2024 Technology Conference

Much has been written and said about Artificial Intelligence (AI), but for many professionals, AI remains an enigma because they do not know how to get started using tools such as Bard, ChatGPT, and Copilot. This session will explore how to access and use popular AI tools to improve efficiency and productivity. If you are starting with AI, this is one session you cannot miss!

Major Topics:

• Understanding AI tools available today
• Creating accounts in AI platforms
• Querying data from AI platforms
• Customizing your AI subscriptions

Speaker: Tommy Stephens

This session is available to registrants only.

Office Scripts is a new feature that allows you to automate tasks in Excel and other Office applications. Unlike VBA, a legacy language that runs only on Windows, Office Scripts can run on any platform and device that supports Office on the web. Further, Office Scripts has a modern and intuitive interface that lets you easily create, edit, and share your scripts. Office Scripts are stored in the Cloud, and they work with Office Online apps and integrate with Power Automate for process automation. Save time and improve productivity using Office Scripts in Excel and other Office applications.

Major Topics:

• Introduction to Office Scripts 
• Recording your first script
• Integration with Power Automate

Speaker: Mac McClelland

 

This session is available to registrants only.

Automation and standardization are two of the keys to productivity, but most people who are not programmers are unsure where to start. Microsoft’s Power Platform is a comprehensive platform for creating automated workflows, integrations, and data-driven reports. Components include Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, Power Pages, and Power Virtual Agents. Attend this session to learn about this platform and how everyone can use its low-code, no-code environment to solve process challenges.

Major Topics:

• Overview of the Power Platform and its components
• Review examples of business processes that may benefit the most from using automation
• Discussion and demonstration of its low-code/no-code app development environment

Speaker: Randy Johnston

This session is available to registrants only.

Power Query and Power BI are genuinely incredible tools to revolutionize your workflow. They offer the promise of "write once, refresh many" reporting, where your reports can instantly update by clicking a button. While incredible tools, these features require additional training and experience to master. This session will review the different methods of connecting to your data and have multiple hands-on activities to help you master these incredible tools. After completing this session, you will know how to turn your organization's data into repeatable, refreshable PivotTables, Power BI dashboards, and more!

Major Topics:

• Utilizing Power Query to access data from the web, spreadsheets, folders, and databases
• Using Power Query to perform various transformations to clean up data before importing it to Power BI or Excel
• Producing various reporting documents from data delivered from Power Query

Speaker: Mac McClelland

This session is available to registrants only.

This session dives into the latest advancements in technology and management strategies, exploreing cutting-edge developments in data analytics, cybersecurity, practice management, and client service excellence in a highly competitive market. Examine technologies like AI-enhanced auditing, blockchain in finance, and the latest in Cloud computing and automation. This session provides a comprehensive overview of significant trends, helping you make informed decisions for your firm's current and future technological and managerial needs.

Major Topics:

• Evolving trends in the accounting profession, including shifts in supplier dynamics
• Advanced software solutions tailored for various service lines and niche markets
• Innovative automation tools, with an emphasis on AI and machine learning in accounting
• Optimized technology stacks to boost productivity and profitability

Speaker: Randy Johnston

This session is available to registrants only.

The Internet, Cloud-based applications, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, generative artificial intelligence, and software as a service were all revolutionary in their time. Still, many more technologies are in the pipeline and will change how we work, play, and experience life. This session will begin with an update on some of the technologies highlighted in our first session on this topic in 2018 and will continue with a discussion of the innovations to come in 2024 and beyond. Attend this session and learn about innovative technologies shaping our world today and those that will change it in the future.

Major Topics:

• Quantum Computing
• The integration of physical and digital experiences
• Self-supervised learning
• Synthetic data and its implications for AI training

Speaker: Tommy Stephens

 

This session is available to registrants only.

This session provides an in-depth look into integrating cutting-edge technologies to enhance client interactions and workflow. Explore the latest advancements in client portals, incorporating PBC (Provided by Client) and 1040 workpaper products, integrating payment options, and eSignature capabilities. Understand how these tools meet compliance standards and significantly improve the user experience and operational efficiency. We will guide you through selecting the right mix of technologies to address your business challenges, ensuring your firm has the best tools for success in today's digital landscape.

Major Topics:

• Enhanced Portals for Collaboration: Including PBC and 1040 workpaper integration.
• Modern Payment Solutions: Understanding and integrating various payment options into your portal.
• Effective Use of eSignatures: Streamlining processes and ensuring compliance.
• Feature Checklist for Collaboration Tools: What to look for in the latest technology.

Speaker: Randy Johnston

This session is available to registrants only.

In the ever-evolving landscape of business technology, it is about having the right tools and optimizing for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This session is designed for professionals seeking to balance functionality with financial prudence and will provide strategies for streamlining your technology stack without sacrificing performance. We will guide you through assessing your current tech tools, identifying redundancies, and exploring less expensive yet effective alternatives. You will learn techniques to evaluate the total cost of ownership of tech tools and make informed decisions to avoid overspending. This session is necessary for professionals seeking the most value from their technology investments.

Major Topics:

• Conducting a tech stack assessment, including an inventory of current tools and applications
• Identifying essential and redundant tools
• Exploring cost-effective alternatives
• Calculating your total cost of ownership

Speaker: Mac McClelland

This session is available to registrants only.

This session focuses on the most effective accounting solutions and supplementary tools for today’s small businesses. Explore robust, user-friendly software options, from industry staples like QuickBooks Online and Xero to emerging Cloud-based platforms and add-ons. The session will help you understand how these tools can streamline financial management for businesses with annual revenues up to $15 million. You will gain insights into the latest advancements, integration capabilities, and how to maximize efficiency and accuracy in small businesses.

Major Topics:

• Current landscape of small business accounting software
• Strengths and limitations of critical solutions
• Effective add-ons and integrations 
• Implementation strategies

Speaker: Tommy Stephens

This session is available to registrants only.

Generative Artificial Intelligence captured everyone's imagination when it launched in 2022, but it also creates opportunities for data leakage and inappropriate use of confidential data based on the terms of service. Unfortunately, everyone has clicked "I agree" on a Terms of Service (TOS) or End User License Agreement (EULA) document which they neither read nor understood. This session will review the standard terms embedded in these documents with thousands of words and incomprehensible terminology. Attend this breakout and learn what you wish you knew about analyzing and evaluating license agreements and privacy policies.

Major Topics:

• Tools for evaluating and summarizing licenses and privacy policies
• Definitions of significant terms and concepts often used in software licenses
• Review critical terms associated with services like Microsoft 365 or QuickBooks Online

Speaker: Mac McClelland

This session is available to registrants only.

Presently, over seven million businesses use QuickBooks Online. However, these businesses often struggle to get the reports they need. In some cases, they are limited because of their chosen subscription. However, necessary reports are available in other cases, yet users do not know how to access them. Join us in this session to learn about better reporting options in QuickBooks Online and how to create and customize your reports. Explore Standard, Custom, and Management reports and the new Spreadsheet Sync tool that allows you to create customized reports, including multi-company reports in Excel. If you use QuickBooks Online and want to improve reporting, this session is for you!

Major Topics:

• The types of reports available in QuickBooks Online, by subscription level
• Customizing reports to meet your needs
• Spreadsheet Sync in QuickBooks Online Advanced

Speaker: Tommy Stephens

This session is available to registrants only.

The Consumer Electronics Show 2024 (CES) is the premier event for witnessing the convergence of technology and consumer needs. This year's show provides unparalleled exploration of the latest innovations in the tech world. Attendees will experience the newest trends in smart home technology, wearable devices, augmented and virtual reality, and sustainable tech solutions. Our expert-led session provides accounting-centric insights into how these technologies reshape consumer behavior and the global marketplace. Whether you are a tech enthusiast, an industry professional, or just keen on staying ahead of the technological curve, CES 2024 offers valuable insights you should not miss.

Major Topics:

• Smart Home Innovations: Discover the latest advancements in home automation and IoT devices.
• Wearable Technology Trends: Explore the future of health, fitness, and personal tech wearables.
• Augmented and Virtual Reality: Delve into immersive experiences and their impact on entertainment, education, and business.
• Sustainable Technology Solutions: Uncover new developments in eco-friendly and energy-efficient technologies.

Speaker: Randy Johnston

This session is available to registrants only.

While outsourcing and automation have been used in multinational corporations, the decline in accounting program enrollment at many universities has made finding qualified entry-level staff more challenging and forced a new conversation about these tools in small and mid-sized businesses. This session will discuss the business environment for outsourcing and review the ethical, regulatory, and practical considerations associated with revealing data and relying on the work of others in your organization.

Major Topics:

• Overview of how firms and businesses currently use automation and outsourcing 
• Discussion of the management and regulatory compliance issues with offshore and onshore outsourcing use in small and mid-size organizations
• Review of which tasks are best suited for offshoring, which solutions are best for onshore outsourcing, and which solutions can be solved with technology 
• Discussion of specific solution providers which provide solutions for tax and accounting firms as well as internal accounting departments

Speaker: Randy Johnston

This session is available to registrants only.

This dynamic session, designed specifically for accountants seeking a competitive edge, delves into the practical applications of ChatGPT in your daily workflow. From conducting comprehensive research and crafting compelling correspondence to swiftly addressing technical inquiries and optimizing Excel formulas, you will gain invaluable skills to expedite your tasks and improve overall efficiency. Furthermore, we will explore the power of ChatGPT plugins, equipping you with the knowledge to process PDF documents seamlessly and efficiently navigate the vast expanse of the web. Join us on this transformative journey and unlock your potential as a proficient and empowered accountant.

Major Topics:

• Leveraging prompt engineering in ChatGPT for various accounting tasks
• Exploring the applications and limitations of ChatGPT in accounting
• Empowering efficiency for everyday accounting tasks

Speaker: Tommy Stephens

This session is available to registrants only.

Web portals, "low-code/no-code” data collection, and survey tools have changed how we collect data. Modern solutions like Microsoft 365 Forms, Zoho Survey, SurveyMonkey, Microsoft PowerApps, and legacy tools like Adobe Acrobat Forms allow users to create web forms and integrate the resulting data into business process workflows. This session introduces the range of available tools, demonstrates standard features, and shows how tools permit users to expose or conceal questions based on answers given earlier in the survey. Attend this session to learn how to use tools you already own to collect data from your team, customers, and vendors efficiently.

Major Topics:

• Comparing the capabilities and costs associated with forms/data collection tools and the different approaches taken by each tool
• The benefits and risks associated with using each approach
• Examples of how tools can be used effectively, with examples

Speaker: Mac McClelland

This session is available to registrants only.