Accounting & Finance Virtual Summit

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The Accounting & Finance Virtual Summit is an opportunity for public power professionals to learn, network, and discuss current accounting & finance trends and challenges with peers from around the country.

Attendees can earn up to 9.4 continuing professional education (CPE) credits and .8 additional continuing education units (CEU) or 8 professional development hours (PDHs) for attending qualifying sessions.

Program

Registrants will receive information on the program and session details as we get nearer to the event. If you have any questions, contact Academy@PublicPower.org

2026 Accounting & Finance Virtual Summit Agenda

Tuesday, April 21
11 am – 12:30 pm	GASB Update CEUs .2 / PDHs 1.5 / CPEs 1.8, Accounting (Governmental) Stay current on the latest updates from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board and what they mean for your utility. This session will highlight recent and upcoming standards, discuss potential impacts on financial reporting, and offer insight into what to expect next from GASB. Deborah Beams, Supervising Project Manager, Governmental Accounting Standards Board
12:30 – 1 pm	Break
1 – 2:15 pm	How AI is Transforming Financial Reporting & Analytics CEUs .1 / PDHs 1.25 / CPEs 1.4, Information Technology Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping utility accounting, particularly in financial reporting and analytics. This session explores how AI‑driven tools are being used in public power to streamline processes, improve reporting accuracy, and deliver deeper insights into financial performance and organizational health. Russ Hissom, Senior Manager, Baker Tilly
2:15 – 2:45 pm	Break
2:45 – 3:45 pm	Funding Federal & Grant Compliance CEUs .1 / PDHs 1 / CPEs 1.2, Specialized Knowledge Federal funding brings significant opportunities—and heightened compliance responsibilities. This session will explore the latest developments in Uniform Guidance audits, including current areas of focus for external auditors, and highlight best practices to reduce the risk of non‑compliance with federal grant requirements. Participants will also gain insight into common financial reporting impacts associated with federal funds and how to prepare for them effectively. Amy Shreck, CPA, Assurance Partner, Forvis Mazars; and Daprese Madlock, CPA, Assurance Manager, Forvis Mazars
Wednesday, April 22
11 am – Noon	Municipal Debt, Climate Risk, and Geospatial Data CEUs .1 / PDHs 1 / CPEs 1.2, Specialized Knowledge Municipal bonds play a critical role in funding infrastructure investments nationwide. This session explores how advanced geospatial data is being used to assess climate and extreme‑weather risks tied to municipal debt, alongside key socioeconomic and demographic factors. Attendees will learn how investors and financial institutions are applying these insights—from near real‑time event exposure analysis to understanding overlapping debt burdens—to support more informed risk assessment and decision‑making. Carly O’Rourke, Senior Product Manager, ICE Climate; and Phoebe DeVries, Senior Manager, ICE Climate
Noon – 12:30 pm	Break
12:30 – 1:30 pm	Internal Audit as a Strategic Partner CEUs .1 / PDHs 1 / CPEs 1.2, Specialized Knowledge Internal Audit plays a critical role as a strategic partner in helping organizations achieve their goals and strengthen enterprise value. This session will explore how disciplined risk assessment, strong business collaboration, and a focused audit plan can enhance reliability, safety, and cost efficiency. Attendees will gain insight into how Internal Audit supports proactive risk management and delivers meaningful, organization‑wide value beyond traditional compliance. Scott Naley, Principal, Baker Tilly
1:30–2 pm	Break
2 – 3 pm	CFO Perspectives: Leading Finance in an Uncertain Economy CEUs .1 / PDHs 1 / CPEs 1.2, Specialized Knowledge Join a panel of Chief Financial Officers from across the utility sector for an engaging discussion on the evolving role of the CFO in today’s dynamic and unpredictable economic environment. Panelists will share real‑world perspectives on navigating financial uncertainty, supporting organizational growth, and leveraging technology to modernize finance functions. This session offers practical insights into how CFOs are balancing risk, strategy, and transformation to position their utilities for long‑term success.
3 – 3:30 pm	Break
3:30 – 4:30 pm	Rating Agency Panel CEUs .1 / PDHs 1 / CPEs 1.2, Specialized Knowledge Hear directly from representatives of leading credit rating agencies on the outlook for public power and the electric utility industry. This panel will examine key financial, regulatory, and operational factors that influence utility credit ratings, bond issuance, and debt repayment. Attendees will gain valuable insight into how rating agencies assess risk and what utilities can do to position themselves for long‑term financial strength. Paul Dyson, Director, S&P Global Ratings; and Dennis Pidherny, Managing Director, Fitch Ratings
NOTE: All times are shown in EDT

Registration

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Registering five or more people? Scroll down for information about our Group Registration Discounts.

Registration Fees

2026 Registration Fees

Member: $695

Nonmember: $1,390

Not yet an American Public Power Association member? Join today and save $695 on your conference registration. Contact Membership@PublicPower.org to learn more.

Group Discounts

Save money on each registration for the Accounting & Finance Virtual Summit when your organization registers 5 or more people. The larger your group, the more you save!

Your group discount will be automatically applied when you register a group of 5 or more people. Registrations must be submitted on the same order (at the same time) to qualify for the group discount; discounts cannot be retroactively applied to previous orders.

Number of registrants	Discount (per person)
1-4	n/a
5-9	$50
10-14	$100
15-24	$150
25+	$200

Registration Help

Check out our Registration FAQ for answers to the most common questions and help with all your registration-related issues.

Cancellation, Refund, and Substitution Policy

Registrants who cancel in writing on or before Tuesday, April 14, 2026, are entitled to a refund of their registration fee, minus a $100 cancellation fee. Registrants who cancel after April 14 will not receive a refund, but attendee substitutions will be allowed for the 2026 Accounting & Finance Virtual Summit only. Registrants and no-shows who do not cancel on or before April 14 are responsible for the full registration fee and are not entitled to a refund of their registration fee.

Cancellation requests must be made through your my.publicpower portal, or addressed to: Registration@PublicPower.org.

Code of Conduct

Attendees of American Public Power Association meetings agree to abide by the APPA Code of Conduct. If attendees engage in unacceptable behavior as outlined in the Code of Conduct, APPA may take any action it deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, expulsion from the current and future meetings with no warning or refund.

Contact Us

Registration: Registration@PublicPower.org

Program/Content: Academy@PublicPower.org

Billing: Finance@PublicPower.org

Sponsorship Information

FAQ

When will I get more information about how to participate in the virtual summit?

Registrants will receive information on how to join the virtual event a few days before the event. If you have any questions, contact Academy@PublicPower.org.

What is a virtual event?

A virtual event simulates an in-person event, but involves people interacting online, rather than in a physical environment.

APPA is committed to delivering an engaging, accessible, and inclusive platform to convene the national public power community to connect, learn, and share knowledge and solutions. We are working quickly to develop an informative and engaging virtual experience, allowing participants to easily access important topics and sessions, and to connect with other participants for face-to-face conversations using video chats. Specifics regarding the new virtual experience will be shared in the coming weeks.

What platform will the virtual summit take place on?

APPA will use Zoom for the event.

What is the policy on refunds, cancellations and attendee substitutions?

Registrants who cancel in writing on or before Wednesday, April 14, 2026, are entitled to a refund of their registration fee, minus a $100 cancellation fee. Registrants who cancel after April 14 will not receive a refund, but attendee substitutions will be allowed for the 2026 Accounting & Finance Virtual Summit only. Registrants and no-shows who do not cancel on or before April 14 are responsible for the full registration fee and are not entitled to a refund of their registration fee.

What is the APPA Code of Conduct for meeting attendees?

Attendees of American Public Power Association meetings agree to abide by the APPA Code of Conduct. If attendees engage in unacceptable behavior as outlined in the Code of Conduct, APPA may take any action it deems appropriate, including but not limited to, expulsion from the current and future meetings, with no warning or refund.

Professional Educational Credits

You can earn the following types of educational credits for participating in sessions during the summit:

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET)
Professional Development Hours (PDHs) as established by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credits from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA)

Please note that you will only be able to earn educational credits for the sessions you attend in real time during the virtual summit. We are not able to offer educational credits for any session recordings you watch later. To receive a certificate for your participation, participants must complete the conference evaluation after the event.