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(This event is hosted by GWSCPA, IIA DC, and GRF CPAs & Advisors)

3.5 CPE credits are available for this event.

When it comes to risk management, accounting leaders know that it’s critical to stay one step ahead of the rest. That’s why GRF CPAs & Advisors (GRF) has teamed up with The Greater Washington Society of CPAs (GWSCPA) and the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) to bring you The DC Top Risks Summit. This half-day, in-person conference will bring together top DC-area leaders to discuss the current state of risk, and what’s coming next for the industry.

Join us on Thursday, September 29th for a live gathering of DC-area leaders discussing top risk perspectives, best practices, challenges and solutions. The day will be divided into two concurrent tracks to create a smaller class size and more intimate learning experience – one for nonprofit professionals and another for general Organizational leaders. Following the keynote address, we will offer 6 practical, thoughtful, and timely sessions designed to enhance your risk management understanding and provide value to your organization. Later, the afternoon will culminate with a networking happy hour, including the opportunity to earn 3.5 CPE credits throughout the day. Don’t miss the opportunity to take home advice from some of the most influential leaders in the risk community!

Who should attend?
C-suite executives, accounting and finance professionals, general counsels, chief auditors and chief risk officers, internal and external auditors, IT professionals, members of boards of directors, and other risk management professionals who can benefit from the presentations and dialogue.

This inaugural event is presented by the Greater Washington Society of CPAs, the DC chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors, and GRF CPAs & Advisors. Hosted by the National Association of Home Builders in Washington, DC.

Topics include:

• Fraud and Cybersecurity
• Nonprofit Uniform Guidance Compliance
• DEI and ESG
• Investing in Cryptocurrencies
• Intersection of Internal Audit and Enterprise Risk Management

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Session Agenda

Keynote Address: Current State of Risk

Industry leader Mark Beasley, Ph.D., Director of the Enterprise Risk Management Initiative at North Carolina State University starts the program with an overview of the current state of risk today.

Session 3

General Track: Manage Fraud and Cut Costs with Technology/Cybersecurity

Presenters: Mac Lillard and Darren Hulem

In the digital age, the number of technology-related dimensions that might create cyber risks for organizations, including phishing attacks, ransomware, and data breaches have quadrupled in the last year alone according to FBI reports. This has left many organizations feeling vulnerable to virtual threats and confronted with the question – are the appropriate discussions around cybersecurity and information technology being held at the board level within your organization?

This session will focus on the changing landscape of cyber-attacks and strategies to mitigate ransomware in a cost-effective manner. We will discuss the benefits of a well-devised systems development lifecycle to protect your organization from outside threats. The session will also cover best practices needed to beef up your cybersecurity efforts and protect your most sensitive data.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain an understanding of the current threat landscape and tricks/tools hackers are using to infiltrate victim organizations.
• Gain an understanding of risk management practices, internal control mechanisms, and other tools to protect your organization from falling victim to fraud.

Nonprofit Track: Running on GAS: Uniform Guidance in a Virtual (and Hybrid!) Environment

Presenter: Tricia Katebini

The past two years have left us all running on fumes, but when it comes to conducting audits virtually and hybrid, including those under Government Auditing Standards (GAS), we can see the light at the end of the tunnel: the standards remain fairly flexible. In this session, we will explore best practices, tools and technology that may be leveraged, and what firms have learned during the pandemic to ensure they have obtained audit evidence that is credible, appropriate, and reasonable for purposes of conducting a virtual audit.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify industry, regulatory, and economic developments affecting nonprofit organizations
• Identify best practices to address higher risk audit/accounting and documentation requirements when performing a remote audit

Session 4

General Track: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG): What to Know and How to Implement

Presenters: Trevor Williams, Melissa Musser, and Amy Wares

Now more than ever, consumers are demanding that companies go the extra mile when it comes to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) responsibilities. A more diverse workforce allows for broadened perspectives and decision-making while ESG keeps organizations accountable. As companies advance their DEI journey, stakeholders are looking to data surrounding diversity and ESG to make informed investment decisions.

In this session, participants will explore ways to get staff and leadership involved in DEI, methods to diversify hiring and retention practices, and how to promote a culture of consciousness and understanding within the organization.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain an understanding of DEI and ESG and the risks related to these topics
• Provide attendees with information on ways they can implement/enhance their DEI and ESG programs at their organizations

Nonprofit Track: What Does Your 990 Say About You?

Presenters: Dick Locastro and Katelyn Miller

Many nonprofit organizations overlook or under-estimate the impact of their Form 990 – it’s not just a tax return. When approached thoughtfully, it can become a valuable tool for telling your story and give your organization a powerful advantage with donors and other funders. This session will explore the story-telling possibilities of Federal Form 990. You will learn ready-to-implement strategies for using your organization’s Form 990 to increase transparency, communicate mission and results more effectively, and promote the overall credibility of your organization.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the information in your 990 that can be leveraged to your advantage
• Learn ready-to-implement strategies for using your organization’s Form 990 to increase transparency, communicate mission and results more effectively, and promote the overall credibility of your organization

Session 5

The Intersection of Audit, Enterprise Risk Management, and Data Analytics

Presenters: Andreas Alexandrou, Mark Tessar, and Jenna Caprara

Finance departments and auditors alike are now turning to Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), data analytics, and detail-oriented audit functions to streamline tasks and improve reporting – digitally transforming their organizations for better decision-making and the flexibility to pivot when necessary. As a result, businesses are learning that taking a more wholistic approach, in the form of ERM, data analytics and audit processes is crucial to the wellness and longevity of the firm and the industry.

This presentation will focus on how various roles within a company focus on ERM and how collaboration with the audit department can work to create a well-oiled machine, ensuring the continuity and safety of a business for its customers and its owners.

Learning Objectives:

• See the top strategies for integrating the Risk Management and Internal/External Audit functions to gain efficiency/effectiveness
• Understand how to incorporate data analytics and visualizations in your audit and risk management processes

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