Best of the 2024 MEGA Conference - Virtual Replay
Registration is Open
Overview:
2024 Best of MEGA Replay
September 19, 2024
Join us for a conference replay of the highest rated sessions from FICPA’s largest continuing education event for accounting and finance professionals in Florida!
Earn up to 8 CPE hours during keynote sessions and concurrent sessions in tracks focused on:
- Accounting & Auditing
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- AI and Data
- Florida's Legislative Session in Review
- Talent Centric Organizations
Sign up today and block your calendar for one day of captivating CPE that only the FICPA can offer!
CPE Credit
This conference qualifies for up to 8 hours of CPE credit and is subject to change. CPE credit is subject to approval by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
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Schedule:
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Opening Remarks & Generative AI: The Great Equalizer
Time: Thursday 7:55am - 8:50am Credits: 1 TB
As the landscape of accounting and finance continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, Kacee Johnson, VP of Strategy & Innovation at CPA.com the business and technology arm of AICPA-CIMA, will provide insights into how AI is reshaping everything from advisory services to decision-making processes in the modern day practice. She will explore the latest advancements in generative AI, and discuss practical application and firm use cases. As practitioners are eager to stay ahead in a rapidly changing landscape, Kacee will share marketplace insights to help firms effectively navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by GenAI in the world of accounting and finance, as well as the 7 steps to build your own AI strategy.
Learning Objectives:
1. AI-Driven Transformation in Accounting: Understand how AI has the potential to revolutionize traditional accounting practices, from automating routine tasks to enhancing financial advisory.
2. Future-Proofing Your Skills: Learn how accounting and finance professionals can adapt and thrive in an AI-driven environment, focusing on upskilling and embracing technological advancements.
3. Case Studies and Industry Insights: Engage with real-world use cases that highlight successful AI implementations in accounting and finance, offering a glimpse into the future of the profession. Identify key trends in the vendor ecosystem that are moving the needle in AI usage.
Presenters:
Accounting & Auditing Update
Time: Thursday 9:00am - 9:50am Credits: 1 AA
This session will discuss recent audit and accounting standards which impact employee benefit plan audits. It will also cover the new risk assessment standard (SAS 145) that is effective for 2023 EBP audits. The discussion will include implementation considerations, assessment of risk, IT General Controls, etc.
Presenters:
AI and Data, Shaping our Future
Time: Thursday 10:00am - 10:50am Credits: 1 TB
This session covers an introduction to Generative AI and how it is currently being used. It includes a dive into AI’s applications in Tax, Audit, and Accounting realms with a demo. This discussion concludes with a overview of the future of AI and the challenges that come with it.
Presenters:
Mergers & Acquisitions
Time: Thursday 11:00am - 11:50am Credits: 1 AA
Activity in the mergers and acquisitions space has been incredibly high in recent years. These transactions have impacts on both qualified plans and executive compensation, and this session will highlight the issues that CPAs need to be aware of following transactions, including plan mergers.
Presenters:
The Controller's Tool Set for Managing Financial Performance
Time: Thursday 1:00pm - 1:50pm Credits: 1 AA
This session address tools that help focus on financial wellness and growth. It will include tools for monitoring Cash, Operating Results, Forecast; Budget, Debt and Metrics; lightly touching on staying abreast of Accounting Trends and Techniques. The session will also discuss strategic thinking.
Presenters:
2024 Florida Legislative Session in Review
Time: Thursday 2:00pm - 2:50pm Credits: 1 TB
This Session, there were nearly 2,000 bills filed and your FICPA team identified over 300 with potential impacts to the CPA profession at various levels. With major legislation on tax law, audits, condominium & HOA laws, or CPA licensure and mobility, this was one of the most active and consequential for the FICPA in recent memory. Join Jason Harrell, FICPA Chief External Affairs Officer and Lauren Henderson, FICPA Deputy Director of Governmental Affairs, for a 2024 Legislative Update to find out about the passage of two major priority bills, and get the inside scoop on the session and everything you need to know about legislation of interest to the profession.
Presenters:
Leveraging Generative AI for your Firm TODAY
Time: Thursday 3:00pm - 3:50pm Credits: 1 TB
You’ve heard all about the promise of ChatGPT and generative AI, but when can you get it in your firm and actually start to see the benefits? We’ll show you AIs that do everything from take trial balances to workpapers, prepare and send engagement letters, draft invoices, track e-filings, and perform credit card reconciliation. We’ll even show a Conversational AI that can handle client questions and serve as a digital assistant to your team. The best part is these AIs are here now!
Mariano Novoa Associate Director of AI & Digital Solutions at alliantgroup, where he is helping CPA firms deploy Generative AI Digital Workers in their firms. He’ll explain what’s possible and how you can start to get ahead. You won’t want to miss it.
Presenters:
Driving Success with a Talent-Centric Culture
Time: Thursday 4:00pm - 4:50pm Credits: 1 BE
Most accounting firms (and all businesses in general) have a very clear understanding and plan for their operational strategy. However, when asked if they have a clear strategy regarding their human capital more than 80% say they have no plan or very little of a plan (e.g., a staffing plan or do some sort of succession planning). Yet, when asked how important their people are to the ongoing, long-term success of their business the overwhelming response is, “critically important.” Thus, there is a large disconnect between the practice of talent management and its idealized state. Accordingly, this session helps organization leaders understand the robustness of talent management and how they can begin thinking and creating a more strategic approach to the acquisition, engagement, development, and retention of their most valuable asset – their people.
During this session participants will be provided with a framework that they can use to immediately begin assessing their own organization in terms of talent management without over-engineering the process. Participants will be intellectually stimulated to think about the people-side of their business in a more comprehensive and deeper manner; thus, positioning themselves to identify areas of enhancement that drives their operational strategy.
Presenters:
Objectives:
Presenters:
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Anne Marie Hicks, CGMA, CPA
Anne Marie is a Sr. Manager with Capital Edge Consulting, Inc., with more than 35 years of experience in government contract cost accounting and regulatory compliance, provides advisory services primarily on Aerospace and Defense Contract Accounting and Systems. Prior to engaging in government contract consulting with Capital Edge, Anne Marie completed a career with CAE USA Inc, in multiple...
Read more about Anne Marie Hicks here -
M John Burgess, CPA, LLM (TAX), Esq.
John Burgess is an attorney and CPA who helps business owners, executives, and other senior managers with all of their employee benefits. He is one of Florida's leading experts on employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) who has helped companies nationwide establish ESOPs and guide them as they face different issues as they become mature ESOP companies. He also advises ESOP trustees during the...
Read more about M John Burgess here -
Sharon Ann Bradley
With more than 20 of years of accounting and assurance experience, Sharon Bradley leverages her knowledge as an auditor, accountant, and compliance analyst to guide companies through the web of rules and regulations required to maintain state and federal compliance and improve operational systems. With experience in employee benefit plan audits, she helps nonpublic companies and not-for-profit...
Read more about Sharon Ann Bradley here -
Jeremy Wortman
With a strong passion for and a commitment to the positive development of individuals and organizations, Jeremy Wortman is the Owner of HRD Initiatives, which specializes in leadership development, organizational development and talent management solutions. In this capacity, he works with client partners' executive teams in determining talent management strategies, building organizational culture...
Read more about Jeremy Wortman here -
Jason Harrell
Jason Harrell is the FICPA Chief External Affairs Officer responsible for leading all aspects of the Institute's public policy, advocacy, governmental affairs and regulatory affairs. He serves as the liaison to the DBPR and Board of Accountancy and is responsible for all advocacy-related external communications and campaigns to increase the value of the CPA license. Jason brings numerous years of...
Read more about Jason Harrell here -
Lauren Henderson
Lauren Henderson is the FICPA?s Deputy Director of Governmental Affairs supporting the execution of its strategic advocacy goals. She works to promote and advance FICPA?s legislative priorities and strengthen its relationship with legislators and their staff. In addition to her work at the Capitol, she generates timely legislation and political communications aspects, supports the development of...
Read more about Lauren Henderson here -
Anne Morris, CPA
Anne Morris is a Principal with Windham Brannon, P.C. in Atlanta, GA with more than 20 years of experience, primarily serving employee benefit plans and non-profit organizations. She has experience with 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, pension plans, and SEC Form 11-K filing requirements.Anne is a member of the Georgia Society of CPA's and has served as the chairperson of the Georgia Society of CPA's...
Read more about Anne Morris here -
Kacee Johnson, MBA
Hyper-focused executive in accounting technology, Kacee Johnson has forged the way for numerous solution providers in global market penetration. In 2018, Kacee joined the CPA.com team (an AICPA company) with a seasoned background working with global FinTech leaders. As Vice President of Strategy and Innovation she leads the technology ecosystem in identify emerging trends that are driving change...
Read more about Kacee Johnson here -
Mariano Novoa
Mariano is responsible for the development of company-wide products that support the delivery of standardized engagement processes, democratizing technology engagement, and driving transparency across team functions at alliantgroup. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech and gained over 6 years of experience at Grant Thornton managing multi...
Read more about Mariano Novoa here -
Dan Meers
Dan focuses on delivering technology and data solutions to the firm's clients in the federal government/public sector and financial services industries. Dan has extensive experience in organizational redesign and restructuring for operations and technology teams. He has been a trusted advisor and leader for numerous program implementations for Fortune 100 businesses inclusive of solution design...
Read more about Dan Meers here
Presenters:
Anne Marie Hicks, CGMA, CPA
Anne Marie is a Sr. Manager with Capital Edge Consulting, Inc., with more than 35 years of experience in government contract cost accounting and regulatory compliance, provides advisory services primarily on Aerospace and Defense Contract Accounting and Systems. Prior to engaging in government contract consulting with Capital Edge, Anne Marie completed a career with CAE USA Inc, in multiple...Read more about Anne Marie Hicks hereM John Burgess, CPA, LLM (TAX), Esq.
John Burgess is an attorney and CPA who helps business owners, executives, and other senior managers with all of their employee benefits. He is one of Florida's leading experts on employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) who has helped companies nationwide establish ESOPs and guide them as they face different issues as they become mature ESOP companies. He also advises ESOP trustees during the...Read more about M John Burgess hereSharon Ann Bradley
With more than 20 of years of accounting and assurance experience, Sharon Bradley leverages her knowledge as an auditor, accountant, and compliance analyst to guide companies through the web of rules and regulations required to maintain state and federal compliance and improve operational systems. With experience in employee benefit plan audits, she helps nonpublic companies and not-for-profit...Read more about Sharon Ann Bradley hereJeremy Wortman
With a strong passion for and a commitment to the positive development of individuals and organizations, Jeremy Wortman is the Owner of HRD Initiatives, which specializes in leadership development, organizational development and talent management solutions. In this capacity, he works with client partners' executive teams in determining talent management strategies, building organizational culture...Read more about Jeremy Wortman hereJason Harrell
Jason Harrell is the FICPA Chief External Affairs Officer responsible for leading all aspects of the Institute's public policy, advocacy, governmental affairs and regulatory affairs. He serves as the liaison to the DBPR and Board of Accountancy and is responsible for all advocacy-related external communications and campaigns to increase the value of the CPA license. Jason brings numerous years of...Read more about Jason Harrell hereLauren Henderson
Lauren Henderson is the FICPA?s Deputy Director of Governmental Affairs supporting the execution of its strategic advocacy goals. She works to promote and advance FICPA?s legislative priorities and strengthen its relationship with legislators and their staff. In addition to her work at the Capitol, she generates timely legislation and political communications aspects, supports the development of...Read more about Lauren Henderson hereAnne Morris, CPA
Anne Morris is a Principal with Windham Brannon, P.C. in Atlanta, GA with more than 20 years of experience, primarily serving employee benefit plans and non-profit organizations. She has experience with 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, pension plans, and SEC Form 11-K filing requirements.Anne is a member of the Georgia Society of CPA's and has served as the chairperson of the Georgia Society of CPA's...Read more about Anne Morris hereKacee Johnson, MBA
Hyper-focused executive in accounting technology, Kacee Johnson has forged the way for numerous solution providers in global market penetration. In 2018, Kacee joined the CPA.com team (an AICPA company) with a seasoned background working with global FinTech leaders. As Vice President of Strategy and Innovation she leads the technology ecosystem in identify emerging trends that are driving change...Read more about Kacee Johnson hereMariano Novoa
Mariano is responsible for the development of company-wide products that support the delivery of standardized engagement processes, democratizing technology engagement, and driving transparency across team functions at alliantgroup. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech and gained over 6 years of experience at Grant Thornton managing multi...Read more about Mariano Novoa hereDan Meers
Dan focuses on delivering technology and data solutions to the firm's clients in the federal government/public sector and financial services industries. Dan has extensive experience in organizational redesign and restructuring for operations and technology teams. He has been a trusted advisor and leader for numerous program implementations for Fortune 100 businesses inclusive of solution design...Read more about Dan Meers hereMajor Topics:
- Technology
- Finance
- Legislative Update
- Talent Solutions
- Leading for Success
- and more . . .
Major Topics:
- Technology
- Finance
- Legislative Update
- Talent Solutions
- Leading for Success
- and more . . .
Designed For:
CPAs, accountants, and other finance professionals