DAY ONE AGENDA

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

Top Priorities for CFOs & Finance Leaders
9:00 – 10:00 AM
Many finance leaders continue to face significant external headwinds, including global economic uncertainty, inflation, and supply chain disruptions. This has driven the need for finance organizations to transform to become more agile and resilient to enable risk mitigation and support business performance. This session will include discussion on identifying the top priorities for CFOs and finance leaders, utilizing Generative AI, and how finance teams are progressing in cost optimization. 

Break
10:00 – 10:05 AM

AI for Finance
10:05 – 11:20 AM
Finance professionals are now being challenged to reimagine their work for an AI-powered future. Substantial value lies in the intersection of data, artificial intelligence, and intelligent automation, rather than applying them in isolation. This session will provide an up-to-date outline of AI and its applications in Finance and Accounting.  

Break
11:20 – 11:25 AM

Working Capital & Treasury Management
11:25 AM – 12:25 PM
This session will explore recent strategies that companies are using to manage their cash and treasury operations. Participants will be brought up-to-speed on the latest methods for maximizing returns in a turbulent economic market, via a discussion of:
• Primary treasury functions
• Visibility and cash forecast
• Business analytics
• Timely and accurate information

Lunch
12:25 – 1:10 PM

A New Era of Cybersecurity Accountability 
1:10 – 2:10 PM
Since the threats posed by cyberattacks continue to evolve, companies must remain vigilant and make sure that their cybersecurity and ransomware defense remains updated, capable, and efficient. This session will focus on:
• The CFO-CISO partnership and collaboration
• Evolving regulatory requirements
• Compliance risks
• New SEC cyber regulations and financial reporting requirements
• SEC inquiries
• Risk governance

Break
2:10 – 2:15 PM

Finance Leadership in Sustainability
2:15 – 3:15 PM
Today’s CFO and finance functions can’t ignore the topic of sustainability. Too many relevant stakeholders want measurable progress and accurate reporting, In fact, the CFO function and all finance professionals have a significant opportunity to lead their organizations to greater success in this area. This session will cover:
• The state of sustainability programs and reporting
• Regulatory review
• Treasury and FP&A considerations
• ESG controllership
• Internal control considerations and assurance
• Sustainability governance

Break
3:15 – 3:20 PM

The Latest in Finance Business Process Outsourcing/Insourcing
3:20 – 4:35 PM
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 key benefits and risks, to the range of options available. We will also look at the key aspects of the Global Business Services Model (GBS) journey, including key terminology and approaches.

Closing Remarks
4:35 – 4:45 PM

DAY TWO AGENDA

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

Integrated Business Planning
9:00 – 10:00 AM
We will discuss the core foundational elements of Integrated Business Planning (IBP). We will also talk about why companies are moving to this methodology and some of the key impacts and outputs. Additionally, we will touch upon some of the challenges for companies as they implement IBP. Specifically, we will address how it is helping them to manage their risks and navigate their profitability in this complex environment.

Break
10:00 – 10:05 AM

AI in Business Forecasting
10:05 – 11:05 AM
Finance departments are being challenged to reimagine finance for an AI-powered future. Integrating AI into forecasting has become essential for companies to process and analyze vast amounts of data as they prepare for the future. This session will cover important areas of interest such as:
• Top priorities of finance leaders
• Data and manual processes
• Finance becoming a data-centric function
• Evolution of roles and cultural changes
• Making effective GenAI use cases

Break
11:05 – 11:10 AM

FP&A is Everyone's Business
11:10 AM – 12:10 PM
Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) has become important across all levels and departments of an organization. This is now ultimately leading towards more shared responsibility, cross-functional collaboration, transparency, and accountability. In this session we will discuss:
• Creating a data-driven culture
• The benefits of financial insight
• Common challenges and how to overcome them
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Forecast accuracy
• Strategic alignment
• Empowering employees

Lunch
12:10 – 12:55 PM

Corporate Planning & Budgeting at IBM
12:55 – 2:25 PM
IBM’s Assistant Controller, Andrés Jalfen, joins us to discuss how IBM goes about creating their planning and budgeting strategies. In this session, we will discuss the ways in which IBM continues to reshape how businesses operate and remain committed towards long-term growth. He will also cover:
• IBM’s business and financial model
• Revenue accelerators to enable sustainable growth
• Planning cycles
• Adoption of AI
• The finance transformation journey
• Consulting market analysis

Break
2:25 – 2:30 PM

Financial Statement Analysis & the Role of AI
2:30 – 4:00 PM
The role of artificial intelligence in financial statement analysis is rapidly growing as AI technologies become more advanced. By leveraging AI, companies, analysts, and investors can enhance their decision-making process and improve accuracy. This session provides an in-depth look at how AI is transforming financial statement analysis and will also include:
• Automating data processing and analysis
• Enhanced financial forecasting and projections
• Identifying financial risks and anomalies
• Automating financial ratio calculations and KPIs
• Improving financial decision-making
• Enhancing auditing and internal controls

Break
4:00 – 4:05 PM

Pricing Strategies Masterclass: Aligning Finance, Value & Competitive Advantage
4:05 – 5:05 PM
This unique session is designed to equip business leaders and financial professionals with a strategic understanding of pricing. We will discuss how proper pricing knowledge can drive profitability, communicate value, and reinforce competitive positioning. We will also go over: 
• Different types of pricing strategies
• Aligning pricing with financial goals
• Understanding and communicating value
• Competitor-based pricing considerations
• Psychological pricing tactics

Closing Remarks
5:05 – 5:15 PM

Conference Ends
5:15 PM

Ali Ashiqali, Director, Business Performance Improvement, Protiviti

Kerry Buchar, Managing Director, Protiviti

Tim Bulman, Managing Director, Protiviti

Neal Eisenberg, Director, Protiviti

Nicholas Folan, Manager, Technology Consulting, EY

Joe Freeman, Senior Manager, AI & Data Consulting EY

Robert Hirth, Consultant, Protiviti

Andrés Jalfen, Assistant Controller, Strategy & Budgets, IBM

Lauren A. Klosterhoff, Director of Self-Study Operations, CPE Inc.

Phil Owusu, Founder & CEO, Finance Powerhouse, LLC

Brian Richman, Senior Manager, Business Performance Improvement, Protiviti

Charles G. Soranno, Managing Director, Protiviti

David Taylor, Managing Director, Protiviti

Andrea Vardaro Thomas, Managing Director, Protiviti

Chris Wright, Managing Director, Protiviti

DAY ONE AGENDA

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

Top Priorities for CFOs & Finance Leaders
9:00 – 10:00 AM
Many finance leaders continue to face significant external headwinds, including global economic uncertainty, inflation, and supply chain disruptions. This has driven the need for finance organizations to transform to become more agile and resilient to enable risk mitigation and support business performance. This session will include discussion on identifying the top priorities for CFOs and finance leaders, utilizing Generative AI, and how finance teams are progressing in cost optimization. 

Break
10:00 – 10:05 AM

AI for Finance
10:05 – 11:20 AM
Finance professionals are now being challenged to reimagine their work for an AI-powered future. Substantial value lies in the intersection of data, artificial intelligence, and intelligent automation, rather than applying them in isolation. This session will provide an up-to-date outline of AI and its applications in Finance and Accounting.  

Break
11:20 – 11:25 AM

Working Capital & Treasury Management
11:25 AM – 12:25 PM
This session will explore recent strategies that companies are using to manage their cash and treasury operations. Participants will be brought up-to-speed on the latest methods for maximizing returns in a turbulent economic market, via a discussion of:
• Primary treasury functions
• Visibility and cash forecast
• Business analytics
• Timely and accurate information

Lunch
12:25 – 1:10 PM

A New Era of Cybersecurity Accountability 
1:10 – 2:10 PM
Since the threats posed by cyberattacks continue to evolve, companies must remain vigilant and make sure that their cybersecurity and ransomware defense remains updated, capable, and efficient. This session will focus on:
• The CFO-CISO partnership and collaboration
• Evolving regulatory requirements
• Compliance risks
• New SEC cyber regulations and financial reporting requirements
• SEC inquiries
• Risk governance

Break
2:10 – 2:15 PM

Finance Leadership in Sustainability
2:15 – 3:15 PM
Today’s CFO and finance functions can’t ignore the topic of sustainability. Too many relevant stakeholders want measurable progress and accurate reporting, In fact, the CFO function and all finance professionals have a significant opportunity to lead their organizations to greater success in this area. This session will cover:
• The state of sustainability programs and reporting
• Regulatory review
• Treasury and FP&A considerations
• ESG controllership
• Internal control considerations and assurance
• Sustainability governance

Break
3:15 – 3:20 PM

The Latest in Finance Business Process Outsourcing/Insourcing
3:20 – 4:35 PM
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 key benefits and risks, to the range of options available. We will also look at the key aspects of the Global Business Services Model (GBS) journey, including key terminology and approaches.

Closing Remarks
4:35 – 4:45 PM

DAY TWO AGENDA

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

Integrated Business Planning
9:00 – 10:00 AM
We will discuss the core foundational elements of Integrated Business Planning (IBP). We will also talk about why companies are moving to this methodology and some of the key impacts and outputs. Additionally, we will touch upon some of the challenges for companies as they implement IBP. Specifically, we will address how it is helping them to manage their risks and navigate their profitability in this complex environment.

Break
10:00 – 10:05 AM

AI in Business Forecasting
10:05 – 11:05 AM
Finance departments are being challenged to reimagine finance for an AI-powered future. Integrating AI into forecasting has become essential for companies to process and analyze vast amounts of data as they prepare for the future. This session will cover important areas of interest such as:
• Top priorities of finance leaders
• Data and manual processes
• Finance becoming a data-centric function
• Evolution of roles and cultural changes
• Making effective GenAI use cases

Break
11:05 – 11:10 AM

FP&A is Everyone's Business
11:10 AM – 12:10 PM
Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) has become important across all levels and departments of an organization. This is now ultimately leading towards more shared responsibility, cross-functional collaboration, transparency, and accountability. In this session we will discuss:
• Creating a data-driven culture
• The benefits of financial insight
• Common challenges and how to overcome them
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Forecast accuracy
• Strategic alignment
• Empowering employees

Lunch
12:10 – 12:55 PM

Corporate Planning & Budgeting at IBM
12:55 – 2:25 PM
IBM’s Assistant Controller, Andrés Jalfen, joins us to discuss how IBM goes about creating their planning and budgeting strategies. In this session, we will discuss the ways in which IBM continues to reshape how businesses operate and remain committed towards long-term growth. He will also cover:
• IBM’s business and financial model
• Revenue accelerators to enable sustainable growth
• Planning cycles
• Adoption of AI
• The finance transformation journey
• Consulting market analysis

Break
2:25 – 2:30 PM

Financial Statement Analysis & the Role of AI
2:30 – 4:00 PM
The role of artificial intelligence in financial statement analysis is rapidly growing as AI technologies become more advanced. By leveraging AI, companies, analysts, and investors can enhance their decision-making process and improve accuracy. This session provides an in-depth look at how AI is transforming financial statement analysis and will also include:
• Automating data processing and analysis
• Enhanced financial forecasting and projections
• Identifying financial risks and anomalies
• Automating financial ratio calculations and KPIs
• Improving financial decision-making
• Enhancing auditing and internal controls

Break
4:00 – 4:05 PM

Pricing Strategies Masterclass: Aligning Finance, Value & Competitive Advantage
4:05 – 5:05 PM
This unique session is designed to equip business leaders and financial professionals with a strategic understanding of pricing. We will discuss how proper pricing knowledge can drive profitability, communicate value, and reinforce competitive positioning. We will also go over: 
• Different types of pricing strategies
• Aligning pricing with financial goals
• Understanding and communicating value
• Competitor-based pricing considerations
• Psychological pricing tactics

Closing Remarks
5:05 – 5:15 PM

Conference Ends
5:15 PM

Ali Ashiqali, Director, Business Performance Improvement, Protiviti

Kerry Buchar, Managing Director, Protiviti

Tim Bulman, Managing Director, Protiviti

Neal Eisenberg, Director, Protiviti

Nicholas Folan, Manager, Technology Consulting, EY

Joe Freeman, Senior Manager, AI & Data Consulting EY

Robert Hirth, Consultant, Protiviti

Andrés Jalfen, Assistant Controller, Strategy & Budgets, IBM

Lauren A. Klosterhoff, Director of Self-Study Operations, CPE Inc.

Phil Owusu, Founder & CEO, Finance Powerhouse, LLC

Brian Richman, Senior Manager, Business Performance Improvement, Protiviti

Charles G. Soranno, Managing Director, Protiviti

David Taylor, Managing Director, Protiviti

Andrea Vardaro Thomas, Managing Director, Protiviti

Chris Wright, Managing Director, Protiviti

• Understand the evolving role of finance professionals in a technology-driven environment

• Identify how Generative AI (GenAI) supports efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation in finance

• Explain how data quality and process analysis contribute to GenAI readiness

• Recognize key use cases of GenAI in FP&A, controllership, audit, tax, and treasury

• Distinguish between AI functions such as translation, classification, anomaly detection, and recommendation

• Describe the characteristics of scalable GenAI use cases

• Evaluate the integration of GenAI into finance dashboards and business intelligence platforms

• Apply AI to reduce cycle times in finance processes like order-to-cash and record-to-report

• Assess risks and benefits of AI implementation in investor relations and internal audit

• Identify the layers required to build a scalable AI architecture, including metadata integration

• Understand how finance can act as a strategic partner in sustainability and ESG reporting

• Outline the CFO’s role in aligning finance with long-term sustainability goals

• Evaluate the financial reporting implications of ESG-linked loans and green bonds

• Describe how internal controls apply to sustainability reporting (ICSR)

• Recognize the impact of regulatory changes on ESG data collection and disclosures

• Define best practices for cybersecurity governance involving both CFO and CISO roles

• Identify the SEC’s disclosure requirements for material cybersecurity incidents under Forms 8-K and 10-K

• Understand the definition of a cybersecurity incident per the SEC

• Apply governance strategies to ensure accurate cybersecurity-related disclosures

• Recognize the importance of tabletop exercises for improving incident response preparedness

• Describe the strategic benefits of business process outsourcing (BPO) and global business services (GBS)

• Distinguish between different BPO transition models such as “Lift and Shift” and “Fix then Lift”

• Identify key risks and mitigation strategies in outsourcing finance operations

• Evaluate service level agreements (SLAs) as performance management tools in BPO

• Understand how integrated GBS models deliver cost savings, process efficiency, and quality improvements

• Recognize treasury transformation opportunities through ERP integration and data automation

• Identify analytics use cases across financial risk, cost of capital, and banking cost management

• Explain how long- and short-term cash forecasting support strategic planning

• Describe “must-have” capabilities for modern treasury decision-making

• Evaluate finance’s contribution to profitability through cost optimization and process reengineering

• Identify the core components of an Integrated Business Planning (IBP) framework

• Explain how IBP aligns strategic, operational, and financial plans

• Recognize the roles of demand, supply, and product management reviews in IBP

• Describe how cross-functional reconciliation drives consensus in planning cycles

• Evaluate the impact of macroeconomic factors on corporate planning

• Understand how scenario planning supports risk management and agility

• Differentiate between strategy, execution, and budget cycles in corporate planning

• Describe how IBM deploys targets across geographies and business units

• Identify how predictive analytics enhance P&L forecasting

• Recognize the role of real-time data in improving financial forecasts

• Explain how AI transforms financial reporting and forecasting processes

• Understand how AI-based anomaly detection identifies financial risks

• Define how risk assessment models benchmark performance against industry norms

• Identify key challenges to AI adoption in finance functions

• Recognize the benefits of data democratization in AI-enabled environments

• Understand the function and value of knowledge graphs in financial analysis

• Evaluate the role of embedded finance partners in cross-functional decision-making

• Describe how FP&A enables informed business decisions across departments

• Recognize how financial literacy empowers teams in performance management

• Explain how collaborative forecasting improves accuracy and accountability

• Identify how financial insights influence marketing, sales, and operations

• Understand the goals of IBM’s AI-driven transformation in planning

• Identify automation opportunities such as journal automation and cognitive contracts

• Describe the role of strategic alignment in linking financial and business goals

• Evaluate pricing strategies in terms of value perception and financial outcomes

• Recognize common pricing missteps and their effects on profitability

• Understand how psychological pricing influences customer behavior

• Describe how AI delivers real-time financial insights through smart dashboards

• Explain the importance of aligning pricing strategy with long-term margin goals

• Identify the risks of over-discounting and its impact on brand value