Professional Development

The Professional Development sessions are presented by our 2012-2013 Strategic Partners. Professional Development sessions are held the third Thursday of the month at the Denver Country Club, 1700 East First Avenue, Denver, CO, from 4:00 -5:50 pm prior to our monthly dinner meeting. The dinner presentation is also a Professional Development session.

2013 Schedule
June 13 - FEI Social (Note: this is the 2nd Thursday of June)

Past Professional Development Meetings

Thursday, May 9, 2013
Dinner Presentation
6:30 pm
Topic: "What is the Value of a College Degree? "
Presented by: Timothy Marquez, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board, Venoco, Inc. and his wife, Bernadette Marquez

What is the value of a college degree?  Venoco Executive Chairman Tim Marquez and his wife, Bernadette, believe that a diploma is a life-changing event for the college graduate.  Their passion for improving public education is proven by their commitment to establishing the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF). DSF’s mission is to inspire and empower Denver Public School (DPS) students to achieve their postsecondary educational goals by providing the tools, knowledge and financial resources essential for success.  The Foundation exists to help DPS students get into, pay for and graduate from college.  DSF offers need-based scholarships to qualifying graduates of the Denver Public Schools. The scholarship can be used at 39 eligible colleges in Colorado, including technical, community, and four-year colleges and universities.

National opinion in the US toward a college degree is changing.  Many Americans believe that a college degree is only of value if it provides direct job skills that have immediate dollar value in the labor market.  That viewpoint can diminish the value of a liberal arts degree and make other majors equivalent to a one dimensional trade school education.  College has the benefit of teaching people how to learn, form their opinions and deal with people and ideas that they would not otherwise meet or experience.   Tim will talk to us about why he believes that education is critical to the graduate and to the city, state and national economies.  He will talk about how and why they funded this Foundation, and what results they expect to see from these scholarships in their lifetime.  Come listen, provide your opinions and decide for yourself what the true value is of a college degree.

May is traditionally FEI Colorado‘s Education Meeting. The chapters will be awarding $10,000 of scholarships to juniors from various state colleges who are majoring in accounting and finance.  The scholarship winners and representatives from the educational institutions will also be in attendance.

Timothy and Bernadette Marquez

Timothy Marquez is the founder and Executive Chairman of the Board for Venoco, Inc., a Denver-based private energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties. . Marquez founded Venoco in 1992.

Venoco is an independent oil and gas company headquartered in Denver with a regional office in Carpinteria, CA and continues to be one of the largest independent oil and natural gas companies in California. The company was ranked as the 195th fastest growing private company in the U.S. by INC Magazine and has also been named Business of the Year in three different communities in which the company operates. In 2006, Venoco was named as the Best Corporate Citizen by Oil & Gas Investor magazine. Venoco has grown from a modest start-up to a company with a total enterprise value of more than $1.8B.

Tim attended Denver public schools. The third of six children, he is the son of two public school teachers. A hard worker by nature, Tim worked his way through college at the Colorado School of Mines while working at Coor’s Brewing Company. He has won numerous business and philanthropic awards and has served on several nonprofit boards in Denver and Santa Barbara.

Bernadette (Bernie) Marquez holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Michigan State University and worked for many years as a nurse, most recently at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center in Denver. A native of Kalamazoo, MI, Bernie has been a Director on numerous nonprofit boards and has participated in several committees for nonprofit organizations in Denver, Colorado and Santa Barbara, CA.

Bernie serves as the Community Relations Coordinator for Venoco leading the way in corporate giving for education, health and human services, creating partnerships with organizations that strengthen the community in which we have business operations. Currently she serves on the Colorado State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education by gubernatorial appointment.

Visit the Timothy and Bernadette Marquez Foundation website.

Field of Study: Business Management & Organization: Employee Education
Learning Objectives: Learn how to decide the value of a college education in your own company. How relevant is a degree to the position or company? How much is a degree worth in additional compensation to the employee?
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Overview
Advance Preparation: None
Program Content: Interactive discussion on the value of a college education, to your company, employees and in your personal lives.
Experience Level: Basic



Professional Development Session I
4:00-4:50 pm
Topic: Topic:“Embezzlement, Check Fraud, Cyber Crime, & Holder in Due Course”
Presented by: Reggie Fink, Vice President, Sr. Relationship Manager, Bank of the West and Noelle Daghe, Vice President Cash Management Market Sales Manager

We live in a new electronic age where protecting your corporate assets has become a task more challenging than ever. In this presentation, Bank of the West will present a historical overview of the most malicious attacks on corporate assets, usually committed by internal personnel in positions of trust, and the most effective methods to detect and mitigate both internal and external risks.

Reggie E. Fink has been a Sr. Relationship Manager with Bank of the West for several years while serving as a Relationship Manager with the Bank since 2003. Reggie works with clients that have top line revenues starting at $25 million. His portfolio contains clients at this level and up to $1 billion in revenues. Reggie manages the relationships while providing financing, treasury, fixed income, foreign exchange, and depository needs. This full suite offering of Bank of the West and its parent company, BNP Paribas, allow proper efficiencies, flexibility, and full service banking for his clientele.
Reggie joined Bank of the West in 1999, starting in Credit Administration. This Credit Administration background has strengthened Reggie’s background in structuring unique credit structures, bringing a skill set needed to protect the Bank while offering the most flexibility to the Bank’s clients.

Reggie graduated from Pacific Coast Banking School at University of Washington with Honors in 2012 and has a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University in Economics. Reggie served in the Army National Guard from 1993-1999. He grew up on a family farming operation in South Dakota where he still travels back to assist during the busy times of the year.

Noelle Daghe began her banking career in 2000 in Denver, CO as one of the first applicants for the accelerated management program. A little over a year after joining Bank One, Noelle took a Small Business Relationship Manager role that focused on businesses with annual sales of $20MM or less. In April 2005, she joined Bank of the West as a Cash Management Sales Consultant for Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming which covered all segments and industries in the market. By October 2005, Noelle was promoted to Rocky Mountain Cash Management Sales Manager to build the cash management team for the division. Over the next eight years, her role expanded to managing a sales team that covered 12 states for Commercial, Agribusiness, REID, Government, and Retail. Prior to her career in banking, Noelle played professional golf on the mini-tour for a year and a half where she won three tournaments before earning my Ladies Professional Golf Touring Card in 1990. She competed on tour for 7 years with a best place finish of third. Noelle graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Business Administration degree she earned both an academic and athletic scholarship.

Click here for a copy of PD Session I Handouts

NASBA/CPE Documentation:
Field of Study: Management Advisory Services: Risk Management and Asset Protection
Learning Objectives: Learn how to identify your exposure risk to embezzlement, check fraud, and cyber crimes. Learn effective risk management and asset protection strategies.
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE Credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Intermediate
Advance Preparation: None
Program Content: Interactive discussion on the most costly embezzlement and fraud schemes and how to deploy preventative measures within your business model.
Experience Level: Intermediate

Professional Development Session II
5:00-5:50 pm
Topic: "Getting the Deal Done!“
A comprehensive look at what executives must do before, during, and after a corporate transaction

Presented by: Tom Heule, owner of Denargo Capital and Joseph Janiczek, Founder & CEO of Janiczek & Company, Ltd

For executives of companies they have founded and/or in which they hold a significant stake, a sale or merger is the culmination of a lifetime of work. An emphasis on the transaction can leave an individual unprepared for his/her liquidity event, while critical negotiating points can be overlooked when focusing on one’s personal bottom line. In this panel discussion, we feature two experts who’s combined expertise will address both the corporate and personal issues that every executive must consider.

Tom Heule is a veteran dealmaker with over 20 years of corporate finance working with private and public companies. Tom is an owner of Denargo Capital, and his experience includes leadership roles in completing more than 70 financing and merger & acquisition transactions ranging from $3 million to over $800 million. Tom has been integral in orchestrating leveraged buyouts, sales to public acquirers, recapitalization of a public company and sale or acquisition of several entrepreneurial owner managed businesses in multiple transactions totaling over $2 billion while raising capital from a wide range of institutional and private sources. He is a Colorado CPA, a graduate of the University of Colorado and holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Tom is active at the board level in several civic and not for profit organizations addressing the challenges of inner city education, affordable housing and community development. http://www.denargocapital.com/

Joseph Janiczek is a nationally recognized expert in wealth management with over 20 years of working with executives and their investment management and financial planning needs. He is the Founder & CEO of Janiczek & Company, Ltd., a comprehensive wealth management firm. Joseph works with high net worth clients, including C-level executives and entrepreneurs planning or already having experienced a liquidity event. His patent-pending approach towards wealth management ensures the optimal integration of a client’s balance sheet, cash flow, and investment portfolio. Joseph has authored two books on wealth management, including Investing From A Position of Strength. Joseph is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), has a Master’s of Science in Financial Services (MSFS), and earned Graduate Certificates of Specialty in Asset Management and Income and Estate Taxation. He has been involved in many boards including serving on the Board of Governors of Legatus International; President of a Rotary International Club and Foundation; a Director of the Spitzer Center for Ethical Leadership; and Trustee and Investment Chair of the Catholic Foundation. http://www.janiczek.com/

Click below for a copy of the handouts for PD Session II
Comparison Checklist
Essential Strengths
Portfolio Matters
Three Phases Transition

NASBA/CPE Documentation:
Field of Study: Finance: Buying and Selling Businesses: Corporate Transactions
Learning Objectives: Learn about what executives must do before, during, and after a corporate transaction to be successful.
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE Credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Advanced
Advance Preparation: None
Program Content:  Interactive expert panel discussion on preparing, navigating, and negotiating a successful liquidity event from both corporate and personal perspectives.
Experience Level: Advanced

Registration is not required for the May PD Sessions; however if you are ONLY attending the PD sessions and not the dinner, please reply by email with your name, title and company if you would like a name badge.

RULES/POLICIES THAT APPLY TO ALL PRESENTATIONS

Course Registration Requirements – pre-register to guarantee a seat and handout.
Refund/Cancellation Policy: Attendance is free so no refund is offered.  FEI Colorado appreciates a two-day cancellation notice for available seating calculations.
Complaint Resolution Policy: Please contact FEI Colorado President Asa Beck at Asa@AsaBeck.com or President-Elect Courtney Cowgill at Courtney@Cowgill-Case.com.
Note: FEI has made every effort to comply with NASBA/AICPA Statement on Standards for Continuing Professional Education Programs.  But final authority of acceptance of CPE credits rests with the Colorado Board of Accountancy.  For additional information, please go to http://www.dora.state.co.us/accountants/cperequirements.htm.

Thursday, April 18, 2013
Dinner Presentation
6:30 pm
Topic: "Guiding Today’s Innovators to a Better Tomorrow"
Presenter: Michael L. Long, President, Chairman and CEO of Arrow Electronics

In this exclusive presentation to FEI Colorado, Michael J. Long, President, Chairman, and CEO of Arrow Electronics, will give us an intimate look behind the scenes at Arrow Electronics. With revenue over $21 Billion, operations in 53 countries, and over 16,000 employees worldwide, Arrow is the largest company in Colorado, ranking in the Fortune 150.

Michael will discuss how his personal professional journey is reflected in the company today and he will share the key lessons that he has learned along the way. Michael will share insights on the qualities and skills that he believes all C-level executives need to rely on in order to guarantee success. From his position overseeing this complex international organization, Michael will also discuss ways to manage overwhelming complexity in an ever-changing environment.

Michael J. Long, Chairman, President and CEO, Arrow Electronics
Michael J. Long is Chairman, President and CEO of Arrow Electronics, Inc.  Prior to being named CEO in May 2009, Long served as President and COO of Arrow, with responsibility for all of the company’s operations and business units.  Before that, Long served as Senior Vice President of Arrow and President of the company’s Global Components business with responsibility for overseeing Arrow’s semiconductor, passive, electromechanical and connector products and services businesses worldwide.

Long has been with Arrow since 1991 when Arrow merged with Schweber Electronics, where he held various leadership roles from 1983 to 1990. In 1994, Long was President, Capstone Electronics, an Arrow company, and from 1995 to 1999, he was President, Gates/Arrow Distributing. From 1998 to 2005, Long was President and COO, Arrow North American Computer Products (now Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions). As a result of his success in running and growing this business, Long was named one of Computer Reseller News'  “Top 25 Executives” in 2002 and 2004. Long also served as President, North America and Asia/Pacific components.

Long holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin and attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He is active in the Young Presidents’ Organization, a global peer networking group. He serves on the Board of Directors of AmerisourceBergen. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Denver Zoo.

NASBA/CPE Documentation:
Field of Study: Personal Development: Principle Centered Leadership
Learning Objectives: Learn about the key qualities and skills that all C-level executives need to have and use to guarantee success in their role and company.
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE Credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Intermediate
Advance Preparation: None
Program Content: Interactive discussion on necessary skills and how to manage overwhelming complexity and information in a fast changing organizational environmental.
Experience Level: Executive

*Download PD Session Handouts*
Click here for a copy of the handouts for PD Session I
Click here for a copy of the handouts for PD Session II

Professional Development Session I
4:00-4:50 pm
Topic: "Transparency in Healthcare. Protecting Assets. Making a Difference"
Presented by: John Kirke, President, IMA Benefits; Brad Cillian, Director of Innovation, IMA Benefits; and Chris Walters, Business Development-Denver, IMA

There are several changes that have recently taken place in the health care space for organizations and individuals.  Several of these changes evolved because of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.  This discussion will shed light on the critical components that will increase the cost of health care for your organization and employees if you are not familiar with how to identify and mitigate these costs. The two critical cost elements to be discussed: 1.) Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) contracts and 2.) Hospital Bill Errors.

John Kirke
John is a two decade plus veteran in the employee benefits industry, possessing vast experience in healthcare, employee benefit strategy and alternate risk financing. John’s career experience ranges from founding a consulting company, national sales at a technology and insurance distribution company, and sales with Oxford Health Plans (now United Healthcare).

John is a member of numerous industry advocate groups including Self-Insurance Institute of America, Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers and Assurex Global. Additionally, he serves on the National Consultant Advisory Board of AIG Benefit Solutions.

John earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Drake University in Finance and Insurance. His other post-graduate programs include a Certified Long-term Care Designation (CLTC). John and his wife and children live in Greenwood Village, Colorado.

Brad Cillian
For over 15 years, Brad has consulted with companies nationwide with regards to their employee benefit strategies and offerings.  Brad has responsibilities over all IMA offices nationwide with regards to innovation and cost containment solutions.

Brad was most recently Senior Vice President and Practice Leader for a Denver based consulting firm focused on multistate self funded medical plans. Brad started his career working at two of the nation’s largest insurance companies in sales, management and underwriting.

Brad has been recognized as a 5 Star Employee Benefits Professional by ColoradoBiz Magazine. In addition, Brad represents IMA, Inc. at the National Employee Benefits Advisory Forum and is a guest lecturer at the University of Colorado Business School Risk Management Program.   Brad holds a Marketing and Risk Management degree from The Farmer School of Business at Miami University.

Brad and his wife Christine live on working ranch in Castle Rock, Colorado where they raise alpacas and mini donkeys. He is actively involved with the Rocky Mountain MS Center, Make a Wish Foundation and Ronald McDonald House.

Chris Walters
Chris Walters joined IMA in 2010 in Business Development. Chris engages and works with employers to protect their assets. Chris is originally from Chicago, but has called Denver home since 1996. He is a licensed Physical Therapist, has treated work related injuries and oversaw Colorado’s largest Occupational Medicine clinic for over 9 years. This experience in combination with an MBA in Health Administration provides Chris a unique knowledge base that allows him to bring a unique expertise to the Workers’ Compensation and the Health Benefits arena.

Click here for a copy of the handouts for PD Session I

NASBA/CPE Documentation:
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge and Applications: Health Care
Learning Objectives: Learn how to maximize your return on investment for your health care plan.  Learn how to decipher health care contracts to recognize ways to save money for your company and protect your employees’ interest.  
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE Credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Intermediate
Advance Preparation: None
Program Content:  Interactive discussion on how to save money in your company’s health care plan by highlighting 5 critical contractual terms and uncovering hidden health care costs. 
Experience Level: Intermediate

Professional Development Session II
5:00-5:50 pm
Topic: " 20 Ideas for Businesses in a Recovering Economy"
Presenter: Dan Hollenbach, Division Director, RHMR

Business owners have learned to prepare for tough times, but are you ready for improving conditions? According to research by Robert Half, business confidence is on the rise. And, as the economic mood shifts into more positive territory, it’s time to take advantage of new opportunities. Dan will discuss fives areas for businesses to examine carefully as they manage through a changing economic environment, including 20 ideas that can help them stay on track. Dan will also provide a list of the common pitfalls for businesses to avoid.

Dan Hollenbach
Dan manages and leads the consulting practice group in Colorado for Robert Half Management Resources. He has 21 years of experience in the staffing business. Management Resources is the Professional Services and Resource Based Consulting practice of Robert Half offering a choice of project solutions through a truly unique hybrid staffing and consulting solution model across Corporate Governance, Business Systems & Process Improvement, and Staff Augmentation. His group interacts with senior level management offering project and interim engagements in areas of specialization including accounting, finance, tax, treasury, Sarbanes Oxley compliance, internal audit, project management, and ERP system implementations. His responsibilities include both operations and business development initiatives in the Denver and surrounding metroplex marketplace.

Prior to joining Robert Half, Dan was a partner with Catapult CFO Partners, providing interim CFO services. Between August 2004 and July 2009, Dan served as chief financial officer for Global Employment Holdings, a publically-held national provider of professional and commercial staffing solutions. Additionally, Dan worked for as a consultant leading a team that developed and tested compliance under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of a Fortune 500 company. Dan started his career in the staffing industry in 1991, serving as the chief financial officer of Imprimis Group, Inc., a regional staffing firm in Dallas, Texas. Dan began his career in the Dallas office of Ernst & Young, leaving as a senior manager and then spent three years in the financial services industry. Dan also served for two years as the E&Y Dallas office recruiting coordinator for Texas Tech.

Dan is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in Texas, a Chartered Global Management Accountant, and he received his B.B.A. in accounting from Texas Tech University.

Click here for a copy of the handouts for PD Session II

NASBA/CPE Documentation:
Field of Study: Human Resources: Human Resources in Industry
Learning Objectives: Learn about 20 of the most effective ideas to recruit, develop, and retain top talent in a recovering and highly competitive economy.
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE Credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Intermediate
Advance Preparation: None
Program Content:  Interactive discussion on hiring strategically, developing  your corporate culture, evaluating your social media presence, and focusing on planning.
Experience Level: Intermediate

Thursday, March 21, 2013
Dinner Presentation
6:30 pm
Topic: "Lessons Learned from a Fortune 100 Executive"
Presenter: Robin Szeliga, former CFO/EVP of Finance, Qwest Communications

Robin will share her experience as the CFO of a Fortune 100 Company that forever changed her life. She will speak about climbing the corporate ladder and tumbling down the other side. Robin is a forthcoming, dynamic speaker who shares her story of life in the dot-com era and the wake-up call that followed.

Robin Szeliga, Right Action Consulting
Robin is a Business Consultant and Executive Coach.  Her quick rise through the corporate ranks and her experiences as the CFO and EVP of Finance for a Fortune 100 Company at the age of 40 forever changed her life. Robin talks about managing finance and accounting at Qwest Communications.  She will discuss how to make the right decisions in a fast paced, competitive, high-pressure environment. Robin will also discuss when the group decisions and decision makers are putting pressure on everyone to make the wrong choices.

Her 25+ year career in both public companies and non-profits gives her a unique perspective on leadership styles and definitions of success. 

Robin was a competitive triathlete and cyclist and is an avid yoga practitioner.  Her competitive nature played a role in her early successes both in her career and in her sports of choice.  Her yoga practice helped her regain her perspective on her life’s purpose and priorities after nearly losing everything. 

Robin reflects on her successes and failures candidly and uses them in her current Consulting and Coaching practice to help businesses and individuals embrace their principles, articulate their purpose and achieve their goals.

NASBA/CPE Documentation
Field of Study: Behavioral Ethics: Decision Making
Learning Objectives:  Learn to recognize good and bad decisions and how to push back when pressure is being applied to make the wrong choices.
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites:  None
Program Level:  Overview
Advance Preparation: None
Program Content: Interactive discussion on personal and professional choices, to recognize and appropriately respond to negative pressure and to recognize those situations as they develop.
Experience Level:  Intermediate

Registration Requirements:
Dinner and Presentation are free for members and qualified guests. Non-members and guests pay $65. Contact FEI, by emaill or phone 303-839-1858 for more information.

Professional Development Session I
4:00-4:50 pm
Topic: "The Value of Exports to the US Economy and How International Banking Services Can Help Your Company Grow"
Presenter: Brian Gordon, Commerce Bank, Senior Vice President & Manager, International Banking,

Generally when people think of international business they might think of US jobs that have been lost to off-shoring and outsourcing, or they think of all the US government debt that is owned by other countries (it’s a big number). But with 96% of the world’s population being outside the United States, and the US economy struggling to achieve 2% growth, it’s time to engage the rest of the planet and consider new markets. The conversation and focus is shifting to the jobs that US exports create, the strength of US manufacturing, the continued innovative in high-tech industries, and the global view of the quality of US goods compared to other countries. The weakness of the US dollar can also help US companies to compete globally. If you have not explored some of the dynamics of why export trade is important then this should be an interesting session for you to participate in.

*Download PD1 Session Handouts Here*

Brian Gordon, Commerce Bank
Brian joined Commerce in May 2012 with a wealth of knowledge in the International Banking industry. He started his banking career at National Bank of Commerce in Nebraska in 1990 while attending the University of Nebraska. In 2001, he moved to Wells Fargo where he focused his calling in the 7 states surrounding Missouri as a business development officer calling on companies involved in international business. He then moved to Sovereign Bank for several years before returning to HSBC in New York City as an international calling officer in six east coast states.

He has 23 years experience in the trade services, trade finance, and structured trade areas and has also worked closely with treasury and foreign exchange in every previous bank. He has extensive experience in business development side and servicing existing relationships for international needs. Brian also has extensive international operations experience.

Both Brian and his wife, Tammy, are Nebraska natives.

NASBA/CPE Documentation
Field of Study: Finance: Contracting/selling goods and services in Foreign Operations
Learning Objectives: Learn how to recognize opportunities to expand your business beyond our borders and to international markets.
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE Credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Intermediate
Advance Preparation: None
Program Content: Interactive discussion on how to recognize international business opportunities and how to effectively evaluate the correlation between the strength/weakness of the US dollar and the viability of foreign markets.
Experience Level: Intermediate

Professional Development Session II
5:00-5:50 pm
Topic: "The Future of the Profession: A view from NASBA"
Presented by: Gaylen Hansen, EKS&H and 2012-2013 Chairman of NASBA 

Gaylen will discuss the regulatory and international developments involving new services CPAs are offering.. He will speak on the related credentials, specialty designations, and rethinking the scope of attestation. Additionally, Gaylen will provide an update on IFRS convergence, private company GAAP initiatives, and the increased focus on the ethics of CPAs in business.

*Download PD2 Session Handouts Here*

Gaylen Hansen, EKS&H
Gaylen is an Audit partner at EKS&H and the Director of Quality Assurance.  He is also the current, 2012-2013, Chairman of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA).  Gaylen is a former member and Chair of the Colorado State Board of Accountancy (2002-2010).  He also served on the Colorado State Securities Board between 1995 and 2001.  Gaylen is a member of the PCAOB’s Standing Advisory Group (SAG) which advises the PCAOB on professional practice standards. He has also served on the Professional Ethics Executive Committee (PEEC), the senior technical body of the AICPA, charged with promulgating and enforcing ethics and independence rulings. Gaylen is also currently a member of the AICPA's International Auditing Standards Task Force.  In addition to all of his other duties, Gaylen is a member of the International Federation of Accountants’ (IFAC) Consultative Advisory Groups for ethics and auditing , he represented NASBA on the SEC's 2011 Roundtable on IFRS, and he represented FASB at the January 2012 Roundtable on Private Company Accounting Standards.

NASBA/CPE Documentation:
Field of Study: Regulatory Ethics: Rules and Regulations
Learning Objectives: Learn about the new and proposed rules governing CPAs/CFOs in public and private practice.  Obtain an update on International Financial Reporting Standards and regulatory ethics.
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE Credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Advanced
Advance Preparation: None
Program Content:  Interactive discussion on the future of the Accounting profession, regulatory ethics, IFRS convergence, and new initiatives in private company GAAP.
Experience Level: Intermediate

Thursday, February 21, 2013

*Download presentations from the PD Sessions*

Click here for a copy of the presentation from PD Session 1.

Dinner Presentation
6:30 pm
Topic: “Sustainable Leadership Beyond Command and Control: The Direct Correlation Between Employee & Customer Satisfaction”
Presented by: Colleen Abdoulah, CEO of WideOpenWest!

Come and meet one of the most successful CEOs in Colorado! Colleen Abdoulah’s legendary leadership style has turned around a company characterized by negative cash flow, customer churn, poor service and significant competitive pressures to one that has earned double-digit growth in seven of the last eight years.   Under Colleen’s style of leadership, WOW! grew from $200 million in assets in December 2001 to $800 million in assets in M ay 2006, including paying a dividend to their investors of $800 million. Today, WOW!’s market cap exceeds a billion dollars.  Her track record is a key indicator of her management style and that it works!

Colleen Abdoulah is CEO of Wide Open West, a company where employees’ motivation is a key factor of success.  She believes employee personal growth and job satisfaction correlate directly with customer service and then increased profitability.  The key fundamental to the management style Colleen has installed at WOW! is based on four basic values: accountability,  integrity, respect, and servant hood among all contributors throughout the company.  Colleen believes in complete transparency of the job functions at all levels - from financial reporting to critical strategies for organizational improvement.  Employees are recognized and rewarded for initiative, risk taking, problem solving, process improvement, and especially for superior customer service!  Do these sound like the capabilities your organization values and measures? They are at WOW!

Colleen Abdoulah
CEO and Board Chairwoman for WOW! Internet, Cable and Phone
Colleen Abdoulah, the only female CEO to lead a top-ten cable operating company, is widely respected for her passionate focus on customer experience and company culture. Colleen has guided WOW! Internet, Cable and Phone since 2002, overseeing industry-leading financial success.  Under her leadership, WOW! has earned an unprecedented 17 J.D. Power and Associates awards for customer satisfaction, multiple top-provider awards from Consumer Reports, and the PC Magazine Readers’ Choice Award for top cable Internet service provider.  She is equally proud of the many awards WOW! has received as an employer, including recognition as a 2012 National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For winner.

Coming from an entrepreneurial family background, Colleen learned early in life the importance of treating people with respect and sharing with others whatever riches one may have in life. She learned that when business leaders focus on the health and well-being of people, profits will follow. This perspective is ever present in Colleen’s unique leadership style and management approach. She fervently believes that the only meaningful and substantial differentiator in today’s competitive environment is people – their minds, their attitudes, their unique contributions.

As keynote speaker at a variety of management conferences and business forums, Colleen has shared her views on the strategic importance of customer experience and company culture; development of gender-balanced management and leadership; and cultivation of authentic leadership, among other topics. She delivers her messages with stunning honesty and energy, stories of personal courage, and always a keen sense of humor.

Prior to joining WOW!, Colleen spent much of her career at Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI) where she served in a number of positions including Assistant to the COO and Executive Vice President of Cable Operations. During her tenure there, she was the architect of the business strategy and deployment of TCI’s digital cable service after serving as General Manager of Netlink, where she oversaw operations of TCI’s national satellite division.

Colleen is an ardent voice for those who have been marginalized. She is a Board Member and past Chairwoman of the Board for the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center, a non-profit advocacy group for abused and neglected children with which she been involved for over a decade. She also serves on the board for The Women’s College of the University of Denver. Colleen actively supports Shining Hope for Communities, a non-profit organization that combats extreme urban poverty and gender inequity in Nairobi, Kenya by linking free schools for girls to high-value community services for all.

Within the telecommunications industry, she currently serves as the Chairwoman of the Board of the American Cable Association, a lobbying organization representing the interests of independent cable operators.  She also serves on the board of C-SPAN, and is a past Vice President of the Executive Board of Women in Cable and Telecommunications as well as past Chairperson for the Women in Cable Telecommunications Foundation.

Colleen received her undergraduate degree in Public Relations and Marketing from Mount Royal College in Calgary, and her MBA from the University of Denver.

Field of Study: Personal Development: Principles Centered Leadership
Learning Objectives: Learn how changing your management style can result in double-digit growth for your company.
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Overview
Advance Preparation: None
Program Content: Interactive discussion on the definition of inclusive leadership, installation of job transparency and rewarding for employee acceptance of personal responsibility, initiative, risk taking, problem solving, process improvements and customer service.
Experience Level: Intermediate

Professional Development Session I
4:00-4:50 pm
Topic:"Are You Currently Maximizing the Value of Your Business?"
Presenters: Scott Andrews, BOK Financial and Andy Aye, Colorado State Bank & Trust

Join us for a discussion around some best practices for steps you can take today to set up your company today for future success, both short and long term. What are among the more critical elements considered by private equity investors? Why is a trailing twelve month (TTM) analysis necessary? Identify the most heavily scrutinized items on the company's financial statements during the valuation process. What are some near-term tactical goals and long-term strategic objectives that can improve the odds of a higher valuation? Compare and contrast business valuation examples.

Andy Aye, Senior Vice President – Commercial Banking Manager at Colorado State Bank and Trust
Andy joined Colorado State Bank and Trust in 2011 with extensive
banking and finance experience, particularly with small to middle-market businesses. His expertise covers a wide variety of products and services including complex capital structures, traditional commercial banking credit facilities, leveraged cash flow lending, buyouts, acquisitions, recapitalizations, syndicated loan transactions, mezzanine debt and private equity investment.

Andy has a BBA degree in Finance from the University of Notre Dame and an MS degree in Management and Organization from the University of Colorado at Denver.

Scott Andrews, Senior Analyst, BOKF Capital Corporation, the private equity subsidiary of BOK Financial Corporation (BOKF), a $27 billion regional financial services company.

Collaborates with management of BOKFCC portfolio companies and analyzes new investment opportunities.

Scott worked as a Commercial Credit Analyst for BOK Financial and is a graduate of BOK Financial’s Accelerated Career Track program. Scott holds BBA degree from the University of Notre Dame.

Field of Study: Finance: Business Valuations: Buying and selling businesses
Learning Objectives: Learn about the key financial components and measurements that private equity firms and investment banks use to determine the value of your business in an equity transaction.
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE Credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Program Prerequisites/Advance Preparation: None
Program Level: Intermediate
Program Content:  Are you currently maximizing the value of your business? What are among the more critical elements considered by private equity investors? Why is a trailing twelve month (TTM) analysis necessary? Identify the most heavily scrutinized items on the company's financial statements during the valuation process. What are some near-term tactical goals and long-term strategic objectives that can improve the odds of a higher valuation? Compare and contrast business valuation examples.
Experience Level: Intermediate

Professional Development Session II
5:00-5:50 pm
Topic: "Social Entrepreneurship"
Presenters: Chris Pelley, CIMCO & Steve Bigari, Americas First

You are invited to join other business leaders to discuss Social Entrepreneurship (SE). SE is a world-wide movement using business practices and entrepreneurial spirit to tackle and solve pressing social issues. It is a new paradigm for collaborative and sustainable philanthropic efforts. Learn how the principles of Social Entrepreneurship can help you and your business, your children and your community.

Christopher Pelley
CEO | Private Wealth Advisor
Chris Pelley is the Managing Director of Capital Investment Management and a national thought leader on the subject of Social Entrepreneurship.A leader in the financial services industry for 30 years, Chris offers clients an international perspective and a passion for helping them plan a retirement they can truly enjoy.

Chris spent 11 years working for world-class financial institutions, including a major Wall Street firm in Great Britain. When he returned to the U.S., he thrived with Shearson Lehman Brother’s elite retirement planning network as a retirement planning specialist for corporate executives. Chris founded CIMCO in 1994, dedicated to providing his clients with independent investment advice based on their individual needs, rather than on corporate directives.

Chris stays actively involved in the Denver Metro community, with frequent outreach throughout the state and around the world. He has worked tirelessly to bring businesses, academia, government and nonprofits together to make Colorado a national leader in social enterprise. Chris has a B.A. in psychology and a B.S. in economics from the University of Missouri. He earned his Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation from the American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. He founded, and has hosted for the past six years, the ACG Denver Business and Social Entrepreneurship Conference.

Steve Bigari, America’s Family
Entrepreneur Steve Bigari, founder of America’s Family, is widely known for his passionate commitment and innovative approach to combating poverty. Drawing from his twenty-year experience as a McDonald’s franchisee in Colorado Springs, he developed a business model that mutually benefits employers and employees. Across Mr. Bigari’s 12 restaurants, his unorthodox employee investment program helped several thousand low-income families with health care, transportation, short-term loans, job skills training, and housing, all while significantly improving overall profit and productivity in the business.

Creating America’s Family in 2002 allowed him to take the concept to a city-wide scale, providing low-income families with access to capital, financial education, and financial coaching relationships to help move individuals from poverty to self-sufficiency. For his transformative leadership and social impact, Mr. Bigari was inducted as an Ashoka Fellow in 2004.

In 2008, Mr. Bigari created AF Solutions, a subsidiary of America’s Family, and a new model of lending to poor families. The program helped participants avoid predatory and high-priced financial services, improve their credit score, and transition from unbanked or under banked into traditional financial institutions.

Mr. Bigari details his economic empowerment theory, his win-win business philosophy, and his transformative social agenda in his 2006 book entitled The Box You Got: Transforming the World You Live In. He is also featured as an example of exceptional entrepreneurial and social leadership in the Pulitzer Prize-winning bestselling book, The World is Flat, by Thomas Friedman.

A highly sought-after speaker, Mr. Bigari has educated and entertained audiences of all types, including financial industry leaders at the Bankers Association International and government leaders at a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) forum. He also served on a panel for the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability’s Partnership at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. He delivers a compelling call to action on the need for greater collaboration and innovation in lending directly to low-income families. Steve embodies the true spirit of heroic leadership and will share how your company can benefit from this unique approach to business practices and enterprise thinking.

Field of Study: Communications: Public Relations
Learning Objective:Learning Objectives: Learn how the principles of Social Entrepreneurship can help you and your business, your children and your community.
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE Credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Program Prerequisites/Advance Preparation: None
Program Level: Intermediate
Program Content: Define the concept of Social Entrepreneurship (SE) . Identify the potential impact SE has on the future direction of local business, education, and communities.
Experience Level: Intermediate

Thursday, January 17, 2013

*Download presentations from the PD Sessions*

Click here for a copy of the presentation from PD Session 1.
Click here for a copy of the presentation from PD Session 2.

“Gender and Diversity in the C-Suite & the Impact to the Bottom Line”
Panel Discussion with Moderator
6:30 pm

Come and discuss diversity with a panel of Denver C-Level experts who will present statistics on how important diversity is in corporate and business leadership: from the C-Suite to the Board seat. Statistics clearly show how diversity positively impacts a company’s bottom line, including new business development, new products, retention, productivity and profitability. The aging baby boomer population and the changing population demographics make diversity a business imperative if a company is to thrive, or even simply survive.

But only the most innovative companies are taking advantage of diversity and its benefits. In fact women account for less than 9% of all CFOs. Diversity is less apparent in other C-level positions, such as CEOs and members of corporate boards. This panel will not only show you how diversity can help your profitability, they will address how to make diversity successful; how to identify, train and mentor talented individuals and retain them for senior positions.

PANELISTS:
Lizz Hund – Lizz is Senior Vice President and Division Head of the US Bank Food Industries Division.  Lizz leads a team who oversees the products for the production, processing and distribution of food and agriculture products across the U.S.  She joined U.S. Bank from RaboBank International, where she was responsible for the management of the Western Region. Previously Lizz worked in Denver CO, for CoBank, National Bank for Cooperatives, where she was senior relationship manager, and for Coleman Natural Meats as chief financial officer.  Earlier in her career, Lizz worked as Vice President of Agribusiness at Colorado National Bank, which has since been acquired by U.S. Bank. Lizz is very active in the national agriculture community, serving as a member of the Farm Foundation Roundtable, a director of the National Western Stock Show Association, and a fellow of the California Agricultural Leadership Program.  Recently, she joined the Women in Ag Advisory Board.

May Snowden – May is a nationally recognized diversity expert with significant experience as a C-level human resources leader and major P&L operating experience. May has delivered world class HR initiatives and diversity programs and reengineered organizations to improve efficiency and productivity, while reducing costs.  She has worked for leading corporations, including VP of Global Diversity for Starbucks Coffee, Chief Diversity Officer for Eastman Kodak Company and Executive Director of Diversity for US West Corp. May has senior-level experience as corporate relations liaison with state and local governments and the US Senate

Vilia Valentine - Vilia is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Inspirato LLC, a luxury vacation club recently named as one of Colorado’s Top Workplaces in 2012 by the Denver Post and one of America's Most Promising Companies in 2011 by Forbes. She has extensive experience in increasing company value and driving financial growth.  She has overseen multiple initial public and secondary offerings, company acquisitions, and dispositions.  Prior to joining Inspirato, Vilia served as the principal financial officer at MDC Holdings, a $1 billion public homebuilding and financial services company. Previously, she spent four years as the CFO for Gaiam Inc., a leading producer of lifestyle media and fitness accessories.  Vilia also served as CFO of Verio Inc., a $300 million worldwide web hosting company, and Vice President of Corporate Express, a $4 billion international office products company. In 2009, she was named "CFO of the Year" for public companies by the Denver Business Journal. 

MODERATOR:
Melissa Hooley, CPA is a Partner at Anton Collins Mitchell and a member of the AICPA Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee.  Melissa's background includes over 20 years of experience in accounting, auditing, taxation and consulting; specializing in qualified and welfare benefit plan services. Her career as a CPA began with Arthur Andersen Worldwide in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1988. In 1993, Melissa relocated to Denver where she worked with Andersen until 2002 and joined ACM in February 2003.  Melissa has developed and directed a highly specialized qualified and welfare benefit plan audit practice for the Rocky Mountain region and has served 100+ business clients and provided audit services for more than 250 benefit plans. Melissa has provided services to some of the largest pension plans in the region. She has successfully consulted with clients of various sizes on plan-related matters including compliance issues, plan design and financial reporting issues.

Field of Study: Personnel/HR: Human Resources Management in Industry
Learning Objectives: Learn how diversifying your leadership team and staff for maximum impact and effectiveness, will positively impact new business development, retention, productivity and profitability.
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Overview
Advance Preparation: None
Program Content: Interactive discussion on diversity presenting statistics on benefits of diversity in senior leadership, where to find qualified diverse staff and how to mentor, train and retain them for maximum results.
Experience Level: Intermediate

Registration Requirements: Dinner and Presentation are free for members, non-members $65

Professional Development Session I
4:00-4:50 pm
Topic: Alternative Real Estate Strategies for Corporations – How a More Financially Astute Real Estate Strategy Can Improve Your Bottom Line
Speaker: Ken Gooden, Jones Lang Lasalle

Most companies in the country do a real estate deal for the space that their employees work out of once or twice a decade, not enough to fully understand the options that they may have available to them. This discussion will entail addressing a number of alternative strategies that most companies can utilize to get more out of their real estate usage, decrease real estate costs, and simply be more efficient and nimble with their real estate strategies.

Most real estate strategies are created out of what is currently available to them in a defined geographic area and/or product type, not out of what works best for the long term business plan. The most effective real estate professionals work to create options, not simply accept the notion that buildings in a certain area are the only solution. For most companies, real estate costs are 3rd or 4th largest expense items and they are not largely considered in the context of being an investment strategy.  This discussion will delve deeper into the financially prudent notion of leveraging real estate as capital.
Download Presentation.

Ken Gooden, Sr. Vice President, Jones Lang Lasalle, focuses on corporate representation with a specific emphasis on strategic corporate facilities planning, build-to-suits, dispositions, financial analysis, and facility acquisitions. He serves clients in a variety of fields, including financial services, high technology and medical/biomedical. Ken has worked with corporations ranging from small local companies to multi-national organizations with hundreds of locations.

Ken has 16 years of experience in commercial real estate, including 14 with The Staubach Company, prior to Staubach’s merger with Jones Lang LaSalle in 2008. He was a principal with The Staubach Company’s Front Range division, where he played a key role in the company’s strategy and development.

Ken received his Bachelor of Science in Finance and Real Estate from Colorado State University. Ken has been recognized numerous times as a “Heavy Hitter” by the Denver Business Journal and is member of the Denver Metro Commercial Association of REALTORS®, Commercial Brokers of Boulder and the Downtown Denver Partnership. He serves on the Advisory Council of the Bard Center for Entrepreneurship (University of Colorado at Denver), an active member of FEI’s Colorado Chapter, a participant of 50 For Colorado – Class of 2011, and on the Associate Board of the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver.

Field of Study: Finance: Asset Management in Industry
Learning Objectives:  Learn how to obtain a broader understanding of using real estate investment strategies as an effective way to generate capital and effectuate a significant improvement to the company's bottom line versus simply viewing an office building as just brick and mortar.
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites:  None
Program Level:  Overview
Advance Preparation: None
Program Content: Demonstrate effective strategies to use your real estate investment as a capital funding source to maximize profitability
Experience Level:  Intermediate

Professional Development Session II
4:00-4:50 pm
Topic: Your company’s 401(k) plan - What you don’t know can cost you
Speaker: Cheryl Gehlen and Valerie Hampton, Anton Collins Mitchell

Join us to learn more about the following:
• Most common items found on IRS and DOL audits
• Actual Stories of compliance issues – and their costs to companies
• Are you a fiduciary? - Considering your PERSONAL liability

This program will also include highlights of the the newly released IRS Revenue Procedure 2013-12, the comprehensive system of correction programs for sponsors of retirement plans that have failed to meet one or more requirements of the Internal Revenue Code.
Download Presentation.

Cheryl Gehlen, Audit Director . Cheryl joined ACM in 2007 after moving from Washington.  She began her accounting career over 15 years ago with Moss Adams LLP.  Over the course of her public accounting career she has been responsible for all phases of audit and tax services, including a specialization in providing audit and tax services to employee benefit plans, for closely held private companies and public companies.  Cheryl has worked in many industries over the course of her career. Cheryl’s well rounded background gives her a unique ability to identify and help provide solutions to complex business issues on a variety of topics.   Cheryl heads up ACM’s Form 5500 Practice for employee benefits plans and has worked with plan administrators on the new EFAST 2 filling requirements.  She also has significant experience working with Companies with initial audit requirements and operational issues and the unique challenges that can present.

Valerie Hampton, Senior Audit Manager.   Valerie began her public accounting career in 2000 with Arthur Andersen. Prior to joining ACM, Valerie spent seven years with a large Colorado-based CPA firm, two years at a Fortune 500 company, worked as the management finance and accounting lead at a private company in the construction services industry. Valerie’s professional experience has been focused on providing accounting, audit and consulting services to closely held, middle market clients. Valerie enjoys developing relationships with her clients to better understand their business and strategic goals in order to help them create solutions and identify opportunities. Valerie has extensive experience in accounting and auditing qualified and welfare benefit plans as well as assisting clients with DOL/IRS correction issues. She has served as practice lead for employee benefit plans, developing and delivering training, serving as technical reviewer and consulting on plan operational issues, changes in service providers, mergers and terminations.

Field of Study: Management Advisory Services/Risk Management
Learning Objectives: Learn how to implement and most effectively execute your company's 401(k) plan. Achieve an understanding of the most common items found on IRS and DOL audits. Identify the prototypical 401(k) compliance issues and their associated costs to companies. Understand your potential personal liability as a fiduciary and learn how to mitigate your exposure.
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Overview
Advance Preparation: None
Program Content: Identify the hidden costs and management risks associated with implementing your company's 401(k) plan.
Experience Level: Intermediate

Thursday, November 15, 2012

"He Won, Now What?"

Colorado's most famous political commentator, Floyd Ciruli, will give us his predictions and an in-depth analysis on what will happen to the Colorado and national economy based on the man and party that wins the November 6th election.

Floyd will tell us what happened, why it happened, and exactly how it happened! Learn how the results of the western states’ Senate races and Colorado's Congressional races will change our businesses and our lives. Hear why Colorado became one of the nation's most important battleground states and why the polls were “neck and neck” for so many of the political races.

The presentation will conclude with Floyd’s recommendations on how to best prepare for the future that will occur under existing or new leadership. You may not like all the answers, but we guarantee that this will be one of the most entertaining and informative lectures of the year!

Floyd Ciruli is a pollster and political analyst providing consulting, strategy, policy management, public opinion research, public relations and management. Clients include major Colorado corporations, business and civic associations. Among Denver-based Ciruli Associates’ specialties is consulting for government, nonprofit and corporate organizations proposing initiatives for public approval.  He has been a major force in Colorado’s business and political community and famous as a funny and very informative speaker.


Field of Study: Economics: Fiscal and Monetary Policy
Learning Objectives: Learn how to align your business decisions and forecasts based on the 2012 election results, including economic growth, employment, banking and effects on the international economy. Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Overview
Advance Preparation: None
Program Content: Interactive discussion on the U.S. government, leadership, employments and effects on the Colorado, U.S. and world economy.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Registration Requirements: Dinner and Presentation are free for members, non-members $65

Professional Development Session I
4:00-4:50 pm
Topic: Trust & Organizational Culture - Building an Ethical Culture Through Trust
Speaker: Kreg A. Brown, Audit Partner, EKS&H

Why Trust? Why is it important to build trust in a corporate culture?  Kreg will discuss the hard economic benefits to high trust organizations.  You will also learn how to lead with trust relationships and how to understand self-trust.  In addition, Kreg will show you how to recognize high trust and low trust behaviors as outlined by the Stephen Covey national best-selling book, "The Speed of Trust".

Kreg A. Brown, CPA has been a partner with EKS&H since 2001 and has 28 years of audit and consulting experience. Kreg has worked with privately and publicly held companies in a wide variety of industries, including more than 30 public companies. He heads the manufacturing niche for EKS&H (audit, tax, consulting) and has more than 150 clients. Kreg is a Natural Resources audit niche leader and a Trust Leader, charged with managing the firm's training programs related to Speed of Trust and trusted business advisory skills. He consults with companies in a variety of ways, including business transition planning, corporate strategy, M&A transactions and debt/equity financing.
Kreg's international experience includes China, Europe, Japan and Australia. He has served on several boards, including the Colorado Advanced Manufacturing Alliance, the Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry (CACI), the Cherry Creek School Foundation, CTEK and the Rocky Mountain Venture Club.

AICPA/NASBA FIELD OF STUDY: Behavioral Ethics: Personal Ethics
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Why Trust? Learn how to increase Ethical Behavior by building Trust into your corporate culture.
PREREQUISITES: None
PROGRAM LEVEL: Intermediate
PROGRAM CONTENT: Learn the relationship between trust and its effects on professional credibility and performance.
ADVANCE PREPARATION: None
INSTRUCTIONAL DELIVERY METHODS: Lecture
RECOMMENDED CPE CREDIT: 1 CPE credit based on NASBA 50 minute hour
COURSE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS: Preregistration requested on FEI Colorado website to ensure space and handouts.

Professional Development Session II
5:00-5:50 pm
Topic: Cyber Risk - Risks to the Confidentiality and Integrity of Your Cyber Data  
Speakers: Kathryn Varholek and Brooke Tates, Sherman & Howard

Headlines over the past year have been filled with reports of data breaches, denial of service attacks, thefts of personally identifiable information and other types of cyber attacks. Recent high-profile cases include a Goldman Sachs programmer stealing proprietary code and many other examples of internal and external cyber attacks on companies across industries. Researchers estimate that international organized crime groups collected more than $388 billion from cybercrime in 2011. US law enforcement projects that losses from cybercrime will exceed the total revenue collected from the trafficking and selling of illegal narcotics world-wide by the end of 2013. The tangible and intangible costs that companies of all sizes suffer from cyber breaches and attacks are manifold.

The increase in cyber-attacks this year should be a wake-up call for all companies to evaluate and strengthen their risk management strategies related to cyber security. While most companies believe that their own IT departments' internal controls provide adequate protection against cybercrime, numerous surveys confirm that many companies have a false sense of security about their exposure to security breaches and data theft.

This presentation will help you and your companies identify some of the more common threats to corporate cyber security, the costs associated with responding to cyber breaches and the current state of insurance against such risks.

Kathryn Varholek is an attorney and member of the law firm of Sherman & Howard. Her areas of emphasis include trust and estate controversies, commercial and appellate litigation; construction and insurance recovery. Kathryn earned her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, University of Michigan Law School and an undergraduate BA in Psychology from Yale University. She was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 2000 and the Colorado bar in 2004.


Brooke Yates is an attorney and Associate with the Denver office of Sherman and Howard. Her areas of emphasis include commercial litigation, construction and insurance recovery. Brook earned her Juris Doctor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and her BA in Business Administration at DU as well. She was admitted to the Colorado bar in 2006.



AICPA/NASBA FIELD OF STUDY: Computers: Fraud Control
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Identify the more common types of cybercrime, costs associated with cyber breaches and steps to reduce the risks.
PREREQUISITES: None
PROGRAM LEVEL: Intermediate
PROGRAM CONTENT: Internal controls and other risk reduction steps to take in reducing potential for most common types of cybercrime.
ADVANCE PREPARATION: None
INSTRUCTIONAL DELIVERY METHODS: Group Live Lecture
RECOMMENDED CPE CREDIT: 1 CPE credit based on NASBA 50 minute hour
COURSE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS: Preregistration requested on FEI Colorado website to ensure space and handouts.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

"A Candid Discussion on the U.S. Deficit"

Speaker: Craig Columbus, Chief Marketing Strategist, First Allied Asset Management

The American deficit is at $16 TRILLION today and is increasing by almost $3.9 BILLION per day. Americans can only agree that any solution to this ever-increasing problem will be painful and difficult for virtually everyone. But what are the possible solutions? European governments and the foundation of the European community are being shaken by the attempts to implement austerity measures. Would this belt-tightening approach with the accompanying pain succeed in America? Or can government stimulus programs and private industry capital investments encourage sufficient business growth to reduce the deficit effectively? Can a mixture of proposed directions or other options be implemented in our current political climate? Join FEI for an open discussion with divergent viewpoints to help us all understand these issues.

Our speaker, Craig Columbus, is the co-author of the recently published God and Man on Wall Street: The Conscience of Capitalism. Mr. Columbus will give us insights to the significance of and possible solutions to the U.S. deficit. Come join us to listen, learn and contribute as he presents possible solutions and delves into the related costs and risks of different options. This is a critical discussion about America's future and the underlying economic realities. Mr. Columbus will bring copies of his book to distribute, sign and sell.

Craig E. Columbus, JD, MBA

Field of Study: Public Finance
Learning Objectives: Attendees will receive a clear understanding of the impact of the U.S. debt on today’s economy and what will probably happen to the future economic situation if the deficit size and growth is not addressed. They will also discuss potential solutions and the related costs and risks of those different solutions.
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Overview
Advance Preparation: None
Program Content: Interactive fiscal and economic discussion on the U.S. deficit, its impact today and in the future plus potential solutions with cost/risk analysis.
Experience Level: Intermediate

FEI Professional Development Session I
Time: 4:00 pm - 4:50 pm

Avoid Living in a Bubble: A Capital Markets Update

Capital Markets Update: Despite record-low interest rates, investors continue to pour money into Treasury bonds. And, despite record-high valuations, investors continue to favor stocks paying rich dividends. The motivation for both strategies is to avoid risk in today’s markets; ironically, investors may be walking into more of it and creating a bubble. But there is a way out. Come listen, learn and find out!

Presented by: Greg Londo
Sponsored by: Bernsteirn Global Wealth Management

Greg F. Londo
Greg Londo is a Vice President for Bernstein Global Wealth Management’s Denver office. He advises high-net-worth individuals and institutions regarding investment strategies and, in conjunction with the Wealth Management Group, works closely with clients and their professional advisors on a wide range of investment matters, including tax and estate planning, concentrated stock positions and the sale of privately held businesses. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Londo was a consultant for Stryker Corporation, a medical technology company, and before that, he served as an infantry officer in the US Army. Mr. Londo earned a degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point in management/environmental engineering. While in the Army Mr. Londo served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, was awarded a Ranger tab and the Bronze Star Medal.

AICPA/NASBA Field of Study: Economics: Monetary Policy
Learning Objectives:- Increasing the knowledge and awareness of current financial market factors
- Understanding the complexities of a potential fiscal cliff
- Understanding the impact of the global markets on domestic markets
- Identifying where the smart investor will invest in 2013
- Avoiding a financial panic attack without buying a larger mattress
Prerequisites: None
Program Level : Intermediate
Program Content:: In-depth discussion of the current capital markets, the economic outlook, and what it means to you as an individual investor.
Advance Preparation None
Instructional Delivery Method Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE Credit: 1 CPE credit based on NASBA 50 minute hour
Course Registration Requirements:: Preregistration requested on FEI Colorado website to ensure space and handouts.

FEI Professional Development Session II
Time: 5:00 pm - 5:50 pm

Accounting & Auditing Implications of the JOBS Act

The recent JOBS Act, enacted on April 12, 2012, was aimed at improving access to capital for small business, but also carries changes to financial reporting as well as fundraising requirements. A new category of SEC issuer has been created, known as Emerging Growth Companies, which will be exempt from the internal control over financial reporting external audit requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley for up to 5 years. This essentially countermands some provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and limits accounting oversight authority. According to some, it could have significant repercussions and unintended results.

Presented by: Greg Pfahl, CPA
Sponsored by: Hein & Associates

Greg Pfahl, CPA
Greg is an audit partner with Hein & Associates.  He provides a wide range of audit and accounting services for both public and privately-held companies. He regularly assists companies with financial reporting and complex transactions, including initial public offerings (IPOs), private offerings, mergers and acquisitions. He also has expertise in the areas of debt and equity financings, income tax accounting, and purchase price accounting. Greg has developed a focus in the alternative energy, high technology, manufacturing, and distribution industries. He is a member of Financial Executives International (FEI), the Public Company Forum of the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA). He is also on the board of directors of the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado, the Young Professionals Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado and the Denver Jaycees Community Development Corporation. Prior to joining Hein, Greg was a staff accountant with Shelton & Associates in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He received his masters of public accountancy from Western Kentucky University.

AICPA/NASBA Field of Study : Accounting: Rules/Regulations
Learning Objectives:
- Qualifications for an Emerging Growth Company
   - Financial reporting changes
   - The changing role of the auditor
   - Changes to Reg A offerings
   - New requirements for staying a private company
   - How Crowdfunding can work for you
Prerequisites: None
Program Level : Intermediate
Program Content: In-depth discussion of the JOBS Act and what it means to your company.
Advance Preparation: None
Instructional Delivery Method : Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE Credit : 1 CPE credit based on NASBA 50 minute hour
Course Registration Requirements: Preregistration requested on FEI Colorado website to ensure space and handouts.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

FEI Professional Development Session I
Time: 4:00 pm - 4:50 pm

The Tax and Reimbursement Implications of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

The ACA is coming! The ACA is coming! Are you prepared? Do you know what the tax and operational implications will be on your company? Have you identified the changes required by your company to be compliant? Are you award of the ACA reimbursement changes and how it will affect how your hospital will be reimbursed? McGladrey is one of the first Denver CPA firms that is educating their clients on what must be done to ensure that the new rules are followed and their people are prepared. McGladrey is sending their two top experts to tell FEI members too!

Presented by: Dan Routh, CPA - Managing Director of Tax Services, McGladrey and Chad Krcil - Director in the McGladrey Healthcare Advisory Consulting Group
Sponsored by: McGladrey

Dan Routh has extensive experience in U.S. and international tax compliance and
planning as well as audit provision review services. He has experience in a
wide range of industries including manufacturing, software, financial
institutions and consumer markets.
Prior to joining McGladrey, Dan spent 17 years with a Big Four firm in Omaha,
Nebraska. There, Dan provided tax provision, tax compliance and planning
services to middle-market, start-up’s and Fortune 500 companies. In addition,
Dan was a member of the Accounting Methods and Credits practice as well
as the Midwest FAS 109 Center of Excellence.
Industry Specialization
• Manufacturing • Financial Institutions
• Wholesale Distribution • Consumer Markets
• Software
Professional Affiliations and Credentials
• Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Education
• BA in Business Administration, emphasis in Accounting, Nebraska
Wesleyan University

Chad Krcil is a director in the Healthcare Advisory Consulting Group. He has 20 years of national health care industry experience focused on regulatory reporting requirements of healthcare finance.
Chad has extensive experience from fiscal intermediary auditing, hospital healthcare finance and healthcare advisory consulting dealing with Medicare regulatory issues surrounding Medicare\Medicaid cost reporting, Medicare board appeals, budget and contractual allowance projections and financial modeling.
Chad is also an active member of the Colorado HFMA chapter and serves as the chapters Chair of the Certification Committee and holds the HFMA designation of Fellow of Healthcare Financial Management. Chad also presents Medicare Reimbursement Strategy courses on a national level for HFMA.

Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge and Applications: Affordable Care Act Compliance
Speakers: Dan Routh, CPA - Managing Director of Tax Services, McGladrey and Chad Krcil - Director in the McGladrey Healthcare Advisory Consulting Group
Learning Objectives: To understand the changes that must be implemented to become compliant with the ACA and the tax implications from those changes.
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Intermediate
Advance Preparation: None
Program Content: Understand how to be prepared for and compliant with new ACA regulations..
Experience Level: Intermediate

FEI Professional Development Session II
Time: 5:00 pm - 5:50 pm

HIPPA: Help or Horror?

HIPAA has a huge impact on our professional and personal lives. Do you understand your personal and family rights and responsibilities under the HIPAA laws? And do you know the rules that affect your company?

Mary Clare Swabon, Hudson Financial Solutions, will educate us on the HIPAA rules, changes, and how they affect our daily lives. Mary Clare will also give us the information necessary to protect our Human Resources and Payroll Departments from exposure due to an inadvertent error or release of information. The rules are similar if you are employed in or out of the healthcare industry, but the ramifications are much more severe if your company is handling personal healthcare information. Mary Clare will give us examples of the most common errors that she has seen in her extensive healthcare experience, plus practical advice on how to avoid potential negative consequences.

Presented by: Mary Clare Swabon, MBA CISA and Director - Hudson Financial Solutions
Sponsored by: Hudson Financial Solutions

Mary Clare is a multi-discipline executive turned professional consultant. Mary Clare’s broad range of experience in change management and process reengineering have made her a highly sought-after project manager and team leader for companies based in Denver, CO, and their operations around the world. Mary Clare began her career with Bell & Howell, working her way to a Director in a top 20 CPA firm in Dallas. As a consultant, Mary Clare has held positions as CFO, Controller, Director of Internal Audit and Project Manager to several Program Management Offices.

Mary Clare holds an MBA in IT Management from the University of Dallas and a BSBA in Accounting from Valparaiso University. Mary Clare is a strong advocate for continuous improvement and has been a frequent speaker at industry events across the country. As a guest faculty member, she has also taught classes in financial and IT auditing at Siena Heights University. She has also run 3 small companies of her own.
Since making the career move into consulting 20 years ago, Mary Clare has gained the vantage point of serving as a leader in different global business environments including several large, Fortune 100 firms as well as a number of public and private manufacturers in a variety of industries. In her role as Practice Director for Hudson, Mary Clare divides her time between meeting the project needs of her own clients as well as participating in the overall management of the different practice groups serving the Denver market and the Financial Solutions division as a whole.

Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge and Applications: HIPAA Compliance
Speakers: PMary Clare Swabon, MBA CISA and Director - Hudson Financial Solutions (bio)
Learning Objectives: To understand HIPAA regulations and how they affect you personally and your company professionally. Learn about the controls that must be implemented to become compliant with HIPAA and what must be done to limit your company’s exposure and liability.
Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live Lecture
Recommended CPE credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Intermediate
Advance Preparation: None
Program Content: Understand HIPAA regulations
Experience Level: Intermediate

Thursday, May 17, 2012

FEI Professional Development Session I
Time: 4:00 to 4:50
THE WEALTH OPTIMIZATION DASHBOARD: A CFO’S APPROACH TO WEALTH MANAGEMENT How a unique one-page strength, weakness and vulnerability dashboard can guide your executives to personal wealth management greatness (PDF presentation)
Presented by: Joseph Janiczek, MSFS, ChFC; Jim Callahan, CFA (Bios)

In today’s CNBC-driven world, investors pay far too much time trading their portfolios and not enough attention addressing hidden risks to their overall wealth.  At Janiczek & Company, the personal balance sheet is like the central nervous system of an executive’s / business owner’s personal finances. From their 20-plus years of "in-the-trenches" experience assisting executives in optimizing their wealth, they have created a comprehensive list of research-based standards that are the behind-the-scenes engine for a powerful dashboard within a comprehensive financial plan.  It is equally beneficial in all stages of one’s career, from peak earnings to transition wealth events (stock option exercising, retirement, or business sale).  They will feature examples of successes and failures so that the audience can contrast differences and gain wisdom. They also will provide a handout with a brief guide to the dashboard.

Field of Study:  Personal Financial Planning: Asset Management and Risk
Speakers:  See names above and bios on the earlier email. Please copy the text and include the pictures.
Learning Objectives: Learn what to focus on for maximum gain in all stages of a financial career.
Instructional Delivery Method: Lecture
Recommended CPE credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Overview
Advance Preparation:  None
Program Content: Understand asset management with appropriate risks.
Experience Level: Intermediate

FEI Professional Development Session II
CHANGES TO THE REVENUE RECOGNITION RULES AND THE JOINT FASB/IASB PROJECTS
5:00 to 5:50 PM
Presented by: Brent Peterson CPA, Audit Partner with EKS&H

Brent Peterson, an audit partner with EKS&H will be presenting on the critical changes to revenue recognition which are currently proposed and will also highlight some other key convergence projects which are expected to be most impactful as US GAAP and IFRS move closer together.  Revenue recognition is currently covered by over 200 pieces of authoritative guidance which are complex and often difficult to apply in practice.  You will gain a better understanding of some of the fundamental shifts which will need to take place in the financial reporting process to effectively apply judgment and meaningful disclosure under what is considered a more “Principles Based” approach.

• Field of Study:Accounting: Financial Statements and Reports
• Speaker:   See earlier email and above.
• Learning Objectives: Updates on Revenue Recognition and the IFRS/GAAP Convergence
• Instructional Delivery Methods: Lecture and Q&A
• Recommended CPE credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
• Prerequisites: None
• Program Level: Overview
• Advance Preparation: None
• Program Content: Accounting/GAAP Update
• Experience Level: Intermediate

RULES/POLICIES THAT APPLY TO ALL PRESENTATIONS

• Course Registration Requirements – register online at by March 12, 2012 to guarantee a seat and handout.
• Refund/Cancellation Policy: Attendance is free so no refund is offered.  FEI Colorado appreciates a two-day cancellation notice, however, for handouts and available seating calculations.
• Complaint Resolution Policy: Please contact FEI Colorado President Clinton Knowles, or Second VP/PD Session Organizer Courtney CowgillCourtney Cowgill
• Note: FEI has made every effort to comply with NASBA/AICPA Statement on Standards for Continuing Professional Education Programs.  But final authority of acceptance of CPE credits rests with the Colorado Board of Accountancy. Read more.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Professional Development Session #1

Captives: Single Parent, Group, Rent A Captive and Micro (831b) - The Differences, Their Uses and their Benefits
Presented by: Ian Allen FCCA, ARM, Assistant Vice President of Finance for Artex Risk Solutions, Inc & Howard Potter, JD MBA CPA, ST Consulting, LLC  (bios)
Sponsored by:  Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc.
Time: 4:00 pm - 4:50 pm 

Attendees will learn about the alternatives to the traditional insurance marketplace. This session will discuss how captive insurance provides purchasers with the ability to insure risks that they cannot get coverage for, and benefit from keeping any profits that the captive insurance company makes. It will also explain how captive insurance focuses companies on controlling their losses, providing services to assist with such, with the ultimate aim of providing more insurance coverage and a lower cost. Attendees will understand how micro-captive programs can be used to assist in the wealth transfer of these profits. 

• Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge & Applications - Insurance
• Learning Objectives: Learn and understand the purposes/uses of captive insurance programs.
• Instructional Delivery Methods: Lecture
• Recommended CPE credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
• Prerequisites: None
• Program Level: Overview
• Advance Preparation: None
• Program Content: Learn to use captive insurance programs as an effective insurance cost reduction.
• Experience Level: Intermediate

Professional Development Session #2

RULES/POLICIES THAT APPLY TO ALL PRESENTATIONS

• Course Registration Requirements - register online at www.FEIColorado.org by April 17, 2012 to guarantee a seat and handout.
• Refund/Cancellation Policy: Attendance is free so no refund is offered. FEI Colorado appreciates a two-day cancellation notice, however, for handouts and available seating calculations.
• Complaint Resolution Policy: Please contact FEI Colorado President Clinton Knowles at cKnowles@msps.com or Second VP/PD Session Organizer Courtney Cowgill at Courtney@Cowgill-Case.com.

Note: FEI has made every effort to comply with NASBA/AICPA Statement on Standards for Continuing Professional Education Programs. But final authority of acceptance of CPE credits rests with the Colorado Board of Accountancy. For additional information, please go to http://www.dora.state.co.us/accountants/cperequirements.htm.

March 15, 2012

Professional Development Session #1
Working with Your Board and Your Bank to Build Growth in 2012 (Presentation)
Presented by: Dana Bondy- Colorado State Bank & Trust, Ryan Lee - Colorado State Bank & Trust, Ken Siegel - Sherman & Howard - (Bios)
Sponsored by: Colorado State Bank & Trust
Time: 4:00 to 4:50 pm 

How do you value your banking relationship? Do you have proactive conversations with your banker about future financing needs? Are the right banking tools being utilized to help you with top line growth, and help improve efficiency and monitor costs? As businesses grow, their top line is coming out of this recession. It is important to assess these key relationship components as they are an integral part in running and growing your business. We will talk about the importance of your bank and their understanding of your business and what kind of relationships and conversations it will take to help facilitate growth.

Field of Study: Social Environment of Business: Banking and Finance
Speakers: Dana Brody - Colorado State Bank & Trust, Ryan Lee - Colorado State Bank & Trust, Ken Siegel - Sherman & Howard 
Learning Objectives: How to maximize your banking relationship to maximize company growth.
Instructional Delivery Methods: Lecture
Recommended CPE credit:1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Overview
Advance Preparation: None
Program Content: Learn the key relationship components necessary for you and your bank to work together and cohesively to build your business.
Experience Level - Intermediate

There are many sides and skills to Hudson Financial Solutions, including: a Recovery Services Practice, which includes Escheatment, Unclaimed Assets, A/P Auditing, Healthcare Auditing etc. This presentation will focus on Colorado's Escheat Laws, some unique situations relating to escheatment in the state, basic steps on becoming compliant without becoming over-compliant and other information that you and your company will want to understand. Attendees will walk away with many suggestions to implement immediately that can provide positive results.  

Field of Study: Income Taxes: State Escheat Laws
Speaker:  Gary Hornyak, Hudson Financial Services
Learning Objectives: Learn what the CO Escheat Laws say and how to comply with those rules.
Instructional Delivery Methods: Lecture
Recommended CPE credit: 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Overview
Advance Preparation: None
Program Content: Colorado Escheat Laws, filing and payment processes
Experience Level: Intermediate 

RULES/POLICIES THAT APPLY TO ALL PRESENTATIONS

Course Registration Requirements - register online at www.FEIColorado.org by March 13, 2012 to guarantee a seat and handout.
Refund/Cancellation Policy: Attendance is free so no refund is offered. FEI Colorado appreciates a two-day cancellation notice, however, for handouts and available seating calculations.
Complaint Resolution Policy: Please contact FEI Colorado President Clinton Knowles at cKnowles@msps.com or Second VP/PD Session Organizer Courtney Cowgill at Courtney@Cowgill-Case.com.
Note: FEI has made every effort to comply with NASBA/AICPA Statement on Standards for Continuing Professional Education Programs. But final authority of acceptance of CPE credits rests with the Colorado Board of Accountancy. For additional information, please go to http://www.dora.state.co.us/accountants/cperequirements.htm.

What do you need to know to finish your 2011 personal income tax return? What is on the legislative horizon for any federal and Colorado tax changes for your own personal tax planning? This presentation will give you the highlights of 2011’s critical tax issues and changes. Take home some tips for planning your tax strategies for 2012.

Learning Objectives: Personal Income Tax Update
Instructional Delivery Methods - Lecture
Recommended CPE credit – 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites - None
Program Level - Overview
Advance Preparation - None
Program Content – This will be a personal income tax update for use in preparing 2011 federal and state returns with a discussion of potential changes in 2012.

Professional Development Session 2

Title:  Corporate Income Tax Update
Speaker: John Walker, Tax Partner in the Denver Office
Sponsor: KPMG LLP
Time: 5:00pm to 5:50pm

Year-end tax planning is never easy, but this year it is further complicated by economic uncertainty and congressional inaction. The prospect of expiring tax provisions and increasing rates coupled with new business reporting requirements necessitates a flexible tax plan.  Join us as a renowned tax expert discusses strategies to help your company's tax planning in the current tax environment.

Learning Objectives: Corporate Income Tax Update
Instructional Delivery Methods - Lecture
Recommended CPE credit – 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)
Prerequisites - None
Program Level - Overview
Advance Preparation - None
Program Content – This will be a corporate income tax update for use in preparing 2011 federal and state returns with a discussion of potential changes in 2012.

RULES/POLICIES THAT APPLY TO BOTH PRESENTATIONS

Course Registration Requirements – register online at www.FEIColorado.org by January 16, 2012 to guarantee a seat and handout.
Refund/Cancellation Policy: Attendance is free so no refund is offered.  FEI Colorado appreciates a two-day cancellation notice, however, for handouts and available seating calculations.
Complaint Resolution Policy: Please contact FEI Colorado President Clinton Knowles at cKnowles@msps.com or Second VP/PD Session Organizer Courtney Cowgill at Courtney@Cowgill-Case.com.
Note: FEI has made every effort to comply with NASBA/AICPA Statement on Standards for Continuing Professional Education Programs.  But final authority of acceptance of CPE credits rests with the Colorado Board of Accountancy.  For additional information, please go to http://www.dora.state.co.us/accountants/cperequirements.htm

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Place:  Denver Country Club - 1700 E. 1st Avenue, Denver, CO 80218
Professional Development Session 1 (Download the Presenation)
Title:  Inflation
Speaker: Martin Akin, Senior Portfolio Manager & National Managing Director
Sponsor: Bernstein Global Wealth Managers
Time: 4:00pm to 4:50pm

While there is little disagreement about the damage inflation can do, there’s little consensus on its likely path or how to best protect against it—both in terms of which assets hedge inflation most effectively and how to incorporate them into a portfolio. Our research shows that the construction of a suite of real inflation hedges—which can complement an investor’s existing asset allocation—offers the best means of incorporating inflation protection into the portfolio. Please join Bernstein and your fellow FEI members we share expertise on how real assets and inflation can impact an investment strategy and corresponding returns

Learning Objectives: learn about potential damage that inflation can have on a portfolio, and some options to protect it against inflation.
Field of Study – Finance: Asset Management
Prerequisites - None
Program Level - Basic
Program Content – Discussion of what the risks of inflation can be to an investment portfolio and ways to include inflation protection into that portfolio.
Advance Preparation - none
Instructional Delivery Methods - lecture
Recommended CPE credit – 1 CPE hour (50 minutes as defined by NASBA)

Professional Development Session 2
Title: Medical Marijuana:  Do Colorado Employees Have a License to Toke? (No handouts to download)
Speaker: Vance Knapp, Attorney at Law
Sponsor: Sherman & Howard
Time: 5:00pm to 5:50pm

Does your employer have policies prohibiting/restricting use of Medical Marijuana? This session will help you understand employer frequently asked questions about Medical Marijuana; potential employer liability concerning Medical Marijuana; and strategic advice for employers. Attendees will learn the legislative history concerning Medical Marijuana in Colorado. The current legal status of Medical Marijuana in Colorado is a major concern. Attendees will discuss; a brief overview of the regulatory scheme for patients, physicians, distributors and dispensaries; and what "rights" an employee has with respect to Medical Marijuana possession and use.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Place:  Denver Country Club - 1700 E. 1st Avenue, Denver, CO 80218
Professional Development Presentation 1 PPT
Title: From the Bank Viewpoint: Increase in Commercial Fraud and Steps to Prevent
Speaker: Gary Schwartz CFE, Patten MacPhee & Associates
Sponsor: Deborah Kelly, VP/Senior Relationship Manager, Bank of the West

Professional Development Presentation 2 PPT
Title: : Enterprise Risk Management: An Important Focus for Today’s Companies
Speaker: Ernie Sampias CPA
Sponsors: Hein & Associates LLP

May 19, 2011

April 21, 2011

Title: The Accounting Standards Codification - Down to the Bare Basics! Presentation 1, Presentation 2
Speakers: Read bios
Mike Kelley, CPA, Audit Partner, KPMG
Eric Van Deman, CPA; Senior Audit Manager, KPMG 
Sponsor: KPMG

March 17, 2011

March Professional Development Session
Title: Changes to Colorado CPA Rules and Regulations
Speaker: Dr. Karen Turner, Colorado Board of Accountancy
Sponsor: Hudson

March Dinner Speaker Presentation:
Topic: Steering Clear of Trouble-Lessons from a Turnaround Professional
Speakers: Michael Knight, President & Founder, Alliance Management

February 17, 2011

January 20, 2011

SESSION 1

SESSION 2