International Operations Accounting Virtual Conference: Current Trends in Accounting, Tax & Financial Planning Strategies

DAY ONE AGENDA

Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:45 – 9:00 AM

Accounting for Foreign Exchange Hedges
9:00 – 10:00 AM
Hedging has become a necessary activity for companies operating in the contemporary globalized economy. By reducing the confusion and variable elements in currency exchange rates, hedging allows companies conducting business worldwide to accurately plan their international payments, budgets and costs. During this session, we will discuss the elective criteria necessary to qualify for hedge accounting, as well as:  
• Overview of foreign currency hedges
• Fair value hedges and cash flow hedges
• Forecasted transactions
• Documentation requirements
• Net investment hedging

Break
10:00 – 10:10 AM

Managing an International Workforce
10:10  – 11:10 AM
Employee retention has become a large problem for many companies struggling to maintain a productive workforce. This session will focus on recent analysis and trends regarding successfully managing an international workforce, as well as modern recruitment techniques. We will also discuss:   
• Remote recruiting benefits and risks
• Employee focus groups
• Career growth and development
• Virtual learning

Break
11:10 – 11:20 AM

The Latest Developments in Transfer Pricing
11:20 AM  – 12:20 PM
Every enterprise that operates internationally with entities located in multiple jurisdictions has transfer pricing (TP) and global intangible property (IP) risks and opportunities. In this session, an expert will explain the latest developments in transfer pricing including key themes and trends from the OECD and country tax authorities. This session will also address technology and transfer pricing controversy, as well as:   
• When companies need to address transfer pricing
• Types of intercompany transactions, including controlled transactions and Arm's Length
   principle/standard
• Tools to manage transfer pricing risks
• OECD guidelines, BEPS, and Pillars 1 & 2
• Intangibles and claims to residual profit
• Issues with an international workforce
• IRS focus on transfer pricing
• Documentation best practices
• Lessons from current transfer pricing cases, including the Caterpillar case

Lunch
12:20 – 1:05 PM

Global Contracting
1:05 – 2:05 PM
Global contracting offers numerous benefits that many companies are not fully aware of and therefore they could potentially be missing out on vital opportunities to grow their business. This session explores specific examples of how successful companies have used global contracting efficiently and cost effectively. We will also discuss:  
• Complex outsourcing
• Scope of transactions
• Key considerations for global commercial contracts
• Governance

Break
2:05 – 2:10 PM

Optimization of Accounting Operations
2:10 – 3:25 PM
Optimizing your company’s accounting operations is a wise way to save money and help streamline your business to run in a more efficient manner. This session presents proven useful strategies to make this happen by showing how a successful company like Starbucks has been able to do so in the past. Specific discussion topics include:  
• Revenue recognition under ASC 606
• Impairment risk assessment
• Accounting close optimization
• ESG disclosure reporting and impacts to international affiliates

Break
3:25 – 3:30 PM

Ethics, FCPA, Fraud & Disclosure Process in an International Environment
3:30 – 4:45 PM
This session will discuss key challenges faced by multinational companies when dealing with Ethics, FCPA, Fraud and the Disclosure Process in an international environment. Specifically, the focus will be on:  
• International risk compliance
• FCPA hidden traps
• Foreign government anti-corruption measures
• Effective compliance programs
• Ethics training for employees, field inspections, and more

Closing Remarks
4:45 – 5:00 PM

DAY TWO AGENDA

Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:30 – 8:45 AM

Tax Considerations in Expanding/Investing Internationally
8:45 – 9:45 AM
Expanding and investing in international business may seem like a complex and risky venture, but the potential rewards and benefits are too great to ignore. Fortunately, this session will be led by international taxation and investment specialists that will demonstrate how you and your company can take this next big step forward. Areas of discussion include: 
• Choosing the most appropriate business entity
• Understanding the application of special regimes
• Navigating the rules relating to outbound non-recognition transfers of assets
• US shareholders' GILTI inclusion
• Treaty networks

Break
9:45 – 9:50 AM

Finance Business Process Outsourcing/Insourcing
9:50 – 10:50 AM
Selecting the right Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Partner is critical, as is identifying the right areas for transition. This session will provide an overview of various aspects related to Finance and Accounting BPOs—from the objectives and triggers that lead to the decision, to the range of outsourcing models and options available. We will also look at the key aspects of the journey including identification of scope, knowledge transfer, retained organization structure, ongoing operational rigor, continuous improvement, and the importance of cultural affinity and transparency in developing a true symbiotic partnership.  

Break
10:50 – 10:55 AM

Supply Chain Issues & Impact on FP&A
10:55 AM – 12:10 PM
Procurement and supply chain management teams are responsible for more than just driving down costs. They're also accountable for boosting customer satisfaction, mitigating supplier risk for responsible outsourcing, and freeing up working capital. In this session, we will explore the benefits of digital technology, advanced analytics, and modern processes for improving the procurement and supply chain experience, as well as address the impact on Financial Planning & Analysis.  

Lunch
12:10 – 12:55 PM

Accounting for Digital Assets
12:55 – 1:55 PM
As technology becomes more integrated into our personal and professional lives, we correspondingly see the importance and relevance of digital asset growth. However, it is still challenging to effectively account for them within a company’s financial statement because the rules are new and still continue to undergo continual changes and adjustments. This session will go through the various types of digital assets and focus on these accounting considerations:  
• Investment in cryptocurrencies
• Sale of cryptocurrencies
• Recipt of cryptocurrencies in exchange for goods or services
• Lending and borrowing of cryptocurrencies
• Non-Fungible Tokens ("NFTs")
• Stablecoin holdings
• Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121
• FASB ASU 2023-08

Break
1:55 – 2:00 PM

Update on International Taxation
2:00 – 3:10 PM
This session will provide accountants and tax professionals serving international companies with an in-depth examination of legislation changes in international taxation that impact cross-border tax planning, including:  
• Taxation of foreign-source income
• IFRS and Treasury Enforcement and Regulatory Update
• Two-pillar solution
• Global Intangible Low-Tax Income (GILTI)
• Foreign Derived Intangible Income deduction

 Break
3:10 – 3:15 PM

Recent Developments at the FASB & IASB
3:15 – 4:20 PM
Being a responsible financial professional means keeping up with the latest comings and goings at the FASB and IASB. Our expert instructors will go over all of the most recent trends and developments, including:   
• Recent accounting standard updates (GAAP)
• FASB technical agenda
• Disaggregation
• Recently completed projects and related implementation issues
• Recently issued Exposure Drafts and other formal projects
• IFRS 18

Closing Remarks
4:20 – 4:30 PM

Conference Ends
4:30 PM