Enabling Assurance Technology Change in Your Firms

Dec 7, 2021 3:15pm ‐ Dec 7, 2021 4:30pm

Identification: DCPA2126

In the accounting profession, disruptive technological change is not on the way – it’s already here, with even more to come. As these capabilities advance further and the marketplace evolves, leveraging technology to effectively drive competitive advantage requires a combination of planning, clearly defined business objectives, and strong change management capabilities. In this session, we will discuss the essential elements that contribute to successful change initiatives, including the people and processes impacted. Join us to learn how you can successfully navigate and drive change to achieve your future vision.

Learning Objectives:
  • Select elements to fostering a successful change initiative
  • Identify methods for reaching your vision

Mastering Your Sales & Use Tax Strategy in Today’s Landscape

Dec 7, 2021 3:15pm ‐ Dec 7, 2021 4:30pm

Identification: DCPA2127

In today’s post-Wayfair, digital consumer environment, the last thing your business clients have on their mind is sales & use tax… until there is an audit.  The risks associated with ignoring sales & use tax can be severe for businesses of any size and type.  As a result, your business clients need their trusted advisor to be proactive and cover their blind spots.

In this session, we will discuss how your firm can master its sales & use tax strategy to proactively address business clients’ needs. An expert in sales & use tax will highlight the top areas of vulnerability for businesses and how you as the trusted advisor can offer support. We will then review the necessary elements to drive your sales & use tax strategy. You don’t have to have a dedicated sales & use tax department at your firm to attend this session, only a desire to protect your clients. Bring your questions and expect to leave this session feeling educated and confident in knowing how to master your firm’s sales & use tax strategy of today and tomorrow.

Learning Objectives:
  • Recognize financial implications of failing to collect sales tax
  • Identify current state enforcement initiatives
  • Identify key questions to ask to determine if collection requirements exist
  • Recognize service offerings related to sales tax
  • Analyze requirements for staffing and training
  • Identify technology solutions available to support your practice

Roundtables: Overcoming Overwhelm

Dec 7, 2021 4:40pm ‐ Dec 7, 2021 5:30pm

Identification: DCPA2128C

After hearing about disruptive and innovative strategies being employed across businesses, participate in the round table discussions with your peers. Select a topic of interest and begin discussing the application and impact in your practice in the coming months and years. The Digital CPA Community is about anticipating the future trends and planning accordingly; start your conference experience by discussing ideas and initiatives. (Virtual attendees will have a virtual round table to join as well.)

Learning Objectives:
  • Identify techniques and strategies on topics of your choosing
  • Identify opportunities and threats impacting the accounting profession

Keynote: Digital CPA Update, The Great Accelerant

Dec 8, 2021 8:00am ‐ Dec 8, 2021 8:50am

Identification: DCPA2129

Erik Asgeirsson, president & CEO of CPA.com, will be joined by special guests Elinor Litwack, Rohit Arora, Jennifer Wilson and William Pirolli to provide an environmental scan of today’s circumstances while exploring the new business models that have been ushered in from the pandemic. Along with speeding up the adoption of new technology, the events of the past two years accelerated the profession to a place that many experts predicted we wouldn’t reach for another half decade. Essentially, it hit fast-forward to deliver what we were on track to experience in 2025 – five years sooner.

Joined by innovative practitioners and subject matter experts, Erik will lead a discussion on how exponential change is advancing technologies faster than ever, forcing rapid integration and a higher reliance on the technology ecosystem that serves the profession.

Learning Objectives:
  • Identify top accelerants and emerging technology trends
  • Analyze the growing advisory service opportunity and how it’s impacting firm business models
  • Identify practical strategies and best practices to stay ahead of a rapidly evolving curve

Emerging Advisory Services: ESG, SOC, Working Capital

Dec 8, 2021 9:00am ‐ Dec 8, 2021 9:50am

Identification: DCPA2130

Opportunities for advisory services are growing in emerging areas, such as: environmental social and governance (ESG) reporting, SOC auditing, cybersecurity, and working capital. A panel of practice leaders driving these initiatives will discuss how they started these practice areas, how they developed staff to deliver them, and identified profiles of clients buying these services. Bring your questions about best practices to branch out into these new service lines and what obstacles to consider as you develop your plans.

Learning Objectives:
  • Identify opportunities to start or grow advisory services within a firm
  • Recognize how firms are growing advisory verticals
  • Identify how to start a cybersecurity practice.
  • Identify how to start a ESG practice
  • Identify how to add capital advisory services to their practice

Data Security in a Remote World

Dec 8, 2021 9:00am ‐ Dec 8, 2021 9:50am

Identification: DCPA2131

Data is everywhere. Firm staff and client staff are working from remote locations. Businesses have launched online models, and data shows they plan to keep running this way. Data is also showing fraud and breach incidents are increasing. In this session, we will discuss what to do post-breach, how to act fast, and notification requirements. We will also review in-firm or with 3rd party providers that can assist you and your clients in preventing breaches as we lead the way into blended work and commerce environments.

Learning Objectives:
  • Recall what we are worried about for the new normal
  • Recognize the current threat landscape and remote workforce implications
  • Identify mitigation techniques
  • Analyze cyber governance and why its important to your organization

Insights from the CAS Firms' Assessments

Dec 8, 2021 9:00am ‐ Dec 8, 2021 9:50am

Identification: DCPA2132

Client accounting advisory service (CAS) lines have been maturing in firms across the profession for over a decade. Some practices are flourishing where others are stalling out. Succession Institute and CPA.com collaborated on an assessment tool to assist firms in identifying where they will face challenges in growing a CAS practice. In this session, we will review anonymous findings from those that have leveraged the CAS Assessment Tool, and share insights on how to use results of the assessment to make your CAS practice stronger. This session is about the inner dynamics and workings in your firm. Leverage the experiential learning of other professionals to proactively address common roadblocks that stunt progress and those that propel success.

Learning Objectives:
  • Recognize how to access and complete the CAS Firm Self-Assessment, including producing the Assessment Report.
  • Identify the sections of the report, and how they can identify challenges specific to your practice.
  • Recognize how the report of results can be used to inform next steps for your firm, including updating the business plan for your CAS practice.

Growth of Risk-Based Data Analytics Detecting Fraud

Dec 8, 2021 9:00am ‐ Dec 8, 2021 9:50am

Identification: DCPA2133

The use of data analytics is growing across multiple services in firms. Assurance services are employing data analytics to design antifraud tests, see trends, and gain valuable insights for your clients. In this session learn more ways to leverage data analytics to identify risks and make your assurance services more data-driven.

Learning Objectives:
  • Identify the role of data analytics in addressing fraud within an audit
  • Identify ways to use analytics to detect and address fraud risks today

Guide to Annual Planning: A Framework for Helping Clients Achieve Business Goals

Dec 8, 2021 10:10am ‐ Dec 8, 2021 11:00am

Identification: DCPA2136

Facing new pressures clients have a smaller margin for error when it comes to making decisions about their businesses. In this context, the annual planning process is taking on even greater importance. In this session, we will provide a full framework for creating a strategic plan including goal setting, driver-based model building, forecasting and budgeting, and ongoing goal tracking using advanced reporting and dashboarding tools. Data collected during client assessments will provide a solid foundation to opening the discussion on reaching goals.

Learning Objectives:
  • Identify the phases of the annual planning process.
  • Identify deliverables within the service offering including using advanced reporting and dashboarding.
  • Analyze a full framework for creating a strategic plan including goal setting.

Remote Auditing: New Process, New Tools

Dec 8, 2021 10:10am ‐ Dec 8, 2021 11:00am

Identification: DCPA2137

Moving from onpremise to remote auditing includes a redesign of your process and expanding your toolset. Communication between team members will have a new cadence, including how and when you collaborate with the client. Beyond digitizing all work product, what other tools should you consider? Practitioners that have been forging the path in remote audits will share what has worked, and what has made the transition a success during this session.

Learning Objectives:
  • Recall how to establish an effective remote auditing policy
  • Identify how to get client buy in to the remote auditing opportunities