CFO Series: Driving Efficiency - NEW! - Webcast

Overview

"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.

This day of the CFO Series will focus on these four topics:

• Audit Survival Toolkit: Tactics to Reduce Stress and Get Through Audits with Confidence
• Internal Controls That Matter: Protection with Simple, Smart, and Scalable Practices
• Cash Flow Clarity: Effectively Communicate Cash Flows to Drive Better Decisions
• Amazingly Crazy Fraud Cases - Fraud So Wild It Shouldn't Be Real

This event is part of OSCPA's 2026 CFO Series, designed to provide a convenient, one-stop way for senior level financial managers and executives, CFOs and those who aspire to be CFOs, to choose multiple days 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.

Register by May 1 and save $20 of this webcast.

Register for the 2026 CFO Series Bundle and save up to $200 (that is $40 off each course)!

Highlights

Session 1: 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.

• 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

Objectives:

1. Distinguish between internal, external, and compliance audits.
2. Identifying audit objectives and how to support them during engagements.
3. How to prepare effectively for the planning and fieldwork phases.
4. Improve communication with auditors and reduce common audit friction.
5. Respond confidently and constructively to audit findings.
   

Session 2: Internal Controls That Matter: Protection with Simple, Smart, and Scalable Practices

• 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

Objectives:

1. Defining the role and purpose of internal controls in financial and operational settings.
2. Identify five (5) core components of a strong control framework.
3. Evaluate risks in smaller organizations and how to design right-sized controls.
4. Discover how to implement internal controls using practical, scalable steps.
5. Monitoring internal control effectiveness and how to adjust them.

Session 3: Cash Flow Clarity: Effectively Communicate Cash Flows to Drive Better Decisions

• 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

Objectives:

1. Understand how and why most cash flow statements are misunderstood.
2. Discuss alternative methods to make our users understand cash flow.

Session 4: Amazingly Crazy Fraud Cases - Fraud So Wild It Shouldn't Be Real

• 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

Objectives:

1. Identify common red flags and warning signs of financial fraud.
2. Analyze how internal controls failed in real-world examples.
3. Strengthen professional skepticism through case-based reflection.
4. Apply lessons learned to improve fraud awareness in your organization.

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. Prefer some exposure to ethical dilemmas.

Designed For

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.

Objectives

See objectives listed above.