Larry A. Ward, Ph. D, Partner, KPMG LLP
"Accounting update: What is happening now and what is next for our profession?"

Over the course of the past few years, U.S. GAAP has become more focused than ever on fair value accounting measures and other accounting standards which will continue to change the way businesses report and disclose information in their financial statements. In addition, there has been continuing pressure to converge the U.S. and international accounting standards and to eliminate complexities and differences. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recently announced its plans to end the requirement of foreign companies to reconcile their accounts to U.S. GAAP and is studying the current use of international accounting standards by U.S. companies. Please join me to explore some of the recent accounting pronouncements that could have significant ramifications to U.S. companies and to learn about potential changes in the future as the convergence of U.S. and international accounting standards begins to unfold.