Ignition is a client engagement and commerce platform for professional services businesses to streamline how they engage clients and get paid. Businesses such as accounting and bookkeeping firms use Ignition to help them grow, be more efficient, and create win-win client relationships. With Ignition, you can easily win new business with impressive digital proposals, engage new and existing clients with a clear scope of work, and get paid on time by automating payment collection – all in one place. Ignition also connects with leading apps to run your business on autopilot and automate time-consuming tasks, such as client onboarding or invoicing. That means less admin, and more time winning and retaining clients.
To learn more about the Ignition platform, visit https://www.ignitionapp.com

Alana Smart, CPA, is a Senior Associate in Assurance Services with six years of experience in public accounting, primarily serving nonprofit organizations. She began her career in tax before transitioning to audit, giving her a well-rounded perspective on the profession and the clients she serves. In her role, she partners closely with engagement leaders on planning, testing, and client communication, while also mentoring and training staff and helping drive engagements forward efficiently.

Based in San Diego and working with Aprio’s West Coast practice, Alana is passionate about education, professional growth, and building meaningful relationships. She believes the future of accounting depends not only on technical excellence, but on firms creating environments where young professionals feel supported, challenged, and genuinely connected to their teams and clients.

Known for her strong organizational skills, analytical mindset, and natural ability to connect with people, Alana thrives at the intersection of structure and strategy. Her CliftonStrengths are Individualization, Woo, Analytical, Strategic, and Futuristic, which reflect her blend of curiosity, forward thinking, and people-centered leadership.

A graduate of California Polytechnic State University with a B.S. in Business Administration (Accounting), Alana has been recognized as Aprio’s Employee of the Month and remains deeply committed to continuous learning. Outside of work, she loves traveling, exploring different cultures, and meeting new people – a curiosity that mirrors how she approaches both her clients and the evolving accounting profession.

Michael is a results-driven leader with over 25 years of experience in market research, across many industries. Michael’s expertise spans the entire survey lifecycle, from initial questionnaire design and vendor selection to data processing, analysis, and reporting.  He excels at leading large scale, complex, global research projects and delivering high-quality research data on time and within budget.  He combines strategic thinking with a passion for collaboration and excels at understanding and meeting client needs.  Prior to joining Arizent, Michael served as Director, Survey Operations at Forrester Research. Michael has a B.S. in Marketing from Philadelphia College of Textiles and Sciences, and a MBA from Saint Joseph’s University.

Neal Schneider is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at K1x, a leading fintech company revolutionizing the alternative investments landscape through innovative technology solutions. Before co-founding K1x, Neal served as a Principal at Crowe, where he honed his expertise in technology and financial services. Neal is not only a tech visionary but also enjoys spending time with his family, cheering on his kids at baseball and cheerleading events, and embracing the lake life.

With its patented, AI-powered SaaS automation and collaboration platform, only K1x can digitize and distribute IRS Schedules K-1, K-3, and Form 990 data seamlessly–connecting investors, advisors, tax software, portals, accounting firms, IRS and state taxing authorities without tedious, time-consuming, manual copy-pasting of thousands of data fields.

Kintsugi automates sales tax, VAT, and GST compliance with an AI-powered, end-to-end platform that integrates seamlessly with ERP, billing, HR, and ecommerce systems to calculate taxes across borders, monitor exposure (free), register with jurisdictions, and automate filing and remittance. With transparent pricing, easy integrations, and 24/7 white-glove support, Kintsugi removes complexity so companies can protect margins and scale with confidence.

SysCloud helps accounting, CPA and bookkeeping firms keep all client SaaS data under control as they grow. With automatic backups, fast recovery and a single view across all clients, firms can avoid last-minute fire drills, streamline operations and stay compliant. By turning data protection into a budget-positive service, SysCloud lets firms offer enhanced client services, drive revenue and strengthen trust as they scale.

As CEO and Managing Partner of Armanino, Matt Armanino leads one of the nation’s 20 largest accounting and consulting firms, recognized for its technology-forward culture and bold approach to transformation. He has guided the firm’s Vision 2030 strategy, a roadmap to becoming a $2.5 billion, technology-enabled professional services leader, grounded in innovation, and impact.

Previously, as COO, Matt helped drive the rapid expansion of Armanino’s Consulting practice, tripling revenues through targeted acquisitions, new partnerships, and broader CFO advisory capabilities. His leadership centers on empowering people to thrive amid disruption and balancing modernization with humanity. A frequent speaker on firm growth, leadership, and AI transformation, he brings an optimistic and practical lens to the future of professional services.

Matt’s background spans corporate strategy, market development, sales, and operations management. Before joining Armanino, he held senior executive roles at Zebra Technologies (NASDAQ: ZBRA) and WhereNet, where he helped scale the business from product launch to more than $50 million in annual revenue. He also spent several years at PeopleSoft in M&A and strategy, and earlier in his career advised technology clients as a corporate attorney, negotiating global software and strategic business agreements with Fortune 500 companies.

Xero is a global small business platform with 4.2 million subscribers, which provides accounting, payroll, payments and other solutions for small businesses, accountants and bookkeepers.

Cathy Knepp is a people-first executive leader committed to evolving the accounting profession into a more sustainable, human, and high-performing industry. As Senior Director and Head of Human Resources at Platform Accounting Group, she aligns people strategy with business objectives, helping leaders build trust, improve execution, and create cultures where accountability, empathy, and high performance coexist.

With more than a decade of experience inside accounting firms and eight years helping scale Platform from its early stages to a national organization, Cathy brings deep operational credibility to her work. She has lived the realities of tax season, client pressure, and rapid growth, and now designs people systems that support both professional success and business results. Her focus includes leadership development, manager effectiveness, employee engagement, flexible work models, and award-winning, operationally sound People Operations. Under her leadership, Platform consistently outperforms industry benchmarks for engagement and retention.

Cathy believes the accounting profession advances through better leadership, not longer hours. She challenges outdated assumptions and represents the employee perspective at the executive table, helping the organization grow in ways that honor both business priorities and the relationship-driven strengths of small firms.

Beyond her corporate leadership, Cathy is dedicated to giving back through her work mentoring young women across Utah. She guides high school and college-age students in cultivating confidence, clarity, and a sense of direction, fostering self-awareness and a lifelong commitment to learning and personal growth.

Cathy is a frequent speaker on leadership, workplace culture, and the future of professional services, and is driven by a simple belief: when people are supported to do their best work, organizations and entire industries thrive.