Getting the Most Out of Your 2010 National Conference Experience

Date: Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Time: 01:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM CT / 11:00 AM MT / 10:00 AM PT [Prevailing Time]
Presenter(s): Rita Keller, President, Keller Advisors; Virginia Lowery, Administrative Manager, Illinois Agricultural Auditing Association; Jim Fahey, Information/Projector Director, Hill, Barth & King
Objective(s):
There are hundreds of reasons people attend a Conference. There are the endless networking opportunities that are created with each new session attended; and don't forget the enormous exchange of knowledge that is conveniently housed under one roof.

Obviously, an in-person event has more appeal than socializing online. There´s so much more power to be gained experiencing it in person. You´re far more likely to cultivate an everlasting relationship at these kinds of events, simply because people like talking to other people!

This invaluable MAPCast will cover the benefits of attending AAA's National Conference, from both a business and a personal development perspective.
Field of Study: No field of study assigned
Program Level: Basic
CPE Credit: NO CREDIT ISSUED
Delivery Method: Group Internet-based

No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.

Course Description

For first timers, we will continue the tradition of a First Timer’s Forum as a kick-off event the evening before the National Conference in New Orleans. To enhance that even further for new attendees, we are offering this free MAPCast (webcast) well ahead of the event to give a head start on what to expect.

The Conference is packed with information from start to finish so this MAPCast will not only prepare new attendees for using their time most effectively, it could also convince administrators (as well as their partners) if they are undecided about attending.

When past attendees are asked if the Conference was worthwhile, a common response is “Yes, you have to experience it!” Since that can be an expensive proposition, this MAPCast will ensure the experience is an investment in your firm’s future vs. just another training expense. You Spoke, We Listened!

Presenter and Moderator Bios
Rita Keller President and CEO with Keller Advisors, LLC is an award-winning and widely respected voice to CPA firm management. She is nationally known as a CPA firm management consultant, speaker and author.

She is a former shareholder and Chief Operating Officer of a successful, regional CPA firm and has over 30 years’ hands-on experience in the management, marketing, technology and administration of a successful, multi-office firm. She works with firms nationwide on issues affecting the “inside health” of the firm.

As a facilitator and speaker, Rita has been featured at almost all major CPA management conferences. As an author, her articles appear in numerous CPA publications and her blog has become daily reading for hundreds of firm leaders. She has been repeatedly named to Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting.

In August 2008 Rita’s article, Make the Most of Mentoring, was published in the Journal of Accountancy and she has been featured in the Journal on six other occasions. Rita is past Chair and current committee member of the AICPA Practitioners Symposium, past-national President of The Association of Accounting Administration and, most recently, recipient of the Everest Award from Management Summit in recognition of sustained, significant contribution to the accounting profession. to contact Rita, please visit www.ritakeller.com


Virginia Lowery, Administrative Manager has been with the Illinois Agricultural Auditing Association (IAAA) since 1978 as Secretary to the General Manager and became Administrative Manager in 1988. Primary responsibilities of that position included managing home office operations, which covered processing audit reports and tax returns as well as providing support services for the home and field audit staff. Interestingly enough, IAAA accountants are considered the “original” bean counters!

Virginia is an active member of the Grain & Feed Association of Illinois and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Convention Committee. At present, she is an active member of the Association for Accounting Administration where she served as its past National President and gained recognition in 1997 as the Firm Administrator of the Year. In 2006, she was honored with the Distinguished Service Award.

She served as past president of the Illinois Chapter and currently holds the position of Treasurer and Education Chairman. Virginia tirelessly serves on the ACE Selection Committee as well as the Nominating Committee.

Working with Rita Keller and attending the AAA National Conference to present the “First Timers” session, Virginia confesses that it doesn’t get any better than that! She has attended the Conference annually since 1989 and loves to network with other administrators. Where else can you go to learn something new each year!

She claims her membership in AAA has proven invaluable in terms of cultivating long lasting friendships, establishing networking paths and developing vendor awareness that led to IAAA obtaining domestic PLI coverage in 1996. She values the industry vendor supporters and enjoys meeting with NAPLIA broker, Steve Vono each year at the National Convention. Ms. Lowery attributes being accepted into the DBH & Associates, LLC at the partner level to her involvement in AAA. Virginia became an equity member in 2006.

In her spare time (she has spare time!), Virginia cherishes her role as Grandma “WOW-WEE” to Hadley Jean (9) and Haden James (6).


Jim Fahey is the Information/Project Director for Hill, Barth & King LLC, a top 100 CPA firm with offices in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida. He is Past President of the Ohio Chapter of the Association for Accounting Administration and a member of the Ohio Society of CPA’s Technology Committee.

Jim has written several articles for accounting industry publications and has led CPE seminars on various
technology topics. He is a contributing author of the Management of an Accounting Practice Handbook. Jim has over 19 years of experience in public accounting as a firm administrator and network administrator.

Cost
Free for CPAFMA Members / Free for Non-Members / Free for PAFMs

Delivery System

• All programs are delivered using the Zoom platform.
• Confirmations will include log-in instructions.
• Participants are able to participate using any device with an Internet connect (if the device does not have speakers, the participant can also dial-in) or they can participate with audio only by dialing in.
• All registrants will receive a link to the MAPCast’s recording by email within 48 business hours of event’s conclusion.
• There will be assistance available to help with technical and connectivity issues up to 10 minutes prior to the start of the presentation.

Registration

All registration is done on-line with the names and email addresses of each individual guest. Log-in details will be emailed to all registrants approximately 1-2 days prior to each session.

Refund Policy

CPAFMA will not issue refunds for MAPCasts. If a registrant is unable to participate in the MAPCast and sends written notice to info@cpafma.org 48 hours prior to the session, a credit will be provided for a future MAPCast. Alert the CPAFMA staff member monitoring the MAPCast if technical difficulties are encountered and technical support will be provided to eliminate problems with future MAPCasts.

Additional Information

Live participation is required for CPE credit and polling questions must be answered to show active participation. All registrants will receive an email following the session with links to the slides and/or handouts, and a link to the MAPCast recording (unless otherwise stated). If you are unable to participate in the live session, you can still watch the recorded session, but you will not be eligible for CPE credits.

For more information regarding CPAFMA MAPCasts or administrative policies such as complaint and refund, contact the CPAFMA Headquarters at 937-222-0030, or info@cpafma.org.