SEC Pro



The SEC Professionals Group

The preeminent group for financial reporting professionals-learning from each other
and sharing our best practices.  


WHO WE ARE

The SEC Professionals Group is a community of in-house professionals who actively prepare and file financial reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Our exclusive community now represents two-thirds of large, public companies and also includes membership from many smaller and pre-IPO companies. The group is founded and sponsored by Workiva, the leader in connected reporting.

The purpose of the community is to foster communication between members on matters of common professional interest.

Since its inception in 2008, membership has grown consistently and includes individuals in financial reporting, FP&A, investor relations, financial close and consolidation, global accounting, policy, and technical accounting. Members participate actively in 40 chapters across the country. 

SEC Professionals Group local chapters are led by an esteemed group of Advisory Chairs who provide leadership, guidance, and direction for the group.

Becoming a member is free, and applying only takes a few minutes. Membership is limited to in-house employees of companies focused on financial reporting. Academics, auditors, consultants, recruiters, and vendors are not eligible for membership in the group. 






HOW WE STARTED



Joe Howell
Co-Founder
(retired)
It began in the Silicon Valley in 2008. Joe Howell, co-founder of Workiva, was ruminating the challenges SEC reporting professionals face. He noted when dealing with highly technical accounting or disclosure issues, a dialogue with other professionals is helpful.

After informal discussions with a number of reporting teams, Howell convened a meeting of SEC reporting professionals in December of 2008. The initial group of seven companies included Apple, eBay, Electronic Arts, HP, Intel, Maxim Integrated Products, and Symantec.

The stated purpose of the meeting was to provide a safe forum to discuss challenging accounting and reporting issues and to provide a resource for confidential and open discussion. The conversation, collaboration, and peer–to– peer engagement was fruitful. The group agreed to meet on a quarterly basis and to expand. HP hosted the second quarterly meeting, with a significant increase in attendance. It became clear that the SEC Professionals Group addressed an unmet need amongst reporting professionals.


OUR TEAM


Lauren Uyeno
Director

Steve Soter
Executive Advisor
steve_soter.png
Morgan Witt
Community Manager






WHAT WE DO

The SEC Professionals Group meets quarterly to discuss challenging issues facing financial reporting professionals, including IFRS, SEC comment letters, XBRL, changes to accounting rules, and other member-driven topic suggestions.



About the SEC Professionals Group:


  • Brings professionals together in a collaborative, congenial environment
  • Provides cutting-edge, practical information on highly technical, challenging reporting issues
  • Helps members share case studies and hands-on experience to make on-the-job challenges manageable
  • Shares technology solutions that streamline and enhance financial reporting processes
  • Creates member-driven committees providing advice and resources on relevant and timely topics




MEMBERSHIP IS EXCLUSIVE

The SEC Professionals Group is a members-only, invitation-only group for individuals involved in overseeing or preparing financial reports.

Meeting conversations are off the record and remain within the group.

On average, members include two or more reporting professionals per company. We encourage the entire reporting team to join. Members attend in-person meetings at 40 local chapters around the country.

Members may also participate remotely via our live webcast.


Added Value for Members - CPE Credits


The SEC Professionals Group offers complimentary CPE credits to members who attend our meetings or participate remotely in the webcast.












PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIONS

So that members may connect with each other outside of quarterly meetings, a confidential, password-protected membership directory has been created on a secure website: secprofessionals.org

There is no charge to join the SEC Professionals Group or to attend meetings. Our sponsors underwrite the cost of programs and events.


Eric Greene
Head of Accounting
Salt Lake City Advisory Co-Chair








"The SEC Pro Group is truly a powerhouse. I have significantly expanded my network by meeting skilled professionals, received help with technical questions, and increased my financial acumen through the great learning presentations and quarterly gatherings. The SEC Pro Group helps me stay on top of cutting-edge issues and developments in the industry. I don’t know what I would do without it."












COMMUNITY PLATFORM

The SEC Professionals Group hosts a new, interactive website designed especially for members. Leverage your membership and our website to:

  • Connect with your peers using the membership directory
  • Ask a question of your peers or share your expertise on the forum
  • Register easily for quarterly chapter meetings, special events, and webinars
  • Find your next dream job, or post a job opening at your company on the job board
  • Promote events in your area that may be of interest to fellow members
  • Join a current committee, or create your own special interest committee
  • Browse resources curated for financial reporting professionals






EVENTS

The SEC Professionals Group offers many opportunities to participate in events throughout the year, including:

  •  Quarterly meetings at chapter locations
  • National, live webcasts
  • Local chapter lunch and learn networking sessions
  • Women’s leadership programs
  • Half-day CPE programs
  • Short, topic-specific webinars with thought leaders and practitioners




"In summer 2019, I helped coordinate and attended the Denver Women’s Leadership event. It was one of the most meaningful sessions I attended this year! Our guest speakers were incredible, and I benefited so much from hearing their ideas, leadership styles, and experiences. I left the event feeling armed with greater confidence, an expanded professional network, and a deeper connection to female leaders in Denver."
Jennifer Gorrell -Denver Chapter Advisory Chair








QUARTERLY MEETINGS AND WEBINARS

As the preeminent group for financial reporting professionals, we have the opportunity to engage with current and former senior policy makers. Our distinguished speakers include:

  • Bob Hirth, SASB Board Member, Former COSO Chair
  • Bob Herz, IASB Board Member, Former FASB Chair
  • Jeanette Franzel, Former PCAOB Board Member
  • Leslie Seidman, Former FASB Chair
  • Russ Golden, FASB Chair
  • The Honorable Jay Clayton, Chairman of the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission
  • Lindsay McCord, Chief Accountant, Division of Corporation Finance, U.S. Securities Exchange Commission
  • Robert F. Telewicz Jr., Accounting Branch Chief, Office of Real Estate and Commodities, Division of Corporation Finance, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission




CHAPTERS







MEMBERSHIP PROFILE



































VALUE PROPOSITION FOR SPONSORS

Sponsors receive the following benefits

  • Share marketing materials at quarterly meetings
  • Invitation to attend quarterly meetings at the chapter location they sponsor
  • Promotional gift offering at meetings
  • Logo on home page of SEC Professionals Group website
  • Brief description of company and services on SEC Professionals Group website
  • Share expertise, content, and events on the SEC Professionals Group website and LinkedIn
  • Share special promotions in quarterly newsletters
  • Access to names, titles, email and mailing addresses of members in chapters where they are sponsors
  • Opportunities to host breakfasts, lunches, or happy hours at chapter meetings

SEC Professionals Group Sponsors

Accounting Career Consultants, Advantex Professional Services, Aston Carter, Brilliant, Embark, Equity Methods, Houlihan Lokey, Ice Miller, iMatch, Intelligize, K&L Gates, Kranz & Associates, Randstad, RGP, Robert Half, The SEC Institute, The Siegfried Group, Stout, Two Degrees, VACO, VRC, VincentBenjamin, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and Workiva







For more information, please contact:
info@secprofessionals.org