AGENDA
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 4

Noon–5:00 p.m.
REGISTRATION
 

1:00 p.m.–2:55 p.m.

Preconference Workshop I: Telco Accounting Fundamentals*
Brian  Sullivan, CPA, Vice President, JSI

As regulatory changes meet implementation within your accounting workflow, careful consideration needs to be given to matters of reporting and compliance. Intended for telco finance professionals at all levels, this workshop covers what you need to know about the recent Universal Service Reform and its effect on the work you do every day.

CPE program level: Basic
CPE field of study: Accounting
 

3:05 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

Preconference Workshop II: Federal Policy Impact on Telco Accounting*
Brian  Sullivan, CPA, Vice President, JSI

Whether you are new to the telecom industry, or you just want a refresher, this workshop provides a review of Part 32 accounting rules, regulated and non-regulated requirements in Part 64, the NECA settlement process, and current Universal Service support programs.

CPE program level: Intermediate
CPE field of study: Accounting

*Additional fee required to attend workshop
 

5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
WELCOME RECEPTION

 

The Welcome Reception is an opportunity for you relax with your colleagues and discuss the discoveries from the preconference workshops with experts, thought leaders, and industry pioneers. This is a great opportunity to make new contacts, reconnect with colleagues, and reflect on everything you've experienced over beverages and hors d’oeuvres.

MONDAY, AUGUST 5

7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
REGISTRATION
 

7:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m.
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
 

8:20 a.m.–8:30 a.m.
Opening Remarks

8:30 a.m.–9:20 a.m.

The Future-Ready Finance Leader: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There!
Tom Hood, Executive Director/Chief Executive Office, Maryland Association of CPAs + The Business Learning Institute
Recent research shows that the business environment for CPAs and accounting professionals will be characterized by “unprecedented, massive and highly accelerated change” through 2025. To thrive in this “Fourth Industrial Revolution” of hyper-change and growing uncertainty, it is imperative to learn how to better anticipate the future and move from being a crisis manager to an opportunity manager. Learn how to understand and anticipate trends and use them to find new opportunities for you and your company.

CPE program level: Basic
CPE field of study: Business Management 
 

9:20 a.m.–10:10 a.m.

Understanding the Current Market Environment 
Jeffrey E. Rakes, Senior Institutional Consultant, Wells Fargo Advisors
Presented by Riazzi Rhyne & Swaim Investment Group of Wells Fargo Advisors
Learn three constructs for understanding the economy, investments, and possible implications for portfolio construction and governance within this market.

CPE program level: Basic
CPE field of study: Finance

10:20 a.m.–11:10 a.m.

Winning USF Reform and Operational Strategies
Chad Holzer, CPA, Senior Manager, Moss Adams
As the regulatory environment continues to change, the pressure to focus on efficiency is greater than ever. Hear about strategies your company can implement today to achieve your financial and operational goals in our current regulatory reality.

CPE program level: Intermediate
CPE field of study: Specialized Knowledge

 

11:10 a.m.–Noon

Models and Forecasting: Good Input, Good Output
Mark Ellmer, Manager Revenue Requirements, JSI
Forecasts are only as good as the data inputted at the start. This session focuses on those inputs and drivers of your forecast, including inflation, changes in demand, new products and services, regulatory changes, capital investment requirements, staffing and more. Learn about tracking key performance indicators to monitor the drivers behind the projections and how your company is performing.

CPE program level: Basic
CPE field of study: Accounting
 

Noon–1:30 p.m.
LUNCHEON
 

1:30 p.m.–2:20 p.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS A

Successful Revenue Recognition Implementation
Camille Christiansen, CPA, MBA, Partner, Moss Adams
Sarah Yocum, CPA, Business Assurance Senior Manager, Moss Adams
Participate a discussion with other financial professionals about how revenue recognition standards are being adopted at other small telcos, including success stories, issues and the transactions that have a monetary impact on the financial statements.

CPE program level: Basic
CPE field of study: Accounting
 

The Importance of MOU and CABS Reconciliation
Dodie North, Consultant Analyst, GVNW
Does it seem that your minutes of use (MOU) and carrier access billing system (CABS) revenue just simply cannot get along? Are they constantly in disagreement? Are you losing your mind trying to figure out what you did wrong? This session addresses common discrepancies, provides tools to help you reconcile differences and teaches you how to have a balanced billing system month after month.

CPE program level: Intermediate
CPE field of study: Accounting
 

 

USAC High Cost Audits and Assessments
Kianna Braxton-Johnson,  Senior Manager of Audit and Assurance, USAC
Nikki-Blair Carpenter, Senior Director of Audit and Assurance, USAC
Hear from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) about their processes for High Cost Audits and PQA Assessments. They will share common findings and address some of the challenges with audit durations. Be sure to bring your questions and take advantage of this opportunity to talk directly with USAC audit staff.

CPE program level: Intermediate
CPE field of study: Auditing – Government
 

2:30 p.m.–3:20 p.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS A (repeat)

 

3:40 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS B

Balancing the Standalone Broadband Equation
Bob Gnapp, Director – Member Training & Network Analysis, NECA
As customer demand and regulatory support increase for offering standalone broadband, telcos are left with many questions about navigating the migration process. Gain some clarity on the current context around CBOL, including regulation, provisioning, billing and notification requirements.

CPE program level: Basic
CPE field of study: Specialized Knowledge
 

Business Plans for Borrowing
Robin Reed, Senior Vice President, Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative
Pursuing new business ventures takes a lot of discussions and planning internally, but when it comes to funding, you need to effectively convey your business plan externally. Hear from an industry finance cooperative about common issues and practical solutions in the loan application process to help expedite the time from concept to roll out.

CPE program level: Basic
CPE field of study: Finance
 

Hello, Good BI/EE
Telcom Insurance Group
Almost all businesses have coverage to protect tangible assets against certain perils in the event of a covered loss. You want to make sure that your current coverage is adequate to cover indirect property loss, such as loss of business income and the extra expenses associated with some claims. Learn how to determine your needs and purchase the proper coverage terms and limits for catastrophic protection to your business.

CPE program level: Basic
CPE field of study: Business Management

 

4:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
NETWORKING RECEPTION

 

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6

7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
REGISTRATION

7:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m.
Benefits Breakfast
Sally Wlasuk, Member Relations Manager, NTCA
Hear about the latest spec changes for NTCA benefits plans and an update on the My NTCA Benefits portal to administer your company’s benefits.

 

 

 

 

8:30 a.m.–9:20 a.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS B (repeat)


9:30 a.m.–10:20 a.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS C

Maximizing Excel for Rural Telcos
Jeff Lenning, Microsoft Certified Trainer, Excel University
With real-world examples, see how Excel can be used to save time and effort in various tasks faced by telco financial professionals. Full of tips, tricks and implementable solutions, this session is sure to leave you with improved reporting workflows.

CPE program level: Basic
CPE field of study: Computer Software and Applications

Loss Control and Prevention
Jessica Kaczor, CPA, Senior Accountant, Bauknight Pietras & Stormer
Lack of controls within accounting departments leaves opportunities for fraud and error. Learn about the solutions you can implement to help detect and prevent these issues before they occur, including how these controls work and what the resulting practices should look like.

CPE program level: Basic
CPE field of study: Auditing

CFOs and Controllers as Crisis Sentinels
Christine Duncan, Director – Separations, JSI
When your telco suffers a crisis or critical failure, everyone often turns to the CFO, Controller or financial manager for answers regarding both the breakdown’s cause and its possible solutions since they are the ones responsible for maintaining internal controls and protecting the telco’s financial and other key resources. This presentation addresses areas to consider when putting together a crisis response plan, including emergency finance and accounting, insurance planning, recordkeeping and other compliance requirements, and communications plans for your board, staff and customers.

CPE program level: Basic
CPE field of study: Business Management

10:40 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS C (repeat)

11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

1:00 p.m.–1:50 p.m.
Working with Excel Power Query + Power Pivot
Jeff Lenning, Microsoft Certified Trainer, Excel University
If you have heard of these tools, but aren’t exactly sure what they are or how they can incorporate into your workflow, this session is for you. Learn about what each tool does separately and how they work together to do some amazing things with accessing and transforming source data, organizing and relating multiple data tables, and writing formulas for PivotTables and PivotCharts.

CPE program level: Basic
CPE field of study: Computer Software and Applications

1:50 p.m.–2:40 p.m.
Annual Tax Update
Jason Hamilton, Director, BKD
Hear a federal tax update focused on independent telcos. This update includes new rules updates, as well as a review of the most common tax issues for the rural broadband industry.

CPE program level: Update
CPE field of study: Taxes

3:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m.
An Anything but Standard Presentation
Camille Christiansen, Partner, Moss Adams
With implementation of new leasing standards less than a year away and other accounting standards changes set to impact preparation of your 2019 financial statements, this session catches you up on all the main provisions of these changes, as well as some strategies for implementation.

CPE program level: Basic
CPE field of study: Accounting

3:50 p.m.–4:40 p.m.

CLOSING KEYNOTE: To All The Economists I've Loved Before
Anirban Basu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sage Policy Group
Learn the latest in this detailed discussion regarding, global, national and regional economic performance using the most current data available. Special attention is devoted to certain aspects of economic life, including the performance of financial, labor, real estate and construction markets.

CPE program level: Basic
CPE field of study: Economics