Buxmont: Blockchain, Acct. Expert Witness, Comp/Review/Prep. Update (Surgent)

Registration begins at 7:00 a.m.

This 8-hour day includes three segments: Understanding Blockchain, Bitcoin, and Digital Assets, and Their Accounting Intricacies; The Accountant as the Expert Witness; and Guide and Update to Compilations, Reviews, and Preparations.

Major Topics:

• Cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, crypto assets, and other digital assets
• Blockchain
• NFT accounting
• Becoming qualified as an expert witness
• Best practices for testifying at trial
• Understanding the different roles accountants can play in litigation
• Working with attorneys to prepare and present a case at trial
• The role of experts in commercial versus personal injury litigation
• Confidentiality orders
• Compensation for expert witnesses
• Preparing for and attending depositions
• Daubert challenges to experts
• Expert reports
• The role of experts in antitrust, securities litigation, and professional liability cases
• Credibility as a witness
• FASB ASC 350 – Intangibles – Goodwill and other
• SSARS No. 21, Clarification and Recodification, and updates to SSARS No. 21 due to the issuance of SSARS No. 23, Omnibus Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services
• SSARS No. 22, Compilation of Pro Forma Financial Information
• SSARS No. 24, Omnibus Statement on Standards for Accounting and Review Services -- 2018
• SSARS No. 25, Materiality in a Review of Financial Statements and Adverse Conclusions
• Sample comprehensive engagement work programs for preparation, compilation, and review engagements

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the fundamentals of blockchains and digital assets, including cryptocurrencies
• Identify the relevant U.S. GAAP guidance for measuring, recognizing, and reporting cryptocurrencies and other digital assets
• Describe the relation between cryptocurrencies and blockchain
• Understand how to become qualified as an expert witness
• Learn skills that experts use during deposition and trial to support their conclusions
• Understand the litigation process and the role accountants play in moving a case forward through to trial
• Understand and apply SSARS No. 21, Clarification and Recodification
• Be familiar with changes related to the issuance of SSARS Nos. 22-25
• Be familiar with preparation, compilation, and review program examples
• Be aware of the most recent reports and other required communications

 Designed For:

CPE Credits: 5 Auditing, 3 Accounting

Level: Basic/Update

Prerequisite: Experience in performing and managing compilation, preparation, and review engagements

Speaker Bio: Thomas E. Newell, Jr. (Tom) is a shareholder in the firm of Newell & Newell, P.C., which is located in Columbus, GA. Tom started the firm with his wife, Silvia Newell, CPA in 1986. Prior to that, his public accounting experience included both local firms and international firms. Tom has performed hundreds of peer reviews and has been involved with the peer review program since 1989.

Tom served on the Georgia Society (GSCPA) peer review committees from 1989 to 1993. In 1993, he was selected to be one of the technical reviewers for the Georgia Society Peer Review Program and served for nine years. During his time as technical reviewer, Tom worked with the GSCPA to move the peer review committee from in-person to online meetings. Tom has also served several years on the accounting and auditing committee at the Georgia Society.

He has been a presenter at conferences and CPE courses for over 30 years. He has been a frequent presenter for the Georgia Society of CPAs at the Southeastern Accounting Show, Tax Forum (A&A topics), and the Accounting Institute. Tom is also a discussion leader for various continuing education courses on A&A topics for other state societies. He has made presentations at Fortune 500 companies and several government agencies on accounting and auditing, internal controls, and cybersecurity.

As a presenter, Tom has been described as a dynamic speaker who is able to take a boring topic (accounting and auditing) and make it interesting. His skills resulted in his being awarded the Surgent Outstanding Discussion Leader Award in 2015, 2016, and 2018. Tom was recognized in 2018 by the AICPA as an Outstanding Facilitator for his consistently high evaluations of knowledge and presentation skills. As the world of presentations has been changing, Tom has been a champion of moving to virtual presentations. He was involved in the early years of simulcasting by various state CPA societies, as well as the recording of video and audio self-study courses. Tom is now prepared for the next wave of change toward the totally virtual classroom that simulates a true live classroom experience.

Tom graduated cum laude from Georgia Southwestern College in Americus, GA in 1980.