2023 CPE by the Sea | June 14-16 in Galveston and Webcast
Professional Development Track
All listings in Central time.
DAY 1 – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14
8 a.m. – 8:50 a.m. - General Session: Professional Issues Update for Texas
Sheila Enriquez, JD, CPA, CFF, CVA/Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer and Texas Market Leader/Crowe LLP/Houston
This session will provide an update on the CPA profession specific to Texas.
Major Topics: CPA profession: Emerging issues, current issues and how to address issues together
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the current and emerging issues our profession is facing.
- Get an update on the legislative matters affecting our profession both in Texas and at the Federal Level
- Determine how, as individual CPAs, we can contribute towards resolving the issues we are facing.
Skill Level: Update
9 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. -Employment Law Update
Craig Carter/Attorney/Jackson & Carter/Austin
Provide update on recent employment law developments. Provide guidance on compliance with employment laws.
Major Topics:
- Independent contractor vs employee
- FLSA classification issues
- Discrimination/accommodation issues
Learning Objectives:
- Learn some key recent employment law developments
- Learn how to avoid misclassifying employees
- Understand important workplace accommodation requirements
Skill Level: Intermediate
10 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. - Intermediate QuickBooks
11 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. - Conflict Resolution
11:50 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. | LUNCH BREAK
12:50 p.m. – 1:40 p.m. - SEC Investigations: Views from a Division of Enforcement Accountant
Melvin Warren/Senior Enforcement Accountant/U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission/Ft. Worth
This session will offer an introduction to the SEC's investigations process from the perspective of a Division of Enforcement accountant.
Major Topics:
- SEC overview
- Investigation process
- Current focus areas
Learning Objectives:
- Gain an understanding of the SEC
- Identify the stages of an enforcement investigation
- Recognize the accountant’s contribution to the process
Skill Level: Intermediate
1:55 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. - Unconscious Bias
Terrance Black
3 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. - Social Media with Limited Bandwidth and Budget
Amy Rios/Marketing Director/Texas Hospital Association/Austin
Julia Mann/Strategic Communications Manager/Texas Hospital Association/Austin
When used correctly, social media can be a cost-effective strategy to reach otherwise evasive audiences, but when you have other competing priorities, it’s
tough to know where to begin. Together, we’ll review the who, what, when, where, why and how of social media for small practices with limited bandwidth and budget for social media promotion.
Major Topics:
- Audience segmenting
- Social media platforms
- Content optimization
- Organic and paid social media strategies
- Implementing budget-friendly social media tools
Learning Objectives:
- Better understand different social media platforms and content that performs well on each
- Be able to develop audience personas and identify social media strategies to reach them
- Identify your unique content niche and ways to scale your social media content with a limited budget
- Have knowledge of low-cost, low-maintenance social media management tools
Skill Level: Intermediate
4 p.m. – 5:40 p.m. - Cybersecurity Panel
Charles Denyer and Wayne Hunter
DAY 2 – THURSDAY, JUNE 15
Addressing Stress and Burnout in the Accounting Profession
Vicky Johnson, CPA/Accounting Instructor/University of Mary Hardin-Baylor/Belton
Dale Jacobson, CPA/Kenneth Dale Jacobson CPA, PLLC/Austin
This session will examine the relationship between work-life balance, burnout, and turnover intentions among public accounting professionals in Texas. The goal of this session is to
help public accounting firms gain greater insight into retaining valued employees.
Major Topics:
- Work-life balance
- Burnout
- Turnover
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the relationship between work-life balance, burnout, and turnover intentions in public accounting firms.
- Gain insight into retaining quality employees in public accounting firms.
- Learn practical recommendations on how to improve employee retention.
Skill Level: Basic
10 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. - Enhancing Your Emotional Intelligence – The DISC Advantage
Deanna Sullivan, CPA/Principal/SullivanSolutions/Houston
Most would agree our success in life is largely due to our success in working with other people which is dependent on our emotional intelligence (EQ). In this session participants will gain strategies on how to deal more effectively with others
by determining their own natural behavior style, assessing potential stressors caused by their current environment and identifying the style of others. Learn how to improve your bottom line when working and interacting with others by using the DISC
Advantage.
Major Topics:
- Emotional Intelligence
- Self and Social Stressors
- DISC Behavioral Styles
- Relationship Management
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the four attributes of emotional intelligence
- Determine their behavior style and learn how it is perceived by others
- Identify strategies to deal more effectively with others
Skill Level: Intermediate
11 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. - Retaining Talent in the Workplace
Mallory Herrin, SPHR, SHRM-CP,CPLC, CEO & Principal HR Consultant/Dallas
In this session, participants will take a look at the current labor market,
labor market projections, and the importance of retaining talent. In addition, this session will cover action items that employers and managers can take to retain talent throughout the employee life cycle.
Major Topics:
- Talent shortage
- Employee retention initiatives that can be implemented at each phase of the employee lifecycle
- Compensation and benefits planning as it relates to retention
- How to retain employees during company "growing pains".
Learning Objectives:
- The importance of implementing retention initiatives throughout the employee lifecycle.
- How focusing on the employee experience improves retention and bottom line results.
- Easy actionable steps to implement immediately for improved employee retention.
Skill Level: Basic
11:50 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. | LUNCH BREAK
12:50 p.m. – 1:40 p.m. Mindfulness for Greater Ease in Life
Dana Garnett/Mediator/Mindful Strategy LLC/Dallas
Have you ever said or wished this? "If only (fill in the blank) could happen, my life would be great..." Well, what if it COULD be? What if, relatively quickly, life could become a whole lot easier to navigate from making only a slight shift?
Major Topics: Learn about how a 2,500-year-old practice that didn't exist in western world culture until the 1970s can have a hugely positive effect on you, your goals and your dreams.
Learning Objectives:
- Simple to adopt
- A big boost to your health
- Great for your business and achieving your best life
Skill Level: Basic
1:55 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. -U.S. Data Privacy Laws - GDPR alive and well in the U.S.!
Jason F. Barrett, JD/Principal and Founder/JAME Consulting, LLC/Houston
As of 2023, six states now have "GDPR" like data privacy laws on the books and more are coming. US companies, especially financial institutions and consumer facing organizations, can no longer turn a blind eye to data privacy laws. Enforcement activity for failing to properly secure, process and/or transfer PII is on the rise. This session will help you identify key areas of focus to keep your organization in compliance and out of the headlines.
Major Topics:
Learning Objectives:
- Key Pillars of GDPR and US State Data Privacy laws
- Data Privacy Compliance strategies for employers
- Practical considerations for daily operations
Skill Level:Intermediate
3 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. - Leveraging Equity in Compensation Planning
Nancy Fairchild/Sr. HR Professional and Business Advisor/Nancy Fairchild Consulting/Dripping Springs
Review the various types of Equity plans that are available. Understand when you should use each. Discuss the potential conflict between shareholders, board of directors, officers, and employees. Establish an equity strategy which complements total
compensation and achieves company goals and retention.
Major Topics:
- Stock Options – Incentive, Non-statutory and Stock Appreciation Rights
- Restricted Shares – Restricted Stock Units and Performance Shares
- Employee Stock Purchase Plans
- The duties of the Board, Compensation Committee, CEO, HR, Finance and Legal
- The role of Equity in Compensation
- Managing Exposure Vs Restrictions for Officers
- Alignment of employees and shareholders Strategy for the future
Learning Objectives:
- Understanding of the various types of equity.
- Knowing the duties of the various decision makers.
- Providing tools to establish a solid compensation plan.
Skill Level: Intermediate
4 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. - Moments that Matter
DAY 3 – FRIDAY, JUNE 17
8 a.m. – 8:50 a.m. - General Session
9 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. Ethics – It's a Matter of Choice
(not offered via webcast; available to first 50 attendees to sign in onsite)
Deanna Sullivan
In today’s environment organizations and individuals are faced with new and significant decisions that pose difficult ethical dilemmas. While ethics and integrity have been touted for decades, turbulent times can turn these critical culture
components into merely buzzwords. A recent survey showed 60% of employees do not believe management operates with integrity and 30% of respondents said they would behave unethically to enhance their career progression. If faced with similar circumstances,
would we make the same choices?
Major Topics:
- Ethical Principles and Values Global Integrity Study
- Ethical Reasoning and Dilemmas
- Overview of the TSBPA Rules and Responsibilities for Ethics
- Current Fraud Statistics
11:50 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. | LUNCH BREAK
12:50 p.m. – 1:40 p.m. - Ethics (not offered via webcast; available to first 50 attendees to sign in onsite)
Deanna Sullivan
1:50 p.m. – 2:40 p.m. - General Session: Running to Rewarding Relationships
James Brown/Chief Xchange Officer/The Xchange Zone/Missouri City, TX
Relationships are the essence of human existence – the business world, home, and school. Understanding that every relationship matters, has a unique cadence, and learning how to identify and move within it, can drastically improve your personal
brand, organizational effectiveness, and better position you to reach your individual and team goals.
Major Topics: How to leverage and maximize relationships
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the rhythm (cadence) of relationships
- Learn how to rhyme (communicate) in relationships
- Find the reward (win) in relationships
Skill Level: Intermediate
2:50 p.m. – 3:40 p.m. - Leadership that Counts!
Chuck Cummings, CPA, CFE/Owner/Charles C. Cummings, Jr., CPA/Pearland
Come learn the characteristics of an effective leader; someone others trust and who is unique in a tough business world. This is for you, the leader, when you are tired of your old style and results, especially if your leadership creates stress,
turnover, insecurity and lack of productivity in those who follow you or don't. If you are frustrated with your job or the people you lead, this session will help you.
Major Topics:
- Working definition of a leader
- Choosing a style of leadership
- Examining the Character, Attitudes, Skills and Habits of an Effective Leader
Learning Objectives:
- Learn what an effective leader looks and acts like.
- Leave with a better understanding of how your leadership style and characteristics impact those you lead.
- Find a different work style that is much more rewarding and less frustrating in a tough business world.
Skill Level: Intermediate