SEC Virtual Conference: An Accounting & Reporting Update for Public Companies

DAY ONE AGENDA

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

Key SEC Developments
9:00 – 10:30 AM
In this session, we will provide you with the up-to-the-minute information and guidance you need to successfully handle all of today's most critical SEC accounting and reporting issues, including:
• General SEC Update
• SEC Reporting in a Geopolitical Environment
– Suggested disclosure considerations
      – Sanctions
      – Investors, employees, and other stakeholders
      – Russia or other government nationalization of assets
      – Risk assessment
      – Cybersecurity
      – Critical accounting estimates
      – Import/export bans and supply chain disruptions
      – Non-GAAP
      – Controls
   – COVID-19 

Break
10:30 – 10:40 AM

Key SEC Developments (continued) 
10:40 AM – 12:25 PM
• SEC Financial Disclosure Rulemaking
   – Amendments to modernize, simplify and enhance 300 Series of Regulation S-K
     – MD&A liquidity disclosure requirements
     – Critical accounting estimates
     – General trends and takeaways
   – Climate-related disclosures for investors
   – Cybersecurity
   – Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs)
   – 10b5-1 plans and share repurchases
   – Pay vs. performance
   – Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (HFCAA)
   – Commission-Identified Issuers
   – SEC disclosure considerations for China-based operations
• SEC Guidance on Materiality
• Legislative Update
• Staff Comments & Trends

Lunch
12:25 – 1:10 PM

ESG & Financial Reporting
1:10 – 2:40 PM
Though not yet fully regulated, public ESG reporting has essentially become mandatory for larger public companies due to market-driven pressures. This reporting has continued to cascade down to smaller public companies, private companies, private equity and venture-backed entities, and even pre-IPOs and recent IPOs. While ESG reporting is still developing to some degree, that development is moving fast in terms of stakeholder expectations, shareholder voting, and framework and standard selection, including new regulation coming from the SEC and others. Recent activities by the IFRS Foundation and the formation of an International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) will accelerate the standardization of reporting over the next several years. This session will cover the:
• Current State of the ESG Ecosystem
• ESG Reporting Landscape & Regulatory Updates
• Institutional Investor Priorities
• Role of the Finance Function

Break
2:40 – 2:45 PM

FASB Update
2:45 – 4:15 PM
FASB’s recent changes will have a huge impact on business in many important areas, such as lease accounting, financial instruments, revenue recognition, business combinations, and more. This session will update you on what these changes are, including:
• Accounting Standard Updates
• FASB's Technical Agenda
• Select New Standards
• Revised Effective Dates—"Two Bucket" Approach
• Recently Issued Exposure Documents (EDs)

Break
4:15 – 4:20 PM

Non-GAAP Measures, Metrics & Disclosures 
4:20 – 5:35 PM
While the SEC's non-GAAP measures and metrics have been around for some time, they still cause headaches for businesses when it comes to disclosures and financial statements. In this session, we will address how companies are currently applying non-GAAP guidance and metrics, and what can be done in response to SEC comment letters to avoid costly fines and penalties. Topics include:
• Non-GAAP Measures and KPIs
• SEC Staff Guidance
• Recent Comment Letter Trends

Closing Remarks
5:35 – 5:45 PM
 

DAY TWO AGENDA

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

SEC Enforcement Issues
8:45 – 10:15 AM
Discover the latest initiatives that the SEC's Division of Enforcement is targeting, what factors trigger investigations and enforcement actions, and the possible outcomes. You will also learn the best ways to avoid trouble, and how to handle SEC investigations and enforcement actions if they do come your way. In this session, we will cover:
• ESG, SPACs & Other Risk Factors
• SEC Enforcement Actions & Penalties
• Sources of Investigations
• Investigation Process
• Arsenal of SEC Enforcement Weapons
• Conduct of Individuals
• Financial Reporting & Disclosure Trends
• Mistakes Public Companies Make
• Whistleblower Program Update
• Cryptocurrency

Break
10:15 – 10:20 AM

Public Company Auditing Update
10:20 – 11:20 AM
• Inspections Update
   – COVID and remote working
   – Critical Audit Matters (CAMs)
• Current Standard-Setting Activities
      – Quality control
      – Substantive analytical procedures
      – Fraud
      – Interim standards and ethics
      – Data and technology
• Other Current Trends
   – Audit considerations related to the invasion of Ukraine
   – PCAOB inspection reports
   – HFCAA determinations regarding China
   – Staff guidance on Form AP

Break
11:20 – 11:25 AM

Best Practices for Dealing with Corporate Ethics & Compliance Risks
11:25 AM – 12:40 PM
Learn how performing periodic risk assessments, and implementing successful compliance and ethics
programs, can help protect your business. Experts will discuss:
• State Law & Federal Duties
• Compliance Program & Federal Law
• Relevant DOJ Guidance
• Risk Assessment
• Incentives & Disciplinary Measures

Lunch
12:40 – 1:25 PM

Hot Button Issues for Public Companies—Expert Panel Discussion
1:25 – 2:40 PM
Industry, auditing, legal and other experts will discuss how public companies are dealing with:
• Geopolitical Risk
• Cybersecurity & Ransomware
• Integrating Political Risk into ERM
• Financial Reporting Best Practices
• Recruiting & Developing Accounting/Finance Talents

Break
2:40 – 2:45 PM

Internal Controls—Hot Topics
2:45 – 4:00 PM
This session will provide an update on current trends associated with a company’s internal control environment—including important ESG factors—and expectations for public companies to maintain documentation and controls based on recent guidance and enforcement actions from the SEC and PCAOB. Topics to be discussed include:
• Documentation Expectations Associated with Management Review Controls
• Considerations Associated with Information Produced by the Entity
• IT System Implementation Considerations
• Service Organizations & Controls Reports
• Monitoring Activities & Evaluating Deficiencies
• Using Digital Audit Techniques
• The Current ESG Risk Landscape
• Internal Controls to Unlock ESG's Strategic Value

Break
4:00 – 4:05 PM

Frequently Encountered Accounting & SEC Reporting Topics
4:05 – 5:20 PM
This session will focus on complex and challenging accounting and SEC reporting topics that are frequently encountered by financial accounting professionals serving public companies, including:
• Management's Discussion & Analysis (MD&A)
• Contingencies
• Segment Reporting
• Revenue Recognition
• Fair Value Measurements
• Asset Impairment
• Goodwill & Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
• Inventory & Cost of Sales
• Income Taxes—Estimating Annual Effective Tax Rate
• Going Concern
• Amendments to Regulation S-K items 301, 302 & 303
• Amendments to Rule 3-05 and Article 11: Changes to Reporting Acquisitions & Dispositions
• Business Combinations

Closing Remarks
5:20 – 5:30 PM

Conference Ends
5:30 PM