- Become the master of your message by identifying your own communication and leadership style.
- Receive an update from the AICPA’s Private Company Practice Section.
- What will remote work mean for company culture, communication, admin and employee retention/attraction?
Get ready to meet for some quality peer-to-peer networking and dialogue in-real-life! Our objective: to bring you together to discuss your biggest challenges and successes and, of course, make those connections so vital to this business. We’ve all been waiting to get back together so – suit up practitioners! (More Information )
Looking for extra flexibility? You can attend the conference virtually, too. Click here for details on the virtual option.
Customize your day with:
- Our traditional track (the same session format you know and love and available to both in-person and our virtual conference attendees.)
- Our interactive track focused on group dialogue and interactions. (Only available to in-person conference attendees.)
Pricing Details
Register early to take advantage of the best price! Please note, discounted pricing is already reflected in the online price. No promo code is needed.
Through July 23: $369 MICPA Members / $519 Non-Members
July 24 - August 3:
$389 MICPA Members / $539 Non-Members
August 4 - August 17: $409 MICPA Members / $559
Non-Members
Overnight Accommodations
The room block at the Soaring Eagle Casino &
Resort is sold out. An additional room block for overnight accommodations
has been setup at the Soaring Eagle Waterpark. When making your
reservation, use group code WPCPA081621
to receive the MICPA
rate. This room
block expires August 10.
Thank You to our Gold Level Sponsor:
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Thank You to our Spotlight Session Sponsors:
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Thank You to our Exhibitor:
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- Specialized Knowledge
After registering for this event, you can customize your sessions via 'My Registrations'
07:30 AM - 08:20 AM
Requirements surrounding record retention continue to leave many practitioners confused. What documents must you keep, how long must you keep them and which can you destroy? Discuss why it is important to understand the requirements and the potential impact it can have on both the client and the CPA firm.
Raymond T. Rowe, JD - Attorney, Raymond T. Rowe, PC, Troy
Keynote - MICPA: Support Through Disruption & Beyond 1.0 OT Details
Keynote Presentation - MICPA: Support Through
Disruption & Beyond
MICPA President & CEO Bob Doyle reflects
on a challenging and transformative year for both the profession and business
community. Find out how the association is providing support and revitalizing
its commitment to advocacy, collaboration and education for the next 120 years.
Then pose your questions to Bob in an ‘Ask Me Anything’ segment.
Bob
Doyle – President & CEO, Michigan Association of CPAs,
Troy
09:40 AM - 10:30 AM
Federal Tax: During/Post Pandemic (Qualifies for CFP &
EA credit) (Traditional)
The U.S. economy felt the effects of the pandemic
and took steps, with several pieces of legislation including the COVID-Related
Tax Relief Act of 2020 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, to mitigate the
negative results. We dig into the latest and subsequent tax developments
impacting both businesses and individuals.
Douglas J. Van Der Aa,
JD– Self Employed, Byron Center
Networking: The Small Practitioner Launch Pad
(Interactive)
Putting yourself out there can be an intimidating
prospect but networking is especially necessary for small practitioners. Learn
how to create new relationships to help grow your practice, techniques for
striking up conversations and how to exude confidence while doing
so!
Denise Roberts – President, Sales Partners,
Troy
10:40 AM - 11:30 AM
Federal Tax: During/Post Pandemic (Qualifies
for CFP & EA credit) (Double Session Continued)
(Traditional)
The U.S. economy felt
the effects of the pandemic and took steps, with several pieces of legislation
including the COVID-Related Tax Relief Act of 2020 and the American Rescue Plan
Act of 2021, to mitigate the negative results. We dig into the latest and
subsequent tax developments impacting both businesses and individuals.
Douglas J. Van Der Aa, JD– Self Employed, Byron
Center
As an emerging Michigan industry, cannabis presents a host of opportunities for those looking to participate. Discover everything you need to know about the current legislative landscape, accounting issues unique to cannabis, the MRA’s agreed-upon procedures engagements, and attestation requirements for capitalization.
Andrew Brisbo – Executive Director, Marijuana Regulatory Agency, State of Michigan
Kareyna L. Miller, CPA – Founder & President, LEACIF, Otter Lake
Christopher M. Rosmarin, CPA – Principal, Rehmann, Grand Rapids
Moderator: Rachel Reardon – Government Relations Leader, Michigan Association of CPAs, Troy
Keynote: Mastering Your Message 1.0 OT Details
Mastering Your Message
Communication is vital to our everyday environments- whether they be virtual
or in-person, with clients, colleagues or family. But have you really become the
master of your message? Paula provides techniques that will help you identify
your own communication style and recognize negative triggers that impede
productive communications with others.
Paula Tutman
- Multi-Emmy Winning Journalist and Communications Facilitator, Detroit
01:30 PM - 02:20 PM
Avoid the trap of thinking more clients mean larger profits. A proven method to achieving long-term client satisfaction, avoiding ‘bottlenecks’ and maintaining sustainable firm growth is to systemically increase your average revenue per client- we’ll show you how with a 3-step process.
William Hamilton – Co-founder, SmartPath.co, Irvine, CA
02:30 PM - 03:20 PM
While the retirement planning process and pitfalls hasn’t changed much over the years- the challenges of our clients continue to evolve. Prepare yourself for the challenges clients are facing now and going forward in the retirement sphere as we tackle; the increasing need for flexibility, life expectancies and strategies for a lifestyle of independence and dignity.
Louis J. Melone, CFP® - Author, Unpack Your Financial Baggage and Managing Member, Melon Private Wealth, Auburn Hills
Protection seems overrated- until you need it. We run through a variety of critical types of company coverage so you can see how they fit/work together for your own company or a client’s to cover situations from director & officer liability to cybersecurity and workers’ comp.
Jonathan D. Anibal, CPA – President and Owner, Boston Charter, Inc., Waterford
03:30 PM - 04:20 PM
Even the most seasoned professionals are susceptible to fraud. Know what areas fraudsters target, how to detect suspicious activity and how to execute an effective prevention strategy.
Karl F. Haiser, Jr., CPA, CFE, CIA – Principal, Karl Haiser CPA PC, Grand Blanc
Wilmar Suan, CPA – President, Suan and Company, Grand Blanc
Have the last few years left you thinking about the next stage of your life outside the firm? If so, begin to explore the transition process and find some answers to questions from finding a buyer, merger options, common concerns form both sides of the transaction and more.
Trenton Holmes - Business Broker, Accounting Practice Sales, Texas
04:30 PM - 05:20 PM
Fight Over Remote Employees? (Traditional)
*Presented Virtually*
As the world
reopens, offices are beginning to as well. But with the rise in popularity of
remote work, many firms are discussing long-term strategies for incorporating
this working style into their company cultures. What will this mean for
communication, administration, employee retention/attraction? In this
presentation, Chad shares his 8-year journey operating Canada's largest
remote-only CPA firm.
Chad Davis – Co-Founder, LiveCA
LLP, Canada
Get insider knowledge from experienced practitioners about starting your own practice, including trade secrets and best practices for running your own firm, covering important things you need to know from technological to legal considerations.
Matthew Kidd, CPA – Partner, Blunden & Kidd Accounting & Consulting PC, Livonia
Christine Peters, CPA – Tax Manager, Partyka & Company PC, Warren
Sara Sisung, CPA – Shareholder, Cain & Sisung CPAs, PC, Mount Pleasant
Moderator: Patricia Burke, CPA, CGMA – President, McLellan & Strohm PC, Three Rivers
07:30 AM - 08:20 AM
Tomorrow’s Firm, Today:
Combining Strategy & Technology to Innovate Client Advisory Services (CAS)
*Presented Virtually*
Enabled and accelerated by technologies such as automation, artificial
intelligence, and cloud computing, firms in virtually all size categories are
providing some form of client advisory services today. And according to the CAS
Benchmark Survey from CPA.com and AICPA PCPS, practices of this kind are growing
at a rate more than double the 5% median CPA firm growth rate. Yet, there are
still many firms considering this opportunity or struggling with aligning their
CAS business model and technology strategy. Discuss how you can avoid/overcome
these challenges. You will come away with actionable insights to consider and
incorporate in your CAS technology strategy and growth goals for the
future.
Matthew West, M.A.- Senior Enterprise Account
Executive, CPA.com, Dexter
Keynote: Adapt and Thrive 1.0 OT Details
Adapt & Thrive
Small firms and
their clients have faced significant disruption over the last year. Discover
what other small firms are saying from around the country, what clients really
want from their CPA, assess top practice issues and updates on the CPA
evolution/new licensure model and ways to be future ready.
Carl
Peterson, CPA, CGMA – VP - Small Firm Interests - Public
Accounting, AICPA, Durham, NC
09:40 AM - 10:30 AM
Into the Nexus: An Economic Presence Q&A
(Interactive)
Get answers to your burning questions about economic
presence, specifically about the difference between the economic nexus and
substantial physical presence, complete with use cases and
examples.
David Barrons, CPA – Sole Practitioner,
Barrons State Tax, Rockford
Sam Hodges, CPA, CGMA –
Principal, Hodges Accounting & Advisory Services, Southfield
Moderator: Shawn Flattery, CPA – Integrated Financial
Group
10:50 AM - 11:40 AM
Practitioners will weigh in on the latest updates, impacts and forecasts relating to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) issues and the Biden Administration’s tax plan so that clients can make the more informed decisions.
Leon C. LaBrecque, CPA, JD, CFA, CFP – Chief Growth Officer, Sequoia Financial Group, Troy
James N. Lopiccolo, CPA, CGMA – Founder and Member, Capocore Professional Advisors, Lake Orion
Robert J. Weins, CPA, JD – Managing Member, Insights3, Detroit
The BV LTE* (Traditional)
How many acronyms can we fit
together? It’s the business valuation long term evolution and we’re analyzing
trends for practitioners, digging into valuation discount sources, methods and
gift / estate valuations as well as divorce case updates.
Michelle F.
Gallagher, CPA/ABV/CFF – Strategic Partner, Adamy Valuation,
Lansing
11:50 AM - 12:40 PM
Technology Trends for 2021 & Beyond
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? Attend
this session to learn how using the right hardware and software can improve your
business and your everyday life.
Greg Soule, CPA, CISA, CISSP,
CFE – Partner, Andrews Hooper Pavlik PLC, Auburn
Hills
01:40 PM - 02:30 PM
Explore what’s going on in the world of Peer Review from those who are involved in peer review daily, we’ll cover deficiencies, questions and the Peer Review Integrated Management Application (PRIMA) issues.
Joseph C. Heffernan, CPA – Retired Partner, Governmental Practice, Plante Moran, PLLC, Southfield
Karen L. Welch, CPA – Audit Partner, Edwards Ellis & Associates, PC, Troy
Moderator: Peggy Jury, CPA, CGMA – Peer Review CPA on Staff, Michigan Association of CPAs, Troy
02:40 PM - 03:30 PM
Be Aware or Beware: Drivers of Large Accounting
Malpractice Claims* (Traditional) *Presented Virtually*
Unfortunately, there is no magical crystal ball to
tell CPA firms what will happen when a new client or engagement is accepted.
Everything could go smoothly, or a dispute could arise. If a dispute does arise, will it be resolved quickly or drag
out for years resulting in a significant headache for the firm? Learn identified common indicators of
claim severity and the warning signs to help mitigate the risk of
a large claim before it happens to your firm.
Sarah Ference, CPA – Risk Control
Director, Professional Services, CNA Insurance Company, Chicago,
IL
As a small / sole firm practitioner what are the top things you should be looking for in: protecting and securing client data, safeguarding against any remote work issues and readying for upcoming trends?
Kevin Wilson, CISSP - Project Engineer, Dynamic Edge, Ann Arbor
03:40 PM - 04:30 PM
Complying with government HR requirements can be a challenge for a small business owner and during times of massive transition (IE worldwide pandemic) ‘a challenge’ hardly describes it. Tackle employment issues facing clients as we focus on HIPAA, employee medical records and disclosures.
Gabriel Wordell, MBA, PHR – Senior Solutions Consultant, Workday, Detroit
Ready your teams (and clients) for continued work in the remote services sphere while ensuring everyone’s protection from audit and fraud risk. With tools on how practitioners can maximize efficiency and achieve success in the three critical areas of remote auditing your team will be ready to tackle what lies ahead.
Alan W. Anderson, CPA – President, ACCOUNT-ability Plus, LLC, Burnsville, MN
04:40 PM - 05:30 PM
Know Your Worth (Interactive)
Are you charging enough for
your services? Join this dialogue amongst your peers designed to show you your
worth, focused on value billing and making sure you are writing invoices that
get paid.
Mo Arbas - Advisory Squad Lead, Thomson
Reuters, Ann Arbor
James N. Lopiccolo, CPA, CGMA –
Founder and Member, Capocore Professional Advisors, Lake
Orion
Despite the delays in implementation, key considerations in several areas of tax including deferred tax- state and international tax as well as organizational processes need to be reviewed for the new leasing standard- get started.
Speaker to be announced
Member
Non-Member