Kansas State University

Accounting program announces inaugural Conference on Accounting and Technology

Submitted by Brent Fritzemeier

The Kansas State University accounting department will host its inaugural Accounting and Technology Conference Oct. 3-4 in Manhattan. The conference is targeted at accounting professionals seeking to understand the impacts of technology on the accounting profession in today's business world, and provides 16 hours of continuing professional education.

The conference will feature keynote speakers from across the country, including Jackson Day, partner and the Americas professional director for the Northeast Region at Ernst and Young LLP; Lynn Turner, the former chief accountant of the Securities and Exchange Commission; and former K-State football coach Bill Snyder, who will be the lunchtime keynote speaker.

According to Brooke Beyer, assistant professor in the department and lead conference organizer, the conference aims to explore the integration of accounting and technology.

"Our profession is evolving very quickly," Beyer said. "This conference is about equipping accounting professionals with the skills that they will need to be competitive in an ever-changing, technologically-focused business world."

In addition to a series of leading speakers, the conference will address a range of topics from financial reporting, auditing and tax updates, to data analytics, cybersecurity and blockchain. The conference will also feature some hands-on, interactive data workshops designed to help professionals in building current technology skills. One session will feature a comparison of technology options, including guidance on how to select the most relevant technology software to meet business needs. Another session will discuss how to use data analytics applications with accounting firm clients including creating an interactive dashboard for clients to use.

"This two-day conference will bring to Manhattan a set of exceptional speakers, and offers an incredible opportunity to draw together accounting professionals from across Kansas and from further afield," said Brett Wilkinson, head of the accounting department. "It's a positive for both Manhattan and for Kansas State University."

For further information and to register to attend, visit the conference website or email Wilkinson at bwilkinson@k-state.edu or Beyer at bbeyer@k-state.edu.