Aren’t We All Auditors? All the Time
Audits involve testing, review, examination, and verification. However, on
another level - you and I audit; procedures, reports at work, who fulfilled
commitments, systems, other people’s driving skills, deliveries, etc. We all
audit everything all the time, and that is wonderful. Auditing skills are
valuable and necessary for our professional success and personal happiness.
Every professional will audit what they encounter, including us. We will
illustrate how continuous auditing skills are valuable, all the time. Whether
you are an auditor, or not, our role as a business leader IS to audit
continuously! Better leaders have these skills.
Topics Discussed
- The need to think before we react.
- Look and listen effectively!
- Evaluate using multiple different criteria.
- Communicate.
- Problem solving, not just problem identification
- Demonstrate empathy.
- Think critically, and not be critical.
- Recommend.
- Being skeptical without being cynical
- Unconventional keys to success
- The never-ending need to audit continuously
Objectives: To more fully grasp that our role is to constantly review, listen
and examine – both in our professional life and personal life. To create a
deeper understanding of the value of our auditing skills.
Audits Begin with The Right Questions: Listen!
Technology has boundless memory and can store all the answers, unlike humans.
Regardless, technology and AI cannot discern the right questions to ask. Asking
the right questions separates successful professionals from mediocre
professionals. This session will take a big-picture approach and redefine
auditing in a broader perspective which will deepen your skills, perspective,
and know-how. The truth is that all professionals are auditors. We will
illustrate three types of audits and dive into the most fundamental aspects of
our daily work-lives that need constant attention, not seasonal treatments. We
will show how to become a better listener and to ask better questions!
Topics Discussed
- The need to ask the ‘right’ questions
- A core principle of audits not taught in the
“textbook”
- A new type of audit that will simplify your life
- Four auditing skills to take you from being a good
auditor to being an amazing auditor
- The most important element of auditing is listening
- Action steps to become a great listener
Objectives: To understand why listening skills are crucial for all leaders
and for any professional who audits others’ work. To create a deeper
understanding of the psychology behind how powerful auditing can be when done by
a more insightful and purposeful manager who wants to drive his/her skills.
What We Can Do to Minimize Taxes: Without Danger
When stepping into a leadership role you may not have been exposed to all the
various tax issues. We will take a thirty-thousand-foot view into corporate
income taxes and some other taxes. The focus is to potentially lower taxes. We
will explore what and how to communicate with your external accounting firm.
What is the value of proper fixed asset schedules and their crucial role?
Depreciation, qualified business income, and the employee retention credit will
be reviewed. Keep a schedule, be prepared, because at the end of day – you will
be held accountable and responsible for missed dates, missed opportunities, and
also may be given credit for taxes saved. Be prepared and aware of tax savings
alternatives.
Topics Discussed
- Tax reduction strategies
- History of taxation in the USA
- Understand your tax environment.
- Entity and associated forms
- Taxes; corporate, state, property, and sales taxes
- Tax planning concerns
- Depreciation and fixed asset schedules
- How to recognize and ward off tax schemes
Objectives: Fulfilling your responsibilities to account for tax in your
organization(s) and successfully navigate the diverse paths to minimize taxes.
Business Ethics Don’t Exist: The Only Ethics Rule You Need to Know
Most ethics courses focus on unethical individuals and their terrible
misdeeds. We don’t need another course on lessons from Enron or individuals
committing fraud. Most unethical failures result from unethical individuals.
Instead, this session will focus on how good people can do better, why there is
no such thing as business ethics and why we only need one rule to lead ethical
lives.