2022 Georgia Accounting Technology Conference
Sponsored by The Georgia Society of CPA’s
July 21, 2022
Countdown to the Conference!
During 2022, K2 Enterprises will once again deliver its industry-leading Technology Conference to accounting and financial professionals in Georgia. On July 21, 2022, we will present the 2022 Georgia Accounting Technology Winter Conference to accounting and financial professionals in Georgia desiring to learn about new technologies for a new era and how these technologies impact accounting and financial professionals. Below is a detailed agenda of the event, including descriptions for each topic. Additionally, for more information, including registration details, please click either of the registration links.
Join us for this year’s Georgia Accounting Technology Conference and enhance your technology skills, improve the security of your data, and address technology issues arising in a post-pandemic environment. With all the changes occurring in the past two years, this may be the most important continuing professional education session in which you ever participate.
July 21, 2022 agenda
Opening Session (100 Minutes)
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.
Major Subjects Covered
- Hardware trends
- Software innovations
- Communication and collaboration tools
- Key products to consider for implementation
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this session, you should be able to:
- Select hardware and software that can enhance productivity and security
- Evaluate current communications choices to improve efficiency
- Differentiate between key products & able competitors to pick the best tools for the job
- Create strategic and tactical benefit lists that benefit you and your business
Break
Breakout Session (100 Minutes)
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.
Major Subjects Covered
- Adding user-defined calculations to PivotTables
- Enhancing PivotTables with Key Performance Indicators
- Using PivotTables to consolidate “standard” Excel reports
- Creative ways to filter PivotTables
- Linking accounting software data into PivotTables
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this session, you should be able to:
- Identify three types of user-defined calculations in PivotTables
- List the steps necessary to add Key Performance Indicators to PivotTables
- Name at least two benefits of using PivotTables for data consolidation needs
- Differentiate between Slicer and Timeline filters
- Cite examples of potential benefits associated with linking data into PivotTable reports
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.
Major Subjects Covered
- Blockchain basics and regulations
- Cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and blockchain-enabled central bank digital currencies
- Smart contracts, sovereign identity management, cross-border funds transfer
- Emerging uses for blockchain-based ledgers
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this session, you should be able to:
- Select the correct definitions for key terms associated with blockchain-based ledgers
- Differentiate the features of a cryptocurrency, a stablecoin, and a central bank-issued digital currency
- Identify key features associated with a smart contract, distributed finance, and sovereign identity
- Select from a list at least three different uses for blockchain-based ledgers covered in the course
Break
Breakout Session (100 Minutes)
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.
Major Topics Covered
- Understanding the four types of data analytics
- Differentiating between correlation and causation
- How to generate data analytics in Excel and other applications already in use
- The role of Artificial Intelligence in data analytics
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this session, you should be able to:
- List the four types of data analytics
- Identify examples of analytics available in Excel’s Analysis ToolPak
- Differentiate between correlation and causation
- Identify at least two analytical techniques available in Microsoft’s Power BI platform
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.
Major Topics Covered
- Common security weaknesses which occur with hardware and software at home and in the office
- Malware, ransomware, data breach, and incident response tips
- Internal control failures resulting in the theft of assets, or unauthorized data manipulation
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this session, you should be able to:
- List at least three major security incidents reported in the headlines in the last year and explain at least one primary control design or operation flaws that allowed the hack to occur
- Select the correct definitions from a list of standard security terms such as attack surface, vulnerability, exploit, social engineering, phishing, malware, heuristics, biometrics, and multi-factor authentication
- List at least three best practices learned because of reviewing the incidents cited in the case studies
Break
Closing Session (100 Minutes)
A burning question on the minds of many is, “What features should I use in Windows 11?” Presented with end-users in mind, in this session, you will get the answer you need to that question and others, all delivered in the context of improving productivity and security.
Among other topics, you will learn about improvements in virtual desktops, changes to the user interface, customization options, and more. If you’re using Windows 11 now or plan to upgrade soon, this is a must-see session to help you make the most of your upgrade.
Major Topics Covered
- Productivity improvements in Windows 11
- How to work with virtual desktops
- Customizing the user environment
- Improved security tools available in Windows 11
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this session, you should be able to:
- Identify the process for managing open windows in Windows 11 using Snap Assist
- List an example of a security improvement in Windows 11
- Identify the process of re-positioning the taskbar
- Define “widgets” in Windows 11 and identify how to add them