Business and Industry Conference
8.00 Credits
Member Price $320.00
Price will increase by $50 on 3/12
Non-Member Price $370.00
Price will increase by $50 on 3/12
Overview
As an accounting professional in business and industry, your success depends on more than just financial expertise. You play a critical role in safeguarding and driving your company's financial health. The ISCPA Business and Industry Conference is tailored to the multifaceted challenges you face, offering dynamic content from top-tier speakers and an agenda thoughtfully crafted by professionals who understand your world.
Thank you to the ISCPA Business and Industry Committee! We appreciate your time and commitment to developing a top-notch program for your peers. View the committee members.
Highlights
See the agenda tab above for the full conference schedule.
Designed For
CPAs and accounting professionals in business and industry.
Objectives
This annual conference brings together industry leaders to learn, network and share ideas on how to grow and strengthen your skills to better serve your business and clients. If you are passionate about business in Iowa, this is a must-attend conference.
Thank you to our Gold Sponsor
Tuesday, March 25
General Session
- Optional Bonus Session: Hot Topics in Business Law
Attend this optional bonus session and receive one (1) additional hour of CPE credit (8 hours total).
Stay ahead of the curve on the latest trends and updates in business law. Explore critical topics such as noncompete agreements, beneficial ownership rules, and current regulations shaping the business landscape. Gain valuable insights to help your clients maintain compliance, mitigate risks, and avoid pitfalls.
Speakers: Frances Haas and Eric Tubbs | Nyemaster Goode, PC
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Iowa Economic Update
What lies ahead for Iowa's economy in 2025? Will inflation continue to be a major concern for businesses across the state? How might the new presidential administration impact economic trends in the state? Which industries in Iowa are thriving, and which face challenges? Join Director Durham as she dives into these questions and shares insights on key policy initiatives and programs shaping Iowa's economic landscape. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable perspectives on the future of Iowa's economy.
Speaker: Debi Durham | Iowa Finance Authority and Iowa Economic Development Authority
This session is available to registrants only.
Breakout Session
- Ethics: A Line in the Sand for Daily Business
In today’s dynamic business environment, ethical behavior is more essential than ever. This session examines the critical ethical challenges professionals face within their organizations and in broader society, offering valuable insights into the behavioral factors that influence ethical decisions and practical tools to navigate these challenges effectively.
Explore how ethical concerns permeate all aspects of business and personal life, emphasizing their importance in maintaining integrity. The session will heighten your ability to recognize ethical challenges early by identifying warning signs in everyday situations. It will also investigate the roles of selfishness and conflicts of interest as primary drivers of ethical lapses, providing a deeper understanding of the motivations behind such behavior. Finally, discover actionable strategies to address these challenges and foster a culture of ethics within your organization.
Speaker: Jim Lindell, CPA, CGMA, CSP | Thorsten Consulting
This session is available to registrants only.
- Overcoming Overwhelm with Strategic Time Management
Time is our most valuable and non-renewable asset. How we spend it reflects our priorities, yet without intentionality, it can easily slip away. Many of us feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of daily tasks and responsibilities.
This interactive workshop will guide you in assessing how you currently use your time, comparing it to your vision of an ideal workday or week, and implementing practical strategies to bridge the gap. You'll leave with actionable steps to reduce overwhelm and take control of your time.
Speaker: Susan Stutzel | PartnersCoach
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Financial Storytelling: Achieving Success with Diverse Audiences
This session will elevate your skills in engaging, persuasive, and ethical communication. Take a deep dive into advanced storytelling tools, focusing on crafting narratives that resonate across diverse stakeholder groups and adapting your presentation to varied audience needs. Discover methods to bring financial data to life, using real-time data visualizations and immersive storytelling techniques that foster a deeper emotional connection to financial insights. Explore ways to address challenging topics transparently, bridging gaps between numbers and strategic goals, while honing body language and vocal elements to amplify your message. Transform financial reports into stories that not only inform but inspire action and alignment.
This session builds on the techniques introduced at the 2023 conference, while offering valuable insights and takeaways for all attendees, regardless of prior participation.
Speaker: Jim Lindell, CPA, CGMA, CSP | Thorsten Consulting
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- National Economic Update 2025
Explore the key factors shaping the economy, along with the sectors that are driving growth, including manufacturing, finance, and agriculture. Examine how these industries are interconnected and discuss the potential for growth and the broader impact on the economy. Navigate challenges and opportunities and analyze how economic trends, such as inflation, interest rates, and federal policies are influencing the economic landscape and shaping a path toward sustainable growth.
Speaker: Dr. Chad Hart, Ph.D. | Professor of Economics, Iowa State University
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Beyond the Balance Sheet: Insights from Finance Leaders
Join a panel of seasoned CFOs and finance leaders as they go beyond the numbers to explore the evolving role of financial leadership in today’s dynamic business environment. Gain valuable insights into strategic decision-making, navigating economic challenges, and driving organizational growth. This engaging session will provide actionable perspectives and lessons learned from the top of the financial field.
Panelists:
- Kyle Auffert, CPA | Vice President, Finance, Hy-Vee, Inc.
- Lindsay Chase, CPA | CFO, Holmes Murphy & Associates
- Jeff Jacobs, CPA | CFO, MUSCO Corporation
- Moderator: Alison VanOtterloo, CPA, CPCU, ARe, CIC, CIA, AIAF | Senior Vice President, Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Group
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Iowa Business Success Story: RAYGUN
Mike Draper, founder and owner of RAYGUN, has crafted an inspiring entrepreneurial journey rooted in his Iowa upbringing. In 2005, after a series of unexpected turns and challenges, Mike learned screen printing, and opened his first store in Des Moines. What started as a small, humble operation—where Mike was responsible for everything from designing to selling shirts—has now grown into a successful brand with locations across multiple cities and states. From expanding the business and even unionizing to creating a space that reflects the positive, quirky energy of Des Moines, Mike’s leadership story is one of resilience, growth, and a deep appreciation for the communities that have supported RAYGUN's success. Join Mike as he shares the lessons learned and the values that continue to drive the business forward.
Speaker: Mike Draper | RAYGUN
This session is available to registrants only.
Leader(s):
Leader Bios
Frances Haas, Nyemaster Goode PC
Fran routinely handles complex issues for employers regarding to disability discrimination, the accommodation process, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, Family and Medical Leave Act, equal pay, and wrongful termination. She negotiates collective bargaining agreements on behalf of management, as well as other labor disputes. She also takes on higher education cases in matters involving Title IX, Title VII, the Violence Against Women Act, and the Iowa Civil Rights Act. These cases often involve difficult facts relating to sexual misconduct or assault by employees or students—facts that she understands make people uncomfortable. “There are certain ways to handle cases that have delicate issues, and it often requires a soft touch and a lot of nuance,” she says.
While Fran enjoys litigating, she prefers to help her clients avoid litigation by working through the often complicated maze of employment laws with her clients prior to the development of a claim. For this reason, she emphasizes consulting as soon as an employer identifies the potential for a claim. Whether she consults through a phone call, conducts in-person training, or reviews policies or anticipated employee terminations, she’s with the client from start to finish. “It’s not just about pointing out the problem but getting them to the finish line so they don’t have to worry about it at all.”
In addition, Fran leads webinars and speaks frequently on employment and higher education issues, with an emphasis on mental health and substance abuse issues in the workplace. She also develops robust in-house training for her clients so that all team members are prepared to issue-spot as tricky issues arise.
Non-Member Price $370.00
Member Price $320.00