Christopher Rouse, CPA
Windham Brannon, PC , Atlanta, GA

Peer reviews of audit and review engagements continue to show practitioners
are having difficulty properly using certain practice aids and in applying some
recent professional standards changes. This session will provide guidance in
complying with the Standards in these confusing areas.

Daniel Morgan
Senior Portfolio Manager / Synovus Trust Company, N.A. , Atlanta, GA

How will the new fed chairman impact monetary policy with a splintered committee? Is this 17-year-old “bull market” due for a correction? How will the Trump administration’s polices impact the economy and markets? What is the long-term impact on the financial markets of the federal government’s massive deficits? How will the mid-term election cycle impact policy? Is the economy heading towards a period of systemic inflation with lower economic growth? With all these contradictory indicators, how will the fed navigate through these waters? How will the tensions in the Middle East impact oil prices and inflation?

These are a few of the questions that will be discussed at this presentation. Come find out how to navigate through these uncertain times. Many investors are wondering what strategies they should undertake to maximize their portfolio’s return. Outline various tactics investors could apply in an attention-grabbing, entertaining, thought-provoking presentation.

Durran Dunn, CPA
Partner - Risk Advisory Services / Bennett Thrasher, LLP , Atlanta, GA

As organizations face increasing pressure from technological disruption, evolving regulatory expectations and rapidly changing risk environments, the role of internal audit is transforming faster than ever before. This session explores how internal auditors and finance professionals must rethink traditional approaches to risk management, internal controls and assurance in a world shaped by artificial intelligence, automation and data-driven decision making. Gain practical insights into how leading organizations are modernizing internal audit functions to remain strategic and value-driven.

Michael R. Wiggins, JD MS MBA CFE
Lecturer of Legal Studies & Accountin / Georgia Southern University School of Accountancy , Statesboro, GA

Accounting is facing a cybersecurity crisis. With the rise of AI, the specter of ransomware and hacking, the potential security risks of remote work and new methods to extract client data, security is more important than ever for your firm or corporation. This session provides an overview of cybersecurity risks facing the industry, preventative measures and an overview of recent security failures of accounting firms and departments.

Gloria G. Palmer, CPA
GPSolutions, LLC , Suwanee, GA

M&A transactions involve far more than just a buyer and a seller. This session looks at the full M&A ecosystem, examining the transaction cycle through the lens of many key stakeholders. Explore what drives different buyer types, what motivates sellers, and the critical roles played by accountants and other professionals including tax planning, due diligence, advisory, financing, insurance and the purchase agreement itself. Participants will leave more confident in their ability to add value in any transaction.

John H. Higgins, CPA.CITP
Higgins Advisory, LLC , Rochester Hills, MI

The newest evolution of AI technology is agentic AI. This technology enables you to deploy AI agents to act on your behalf and execute tasks. Agentic AI is the key enabler to using AI technology to automate your workflows. Learning how to take advantage of AI agents provides a substantial competitive advantage. This course will teach you the fundamentals of Agentic AI and how you can put them to work in your firm or business.

James D. Martin, CPA, CGMA
Owner / Martin & Co, CPA, PC , Dunwoody, GA

Learn how to perform nonattest services for attest clients and stay independent at the same time. This fast-moving and informative session is essential for firms approaching peer review as this area has been a significant source of non-compliance.