VIRTUAL CONFERENCE – TWO-DAY EVENT – 16 CPE

AI can summarize COSO and PCAOB standards in seconds. What it can’t tell you is how other companies are actually running their SOX programs: how many key controls they test, how they handle IT controls, and what their auditors are pushing back on. SOX & Internal Controls Update 2027 is a two-day, live virtual CPE conference (April 20–21, 2027, Central Time) where Big 4 and advisory-firm specialists share what they are seeing across their client companies, and in-house accounting and finance leaders share how their own teams are handling ICFR, IT general controls, management review controls, SOX efficiency and automation, AI in controls, and SEC and PCAOB developments.

You’ll come away with real perspective on how your counterparts at other companies are dealing with the same challenges you face: the judgments they’re making, the approaches that are working, and the mistakes to avoid. Includes an extended IT controls deep dive, a live SOX automation demo, and benchmarking on what peer companies spend, staff, and test. No travel required.

AT A GLANCE:

  • Dates: Tuesday–Wednesday, April 20–21, 2027
  • Time: 8:45a to 4:40p (Central) each day
  • Format: Live virtual conference (attend from anywhere)
  • Why attend: Hear how the firms’ clients and your counterparts at other companies are handling the same challenges you face
  • CPE: 16 CPE credits
  • Who should attend: Staff and senior accountants, accounting managers, directors of accounting, controllers, CAOs, and CFOs, plus SOX program managers, internal and IT audit, and risk and compliance professionals at public, pre-IPO, and private companies

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  • Benchmark your company’s approach against how peer companies and the firms’ clients are handling the same issues
  • Apply ICFR lessons learned and current inspection trends to your SOX program
  • Strengthen IT general controls across access, change management, cloud and SaaS applications, SOC 1 reports, and ERP migrations
  • Design management review controls with appropriate precision and validate reports used in controls
  • Identify ways to rationalize, automate, and benchmark your SOX program
  • Evaluate controls over AI and the use of AI in SOX testing and documentation

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Cost: $595 (save $150 off the regular price of $745 if you register by March 19th).
This event will run from 8:45a to 4:40p (Central) each day.

REGISTER NOW »

Register any one of three ways:
1. Register online using a credit card and click the orange button
2. Register by phone at (610) 789-3110
3. Email your contact info to be invoiced to [email protected]

Agenda: DAY 1 (Tuesday, April 20, 2027 – Central Time)
8:45 10:05 ICFR Lessons Learned & Inspection Trends

  • Most common control deficiencies and their root causes
  • Risk assessment refresh and significant changes
  • PCAOB inspection and auditor focus areas
  • What peer companies are changing in their programs this year
10:05 10:15 Break
10:15 11:35 IT Controls Deep Dive, Part 1: Access, Change Management & IT Operations

  • User access provisioning, reviews, and privileged access
  • Segregation of duties in ERP and financial systems
  • Change management and program development controls
  • IT operations, job scheduling, and backups
  • Common ITGC deficiencies and how peers remediate them
11:35 11:45 Break
11:45 1:05 IT Controls Deep Dive, Part 2: Cloud/SaaS, SOC 1 Reports, System Reports & ERP Migrations

  • ITGCs for cloud and SaaS applications
  • Evaluating SOC 1 reports, carve-outs, and bridge letters
  • Complementary user entity controls you must test
  • Controls over system-generated reports and data
  • Controls before, during, and after ERP and cloud migrations
1:05 1:50 Lunch Break
1:50 3:10 Industry Panel: How SOX Leaders Run Their Programs

  • In-house SOX leaders share what is working at their companies
  • Working effectively with external auditors
  • Managing scope, staffing, and deadlines
  • Lessons learned from recent audit cycles
3:10 3:20 Break
3:20 4:40 Management Review Controls & System Reports: Getting Precision Right

  • Designing review controls with the right precision
  • Documenting reviewer expectations and follow-up
  • Validating reports and data used in controls (IUC/IPE)
  • What auditors and inspectors are citing
  • Practical examples and templates

 

Agenda: DAY 2 (Wednesday, April 21, 2027 – Central Time)
8:45 10:05 Building a More Efficient SOX Program

  • Top-down, risk-based scoping
  • Control rationalization and key control selection
  • Maximizing external auditor reliance
  • Testing strategies that reduce effort
10:05 10:15 Break
10:15 11:35 SOX Automation Live Demo

  • Live, on-screen demonstration of automated controls testing
  • Automating evidence collection and documentation
  • Full-population testing with data analytics
  • Workflow and GRC tools in practice
  • Where to start and what results to expect
11:35 11:45 Break
11:45 1:05 AI in SOX & Internal Controls

  • Controls over AI-enabled processes
  • Using AI to test controls and draft documentation
  • Validating AI outputs
  • Governance and auditor expectations
1:05 1:50 Lunch Break
1:50 3:10 SOX Benchmarking: What Peer Companies Spend, Staff & Test

  • Control counts and key control ratios
  • Testing hours, costs, and external audit fees
  • In-house, co-sourced, and outsourced staffing models
  • Technology adoption across SOX programs
  • How your program compares
3:10 3:20 Break
3:20 4:40 SEC & PCAOB Update and Material Weakness Remediation

  • Material weakness trends by root cause
  • Remediation plans that work
  • SEC developments affecting ICFR and filer status
  • PCAOB standard-setting and inspection observations

 

Speakers from the 2026 Series Included:
Megan Smith Deloitte, Audit & Assurance Manager
Morgan Aumick Deloitte, Manager
Daniel O’Leary Protiviti, Managing Director, Technology Audit & Advisory
Madison Richard Protiviti, Senior Manager, Internal Audit & Financial Advisory
Andy Willis Protiviti, Managing Director
Madison Singler Starbucks, Accounting Analysis Manager, Global Financial Risks & Controls
Kvita Agarwal TEGNA, Chief Audit Executive
Josh Aiello Orchestra BioMed, Vice President, Finance & Corporate Controller
Marcus Lindner EY, Partner
Arielle Ohayon EY, Senior Risk Consultant
Swati Patel EY, Partner
Dan Mochizuki KPMG, Director
Paul Bansal BPM, Managing Director, Tech Assurance
Justin Kay BPM, Partner, Technical Accounting & IPO Readiness
Jeff Dietrich BPM, Partner
Jon Medina Protiviti, Managing Director, Security & Privacy
Dan Hansen Protiviti, Managing Director
Randy Culpepper Baker Tilly, Managing Director, Risk Advisory Services
Kanika Hasija Baker Tilly, Risk Assurance Senior Manager
Kevin Donofrio KPMG, Director, KPMG Forensic
Peter Bradford KPMG, Managing Director, Global Leader – Fraud
Abby Cohen Deloitte, Managing Director, Audit & Assurance

 

WHAT ATTENDEES SAY:

“This was invaluable as my Company approaches Year 1 SOX in 2027. I had immediate takeaways that I’ll put into practice today. I’ll attend this session in future years as well as my Company develops in our SOX maturity.”
– Controller, Sanara MedTech Inc. | SOX & Internal Controls Update, Apr 2026

“It was a great conference. The speakers did a great job on keeping the topics interesting and easy to follow. I do not have a background in SOX and I thought it was easy to understand.”
– Manager, Internal Audit, Dine Brands | SOX & Internal Controls Update, Apr 2026

“This was incredibly helpful to see what a gold star would look like – very impressed with competence and energy of presenters.”
– IT SOX Manager, Trupanion | SOX & Internal Controls Update, Apr 2025

“Loved the variety of experience and insights that the industry experts brought to this discussion. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to real, practical guidance and lessons learned.”
– Director, Internal Controls, Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) | SOX & Internal Controls Update, Nov 2025

“Excellent conference! Great variety of different topics and speakers. Appreciated the focus on how AI can be used in SOX compliance going forward.”
– Enterprise Risk and Controls Program Manager, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines | SOX & Internal Controls Update, Nov 2025

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What is SOX & Internal Controls Update 2027?
Two-day live virtual SOX and internal controls CPE conference (16 CPE), April 20-21, 2027, led by Big 4 and technical experts.

Why attend a live conference when AI can explain the accounting rules?
AI can summarize what the standards say, but it can’t tell you how other companies are applying them. At this conference, Big 4 and advisory-firm specialists share what they are seeing across their client companies, and in-house leaders share how their own teams are handling the same challenges you face, so you leave with practical perspective you can’t get from the rules alone.

Will there be enough time on IT general controls?
Yes. The program includes an extended, two-part IT controls deep dive of more than two and a half hours covering access, change management, IT operations, cloud and SaaS applications, SOC 1 reports, system-generated reports, and ERP migrations.

Does the conference include a SOX automation demonstration?
Yes. Day 2 includes a live, on-screen demonstration of automated controls testing, evidence collection, and full-population analytics.

How many CPE credits can I earn?
Attendees earn 16 CPE credits for attending both days.

Who presents?
Sessions are led by Big 4 and other technical experts. Speakers from the 2026 series included specialists from Deloitte, Protiviti, EY, KPMG, BPM, and Baker Tilly, plus in-house accounting and finance leaders.

Where is the conference held?
Online. It is a live virtual event, so you can attend from your office or home with no travel required. Times are 8:45a to 4:40p (Central) each day.

How much does it cost?
$745, or $595 if you register by March 19th. Group and invoice options are available by phone at (610) 789-3110.

Who runs this conference?
ACS (Accounting Conferences and Seminars), which has produced CPE conferences designed specifically for corporate accountants since 2010.

See all upcoming virtual CPE conferences for corporate accountants.