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John H. Higgins, CPA.CITP
Strategic Technology Advisor
Higgins Advisory, LLC
Rochester, Michigan

John is the founder and CEO of Higgins Advisory, LLC, established with the mission of helping CPAs, CFOs and other financial professionals to successfully guide their firms and business organizations through a successful digital transformation that leverages the power of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, data analytics, workflow automation and more.

John is a seasoned entrepreneur with experience as the founder of two separate accounting technology advisory firms that were acquired by larger organizations. In addition, he has experience with a local CPA firm and as a technology advisory practice leader partner in a national CPA firm.

John shares his expertise as a nationally recognized thought leader, strategic advisor, and speaker on accounting technology through coaching and speaking engagements. His primary contribution is his passion for helping the profession move forward through the understanding and adoption of emerging technologies.

Some of John's notable accomplishments include:

• Co-founder of CPA Crossings, LLC, a national provider of CPA technology advisory and educational services
• Founder of Computools, Inc. a provider of financial and ERP solutions for small and mid-size businesses
• Strategic technology advisor to CPA firms
• AICPA Business & Industry CPA Hall of Fame inductee
• Top 25 Thought Leader recognition by the CPA Practice Advisor magazine (2011 – 2023)
• Nationally recognized speaker on accounting technology
• National technology advisory partner with BDO, LLP
• Past Chair of the Michigan Association of CPAs
• Michigan Association of CPAs Innovative User of Technology award
• Co-author of 10 Steps to a Digital Practice in the Cloud, published by the AICPA
• Contributing author to The Insiders’ Guide to Accounting Advisory Success on Amazon
  
  

John delivers over 100 presentations annually on a wide range of accounting technology topics. Some of the current popular topics include:

• ChatGPT and generative AI
• Blockchain technology
• Bitcoin and other virtual money
• Big Data and data analytics
• Communicate, collaborate, and share knowledge with Office 365 and Teams
• KPI Dashboards: The New Financial Reporting Model
• Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic process automation (RPA)
• How to Build a Virtual Accounting Practice

Charles King is Managing Director in KPMG’s Advisory Services practice. He is passionate about improving business outcomes through the practical use of technology and next generation approaches. He has used several leadership positions at KPMG and in industry to help large, complex organizations implement analytics, automation, and AI solutions from initial vision through steady state operations.

Charles is not just a practitioner; he is also a thought leader and frequent public speaker on the future of the profession.

Charles’s industry credentials include large, global brands in technology, financial services, hospitality, manufacturing, real estate, and more. Prior to joining KPMG, Charles was the Vice President of Analytics at Compass Group. In that capacity, he oversaw business intelligence, consumer insights, and revenue management teams.

Charles holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southern Methodist University and a master of science degree in business analytics from New York University. He is a Certified Public Accountant in Florida and Texas. Additionally, Charles is a Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Management Accountant, and Certified Fraud Examiner

The School of Accountancy welcomed Eric Negangard fall semester 2024. Negangard teaches Intermediate Financial Accounting and aims to develop courses in accounting analytics and fraud.

Before joining the Auburn faculty, Negangard was an assistant professor at the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce. At UVA, he developed several data analytics case studies that were adopted by faculty at scores of universities worldwide. He helped elevate UVA's data analytics offerings, which ultimately helped UVA's M.S. in Accounting degree program become STEM-certified. A sports enthusiast, Negangard also helped recruit student-athletes for Virginia’s sports teams, teaching and mentoring some of the students as they worked toward their degrees.

His research and teaching focus on innovation and technology in accounting, which stems from his background in forensics. He conducts research that explores the challenges impeding the digital transformation of accounting and has published his research in top accounting journals and won several research awards. He and two faculty colleagues recently developed a digital ledger technology that uses blockchain, smart contracts and non-fungible tokens to track and report carbon emissions—a technology they are commercializing at Auburn. 

Before becoming an academic, Negangard spent seven years at KPMG in forensic accounting, investigating alleged white-collar crime internationally. He and his wife spend their free time watching their two young sons play sports. He also enjoys scuba diving, boating and riding dirt bikes.

Joe is a partner at PwC, leading the PwC Global Technology AI Group, where he oversees AI infrastructure and engineering for the PwC network across the globe. He has hands-on experience in all facets of AI, inclusive of full model systems design, ML and deep learning, simulation modeling, and generative AI. In his global role, he has been architecting AI service scaling and consumption for close to 400,000 global staff, spanning over 100 countries, maintaining data security and sovereignty where needed, and delivering cost-effective services to the PwC national firms.

September 13, 2024

The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center
241 South College Street
Auburn, AL 36830

The registration fee is $300 per person and includes continental breakfast, lunch, and a refreshment break. Early enrollment is strongly encouraged due to limited seating.

Registration is open .

7:30 am – 8:00 am	Registration and Breakfast
8:00 am – 8:05 am	Welcome	Dr. Jonathan Stanley, Acting Director, School of Accountancy
8:05 am – 9:35 am	Copilots and Transformers in the Office: Making Generative AI Work	Charles King
9:35 am – 10:35 am	Is the Future Distributed? How Blockchain, NFTs, and Smart Contracts are Changing Accounting	Eric Negangard
10:35 am – 10:50 am	Break
10:50 – 12:20 am	Technology Trends Update for Accountants and Auditors	John Higgins
12:20 – 1:00 pm	Lunch
1:00 – 2:30 pm	AI Revolution: Unleashing Opportunities and Navigating the New Frontier	John Higgins
2:30 – 2:45 pm	Break
2:45 – 3:45 pm	NextGen Audit and Accounting	Joe Harrington

 

**The School of Accountancy reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or make presenter changes.

Cancellations received after August 1, 2024 will be charged a $50 processing fee. Refunds cannot be made after August 15, 2024.

There is no charge for substitutions; however, you must notify us at andee.hodo@auburn.edu prior to August 15, 2024.

Auburn University is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Requests for accommodation of physical and/or dietary needs should be made at least 30 calendar days in advance of the Summit. Please email your request to Andee Hodo.