Registration and Networking Breakfast

Conference Welcome Remarks

Opening Keynote: Shifting Times: Megatrends for the Global Economy

From globalization and urbanization to dealing with demographic shifts, the world as we know it is morphing into a different planet ⁠— with different economic opportunities and challenges. Which trends are taking today into tomorrow, and which are the direct or indirect result of the changes we are seeing?

In her keynote, Linda Nazareth talks about the changes she is observing, as well as the challenges and opportunities they present to the economy, the labour market, the financial market, and your industry too.

You will learn:

• How the global economy is shifting, and what this means for Canada
• Why demographics will change our economic landscape
• What the Fourth Industrial Revolution means for Canada and its players
• How the trends around the future of work will impact all economic players
• Why climate change needs to be included in every strategic plan 

Linda Nazareth, Principal, Relentless Economics; Economist, Author & Futurist

Gamechanger: Mindset and Mental Models to Boldly Lead in an Uncertain Future

Ready to learn how to boldly lead — and thrive — in an uncertain, chaotic future?

Candice Faktor will draw on her experience as a tech leader, investor, and entrepreneur to talk about the kind of mindset shift that is necessary to embrace new models of business and adapt to the changing paradigm of scale, chaos, and uncertainty.

In this session, she will cover the 6 mental models and mindsets that will allow you and your organization to thrive in an uncertain future.

You will learn:

• Why the world is feeling more uncertain, more chaotic, and less predictable
• How technology and network effects are creating a complex and interconnected system that has both intended and unintended consequences
• The mindsets and mental models that will allow you to thrive amidst this rapid change, including transcendence, duality, and integrative thinking

Candice Faktor, Managing Partner, Faktory Ventures; Manager Partner, Gamechanger Advisory

Networking Coffee Break

Breakout Sessions (Please select one)

Technology & Innovation Stream
The Evolution of Accounting Standards and What It Means for the Controller/CFO

Philip Maguire, Managing Director, Executive Mentors; Principal, Glenidan Consultancy

People Leadership & Future of Work Stream
Best Practices in Developing Diverse & Inclusive Workplaces

Jodi Kovitz, Chief Executive Officer & Founder #movethedial

Technical & Compliance Stream
Your Annual Employment Law Update

With significant changes to provincial and federal workplace legislation in 2019, it has become all the more important for employers to stay up to date on legislative developments as they occur.

Jordan Rodney will review the implications for your business and workplace from an employment law perspective, and ensure you have a clear understanding of Bill C86, Bill 66, Bill 124, accommodation of Cannabis in the workplace, and recent court decisions — to help you prepare for 2020.

You will learn:

• Key legislative changes and case law over the past year, and how they could impact your workplace
• Tips to prepare your organization to be fully compliant both now and in the future
• Best practices on how to proactively navigate the employment law landscape

Jordan Rodney, Founder, Rodney Employment Law and President, MaxPeople

Networking Lunch & Learn

Update from CPA Ontario: Title Protection in Ontario and What It Means for CPAs

In its 2019 budget, the Ontario Government announced it would restrict the titles of “financial advisor” and “financial planner” to individuals holding a recognized credential. This is widely considered to be a step in the right direction — consumers can have confidence that their financial planner or advisor are properly accredited individuals. However, there are many unanswered questions — most notably, how does this impact CPAs?

Luca Bucci, VP, Public Policy & Government Relations, CPA Ontario

Breakout Sessions (Please select one)

Technology & Innovation Stream
Panel: How AI Can be Used for Good
(EARN 1 HOUR OF ETHICS PD)

People Leadership & Future of Work Stream
Future of Work Trends: Building 'Remote Capable Organizations'

The workplaces of the not-too-distant future will have new challenges to address, including the impact of climate change, geopolitical upheaval, and intense competition for both high-tech and high-touch skills.

Technology promises to address many of these issues, but often fails.  Take remote work. It has the potential to offer both businesses and workers a variety of advantages — but we often fail to fully capitalize on them. Organizations often take the approach of simply 'translating' their existing way of working into a virtual context, relying heavily on tech tools and solutions, but overlooking the challenges and opportunities specific to remote work.

Taking a step back to both reconsider the problem we’re trying to solve, and view our work practices and processes through a remote lens can increase the odds of building effective remote and flexible teams.

In this session, Jane Watson will share:

• Insights from her experience as an HR leader and consultant in both fully and partly remote organizations
• Tips for evaluating remote and flexible work as a strategic option for your organization
• Preventing and mitigating common pitfalls
• The latest research on effective remote teams

Jane Watson, Senior Director, People Partners, Klick

Technical Compliance Stream
IFRS & ASPE Technical Update

New International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Accounting Standards for Private Enterprises (ASPE) took effect in 2020. This technical update will serve as a refresher for finance professionals and will provide insight into upcoming pronouncements.

Walk away with:

• An understanding of accounting standards updates pertaining to IFRS
• New ASPE updates
• Relevant information from IFRS Discussion Group and Accounting Standards Board meetings

Craig Cross, CPA, CAP, Partner, Technical Accounting Consulting RSM Canada

David Kim, CPA, CA, Manager, Technical Accounting Consulting, RSM Canada

Networking Coffee Break

Breakout Sessions (Please select one)

Technology & Innovation Stream
Tech Tools and Apps to Automate Your Accounting & Finance Function

People Leadership & Future of Work Stream
Cultivating Skills of Modern and Future Leaders

Globalization, multi-generational workers, augmented technology, and brief corporate lifespans loom on the workplace horizon. Tomorrow’s leaders will have to deal with challenges unseen by previous generations. How can you help potential leaders develop the essential skills to assist others in negotiating their way to success in such changing times? In this session, Ajay M. Pangarkar will cover the skills leaders will require to survive in the shifting sands of hyper-evolving business environments.

You will learn:

• How to differentiate between expected enabling and technical competencies
• Ways to integrate technology for effective decision-making and successful business results
• Tips for managing diverse multi-generational workforces
• How to refocus your value-chain activities for competitive sustainability
• The secret to identifying the ‘CPA of the Future’ (Hint: it's not an accountant)

Ajay Pangarkar, CTDP, FCPA, Award-Winning Performance Strategist & Author; President of CentralKnowledge; Course Author and Instructor at LinkedIn Learning

Technical & Compliance Stream
Your Annual Corporate Tax Update 2020

Join tax expert and lecturer Alex Garber as he discusses must-know topics for our audience.

He will cover:

• Updates on tax rates and credits, employee taxable benefits, and CCA measures
• Implications of the new passive investment income rules for private companies
• SR&ED developments and T1134 reporting deadlines

Alex Garber, CPA, CA, MTax, Educator, Senior Tax Manager

Short Refreshment Break

Panel Discussion: The Evolution of Finance: What’s Next for CFOs, Controllers and the CPA Profession?

Moderator: Rosanna Lamanna, Partner, Grant Thornton LLP

Alex Fisher, CPA, CA, Office of the Chief Accountant, Ontario Securities Commission

Saeideh Fard, CPA, CA, Chief Financial Officer, Tulip Retail

Closing Keynote: How Tech is Changing the World of Accounting and Finance

RPA. Machine learning. Image and facial recognition. Natural language processing. Blockchain. Cybersecurity. These are just some of the latest technology trends, and Steve McCaughey is here to speak with us about how they will impact our lives and our workplaces.

Steve is the guy who leads Deloitte’s Technology & Transformation team and oversees DSpace, Deloitte’s emerging-technology innovation centre, based in Kitchener-Waterloo. In this session, he will share:Walk away with:

• Real-life examples of how intelligent automation and AI are elevating accounting and finance functions, and how they are impacting the CPA profession as a whole
• What is the Future of Learning — and how it will impact you
• A glimpse into what sort of big trends are on the horizon

Steve McCaughey, CPA, CMA, Managing Partner, Technology & Transformation; Managing Partner, DSpace, Deloitte Canada

Day 1 Closing Remarks

Networking Cocktail Reception

Networking Breakfast

Day 2 Welcome Remarks

Opening Keynote: How Maximizing Generational Differences Is the Key to Thriving Companies

Many Gen X, Boomer, and traditionalist managers admit that effectively leading their Gen Y employees is a challenge. From quitting without warning, to making unrealistic demands on the job, to needing constant feedback, this generation can come across as inflexible, entitled, and even needy.

The great news is that Gen Ys are not only open to learning and evolving — after all, they are the most educated generation in history — but they are also hungry to advance professionally. In addition, this generation of workers has many outstanding (and often overlooked) skills that organizations don’t fully utilize. In this session, Dr. Karyn Gordon will reveal the key to motivating this unique generation, and explore how managers should be exercising their power of influence, not their power of authority.

You will learn:

• How to understand the “cultural DNA” of all 5 generations (including Gen Z)
• How Gen Y is different from previous generations — and why this is critical to leading them effectively
• How to uncover and maximize the powerful strengths of Gen Y
• 3 practical strategies to effectively understand, lead, and motivate Gen Y

Dr. Karyn Gordon, Founder & CEO, DK Leadership; Leadership & Relationship Expert

The Frog Factor: The Secret to Attracting and Retaining World-Class Talent

Turn everything you think about employee recognition on its head by exploring it through a powerful solution-focused lens. By the end of this session, you will be ready to trial easy, inexpensive, and proven techniques for recognizing employees or colleagues that support meaningful connection and lasting change.

A proven process for self, team, and organizational recognition, F.R.O.G. (Forever Recognize Others’ Greatness™), helps you identify key ways you can begin to shift your organizational culture right away. Focusing on the strategic language, business case, and human case for recognition will convince, inspire and influence decision makers.

Whether you’re burning the midnight oil or just plain burnt out, if you happen to be in a boom or bust economy, the truth is: You can’t afford NOT to recognize... starting now!

Walk away with:

• An effective, catchy way to elevate individual, team, and organizational performance
• The strategic language and business case to position engagement as the key driver of business success
• Tools to immediately impact healthy culture through leading practice recognition strategies
• A clear understanding of their role in creating healthy work cultures and strong relationships
• The next step to resuscitate healthy organizational culture

Sarah McVanel, President & Founder, Greatness Magnified; Canada’s Recognition Expert

Networking Coffee Break

Breakout Session (Please select one)

Technology & Innovation Stream
Business Intelligence & Data Visualization Tools

Business Intelligence (BI) tools are very popular and financial professionals want to get the best ROI on the time and money spent on these tools. This session will look at areas that leaders need to be concerned about when implementing and using these tools. Topics that will be covered include:

• The importance of data sourcing & cleaning
• Why the data model structure can help or hinder usage of the tool
• A discussion of the usage of BI tools for analysis and for reporting
• A model for selecting visuals for dashboards or reporting based on the insights executive need for decision making

Dave Paradi, Data Presentation Expert & Book Author

Ethics Stream
Professional Ethics: Staying on the Right Side of the CPA Code of Professional Conduct
(EARN 1 HOUR OF ETHICS PD)

As a CPA, you are held to a high ethical standard. But ethics isn't always black and white. Our Advisory Team will guide members through the CPA Code of Professional Conduct and examine some typical situations that CPAs face.

Join us to participate in a thoughtful discussion about common scenarios that are relevant to you, and how to best address related issues.

Ebru Erkan, CPA, CA, MSc, Vice President, Regulatory and Standards-Advisory Service, CPA Ontario

Samantha Yu, CPA, CA, Practice Advisor, CPA Ontario

Technical & Compliance Stream
Preparing for an Audit – Common Issues & Best Practices

Many companies are right in the middle of their audit procedures, and RSM Canada’s Technical Accounting Consulting professionals are here to take you through common audit requirements, pain points for finance teams, and the benefits of proper preparation.

Get insight on how to avoid material adjustments and significant deficiency reports, while reducing the resulting resource constraints on your team. This session will feature new perspectives from the industry, including what your finance team can expect as you embark on your audit.

Walk away with:

• An inside look into the audit process
• An understanding of common audit and resource requirements
• Industry perspectives from a CFO/controller who believes in the importance of good preparation
• A better understanding of how to evaluate your finance team’s ability to address audit requests and prepare technical accounting position papers

Craig Cross, CPA, CAP, Partner, Technical Accounting Consulting RSM Canada

David Kim, CPA, CA, Manager, Technical Accounting Consulting, RSM Canada

Networking Luncheon including optional Lunch & Learn

Breakout Sessions (Please select one)

Technology & Innovation Stream
Practical Approach to Cybersecurity

Ethics Stream
Tips to Avoid Biases in ACcounting and Auditing - Evidence from Research

Professionals often confuse the social status of experts — recognition, social connections, impressive credentials — for the substantive quality of their input.

In this session, Justin Leiby will discuss the over- and under- reliance of auditors and other professionals on third-party experts in areas such as valuation and technology.

Walk away with:

• New insights on how to overcome such biases
• Valuable information that helps accountants better understand reliance upon third-party experts
• A look at Justin’s research, and its emphasis on how auditors and other professionals rely upon third-party experts

Justin Leiby, Associate Professor of Accountancy and Professor Ken Perry Faculty; Fellow,University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Technical & Compliance Stream
Corruption of Foreign Officials Act and Remedial Agreements

Vladimir Napoleon, Senior Investigator, Anti-Corruption Outreach Coordinator, RCMP National Division - Sensitive and International Investigation

Networking Coffee Break

Closing Keynote: Cultivating Ethics Culture at Your Organization Beyond Traditional Employee Training

(EARN 1 HOUR OF ETHICS PD)

In frank detail, Tom Hardin will share his story, and how as a young professional, he spiralled from unethical behaviour into illegal activity. He will also explore the psychological traps and pressures that allow individuals to rationalize their decisions as that line is being crossed.

As he reflects on his experience, and on the past three years of speaking to over 250 organizations, Tom will share key indicators for identifying conduct risk in an organization and tips on how to cultivate a culture of ethics in a company — with examples of what to do and what not to do.

You will learn:

• How to identify ethical blind spots
• Opportunities and environments inside a company that allow individuals to "cross the line", despite existing controls
• The critical importance of not only having a "speak up" culture, but a "listen up" culture
• Practical strategies for developing ethics ambassadors on the front line at your company

Tom Hardin, “Tipper X”, Corporate Trainer & Keynote Speaker on Compliance, Ethics, Conduct Risk, Culture & Market Conduct

Conference Closing Remarks, Q&A & Open Forum Discussion