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The Virtual CFO Fall Series - A Complete Set


Total Credits: 40 including 12 Accounting - Technical, 4 Auditing- Technical, 4 Behavioral Ethics - Non-technical, 14 Business Management & Organization - Non-technical, 2 Communications and Marketing - Non-technical , 2 Finance - Technical, 2 Information Technology - Technical

Average Rating:
   2180
Categories:
Accounting and Auditing |  ACPEN Industry Institute |  Industry |  Personal Development |  Technology
Faculty:
Diane D. White, MBA, CPA, CMA |  Don Minges, MBA |  John Levy, MBA, CPA |  Dan Chenoweth, MBA, CPA |  John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM |  Jay Giannantonio, MS, CPA, CIA
Course Levels:
Intermediate
Duration:
8 Hours
License:
Never expires.


Description

The Virtual CFO Series - test

Is getting your required CPE every year a struggle because of distance or scheduling constraints?  Executive Education’s Virtual CFO Series allows you to get an entire year’s worth of CPE from the convenience of your home or office with a time commitment of just 100 minutes per week on Friday mornings.  

This classroom will include the following 20 courses:

 

Becoming a Great Predictor: Create Better Forecasts 

August 3, 2018    9 am CST

Imagine being able to see into the future with confidence.  The ability to be a great forecaster is not innate but learned.  By examining great forecasters, we can learn to improve our ability to predict the future.  We will examine best practices and current research to improve our ability to predict events that will affect our business. 

 

Aligning Budgets to Strategy – The Key to Long Term Profitability

August 10, 2018      9 am CST

In most organizations, strategic planning and budgeting are separate processes, making them out of alignment from their inception. This webcast explores a practical “real world” planning approach that aligns spending to long-term strategy, creates a culture of accountability and responsibility, and might actually be fun when everyone gets on board. The result will create a model and culture for your organization’s future growth and profitability. 

 

Risk Analysis and Management​

August 17, 2018     9 am CST

We have many on-going examples of companies that don’t manage risk well and don’t understand the risks they are taking.  Examples include car recalls, bank failures, oil spills, mining disasters and other crises which could have been anticipated and avoided.  A McKinsey survey of Boards of Directors reported “36% of Directors did not fully understand the major risks facing their business; an additional 24% said their board processes for overseeing risk management were ineffective, and 19 % said their boards had no processes.”  Increasingly, risk management responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of financial managers.  This seminar provides insights about Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and what our professional standards say every company must do to appropriately anticipate, manage and mitigate major risk.

 

Raising Financing:  Established Businesses with Revenue over $10 Million

August 24, 2018     9 am CST

This session reviews proven methods to raise capital for established businesses with greater than ten million in revenue and discusses new methods to raise financing such as Crowdfunding.  What are the pros, cons, and sources for each type of financing?  What do banks require when you borrow?  What do equity investors look for when analyzing making an equity investment?  What are the fundraising techniques that small enterprises commonly use that established businesses can now use?  How do you present the request for capital to increase your chances for success?  If you assist with raising capital, this material is essential. 

 

Step 1 in Change:  Understand Your Culture​ 

August 31, 2018    9 am CST

Corporate Culture is the set of rules, values and norms that define an organization’s behavior.  Culture is at its core, “the way we do things around here”.  Ultimately, culture determines not only how the organization defines success, but also how the organization accomplishes it.  Understanding corporate culture is critical to the ability of any organization to succeed.

 

Improve Your Profit: Identify Cost Cutting Opportunities

September 7, 2018      9 am CST

Could your company survive the next business downturn without a reduction in force? Discover ways to make your company more efficient and profitable so you are ready! This fast-paced session will teach you how to use performance and process improvement techniques to identify and implement cost saving operating controls and processes. Based on the principles of Finance Transformation Framework and Big 4 consulting techniques, this session will show the experienced financial manager how to make their teams more efficient and value-added then applying these lessons in their organizations.

 

Use Critical Thinking Skills to Boost Your Impact 

September 14, 2018     9 am CST

No skill is more important in business today than the ability to understand, analyze, and act on information effectively and responsibly. Finance professionals who are also savvy, sharp critical thinkers can cut through ambiguity and information overload to quickly zero in on what is really important. This session covers cognitive techniques and critical thinking tools to enhance decision-making under pressure and strengthen your impact. Years of leadership experience do not automatically provide critical thinking skills! Since even highly experienced business leaders sometimes make horrible decisions that severely damage themselves and their organizations, something more than experience must be necessary. We'll use real-life examples to examine why incompetence, bad character, or low intelligence generally aren't to blame when leaders and organizations blunder. We'll learn how finance and accounting professionals can become better critical thinkers and decision-making assets to their organization.

 

Pricing for Profitability:  How Finance Can Save The Bottom Line

September 21, 2018     9 am CST

Much has been written recently about value pricing with some authors implying that understanding your product's value is the most important and perhaps only requirement for superior profitability.  While every company should understand product value, understanding cost, competition, and capacity utilization are far more important for most organizations.

Left unchecked to "value price" products, incentive programs usually motivate sales personnel to set price at the lowest allowable number.  Finance can influence profit in a big way by getting involved in pricing.  This session will show you how.

 

Data Analysis and Management​

April 5, 2019    9 am CST

Studying financial results can tell us what business activities need improvement, but often leaves little insight into how to improve.  To improve our organization's bottom line, we must learn ways to increase revenue or decrease cost.  This comes from gaining new insights about customers, products and processes.  Learn more about how to gather, analyze and interpret non-financial data.

 

Develop Your Company's Scorecard:  Keep Success on Track

April 12, 2019      9 am CST

An introduction and overview of the Balanced Scorecard aimed at executives and financial managers who want or need to understand the principles of the Balanced Scorecard and how it works in practical terms.

 

The Rittenhouse Rankings:  Cut through Financial Reporting’s FOG

April 19, 2019     9 am CST

Accountants tend to be more interested in financial statements and footnotes than the CEO letter which accompanies the financial statements.  We like quantifiable facts and data.  Management’s discussion of results, on the other hand, is “squishy,” intangible and, arguably, not measurable.  In this seminar we will learn how to analyze management’s discussion of results to predict the organization’s long-term success or failure. 

Laura Rittenhouse developed a methodology called Rittenhouse Rankings in which she reviews all shareholder correspondence and annual reports from 100 companies.  She looks for the difference between candor and quantifiable objectives in this correspondence vs. FOGFact-deficient, Obfuscating Generalities such as clichés, jargon, hyperbole and weasel words.  The result is a “candor score” for each of the 100 company reports she analyzes annually.  She then correlates the candor scores with share performance.  Her methodology predicted the collapse of both Enron and the fall of Lehman Brothers.  Trust is the foundation for long-term business success.  Candor is the language of leaders who choose to be trusted.

 

 

Measuring and Reporting on Sustainability​

April 26, 2019     9 am CST

Accountants are ideally suited to measure sustainability efforts because we collect and analyze our organizations’ information.  Until we can adequately measure sustainability efforts and their returns in terms of time and money, many businesses will not fully embrace sustainability.  Accountants should lead efforts to report on sustainability because we have the experience and knowledge to create clear, concise and informative documents.  This session reviews the challenges in measuring and reporting sustainability efforts, discusses current best practices and provides thoughts about the future of sustainability measurement and reporting.

 

The CFO's Role in Compensation and Bonus Plans

May 3, 2019    9 am CST

For many organizations, compensation is the single most important cost category.  This webcast will discuss why the CFO must involve themselves with compensation and benefit plan design and administration.  This session will pay particular attention to bonus plans, covering plan design, administration and common plan features currently in use today.  

 

Lessons from the Playing Field:  What Sports Can Teach Accountants​

May 10, 2019      9 am CST

The Duke of Wellington is credited with saying. “The Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing-fields of Eton."  From before the 19th Century to today, sports have molded our business and professional leaders.  Sports can teach today’s accountants about many critical business issues, including strategy, culture, metrics, management, innovation, adversity and sustainability.  This session explores lessons we can all use from great, and not so great, moments in sports.  Quit feeling guilty about playing those extra nine holes or watching “March Madness”– you are learning important professional skills!

 

Communications Success:  Make Your Message Stick

May 17, 2019     9 am CST

Great ideas are only great if they are implemented.  How can you make your ideas matter to others?  Learn the six steps to make your ideas stick. 

 

 

Create a Terrific Equity Compensation Plan:  Avoid the Pitfalls!

May 31, 2019     9 am CST

Most equity compensation plans change soon after they are launched, because they fail to achieve the intended objective.  This session discusses the common pitfalls, mistakes, audit risks, potential penalties, personal risk and the numerous compliance issues involving these complex plans. Who is best qualified to value the equity grant?  Who should lead plan implementation and reporting?  Popular speaker Don Minges will discuss proven methods to resolve who should receive equity, how much they should receive, and appropriate vesting triggers.  If you want to design an equity compensation plan that works, this seminar is for you. 

 

Introvert Power, Why Quiet Leaders are So Successful​

June 7, 2019    9 am CST

Leaders were once chosen for their character, but today we live in an age where loudmouthed extroverts seem to take center stage in everything, including business, politics and entertainment.  While the talkative, charismatic leader makes the front page of business magazines, recent research shows that successful business leaders tend to be more reserved, pensive and sometimes outright shy.  Learn why your desire to spend significant time inside your own head may be your greatest asset. Whether you are introverted or not, you likely work with, manage or are a related to an introvert.  We will discuss proven methods to better understand introverts, how to manage them, and how to get the most out of their amazing talents.  If you want to enhance your leadership skills, this seminar is for you. 

 

Business Ethics Don't Exist:  The Only Ethics Rule You Need to Know​

June 14, 2019       9 am CST

Most ethics courses focus on unethical individuals and their terrible misdeeds. We don’t need another course on lessons from Enron or individuals committing fraud.  Most unethical failures result from unethical individuals.  Instead, this session will focus on how good people can do better, why there is no such thing as business ethics and why we only need one rule to lead ethical lives.

 

Devious Ethics:  Dealing with Snakes in Suits​

June 21, 2019      9 am CST

Good people believe everyone else is just like them. They cannot imagine someone could con them or their company and have no guilt or remorse about what they have done. Lack of guilt and empathy are key traits of a psychopath. Most of us envision psychopaths to be cold-blooded serial killers who are locked away in prison. However, experts estimate that 4% of corporate executives are psychopaths who may initially appear to be more normal than the rest of us. Psychopaths may present a convincing picture of virtue while helping themselves to money, status and sex while leaving a path of shattered expectations, empty wallets, and broken hearts in their wake. Learn how to recognize and deal with others who have no conscience. 

The Accountancy Board of Ohio has approved this course for 2 hours of credit towards the required Professional Standards to renew your CPA license. It does NOT qualify for new licensees.

 

Business Lessons from the Dance Floor - Leadership Secrets from Fred & Ginger

June 28, 2019     9 am CST

Every one of us can improve our leadership skills.  This session discusses timeless leadership lessons learned from a seemingly unusual place - the dance floor.  The parallels between business and dancing are striking; you need good partners, you must cooperate, someone must lead, someone must follow, you need to practice, you may step on someone else’s toes, and the leader does not have to be attractive.  This session examines what made Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, two of the most famous dancers in the world, so successful. These leadership lessons from the dance floor can help you be a more effective leader.

Join us and learn many timeless leadership lessons that successful businesses employ every day.

 

Basic Course Information

Learning Objectives
  • Learn about four topics of interest to CFOs

Major Subjects
  • Ethics
  • Business Management
  • Accounting
  • Auditing
  • Technology
  • Finance
  • Communications

Course Materials

Faculty

Diane D. White, MBA, CPA, CMA Related Seminars and Products


Diane D. WhiteMBA, CPA, CMA, is a finance and accounting executive with 39 years of control and business leadership expertise in both large and small for-profit and non-profit corporations.  She served several Fortune 50 corporations as Division Controller for 25 years before becoming a CFO for nonprofits and small businesses.  Diane recently retired as CFO of Workforce Resource, a nationwide mortgage finance service provider.  She and her husband Jim reside in Beaufort, SC where she enjoys volunteer work, teaching, consulting, writing, and a wide array of Lowcountry outdoor pleasures.


Don Minges, MBA's Profile

Don Minges, MBA Related Seminars and Products


Don Minges, MBA, is a fractional CFO who works in diverse industries at various development stages.  His expertise is in profitability enhancement, strategic planning, venture capital, mergers & acquisitions, consulting, turnarounds, economic forecasting, cost accounting and financial analysis.  Don has experience raising equity for several growing firms and has invested equity capital into promising businesses.  He has served on the Board of Directors for many firms.  He graduated with highest honors from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke.


John Levy, MBA, CPA's Profile

John Levy, MBA, CPA Related Seminars and Products


John F. Levy, MBA, CPA, is the CEO of Board Advisory Services, a consulting firm that assists public companies, or companies aspiring to be public, with corporate governance, compliance, financial reporting and financial strategies. He has nine years of experience with three large, national accounting firms and has served  as CFO of both public and private companies. John currently serves on the Board of Directors of three public companies, including as vice-chairman of one company and audit committee chair of another. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business.


Dan Chenoweth, MBA, CPA's Profile

Dan Chenoweth, MBA, CPA Related Seminars and Products


Dan Chenoweth, MBA, CPA, helps clients take their strategy to the bottom line through rigorous project management and change management techniques.  He has held executive level positions in general management, accounting and finance in a number of industries including telecommunications, printing and publishing, heavy equipment manufacturing and apparel manufacturing.  Dan lives in Loveland, Colorado and is a former Colorado Society of CPAs board member.


John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM's Profile

John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM Related Seminars and Products


John L. Daly, MBA, CPA, CMA, CPIM, is a Chelsea, Michigan-based management consultant specializing in costing, pricing strategy and pricing model development.  He has taught continuing professional education courses since 1995 and began doing ethics seminars two weeks before the Enron scandal.  John has been CFO for a Tier 1 automotive parts supplier and a large restaurant chain and COO for a window treatments manufacturer and retailer.  He is the author of "Pricing for Profitability", published by Wiley and Sons and a novel, "Tool & Die".


Jay Giannantonio, MS, CPA, CIA Related Seminars and Products


Jay Giannantonio is a management consultant with over 30 years of experience specializing in finance transformation, internal audit, fraud, risk management, process improvement and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance issues. His professional experience includes long stays at PwC/Coopers & Lybrand, Verizon/Bell Atlantic and KPMG Consulting.  Most recently, he was Vice President – Internal Audit for a $1B commercial equipment rental and sales company.  Jay lives in Boca Raton, Florida.


Additional Info

Basic Course Information

Prerequisites None
Advanced Preparation None
Designed For All CPAs
Original Recording Date 08/03/2018
Yellow Book No
Course Developer Executive Education, Inc.
Date Added to Catalog 07/05/2018

Additional Information

Complaint Resolution Policy Please contact Anne Taylor for any complaints. anne.taylor@acpen.com, (972-377-8199).
Official Registry Statement Business Professionals' Network, Inc. is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org
Instructional Delivery Method Group Internet Based
Course Registration Requirements Online Registration
Refund/Cancellation Policy Please contact the ACPEN help desk 1-877-602-9877 or help@acpen.com if you wish to cancel your attendance for a previously purchased webcast and are requesting a refund or transfer.

Reviews

5
4
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Overall:      4

Total Reviews: 2180

Comments

Robert L - Mount Clemens, Michigan

"Very good"

Dean M - Fargo, North Dakota

"Nice job Jay."

Anthony G

"Excellent presenter with great examples and quotes"

Lynne W

"The speaker had good examples. "

Claire G - Horsham, Pennsylvania

"I loved the format of the webinar. I liked the back and forth instead of being lectured to"

Carrie L

"Thank you."

Tina M - Sidney, Montana

"This was amazing! I am at a non-profit hospital and valued the content of this presentation. Would love to have our leaders listen to this message."

Deborah G

"Very helpful for working with my budgeting process"

Joseph T

"Very good course and information. "

Jesse K

"Great course!"