Agenda

9:40 AM – 10:30 AM
State Taxes: Ethical Dilemmas and Managing Risks
State tax compliance is a lot like driving: What’s the speed limit? Will I get pulled over? What are the potential fines and penalties? Except with state taxes, the law isn’t always clear. Discuss professional liability and ethical considerations and receive tips to help mitigate these risks.
Eric Fader, JD, CPA – Attorney | Duane Morris LLP
Deborah Rood, CPA, MST – Risk Control Consulting Director | CNA Insurance

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM
International Tax Update
Every state, city, and local tax jurisdiction has different rules for foreign businesses generating income from U.S. sources. Hear how to avoid potential tax traps and stay compliant. Plus, discover the intricacies of foreign pension plans when foreign nationals come to the U.S. to work and participate in a retirement plan here, as well as the different ramifications when retirement occurs stateside versus abroad.
Amy Chamoun, CPA, MST – Partner | PKF Mueller
Roger Yule, CPA – Senior Tax Manager, Stapleton Group LLC

12:25 PM – 1:15 PM
Protecting Your Tax-Exempt Organization
The IRS continues to increase its enforcement efforts on the tax-exempt sector. Review compliance strategies to ensure you’re well-positioned to answer checks or examinations. Dissect the latest legislation and receive an overview on additional guidance from the IRS and other authorities. Hear examples of Employee Retention Credit fraud and how to avoid scams.
Rebekuh Eley, CPA, MST – Tax Partner, Exempt Organizations | RSM US LLP
Monica Funk, CPA, MBA – Manager | RSM US LLP

9:40 AM – 10:30 AM
Accounting and Auditing Issues of Digital Assets
A day doesn’t pass without hearing about cryptocurrency in the news. Learn how to account for investments in, or transactions involving, digital assets such as bitcoin under U.S. GAAP. Plus, understand the specific audit implications and challenges that exist.
Leah Donti, CPA, MBA – Founder and President | Advantage Montreal Seminars Inc.​

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM
Delivering Sustainable Assurance
The world of sustainable information is expanding. Are you prepared to provide the assurance services to meet this emerging demand? Explore the process for providing sustainability assurance and how to differentiate between the criteria used.
Elizabeth Sloan, CPA, MAS – Managing Director | Grant Thornton LLP

12:25 PM – 1:15 PM
Get Ready for CECL: Private Entities and Not-for-Profits Adoption
The new Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) standard is the next big FASB standard going live this year for private companies and not-for-profits. Review the ins and outs of first-time adoption and transition issues. Plus, discuss the notable impacts on trade account receivables.
Leah Donti, CPA, MBA – Founder & President | Advantage Montreal Seminars Inc.

9:40 AM – 10:30 AM
Becoming an Ethical Leader to Drive Crucial Business Results
Explore six research-based ethical perspectives to shape your foundation for ethical behavior. Discover the underlying principles, beliefs, and values that influence decision-making when ethical issues are present. Apply these principles to real business situations and learn how being an ethical leader is more challenging (and important) than you think.
Jon Lokhorst, CPA, CSP, PCC – Executive Leadership Coach | Lokhorst Consulting LLC​

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM
Corporate Governance: Ensuring Sufficient Supervision
Dispersed staff have caused not-for-profits to disperse authority over issues affecting governance. Review the common areas that may not be receiving sufficient supervision, including bylaws requirements, state law issues, antitrust traps, contracting authority, corporate sponsorship, endorsement issues, and other tax and liability exposure areas.
Paula Goedert, JD – Partner | Barnes & Thornburg LLP

12:25 PM – 1:15 PM
Leading Up: The Superpower Every Ascending Leader Needs
Learn the skills and tactics needed to develop an effective working relationship with your boss and other superiors. Gain the credibility and support necessary to get things done and advance professionally.
Jon Lokhorst, CPA, CSP, PCC – Executive Leadership Coach | Lokhorst Consulting LLC

9:40 AM – 10:30 AM
Growing Through FP&A Evolution
FP&A and CFO advisory services are high-demand, high-margin, and high-value services to companies and clients alike. Learn about the dynamics of this market and discover the opportunities for growth from a seasoned practice owner.
Carl Seidman, CPA/CFF, CSP, CIRA, CFE, CGMA, AM – Principal | Seidman Financial​

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM
Ignite Your Client Engagement Strategy
The shift to a digital-first business has sparked new ways of interacting with clients. Learn how to win and keep more clients using a new hybrid approach to client engagement. Understand the customer journey and how to effectively connect with clients to develop an actionable sales process to sell and close deals strategically.
Joshua Lance, CPA, CGMA – Managing Director | Lance CPA Group

12:25 PM – 1:15 PM
Budgeting vs. Forecasting
While budgeting serves as a roadmap for resource allocation and goal setting, forecasting is critical for agile planning and decision-making. Learn how rolling forecasts can help predict future financial outcomes in real time and discover dynamic modeling techniques that can update data in minutes and roll forecasts instantaneously.
Carl Seidman, CPA/CFF, CSP, CIRA, CFE, CGMA, AM – Principal | Seidman Financial

9:40 AM – 10:30 AM
Individual Tax Update
While the pace of legislative changes may have slowed in comparison to recent years, there’s no shortage of other developments and planning ideas to track and consider. Participate in a practical and timely discussion on key issues affecting individual taxpayers in 2023 and beyond.
Damien Martin, CPA – Partner | Ernst & Young LLP​

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM
Business Tax Update
Break down all the pertinent tax updates impacting businesses today while preparing for what potentially lies ahead.
Damien Martin, CPA – Partner | Ernst & Young LLP

12:25 PM – 1:15 PM
Considerations for the Accountant With Elderly Clients
As a client ages, estate, trust, and financial planning protections often become more important. Learn to recognize signs that potential undue influence or diminished capacity may be taking place and understand the Illinois laws that can help protect aging clients.
Michael Ripani, CPA, JD, CFE – Senior Counsel | Handler Thayer LLP

9:40 AM – 10:30 AM
Distinguishing and Accounting for Debt and Equity Instruments
Discover key questions and considerations that must be evaluated when accounting for the issuance of debt and equity instruments, including determining whether an equity-related instrument or feature should be recorded as a liability under ASC Topic 480 or equity under ASC Topic 815.
Adam Ivezich, CPA – Director | FORVIS LLP

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM
SEC Regulatory Update (Speakers presenting remotely)
Discuss recent SEC activity including proposed and final rules, as well as staff guidance impacting external financial reporting. Review updated compliance and disclosure interpretations and discuss SEC comment letter trends from the Division of Corporate Finance.
Meghan Depp, CPA – Professional Practice Partner – SEC Services | BDO USA LLP
Rebecca Freeman, MA – Professional Practice Senior Manager – SEC Services | BDO USA LLP

12:25 PM – 1:15 PM
Audit Update: Changes Are Here
The Statement on Auditing Standards delivers a suite of changes that have gone or will go into effect this year. Discuss the key components of SAS Nos. 142-147, as well as other changes to current auditing standards.
Stephanie Ballard, CPA – Senior Manager, Crowe LLP
Zach Lambert, CPA – Financial Services Audit Senior Manager | Crowe LLP

9:40 AM – 10:30 AM
Enhancing Leadership at All Levels
Whether you’re focused on your next career step or creating a development-focused organization, building leadership capabilities is key. Understand the difference between managing and leading, how to identify true talent, and the key leadership attributes regardless of industry or experience level.
Matt Booth, CPA, MBA – Retired Partner | PwC​

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM
Non-Competes and Non-Solicits in a Changing Labor Market
Understand employer limitations and risks under the amended Illinois Freedom to Work Act and receive practical tips for legal compliance and risk avoidance. Plus, hear what to do now to prepare for a potential federal ban on employee non-competes.
Lori Goldstein, JD – Employment Attorney | Law Office of Lori A. Goldstein LLC

12:25 PM – 1:15 PM
Presenting Like a Pro
Discover how to avoid common presentation pitfalls and confidently present like a pro. Learn tips and techniques to create presentations that are highly engaging, grab your audience’s attention, and move them to action.
John Sanchez, Managing Director | The FPA Group

9:40 AM – 10:30 AM
Finance Automation: Improving Processes for a Successful Journey
The accounting and finance function has always been an ideal candidate for AI-powered automation due to the nature of repetitive, data-intensive processing. Review the leading technologies available in today’s market and see how they function in real-life practice.
Rob Drover, MBA – Vice President – Business Solutions | Marcum Technology LLC​

10:40 AM – 11:30 AM
Enabling Cloud-Based Solutions
Cloud-based systems enable companies to adapt to changing business models, both strategically and operationally. Hear how working in the cloud can reduce complexity, increase reliability, enable faster development processes, decrease risk, and realize cost savings.
Ranga Bodla, Vice President – Industry Marketing | Oracle NetSuite

12:25 PM – 1:15 PM
Help! Is Your Client’s Company Worthless?
Learn how to increase a company’s value before a sale and calculate the most probable selling price, or determine if your client’s company isn’t worth selling.
Jamar Cobb-Dennard, JD – Business Broker | Indiana Business Advisors