Young CPA Conference

This conference is a must for young and emerging accounting professionals. In addition to
A&A and tax updates, attendees will enjoy speakers throughout the day who will share their expertise in career development, leadership, communicating and marketing.

Course Level: Basic
TSBA Subject Code: M/E/A/T
CPE Credit: 10 hours (2 hours state-specific ethics, 6 hours management, 2 hours accounting & auditing OR 2 hours tax)

Hotel Information: A limited block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton Downtown Nashville at a rate of $169 per night until Tuesday, May 20. Reservations may be made by calling 615/620-1000. Please indicate that you are with the Tennessee Society of CPAs when making your reservation.

Schedule at a Glance

3:45 - 4:15 p.m. — Registration/Welcome

4:15 - 5:55 p.m. — If I Follow the Law and Rules Does That Make Me Ethical?
Douglas E. Warren, CPA, CFE, FCPA, Managing Partner, Warren & Tallent CPAs PLLC, Sweetwater, Tenn.
The responsibility for ethical behavior should be taken seriously – at every level, by everyone. Conducting business ethically with the utmost professionalism is essential to maintain a high level of public trust. Decision making is the critical key to survival in the future. We must increase our understanding of the Tennessee Accountancy Law and Rules to ensure compliance. We will address specific issues that accountants should know to practice legally in Tennessee. We will examine “real life” dilemmas often faced by young CPAs in the practice of accountancy. If I do tax returns on the side, do I have to register my firm? If a client does not pay for my services, can I refuse to return their information? How do I respond to unethical actions by my colleagues? What are the specific requirements to be licensed and maintain an accounting practice in Tennessee?

6:30 p.m. — Networking Reception
Join your colleagues for complimentary appetizers and drinks on the rooftop deck of Rippy’s Smokin’ Bar & Grill in downtown Nashville. Evening reception sponsored by Decosimo, First Tennessee and the Nashville Chapter of TSCPA.

7:30 - 8 a.m. — Registration/Continental Breakfast

8 - 8:05 a.m. — Welcome/Announcements

8:05 - 9:20 a.m. — Dealing with Difficult People
Andrew Gieselmann, Business Development Specialist, Northstar Institute, Memphis, Tenn.
When you are faced with difficult people, you will end up feeling stressed, angry or anxious when trying to communicate. It can be overwhelming when handling an encounter with a difficult person. But, we all have to do it, and the reality is that difficult people are everywhere. Unless you are able to seclude yourself from society permanently, you must know how to live among them. Here is your chance to learn what makes being around difficult people challenging. We will explore ways to make your life easier by learning how to speak the language of a difficult person.

9:20 - 9:25 a.m. — Change Break

9:25 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. — Concurrent Sessions (please select one)

Management Strategies that Get Results
Kevie Mikus, SPHR, Vice President Client Services, The HR Group, Brentwood, Tenn.
This presentation provides insight into the skills every manager must have in order to achieve team synergy and success. Learn how to adjust your management style … use coaching as a tool to improve performance and job satisfaction ... and communicate more effectively up, down and across the organization.
How You Will Benefit:

Gain a deeper understanding of your role and responsibility as a manager … not just a technical guru.
Improve your communication to effectively set expectations for your direct reports.
Adapt your leadership style to meet the needs of the individual team members.
Communicate organizational goals that get results.
Learn how to develop people, value differences and encourage honest communication.

Studies show that employees don’t leave companies; employees leave bad managers. Being an effective manager is a learned skill. This session will assist you in becoming a better manager which ultimately increases the organization’s competitive advantage ... and yours.

“Auditing” Your Personal Financial Plan
Charles Lee Johnson, CPA, CFP, Vice President-Portfolio Manager, Merrill Lynch, Jackson, Tenn.
Clients expect CPAs to guide them in more financial areas than ever before, but when was the last time you paused to evaluate your financial picture and charted a path to achieve your goals? Consider the following questions. When do you want to retire? How much do you need to save to retire in comfort someday? What type of life and disability insurance should you own and why? What about professional liability and tax minimization techniques? What type of investments should you buy and how should you buy them? These are a few of the questions we will explore in an effort to help you give the appropriate attention to the planning of your family’s financial future.

10:15 - 10:30 a.m. — Networking Break and Exhibit Viewing

10:30 - 11:45 a.m. — Deadly Enterprise
Gerald Kelly, CPA, Fraud and Litigation Manager, HORNE LLP, Birmingham, Ala.
This session pertains to the investigation of a fraud investigation where two brothers obtained life insurance policies on more than 40 different people and then systematically killed people to collect on the death benefits of these policies. The case study will show how forensic accounting was a part of the investigation of this case.

11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. — Lunch

12:45 - 2:25 p.m. — Concurrent Sessions (please select one)

2008 Real World Accounting & Auditing Update for the Local Firm
James D. “Jim” Martin, CPA, Partner, Martin & Orr, LLC, Atlanta, Ga.
In the past 18 months, there have been some of the greatest (and most controversial) changes ever made to accounting and auditing standards. To say that most practitioners are not well-enough informed about the nature and impact of these changes is an understatement. To believe that the new pronouncements will not impact the “small” practitioner is naïve. In order to aide the practitioner in applying the new standards that have the most relevance and impact in the REAL WORLD, the session will be spent on applying FIN 48, the new Risk Assessment Auditing Suite (including SAS 112) and the new consolidation standards (effective in 2009) to actual and simulated situations. Even if you’re a tax person, you will find this session interesting and informative.

What’s New in State & Local Taxes
Larry Hyatt, CPA, CFE, Managing Partner, Larry Hyatt & Associates, PLLC, Brentwood, Tenn.
What changes are taking place in state and local taxes that impact my clients and/or company and what actions should I be taking, if any? You will learn of recent legislative changes that will be effective July 1, 2008 and Jan. 1, 2009 including any changes you should be putting in place to ensure you and/or your company are in compliance. The presentation will also cover unclaimed property audits in Tennessee and the state’s filing requirements; recent court cases and their impact; and incentive dollars often overlooked and unclaimed by Tennessee business.

2:25 - 2:40 p.m. — Networking Break and Exhibit Viewing

2:40 - 3:30 p.m. — Business Development for Accountants
Jennifer Thomas, Director of Marketing, Vaco, Brentwood, Tenn.
Position yourself to climb the corporate ladder in record time, and let the rainmaking begin! Business development in the accounting world has become a necessity. Set yourself apart from your peers by building your own book of business! Learn how to effectively network, “work a room” and even prospect for new business — without seeming like a used car salesman!

3:30 - 3:35 p.m. — Change Break

3:35 - 4:25 p.m. — CPA: Imagine the Possibilities
William W. Acuff, CPA, CFE, Director of Forensic Services, Decosimo, Chattanooga, Tenn., Jeff Edmondson, CPA, Chief Financial Officer, Curb Records, Nashville, Tenn., and Lisa Stickel, CPA, Stickel, CPA, White House, Tenn.
Have you ever wondered how to get involved in the fraud/investigations side of accounting? How about stepping out on your own one day, or even becoming the CFO for a company? These panelists will share their stories and advice as well as answer your questions about your career as a CPA.

4:25 p.m. — Evaluations/Conference Adjourns

Registration Information

Enroll soon because space is limited. Register by June 5 to pay the discounted registration fee. Registrations must be received seven days prior to the event in order to guarantee a seat and course materials. Allow approximately one week for receipt of confirmation.

Cancellations and Substitutions: Cancellations received by June 11 will be assessed a $30 administrative fee. Cancellations received between June 12 and June 18 will be subject to a cancellation fee of 50 percent of the program fee. No refunds are given on or after the date of the program. A $30 administrative fee will be assessed for all substitutions and transfers. Registrants may substitute another individual up to the day before the conference. TSCPA must be notified in advance to ensure proper CPE credit.

Conference Fee Includes: sessions, conference materials, continental breakfast, lunch, reception and refreshment breaks .

TSCPA provides you with a Proof of Attendance that serves as your permanent record of participation. The Proof of Attendance, noting the credits earned, will be e-mailed within two weeks of the program.

If you have special needs under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please attach a written description or call the society office at 615/377-3825 or 1-800/762-0272.

4 Easy Ways to Register

By Mail
Mail completed registration form and payment to:
Educational & Memorial Foundation of TSCPA
201 Powell Place, Brentwood, TN 37027

This conference is presented by The Educational & Memorial Foundation of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants and the TSCPA Young CPA Committee.

stand out

Schedule at a Glance

Registration Information

4 Easy Ways to Register

© Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants
Disclaimer | FAQs | TSCPA Home | Contact TSCPA

stand out

Schedule at a Glance

Registration Information

4 Easy Ways to Register

© Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants Disclaimer | FAQs | TSCPA Home | Contact TSCPA

© Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants
Disclaimer | FAQs | TSCPA Home | Contact TSCPA