MEGA Conference Featuring Womens Leadership Summit on Day one
28.0 Credits
Member Price $850.00
Price will increase by $150 on 5/14
Non-Member Price $1,150.00
Price will increase by $150 on 5/14
Overview
Join us in Orlando for empowering education, collaboration and inspiration!
This year we’re giving you an opportunity to attend both the ever-popular Women’s Leadership Summit (WLS) and MEGA 2026 from June 14-17 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort, with exciting new sessions and in-person networking.
From thought-provoking keynotes and cutting-edge concurrent sessions to interactive demos and social events, WLS and MEGA promise to deliver!
Enjoy four days of continued learning and conferencing alongside your peers at Orlando’s crème de la crème resort.
What’s Included?
- Sunday, June 14 | Learning Labs | Hosted Kickoff Reception
- Monday, June 15 | Women to Watch Awards Breakfast | Women’s Leadership Summit | Newly Certified Ceremony | MEGA Evening Gala
- Tuesday, June 16 | Breakfast, Breaks & Lunch | All MEGA Sessions | Happy Hour
- Wednesday, June 17 | Breakfast & Breaks | All MEGA Sessions
If you would like to attend only the Women’s Leadership Summit, click here.
If you would like to attend MEGA 2026 only, click here.
Register and reserve early!
Save $150 when you register for MEGA by May 14 and reserve your room at our MEGA rate of $235 plus a $10 resort fee and applicable taxes.
Why make your way to MEGA? ?
- Tackle the latest trends and emerging topics, including cybersecurity, AI, OBBB, ESG, risk management, talent pipeline and more.
- More than 40 partners and exhibitors will help you navigate the complexities of accounting today.
- Connect with FICPA leadership (staff, Board and Council members) and share your unique member insights and build valuable relationships.
- Ethics: Protecting the Integrity of Florida CPAs is offered in conjunction with MEGA to allow you to fulfill your four required biennial ethics CPE credits. Separate registration is required.
CPE Credit:
This group-live (non-self-study) program is designed to qualify for CPE credit under the CPE Guidelines established by the Florida Board of Accountancy under the FL DBPR.
IRS CE Credit
IRS Continued Education Credit can be awarded for attending the State Tax track of this conference. CE credit is reported to the IRS on the registrant’s behalf. You must indicate that you wish to earn IRS CE from the session menu during the registration process and provide the FICPA with your PTIN within 10 days of the conclusion of the conference for the FICPA to report your CE credits. Registrants can provide their PTIN by emailing cpe@ficpa.org.
CLE Credit
CLE credit is awarded by The Florida Bar and eligible for attending the State Tax learning track of this conference. You must indicate that you wish to earn CLE from the session menu during the registration process and provide the FICPA with your FL BAR number to receive your CLE course codes for self-reporting.
$tack the $avings!
In addition to FICPA member and early registration discounts, you can save up to 15% when registering groups of five or more from the same organization. Contact FICPA Member Services at MSC@ficpa.org or 850-224-2727, ext. 1 for details. FICPA Members save even more. Not a member? Join today at ficpa.org/JoinToday.
Social Media
Follow the FICPA on Linked in, Facebook, Instagram and X and share news about this conference using the hashtag #FICPAMEGA.Cancellation Policy
We love to see you commit to the annual MEGA conference early, but know sometimes life forces schedules to change. If that happens, you have options. Please let our member services team know which option you select below:
- Receive a full refund to your original payment method, transfer your balance to a future event, or place money on account by canceling before May 14, 2026. Call or email MSC at msc@ficpa.org or call 850-224-2727.
- Receive a partial refund to your original payment method, transfer your balance to a future event, or place money on account, minus the event cancellation fee of $150 by canceling on or after May 14, 2026. Call or email MSC at msc@ficpa.org or call 850-224-2727.
Please review the FICPA CPE Policies for additional information: CPE Policies
Highlights
- Keynote Session with Shelly Weir, FICPA President & CEO
- Specialized tracks and workshops
- Women to Watch Award Breakfast & Presentation
Prerequisites
None
Designed For
CPAs, accountants, and other finance professionals
Objectives
- Hear what's new in the Accounting Field
- Discuss hot topics in AI and Technology
- Learn how to protect yourself with Cybersecurity and Fraud Sessions
- Attend the Women's Leadership Summit
Notice
Conference and Accommodations:
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
One Grand Cypress Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32836
407-239-1234
Hotel Rate:
Single: $239++
Reduced Resort Fee: $10
Reservations Deadline: May 14, 2026*
*** Upon completion of your registration for the conference, you will receive an email confirmation with the hotel link to book your accommodations***
Sunday, June 14th
General Session
- Ethics Check-In
To attend Ethics please select the Ethics add-on option during registration.
This session is available to registrants only.
Optional Session
- Ethics: Protecting the Integrity of Florida CPAs (0004980)
Paul Brown, Vice President, Professional and Technical Standards, Florida Institute of CPAsPaul Brown
Paul Brown joined the FICPA in November 1992 and is the Vice President of Professional and Technical Standards for the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA). One of Paul’s main duties is to serve as the technical reviewer in Florida for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Peer Review Program. The program administers approximately 300 reviews annually in Florida and oversees approximately 85 peer reviewers. Paul also assists members in the areas of professional ethics and professional standards. As part of his role with the FICPA Paul has instructed and authored continuing education programs for the AICPA and FICPA, for which he has received several outstanding discussion leader and author awards. Paul is serving on the AICPA’s Peer Review Standards Task Force, Technical Reviewers Advisory Task Force to the Peer Review Board, and former chair of the Audit Committee for the City of Tallahassee.
Prior to joining the FICPA, Paul was an audit manager with the regional firm of Williams, Cox, Weidner & Cox (now Carr, Riggs & Ingram) in Tallahassee, Florida. Paul holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance from Florida State University and has been licensed as a CPA since 1988.
This Florida Board of Accountancy-approved ethics course, developed by the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA), provides CPAs with a comprehensive understanding of their ethical and professional responsibilities. Designed for CPAs in various professional roles and industries, this course explores ethical principles, regulatory requirements and emerging issues affecting the profession.
Participants will gain insight into the Florida Statutes (Chapters 455 & 473) and Florida Administrative Code (FAC) (61H1), AICPA’s Code of Professional Conduct and general ethical behavior. The course includes discussions on professional integrity, independence, objectivity, conflicts of interest fraud detection and prevention, compliance requirements, and equipping CPAs with the knowledge needed to navigate ethical dilemmas while maintaining public trust.
This course meets the biennial ethics CPE requirement for Florida licensed CPA’s.
This course is an add-on event to the 2026 MEGA Conference.
Credits: 4 - Ethics
This session is available to registrants only.
- Registrant Price
- $200.00
Session Pricing:
Optional Session
- Learning Labs
Credits: 4 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
Optional Session
- MEGA Kickoff
Start your MEGA experience strong with the first events of the week. Immediately after the complimentary 4 CPE hours of Learning Labs, join us for an evening of sips, bites, and great company.
This is your moment to Explore the Possibilities of MEGA. This is your first chance to connect with event sponsors and exhibitors, spark new ideas, and set the tone for the week ahead.
Whether you're coming straight from Learning Labs or arriving fresh for the evening, the MEGA Kickoff is where the momentum truly begins. Join us as we launch into an unforgetable week!
This session is available to registrants only.
- Guest Price
- $50.00
Session Pricing:
Monday, June 15th
Optional Session
- MEGA Wellness Zen Walk
Meet in lobby
Description: Start your morning off right with a walk, jog, or run at your own pace. Come solo or partner up, enjoy a curated playlist, and connect along the way.
This session is available to registrants and their guests
General Session
- Registration & Breakfast
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Opening Remarks & Women to Watch Awards
Andrew Carrick, Digital Content Producer & StrategistAndrew Carrick
After creating the viral “Public Accounting Anthem” music video under his persona, The Rapping CPA, while working for a national firm in New York, Drew Carrick began his endeavors as an accounting evangelist and thought leader through content creation. Over the last decade, his career has taken him from traditional audit work over to budgets and finance, and then across the aisle to content marketing and edutainment. All throughout this journey, he has been an active digital content creator for both his personal and professional brands, and contributed to the content development of a variety of projects for fintech and accounting software companies.
Most recently, he produced the accounting comedy web series “PBC” for FloQast Studios on YouTube, built the free online learning platform “FloQademy” (where his album “Audit Jamz” is available for CPE credit, in addition to Spotify/Apple), and has been featured on several podcasts. As an accounting media contributor, he’s been an advocate for the rebrand of the accountant persona, and he continues to speak, write, and perform for the accounting profession as well as the broader business world. He continues to be a general public personality, offering entertainment, insights, and inspiration for finance professionals.
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- "Voice>Echo: Leadership, Credibility, and the CFO's Expanding Role" & Women to Watch Awards
Timothy Naddy, CFO, The Savannah BananasTimothy Naddy
Wait…he’s a CPA?!? Oh, you better believe it…and then some ;-) An entrepreneur, college professor, financial professional and author (EDYM, available early 2026!), this guy’s looking to start another Renaissance! Simply, whether in the boardroom, classroom, or locker room, his passion is to help others make better decisions by translating tedious technical topics into tangible intelligence useful for personal and professional success. And if you thought THAT was a mouthful, check out his personal formula for success: (Big 4 + Private equity + Franchising + Internet startups + Fraud Examiner + CFO Consulting + 18.5“ Biceps) / (Humility + Faith + Family) = Accounting Badassery in motion. I mean, it’s just math, right?!? Living his personal mantra of Integrate, Educate, Elevate…and Entertain, Dr. Tim Naddy abhors complacency and doesn’t believe in settling for less because a good day consists of helping folks understand their value (and yes, you’re worth it). An alchemist of precision, professionalism, and panache, his secret sauce is using storytelling to mix all the things he loves…entertaining, speaking, writing, sumif functions, and jazz hands…into the wonderful world of Accounting and Phinance. Shadow Ops is his domain, but he ain’t shy of the spotlight either, so if you’re down to collab, he’s ready to rock n roll! Connect with him on LinkedIn and tune in to him on his Business Biceps & BS podcast (LI: Business Biceps & BS | IG: @bizbisnbs ) #cpaevolved #respectthegrind
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Leading Without Burnout — A Brain-Based Approach to Sustainable Leadership
Leaders will learn how the brain responds to pressure, why burnout happens, and how thinking shapes leadership. This session offers practical insight to help professionals recognize burnout sooner and lead with more clarity, calm, and confidence.
Objectives
- Recognize early signs of burnout and understand how ongoing stress affects leadership.
- Understand how thoughts influence feelings, reactions, and leadership behavior under pressure.
- Use a simple framework to notice burnout patterns and respond in a healthier, more effective way.
Credits: 1 - Behavioral
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Book Signing #1: EDYM (Every Decision You Make): What's the Cost of the Dream
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Open Exhibition/Coffee & Snacks
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- The Surprising Key to Success - How Your Energy Controls Everything
Karin Knecht, Leadership Coach and Consultant, DunamisCKarin Knecht
Karin Knecht, CPC, ELI-MP, CCXE
Karin Knecht is an expat and leadership coach, learning & development consultant, engaging facilitator, speaker and author. She partners with expats and organizations to leverage cultural differences and create high-performing teams that focus on opportunities and unlocking potential.She has over 20 years of experience in learning and development and leadership across Europe and the U.S. and a story that spans three countries
Her purpose is 'Making a difference' and she inspires leaders to become their authentic, positive, and confident selves. She helps them discover their strengths and find a fulfilling career, enhance relationships with others, celebrate differences, and develop actionable plans to reach goals.
We live in an uncertain world and experience a lot of things that ‘happen to us’ every day, hour and minute. Many of us fall into the trap of reacting to stressors rather than shifting our perspective and consciously responding in a way that leads to win-win outcomes and enhanced relationships.
This interactive session is your gateway to understanding the transformative power of Energy Leadership™. We will guide you through the principles of harnessing your energy to foster leadership and personal growth. Expect to gain insights into shifting your perspectives, enhancing your relationships, and elevating your professional and personal life. This is more than a learning opportunity; it's the first step towards living your most authentic and inspired life.
Objectives
- Transform your relationships and elevate your professional and personal life.
- Shift your perspective to see opportunities and achieve win-win solutions.
- Master practical techniques and the PBAR framework to build resilience and respond to challenges with clarity instead of reactivity.
Credits: 1 - Behavioral
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Book Signing #2: EDYM (Every Decision You Make): What's the Cost of the Dream
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Lunch
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Understanding and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Accounting
Elizabeth Davis, Chief Growth Officer, 4impactdataElizabeth Davis
Elizabeth Davis is the Chief Growth Officer at 4impactdata, where she helps CPA and advisory firms turn data into confident, client-ready conversations without adding more dashboards or more things to feel behind on.
Over 15+ years, Elizabeth has coached leaders and growth teams on how to scale, increase revenue, and step into their next executive roles. Her work lives at the intersection of AI, advisory, and human behavior because even the smartest data is useless if the person presenting it is quietly panicking inside.
A frequent speaker on CAS growth, AI in accounting, and change leadership, Elizabeth is known for her “Wall Street to Main Street” approach: making sophisticated insight accessible, practical, and usable for real people.
As a woman in technology who has often been the only woman in the room, Elizabeth understands imposter syndrome firsthand. She’s lived it, coached through it, and now teaches practical, AI-enabled ways to move from self-doubt to confidence without pretending confidence magically appears one day.
Her favorite moments are when women stop trying to sound “perfect” and start showing up with the unshakable confidence of someone who never once questioned whether they deserve a seat at the table.
Imposter syndrome hits hardest when you're growing. This interactive session explores why self-doubt persists in accounting, teaches practical techniques to interrupt it, and demonstrates how AI can serve as a real-time confidence and coaching tool. Prompts included.
Learning Objectives
- Imposter syndrome hits hardest when you're growing. This interactive session explores why self-doubt persists in accounting, teaches practical techniques to interrupt it, and demonstrates how AI can serve as a real-time confidence and coaching tool. Prompts included.
- Apply psychology-backed techniques to interrupt unproductive thought patterns and shift into a more confident, grounded mindset before and during high-stakes professional interactions.
- Use AI-supported preparation and reflection techniques to structure difficult conversations, organize thinking, and evaluate performance after meetings in order to support continuous professional growth.
Credits: 1 - Behavioral
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Women's Leadership Summit Panel
Alex Welsh, Senior Manager and Partner, A-lignAlex Welsh
Alex Welsh has nearly a decade of experience in cybersecurity audits, specializing in ISO, SOC, and HIPAA frameworks. A recognized leader in her field, she is a graduate of the FICPA Leadership Academy, an Emerging Leader recipient, and an active member of the FICPA Council and Atlantic Chapter Board. Throughout her career at, Alex has held multiple leadership roles, consistently driving operational excellence and mentoring future professionals in the industry.
Amy Kistka
Amy R. Kistka, CPA
Audit Managing Director and Marketplace Leader - Jacksonville Practice
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Amy Kistka is an audit managing director at Deloitte & Touche LLP. Amy is the marketplace leader for the Jacksonville practice.
Amy is a graduate of the University of North Florida, with a bachelor’s and master’s in Accounting.
Amy is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA). Amy currently serves on the Board of Directors as Chair-Elect and the State Legislative Policy Committee of the FICPA and serves on the AICPA Council. In addition, Amy serves on the Board of Directors of City Year Jacksonville and the Accounting Advisory Board at the University of North Florida. Amy was selected as a Women of Influence in 2018 by the Jacksonville Business Journal.
Amy is mom to three sons and enjoys yoga and reading in her free time.
Kristin Bivona
Kristin Bivona, CPA, MBA is the Managing Partner for GellerRagans, Central Florida’s oldest accounting firm.
For nearly 20 years, Kristin has been working with closely held businesses in the Central Florida area providing accounting, advisory and taxation services. Her primary focus areas include: medical companies, professional service companies, employee benefit plans and wholesale and retail industries.
Kristin is the immediate Past Chair of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Board of Directors as well as the Vice President of the Florida CPA PAC, Central Florida Region. Kristin also serves on the Council of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the AICPA UAA Committee.
A proud Knight, Bivona received both her bachelor’s degree in accounting and her Master of Business Administration from the University of Central Florida.
Carshena Allison, Audit, Accounting, & Consulting Servi, BCA Watson Rice LLP
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Open Exhibition/Coffee & Snacks
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- The Confident Closer: Business Development Training for Women Leaders
Marie Torossian, Founder - The Profit Lab, Marie Torossian CPAMarie Torossian
Marie Torossian is a dynamic speaker, coach, and mentor specializing in business education and finance. As a 10X Certified Executive Performance Business Coach and the founder of The Profit Lab, she empowers entrepreneurs with the tools to achieve 10X growth.
Marie's extensive expertise spans accounting, business valuation, and strategy, with her proprietary VALUEATION-MT® methodology transforming the financial landscape of businesses. A sought-after speaker, Marie, shares her insights through engaging presentations, workshops, and webinars.
Recognized for her leadership, Marie's firm has won prestigious awards, and she is a regular contributor to industry publications, making her a trusted voice in the business community.
Many women leaders excel in their professional roles yet hesitate when it comes to business development—promoting their expertise, initiating conversations, or confidently asking for the opportunity. In this high-impact session, CPA and 10X Certified Business Coach Marie Torossian teaches women leaders a practical, data-driven, and confidence-based approach to business development that feels natural, strategic, and aligned with who they are.
Drawing from Marie’s experience as a CFO advisor, business strategist, and performance coach, participants will learn how to position themselves as trusted advisors, communicate their value using measurable results, and turn conversations into opportunities without feeling salesy. This session reframes business development as a leadership skill, not a sales tactic, and gives women a repeatable framework they can implement immediately.
- Reframe business development as an essential leadership competency—not a sales obligation.
- Communicate value with confidence by leveraging data, results, and measurable wins.
- Use a simple, repeatable business development process to initiate conversations, build relationships, and uncover needs.
- Apply the “Advisor Approach” to guide discussions and influence decision-making.
- Identify and overcome common confidence barriers that limit women’s advancement in leadership and business development.
- Strengthen visibility and thought leadership to attract high-value opportunities.
- Track and measure BD success using practical KPIs that support growth and accountability.
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Profession Opportunities Update
The CPA Profession is heating up, from private equity and artificial intelligence to expanding client advisory services and the global community. Join AICPA President and CEO Mark Koziel for a frank discussion about the challenges facing today’s profession and the opportunities worth seeking.
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- MEGA Celebration & Newly Certified Ceremony
Join us for the MEGA Celebration Reception - an evening designed to bring everyone together! Enjoy great music, delicious food, and plenty of time to connect, unwind, and celebrate a fantastic conference. Don't miss this change to mingle, relax, and make memorable moments with fellow attendees!
Select “Yes I will attend the MEGA Celebration,” when you register for MEGA!
Guest tickets can be added for $140.
This session is available to registrants only.
Breakout Session
- I WILL be attending the FICPA Reception (included in your MEGA Registration)
This session is available to registrants and their guests
- Guest Price
- $140.00
Session Pricing:
- I WILL NOT be attending the FICPA Reception (included in your MEGA Registration)
This session is available to registrants only.
Tuesday, June 16th
Optional Session
- MEGA Wellness Zen Walk
Meet in lobby
Description: Start your morning off right with a walk, jog, or run at your own pace. Come solo or partner up, enjoy a curated playlist, and connect along the way.
This session is available to registrants and their guests
General Session
- Breakfast & Networking
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Keynote: State of the Profession
Hear from President & CEO Shelly Weir about the FICPA’s advocacy efforts and legislative priorities following Florida’s 2026 Legislative Session. Learn about the key issues that will drive this year’s Session and their impact on the CPA profession. From pathways to deregulation, this is a comprehensive look at licensure in the Sunshine State
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
Breakout Session
- State Tax: Sales Tax on Software and Tech Panel
Amanda Ribeiro, Partner, The Ribeiro Law FirmAmanda Ribeiro
Amanda is a tax professional in KPMG’s state and local tax group, specifically focused on indirect tax. She serves as a technical resource for her expertise in Florida sales tax and administrative procedure.
Amanda has over a decade of state indirect tax experience, including extensive work in the consulting and state tax controversy space. Prior to joining KPMG, Amanda was with a boutique law firm that focused exclusively on Florida state and local tax. Her work ran the gamut from white collar criminal defense to sales and use tax audit defense and litigation. Throughout her career she has served numerous clients ranging from the Fortune 500 to the middle market and has strong experience in a variety of industries including manufacturing, distribution, retail, transportation, hospitality and healthcare. Amanda is based out of Fort Lauderdale and serves clients throughout the state with technical Florida tax issues.
Cory Van Arnum
Cory is a tax professional in KPMG’s state and local tax group, specifically focused in indirect tax. Practicing since 2018, he assists private and public companies with a wide range of indirect tax consulting and controversy needs. His experience spans across the construction, ecommerce, healthcare, manufacturing, power and utilities, technology, and telecommunications industries. Cory is a frequent speaker and author for KPMG on state and local indirect tax issues
Mary Beth Campbell, Senior Manager, SALT, BDO USA
Credits: 1 - To Be Determined
This session is available to registrants only.
- Stay Ahead of the Curve in Auditing & Accounting
Erik De Vries, Director, Audit Quality Group, CohnReznick LLPErik De Vries
Erik De Vries is a Director in CohnReznick’s Audit Quality Group and contributes to the development and implementation of the Firm’s audit methodology and quality initiatives.
Erik has extensive experience helping engagement teams interpret and apply professional standards and regulations to real world situations, including group audits, alternative investment portfolios, revenue recognition, leasing, agreed-upon procedures, and Single Audits. He also supports Firm training, including methodology implementation and proficiency, through curriculum development and teaching sessions.
Prior to joining CohnReznick in 2023, Erik spent more than a dozen years at a global network firm overseeing the execution of audits of public and private companies and not-for-profit organizations with total assets in excess of $4 billion and revenues of $6 billion under AICPA, ISA, Government Auditing and PCAOB standards. He also served a two-and-a-half-year rotation to that firm’s National Professional Standards Group in Audit Training and Knowledge Resources.
For his work on the Illinois CPA Society’s Audit & Assurance Services Committee, Erik has been honored with the Distinguished Service Award. Erik earned his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Calvin University and his Master of Business Administration from Indiana University. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Illinois and Indiana.
The standards are always changing, are you ready? This timely, practical session delivers a concise update on the most important developments in auditing and accounting so you can prepare for upcoming audits and financial reporting. We’ll break down the latest guidance from the FASB, AICPA and PCAOB, translating complex updates into clear overview to help you identify issues promptly. Designed for professionals in public practice and industry, this session focuses on what’s new and considerations on how to prepare.
Credits: 1 - Accounting and Auditing
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Open Exhibition/Coffee & Snacks
This session is available to registrants only.
Breakout Session
- FASB Update
Jacob Rodman, FASB Practice Fellow, Financial Accounting Standards BoardJacob Rodman
Jacob is a Practice Fellow with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), where he leads and collaborates on U.S. GAAP standard-setting activities. He is also an Audit Managing Director in KPMG LLP’s national office within the Department of Professional Practice. With more than 18 years of experience in public accounting, Jacob specializes in advising clients and consulting with engagement teams on complex technical accounting, reporting, and auditing matters and contributes to the development of accounting and auditing guidance. Earlier in his career, he served in KPMG’s U.S. Accounting and Reporting Group in Amsterdam. Jacob is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is a licensed CPA in Connecticut, Missouri, and Kansas. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting from Kansas State University.
This session provides an overview of recent and current standard-setting activities of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, including newly issued Accounting Standards Updates and active projects that may affect financial reporting under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
- Recall key recent Accounting Standards Updates and active projects on the agenda of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
- Identify the objectives and key provisions of recent and proposed changes to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP).
- Recognize potential financial reporting and implementation considerations arising from recent and upcoming US GAAP standard-setting activities.
Credits: 2 - Accounting and Auditing
This session is available to registrants only.
- From CPA to Financial Advisor: Expanding Your Role and Revenue
CPAs are uniquely positioned to become their clients’ most trusted financial advisors; yet many firms are leaving this opportunity untapped.
This session explores how expanding into financial planning can strengthen client relationships, generate new revenue streams, and increase long-term firm value. You’ll gain a clear understanding of how financial planning fits within the CPA role and how to begin integrating these services into your practice.
We’ll cover key business models—including brokers, CFPs, and RIAs—along with the advantages, requirements, and steps to becoming licensed.
You’ll leave with practical insights and a clear, actionable path to adding financial planning services in a compliant, client-focused way.
Outcomes:
• Identify the primary reasons CPAs expand their services into financial planning and investment advisory work.
• Distinguish between the main financial services business models (broker, financial planner and RIAs).
• Explain the regulatory definition and responsibilities of an RIA.
• Recognize licensing and credential pathways for CPAs entering financial planning, including Series 65 and credential-based exam waivers (CFP, CPA/PFS, etc.).
• Outline the high-level process for registering an advisory firm and becoming an Investment Advisor Representative.
• Describe key operational and compliance considerations when integrating financial planning services into a CPA practice.
Credits: 2 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
- State Tax: Nation, State and Local Tax Update
Kevin Herzberg, Chief Financial Officer, RealAdviceKevin Herzberg
Kevin Herzberg is a seasoned expert with over 30 years of experience advising for Federal income tax, state and local tax (SALT), and merger and acquisitions. He has had numerous high-profile roles over his career. Most recently, as the former National Indirect Tax Leader at Grant Thornton LLP, Kevin played a pivotal role in helping businesses navigate complex tax landscapes while optimizing their operational efficiency and financial outcomes. His Grant Thornton leadership roles extended to serving as the Tampa Office Managing Partner, the Central Region SALT Regional Leader and Florida SALT Practice Leader, where he specialized in providing strategic tax solutions tailored to meet business and tax imperatives.
In addition to his tenure at Grant Thornton, Kevin held key leadership roles at Deloitte Tax LLP, Arthur Andersen, and True Partners Consulting. His extensive background includes advising clients on mergers and acquisitions, tax planning, and compliance, making him a trusted advisor to organizations seeking growth and innovation.
Kevin holds an M.B.A. in Finance & Accounting from the University of South Florida and a B.S. in Accountancy from Northern Illinois University. He has further refined his expertise through advanced training from Kellogg Executive Education, earning certifications in Leading Across Generations, Advanced Strategy & Scenario Planning, and Enterprise Decision-Making.
Jordan Goodman
Jordan Goodman is co-leader of the firm's Tax Practice Group. He focuses his practice on resolving complex state and local tax controversies for Fortune 1000 corporations and wealthy families, nationwide. Jordan represents operationally complex companies in manufacturing, retail, financial services, e-commerce, broadcasting, and telecommunications. As an attorney and CPA with decades of experience, he has successfully resolved tax controversies in nearly every state and has counseled clients on the full range of tax issues and organizational structures affecting their businesses. Jordan also represents numerous clients in multistate unclaimed property litigation and advises on a wide range of compliance issues.
Clients seek Jordan's help on a full range of tax issues including corporate income, sales and use, franchise, local licenses, gross receipts, business and occupation, single business, capital stock, and unclaimed property matters. He regularly advises on nexus, apportionment, business income, unitary business groups and residency, credits, losses, exemptions, and the tax base. He represents clients in all facets of unclaimed property issues-from audit notifications and audit defense to protecting sensitive information and resolving legal challenges. Further, Jordan regularly partners with businesses to establish compliance through the voluntary disclosure process and strategic planning.
Prior to joining the firm, Jordan was a partner in the Local Tax (SALT) Group at HMB Legal Counsel, a well-established, tax-focused law firm based in Chicago, Illinois.
A sought-after lecturer and author on multi state tax issues, controversies, and planning, Jordan is very active in the SALT community as a frequent staple to many major SALT institutions' conferences and publications. Jordan is listed in the 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 editions of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business as a leading lawyer in Tax Controversy. He as recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Jordan was recognized as an Illinois "Super Lawyer" for Tax Law by Super Lawyers magazine. He was named a "Leading Lawyer" in 2024 and 2025 for Business Tax Law by Leading Lawyers magazine.
During these sessions Kevin Herzberg and Jordan Goodman will provide an update on recent developments in the world of State and Local Tax.
- Identify key court decisions that define modern SALT principles.
- Assess how technological and economic change influence future SALT tax trends.
- Apply historical context to anticipate emerging issues in state and local taxation.
- Knowledge level: Intermediate
Credits: 2 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Lunch
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- AI Automation in Tax Preparation: What CPAs Can Adopt Right Now
This session explores how recent advances in AI are transforming tax preparation workflows for CPA firms. Participants will learn how modern AI technologies such as machine learning, reasoning models and workflow automation are improving document processing, data extraction and automatic tax return preparation.
The session will also discuss how automation can significantly reduce manual data entry, improve accuracy and increase productivity within tax practices. Attendees will gain insights into practical automation strategies that can be adopted during the current tax season to improve efficiency and scalability in their firms.
Outcomes:
- Understand recent advancements in AI and machine learning relevant to tax preparation.
- Learn how AI can automate document identification, data extraction and tax return preparation workflows.
- Identify key technologies that enable automation in tax practices, including reasoning models, rules engines, AI chain-of-thought models and integrations with tax software.
- Evaluate how automation can improve CPA productivity, reduce manual work and increase firm capacity and learn some of its limitations.
- Explore practical steps CPA firms can take to begin adopting automation during the current tax season.
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
Breakout Session
- Introduction to Fraud Detection with Excel: Tools and Techniques
Christina Solomon, Director, Wipfli LLPChristina Solomon
With over twenty-five years of experience working in public accounting firms, Christina focuses on providing litigation consulting and performing forensic accounting analysis. In these roles, she performs analyses, research and investigation, quantifies damages, writes reports, and provides expert witness testimony. In addition, she provides internal audit, financial modeling and data analysis services to her clients. Christina has a broad base of industry experience, including school districts and higher education.
Angela Abfall
Angie Abfall is a Senior Consultant with more than 40 years of experience in the accounting profession. She is a member of Wipfli's Forensic and Litigation Services team, where she specializes in forensic investigations involving allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse, as well as litigation consulting engagements. Angie works closely with clients, attorneys, courts, and other stakeholders to analyze complex financial matters and provide clear, well-supported findings.
This interactive session introduces the use of Excel-based data analytics to identify fraud risk factors and indicators of potential misuse or misstatement. Participants will learn foundational data preparation techniques to cleanse and normalize data, address common data challenges, and apply key analytic tests such as gap detection, duplicate testing, outlier analysis, and trend analysis. The session emphasizes interpreting analytic results to identify unusual patterns, relationships, and transactions that may warrant further inquiry.
- Prepare data for analysis in Excel by cleansing, normalizing, and organizing datasets to ensure accuracy and reliability.
- Apply Excel-based data analytic tests to identify anomalies, patterns, trends, errors, and potential
- Interpret analytic results to recognize fraud risk factors and other indicators requiring further investigation.
Credits: 1 - Accounting and Auditing
This session is available to registrants only.
- QMS Reverse Interactive Panel
This session is available to registrants only.
- State Tax: SALT M&A
Sherry Lam, State and Local Tax Managing Director, Crowe LLPSherry Lam
Sherry is a Managing Director in Crowe LLP's Fort Lauderdale office, and has over 20 years of experience providing tax and business consulting services, specializing in state and local sales and use tax matters. Sherry's client service experience includes assisting clients in tax process improvement studies, refund analysis, audit defense, voluntary disclosure negotiations, nexus studies, mergers and acquisitions, transactional consulting, product and service taxability reviews, procedures documentation, ASC 450 reviews, exemption certificate reviews, sales tax outsourcing, and bankruptcy matters. Sherry has extensive experience with public and private companies in numerous industries including retail, manufacturing, technology, information services, professional services, construction contracting, telecommunications, and utility.
State and local tax (SALT) considerations can materially impact M&A transactions by affecting deal structure, valuation, risk allocation, and post-transaction tax efficiency. Proactive analysis of nexus exposure, tax liabilities, transaction structuring, and integration planning helps mitigate risk, preserve tax attributes, and optimize long-term state tax outcomes. In this session attendees will:
- Identify key state and local tax risks
- Evaluate the state tax implications of transaction structuring decisions
- Recognize post-transaction planning opportunities
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Open Exhibition/Coffee & Snacks
This session is available to registrants only.
Breakout Session
- Retirement and Actuarial Services
This session is available to registrants only.
- State Tax: Beyond the Tipping Point- Insights from the 2026 AI Tax Research Solution Outlook
AI-powered tax research has evolved from being experimental to being an essential part of tax practitioners’ workflows. At the same time, this technology is reshaping the role of those practitioners and the future of their firms. Drawing on fresh data from Blue J and CPA.com’s 2026 AI Tax Research Outlook Report, this session explores trends in AI-powered tax research adoption, the advantages this technology poses over legacy tools and how AI-powered tax research is fundamentally transforming the way tax experts work
Outcomes:
- Recall current adoption trends in AI-powered and legacy tax research tools.
- Define the competitive advantage AI-powered tools are creating for firms.
- Understand how AI invites new ways of working and how to adapt accordingly.
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
- What Really Happens After a Cyber Breach: The Financial Fallout Inside FBI Investigations
Cyber incidents are often approached as technical events; however, their most significant impacts are frequently financial, legal, and operational. Drawing on experience leading FBI cyber investigations, this session examines a real-world breach scenario from initial compromise through long-term resolution. Attendees will gain insight into how incidents unfold in practice and how associated costs and liabilities develop over time.
Topics will include:- How breaches are identified and factors that influence response timelines
- Key actions and challenges in the first 72 hours following an incident
- Legal, regulatory, and litigation considerations that may arise
- Financial impacts related to business interruption, recovery, and reputational harm
- Common areas where organizations underestimate exposure
This session is designed to provide CPAs with a practical understanding of how cyber incidents translate into financial and operational consequences, and how they can better support clients in assessing and managing related risks.
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- 2026 Florida Legislative Session Update: What CPAs need to know
Tax season is not over but the 2026 Florida Legislative Session is. Join FICPA Chief External Affairs officer Jason Harrell for a boots on the ground review of the most impactful changes to the profession, the demise of failed bills, the impact of new developments on CPAs and what the future holds.
Jason and the FICPA's Tallahassee team have spent the last six months preparing, reviewing bills and meeting with legislators to advocate for the Florida CPA. Register today to learn what's in store for the year ahead.
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
Optional Session
- MEGA Happy Hour sponsored by CPA/PAC
This session is available to registrants and their guests
- Guest Price
- $50.00
Session Pricing:
Wednesday, June 17th
Optional Session
- MEGA Wellness Zen Walk
Meet in lobby
Description: Start your morning off right with a walk, jog, or run at your own pace. Come solo or partner up, enjoy a curated playlist, and connect along the way.
This session is available to registrants and their guests
General Session
- Breakfast & Networking
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Click Less Advise More
Deborah Defer, Director of CAS Consulting, WoodardDeborah Defer
Deborah Defer is a visionary leader in Client Advisory Services (CAS) and serves as Director of CAS at Woodard. With more than two decades of experience in accounting, financial management, and strategic advisory, she is dedicated to helping small and mid-sized businesses gain financial clarity, strengthen operational efficiency, and build sustainable growth models. In recognition of her impact on the profession, Deborah was named one of Accounting Today's Top 100 -People to Watch in 2026.
At Woodard, Deborah designs and leads innovative CAS strategies that empower firms to modernize their practices, streamline workflows, and deliver high-value advisory services. She is passionate about leveraging technology and automation to transform data into real-time insights that drive better business decisions. Her expertise spans CAS pricing, spend management, and stepping into controllership roles for growing organizations.An award-winning educator and mentor, Deborah is known for her dynamic workshops, webinars, and coaching engagements. She champions change management, technology adoption, and balanced firm cultures that prioritize innovation and client success. Her mission is to inspire firms to elevate CAS beyond compliance and create measurable, lasting value for the clients they serve.
CAS success isn’t about working harder — it’s about working smarter. In this engaging and interactive session, we’ll explore what it truly takes to “click less” and create the capacity to “advise more.” Using live audience polling and real-time Q&A, we’ll uncover how technology, people, processes, and pricing either create operational drag — or unlock advisory capacity. Participants will benchmark their own practices against collective audience data, identify hidden inefficiencies, and gain clarity on where small shifts can produce meaningful improvements in margin, scalability, and client impact. This session moves beyond theory to practical application. Attendees will leave with insights grounded in live data from the room and a clearer understanding of how to align their CAS structure to reduce manual effort and elevate advisory value.
- Evaluate how technology, people, processes, and pricing influence capacity and profitability within a CAS practice.
- Identify common operational inefficiencies revealed through live audience data and understand their impact on advisory potential.
- Determine actionable next steps to reduce manual work and increase advisory value without adding headcount.
- Knowledge level: Overview
Credits: 1 - Behavioral
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Stop Treating Learning Like a Checkbox: Build a Strategic Talent Engine for Your Firm
Laurence Whittam, Managing Director, Global Strategy, Whitman Business Advisors LLCLaurence Whittam
Laurence Whittam is the Practice Leader for Whitman Global Strategy, and serves as a leading advisor to the accounting industry on outsourcing strategy. With more than a decade of hands-on experience, Laurence has guided more than 500 CPA and accounting firms across the U.S., helping them design and manage high-performing offshore teams for tax, accounting and audit services.
Laurence is recognized as a Top 20 Under 40 Influencer by CPA Practice Advisor and is co-author of the AICPA Outsourcing Toolkit. As a national speaker and host of the Business Beyond Borders podcast, he provides business leaders with independent guidance on outsourcing models, compliance, integration and governance.
Jason McKeever
Jason McKeever is the Practice Leader for the Learning and Development team at Whitman Advisory, bringing more than 20 years of strategic leadership in the field, including 17 years as Chief Learning Officer at a Top 25 U.S. firm. He has driven continuous improvement and innovation by crafting and implementing learning strategies that align with organizational objectives, partnering across service lines and leadership teams to build scalable development programs covering technical, industry, sales and leadership skills. Jason is also recognized as a skilled facilitator and keynote presenter, engaging a wide range of audiences.
Accounting firms are facing a fundamental shift in how they attract, develop and retain talent. Technical training and CPE alone are no longer enough. Firms that want to remain competitive must be intentional about how they develop their people — aligning learning, career paths, leadership development and global team integration into a cohesive strategy.
In this interactive session, Jason McKeever, a learning advisor with 20+ years in the accounting industry and Laurence Whittam, an advisor to CPA firms on global talent and operational strategy, will explore how firms can transform learning from a compliance activity into a strategic advantage.
Participants will examine how leading firms are designing intentional learning tracks, developing future leaders, integrating global team members from locations like India and the Philippines and preparing for succession in an evolving profession. Through real examples, audience discussion, and interactive Q&A, attendees will leave with practical ideas to build a people strategy that strengthens their firm’s long-term growth.
Credits: 1 - Behavioral
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Coffee Break
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- General Session
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Lets Commit Fraud! (And Stop It!)
Andrew Renck, Root Point, Managing Director, Cybersecurity Instructor & Incident Response, ROOTPOINTAndrew Renck
Andrew Renck is a 2003 graduate of the University of Miami with multiple degrees including Finance and Economics. While attending the University he created his computer consulting firm RootPoint. He has been providing secure systems integration long before “Cybersecurity” became a recognized term. Renck is an ethical hacker and has provided services for both offensive and defensive cybersecurity projects.
He holds multiple certifications and services both government entities and private-sector clients across a broad spectrum of industries. Renck has found and reported numerous vulnerabilities ranging from operating systems, firewall, email, content management systems, remote vehicle control, and healthcare equipment. He was the first instructor hired at HackerUSA and the University of Miami for the new cybersecurity program and wrote both portions of the curriculum as well as a cyber-defense textbook for securing Windows, Linux and network systems. Renck has served as an expert witness in both criminal courts and commercial litigation in the United States and Latin America.
Andrew is based in Miami, FL.
We saved the best for last! Return speaker and fraud expert Andrew Renck will bring you along for a journey through fraud. Andrew will break down how to stop hackers and fraudsters from attacking your clients. This session will cover:
- How to identify attackers
- How to stop attackers
- What to do when attacked
Credits: 1 - Technical Business
This session is available to registrants only.
Optional Session
- IRS CE Credit: Please select to receive CE credit for attending the State Tax Track of the conference.
This session is available to registrants only.
- Registrant Price
- $50.00
Session Pricing:
Optional Session
- CLE Credit: Please select to receive CLE credit for attending qualified CLE courses.
This session is available to registrants only.
- Registrant Price
- $50.00
Session Pricing:
Optional Session
- I have dietary restrictions or special needs
This session is available to registrants only.
Non-Member Price $1,150.00
Member Price $850.00