Tech Update 2022

Randy Johnston, MCS, K2 Enterprises

The speed of technology change has been accelerating. But unfortunately, we can’t keep up, and we don’t know what to do about it. This visionary session provides insights, choices, and recommendations to help you decide how rapidly to move, which technologies will affect your business, and how to separate sales pitches from innovative ideas.

This session will explore emerging and evolving technologies important to accounting professionals. We will cover the benefits and risks of adopting new technologies in areas ranging from software applications to hardware devices. You’ll also learn how to develop a balanced technology strategy that includes current, emerging, and future technology choices for your firm or business.

It's time to stretch and get a coffee refill.

1. Options to Automate Your Tax Preparation Workflow

   Randy Johnston, MCS, K2 Enterprises

   Tax Season can be a daunting time for tax preparers, but it doesn’t have to be with the help of tax automation software tools and other innovative technology. This session will provide an overview of the latest technologies and tools that can help automate your workflow and make the entire tax return preparation process smoother and more efficient. From client portals, workflow management, and e-signatures to robotic process automation, you’ll learn about all the options available to help streamline your tax preparation process. So don’t dread Tax Season—attend this session and arm yourself with the tools you need to succeed.

   
   

2. Eight Awesome PivotTable Features

   Mac McClelland, JD, MBA, K2 Enterprises

   Are you looking to take your PivotTables to the next level? Many experts consider PivotTables to be Excel’s most powerful feature. Yet, most who create and work with them barely scratch the surface of all that PivotTables can do. In this session, you’ll learn eight powerful features you may have missed. From user-defined calculations to consolidating reports and adding KPIs, we’ll show you how to get the most out of your PivotTables. These are just some examples of the great things you can do with PivotTables, and in this session, you will learn these and other techniques to make your PivotTables even more powerful.

   
   

3. Emerging Topics in Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

   Steve Yoss, CPA, MS, K2 Enterprises

   Blockchain is one of the most-watched emerging technologies. Yet, few accountants understand how to use this technology to make existing ledger-based systems more efficient, effective, and tamper-resistant. In this session, you will learn the basics of blockchain-based ledgers. You will also learn about the fundamentals of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ripple. Additionally, you will learn about emerging issues in these fields, such as stablecoins, central bank-issued digital currencies, smart contracts, and sovereign identity management. By attending this session, you will see how blockchain-based technologies will change your work with others.

It's time for a lunch break.

1. CPA Firm Technology For the Future

   Randy Johnston, MCS, K2 Enterprises

   The next five years are going to be eventful for CPA firms. The profession has never seen such rapid change, with new and changing technologies appearing almost daily! So, what will your firm do?

   How can you keep up without getting overwhelmed by these fast-paced transformations in the profession and stay profitable during this turmoil? What are the best technologies to handle client interactions, PBC lists, electronic signatures, and Advisory services? How do the cloud, next-generation accounting software, and client demands affect partner profitability? Attend this session to get an independent overview of the state of technology in the profession

   
   

2. The How’s and Why’s of Data Analytics

   Mac McClelland, JD, MBA, K2 Enterprises

   Increasingly, accountants and auditors are called upon to use data analytics to understand and improve results. Yet, many professionals struggle with the concept of data analytics and remain unaware of how to obtain the results needed using tools they already own.

   In this session, you will learn about the four primary types of data analytics and when to use each. Further, you will learn how to generate meaningful analytical measurements using Excel, Power BI, and other tools and, more importantly, how to interpret the results. If you seek to use data analytics—and who isn’t—this session is for you.

   
   

3. Tales of True Tech Crimes Ripped from the Headlines

   Steve Yoss, CPA, MS, K2 Enterprises

   We’re all familiar with the headlines describing how criminals use new and creative approaches to commit their crimes. But what you may not know is that these same criminal elements also target accounting professionals. Unfortunately, accountants are one of the most targeted groups on the Internet.

   In this session, you will learn how high-profile failures occurred due to control malfunctions. In turn, hackers gained full reign over entire networks that contained sensitive information such as financial data stored online. Attend this session so you can be more effective at preventing crimes such as theft, malware, ransomware, phishing, and hacking.

Security Risks and Solutions Roundtable

Randy Johnston, MCS, K2 Enterprises

Mac McClelland, JD, MBA, K2 Enterprises

Steve Yoss, CPA, MS, K2 Enterprises

Security remains one of the top issues on the minds of most business professionals today—and for a good reason! Unfortunately, given the ever-increasing volume of sensitive data our organizations store and manage, we have become prime targets for cybersecurity attacks. Fortunately, we can take steps to reduce our risks significantly. This session will teach you which measures will benefit you and your organization the most.

In a roundtable format, you will learn about security risks and solutions from the breadth and depth of experience of the K2 Enterprises team. A vital aspect of this session is the opportunity to ask questions of your presenters.

It's time to stretch and get a coffee refill.

1. Safeguarding Taxpayer Data: A Guide for Your Required Security Plan

   Mac McClelland, JD, MBA, K2 Enterprises

   Combatting today’s cybercriminals takes all of us working together. The Internal Revenue Service works with state tax agencies and the tax industry to fight these 21st-century identity thieves. Unfortunately, data thefts at tax professionals’ offices are on the rise. Online providers also must follow the six security and privacy standards in Publication 1345, Handbook for Authorized IRS e-file Providers of Individual Income Tax Returns. In addition, you fall under the PTIN and 4557 considerations if you prepare tax returns. Learn how to fulfill your obligations by participating in this session.

   
   

2. Automation for Increasing Personal Efficiency and Effectiveness

   Steve Yoss, CPA, MS, K2 Enterprises

   Automation is a great way to save time and improve accuracy and effectiveness. It also allows you to get more value from your workday. This session will teach you how to automate the tasks that are mundane or take up too much energy, so you complete them automatically instead. One of the best things a person can do is invest time into automating their workday to help them achieve more work, reduce daily stress, and provide better mental clarity.

   This session focuses on various tools and services you can use to help promote personal automation. In it, you will learn about technologies such as integration platform tools, Amazon Alexa and Google Home, and the Elgato Stream Deck.

   
   

3. The Best Small Business Accounting Tools

   Randy Johnston, MCS, K2 Enterprises

   Working with a small business, you know that keeping the company’s finances in order is critical to success. While numerous software programs and tools are available to help you do this, they vary substantially in many significant aspects. In addition to conventional options like QuickBooks and Sage 50, you can choose from Cloud-based tools such as Zoho Books, QuickBooks Online, Spire Systems, Xero, Accounting Suite, Accounting Power, and many more.

   In this session, we’ll look at the best accounting tools for small businesses and discuss the benefits of each one. This session covers accounting solutions that should work for startups and companies with up to $10 million in annual revenue. So, whether you work with a startup or an established small business, attend this session to find out which tools can help you achieve your financial goals.

   
   

It's time for a lunch break.

1. Accounting Automation

   Steve Yoss, CPA, MS, K2 Enterprises

   Why can it be hard to automate accounting? Because many accountants don’t know their options and, therefore, fail to reap the rewards of accounting automation.

   This session will teach you how easy and profitable accounting automation can be. In it, you will learn how to automate many traditional accounting processes, often with technology you already own. In addition to bank feeds, you will learn about automation options for processing accounts payable and receivable, approving transactions, and linking data from one platform to another. If you are serious about improving efficiency and accuracy, you should make plans to attend this session.

   
   

2. How to Run Microsoft Office from the Cloud

   Mac McClelland, JD, MBA, K2 Enterprises

   Cloud-based options of familiar Microsoft Office applications have been available for over a decade. Moreover, these tools have matured to the point where their functionality rivals desktop-based options. Further, the ease of deploying, accessing, and using these tools is striking.

   In this session, you will learn about Cloud-based alternatives to everyday desktop applications and why you should consider adding them to your toolbox. You will also learn about the relative strengths of competitive services available from Zoho and Google and why you should consider these tools. Knowing all your options is imperative in the new cloud-connected world.

   
   

3. Implementing Data Loss Prevention for Better Security and Privacy

   Randy Johnston, MCS, K2 Enterprises

   Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a means of creating and enforcing security policies in an organization. For example, you can create DLP rules that programmatically block all outbound email messages containing Social Security or credit card numbers. Unfortunately, most business professionals have yet to discover DLP and how it improves security.

   In this session, you will learn the fundamentals of DLP and, through demonstrations, see how you can use DLP to enhance organizational security. You do not want to miss this chance to learn how to take advantage of one of the most innovative security options available to you.