Session Descriptions

Monday, June 19 | 8:00 – 9:55 am

A. Ethics: The Role of You - Jeremy Wortman 

This session takes a very unique approach to the topic of ethics.  We focus on the most important element of the decision-making process - YOU!  Most ethics programs focus on codes of conduct and what you should AVOID doing; while codes are important they are only as good as the person applying the codes.  Based on research, and grounded in evidence, during this session we explore how a person morally matures and how the brain responds to an ethical situation.  This creates a 'mental map' for you to follow the next time you are confronted with a challenging situation; thus, enhancing your ethical decision-making skills.  Through case studies, self-reflection exercises, and pragmatic exercises you will benchmark your own ethical decision-making skills and create action items to enhance them according to your own personal needs.

Monday, June 19 | 10:10 - 11:00 AM

B1. Becoming a Great Predictor: Create Better Forecasts - Brian Maturi

Imagine being able to see into the future with confidence. The ability to be a great forecaster is not
innate but learned. By examining great forecasters, we can learn to improve our ability to predict the
future. We will examine best practices and current research to improve our ability to predict events that

will affect our business.

B2.  HR and Employment Update - Larry Morgan

• There have been several significant changes at a state and federal level regarding issues such as non-compete agreements, handbook edits, overtime pay, classification of independent contractors, asking candidates for salary information, etc.
• Learn about these changes and implications for employers.

B3. Privacy Issues and Solutions - Tommy Stephens

Privacy should be everywhere, yet every day seemingly brings a new story about a privacy violation. While it can be frustrating and sometimes scary to think about mishandling our personal information, it ’s important to remember that we can take steps to protect our privacy. This session will teach you where your critical threats are and what information you may already have at risk. More importantly, you will learn how to manage and mitigate privacy risks. With increasing connectivity – and, by extension, risk – this session should be on your list to take as soon as possible.

B4. Building Effective Leaders - Jeremy Wortman

This session provides accounting professionals with an updated perspective regarding leadership and those practices that drive individual and organizational performance. The most effective, ethical leaders, understand that they must have lead according to their authentic self – sadly, most adults are not as self- aware as they think they are! Participants are exposed to current evidence-based best practices that separate great leaders from the average. Not only are the participants exposed to best practices but they will self-evaluate to identify which of those practices are most natural to their leadership approach and those that will take more effort. This positions each participant to customize their own leadership development action plan according to their own authentic self; because after all, one-size does not fit all. Thus, at the end of this session each participant has not only been exposed to the leadership best practices but they have matched their own natural talents to those practices that will bring them the most value in leading others to success.

Monday, June 19 | 11:10 – 12:00

C1. Communicating Financial Information to Non-Accountants - Brian Maturi

Do you ever get blank looks when you present your company’s financial statements? Does your board nod knowingly during your presentation, but never seems to have any meaningful questions? It could be that they have no idea what you are talking about and are just pretending to understand! Learn how to connect with your CEO, board, fellow managers and team members so they understand your

message. Come hear a veteran CFO tell you how.

C2. Changing Benefits for a Changing Workforce - Larry Morgan

• Millennials and Generation Z employee have dramatically different expectations about the work experience and meaningful benefits
• Learn about how different values and expectations impact traditional employee benefit programs
• We’ll show what research suggests about how employers can attract and retain employees in todays tight labor market

C3. Fraud Stories: Lessons Learned - Tommy Stephens

Accounting and financial frauds continue to plague businesses of all sizes in all industries. Most estimates peg fraud losses at 5% to 10% of organizational revenues during any year. Further, fraud impacts smaller businesses disproportionately, compared to their larger counterparts. In this session, you will learn how frauds are committed and what you can do to reduce your risk of becoming yet another victim. Using a case study approach, you will identify many of the common weaknesses and circumstances that facilitate fraud and the controls you can implement to reduce your fraud risk.

C4. Ethical Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence - Jeremy Wortman

Bottom-line: Emotional Intelligence is the sine qua non of the most effective leaders. Because leadership is a social-influence process – anyone at any time within your organization has the opportunity to demonstrate leadership behaviors – EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IS FOR EVERYONE!!!

While technical skills and intelligence are important ingredients for success, the research has proven that emotional intelligence is twice as important than both in determining an individual’s success. Individuals who recognize the core competencies of EQ and actively build them over time not only increase their own performance but also that of their followers. This hands-on workshop explores the core competencies of emotional intelligence and, using a sophisticated talent assessment, facilitates the participant through a series of exercises to build their own EQ. Upon the completion of this session the participants will be able to teach EQ to others, have their own action plan to build their EQ and have access to a tool for ongoing development support.

Monday, June 19 | 1:00 – 2:15

D1. Commodity and Interest Rate Risks: Manage the Unmanageable - Brian Maturi

Risk is everywhere; volatile interest rates, commodity prices, and markets. The best business leaders excel at mitigating risks, but some risks can’t be tamed while others can be. How did this happen? Why is market risk increasing and happening more frequently – despite governmental regulations? What can we do to better manage interest rate risk and commodity price changes? We review why market

risks are so damaging, and what we can do about them today. If risk is an issue – this session is for you!

D2. Managing the Remote Workforce - Larry Morgan

• The prevalence of the hybrid and fully remote workers demands changes in a traditional supervisory approach
• Learn about which employees (and supervisors) are suited to manage and remote workplace
• Remote employee expectations
• Identify new managerial approaches for goal setting, performance review and teamwork/collaboration in a remote environment

D3. Best Kept Secrets of Microsoft 365 - Tommy Stephens

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 about the hidden features in Microsoft 365 that you can use to level up your productivity.

D4. ESOPs: What Are They? - Bart McIlonie

Monday, June 19 | 2:25 – 3:40

E1. Best Practices EVA/RCE: Metrics to Gauge Real Performance - Brian Maturi

How much profit is enough? Answering this question requires an understanding of the true risk involved and what the market requires of investments of similar risk. Learn why GAAP accounting measures can lead you astray when trying to evaluate the true economic performance of an enterprise. The measurement of economic costs and revenues requires the inclusion of opportunity costs that GAAP does not measure. The seminar looks at how this required return is established and provides hands-on guidance on two state of the art techniques for measuring true economic profit. If you are in leadership, or want to be, this seminar will provide practical, new insights.  

E2. Legislative Update 2023 - Andrea Pfennig & Sherre Sattler

General business related overview of the session results that affect business in North Dakota. Update from the ND CPA Society on the legislation they have put input on and what some of the session items were that the society submitted information and input on. 

E3. Excel's Best New Features - Tommy Stephens

With recent Excel updates provided through Microsoft 365/Office 365 subscriptions, Microsoft continues to pack new features into the popular spreadsheet tool. More recent Excel versions offer enhanced data analysis tools, new functions, and improved collaboration opportunities. Exciting opportunities for enhanced productivity await those who know about these new features and apply them. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn how you can put Excel’s best new features to work right away!

E4. Mobile and Remote Device Security - Wes Henry

As more employees use their personal devices (including mobile devices) for work purposes, mobile and remote worker device security is becoming increasingly important. Bbest practices for securing mobile devices and remote worker devices

Monday, June 19 | 3:55 – 4:45

F. Economic Update - Chris Kuehl

Trends and forecasts for the US domestic economy – The titles change constantly as does the content. This is a very current assessment of the US economy at the time of the presentation and a forward-looking analysis of trends to watch. 

Tuesday, June 20 | 8:00 – 9:15

G. Amplifi: Identify and Magnify Your Defining Features - David Rendall

Are you ready to turn up the volume on who you are? We live in a world that constantly focuses on our weaknesses and tells us we are too much. Too loud or too quiet. Too messy or too neat. Too tough or too nice. 

Our parents, teachers, and managers encourage us to be well-balanced, well-rounded, and avoid extremes. We are taught that we should moderate, reduce, or eliminate our weaknesses in order to be successful.We even take assessments that tell us to adapt, adjust, and modify who we are. But this is bad advice that makes us worse, instead of better. 

This presentation will exposesix of the most common myths from the self-improvement and personal development industry.We will also explore the foundational belief that every weakness has a corresponding strength. You’ll learn more about your defining features, as well as how to embrace and amplify them at home and at work. 

Tuesday, June 20 | 9:25 – 10:40

H1. UPDATE Exploring the A-B-C-D of the Digital Age and Their Impact on Accounting - Donny Shimamoto

This session starts with a quick look at how Artificial intelligence, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, and Data governance are impacting the accounting ecosystem supporting transaction recordation and financial reporting. Then dive deeper into how to identify opportunities for automation, whether with traditional programming, robotic process automation (RPA), or machine learning. We’ll close out with a look at how the role of the finance team leader will change and the skills needed to be successful in the near future.

H2. The Four Factors of Effective Leadership - David Rendall

Whether you’re a manager, parent, teacher, coach, or board member, these four factors will help you improve your ability to lead others.  

Each factor combines the wisdom of ancient philosophers, successful executives, and leadership gurus with common themes from scientific research as well as examples from the lives of famous leaders and infamous failures.  

H3. Ten "Must Know" Features in Excel - Steve Yoss

Most business professionals have used Excel for years, often without the benefit of any formal training. Thus, they don't know about key features in the application and, therefore, don't use them. Of course, this leads to inefficiencies and errors. Isn't it time to stop this madness? 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!

H4. Get a Grip on Your Business - Patrick Metzger

EOS® (Entrepreneurial Operating System) is a comprehensive business operating system that has been used by thousands of business owners around the world. A proven system that Patrick has implemented in 50+ companies across the nation, from solopreneurs to $250M+ in revenue, it has helped organizations achieve more revenue, scalability and profit, while at the same time assisting business owners and their leadership team in creating a better work/life balance.

Patrick takes you through the details of why most organizations struggle to execute and create accountability, as well as the Foundational Tools within EOS that help companies get Real. Simple. Results. Prepare to leave this presentation with a better idea of where your organization’s struggles truly lie, as well as a multitude of new tools to add into your repertoire to get everyone in your organization on the same page and moving in the same direction.

Tuesday, June 20 | 10:55 – 11:45

I1. UPDATE Accounting Transformation & AI Risks – Donny Shimamoto

Learn how digital transformation and accounting transformation are intertwined and leads to business transformation. We also discuss the role of accountants in enabling business transformation, and also address the risks of generative AI and provide guidance on an AI use policy.

I2. How ESG Creates Opportunities for CPAs - Leah Donti

ESG will play a critical role in evaluating how well a business is doing. Let's face it: CPAs are best positioned to establish themselves to offer consulting and assurance services to clients in this space. This will be a competitive advantage for firms to differentiate themselves. This session presents the business opportunities in ESG that CPAs can offer.

I3. Six Essential Teams Features - Steve Yoss

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 learn how to optimize efficiency, communication, and workflow with Teams.

I4. What to do When the IRS Comes to Collect - Michael Raum

IRS collection action can be stressful. This session will discuss common IRS collection issues from both a taxpayer and third-party payer perspective. It will address how to respond to the IRS and how to approach IRS collection issues. Issues covered will include understanding the collection process, entering into installment agreements and offers in compromise, as well as responding to levies and summonses when the IRS is collecting someone else’s tax debt.

Tuesday, June 20 | 1:00 – 2:15

J1. UPDATE How about: Using Technology to Enhance Employee Engagement in a Hybrid Work Environment – Donny Shimamoto

Texting, emails, instant messaging, and virtual meetings have all been accused of harming our ability to build relationships with coworkers and managers. The rise of remote work and hybrid work also reduces a manager’s direct visibility of an employee’s disengagement and a manager’s ability to employ traditional informal coaching via a lunch meeting or chat by the watercooler.

Luckily a new class of human resources software focused on “employee engagement” provides a structured way to translate things like appreciation, 1-on-1s, management by walking around, and other in-office management techniques into the virtual world—and it’s affordable by small organizations too. Attend this course to get to “play with” and experience these leading-edge tools that can help you to gain visibility into where your teams are excelling and struggling, and spot issues before they become problems. Virtual employee engagement can help you to improve productivity and decrease turnover.

J2. How to Improve Working Relationships When Working with Multiple Generations - Leah Donti

In today business world, it is common to find multiple generations working in the same team or department. This session presents the common stereotypes we have. As well, we discuss strategies to capitalize on the generational differences to work together and achieve organizational goals.

J3. Artificial Intelligence for Accounting and Financial Professionals - Steve Yoss

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a theoretical concept! Instead, AI is a practical tool available today to help you address and solve real-world problems. In this course, you will learn about the fundamentals of AI and how you can put this amazing technology to work today to help you and your team work more efficiently and effectively.

J4. Sourcing for Sales and Income Tax: Trends, Similarities, and Differences - Kyle Brehm

The issue of sourcing within State tax has been an area of ongoing development.  When you factor in the impacts of taxing technology & services, the confusion surrounding whether cost of performance is actually market-based, and the landmark decision by the Supreme Court in Wayfair, taxpayers are left trying to untangle a hopelessly complex set of issues.  This session will begin by giving a brief overview of sourcing for both sales and income taxes, and then will take a deeper dive into each respective area to help participants begin to work their way through the web of issues surrounding sourcing.

Tuesday, June 20 | 2:25 – 3:40

K1. UPDATE How Automation & AI are Enhancing Management Accountants – Donny Shimamoto

Headlines abound saying that Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and artificial intelligence (AI) is going to eliminate the need for accountants. In reality, RPA and AI provide a great opportunity for accountants to automate more routine procedures and focus on delivering more value-added insights to help improve an organization’s performance or risk mitigation.  Conversely, the use of AI within organizations can also have some perverse results if not managed properly. Accountants must be aware of these risks and work to ensure that the proper controls are in place to manage an organization’s operational and financial risks associated with automation and AI. Attend this session to learn more about these technologies and their implications to the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective management accountant.

K2. FASB Update: What's Effective in 2023? - Leah Donti

The amount of change in the accounting profession is overwhelming, making it tough for the CPA in industry to keep up. This session is designed for CPAs looking to get a high-level update on Accounting Standard Updates (ASUs) issued by the FASB that are going live this year for private entities and public companies.  

K3. Tech update 2023 - Steve Yoss

What are my best technology choices, and how do I keep up? Even informed accounting professionals will find multiple ideas they can apply daily. This visionary 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 Tech Update 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. You will also learn how to develop a balanced technology strategy that includes current, emerging, and future technology choices for your firm or business.

K4.  Distribution Options for Workplace Transitions - Jason Bedford

• Summary plan descriptions
• Portability rules, distribution options for assets held in an employer’s 401K plan
• In-service distributions while still employed

Tuesday, June 20 | 3:55 – 4:45

L. How to Reach the Summit - Jon Michael Ogletree

Sometimes gaining a fresh perspective is enough to fuel us all the way to reaching our goals. Jon Michael Ogletree certainly offers that, as he has lived his adult life standing only 3’8” tall. Be encouraged as he shares his story of how he championed his summit. Jon Michael's unique point of view and personal experience will give you new insights on the advantages of being different. Jon Michael will help you redefine “different” to not equate to better or worse than the norm. Prepare to laugh, learn and marvel as he guides you through his journey to the Summit.