Annual FEI CFRI Conference to Address Outlook on Financial Reporting Transformation and Economy for 2012

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Oct. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial Executives International, the association of choice for CFOs and other senior-level finance executives, will be hosting the 30th annual Current Financial Reporting Issues Conference (CFRI) on November 14-15th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. For nearly three decades, CFRI has been the must-attend event for senior finance professionals, leading experts and regulators.  Entitled "On the Precipice of Change," CFRI will feature two days of in-depth discussion and insight on the most relevant issues facing the industry, and an outlook for the year ahead. This year's conference will feature keynote remarks from Geoff Colvin, senior editor-at-large, FORTUNE Magazine, and Anirban Basu, chairman and chief executive officer of Sage Policy Group Inc.  The event will also feature a host of other panelists, including Leslie Seidman, Chair of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB); James Kroeker, chief accountant of the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); and Ian Mckintosh, vice chairman of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

"As one of the largest annual gatherings among the finance community, CFRI provides a platform for both financial executives and regulators to discuss key issues and provide in-depth perspectives," said Marie Hollein, CEO and president, Financial Executives International. "U.S. financial reporting will be changing dramatically over the next year, and FEI has designed this year's conference to focus on this topic and help executives prepare for these changes. Our impressive line-up of speakers and panelists will provide attendees with insight on the regulatory and financial reporting line-up for 2012 and beyond."

Featured sessions offered at CFRI 2011 include:

• Finding the Time to Drive Firm Value - State of the Union on Fair Value, Financial Reporting and the Valuation Community: This pre-conference event will cover topics such as fair value measurements and disclosures, market participant testing procedures, and will provide participants with critical insight and guidance in anticipation of year-end results.

• Controller's Roundtable: An insightful debate between controllers from several leading companies on the key controllership issues they are addressing amid the current environment.

• IFRS Boot Camp: Convergence Update and Planning Approaches: This one-day post-conference event will provide an update on various recent convergence and regulatory/statutory matters impacting U.S. GAAP and IFRS reporting companies.

The event will also include updates from key regulators, and give attendees an opportunity to informally address unanswered questions during an interactive Q&A:

• FASB/IASB Technical Accounting Update: Senior members of the FASB and IASB will address developments on FASB and IASB projects, including progress on U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Convergence Issues.

• Update from the SEC: Senior members of the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission staff will address proposed new rules, issues arising in reviews of SEC registrant filings as well as top projects on accounting and disclosure.

• Q&A with the FASB and the SEC: Leaders of the SEC and FASB will informally address unanswered questions carried forward from earlier sessions and take additional questions from the floor.

Conference attendees can also take part in panel sessions throughout the conference to address topics such as Accounting for Leases by Lessors and Lessees, Uncertainty in Washington and the Impact on Financial Executives, Tax Reform in a Deficit-Driven World.

In conjunction with CFRI, FEI will also host the 6th annual Hall of Fame Gala on November 14th at Gotham Hall in Manhattan. The event recognizes the careers of individuals who have exemplified the performance, leadership and integrity of the most exemplary financial executives throughout their careers.  This year's gala will honor 2011 Hall of Fame inductees Robert C. Butler, former Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Celgene Corporation, Judy C. Lewent, former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Merck & Co., and David B. Rickard, former Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, CVS Caremark Corporation.

Registration details and additional information on the conference can be found at www.feihall.org.

For more information on CFRI, visit www.financialexecutives.org/cfri.

About FEI

Financial Executives International is the leading advocate for the views of corporate financial management.  Its 15,000 members hold policy-making positions as chief financial officers, treasurers and controllers at companies from every major industry. FEI enhances member professional development through peer networking, career management services, conferences, research and publications.  Members participate in the activities of 85 chapters, 74 in the U.S. and 11 in Canada. FEI is headquartered in Morristown, NJ, with additional offices in Washington, D.C., and Toronto.  

Visit www.financialexecutives.org for more information.

SOURCE Financial Executives International (FEI)