2024 Florida State and Local Government Training Academy

Registration and networking

Speaker: Chris Kessler

Welcome message

Speaker: Jeff Ziplow

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.

Learning objectives:

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

Speaker: Michael De Prima and Juan Chica

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’ll distill this landmark legislation and outline how your organization can take advantage of its benefits.

Learning objectives:

• 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

15-minute break

Speakers: Chris Kessler, Lance Schmidt, Julie Fowler and Alexandra Mitchell

During this session, participants will be briefed on new accounting standards affecting state and local governments. We’ll outline some of the challenges related to implementation and give updates on additional GASB projects on the horizon.

Learning objectives:

• Identify upcoming GASB pronouncement and their potential impact on state and local government financial statements, including GASB 100 and GASB 101
• Recognize focus areas and current trends in government, including economic environment and spending policy, among others
• Discuss common financial statement mistakes and errors and review the remedies to those items

Lunch break

Speakers: Chris Kessler, Lance Schmidt, Julie Fowler and Alexandra Mitchell

During this session, participants will be briefed on new accounting standards affecting state and local governments. We’ll outline some of the challenges related to implementation and give updates on additional GASB projects on the horizon.

Learning objectives:

• Identify upcoming GASB pronouncement and their potential impact on state and local government financial statements, including GASB 100 and GASB 101
• Recognize focus areas and current trends in government, including economic environment and spending policy, among others
• Discuss common financial statement mistakes and errors and review the remedies to those items

Speakers: Chris Kessler, Alex Mesa, and Madison Kathman

In this session, we’ll explore the importance of taking care of your workforce and how it can positively impact your organization. We’ll discuss the various ways you can support your employees' well-being, including mental health, physical health, and work-life balance. We’ll also provide practical tips and strategies for creating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture that promotes employee engagement and retention.

Learning objectives:

• Recognize the importance of taking care of your workforce and how it can positively impact your organization
• Discuss what inspires employees
• Recall the various ways in which you can support your employees' well-being, including mental health, physical health, and work-life balance
• Identify practical tips and strategies for creating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture that promotes employee engagement and retention
• Review current market trends

15-minute break

Speaker: Mitch Thompson

We’ll dive 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.

Learning objectives:

• 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

Speakers: Brian Quinlin, Matt Finelli and Brad Wenninger

The panel will discuss key topics related to the uniform guidance update, compliance supplement, the new data collection form, internal control, compliance testing, reporting, findings, and other common issues.

Learning objectives:

• Identify upcoming changes to the uniform grant guidance
• Distinguish key changes and actions needed for submitting a data collection form
• Identify common single audit findings
• Identify how to apply lessons learned and leading practices

Speaker: Chris Kessler

Closing remarks