Virtual Agenda
Date: August 18–19, 2021
Small Changes to Yield Big Results
Last year, you had to react quickly to changes in the world, workplace
and workforce. This year, take time to proactively plan for the changes you want to see at your firm long-term. This virtual event counts for live CPE, and you can attend one or both days.
Here’s an overview of each day:
DAY 1 (AUGUST 18): Practice Management
CPE: 4 hours
CLE: TBD
Featured Presenter: Karl Ahlrichs, CSP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, Gregory & Appel Insurance
- Increase efficiencies and productivity post-COVID
- Modernize your hiring practices
- Work/life balance
8:30–9:40 A.M. General Session
Productivity in Small Firms Revisited
Karl Ahlrichs, CSP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, Gregory & Appel Insurance
The world has rebooted. Learn how to keep your firm productive and sustainable in this post COVID world. Client expectations are changing and have changed. What does this mean for you and how you spend your time? Walk away with 3 top things you should stop doing or could be doing better.
9:40–9:50 A.M. Break
It's time to stretch and get a coffee refill.
9:50–10:50 A.M. General Session
Rethinking Recruitment
Alicia Petty-Stone, Alerding CPA Group
Karl Ahlrichs, CSP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, Gregory & Appel Insurance
Being a small firm, many times we face the challenge of appealing to candidates seeking positions at large CPA firms. In fact, much of this is guided by college professors. How do we redirect this thinking and promote our culture as an advantage over big firms? Branding is necessary. Connecting is essential. Values are critical. We will discuss concepts to ponder before your next hiring event that will help set you up for recruiting and building your workforce.
10:50–11 A.M. Break
11 A.M.–12:10 P.M. General Session
Want to Save Time Make $ and Solve a Problem?
Sherrill Rude, CAE, Indiana CPA Society
Jenny Norris, CPA, CGMA, CAE, Indiana CPA Society
Is the Society your go to resource when you have a problem? If your problem is regulatory or legislative, INCPAS is your advocate. Sherrill and Jenny will provide an overview of professional issues small firms need to know about now. They will expand on what the Society does as your advocate and how you can get the most out of your membership investment with INCPAS.
DAY 2 (AUGUST 19): Technology
CPE: 4 hours
CLE: TBD
Featured Presenter: New INCPAS President & CEO Courtney Kincaid, CAE
- Introduction to the Cloud: Scalable solutions for all firms
- Pain points and tech solutions
- Roundtable Discussion: Future business opportunities for small firms
8:30–9:15 A.M. General Session
INCPAS Members on Technology: Your Pain Points & Solutions
Courtney Kincaid, CAE, Indiana CPA Society
Technology is an ever-changing landscape—one that often seems impossible to keep up with. Hear from INCPAS President & CEO Courtney Kincaid, CAE, IOM as she shares the results of recent technology surveys conducted by INCPAS small firm members. Courtney will share key findings from the survey such as—how members measure up in terms of technology, their top tech priorities, challenges they face in implementing tech and how the Society can help tackle it all.
9:15–9:25 A.M. Break
It's time to stretch and get a coffee refill.
9:25–10:35 A.M. General Session
Big Firm Benefits, Small Firm Feel: How the Cloud Levels the Playing Field
Aaron Toops, AERIFY.io
In this session, Aaron Toops, founding partner of AERIFY.io, will lead a discussion that is to understand and informative on how small firms can leverage all the benefits of the cloud. He will start with the basics with an introduction of the cloud and how it works, what it takes to get there and how the cloud can help small firms use technology in a fast, safe, simple way.
- Introduction to the Cloud—the basics—how the Cloud works and what it looks like
- Steps to converting your firm to the Cloud
- Benefits of the Cloud, including short and long-term ROI and data security
- What your top concerns may be once you are in the Cloud, and how to help address any preconceived barriers
10:35–10:45 A.M. Break
10:45 A.M.–12:10 P.M. General Session
Business Beyond 1040s
Paul McCann, CPA, Red Earth CPA
Mary Kay Prasco, CPA, Prasco & Associates, PC
John Seale, CPA, CITP, RBSK Partners, PC
In this roundtable discussion you will hear from three local practitioners who have grown their bottom line by leveraging technology and expanding their services beyond 1040s. Whether it was by taking on new services by a client’s request or building from the ground up, these practitioners will provide insight and simple ways for you to do the same. Be sure to have a notepad handy.