Presentations - THURSDAY NOV 13TH, 2008
It’s a Great Time to be in Public Accounting
Session G35: Thurs, 9:15 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Media Center
Speaker: Greg LaFollette, CPA.CITP
As a retired software executive, as Executive Editor of The CPA Technology Advisor Magazine and as a practicing accountant, Mr. LaFollette enjoys an unusually dynamic view of our profession. In this presentation he will review how we’ve gotten to where we are as a profession, why some firms flourish while others languish, and he’ll lead us through his predictions based on the convergence of three major drivers. Those drivers are technology --- the hardware, software, services, and related best practices that make it possible for us to be so much more productive; demographics --- those fact-of-life realities that mean there are fewer and less experienced of us; and legislation --- the governmental, regulatory, and market forces that are requiring more and more of the profession. You’ll see why in concert, these seemingly unrelated forces are resulting in a bonanza for practicing public accountants.
Advanced Certification: Extending QuickBooks Functionality Through Integration
Session 807: Thurs, 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Location: Media Center
Speaker: Leslie Capachietti
In this course, you'll learn how to extend the use of QuickBooks using third-party applications. You'll learn how to use tools available within the QuickBooks application itself and where to go to get information about applications available through the Intuit Developers Network. You'll learn how to work with different applications that can help you get more from QuickBooks reports and how to pull information from QuickBooks into Microsoft Word documents. In addition, you'll learn how to set up QuickBooks to work with third-party applications.
Non-Profit Tools of the Trade
Session 606: Thurs, 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Location: Circa A
Speaker: Anna Sheets
Whether you have one or hundreds of Not-for-Profit clients, you know they require diverse solutions. Not only do you need to know the accounting and reporting landscape, but NFPs test your dexterity as a Software Consultant. Building on our popular Non-Profit Update webinar, this year we will demonstrate add-on solutions that enhance accounting software to serve the NFP specific needs including year end donor statements and management programs. We will also share answers to this year’s top Not-for-Profit Questions, including cost allocations and payroll taxes. This session will also include recommendations for handling changes for the new IRS form 990.
Chuck Vigeant’s Custom Report Development Lab
Session 303: Thurs, 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Location: Cira B
Speaker: Chuck Vigeant
This lab session allows participants to bring their own laptops and learn about Open Database Connectivity (ODBC), QuickBooks Data Structures, and how to use ODBC with Excel to create custom reports from QuickBooks data. We’ll explore how the ODBC driver works, what you can and can’t do and how to extract data from QuickBooks using ODBC. We’ll create several real word reports within Excel and provide finished examples and instructions you can take home for further practice or implementation with clients.
e-Money - The Evolving World of Electronic Payments
Session 205: Thurs, 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Location: Circa C
Speaker: David Kvederis
A cornerstone of American commerce is how consumers and businesses make payments among and between themselves with confidence that the systems will always work properly. Billions of credit card, debit card, Fedwire transfers, direct deposit and direct debit transaction are processed annually with little thought given to how these systems work. They seem to be never changing but they are. This session will provide an overview of the nation’s payments systems and how they are evolving by employing new technology. Questions will be explored such as “why can’t I use my debit card on the internet?” and “why does it take a week to send money overseas?” and “will credit cards ultimately replace every other form of payment?” Finally, the speaker will give a forecast as to what payment systems will look like for small businesses in the not distant future. Exciting new technologies will be covered including contact less payments, biometric access and mobile phone technologies.
Software Training - Presentation Tips and Techniques for Instructors
Session 505: Thurs, 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Location: Aurora
Speaker: Amy Vetter, CPA.CITP
This workshop will provide a fun and energetic approach to hone and enhance your facilitation skills. If you love to teach, or think you will, this session will provide you Speaking tips and techniques to keep in your back pocket when you are planning your software training classes! Examples of Openers, Closers and many other general facilitation skills will be provided so you can incorporate what works for you in your next class to take it to the next level. Come prepared to participate and leave this session with no less than 3 new ideas to incorporate into your workshop to supercharge your Seminars!
Advanced Certification: Payroll Done Right – An Advanced End to End Perspective
Session 808: Thurs, 1:55 PM – 3:10 PM
Location: Media Center
Speaker: Amy Vetter, CPA.CITP
This course provides an overview of the areas you need to know for the payroll portion of the Advanced Certification exam. An end-to-end view of payroll processing will be explored from setting up Payroll properly from the start for reporting and operational purposes to troubleshooting unexpected results and correcting them using a step-by-step analysis checklist.
Client Collaboration Technologies and Techniques
Session 402: Thurs, 1:55 PM – 3:10 PM
Location: Cira A
Speaker: Andrew Abrams
Today’s business environment requires that you get more done in your day and are able to rapidly respond to your customers needs. Traffic, distance, office hours, remote office staff and out-of-town business travel are all barriers to a productive work day and efficiently servicing your customers. This session will explore enabling communication technologies that will allow to side step these barriers and become more productive. Learn step-by-step how many of these tools can be used to remotely access your customer systems, transfer files, share data and make formal presentations. Information will be provided that will allow you to select the right tool or tools for your business
Understanding the Key Performance Indicators of the Professional Services Business
Session 602: Thurs, 1:55 PM – 3:10 PM
Location: Cira B
Speaker: Shafat Qazi
If you have clients in the professional services sector, this session is your ticket to successful consulting. Presented by Shafat Qazi, CEO and Founder of BQE Software, the presentation will drill-down into the inner-workings of a Professional Services Business. You will learn how these businesses function and you’ll learn the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) they rely on. Shafat has been involved with professional services businesses for over 20 years and is internationally recognized for his simple yet effective business management ideas. Attendees of this session will also receive a list of top software solutions for professional services businesses that address their day-to-day needs.
Sage MAS 90 and 200 - Easier To Use and More Affordable than Ever
Session 704: Thurs, 1:55 PM – 3:10 PM
Location: Cira C
Speaker: Wayne Schulz
Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 is more affordable than ever for companies are outgrowing QuickBooks and needing a powerful wholesale distribution system. Learn about the newest small business editions that place Sage MAS 90 or 200 accounting system within the budget of almost every company. Listen to real world examples of why clients rave about MAS 90 and 200. Ask questions and learn how you can use tools included in the software to make customizations to screens, add and change reports and even add new functionality - all without expensive programming. This will be a fast paced session focusing on the practical issues surrounding both the features of the software and also best practices in choosing enhancements, integrating with third party solutions (including the things to avoid), obtaining support, finding the companies that are a "best fit" for Sage MAS 90 or 200 - and tips and tricks for converting from other accounting systems.
Add-ons and the QuickBooks Consultant
Session 105: Thurs, 1:55 PM – 3:10 PM
Location: Aurora
Speaker: Bonnie Nagayama, CPA
The term “integrated application” implies that both the add-on application and QuickBooks have the necessary data to facilitate efficient workflow as well as full reporting and analysis by users, business consultants, and accountants. In this session, you’ll learn what you need to know to: a) work with a client who is using QuickBooks and an integrated application, even when then scope of your work does not include the integrated application; b) be an effective team member during the transition to an integrated application, even when you are not primarily responsible for the implementation? Come and join us to learn what you MUST know to do your work effectively without creating unintentional consequences to the business processes.
Top 5 Ways ProAdvisors Get Questions Answered Without Picking Up The Phone
Session 809: Thurs, 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Media Center
Speaker: Lori Siegerman, William Willcoxson
Have you ever called support and waited on hold for what seems like a lifetime? Have you ever thought you could find the answers you need quicker, if you only knew where to look for yourself? There is a better way to get your questions answered without ever picking up a phone… In this course we will show you self help tools available to ProAdvisors - how to search and use Knowledge base, how to utilize online communities and introduce you of new channels for assisted support. You will leave knowing how to get faster, better answers to your questions and increase your productivity.
Networking Best Practices – Case Studies in QuickBooks Networking
Session 104: Thurs, 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Cira A
Speaker: Mario Nowogrodzki, CPA.CITP
This session presents several best practices for solving the most common and some of the more difficult problems with QuickBooks on a network. Learn from actual cases and know how to properly configure the database server. In this session, you will learn how to properly configure the QuickBooks Database Server and when to deploy QuickBooks on a Terminal Server and how to properly configure it. See situations where QuickBooks, the network or both are the cause of the problem and how to fix them.
How To Choose a Right-Sized Manufacturing Solution
Session 601: Thurs, 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Cira B
Speaker: David Brown
More and more small- to medium-sized manufacturing firms are searching for ways to work more efficiently and more profitably by implementing a right-sized manufacturing control system. In this session, Dave Brown will share his 20+ years of experience designing and implementing manufacturing software specifically geared to the needs of companies with between 5 and 200 employees. Get ready to expand your consulting practice in a lucrative new direction. Learn how to help your clients choose a manufacturing solution that most closely fits their needs.
The Importance of CRM to You and Your Clients
Session 503: Thurs, 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Location: Aurora
Speaker: Naseem Saab
What is customer relationship management? CRM is a business tool for improving the ways you identify, attract, win and keep customers. In short, customer relationship management covers all the ways and times that a business interacts with a customer. A recent survey revealed that business owners view CRM as a way to extend their business and generate revenue. They use CRM for analyzing and understanding their customers, tracking their marketing efforts and keeping track of contacts and activities. When integrated with accounting, CRM can help businesses simplify and standardize processes and add visibility, flexibility and automation to the flow of information. This session will introduce important strategies for integrating QuickBooks with CRM. You will also gain valuable knowledge of the various functions and capabilities of CRM programs, enabling you to better assist your customers as they evaluate and select the CRM that best fits their needs.