Annual Members Convention Agenda

Thursday, May 29

1:30 p.m.	Convention Kick Off Robert P. Torretta, CPA, MSCPA Chair of the Board; Consultant, Huber, Ring, Helm & Co., P.C., O’Fallon, Mo. Jim O’Hallaron, CAE, MSCPA President & CEO, St. Louis, Mo.
1:45 p.m.	CPE: Current Issues in the Profession & the Impact on Your Business Ernie Almonte, CPA, AICPA Vice Chair Rhode Island Auditor General, North Scituate, RI This dynamic session will focus on the latest developments impacting the CPA profession. Leave this discussion with the guidance necessary to manage these opportunities as well as the strategies necessary to overcome the challenges. As AICPA Vice Chair, Ernie speaks around the country and hears from CPAs from all disciplines.
3:15 p.m.	CPE: The Realities of the Economy & the Challenges Ahead Chris Kuehl, Ph.D., Managing Director Armada Corporate Intelligence, Kansas City This thought-provoking session will be an open discussion and a forecast of things to come in the United States and global economy. Dr. Kuehl will address issues such as recession, joblessness, consumer attitudes, the Fed, the weak dollar, credit crisis, housing, growth prospects and many others. Come prepared with your questions—active participation is encouraged! Dr. Kuehl is author of MSCPA’s captivating Business Intelligence Brief, a daily quick-read update and analysis of the news that may affect you and your business!
5:30 p.m.	Networking Reception Network with your colleagues, discuss the latest profession news, and kick off the 2008 Annual Members Convention in a fun, social atmosphere!
8:30 p.m.	Chairman's Hospitality Suite

Friday, May 30

7:30 a.m.	Registration and Breakfast
8:30 a.m.	Annual Meeting of Members Along with traditional society business, MSCPA Chair Bob Torretta and President Jim O’Hallaron will present the latest trends within the profession and the society.
9:30 a.m.	CPE: Active Ethics—How Doing the Right Thing Helps Everyone* Ron Klein, J.D., CFE, Vice President of Claims Counsel CAMICO Mutual Insurance Company, Redwood City, CA CPAs are put into positions or situations every single day where ethical behavior is tested. Attend this session and learn to understand active ethics and how it is applied, while discussing the expectations others may have of you—parents, children, the jury. Come prepared to hear the successes and failures of real-life ‘war stories’ and common applications for CPAs! Ron has seen more than 4,000 professional liability claims during his tenure at CAMICO and is co-author of A CPA’s Guide to Effective Engagement Letters, 7th Edition, published by CCH.
11:30 a.m.	LEAP Recognition Luncheon Enjoy this opportunity to recognize the leaders in the profession, award scholarships to the best and brightest accounting students, and honor contributors to the LEAP initiative.
1:30 p.m.	LEAP Challenge Championship Come watch today’s brightest college students test their accounting savvy and compete against each other for scholarships and other great prizes. These seven teams won each of their local area LEAP Challenges in February. Of the 17 original teams, these seven earned the opportunity to compete at this exciting event. This is a great opportunity to see the new CPA exam questions showcased. Competing Teams: Missouri Western State University (Northwest area) Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest area) University of Central Missouri (Kansas City area) Truman State University (Central area) Drury University (Southwest area) Southeast Missouri State University (Southeast area) *Missouri Baptist University(St. Louis area)
3:15 p.m.	CPE: Positioning Your Organization for Excellence Greg Conderacci, Founder of Good Ground Consulting, Baltimore, MD Jim Collins’ book Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap—And Others Don’t is a perennial business best seller. In it, he outlines a strategic approach to building great organizations based on the principles of America’s most companies. Attend this session and learn how you can apply these principles to your organization every day and make that leap! Greg speaks across the country and will be back in Missouri on December 3, 2008, presenting this same session as eight-hour program Applying the Lessons of “Good to Great” to your Organization.
5:30 p.m.	Members' Dinner & Entertainment With a great view of the Lake, members and their families gather to socialize, enjoy great food, and relax at this popular Convention highlight.
8:00 p.m.	Chairman's Hospitality Suite

Saturday, May 31

7:30 a.m.

Registration and Breakfast

8:30 a.m.

CPE: What’s Hot? A Federal & State Tax Update for Missouri CPAs
Lance G. Weiss, CPA, CVA, Partner,
Shapiro Flom & Company LLC, St. Louis, MO
During this insightful session, you will obtain a comprehensive review of tax law changes, and learn how they will affect your clients or your business. You will also discuss key issues including the pitfalls of bonus depreciation, like kind exchanges with personal property, S Corp audit activity and much, much more!
Lance has taught many years for the MSCPA, as well as several other state CPA societies across the country. His areas of expertise are in the fields of taxation, including tax compliance, business valuation and more!