FICPA Collegiate Accounting Symposium - Virtual Conference

This presentation provides an overview of Florida's economic outlook using publicly available data from state and federal agencies. It delves into key economic indicators to present a detailed view of the state's economic prospects.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand key economic indicators: Attendees will be able to identify and explain the key indicators that shape Florida’s economic outlook, including growth, consumption, population trends, and labor market conditions.
• Compare Florida’s economy to the national context: Attendees will learn how Florida’s economic trends—such as growth, industry composition, consumption, consumer sentiment, and inflation—compare to national trends.
• Understand the impact of tourism on Florida’s economy: Attendees will gain insights into how tourism contributes to Florida’s economic prospects.

Knowledge Level: Overview

Credits: 1 - Technical Business

This session is available to registrants and their guests

This session will provide an overview of AI in accounting and auditing.  The presenters will discuss use cases for generative AI and traditional AI - and provide an overview of important challenges related to the implementation and use of these tools.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the difference between generative AI and traditional AI.
• Understand current and potential use cases for advanced technologies in the audit.
• Understand issues and challenges surrounding the implementation and use of advanced technologies in audits.

Knowledge Level: Basic

Credits: 1 - Accounting and Auditing

This session is available to registrants and their guests

In this session, Dr. Cüneyt Gürcan Akçora from the University of Central Florida will present his research on applying machine learning to blockchain graphs for addressing various challenges in finance and related areas. The presentation, titled "Leveraging Machine Learning on Blockchain Graphs for Next-Generation Solutions," will focus on how blockchain technology can be used in decentralized finance (DeFi) and its potential for enabling machine-to-machine transactions, micro-payments, and asset management.  Dr. Akçora will explain the differences between blockchain transaction networks and traditional banking systems, highlighting the complexity of tracing coins in Bitcoin’s multi-input and multi-output transactions. He will introduce the concept of "chainlets," which will be used to analyze transaction patterns within blockchain networks for applications such as price prediction, volatility analysis, and risk assessment.  The presentation will also cover the use of machine learning models to identify patterns in blockchain transactions, with a focus on detecting e-crime activities like ransomware payments and money laundering. Dr. Akçora will demonstrate how the topological features of blockchain graphs, such as node embeddings and chainlet orbits, can be applied to classification tasks, including the identification of illicit activities.  The session will conclude with a discussion on the challenges posed by increasingly sophisticated adversarial strategies in blockchain networks, and how advanced Machine Learning techniques will be needed to keep pace with these developments. Dr. Akçora's research aims to improve blockchain analytics and enhance security in decentralized financial systems.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the Application of Machine Learning in Blockchain Analysis: Participants will learn how machine learning models can be applied to blockchain graphs to identify patterns and detect anomalies in transaction networks, with a focus on financial applications such as price prediction and risk assessment.
2. Explore the Concept of Chainlets for Blockchain Transactions: Participants will gain an understanding of the "chainlet" concept and how it can be used to analyze the structure and behavior of transactions within blockchain networks, contributing to more effective monitoring of decentralized financial systems.
3. Identify Challenges and Strategies in Detecting Illicit Activities on Blockchains: Participants will learn about the challenges posed by adversarial strategies in blockchain networks and how advanced machine learning techniques can be developed to enhance the detection of e-crime activities such as ransomware and money laundering.

Knowledge Level: Basic

Credits: 1 - Technical Business

This session is available to registrants and their guests

Discover the latest cyber threats targeting CPA firms and financial professionals, and how these threats can jeopardize your firm's reputation. Our CEO and cybersecurity expert, Scott Hagizadegan, will provide valuable insights into understanding and mitigating these risks. This webinar will focus on educating attendees about identifying current threats, strategies for protecting sensitive data, and steps to strengthen cybersecurity within your firm. Plus, stay tuned for an exclusive offer from Shield IT Networks at the end of the presentation.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the latest cyber threats targeting CPA firms and financial professionals.
• Identify common vulnerabilities within CPA firms that cybercriminals exploit.
• Learn strategies for protecting sensitive client and business data from cyber attacks.
• Gain insights into industry best practices for mitigating cyber risks in your firm.

Knowledge Level: Basic

Credits: 1 - Technical Business

This session is available to registrants and their guests

The session includes an overview of accounting analytics, approaching client data with an analytics mindset, profiling data, and current accounting analytics software.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain a better insight into how accounting professionals apply accounting analytics to client engagements.
• Increase value the profession delivers to clients.

Knowledge Level: Basic

Credits: 1 - Technical Business

This session is available to registrants and their guests

Credits: 1 - To Be Determined

This session is available to registrants and their guests

Citi has estimated that the number of tokenized assets will reach between $4 and $5 trillion by 2023. The World Economic predicts $10 trillion of assets to be tokenized by 2027. Boston Consulting Group, a whopping $16 trillion by 2030. The trend is clear, the future is on blockchains. But the “on-chain” future comes with its own set of new and unique challenges. As the world moves “on-chain,” so too will the need for auditors and accountants. Learn about tokenized assets and the opportunities for auditors in this future-looking session!

Learning Objectives:

• Learn what Tokenized Assets are and how they are created.
• Learn about the transparency and reporting challenges presented by Tokenized Assets.
• Learn about the need and role for auditors and accountants.

Knowledge Level: Advanced

Credits: 1 - Accounting and Auditing

This session is available to registrants and their guests

Changing standards, advancements in technology, and increasing demands from clients and staff have brought the financial statement audit to an inflection point where evolution isn’t only possible, it’s mandatory. Join our session to hear more about the technological advancements enabling higher quality, more efficient and more insightful audits that bring greater value to clients and more satisfaction to staff, and what’s next in the landscape of audit transformation.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize technological advances that are changing the financial statement audit.
• Identify ways technology can allow for a better auditor experience.

Knowledge Level: Basic

Credits: 1 - Accounting and Auditing

This session is available to registrants and their guests

Credits: 1 - To Be Determined

This session is available to registrants and their guests

Credits: 1 - To Be Determined

This session is available to registrants and their guests

Credits: 1 - To Be Determined

This session is available to registrants and their guests

In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, effective communication is not just a skill—it's a strategic advantage. As future leaders in the accounting profession, mastering the art of communication will empower you to build strong relationships, align teams, and make sound decisions. This dynamic session will explore the most critical communication skills needed in today’s workplace, from managing the complexities of digital communication to understanding emotional intelligence. Learn how to avoid the common pitfalls that hinder communication and discover actionable techniques to become a more influential and effective leader. Whether it's navigating tough conversations, delivering impactful presentations, or ensuring your message resonates in a hybrid work environment, this session will equip you with the tools to thrive in your future career.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore the five core competencies of emotional intelligence
• Review the effective communication process
• Explore transformational leadership

Knowledge Level: Basic

Credits: 1 - Behavioral

This session is available to registrants and their guests

We will look at some newly issued GASB statements. In addition, we will talk about some of the items currently on the GASB agenda.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the scope and purpose of GASB Statements 102 and 103.
• Understand issue related to projects on infrastructure and going concern uncertainty.
• Understand post implementation review and its significance.

Knowledge Level: Update

Credits: 2 - Accounting and Auditing

This session is available to registrants and their guests

Business and individual provisions.

Learning Objectives:

• Provide an update on expiring TCJA business provisions: Current law v. automatic law change.
• Provide an update on expiring TCJA individual provisions: Current law v. automatic law change.
• Provide an update on non-TCJA provisions: current law v. automatic law change.

Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Credits: 1 - Technical Business

This session is available to registrants and their guests

In this session, we will explore how AI-driven large language models (LLMs) are transforming forensic accounting and fraud detection. Attendees will gain an understanding of the practical applications of LLMs in detecting fraud through data analysis, identifying anomalies, and streamlining investigations. We will discuss real-world examples, demonstrate how these models can assist in reviewing large volumes of documents and transactions, and explore their limitations and ethical considerations. Whether you're a student, educator, or practitioner, you'll leave with insights into the future of forensic accounting.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the basic concepts of large language models and their role in forensic accounting and fraud detection.
• Identify potential use cases of LLMs in analyzing financial data and detecting anomalies in forensic accounting investigations.
• Apply LLM tools to practical forensic accounting scenarios to detect inconsistencies or signs of fraud.

Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Credits: 1 - Accounting and Auditing

This session is available to registrants and their guests