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November 9 - 10, 2023 Live Webcast

Technology Conference (E2311450)

9:00 AM - 5:15 PM EDT each day
webcast

Vendor Platform

16 CPE Credits in SK

OVERVIEW

Receive helpful tips and advanced techniques, along with the tools and skills necessary to keep up with the ever-increasing pace of change in technology. Learn practical solutions to the real-world issues faced by accounting, financial and other business professionals.

DESIGNED FOR

Accounting and financial professionals who want to improve their personal and organizational productivity

BENEFITS

  • Determine how to utilize existing and future technologies to address the needs of your organization.
  • Describe trends in hardware and software to make more informed decisions for your business and your clients.
  • Develop and implement strategies for improving information security and collaboration.
  • Utilize the most powerful features of Microsoft Office and other productivity software.

HIGHLIGHTS

This conference is presented by the Virginia Society of CPAs (VSCPA) in cooperation with the NJCPA.

Thursday, November 9 Agenda

9-10:40 a.m.
Tech Update
Randolph Johnston, MCS
This session provides insights, options and recommendations to help you decide which technologies will affect your business and which will give you a competitive edge. Included in the session are emerging and evolving technologies important to accounting professionals. We will cover the benefits and risks of adopting recent technologies, ranging from software applications to hardware devices. Learn how to develop a balanced technology strategy that includes current, emerging and future technology choices for your firm or business.

10:55 a.m.-12:35 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
CPA Firm Update
Randolph Johnston, MCS
This session independently covers significant trends and technologies for CPA firms, which will help you understand your current and future choices. Hear about data analytics and security options in an advisory context as well as portals, CAS stacks, PBC lists, electronic signatures, cloud and robotic process automation.

Now Is the Time to Automate!
Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP
The term “automate” has been an industry buzzword for at least a decade. Yet, few organizations have embarked on successful automation journeys, leading to greater efficiencies, reduced errors and happier team members. In this session, you will learn how to crank up your automation projects and see first-hand how easy and effective automation can be. More specifically, this session shows you exactly how you can work with tools from Zoho, Zapier and Microsoft to enable powerful routines that will allow you and your team to get more done in less time.

Using OneNote More & Email Less
Lawrence McClelland, J.D.
OneNote is a fantastic application included in your Microsoft 365 subscription. Yet, it is underutilized and misunderstood most of the time. If you genuinely want to change how you work, embrace OneNote. Stop using Outlook as a filing cabinet for essential emails and move them to OneNote instead. If you share a OneNote notebook with others, you can stop emailing altogether within your group and use OneNote as your collaboration and reference platform.

1:30-3:10 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
Collaboration: Portals, Payments & Signatures
Randolph Johnston, MCS
This session will explain the necessary features, provide an overview of the best technologies for collaboration, and help you think through how to solve your business problems. You’ll learn about the options available from client portals, workflow management, payments, eSignatures and more. Attend this session and arm yourself with the tools you need to succeed!

Shredding Your Servers & Going Virtual
Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP
Most small- and mid-sized businesses are at least considering cloud-based suites for business management, performance management and productivity. Unfortunately, many owners and accounting professionals need to learn the difference between using cloud-native tools, employing a managed service provider, and utilizing a desktop hosting provider. This session helps participants understand the differences in the levels of service provided by these offerings and will also highlight some of the regulatory barriers which could create problems for your organization. Attend this session and learn what you need to know before saying “see ya” to your servers.

Taking Another Look at PDFs
Lawrence McClelland, J.D.
Learn more about PDFs and how and why they should be a cornerstone technology in most organizations. Collaboration options, long-term storage and archival, and fillable forms are just a few features you will learn about in this session. This session is for you if you’re ready to elevate your PDF productivity!

3:25-5:05 p.m.
The Best Kept Secrets of Microsoft 365
Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP
Many organizations have implemented Microsoft 365/Office 365 at a basic level, but few have truly explored the breadth and depth of tools included with their subscriptions. Some less commonly known apps help you manage shared email boxes, create and use web forms, schedule appointments, trade shifts, create real-time closed captions, and translate presentations. Attend this session and learn more about the hidden features in Microsoft 365 that you can use to level up your productivity.


Friday, November 10 Agenda

9-10:40 a.m.
Ripped From The Headlines: Outrageous Tales of Cybercrimes
Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP
This session is a series of case studies that examine actual criminal filings and news accounts and use them to highlight some of the actions you can take to limit your exposure to similar schemes. Attend this session and learn more about how high-profile control failures occurred so you can be more effective at preventing crimes in your organization.

10:55 a.m-12:35 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
Accounting Solutions & Add-ons for Small Businesses
Randolph Johnston, MCS
Working with a small business, you know that keeping the company’s finances in order is critical to success. While numerous software programs and tools are available to help you do this, they vary substantially in many significant aspects. In addition to conventional options like QuickBooks and Sage 50, you can choose from Cloud-based tools such as Zoho Books, QuickBooks Online, Spire Systems, Xero, Accounting Suite, Accounting Power and many more. In this session, we’ll look at the best accounting tools for small businesses and discuss the benefits of each one. This session covers accounting solutions that should work for startups and companies with up to $10 million in annual revenue. We also cover various add-on solutions that can enhance the overall functionality of your accounting platform. Join us to learn your options for achieving your small business management financial goals.

The Digital Home
Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP
This session will help you learn about devices, services and app suites for families, share files, organize photos, manage passwords and keep your home secure. Attend this breakout and learn about innovative new tools to help you stay safe and make the most of your time away from the office.

Top 10 Outlook Tips
Lawrence McClelland, J.D.
Using Outlook for email management is routine for most business professionals these days. But unfortunately, using this tool for so long may cause some to perpetuate bad practices and habits when working in Outlook and exploring new options Outlook offers. In this session, you will discover ten valuable tips to take you to the next level of your email and work management.


1:30-2:20 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
Accounting Solutions: Mid-Market
Randolph Johnston, MCS
This session covers integrated and ERP solutions that should work for businesses in the $10 million to $1 billion range. If your existing system has been in place for seven or more years, it is time to consider upgrading or replacing it. Leverage your instructor’s knowledge of the market to minimize your risk.

Simplifying & Economizing Your Tech Stack
Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP
All business professionals need access to the necessary technology to help them perform their jobs efficiently and effectively. Yet, no one should overpay for their tech stack. Unfortunately, though, many are overpaying and have yet to realize it. In this session, you will learn valuable tips to help you simplify and economize your technology stack.

Six Essential Teams Features
Lawrence McClelland, J.D.
The mad scramble to remote work and utilize apps like Teams has been trying for most organizations over the past couple of years. With a rush to install and no time to plan, most team members did their best, prioritizing remote meetings as the primary concern. Therefore, as a result, Teams is vastly misunderstood and underutilized in most organizations. Join us in this session to go beyond the remote meetings aspect of Teams and to learn how to optimize efficiency, communication and workflow with Teams.


2:30-3:20 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
Kicking It up a Notch With KPIs
Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP
This session will teach you about many different kinds of KPIs. Further, you will learn how to find data and use tools like Microsoft Excel and Power BI to measure performance. You will also identify the benefits and drawbacks of using KPIs in management philosophies like holacracy to make it easier for employees to know in real time where they stand.

Understanding Your Ransomware Risk
Randolph Johnston, MCS
Protecting yourself from ransomware requires more than just anti-virus software. Additional technology protections are necessary. Further, business continuity, legal and regulatory, and cybersecurity insurance considerations should all be a part of your risk abatement strategy. Attend this session to determine if your current level of ransomware protection reduces your risk to an acceptable and identify ways to ensure that you are protected.

OneDrive's Best Practices
Lawrence McClelland, J.D.
Although Windows incorporates the OneDrive app, you may not have configured it correctly for your specific needs. Using the OneDrive app and the related Cloud storage service to their fullest potential means you can access your files when and where you need them. Further, sharing your files and collaborating with others is easy when using OneDrive correctly. In this session, you will learn best practices for taking full advantage of OneDrive.


3:35-5:15 p.m.
10 "Must Know" Features in Excel
Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP
This session is for you if you’re ready to become more efficient and effective with Excel! You will learn ten critical features that can help you get more work done in less time and improve your accuracy. We encourage you to make plans to join us for this session to learn the best ways of working with Excel!

COURSE LEVEL

Basic

INSTRUCTORS

Randolph Johnston

Randolph P. Johnston, MSC, MCP

Executive Vice President and Partner

K2 Enterprises

Randolph P. (Randy) Johnston, MCS Shareholder, K2 Enterprises Hutchinson, Kansas randy@k2e.com Randy Johnston is a nationally recognized educator, consultant, and writer with over 40 years experience in Strategic Technology Planning, Accounting Software Selection, Paperless, Systems and Network Integration, Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning, Business Development and Management, Process Engineering and outsourced managed services. EXPERIENCE K2 Enterprises (K2E.com) 1990 – Present Hammond, LA Executive Vice President, Shareholder – Nation’s leading technology CPE provider to CPA professionals. Consults to high profile technology vendors. Delivers national seminars to CPAs, business groups and IT leaders on technologies in accounting, healthcare and banking. Creates and presents seminars and articles on 30+ technology topics including CPA Firm Technology, Paperless, Accounting Software, Cloud, Business Continuity, and Strategies leveraging technology. Network Management Group, Inc. (NMGI.com) 1983 – Present Hutchinson, KS Chairman & CEO, Stockholder – Consults and specializes in Strategic Technology including planning, selection and implementation. Expertise: CPA Firm Technology and strategy; Paperless; Accounting Software, Business Intelligence and CRM; Infrastructure including: Cloud, Business Continuity, Virtualization, Backup, and remote mgmt. Hutchinson Community College 1977 - 1997 Department Chair, Professor, Adjunct - Mathematics & MIS Depts. Designed and taught courses in all areas of mathematics & computing. Professional Data Services 1978 - 1981 Programmer and system designer - Developed a medical system including the first paperless claims in Kansas, appointments and collection systems. Owned ComputerLand, Entre’ and Connecting Point stores, received first IBM PC and first Compaq portable in KS. Farmland Industries 1977 - 1978 Programmer and system designer - Developed and maintained P&L, Credit Union and Feedlot accounting EDUCATION Hutchinson Community College, 1975 A.A. in Computer Science, Math Kansas State University,1977 B.S., summa cum laude, in C.S., Math, Science Wichita State University, 1981 Masters of Computer Science, 60+ post graduate hours ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Accounting Today Listed as one of the 2004-2016 Top 100 Most Influential People CPA Practice Advisor Accounting Hall of Fame 2011, Top 25 Thought Leader 2011-2017 Accounting Technology Listed as one of the top nine technology stars in the industry AICPA Technology Conference Past Chair and featured Speaker for the past 31 years. Who’s Who in Business & Industry – 1990-2017; in Computing 1987-2017 Acknowledged as leading business professional and as a leading computing professional CERTIFICATIONS Microsoft Corporation Microsoft Certified Professional – MCP Novell Corporation Certified Network Administrator – CNA AutoDesk, 3Com, Entre’ Certified CAD specialist, Network Professional, Data Communications PUBLICATIONS Various publications 1978 - Present CPA Practice Advisor monthly columnist, Journal of Accountancy, CRN, Accounting Technology, PCWeek, InfoWorld, Interface, State Society newsletters, frequent quotes in accounting and computer press. Mitchell Publishing - 1981 Basic Using Micros Random House - 1982 Business Computing Systems McGraw Hill - 1984 Computers: An Introduction John Wiley & Sons Publishing - 2002 Technology Best Practices K2 Enterprises – 2003-2012 Accounting Software Solutions

Lawrence McClelland

Lawrence A. McClelland, M.B.A., J.D.

K2 Enterprises

Lawrence A. (Mac) McClelland, MBA, JD Associate, K2 Enterprises Carriere, Mississippi mac@k2e.com Mac McClelland, an attorney and accounting professional, is an associate of K2 Enterprises of Hammond, Louisiana, and Network Management Group of Hutchinson, Kansas. Mac was formerly the director of the Centre for Financial Studies at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, where he lived and worked for seven years from 1990 to 1997. He was also a member of the faculty of the Advanced Business Programme, ranked in the top 100 MBA programs in the world by The Economist, specializing in business strategy and strategic management accounting. He gained his practical experience in information systems with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and has an established practice in business and technology consulting. Mac has taught hundreds of continuing professional education seminars to accountants and business managers in the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Southeast Asia. His presentations are highly rated, and he has won several awards for teaching excellence. Mac has been published in leading business and practitioner journals, including Tax Ideas, Computers in Accounting, Journal of Accounting Education, Chartered Accountants Journal of New Zealand, and the top-rated Journal of Accounting Research.

Brian Tankersley

Brian F. Tankersley, CPA, CITP, CGMA

Brian F. Tankersley, CPA, CITP

Brian F. Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMA Director of Strategic Relationships, K2 Enterprises Farragut, Tennessee brian@k2e.com Brian Tankersley is a consultant who advises US firms and companies on accounting technology issues. Mr. Tankersley is a frequent speaker at continuing education courses for K2 Enterprises, and publishes a nationally recognized blog on accounting and technology (www.cpatechblog.com). He has also served as the technology editor for a major accounting industry publication. Mr. Tankersley has over 20 years of professional experience, including accounting, auditing, technology, and education, and has been with K2 Enterprises since 2005. Tankersley has been recognized seven times as one of the “Top 25 Thought Leaders in Public Accounting Technology” by Cygnus Business Media. Tankersley is also one of the authors of the Accounting Firm Operations and Technology Survey, which has been published annually for the last three years. Brian has made presentations in 46 of the 50 US states and has served as a guest speaker for many professional accounting organizations across Canada. He received the Outstanding Discussion Leader Award from the Tennessee Society of CPAs in 2009 and 2013, and was recognized for writing the Article of the Year for the Tennessee CPA Journal in 2011. Brian has presented sessions at many national conferences, including AICPA TECH+/Practitioners Conference, The Sleeter Group’s Solutions Conference, Sage Insights, CCH Connections, and Thomson Reuters Synergy User Conference. Brian is a certified public accountant (Tennessee), a certified information technology professional (CITP), and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). He holds bachelor’s degrees in both Accounting and Finance, cum laude, from the University of Tennessee. Tankersley also maintains numerous vendor software certifications, and is a member of the Tennessee Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs. Brian and his family make their home in Farragut, Tennessee.