The Association (unified voice of AICPA & CIMA) and CPA.com launched a shark-tank style startup accelerator four years ago with a focus on FinTech and EdTech solutions. Its purpose is to foster innovation and bring emerging technologies to the accounting profession. Investment into new technologies and solutions is critical for not only staying ahead of the curve, but providing client-centric service. In this session, you will hear about trends in FinTech developments and see the  startup companies that make up the 2021 cohort. These solutions have a leading role in a diverse range of categories including: crypto-asset management, financial impacts of climate change, accounting task automation and cash flow management.

46 million Americans now own bitcoin. Yet, only a few tax professionals understand how to help individuals and businesses dealing with cryptocurrency. This session walks you through the tax implications of common cryptocurrency-related transactions and how to successfully service clients affiliated with cryptocurrency. We will also cover current developments surrounding this topic, such as the inclusion of the virtual currency question on the front of Form 1040, how to successfully navigate through tax notices (CP2000, Letter 6173, Letter 6174 & Letter 6174-A), and tax planning opportunities. 

As a profession, CPAs are at the tipping point of fully harnessing artificial intelligence, RPA, and analytics with ease. The market has accepted that these technologies will impact every function a CPA is already performing - audits, reviews, transaction services, risk advisory, fraud, and controls management. Firms and enterprises alike are investing in technology and skill development, while preparing for massive transformation. In addition, CPAs, with their technical mindset, commitment to continuous professional development, and close affinity to critical business data, are well positioned to deliver value using these technologies.

But technologies like AI, RPA, or analytics in-and-of-itself have a hard time standing on their own - in fact, 70% of transformation projects fail. BCG partner Sylvain Duranton says the real formula for success is: Algorithms (10%) + Technology (20%) + People & Process (70%). Is this the magic needed to create the AI-powered human, where judgement is greatly enhanced by technology?

Join to learn from our insights over the past 5 years, and how to get your team ready for the shift to becoming a technology-powered firm.

CPACharge was specifically designed to give CPAs and accounting professionals a simple and secure way to accept client payments online. Plus, there are no long-term contracts, setup fees, or cancellation fees. Watch our quick demo and see why over 150,000 professionals trust us to help them get paid faster and more reliably.

The Personal Financial Specialist credential is the only CPA-exclusive financial planning credential that builds on your CPA foundation.  As a CPA working with individuals and families, its only natural that topics like tax, estate, retirement, investment, and risk management planning (and much more) are a part of your client relationships.  They trust your objectivity, integrity, and professional competence as you seek out answers and recommendations for them.  Learn how this valuable experience working with clients can streamline the process to obtain the CPA/PFS credential. 

Join Dave Stolz, CPA/PFS & chair of the PFS Credential Committee, and Dan Snyder, CPA/PFS & director of AICPA's PFP Division as they explain the program and answer your questions.

This session will cover the adaptation of change and establishing a new normal.

We will learn how to maintain relationships, teamwork and networking in a new virtual workspace. Learn how to implement virtualization of staff management, client management, and selling. Also, learn to tailor hiring criteria and offering dynamic incentives to retain staff and appeal to incoming talent in today's competitive market. Learn how to take responsibility as a leader to create a people-first culture with emphasis on diversity and inclusion.

We all thought that tax season 2020 was the most difficult season ever…and then came 2021. Whether you are a sole proprietor or work in a firm, the adversities were real. We will discuss the struggles that all firms endured including post yearend tax law changes, moving due dates, non-conformity issues and working in a semi-virtual office. This session will be discussion based with audience participation and polls to see what were some of the biggest issues of 2021 and what changes firms are looking to make for 2022. 

You know where technology has been, but where is it headed? What technologies are coming that would be useful to you and to your company? You've heard about 5G, WiFi6, and collaboration, but what products work to make this practical? This session has the breadth, depth, and recommendations to help you understand what is in the market and what is working so that you can make informed decisions. Attend this session to learn how using the right hardware and software can improve your business and your everyday life.

Data analytics can support your organization’s top initiatives and provide relevant insights into risks, profitability, and other critical issues. Unfortunately, many organizations lack a clear strategy for how to incorporate it effectively. New technology and modern techniques can significantly reduce the time required to complete tasks, enabling your personnel to focus their efforts on the projects that enhance client value. During this panel discussion, our experts will help firms make sense of when and where to use different types of data analytics tools in the audit. You’ll gain insight on how combining the right technology and approach can:

• Reduce redundancy or inefficiencies to enable focus on more value-added tasks
• Increase consistency through repeatable activities streamlined for process optimization
• Allow management to make more intelligent decisions faster based on accurate data
• Deliver measurable value to your organization’s bottom line

This is a defining moment for the Profession. CPAs have been thrust into the center of attention as they are called on to help businesses 'survive and thrive’ in these extraordinary times. We are entering uncharted territory. A new world is upon us. Those who conquer it will be those who reimagine, redefine, and reinvent not only themselves and their businesses, but what it means to live and work in a post-pandemic world. This session will explore the mindset, skillset, and toolsets needed to lead in a post-pandemic world.

This session will share how COVID has impacted deal structures and practice valuations when selling externally. It will also address whether it is a buyer or seller's marketplace and what the future market may look like. We will discuss trends started prior to the pandemic that still are important and what new ones have been created. We will also look at the diminishing meaning of equity in many firms, how partners are buying each other out, what you can do to make your firm more attractive and the keys to client retention post selling or merging. During the session, we will help you understand when and why is the "right" time to merge up, merge a firm in, acquire a firm or remain independent. 

In this session the attendee will gain a complete understanding of the consulting and advisory opportunities that exist in the cybersecurity space for practitioners. Regardless if a small firm or a large national firm, endless opportunities exist in this space. The presenters will share best practices for monetizing on opportunities in this area and will give hands-on guidance on how to successfully jump-start a cybersecurity advisory practice. 

Get a big picture view of how to improve productivity with Xero. In this high level overview, we’ll introduce you to some of the amazing features and functions that make Xero stand out from the crowd. A quick and fun prelude to your journey with Xero.

Join CPA.com and Jirav in a demonstration of Jirav’s all-in-one forecasting, budgeting, reporting, and dashboarding technology platform and how it can accelerate your advisory practice with financial planning and analysis (FP&A) service offerings.

In this session you will learn how to:
• Connect Jirav to your accounting and payroll systems
• Create best practice key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and reports
• Publish, share, and collaborate with your firm colleagues and clients
• Leverage rolling forecasts and budgets to provide business insight to your clients
• Create forecast dependencies using a driver-based financial model
• And more

Based on a 2020 Deloitte survey, more than 60% of Millennial and Gen Z respondents want the ongoing option to work remotely more. That stat alone makes it critical that firms embrace cloud technology and future workflows if they expect to keep their existing talent as well as attract new. Add to that, in a JoA/WK 2020 study, 62% of SMBs say they’d consider replacing their accountant if they don’t move to a cloud-based system.

However, with a significant amount of accounting firms insecure in their ability to keep up with the pace of change, what can accounting professionals do to meet this demand? During this 50-minute solution session, we’ll discuss:

• The most important technology changes in the accounting industry.
• The downside to your audit, tax and firm management workflows if change is ignored.
• What innovative technologies are here, or coming, that will help.

Attendees will leave this session with a clear understanding of what lies ahead, and have an action plan to keep up with that pace of change.

With continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the priorities of a new administration, businesses today face more regulatory demands than ever before as In response, accountants are seeking to increase their client engagement regarding important legislation, creating more strategic, consultative opportunities.

Join this session to learn about the top regulatory items that are impacting businesses. Ensuring that your clients address these areas wisely further strengthens and expands your advisory role.

Live from ENGAGE! The AICPA Town Hall Series is the profession’s resource for timely and critical information which includes real-time interpretation and analysis, along with a broader discussion on strategies and capabilities to drive long term success.

It is a high-impact news broadcast series that delivers accounting and finance professionals with the latest news, analysis and insights, and practical guidance to help them understand and respond to the most pressing issues facing the profession. Town Hall contributors include practitioners, thought leaders, policy makers, and a range of experts from across the profession, government and business. Join this special edition Town Hall as AICPA leaders bring the news desk to ENGAGE.

The staff of the Center for Plain English Accounting (CPEA) highlight some key accounting and financial reporting topics pertinent to private companies. Drawing from their deep interaction with practitioners serving small- and medium-sized businesses, the CPEA staff provide insights into hot technical matters challenging accountants today.