Great course, exactly as advertised. Got exactly what I wanted and now know how the different schedules/forms tie together and the purpose for each.

James R. Eldridge
Vice President, Investor Relations
Amazon.com, Inc., Seattle, WA
(June 2008)

To register online, click the city below. To register by fax, click here. For hotel information, click here.

August 28-29 New York, NY New York Marriott Marquis September 4-5 Boston, MA Sheraton Boston Hotel September 8-9 Chicago, IL Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers September 29-30 San Francisco, CA The Fairmont San Francisco October 2-3 San Diego, CA Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina-Executive Center October 6-7 Washington, DC JW Marriott October 22-23 Houston, TX Renaissance Houston Hotel Greenway Plaza October 27-28 Denver, CO Sheraton Denver Hotel November 17-18 Atlanta, GA InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta November 20-21 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand November 24-25 Chicago, IL The Westin Chicago River North December 4-5 Orlando, FL Disney's Beach Club Resort December 11-12 San Francisco, CA The Westin St. Francis Hotel December 18-19 New York, NY Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers January 26-27 Las Vegas, NV Wynn Las Vegas February 23-24 San Francisco, CA The Fairmont

“Andy did an outstanding job making a topic that could otherwise be dry and boring very interesting and engaging.  He's got a great ability to make complex issues clear and unambiguous.”

Christopher Donaldson, Corporate Revenue Recognition Manager
Quest Software, Inc., Aliso Viejo, CA (Jun '08)

“I enjoyed the way Andy brought humor to serious issues and as well used great examples to convey his points.  There was lots of personalization, as Andy related everything directly to our own company filings.”

Dustin Duhon, Financial Analyst
Weatherford International Ltd., Houston, TX (Jun '08)

“Very interesting, the instructor made the boring material very colorful and vivid.  So many examples, and case analysis, it makes the class very interesting and useful.”

Qi Han, Senior Accountant
Symantec Corporation, Cupertino, CA (Jun '08)

“Andy did an incredible job!  His energy, humor and stories really enhanced my enjoyment and understanding of the topics.  Highly recommend!”

Heather E. Nehls, Financial Reporting Manager
Crocs, Inc., Niwot, CO (Jun '08)

“Excellent class--well paced, informative and organization of materials was superb--one of the best I've attended.”

Paul M. Coe, Asst. General Counsel, Oper. & Asst. Secretary
Rockwell Collins, Inc., Cedar Rapids, IA (Jun '08)

“Material was presented well.  Relevant items were highlighted and the course was tailored to business represented in the class.”

Nikki Dauer, Finance & Accounting Analyst
The Standard, Portland, OR (Jun '08)

“Excellent! Andy is a very engaging speaker.”

Scott Sieppert, Certified Management Accountant
TransCanada Corporation, Calgary, AB, Canada (Jun '08)

“Andy was a fantastic presenter--involved the audience, very humorous, dynamic and knowledgeable.”

Thaedra Thullbery, Assistant Controller
Omeros Corporation, Seattle, WA (Jun '08)

“I enjoyed Andy as a commentator/presenter.  He has an incredible wealth of knowledge and can present this technical information in such an enjoyable format.  He never loses your attention.”

DeAnn M. Totta, Principal Accounting Officer & Corporate Secretary
Maxus Realty Trust, Inc., North Kansas City, MO (Jun '08)

“Great program.  The instructor is very knowledgeable and he created a friendly and interactive environment for learning.  Food is great too.”

Joanna Zhao, Senior Accountant
Starbucks Corporation, Seattle, WA (Jun '08)

OLDIES, BUT GOLDIES:

“Always first rate!”

Larry H. King, Vice President
Tropicana Casinos & Resorts, Crestview HIlls, KY (Jan '08)

“This course was excellent.  Andy Bishop did a great job of making the material informative, relevant and stimulating.”

Ashley C. Lester, Financial Reporting Analyst
CarMax, Inc., Richmond, VA (Jan '08)

“One of the best CPE courses I’ve attended.”

Paul Chaney, Partner
Charry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P., Raleigh, NC (Jan '08)

“Great class!  Format was very informative and kept the class flowing well (never bored).  Good injection of humor.”

Nancy A. Powell, Supervisor
Ford Motor Company (Nov '07)

“The instructor’s knowledge and style was perfect.  I finally understand why.  I would recommend this class to everyone who assists in SEC filings.  This class was well worth the time and money.”

Richard D. Sieradzki, Assistant Vice President, Finance
Synalloy Corporation (Nov '07)

“This completely met my objectives.  I was hoping to gain a broad high level understanding of the major areas of SEC Reporting and the class delivered.”

Mark J. Vendetti, Sr. Vice President, Corporate Finance
XM Satellite Radio Inc. (Nov '07)

“This was a fantastic starting point for me, without any SEC filing background, I gained confidence that if I don’t know an answer, I know where I can go to look.  I got much more out of this than what I was expecting.”

Megan M. Dahle, Consultant
Milo Belle Consultants, LLC (July '07)

"This was a great hands on program. I got more out of this program than any other I have attended. I recommend anyone beginning SEC reporting to take this course first."

William Skinner, Jr., Sr. VP & Controller
Mercantile Bankshares Corporation (May '07)

"Even though much of the discussion was geared toward CPAs, I learned more than I thought I would.  In addition, the ‘book’ is invaluable and will be in my pocket from now on."

Dan Follis, Esq., Vice President
Compuware Corporation (May '07)

“I thought the instructor (Andy Bishop) did an excellent job of teaching this course, and I think the course was definitely set up in a way that it met the course objectives.”

Tara J. Spackeen, Analyst
The Boeing Company (May '07)

“One of the best seminars I have attended.  Andy is a very informative and engaging speaker.  The quality of information and the resources provided were excellent.”

James A. Pagnusat, Vice President, Finance
Macquarie Infrastructure Company (May '07)

“Great class because of a great instructor—truly made a difference to add humor and stories to this type of class.  Would highly recommend to others.”

Tami Vienna, Vice President, Corporate Accounting & Reporting
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (May '07)

“Extremely informative, relevant and engaging.  I feel I have gained more from this class than any other I have attended.”

Robert L. Cunningham, Accountant III
Southern Company Services, Inc. (May '07)

“I learned more in two days than I would in a semester of college.”

Douglas Dowe, Supervisor
Washington Gas Light Company (May '07)

“Very thankful for this course.  This has been the most productive and informative CPE course I have taken.  Excellent teaching, very well organized and a nice personal touch.”

Jeff Schmidt, Sr. Accountant, SEC & Financial Reporting
MicroStrategy, Inc. (May '07)

Two days — 16 CPE credits

AVERAGE CLASS SIZE APPROXIMATES 30

Popularly referred to as "SEC 101," SEC Reporting Skills is our basic SEC training workshop and the most highly acclaimed of its kind thanks to its small group setting, hands-on approach and expert, entertaining instructors. Perfect for beginners or as a refresher for professionals already reporting to the SEC, it is simply the best seminar available to help you:

• Master Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and the proxy statement
• Write a risk-free MD&A with ease
• Stay abreast of current SEC "hot topics" such as:
  • XBRL
  • Benefits of being a WKSI filer

PLUS....Learn how to:

• Solve your company's specific SEC reporting problems
• Evaluate the advice of your attorneys and auditors
• Prepare all major Exchange Act forms and filings
• Write an outstanding MD&A
• Understand the SEC's internal procedures and review criteria
• Deal with the SEC staff
• Reduce your company's SEC compliance cost
• Help officers and directors avoid liability pitfalls
• Apply the "unwritten but binding" administrative interpretations of rules by the SEC staff
• Re-evaluate your current SEC filings and avoid the "that's the way we've always done it" trap
• Get it right the first time

Course Schedule

DAY ONE

8:30 - 9 – Registration/Continental Breakfast

9 - Noon – Overview of the SEC’s Requirements

• Welcome and program introduction

• The SEC Jeopardy Game

• The 1933 Act vs. the 1934 Act -- registration vs. periodic reporting

• 1934 Act filings: Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K; who files; when, how and why

• The new rules for Smaller Reporting Companies and the transition rules for the small business forms

• Administrative requirements; special aspects of EDGAR (electronic) filings -- due dates; getting an extension; consequences of non-timely filing; amendments; in-house EDGAR

• The SEC’s integrated disclosure system -- use of Regulations S-K and S-X

• What pronouncements you must know; how the rules, regulations, forms, financial reporting releases, staff accounting and staff legal bulletins fit together

• Researching SEC problems; building your own SEC reference library

Noon - 1 – Luncheon

1 - 3:15 – Drafting Your Annual Report on Form 10-K

• Structuring Form 10-K -- relationship to the Annual Report to Shareholders and Proxy Statement

• A step-by-step walk-through of the narrative sections of the 10-K, highlighting controversial and frequently missed items

• Differences between the standard Form 10-K and the 10-K lite for the Smaller Reporting Companies

• Working with Regulation S-K

• Key disclosure issues in -- Risk factors, unresolved staff comments, describing your business, properties, involvement in litigation, environmental concerns, market performance and providing financial highlights

• Disclosure Controls

• CEO and CFO 302 and 906 Certifications

3:15 - 5 – The Management’s Discussion and Analysis Section

• The Coca-Cola enforcement case: Lessons for Disclosure and Audit Committees

• The SEC's latest MD&A Guidance -- FR 72

• Using plain-English

• The requirement to disclose critical accounting estimates

• How best to describe: Liquidity and capital resources, “known trends” and "known uncertainties" and year-to-year results of operations

• Voluntary vs. mandatory forward-looking information in the MD&A

• Financial Reporting Release 36 -- the SEC’s interpretations and guidance in applying the requirements

• How to discuss results of operations by segment

• Disclosing pro forma earnings and other alternative measures of performance -- Regulation G and S-K Item 10

• When MD&As draw Enforcement action, liability exposure of officers, directors and experts

• Who should contribute what -- organizing the MD&A drafting project

• SAB 74: How should the effects of the FASB's major new standards be disclosed?

• Use of checklists for MD&A preparation

• Should your MD&A be audited?

5 - 6:30 p.m. – Cocktail Party for Participants and Their Guests

NOTE: Current Activity at the SEC will be Discussed Throughout the Program

DAY TWO

8 - 8:30 – Continental Breakfast

8:30 - 9 – The PSLRA

• "Meaningful cautionary language" under the 1995 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act -- how detailed should it be? How does it protect you?

9 - 11 – Financial Statement Requirements of Form 10-K

• Working with Regulation S-X -- financial statement disclosure requirements that exceed GAAP

• PCAOB vs. AICPA

• Differences between the standard Form 10-K and the 10-K lite for the Smaller Reporting Companies

• Rules on periods to be covered, consolidation, special entities and footnotes

• Unconsolidated subsidiaries and equity investees -- requirements for separate financial statements or summarized financial data

• Reduced financial statement disclosure requirements for Smaller Reporting Companies -- the new Article 8 of Regulation S-X

• The hot accounting issues stemming from the SEC's concern with earnings management

• The latest list of SEC "hot buttons" in financial reporting

11 - Noon – Drafting Your Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

• Everything you should know about the preparation and filing of the quarterly report

• Special financial statement considerations, condensing the statements, footnote requirements

• Tips for preparing the MD&A in Form 10-Q

• The non-financial section of Form 10-Q

• The required SAS 100 review

• Disclosure Controls

• CEO and CFO 302 and 906 Certifications

Noon - 1 – Luncheon

1 - 2 – Current Reports on Form 8-K

• Walk-through of the various items

• The importance of timely disclosure of material corporate events; press releases vs. 8-K reporting

• Reporting the acquisition or disposition of material assets or businesses

• The need for audited and unaudited financial statements and pro forma information in connection with a business acquisition

• Reporting auditor changes -- pitfalls to avoid

2 - 3:30 – Proxy Statements and Annual Report to Shareholders

• Statutory requirements, the “proxy rules”

• Disclosures in the annual report to shareholders

• Preliminary and definitive proxy statements -- timing considerations

• Differences between the standard Proxy Statement and the Proxy Statement lite for the Smaller Reporting Companies

• Disclosures regarding directors and executive officers, security ownership, transactions with management, and delinquent filers of Forms 3, 4, and 5

• Beware of "Forward Certification"

• A heads-up on the Executive Compensation Disclosures

3:30 - 4:30 – Staying Out of Trouble: Insider Trading and Liability Risks for Corporate Officers, Directors and Principal Shareholders

• Civil and criminal liability risks under the 1934 Act

• Insider trading rules under Section 16

• The short-swing trading restrictions under Section 16

NOTE: Current Activity at the SEC will be Discussed Throughout the Program

Learning Objective: To provide an understanding of the SEC filing requirements, and a securities law update.
Delivery Method: Group-Live
Prerequisites/Advance Preparation: None
Program Level: Overview.