This session provides a general overview of contractual risk transfer in construction contracts and subcontracts, with specific attention to those provisions that present risk and insurance implications for contractors. It reviews the structure of construction contracting relationships and the key provisions in which responsibilities and liabilities are allocated to the contracting parties, and suggests methods to equitably allocate these liabilities. It also examines processes for ensuring the effectiveness of contractual risk transfers, and identifies problems that may arise if contracts are not properly reviewed and their risks managed. This session is intended to prepare attendees for the CRIS Contractual Risk Transfer course exam.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the scope of coverage provided under an owners and contractors protective liability insurance policy, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this coverage
• Identify recommendations and strategies for fairly and legally allocating contract risks based on where the entity falls in the construction "food chain."
• Identify and provide advice on problematic construction contract provisions, and assist in the drafting or negotiation of contract insurance requirements.
• Provide recommendations for obtaining and maintaining verification of compliance with contract insurance requirements.
• Identify insurance requirements that may not be obtainable in the marketplace, and alternatives that may be acceptable to the contracting parties; identify gaps between a

This session is an interactive discussion of best practices and lessons learned of prequalifying project team members, including owners, owners’ reps, GCs, and subcontractors.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn the due diligence process in developing go/no-go project pursuits.
• Understand the owners and owners' rep experience Learn the prequalification process of owners, GCs, and subcontractors.
• Discuss the “gotchas” in the respective contracts

Did you know that it’s possible for a construction company’s controller or CFO to generate more profit for the company than a PM on a construction project? Effective cash management is the key. This course covers the cash flow life cycle, ways to optimize cash flow, and cash forecasting techniques.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the value of cash flow management
• Establish and use internal controls
• Recommend and apply sound cash management techniques

This course provides an in-depth view of the Work in Progress (WIP) schedule. First, this session will cover the basic accounting aspects of WIP – how to calculate, account for, and reconcile costs. Next, it will explore the perspective of an internal analysis covering cash flow related to jobs, management, and analysis tools, as well as estimated costs to complete and projecting future profits using budgeting and forecasting. Finally, learn the significance of your WIP schedule from the third-party user’s perspective and why ensuring its successful performance is necessary to your company's credibility.

Learning Objectives:

• Define the work in progress (WIP) and percentage of completion (PCM) accounting methods.
• Demonstrate best practices for internal use and analysis of work in progress (WIP) schedules.
• Identify external analysis of how 3-party uses such as sureties, banks CPA’s and others to analyze your work in progress.

This workshop is designed for construction financial professionals who have mastered the basic concepts presented in CFMA’s Cash Management module and are interested in learning more comprehensive forecasting approaches.

Learning Objectives:

• Forecast Cash long-term
• Project “burn-off” beyond current backlog
• Integrate Cash forecasting with budgeting
• Develop volume and earnings assumptions

The construction industry is highest in number of suicide deaths and second-highest in suicide rate per 100,000 workers. Contractors are typically safety-focused and increasingly aware of the critical role wellness plays in their employees' lives. However, an important topic that can positively impact workforce safety, wellness, and productivity is often neglected – mental health. This session will address this preventable epidemic among the construction workforce and educate participants on risk factors, warning signs, and protective actions to take with at-risk employees. Takeaways can be used to conduct a needs analysis and equip companies to face suicide and mental health concerns head-on.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about warning signs and what to do if an employee is believed to be at risk
• Identify construction risk factors for suicide
• Build a business case for addressing mental illness/suicide prevention in the workplace
• Discuss postvention strategies should a suicide or mental health crisis occur in an organization.
• Conduct a needs/gap analysis of business practices & policies – how to align with mental health promotion and suicide prevention.

Your WIP is more than just a reporting tool; it is a financial management tool for your construction company. This intensive course will provide an advanced view of the WIP schedule and teach you strategies that will turn unexpected profit fade and enhancements into predictable events.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss change orders/additional purchase orders and how they impact gross profit and revenue expectations.
• Explain how your Work in Progress schedule (WIP) is more than just a reporting tool.
• Discuss how different contract types are managed on your WIP.
• Discuss WIP analysis techniques, tips and tricks.
• Show how to account for self-performed work on your WIP without double counting.

As a construction financial professional, many people and businesses rely on your ability to ethically execute your job functions. In order for others to place the greatest reliance possible on your work, it is critical that you are guided by an ethical code of conduct in all of your professional relationships. This course presents ethical concepts, including a framework for analysis of ethical situations and the use of case studies from construction situations.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain why your decision is ethical.
• Describe the three essential components associated with all ethical decisions.
• Explain why all three components must exist in order for any decision to be ethical.
• Apply these essential components of ethics to real-life situations through a process of identification, analysis, justification and decision making.

What are the benefits of certification? Do I meet the eligibility requirements? What is the best way to prepare? What is required to maintain my certification? The answer to these questions and more will be answered during this session. Learn firsthand from your peers about the certification process and how achieving the industry’s only accredited certification for construction financial managers enhances your individual career and practice development for CPA firms.

Learning Objectives:

• Take the next step in career or practice development.
• Understand exam eligibility requirements, the application process and certification maintenance.
• Identify exam preparation resources.
• Locate the most convenient test center.

Learn about the key data from CFMA’s Benchmarker and how it can impact your company. Learn and share Benchmarker best practices with your conference peers, and walk away with benchmarking techniques that can help you improve your company’s financial and operational performance. Learn about KPIs most relevant to contractors, including those related to liquidity, profitability, leverage, efficiency, and productivity.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn the preliminary results from the 2017 Financial Survey highlighting the 2016 FYE
• Find out methods by which contractors may manage operations in order to improve financial ratios relied on by sureties and lenders
• Understand how others are using the CFMA Benchmarker to improve their bottom line
• Discover how to maximize CFMA's online Financial Benchmarker tool for 24/7 benchmarking, reporting, and of your company's financial performance with others in the industry
• Have increased knowledge of the technologies available for Heavy Highway Contractors to operate more efficiently and profitably.
• Will be able to identify technology opportunities they can take home to improve their company.
• Have a better understanding of the resources required to benefit from the latest technology.
• Have a better understanding of the resources required to benefit from the latest technology.