IN Motion | Winter 2015 | Sikich LLP

motion Elevate Performance Issue 7

�� Winter 2015

Brothers Inspiring Greatness

Hagler Systems Accelerates Growth through Technology

Your Reputation Protection Preparing for Potential Crises in 7 Steps

Windows Server 2003 End of Life Why You Could be at Risk

Ben Hagler

Hagler Systems

A LETTER from the

CEO

In the last 40 years, global consumption of paper has grown 400 percent, according to the Ecology Global Network. In fact, approximately 35 percent of all trees cut down worldwide are used for paper.

Here at Sikich, we know we print too much. That’s why we’ve started 2015 out by encouraging all partners and employees to think before they print. It’s also why this will be our last printed

motion Elevate Performance

issue of IN Motion.

Issue 7

Starting with the Spring 2015 issue, IN Motion will be exclusively a digital publication. While we will continue offering client features, firm news and stories on issues commonly impacting organizations, we will use this opportunity to revamp how you can digitally interact with us. We look forward to your feedback.

James A. Sikich, CPA CEO and Managing Partner

LEARN more:

TABLE of Contents ��

4

FEATURE STORY

Brothers Inspiring Greatness Hagler Systems

9

Windows Server 2003 End of Life

Why You Could be at Risk

2 ��

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Your Reputation Protection Preparing for Potential Crises in 7 Steps

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Winter 2015

www.sikich.com For more than 30 years, Sikich has been helping clients with everything from changing regulations and new technologies to overall organizational growth and the components that result in building the bottom line. With more than 600 associates, Sikich is a professional services firm that has been ranked as one of the country’s 35 largest accounting firms, as well as a leading technology consultancy and investment banking practice. Our professionals are known for having well-rounded, deep expertise in more than a dozen services: � Accounting & Assurance �B usiness Valuation �D ispute Advisory �E RP & CRM Software �E xecutive Search & Staffing �H uman Resources Consulting � I nsurance Services

� Investment Banking & Corporate Finance � IT Services � Marketing � Public Relations � Retirement Planning � Supply Chain � Tax Planning � Wealth Management

Combined with our service-specific expertise, Sikich has dedicated industry teams that understand challenges faced and can make educated recommendations for clients in six industries: � Manufacturing & Distribution

� Agriculture

� Construction & Real Estate

� Not-for-Profit � Energy

� Government EDITOR

Rebecca Miller

DESIGNER Colleen PHOTOGRAPHER

Hughes

Matt Stout

IN Motion is published four times a year by Sikich.

1415 W. Diehl Rd., Suite 400, Naperville, IL 60563 Request or update your subscription by emailing editor@sikich.com. ©2015 Sikich LLP, All Rights Reserved.

Securities are offered through Sikich Corporate Finance LLC, a registered broker dealer with the Securities Exchange Commission and a member of FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Sikich Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. General securities offered through Triad Advisors, Member FINRA/SIPC. Triad Advisors and Sikich Financial are not affiliated. Insurance products are exclusively sold through Sikich Insurance Group LLC, licensed in Arizona, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.

inspire PARTNER Profile

Meet Dave McDaniel An expert in taxation, Dave joined Sikich in 2011.

Find out how he learned the meaning of hard work at a young age.

My favorite Sikich Value is: Absolute Integrity. We need to follow this value in everything we do in life. The more ethical, honest and respectful we are with everyone, the better things go.

What I like most about Sikich: The resources and experts we have in-house.

It’s beneficial to have the ability to bounce ideas off people in different offices and combine their knowledge and experience to help solve client problems.

My first job was: Roofing—my dad and uncle owned a roofing company that my grandfather had started during the Depression. I learned what real work is.

My favorite place in the world is: Bandon Dunes, Oregon.

Organizations and boards I belong to: The Indiana CPA Society, Carmel United Methodist Church, Indianapolis Contemporary Club, Ball State University, Indianapolis Children’s Museum and Indianapolis Zoo.

Partner at Sikich LLP ACCOUNTING & TAX SERVICES Indianapolis, IN Office

Quick Tips

My biggest professional accomplishment has been: Besides working with clients every day, testifying for the AICPA at the House Ways and Means Committee, as well as presenting a workshop for elected officials and staff members in the Senate office building in Washington, D.C. on domestic relations tax matters.

Alerts

Quick Tips Question of the Qtr.

QUICK TIPS When should you update your life insurance policy? Do you remember what kind of policy you originally purchased?

Studies show that most Americans are underinsured. Life situations and business needs change all the time—you may have been in a different situation when you Quick Stats last purchased a policy. It’s common to purchase coverage that meets your needs at that specific time, but does your coverage meet your needs now?

There are a number of circumstances that could cause you to update your policy— Ask the Advisor Ask the Advisor whether that’s an upgrade or downgrade in coverage, such as business value, a change in marital status, sudden wealth or change in family structure. Determining how much life insurance coverage you and your family need can make or break your future.

Find out if your life insurance policy is over-the-hill at http://bit.ly/over-the-hill.

Insurance products are exclusively sold through Sikich Insurance Group LLC, licensed in Arizona, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Alerts

MY FAVORITE APP

Three words that describe me are: Driven, analytical and competitive.

My favorite movie is: Caddyshack.

The last book I read: An American Quick Tips Caddy in St. Andrews by Oliver Horovitz.

Alerts

Right now, I’m using the USA Today app regularly. It’s the best free app to quickly catch up on the latest daily and world news, sports Question and tech. of the Qtr.

Two things I can’t live without: My iPad and golf laser range finder.

Three things you’ll always find in my fridge: Craft beer, cheese and pickles.

I spend my leisure time: Golfing, reading, watching sports and traveling.

It’s inevitable that I will: Play golf in all 50 states. I’ve played in 26 states so far.

Question of the Qtr.

Quick Stats

ALERTS In May 2014, six years’ worth of planning, meetings, deliberations and proposals resulted in the convergence of a revenue recognition standard. The new reporting standard, which serves as a roadmap for recognizing revenue resulting from customer contracts, goes intoQuick effect Statsfor reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 for public entities and after December 15, 2017 for private entities.

What can you do to prepare for the new revenue recognition standard?

Karen Doerner, audit partner at Sikich, wrote a white paper outlining eight steps organizations can take right now: Understand the new standard; create a project team; identify your gaps; build a project timeline; consider internal, tax and technology implications; and decide on a transition approach.

To explore specific actions for these eight steps, download our white paper at sikich.com/revenue-recognition-paper.

ASK THE ADVISOR How Do I Select a Financial Advisor?

Ask the Advisor

Each day represents one step closer to retirement, and to ensure you are on the right track, it might make sense to meet with a financial advisor. Selecting the right advisor to help you with tough financial challenges and decisions is critical to ensure you are financially stable entering retirement. When meeting with a potential advisor, gain an understanding of his or her current and past experience, what references would say (and ask for a list) and service offerings and fees, and determine which are most important for you and your family’s future. Explore this topic further at http://bit.ly/select-advisor.

Have a question for our advisors? Send it to editor@sikich.com, and we may feature it in a future issue.

Advisory services offered through Sikich Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. General securities offered through Triad Advisors, Member FINRA/ SIPC. Triad Advisors and Sikich Financial are not affiliated.

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innovate

Brothers Inspiring Greatness

Hagler Systems Accelerates Growth through Technology

T

he Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum with 19 museums and galleries, a National Zoological Park and nine research facilities. Last year alone, 26.7 million people visited the Smithsonian. Of those visitors, few can say they know someone who has an invention housed at the Institution.

In the 1960s, family and coworkers at Georgia Iron Works, a slurry pump manufacturer, Thomas Hagler, Jr.; Danforth (Danny) Hagler; John Lee and Jack Hagler, worked to grow the second-generation family company. Danny and Thomas developed a slide-rule calculator for pumping slurry, which is now housed at the Smithsonian. During that same time, Danny began using mainframe computers to manage scheduling for Georgia Iron Works, and by the late 1970s, he led the company in writing its own enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. This system is currently being replaced with SAP, after successfully running it for more than 42 years. This passion for innovation, as well as using technologies to accelerate business growth, quickly transferred to Thomas’ three sons—Bob, David and Ben—all of whom began working together for Georgia Iron Works at a young age.

“We grew up watching him build his slurry pump company, and our entire company is based on the core knowledge that our father developed.”

The Hagler brothers found their passion for the industry working with their father, Thomas Hagler, Jr. and uncle, Danny Hagler (pictured).

In 1996, the three sons formed their own company, Hagler Systems, where they continued the three-generation-old family theme—brothers working alongside brothers.

“My great-grandfather and his brother worked together, my grandfather and his brother worked together, and my father and his brother worked together,” said Ben Hagler, a vice president at Hagler Systems. “Every generation has had a completely different business, but somehow the brothers have always worked together.

Our father spent his entire life as a design process engineer and set the standard for hard work. We grew up watching him build his slurry pump company, and our entire company is based on the core knowledge that our father developed.”

As an engineer-to-order manufacturer, everything Hagler Systems builds is unique, and the company develops highly customized, made-to-order products for its clients. Hagler’s mission—“To reach beyond good and inspire greatness”— permeates all levels of the company, from the shop floor to the executive suite, and continues to serve as the backbone of its success.

Today, Hagler Systems operates its machining and fabricating shop in a 90,000-square-foot facility in Augusta, Ga. It has grown its distribution sales by maintaining a reputation for providing high-quality designs. Hagler has expanded into the nuclear, mining and oil and gas industries. Throughout the company’s rapid growth, Hagler has tried to embrace the growing pains that often come with significant change and expansion.

Industrial engineer Prakash Viswanathan (right) and Ben Hagler credit Sikich with offering flexibility to implement Microsoft Dynamics AX in a phased approach.

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Continued ��

The Hagler Systems mission, “To reach beyond good and inspire greatness in everything we build,” permeates all levels of the company.

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Brothers Inspiring Greatness CONTINUED…

“It’s always a challenge to preserve a sense of unity, especially as a small, fast-growing company, but we’ve tried to maintain a family culture and not feel like that big corporate company,” said Ben Hagler. “When you walk into a large company that’s been in business for many years, people often take the infrastructure and processes for granted. You may have highs and lows as your company continues to grow, but many don’t realize the joy of working together. We try to remain focused on our customers and our goals for the future.”

“It’s always a challenge to preserve a sense of unity, especially as a small, fast-growing company, but we’ve tried to maintain a family culture and not feel like that big corporate company.”

Over the past five years Hagler’s procedures have changed significantly, including the development and application of lean manufacturing processes.

In fact, just four years ago, the company faced a complicated, time-consuming paperwork process— and it even lacked inventory part numbers for thousands of parts. Today, Hagler Systems employs an enterprise resource planning solution that the Hagler brothers and their employees credit in the improvement of operations and processes.

Hagler Systems’ search for a Microsoft Dynamics AX partner started in 2009, when it asked Sikich to implement its new Microsoft Dynamics AX ERP software.

“Our entire decision to work with Sikich was based on the experienced and qualified individuals behind the brand, and they took the time to truly understand our business processes,” said Ben Hagler. “They

have experience in ERP implementations for mixedmode manufacturing companies, which can be very complicated projects. Plus, they didn’t ask us what we wanted them to do—instead, they looked at our processes and made recommendations that were spot-on.”

According to John Leibach, the controller at Hagler Systems, the company relied on tribal knowledge prior to the AX implementation. Now, it’s able to use visual planning for the entire company, from the owners to accounting, providing a new level of transparency and accountability.

The implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX also allowed Hagler Systems to develop new, sophisticated products. Those on the shop floor can tackle more work, the sales force can expand the company’s customer base to a level that requires more detailed documentation and senior leaders can invest more in engineering and production.

Implementing and effectively using a sophisticated ERP solution is such a complex process that Hagler Systems’ implementation team broke it into steps, starting with engineering, then moving to finance and inventory, and finally working on production monitoring and scheduling.

“Since we are no longer limited in anything we want to do, our biggest goal is to enjoy the growth—and double or triple our current sales without stress or an increase in overhead or administrative time.”

As an engineer-to-order manufacturer, everything Hagler Systems builds is unique, and the company develops highly customized, made-to-order products for its clients.

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“When Sikich came on board, the first thing they did was take the time to really understand who we are, and they offered us the flexibility to perform the implementation in a phased approach,” said Prakash

“[Sikich has] experience in ERP implementations for mixed-mode manufacturing companies, which can be very complicated projects.”

Hagler Systems operates its machining and fabricating shop in a 90,000-square-foot facility in Augusta, Ga.

“It’s wonderful to take a step back and remind ourselves of the days when we had no part numbers and managed a paper-heavy process on projects worth more than $1 million each,” said Ben Hagler.

“We have transformed our company to one where we can handle complicated bills and materials effortlessly.”

The company’s growth has also impacted its hiring needs. Hagler Systems often hires Millennials, many from Georgia Tech (the alma mater of all three Hagler brothers), and they start their careers at Hagler before rising through the ranks of the company. The company gives these future leaders the tools necessary to succeed, teaches them about the business and industry, empowers them to take charge and ultimately lets them grow with the company.

“We’ve found that you hire for character and you teach for skill,” said Ben Hagler. “Through that thinking, we have been able to develop the talent we have and grow those individuals to perform tasks they never realized they were capable of performing.”

Viswanathan, an industrial engineer at Hagler Systems.

“The flexibility they built into our relationship really helped us succeed.”

According to Ben Hagler, implementing Microsoft Dynamics AX wasn’t as simple as looking at their existing business processes and inputting them into the software.

“We had no basic building blocks and had to start from scratch,” said Ben Hagler. “Sikich was fantastic in recognizing the best business practices to make our operations and processes lean and efficient.”

As previously mentioned, some of those best business practices include using part numbers via the ERP system. By doing this, Hagler Systems’ employees now have direct and quick access to information about products and available inventory and can make smarter purchasing decisions and forecasts.

While the core knowledge the Hagler brothers had when they first started as process engineers has changed over the last 15 years, they continue to learn, evolve their own skill sets and develop employees who want to grow with the company.

“Just a few years ago, we had 30 employees and a manual paper process. We now have around 90 employees and a sophisticated software system that allows us to develop processes around a highly efficient, scalable business model,” said Ben Hagler.

“Since we are no longer limited in anything we want to do, our biggest goal is to enjoy the growth—and double or triple our current sales without stress or an increase in overhead or administrative time.” �

QUICK STATS 19 Years in Business 90 Employees 6 Years with Sikich Sikich Service They Use: Microsoft Dynamics AX Contact Information: 607 Sand Bar Ferry Rd. Augusta, GA 30901 Ph: (803) 278-2728 www.haglersystems.com

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involvement

Serving Those Who Serve Others Sikich Partner Educates Not-for-Profits Frank Jakosz learned early on the best thing one can do is share knowledge and never charge for it.

It’s that knowledge, thought leadership and overall mindset that led to his recent appointment to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ inaugural Not-For-Profit Advisory Council, where he and 12 fellow industry leaders from across the country will help guide the standards in accounting and reporting, tax and governance.

Early in his career, Jakosz, currently partnerin-charge of not-for-profit services at Sikich, and his team helped a not-for-profit client become widely known in the Chicagoland area, after which the client’s efforts were recognized by President Ronald Reagan.

Jakosz was recognized for his work and presented with a presidential award, thereafter devoting his career to serving not-for-profit organizations.

Inspired by the level of commitment demonstrated by the not-for-profit organizations with which he works, Jakosz

FIRM News

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became a leader with a voluntary tax return preparer program, where he and fellow CPAs prepare tax returns for free on Saturdays during tax season for lower-income residents in and around the suburbs of Chicago. “These families didn’t know they qualified for certain credits, like the earned income credit,” said Jakosz. “Some of my best memories are from preparing those returns and getting these families much-needed refunds. I felt like I was doing something worthwhile.”

It’s due to the same worthwhile feeling he continues finding joy in providing services to not-for-profit organizations. “It gives me great pleasure to help a not-for-profit organization succeed simply by providing audit and tax services, so they can focus on their mission and position themselves in the community as a well-run organization. I want to spend my career and efforts serving not-for-profits organizations, so they can continue to do the good work that they do.”

Today, Jakosz continues educating notfor-profit leaders through seminars and conferences. To learn more about Jakosz, contact him at fjakosz@sikich.com or visit sikich.com/jakosz. �

The Sikich Scoop Sikich one of first in country to implement GASB 67 Fred Lantz, partnerin-charge of government services at Sikich, along with his team, were one of the first in the country to implement the Governmental Accounting Standards Board’s (GASB) newly issued Statement No. 67, Financial Reporting for Pension Plans. The team implemented Statement 67, which provides state and local governments guidance on accounting and reporting for the pension plan, for a large Chicago suburb. For more information about GASB Statement No. 67, visit sikich.com/gasb-s67-for-2015.

Sikich receives two workplace awards Sikich was recently named one of the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For nationally in 2014 by the National Association for Business Resources.

The firm was also named as one of the Best and Brightest in Wellness, an initiative that celebrates quality and excellence in worksite health promotion. Valued wellness benefits at Sikich include an annual wellness challenge and fitness reimbursement for gym memberships, personal training, marathon entry fees and more. Read more about this honor at sikich.com/bestbrightest-2014. �

influence

Your Reputation Protection Preparing for Potential Crises in 7 Steps By: Mack Reynolds, Partner-in-Charge, Public Relations

I

t takes years—maybe decades—to build a solid brand, yet a single crisis can severely tarnish an image overnight. What so many organizations fail to understand is a majority of crises can be anticipated ahead of time, and if you have a crisis communications plan in place, your organization will be well-prepared should one strike. I’ve worked with organizations experiencing crises for more than 20 years, and the best way to explain the benefits of a plan is by sharing a story with you.

A few years ago, a four-star, Chicago-area club hosted a lavish event for dozens of its members. Within 48 hours after the event, more than 20 of the club’s guests were admitted to the hospital with severe flulike symptoms; many more called the club to say they became ill after attending their event.

Though club managers didn’t yet know the cause of the illness, they deduced it was foodborne. With my team’s assistance, the club quickly released a statement to the community addressing the event and the unfortunate circumstances, and apologizing to those affected. They suspended all food operations and alerted the county’s Board of Health.

Over the next several days, the club, along with the Board of Health, identified a vegetable dip as the cause.

The club released a follow-up statement notifying the community that, while authorities would never know whether the bacteria came from a food vendor, kitchen worker or even a guest, it would adopt stricter foodhandling practices throughout its food operations to avoid similar instances in the future.

The club could have remained silent, or deliberately vague about the events. But we recognized that truth is the better option. That proved to be the case, as member confidence in club management never waivered. I use this guiding principle when it comes to crisis communications: Tell your audiences the truth in a way they can understand, as well as the steps you are taking to remedy the situation and prevent further harm.

While few organizations have crisis communications plans in place, there is no reason not to be prepared.

When crisis strikes, you need to make business-critical decisions quickly. Without proper preparation, you may not make the most informed choices.

Consider your crisis communications plan as reputation protection for your brand, leaders, employees and

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Your Reputation Protection CONTINUED… revenue base. When developing a thoughtful crisis communications plan, consider the following: 1. Involve Senior Leaders. Your people, particularly other executives and senior leaders, are the core of your organization. By meeting with them, you’ll gain more insight into the varying situations that could potentially damage your reputation.

Windows Server 2003 End of Life Why You Could be at Risk By: Dennis Suglich, Partner, Technology

2. Identify Most Likely Crises. With your team, discuss the crises that are most likely to occur in detail and develop a message for each. These messages should maintain your credibility and defend your brand.

3. Develop a Communication Process. Based on each potential crisis, assign responsibility and establish a chain of communication to address key audiences. Consider drafting pre-written alerts for press releases, websites and social media.

4. Create a Crisis Watch Team. Select managers to watch for possible crises—there should be one manager per department, and it is his or her responsibility to alert senior staff on any crises that arise. Additionally, assign one person to take charge and collaborate with outside counsel, such as public relations, human resources and legal.

5. I dentify Target Audience. For each possible crisis, identify your target audience—top management, board, employees, residents, agencies, departments or vendors. Some crises may have multiple audiences.

6. Document the Plan. Describe in writing the potential crisis and proper behaviors, baseline messages, crisis management team and spokespeople, target audiences and communication protocols.

7. Review Your Plan. With your team, walk through the plan to ensure it is complete and accurate, and keep it updated on a yearly basis. Consider running a workshop with all necessary stakeholders so everyone understands what will happen and their roles should a crisis occur.

You want a plan that will prevent a crisis from escalating, tell the story accurately and thoroughly, minimize negative impact on the organization and be a positive reflection on you and your organization, employees and customers.

Preparing and acting upon a crisis is not an easy task and requires a specific skill set. Learn how our public relations experts can help you build a rock-solid crisis communications plan, or other public relations plan, at sikich.com/crisiscommunications. �

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I

t’s hard to believe, but 2003 was 12 years ago.

In that year, a little more than half of all homes in the U.S. were connected to the Internet.

Cameras became inseparable from mobile phones, iTunes was introduced and YouTube was still two years away. Windows Server 2003 was also released that year.

On July 14, 2015, support to Windows Server 2003 will officially end. This means that any vulnerabilities or security holes will be magnified since patches or hotfixes to plug them will be non-existent. If your organization is still running one of these configurations, there will be an immediate and major security risk to your data if you haven’t made plans to migrate to a newer version or setup.

It’s not the end of the world if you haven’t yet strategized your next move, but you do need to start exploring new options, such as an onpremise upgrade, the cloud or Microsoft Azure. For questions or help planning around Windows Server 2003 end of life, please feel free to contact me at 312.648.6655 or dsuglich@sikich.com. �

inbox

Reduce Your Risk with the Right ERP Decisions

DOWNLOAD THIS White paper: Making the Right ERP Decisions

Back in 1999, a well-known candy maker missed out on approximately $100 million worth of revenue during one of its most critical times— Halloween. The reason for this loss: A failed enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation. This company was large enough to absorb the costs, something not all organizations can afford. An ERP system can unlock untold potential for organizations if done correctly the first time.

Read more about making the right ERP decisions by downloading our white paper at sikich.com/making-the-right-erp-decision.

1.

2.

Recognize the cost savings.

WHEN IMPLEMENTING A SYSTEM THAT OFFERS ACCURATE, REAL-TIME INFORMATION, ORGANIZATIONS CAN:

Identify the opportunities.

WHEN IMPLEMENTING AN ERP SYSTEM, ORGANIZATIONS CAN: INCREASE ON-TIME DELIVERIES BY

REDUCE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS BY

22

24

%

%

REDUCE OPERATIONAL COSTS BY

23%

sikich.com/making-theright-erp-decision

3.

Take your time while selecting a system and partner.

SOURCE: ABERDEEN GROUP SOURCE: VARIOUS INDUSTRY STUDIES

/3

1

OF IN

21%

ERP BUYERS

2013

NEVER DEMOED THE PRODUCT BEFORE PURCHASING IT.

40 –80 22% FAIL

SOURCE: ABERDEEN GROUP SOURCE: FORRESTER, GARTNER

25

%

%

OF

GROW OPERATING MARGINS BY

ERP IMPLEMENTATIONS

OF ERP BUYERS PURCHASED

OF COMPANIES ARE LOOKING TO INVEST IN A MODERN ERP SYSTEM.

THE FIRST SYSTEM THEY VIEWED.

SOURCE: CAPTERRA

DUE TO LACK

OF GOALS, SELECTING THE WRONG PARTNER, ETC.

BY

2018,

/3

1

OF SERVICE-CENTRIC

ORGANIZATIONS WILL MOVE THE MAJORITY OF THEIR ERP APPLICATIONS TO THE CLOUD.

EVEN ON THE LOW END, THIS STATISTIC IS NOT FAVORABLE.

4.

Know how to avoid a failed implementation.

5.

Understand where the future of ERP is going.

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1415 W. Diehl Rd., Suite 400 Naperville, IL 60563

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

2015 calendar of events

SIKICH OFFICES CORPORATE OFFICE

1415 W. Diehl Rd., Suite 400 Naperville, IL 60563 (630) 566-8400

CHICAGO – MONROE STREET (312) 541-9300

3.5

BEYOND FINANCIAL RISK: ENGAGING YOUR BOARD ON EMERGING RISK PRIORITIES

3.12

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

Sikich will partner with Marsh and FranczekRadelet to host this half-day event focused on today’s highestpriority risks for higher education institutions.

Mark Shelhart of Sikich’s IT Security & Compliance team will be involved in a panel discussion spotlighting the topic of keeping data secure and how to assess the threat landscape in higher education.

THURSDAY, MARCH 12

DATE:

TIME: 8 A.M. – NOON CT LOCATION:

CHICAGO – WACKER DRIVE (312) 648-6666

DECATUR, IL

CHICAGO, IL DETAILS: http://bit.ly/highered-risk

(217) 423-6000

DENVER, CO

DATE:

TIME: 8:30 – 11 A.M. CT LOCATION: NAPERVILLE, IL DETAILS: http://bit.ly/2015fiduciary

2015 PLAN FIDUCIARY WORKSHOP As a plan fiduciary, you understand that complying with ERISA’s fiduciary obligations can be challenging, as the scope of these obligations has grown significantly in recent years.

Even inadvertent violations can trigger adverse consequences for you personally, plan participants and your employer. Since maintaining compliance with the rules is an ongoing requirement, knowledge of the rules must always be up to date.

Join this roundtable discussion to explore what to expect during plan audits, your role and risks as a fiduciary, penalties for fiduciary breaches and more.

(720) 200-0142

HOUSTON, TX (832) 831-3549

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (317) 842-4466

MILWAUKEE, WI (262) 754-9400

3.16-19

MICROSOFT CONVERGENCE 2015

MONDAY, MARCH 16 – THURSDAY, MARCH 19

Key Microsoft employees, experts in the trenches of Microsoft Dynamics, consultants and vendors all gather to participate in the largest event where business leaders share their insights on the Microsoft Dynamics ecosystem from hands-on experience.

DATES:

LOCATION: ATLANTA, GA TIMES:

ROCKFORD, IL (815) 282-6565

SPRINGFIELD, IL (217) 793-3363

ST. LOUIS, MO (314) 275-7277

Convergence is the most important convention that Microsoft hosts for companies looking to use the power of technology to propel their businesses to the next level.

Our plans have been well underway to help deliver a fantastic show.

Connect with a dozen experts from Sikich who will be conducting product demos at our booth, presenting sessions throughout the week and answering your most challenging questions.

ALL DAY DETAILS: sikich.com/microsoftconvergence-2015

For more events, visit sikich.com/events.

Advisory services offered through Sikich Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered through Triad Advisors, Member FINRA/SIPC. Triad Advisors and Sikich Financial are not affiliated.