CEP Institute First Annual Symposium

First Annual CEP Institute Symposium:
Surviving and Thriving in Today's Changing Equity Compensation World

September 13-14, 2004
Santa Clara University
Registration fee: $375

The Symposium brought together experts in all forms of equity compensation, both in the U.S. and abroad, the CEP Institute Symposium provided a broad curriculum with multiple areas of learning:

One focus was the opportunity to learn about the latest trends, concerns, and developments in equity compensation
A second focus provided training programs for people preparing for Certified Equity Professional Institute exams
A third focus was life as an equity professional, reviewing such challenges and opportunities as outsourcing, dealing with multiple equity plans, Sarbanes-Oxley, and new accounting rules

The symposium was an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues in the field and spend time in the San Francisco-San Jose area. The beautiful Santa Clara University campus with its historical roots, is close to the San Jose and San Francisco airports, both of which provide direct and convenient transit services.

Symposium Content

Continuing education for CEP designees
Exam preparation for Levels 1, 2, and 3
Challenges to the profession
Outsourcing issues
Reporting rules under Sarbanes-Oxley
New plan designs and administrative issues
Working with new accounting rules
Tips to make yourself more valuable to employers
The job market now and into the future

Symposium Agenda

SEPTEMBER 13
8:30 - 9 a.m.	Registration & Networking
9 -10 a.m.	Keynote Address Mark Borges, Principal, Mercer Human Resources Consulting Mark is a leading expert in equity compensation and drew from his experience at Mercer Human Resources Consulting and the SEC in discussing public policy, legislation, and how it dictates the future of equity compensation. Mark was also a pioneer of the Institute, and discussed the history of the Institute and how it all began! Download keynote speaker presentation (pdf)
10:15 - 11:45 a.m.	Level 1 Exam Prep Anne Silver, CEP, Silver Consulting Christina Quakenbush, CEP, FatRabbit Services Do you understand all the important terminology? Can you identify the applications of a particular regulation? Can you explain tax treatment? Are your reference sources ready for the exam? Expert CEP designees Anne and Christina guided attendees through these and other critical areas to help prepare for the November Level One exam. Download Level 1 Exam Prep presentation (pdf)
	Level 2 Exam Prep Laura Reis, CEP, BEA Systems Becky Broussard, CEP, Broussard Consulting Can you apply the concepts to specific situations? Based on a scenario, do you know the rules and how they apply? Are you ready for Level Two? Becky and Laura shared their expertise and assist in your exam preparation efforts. At the end of the session, attendees received sample questions for Tuesday's follow-up session. Download Level 2 Exam Prep presentation (pdf)
	Level 3 Exam Prep Marianne Snook, CEP, Stock & Option Solutions Wendy Jennings, CEP, Advanced Fibre Communications It's here at last! Are you ready for the Level 3 exam? Have you mastered the complexities of advanced equity compensation issues? Can you sort though complex circumstances and identify critical areas? The session leaders guided attendees through the maze of Level 3 preparation. Participants left the session with sample questions for review in Tuesday's follow-up session. Download Level 3 Exam Prep presentation (pdf)
	Challenges to the Profession—Panel Discussion Obtaining your CEP designation is just the beginning! This rapidly changing industry is constantly facing new and developing challenges. CEPs Rose Hoffman, Joan Matlack, and Rob Mills led a discussion on the many challenges facing today's CEP designees, including how to proceed with Sarbanes-Oxley 404, what to think about for option expensing, what outsourcing offers (and what it doesn't), and what the future holds for plan design. Download Challenges to the Profession presentation (pdf)
11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.	Lunch—provided on the University campus. CEP Institute Society kickoff meeting.
1:30 - 3 p.m.	Accounting and Tax Issues Jill Hemphill, PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLC Ellie Kehmeier, Deloitte Jill and Ellie discussed hot topics of accounting and tax issues. In addition to option expensing, potential changes to the deferred compensation rules, the IRS executive compensation audit initiative, and other tax issues related to the changing equity compensation market were discussed. Download Accounting and Tax Issues presentation (pdf)
	CEP Institute Curriculum Committee—Panel Discussion How does the CEP Institute decide on curriculum? What topics are important and what books cover the topics best? How does it all get done? CEP designees Wendy Jennings, Joan Matlack and Christine Zwerling provided a behind the scenes look at the CEP Institute and its curriculum. Download Curriculum Committee presentation (pdf)
3:15 - 5 p.m.	Legal and Legislative Update Alison Wright, CEP, Trucker Huss APC Alison offered an update on pending legislation and recent court decisions affecting the administration and design of equity compensation programs. The session included an update on the pending deferred compensation legislation, the status of the stock option expensing legislation, as well as the fiduciary liability issues relating to equity compensation addressed in the courts this year. Download Legal and Legislative Update presentation (pdf)
	Plan Design Issues Corey Rosen, NCEO Fred Whittlesey, CEP, AON Consulting Have you noticed that equity plans are changing quickly? Corey and Fred discussed what their experience and research suggests. They explored the best approaches for who should get equity and what forms of equity make the most sense for what groups of employees. Download Plan Design presentation (pdf)
	International Issues Ed Burmeister, Baker & Mackenzie Carine Schneider, PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLC The session leaders navigated the challenges companies face when offering equity plans outside the US. Topics covered were tax and accounting impacts, labor and privacy issues, administrative requirements as well as considerations when redesigning your plan to accommodate the new expensing proposals. Download International Issues presentation (pdf)
5:30 p.m.	Wine and Cheese Reception sponsored by the SCU CEP Institute for all symposium participants and faculty.
SEPTEMBER 14
9 - 10:30 a.m.	Level 1 Exam Prep Barbara Baksa, CEP, NASPP Renee Trotta, CEP, Charles Schwab Get your questions, questions, questions answered! Equity compensation authorities Barbara and Renee guided attendees through typical Level One type questions. Their expertise helped candidates learn how to read and analyze the question. Download Level 1 Exam Prep presentation (pdf)
	Level 2 Exam Prep Paz Dizon, CEP, Gilead Rose Hoffman, CEP, Connetics Corporation Get more questions, questions, questions answered! Level Two candidates benefited from Rose and Paz as they scrutinize typical Level Two questions. This invaluable opportunity helped candidates see the many aspects of one question. Download Level 2 Exam Prep presentation (pdf)
	Level 3 Exam Prep Susan Garvin, CEP, Senior Product Manager Jennifer Watkins-Namazi, CEP, Adaptec Get even more questions, questions, questions! CEP experts Susan and Jennifer helped Level 3 candidates in preparation by dissecting typical questions to analyze from all perspectives. Download Level 3 Exam Prep presentation (pdf)
	The CEP in Today's Economy—Panel Discussion What does it mean to be a CEP? What does it mean to your boss? To your peers? This interactive discussion with CEPs Becky Broussard, Helen Hauge, and Laura Reis focused on what you need to do to make yourself valuable to your employer. What kind of continuing education you need, and where do you get it? What is the best source of information for you? Participants learned from these experts and shared their own valuable insights to help other CEP designees struggling with these issues.
10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.	The Purpose of Certification—Why be Certified? Patricia Young, CPS Human Resource Services Patricia helped candidates and designates understand the importance of certification and the complex process involved to achieve it. Download Purpose of Certification presentation (pdf)
	Closing Remarks Fred Whittlesey, CEP, AON Consulting Emily Van Hoorickx, CEP, UBS Financial Services

Policies and Procedures

Download the CEPI Handbook here.

(166kb pdf)