Controllers and Global Manufacturing Conference 2018

We are in the tenth year of the economic expansion following the "Great Recession" of 2008 and 2009. During the economic downturn the economy experienced outsized losses in the housing, manufacturing and jobs. Yet, the recovery and expansion has been restrained. While unemployment rates are very low, solid wage gains remains elusive. Inflation has been low and below the Federal Reserve's target for several years, but the Fed has begun to remove its very accommodative policy. 

Mr. Strauss will look at the performance of the overall macro economy with specific attention paid to key economic sectors and indicators for the U.S. economy over the next several years.

• Key drivers of economic growth
• Risks to the economic outlook
• Outlook for Monetary Policy

According to the Kroll Global Fraud 2017/2018 report, 84% of US Companies suffered at least one type of fraud in the last year. This session will cover preventative steps that you can take to protect your organization.

• Identify common fraud risks at your organization.
• Learn common controls that mitigate risks as well as think about how to design controls specific to your organization.

Due Diligence Activities in Merger and Acquisition Transactions:

• Obtain information to analyze risks associated with transaction.
• Discuss items to request to examine the potential commercial terms contemplated.

Even in times of low unemployment, skilled labor is difficult to find and keep, in part because our education system is not preparing students with skills that translate directly to the manufacturing workforce. This presentation outlines the skilled-workforce shortage facing manufacturing today, and how the CareerWise modern youth-apprenticeship program can help address it by moving business from being merely a consumer of talent to becoming a producer of talent.

• Understand the origin and short- and long-term benefits of modern youth apprenticeship as a new talent-acquisition strategy for the manufacturing industry.
• Receive a broader understanding of how modern youth apprenticeship can support talent-acquisition strategies for the accounting industry in general.

Congress recently enacted the largest tax bill in history - a new law with far-reaching consequences for businesses of all types and sizes. The session will provide an update on the implementation of the new law at the federal level as well as with the states.

• Understand how the new law is constructed and how it effects businesses.
• Understand what parts of the law have been implemented by the federal government as well as by the states.

Utilizing Counsel to Influence Changes and Impact Business Performance in Corporate Governance.

• Importance of involving counsel to be proactive in establishing controls that reduce risk and influence change to increase business results
• Understanding the board of directors responsibility and the lawyer's role in corporate governance

Did you know the federal and over 40 state legislatures have devised multiple tax incentives for certain Research & Development (“R&D”) expenses and activities? A majority of all credits claimed are by Fortune 500 corporations because of the lack of knowledge that such R&D incentives are widely applicable to many activities and industries. Even those that are aware of the power of R&D incentives and their wide applicability lack the expertise to appropriately identify and substantiate the claims.

BRAYN will present on the history, background, eligibility, requirements, and special issues, as well as provide case studies, of several little-known but highly lucrative R&D tax credits.

Fueled by rapid technological innovation, the world is changing at unprecedented speed – with significant implications for the accounting profession. Cybersecurity, blockchain, artificial intelligence and cognitive technologies all have the potential to transform our work. AICPA Vice Chair Bill Reeb, CPA, CITP, CGMA, provides insight on the forces shaping the future of accounting and the numerous AICPA initiatives to keep the profession ahead.

While Blockchain continues in an early adopter phase, increasingly, mature firms in the manufacturing sector are reaching out for information on applicability to this sector. This session will provide the participant some information regarding how Blockchain works but more importantly it will provide information regarding the applicability of Blockchain for the next two years and beyond.

• Explain how Blockchain works
• Discuss current applicability of Blockchain solutions to the Manufacturing Industry
• Identify how Blockchain may apply to the Manufacturing Industry in the future.

This session will provide a high-level regulatory, A&A and SEC overview update as well as review key tax regulatory changes and related impacts.

• Learn about the latest updates from the SEC, FASB and PCAOB, particularly those with implications for 2018 year-end reporting.
• Review significant tax changes and their implications for 2018 reporting and tax return preparation.

Most finance professionals seek to add strategic value to their organization both individually and as a function. Yet, in many cases fall short because many traditional finance practices are inadequate for today’s 21st Century world. Simply stated, “It is time for finance to stop doing dumb stuff!”

It is not about trying harder or doing better. The focus needs to be understanding why long used practices like standard costing, individual incentive bonuses, annual budgets, and monthly variance explanations lead to frustration and exhaustion. This session will explain seven finance practices that are no longer fit for purpose and what you can replace them with to add the value your organization needs.

Come see how you can help your organization Live Future Ready.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine why many traditional finance tools are no longer fit for purpose in today’s 21st century environment. Understand why the typically fail regardless of how diligently teams prepare them.
• Explore advances practices that have been discovered that overcome the critical weaknesses in traditional tools to see how leading edge companies are overcoming the traditional problems
• Evaluate what your finance organization needs to do to help your company to Live Future Ready even though uncertainty remains

This session will be a detailed review of the changes brought about as a result of the new revenue recognition guidance within ASC 606. The presenter will share his company's approach to implementing the new standard.

• Gain familiarity with the accounting guidance related to the new revenue recognition standard.
• Observe examples of one company's approach to implementing and complying with the new standard.
• Review the standard's reporting disclosure requirements.

Update on how automation, robotics and AI are changing the business platforms/services/processes within organizations and functions.

Leadership skills that leaders of tomorrow will need to increase the organization's strategic advantage and deliver profitable results in a time of rapid strategic change.

How will Finance and Accounting leaders need to change?

The strategic and organizational questions that executive leaders need to be considering now.

• How process automation and platform disruption are creating risks and opportunities for today's leaders
• Key leadership skills for today's and tomorrow's leaders