Pre-Conference Sessions

 

Date	Session Time	Session Name
Tuesday June 15, 2021	10:00 am -12:00 pm	Day 1: Ethics and Professional Conduct for NYS CPAs
Thursday June 17, 2021	10:00 am -12:00 pm	Day 2: Ethics and Professional Conduct for NYS CPAs
Tuesday June 22, 2021	1:00 pm - 5:00 pm	2021 GAAP Update

Registration for Pre-Conference Sessions

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Conference Session Descriptions

Up Periscope! Scanning the Waves of Federal Pandemic Assistance

It is an understatement that the pandemic has upended government revenues and expenses like none other in current history.  Federal and State assistance continue to evolve with its focus being on the needs of the moment ranging from expanding hospital and first responder resources to vaccine distribution networks.  This is not to mention the deficits created by the evaporation of some vital revenue streams such as sales tax.  Learn the latest on Federal and State aid and programs available now and what we may expect as the impacts of the pandemic on local governments promise to linger for some time.

1 CPE Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit

 

Monetary Policy Through the COVID-19 Lens: Actions, Results and Consequences 

At the midpoint of 2021 – where are the national, state, and regional economies as we slowly emerge from the pandemic?  Will the stimulus raise inflationary ‘red flags’?  Learn what is happening and the prospects for the rest of this year. 

1 CPE Advisory Services  | 1 GFI Elective Credit

 

Observations for the Risk Aware Finance Officer 

The role of the finance officer in managing risk goes beyond buying an insurance policy and cyber security.  Learn what should be included in a comprehensive risk management plan and strategies for its implementation and monitoring. 

1 CPE Accounting (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit

 

OSC Compliance Audits: Do You See What They See? 

One of the roles of the Office of the State Comptroller is to conduct periodic compliance audits of public entities.  The focus of these audits can vary and can be helpful in identifying areas of improvement and share best practices to improve your entity’s operations and reporting.  Learn what the latest compliance audits are focused on, some of the findings uncovered in recent audits and how to work with OSC when it is your entity’s turn to participate in one of these audits.

1 CPE Auditing (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit

 

The Foresight of a Solid Capital Plan 

Capital infrastructure underpins the vitality of our communities.  The investments required for good infrastructure are substantial.  Good asset management practices, supported by comprehensive capital plans, are critical in this process.  This session will focus on the components good capital plans share and how they support strong asset management practices.

1 CPE Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit

 

Cybersecurity Fraud and Protection through the Magnifying Glass 

It is no secret that organizations have been hacked, are being hacked and those that will be hacked.  Where does your organization fit?  Learn practical strategies to mitigate your risks against cyber threats.  Participants will also learn how developing a strategy focusing on people, process and technology will prepare your organization against the next cyber threat.

1 CPE Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit

 

A Panorama of New Biller Best Practices During COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the landscape of nearly every industry, including billing and payments for local governments and utility providers.  This resource is meant to act as a reset for biller best practices in light of the pandemic, offering billing organizations a relevant look into how COVID has altered customer payment habits, and the new best practices to which billers should adhere to keep collections consistent and employees safe.  The content will explore new billing and payment best practices, as well as:

• Ways to successfully support organizational priorities while assuring staff and customer safety.
• How contactless, digital payment methods have shifted customer expectations and habits.
• How to develop a durable plan to keep up and stay prepared for other unprecedented challenges.

1 CPE Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit

 

Is Your Retirement Within Eyeshot? Tips on Preparing Your Office Before You Leave

The wave of retirements of finance officers is growing.  If you are one of them, the to-do list can be overwhelming, both professionally and personally.  At work, there’s succession planning and grooming of the new leaders, wrapping up long-overdue projects and ensuring the policies are in place to allow a successful transition.  This session will provide practical guidance to prepare finance officers and their governments for this important transition.

1 CPE Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit

 

Enterprise Fund Accounting: Keeping Your Eye on the Ball 

This session will go through the basics of using and accounting for enterprise funds. Topics addressed include accounting and budgeting considerations as well as accounting for capital assets and projects within the fund. There will also be a walk-through of sample entries and wrap-up with common identified audit issues.

1 CPE Accounting (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit

 

Foresight Required: Debt Disclosures and Your Entity 

Planning for and issuing debt does not end an issuer’s responsibilities.  Continuing disclosure is required and the regulations impacting this are changing rapidly.  Learn about your entity’s responsibilities regarding continuing disclosure for its issued debt and the impact of recent and proposed regulations at the Federal level. 

1 CPE (Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit

 

The Outlook for Financial Systems for Smaller Governments 

Financial systems for public sector accounting and financial reporting are not just for mid to large governments anymore!  Learn what systems and programs are in the market that can streamline the accounting and financial reporting processes for smaller government entities without busting the budget.   

1 CPE Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit

 

Scenes from Abandoned Property Laws and Regulations 

This session will cover the types of property covered by the NYS Abandoned Property Law and how it should be administered by local governments.  Come and have your questions answered! 

1 CPE Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit

 

A Glimpse at GASB 87 

Find out how GASB Statement No 87, Leases impacts accounting and financial reporting for lease transactions on financial statements.  Topics covered include which lease liabilities, previously not required to be reported, now must be included in government financial statements as well as what notes to the financial statements, regarding timing, significance, and purpose of a government’s leasing arrangements, are now required.

1 CPE Accounting (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit

 

Surveilling the Horizon: Rating Agency Update 

This popular session will provide an opportunity for attendees to compare the criteria ratings agencies currently utilize when reviewing debt issued by government entities.  

1 CPE Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit

 

Debt Perception: Setting Your Entity's Debt Capacity 

Local governments in New York have a debt limit set in the State Constitution.  However, this limit is rarely calibrated to local conditions.  Without a sense of what is truly affordable, it is impossible to make truly wise decisions about the use of debt.  This session will review the best measures of local debt affordability and how to come up with local limits that make the most sense for your community.

1 CPE (Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit

 

Muting the Glare of Tackling Complicated Bank Reconciliations

Bank reconciliation, to many finance officers, may seem like a simple task.  However, they can be quite challenging if your government makes payments from multiple systems, accepts payments at multiple locations and with various methods of tender or if it has inconsistencies in their cash handling processes or if transactions are not accounted for correctly.  Learn about the challenges and pitfalls of completing more complicated bank reconciliations, how to improve the process and how technology can be used to improve efficiency and accuracy.   

1 CPE Specialized Knowledge (Gov’t) | 1 GFI Elective Credit