Opening Keynote: Kathy MacDonald, Investigation & Crime Prevention Expert, Retired Police Officer with Calgary and Cybersecurity Instructor

Topic: The New Age of Digital Espionage - Bulletproofing a Defence from Cybercriminals

As we venture deeper into the digital age, businesses face an escalating threat from cybercriminals, hackers, and malicious actors probing for weaknesses in their networks every day. In this high-stakes world of cybercrime, organizations have the most to lose. The rapid evolution of technology has led to a commensurate rise in the opportunities for cyber-attacks, necessitating immediate and robust cybersecurity safeguards to protect business operations.

Key Takeaways:

• How employees form the first line of defence against ransomware, spear-phishing and business email compromise attacks.
• How CPAs are held to the highest standards of conduct in maintaining confidentiality of client and organizational records.
• How CPAs are called to work with integrity and exercise due care in the use, collection and disposal of data and personally identifiable information.
• The role of behaviour within corporate culture, scrutinizing the tactics, techniques and procedures used in social engineering attacks.
• The need to promote a proactive security mindset.
• Preparing organizations for increasing digital demands.

Session 1: Krista Fiolleau, CPA, CA, Associate Professor at University of Waterloo

Topic: Responsibilities for identified Non-Compliance with Laws and Regulations – NOCLAR standards and guidance

This session will discuss the introduction of new requirements and responsibilities surrounding identified Non-compliance with Laws and Regulations (NoClar). We will examine the definition of NoClar, the professional ethical dilemmas that support the need for NoClar standards and the implications of NoClar to professional accountants’ responsibilities. We will review CAS 250 for auditors but will discuss more broadly the importance of NoClar for all professionals and the guidance it provides.

Key Takeaways:

• Definition and awareness of NoClar IESBA new standard.
• Introduction to the standards and guidance available.
• Discussion of steps one needs to take when faced with NoClar issues.

Session 2: Garth Sheriff, CPA, CA, CIA, Member of ACTRA, Principal at Sheriff Consulting

Topic: Professional Ethics: An FTX Story: How Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX committed one of the largest frauds in history

The fraud, drama, and massive failure of FTX is a story of unethical leadership, inadequate governance, and organizational culture with low psychological safety. As with many frauds, the primary media focus is on the sensational details. In this case, the spectacular rise and downfall of the wunderkind entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried combined with the industry in which the fraud occurred: Blockchain and cryptocurrency. 

However, hidden beneath the surface of the enigmatic leader and the FOMO (fear of missing out) inherent in cryptocurrency are critical lessons in ethical leadership and organizational culture.

Key Takeaways:

• Charismatic leaders and their impact on objectivity and integrity
• Developing ethical leadership skills  
• The importance of psychological safety for due care at all levels of an organization

Session 3: Tammy Towill, FCPA, FCMA, Instructor and Partner at the Cordura Group

Topic: Understanding and Embracing Ethics in the Workplace

“I believe…. therefore, I do…but what if that might not be the case?”.  This session will explore the research and relevant business examples that demonstrates that despite our best intentions and conviction to our values, our actions in times of conflict may not be what we expect.   

Key Takeaways: 

• Explore various approaches to ethical thinking
• Consider techniques to expand on the lens through which we see the world
• Examine the impact stress and conflict have on our thoughts and actions how we can best prepare to work in this environment

Session 4: Joshua August, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Co-Academic Director of the Center for Advancing Responsible & Ethical Artificial Intelligence (University of Guelph)

Topic: AI Ethics PROBES for Accountants

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) applications continue to proliferate into high-stakes, socially impactful domains, it is critical that we develop a robust framework to evaluate the ethical, legal, and social implications of these emerging technologies. In this talk, I will provide a framework called the PROBES model. While not exhaustive, the PROBES model highlights six of the most important ethical considerations relating to AI/ML: Privacy, Responsibility, Opacity, Bias, Equity, and Sustainability.

Key Takeaways:

• Professional Behaviour: This presentation underscores the ethical responsibility accountants hold in adopting AI. Upholding professional conduct ensures transparency and trust.
• Integrity and Due Care: By addressing biases and opacity, this presentation promotes integrity in AI deployment. Due care involves diligent evaluation of ethical implications.
• Professional Competence: Accountants will enhance their competence by understanding the nuances of AI ethics, positioning themselves as informed practitioners in this evolving landscape.

Closing Keynote: Garrick Apollon, Corporate Lawyer, Educator, Documentary Film Maker, Professor of Corporate Governance and Ethics at the Executive MBA program

Topic: A Behind-the-Scenes Perspective in Professional Ethics with Lawyer and Filmmaker, Garrick Apollon

Through his films, discover ho the principles of ethical behaviour, risk management, and adherence to ethical standards are crucial is preventing and detecting fraud and unethical practices.

Engage with narratives that not only demonstrate the human impact of unethical and illegal actions but also emphasize the critical role of education, training and awareness in fostering a culture of integrity and ethical vigilance in our accounting profession. This presentation will challenge you to reflect on your actions and encourage a deeper understanding of the significance of ethical conduct in both professional and personal life.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the reason why employees steal by exploring the elements of the fraud triangle.
• Discover how fraudsters exploit opportunities to commit theft.
• Look at the rationalizations fraudsters use to justify their actions.
• Acknowledge that fraud usually starts on a small scale but can escalate into massive illegal schemes.
• Consider the principles outlined in the CPA Ontario's Code of Conduct through real-world consequences of ethical violations including: the loss of relationships with family and friends, health problems, imprisonment, and destruction of professional dreams experienced by legal and accounting professionals who are featured in the documentary series.