Insurance Industry Conference
Overview
Discover fresh trends and top-notch practices shaping the insurance sector. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the field, this conference promises to arm you with valuable insights and expertise to level up your understanding of the insurance world.
Receive 8 CPE Hours with the Bonus Session!
Highlights
See agenda tab above for the full conference schedule.
Designed For
CPAs and financial professionals working in or with the insurance industry.
Objectives
To provide the latest information on current issues affecting the insurance industry.
Notice
All materials will be available to download in advance and participants will receive an email two days prior to the course date. Materials will also be posted in the “My CPE” section of the NESCPA website.
This event is co-sponsored with Iowa Society of CPAs.
Wednesday, June 18
Optional Session
- Optional Bonus Session: Navigating Ethical Leadership - Strategies for Making the Right Call
Attend this session and receive one (1) additional hour of CPE credit (8 hours total).
Leadership comes with tough decisions, some of which test ethical boundaries. This session explores examples of ethical failures and the consequences they bring. Learn practical strategies for making sound, values-driven decisions while balancing competing interests. Walk away with a stronger ethical framework to lead with confidence and integrity.
Speaker: Boz Bostrom, CPA | College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Welcome
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Iowa Department of Insurance Update
Discover the latest advancements, regulatory shifts and essential insights crucial for navigating the evolving insurance landscape in the upcoming year.
Speaker: Kevin Clark, Iowa Department of Insurance
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Economic Outlook in an Uncertain World
Uncertainty is at a record high in the United States, making the trajectory of economic growth difficult to discern. This session will discuss different scenarios for the US economy based on different policy outcomes. We will cover how inflation will evolve and how the Fed is likely to respond in the current environment. In addition, we will discuss recent developments in financial markets, including unusual moves in treasury and currency markets. Finally, we will discuss potential transformation of the US economy in the medium to long run.
Speaker: Michael Wolf, Deloitte
This session is available to registrants only.
Breakout Session
- NAIC Update
What’s new at the NAIC this year in statutory reporting and accounting? This session will cover key updates from the 2024 NAIC Spring National Meeting held in March, including highlights relevant to insurers and preparers. It will also provide an overview of the finalized risk-based capital formula reporting formats released in April, as well as the 2025 annual statement reporting format changes finalized in late May. Gain guidance to help companies navigate internal process adjustments in response to these changes.
Speaker: Connie Jasper Woodroof
This session is available to registrants only.
- Tax Update
The insurance industry is facing a constantly evolving tax landscape, with new laws and regulations introduced each year. Staying current is essential to ensure compliance, manage risk, and minimize potential liabilities. This session will provide an update on the latest proposed and enacted tax legislation, with a focus on how these changes may impact the insurance industry. Topics will include potential corporate tax rate changes and their effect on interim provision calculations, along with practical insights to help organizations navigate the road ahead.
Speakers: Brandy Shy, FORVIS and Mary Beth Zajicek, Deloitte
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- The Future of Insurance: GIA Insights and CPAs Roles in Helping Bring Forward the Future
Join Dan Israel, Managing Director of the Des Moines-based Global Insurance Accelerator (GIA), for a look into the rapidly evolving world of insurance and the crucial role CPAs play within it. The insurance industry is undergoing significant transformation driven by technological advancements and changing customer expectations.
Dan will provide a brief overview of the GIA, a leading accelerator program fostering innovation in the insurance sector right here in Iowa. He'll explore key trends shaping the future of insurance – from AI and data analytics to new distribution models – and explore the implications for the accounting profession. Discover how CPAs can adapt, advise, and add value in this changing landscape.
The highlight? Experience innovation firsthand! Dan will showcase pitch videos from successful GIA alumni companies tackling real-world insurance challenges. You'll get to step into the investor's seat in a fun, interactive "Shark Tank" style segment, voting for the innovations you find most compelling.
Speaker: Dan Israel, Global Insurance Accelerator (GIA)
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Current Issues in Business Ethics 2025
Stay up to date on the latest business ethics issues impacting accounting and finance professionals. Explore key laws and regulations shaping the profession, analyze real-world ethical violations and their consequences, and gain practical strategies for navigating complex ethical challenges with confidence.
Speaker: Boz Bostrom, CPA | College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Harnessing AI: Redefining Finance in Insurance
AI and data advancements are revolutionizing finance, pushing insurance organizations to rethink their operating models and harness data as a strategic asset to drive sustainable performance. This session will reveal how AI is reshaping insurance and how finance can leverage these tools to drive enterprise value.
Speaker: David Fourie, KPMG
This session is available to registrants only.
Breakout Session
- FASB & SEC Update
Stay ahead of the curve with the latest developments from the FASB and SEC that directly impact insurers. This session will provide a timely and practical update on current and emerging financial reporting issues, with a focus on topics most relevant to insurance company GAAP reporting professionals. Gain insights into recent standards, proposed changes, and regulatory priorities, along with how they may affect financial statements, disclosures, and compliance processes.
Speaker: Andrew Pidgeon, Deloitte
This session is available to registrants only.
- Insurance Operation Trends and Hot Topics
The individual life and annuities industry is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by shifting customer expectations, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies. This session explores the key trends reshaping the industry and how leading insurance carriers are adapting their business models and operations in response. Explore how modernization efforts are impacting finance and accounting functions - from data management and reporting to operational efficiency and compliance. Through real-world examples, gain insight into the tools and capabilities enabling these changes, the potential impacts to your organization, and lessons learned from those leading the charge. Walk away with a clearer understanding of what’s ahead and practical takeaways for supporting operational change within your organization.
Speaker: Joshua Schwartz, PwC
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Stretch Break
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Industry Leaders Hot Topic Panel
In this interactive panel discussion, we will explore some of the hottest topics shaping the insurance industry today. This engaging session will provide a unique opportunity to hear key insights from leading experts on important trends and developments. Don't miss this chance to stay ahead of the curve and gain valuable perspective into the future of insurance.
Panelists:
- Ken McCullum, EVP & CRO, Principal
- Elisabeth Sandersfeld, CFO, Merchants Bonding Company
- Wendy Young, Chief Liability Officer, Fidelity & Guaranty Life
- Moderator: Chris Yuska, Partner, EY
This session is available to registrants only.
Non-Member Price $395.00
Member Price $335.00