2022 Human Resources & Accounting Conference

Schedule

• Day 1
• Day 2
• 10/26/2022
• 14:00Registration / Welcome14:00 - 15:00

  Join us for the Early Bird Sessions! Come early for three great sessions, stick around for an evening of networking with peers and exhibitors.
• 15:00HR Boot Camp: Welcome to HR15:00 - 16:30

  This session will provide an overview of the Wisconsin and Federal employment laws that all HR professionals need to know and dispel some misconceptions regarding laws that many think exist but do not. The discussion will include an overview of wage and hour law and dealing with harassment in the workplace. We will also discuss the nature of “at-will” employment and best practices when interviewing candidates and extending employment offers.

  Speakers

  Sam Mitchell
• 15:00Auditing Your Employee Handbook Relative to New Developments in Labor & Employment Legislation and Case Law15:00 - 16:30

  Recent developments at the federal and state level mandate that we give a serious reading to the language contained in our existing employee handbooks – e.g. employee classifications, drug and alcohol testing, etc. In some instances, the language of your current policy may invite issues, such that it should be modified. In other instances, a policy should be added (or deleted). And then how to message these changes to your employees? We will also examine your most frequently referenced policies – e.g. progressive discipline; social media; workplace violence and searches, etc. Although not mandatory, attendees are encouraged to bring their own employee handbooks.

  Speakers

  Miriam Horwitz
• 16:30Break with Exhibitors16:30 - 17:00

  Meet exhibitors and chat with your colleagues during this networking break.
• 17:00Legal Update: Significant Cases & Developments in 202217:00 - 18:30

  Staying current on all the new legal developments can be overwhelming. But, minimizing risk is something all employers want to do. Come find out about new laws, regulations, and significant court and administrative agency decisions from the past year so you can prepare for the future and keep yourself out of trouble.

  Speakers

  Doug WitteMark JohnsonSam Mitchell
• 18:30Social with Exhibitors18:30 - 21:00

  Enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres and chat with exhibitors and colleagues during this evening social.
• 10/27/2022
• 7:00Registration, Breakfast, Welcome, and Announcements7:00 - 8:00

  Start the day off with breakfast at 7:00 a.m. and check out our 15 human resources and 8 accounting sessions.
• 8:00Benefit Statements8:00 - 9:00

  In today’s labor market what can I do to help my employees understand the value working for me has to them and their family. A benefit statement is a personal summary of an employee's benefits, including an estimate of the cost to provide those benefits. It highlights the value the employee receives from the company over and above the regular paycheck. This session will assist you in calculating your total compensation package for your employees and then how to present the statement to your employees.

  Speakers

  Andrew KaehnyJenna Oliver
• 8:00Job Interviewing Tips8:00 - 9:00

  With the continued war for talent in a scarce labor market, employers sometimes lose sight of important HR practices that can both hurt them in finding suitable employees and may put them at risk. This session will review the purpose and goal of employment interviews, discuss the preparation you should do before the interview, review some problem areas to avoid or how to navigate them if they come up during the interview, and provide some post-interview pointers. Not only will this session provide some legal guidance to make sure you are avoiding trouble, but you will get some practical advice about what does or does not work in the industry.

  Speakers

  Doug WitteNicole Frank
• 8:00Do I need to comply with DOT requirements?8:00 - 9:00

  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) are the DOT rules which regulate vehicles on the roadway. Much confusion exists about complying with FMCSR. This session will provide an overview of the FMCSR (DOT) regulations including who needs to comply, who needs a commercial driver’s license (CDL), and a summary of key regulations.

  Speakers

  Mike Yonka
• 8:00Financial Statement Impact of The New Leasing Standard under GAAP8:00 - 9:00

  This presentation will discuss the new leasing standard under GAAP that goes into effect for most private companies starting in 2022. The financial statement impacts may be significant for companies, and those impacts should be understood in advance of year end. We will discuss what the major changes are from existing GAAP, what impacts the users of the financial statements may see, and what conversations should be started today with those users.

  Speakers

  Adam MuellerPreston Tomlinson
• 8:00Job Costing – Back to the Basics 8:00 - 9:00

  Whether you are new to Job Cost, or about to embark on a quest for a job costing software, this session will prepare you with the basics of job costing. Learn about how to sort and categorize costs, measuring costs against budget and industry norms, and options that your company can explore if you are looking to track costs by job.

  Speakers

  Denita Schreier
• 9:00Break with Exhibitors9:00 - 9:30

  Enjoy refreshments and visit with exhibitors in the trade show.
• 9:30Magnetic Leadership: How to Attract, Lead & Retain Extraordinary People9:30 - 10:30

  Learn to lead not simply by your title, but from a position of natural influence. Because people don't follow companies, they follow people. In this session you'll gain strategies that'll help you confidently lead in a magnetic fashion that will empower you to attract, develop and retain an extraordinary team.

  Speakers

  Julie McCarthy
• 9:30Handling Difficult People9:30 - 10:30

  Are you ready to master tough conversations? The ones that typically cause you to blow up or avoid. If so, this session about handing difficult people is for you!

  Speakers

  Tina Nazier
• 9:30HR Department of One9:30 - 10:30

  As the world of work continues to evolve, these changes have an increasing pressure on HR teams of one. This session is designed to discuss trends and best practices in employee benefits, compensation and compliance related items.

  Speakers

  Mike Johnson
• 9:30Financial Reporting Opportunities: Software Matters9:30 - 10:30

  Contractors have specific reporting needs that can be met easily with the appropriate financial reporting software. Wondering which is the best option for your business or if you are reporting on the right information? This session will discuss the best software solutions for your industry as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each option. There are many options for customized reporting to make your monthly/yearly reporting efficient. Interact with experts who use each software. They will discuss Quickbooks, Masterbuilder (Safe 100) and Intacct.

  Speakers

  Jack ClaphamNancy Mehlberg
• 9:30Change Orders – Best Practices 9:30 - 10:30

  Come to this session to hear from two CFO’s on change order best practices from both the subcontractor and general contractor perspective. Lessons learned will be shared as we navigate techniques to make sure you don’t have a profit fade from scope adjustments throughout a project. Take away tips to apply to your company’s policies and procedures.

  Speakers

  Andrew KaehnyDenita Schreier
• 10:30Break with Exhibitors10:30 - 11:00

  Enjoy refreshments and visit with exhibitors in the trade show.
• 11:00Responding to Employee Concerns; Creating a Supervisor’s Playbook to Stay in Bounds and Out of Penalty11:00 - 12:00

  Your supervisors are the first line of defense when workplace issues arise. This includes responding to discrimination, harassment, safety or health, fraud waste or abuse, working conditions, and a wide range of other issues. In this session, we will discuss strategies to ensure your supervisory team responds to issues in a consistent and reliable way, quickly identifying issues so that they can be resolved in compliance with legal obligations which promotes employee satisfaction and reduces litigation risk. This session will conclude with “HR Jeopardy” where you can practice your new-found skills and win “fabulous prizes.”

  Speakers

  Bob Sanders
• 11:00Union Organizing in 2022 – Generation Z Makes its Mark11:00 - 12:00

  Union membership levels across the country are reaching their highest levels in years due to a combination of factors, including favorable federal policies, worker shortages and an increased trend toward social activism. This presentation will update participants on recent organizing trends and changes in labor law direction, while identifying key decision points for employers interested in union topics.

  Speakers

  Dan Barker
• 11:00Stay Interviews11:00 - 12:00

  According to recent Gallup surveys, most turnover is avoidable. In fact, 52% of voluntarily exiting employees say their organization could have done something to prevent them from leaving. One of the best ways to keep your star players is by having stay conversations. These talks reveal risk factors for turnover and show top talent that you truly care. Join this session to learn what they are, how to have them, and the far-reaching benefits. Don’t wait for signs of trouble; learn what can be done to proactively retain talent.

  Speakers

  Jenna Bidwell
• 11:00Building and Maintaining a Financially Strong Business11:00 - 12:00

  Join John Folsom, CPA and Dan Bergs, CPA as they discuss best practices to ensure your business is poised to foster and maintain healthy growth. In this session, attendees will learn how to assess the overall health of their businesses both financially and operationally so they can begin to “work on their business, not just in their business.” Each attendee will evaluate their business from a high-level and identify key areas for improvement. Topics covered will include: • Understanding key performance indicators (KPIs) and ratios • Budgeting • Fraud prevention and protection • Building value • And more!

  Speakers

  Dan BergsJohn Folsom
• 12:00Keynote Luncheon: Building Blocks of Character and The Tricycle Effect 12:00 - 13:00

  This keynote is a multimedia presentation designed to "coach" the audience on the character building blocks necessary in “The Tricycle Effect” to be more significant in life by being more productive and successful leading with character first. This presentation will inspire you to grow personally as leaders and transform your company culture.

  Speakers

  Dane Deutsch
• 13:00Compensation in a Post Pandemic World13:00 - 14:00

  Compensation strategies and approaches have not been immune from the impact of the pandemic. The challenges finding capable field, professional and leadership people is as challenging as ever. This session will identify the most effective techniques to help an organization attract, retain and motivate employees in this new atmosphere. We will explore the latest impacts on base, premiums and incentives so they are delivered in a way that reinforces the organization’s desired strategy and work environment. This will include the latest data and approaches so an organization can remain competitive in the talent marketplace.

  Speakers

  Kevin Paulsen
• 13:00Mental Health: Creating a Stigma-Free Workplace Training 13:00 - 14:00

  Mental health impacts millions of individuals each year. While the prevalence of mental health is high, negative attitudes and stigma related to mental health are still pervasive. That stigma, along with other factors such as negative past experiences, cost, and access issues, prevent many individuals living with a mental health disorder from seeking treatment. All employees can play a significant role in helping to reduce the stigma related to mental health and build a work culture that makes it okay to talk about it. This training will introduce you to skills to help you notice and recognize potential signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and provide tools and resources to reach out and start a conversation. In addition, the training will share techniques for helping create a culture that supports the mental health of all employees.

  Speakers

  Bruce Morton
• 13:00OSHA Update and Model Techniques for Handling OSHA and other Government Inspections13:00 - 14:00

  This presentation will outline the changes in OSHA standards and target areas applicable to ABC of Wisconsin contractors and demonstrate a best practice format for handling inspections.

  Speakers

  Charles B. Palmer
• 13:00Wisconsin Sales & Use Tax Issues for the Construction Industry: Building Blocks for a Better Tax Outcome13:00 - 14:00

  This session will guide you through the typical audit process, highlight common mistakes, update you on recent tax law changes, and address some of the issues you should be aware of when dealing with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue in a sales and use tax audit. Our presenters have past experience auditing for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and helping construction contractors with sales and use tax issues.

  Speakers

  Austin DeMossTara Johnson
• 13:00Retirement Plan Best Practices to Help Achieve Employee Financial Wellness13:00 - 14:00

  The benefits of the retirement plan you offer may sometimes be forgotten by employees. However, when properly utilized, retirement accounts can become an individual’s largest source of wealth. Learn how you can help your employees take their retirement benefits to the next level with financial wellness sessions, online tools, and appropriate messaging, while also following best practices for maintaining your retirement plan.

  Speakers

  Derec MiedenMitchell Guralski
• 14:00Break with Exhibitors14:00 - 14:30

  Includes prize giveaways and an ice cream social!
• 14:30HR Roundtable – Thinking out of the box to Hire and Retain Employees14:30 - 15:30

  Companies are having to think out of the box with new ideas for recruiting and retaining employees. A few examples would be Corporate Chaplain and Dream Coach. Come to this roundtable discussion with your ideas or ways that your company is thinking out of the box and share them with other HR professionals who attend.
• 14:30 Legal Update: Significant Cases and Developments in 2022 (repeated)14:30 - 15:30

  While all employers would like some stability and predictability, the reality is the employment landscape continues to shift. Staying current on all the new legal developments can be overwhelming. But minimizing risk is something all contractors want to do. Come find out about new laws, executive orders, regulations, and decisions from the past year so that you can prepare for the future and lessen your risks. This interactive session will update you on the latest court and agency actions, highlight other significant issues employers need to know about, and answer questions you might have so you can continue to be successful in 2022 and beyond.

  Speakers

  Doug WitteMark JohnsonSam Mitchell
• 14:30Digital Technology – Friend or Foe?14:30 - 15:30

  The hiring landscape has changed. This session will look at the candidate journey funnel through the lens of digital marketing tools and how these tools impact the hiring process before initial contact to onboarding. It will address the importance of a company's online presence and overall brand in the marketplace and how it affects the hiring process.

  Speakers

  Leia Schneeberger
• 14:30Cutting Cost; Winning Workers Compensation 14:30 - 15:30

  Worker’s compensation costs are amongst the largest expense for many companies. Wouldn’t it be great to lower them? In this session, we will evaluate the key drivers of your worker’s compensation costs and discuss strategies to reduce costs, including unexpected costs that arise from final premium audits, indemnification clauses in contracts, and uninsurable claims.

  Speakers

  Robert Sanders
• 15:30End of the Conference15:30 - 15:30

  Thanks for coming! Have a safe trip home.