@   TECH+ AICPA Technology Information Conference – June 9-11

The AICPA’s Top Technology Initiatives list for 2008 highlights the technology initiatives that CPAs and IT professionals working closely with CPAs consider most likely to affect the business marketplace and the field of financial management over the next 12 to 18 months. By gaining a better understanding of these initiatives, CPAs and accounting professionals can educate their clients/customers, colleagues and employers regarding the potential impact they will have on the short- and long-term strategies within their organizations

The 2008 TECH+ AICPA Technology Information Conference – June 9-11 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas will focus on the current Top Technologies Initiatives. Is there a particular Initiative that you would like to know more about?  Plan to attend the sessions noted below …

Information Security Management  The development and implementation of a comprehensive security framework — encompassing people, processes and IT systems — that safeguards critical systems and information, and protects them from internal and external threats. Information Security Management is accomplished by analyzing and evaluating risks; selecting appropriate risk treatment options (avoidance, acceptance, transference and reduction); implementing controls (administrative, procedural, personnel and technological); and constantly monitoring overall performance. The resulting system incorporates the preservation of confidentiality (information is not available or disclosed to unauthorized individuals, entities, or processes); integrity (safeguarding the accuracy and completeness of key data); and availability (systems and data are accessible and usable on demand by an authorized entity) of information. Other properties, such as authenticity, accountability, non-repudiation and reliability, also are factors.
#102 – Security Deep Dive – Sunday, June 8th – 1:00pm - 5:00pm
#15 – IT Security – Monday, June 9th – 3:20pm - 4:35pm

IT Governance A structure of relationships and processes that direct and control an organization and help it achieve its goals by adding value while balancing risk vs. return over IT and its processes. Components include strategic alignment, value delivery, resource management, risk management and performance measures. Project portfolio management and proper IT-balanced scorecard measures, including earned value, are important review factors often overlooked.
#41 – Managing IT for Business Results – Tuesday, June 10th - 2:00pm – 3:15pm

Business Process Improvement (BPI), Workflow and Process Exception Alerts
Methods used to enhance business and transaction processing through a continuous cycle of modeling, execution, monitoring and improvement. BPI employs real-time monitoring tools that provide exception alerts to automate business processes on trigger events; identify problems or new opportunities in a transaction before a transaction is complete; or better control quality issues by catching problems more quickly. Workflow involves the operational aspects of a work procedure. Workflow also involves how tasks are structured, who performs them, their relative order, how they are synchronized, how information flows to support the tasks, and how tasks are tracked. Process Exception Alerts notify users when attention or follow-up is required. Through the use of these tools, an organization can make significant improvements in the way it does business.
#41 – Managing IT for Business Results – Tuesday, June 10th - 2:00pm – 3:15pm
#45 – Project Management – Tuesday, June 10th – 3:45pm – 3:15pm

Conforming to Assurance and Compliance Standards The creation of formalized strategies, systems and training programs to address organizational goals and statutory requirements, including SAS Nos. 104-111 and FIN 48. It includes the implementation of collaboration and compliance tools to assist in the documentation, assessment, testing and reporting on compliance with specific controls or regulations. This initiative also encompasses tools that assist in implementing risk assessment standards, risk management and continuous
auditing/continuous monitoring tools, as well as computer assisted auditing tools and techniques (CAATTs). It also includes the implementation of configurable controls within existing financial and operational applications.
#101 – IT Considerations for Risk-Based Audit Standards – Sunday, June 8th – 1:00pm - 5:00pm
#32 – SAS and SOX Compliance Tools – Tuesday, June 10th – 9:10am – 10:00am

Business Intelligence (BI) The applications and technologies used for gathering, providing access and visibility to, and analyzing data to help business owners and managers make informed business decisions. The ultimate objective of BI is to improve the timeliness and quality of information. BI tools include data warehousing and integration applications, report writers and application dashboards.
#36 – Business Intelligence – Tuesday, June 10th – 10:30am – 12:10pm 

Mobile and Remote Computing Technologies that enable users to securely connect to key resources anywhere, anytime, regardless of physical location. Supporting technologies include server-based applications, VPNs, remote control software, laptops, PDAs, Smart Phones, VoIP and wireless technologies, such as 3G (EVDO / EDGE), WiFi and WiMax.
#4 – Data & Mobile Security – Monday, June 9th – 10:40am – 11:55am
#21 – IP Telephony & Unified Messaging: Understanding the Hype and Practical Applications in the Accounting Firm of VolP, FolP and Unified Messaging – Monday, June 9th – 4:45pm – 6:00pm

Document, Forms, Content and Knowledge Management The process of electronically capturing, indexing, storing, protecting, searching, retrieving, managing and
controlling information. This also includes scanning, forms recognition, optical character recognition (OCR), centralized data repositories and management of PDFs and other document formats. Knowledge management then brings structure and control to this information, allowing organizations to harness the intellectual capital contained in the underlying data. This sometimes is referred to as the “paperless” office, even though “less-paper” or “digital” office may be more accurate terms. Protecting digital data is a key component of any resulting system because it enables secure distribution and/or prevention of illegal distribution and access to protected information. Example: a document distribution strategy controlled by a Digital Rights Management (DRM) server that helps prevent an encrypted document from being opened by anyone other than the intended recipient.
#34 – Tax Document Automation Tools – Tuesday, June 10th – 10:30am – 12:10pm
#39 – Working with PDF Files – Tuesday, June 10th – 2:00pm – 3:15pm
#40 – Record Retention Issues – Tuesday, June 10th – 2:00pm – 3:15pm

Honorable Mention

Training and Competency Methods and curriculum designed to increase the knowledge of individuals. Includes ensuring an organization has the resources available to efficiently and effectively train new hires and current employees on a timely basis on relevant subject matter, and ensure that learning has occurred. Delivery methods may include the use of Computer Based Training (CBT), Webcasts, podcasts and distance learning. Curriculum may be
technology- or non-technology-oriented.
#2 – Training & Learning Culture – Monday, June 9th – 10:40am – 11:55am
#11 – Technology Young Professionals are Using – Monday, June 9th – 2:00pm – 2:50pm

Web-deployed Applications Use the Internet as a platform for deploying applications, and making data available to end users in lieu of installing and maintaining applications and information on local machines. This approach is referred to as “On-Demand” or “Software as a Service” (SaaS). Web-deployed applications may be corporately controlled and hosted, or hosted by third-party providers such as an Application Service Provider (ASP). Web-deployed applications dramatically reduce installation and management costs and traditionally provide better data security, fault tolerance and greater convenience for end users.
#6 – Software as a Service: Market Dynamics – Monday, June 9th – 10:40am – 11:55am
#38 – Making Money as a Consultant in a World of Software as a Service – Tuesday, June 10th – 2:00pm – 3:15pm
#52 – Is Your Company or Are Your Clients Ready for SaaS? – Wednesday, June 11th – 7:00am – 7:50am

Information Portals Web sites that enable organizations to provide clients, customers, vendors, employees and other stakeholders access to timely and relevant personalized information via self-service applications. Examples of information portals include Windows SharePoint, corporate intranets and third-party-hosted sites.
#16 – Client Service Portals & Collaboration – Monday, June 10th – 3:20pm – 4:35pm

Register today! Don't miss your chance to get ahead of the pack and learn about the newest technologies that will improve your business and bottom line!