In this issue
FEISV Chapter Newsletter | June 30, 2026 
FEI Silicon Valley Events
07/21 - FEISV Annual BBQ | Pillsbury
07/24 - Financial Officers Forum (Virtual)
08/19 - FEISV TopGolf & Social
12/09 - Annual President's Party
Partners & Other Chapter Events
07/16 - The Story Continues: Evolve with Sage Intacct (Virtual) | Armanino LLP
07/30 - How Nonprofits Endure: Balancing Strategy, Data and Operations (Virtual) | Armanino LLP
06/25 - Mid-year Compliance Check and Emerging Trends (Virtual) | Reed Smith
09/12 - Back to Business: Post-Summer Compliance Priorities (Virtual) | Reed Smith
Latest Trends in FEI
We’re looking forward to bringing our FEI Silicon Valley community together once again at the Annual FEISV BBQ!
This annual gathering is part of what makes our Chapter special. It's a chance to keep traditions alive while creating new memories together. The Annual FEISV BBQ is an opportunity to reconnect, celebrate the achievements of our community, and spend time with one another outside the usual day-to-day.
We’re grateful to host this year’s BBQ at Pillsbury, our valued Partner, in their newly remodeled space. The setting offers both indoor and outdoor areas, creating a comfortable and refined environment for conversation and connection.
This event is about coming together as a Chapter, strengthening relationships, recognizing how far we’ve come, and enjoying time with peers without it all having to be about work (unless you want it to be!).
We hope you’ll join us for an evening that reflects the spirit of FEI Silicon Valley: connected, engaging, and grounded in community.
The Annual FEI Silicon Valley BBQ will be held at Pillsbury in Palo Alto on Tuesday, July 21st, from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm Pacific.
FEISV Members & Partners: Free | Non-Members: $45 | Registration: Here
Run the Discussion at the Financial Officers Forum
Bring the issues you’re working through. We’ll build the conversation around them.
The Financial Officers Forum (FOF) Affinity Group brings together CFOs, Controllers, and VP Finance leaders who are actively navigating real decisions in real time. The agenda is driven entirely by the group. You can raise the questions that matter to you, walk through specific scenarios, and get direct input from others who have faced similar challenges.
The conversation goes well beyond theory. Whether it’s evaluating AI tools, pressure-testing implementation decisions, or working through how new technologies fit into close, reporting, or FP&A workflows, discussions are detailed, practical, and grounded in firsthand experience. You’re hearing what’s working, what’s not, and why.
AI continues to be a major focus, but always through a practical lens. Members are digging into how they’re using it day-to-day, how it’s influencing decision-making, and where it’s delivering real value across finance functions.
The format is confidential and peer-led. There’s no set presentation, no sales agenda, and no passive attendance. It’s a working session built on open dialogue, candid feedback, and shared expertise.
Financial Officers Forum (FOF) will be held virtually on Friday, July 24th, from 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm Pacific.
FEISV Members & Partners, Other FEI Members, and Non-Members: Free | Registration: Here
Why CFOs Can't Just Layer AI On Broken Processes
The biggest AI challenge facing CFOs today may not be the technology. It is the organizational culture, process readiness, and governance required to use it well.
In a recent episode of the FEI Podcast, host Heather Cole, executive advisor and FEI Member, sits down with Jennifer Witts, Partner at CohnReznick's Client Advisory Services Practice, and Kyle Vroegh, Director at CohnReznick's Client Advisory Services Practice. Together, they deliver a candid, practical conversation for financial leaders who are excited about AI but not quite sure where to begin.
According to Witts, the most damaging thing a financial leader can do is jump into AI without a clear plan. Layering AI on top of a broken process does not fix the process – it accelerates the dysfunction. The same logic applies to data: if the inputs are flawed, the outputs will be too, regardless of how sophisticated the technology is.
Before selecting tools or launching pilots, Witts recommends financial leaders first clarify what they want to achieve, audit the underlying processes, and ensure those processes are solid enough to support automation.
Learn more. Read Why CFOs Can't Just Layer AI on Broken Processes via FEI Daily.
Make Your Mark on FEI’s Future
We’re running out of time to hear from you, and your input is critical.
FEI Members are invited to complete the 2026 Member Satisfaction & Needs Assessment Survey, a quick, five-minute opportunity to directly influence the programming, resources, and benefits FEI will prioritize in the year ahead.
Your feedback ensures FEI continues delivering meaningful value to Members and Chapters, but we need more responses before the deadline to make the most impact.
There’s still time to make your voice heard, and a little competition adds to the incentive. The two Chapters with the highest number of completed responses will each receive a complimentary registration to the 2027 Financial Leaders Forum in Minneapolis.
Don’t miss your chance to shape what’s next for FEI, and help your Chapter earn a valuable professional development opportunity.
Deadline to complete is July 3rd: Take the survey now
Auditing Work in Progress (WIP): What Auditors Focus On and Why It Matters
For manufacturers and construction companies alike, work in progress (WIP) is one of the most judgment‑driven balances on the financial statements. Whether it represents partially completed production or active construction projects, WIP relies heavily on cost estimates and progress-to-completion estimates.
From an audit perspective, this makes WIP a recurring area of focus during fieldwork. Small changes in assumptions can materially affect inventory valuation, job profitability, revenue recognition, and reported margins. When WIP is well supported by operational data and applied consistently, it is typically straightforward to audit. When it is treated as a purely accounting estimate without strong alignment to operational reality, audit risk increases.
As a result, auditors approach WIP not merely as a balance‑sheet line item, but as a reflection of how effectively accounting and operations work together.
Learn more. Read Auditing Work in Progress (WIP): What Auditors Focus On and Why It Matters via our Gold Partners at Sensiba.
FEISV Member of the Week
As President and CEO of CalCPA, Denise LeDuc Froemming is personally committed to guiding our community through an era of growth and innovation. Her background is rooted in transformative leadership, and she considers it a privilege to steer fellow financial executives toward a future where our professional excellence shines.
Previous CEO and senior management experience includes roles at the Institute of Real Estate Management, American Health Association, Management Association, and College of American Pathologists, among other organizations.
Denise earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Finance, from Marquette University. She earned an MBA in Finance/Accounting from Northern Illinois University.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-leduc-froemming-cpa-cae-aaip-615abb13/
FEISV Partner of the Week
Sensiba provides global accounting, tax, governance, risk, and compliance, and consulting services that help businesses and people solve problems, establish trust, and build a foundation for sustainable growth. Independent and partner-owned, they’re a top-75 U.S. firm with a global footprint, maintaining operations across the Americas, Europe, Australia, and beyond.
Experts at Sensiba are passionate about collaborating with clients to increase efficiency, mitigate risk, and embrace emerging opportunities. As a certified B Corp, Senisba fosters a culture where people, families, and communities thrive. They support their clients' international accounting and tax needs as a member of Morison Global.
For more information, visit Sensiba.com.
CONTACT:
Kevin Shives
Partner, Sensiba
[email protected]
Special Thanks to Our Strategic Partners
Marquee Partners
Platinum Partners
Gold Partners
Silver Partners
