Well, this is the weekend prior to the FICPA’s FABexpo. This is my 38th show as an FICPA staff member. There have only been 39 shows and I attended the first one with my father and I think it is safe to say that I’m the only one who has been to every show.
Even with all of the similarities, each one of these shows have been unique. With 60+ speakers and topics each show, I have to admit, I can’t remember them all although some are oh so memorable (Barbara Bush, Lou Holtz, Stuart Varney). The impact of weather from hurricanes on several of the Ft. Lauderdale shows stick out. This year, the memory will certainly be on Robert “Bob” Harris, a former FICPA president and incoming chair of the AICPA (the first AICPA chair from Florida). Also it will stand out because it will be our last show at the Gaylord Palms. After many many years in Orlando, we will return to Tampa in 2010.
Some of the speakers and topics will stand out this year as a transition from old to new. XBRL is required now for many companies and certainly the future of financial reporting is in XBRL. Tom Oschenschlager will update everyone on the tax changes under the new administration. The form 990 changed for the first time in over 30 years, so an update from Charles Whetstone will be of interest to anyone with working for a nonprofit or with nonprofit clients. And finally, fair value seems to be in the press on a daily basis with changes proposed by banks, insurance companies and others as politics and accounting standards clash.
XBRL Issues and Application
Neal Hannon, CMA
Consultant, XBRL Strategies / Gilbane Group
Tax Law Update
Tom Ochsenschlager
Vice President – Taxation / AICPA
Understanding the New 990 – Changes Needed in Accounting Information Systems
Charles Whetstone, CPA
Audit Partner / Carr, Riggs & Ingram LLC
Economic Update
Mark Vitner, MBA
Managing Director & Senior Economist / Wachovia Corporation
Fair Value Accounting – General Methodology
Morrie Hollander, CPA Partner, Anthony R. Banks, CPA Manager, Marta Alfonso, CPA/CFF Partner
Rachlin LLP
For complete details on the FICPA’s FABexpo see www.ficpa.org/fabexpo and follow us on twitter at @ficpa or @ned_c and the hashtag #fabexpo.
