Registration & Welcome | 8:30-9:00am
Check in begins. In-person attendees can enjoy coffee and light snacks. The program will begin promptly at 9:00am.
State of the CPA: Pathways, the Profession, and More | 9:00-9:30am
Geof Brown, Illinois CPA Society
Carrie Steffen, Iowa Society of CPAs
Jan Taylor and Alexis Rothberg, AICPA
Illinois’ new CPA pathways will officially start on January 1, 2027—which means the time to prepare is now. Learn more about the implementation and execution of the new pathways legislation, alongside updates from partner organizations about key regional and national initiatives.
Teaching Students to Learn: Designing Accounting Courses for Today's Students and Tomorrow's Profession | 9:30-11:30am
Jill Mitchell, Lecturer, University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce (Presenting on behalf of the American Accounting Association [AAA])
Teaching accounting has always required balancing content rigor with student engagement, but today's students and tomorrow's profession are both changing faster than most of our courses are. This session is grounded in two foundational principles from instructional design: motivation must be established, and cognitive load must be managed. Participants will leave with immediately actionable strategies spanning engagement, course design, and AI integration, applicable across course levels, class sizes, and institutional contexts.
Networking Lunch | 11:30am-12:15pm
In-person attendees are invited to enjoy lunch and connect with each other. Virtual attendees are encouraged to take a break and return for the afternoon session by 12:15pm.
Inside the Recruiting Shift: What Firms Need Now | 12:15-1:30pm
Moderator and Panelists TBC
The accounting internship process has undergone significant transformation. With increased competition for top candidates, evolving workforce needs, and firms hiring earlier than ever, the traditional recruiting timeline—and student experience—has shifted dramatically. Recruitment leaders from various firms will share candid insights on what’s driving change, hiring, and how students can truly stand out in today’s environment. This conversation will also explore how faculty and academic programs can better prepare students to navigate recruiting timelines, build relevant skills, and successfully launch their careers.
