2024 Denver Government and Nonprofit Training Academy

Registration and breakfast.

Welcome and housekeeping items.

Presenter: Jeff Ziplow
1 credit: Information Technology

During this session, participants will be updated on how ransomware attacks are deployed and how to prepare yourself and your organization for recovery from an attack.

At the end of the session, you will be able to:

• Identify how ransomware attacks are deployed
• Recognize how to prevent the introduction of malicious software onto systems
• Recall how to prepare yourself and your organization for recovery from a ransomware attack

Presenters: Allison Slife and Molly Quinn
1 credit: Specialized Knowledge

This session will identify ways to evaluate your organization’s need to improve the grants management business process through training and policies, recognize key considerations used to determine what digital solutions would work for key business processes, and identify next steps to start simplifying grants management and enabling higher compliance with laws and regulations.

At the end of the session, you will be able to:

• Discuss the importance of grants compliance and ways to improve
• Identify grants compliance requirements and recognize the importance of internal controls over compliance
• Identify grants management leading practices and discuss digital solutions around grants

10-minute break

1 credit: Taxes

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enacted in 2021 created unprecedented opportunities and groundbreaking possibilities for leveraging clean energy tax credits for both taxpaying and tax-exempt organizations, including state and local governments, nonprofits, and higher education institutions. We will distill this landmark legislation and outline how your organization can take advantage of its benefits.

At the end of the session, you will be able to:

• Describe the various tax credit opportunities created by the IRA
• Recall how credit refunds and transfers operate under the IRA
• Describe the latest legal and regulatory updates under the IRA
• Identify how to plan for clean energy investments within your agency or entity
• Recognize grant opportunities for local governments included in the IRA and Infrastructure Law

Enjoy lunch and network with friends in the industry.

GASB Update
Presenters: John-Paul LeChevallier and Sam Hellwege
1 credit: Accounting (Governmental)

During this session, participants will be briefed on the new accounting standards affecting state and local governments, determine dates of implementation, discuss lessons learned on GASB Stmt. No. 96, and identify upcoming electronic data standards.

At the end of the session, you will be able to:

• Describe provisions of recent GASBs and the implementation impact on financial reporting and disclosures
• Identify lessons learned on GASB Stmt. No. 96
• Discuss upcoming electronic data standards affecting governments

Accounting Complexities for Governments
Presenter: Paul Niedermuller
1 credit: Accounting (Governmental)

This session will recognize certain accounting complexities in governmental accounting and identify the proper usage and disclosures required for various transactions.

At the end of the session, you will be able to:

• Recognize certain accounting complexities in governmental accounting
• Identify the proper usage and disclosures required for various transactions

Gifts that Keep on Giving (Us Headaches): Navigating Complex Giving Arrangements
Presenters: Adam Pyzdrowski and Chris Prenger
1 credit: Accounting

This session will discuss challenges related to common complex giving arrangements and resolutions that typically require involvement from finance, development, management, and other third parties. Our discussion will include split-interest agreements, gift repurposing, naming rights, and more.

At the end of the session, you will be able to:

• Identify challenges with complex giving arrangements and their implications on organizational finance
• Recognize suggested responses and resolutions challenges with complex giving arrangements
• Identify how to implement processes and procedures to proactively address challenges with complex giving arrangements

FASB Update
Presenters: Anna Landgraf and Frank D’Amico
1 credit: Accounting

This session will include a discussion of upcoming Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) accounting pronouncements and how they could impact nonprofit organizations.

At the end of the session, you will be able to:

• Describe new accounting guidance affecting nonprofits and how it could impact your organization
• Identify upcoming accounting standards and recognize important items to consider when implementing the standards
• Recognize changes to audit standards that may impact audit engagements

20-minute break

Presenters: Matt Anderson and Mitch Thompson
1 credit: Specialized Knowledge

We’ll delve into the dynamic world of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) in the realms of accounting and finance. Our focus will be on the practical applications and benefits of automation in streamlining accounting and finance-related processes.

We'll explore a variety of use cases demonstrating how automated systems and AI technologies, including business intelligence reporting, generative AI, and large language models are revolutionizing data processing, accuracy, and decision-making for state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and higher education institutions.

Engage with insights and real-world examples that showcase the transformative power of these technologies in enhancing efficiency, reducing manual workload, and unlocking new potentials in financial management and reporting.

At the end of the session, you will be able to:

• Recognize the basics of AI and automation in finance
• Recall comprehensive insights of how AI and automation technologies work, specifically in the context of accounting and finance
• Review a range of practical use cases of AI and automation in financial processes
• Recall how implementing AI and automation can significantly improve efficiency, reduce errors, further organizational mission, and improve the lives of the workforce
• Identify ways your organization can adapt and stay ahead in this rapidly evolving field, including strategies for implementation and overcoming potential challenges

Presenters: Emilie Deveraux and Ayla Grady
1 credit: Behavioral Ethics

We will discuss methods for detecting fraud and common internal control breakdowns that contribute to fraud. We will also identify leading practices for responding to an incident of fraud.

At the end of the session, you will be able to:

• Recall methods for detecting fraud
• Identify common internal control breakdowns that contribute to fraud, build awareness of the types of fraud, the profile of a fraudster, and common red flags
• Identify leading practices for responding to an incident of fraud and for developing an internal anti-fraud program

Closing thoughts by Jean Bushong.