- Analyze best solutions to the key challenges inherent to probate litigation.
- Evaluate the implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act for estate planning.
- Discuss how humor can defuse conflict, reduce stress and lead to better success at work.
Conversations. Camaraderie. Career-Building.
Small firms, big ideas. Get ready to brainstorm with your professional peers, friends and colleagues about how to overcome today’s biggest challenges. Our objective: to facilitate a meaningful exchange of ideas that address real world problems, surprises and paths to success, while attendees forge new connections vital to their profession.
If you intend to attend both days of the Small Firm Practitioners Conference don't forget to add Day 1 to your shopping cart before checking out! To register for Day 1 click here to add it to your cart.
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS
Our primary
room block at the Radisson Plaza Hotel Kalamazoo has been sold out. Special room
rates are now available at the Hilton Garden Inn Kalamazoo Downtown by booking
online. Click
this link to reserve your room today. Space is limited and the
cutoff to make your reservation at the group rate is August 4,
2023 . Please note, if you book after August 4th, or
after the room block
is fully booked the direct link will no longer work.
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 20: $187
MICPA Members/ $262 Non-Members
July 21 - August 3: $207 MICPA Members/ $282
Non-Members
August 4 - August 17: $227 MICPA Members/ $302
Non-Members
CUSTOMIZE YOUR DAY WITH:
OUR TRADITIONAL SESSIONS.
The same session format you
know and love.
OUR INTERACTIVE SESSIONS.
Focused on group dialogue and
experience exchanges.
NEW! SUPPORT STAFF SESSIONS.
Advance the skillsets of
your team members.
Thank You to Our Presenting Partner:
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Thank You to our Program Partners:
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CPAs that are sole proprietors through firms with 15 CPAs.
After registering for this event, you can customize your sessions via 'My Registrations'
Keynote Presentation: The Power of Fun at Work 1.0 OT Details
The Power of Fun at Work
All work
and no play make for a dull day. Instead, find out how you can achieve success
and have fun while doing so by unlocking a variety of practical strategies.
Discover how you can reduce stress, re-energize, defuse conflict and, most
importantly, make your job more fun just by having a good sense of humor!
Walt Stasinski, Med, MPH – President, Potential Unlimited,
Waterford
09:40 AM - 10:30 AM
The demand for success skills is on the rise among U.S. employers. Plan for a better career by developing your understanding of conflict resolutions strategies, time management, communication etiquette and more!
Lizabeth Wiggins, MS, LLP, CPC – Principal, Transitions Training LLC, Farmington
Helping your clients prepare for retirement has benefits today and in the future. Join this presentation for an introduction to the employee retirement plan options under the new provisions included in the Secure 2.0 act that aims to make it more attractive for small business owners to offer plans for themselves and their employees to improve retirement outcomes.
Barbara D. Welch, M.S. – Founder of The Good Life Money Coach and Managing Director of Inheritance Deveopment LLC
Family inheritance disputes are on the rise and there are reoccurring themes and issues that can be avoided or minimized with education. To name a few: mental incapacity claims, undue influence claims, concern an elderly family member is being taken advantage of financially, and suspicion a family member is mismanaging estate or trust funds. Are your clients prepared?
Laura E. Morris – Partner, Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, Grand Rapids
10:50 AM - 11:40 AM
Join us as we plot a roadmap for a smooth transition of ownership by considering the key components of successful succession, including tips for preparing clients, valuation, five-year plans and more.
Raymond T. Rowe, CPA, JD – Attorney, Raymond T. Rowe, PC, Troy
The demand for success skills is on the rise among U.S. employers. Plan for a better career by developing your understanding of conflict resolutions strategies, time management, communication etiquette and more!
Lizabeth Wiggins, MS, LLP, CPC – Principal, Transitions Training LLC, Farmington
Knowing who to contact within the IRS is crucial to resolve client tax issues quickly and efficiently. Go inside the agency for a breakdown of how the Tax Division is organized, its duties and responsibilities within the IRS and how it interacts with other agency departments to conduct civil audits and criminal investigations.
Richard Zuckerman, JD – Partner, White Collar Crime and Investigations Practice Group, Honigman LLP, Detroit and Former Acting Assistant Attorney General, Tax Division, US Department of Justice
11:50 AM - 12:40 PM
Managing daily business operations while experiencing staffing shortages is an issue organizations of all sizes are facing. Explore options for subsidizing your current staff, from AI and outsourcing to paraprofessionals and non-CPAs.
Jamie Lopiccolo, CPA, CGMA – Founder and Member, Capocore Professional Advisors, Lake Orion
Christine R. Peters, CPA – Shareholder, Partyka & Company PC, Warren
Bob Wexler, CPA – PLW CPA, PLLC, Sterling Heights
Moderator: Matthew S. Kidd, CPA – Partner, Blunden & Kidd Accounting & Consulting PC, Livonia
The demand for success skills is on the rise among U.S. employers. Plan for a better career by developing your understanding of conflict resolutions strategies, time management, communication etiquette and more!
Lizabeth Wiggins, MS, LLP, CPC – Principal, Transitions Training LLC, Farmington
The emergence of e-commerce industry disruption, gig-economy and the Wayfair case decision has culminated into new and additional state tax collection and filing requirements for companies with multi-state business activity. Review the basics of how companies in the e-commerce economy subject themselves to state taxes, and whether states have the right to tax them.
Melinda Phelps, MBA, CPA – MSP State and Local Tax Specialty PC, Detroit
02:30 PM - 03:20 PM
The time has come to refresh your knowledge of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) with all the latest agency updates, tips for working in the online portal and waivers for notice recipients.
Carrie Dillon – Unemployment Insurance Analyst, Unemployment Insurance Agency, Detroit
Kimberly Berry – Unemployment Insurance Agency Acting Division Administrator, Tax and Employer Services, Detroit
Do you ever get blank looks when you present financial statements? Does your board nod knowingly during your presentation, but never seems to have any meaningful questions? It could be that they have no idea what you are talking about and are just pretending to understand! Learn how to connect with your CEO, board, fellow managers, and team members so they understand your message. Come hear a veteran CFO tell you how.
Brian Maturi, MBA, FCA – The Knowledge Institute, Nov
03:30 PM - 04:20 PM
Do you ever get blank looks when you present financial statements? Does your board nod knowingly during your presentation, but never seems to have any meaningful questions? It could be that they have no idea what you are talking about and are just pretending to understand! Learn how to connect with your CEO, board, fellow managers, and team members so they understand your message. Come hear a veteran CFO tell you how.
Brian Maturi, MBA, FCA – The Knowledge Institute, Novi
04:30 PM - 05:20 PM
Estate Tax Portability & Step-Up in
Basis
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) made changes to how estate
taxes and gifting are handled. Review best practices for estate planning, how to
handle taxes when a spouse passes away and the impacts of TCJA on portability.
Chico Obande, J.D., LL.M Taxation, LL.M Insurance Law –
Attorney, Willis Law, Kalamazoo
Michael J. Willis, J.D., CPA
– Co-Founder and Director, Willis Law, Kalamazoo and Grand
Rapids
Beginning January 1, 2024, regulations go into effect under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). According to FinCEN, the CTA “establishes uniform beneficial ownership information reporting requirements for certain types of corporations, limited liability companies, and other similar entities created in or registered to do business in the United States.” Reporting companies will be required to file personal identifying information regarding a company’s principal owners and controlling persons in the form of a Beneficial Ownership Report. This session discusses management of the CTA’s requirements and what it means for you and your clients.
Robert Cambridge – Member, Bodman PLC, Troy
Alexis Lupo – Corporations Division, Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, State of Michigan
Member
Non-Member