Business & Industry Conference

Technology, and specifically the ever-evolving world of tools and gadgets, continues to awe and amaze. Learn how you can enhance personal and team productivity by taking advantage of many of the tools and gadgets available in today’s market. Also find out how to take advantage of many features in tools that you likely already own — such as Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office — to become more productive. In addition, discover numerous cloud-based applications and services and witness demonstrations of leading tools, gadgets and apps — many of which won't cost you anything — designed to make you more efficient, effective and productive.

Whether it's 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.

Look in the rear view mirror at the speed bumps, pot holes and smooth sections of the early revenue recognition highway. Discuss what went well, what went badly and what surprises we encountered. Also find out how to make the rest of the year go more smoothly.

Information coming soon!

Satisfy your 2020 Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) Ethics requirement with this 2-hour, Virginia-specific Ethics course.

Credit Hours: Regulatory Ethics: 2.00

You have heard of the Dark Web, but have you experienced it? If not, buckle in for a scary ride through the underbelly of the Internet. Here, many illicit and illegal activities occur every day, potentially affecting our personal and organizational security. In this session, experience first-hand the Dark Web and all that it entails — both positive and negative. Walk away with an understanding of why it is important to secure your information so that you do not become yet another victim of the Dark Web.

Information coming soon!

In today’s marketplace, your competitive advantage comes down to the level of talent you attract. And to compete you need to build your leadership bench. Invest in attracting top talent, and develop a culture of succession — a deep pool of talent that is committed to getting results. With more than 75-million baby-boomers reaching retirement age, you need to be prepared. You need answers to the important questions: Who will take their place? Who will lead our organization? And who comes next?

In this innovative, high-energy lunch session, discover the proven strategies you need to build your leadership bench and design a succession plan that ensures the long-term growth of your organization. Find out what it takes to build a strong talent pipeline, develop your future leaders, and create a succession plan that gives you clear competitive advantage.

History took place in Virginia in January, when the legislative session convened with Democrats in control of both chambers of the General Assembly as well as the Administration for the first time in a quarter century. Hear firsthand from Del. Joe McNamara (R), a fellow CPA, how the session played out and the importance of working across the aisle to accomplish business in Virginia.

Information coming soon!

What strategies should investors be considering this year? Discuss trends and obtain information that is timely and beneficial for investors to consider.

Discuss recent developments in state taxation of pass-through entities and some of the key issues involved when your taxpayer receives income from a pass-through entity or is the one providing information to partners.

What strategies should investors be considering this year? Discuss trends and obtain information that is timely and beneficial for investors to consider.

Discover the basics between hemp and marijuana and the different uses and markets for each. Learn the legislative history of pharmaceutical/medical marijuana and industrial hemp. Explore the current market status, common misconceptions and issues with the current regulatory framework. Lastly, hear all about what's to come in the future.

Financial leadership means everything to today’s changing workforce. Innovation, community, empathy and personal growth must be cultivated and prioritized for your company to thrive. Hear how CFOs are leading the charge and building the foundation for the evolution of the CPA in corporate finance.

Space is limited! Join us for a beer tasting + CPE at the end of day one. We'll spend the first 50 minutes tasting various craft beers followed by 50 minutes of CPE from one of our speakers about a hot topic in the profession.

Information coming soon!

Innovations in accounting are on the horizon: artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data, and many more. What do accountants and tax advisors need to do to be ready for these innovations? Review the impact of these emerging technologies and identify what you and your teams need to do NOW to start getting ready for the changes that are coming and ensure your company has a competitive advantage.

Just as we thought, life in the income tax world goes on after the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). While no major tax acts have been passed since the TCJA, there have been some changes. Discuss recent legislation and new guidance, while exploring opportunities for the 2020 tax year.

Review the basics of Topic 842 (leases) from a lessee perspective and discuss lessons learned from implementing it.

The Setting Every Community up for Retirement (SECURE) Act impacts retirement plans, estate planning for plan participants and how small business will adopt plans in the future. Obtain an overview of the provisions and take a look at its impact for both plan participants and plan sponsors. Some provisions went into effect Jan. 1, 2020 but all key dates will be reviewed, including when plan amendments must be adopted and how plan sponsors can operate in the meantime. There are great incentives for small business to adopt a retirement program.

Artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and big data are being heralded as the end of the accounting profession. This is definitely not true. These emerging technologies will actually increase the value of the services provided by accountants by removing the need to perform mundane transactional and basic compliance work. Accounting firms and finance departments need to develop an innovation strategy to transcend these emerging technologies and prepare their staff for the changes that are coming ... and they are coming sooner than you think! 

Satisfy your 2020 Virginia Board of Accountancy (VBOA) Ethics requirement with this 2-hour, Virginia-specific Ethics course.

Credit Hours: Regulatory Ethics: 2.00

Information coming soon!

Discover why creativity opens our brains up to be happier, more productive workers. Practice with specific tools to encourage creative thinking in yourself and others, and learn about the principals of applied improvisation — where the qualities that make good improv (spontaneity, boldness, humility, collaboration, storytelling and playfulness) also make great leaders and powerful teams. Feel empowered to let loose, solve specific issues with creative tools and learn how to use the power of your whole brain.

Companies are faced with new and different challenges and threats on what seems to be a daily basis — cyber attacks, data security breaches, fraud and corruption risk.  These challenges not only come with financial ramifications, but also can greatly challenge your brand and customer confidence. How can you manage these risks while providing strategic value to your company?  This session will cover the role that advanced data analytics is playing in organizations today and how you can use these tools, while also gaining a competitive advantage through predictive analytics and modeling.

This session is for anyone with little-to-no knowledge of the Credit for Increasing Research Activities, aka “The R&D Tax Credit.” Explore a brief history of the research tax credit, qualifying activities, qualifying expenses, an overview of the two methods to compute the credit, documentation requirements, IRS examination issues, and the latest IRS updates.

Competitive, challenging and constantly shifting. That is the world we live in today. Most of us are just trying to keep up and survive. We’ve let go of our dream of achieving the life we want. But the most successful among us know that even in today’s fast-paced world, you can design and achieve a life that far exceeds your dreams. It’s about living your life strategically. Being clear about what you want, what path you’ll take to get there and how you’ll commit to making it happen.

In this high-energy, fast-paced session, go on a journey to living your life strategically. Walk through the secrets that turn getting the life you want from fantasy to reality.  Highly interactive, this is a nuts-and-bolts get ‘er done program. No walking on coals, no breaking boards, just powerful strategies that ensure you get the life you want.