You are about to take up a consulting assignment. Should I incorporate? Is setting up as a sole proprietor better or forming an LLC? How do I pay myself? How to save taxes? Should I hire an accountant? Is social media the best option to promote myself?

Fear no more. Come and attend our Freelancers Forum. This half-day forum provides freelancers and those hoping to learn more about starting a business the opportunity to get an intensive education on how to be successful. With everything from nuts and bolts specifics to advice on how to network, this event is a can’t-miss chance to get your business up and running.

Our Speakers include a CPA, an IRS representative, a recruiter and several experienced business owners who have done it all. They are all eager to share their knowledge with you!

Monday, June 17, 2019

Time Presentation Title (click for description) Speaker(s) (click for bio)
8:00 - 8:10 AM Introduction Margaret Hung
8:10 - 8:30 AM Thought Process and First Steps in Becoming an Independent Consultant Venky Chakravarthy
8:30 - 8:50 AM Accounting and Record Keeping Robert Simpson, CPA
8:50 - 9:10 AM Saving Taxes Margaret Hung
9:10 - 9:30 AM Effective Marketing and Selling Yourself Through Social Media Tara Potter
9:30 - 9:40 AM Finding Work and Networking Josh Horstman
9:40 - 10:00 AM Setting Rates Josh Horstman and Tara Potter
10:00 - 10:20 AM Working Remotely - Home Office, Tools and Technology Gary Moore
10:20 - 10:40 AM The New Tax Law on Business Richard Furlong, IRS
10:40 - 11:00 AM Tax Audit - Red Flags to Avoid, and What to Do with the IRS Notice Robert Simpson, CPA
11:00 - 11:20 AM Miscellaneous Tips, Apps and Websites Margaret Hung and John Labore
11:20 - 11:40 AM Tips from Three Business Owners Rob Howard, Josh Horstman and Richann Watson
11:40 AM - Noon Q&A and Wrap-up All




Presentation Descriptions

Thought Process and First Steps in Becoming an Independent Consultant
Venky Chakravarthy
8:10 - 8:30 AM


This talk will walk you through the initial thought process, possible fears, doubts and some important considerations. Weigh your specific circumstances before diving deep into the world of independent consultancy. This presentation will also touch upon the structure of your consulting practice and the degree to which you want to be truly independent. Want to know more? Come to the presentation and find out.
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Accounting and Record Keeping
Robert Simpson
8:30 - 8:50 AM


Accounting and Recordkeeping – Software discussion, balance sheets and profit and loss statements, what is an expense, electing entity type
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Saving Taxes
Margaret Hung
8:50 - 9:10 AM


From HSA to solo 401K/SEP to nontaxable fringe benefits, this talk will pinpoint ways to reduce your taxes and increase your bottom line while building a saving nest for you and family.
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Effective Marketing and Selling Yourself Through Social Media
Tara Potter
9:10 - 9:30 AM


Research indicates 70% of employers’ view candidates’ social media profiles before making a job offer. Let’s talk about the ways that you can utilize these tools to effectively sell yourself through your digital foot print and eliminate anything that could make you look like a risk to employers.
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Finding Work and Networking
Josh Horstman
9:30 - 9:40 AM


Coming soon
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Setting Rates
Josh Horstman and Tara Potter
9:40 - 10:00 AM


Coming soon
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Working Remotely - Home Office, Tools and Technology
Gary Moore
10:00 - 10:20 AM


Do you have what it takes to work remotely? Does your client have what it takes? Join the discussion about the personalities and types of tools it takes to successfully work remotely.
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The New Tax Law on Business
Richard Furlong
10:20 - 10:40 AM


Discuss selected aspects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that benefit small business. Presentation will focus on the new 20% deduction for qualified business income and increased opportunities to deduct certain expenditures for business property.
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Tax Audit - Red Flags to Avoid, and What to Do with the IRS Notice
Robert Simpson
10:40 - 11:00 AM


Tax Audit – What happens when you are “selected”, hot items, how to prepare, actual cases and outcomes.
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Tax Audit - Miscellaneous Tips, Apps and Websites
Margaret Hung and John LaBore
11:00 - 11:20 AM


Traveling as a consultant can be a challenge, but with good planning and a few apps and websites at your fingertips, you can make your life much easier! If you have ever wondered if Airbnb is a better option than hotels (or even better than apartments) for short- to intermediate-term onsite assignments, and whether public transport (bus, light rail, ride-sharing) is better than using your own car or renting a car, this presentation will provide examples and tips you will find helpful.
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Tips from Three Business Owners
Rob Howard, Josh Horstman and Richann Watson
11:20 - 11:40 AM


Coming soon
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Presenter Biographies

Venky Chakravarthy

Venky Chakravarthy has been a SAS user since 1991. He has provided contract Statistical, PK/PD, Outcomes Research and Clinical Programming services in multiple therapeutic areas for the Life Sciences industry over the past 20 years. He is the author of numerous SAS papers. He has presented at local, regional, national and international SAS and industry specific forums. Besides the papers that he has contributed, he has also been an invited speaker at SAS Global Forum and PharmaSUG. Venky graduated from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH with a PhD in Social Welfare.


Richard Furlong

Richard Furlong is a Senior Stakeholder Liaison in the Internal Revenue Service Communications & Liaison Division. Stakeholder Liaison serves as the primary IRS liaison office to tax practitioner organizations and industry associations around the country. Each year Mr. Furlong delivers both virtual (webinar) and face-to-face presentations at tax practitioner continuing education seminars. He has also worked with industry and small business associations to share IRS resources for entrepreneurs. Since the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) he has spoken on many aspects of the new legislation impacting both business owners and their advisors. Mr. Furlong is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics.


Rob Howard

Rob Howard, of Veridical Solutions, is a SAS certified professional with over 18 years programming experience in the pharmaceutical industry. He is experienced in analyzing clinical trial data in a wide range of therapeutic areas. Since 2007, Rob has been an independent consultant, providing services for multiple clients in Southern California and across the US. He serves on the PharmaSUG Executive Committee and was the Co-Chair for the US event in Baltimore, MD in 2017 as well as the inaugural PharmaSUG Japan Single Day event in 2018.


Josh Horstman

Josh Horstman is an independent statistical programming consultant and trainer based in Indianapolis with over 20 years’ experience using SAS in the life sciences industry. He specializes in analyzing clinical trial data, and his clients have included major pharmaceutical corporations, biotech companies, and research organizations. Josh is a SAS Certified Advanced Programmer who loves coding and is a frequent presenter at PharmaSUG, SAS Global Forum, and other industry conferences.


Margaret Hung

Margaret Hung formed MLW Consulting to provide data management and business services after working 20+ years in a pharma company. She has been with PharmaSUG since its inception in early ‘90’s and is a member of PharmaSUG’s Executive Committee. She was co-chair of several PharmaSUG and PharmaSUG China conferences as well as NC Single Day events. She is also an active Enrolled Agent.


John LaBore

John LaBore is an independent consultant based in the greater Indianapolis area with 30+ years’ experience using SAS in an array of settings, such as universities, non-profit organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and other commercial organizations. John spent most of his career at Eli Lilly and Company where he received several major IT division achievement awards. Post-retirement he has enjoyed carrying out a number of short-term contract opportunities. He is a SAS 9 Certified Programmer, and has presented at PharmaSUG, SAS Users Group International (the predecessor to SAS Global Forum), and other conferences including US regional conferences as well as conferences in Ireland, Italy, and Australia.


Gary Moore

Gary Moore has 30 years of experience in Stats and SAS programming and 25 years as an independent contractor/consulting. He has worked with the FDA and many large and small pharmaceutical companies in numerous therapeutic areas and at every stage of drug development.


Tara Potter

Tara Potter is a recruiting expert within the pharmaceutical industry specializing in the areas of statistical programming and biostatistics. Tara has over a decade of experience helping clients to successfully fill contract and permanent positions. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Communications from West Virginia University. In 2015, Tara started the North Carolina division of Green Key Resources, an award-winning executive recruitment firm. She has been consistently recognized for her deep understanding of the biometrics job market, staffing industry and ability to create and maintain valued relationships.


Robert Simpson

Robert B. Simpson is the Founder and Managing Partner of Brinker Simpson & Company, a Certified Public Accounting & Business Consulting Firm in Springfield, Delaware County. With 30 years of firm experience, Bob continues to grow and build upon his 45 person firm, chiefly responsible for firm management and business development. Bob’s background is in tax planning and execution. He has coached startup companies, through 3rd generation successions and shares his knowledge and experience of complicated tax structures down to initial tax planning. Bob has spoken frequently on topics ranging from IRS audit trends and techniques, up to an understanding of the confusing new tax laws enacted in 2018. He assists emerging businesses with tax and accounting set-up, as well as counseling high net worth individuals. Bob has represented many clients in front of the IRS, and other taxing agencies, and has testified as an expert witness in many cases involving tax disputes and fraud and forensics.


Richann Watson

Richann Watson is an independent statistical programmer and CDISC consultant based in Ohio. She has been using SAS since 1996 with most of her experience being in the life sciences industry. She specializes in analyzing clinical trial data and implementing CDISC standards. Additionally, she is a member of the CDISC ADaM team and various sub-teams. Richann loves to code and is an active participant and leader in the SAS User Group community. She has presented numerous papers, posters, and training seminars at SAS Global Forum, PharmaSUG, and various regional and local SAS user group meetings. Richann holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics and computer science from Northern Kentucky University and master's degree in statistics from Miami University.