9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Tax Ethics: Best Practices in SSTS

Dive into the ethical standards relevant to performing tax services. Discuss the revised AICPA Statements on Standards for Tax Services (SSTS) and Circular 230 using engaging real-life examples.

Luis Plascencia, CPA, MST
CPA Practitioner/Principal, Luis V Plascencia, CPA

10:15 AM - 11:05 AM
Sales Tax Update: Illinois and Beyond

Receive a dynamic and timely overview of the most significant sales tax developments impacting businesses in Illinois and across the nation. Discuss key legislative and regulatory changes in the taxation of rentals and leases and compare how different states are approaching the taxation of digital advertising and products. Plus, assess the impact of recent nexus policy shifts on business operations, compliance obligations, and more.

Diane L. Yetter, CPA, MST
President and Founder, Yetter Consulting Services Inc.,
Sales Tax Institute

1:25 PM - 2:15 PM
Business Tax Briefing: Key Updates, Insights, and Client Strategies

Discuss recent developments related to business tax and their impact on your clients. Explore updates from the United States Department of the Treasury and other legislative updates. Walk away with planning opportunities to present to your clients.

Mark Mirsky, CPA, MST
Partner, Aprio Advisory Group LLC

2:25 PM - 3:15 PM
Developments and Opportunities in International Tax

Track key developments in international tax rules and regulations. Explore export incentives for U.S. businesses. Hear strategies and tips to help foreign taxpayers invest in U.S. companies.

Mark Mirsky, CPA, MST
Partner, Aprio Advisory Group LLC

Michael Campbell, CPA, MTax
International Tax Director, Aprio Advisory Group LLC

9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Psychological Safety: The Missing Link in Your Company Culture

A psychologically safe workplace promotes inclusivity, inspires creativity, builds trust, and improves team performance while helping employees manage stress— especially during times of change. While many firms struggle to prioritize psychological safety, those who do are seeing major benefits. Explore Google’s findings on high-performing teams and learn practical strategies for applying this research to improve performance and retention in your firm.

Erin Daiber, CPA
CEO, Well Balanced Accountants

10:15 AM - 11:05 AM
Embracing Creativity and Innovation in Accounting

It’s time to fully embrace creative thinking in accounting and become the forward-thinking advisor that your clients, business partners, and teammates demand. Discover the importance of creative thinking in the field and learn techniques to sharpen your creative problem-solving skills. Leave with actionable tips, tricks, and techniques to transform yourself into the “go-to” person for new ideas and innovative solutions.

Mike Manalac, CPA
Accounting Manager, Google

1:25 PM - 2:15 PM
Transform Your Life in 30 Days With These Holistic Habits

Whether you’re launching your career, leading a team, or planning your next chapter, discover how to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be. Hear simple yet powerful habits to improve focus, reduce stress, and create more time for what matters most. Walk away with practical strategies to improve productivity, strengthen work-life balance, and align your daily actions with your long-term vision.

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, PMP, DTM
Personal Finance Editor, GoodRx

2:25 PM - 3:15 PM
Leading the Future: Managing and Supporting Young Professionals

Today’s young professionals bring fresh perspectives, techsavviness, and a desire for meaningful work—yet many supervisors struggle to manage and lead them effectively. Explore their values, workplace challenges, and expectations, and gain insights into how to help them thrive as managers to better engage, develop, and retain them during this lively panel discussion.

Manal Ahmed
Student & Diversity Outreach Specialist,
Illinois CPA Society

9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Advanced Concepts in Non-Audit Engagements

Get answers to your real-life non-audit questions and hear tips to minimize your quality control issues and professional liability risk. Examine the additional responsibilities between preparation engagements, compilations, and reviews. Explore the best practices for maintaining high-quality Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services engagements and learn how to analyze common peer review issues with agreed-upon procedure engagements.

Jennifer Louis
President, Emergent Solutions Group LLC

10:15 AM - 11:05 AM
Avoiding Auditing Deficiencies in Yellow Book and Single Audits

Gain the insights and tools you need to avoid peer review deficiencies in your audits. Delve into the precautions to take when performing a financial audit under Yellow Book or a compliance audit under Uniform Guidance. Discuss the most misapplied concepts to avoid when testing internal controls and compliance.

Jennifer Louis
President, Emergent Solutions Group LLC

1:25 PM - 2:15 PM
The Rapid Emergence of AI in Auditing

AI is quickly reshaping the audit landscape. Explore practical applications of AI in external financial statement audits, from risk assessment and data analysis to testing and documentation. Gain insights into how AI tools can complement professional judgment, streamline workflows, and strengthen audit evidence. Dive into real-world examples and best practices for integration and learn how to maintain auditor responsibility and skepticism in an evolving technology environment.

Megan Angle, CPA
Partner, Porte Brown LLC

2:25 PM - 3:15 PM
Get Ready for the New Quality Management Standards

With the Dec. 15 effective date of the Statements on Quality Management Standards quickly approaching, learning the ins and outs of these standards is more critical than ever. Delve into questions about the design, documentation, implementation, and operation of your firm’s quality management system while considering the impact of the standards on your day-to-day operations.

Heather Lindquist, CPA
Director, Peer Review and Professional Standards,
Peer Review Alliance, Illinois CPA Society

9:00 AM - 9:50 AM
Hot Topics in Cryptocurrency

Hear an insightful discussion of the latest hot topics in today’s fast-moving cryptocurrency arena.

Shehan Chandrasekera, CPA
Head of Tax Strategy, CoinTracker

10:15 AM - 11:05 AM
The Transformative Role of AI in Accounting

Accountants are eager to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to streamline tasks and save valuable time, but these tools can cause a ripple effect that goes beyond task automation throughout a firm. Examine the impact of AI on training needs and process adaptations within your firm. Discuss key considerations when introducing new tools and explore the implications for training programs, highlighting the necessity for upskilling in AI literacy, critical thinking, and more.

Erin Daiber, CPA
CEO, Well Balanced Accountants

1:25 PM - 2:15 PM
Beyond the Numbers: FP&A for Strategic Accountants

Financial planning and analysis (FP&A) isn’t just for finance teams! Learn techniques for constructing dynamic business models that can integrate historical data, test assumptions, and translate intelligence into presentation-ready summaries. Whether you’re supporting budgeting, forecasting, or scenario planning, discover how to deliver financial models that inform smarter business decisions.

Carl Seidman, CPA, CSP
Principal, Seidman Financial

2:25 PM - 3:15 PM
Variance Analysis Insights and Implementation

Uncover the “why” behind the numbers and translate financial performance into meaningful insights with variance analysis! Explore how to structure variance reports, identify trends, and communicate actionable recommendations to leadership. Learn Excel shortcuts and leverage visualizations to highlight key deviations. Come away with a practical and implementation-ready approach to recurring reporting and correspondence.

Carl Seidman, CPA, CSP
Principal, Seidman Financial

9:25 AM - 10:15 AM
Individual Tax Update

Discuss tax regulations and recent changes while discovering new strategies to help mitigate tax implications your clients may be facing.

Sali L. Sheafor, CPA
Member, TAP Consulting LLC

10:40 AM - 11:30 AM
The Ins and Outs of IRAs

Putting money into retirement isn’t as easy as making a deposit. The options for planning ahead seem endless as we scour through the many types of accounts and work to ensure penalties stay at bay. Hear tips for maximizing your retirement funds, including when to watch for Medicare in tax planning and when to consider a back-door Roth IRA conversion.

Sali L. Sheafor, CPA
Member, TAP Consulting LLC

1:25 PM - 2:15 PM
Rich and Famous in Illinois: Strategies for Working With High-Net-Worth Clients

Every new client is an adrenaline rush, but if it’s a high-profile or high-net-worth client, it’s even more exciting—until a dispute arises. Learn why working with the rich and famous may result in expensive and time-consuming claims and hear strategies for reducing the impact on your firm.

Deborah K. Rood, CPA, MST
Risk Control Consulting Director, CNA Insurance

Jeremy Dubow, CPA, MST
Tax Partner, Prosperity Partners LLC

4:10 PM - 5:00 PM
Revolutionizing Tax Advisory: Leveraging Technology to Drive Business Growth

Session Sponsor: 

Join us for an engaging workshop on best practices to deliver strategic advisory services. Learn how advanced technology can help your firm drive revenue growth and elevate client service.

Betty Ross
Director, Product Management, Wolters Kluwer

1:25 PM - 2:15 PM
Make It Clear, Make It Count: Communication That Drives Action

Session Sponsor: 

Sharpen your communication style, strengthen your messaging, and leverage AI tools like ChatGPT to improve clarity and save yourself time. Learn how to lead with intent, motivate your team, and ensure your message cuts through the noise—whether you're writing a client email, delivering performance feedback, or preparing a firmwide announcement. Walk away with communication tactics and resources you can implement immediately.

Christine M. Hollinden, CPSM, CEPA, CVGA, CM&AA
Partner, Hollinden

4:10 PM - 5:00 PM
Ethics and Privacy in AI

Since its emergence in 2022, generative AI has transformed industries, but rapid adoption has raised concerns about data misuse and confidentiality. As AI regulations tighten, it’s critical to establish ethical guidelines, but complex terms of service and end-user license agreements are often overlooked. Learn how to demystify these agreements and develop and enforce principles addressing privacy and the responsible use of AI.

Randy Johnston, MCS
Executive Vice President, K2 Enterprises

1:25 PM - 2:15 PM
What’s Happening at the AICPA

The AICPA is buzzing with activity in 2025—stay ahead of the curve with a comprehensive overview of what’s happening. Explore the new quality management standards becoming effective this year and their impact on practice management. Dive into the latest Auditing Standards Board proposals, then close with a quick review of Statements on Auditing Standards No. 149 for group audits, which will be effective next year.

Melisa Galasso, CPA
Founder and CEO, Galasso Learning Solutions

4:10 PM - 5:00 PM
Post Implementation Review

Discuss the impacts of recent AICPA and FASB activities. Get started with a review of current expected credit loss and other recent standard-setting to address implementation issues, then assess the impact of Statement on Auditing Standards No. 145, and hear insights from peer review.

Melisa Galasso, CPA
Founder and CEO, Galasso Learning Solutions

9:25 AM - 10:15 AM
Why Good Strategies Fail: The Four Keys to Organizational Effectiveness

Unlock organizational effectiveness to drive long-term growth by focusing on four key elements: operating model/structure, skills, talent, and talent effectiveness. Together, these components empower organizations to not only design effective strategies but also execute them successfully, ensuring a framework for sustained growth and adaptability in an ever-evolving landscape.

Dwain Young, Jr., PHR
Director, Protiviti

10:40 AM - 11:30 AM
The Outsourcing Edge: CAS Advantages for Small- to Medium-Sized Businesses

As technology evolves rapidly and staffing shortages persist, small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly turning to outsourced financial support. Explore how client accounting services (CAS) practices can strategically position themselves to offer sustainable solutions for the pain points SMB clients are experiencing today.

Seth Hopkins
Director, Forvis Mazars US

1:25 PM - 2:15 PM
AI in Excel: ChatGPT, Copilot, or Both?

Gain a competitive edge! Walk through integrating AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot and ChatGPT into Excel to enhance your productivity. Dive deep into Microsoft’s security, compliance, privacy, and responsible AI principles, and discuss practical uses of Copilot, ChatGPT, and other plugins in daily workflows to streamline tasks and improve overall efficiency.

Randy Johnston, MCS
Executive Vice President, K2 Enterprises

4:10 PM - 5:00 PM
AI Safety and Governance in the Workplace

AI is a hot topic in nearly every industry, but with significant upside comes substantial risk—fraud, bias, data security, and internet protocol (IP) issues. By 2026, municipal, state, federal, and international regulations will be in place regarding the safe use of AI and will require organizations to implement robust governance practices. Discuss the steps you should take to safeguard your organization’s interests in this fast-moving era of innovation.

John Rood
President, Proceptual Inc