Managing the COVID-19 crisis has consumed a significant amount of management attention during 2020. Hear from construction industry finance executives about how they have navigated these unprecedented times, including what immediate actions were taken, how they have adapted their organizations to address remote working conditions, and how they are implementing strategic changes to take advantage of opportunities to build a more resilient enterprise for the future.

Learning objectives:

• Understand the immediate actions taken to ensure the workforce remained safe and productive
• Learn how these companies are addressing remote working conditions
• Understand how strategies can be implemented to build a resilient enterprise

This session will explore the future of real estate as the presenters walk through the recently released Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2021, to be presented by PwC Partner Courtney Sargent. Following the reveal of the report's findings, Courtney will sit down ( virtually ) with Mitch Roschelle, the Founding Partner of Macro Trends Advisors, for a lively and interactive discussion of the economic, policy and political landscape ahead, and how the same may influence the real estate estate asset class. 

Have you ever thought of using analytics based upon your Work in Process Schedule to provide insights to your company? Have you ever used them to make strategic job-related decisions in your business? Both are critical to the success of every contractor. In this interactive session we will analyze WIP schedules and job results based upon the world and characters of some classic sitcom series, including the greatest show ever about nothing. 

This session will review different methods and criteria to sort and analyze your WIP and will engage attendees to share their insights. In addition, we will discuss best practices to communicate observations to your inside team as well as outside users of your financial statements in an effective manner.

During 2020, many organizations including the SEC and the FASB have been talking about the economic risks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the economic risks it is always noted that each business should pay special attention to impairment indicators and calculations. External auditors also appear to be interested in more comprehensive assessments. This session will put context around the following questions and prepare business leaders to broadly understand how extensive this issue can be:

1. Aside from goodwill and intangibles, what assets should be considered for impairment?
2. What asset impairment process is required for various kinds of contractor assets?
3. How do I determine fair value, and what are the GAAP and theoretical requirements around valuation?
4. How do I avoid pitfalls in the impairment process?

This session will provide a business and individual tax update including the CARES Act and current legislative environment as it pertains to the contractor as well as insight for pre-year-end tax planning for a Construction Company. Planning insures that the Company is looking at all opportunities and taking advantage of available income tax methods. We will also discuss some forward looking aspects regarding future potential income tax policy.

Participants will gain insight which will allow them to discuss and provide timely and meaningful recommendations to their Company or contractor clients. 

This session will provide a proactive approach and allow attendees to leave with a game plan for their Company or contractor clients.

Retail real estate is one of the most effected real estate sectors since the outbreak of Covid 19. 

In this session, panelists will: 

1. Describe the 2020 state of the retail real estate market and the accounting implications of Right of Use Asset Impairment. 

2. Discuss retail real estate and Abercrombie as a major retail tenant describe the most unusual year that is 2020.

This session will provide:

-An overview of the ROU asset impairment model.

-A deep dive into the complexities of evaluating ROU assets for impairment.

-A framework for determining whether and when ROU assets are abandoned for accounting purposes.

-A discussion of valuation challenges in the current, low-transaction environment.

-A discussion of actions that lessees are taking in the current environment to rationalize its lease portfolio (e.g., lease restructuring and termination, subleasing)

The construction arena is very volatile and subject to extreme reactions to the economy and various external and internal factors. A good or uncertain economy provides a contractor an equal opportunity to fail, just through different means.

This session aims to provide participants the knowledge on how to:

• Identify primary causes for contractor failure
• Identify problems and warning signs
• Assess where the company is in the process of failure and or recovery
• Formulate a plan and process for recovery
• Implement recovery plan
• Review case studies

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the primary causes for contractor failures
• Understand how to identify warning signs
• Implement the process for recovery

During this session, the speaker will discuss key topics impacting accounting and financial reporting for construction contractors.

During this session, financial executives representing construction contractors of varied sizes and industries will be focused on:

1. What CFO’s are doing right now to deal with current risks and opportunities such as the COVID-19 pandemic

2. Disruption in construction end markets such as those related to oil production and transportation, 

3. The continuing skilled labor shortage, and technology steps that are being deployed to real benefit.

This session will cover:

- Topic 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers lessons learned - Year two considerations

During this session, panelists will cover:

· Impact of Covid-19 to the residential real estate sector

· Trends and future outlook of the industry - iBuyers, lease-to-own, home swapping, Airbnb, etc.

· Changes being made in residential real estate

Adoption of ASC 842 and the Impact of COVID-19 on Lease Accounting

Lease accounting continues to be challenging for both public and private companies. Private company real estate lessors and lessees face additional challenges relating to ASC 842 implementation including the effects of the coronavirus.

Learning Objectives

• Understand how private company real estate lessors and lessees will adopt ASC 842
• Recognize the COVID-19 impact on lease accounting

This session will provide an inside look at Washington, D.C. and its continued dysfunction, and what the spending decisions, tax debate, infrastructure proposals, health care changes, and pension and retirement reform mean to companies competing to be profitable in the construction industry. Matt Turkstra of the Associated General Contractors of America looks at the construction policy agenda in Congress for this fall and how the 2020 Presidential election will impact the legislative agenda for Congress and the Administration in 2020 and beyond.

Join, David Manica, president of Manica Architecture to hear about insights into the design, construction, and opening of the new Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Click here to watch a behind the scene tour to learn more about the stadium before the presentation

Contracts define the parties’ rights and obligations but are also used as a vehicle to shift risk – often in an unreasonable manner.

  During this session, you will learn:

1. To identify 10 contract clauses that are commonly used to shift risk 

2. Discuss strategies to effectively negotiate more balanced and fair contract terms

During this session you will learn to understand:

• The importance of planning, forecasting, and budgeting your costs.
• The different types of costs--direct, indirect, equipment, selling, and general and administrative costs--and how to account for each type under GAAP.
• The importance of knowing all your costs and developing meaningful indirect pools.
• The importance of forecasting equipment costs, to develop accurate    estimating and costing.

Although construction companies may not be the prime target of many tax credits and incentives, contractors should not assume that their activities will not be eligible for certain tax benefits. Further, contractors need to be knowledgeable of credits that may be available to their prospects, which will help with developing new business. This session will explore potential tax credits and incentives available at the federal and state level for construction contractors as well outline the types of credits and incentives available to property owners and developers in which a contractor should be well versed. Finally, the speakers will also touch on state sales and use tax exemptions that contractors need to be aware of so they can properly and competitively bid on projects.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify expenses that may qualify for a federal income tax credit and/or incentive
• Understand how certain federal credits and/or incentives available to property owners and/or developers may impact a contractor’s approach to a proposal or project
• Recognize common business activities or project types that may make a contractor eligible for a state or local tax credit or exemption

In this session, we’ll examine the latest developments impacting a taxpayer eligible to elect out of the interest limitation rules of Section 163(j) as a “real property trade or business.”

• Identify those taxpayers who may elect out of Section 163(j) as a real property trade or business,
• Understand the consequences of such an election for a taxpayer who makes the election in the first year it would otherwise be subject to Section 163(j).
• Understand the consequences of such an election for a partnership who makes the election in a year after in which it passed out excess business interest expense.
• Identify the one-time opportunity afforded by Rev. Proc. 2020-25 to undo a previous Section 163(j)(7) election.

This session is an overview of the current property & casualty and employee benefits insurance market and how we got to this state.  Will discuss trends in construction risk exposures, especially changing delivery methods, and how to mitigate those exposures.  Also claim trends - where are the biggest losses and why.  Conclude with best practices in construction risk management and navigating the market today and in the future to achieve optimal results.

During this session, the speaker will discuss:

1. What challenges public companies faced in adopting the new standard.

2. What construction-specific issues to be aware of in adopting the new standard.

Depreciation may seems straightforward especially with 100% bonus depreciation still in play. Let’s walk through some common disciplines and thinking and see where you may want to make some shifts and where you can feel comfortable in your continued approach.

Objectives:

1. Recall the fundamentals of tax depreciation and why they still matter
2. Connect the dots on depreciation and the impact to future years when 2020 has been so unusual
3. Evaluate the impact of bonus depreciation when it otherwise seems like a no-brainer

The hospitality sector has faced unprecedented setbacks and challenges in the COVID era, but even so, we see the industry innovating to reshape the future of travel and hospitality. Join DHG, Pinkowski and Company and a panel of industry experts as we discuss recovery efforts and how to continue to emerge strong from a post-COVID world.

Topics Covered:

• Protocols and standards
• Balancing occupancy restrictions and demand
• Impact on staff and Guest safety
• Re-entering the group meetings market
• How to value assets now 
• Future impact on cap rates
• Refinancing & restructuring

In this session, we’ll discuss where we stand today in the ever-developing world of PPP loan forgiveness.

• Understand the impact of Notice 2020-32, Rev. Ruling 2020-27, and Rev. Proc. 2020-51 on the deductibility of expenses paid with PPP proceeds.

• Identify the ancillary but as yet unanswered questions regarding how nondeductibilty impacts the Section 199A wage limitation.

• Understand the likelihood of a Congressional fix prior to the 2021 filing season.

The session will focus on:

1. Insurance market trends and risk financing options for health insurance and property and casualty coverages. Funding options reviewed will include traditional, self-insured, and captive structures. 

2. The program will also review the escalating costs of health care and their impact on premiums and risk mitigation options.

Joint ventures continue to be prevalent in current times. This session will explore the reasons why contractors enter into joint ventures.

Bricks, Bytes and Behaviors

The pandemic has accelerated new ways of working and technology transformation, including cyber risk, auditing of new processes, tracking of where people live and work and reimagining the future of flexibility in a post-pandemic world.

We have witnessed six major resets for Work Reimagined. Together we will review key themes and explore market insights across these six key areas.

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects continue to be a priority for institutional investors' when judging risk-adjusted return profiles.  The real estate and infrastructure asset classes are subject to a range of forward physical and transitional risks, highlighting the need for structured, non-financial data. Learn how global investors are uncovering these insights while driving change in the real estate and infrastructure investment classes.

In these turbulent times tenants across the globe may struggle to pay rent, thereby putting pressure on real estate investors to repay their debt. Modifications and restructurings of real estate company’s debt have become an unfortunate common theme.

Learning objectives

• Understand the overall US GAAP accounting framework to apply to debt modifications
• Understand how to evaluate and differentiate between an extinguishment of debt and a continuation of existing debt
• Understand the accounting implications for both extinguishments and continuation of modified debt

This session will cover:

1. Understanding of the expenditures that are allowable for forgiveness.
2. How can a construction company prepare for a potential audit? What is expected to be part of the audit?

This session will be an interactive discussion of the Income Tax Methods available to Construction Contractors, and a review of the benefits (or dangers) for your company or clients. The session will also involve practical approaches and solutions if changes may be needed.

1. Participants will become familiar with the Tax Methods available to Construction Contractors.
2. Gain an understanding of the methods that might be most beneficial for various construction trades and specialties.
3. Recognize the techniques and requirements to change to their best method(s).
   

Discussing the evolution of Proptech & Construction technology over the last 5 years combined with future trends/projections.

The recent election brought very little clarity to the current estate planning environment. The State of Georgia currently has two run-off elections which will determine control of the United States Senate. This session will: 

1. Cover the current state of the estate and gift tax laws, Biden’s proposed changes to those laws, and 

2. Cover numerous estate planning techniques to consider when facing uncertainty.

Construction companies are looking at ways to adapt to a new normal especially when it comes to their back office operations. Removing unnecessary steps from business processes—like manual payments—helps construction companies drive down costs through automation tools like electronic payments. Hear from Comdata’s VP, Brent Meyers, on how easily payment automation can:

• Transform to 100% electronic check registers and remittances

• Mitigate fraud and risk across all payment types

• Offload vendor data maintenance through cloud technology

• Become a strategic revenue contributor

An accurate and timely Work-in-Progress (WIP) report is one of the most essential tools a contractor can use to optimize profitability. WIP reporting provides construction companies and their CPAs with the insight needed to determine if active jobs are underbilled or overbilled allowing them to proactively manage jobs.



In this session, we will discuss:

• • How to identify and address common WIP and construction accounting mistakes
• • The basics of WIP to include reporting frequency and information needed
• • How WIP reporting can help you properly manage profitability, produce accurate financial statements (e.g. P&L), and drive job success
• • An easy WIP Starter Guide built to help contractors successfully implement new WIP processes

Covid-19 has impacted every industry, including Construction Technology and Accounting. But what are the particular challenges that have been experienced by our industry? Has construction technology helped contractors navigate the uncharted waters of conducting business during a pandemic? How can data and analytics enable contractors to make better informed business decisions, and preserve every penny of profit? 

Speaker, Bassem Hamdy, will discuss three key topics that financial professionals need to know - and takes a look at what's on the horizon for 2021.

Ryan McCormick, Senior Vice President and Counsel at The Real Estate Roundtable, will discuss the consequences of the recent election for tax legislation and policies affecting U.S. real estate. Ryan will review the prospects for a COVID-19 relief/economic stimulus bill, policymakers' tax priorities for 2021, and the likely direction of tax legislation in the new Congress. The session will consider the outlook for proposals related to marginal rates, capital gains, like-kind exchanges, cost recovery, debt restructuring, infrastructure, housing, and energy efficiency. Questions we will address include: what are the real estate industry’s current policy priorities and what are the potential implications of pending proposals for real estate and the broader economy?

Learning Objectives:

• Review potential changes in tax legislation and real estate tax policy
• Understand the implications of pending proposals for real estate owners and investors

With the implementation of ASC 606 now complete, hear what the surety industry has seen as the major differences in financial statement presentation and what has been the effect to underwriting

You still have options. Let’s see what might make sense to think about as we wrap up 2020 and what to consider up until you file your returns.

Objectives:

1. Gather year end preparedness ideas to give some footing during uncertainty.
2. Bring forth ideas that perhaps previously didn’t apply to your company’s model.
3. Discover why filing under extension may be an appropriate option for 2020.

Cybersecurity is an important institutional concern. The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated the cybersecurity concern to a new level of priority. Considering the current circumstances the pandemic has brought to reality, we remain dedicated to providing relevant information about identifying risks, useful practices, and legal and regulatory responses to cybersecurity threats.

This session will focus on the following:
The shift in the office of the CFO from back office to business partner

• How have the past 9 months changed the way you think about the following:
  • Risk – diversification geographically & by property type, tenant concentration, etc.
  • Innovation and Technology
  • Next year’s forecast
• ESG – how do we measure value / progress and how / does it make a difference for your company? How is it changing?
  • Sustainability
  • D&I
  • Governance
  • Other

• And More

The COVID-19 pandemic created a number of new questions and challenges for employers. “Reopening the Economy” raises a new set of challenges for companies to address as they return workers to the workforce, reduce teleworking, implement physical distancing, masks, and temperature checks, and make other adjustments.

We will review the latest updates and you will be able to ask questions about this evolving area. Join Employment, OSHA, Construction, Corporate and Litigation Attorney Julie Pace as she shares strategies and tools to help employers successfully navigate the new challenges, scenarios and opportunities.

This session will help you understand the fundamentals of the new Current Expected Credit Losses (CECL) standard, and also gain insight into post adoption lessons learned.

During this session, participants will explore potential tax implications resulting from various debt modification transactions including (1) significant loan modifications, (2) transfers of property in satisfaction of debt, (3) partnership debt-for-equity exchange transactions, and (4) potential planning opportunities

Upon completion of this program, participants will:

(1) have a greater understanding of the tax consequences that can result in connection with various forms of loan modification transactions,

(2) understand the importance of evaluating whether debt is recourse of nonrecourse for purposes of transfers of property in satisfaction of debt, and

(3) understand potential tax planning opportunities that may be available in connection with loan workout transactions.

Our panel will cover Construction Accounting and Auditing issues. The audience will:

1. Learn about hot topics affecting construction and engineering companies in the current environment
2. Learn about trends in the auditing of construction contractors

This session will provide attendees with a comprehensive overview on various issues, initiatives, and solutions that encompass  Business succession and continunity planning.  Essentially, we will explore a comprehensive approach that will teach the attendee ways to properly plan, identify techniques, value and suggest alternative approaches to accomplish goals and objectives pertaining to ownership and continunity matters.

We'll review the latest developments in the Paycheck Protection Program and other business relief programs. You'll get insights on the forgiveness process for PPP loans and other current issues.

This session is an opportunity to interact with leaders in the construction tax arena. Attendees will gain:

??A review of current trends and developments impacting the construction tax industry
Insights from a detailed discussion on tax topics presented in earlier sessions?
The opportunity to participate in Q&A on topics important to their company and/or practice?