Description
Objective
The 2022 Mountain Cluster includes high-level sessions to equip attendees in becoming a successful leaders within their organizations. Attendees will also select from three distinct learning tracks including Tax, Accounting & Auditing, and Management/Personal Development designed to enhance work performance.
Highlights
See individual session descriptions
Who Should Attend
See individual session descriptions
Required Knowledge
See individual session descriptions
Advanced Prep
None
Event Speaker(s)
Additional Event Information
Early Bird Regular
Member $150 $175
Non-Member $200 $225
Accommodations
Renaissance Asheville Hotel
(828) 252-8211
Discounted Reservation Cut-off Date: Wednesday, September 28
Room Rates: $219.99/night
Onsite Information
Registration/Continental Breakfast: 7:15–8:00 am. Sessions begin at 8:00 am.
Lunch
Lunch will be provided for all participants who are registered for both the sessions immediately before and following the lunch break.
Parking
Mountain Cluster attendees will be personally responsible for any costs associated with parking. The hotel’s self-parking rate is $15/per night and the valet rate is $22/per night.
Download Your Materials Before You Arrive Onsite!
Cluster materials will be distributed electronically to registrants 3 business days in advance of the program. You may download your materials to a laptop, tablet, or e-reader, or print them. It’s up to you how you choose to view the materials. Printed materials will not be available on site. Downloading in advance is recommended.
Sessions
Wednesday, October 26, 2022 (8:00 am–11:45 am ET)
1A: Case Studies in Revenue Recognition for NFP
Ms. Marci S. Thomas, CPA, MHA
Kaplan Inc.
Marci Thomas, CPA, MHA, CGMA is an author and discussion leader for Kaplan specializing in accounting and auditing focusing on nonprofits, healthcare entities, single audits, and audit quality. She is an adjunct clinical assistant professor in the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Marci also works with numerous accounting firms performing quality control and efficiency reviews, and with nonprofit boards on strategic planning, internal control, and governance issues.
Peer reviewers have noted that even though ASC 606, Revenue Recognition, and ASU 2018-08 dealing with conditional and unconditional contributions have been effective for a couple of years, firms are still having challenges with them. This may be because the FASB presents examples that are easy to understand and follow but the transactions that not for profits enter into are not straightforward.
This session presents case studies illustrating many of the challenges that peer reviewers, auditors, and clients have shared since the standards became effective.
Level: Intermediate
Yellow Book: This session will count towards Yellow Book hours
Field of Study: Accounting
Wednesday, October 26, 2022 (8:00 am–11:45 am ET)
1B: The Competent Accountant—Mastering the Controller / CFO Role
Mr. James Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.
Jim Lindell is President of Thorsten Consulting, a strategic and financial consulting firm that offers professional speaking, training, and executive coaching. Over the past two decades, Jim has delivered over 5,000 hours of C-suite executive coaching. His professional experience includes Chief Financial Officer, VP-Finance, Corporate Controller, and Corporate Assistant Controller. Industries include manufacturing, healthcare, not-for-profit, distribution, and food processing.
Jim is a CPA and has received the Certified Speaking Professional designation, the highest earned designation from the National Speakers Association. Jim is a Vistage Chairman (Executive Coach and Facilitator) and responsible for two groups in the Milwaukee area.
Jim is the author of Controller as Business Manager, Controllers Annual Update (Best Seller,) Analytics and Big Data for Accountants, and many other courses on strategic and financial leadership. Jim has been published by the AICPA and Wiley.
Jim is an eleven-time recipient of the AICPA’s Outstanding Discussion Leader Award.
Also, Jim is a member of the Irish rock/folk music group “Deep Pool” and is unwilling to admit that he may have played his last rugby match.
“How do you raise your skills to the next level to master the Controller or CFO role?
We will consider requisite skills that align with the CGMA Competency Framework, including Technical Accounting, Business, Leadership and People. Learn to go beyond” the financial numbers?” to” why these results occurred?” Utilize ratios to understand the business dynamics and implications for the company.to change course or take corrective action. Identify business skills, including strategy, planning, vision and trends.
We will also explore the need for people skills, including the ability to influence others, successful negotiation and communication skills. We will also discuss how to develop leadership skills that will inspire your staff and help them succeed.
Level: Basic
Field of Study: Finance
Wednesday, October 26, 2022 (8:00 am–11:45 am ET)
1C: Reviewing Individual Tax Returns: What Are You Missing?
Mr. William F. Taylor, CPA
The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
Bill is President of Benefit Solutions, Ltd., a benefit consulting firm, and a CPA in private practice. Since retiring as Community Bank President of Renasant Bank in Water Valley, MS. he has served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the MBA program at the University of Mississippi. Bill has worked in the employee benefit and investment fields for over 20 years, beginning his career as the Employee Benefits Coordinator in the Jackson, MS office of KPMG Peat Marwick and managing his own firm since 1999.
A nationally known consultant and speaker, Bill has conducted seminars for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries, more than 40 state CPA and Bar associations and other organizations. He was awarded the AICPA Outstanding Discussion Leader award for 2008. Bill is the author of Taxation of Employee Benefits Volume I and Volume II, and his articles have appeared in numerous publications.
The sheer mass of Internal Revenue Code provisions affecting individual taxpayers presents a considerable challenge for CPAs and tax professionals. These provisions combined with the potential for input error when utilizing the array of income tax software available, create the potential for a multitude of errors that can occur when preparing your client’s tax return.
Join us as we discuss the common errors practitioners make on individual tax returns that are often missed by review staff. Sharpen your reviewing skills by examining case studies discussing issues for which additional information from the client may be warranted, and areas of tax law that require additional analysis and information.
Level: Intermediate
Field of Study: Taxes
Wednesday, October 26, 2022 (12:15 pm–4:00 pm ET)
2A: Testing Internal Control and Compliance in a Single Audit and Single Audit Update
Ms. Marci S. Thomas, CPA, MHA
Kaplan Inc.
Marci Thomas, CPA, MHA, CGMA is an author and discussion leader for Kaplan specializing in accounting and auditing focusing on nonprofits, healthcare entities, single audits, and audit quality. She is an adjunct clinical assistant professor in the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Marci also works with numerous accounting firms performing quality control and efficiency reviews, and with nonprofit boards on strategic planning, internal control, and governance issues.
This course discusses the most important aspects of a compliance audit: identifying direct and material compliance requirements, understanding and testing of internal control, and auditing compliance. These are the areas most identified as deficiencies in peer review.
This course also presents a Single Audit Update. The Single Audit landscape is fraught with risk because of the extent of the COVID funding made available to nonprofits, governments and commercial (for profit) entities. Although commercial entities are not subject to the Single Audit Act, the COVID funding often comes with compliance and reporting requirements. We will discuss the most up to date information available at the time of the course.
Level: Update
Yellow Book: This session will count towards Yellow Book hours
Field of Study: Auditing (Governmental)
Wednesday, October 26, 2022 (12:15 pm–4:00 pm ET)
2B: Business Longevity: Is Your Business Wobbling?
Mr. James Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.
Jim Lindell is President of Thorsten Consulting, a strategic and financial consulting firm that offers professional speaking, training, and executive coaching. Over the past two decades, Jim has delivered over 5,000 hours of C-suite executive coaching. His professional experience includes Chief Financial Officer, VP-Finance, Corporate Controller, and Corporate Assistant Controller. Industries include manufacturing, healthcare, not-for-profit, distribution, and food processing.
Jim is a CPA and has received the Certified Speaking Professional designation, the highest earned designation from the National Speakers Association. Jim is a Vistage Chairman (Executive Coach and Facilitator) and responsible for two groups in the Milwaukee area.
Jim is the author of Controller as Business Manager, Controllers Annual Update (Best Seller,) Analytics and Big Data for Accountants, and many other courses on strategic and financial leadership. Jim has been published by the AICPA and Wiley.
Jim is an eleven-time recipient of the AICPA’s Outstanding Discussion Leader Award.
Also, Jim is a member of the Irish rock/folk music group “Deep Pool” and is unwilling to admit that he may have played his last rugby match.
“Almost 50% of businesses that started five years ago are no longer operating today. Controllers and CFOs can and must influence the longevity of their organization to improve their success rate.
This session will help attendees be aware of and address your company’s and industry’s financial health. Identify your organization and industry’s business cycle. Determine that you have an executable plan. Identify key competitive, legal and technological trends that impact the company’s future success. Identify if your organization is aligned and incentivized to be successful?” Properly employed tactics can significantly reduce the wobbling effect in companies.
Level: Basic
Field of Study: Finance
Wednesday, October 26, 2022 (12:15 pm–4:00 pm ET)
2C: Reviewing S Corporation Tax Returns: What Are You Missing?
Mr. William F. Taylor, CPA
The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
Bill is President of Benefit Solutions, Ltd., a benefit consulting firm, and a CPA in private practice. Since retiring as Community Bank President of Renasant Bank in Water Valley, MS. he has served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the MBA program at the University of Mississippi. Bill has worked in the employee benefit and investment fields for over 20 years, beginning his career as the Employee Benefits Coordinator in the Jackson, MS office of KPMG Peat Marwick and managing his own firm since 1999.
A nationally known consultant and speaker, Bill has conducted seminars for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries, more than 40 state CPA and Bar associations and other organizations. He was awarded the AICPA Outstanding Discussion Leader award for 2008. Bill is the author of Taxation of Employee Benefits Volume I and Volume II, and his articles have appeared in numerous publications.
The complexity of S corporation tax law creates a formidable challenge to the tax practitioner for accurate compliance and reporting of their client’s S corporation activities. Join us as we discuss the common errors practitioners make on S corporation tax returns that are often missed by review staff.
The intent is to sharpen skills for reviewers by examining case studies and discussing issues where additional information from the client may be warranted and areas of tax law where proper treatment requires additional analysis and information. Multiple issues will be discussed including income, deductions, K-1 reporting, and more! This course follows a highly illustrative case study format to increase participant comprehension and retention.
Level: Intermediate
Field of Study: Taxes
Thursday, October 27, 2022 (8:00 am–11:45 am ET)
3A: Leases - It's Almost Time: Best Practices & Lease Accounting Refresher
Ms. Marci S. Thomas, CPA, MHA
Kaplan Inc.
Marci Thomas, CPA, MHA, CGMA is an author and discussion leader for Kaplan specializing in accounting and auditing focusing on nonprofits, healthcare entities, single audits, and audit quality. She is an adjunct clinical assistant professor in the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Marci also works with numerous accounting firms performing quality control and efficiency reviews, and with nonprofit boards on strategic planning, internal control, and governance issues.
ASC 842, Leases, is effective for calendar year 2022. Now is the time to make sure that accountants in industry and auditors are up to speed on the standards.
This course will cover best practices in implementation as well as a lease accounting refresher.
Level: Basic
Yellow Book: This session will count towards Yellow Book hours
Field of Study: Accounting
Thursday, October 27, 2022 (8:00 am–11:45 am ET)
3B: Data & Predictive Analytics, Business Intelligence
Mr. James Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.
Jim Lindell is President of Thorsten Consulting, a strategic and financial consulting firm that offers professional speaking, training, and executive coaching. Over the past two decades, Jim has delivered over 5,000 hours of C-suite executive coaching. His professional experience includes Chief Financial Officer, VP-Finance, Corporate Controller, and Corporate Assistant Controller. Industries include manufacturing, healthcare, not-for-profit, distribution, and food processing.
Jim is a CPA and has received the Certified Speaking Professional designation, the highest earned designation from the National Speakers Association. Jim is a Vistage Chairman (Executive Coach and Facilitator) and responsible for two groups in the Milwaukee area.
Jim is the author of Controller as Business Manager, Controllers Annual Update (Best Seller,) Analytics and Big Data for Accountants, and many other courses on strategic and financial leadership. Jim has been published by the AICPA and Wiley.
Jim is an eleven-time recipient of the AICPA’s Outstanding Discussion Leader Award.
Also, Jim is a member of the Irish rock/folk music group “Deep Pool” and is unwilling to admit that he may have played his last rugby match.
In this session, Jim helps explain how Data Analytics has become an expectation of accountants, as reporting is a base commodity and can (and must be) improved with Data Analytics in the Accounting/Finance department.
Learn how visual application can complement and sometimes outweigh traditional financial reporting. You’ll also discover the four phases of analytics and their relationship to the accounting function and career advancement, as well as how Business Intelligence impacts the accounting role for staffing, data acquisition, analysis, and machine learning.
Level: Basic
Field of Study: Information Technology
Thursday, October 27, 2022 (8:00 am–11:45 am ET)
3C: Reviewing Partnership Tax Returns: What Are You Missing?
Mr. William F. Taylor, CPA
The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
Bill is President of Benefit Solutions, Ltd., a benefit consulting firm, and a CPA in private practice. Since retiring as Community Bank President of Renasant Bank in Water Valley, MS. he has served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the MBA program at the University of Mississippi. Bill has worked in the employee benefit and investment fields for over 20 years, beginning his career as the Employee Benefits Coordinator in the Jackson, MS office of KPMG Peat Marwick and managing his own firm since 1999.
A nationally known consultant and speaker, Bill has conducted seminars for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries, more than 40 state CPA and Bar associations and other organizations. He was awarded the AICPA Outstanding Discussion Leader award for 2008. Bill is the author of Taxation of Employee Benefits Volume I and Volume II, and his articles have appeared in numerous publications.
The partnership section of the Internal Revenue Code is arguably one of the most difficult sections to comprehend. That complexity, and the reliability of tax software to properly handle it, can create many issues for you and your staff when processing you client’s LLC and partnership tax returns.
Join us as we discuss the common errors practitioners make on partnership tax returns that are often missed by review staff. The intent is to sharpen skills for reviewers by examining case studies and discussing issues where additional information from the client may be warranted and areas of tax law where proper treatment requires additional analysis and information.
Multiple issues will be discussed including income, deductions, K-1 reporting, and more! This course follows a highly illustrative case study format to increase participant comprehension and retention.
Level: Intermediate
Field of Study: Taxes
Thursday, October 27, 2022 (12:15 pm–4:00 pm ET)
4A: New Audit Standards SASs 142 - 145
Ms. Marci S. Thomas, CPA, MHA
Kaplan Inc.
Marci Thomas, CPA, MHA, CGMA is an author and discussion leader for Kaplan specializing in accounting and auditing focusing on nonprofits, healthcare entities, single audits, and audit quality. She is an adjunct clinical assistant professor in the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Marci also works with numerous accounting firms performing quality control and efficiency reviews, and with nonprofit boards on strategic planning, internal control, and governance issues.
The AICPA has issued 12 new standards over the last few years that have made significant changes in financial statement auditing and reporting.
This course will briefly review the standards that were effective beginning with calendar year 2021 and we will take a deeper dive into the Evidence standard, which is effective beginning with calendar year end 2022, the estimate standard, the standard on using the work of specialists and pricing services and the new risk assessment standard which are effective beginning with calendar year end 2023 and the standard on engagement quality management which is effective in 2025.
Level: Update
Yellow Book: This session will count towards Yellow Book hours
Field of Study: Auditing
Thursday, October 27, 2022 (12:15 pm–4:00 pm ET)
4B: Reinventing the Office: Lean Management Techniques and RPA (Robotic Process Automation)
Mr. James Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.
Jim Lindell is President of Thorsten Consulting, a strategic and financial consulting firm that offers professional speaking, training, and executive coaching. Over the past two decades, Jim has delivered over 5,000 hours of C-suite executive coaching. His professional experience includes Chief Financial Officer, VP-Finance, Corporate Controller, and Corporate Assistant Controller. Industries include manufacturing, healthcare, not-for-profit, distribution, and food processing.
Jim is a CPA and has received the Certified Speaking Professional designation, the highest earned designation from the National Speakers Association. Jim is a Vistage Chairman (Executive Coach and Facilitator) and responsible for two groups in the Milwaukee area.
Jim is the author of Controller as Business Manager, Controllers Annual Update (Best Seller,) Analytics and Big Data for Accountants, and many other courses on strategic and financial leadership. Jim has been published by the AICPA and Wiley.
Jim is an eleven-time recipient of the AICPA’s Outstanding Discussion Leader Award.
Also, Jim is a member of the Irish rock/folk music group “Deep Pool” and is unwilling to admit that he may have played his last rugby match.
Financial managers are continually asked to do more with less. Without a practical working knowledge of lean techniques, getting the most out of your accounting operation is virtually impossible. We will discuss lean concepts and methods and how to apply these tools in the office environment. This session will also include an overview of Robotic Process Automation.
Level: Intermediate
Field of Study: Business Management & Organization
Thursday, October 27, 2022 (12:15 pm–4:00 pm ET)
4C: Social Security & Medicare: Maximizing Retirement Benefits
Mr. William F. Taylor, CPA
The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
Bill is President of Benefit Solutions, Ltd., a benefit consulting firm, and a CPA in private practice. Since retiring as Community Bank President of Renasant Bank in Water Valley, MS. he has served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the MBA program at the University of Mississippi. Bill has worked in the employee benefit and investment fields for over 20 years, beginning his career as the Employee Benefits Coordinator in the Jackson, MS office of KPMG Peat Marwick and managing his own firm since 1999.
A nationally known consultant and speaker, Bill has conducted seminars for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries, more than 40 state CPA and Bar associations and other organizations. He was awarded the AICPA Outstanding Discussion Leader award for 2008. Bill is the author of Taxation of Employee Benefits Volume I and Volume II, and his articles have appeared in numerous publications.
Our Social Security system provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to millions of Americans. The long-term future of Social Security and Medicare is uncertain, triggering concerns for many workers who are now paying into the system.
Attend this course to learn about FICA, the Medicare tax, and more. You will cover real-world situations and use the tools provided to advise your clients to make optimal decisions when it comes to Social Security and Medicare.
Level: Intermediate
Field of Study: Taxes
Friday, October 28, 2022 (8:00 am–11:45 am ET)
5A: Issues Frequently Noted in Peer Review & Introduction to the AICPA's New Quality Management Standards
Ms. Marci S. Thomas, CPA, MHA
Kaplan Inc.
Marci Thomas, CPA, MHA, CGMA is an author and discussion leader for Kaplan specializing in accounting and auditing focusing on nonprofits, healthcare entities, single audits, and audit quality. She is an adjunct clinical assistant professor in the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Marci also works with numerous accounting firms performing quality control and efficiency reviews, and with nonprofit boards on strategic planning, internal control, and governance issues.
The AICPA has been more rigorous about monitoring quality and has become stricter on peer reviewers since it initiated its Engagement Audit Quality Initiative in 2014.
Eight years later we are still seeing numerous issues arise and many of them are related to changes in professional literature and the COVID-19 environment.
In 2022 the AICPA issued its new quality management standards that will change many of the ways firms handle their quality management. In years prior firms followed the guidance in QC 10 but beginning in 2025 they will be following SQMS 1 and 2 and SAS 146.
The standards will take some time to implement so this introduction is something you won’t want to miss.
Level: Update
Yellow Book: This session will count towards Yellow Book hours
Field of Study: Auditing
Friday, October 28, 2022 (8:00 am–11:45 am ET)
5B: Coaching Skills for CPAs, Controllers, & Financial Managers
Mr. James Lindell, CPA, CSP, CGMA, MBA
Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.
Jim Lindell is President of Thorsten Consulting, a strategic and financial consulting firm that offers professional speaking, training, and executive coaching. Over the past two decades, Jim has delivered over 5,000 hours of C-suite executive coaching. His professional experience includes Chief Financial Officer, VP-Finance, Corporate Controller, and Corporate Assistant Controller. Industries include manufacturing, healthcare, not-for-profit, distribution, and food processing.
Jim is a CPA and has received the Certified Speaking Professional designation, the highest earned designation from the National Speakers Association. Jim is a Vistage Chairman (Executive Coach and Facilitator) and responsible for two groups in the Milwaukee area.
Jim is the author of Controller as Business Manager, Controllers Annual Update (Best Seller,) Analytics and Big Data for Accountants, and many other courses on strategic and financial leadership. Jim has been published by the AICPA and Wiley.
Jim is an eleven-time recipient of the AICPA’s Outstanding Discussion Leader Award.
Also, Jim is a member of the Irish rock/folk music group “Deep Pool” and is unwilling to admit that he may have played his last rugby match.
Professional athletes have multiple coaches – business people rarely utilize coaches. This course will focus on creating the coaching skills required to raise your employees’ performance. Included will be: Coaching Model / Strategies, Successful Communication Techniques, Root Cause Analysis, Performance Gap Analysis, Personality impact, Emotional intelligence and Probing questions.
Jim will share practical techniques he has learned and developed from 20+ years of executive coaching. He has led over 5,000 hours of executive coaching and is a professional coach for VISTAGE, the world’s leading coaching organization.
Level: Basic
Field of Study: Personal Development
Friday, October 28, 2022 (8:00 am–11:45 am ET)
5C: Individual Income & Tax Compliance Annual Update
Mr. William F. Taylor, CPA
The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
Bill is President of Benefit Solutions, Ltd., a benefit consulting firm, and a CPA in private practice. Since retiring as Community Bank President of Renasant Bank in Water Valley, MS. he has served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the MBA program at the University of Mississippi. Bill has worked in the employee benefit and investment fields for over 20 years, beginning his career as the Employee Benefits Coordinator in the Jackson, MS office of KPMG Peat Marwick and managing his own firm since 1999.
A nationally known consultant and speaker, Bill has conducted seminars for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries, more than 40 state CPA and Bar associations and other organizations. He was awarded the AICPA Outstanding Discussion Leader award for 2008. Bill is the author of Taxation of Employee Benefits Volume I and Volume II, and his articles have appeared in numerous publications.
Save time and keep current on the latest tax developments! This course covers all legislative, judicial, and IRS developments of the past year with a focus on implementation and compliance.
Discover how to effectively and confidently complete tax planning and compliance engagements. Cover current developments affecting individuals (including those regarding income, deductions and losses, tax calculations, individual credits, filing matters).
Level: Update
Field of Study: Taxes
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Registration Fees
Early Bird Rate expires October 12, 2022
| Registration | Early Bird | Regular |
|---|---|---|
| NCACPA MemberSee Individual Sessions for Pricing | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Non-MemberSee Individual Sessions for Pricing | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Other St CPA Society MemberSee Individual Sessions for Pricing | $0.00 | $0.00 |
The North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org/.For information regarding refund, complaint, program cancellation or other policies, visit our Registration Policies page or call 800-469-1352.