2002 CPAs in Industry Conference to Cover Variety of Topics for the “Business Generalist”

By Kim Patterson

CPAs and other financial executives operating in industry will be exposed to a world of knowledge when they attend the Foundation for Accounting Education’s CPAs in Industry Conference, which will take place on June 11 at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers in New York City.

This opportunity for CPAs in industry to network and exchange information with their peers should not be underestimated. Unlike their counterparts in public practice who have daily interactions with other CPAs, practitioners in industry usually do not have the chance to intermingle with other CPAs on a regular basis.

“The CPA in industry has to be a business generalist. The conference will explore a variety of current and relevant topics challenging today’s financial professional. It will allow CPAs in industry to network, discuss issues and add to their knowledge base,” said Conference Chair Mark Ellis, CFO of Michael C. Fina.

The program will include a presentation by Kevin J. Bannon, The Bank of New York’s top economist and executive vice president and chief investment officer, who will discuss his views on the national and New York state economies over the next couple of years and their impact on business.

Anthony K. Greene, CRM, CIC, of Herbert L. Jamison & Co., LLC, will give an update on the current state of the insurance industry and how factors such as the Sept. 11 disaster, environmental liabilities, including asbestos and mold, and Enron-related claims have contributed to the increased cost of insurance. According to Greene, insurance carriers are increasing rates and reducing the coverage they offer organizations when policies are renewed.

Dina R. Jansenson, Esq., of Fleming Zulack & Williamson LLP, will discuss how to use mediation to cut down on litigation costs. “Companies should avoid litigation if possible because it’s very costly, the outcome is difficult to predict, it’s hard to control and the solution is imposed,” Jansenson has said.

The financial professional whose goal is to become a CFO will leave the conference with a better understanding of what the top financial headhunters look for when recruiting a CFO for a Fortune 500 company. Gordon Grand III, who co-manages the financial officers practice of Russell Reynolds Associates, a global executive recruiting firm, will provide insight into the professional skills and expertise needed to obtain a top position as a CFO.

For more information on the event, visit www.nysscpa.org or call (800) 537-3635. The fee for members is $275, and the fee for nonmember is $375.