SCACPA to Hold Sustainability Conference for Business Leaders

COLUMBIA, S.C., Nov. 2, 2011 – The South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (SCACPA) invites business leaders to attend its “Emerging Trends in Accounting: Corporate Sustainability” conference on December 7 at the Embassy Suites in Columbia, S.C from 8:30am – 5:00pm.

The event is unique as it will dig deeply into how sustainable practices can have a significant positive financial impact on S.C. businesses.

“Today, many people have a high level awareness of corporate sustainability,” said Erin Hardwick, Executive Director for SCACPA. “Our goal with this conference is to drill down to specific financial tools and processes that can translate to bottom line results for businesses of all sizes.”

Conference topics will include a look at corporate sustainability in relation to measurement, investment return and risk; assessment and implementation; energy and tax credits; lean accounting; small and mid-sized business feasibility; and case studies.

The event is being led by the SCACPA’s Sustainability Task Force which was formed two years ago.

“Environmental concerns, raw material shortages, energy costs and other regulatory, supply chain management, and various economic pressures are bringing to light significant resource and risk management issues for many businesses,” said Richard Waycaster, Chair of SCACPA’s Sustainability Task Force and CFO of Elliott Davis. “As accountants and business leaders, we need to understand these factors and take the lead on devising and implementing strategies that help organizations adeptly manage their resources now and in the future.”

Speakers at the December 7 conference include Katherine Blue, CPA and Warren Kitchens, CPA from KPMG; Travis Bogan, CPA from Elliott Davis; John Meindl from Furman University; Roger Schrum from Sonoco; Andrew Spicer, PhD from USC’s Moore School of Business; and Curtis Walker from GDC Total Business.

Gold sponsors of the event are Webster Rogers and Elliott Davis. For more information, please visit http://www.scacpa.org/sustainabilityconference or watch www.scacpa.org/sustainabilityvideo.