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 Back to Results
In Person-Live
CFO Series: Driving Efficiency
Monday, April 20, 2026 | 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
MSU Management Education Center Troy, MI
Course # 205279 | by The Knowledge Institute
What you will learn
  • Distinguishing between internal, external, and compliance audits
  • Identifying audit objectives and how to support them during engagements
  • How to prepare effectively for the planning and fieldwork phases
  • Improve communication with auditors and reduce common audit friction
    Respond confidently and constructively to audit findings
  • Defining the role and purpose of internal controls in financial and operational settings.
  • Identify five (5) core components of a strong control framework.
  • Evaluate risks in smaller organizations and how to design right-sized controls.
  • How to implement internal controls using practical, scalable steps.
  • Monitoring internal control effectiveness and how to adjust them.
  • Understand how and why most cash flow statements are misunderstood. Discuss alternative methods to make our users understand cash flow.
  • Identify common red flags and warning signs of financial fraud
  • How do fraudsters exploit culture, controls, and assumptions?
  • Analyze how internal controls failed in real-world examples?
  • Strengthen professional skepticism through case-based reflection
  • Apply lessons learned to improve fraud awareness in your organization
Description

“It’s the little things that matter.” We are so busy that we sometimes fail to do the fundamental duties as well as we should. How can we get more out of every audit, reduce the pressure, and streamline the process? What lessons can we learn from diabolical and brazen fraud activities? We need to re-examine our internal controls so they will be effective today and will scale to remain effective in the future. Even the Statement of Cash Flows can be made much more effective – we will show you how. These ‘little things’ can and do have an outsized impact. We will review today’s best practices. We can all learn from the mistakes made by others so we will be even more efficient.

The CFO Series provides a convenient, one-stop way for CFOs and those who aspire to be CFOs, to an complete entire year of CPE with a single decision. Each day consists of a subject matter expert leading discussions about four different topics. The CFO Series features high-quality presentations and an interactive, executive level colleague-to-colleague approach with case studies, group discussions, and team exercises.

Prerequisites:
At least six (6) months of professional financial statement analysis experience and/or at least six (6) months of professional experience in preparing or reviewing accounting processes and reports; experience working with internal clients or external clients and business leaders.

Advanced Preparation:
Bring a laptop or calculator.

PRICING DETAILS
Register early to take advantage of the best price! Please note, discounted pricing is already reflected in the online price. No promo code is needed.
Through March 23: $325 MICPA Members / $475 Non-Members
March 24 - April 6 : $345 MICPA Members / $495 Non-Members
April 7 - April 20: $365 MICPA Members / $515 Non-Members

Audit Survival Toolkit: Tactics to Reduce Stress and Get Through Audits with Confidence
If the word “audit” makes your team groan—you are not alone. Whether it is an internal review, a regulatory exam, or a full-blown financial audit, most finance and accounting teams face scrutiny from multiple directions. This seminar helps participants understand what auditors are really looking for, how to align your goals with theirs, and what you can do to make the audit process smoother, less stressful, and more productive?

You will learn what to expect during each phase of the audit—planning, fieldwork, and reporting—and walk away with practical strategies to improve your communication, documentation, and overall preparedness. Whether you are supporting an external audit, prepping for compliance testing, or working with internal auditors, this session will help your team respond with clarity, confidence, and professionalism. We will show you how to streamline the audit process – so it is easier for you and for the auditors - which saves time and money.

Topics Discussed:

  • Types of audits: external, internal, compliance, regulatory
    • Objectives of each audit type and how they differ
  • Aligning management’s role with auditor expectations
  • What to expect in the planning phase
  • Fieldwork survival tips and communication best practices
  • Documentation dos and don’ts
  • Responding to findings and building effective action plans
  • Avoiding common audit pitfalls

Internal Controls That Matter: Protection with Simple, Smart, and Scalable Practices
Internal controls don’t have to be complicated—but they must be effective and intentional. In many organizations, especially small to mid-sized ones, internal controls are informal or incomplete, exposing teams to unnecessary risk. This discussion helps finance and accounting professionals understand what internal controls really are, why they matter, and how to build systems that actually work - without overwhelming your people or processes.

We’ll discuss how to design, implement, and monitor core controls—across financial reporting, operations, and compliance—using real-world examples that scale to fit your organization. Whether you're starting from scratch or tightening what’s already there, this seminar will help you put the right checks and balances in place to protect your resources, your people, and your reputation.

Topics Discussed:

  • What internal controls are—and what they are not.
  • Why do even small organizations need controls.
  • COSO and the five core components of a sound internal control system.
  • Common control failures and real-world consequences.
  • Examples of scalable financial, operational, and compliance controls.
  • How to tailor controls to your organization’s size and risk profile.
  • Embedding internal controls into daily operations.
  • How to monitor, evaluate, and adapt controls over time.

Cash Flow Clarity: Effectively Communicate Cash Flows to Drive Better Decisions
The cash flow statement is one of the most confusing financial reports—yet it has the potential to deliver the essential keys to understand business performance. After all, cash is still both king and queen! This session explores how to present, interpret, and communicate cash flows effectively to help CEOs, boards, and decision-makers drive smarter results. By using the Sources and Uses format, professionals can make the statement more intuitive and actionable. Learn how to simplify cash flow information and focus discussions on what matters most: how cash is generated and deployed? We will demonstrate how to confidently present this powerful financial statement to non-financial leaders. The cash flow statement is misunderstood, and we will show you how to fix that.

Topics Discussed:

  • The importance and structure of the cash flow statement
  • Understanding operating, investing, and financing activities
  • Presenting the statement using the “Sources and Uses” approach
  • How to tell the business story through cash flows and alternative reporting methods
  • Identifying key drivers of cash and liquidity
  • Bridging the gap between accrual accounting and understanding cash
  • Communicating effectively with CEOs, boards, and non-financial stakeholders

Amazingly Crazy Fraud Cases - Fraud So Wild It Shouldn’t Be Real
Some fraud cases are so unbelievable, they sound like Hollywood scripts, but they are all real—and we can learn a lot from them.

In this fast-paced, story-driven discussion, we will review some outrageous fraud cases—from forged financials and luxury lifestyles to deepfakes and fake companies that fooled the smartest people in the room.

You will hear the stories, spot the red flags, and walk away with practical takeaways to help you strengthen your professional skepticism, identify fraud warning signs, and build a better fraud prevention mindset. If you enjoy a relevant story with a side of financial insight—you’re in the right place. We all can learn valuable lessons from these outrageous and real frauds.

Topics Discussed:

  • Psychological tricks and tactics used by fraudsters
    • How fraudsters avoid detection
  • Red flags that were missed, and why?
  • Cultural and organizational blind spots
  • How internal controls failed or were bypassed
  • Lessons learned from each case—and how to apply them
  • How to strengthen fraud awareness without creating fear
  • Key questions auditors and leaders should ask earlier

Corporate financial leaders, financial managers, CEOs, CFOs, controllers, accountants, board members, advisors, and consultants; CPAs in public practice and CPAs in industry; business owners, entrepreneurs, anyone interested in internal controls, process improvement, and professionals who are interested in streamlining workflows, realizing cost savings, increasing efficiencies and increasing value.

  • Accounting
  • Auditing

  • Don Minges
MICPA delivers the highest quality education experience. If you are not satisfied with your course, call us at 1.855.594.4273. We will make it right.
In Person-Live
Members SAVE $150
$325.00
Member
$475.00
Non-Member
Add To Cart
Speakers: Don Minges
Time: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Total Credits: 8.0
Earn Up To: 8.0 AA credits
Level: Intermediate
Vendor: The Knowledge Institute
Venue: MSU Management Education Center
811 W Square Lake Rd
Troy, MI 48098-2831
MICPA delivers the highest quality education experience. If you are not satisfied with your course, call us at 1.855.594.4273. We will make it right.
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