CPE Expo
Houston on Dec. 1-2
at Doubletree by Hilton at Greenway Plaza
Hotel cut-off: Nov. 9 (or when room block fills)
Arlington on Dec. 5-6
at Sheraton Hotel and Arlington Convention Center
Hotel cut-off: Nov. 14 (or when room block fills)
San Antonio on Dec. 8-9
at Omni San Antonio at the Colonnade
Hotel cut-off: Nov. 16 (or when room block fills)
Conference sponsors:
Conference partner:
Handout email will be sent on Nov. 28.
Track I - Day One
6:30 A.M. Registration
7:30 A.M. Frequently Overlooked Tax Break Opportunities for Texas Business Owners
Check out free money. Examine how over the last few years, states and local jurisdictions
have significantly added to their menu of credits and incentives. These programs reward
capital investment, training activities, relocation and expansion, research and development, purchasing, job retention and job growth.
Jonathan Carris/Hein & Associates LLP/Houston
9:15 A.M. Break
9:30 A.M. Bankruptcy and Tax
Gain an overview of taxation issues that arise within the context of bankruptcy.
Michael E. Deeba, CPA, CIRA, CFF/Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP/Oklahoma City, OK
11:30 A.M. LUNCHEON PRESENTATION:
Social Security: Know Your Options to Maximize Your Benefits and Your Life
Learn more about how choosing when to take Social Security isn’t just about maximizing the
numbers. It’s about timing it to position yourself for maximizing chances of a successful retirement.
Gain a fresh perspective on how to make one of the most important decisions when planning for retirement.
Roger Whitney, CFP, CIMA, CPWA, AIF/WWK Wealth Advisors/Fort Worth
12:55 P.M. Equity Crowdfunding and Other Financing Alternatives for Texas Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
Review the new financing methods available to entrepreneurs and business owners as a result of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act of 2012. Explore intrastate and interstate
crowdfunding, as well as more traditional financing and capital raising methods.
Steve Litke/Partner and Attorney/Blaies & Hightower, LLP/Fort Worth
2:25 P.M. Break
2:40 P.M. Let’s Make a Deal: Federal Income Tax Planning Opportunities and Pitfalls Relating to Purchases and Sales of Businesses
Discuss planning opportunities for helping buyers and sellers improve their federal income tax consequences from the sale of a business. Review the issues that must be resolved
to determine whether a client has a valid position for claiming a sale of personal
goodwill in connection with the sale of their business. In addition, discuss issues that
should be addressed during the course of negotiating the terms of a sale to avoid unfortunate surprises to the client after the transaction has closed.
Stephen A. Beck/Partner/Meadows, Collier, Reed, Cousins, Crouch & Ungerman, LLP/Dallas
4:00 P.M. The New IRS Partnership Audit Rules:
What They Mean to Partnerships and Accountants
Analyze Congress’ new set of rules that govern partnership audits and how they will radically change how partnerships are audited by the IRS and, among other things, do away with
the concept of a tax matters partner. Become aware of the new rules and potential implications before they take effect in 2018 . Learn how partnership agreements may need to be revised
and possibly renegotiated before the new rules take effect and how important elections
must be made on timely filed tax returns.
Joel N. Crouch, Attorney/Managing Partner/Meadows, Collier, Reed, Cousins, Crouch & Ungerman, LLP/Dallas
5:00 P.M. Adjourn
Track I | Day Two
6:30 A.M. Registration
7:30 A.M. Recent Developments in Texas Tax: Potential Trouble, Disappointment and Opportunities for
Taxpayers
Review how recent and pending administrative and judicial developments may spell trouble or disappointment for some taxpayers, but opportunities for others. Examine important developments
in Texas tax law that abound for taxpayers and tax practitioners in key areas of Texas franchise tax and sales and use tax. Learn about the potential implications.
David E. Colmenero, JD, LLM, CPA/Partner/Meadows, Collier, Reed, Cousins, Crouch & Ungerman, LLP/Dallas
9:15 A.M. Break
9:30 A.M. When the Past is Not the Past: Resolving Our Client’s Past Misdeeds
Address options for resolving non-compliance where the taxpayer has already been contacted by the government, as well as those cases where the taxpayer has not been contacted
by the IRS. Cover resolving issues pertaining to unreported income, employees paid in cash, misclassified expenses and overstated inventory, plus past wrongdoing that may need to be addressed when a business is being sold, and different options for non-compliant taxpayers depending on their unique procedural and substantive facts.
Michael A. Villa, Jr./Partner/Meadows, Collier, Reed, Cousins, Crouch & Ungerman, LLP/Dallas
11:30 A.M. LUNCHEON PRESENTATION: Identity Theft
Gain an understanding of identity theft in the 21st century and identify practices that CPAs can use to protect themselves and their clients. Learn how to prevent and recognize
identity theft.
Special Agent Kevin Cooke, CFE/United States Secret Service/Houston
Danny Lents/Blue Canyon Software/San Antonio
Allen L. Stidger/Allen L. Stidger Law Firm, PLLC/Fort Worth
12:55 P.M. Tax Update
Discuss current IRS interpretations, judicial cases, and new regulations pertaining to
federal income tax law.
Stanley L. Blend/Attorney/Strasburger & Price, LLP/San Antonio
2:25 P.M. Break
2:40 P.M. Tax Update (continued)
Stanley L. Blend/Attorney/Strasburger & Price, LLP/San Antonio
4:00 P.M. The IRS Attacks on Farmers and Ranchers
Concentrate on the four leading IRS attacks on part and full time farmers and ranchers.
Part-timers are particularly vulnerable to hobby loss (Section 183) and passive loss (Section
469) cases, and enhanced audits for omitted incomes. Examine the combination of high fair market values, volatile mineral earnings and low operating profits that pose
special transfer tax issues.
William R. Cousins, JD, LLM, CPA/Of Counsel/ Meadows, Collier, Reed, Cousins, Crouch & Ungerman, LLP/Dallas
5:00 P.M. Adjourn
Track II - Day One
6:30 A.M. Registration
7:30 A.M. Lease Accounting
Get an understanding of the new lease standard and changes to current accounting treatment for leases.
Billy W. Tilotta, CPA/Hein & Associates/Houston
9:15 A.M. Break
9:30 A.M. Accounting and Auditing Update
Gain a general update on accounting and auditing through the latest standards to impact
the accounting profession.
Billy W. Tilotta, CPA/Hein & Associates/Houston
11:30 A.M. LUNCHEON PRESENTATION: Social Security: Know Your Options to Maximize Your Benefits and Your Life
Learn more about how choosing when to take Social Security isn’t just about maximizing the numbers. It’s about timing it to position for maximizing changes of a successful retirement.
Gain a fresh perspective on how to make one of the most important decisions when planning
for retirement.
Roger Whitney, CFP, CIMA, CPWA, AIF/WWK Wealth Advisors/Fort Worth
12:55 P.M. Personal and Professional Ethics for Texas CPAs: A Four Hour Update
Join a lively and thought-provoking course on a subject that is rarely considered in the context presented here. This is much more than a dialogue of the formal rules and regulations
that govern members of the accounting profession. This course examines the basic principles
of the ethics that we all know quite well, but often fail to apply on our personal and professional
lives. Ethical behavior involves more than mere knowledge of right and wrong. It
also involves the motivation to alter inappropriate behavior. As the pressure relates to career
advancement and personal accomplishments mounts, we tend to abandon the traits that are
basic to success. This course is designed to help participates re-identify those traits and reexamine
their behavioral priorities.
Dr. Raymond Clay, Jr., CPA
2:25 P.M. Break
2:40 P.M. Personal and Professional Ethics for Texas CPAs:
A Four Hour Update (Continued)
Dr. Raymond Clay, Jr., CPA
5:00 P.M. Adjourn
Track II - Day Two
6:30 A.M. Registration
7:30 A.M. What CPAs Need to Know about Matrimonial Businesses Valuations
Review performing business valuation, including approaches and methods, and the differences that need to be known when valuing businesses for divorce purposes.
Elizabeth Ann Schrupp, CPA, ABV, CFF, CVA, CMGA/Elizabeth Ann Schrupp, CPA/Dallas
9:15 A.M. Break
9:30 A.M. Trade Secret Considerations Before and During
Litigation
Discover how unlike patents, copyrights and trademarks, when it comes to entities’ protection
of trade secrets, planning and strategy are significantly different. Learn how to
maintain protection over trade secrets and maximize their value. Examine key items to
consider when developing policies and procedures for protecting trade secrets. Gain an
overview of the recent changes in trade secret laws (e.g. the Defend Trade Secrets Act)
and the litigation process for a trade secret dispute.
Jeff Press, CPA, CFE/Baker Tilly Virchow Krause/Houston
Alex Walther, CPA, CFF, CFE/Baker Tilly Virchow Krause/Houston
11:30 A.M. LUNCHEON PRESENTATION: Identity Theft
Gain an understanding of identity theft in the 21st century and identify practices that CPAs can use to protect themselves and their clients. Learn how to prevent and recognize
identity theft.
Special Agent Kevin Cooke, CFE/United States Secret Service/Houston
Danny Lents/Blue Canyon Software/San Antonio
Allen L. Stidger/Allen L. Stidger Law Firm, PLLC/Fort Worth
12:55 P.M. Employment Law Update
Review the hottest employment law issues currently facing employers.
Sheila Gladstone/Attorney/Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, PC/Austin
2:25 P.M. Break
2:40 P.M. Implementing the New SSARS–
A Risk Management Perspective
Examine details of SSARS No. 21 and recently issued SSARS and exposure drafts from both a professional standards and risk management perspective. Highlight risk management issues
created by the new standards and learn best practices to address those risks. Discuss recent peer review statistics to highlight potential concerns the profession may face if the new standard
isn’t properly implemented, and gain a risk management perspective on recent ARSC deliberations.
Duncan Will, CPA,ABV,CFF, CFE/Loss Prevention Manager/Accounting and Auditing Specialist/
CAMICO/San Mateo, CA
4:00 P.M. You Joined a Not-For-Profit Board…Now, What?
Take a high-level look at what to consider before joining the board of a not-for-profit organization and the fiduciary responsibilities you have after joining. Gain a general understanding
of what effective board participation entails.
Lili Kellogg/CEO/Equest Therapeutic Riding Center/Dallas
5:00 P.M. Adjourn
Track III - Day One
6:30 A.M. Registration
7:30 A.M. Cyber and Crime Risk for Business: The Most Common Activities Create an Un-Survivable Exposure
Examine cyber risk including privacy and data breach, forensic requirements, notification requirements and reputation and customer loyalty issues. Explore crime issues including
property insurance for money in the bank, personal check hacking, employee theft, and vendor/customer banking authorizations.
Brian Hutson, CIC/Hutson Insurance Group/Plano
9:15 A.M. Break
9:30 A.M. Technology Update
Learn what is real and unreal when trying to keep up with technology. Focus on the right things so as not to waste time on technology that won’t make a difference. Examine
security updates and determining their importance.
Malcolm Coon/CEO/MC2 Universal/San Antonio
11:30 A.M. LUNCHEON PRESENTATION: Social Security: Know Your Options to Maximize Your Benefits and Your Life
Learn more about how choosing when to take Social Security isn’t just about maximizing the numbers. It’s about timing it to position for maximizing changes of a successful retirement. Gain a fresh perspective on how to make one of the most important decisions when planning for retirement. Examine actual claims from an agency, insurance companies, and news reports to illustrate the risks and coverages available.
Roger Whitney, CFP, CIMA, CPWA, AIF/WWK Wealth Advisors/Fort Worth
12:55 P.M. The Art of the Divestiture: It’s Not Easy to Say Goodbye
Delve into an introduction of the common pitfalls and challenges of selling a business, including selling at the right time and for the right reason. Discuss current market conditions and how they are impacting sellers today, as well as the tremendous amount of preparation required to successfully exit a business.
Karyn Pfeffer, CPA/Hein & Associates LLP/Dallas
2:25 P.M. Break
2:40 P.M. Social Security De-Mystified: Maximizing Retirement and Dependent Benefits
Participate in a course which will touch on Medicare program benefits that accompany Social Security and SSDI eligibility.
Macy A. Melton, JD, ChSNC/The Humble Law Firm, PLLC/Dallas
4:00 P.M. Fraud Prevention: "Rationalization" and Understanding the Key to the Dark Side
Explore rationalization... the ability to convince ourselves that what we are doing is not wrong. Learn more about some of the most common rationalizations for committing
fraud. Address practical anti-fraud environment processes to implement that can potentially reduce one’s ability to rationalize.
Steve Dawson, CPA, CFE/President/Dawson Forensic Group/Lubbock
5:00 P.M. Adjourn
Track III - Day Two
6:30 A.M. Registration
7:30 A.M. It’s a Digital World
Focus on going digital and the future of the profession. Explore a number of tools that
should be used to grow an accounting practice or how to become more efficient in performing
accounting functions. Examine automation and use of the cloud as the future
while the nature of the profession changes.
A. David Bergstein, CPA, CITP, CGMA/Intuit/Orlando, FL
9:15 A.M. Break
9:30 A.M. Practice Management Update
Learn to optimize profit in a CPA firm and good practice management techniques to
help accomplish it. Review best practices in managing time, technology and productivity
for your firm.
Sandi Leyva, CPA, CMA/Sandra L. Leyva, Inc./Plano
11:30 A.M. LUNCHEON PRESENTATION: Identity Theft
Gain an understanding of identity theft in the 21st century and identify practices that CPAs can
use to protect themselves and their clients. Learn how to prevent and recognize identity theft.
Special Agent Kevin Cooke, CFE/United States Secret Service/Houston
Danny Lents/Blue Canyon Software/San Antonio
Allen L. Stidger/Allen L. Stidger Law Firm, PLLC/Fort Worth
12:55 P.M. Elder Law for Accountants
Discover how an attorney approaches elder law issues. Get to know the resources that
are available for elder care, and the basics of Medicaid and other resources.
Kristen Quinney Porter/Kristen Quinney Porter, LLC/New Braunfels
2:25 P.M. Break
2:40 P.M. Excel + Power BI = The Dashboard Effect: How to Stay Relevant by Adding Business Intelligence to Your Tool Belt
Learn how to leverage the emerging field of DIY business intelligence and analytics tools to create The Dashboard Effect where every employee from the CEO down can instantly
access the insights needed to make better decisions and focus on profitability. Address how business intelligence dashboards are one of the most effective, low-overhead tactics
for driving efficiency and growth. Review what thought-leaders in the accounting
industry are saying about the critical role of business intelligence for CPAs.
Jon Thompson/Blue Margin, Inc./Fort Collins, CO
Kyle Williams/Blue Margin, Inc./Fort Collins, CO
4:00 P.M. Quickbooks (Do It Yourself Accounting Software) and Intuit’s Pro Advisor Membership Program
Learn the advantages for your practice using QuickBooks for clients and the advantages
of your clients using QuickBooks for your practice. Examine Intuit’s Pro Advisor Membership Program and the possibility of becoming a Pro Advisor Member or collaborate
with a Pro Advisor Member.
Audrey Duke/Intuit Advanced Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor Member/Emerald QB Consulting,
Inc./Garland
5:00 P.M. Adjourn |