Who better to tell firm leaders why it’s so hard to recruit and retain young people in accounting than the young professionals themselves? In this candid panel, early-career accountants share what they love—and hate—about the profession, what drew them to the accounting profession, and the best ways to catch and keep their interest.

Public accounting is in the middle of a talent reset. In this session, we’ll break down the latest compensation trends, what candidates actually want, and what’s driving exits from the industry – all based on findings from a proprietary database with 21,000+ rows of crowdsourced data.

Attendees will walk away with practical strategies to attract, retain, and engage top talent, and to build a workforce model that supports sustainable growth and scale.

Everyone has a number. For some, it’s what their firm is worth. For most, it’s what they need or want to earn — and that number quietly drives decisions at every level of the organization, from entry-level staff to the managing partner. Career choices, investments, staffing decisions, risk tolerance — all of it flows back to that single target.

But what happens when you look beyond the number?

In this session, firm leaders will learn how to expand their vision, challenge traditional assumptions, and rethink what’s truly possible for their firm.

This panel session will explore practical, real-world applications of AI currently being used across accounting firms. Panelists will discuss how AI is being applied to streamline workflows, automate routine tasks, enhance data analysis, and support client service and advisory work. The session will focus on actionable use cases, implementation considerations, and adoption challenges, providing participants with clear guidance on where AI can be used today and how to integrate it responsibly into firm operations.

Advisory services represent one of the most significant growth opportunities for both small and mid-sized accounting firms, yet many struggle to scale them consistently across teams and clients. In this case study, Smith Marion & Co shares how they leveraged Wolters Kluwer’s CCH Axcess Advisor to embed structured advisory guidance directly into everyday client engagements—turning insights into actionable recommendations and building a repeatable advisory model.

Facing talent shortages and growth demands, many accounting firms are exploring international hiring—but global payroll, compliance, and employment requirements can add significant complexity.

A must-attend, hands-on workshop where accounting professionals turn global hiring insights into real client conversations. Practice how to spot opportunities, ask the right questions, and confidently advise clients navigating international workforce decisions.

With hundreds of tools claiming to “revolutionize” your firm, it’s increasingly difficult to separate meaningful efficiency from shiny distractions. This session focuses on how to intentionally build a tech stack that actually drives productivity, profitability, and operational sanity. You’ll learn how to evaluate technology strategically, implement changes effectively, and create a sustainable system that supports both internal workflows and client delivery.

Finding—and keeping—the right talent has become one of the biggest growth constraints for accounting firms. In this panel, firm leaders and HR executives share what’s actually working to attract top candidates, engage high performers, and retain talent in an increasingly competitive and evolving market. From modern recruiting strategies and career pathing to culture, flexibility, and workforce models, this session offers practical insights CPAs can apply to build resilient, people-first firms that scale.