ASCPA and Auburn University at Montgomery’s School of Accountancy are excited to present the annual Financial Accounting and Auditing Conference with Fraud, Cybersecurity, and Technology. This popular conference is a great way to close out CPE season, offering 5 hours of Accounting & Auditing credit and 3 hours of Other/Business credit, along with outstanding speakers and valuable networking opportunities.
This year’s program will feature timely sessions on emerging technology trends, fraud, and classic A&A updates designed to keep professionals informed on today’s most relevant issues.
A & A and QC
BMSS, LLC
Michael L. Brand, CPA, CGMA is currently an A & A partner in the firm of BMSS, LLC CPAs and Advisors. He received his B.S. in accounting from the University of North Alabama and has been in the practice of public accounting for over 30 years.
Known as a nationally acclaimed, accounting industry expert and speaker, Michael (Mike) has been involved in all aspects of public accounting, with an emphasis in providing accounting, auditing and review services to clients in the for-profit, nonprofits and governmental sectors.
He is also involved in various committees at both the state and national levels. He is a former member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) Professional Ethics Executive Committee, is the past chair of the AICPA’s Accounting and Review Services Committee and the Alabama Society of CPA’s Peer Review Committee and is the current Chair for the ASCPA. Furthermore, Mike teaches continuing education classes across the country for state societies and individual firms and has received the AICPA’s Outstanding Discussion Leader Award multiple times along with the ASCPA’s Thomas A. Ratcliffe Outstanding Discussion Leader Award.
In addition to teaching, Mike regularly speaks at conferences nationwide and in various other countries. He conducts peer reviews across the United States and was formerly on the Peer Review Board, Joint Trial Board, and Quality Control Standards Task Force of the AICPA. He is the current co-chair of the Engage Conference (the AICPA’s largest conference held over multiple days with thousands of attendees).
Supervisory Special Agent Parker Still serves as the white-collar crime (“WCC”) supervisor for the Mobile Division. As the WCC supervisor, SSA Still is responsible for managing investigations into financial crimes, health care fraud, civil rights, public corruption, money laundering and fraud against the government. Prior to serving as the WCC supervisor, SSA Still served as the Chief Division Counsel (“CDC”) for Mobile. As CDC, SSA Still provided legal guidance to the entire Mobile Division as well as provided training and advice to numerous state and local partners. Prior to coming to Mobile, SSA Still was assigned to the Money Laundering, Forfeiture and Bank Fraud Unit at FBI Headquarters. While at FBI HQ, SSA Still received the FBI Exceptional Performance Award as well as the Attorney General’s Civil Division award for efforts combating money laundering. SSA Still started his FBI career as a special agent assigned to a white-collar crime squad in the Knoxville Field Office of the FBI. Among his assignments on this squad, SSA Still was the lead case agent on an approximately $300 million corporate fraud investigation impacting approximately 39 states. SSA Still also had a large-scale investment fraud case featured by CBS on a prime-time television show.
SSA Still holds a bachelor’s degree from Harding University, law degree from Samford University and is a graduate from the United States Army Judge Advocate School. Prior to joining the FBI, he was engaged in the private practice of law for approximately eight years including time as municipal prosecutor. SSA Still also served as Chief Legal Assistance in Kandahar, Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and Brigade Judge Advocate in Kuwait as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Chadwick Smith is a seasoned cybersecurity expert and business strategist with over 25 years of experience in the tech and finance sectors. Currently the Chief Information Security Officer for the State of AL Office of Information Technology, Chadwick has dedicated his career to enhancing security frameworks and solving complex business challenges through innovative technology and process improvements. Before his tenure at the State, he served as a cybersecurity specialist for Cisco Systems covering eleven states and was also the Chief Information Security Officer at Colonial Bank, where he was instrumental in aligning the institution with international cybersecurity standards, significantly enhancing security of bank operations. His leadership extended to advising the board of directors, presenting technology risk management strategies, and working with numerous companies and state agencies developing security and privacy management programs. Chadwick's notable projects include pioneering work with the Alabama Department of Transportation to integrate smart technology in roadside assistance, and collaborating with the FBI on international cybercrime prevention. His deep understanding of digital forensics, ISO standards, and data communications has made him a frequent speaker on cybersecurity, process improvement, and technology governance. In addition to his professional life, Chadwick is passionate about education and mentoring, bringing his extensive knowledge to help others think differently and succeed. He holds studies in Computer Science from Troy State University and has pursued independent studies in cybersecurity, process design, and economics.
Member | Security, Risk and Controls
Warren Averett, LLC
Paul Perry has been with the Warren Averett since 2004 and is a Member and the leader of the Security and Risk internal control and information technology control related projects including SOC engagements. Paul is also responsible for general consulting projects for the Firm. Paul is the leader of the Firm’s Data Analysis Group, a team of individuals within the Firm who provide data analysis solutions to both internal and external clients. For more than 11 years, he specialized in auditing and assurance services. Paul has extensive experience serving clients in the nonprofit, governmental, financial, insurance and healthcare facilities/hospital industries. Paul has earned the Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) certification. This credential is awarded to CPAs who possess both information technology and business expertise. Paul is also a published author, columnist and regular speaker on topics such as data analysis, internal controls and information technology for accountants and auditors.
Partner
Frazier & Deeter, LLC
Mike Cheng joined Frazier & Deeter in 2019 as the Partner who oversees the firm's professional practices related to accounting and audit. As part of this role, he specializes in assisting clients with complex accounting and financial reporting issues. Prior to joining the firm, Mike was a Senior Project Manager at the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). At the FASB, he served as the Private Company Council (PCC) coordinator, where he was responsible for all PCC related matters. In addition, Mike led projects to simplify the accounting for non-employee share-based payments, help shape the future of the FASB technical agenda and improve consolidations guidance (VIE guidance). Most recently, he worked on the FASB's implementation team on revenue recognition (ASC Topic 606) and lease accounting (ASC Topic 842). Prior to joining the FASB, Mike held various management positions with PricewaterhouseCoopers. He was an Audit Senior Manager, Private Company Services, in the firm's Stamford, CT office. From 2003-2011, he also held roles of increasing responsibility in PwC's Core Assurance divisions in Buffalo and Rochester, NY.
BMSS, LLC
Steve Platau, JD, CPA serves as Scholar in Residence at BMSS Advisors & CPAs, where he advises firm leadership on assurance, tax, and risk management matters that support the firm’s clients and professional initiatives. He is also a longtime Professor of Accounting at the University of Tampa’s Sykes College of Business, where he has been on the faculty since 1984.
A nationally recognized speaker and educator, Steve travels extensively presenting continuing professional education programs for CPAs across the country. His expertise focuses on professional ethics, risk management, and professional liability issues involving accountants and attorneys, as well as arbitration, mediation, and the formation and taxation of business entities.
Steve is actively involved in the accounting profession, serving on the Ethics Committee of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy and as a member of the Florida Board of Accountancy. He has also served on the Board of Governors for the Florida Institute of CPAs and has participated in numerous professional committees and dispute-resolution panels, including the American Arbitration Association’s Large and Complex Case Panel.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Accountancy from The Ohio State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati.
1041 Longfield Ct, Montgomery, Montgomery County, Alabama 36117-8056
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