If you are new to this program, please register with us by Friday prior to the session
In addition, the new link for the Golden West Council FMN Session is: https://home.kaplanlearn.com/portal/GoldenWest
Please Log-in at 8:55 AM to ensure polling questions are validated.
Note: To earn certification, one must be on for 50 Minutes and answer 3 of the 4 Polling Questions. Kaplan has become very strict.
Here are the November 2024 topics: TBD
09:00 AM
Mastering M&A: How Entity Structure & Tax Strategies Shape Success
Field of Study: Taxes
In a merger or acquisition, both the buyer and seller must consider numerous factors beyond just the purchase structure. These include tax implications, legal considerations, and regulatory approvals. Mark Gallegos, Tax Partner at PorteBrown, has over 20 years of experience in international tax and mergers & acquisitions. He shares his M&A and tax expertise, discussing strategies to help companies make crucial decisions about deal structure as well as both tax and non-tax issues to consider to maximize business combinations.
10:00 AM
The Accountant’s Guide to AI & Cyber Threats
Field of Study: Information Technology
Accountants seeking to serve their clients in a more effective and efficient way have begun to use Artificial Intelligence, or AI, to automate more manual and time-consuming tasks. Paul Perry, Risk Advisory and Assurance Practice Leader at Warren Averett, discusses AI’s role in the accounting profession as well as how accountants can work to ensure the security of their clients’ data. He highlights both the short-term and long-term costs of a cyber-attack and identifies certain tools which allow accountants to collaborate with federal law enforcement when data is compromised.
11:00 AM
Balance Sheet Strategy and Positioning
Field of Study: Accounting
Financial institutions must maintain a healthy balance sheet to ensure liquidity, support regulatory compliance, and enhance their ability to absorb financial shocks. Scott Hildenbrand, Managing Director and Head of Depositories for Fixed Income at Piper Sandler, explains key strategies that financial institutions use to optimize their balance sheets, focusing on loss trades and restructuring, as well as how interest rate fluctuations impact balance sheet health. He also addresses considerations for assessing restructurings, the strategic use of proceeds and optimal timing for transactions.
12:15 PM
Data Protection and IRS Compliance: Crafting an Effective WISP
Field of Study: Information Technology
Protecting financial client data is crucial to maintaining trust and integrity in the financial industry. A Written Information Security Program (WISP), required by the IRS, is designed to help tax pros effectively plan data security. Andrew Lassise, of Tech 4 Accountants/Rightworks, shares his expertise in helping tax and other financial professionals with IRS compliance and data protection measures. He explains how to maximize the IRS requirement to complete a WISP, offering a helpful road map for tax pros to protect their clients and themselves with a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.
Where?
Virtual from your home
Login to your Kaplan account to access the virtual classroom at:
https://home.kaplanlearn.com/portal/GoldenWest
When?
Date: Saturday - November 09, 2024
Time: 9:00 am to 1:15 pm