional Ethics – Friday sessions (2)

Ethical issues are not exclusive to large-scale organizations and do not become prominent only when scandals are exposed. Ethical issues arise daily in all types of business conditions and wherever decisions are being made. In this ethics course, Tiffany Crosby, Chief Learning Officer, OSCPA, will guide us as we explore the risks of moral disengagement and ethical failure. We will discuss warning signs and how you can integrate ethical awareness into your culture. (The program provides 3-CPE hours of professional ethics).

20: Creative Problem Solving Presentation

Leveraging experiential learning, apply the Design Thinking Process to a real-world problem by crafting a rapid action plan for implementing practical solutions. Explore critical topics defining a clear vision that aligns with corporate strategy. Develop a culture of productive urgency that elevates confidence by asking the right questions, leveraging teamwork for synergistic outcomes, and discovering an optimal vertex amongst efficiency, effectiveness, effort and excellence.  

21: Creative Problem Solving Workshop

An engaging, hands-on workshop designed to leverage innovation to improve processes without the need for fancy consultants. Participants will dive into the art of "Making Things Happen" faster and more effectively through practical innovation and accountable entrepreneurship. Boost problem-solving skills with practical tools that transform ideas into reality with speed and precision. 

23: Navigating Accounting Careers – Panel Discussion

This facilitated panel discussion with four senior leaders from the Northeast Ohio finance & accounting community will discuss all stages of the career journey, lessons learned, and mistakes made as well as current and future trends for us all to be aware of in an ever-fast-moving world.

27: Chief Tax Officers Panel Discussion

In these uncertain times learn what tax issues are “Top of Mind” and what strategies are being evaluated by a panel of leading tax executives.

28: Tax Versus GAAP Common Accounting/Provision Issues

More information coming soon!

29: International Tax – Current Issues and Considerations

More information coming soon!

30: Tax Update for CFOs of Flow-Through Entities

Flow-through entities are popular due to their flexible nature and beneficial tax treatment, among other reasons. However, tax law and the impact on your flow-through entity are constantly changing. Join us as we break down the state of current tax legislation and common operational tax strategies.

31: Individual Tax update

Join us for a session that will focus on income tax considerations for individuals. Topics will include a recap of where we are today, where we are headed as Tax Cuts and Job Act (TCJA) provisions sunset in late 2025, and what 2026 and beyond may look like depending upon the incoming administration and Congress. There will also be high-level discussions related to planning ideas and considerations that individuals may be interested in pursuing or reviewing with their tax advisors.

32: Blackline  – Panel Discussion Client Success & Lessons Learned

The panel will discuss their experiences in using BlackLine software as a component of their finance and accounting transformation efforts. The discussion will touch on approaches for:  Standardizing and automating financial close tasks, such as account reconciliation, integrating with existing ERP systems, and improving compliance efforts. The panel will share challenges experienced and lessons learned.

33: Blackline Unleashed: “Ask the Experts” 

Embark on a unique learning journey with our exclusive “Ask the Experts” discussion. Join us for an open discussion session where you can seek guidance on tackling tough accounting close challenges using Blackline. The session will also discuss current challenges and future trends.

34: Introduction to using AI tools with Excel

This session on using AI tools with Excel, including Copilot, is designed to take the fear out of AI, and enhance productivity and efficiency in data management tasks. Learn how to take advantage of Copilot and ChatGPT with Excel to work smarter, automate repetitive tasks, analyze data more effectively, and gain insights using AI capabilities. You're welcome to bring your laptop if you would like to follow along (optional).

35: Deeper dive use of AI tools with Excel

Learn how to put AI tools to work for you along with Excel to work smarter, automate repetitive tasks, and analyze data and gain insights. The session will use practical examples to show how you can apply AI-powered features to real-world scenarios in Excel. You will get hands-on practice with examples and software provided in KSU's brand new computer lab. If you missed the Excel & AI session on day 1, do not miss this one.

36A & 36B: Introduction to using Excel's Power Query and Power Pivot - Thursday Sessions (2)

Learn how to leverage Excel’s Power Query to import your data from nearly any source, then automate the steps to clean and prepare it for analysis, saving time and reducing the risk of errors. Then use PowerPivot to step up your summary and analysis capabilities. PowerPivot lets you delve into your data to see it in ways that you have not been able to achieve before. This 2-part session will be hands-on with examples and software provided in KSU's new computer lab.

36C & 36D: Deeper dive use of Excel's Power Query and Power Pivot - Friday sessions (2)

With Excel’s Power Query & PowerPivot, you can streamline and automate the way you gather, prepare and analyze your data. This 2-part session will be hands-on with practical examples and software provided in KSU's new computer lab that you can take away to apply to your own work and scenarios. If you missed the Excel Power Query and PowerPivot session on day 1, do not miss again.

37:  Harnessing AI Innovations: A Practical Dive into Google’s Gemini, Perplexity AI, ChatGPT, and Microsoft’s Copilot 

Despite AI having large scale impacts, this panel will discuss practical and tactical uses from local accountants leveraging AI tools like Google Gemini, Perplexity AI, ChatGPT, and Microsoft Copilot that are at the forefront, transforming how we interact with technology across various domains. This panel brings together finance industry Managers exploring their implemented capabilities, leveraged applications, and discussion of future ideas and strategies for these AI innovations. 

38: AI Apps for Professional Use Panel

More information coming soon!

39: Workday Panel

More information coming soon!

40: Workday - "Ask the Experts" Interactive Session

More information coming soon! 

41: QuickBooks Hidden Gems and Overlooked Features

Many QuickBooks user never get beyond the basic transaction processing and reporting. In this discussion we will explore additional capabilities that are often underutilized. Join us and share your favorite QuickBooks feature.