Accounting & Financial Women's Alliance

Jeff Chin, President, ASCEND, Manny Espinoza, CEO, ALPFA,Calvin Harris, CPA, National President of National Association of Black Accountants, Marie Hollein, President & CEO, Financial Executives International and Monika Miles, ASWA 2011-12 National President
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Personnel/HR
CPE Credit: 2
In June, ASWA released The 2012 ASWA Special Report on Diversity in the Accounting and Finance Fields wherein it examined the lack of gender and racial diversity in senior positions of accounting and finance firms and explored how a homogeneous workforce becomes a liability. To write the report, ASWA collaborated with ALPFA, Ascend and the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), and has invited the leaders of each organization to participate in a special panel discussion that promises to touch upon and expand on its important findings. Join leaders of several diverse accounting and financial organizations for an enlightening discussion about the business case for diversity in the accounting and finance fields.

3:10 – 4:00 pm Concurrent Sessions 1

Accounting & Auditing
The Three Rs of Reporting Fraud
Eileen Taylor, Ph.D, Associate Professor, North Carolina State University and Jordan A. Thomas, Partner, Labaton Sucharow LLP
Program Level: Intermediate
NASBA Field of Study: Accounting – General
CPE Credit: 1
This session will present an overview of state and federal regulations governing reporting of fraud and suspected fraud by both accountants and CPAs (including auditors). The co-presenters will clarify accountants' responsibilities to report and to whom, discuss the rights of accountants to report suspected fraud to the SEC under the Dodd-Frank Act, and identify the professional and personal risks related to reporting. Participants will acquire increased knowledge of the rapidly evolving regulatory environment related to whistleblowing.

Industry
Email: Delete or Archive – What is the Law?
Rachel S. Query, CPA, Office Manager, Aguilar & Aguilar, PC
Program Level: Overview
NASBA Field of Study: Business Law
CPE Credit: 1
Email has replaced the office memo and most telephone conversations. Practices range from deleting as you go, to archiving all email. This session will cover what makes email discoverable and best practices in this brave new world. The attendees will come away with a check list of do’s, don’ts, and a better understanding of the legal requirements of discovery.

Tax
Federal Tax Audit, Appeals, and Defenses – What Every Accountant Needs to Know About Representing a Client Before the IRS
Alexandra Eaker, Esq., Tax Attorney, Richard Carpenter’s Tax Law Office
Program Level: Overview
NASBA Field of Study: Law
CPE Credit: 1
This presentation will address several stages of defending a tax return before the IRS including
assessing the case; preparing for the audit; what to expect in meeting with the IRS Agent; working in conjunction with a tax attorney; criminal tax red flags; statute of limitation issues; negotiating an effective settlement; appealing an unagreed case; and the difference between audit and appeals.

Wildcard
Effective Chapter Websites
Laura Mangan, Website & Public Relations Director, ASWA Mesa East Valley Chapter
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Computer Science
CPE Credit: 1
Chapters have an opportunity to reach out to their members and attract new members by creating and maintaining an effective website. Learn the guidelines from the chapter website style guide to ensure your chapter website remains compliant. For those chapters without a website, learn ways to develop a basic website that will showcase your chapter to potential members and keep current members informed and engaged.

4:00 – 4:20 pm Break

4:20 – 6:00 pm Concurrent Sessions 2

Accounting & Auditing
Latest Development in IFRS – Is the US Finally Ready to Move Forward?
Steve Austin, CPA, MBA, Firm Managing Partner, Swenson Advisors, LLP
Program Level: Intermediate
NASBA Field of Study: Financial Statements and Reports
CPE Credit: 2
This session will focus on key components of IFRS, such as the global update as to adoption worldwide and how key countries view IFRS in their local jurisdictions in 2012; the latest guidance from the SEC for public companies and how the US is working with the IASB in 2012-2013; what you need to know now in terms of latest changes in key IFRS pronouncements; and what you need to be doing now with IFRS in your company.

Industry
The Perils of Performance Measurement
Jeanne Yamamura, CPA, MIM. PhD, International Consultant and Educator, Efficient Learning Systems (CPAexcel)
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Management Advisory Services
CPE Credit: 2
Performance measurement, benchmarking, and identification of best practices are the watchwords of the day. In these demanding times, many organizations are busy implementing extensive performance measurement systems. While this pursuit of performance measures is undertaken with the best of intentions, it can lead to disaster very easily. This workshop provides an insightful look at performance measurement including problems that can result and guidelines for developing and implementing an effective performance measurement system.

Tax
2012 Tax Update
Katy Frankel, CPA, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Tax
CPE Credit: 2
Updates on recent activity in the areas of tax legislation, corporate taxes, partnership taxes, and individual and estate taxes.

Wildcard
Present with Impact – Create Presentations that Persuade Audiences and Generate Results
Diane West, President, 2Connect
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Communications
CPE Credit: 2
33 million business presentations are delivered every business day. Most miss the mark. How do you ensure your message is not only heard, but acted upon? This interactive session will answer: what works and what doesn’t in business presentations, how to tell an engaging and compelling story, how to cut the fluff and focus on the essentials, and why a typical PowerPoint® doesn’t sell.

6:00 - 7:30 pm Welcome Reception (in exhibit area of hotel)

7:00 pm The Amazing Foundation Race Fundraiser

7:00 pm Dinner On Your Own

7:00 – 11:00 pm Hospitality Suite Open

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
6:45 - 8:00 am Continental Breakfast

6:45 am – 5:30 pm Registration Open

7:00 - 7:50 am (EB3)
Find Your Voice
Renee Herzing, President & CEO, Herzing University
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Personal Development
CPE Credit: 1
Herzing will discuss the issues and challenges in her role as CEO. Along her career journey she became an industry spokesperson and advocate for student choice. She frequently visits Washington, DC and participates on panel discussions about higher education, regulations and student choice. All this while balancing the role of CEO, wife and mother of two small children; and in her spare time sings professionally in a rock band. Along the way, she has collected some seeds of wisdom to share with other women and aspiring leaders.

8:00 - 8:50 am Concurrent Sessions 3

Accounting & Auditing
Forensic Auditing: The Audit of the Future, Today
Ryan Merryman, Partner, CliftonLarsonAllen
Program Level: Intermediate
NASBA Field of Study: Forensic Auditing
CPE Credit: 1
This session will focus on the forensic audit. It is not a financial statement audit nor is it an investigation. Forensic auditing is a hybrid of both and involves three components: Forensic Thinking, Forensic Procedures and Use of Technology. Forensic auditing is used to proactively identify fraud and fraud risks. Attendees will learn how to think like an FBI agent and use state-of-the-art data analysis tools to identify fraud and misconduct attributes in data sets.

Industry
Health Care Reform: The Impact on Business and Industries Nationally and What it Means to You
Stephanie San Antonio, Employee Benefits Advisor, Keith Eck Financial
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Business Law
CPE Credit: 1
In this valuable presentation, you will learn how to keep up with the evolving Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that was signed into law in 2010. While the healthcare bill continues to change with new guidelines, San Antonio will explore how businesses and industries are impacted by these new rules, and what it means to you. Attendees will also explore what rules are likely to remain and what will likely to be modified in the next few years.

Tax
Accounting for Income Taxes: Hot Topics
Monique M. Bertram, CPA, Partner, Kieckhafer, Schiffer & Company LLP
Program Level: Intermediate
NASBA Field of Study: Tax
CPE Credit: 1
The presentation will cover "hot topics” in the area of ASC 740 including interim reporting, outside basis differences and SEC comment letter trends.

Wildcard
Increase Your Influence
Brenda Piazza, Director of IT Audit, CBIZ MHM, LLC
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Personal Development
CPE Credit: 1
How to raise your professional stature, influence and reputation through community involvement and mentoring.

9:00 - 9:50 am General Session – Getting What You Want: Mutual Benefit Negotiation for Women
Victoria Pynchon, Consultant and Trainer, She Negotiates Consulting and Training
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Personal Development
CPE Credit: 1
Pynchon, a nationally acclaimed keynote speaker and author of two recent books on conflict resolution, will explore the reasons why women sometimes hesitate to negotiate on their own behalves. Learn how women can negotiate freely and easily earning their true market value and by having mutually beneficial conversations leading to agreement.

9:50 - 11:00 am "Meet and Greet” with Exhibitors & Break

11:00 - 11:50 am Concurrent Sessions 4

Accounting & Auditing
Emerging Trend: SOC1, SOC2 and SOC3
Brenda Piazza, Director of IT Audit, CBIZ MHM, LLC and Greg Landers, Managing Director of Consulting and Internal Control Services, CBIZ MHM, LLC
Program Level: Intermediate
NASBA Field of Study: Auditing
CPE Credit: 1
SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 3 Reports. What are they, how are they different, and when should you ask for one?

Industry
Applying "Lean” Principles to Your Accounting Processes
Ron Mitchell, Principal, AKT CPA and Shannon Gonzalez, CPA, AKT CPAs and Business Consultants
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Accounting
CPE Credit: 1
This seminar presents an approach to support leaner operations and a more profitable company over the long term. The presentation focuses on the basic principles of lean thinking and lean financial and managerial accounting. The session will begin with an overview of the five basic principles: providing customer value through target costing; eliminating waste through the value stream; capacity management flow; using pull to manage resources; and continuous process improvement. This presentation will provide tools to complete process mapping, example action plans and a balanced scorecard for measuring performance.

Tax
Mergers & Acquisitions: Tax Opportunities and Issues Related to Cross-Border Structuring, Legal Entity Structuring, and Net Operating Losses
Jeffrey M. Hurok, Managing Director, Mergers & Acquisitions, Tax Services, KPMG LLP & Pamela Talbot, Senior Manager, Mergers & Acquisitions, Tax Services, KPMG LLP
Program Level: Intermediate
NASBA Field of Study: Tax
CPE Credit: 1
This session will provide ideas for tax efficient acquisition structures related to acquisitions and legal entity restructuring and highlight some challenges to achieve tax efficiencies as well as related tax risks. When corporations generate tax losses and obtain new investment (e.g., funding rounds), there are certain traps related to creating limitations on the future use of such losses, and there are opportunities to plan ahead to take advantage of exceptions to the loss limitation rules.

Wildcard
Accounting and Finance Hiring and Compensation Outlook
Susan Afan, District President, Robert Half International
Program Level: Basic/Intermediate
NASBA Field of Study: Personal Development
CPE Credit: 1
This presentation offers an overview of the hiring outlook in corporate accounting and finance, public accounting, and financial services. Attendees will learn about areas such as the skills and positions in greatest demand, and salary trends.

12:00 - 1:30 pm 2012 ASWA Excellence in Accounting and Finance Awards Luncheon

1:40 - 3:20 pm Concurrent Sessions 5

Accounting & Auditing
Professional Ethics Update
Jeanne Yamamura, CPA, MIM, PhD, International Consultant and Educator, Efficient Learning Systems (CPAexcel)
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Ethical Practice in Business
CPE Credit: 2
The slowly recovering economy continues to place pressure on CPAs – in accounting firms, industry, and government. Within this environment, it is more important than ever to keep track of regulatory changes. This course is geared toward busy CPAs and provides an update on recent changes as well as a review of common ethical violations. The focus will be practical application – not just the rules!

Industry
Basic Bankruptcy and the Role of an Accountant
Diane Mancinelli, Attorney at Law, Mentis Law Group, PLC
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Business Law
CPE Credit: 2
This session will explore the most common chapters of bankruptcy: 7 and 13. We will discuss the reasons for bankruptcy such as garnishment, levies, threats of seizure and tax debt. Attendees will learn about the pros and cons of a corporate bankruptcy, dischargeability of tax debt, Chapter 13 as an alternative to an offer and compromise, and the hot topic of debt cancellation and how a bankruptcy can save your clients from the perils of 1099 (c).

Tax
Transfer Pricing: Introduction and Overview of Current Issues and Opportunities
Mike Denning, Principal, Ernst & Young LLP and Melody Leung, Senior Manager, Ernst & Young LLP
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Tax
CPE Credit: 2
Transfer pricing refers to the pricing of transactions between related parties and its effects on a company’s US federal and state and global income taxes. Transfer pricing is routinely cited as the #1 tax risk faced by multinational corporations and tax authority attention to it has dramatically increased. This presentation provides an introductory overview of transfer pricing, including: what is transfer pricing; how it affects financial statements and customs duties; and current issues and opportunities.

Wildcard
Speak to be Understood: At Work, At Home, and in a Job Interview
Peggy Wallace, Founder, Making Conversation, LLC
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Communications
CPE Credit: 2
By being attuned to your listener and their communication style, you can modify your own approach to ensure a mutual understanding between both parties. Learn effective body language and word choice for differing styles to clearly communicate your message. If you are interviewing for a new job, promotion or salary increase, learn how to create and recall memorable stories showcasing your accomplishments and skills. Persuade the interviewer or your boss to become your advocate and champion.

3:20 - 3:50 pm Break in Exhibit Area

3:50 - 5:30 pm Concurrent Sessions 6

Accounting & Auditing
Accounting & Auditing Update
Mark E. Dauberman, President, Mark Dauberman Seminars
Program Level: Intermediate
NASBA Field of Study: Accounting – General
CPE Credit: 2
This session will cover the latest pronouncements of the FASB and the Auditing Standards Board. The FASB has been working on projects that have far reaching effects, such as Revenue Recognition, Accounting for Leases, and Impairments. The FASB has also been busy completing the clarity project. These, as well as other recent developments, will be explored.

Industry
Accounting for the Cloud
Carla Caldwell, US Training Manager, XERO
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Computer Science – Computer Systems
CPE Credit: 2
In this presentation, attendees will learn: the practical side of the cloud and what it’s capable of; how to make the cloud work for you with integrations using the open api; how to dominate data entry and produce reports instantly; how to offer clients the high-value services they demand from accountants; and the myths versus the facts on cloud accounting

Tax
International Tax Considerations on Inbound Transactions
Kristin Hanson, Manager, Crowe Horwath LLP
Program Level: Overview
NASBA Field of Study: Tax
CPE Credit: 2
Overview of the international tax compliance and reporting considerations to be made by both foreign business and foreign individuals with operations in the US. Additional topics covered will be rules related to inpatriate individuals, withholding considerations, and inbound entity considerations - including how US income tax treaties affect the taxation in the US on inbound transactions.

Wildcard
P.E.B.K.A.C. or Problems That Exist Between Keyboard and Chair
Brandon Stigers, Director of Learning & Development, ESET/Securing Our eCity
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Computer Science
CPE Credit: 2
This presentation will cover various types of identity theft and the methods in which criminals gather information. It will also cover best practices when using Social Networking and the steps to take to minimize the risk of sharing personal information online.

5:30 pm Dinner On Your Own

6:30 - 8:30 pm ASWA Annual Business Meeting

7:00 – 11:00 pm Hospitality Suite Open

Wednesday, October 24, 2012
7:00 - 8:30 am Continental Breakfast

7:00 am – 3:00 pm Registration Open

7:30 - 8:20 am (EB4)
realBUSINESS
Pamela L. Keillor, CLTC, Vice President, Brokerage Director, MassMutual Financial Group
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization
CPE Credit: 1
This seminar features stories shared by real business owners. These real business stories explore planning issues most business owners face, including how to pass ownership on from one generation to another, how to prepare for the unexpected, such as when the owner dies, how to attract and retain key employees, do proper estate planning and other business succession and continuation issues. realBusiness is delivered by MassMutual financial professionals in a seminar setting. The financial professional will show the real life stories to engage the seminar audience in a meaningful discussion about the possible solutions to these common issues.

8:30 - 10:10 am Concurrent Sessions 7

Accounting & Auditing
Common Accounting & Auditor Claims and How to Avoid Them
Ronald B. Klein, Vice President, Risk Management Counsel, CAMICO
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Forensic Accounting
CPE Credit: 2
Early recognition is the key to avoidance – you can't avoid what you don't see. Learn about the most common and most devastating A&A claims and how to set up your own risk management early warning system. Klein will present in detail the birth and life of an A&A claim to illustrate. Explore the reasons why call "client screening" or "client acceptance" processes probably aren't risk management tools — and learn what to do about it.

Industry
IT Strategy in a Misaligned World
Patti Walker, Director, West Region, McGladrey
Program Level: Intermediate
NASBA Field of Study: Business Management & Organization
CPE Credit: 2
Finance and Technology functions bear the same battle scars. As shared service functions, we support all other operational processes and their financial and reporting requirements. Business alignment of shared vision significantly impacts IT and Finance effectiveness; when alignment is sound, the business expectations and investment decisions impacting resources, priorities and processes are clear. And what if business alignment is not so aligned? This session will review tips and tricks on lessons learned from a CIO in cultivating business alignment strategies in order to maximize IT effectiveness. The review addresses cultural nuances, people and process strategies that enable both IT and Finance to be better business partners.

Tax
Traps for the Unwary in Expanding Overseas Operations – Mexico, India and China

Narelle MacKenzie, Tax Director, Americas (West), Goodrich Corporation
Program Level: Overview
NASBA Field of Study: Tax
CPE Credit: 2
This session provides an overview of US MNCs expanding operations overseas and the issues that are often a surprise – with a special emphasis on the countries of Mexico, India and China. Expansion includes supply chain, people issues and customers.

Wildcard
Me, Inc.: The Benefits of Building an Effective Personal Brand
Ken Schmitt, President, TurningPoint
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Personal Development
CPE Credit: 2
iPhones vs. Droids. Nordstroms vs. Kohl’s. Pepsi vs. Coke. These brands have spent millions of dollars and countless years fine tuning and delivering their unique message to the marketplace. Each product relies on key differentiators to attract the right customers. However, there is no brand more important than "Me, Inc”. This session will discuss the merits of personal branding, along with sharing best practices to ensure that each attendee leaves with a clear understanding of their unique value.

10:10 - 10:20 am Break

10:20 am - 12:00 pm Concurrent Sessions 8

Accounting & Auditing
Electronic Discovery: What You Need to Know
Karen Sandoval, CFE, CFI, Director, Paralegal, Ueltzen & Company LLP
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Forensic Accounting
CPE Credit: 2
This presentation will introduce the audience to the rapidly growing area of Electronic Discovery, also referred to as E-Discovery, ED and ESI. The increased usage of computers, wireless phones and social networking in today’s society affects almost everyone. Knowing how to manage ESI in a cost effective manner is a number one priority for attorneys, accountants and corporations alike. We will discuss what brought about these E-Discovery changes and what makes E-Discovery so different.

Industry
Women: A Financial Force
John Willis, Vice President, Merrill Lynch Bank of America
Program Level: Intermediate/Update
NASBA Field of Study: Personal Development
CPE Credit: 2
From starting businesses at twice the rate of men, owning nearly 10.1 million firms, and making 80% of all consumer purchase decisions, women are a major force in the economy and workplace today! Empirical statistics point to women living longer than men causing more retirement years exposed to inflation and health care costs. Explore why these fact, along with a traditional conservative approach to investments creates unique financial challenges for women.

Tax
Sales Tax and Web-Enabled Transactions: Clearing the Air on Cloud Computing
Laurie Wik, Senior Tax Manager, Deloitte Tax LLP and Dwayne Van Wieren, Partner and National Practice Leader, US Sales Tax, Deloitte Tax LLP
Program Level: Overview
NASBA Field of Study: Taxes
CPE Credit: 2
Sales and use tax can apply to sales and purchases involving Web-enabled services and other digital products. This session will discuss: when and how state sales taxes apply to Web-enabled transactions; developments in true object and bundled transactions; refining purchasing and accounts payable systems to accommodate Web-enabled transaction data; and modifying exemption certificate tracking to account for Web-enabled sales and purchases.

Wildcard
How Culture Impacts International Interactions & Ventures
Denise Pirrotti Hummel, JD, CEO, Universal Consensus
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Personal Development
CPE Credit: 2
In the global market place, cross-cultural core competencies allow you to seize new opportunities and significantly impact everything from building relationships to negotiating to team and risk management. With a framework for approaching international interactions, you will be prepared to avoid costly mistakes and unnecessary risk. This session will provide a comprehensive review of these important issues.

12:00 - 1:30 pm Foundation Fundraising Luncheon

1:30 – 3:10 pm Plenary Session 1 (PL1)
2012 Federal Tax Update
John J. Cergnul, JD, CPA, Assistant Professor, Saint Mary's College
Program Level: Intermediate
NASBA Field of Study: Taxes
CPE Credit: 2 hours
Back by popular demand! Join conference favorite, John Cergnul, JD, CPA, as he emphasizes some of the most recent activity and gives participants an opportunity for both learning about new rules and reviewing previous legislation still in effect. This session promises to reflect any up to the minute tax law changes.

3:10 – 3:30 pm Break

3:30 – 4:20 pm Plenary Session 2 (PL2)
Pearls of Wisdom
Pamela L. Keillor, CLTC, Vice President, Brokerage Director, MassMutual Financial Group
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Field of Study: Personal Development
CPE Credit: 1
This video-based seminar features the life stories of women from different ages and different lifestyles. These stories explore the issues that many women today face, including organizing their finances, saving for retirement, and protecting their loved ones. Ms. Keillor will show the real life stories to engage the attendees in a meaningful discussion about the possible solutions to these common issues.

4:30 – 5:20 pm Plenary Session 3 (PL3)

*No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for any of these courses.