Multi-State Technology Virtual Conference
Begins: Ends:
Virtual
16.00 Credits
Member Price $659.00
Non-Member Price $759.00
Overview
You could pay $0 for this course!This course qualifies for reimbursement through the State Workforce Training Express Fund. Firms/companies with fewer than 100 staff will receive 100% of the cost of training reimbursed. You must register for this course and apply for reimbursement through the Workforce Training Express Fund website a minimum of three weeks before the start date of the course to be eligible (By October 21st). The course code for this program is C-2969. To learn more click here or contact Julia Ekelund at jekelund@mscpaonline.org.
The Technology Conference offers up to sixteen hours of fast-paced presentations to make you more productive, efficient, and effective when using technology. K2 Enterprise's nationally recognized speakers provide you with practical solutions to the real-world issues accounting, financial, and other business professionals face. In addition, you will receive helpful tips and advanced techniques, along with the tools and skills necessary to keep up with the ever-increasing pace of changes in technology.
Prerequisites
Designed For
Objectives
Monday, November 11
General Session
- K2's Tech Update
Keeping pace with technology has never been more crucial, and K2’s Tech Update is your key to staying informed and ahead. This comprehensive session is tailored for accounting professionals seeking to understand the landscape of technological advancements. You will gain insights into the latest developments and how they impact the accounting sector. Our expert-led program will delve into the newest Software and Hardware innovations, the evolving role of AI and machine learning in accounting, and the burgeoning impact of technologies like quantum computing and blockchain. This course guides you through the advantages and challenges of these technologies and helps you craft a technology strategy that aligns with your business goals.
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Break
This session is available to registrants only.
Breakout Session
- K2's Getting Started With Artifical Intellience
Steve Yoss, K2 EnterprisesSteve Yoss
Stephen M. Yoss, Jr., CPA, MS is a certified public accountant, the partner, and principal of Devmatics, LLC, a continuing education instructor for financial professionals, and a licensed pyrotechnician. While his interests and skills are varied, they all share a common thread—his love for and skill in finding technology-based solutions.
Much has been written and said about Artificial Intelligence (AI). But for many professionals, AI remains an enigma because they do not know how to get started using tools such as Bard, ChatGPT, and Copilot. If that describes your situation, relax because help is here!
Participate in K2’s Getting Started With Artificial Intelligence to learn to use today’s AI tools. This session will teach you how to access and use multiple popular AI tools to improve efficiency and productivity. If you are starting with AI, this is one session you cannot miss!
This session is available to registrants only.
- K2's Office Scripts - The New Marcos
Mac McClelland, K2 EnterprisesMac McClelland
Mac McClelland, an attorney and accounting professional, is an associate of K2 Enterprises of Hammond, Louisiana, and Network Management Group of Hutchinson, Kansas.
Mac was formerly the director of the Centre for Financial Studies at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, where he lived and worked for seven years from 1990 to 1997. He was also a member of the faculty of the Advanced Business Programme, ranked in the top 100 MBA programs in the world by The Economist, specializing in business strategy and strategic management accounting.
He gained his practical experience in information systems with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and has an established practice in business and technology consulting. Mac has taught hundreds of continuing professional education seminars to accountants and business managers in the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Southeast Asia. His presentations are highly rated, and he has won several awards for teaching excellence.
Mac has been published in leading business and practitioner journals, including Tax Ideas, Computers in Accounting, Journal of Accounting Education, Chartered Accountants Journal of New Zealand, and the top-rated Journal of Accounting Research.
Office Scripts is a new feature that allows you to automate tasks in Excel and other Office applications. Unlike VBA, a legacy language that runs only on Windows, Office Scripts can run on any platform and device that supports Office on the web. Further, Office Scripts has a modern and intuitive interface that lets you easily create, edit, and share your scripts. Office Scripts are stored in the Cloud, and they work with Office Online apps and integrate with Power Automate for process automation. Save time and improve productivity using Office Scripts in Excel and other Office applications.
This session is available to registrants only.
- K2's The ABC's Of Automation With Microsoft's Power Platform
Randy Johnston, K2 EnterprisesRandy Johnston
Randy Johnston is a nationally recognized educator, consultant, and writer with over 30 years experience in Strategic Technology Planning, Systems and Network Integration, Accounting Software Selection, Business Development and Management, Disaster Recovery and Contingency Planning, and Process Engineering.
Automation and standardization are two of the keys to productivity, but most people who are not programmers are unsure where to start. Microsoft’s Power Platform is a comprehensive platform for creating automated workflows, integrations, and data-driven reports. Components include Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, Power Pages, and Power Virtual Agents. Attend this session to learn about this platform and how everyone can use its low-code, no-code environment to solve process challenges.
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Lunch
This session is available to registrants only.
Breakout Session
- K2's Accessing Your Company's Data With Power Query And Power BI
Mac McClelland, K2 EnterprisesMac McClelland
Mac McClelland, an attorney and accounting professional, is an associate of K2 Enterprises of Hammond, Louisiana, and Network Management Group of Hutchinson, Kansas.
Mac was formerly the director of the Centre for Financial Studies at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, where he lived and worked for seven years from 1990 to 1997. He was also a member of the faculty of the Advanced Business Programme, ranked in the top 100 MBA programs in the world by The Economist, specializing in business strategy and strategic management accounting.
He gained his practical experience in information systems with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and has an established practice in business and technology consulting. Mac has taught hundreds of continuing professional education seminars to accountants and business managers in the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Southeast Asia. His presentations are highly rated, and he has won several awards for teaching excellence.
Mac has been published in leading business and practitioner journals, including Tax Ideas, Computers in Accounting, Journal of Accounting Education, Chartered Accountants Journal of New Zealand, and the top-rated Journal of Accounting Research.
Power Query and Power BI are genuinely incredible tools to revolutionize your workflow. They offer the promise of “write once, refresh many” reporting, where your reports can instantly update by clicking a button. While incredible tools, these features require additional training and experience to master. This course series will review the different methods of connecting to your data and have multiple hands-on activities to help you master these incredible tools. After completing this session, you will know how to turn your organization’s data into repeatable, refreshable PivotTables, Power BI dashboards, and more!
This session is available to registrants only.
- K2's CPA Firm Technology And Management Update
Randy Johnston, K2 EnterprisesRandy Johnston
Randy Johnston is a nationally recognized educator, consultant, and writer with over 30 years experience in Strategic Technology Planning, Systems and Network Integration, Accounting Software Selection, Business Development and Management, Disaster Recovery and Contingency Planning, and Process Engineering.
In the ever-evolving landscape of public practice accounting, K2’s CPA Firm Technology and Management Update stands as a beacon of knowledge and innovation. This year’s session delves into the latest advancements in technology and management strategies. We will also explore cutting-edge developments in data analytics, cybersecurity, practice management, and client service excellence in a highly competitive market. We will examine technologies like AI-enhanced auditing, blockchain in finance, and the latest in Cloud computing and automation. This session provides a comprehensive overview of significant trends, helping you make informed decisions for your firm’s current and future technological and managerial needs.
This session is available to registrants and their guests
- K2's What's Now, What's Next: Emerging Technologies
Steve Yoss, K2 EnterprisesSteve Yoss
Stephen M. Yoss, Jr., CPA, MS is a certified public accountant, the partner, and principal of Devmatics, LLC, a continuing education instructor for financial professionals, and a licensed pyrotechnician. While his interests and skills are varied, they all share a common thread—his love for and skill in finding technology-based solutions.
The Internet, Cloud-based applications, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, generative artificial intelligence, and software as a service were all revolutionary in their time. Still, many more technologies are in the pipeline and will change how we work, play, and experience life. This session will begin with an update on some of the technologies highlighted in our first session on this topic in 2018 and will continue with a discussion of the innovations to come in 2024 and beyond. Attend this session and learn about innovative technologies shaping our world today and those that will change it in the future.
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Break
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- K2's Excel Best Practices And Features
Mac McClelland, K2 EnterprisesMac McClelland
Mac McClelland, an attorney and accounting professional, is an associate of K2 Enterprises of Hammond, Louisiana, and Network Management Group of Hutchinson, Kansas.
Mac was formerly the director of the Centre for Financial Studies at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, where he lived and worked for seven years from 1990 to 1997. He was also a member of the faculty of the Advanced Business Programme, ranked in the top 100 MBA programs in the world by The Economist, specializing in business strategy and strategic management accounting.
He gained his practical experience in information systems with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and has an established practice in business and technology consulting. Mac has taught hundreds of continuing professional education seminars to accountants and business managers in the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Southeast Asia. His presentations are highly rated, and he has won several awards for teaching excellence.
Mac has been published in leading business and practitioner journals, including Tax Ideas, Computers in Accounting, Journal of Accounting Education, Chartered Accountants Journal of New Zealand, and the top-rated Journal of Accounting Research.
Microsoft Office Excel is one of the most widely used applications by accounting and financial professionals. Yet, many remain unaware of new and improved features in Excel and, therefore, fail to reach the level of productivity and accuracy they desire. Further, with new features appearing in Excel provided through Microsoft 365 subscriptions and the forthcoming release of Excel 2024, it is more important now than ever to get up-to-speed on the world’s most popular spreadsheet!
Make plans now to elevate your Excel skills by participating in this session. You will learn about the newer features available to improve efficiency and accuracy in it. You will also learn about the importance of numerous legacy features in Excel and how you can – and should – continue to use these tools to improve productivity.
This session is available to registrants only.
Tuesday, November 12
General Session
- K2's Time To Advance Automation
Randy Johnston, K2 EnterprisesRandy Johnston
Randy Johnston is a nationally recognized educator, consultant, and writer with over 30 years experience in Strategic Technology Planning, Systems and Network Integration, Accounting Software Selection, Business Development and Management, Disaster Recovery and Contingency Planning, and Process Engineering.
In today’s business environment, automation is no longer just a buzzword but a critical component for enhancing efficiency and accuracy. This session provides practical insights on automating your organization using advanced tools from Zoho, Zapier, Microsoft, and others. We will focus on real-world applications, demonstrating how to automate key accounts payable, banking, and approval workflows. You will also learn to recognize and avoid common pitfalls in automation projects. This course is essential for accounting and financial professionals seeking to leverage automation to achieve greater efficiency, reduce errors, and foster a more productive work environment.
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Break
This session is available to registrants only.
Breakout Session
- K2's Advanced Collaboration Solutions
Steve Yoss, K2 EnterprisesSteve Yoss
Stephen M. Yoss, Jr., CPA, MS is a certified public accountant, the partner, and principal of Devmatics, LLC, a continuing education instructor for financial professionals, and a licensed pyrotechnician. While his interests and skills are varied, they all share a common thread—his love for and skill in finding technology-based solutions.
Randy Johnston
Randy Johnston is a nationally recognized educator, consultant, and writer with over 30 years experience in Strategic Technology Planning, Systems and Network Integration, Accounting Software Selection, Business Development and Management, Disaster Recovery and Contingency Planning, and Process Engineering.
In an era where seamless collaboration and efficiency are paramount, K2’s Advanced Collaboration Solutions provides an in-depth look into integrating cutting-edge technologies to enhance client interactions and workflow. This course explores the latest advancements in client portals, incorporating PBC (Provided by Client) and 1040 workpaper products, integrating payment options, and eSignature capabilities. Understand how these tools meet compliance standards and significantly improve the user experience and operational efficiency. We will guide you through selecting the right mix of technologies to address your business challenges, ensuring your firm has the best tools for success in today’s digital landscape.
This session is available to registrants only.
- K2's Optimizing Your Tech Stack
Mac McClelland, K2 EnterprisesMac McClelland
Mac McClelland, an attorney and accounting professional, is an associate of K2 Enterprises of Hammond, Louisiana, and Network Management Group of Hutchinson, Kansas.
Mac was formerly the director of the Centre for Financial Studies at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, where he lived and worked for seven years from 1990 to 1997. He was also a member of the faculty of the Advanced Business Programme, ranked in the top 100 MBA programs in the world by The Economist, specializing in business strategy and strategic management accounting.
He gained his practical experience in information systems with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and has an established practice in business and technology consulting. Mac has taught hundreds of continuing professional education seminars to accountants and business managers in the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Southeast Asia. His presentations are highly rated, and he has won several awards for teaching excellence.
Mac has been published in leading business and practitioner journals, including Tax Ideas, Computers in Accounting, Journal of Accounting Education, Chartered Accountants Journal of New Zealand, and the top-rated Journal of Accounting Research.
In the ever-evolving landscape of business technology, it is about having the right tools and optimizing for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. K2’s Optimizing Your Tech Stack for Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness is designed for professionals seeking to balance functionality with financial prudence. This session delves into strategies for streamlining your technology stack without sacrificing performance. We will guide you through assessing your current tech tools, identifying redundancies, and exploring less expensive yet effective alternatives. You will learn techniques to evaluate the total cost of ownership of tech tools and make informed decisions to avoid overspending. This course is necessary for professionals seeking the most value from their technology investments.
This session is available to registrants only.
- K2's Small Business Accounting Solutions
Randy Johnston, K2 EnterprisesRandy Johnston
Randy Johnston is a nationally recognized educator, consultant, and writer with over 30 years experience in Strategic Technology Planning, Systems and Network Integration, Accounting Software Selection, Business Development and Management, Disaster Recovery and Contingency Planning, and Process Engineering.
The landscape of small business accounting constantly changes, and K2’s Small Business Accounting is your essential guide to navigating these changes. This course focuses on the most effective accounting solutions and supplementary tools for today’s small businesses. We explore robust, user-friendly software options, from industry staples like QuickBooks Online and Xero to emerging Cloud-based platforms and add-ons. The course helps you understand how these tools can streamline financial management for businesses with annual revenues up to $15 million. You will gain insights into the latest advancements, integration capabilities, and how to maximize efficiency and accuracy in small businesses.
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Lunch
This session is available to registrants only.
Breakout Session
- K2's AI Confidential? Privacy And AI
Mac McClelland, K2 EnterprisesMac McClelland
Mac McClelland, an attorney and accounting professional, is an associate of K2 Enterprises of Hammond, Louisiana, and Network Management Group of Hutchinson, Kansas.
Mac was formerly the director of the Centre for Financial Studies at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, where he lived and worked for seven years from 1990 to 1997. He was also a member of the faculty of the Advanced Business Programme, ranked in the top 100 MBA programs in the world by The Economist, specializing in business strategy and strategic management accounting.
He gained his practical experience in information systems with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and has an established practice in business and technology consulting. Mac has taught hundreds of continuing professional education seminars to accountants and business managers in the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Southeast Asia. His presentations are highly rated, and he has won several awards for teaching excellence.
Mac has been published in leading business and practitioner journals, including Tax Ideas, Computers in Accounting, Journal of Accounting Education, Chartered Accountants Journal of New Zealand, and the top-rated Journal of Accounting Research.
Generative Artificial Intelligence captured everyone’s imagination when it launched in 2022, but it also creates opportunities for data leakage and inappropriate use of confidential data based on the terms of service. Unfortunately, everyone has clicked “I agree” on a Terms of Service (TOS) or End User License Agreement (EULA) document which they neither read nor understood. This session will review the standard terms embedded in these documents with thousands of words and incomprehensible terminology. Attend this breakout and learn what you wish you knew about analyzing and evaluating license agreements and privacy policies.
This session is available to registrants only.
- K2's Better Reporting With QuickBooks Online
Steve Yoss, K2 EnterprisesSteve Yoss
Stephen M. Yoss, Jr., CPA, MS is a certified public accountant, the partner, and principal of Devmatics, LLC, a continuing education instructor for financial professionals, and a licensed pyrotechnician. While his interests and skills are varied, they all share a common thread—his love for and skill in finding technology-based solutions.
Presently, over seven million businesses use QuickBooks Online. However, these businesses often struggle to get the reports they need. In some cases, they are limited because of their chosen subscription. However, necessary reports are available in other cases, yet users do not know how to access them. Join us in this session to learn about better reporting options in QuickBooks Online.
In this session, you will learn how to create and customize your reports in QuickBooks Online. You will learn about Standard, Custom, and Management reports. You will also learn about the new Spreadsheet Sync tool that allows you to create customized reports, including multi-company reports in Excel. If you use QuickBooks Online and want to improve reporting, this session is for you!
This session is available to registrants only.
- K2's Consumer Electronics Show 2024 Review
Randy Johnston, K2 EnterprisesRandy Johnston
Randy Johnston is a nationally recognized educator, consultant, and writer with over 30 years experience in Strategic Technology Planning, Systems and Network Integration, Accounting Software Selection, Business Development and Management, Disaster Recovery and Contingency Planning, and Process Engineering.
The Consumer Electronics Show 2024 (CES) is the premier event for witnessing the convergence of technology and consumer needs. This year’s show provides unparalleled exploration of the latest innovations in the tech world. Attendees will experience the newest trends in smart home technology, wearable devices, augmented and virtual reality, and sustainable tech solutions. Our expert-led session provides accounting-centric insights into how these technologies reshape consumer behavior and the global marketplace. Whether you are a tech enthusiast, an industry professional, or just keen on staying ahead of the technological curve, CES 2024 offers valuable insights you should not miss.
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Break
This session is available to registrants only.
Breakout Session
- K2's Effective Automation And Outsourcing
Randy Johnston, K2 EnterprisesRandy Johnston
Randy Johnston is a nationally recognized educator, consultant, and writer with over 30 years experience in Strategic Technology Planning, Systems and Network Integration, Accounting Software Selection, Business Development and Management, Disaster Recovery and Contingency Planning, and Process Engineering.
While outsourcing and automation have been used in multinational corporations, the decline in accounting program enrollment at many universities has made finding qualified entry-level staff more challenging and forced a new conversation about these tools in small and mid-sized businesses. This session will discuss the business environment for outsourcing and review the ethical, regulatory, and practical considerations associated with revealing data and relying on the work of others in your organization.
This session is available to registrants only.
- K2's Harnessing ChatGPT
Steve Yoss, K2 EnterprisesSteve Yoss
Stephen M. Yoss, Jr., CPA, MS is a certified public accountant, the partner, and principal of Devmatics, LLC, a continuing education instructor for financial professionals, and a licensed pyrotechnician. While his interests and skills are varied, they all share a common thread—his love for and skill in finding technology-based solutions.
Enhance your productivity and streamline your accounting practices with ideas learned in this course. This dynamic program, designed specifically for accountants seeking a competitive edge, delves into the practical applications of ChatGPT in your daily workflow. From conducting comprehensive research and crafting compelling correspondence to swiftly addressing technical inquiries and optimizing Excel formulas, you will gain invaluable skills to expedite your tasks and improve overall efficiency. Furthermore, we will delve into the power of ChatGPT plugins, equipping you with the knowledge to process PDF documents seamlessly and efficiently navigate the vast expanse of the web. Join us on this transformative journey and unlock your potential as a proficient and empowered accountant.
This session is available to registrants only.
- K2's Saving Time With Electronic Forms
Mac McClelland, K2 EnterprisesMac McClelland
Mac McClelland, an attorney and accounting professional, is an associate of K2 Enterprises of Hammond, Louisiana, and Network Management Group of Hutchinson, Kansas.
Mac was formerly the director of the Centre for Financial Studies at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, where he lived and worked for seven years from 1990 to 1997. He was also a member of the faculty of the Advanced Business Programme, ranked in the top 100 MBA programs in the world by The Economist, specializing in business strategy and strategic management accounting.
He gained his practical experience in information systems with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and has an established practice in business and technology consulting. Mac has taught hundreds of continuing professional education seminars to accountants and business managers in the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Southeast Asia. His presentations are highly rated, and he has won several awards for teaching excellence.
Mac has been published in leading business and practitioner journals, including Tax Ideas, Computers in Accounting, Journal of Accounting Education, Chartered Accountants Journal of New Zealand, and the top-rated Journal of Accounting Research.
Web portals, “low-code/no-code” data collection, and survey tools have changed how we collect data. Modern solutions like Microsoft 365 Forms, Zoho Survey, SurveyMonkey, Microsoft PowerApps, and legacy tools like Adobe Acrobat Forms allow users to create web forms and integrate the resulting data into business process workflows. This session introduces the range of available tools, demonstrates standard features, and shows how tools permit users to expose or conceal questions based on answers given earlier in the survey. Attend this session to learn how to use tools you already own to collect data from your team, customers, and vendors efficiently.
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Break
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- K2's Ripped From The Headlines: Lessons From Interesting Tech Crimes
Steve Yoss, K2 EnterprisesSteve Yoss
Stephen M. Yoss, Jr., CPA, MS is a certified public accountant, the partner, and principal of Devmatics, LLC, a continuing education instructor for financial professionals, and a licensed pyrotechnician. While his interests and skills are varied, they all share a common thread—his love for and skill in finding technology-based solutions.
Remote and hybrid work during the Pandemic created new opportunities for cybercriminals and other fraudsters to exploit, and accounting professionals are among the most targeted individuals. This session is a series of case studies that examine actual criminal filings and news accounts and use them to highlight the actions you can take to limit your exposure to similar schemes. Attend this session and learn more about how high-profile control failures occurred so you can be more effective at preventing crimes such as theft, malware, ransomware, phishing, and hacking.
This session is available to registrants only.
Non-Member Price $759.00
Member Price $659.00