Expand Your Value-Adding Skills: Uncovering the CPAs Worth to the Organization (111223)

REGISTRATION STATUS: Online registrations are closed for this event. We can take your registration over the phone at 800-782-2036.

Date:	Wednesday, August 01, 2012
Time:	12:00PM - 3:30PM (Registration at 11:30AM)
Facility:	Sheraton Annapolis Hotel, Annapolis
CPE Credit:	4 Finance
Course Type:	Seminars
Provider:	AICPA
Instructor:	Jennifer H. Elder, CPA, CMA, CIA, CFF
Field of Study:	Finance, Personal Development, Business Mgmt & Organization
Level of Knowledge:	Intermediate
Fees:	$150 MACPA Members, $200 Non-Members
Referral Discount:	($50)
Student Discount:	($50)
Reciprocal Discount	($50)

Description:

The primary duty of a CPA is to protect the assets of their organization. This requires an increasing understanding of the key functions of the business, the overall environment and expanded and improved analytical techniques. When a firm fails, it is usually due to several identified problems. However, these problems often result from a small number of poor practices that infect the entire organization. They can include such items as reliance on inappropriate or inaccurate data/measurements, lack of understanding of long-term costs, the absence of a functioning asset allocation process and/or plan, inaction, an inability to identify and thus manage risk, etc. In numerous instances an organization will repeat a bad practice across the enterprise.

Too often, such activities are not detected until significant damage has been done. This course identifies practices, techniques and analytical tools, and relates them specifically to key tasks/functions of CPAs and other financial professionals. These activities include: general analysis, decision making, cost management, selected accounting practices, bud-geting, forecasting, measuring and reporting. In addition, the course provides insights
on managing through a business cycle and redefines some ideas about risk management. Examples and exercises, using actual companies and/or events, are included.

Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Employ a series of practical steps and tools to improve their analysis of a variety of situations

Isolate cost drivers and trends

Assist management in preparing for, and navigating the organization through the business cycle.

Improve budgeting and other resource management processes

Better identify and manage risk

Major Topics:

Development of practical tools to improve analysis, set priorities and focus on key drivers (causes) of events
Examination of the actions of companies to learn from their successes and failures
Describe actions/practices that can increase an organization's competitiveness
Review selected traditional accounting practices as to their benefits and potential limitations/problems, and discussions of alternatives
Provide a framework to uncover and manage hidden risk