2008 SE Accounting Show 2 Day Registration - Wed & Thurs (13085)

A1 - Fair Value Accounting - SFAS 157 and Beyond (A&A) (Credits: 2.0 AA) Download Materials
Terrie Thamer, Brenau University, Gainesville, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
SFAS 157 was adopted among great controversy. While there are many reasons for the FASB's new focus on the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities, SFAS 157 provides overarching guidance on the application of fair value accounting as required by current pronouncements. This session will provide a brief rationale as to why the FASB is now focusing on FVA, the specific definitions and requirements under SFAS 157 as well as those standards to which FVA is required. In addition, currently proposed FSPs and thoughts toward the future are introduced.

A2 - Accounting for Long-Lived Assets: Understanding FASB 144 and Other Pronouncements (A&A) (Credits: 2.0 AA) Download Materials
Robert J. Taylor IV, Taylor Consulting Group, Inc., Atlanta, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
Overview of the changes in financial accounting and reporting requirements for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. Discussion of the rationale for the Statement and the impact on other pronouncements.

A3 - Masterful Technical Meetings (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Richard Smith, Leadership Strategies, Atlanta, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
For many, meetings are viewed as a dreaded evil to be avoided at all costs; for little gets accomplished, much of the discussion is unfocused and unproductive; a lot of time is wasted. And yet, for some managers 50-75% of their work day is spent in technical meetings. This workshop is designed to significantly raise the bar on meeting quality by providing a complete framework and specific techniques for addressing the key barriers to successful technical meetings.

A4 - Federal Tax Update (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Bob Jennings, Jennings Seminars, Clarksville, Ind. Download Speaker Bio
We take all of the biggest changes from 1040's to 1065's to 1120's to 1120S's that have taken place up to the week before the seminar and discuss them from a practitioner's point of view. New Tax Bills-we've got you covered! Major court cases-Yep, we have that too. Preparer tips and traps-you know we will cover that. Humor & high energy-it wouldn't be Bob Jennings without it!

A5 - Moving to Office 2007 (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Bill Jelen, MrExcel, Uniontown, Ohio Download Speaker Bio
Beyond the new Ribbon interface, Office 2007 offers many fantastic new features in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. See the best new features, such as Remove Duplicates, better Pivot Tables, intelligent Tables, Filtering, Data Visualizations (Excel), Quick Access Toolbar in Word 2007, and SmartArt in PowerPoint 2007.

B1 - Auditing Update (A&A) (Credits: 2.0 AA) Download Materials
Eugene Ristaino, Isdaner & Co., LLC, Bala Cynwyd, Penn. Download Speaker Bio

B2 - Meeting the Changing Demands on Corporate Accounting - Strategic Initiatives for Controllers and CFOs (A&A) (Credits: 2.0 AA) Download Materials
Jerry Esselstein, Jerry L. Esselstein Company, LLC, Columbus, Ohio Download Speaker Bio
Expectations on Controllers and CFOs are changing. The skills and abilities for one no longer ensures success in the other. Increasing accounting and reporting demands should not reduce your position to compliance and limit your career potential. The solution is in how you approach and structure the controllership position.

B3 - Little Changes that Pay Big Dividends (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials1 Materials2
Marcia Steele, Strategic Realities, Inc. Atlanta Ga. Download Speaker Bio
Marcia Steele noted performance improvement consultant will share insights and strategies leading organizations are using to Grow and Win in any economy. Today's leaders must not just communicate; they must learn to "hear what is not voiced". Marcia will show how you too can do that with a RADAR Thinking Mindset. Come to this results-focused session and learn: small changes that will position you to win BIG; strategies on how to communicate vision and goals to inspire each associate to engage more, understand more, and contribute more to the organization's bottom line; and techniques for turning disengaged employees into dedicated team players and committed leaders with the passion and will to win.

B4 - New 403(b) Regulations - How Will They Impact Your Organization (A&A) (Credits: 2.0 AA) Download Materials1 Materials2
G. Bliss Jones, Jones and Kolb, CPAs, Atlanta, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
New regulations were issued in 2007 that require sponsors to take action by 12/31/08 or risk all amounts in the plan being considered taxable income to participants as of 1/1/09. In addition, certain plans will require audits for years beginning after 12/31/08. However, you may not be able to identify all participants or plan assets. This session will review the new regulations and provide practical advice on the many issues than arise there from.

B5 - Gadgets, Gizmos and Websites (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Bob Jennings, Jennings Seminars, Clarksville, Ind. Download Speaker Bio
Wow what a session! We will discuss and illustrate live the latest productivity tools and cutting edge technology tricks actually in use as discussed in Bob's latest Journal of Accountancy articles and as actually used in his office. Many of the gadgets will be used and on display, and we will provide you with enough free software tips to make this your must attend session!

B6 - Electronic Banking (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials1 Materials2
Roy Johnson, Regions Bank, Atlanta, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
The topic will include information on electronic banking products, their use, their benefits, risks associated with using electronic banking products and risk mitigation strategies.

C1 - Understanding and Surviving FIN 48 (A&A) (Credits: 2.0 AA) Download Materials
Jim Martin, Martin & Orr, LLC, Atlanta, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
There is a reason that FIN 48 (Uncertainty in Income Taxes) has been deferred twice by the FASB: CPAs are just coming to the realization of the broad-reaching nature and tremendous (and potentially treacherous) impact its application can have on a client's financial statements and reputation and, conceivably, on the CPA's professional liability. This session goes into intricate detail in interpreting and applying this pronouncement to the REAL WORLD in such a way that all levels can understand. This course is a must for auditors as well as CFOs and accounting managers. Level of experience: Basic to advanced (open to all)

C2 - Accounting Update (A&A) (Credits: 2.0 AA) Download Materials
Eugene Ristaino, Isdaner & Co., LLC, Bala Cynwyd, Penn. Download Speaker Bio

C3 - Meeting Your CPA Professional Standards in Today's Business Environment (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Jerry Esselstein, Jerry L. Esselstein Company, LLC, Columbus, Ohio Download Speaker Bio
This course provides a thought-provoking look into leadership, management and peer influences -- ever changing cultural expectations that impact how we define "right and wrong." Application reminders and expectations for adherence to CPA Professional Standards and Code of Conduct. Improve your understanding of societal shifts in moral and ethical behavior is key to providing effective auditing, accounting and financial reporting services.

C4 - The Revised 990: Get Ready (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Marc Azar, Smith & Howard, Atlanta, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
With its first major overhaul since 1979, the Form 990 now has 10 core pages, 16 schedules and a focus on transparency and compliance. It will dramatically change the way the IRS, donors, and media view tax-exempt organizations. This session will prepare you now for the 2009 filing season.

C5 - Excel for Auditors (A&A) (Credits: 2.0 AA) Download Materials
Bill Jelen, MrExcel, Uniontown, Ohio Download Speaker Bio
Learn tricks for Excel useful in performing audits. Learn several ways to find duplicates or a unique list of values. Create stratifications, look for outliers, and pull random samples. Create charts that don't look like they are native to Excel. You will walk through more detailed case studies where you will need to combine several Excel techniques in order to create a solution.

C6 - OCBOA and "Little GAAP" - Options for Non-Issuers (A&A) (Credits: 2.0 AA) Download Materials
Jim Myers, Rodefer Moss & Co, PLLC, Knoxville, Tenn. Download Speaker Bio
Join us for a discussion of other comprehensive bases of accounting (OCBOA), alternative reporting options, disclosure requirements, and measurement issues. We will also consider cash basis modifications that have substantial support and why. The session will include how the concept of "little GAAP" for non-issuers is generating interest within the profession and how the profession is responding to the needs of non-issuers.

D1 - Maximizing Technology in Financial Analysis (A&A) (Credits: 2.0 AA) Download Materials
Alex Vuchnich, Sageworks, Raleigh, NC Download Speaker Bio
This session will discuss the regulatory requirements for analytical review and financial analysis techniques. It will also cover technological advances that enhance analytical review efficiency and effectiveness. Lastly, discover an emerging technology for generating private company industry comparisons.

D2 - Independence and Non-Attest Services (Wrapped with SAS 112) (A&A) (Credits: 2.0 AA) Download Materials
Jim Martin, Martin & Orr, LLC, Atlanta, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
Most practitioners provide an array of non-attest services for their audit, review and compilation clients. In the past 4 years, the performance of these non-attest services has come under intense scrutiny in areas of independence and overall client competence. In fact, Ethics Interpretation 101-3 and SAS 112 (the pronouncements that govern this area) combine to produce wide swings in application and understanding by practitioners. This session seeks to answer most of the common questions regarding the application of these two standards in the Real World and puts some common myths to bed. Level of experience: Basic to advanced (open to all)

D3 - There Is No Place Like Work: Seven Leadership Insights for Creating a Workplace to Call Home (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Shelia Margolis, Workplace Culture Institute, Atlanta, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
Smart leaders know the power of workplace culture. They unite employees around a small, compelling set of principles that drive business success. Discover how to define your Core Culture and align workplace practices to improve performance. Manage this valuable asset so that culture becomes a force that drives your business.

D4 - IRS Hot Topics (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials1 Materials2 Materials3 Materials4
Colin Blalock, Jones and Kolb, CPAs, Atlanta, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
Jeffrey H. Kess, Gomel & Davis, LLP, Atlanta, Ga. Download Speaker Bio

D5 - Technology Futures - 2008 (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Dana R. (Rick) Richardson, CPA, CITP, Richardson Media & Technologies, LLC, Canton, Conn. Download Speaker Bio
Rick Richardson began providing CPAs with his technology futures forecast in 1981 and this year will mark an unbroken string of 28 years of predicting our technology future. Rick, as always, will deliver his vision of both the short and longer-term future for technology, including technologies important to the accounting professional. Topics will include a review of prior-year predictions, what major-market companies are doing and how their actions will affect all of us, current trends in hardware, software, security and communications and emerging technologies that will bring those trends into reality. Rick will conclude with his personal forecasts on our technology future. Look for Rick to bring some of the latest technologies with him to share with participants.

Complimentary Cocktail Reception
Continue networking at the cocktail reception on Wednesday, August 27! Join the GSCPA and fellow attendees at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in the Garden Court from 5 - 7 pm.

E1 - Forensic Accounting - An Introduction (A&A) (Credits: 2.0 AA) Download Materials1 Materials2
David Sawyer, Sawyer & Company, LLC, Dawsonville, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
Forensic accountant and fraud investigator David Sawyer gives an orientation to the world of forensic accounting, by exposing the types of occupational fraud and abuse schemes that businesses may face, whether within a small closely-held business or a global corporation. Sawyer connects the dots between the processes found in ALL businesses to the fraud exposures that may exist when breakdowns of internal controls occur, and provides preventive measures for each. Covered topics will include: Fraud and white collar crime: Definitions and viewpoints; forensic science, in general (and forensic accounting, in specific); statistics from recent surveys; profiling fraud and the white collar criminal; linkage of standard business processes to fraud schemes; categories and descriptions of occupational fraud; and red flags, internal controls and basic countermeasures

E2 - Recent Accounting & Auditing Cases (A&A) (Credits: 2.0 AA) Download Materials
Dennis Gerschick, Gerschick Business & Investment Counsel, LLC, Kennesaw, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
This session will focus on recent Court cases that involve accounting and auditing issues. Many cases will be reviewed including a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision. The focus will be on the implications of the decision and the lessons that can be learned from each case.

E3 - White Collar Crime Jeopardy© (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Fred Shapiro, The Pros and The Cons, Powell, Ohio Download Speaker Bio
Fred Shapiro conveys his story of crime and deception using today's white-collar crime headlines in a popular game show format. Fred Shapiro committed the largest mortgage, real estate and title insurance fraud in the history of the city of Philadelphia.
In Fred's personal category he describes: the how, the why, and the rush of committing this crime; reviews the documents which he utilized to help perpetrate this fraud; and discusses how he subsequently worked undercover for the United States Attorney & the FBI. Other categories in this presentation may include Corporate Executives, Financial Institutions, CPA Firms, Title Insurance, Fraud Prevention, Identity Theft, Enronitis, Elected Officials and a special category "Why Good Accountants Do Bad Things." Woven throughout this presentation are the catastrophic personal & professional consequences of committing a crime; an engaging and interactive discussion of corporate and individual values; and Fred's answer to the ultimate question: How do you stay off that slippery slope?

E4 - Leverage the Internet for Your Sales and Marketing (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Mike Foster, The Foster Institute, Dallas, Texas Download Speaker Bio
Fast paced exciting workshop in plain English about how to leverage the Internet for your sales and marketing. Learn new ways to drive traffic to your site, build high credibility, and convert prospects into clients. You will gain valuable insights and strategies to reduce expenses and increase profits.

E5 - Top 10 QuickBooks Tips, Tricks and Workarounds for the Accounting Professional (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Joe Woodard, Creative Financial Software, Canton, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
Course Description: This in depth technical session covers 10 ways small businesses can maximize their use of QuickBooks. QuickBooks is an incredibly flexible and robust application - especially if you compare the product to others within the same price range. However, there is no way the QuickBooks programmers can meet the needs of each and every industry and/or small business. As a result, there are some reports, tracking criterion, and data fields that are not currently available in QuickBooks but are nonetheless a critical need for certain QuickBooks users. This session addresses 10 of the most common of these areas - providing tips, tricks and workarounds to significantly expand the reach of QuickBooks for you and your clients. This session includes a very detailed technical manual.

F1 - ERISA Update (A&A) (Credits: 2.0 AA)
Employee Benefit Plan Regulatory Update and DOL Inspection Findings, Observations and Best Practices Download Materials
Ian Dingwall, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, D.C. Download Speaker Bio
A review of major changes and regulatory initiatives in the employee benefit plan arena, including Mr. Dingwall's perspective on recent accounting and auditing pronouncements and enforcement initiatives, and an overview of the EBSA Audit Inspection Program results and suggestions for an auditor's response.

Employee Benefit Plan Audit and Accounting Update, and Suggestions for Improving the Quality of Your Employee Benefit Plan Audits Download Materials
Chris Rouse, Windham Brannon, PC, Atlanta, Georgia Download Speaker Bio
An overview of implementing SAS 103 - 114 on employee benefit plan audits and suggestions for dealing with accounting for guaranteed investment contracts and fair value accounting, together with some practical guidance from Mr. Rouse on meeting DOL expectations for audit quality.

F2 - Forensic Accounting - Advanced Topics (A&A) (Credits: 2.0 AA) Download Materials1 Materials2
David Sawyer, Sawyer & Company, LLC, Dawsonville, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
David Sawyer, CPA, CIA, CFE de-mystifies what actually goes on during an investigation of fraud, corruption or white-collar crime. Taking you inside 'the black box,' Sawyer draws from his experience as a fraud investigator and litigation advisor to give perspective to auditors, CFO's, controllers and corporate accountants, by helping them understand typical events to expect within the life cycle of civil litigation or criminal prosecution. Covered topics will include: Civil Litigation versus Criminal Prosecution; Legislation and Professional Standards; Profiling Fraud and the White Collar Criminal; Investigation Methodology; Interviewing Techniques; Forensic Data Analysis and Detection; Roles of the Expert Witness.

F3 - Generations at Work and Why We Collide - The Clash of the Traditionalists, Boomers, "X'ers" and Nexters (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Donna Hickey, Donna Hickey Presents, Chicago, Ill. Download Speaker Bio
This cleverly written program delivered with Donna Hickey's renowned entertaining flair provides rich content and insight to the four generations in today's workforce. Donna explains, "Communication is key when we are trying to motivate for top performance. For the first time in history, we have four vastly diverse generations that must cooperate and communicate with each other in a common work environment. Further complicating this, are the typical workplace roles. Managers, co-workers and subordinates belonging to each of these generations have very different ways of expressing themselves verbally, on paper and even non-verbally with their unique body languages."

F4 - NetWeaving (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Bob Littell, Littell Consulting Services, Atlanta, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
NetWeaving has proven to be a much more effective and comfortable form of networking and new business development for CPA's, especially for those who dislike more traditional and often superficial networking. Whether you're inside one of the major CPA firms or a sole practitioner, you'll find that NetWeaving always outperforms networking.

F5 - New IT Security Threats and Disaster Recovery Techniques You Need to Know (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Mike Foster, The Foster Institute, Dallas, Texas Download Speaker Bio
CPA's are responsible for protecting private information. For little or no money, hackers can follow video instructions on the Internet to break through most security and access your files. These dangers could cost you millions. Mike Foster explains, in plain English, what CPA's need to know to be safe.

F6 - Getting, Keeping (and Sometimes Letting Go of) Clients (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Lori Evers, Evers & Fox, PC, Atlanta, Ga. Download Speaker Bio

G1 - Peer Review and Quality Assurance (A&A) (Credits: 2.0 AA) Download Materials
Jim Brackens, AICPA, Durham, NC Download Speaker Bio
This session will focus on recent developments in peer review as well as firm quality control. This session will be geared towards individuals responsible for their firm's system of quality control, individuals in firms subject to peer review, individuals who perform peer reviews and those interested in becoming reviewers. Topics to include: New peer review standards; new quality control standards; peer review transparency; programs to increase number of and support peer reviewers; and other peer review initiatives.

G2 - Corporate Governance 2008: More of the Same Plus Some (A&A) (Credits: 2.0 AA) Download Materials
Greg Clark, Business Compliance & Controls Group, Atlanta, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
As management expectations and requirements grow and the scrutiny of corporate activities increases the review of governance activities has never been more important. Corporate governance is the set of processes, policies, laws and institutions affecting the way a corporation is directed, administered or controlled. Corporate governance includes the relationships among the many stakeholders involved and the goals for which the corporation is governed including principal stakeholder's management and the board of directors. An important theme of corporate governance is to ensure the accountability of certain individuals in an organization through mechanisms that try to reduce or eliminate the potential for issues and instances of non-compliance and ethical issues. In this session we will review the concept of corporate governance in the post SOX world and how management accountability and current regulations demand continued oversight.

G3 - Coaching - Creating Partnerships for a Competitive Edge (Credits: 2.0 GN)
Donna Hickey, Donna Hickey Presents, Chicago, Ill. Download Speaker Bio
Leaders today face many challenges when it comes to guiding and influencing the performance of their team members. In the past, productivity and success depended on sheer muscle and sweat. Technology, competition, and the desire of employees to be meaningfully involved in their work are powerful forces shaping the leader's destiny and future role. Now more than ever, leaders need to inspire employees with contagious enthusiasm in order to deliver quality services and products. This session is about the coaching process and the skills, behaviors, courage, and values leaders need in order to evoke employee commitment and motivation. This is a "how-to" session with a lot of specifics on what to say and how to handle different coaching situations.

G4 - Global Investing: Invest Like the Pros (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Wes Moss, Certified Financial Planner and Radio Host of The Wes Moss Show - Real Money in Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
Throughout history, there has been a vast difference in performance between the average investor and the professional investors. Who are these professional investors and what are they doing that you are probably not?

G5 - Google - It's Not Just a Search Engine (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Will Fleenor, K2 Enterprises, Hammond, La. Download Speaker Bio
Google is the world's most widely used search engine, with over 380 million global users per month executing over two billion searches per month. If you are using Google only for Web searches, you are missing out on a number of time-saving features designed to increase your productivity. In this fun and fast-paced session, learn how to take advantage of features offered by Google, including Desktop, Earth, Gmail, Froogle, Talk, and Toolbar. Do not miss this opportunity to become more efficient in your searches and more productive in the workplace.

G6 - Anatomy of a White Collar Crime© (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Fred Shapiro, The Pros and The Cons, Powell, Ohio Download Speaker Bio
Fred Shapiro explains the inner most details (The "Why" "How" & "Rush") of committing the largest mortgage, real estate and title insurance fraud in the history of the city of Philadelphia. From his fateful decision to engage in such fraud, to his dangerous undercover money laundering operations on behalf of the U.S. Attorney, Shapiro describes his decision making process and the numerous crossroads which he faced. Shapiro also discusses in detail the factors which influenced his final decisions, giving the audience a unique insight into the mind and personality of a white-collar criminal. By attending this presentation you will: Understand the real causes behind white-collar crime; learn about the "Rush" and the faulty decision making process which motivates white-collar criminals; create a personality profile of a white-collar criminal; receive the tools necessary to keep your employees off that slippery slope.

H1 - Applying the New Risk Assessment Standards the Second Time Around (A&A) (Credits: 2.0 AA) Download Materials
Chris Rouse, Windham Brannon, PC, Atlanta, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
Bill Godshall, Frazier & Deeter, LLC, Atlanta, Ga. Download Speaker Bio

H2 - SAS 112 and 114: New Reporting for a New Day (A&A) (Credits: 2.0 AA) Download Materials
Greg Clark, Business Compliance & Controls Group, Atlanta, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
As auditors adjust to new revised internal control and governance reporting standards more information must be communicated during and at the conclusion of each audit engagement. In this timely and informative session we will examine the specific reporting requirements auditors now face when reporting internal control deficiencies noted during the audit process. We will also review the governance reporting standards mandated by SAS 1114 and what auditors must do to comply. The responsibility for communicating internal control deficiencies and audit findings has been ratcheted up. The key is effective explanation and communication.

H3 - Cutting Costs Without Cutting People: Surviving the Storm and Finding Rainbows! (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Colin Blalock, Jones and Kolb, CPAs, Atlanta, Ga. Download Speaker Bio
When the economy slows down many times an organization terminates employees to reduce overhead costs. This exacerbates the problem and starts a vicious cycle of loss of business, loss of profit, more cuts, and a spiral into financial disaster. This presentation addresses an alternative paradigm. Cutting costs can be done without losing the most value asset an organization has-its people. This is a practical approach to increase profits and keep employees.

H4 - The Importance of Personal Branding for Professionals (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Wes Moss, Certified Financial Planner and Radio Host of The Wes Moss Show - Real Money in Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga. Download Speaker Bio 
Personal branding is about positioning and the law of attraction. Learn how to position yourself as an expert and attract the clients you want.

H5 - Excel 2007 - Best Features for Accountants (Credits: 2.0 GN) Download Materials
Will Fleenor, K2 Enterprises, Hammond, La. Download Speaker Bio
Excel 2007 dramatically changes the way users create and work with spreadsheets. New features such as the Ribbon interface, improved graphics capabilities, new mathematical functions, greatly increased worksheet dimensions, and XML-based data files offer significant opportunities for increased productivity - but only for those who are prepared to take advantage of these opportunities. This course is designed to prepare users for the most significant upgrade to Microsoft's standard-setting Excel spreadsheet application in over a decade.