Accounting & Auditing Conference (Springfield) (C41395)

Ralph Nach is the author and instructional designer of the popular annual Accounting and Auditing Clinic™ that has been presented across the U.S. for scores of firms and thousands of attendees.  He is a sought-after conference speaker and course facilitator throughout the U.S. and internationally.

 

 

Mr. Nach possesses a depth and breadth of expertise serving in several capacities:

• Consulting expert and technical advisor on litigation and financial forensics matters
• Designer and facilitator of conference presentations and training workshops on technical topics that include the application of domestic and international accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and quality control standards, as well as nontechnical topics, including those related to leadership and interpersonal development
• Senior faculty and technical advisor for a large, national professional training firm
• Senior research analyst for accounting and reporting policy for an investment advisory/credit analysis firm focusing on the impact of new and existing accounting and reporting standards and practices.

Mr. Nach has served the accounting profession for over 35 years in a variety of capacities that include auditor, quality control reviewer, and external peer reviewer. Prior to becoming a full-time consultant, educator and facilitator, he served as a national office quality control partner in one of the largest international accounting firms and as the national chief learning officer for one of the largest national networks of independent accounting firms.

Debra R. Hopkins, CPA, CIA is a frequently requested speaker and professional consultant. She is known for her lively and animated teaching style. Technical issues are presented using real-life examples. Her areas of expertise include auditing, corporate governance, financial accounting, and International Accounting and Auditing Standards. Her international teaching experience spans four continents. She conducts audit staff training and accounting and auditing updates for public accounting firms and corporations throughout the country.

Debra is a full-time faculty member at NIU and has directed the CPA review since July 1991. She teaches auditing, financial accounting and governmental accounting in the review courses and has achieved top five national passing rates in auditing for 18 out of the last 35 CPA exams, more than any other university in the nation. In the latest statistics released on CPA exam pass rates, Northern Illinois graduate students ranked number 12 in the nation for highest CPA exam pass rates.

Some of Debra's recent accomplishments include: Chair of the ICPAS Board of Directors, Northern Illinois University Presidential Excellence award 2007, Northern Illinois University Amazing Woman award recipient 2006, Women To Watch award recipient, ICPAS, AICPA 2005, Author of Get Motivated, You Can Pass the CPA Exam, by John Wiley & Sons, 2009; Debra is a receipient of the ICPAS Outstanding Accounting educator award. Debra is a member of the Illinois CPA Society, Board of Directors 2001- 2009; Chair 2008; Senior Vice-Chair 2007; Illinois CPA Society, Audit and Assurances Services Committee, Chair 1999 - 2001; Audit Committee, 2001 - 2006; Chair 2006, American Accounting Association; Institute of Internal Auditors; American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, American Professional Accounting Certification Providers' Association (APACPA), 1999 -2009; President, 2004 - 2009. Debra holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. She also earned a Master in Accounting Science degree from Northern Illinois University.

J. Bradley Sargent is the Managing Member of The Sargent Consulting Group, LLC, a firm dedicated to Forensic Accounting and Financial Investigations. Prior to forming SCG, he served as the National Practice Leader of Forensic Services at a boutique consulting firm with offices in Chicago, New York, Washington DC, Cleveland and Detroit. Brad specializes in applying accounting, investigative, operational and technical procedures to identify facts in dispute. He has extensive experience in asset search and recovery, biographical investigations, business consulting, computer forensics and e-discovery issues, corporate recovery services, damage calculations and analyses, employee dishonesty claims, financial and accounting investigations, financial due diligence, internal investigations, management internal control reviews and performance compliance reviews. Typical projects entail providing advisory services (pre-litigation and litigation) to a diverse client base: in-house counsel, outside general counsel, trial attorneys, creditors, examiners, trustees, audit committees and boards of directors. Brad's expertise covers a wide variety of industries including automotive, banking, construction, distribution, education, employee benefits, energy, finance, food processing, governmental, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, metals, professional services, retail, securities, telecommunications, transportation, warehousing, waste management and wholesale. As Managing Member of the firm, Brad believes that active leadership is critical in leading parties to the facts. Brad serves as the Chair of the Illinois Certified Public Accountant Society Consulting Services Executive Committee and Chair Emeritus of the American Board of Forensic Accounting. He has attained status as Fellow of the American College of Forensic Examiners International (ACFEI). He is also a member of the University of Illinois at Chicago Accounting Department's Executive Board. Organizations have recognized his leadership and impact by conferring the ACFEI Distinguished Board Service Award and University of Illinois at Chicago's Accounting Alumni of the Year Award to him. In addition to the ACFEI, Brad is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Forensic & Valuation Services Section, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Association of Certified Fraud Specialists, Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors and the Illinois Certified Public Accountant Society. He is also an associate member of the American Bar Association, Litigation and Criminal Justice Sections. Brad's enthusiasm for forensics is evidenced by his published articles, multiple speaking engagements and passion for teaching. Professionals and students alike have learned from Brad how to "think like a forensic accountant." He has presented numerous continuing education seminars on the subject of forensic accounting and fraud examinations and he has been frequently quoted in various media. Brad recently served as the national instructor for the Certified Forensic Accountant course and also acts as a guest lecturer on forensic accounting at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois State University, Eastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University.

Elliott Roth is an Audit Partner with over 35 years of experience.  He is involved in the firm’s Professional Practice, Consulting Services, and Litigation Services Groups.  He has extensive expertise in financial statement presentations and forensic accounting, as well as quality assurance reviews and procedures, litigation support and valuations of closely-held businesses. Elliott also concentrates his practice in the areas of employee benefit plans and SSAE 16 engagements.

Elliott consults with partners, staff and clients on accounting, auditing and financial statement presentation issues.  He also collaborates frequently with attorneys on litigation matters.

Elliott taught at the university level for over 25 years and is a frequent speaker on accounting and forensic related topics at universities, business and professional organizations, law firms and financial institutions.  He has published articles in several legal newsletters and periodicals.