Business & Industry Virtual Conference 2021

"Most men die at 27, we just bury them at 72." — Mark Twain 

Is that the story you want your life to tell? Most of us grew up with some kind of big idea about who or what we would be in life, what adventures we’d have, what we’d accomplish or things we would see and experience. But how many of us are actually living the life that we dreamed? And why aren’t we?

In this session, discover why we get stuck in our development (both business and personal) and walk away with some ways to push through and continue to grow and transform.

Credit: Personal Development - 1

Learn all about the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan application and forgiveness, including the CARES Act, the Flex Act and the bill signed on Dec. 19, 2020. Explore expenses and the amount that may be forgiven as well as the financial statement and basis application.

Credit: Taxation - 2

Almost unbelievably, we’re now one full year into a complete rethinking of how and where we work. The redirection to fully remote work was a necessity at first but is now a viable consideration in aspects of our workplace future. So where do we go from here? In this dynamic conversation we explore where work happens and how your space may need to adapt and evolve to meet the needs of your clients, employees and bottom line. Focusing on culture, brand and the all-important experience, we dive into the strategic and tactical considerations for the future of work.

Credit: Specialized Knowledge - 2

Whether its deploying robotics process automation, implementing a new accounting standard, or dealing with flexible work arrangements, the corporate world continues to change. Accounting and finance professionals have varying levels of experience facing these new challenges, opportunities and environments. This session provides a platform to ask and share valuable insights on a variety of topics with the goal of receiving a multitude of helpful responses from your peers.

Credit: Personal Development - 2

While CFOs across all organizations demonstrate strong financial acumen and functional expertise, the most successful CFOs acknowledge the need to leverage competencies beyond financial oversight that align with the tenets of their organization’s strategy, culture and stakeholders. Join us for a panel discussion about:

• What companies are looking for in a CFO candidate today
• What CFOs do they feel deliver the best value for internal and external stakeholders? 
• What recent changes to the demands of the position do they find crucial? 

In sharing both their positive and negative experiences, the panelists will provide you with a better understanding of the skills necessary to drive true CFO leadership across any organization. They’ll share their experiences and offer practical tips designed to assist you to position yourself for the Board by upping your visibility, engaging in your search, pacing yourself, considering everything, vetting the Board, and digging deep for insight when you’re there.

Credit: Personnel/Human Resources - 1.5

In the insanity of today’s world, you're busier than ever with deals, kids, health checks, high stress and exhaustion. Even though you're being pulled in every direction by everyone and everything, if you don't take time to keep your head on straight, you won't be able to be the leader you are. 

Join Your Nerdy Best Friend, Author/Speaker Beth Z., for a nerd's take on self-care. Using today's technology, you can integrate tools and apps into your routine that will help you get more work done in less time. You'll discover resources to help you overcome the crippling effects of stress and overwork. And best of all, Beth Z.'s tools are free or darn cheap. This is the can't-miss session that will help you stay sane through the crises we’re all facing.

• Update your ideas on what meditation is in the modern age with tech resources for specific, sanity-saving sessions.
• Discover easy tools that help you organize your day and manage your life.
• Find ways to streamline and offload the time-sucking little tasks that drive you crazy.
• Understand your options for mental health maintenance online and on your schedule.

Credit: Computer Software & Applications - 1

Stay logged in after the last session on Monday for a virtual chat to hear and share plans around returning to the office and other COVID-related developments.

This optional session is meant for information sharing. CPE credit will not be awarded for attending.

Stay logged in after the last session on Monday for a virtual chat to hear and share information regarding PPP loans.

This optional session is meant for information sharing. CPE credit will not be awarded for attending.

Stay logged in after the last session on Monday for a virtual chat to hear and share information regarding the latest in cryptocurrency.

This optional session is meant for information sharing. CPE credit will not be awarded for attending.

Global trends and disruptions including COVID-19 have changed the CPA profession in profound ways, and the VSCPA is continuing to develop strategies to ensure the profession remains strong and relevant in the future. In this session, gain insight into how CPAs will thrive by embracing and adapting to change.

Credit: Personal Development -  0.5

No crisis has been as challenging in recent memory as the COVID-19 pandemic, severely testing the strength of corporations and the business guidelines under which they operate.

Discuss the impact of continuous process automation on roles and responsibilities and learn how organizations are shifting financial planning and analysis (FP&A) activities. Also gain an understanding of how adopting new technologies and ways of working can bring agility to an enterprise to collaborate cross-functionally in a flatter, more tightly-networked organization to improve business partnering. Also review the shifts in competencies required.

Credit: Personal Development - 1

Obtain an update on the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), including:

• Plan litigation
• Cybersecurity issues
• Fiduciary failures
• Steps to help reduce exposure

Credit: Personnel/Human Resources - 2

What technology trends significantly impact you? Which technologies will affect you and your business? This visionary session provides insights, choices and recommendations. You'll see a summary of 5G, Wi-Fi 6 and the latest hardware and software trends to help you make the best decisions. You are certainly going to discover at least one new technology you had not considered. This session is designed to provide strategic and tactical insight on technology choices.

Credit: Information Technology - 2

As we move into 2021, our working lives continue to evolve. From virtual team meetings to flexible hours, companies are continuing to look for new ways to adapt and remain competitive. With these changes come new opportunities and new tax incentives for companies that may not have been on their radar before. In this session, explore a combination of both new tax incentives, as well as some old tax incentives that have come back into focus more recently. Through case studies and practical examples, we will walk through payroll tax deferral, employee tax credits, tax treatment of software costs and many other tax opportunities relevant to today’s companies.

Credit: Taxation - 2

Learn about the most recent developments in executive compensation, fringe benefits and retirement plans. This session will also discuss current employment tax issues, including employer retention credits available as part of the CARES Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.

Credit: Personnel/Human Resources - 1

Join Mike Cheng for a plain English discussion about recent and pertinent technical accounting matters that may affect you in 2021.

Credit: Accounting - 1

Obtain an outlook and glimpse into the current state of the financial market. Discuss the major trends in the investment markets, as well as the metrics that gage the health of the U.S. and global economy.

Credit: Economics - 1

Learn how highly-inclusive leaders from around the world use processes of social influence to interact effectively with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds. Walk away feeling empowered and equipped to develop inclusive cultures where everyone feels valued and respected. You will explore a wealth of perspectives and practices to help you to reap those benefits of inclusion.

Credit: Personal Development - 1

Stay logged in after the last session on Tuesday for a virtual chat to hear and share plans around returning to the office and other COVID-related developments.

This optional session is meant for information sharing. CPE credit will not be awarded for attending.

Stay logged in after the last session on Tuesday for a virtual chat to hear and share information around the latest in tax.

This optional session is meant for information sharing. CPE credit will not be awarded for attending.

Stay logged in after the last session on Tuesday for a virtual chat to hear and share information regarding ERISA-related developments.

This optional session is meant for information sharing. CPE credit will not be awarded for attending.

Stay logged in after the last session on Tuesday for a virtual chat to hear and share information around technology trends and productivity tips.

This optional session is meant for information sharing. CPE credit will not be awarded for attending.

Stay logged in after the last session on Tuesday for a virtual chat to hear and share information regarding compensation and benefits.

This optional session is meant for information sharing. CPE credit will not be awarded for attending.

Obtain a tax update covering recent tax legislation (individual and entity) and its impact on 2020 returns and 2021 planning.

Credit: Taxation - 1

What a new world we are in! Collecting the long list of changes and creating a short punch list of items to learn about is the highlight of this discussion. Not all new requirements will apply to all plan designs. Plan sponsors have opportunities and pitfalls to look out for in this fast-paced era of change. Participants, too, have opportunities that plan sponsors should generally be aware of to help answer their questions with the right resources. This session will cover changes made pre-COVID, specific to the CARES Act and post-Cares Act, including new Department of Labor regulations and other relevant guidance specific to ERISA retirement plans. Leave this session with a short list of questions to find answers to from you service providers and bring to your next investment committee meeting.

Credit: Personnel/Human Resources - 1

Solar energy has seen tremendous growth in the last 10 years. This session will discuss the prospects and potential obstacles for solar energy as we transition out of COVID and into a new Administration. Emphasis will be on issues relevant to accounting and finance professionals such as competing tax strategies and policy battles to come, how choosing your solar customers can help you in making your economic case, and how the displacement of fossil energy by renewable energy threatens massive disruption in investor portfolios in the coming decade.

Credit: Specialized Knowledge - 1

Having collectively worked on roughly two breaches per week in 2020 alone, we noticed an alarming trend of decision makers failing to understand key cyber insurance topics. This presentation is meant to address those gaps in knowledge by answering the following questions: 

• Who is responsible for the breach?
• What can be in a cyber policy?
• What are the limits of cyber insurance?
• Where is cyber insurance headed in the next five years?

Credit: Information Technology - 1

Strategic and tactical business planning contributes to short- and long-term success. Your technology plan should follow your business plan. But what if your goals become disrupted in the short-term, and these events have long-term effects? Think 9/11, smartphones or COVID-19 — consider if things will go back to the way they were.

This session considers the impact of remote work, security risks, collaboration tools, VOIP and other tools your team requires. How do we manage our various applications and meet our business plan goals? Attend this session to consider how technology planning works in the new normal.

Credit: Information Technology - 1

The role of a family business in wealth creation for high net worth families is well known. Less well understood is the role it plays in wealth management for these same families. The unique risk and return profile of a family business influences portfolio management in similar but decidedly different ways than human capital for the mass affluent client. This presentation creates a tax-adjusted framework and illustrative case study for analyzing the role of the family business in an intelligible and intuitive way that clients can understand and wealth managers can implement.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the unique attributes of a family business.
• Distinguish the family business from human capital.
• Evaluate the impact of a family business on the investment portfolio.

Credit: Finance - 1

The effects of COVID-19 have been widespread and related to many industries — they are not limited only to entities operating directly in the travel, retail and hospitality industries (e.g., airlines, tour operators, etc.). Coronavirus may affect entities in nearly every sector, due to the following and other impacts: 

• Reduced consumer demand for goods and services due to lost income and/or restrictions on consumers’ ability to move freely
• Disruption of global supply chains due to restrictions placed on the movement of people and goods
• Lack of investment in capital improvements and construction, reducing demand for many goods and services
• Reduction in market prices for commodities and financial assets, including equity and debt instruments

In the session, we will explore the broad financial reporting implications of the coronavirus.

Credit: Economics - 1

Credit: Personal Development - 2

*This course has been approved by the Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) to fulfill your 2021 ethics requirement.

You may add an optional session of ethics to your Business & Industry Virtual Conference registration for only $25 (normally $59).

This course is intended to create a foundation of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, accounting profession and community, and begin the exploration of the impact of ethics and preconceived bias.

Credit: Regulatory Ethics - 2