Advocacy Update

Lou Belch, The Corydon Group

Be part of the action at this year's Indiana CPA Society Advocacy Update general session. Join us as we discuss INCPAS' current advocacy initiatives, providing insights into our legislative agenda and strategic direction as we approach the 2004 legislative session. Stay informed and engaged!

It's time to network with colleagues and visit sponsor tables.

1. Evolving Technology and the Safeguards Rule: What Financial Services Businesses Need to Know

   Larry Marietta, CPA, Marietta CPAs

   Evolving technology has created the need for advanced regulations regarding the safeguarding of customer data. The Safeguards Rule, under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, requires all businesses significantly engaged in providing financial services to develop, implement, and maintain a written information security plan that describes how the business will safeguard and protect its clients' nonpublic personal information.

   This session will discuss the key requirements of the Safeguards Rule, including:

   • Developing and implementing a risk assessment
   • Instituting safeguards to control identified risks
   • Testing and monitoring the effectiveness of key controls, systems, and procedures
   • Providing staff training
   • Assessing service providers

   The session will also provide practical guidance on how to develop and implement an information security plan that meets the requirements of the Safeguards Rule.




2. Unlocking ESG Success: The CPA's Guide to Sustainable Reporting

   Jason Ksar, Assent

   Explore the vital role of CPAs in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting. Discover ESG frameworks, best practices, and ethical considerations, empowering you to guide organizations towards sustainable and responsible financial practices. Join us for insights into this critical aspect of modern accounting.

   
   

3. KPI Development: How to Create and Use Key Performance Indicators

   Dave Caldwell, Leaf Software Solutions

   Key performance indicators (KPIs) are measurable values that show how effectively an organization is achieving its strategic objectives. KPIs can help organizations track progress, identify strengths and weaknesses, and make data-driven decisions. However, not all KPIs are created equal. Some KPIs may be irrelevant, misleading, or hard to measure and it is important to consider to develop KPIs that are aligned with the organization’s vision, mission, goals, and strategy.

   In this presentation, you will learn how to create KPIs that reflect your strategic priorities and how to use them to monitor and improve your performance.

It's time to network with colleagues and visit sponsor tables.

1. Updates and Highlights from DOR

   Bob Grennes, Indiana Department of Revenue

   LuAnn Pelsor, Indiana Department of Revenue

   Commissioner Bob Grennes and the DOR team will provide an update on the Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) including information on:

   • Pass Through Entity Tax
   • Guidance and Rulemaking docket
   • Research Expense Credit
   • Appeals Update
   • Audit Update
   • DOR’s Taxpayer Advocate office and Tax Practitioner team
   
   

2. Delegation, Feedback, and Accountability: A Primer on Core Leadership Skills

   Jon Lokhorst, CPA, PCC, Lokhorst Consulting LLC

   Elevate your leadership effectiveness and organizational impact by fine-tuning these core leadership skills. Recognize the barriers to your effectiveness and reshape your mindset to gain confidence and become more proactive as you lead your team. Explore practical tools to optimize productivity, cultivate talent, inspire ownership, and free up more of your time to focus on crucial leadership functions like strategic thinking, innovation, and critical problem-solving.

   Learning Objectives:

   • Recognize typical barriers to delegation, feedback, and accountability.
   • Discover the changes in mindset necessary to gain confidence and proactively lead your team.
   • Explore a structured approach to employ each of these core leadership skills.



3. Cost Segregation and the Impacts of Tax Reform

   Lester Cook, KBKG

   A Cost Segregation Study dissects the construction cost or purchase price of real property that would normally depreciate over a long period and reallocates costs into shorter tax lives of 5, 7 or 15 years. This one-hour introductory course will provide background information, depreciation rules, and how a cost segregation study is performed.

   Learning Objectives:

   • Explain what cost segregation is, how taxpayers benefit from it, and how it has changed over the years
   • Identify tax issues that should be considered in conjunction with a cost segregation study
   • Recognize the potential impact of cost segregation on estate planning
   • Discuss the impact of tax reform on cost segregation
   • Discuss cost segregation opportunities related to the tangible property regulations and disposition regulations
   • Identify new opportunities to immediately deduct abandoned building components, avoid recapture tax, and expense demolition costs
   
   

It's time to have lunch with colleagues and visit sponsor tables. Lunch is provided.

Economic Update

Matt Will, University of Indianapolis

Please join this session on the state of the economy with a focus on the outlook for 2024.

It's time to network with colleagues and visit sponsor tables.

1. Navigating Inflation’s Impact on Commercial Insurance

   Jason Bukowski, Shepherd Insurance

   In an era marked by economic uncertainties and fluctuating commercial markets, it is imperative for business owners and key leaders to stay informed about the ever-changing insurance trends. This session aims to equip attendees with invaluable insights into the challenges posed by inflation and the role independent agents play in mitigating its impact.

   
   

2. New Tax Advantaged Health Plans (ICHRA & QSEHRA) For Your Small Business Clients

   Courtney Warren, ADP

   We will teach on two new health insurance solutions for employers — the Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) and Individual Coverage HRA (ICHRA). These HRAs offer pre-tax methods for reimbursing employees for health insurance premiums and medical expenses, an alternative to traditional group plan. Join us as we explore what they are + early market trends and insights.

   Learning Objectives:

   • Understand the concept of new tax-advantaged health plans, specifically the Individual Coverage HRA (ICHRA) and Qualified Small Employer (QSEHRA).
   • Explore the eligibility requirements and limitations associated with implementing ICHRA and QSEHRA for small business clients.
   • Learn how to assess the benefits of implementing ICHRA and QSEHRA for small business clients.
   • Develop the ability to effectively communicate the advantages, implementation process and regulatory considerations of ICHRA and QSEHRA programs to small business clients.

    

   
   

3. ACA Compliance for Employers: Simplifying the Complexities

   Monica Pritz, ACAChamp

   Complying with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) can be a challenge, even for people who’ve been doing it for some time. In this presentation, we will simplify the complexities of ACA compliance, providing a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the law and avoid potential penalties. We will cover a range of topics, including the employer shared responsibility provision, reporting requirements, and compliance deadlines You’ll learn provide practical tips and strategies for managing ACA compliance, such as tracking employee hours and benefits eligibility, and engaging with employees so they can understand their coverage options. By the end of this presentation, you will have a clear understanding of the ACA's impact on businesses like yours and steps you can take to improve compliance.

   Learning objectives:

   • Understand the key provisions of the ACA that impact employers, including the employer shared responsibility provision, reporting requirements, and compliance deadlines.
   • Develop strategies for managing the challenges of ACA compliance, such as tracking employee hours and benefits eligibility, and communicating with employees about their coverage options.
   • Learn best practices for achieving ACA compliance, including tips for managing data collection and reporting, avoiding common compliance errors, and staying up to date with regulatory changes.
   
   

It's time to network with colleagues and visit sponsor tables.

K2’s Ethics And Emerging Technologies

Thomas G. Stephens, Jr., CPA.CITP, CGMA

Today’s technologies – including Artificial Intelligence (AI) – offer great promise for improving productivity and efficiency. However, there are risks associated with these tools, including security, privacy, and protecting intellectual property. Against that backdrop, how can we reap the benefits of these tools, while acting ethically and responsibly?

In this session, you will learn more about you and your team can use today’s technologies ethically, effectively, and responsibly. You will learn about some of the risks associated with modern technologies, how to manage these risks, and effective business practices associated with using technology responsibly and ethically.

Major Topics:

• Understanding the sources of ethical guidelines
• Examples of technoethics issues that have occurred in the past
• The risks associated with unresolved ethical issues
• Key strategies for avoiding ethical lapses

Learning Objectives:

• Differentiate between ethics, laws, and morals
• Cite examples of technoethics issues that have occurred in the past
• List at least three examples of modern technoethics issues, including those associated with AI
• Specify example of ways to resolve modern technoethics issues