2021 AICPA & CIMA Construction & Real Estate Conference

Dec 6, 2021 ‐ Dec 8, 2021

This includes sessions from the conference: 2021 AICPA & CIMA Construction & Real Estate Conference

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Anirban Basu and the Chamber of Data

Dec 6, 2021 12:40pm ‐ Dec 6, 2021 1:30pm

There is light at the end of the tunnel. Is it coming from an oncoming train? This presentation supplies economic data and analysis juxtaposing the pre-pandemic and pandemic world, and then supplies a forecast for the post-pandemic one. Among the areas of focus are labor markets, financial markets, real estate, construction, consumer spending, business investment, international trade and government finances.

• Dr. Anirban Basu, JD & PhD, Chairman and CEO, Sage Policy Group,Inc.

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Real Estate Investing in the New Normal Economy

Dec 6, 2021 1:45pm ‐ Dec 6, 2021 2:35pm

Mitch Roschelle, the founding partner of MacroTrends Advisors LLC, will provide a historical  look at the ups and downs of real estate investment cycles, and what real estate investors today can learn from the past, as they look to the future. The discussion will explore the economic, and policy climate today, and walk though the headlines that impact the market.  The session is interactive and allows plenty of time for the audience ask questions.

• Mitchell Roschelle, CPA, Managing Partner, Macro Trends Advisors LLC

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Comments from the C-Suite

Dec 6, 2021 1:45pm ‐ Dec 6, 2021 2:35pm

Our focus is on the past two years, the present and the future of construction.

Join us as we discuss leadership and adaptability in times of uncertainty, strategies on a successful future and the importance of technology.

• Kimberly Davids, Vice President, General Manager - Southwest, The Weitz Company
• James Nowasell, CPA, Controller, The Weitz Company

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Construction and Technology: The Now, The New and The Next

Dec 6, 2021 2:50pm ‐ Dec 6, 2021 4:05pm

Construction is booming, and so are the number and types of technology applications available to contractors. But where are they truly getting value versus just chasing the latest shiny object from Silicon Valley?


Dodge Data & Analytics has been studying the business value of technology in the AEC industry for many years. Steve Jones, Senior Director of Industry Insights Research for Dodge will share:

• Dodge’s forecast for the growth of the construction economy and their research on the current business health of construction companies (revenue, profit, workforce, business development, etc.)
• Highlights from their research findings on technology, and their perspective on where contractors are and will be finding the greatest value in deploying various technologies to meet the challenges they face.

• Stephen Jones, Senior Director, Dodge Data & Analytics

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CFO Panel - Real Estate

Dec 6, 2021 2:50pm ‐ Dec 6, 2021 4:05pm

This session will focus on the following:

State of the CRE Industry from the CFO Perspective:

• How do the upcoming changes in tax policy, inflationary concerns, interest rates, health policy, climate change, and other regulatory developments impact your priorities and strategy for your firm?
• A recent study indicated 2/3's of all CRE investment firms are hiring and challenged with labor shortages - are you seeing this same trend and how are you attracting and retaining talent within your departments or the firm in general?
• Is the industry focus on climate change impacting your firm, reporting, investment strategy, financing strategy or other aspects of your firm?
• Discuss your firms capital sources and whether there are concerns with respect to recent investment trends from foreign investors into US CRE?
• Comment on which asset classes will face the biggest headwinds in 2022 and which sectors, and markets are primed for growth?

How has the post-COVID environment has 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

Standardizing Transparency & Efficiency in Investor Reporting

• What reporting challenges are you facing as your firm grows and/or evolves its business strategy?
• What are the latest trends in reporting standards?
• Are investors demanding enhanced reporting capabilities and transparency?
  • Does this vary based on investment strategy, risk profile (value-add, development, core)?
• How have you been utilizing technology to optimize reporting and/or organizational capabilities?
• What opportunities exist to improve budgeting and reforecasting? Which systems, processes, teams and best practices do you have in place now, and how do you expect those will change?

• Rob Sistek, CPA (Inactive), Executive Managing Director of Investments, BKM Capital Partners
• Hisham Kader, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, GID Investment Advisers LLC
• Chris Scheer, CFO, Kampgrounds of America (KOA)
• Tana Gardner, CPA, Deputy CFO, USAA Real Estate Company

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Making Work-in-Progress (WIP) Reporting Work for Construction - Sponsored by Deltek

Dec 7, 2021 7:00am ‐ Dec 7, 2021 7:50am

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

• John Meibers, Vice President and General Manager, Deltek + ComputerEase

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Legislative Impact of 2021 and Beyond

Dec 7, 2021 8:05am ‐ Dec 7, 2021 9:20am

This session will provide an inside look at Washington, D.C. and its continued dysfunction, and what the spending decisions, tax debate, and infrastructure proposals mean to companies competing to be profitable in the construction industry. Matt Turkstra of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) looks at the construction policy agenda in Congress and the Biden Administration and how actions in Washington will impact the industry in 2021 and beyond.

• Matthew Turkstra, Director, Tax and Fiscal Affairs, AGC of America

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Real Estate Capital Markets Update

Dec 7, 2021 9:35am ‐ Dec 7, 2021 10:50am

This session will outline how the real estate markets are currently performing and the future expectations of the core (office, retail, multifamily and industrial) property sectors. Additionally, this session will highlight "niche" sectors that are exciting institutional investors. The public REIT sectors sends signals that informs market participants on where values are heading, and the discussion will illustrate why these signals are so important.

• Dirk Aulabaugh, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Advisory Services, Green Street
• Andrew Spindler, Senior Vice President, Green Street

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What's Ahead For The Surety Industry

Dec 7, 2021 9:35am ‐ Dec 7, 2021 10:50am

Considering COVID's effect on the Commercial Surety Market, Material Price Escalations, Infrastructure Bills, and Economic Indicators the Surety Industry is dealing with many uncertainties now and in the future. Industry leaders from both the Surety Company and Surety Agent side will provide insight into what is expected in the coming years in this dynamic panel discussion.

• David Pesce, CCIFP, Head of Surety, Munich Re Specialty Insurance
• Emilio Alvarez, CPA, Managing Partner - Audit Division, H&CO, LLP
• Lourdes Landa, AFSB, Surety Manager, Vice President, McGriff Insurance Services, Inc.

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Tax Reform

Dec 7, 2021 11:20am ‐ Dec 7, 2021 12:10pm

In this 50 minute seminar, Tony Nitti will take you through the current state of tax reform, looking at where we stand, how we got here, and what's next.

• Tony Nitti, CPA, Partner - National Tax, EY