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 Response to Market Disruptions
   – Reporting Considerations
   – Lessons Learned
• SEC Financial Disclosure Rulemaking
   – Amendments to Enhance and Standardize Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors
   – Governance Disclosures—Item 1501
   – Strategy, Business Model, and Outlook—Item 1502
   – Risk Management—Item 1503
   – Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
   – Quantitative Disclosures 

Break
10:30 – 10:40 AM

Key SEC Developments (continued) 
10:40 AM – 12:25 PM
• Cybersecurity
   – Disclosure Rules
   – SEC Enforcement Priority
   – Audit Issues
• Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs)
• 10b5-1 Plans & Share Repurchases
   – Rules and Share Repurchases
   – New Requirements
• Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation
• Pay vs. Performance
• SEC Disclosure Considerations for China-Based Operations
• Staff Accounting Bulletins
• Staff Guidance on Materiality
• Legislative Update
• SEC Staff Comments & Trends
   – Non-GAAP Measures
   – Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Measures
   – Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A)
   – Segment Reporting
   – Risk Factors—Climate Change Matters
   – ASC 606
   – Proxy Statements

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)
• Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

Break
4:15 – 4:20 PM

Non-GAAP Measures, Metrics & Disclosures 
4:20 – 5:20 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
5:20 – 5:35 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 hear about numerous examples of enforcement situations in order to best avoid potential complications. In this session, we will cover:
• SEC Leadership & Enforcement Highlights
• Enforcement Process
• Current Enforcement Trends & Developments
  – Recent Priorities
  – Earnings and Reserves Management
  – Non-GAAP Measures
  – Internal Controls
  – Insider Trading
  – Cybersecurity
  – Electronic Communications
  – Executive Perk Transaction Disclosures
  – ESG Enforcement
  – Whistleblowers
  – SOX 304 Clawbacks

Break
10:15 – 10:20 AM

Public Company Auditing Update
10:20 – 11:20 AM
Receive updates on the most recent efforts being made by the PCAOB to protect investors and enhance audit quality for public companies. This session will cover the following areas of interest:
• Leadership & Organizational Updates
• PCAOB Inspections
   – Inspection Objectives and Approach
   – Common Deficiencies
   – Good Practice Observations
• Current Standard Setting Activities
   – Research Projects
   – Quality Control
   – Auditor Responsibilities
   – Noncompliance
   – Audit Procedures involving Technology-Assisted Analysis
• Other Current Events
   – The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (HFCAA) Regarding China

Break
11:20 – 11:25 AM

Best Practices for Dealing with Corporate Ethics & Compliance Risks
11:25 AM – 12:30 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
12:30 – 1:15 PM

Roundtable Discussion on Hot Button Issues for Public Companies
1:15 – 2:45 PM
Industry, auditing, legal and other experts will discuss how public companies are dealing with:
• Geopolitical Risk & Sanctions
• Cybersecurity & Ransomware
• Financial Reporting Best Practices
• Climate Change, De-Carbonization
• Recruiting & Developing Accounting/Finance Talents

Break
2:45 – 2:50 PM

Internal Controls—Hot Topics
2:50 – 3:50 PM
This session will provide an update on current trends associated with a company’s internal control environment 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:
• SOX Program Governance Structure
   – Lines of Defense (LOD)
   – Accountability and Communications Framework
   – Integrated Risk and Assurance
   – ESG
   – Culture and Education
• Focus Areas & Trends
   – PCAOB Inspection Themes
   – SOX Function as a Controls Advisor and Driver of Change
   – Automation in Control Activities
   – Automation in Testing
   – SOX Testing Evolution
   – Program Components and Strategies
   – Better Practices for SOX Programs

Break
3:50 – 3:55 PM

Frequently Encountered Accounting & SEC Reporting Topics
3:55 – 5:10 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:
• Non-GAAP Financial Measures
• 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 Concerns
• 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
5:10 – 5:20 PM

Conference Ends
5:20 PM