General Session | 8:00-9:15 am
Don Tomoff
Business Learning Institute
The Impact of Generative AI in Accounting and Finance
Are you an accounting or finance professional seeking to understand the impact of generative AI, like ChatGPT, on our industry? In this course, “The Impact of Generative AI: Considerations and Tips for Accounting and Finance,” you will explore the benefits and challenges of integrating AI-powered tools into your daily workflows. You will learn how to harness the potential of ChatGPT to enhance your efficiency in various accounting and finance tasks, projects, and team collaborations. In this session, you will discover how to capitalize on AI advancements to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving accounting and finance landscape.
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the impact of generative AI, specifically ChatGPT, on the accounting and finance profession.
- Configure and customize ChatGPT for use in accounting and finance-related tasks and projects.
- Apply ChatGPT to assist with various accounting and finance tasks, including Excel-based work, formula creation, troubleshooting, automation, and data analysis.
- Integrate ChatGPT into daily workflows to streamline processes and enhance productivity in accounting and finance settings.
- Utilize ChatGPT effectively in team environments, personal knowledge management processes, and address common issues that may arise.
General Session 1
Field of Study: Information Technology
Learn more about Don
Don Tomoff
Invenio Advisors LLC
Don is the founder of Invenio Advisors LLC, a consulting firm specializing in data analysis and data literacy training, digital information management, process improvement, reporting and, as well as education and training. Don’s experience includes “Big 4” public accounting, senior-level industry finance positions, and consulting. Don’s industry experience included serving eight years with Jo-Ann Stores as VP, Finance and Treasurer.
Don focuses his efforts with executives and companies on digital process improvement, data analytics and training initiatives. His efforts are focused on the identification of process improvement opportunities and leveraging readily available technology tools to drive that change. In addition to consulting and training through Invenio Advisors,
Don is an instructor and course developer for the Business Learning Institute and a regular speaker for the AICPA, companies and at conferences.
Concurrent Sessions | 9:25-10:30 am
John Higgins, CPA, CITP
Higgins Advisory LLC
Rafe Martin
ComTech
Mike Farlow
ComTech
Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
We are approaching the 15th anniversary of the first Bitcoin transaction. This was the official start of the cryptocurrency industry which has grown to over $1,000,000,000,000 in market capitalization. It also marks the unofficial start of the blockchain technology industry. This presentation will review the current landscape for both blockchain technology and cryptocurrency 15 years later. John will discuss the expanded market for blockchain applications in industry, as well as the current state of cryptocurrency from the perspective of its evolution in the technology, regulatory landscape and market acceptance.
Concurrent Session 1A
Field of Study: Information Technology
Learn more about John
John Higgins, CPA, CITP
CPA Crossings
True to his entrepreneurial spirit, John established Higgins Advisory, LLC in 2023, his third client advisory startup company. John focuses on helping accountants understand and leverage emerging technologies to improve the quality and value of their services. Whether you are a CPA in public practice or working in private industry, John can be a valuable coach and resource to help you maximize your professional value. John’s passion for helping advance the success of CPA professionals is delivered in the form of conference presentations, one-on-one coaching and serving as a strategic project advisor.
John previously co-founded the startup CPA Crossings, LLC (CPAx) in 2001 and sold it in 2020. In his role at CPAx, John served as an innovator and strategic technology advisor to accounting firms and other business organizations on how to leverage the power of cloud-based technology tools to accomplish a successful digital transformation. There has never been a more turbulent time in the evolution of business technology. John helps business leaders and CPAs to understand the nature of rapidly evolving technologies and how to harness them to remain ahead of the curve competitively and avoid the risk of obsolete business processes and services.
Cloud Computing and Data Security
Highlights to include:
- Cloud Computing Overview
- Data Security Concerns in Cloud Computing
- Best Practices for Data Security in the Cloud
Concurrent Session 1B
Field of Study: Information Technology
Learn more about Rafe
Rafe Martin
ComTech
Rafe has over twenty-five years of experience in the IT industry as both a software engineer and managing partner for a digital services firm. Rafe brings a wealth of experience to his role as Business Development Manager at ComTech and enjoys helping clients leverage technology to achieve their goals.
Recently, Rafe took on the role of HIPAA Compliance Officer for ComTech and led the company to achieve HIPAA verification as a Managed Services Provider. ComTech currently supports over 30 medical and dental practices.
Rafe’s former accolades include being selected as one of the Triad’s Top 40 Business Leaders Under Forty, an Alamance Community College Distinguished Alumni Nominee, and former Business Advocate of the Year by the Alamance Chamber of Commerce.
In his free time, Rafe enjoys playing in a bluegrass band, golf, the Jeep life, cooking and spending time with his wife and their three children.
Learn more about Mike
Mike Farlow
ComTech
Mike is a founding partner and Chief Executive Officer at ComTech. Mike excels at helping customers improve their productivity through technology. He focuses most of his time working on network design, developing innovative solutions to meet client needs and taking care of the business administration duties at ComTech.
Concurrent Sessions | 10:40-11:45 am
John Higgins
Higgins LLC
Don Tomoff
Business Learning Institute
Automation and Artificial Intelligence
The release of ChatGPT in November 2022 marked a watershed moment in the evolution of AI (artificial intelligence) technology. The application of various forms of AI is bringing revolutionary transformation to business processes in every industry. This presentation will review how generative AI, robotic process automation (RPA) and machine learning (ML) are changing the way we work.
Concurrent Session 2A
Field of Study: Information Technology
Learn more about John
John Higgins, CPA, CITP
CPA Crossings
True to his entrepreneurial spirit, John established Higgins Advisory, LLC in 2023, his third client advisory startup company. John focuses on helping accountants understand and leverage emerging technologies to improve the quality and value of their services. Whether you are a CPA in public practice or working in private industry, John can be a valuable coach and resource to help you maximize your professional value. John’s passion for helping advance the success of CPA professionals is delivered in the form of conference presentations, one-on-one coaching and serving as a strategic project advisor.
John previously co-founded the startup CPA Crossings, LLC (CPAx) in 2001 and sold it in 2020. In his role at CPAx, John served as an innovator and strategic technology advisor to accounting firms and other business organizations on how to leverage the power of cloud-based technology tools to accomplish a successful digital transformation. There has never been a more turbulent time in the evolution of business technology. John helps business leaders and CPAs to understand the nature of rapidly evolving technologies and how to harness them to remain ahead of the curve competitively and avoid the risk of obsolete business processes and services.
Harness the Power of Digital Transformation: Impact on Accounting Finance
Are you ready to understand the impact of digital transformation on the accounting and finance profession? This course is designed to help accounting and finance professionals comprehend and leverage the latest digital tools and technologies to adapt to the evolving landscape. With a focus on the implications of digital transformation in the accounting and finance world, you’ll learn how to effectively manage and use the vast amount of information available to you in today’s rapidly changing world. Through lecture and real-world examples, you’ll develop an understanding of the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s digitally-driven environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to embrace digital transformation in accounting and finance!
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Recall the key concepts and principles of digital transformation and how they apply to the accounting and finance profession.
- Recognize the implications of digital transformation on accounting and finance and how you can adapt.
- Identify strategies for implementing and leveraging new technologies in an accounting and finance setting.
- Develop a personal knowledge management (PKM) system to accumulate, maintain, and access a relevant library of content
Concurrent Session 2B
Field of Study: Information Technology
Learn more about Don
Don Tomoff
Invenio Advisors LLC
Don is the founder of Invenio Advisors LLC, a consulting firm specializing in data analysis and data literacy training, digital information management, process improvement, reporting and, as well as education and training. Don’s experience includes “Big 4” public accounting, senior-level industry finance positions, and consulting. Don’s industry experience included serving eight years with Jo-Ann Stores as VP, Finance and Treasurer.
Don focuses his efforts with executives and companies on digital process improvement, data analytics and training initiatives. His efforts are focused on the identification of process improvement opportunities and leveraging readily available technology tools to drive that change. In addition to consulting and training through Invenio Advisors,
Don is an instructor and course developer for the Business Learning Institute and a regular speaker for the AICPA, companies and at conferences.
Concurrent Sessions | 12:45-1:50 pm
Dr. Marianne Bradford
North Carolina State University – Poole College of Management
Richard Krueger
CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)
Robotic Process Automation in Accounting
Attendees will learn what RPA is, benefits to using RPA for accounting-related tasks, favorable RPA processes and conditions, and pitfalls to avoid if implementing RPA. Attendees will also see demos using UiPath (a leading RPA application) and will be given instructions on “getting their feet wet” with RPA. The RPA technology landscape will also be discussed.
Concurrent Session 3A
Field of Study: Information Technology
Learn more about Marianne
Dr. Marianne Bradford
North Carolina State University – Poole College of Management
Dr. Marianne Bradford is a Professor in the Poole College of Management at NC State, where she teaches IT Audit and ERP systems in the Jenkins MAC and MBA programs. For the last 20 years, Dr. Bradford has been at the forefront of teaching with technology incorporating SAP and NetSuite ERP systems, analytics packages, and more recently robotic process automation (RPA) into her classes. Her research interests include ERP security and implementation issues, IT audit software use, and IT risk management. She has been published in numerous journals including Accounting Horizons, Journal of Information Systems, Strategic Finance, Managerial Auditing Journal, and ISACA Journal. Her professional experience includes working as a financial statement auditor with KPMG and as an IT auditor with Ernst & Young. More recently, Dr. Bradford has served as an expert witness in ERP implementation litigation. She is an inactive CPA.
Machine Learning for Auditing
- Explore artificial intelligence (AI) trends in the audit industry
- Analyze how AI has already and will continue to impact audits
- Consider the impact on our workforce, industry skills, and training
Concurrent Session 3B
Field of Study: Information Technology
Learn more about Richard
Richard Krueger
CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)
Rick leads CLA’s Future Fund, which focuses on using our technology and our data to better know and help our clients. His role includes oversight of internally developed applications, automations, artificial intelligence, digitization, citizen development, and data strategy.
General Session | 2:00-3:05 pm
Mike Guerrieri, CAE
Delcor Technology Solutions
Technology Debt or Investment
Session highlights will include:
- What is technology debt?
- How to move from technology debt management to technology portfolio management
- Common approaches to improve your technology environment through better governance
General Session 2
Field of Study: Business Management & Organization
Learn more about Mike
Mike Guerrieri, CAE
Delcor Technology Solutions
With more than 35 years of experience in the association space and 25 years as a senior IT executive, Mike Guerrieri, CAE, has a history of dynamic leadership, strategic thinking, problem-solving, and team building. He is an experienced and effective leader who excels at planning and communicating technology initiatives that advance the strategic goals of the overall enterprise. He works with clients to focus on outcomes while helping them build high performing cross-functional teams.
Mike holds a B.S. degree in Information Systems Management, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and an M.S. degree in Applied Behavioral Science/Organization Development from Johns Hopkins University. Prior to joining DelCor in 2016, Mr. Guerrieri served as the CIO for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), where he led the overall strategic direction of information technology.
General Session | 3:15-4:30 pm
Aaron Bock
Opkalla
Data Digitalization Hurdles – Panel Discussion
More information coming soon!
General Session 3
Field of Study: Business Management & Organization
Learn more about Aaron
Aaron Bock
Opkalla
With over 12 years in the IT Consulting industry, Aaron has helped companies of all sizes, from startups to Fortune 50, make the best IT decisions to make their life easier. Aaron is an avid runner, Virginia Tech alumni, proud husband and lucky father of two energetic children and a beagle named Winston.
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