Sixth Annual Dealing with MD&A Hot Topics

CPE credit (NASBA QAS Self-Study) is available by completing and passing the program’s CPE Review & Exam.

Upon the successful completion of this program, the participant will be able to:

• Recall the details of the SEC’s November 19, 2020 Final Rule modernizing the MD&A requirements, including the principles-based overall objective of MD&A.
• List evolving MD&A disclosure areas, including the impact of COVID-19, Brexit, cybersecurity, and reference rate reform.
• Describe frequent SEC MD&A comment areas and MD&A-related enforcement cases.

  Course Overview:

  This program will focus on:

• The SEC’s principles-based focus on the objective of MD&A.
• Early transition opportunities in the SEC’s new MD&A Final Rule.
• The impact of COVID-19 and Disclosure Guidance Topic 9 and 9A considerations.
• The timing of cybersecurity, Brexit, reference rate reform, and other emerging risk disclosures.
• Frequent SEC comments on MD&A, including operating segments and quantified analysis.
• Recent enforcement cases focusing on known trends.
• The latest issues in using non-GAAP measures in MD&A.
• Five ways to improve MD&A.
• Drafting and review processes examples.

CPE Program Level:  Update 

Intended Audience:  CPAs, accountants, attorneys, and other professionals who deal with SEC reporting and disclosure, particularly with respect to MD&A, including in-house counsel, outside attorneys, chief financial officers (CFOs) and their staff, internal auditors, and partners of public accounting firms and their staff.

Prerequisites:  A basic understanding of SEC reporting and disclosure requirements, particularly with respect to MD&A.

Advanced Preparation:  None

Instructional Method:  QAS Self-Study

Updated:  March 2021

Credit Information:  1 CPE credit is available upon completion of this program’s 3 content-review questions and a minimum passing score of 70% on the 5-question final exam.