Data Security, Privacy Issues & Solutions

Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP, CGMA, K2 Enterprises

Data security and privacy issues continue to plague businesses of all sizes. No matter where you look, the numbers are bad — really bad! But that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to reduce these risks. In this session, you will learn about the key security and privacy risks facing businesses today and the steps you can take to mitigate these risks.

This session starts with a review of how cybercriminals attack businesses of all sizes and the related costs of these attacks. From there, you will progress into discussions of practical tools, policies, and other solutions you can use to mitigate cybersecurity risks to prudently acceptable levels. This is a “must-see” session for all concerned about data security and how to mitigate threats to sensitive and confidential data.

It's time to stretch.

1. Client Accounting Services for CPA Firms: Strategies for Growth & Success

   Randy Johnston, K2 Enterprises

   Client Accounting Services (CAS) have become a cornerstone of modern CPA firms, offering opportunities for enhanced client relationships, recurring revenue streams, and streamlined operations. This course provides accounting professionals with practical guidance on implementing and optimizing CAS within their firms. Participants will explore the foundational elements of CAS, including service offerings, pricing models, and client communication strategies. The course delves into the technology tools essential for CAS, including accounting software, workflow automation, and reporting platforms. It offers insights into best practices for managing client expectations and delivering consistent, high-value services. In addition, participants will examine case studies of successful CAS implementations, review current trends impacting CAS, and identify critical steps to build a scalable CAS practice that aligns with their firm's goals. The course also addresses the importance of data security, governance, and compliance in providing CAS to ensure ethical and professional service delivery.

   
   

2. CRM: The Ultimate Business Automation Tool

   Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP, CGMA, K2 Enterprises

   This session provides an in-depth exploration of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems as a critical tool for business automation. Designed for accounting professionals, it emphasizes CRM’s role in streamlining workflows, organizing communications, enhancing client relationships, and improving efficiency. Participants will learn about key CRM features, integration with accounting software, and best practices for successful implementation. We will highlight practical applications with actionable insights to help attendees optimize their processes. This session ensures you walk away with a basic understanding of CRM’s transformative potential for business and financial management.

   
   

3. Taking Another Look at Power BI

   Stephen Yoss Jr., CPA, MS, K2 Enterprises

   Although Power BI has been available for ten years, most business professionals don’t fully appreciate all it can do and its easy use. Further, many are intimidated by the platform and continue to use less efficient and effective reporting practices. If this describes you, invest some time in this session to learn how to work with Power BI almost immediately.

   In this session, you will learn how to use Power BI to create compelling dashboard reports. You will also learn how to optimize these reports to enhance their effectiveness. If you want to improve financial and operational reporting processes, this session is for you!

   
   

It’s time for a lunch break.

1. What’s New with QuickBooks

   Stephen Yoss Jr., CPA, MS, K2 Enterprises

   QuickBooks Desktop, Online, and Enterprise Solutions remain three of the most widely used accounting applications in use today. However, each platform continues to experience major changes across several fronts. Feature sets, licensing requirements, and price changes all impact users at unprecedented levels. Further, competition continues to emerge in the small business accounting battleground, adding confusion to the options existing QuickBooks and QuickBooks Online users may have. In this session, you will learn about many of the changes impacting QuickBooks Desktop, Online, and Enterprise users, and you can manage these changes for the benefit of your company or your clients.

   
   

2. AI: Better Prompts, Better Results

   Randy Johnston, K2 Enterprises

   Generative AI is seemingly everywhere, and business professionals are embracing the technology. And for a good reason — generative AI provides opportunities for enormous gains in efficiency and productivity. However, those gains can be even greater if you understand best practices for issuing AI prompts.

   In this session, you will learn the best ways to ask questions of your AI platforms so that you get the information you seek quickly and easily. Stop wasting time with inefficient and ineffective prompts! Learn the best ways to get the information you seek!

   
   

3. Next Level Home Networking

   Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP, CGMA, K2 Enterprises

   In this session, accounting professionals and technology enthusiasts will explore advanced home networking concepts to support remote work and modern digital needs. Learn to select prosumer-grade hardware, configure multi-SSID networks, and integrate functionalities like VPNs, media servers, and remote file access to boost productivity and security. Discover cutting-edge technologies, including SPF+ (10G networking), to future-proof your setup for data-intensive workflows. With practical demonstrations and relevant use cases, this session equips you with the tools to optimize your home network for efficiency, security, and scalability.

   
   

It's time to stretch.

1. After QuickBooks, What’s Next?

   Brian Tankersley, CPA, CITP, CGMA, K2 Enterprises

   Accounting professionals face a critical technological shift with the discontinuation of QuickBooks Pro and Premier sales in 2024. This session explores the transition to modern platforms, including QuickBooks Online, Xero, Zoho Books, FreshBooks, and more. Participants will gain insights into key features, integration capabilities, add-on solutions, and payroll and reporting functionalities. Learn strategies for seamless implementation and discover how to guide clients effectively through this change. Comparative tables and expert insights will equip you to make informed recommendations for your practice or small business. Attend this session and learn more about platforms available for small businesses.




2. AI: Security & Privacy Issues

   Randy Johnston, K2 Enterprises

   Security and privacy issues must be top-of-mind concerns for business professionals using AI. Yet, for far too many of these professionals, no concern is given for the potential security and privacy risks associated with AI, setting the stage for potentially disastrous results!

   In this session, you will learn about AI security and privacy risks and how to manage them. This session includes discussions of the major AI companies’ security and privacy policies, how AI platforms might use your data, and how you can stay in control. Given how quickly AI is spreading, this is one session you simply cannot afford to miss.

   
   

3. Ten PDF Tips You Need to Know

   Stephen Yoss Jr., CPA, MS, K2 Enterprises

   Portable Document Format (PDF) documents are everywhere! Yet few know how to work effectively with these documents. If you are interested in working more effectively and efficiently with PDFs, this session is for you.

   In this session, you will learn valuable tips you can use to assist you with creating, editing, and securing PDFs. You will also learn how to convert PDFs to fillable forms and secure PDFs, among other features. Don’t miss this chance to learn ten PDF tips you need to know to increase your ROI on PDFs.

   
   

It's time to stretch.

Ripped From the Headlines: Lessons from Interesting Tech Crimes

Stephen Yoss Jr., CPA, MS, K2 Enterprises

Generative AI and “ransomware for hire” have helped cybercriminals thrive in the post-pandemic period — but how do they do it? This all-new session is a series of case studies that examine actual criminal filings and news accounts and use them to highlight some of the actions you can take to limit your exposure to similar schemes. Attend this session and learn more about how high-profile control failures occurred so you can be more effective at preventing crimes such as theft, malware, ransomware, phishing, and hacking.