Cost: $40 (check made out to "IMA" or cash); pay at event
Food: Full breakfast and lunch included in the cost
Dress Code: Casual
Here are the July 2019 topics:
Segment 1: Implementing a New Standard: What You Need to Know
Field of Study: Accounting
In recent years, the FASB has been extremely busy with the issuance of new standards, in particular the Big Three: revenue recognition, lease accounting and CECL. As a result, accountants have had to spend an inordinate amount of time on implementation of these new accounting standards. However, there is much you can do to make the process go smoothly; this applies to all standards, whether issued by the FASB, SEC or IASB. Sean Prince, with the National Office of Crowe LLP, introduces a framework that can be applied when implementing any accounting standard. He reviews the Three C’s to a successful outcome – completeness, clarity and control.
Segment 2: Finance Today: The Changing Nature of Work
Field of Study: Management Services
The world of work is changing faster than ever as human interaction and process evolve dramatically. It is now more cognitively complex, more team-based and collaborative, more dependent on social skills, more time pressured and more mobile, and less dependent on geography. Joyce Schnur, senior vice president strategy, Kaplan Professional, discusses the gap that exists between the abilities and competencies of accountants and financial managers in organizations and the skills required to succeed now and in the future. She focuses on the issues that reflect the changing nature of work for accountants and financial managers, including mentoring, working virtually, change management, women in accounting, and balancing work and personal life.
Segment 3: Superhuman Innovation: Transforming Business with AI
Field of Study: Management
Services Artificial intelligence, or AI – sometimes referred to as the new electricity of our time – is revolutionizing industries all over the world. Some are calling it the Fourth Industrial Revolution, claiming it will cause the most dramatic change in human society in history. Chris Duffey spearheads Adobe’s Creative Cloud strategic development innovation partnerships across the creative enterprise space and is author of the new book, "Superhuman Innovation: Transforming Businesses with Artificial Intelligence." He introduces a five-pronged SUPER model – speed, understanding, performance, experimentation and results – that describes how AI enables innovation. He also reviews various AI considerations, such as how to get started, security, ethics, personnel and tone at the top.
Segment 4: Sustainability and Academia: A Partnership for Progress
Field of Study: Accounting
In today’s world, companies face a unique set of challenges, from climate change and resource constraints to urbanization and technological innovation. Although financial statements provide valuable information about tangible assets and financial capital, increasingly investors are also interested in how companies manage sustainability issues that affect long-term value. Companies that report on sustainability can benefit from greater transparency, better risk management, improved long-term performance and a stronger, more valuable brand. Prof. Barbara Porco, director of Fordham University's Center for Professional Accounting Practices, updates us on the latest sustainability reporting initiatives, including the university's innovative partnership with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board.