Instructor
Melisa Galasso
Instructor
Melisa F. Galasso is the founder and CEO of Galasso Learning Solutions LLC. A CPA with over 15 years of experience in the accounting profession, Melisa designs and facilitates courses in advanced technical accounting and auditing topics, including not for profit and governmental accounting.
Her passion is providing high-quality CPE that is meaningful, creates efficiencies and improves quality, and positively impacts ROI. She also supports essential professional development, audit level training, and train the trainer efforts.
Melisa earned the Association for Talent Development Master Trainer™ designation and is in the process of completing the rigorous requirements to become a Certified Professional in Learning & Performance (CPLP).
Melisa’s passion for instructional design is one of the differentiators that sets her apart from other CPE providers. She serves on the AICPA’s Technical Issues Committee, has had leadership roles on various A&A committees, and serves on the VSCPA’s Board of Directors.
She was honored as “40 under 40” — by CPA Practice Advisor — in 2017 and 2018, was named the 2019 Rising Star by her regional NAWBO chapter, received the Don Farmer award for achievement in technical content instruction, and earned several other awards for public speaking and technical training.
Prior to establishing Galasso Learning Solutions, Melisa worked in public accounting, industry, internal audit, and academia.
She received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting and International Business from Georgetown University.
While the pace of FASB's standard-setting has slowed in recent years, the standards that have been issued will be impactful for many organizations. This course will begin with a review of standards effective in 2025 for public, private, and nonprofit organizations. From there, we'll explore upcoming standards, FASB exposure drafts, and ongoing projects to ensure you're prepared for what's next in financial reporting.
The second half of the course will shift focus to developments at the AICPA. From quality management to ethics standards and the talent pipeline, there's no shortage of activity. We'll start with a detailed look at the quality management standards effective this year and their impact on firms, including changes to the Peer Review Program. Next, we'll cover essential ethics standards and the latest SSARS updates. We'll also examine common deficiencies in employee benefit plan (EBP) audits and discuss the initiatives of the National Pipeline Advisory Group.
We will close with a look at the transformative impact of technology on the audit profession, with a practical overview of both current advancements and emerging innovations. Participants will delve into cutting-edge tools, including data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation, examining how these technologies are reshaping audit methodologies and enhancing audit quality.
Upon completing this course, a learner will be able to:
- Recognize the impact of Accounting Standards Updates effective in 2025 on financial reporting
- Recall the changes made to PCC processes as a result of the 2024 PCC Review
- Identify potential topics identified by advisory groups in the FASB's ITC agenda consultation
- Identify the components of quality management
- Recall deficiencies identified by the DOL for EBP audits
- Recall key projects of the Auditing Standards Board
- Identify organizational needs for technology adoption using the Strategic Alignment Model (SAM)
- Recall employee-specific roadblocks to technology usage, drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)
Prior experience with GAAP & GAAS
None