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FICPA Health Care Conference Tailored to CPAs

BY LOIS THOMSON acknowledged that with the advent of
podcasts and live streams, maintaining
The Florida Institute of CPAs is a good, in-person attendance numbers at
statewide association that hosts a variety conferences can be challenging.
of conferences specifically tailored to the However, she added that in-person atten-
needs of CPAs in the state, to give them dance actually increased last year from
the best educational opportunities. previous years, and the exhibit hall was
However, the Health Care Conference also sold out for the first time. "I think
scheduled for April 24 – 25 at the Caribe you just have a much greater degree of
Royale Hotel and Convention Center in intimacy and an exchange of ideas at an
Orlando may be one of the most vital. conference are any CPA or financial pro- who is a new CPA or financial profes- in-person event. So I believe it's impor-
Diane Major, manager of learning cur- fessional in the state who works primarily sional to the health care system, because tant that people do make the time to
riculum at FICPA, said, "The health care in a health care environment – whether in it will feature a boot camp that offers the come to this conference, and especially
conference is particularly important a hospital, a physician organization, health basic fundamentals of what they need to because this is a once-a-year event,
because health care is an ever-changing plan, insurance – because the sessions are know in a health care environment. "It's specifically tailored to this constituency."
environment; it's highly regulated, with a a broad spectrum. "Some are tailored to a two-part session, and it's always good She added that the networking compo-
lot of changes – legislative changes – tak- public health care systems, some are tai- to have the new folks in on the first day nent is highly rated, pointing out that
ing place on a regular basis." She added lored to hospitals – so we have a variety so they get a good understanding; and there are core groups of people who are
it's important for CPAs and other finan- of content for a variety of medical and then they can attend the rest of the con- in the niche of CPA/finance work in
cial professionals in health care to receive health care delivery opportunities." ference and get further insight into health care, and this may be the only
targeted and up-to-date information Major also said that the conference may everything." conference where they have the opportu-
expressly customized for them. be particularly important to CPAs who are The conference will also feature case nity to network with each other for two
For that reason, Major said the confer- in mid-career, "because they're going to studies involving problems certain health days.
ence will focus on legislative updates, have to continue their practice for at least systems faced. Major believes case stud- Major concluded, "The FICPA has
being presented by Kathy Reep, vice another 10 years. They're not going to ies are a good way to insert an entertain- really targeted putting on a high-quality
president of financial services for the retire tomorrow. And this information, as ment component into real-life situations conference designed specifically to the
Florida Hospital Association; and infor- much as you may not want to learn it," she that are important, and are stories you needs of our people in the state. As con-
mation on breaking issues, like cannabis added with a chuckle, "is very critical to can learn from as well. "We also have venient as live streaming may be, noth-
regulations in Florida. In addition, atten- your success for the remainder of your telehealth issues, and issues with how ing can take the place of a one-to-one,
tion will be placed on technology, not career – that you have an understanding of hospitals make mistakes with debt, M&A face-to-face, networking opportunity
only in health care, but also in all aspects it and are able to implement it; because – not only from the hospital perspective, with your peers and with experts in the
of CPA work, cybersecurity, AI, robotics, these technological processes are going to but also from the physician group per- field."
data analytics – all of which is extremely change the fundamental way that CPAs spective. So there are a wide variety of
important to CPAs. conduct business." current and relevant topics." For more information, call
With that in mind, Major said those On the other hand, Major said the con- Select sessions will be available (480) 426-2583 or visit www.ficpa.org.
who should be interested in attending the
ference is equally important for anyone through live streaming, and Major

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12 February 2020 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News