Governmental Accounting and Auditing Conference (VIRTUAL)

Presented by: Alan Skelton - Director, Research and Technical Activities at the Governmental Accounting Standards Board

Tony Boras,CPA – Partner at Crowe LLP

GASB update will provide an overview of new standards issued and projects in the works. We will also explain our response to resource shortages and large workloads within government environment.

This session is available to registrants only.

Presented by: Philip Marciano, CPA, CGFM - Partner at Citrin Cooperman

In this session, we will focus on common findings of peer reviewers and other oversight agencies regarding single audit documentation. I will review common errors in documenting risk assessment, major program determination, sampling, and documentation of tests of compliance and controls and give best practice tips and recommendations.

This session is available to registrants only.

Presented by: George Rafael - Associate Deputy Director at the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities

While the state’s fiscal situation has improved markedly in recent years, challenges remain. Municipalities face their own challenges in dealing with rising costs and limited funding options. The uncertainty in Washington only adds to these concerns. All of this against a backdrop of an ever-changing economy. This session will provide some insight into where things stand, where they are headed, and the impact on Connecticut and its towns and cities.

This session is available to registrants only.

Presented by: Jonathan T. Marks, CPA, CFF, CITP, CGMA, CFE, MBA, & NACD Board Fellow - Principal, Forensics - Legal, Monitorships & Investigations at BDO

Sly Atayee - Director, Forensics at BDO

This presentation examines the twofold nature of governmental fraud, highlighting both internal ethical challenges and external threats. It emphasizes the importance of implementing a strong ethics framework and well-designed internal controls to address these issues effectively. The discussion will integrate traditional frameworks like the Fraud Triangle and advanced theories such as the Fraud Pentagon, alongside insights from behavioral science, to offer a comprehensive understanding of fraud dynamics. Additionally, it will focus on strengthening systems to efficiently identify and mitigate fraud risks.

Key Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1.  Identify Internal Ethical Challenges and External Fraud Risks – Understand the dual nature of fraud in governmental settings, recognizing both internal ethical dilemmas and external threats such as false checks and fabricated documents.
2.  Analyze Root Causes of Fraudulent Behavior – Use fraud risk management frameworks to evaluate the pressures, opportunities, and rationalizations behind fraud attempts.
3.  Evaluate the Role of Organizational Culture in Preventing Fraud – Recognize how leadership and municipal values influence ethical behavior and decision-making, and how they can be leveraged to prevent fraud.
4.  Strengthen Internal Controls and Compliance Programs – Identify gaps in governmental compliance efforts and understand how robust enforcement, monitoring, and accountability can enhance fraud detection and prevention.
5.  Enhance Collaboration and Communication for Fraud Prevention – Foster interdepartmental collaboration and open communication channels to ensure timely sharing of information and coordinated efforts in detecting and responding to fraud attempts.

This session is available to registrants only.

Presented by: Alan Skelton - Director, Research and Technical Activities at the Governmental Accounting Standards Board

Tony Boras,CPA – Partner at Crowe LLP

Join us for an in-depth exploration of GASB Statement No. 101, focusing on the intricacies of compensated absences. This session will provide a thorough understanding of the new requirements, featuring various examples and audit considerations. Attendees will gain valuable insights and practical assistance to help governments and auditors implement and apply the new standard effectively.

This session is available to registrants only.

Presented by: Suma Chander - Partner at PKF O’Connor Davies Advisory LLC

Key Topics & Talking Points
1. The AI Revolution in Accounting & Audit
• State of AI Today: Overview of how AI is disrupting industries, including finance and accounting.
• Generative AI & Large Language Models: What they can do now and their growing role in tax, audit, and advisory services.
• The Shift from Automation to Autonomy: How AI is moving beyond simple automation (RPA) to Agentive AI, which autonomously analyzes, makes decisions, and executes workflows.

2. Understanding Agentive AI & Its Role in Workflows
• What Is Agentive AI? 
   *Unlike RPA or traditional AI, Agentive AI can act with minimal human input.
   *Example: AI agents that proactively manage compliance, detect fraud, and even communicate findings to clients.
• Agentive AI vs. AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) 
   *We are still far from AGI (human-level intelligence), but agentic workflows are already transforming accounting.
   *AI can now take on multi-step processes—learning, reasoning, and adjusting based on feedback.

3. How AI Is Transforming the Accounting Workflow
• AI-Powered Audits: 
   *Continuous auditing with AI instead of periodic audits.
   *AI for fraud detection and anomaly detection in real-time.
   *AI-enhanced risk assessment—shifting from sample-based audits to full-population analysis.
• AI in Tax & Compliance: 
   *AI agents scanning regulations and preemptively alerting firms on potential compliance risks.
   *Automated preparation of tax returns with AI-generated insights.
• AI in Advisory & Decision Support: 
   *AI agents analyzing financial data and autonomously preparing reports, insights, and forecasts.
   *Client advisory services being AI-augmented, not just AI-assisted.

4. The Competitive Landscape: Who Is Leading AI in Accounting?
• Big Four AI Strategies: Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG are investing billions in AI-driven accounting tools.
• AI-First Accounting Startups: Companies like Vic.ai, Botkeeper, and MindBridge AI are pioneering AI-based bookkeeping and audits.
• How Small & Mid-Sized Firms Can Compete: Leveraging AI workflows without massive IT budgets.

5. What CPAs & Auditors Need to Do to Stay Relevant
• AI Won’t Replace CPAs—CPAs Who Use AI Will Replace Those Who Don’t.
• Develop AI Fluency: CPAs must understand how to leverage AI tools in daily work.
• Shift to an AI-Augmented Role: 
   *Less manual reconciliation, more advisory, interpretation, and risk consulting.
   *Example: AI flags financial risks, but CPAs provide the strategic context.

6. Future of AI in Accounting: What’s Next?
• Hyper-Personalized AI for Every CPA: AI agents that learn individual accounting styles and automate tasks uniquely.
• Voice-Powered Accounting Assistants: AI that responds in real-time to verbal commands and financial queries.
• AI in M&A, Forensic Accounting, and ESG Reporting: Expanding AI’s role in strategic finance & sustainability compliance.

This session is available to registrants only.