Finance Redefined Track (as part of AICPA ENGAGE 2019)

This includes sessions from the Finance Redefined Track (as part of AICPA ENGAGE 2019)

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Agile Transformation & Finance - How Agile Changes the View on Funding Development

Identification: FIN19ER03

Agile has become one of the fastest adopted business methods in recent years. No longer just for software organizations, Agile has been leverage in a wide range of service and development companies ranging from hard goods producers to professional services. If your organization is thinking about or current engaged in an Agile Transformation, your financial team will also need to transformation in regard to how development efforts are funded and managed. 

In this session we will discuss... 

• What is Agile, its background, and core values?
• Why is Agile being adopted?
• How funding in a Agile organization differs from traditional waterfall methods?

Learning Objectives:

1. What is Agile and why is it being adopted by some many organizations?
   
2. How does Agile impact program funding models and how it compares to more traditional funding methods?

Speaker(s):

• Daniel Christinsen, Information System Director, Agile Transformation Coach, Travelers

Preview Available

AI 101: How to Have More Meaningful Conversation Within the Business

Identification: FIN1912

How to have more meaningful conversation within the business, addresses how financial professionals can use AI in the finance function as well as understand how it can be used in other aspects of the business and how to evaluate the merits of this new technology. With AI being new, financial professionals will be faced with making investment decisions regarding AI. Today, AI uses cases, benefits, risks and investment is all in their infancy. To help make the right investment decisions, finance professionals need a greater insight to the AI Art of the Possible and how it can be used to drive top line growth or reduce the cost structure.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how AI is being applied today across the organization, as well as in finance, so that opportunities can be identified either to increase revenues or decrease costs or both.
   
2. Address the investment needed to enter AI, how to minimize risk and most importantly how to capture value.

Speaker(s):

• Ed Cannon, President, New Madison Ave

Preview Available

The Evolution of Accounting and Finance to Add Value, TODAY.

Identification: FIN1913

Globally, technology is disrupting the way business is done. As business models and strategies evolve how the accounting and finance function adds value will be redefined. The speed of change, the complexity and volatility of businesses stretch the current competencies of our profession. Where we not focus primarily on the compliance aspects of our reporting, the need to provide insightful information to assist in management’s “agile” decision making. This session is designed to engage the speaker and participants in a dialog about the changing mandate of the accounting and finance in this “digital age” and leverages the presenter’s global experience to improve organization effectiveness through the key lenses of people processes and systems, TODAY.

Learning Objectives:

1. Highlight how technology is changing business landscape
2. Explore the evolving accounting and finance mandate
3. Discuss practical examples of the discussion themes into action

Speaker(s):

• Nigel Franklyn, CPA, CGMA, Formerly VP, Asset and Liability Management Finance, The Prudential Insurance Company of America

Preview Available

Adapt Standard Accounting Systems to Enhance Your Business Transformation

Identification: FIN1914

Over the past 100 years, Business Transformations have taken on many different shapes and forms. We will review the strengths and weaknesses of major types of business transformations: Organization Rightsizing; Product/Territory Strategy Growth; Business Intelligence; Action Balanced Scorecards; Hoshin Kanri; Operational Excellence and Scaled Agile Framework. The positive synergies of these approaches provide demonstrated culture adoption leading to sustained financial growth. In closing, best practices in financial benefits tracking will be shared.

Learning Objectives:

1. What are the pros and cons of different Business Transformation Deployment Models
2. How to create sustainable improvements by linking Culture, Business Transformation, and Finance/Accounting

Speaker(s):

• Jim de Vries, MBB, CSCP, CSCTA, SCOR, Founder, Managing Director, Enhance International Group

Preview Available

Data Visualisation and the Art of Storytelling the Business Performance

Identification: FIN1916

Storytelling is the powerful analytical tool fueled by data. However data are just numbers until you use them in an influential way to communicate a story visually. 65% of the population are visual learners and human beings absorb information 60 times faster with visuals. Business leaders and their staff therefore need to turn their financial data into effective visualizations to produce operational action items which will positively impact an organization.

Learning objectives:

1. What does it mean to tell a story with data visualization?
2. How does that story drive business performance?

Speaker(s):

• Joan Rockey, CPA, CGMA, CFA, CAIA, CMA, Principal and CFO, Castleark Management