Summer Education Conference

Description

While you're inside avoiding the cold weather, it's the perfect time to make plans to join us in Gulf Shores this summer.

The Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Texas CPA societies are hosting a fun-filled week of learning and lounging at The Lodge, a beach-front, eco-friendly resort in Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, AL. This conference offers 4 hours of CPE each day, leaving the rest of your time free to explore the park, kayak the gulf, or simply chill on the beach. The conference agenda is still being finalized. In the meantime, make plans to join us in July!

Lodging information will be provided to you once your conference registration is processed. Please contact ARCPA at 501.664.8739 or Marsha Moffitt at mmoffitt@arcpa.org if you did not receive the email upon registration completion.

Agenda

    Sunday, July 20, 2025

  • 4:00PM - 5:00PM / General Sessions
    Resort & Conference Check-in Begins
  • 5:00PM - 5:50PM / General Sessions
    Optional Bonus Session - K2's Technology Update

    Description Technology – an indispensable asset – continues to amaze and mature. However, keeping up with advances in Artificial Intelligence, collaboration tools, new features in common tools such as Excel, and the expansion of business intelligence platforms can seem like a full time job! In this session, you will learn about these and other technologies that can help you and your team reach levels of productivity you may have never dreamed possible. We look forward to showing you how you can take full advantage of all your technology portfolio provides.

    Major Topics

    • AI’s place in accounting and finance
    • Best practices for collaboration
    • Why business intelligence matters
    • New features in common tools
    • Ever-present cybersecurity risks and concerns

    Learning Objectives

    • List examples of how you can use AI in everyday business settings
    • Identify collaboration options you may have missed
    • Create business intelligence reports the easy wa
    • Take advantage of new features that appeared in common applications
    • Name at least three cybersecurity risks and solution

    Speakers

    Tommy Stephens,
    K2 Enterprises

  • 6:00PM - 7:30PM / General Sessions
    Welcome Networking Reception Tailgate (Guest fees apply)

    Show your school spirit by wearing your team colors and join us for a lively tailgate reception to kick off the conference! Network with fellow state societies, enjoy delicious food, and connect before the sessions begin.

    The reception is complimentary for registrants, with adult guests at $30 and children at $15. Please remember to rsvp and pre-pay for any reception guests before arriving in Gulf Shores to secure your spot.

  • Monday, July 21, 2025

  • 8:00AM - 11:40AM / General Sessions
    Tax Update

    This workshop will cover recent legislative, administrative, and judicial developments that affect tax compliance and consulting. CPAs from all levels can benefit from the workshop.

    Credits

    4 Tax

    Speakers

  • 5:00PM - 6:00PM / General Sessions
    ARCPA Member Happy Hour

    Join other ARCPA members for some networking, drinks and snacks before heading out to dinner.

  • Tuesday, July 22, 2025

  • 8:00AM - 9:40AM / General Sessions
    Quality Management Standards: Responding to Quality Risks

    A firm’s quality management system must be implemented and operational in accordance with the QM standards by December 15, 2025.  During this session, a brief overview of the QM Standards will be discussed.  After the overview, the session will then focus on responses to quality risk that were identified in the system in an interactive environment.    

    Credits

    2 Accounting and Auditing

    Speakers

    Sherry Chesser,
    Partner, Landmark PLC CPAs

    Randy Milligan,
    Managing Partner, Landmark PLC CPAs

  • 10:00AM - 11:40AM / General Sessions
    Navigating an Uncertain & Volatile Economic Environment

    A collision of policy choices and geopolitical rivalries has created the most uncertain and volatile economic environment in decades. Keeping in mind Yogi Berra's maxim - "It's hard to make predictions, especially about the future" - this session will help participants better understand the current state of the economy, the factors most likely to influence growth (or lack thereof) in the coming months, implications for state budgets and revenue, and potential tax policy responses if revenue shortfalls develop.

    Credits

    2 Other

    Speakers

    Joe Crosby,
    Multistate

  • Wednesday, July 23, 2025

  • 8:00AM - 9:40AM / General Sessions
    Fire Side Chat with Barry Melancon and Participating State Society CEOs

    Highly interactive session with attendees on issues impacting the profession today and tomorrow with a taste of history and why some things are the way they are today.

    Credits

    2 Other

    Speakers

  • 10:00AM - 11:40AM / General Sessions
    AI and Cybersecurity

    This session on AI and Cybersecurity will explore the disparities in understanding these critical areas and the challenges they present. We'll discuss why these issues arise and emphasize the importance of robust governance controls to safeguard both your CPA firm and your clients' businesses. Strengthening your knowledge in these domains is essential for maintaining trust and security in today's informational ecosystem.

    Credits

    2 Other

    Speakers

  • Thursday, July 24, 2025

  • 8:00AM - 11:40AM / General Sessions
    Accounting and Auditing Update

    This course will cover recently issued standards that relate to United States GAAP and performance of auditing through preparation engagements. You will learn how to account for crypto currency and hear about the top peer review issues. Join us to get the most up to date information from the AA world.

    Credits

    4 Accounting and Auditing

    Speakers

  • Friday, July 25, 2025

  • 8:00AM - 9:40AM / General Sessions
    Current Fraud Trends from the FBI Perspective / The Randall Beane Investigation

    SSA Parker Still will present on current fraud trends from the perspective of a white-collar FBI supervisor in the field. The trends discussion will focus on business e-mail compromise, international fraudsters, virtual currency as well as emerging trends such as synthetic identity fraud. The presentation will conclude with the Randall Beane case which takes the audience from the time a complaint is received by the FBI through trial. The Beane case highlights many of the trends that will be discussed by providing a real-world example.

    Credits

    2 Accounting and Auditing

    Speakers

    Parker Still,
    Federal Bureau of Investigations

  • 10:00AM - 11:40AM / General Sessions
    Deep Work

    How do you get the most out of your day and week? In this session, we will discuss the skills and strategies to become more productive and provide greater value to your place of work and those you serve.

    • Discuss what Deep Work is and why it is important
    • Provide best practices for incorporating Deep Work into your daily routine
    • Share best practices for eliminating distractions

    Credits

    2 Other

    Speakers

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Agenda

    Sunday, July 20, 2025

  • 4:00PM - 5:00PM / General Sessions
    Resort & Conference Check-in Begins
  • 6:00PM - 7:30PM / General Sessions
    Welcome Networking Reception Tailgate (Guest fees apply)

    Show your school spirit by wearing your team colors and join us for a lively tailgate reception to kick off the conference! Network with fellow state societies, enjoy delicious food, and connect before the sessions begin.

    The reception is complimentary for registrants, with adult guests at $30 and children at $15. Please remember to rsvp and pre-pay for any reception guests before arriving in Gulf Shores to secure your spot.

    Pricing

    Guest
    $30.00
  • Monday, July 21, 2025

  • 5:00PM - 6:00PM / General Sessions
    ARCPA Member Happy Hour

    Join other ARCPA members for some networking, drinks and snacks before heading out to dinner.


Review and choose your sessions and options above.


Speakers

Tommy Stephens

Tommy Stephens received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree (Major in Accounting) from Auburn University in 1985. In 1992, he earned a Master of Science degree (Major in Finance) from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Presently, Tommy is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Information Technology Professional, and a Chartered Global Management Accountant. During his professional career, Tommy has gained valuable experience in a variety of positions, including:

• Working as an auditor and technology consultant for an Atlanta-based public accounting firm; • Leading an Internal Audit staff and managing a Cost Accounting team for a Fortune 500 company; • Serving as a Chief Financial Officer for an international engineering organization; and • Founding and managing his public accounting firm that provides accounting, tax, and consulting services to individuals and a variety of small and emerging businesses.

In 1995, Tommy began authoring and presenting continuing professional education courses to accounting and finance professionals. In 2003, he affiliated with K2 Enterprises, and in 2007, he joined the firm as a partner. To date, he has lectured internationally on subjects such as internal controls for small businesses, technology strategies, computer hardware and software applications, tax strategies and compliance, and financial accounting standards and applications. Over the past twenty-nine years, Tommy has presented over 3,200 educational sessions to over 82,000 participants throughout the United States and Canada.

Presently, Tommy resides in Woodstock, Georgia, where he enjoys an active personal life with his wife. His hobbies include snow skiing, fishing, running, and other outdoor activities. Tommy maintains professional memberships with the AICPA and the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Additionally, he is a past member of the Institute of Internal Auditors.

Lisa McKinney

McKinney is director of The Culverhouse School of Accountancy LIFT community outreach and experiential learning program. This initiative utilizes University students to teach free computer, financial, and career classes to adults, veterans, seniors, and teens in under-served communities. The program utilized over 600 volunteers and leaders in the Fall 2022 semester, teaching over 35 classes each week throughout West and Central Alabama. During the pandemic, LIFT continued to provide classes virtually. Through the LIFT program, students work with food banks in west Birmingham and Selma to help them with volunteer management, inventory management systems, accounting, and warehouse organization.

Sherry Chesser

Sherry Chesser is a member of Landmark PLC in their Little Rock, Arkansas office and serves on the firm-wide management team. She focuses most of her time in the assurance and bond arbitrage practice areas, with industry experience in tax exempt debt compliance, employee benefit plans and nonprofit organizations. In addition, she conducts numerous peer reviews throughout the year. Sherry has over 30 years of experience in public accounting providing tax and audit services to a broad base of clients and served as a controller for a nonprofit organization. In 2015, she was appointed to the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy for a five-year term serving as the president in 2020. In addition, she is a committee member of NASBA's Peer Review Compliance Committee, a committee member for the Partners in Peer Review with Alabama and a member of the AICPA's Auditing Standards Board.

Randy Milligan

No Biography Available

Joe Crosby

No Biography Available

Barry Melancon

No Biography Available

Justin Headley

Justin Headley joined Warren Averett in 2016 and is a Senior Manager in the firm’s Risk Advisory & Assurance Services Group. He has over a decade of combined experience in public accounting and industry. With a robust background in technology, cybersecurity and risk management, his experience helps business leaders by providing tailored risk management solutions that align with business objectives and regulatory requirements. Justin excels in providing his clients with comprehensive technology and cyber risk assessments, SOC 1 and SOC 2 reports and business process reviews. He also assists his clients with navigating a complex regulatory environment by providing IT internal audit outsourcing and IT control testing for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. In addition to his professional services, Justin is a published author and a speaker on a variety of technology topics. His insights and thought leadership in the field continue to drive his success in an ever-evolving environment.

Kurt Oestriecher

No Biography Available

Parker Still

No Biography Available

Kenny Broom

Kenny is the Director of Venture Capital for MG Stover. MG Stover provides fund administration services for hedge funds, private equity, and venture funds in the digital asset space. In addition to his CPA license, Kenny is a Certified Bitcoin Professional and loves talking about the future of money.

He has more than 20 years of experience, including roles at Armanino, BDO and Merit Consulting, where he specialized in providing assurance services to middle-market private and public businesses.

Kenny is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, a board member of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and the immediate past Chair of TXCPA Dallas. He received an M.S. in Accounting and Information Services from the University of Texas at Dallas.