Anoop N. Mehta, CPA, CGMA, Chair of the of AICPA and the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, will discuss three key areas where the accounting profession can step forward to advance and protect its future. He will also share how the AICPA & CIMA are helping members, students, businesses and firms embrace opportunities to adapt and thrive.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze changing needs in the CPA profession, including new skills, services and technologies
• Identify resources that support emerging needs and changing marketplaces

A conversation with SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce followed by remarks from the Acting Chief Accountant at the SEC Office of the Chief Accountants on current activities and priorities related to public company financial reporting on topics including accounting and auditing standard-setting, audit quality, financial reporting in the current environment, and more.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the SEC staff's specific areas of focus in the current reporting environment
• Determine the SEC staff's current and future regulatory initiatives

Overview of current accounting and auditing matters from staff in the Office of the Chief Accountant.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze updates on technical accounting matters relevant to public companies
• Apply updates on auditing matters relevant to public companies and auditors of public companies
• Identify updates on international accounting and auditing matters

Andreas Barckow, who took over as Chair of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) in July 2021, discusses the IASB’s current and future priorities.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize recent developments in IFRS Standards
• Identify future plans of the International Accounting Standards Board

As the regulatory landscape around ESG reporting rapidly evolves, learn about practical steps organizations are taking to integrate their ESG strategy into everyday operations through the establishment of governance structures, integration of ESG data into IT systems, and documentation and implementation of process and controls.

Learning Objectives:

• Determine how to integrate an ESG strategy into business operations, particularly through reporting
• Identify practical actions you can take to prepare for regulatory reporting requirements

PCAOB Chair Erica Y. Williams will deliver a keynote address, after which the CAQ’s CEO Julie Bell Lindsay will moderate a discussion with the entire PCAOB Board in an interactive dialogue about the Board's priorities.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the PCAOB's regulatory initiatives.
• Analyze the views of PCAOB Chair and Board members regarding their priorities.

Cyber-risks continue to be a concern for all stakeholders - Management, Boards, Regulators, Investors, and other stakeholders.  During this session we will inform participants with insightful perspective from a CISO's perspective, alongside a regulatory perspective.  

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the perspective on the SEC's proposed disclosure requirements
• Identify how CISOs are incorporating proposed disclosure requirements into their security responsibilities.

Learn from some of the day's speakers as they address audience questions related to public company accounting and auditing.

Learning Objectives:

• Recall the SEC's current activities and future plans related to public company financial reporting
• Recognize accounting and auditing policy updates from OCA leadership

Anoop N. Mehta, CPA, CGMA, Chair of the of AICPA and the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, will discuss three key areas where the accounting profession can step forward to advance and protect its future. He will also share how the AICPA & CIMA are helping members, students, businesses and firms embrace opportunities to adapt and thrive.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze changing needs in the CPA profession, including new skills, services and technologies
• Identify resources that support emerging needs and changing marketplaces

A conversation with SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce followed by remarks from the Acting Chief Accountant at the SEC Office of the Chief Accountants on current activities and priorities related to public company financial reporting on topics including accounting and auditing standard-setting, audit quality, financial reporting in the current environment, and more.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the SEC staff's specific areas of focus in the current reporting environment
• Determine the SEC staff's current and future regulatory initiatives

Modern leaders and employees are stuck in the never-ending “stress – success cycle”. It’s that cycle where we work too hard, stress, obsesses, and worry on our way to achieving goals – then once we achieve them, we just go right back into the cycle again. How often do you or your employees have: Difficulty focusing at work? Racing thoughts before bed? Feelings of stress or anxiety and end up with too many visits to the doctor with no real answers? It’s time to get to the core of the issue and break the Stress-Success Cycle.

Dr. Romie’s keynote blends medicine and wellness into her “3 Mindful Steps” and will truly shift your personal and professional lives. This keynote goes into the neuropsychology and mental health syndromes affecting cognitive performance and emotional control – then wraps it all up in easy-to-digest and practical takeaways. Your audience will get Dr. Romie’s science-backed program that everyone can go home with and implement right away for increased mental health and wellness. Let’s change the way your brain and your team functions to create a more successful, balanced, and healthy life.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze Dr. Romie’s ‘3 Mindful Steps’ to create a truly sustainable work-life balance in the brain and at work
• Identify actionable take-home techniques for daily stress management
• Apply science-driven mindfulness protocols to implement into your daily routines
• Determine practical mindful techniques to implement in the corporate workspace

An overview of recent activities in the Division of Corporation Finance that impact accounting and financial reporting including, disclosure trends, rule changes, and other current issues.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the accounting and reporting impact of activities in the SEC Division of Corporation Finance
• Analyze rule changes and other current issues

Hear the latest on standard setting activities at the PCAOB

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze an overview of a recently completed PCAOB project
• Identify the current standard setting and research agenda at the PCAOB

Dennis McGowan, Vice President of Professional Practice at the Center for Audit Quality, and his team of subject matter experts will discuss the CAQ’s role as a thought leader in the public company auditing arena. You will learn about resources and tools the CAQ has published to strengthen audit quality, the CAQ’s efforts in convening with capital market stakeholders on critical issues affecting audit quality, and the CAQ’s recent efforts to attract a new and diverse generation of talent to the public company auditing profession.

Learning Objectives:

• Apply valuable tools and resources published by the CAQ to maintain audit quality in a dynamic environment.
• Analyze the efforts of the audit profession to attract a new and diverse generation of talent.

FASB Update: 2022 and Beyond

During the past year, the FASB has focused on addressing priority issues identified by stakeholders as part of its 2021 agenda consultation project. Digital assets, software costs, and income tax disclosures are just some of the topics being addressed in new technical agenda projects. The Board also continues to conduct its post-implementation review (PIR) of the current expected credit losses (CECL), leases, and revenue recognition standards. During this panel, FASB Chair Rich Jones, Technical Director Hillary Salo, and Deputy Technical Director Nellie Debbeler will provide an overview of these and other projects and why your feedback is continues to be important to help inform the Board’s work.

Learning Objectives:

• Compare progress on priority topics identified by stakeholders during the FASB agenda consultation process.
• Analyze progress on recently issued FASB guidance.
• Identify progress on other PIR and standard-setting activities.

The panel will provide an end-of-business-cycle economic outlook, wherein they will discuss both global and US domestic economy.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze risk to the global and US domestic economy
• Identify the likelihood of recession, American and global financial conditions, as well as important policy considerations

Learn from some of the day's speakers as they address audience questions related to public company accounting and auditing.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize recent activities in the Division of Corporation Finance that impact accounting and reporting for the 2022 year end filings including disclosure trends, rule changes, and other current issues
• Recall priority issues on the FASB's agenda including new technical agenda projects, (CECL), leases, and revenue recognition standards

Modern leaders and employees are stuck in the never-ending “stress – success cycle”. It’s that cycle where we work too hard, stress, obsesses, and worry on our way to achieving goals – then once we achieve them, we just go right back into the cycle again. How often do you or your employees have: Difficulty focusing at work? Racing thoughts before bed? Feelings of stress or anxiety and end up with too many visits to the doctor with no real answers? It’s time to get to the core of the issue and break the Stress-Success Cycle.

Dr. Romie’s keynote blends medicine and wellness into her “3 Mindful Steps” and will truly shift your personal and professional lives. This keynote goes into the neuropsychology and mental health syndromes affecting cognitive performance and emotional control – then wraps it all up in easy-to-digest and practical takeaways. Your audience will get Dr. Romie’s science-backed program that everyone can go home with and implement right away for increased mental health and wellness. Let’s change the way your brain and your team functions to create a more successful, balanced, and healthy life.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze Dr. Romie’s ‘3 Mindful Steps’ to create a truly sustainable work-life balance in the brain and at work
• Identify actionable take-home techniques for daily stress management
• Apply science-driven mindfulness protocols to implement into your daily routines
• Determine practical mindful techniques to implement in the corporate workspace

Are you curious about how auditors currently are gearing up for the SEC’s Climate Proposal and broader considerations for assurance over ESG reporting? This session will give you insight into what some leading firms currently are doing, and how they are preparing for a broader future in this space.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze how auditors are supporting their clients
• Identify how auditors are readying to provide assurance on ESG disclosures and reports

This panel will provide valuable insights into the SEC comment letter process, including common areas of focus and recent trends, to help you prepare for the year-end reporting season. The panel will discuss most frequent areas of SEC staff comments including comments issued on MD&A and non-GAAP measures. The panel will also discuss emerging areas of focus for the upcoming year that registrants should pay close attention to when preparing their year-end disclosures. The panel includes both current and former members of the SEC staff who will also share best practices and tips to better tackle SEC comment letters.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the SEC comment letter process
• Compare recent SEC staff focus areas including comments on MD&A and non-GAAP measures
• Identify emerging focus areas for 2022
• Determine best practices and tips for working with the SEC staff

Accountants from the SEC's Division of Enforcement will discuss the important themes arising from the Division's recent work, covering cases brought by the Commission over the past year in the areas of accounting, auditing, and financial reporting.  The program will highlight the importance of ethics and integrity in fulfilling professional responsibilities.  

Learning Objectives:

• Recall Recent Cases brought by the Commission related to Accounting, Auditing, and Financial Reporting.
• Recognize the Priorities of the SEC's Division of Enforcement Going Forward

Join this interactive panel discussion to hear views covering various facets of the accounting function from internal controls to financial accounting and reporting matters

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the potential to unlock value with a refreshed view of ICFR
• Analyze considerations around new accounting standards for software costs, segment reporting and new SEC disclosure rules

With no shortage of recent developments affecting the economy, our panelists will discuss several key issues under US GAAP that may impact year-end annual reports. These are drawn from recent discussions and consultations across the national offices of several large firms.

Learning Objectives:

• Compare a broad list of timely accounting issues that may affect your organization
• Analyze a deeper grasp of certain selected topics related to impairment, revenue recognition and share-based payments
• Identify updates on the AICPA’s Financial Reporting Executive Committee (FinREC)

A discussion amongst a group of investors/users regarding their take on the ESG disclosures and information that they need for investment decision-making. This will include a discussion on key topics within the various US, European and International disclosures proposals generally and related to climate disclosures.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze what investors see as the necessary elements of ESG disclosures and information
• Assess how integrate that information into their investment decision-making process

Learn about PCAOB's recent inspection observations, registration issues and enforcement actions impacting audit firms.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the changes made by the PCAOB to its 2022 inspections to adjust to risks related to COVID, the economic environment and geopolitical factors
• Recognize the PCAOB’s planned 2023 inspections and areas of focus
• Determine common deficiencies identified in the PCAOB’s inspections

Are you curious about how auditors currently are gearing up for the SEC’s Climate Proposal and broader considerations for assurance over ESG reporting? This session will give you insight into what some leading firms currently are doing, and how they are preparing for a broader future in this space.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze how auditors are supporting their clients
• Identify how auditors are readying to provide assurance on ESG disclosures and reports