45th Annual Accounting & Auditing Conference (In-Person Only)

Description

The 2025 Accounting and Auditing Conference focuses on the development and recognition of accounting principles, auditing standards, and auditing procedures.

A limited number of sleeping rooms have been blocked at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, located at 2705 Central Avenue in Hot Springs, AR. To make reservations, call 501-363-4625 and refer to Booking ID #BKG1045 or Arkansas Society of CPAs 2025 A&A Conference Room Block.

Reservation Deadline: July 11, 2025
Room Rate: Starts at $150

Agenda

    Thursday, July 31, 2025

  • 7:00AM - 7:55AM / General Sessions
    Networking Breakfast
  • 7:55AM - 8:00AM / General Sessions
    Welcome & Opening Remarks
  • 8:00AM - 9:40AM / General Sessions
    Current Fraud Trends

    Fraud is constantly in the news. Whether its employee retention credit mills, FTX, the City of Dixon, it appears like fraud is everywhere. We'll start this session with a review of the common fraud schemes as identified in the 2024 ACFE Report to the Nations. We'll also review the commonalities of fraudsters. We'll then look at methods of prevention. We'll close with a look at the auditor's responsibility for the consideration of fraud in AU-C 240.

    Credits

    2 Accounting and Auditing

    Speakers

  • 9:50AM - 11:30AM / General Sessions
    2025 A&A Update

    Stay informed and prepared with this comprehensive update on the latest developments in accounting and auditing. We'll begin with a deep dive into the Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) effective in 2025, followed by insights from the FAF's 2024 PCC Review and an overview of FASB's Invitation to Comment - Agenda Consultation, which will shape the future of accounting standards. On the auditing side, we'll tackle the essential changes in quality management standards that firms must implement by the end of 2025. The session will also provide a peek at upcoming projects from the Auditing Standards Board (ASB). Join us to gain practical insights and actionable takeaways to navigate these updates with confidence.

    Credits

    2 Accounting and Auditing

    Speakers

  • 11:30AM - 12:30PM / General Sessions
    Lunch Break (60 minutes)
  • 12:30PM - 2:10PM / General Sessions
    Professionalism and Growing as a Leader

     

    Credits

    2 Other

    Speakers

  • 2:20PM - 3:10PM / Concurrent Sessions – Choose one
    ASBPA Ethics: 2025 Update

     

    Credits

    1 Ethics (ASBPA)

    Speakers

    Tim Montgomery,
    Executive Director, Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy

    Peer Review

    Credits

    1 Accounting and Auditing

  • 3:15PM - 4:05PM / General Sessions
    SAS - 145 Inherent Risk Assessment

    This session provides a deeper dive into the SAS 145 requirements related to inherent risk.  We will talk through the fundamentals of the inherent risk assessment process and discuss examples for practical application.  Group participation will be encouraged.

    Credits

    1 Accounting and Auditing

    Speakers

    Ethny Ashcraft,
    Audit Manager, Landmark PLC CPAs

    Patricia Davidson,
    Partner, Landmark PLC CPAs

  • 4:30PM - 5:30PM / General Sessions
    Networking Happy Hour - Sponsored by CPA Charge
  • Friday, August 1, 2025

  • 7:00AM - 7:55AM / General Sessions
    Networking Breakfast
  • 7:55AM - 8:00AM / General Sessions
    Welcome & Opening Remarks
  • 8:00AM - 8:50AM / General Sessions
    FBI White Collar Crime

    Credits

    1 Other

    Speakers

    Luke Scott,
    Federal Bureau of Investigation

  • 8:50AM - 9:40AM / General Sessions
    SSARS Refresher

    Credits

    1 Accounting and Auditing

  • 9:50AM - 10:40AM / General Sessions
    DOL Update

    Credits

    1 Accounting and Auditing

  • 10:40AM - 11:30AM / General Sessions
    The Modern CPA's Guide to Getting Started with Artificial Intelligence

    An exploration of AI's role in modern accounting, from understanding the technology to practical implementation. We'll demystify AI terminology, examine real benefits alongside sobering limitations, address security and accuracy concerns, and provide concrete strategies for leveraging these tools effectively. Learn how to become an AI conductor - orchestrating these powerful tools while maintaining the professional judgment and skepticism that define our profession.

    Credits

    1 Accounting and Auditing

    Speakers

    Aaron Shaneyfelt,
    Director, Little Shaneyfelt Marshall & Company

  • 11:30AM - 12:15PM / General Sessions
    Lunch Break (45 minutes)

  • 12:15PM - 1:05PM / General Sessions
    Financial Planning

     

    Credits

    1 Other

    Speakers

    James Ashby,
    Certified Financial Planner, Mustard Seed Financial LLC

  • 1:05PM - 1:55PM / General Sessions
    Quality Management Standards

     

    Credits

    1 Accounting and Auditing

    Speakers

    Sherry Chesser,
    Partner, Landmark PLC CPAs

  • 2:05PM - 3:45PM / General Sessions
    Fraud and Embezzlement - Risk Management Strategies for Understanding, Communicating and Addressing Risks

    Credits

    2 Accounting and Auditing

    Speakers

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Agenda

    Thursday, July 31, 2025

  • 4:30PM - 5:30PM / General Sessions
    Networking Happy Hour - Sponsored by CPA Charge

Review and choose your sessions and options above.


Leaders

Tim Montgomery

Tim joined the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy as an investigator in 2013. He became Executive Director in May 2023. Tim graduated from the University of Houston – Downtown with a BBA in Accounting in 1992 and passed the CPA exam in 1993. Before joining the State Board, Tim spent most of his career in internal auditing, including Internal Audit Director for USAble Life and Dyersburg State Community College. He lives in Jacksonville, AR with his wife Charlotte. They have four children (ages 30, 29, 24, and 15), three daughters-in-law, and 2.6 perfect grandsons.


Speakers

Jaclyn Veno

Jaclyn Veno is a licensed CPA and holds both a bachelor's and a master's degree in Accounting from Clemson University. Before joining, Galasso Learning Solutions, she was an auditor for two top-10 CPA firms. Jaclyn has extensive experience developing both staff and interns including the onboarding of overseas staff. She has fond memories of her time spent completing dozens of acquisition audits for one growing client. Jaclyn holds certificates in adult learning, instructional design, and training & facilitation from the Association for Talent Development (ATD).

Phillip McClure

Dr. Phillip McClure is an experienced speaker who immediately captivates an audience, holds their attention, and teaches actionable truths that challenge and serve them. Speaking professionally since 1986 and impacting all ages while speaking at conferences, corporate events, churches, and retreats, Dr. McClure has spoken to hundreds of groups and tens of thousands of people over three decades.

While the heart of Dr. McClure’s keynotes is developing leaders and relational influence in team settings, custom keynotes can be researched, crafted, and delivered for your conference or organization. Use the ‘schedule a consultation’ button above to discuss your goals! Scroll down to see his current lineup of keynotes.

When Phillip delivers a keynote, you can expect to laugh, learn, and be led to action.

Tim Montgomery

Tim joined the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy as an investigator in 2013. He became Executive Director in May 2023. Tim graduated from the University of Houston – Downtown with a BBA in Accounting in 1992 and passed the CPA exam in 1993. Before joining the State Board, Tim spent most of his career in internal auditing, including Internal Audit Director for USAble Life and Dyersburg State Community College. He lives in Jacksonville, AR with his wife Charlotte. They have four children (ages 30, 29, 24, and 15), three daughters-in-law, and 2.6 perfect grandsons.

Ethny Ashcraft

Ethny Ashcraft is a manager of Landmark PLC. Ethny has 6 years of experience in public accounting, most of which has been devoted to serving for-profit entities. Ethny is a key member of the firm’s training team and has recently completed the AICPA’s COSO Internal Control – Integrated Framework Certification Program.

Patricia Davidson

Pattie Davidson is a member (partner) of Landmark PLC. Pattie has over 30 years of experience in public accounting, and has focused the majority of her efforts over the past 20 years developing an industry expertise in 529 education savings plans, ABLE plans and state facilitated retirement plans. In addition to her work in the government savings industry, Pattie regularly consults with our clients on risk assessment, risk management practices, business process design and internal controls.

Luke Scott

No Biography Available

Aaron Shaneyfelt

Aaron Earned his Master of Accountancy, with minors in Information Systems and Japanese, from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville in 2009. He became a CPA in 2012 and a CISA in 2013. Since joining Little, Shaneyfelt, Marshall & Co. in 2010, he's advanced in his current role as a director.

James Ashby

Dr. David Ashby worked as an accountant and even taught accounting classes before becoming a professor at SAU. His accumulated degrees took him to Ole Miss and eventually LA Tech, where he earned his doctorate. He later became a Certified Financial Planner professional and launched the first financial planning curriculum in AR at SAU. After teaching finance for many years, he co-founded Mustard Seed Wealth Management alongside former student Darla Williams in 2002. Now with nine employees and three locations, David is the Sr Advisor & Partner at our Magnolia Branch. David has built a team of advisors as passionate and dedicated as he is about guiding clients not only to retirement but through it. Though retired from SAU as a professor, David continues to teach at continuing education seminars and writes for several publications. David has always been fascinated with people's financial behaviors and enjoys seeing people exceed their goals. David continues to serve on area boards and committees while spending many volunteer hours working in the community. David works in the Magnolia office and his home Hot Springs. He enjoys spending his free time with his nine grandchildren and watching them play ball.

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.

Duncan Will

Mr. Will leverages his more than 40 years of experience in accounting, including public accounting, forensic accounting, consulting, and audit and tax compliance, to deliver to policyholders the high-touch, high-quality CAMICO experience. He works closely with the Loss Prevention Specialists to manage the department’s efforts to deliver policyholder service. Duncan’s specialties are accounting and auditing and business valuation-related risk management. He advises policyholders through the CAMICO Loss Prevention Hotline, speaks to CPA groups, and writes articles on a wide range of accounting risk management and ethics topics. Topics of particular interest include complying with the AICPA’s Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services, doubts about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, cyber-security, and serving clients in the cannabis industry.

Mr. Will began his accounting career in 1979 as a staff accountant in the Washington, D.C. area and spent most of his public accounting career in California and Florida. He earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting from the University of Maryland and is Accredited in Business Valuation and Certified in Financial Forensics. A Certified Fraud Examiner, Duncan is an active member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners; has supplemented his education with college courses at the University of Baltimore, Golden Gate University, and Florida Atlantic University; and welcomes opportunities to expand his knowledge over a broad spectrum of accounting-related curricula.