November 7-8, 2022 | Virtual Conference

The BDO Alliance Team is thrilled to announce the third annual AMPLIFY Conference! While we had record attendance at our in-person Alliance Conference last spring, we know that only a subset of our members get to travel to Las Vegas. To be able to expose as many of you to a sampling of some of the most highly attended sessions, we are offering AMPLIFY: Together Again as a limited encore experience, mixed with a few new sessions. (New sessions are noted below with a blue * in the title).

Check out the schedule to view our full offering and register for your favorite events today!

BDO Alliance USA will be issuing CPE certificates to individuals who meet attendance requirements in each session. For attendees of our May 2022 Alliance Conference in Las Vegas, click here for a special note about CPE.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7

10:30 am- 10:50 am ET | Opening Session

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI): Strategies for Impact and Sustainability*
Many corporate CEOs and firm leaders have pledged their commitment to DEI, yet some organizations struggle to make real progress. We have experienced a heightened focus recently on creating inclusive and equitable organizations that create a sense of belonging for people representing many cultures, backgrounds and life experiences. Successful DEI initiatives are sustainable with outcomes that include increased employee engagement and retention, higher levels of productivity and innovation, and overall higher employee satisfaction. This session will focus on the key lessons learned through BDO USA's DEI journey that can be applied to any organization, regardless of size or efforts to-date. (No CPE available.)
Featuring BDO USA’s People & Culture Director (DEI), Marcee Harris Schwartz

11:00 am - 11:50 am ET | Breakout Sessions

MAP: Managing an Accounting Practice

Driving Strategic Revenue Growth:
The New Normal
Major upheavals in economic conditions present diverse opportunities to grow revenue. Many firms hunker down, do good work and wait for clients to appreciate them. Others are more forward-looking, shifting their strategy to create significant new sources of revenue. Our current upheaval comes when firms are transferring leadership to up-and-comers, rainmakers with big books-of-business are retiring, and markets are more complex than ever. We will explore the most challenging questions about sustaining high growth.
Featuring Gale Crosley, Crosley+Company, and Michael Horwitz, BDO Alliance USA

Advisory

BDO Digital: Drive Revenue with New Technology and Tools
This session will highlight case studies of how BDO Digital is working with clients and Alliance firms to utilize analytics and drive value through artificial intelligence (AI).
Featuring Kirstie Tiernan and Bob Pugh, BDO Digital

Tax

Executive Compensation in a Post-COVID-19 Work Environment
During COVID-19 lockdowns, employees experienced newfound freedom on how and where they perform their duties. These changes impacted the needs of executives too when evaluating a compensation package and related tax implications. This session will explore how businesses can update their incentive structure to align behaviors and rewards with the new work environment.
Featuring Norma Sharara and Andy Gibson, BDO USA, LLP

Emerging Leaders

Sustaining Your Culture in a Remote/Hybrid Work Environment
This session will educate firms about how to drive culture through a very systematic, intentional approach to win more business and attract and retain top talent. We’ll discuss the 8 steps to creating and sustaining a world-class culture, a firm's most sustainable competitive advantage.
Featuring Jake Friedman, High Performing Culture

12:00 pm - 12:50 pm ET | Breakout Sessions

Human Resources

Winning the Great Resignation Game
Great change brings about new challenges, and many are saying that the Great Resignation is upon us. What is it? Why is it happening? What can firm leadership do to protect the potential loss of great team members? This session will explore it all and give you actionable steps to take as soon as you get home.
Featuring Sandra Wiley, Boomer Consulting

MAP: Managing an Accounting Practice

Building a Culture Where People Thrive*
The values and attitudes of your team members help to define your firm’s company culture. In this session, our presenter will describe some of the best practices that helped her firm build a strong company culture, ultimately landing them as the top firm in the large firm category in Accounting Today’s 2022 Best Firms to Work For list. She will give practical advice and examples of initiatives that have been successful, as well as describe additional experiences that helped create, foster and reinforce a thriving workplace where team members feel valued and heard.
Featuring April Harry, Warren Averett

Accounting & Auditing

Quarterly Government and Not-For-Profit Accounting and Auditing Update*
In this session, we will explore the hot topics and current events in the government and not-for-profit sectors. Changes continue to challenge governments and not-for-profits in many areas, and we will update you on what you need to know in the accounting and auditing world. Major topics include: new professional standards issued by the GASB, FASB, AICPA, OMB and GAO; insights on best practices in accounting for and auditing governments and not-for-profits; and other topics of importance for accounting and auditing professionals.
Featuring Charlie Blanton, Surgent

Advisory

Capital Markets Update and How to Maximize Shareholder Value in a Sale Process
This session will cover the latest trends in M&A and the debt and equity capital markets, current economic statistics and trends, and provide an outlook for the capital markets. It will also discuss the M&A sale process and best practices for achieving success for clients. We will cover case studies and recent examples of executed deals.
Featuring Bob Snape and Eric Higgins, BDO Capital Advisors

1:00 pm - 1:50 pm ET | Breakout Sessions

Human Resources

Exploring New Roles and Positions in the Firm
Change in the profession opens the door to new opportunities for accounting professionals and many other professionals to become a part of our firms. What are the potential new positions that can strengthen our practices and bring a higher level of success in the near future? We will challenge and inspire you during this "future is now" session.
Featuring Sandra Wiley, Boomer Consulting

Advisory

Building a Client Accounting & Advisory Services Practice*
Most CPA practices provide some type of client accounting services (CAS) for their clients, but many firms leave much opportunity (and associated revenue) on the table with their approach to this service offering. To maximize the opportunity, your practice needs a modernized, automated and highly efficient CAS model that maximizes productions/profits and works synergistically with other departments within the firm, like coaching and tax preparation. Ultimately, your CAS department must become your CAAS department (Client Accounting and Advisory Services), where your team provides value-added services like financial measurements, cash flow projections, spend management, budgeting...and more!
Featuring Joe Woodard, Woodard Consulting

Ethics

Professional Ethics Update
This course provides busy CPAs with an overview of recent changes in ethical standards and a review of common regulatory violations. Inclusion of the latest issuances and coverage of ethical violations ensure that the most important issues affecting practitioners will be discussed. Participants will have an opportunity to test their recall of common ethical requirements.
Featuring Jeanne Yamamura, CPA, CGMA, MIM, PhD

Tax

ASC 740 Update: Traps for the Unwary
ASC 740 continues to be one of the most challenging areas of the financial statements for both public and private enterprises. This session will focus on the more challenging aspects and allow attendees to gain a stronger understanding of various topics that can be traps for the unwary, such as accounting for the impact of enacted tax law changes, valuation allowance assessments and scheduling of temporary differences, pushdown accounting issues, and income tax accounting for investments in partnerships, among many others.

Featuring Dan Newton, BDO USA, LLP

2:00 pm - 2:50 pm ET | Breakout Sessions

Marketing

10 New Trends Impacting Leadership and Marketing
Leadership and marketing are essential to the growth of a firm. Over the last 18 months, firms have been looking at each of these areas with a different perspective. In this session, we will cover 10 new trends that are impacting leadership and marketing, as well as action items you can implement in your firm.
Featuring Gary Boomer, Boomer Consulting

Tax

Top Accounting Methods Considerations for the 2021 Tax Year
This course will explore the most relevant accounting methods planning opportunities and compliance considerations that apply to taxpayers in nearly every industry. Topics will include accounting method considerations related to tax reform, as well as important updates related to revenue recognition, lease accounting, and the interplay between accounting methods and certain international provisions (e.g., FDII, BEAT and GILTI).
Featuring Lori Anne Johnston and Chris Armstrong, BDO USA, LLP

MAP: Managing an Accounting Practice

Effectively Transitioning Responsibility from One Generation to Another
Organizations across the country are preparing for (or are already facilitating) the retirement of thousands of talented Baby Boomer CPAs and consultants. Many elements of succession need attention, but one of the most important areas to address is effective transition of responsibility. Transition affects far more than the retiree – because their transition creates a ripple effect that causes all others in the organization to shed responsibility, too. Your ability to grow depends on your ability to successfully transition. Leave this session armed with the information you need to plan and execute transitions effectively.
Featuring Jennifer Wilson, ConvergenceCoaching

Advisory

What is ESG, and What Does it Mean for Your Clients & Your Firm?
Of the factors changing the business landscape, the fundamental shift in mindset occurring around the convergence of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues is rising to center stage. But what is ESG, and what does it mean for your clients and your firm? Join this session for an introduction to ESG strategy and learn how it can be prioritized to build a sustainable business and future for all.
Featuring Karen Baum, BDO USA, LLP

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8

11:00 am - 11:50 am ET | Breakout Sessions

Marketing

Creating a True Business Development Culture
Most firms say that they are committed to creating a business development culture and developing new rainmakers to replace the rainmakers who will retire in the next 10-12 years. Yet many struggle to truly achieve these goals. When the right expectations are set and the roles and support are in place, firms experience a real commitment – and real results – selling the “right” business for your firm. In this session, we’ll explore the “must haves” for a thriving business development culture.
Featuring Jennifer Wilson, ConvergenceCoaching

Tax

Global Mobility in the World of Remote Work
The way people can and will work has been revolutionized, and all companies must take a look at their policies and procedures to make sure they are staying abreast of the relevant and related matters (tax or non-tax). This session will address the breadth of considerations around hybrid and remote work, as well as help chart out a plan for how to customize and create a plan.
Featuring Ronii Rizzo, BDO USA, LLP

Accounting & Auditing

Multi-Year Audit Engagements
Multiple year and "back year" engagements provide unique challenges and opportunities. This session will describe strategies for completing multi-year and prior year audits effectively and efficiently.
Featuring Jim Gerace and Daniel Lisella, BDO USA, LLP

MAP: Managing an Accounting Practice

How to Value a CPA Firm
We get this question daily: “What are firms selling for?” While there can be major variables that separate each firm, this session will review the math that creates the baseline for the financials inside a firm. We will walk through the qualitative components that can materially alter firm value too, like niches, billable hours, bench age and expertise, client size and industries, etc. Attendees will leave with a method for evaluating their market position and value.
Featuring Bob Lewis, The Visionary Group

12:00 pm - 12:50 pm ET | Breakout Sessions

Emerging Leaders

One Word "Process Improvement": Rethinking the Hype and Misinformation*
This session will discuss how to increase the value of Process Improvement by eliminating the hype and misinformation with an easy-to-apply model. No matter your role or experience, we will ignite your passion to create value for your clients.
Featuring Jason Greer, BerganKDV

Human Resources

Employment Law Issues That Most Frequently Impact Accounting Firms
Employment law is always changing. During this session, we’ll discuss the employment law issues that most frequently impact accounting firms, as well as the new developing standards that human resources professionals need to be aware of to ensure that their firms’ policies and practices are up to date.
Featuring Laura Friedel, Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC

Advisory

Helping Clients Redefine the Workplace
The session will include perspectives from the Advisory and Tax practices that impact the changing workplace, including trends and examples from the last year. Topics to be covered include hybrid work models, real estate portfolios, technology, tax implications, talent and outsourcing, and more.
Featuring Brian Collins, Tom Stringer, Greg Gratteau, and Ross Forman, BDO USA, LLP

MAP: Managing an Accounting Practice

What’s on Your List?
This session will address some of the most important Practice Management strategies for your firm’s future, including human capital, growth, service lines, diversity, and more.
Featuring Gary Shamis, Winding River Consulting

1:00 pm - 1:50 pm ET | Breakout Sessions

Human Resources

Adding Capacity Without Adding Staff – Outsourcing*
Demand for staff at all levels is at an all-time high in the accounting profession. The shortage in qualified talent has created new challenges for firms. Firms are increasingly considering alternative ways to enhance their talent pool and increase their capacity. We have assembled a panel discussion on what is happening in the accounting industry and how firms are addressing the capacity issue when finding staff is so challenging.
Panel featuring Julie Bonness (TaxExact), Ralph Carnicer (Taxfyle), Laurence Whittam (QX Accounting Services), Chris Rivera (Entigrity Solutions) and Mike Walton (Sentient Solutions for Accounting); moderated by Bob Lewis, The Visionary Group

Tax

Tax Controversy Update
This session will include an update on IRS examination and appeals, as well as procedural options available to those undergoing an exam. Recent IRS campaigns will be covered, as well as other hot topics and recent developments in federal tax procedure, current court cases, IRS operational challenges, and other relevant IRS activity.
Featuring Cathy Stopyra and Allison Goodhartz, BDO USA, LLP

Advisory

Client Accounting Services Success Stories
It isn’t easy to institute change in a CPA firm, in particular if that change is a completely new way of thinking about pricing, staffing and serving clients. Despite the challenges, Alliance members are developing successful Client Accounting Services practices and living to tell about it! We will explore their journeys through a panel discussion, including lessons learned and future vision to help others who are navigating this growing advisory area.
Panel featuring Christine Triantos (BDO USA), Joyce Rinaldi (BMSS), Kathy Parker (BerryDunn), Elizabeth Manso (Brigade) and Javier Zuniga (PDR CPAs + Advisors)

Human Resources

Stop Chasing Your Tail: Recruiting & Retention in the New Era of Employment*
Whether you feel like the talent pool has dried up, or your people aren't staying beyond the time it takes to train them, or BOTH, these days it can feel like you're chasing your tail to recruit and retain talent. Join this session to explore new ways of attracting and retaining talent into your organization amidst the changing tides of employment.
Featuring Sara Huddleston, The Growth Partnership

2:00 pm- 2:50 pm ET | Closing Session

People - The Key to Our Success*
Our speakers will provide greater insights, through a "fireside chat" format, into BDO's perspective on talent retention and recruitment in the evolving marketplace. They will discuss how aligning your people strategy with your firm's core values and firm culture is essential to success, especially with today's ultra-competitive war for talent. They will also cover how flexibility and leveraging a remote workforce is especially critical to ensuring your future viability.
Featuring BDO USA’s Chief People Officer, Cathy Moy, and BDO Alliance USA Executive Director, Michael Horwitz

For questions, please contact your Alliance Relationship director or any of these team members.

Brenda Sleeper
BRN Relationship Director
[email protected]

Danielle Hill
BRN Relationship Manager
[email protected]

Cori Power
Education Director
[email protected]

Kasey Boone
Education Specialist
[email protected]