- Investigate AI-driven cyberattacks while developing strategies to protect assets and personal data.
- Resolve last-minute questions on AICPA’s new quality management standards.
- Examine how practitioners can assist clients while maintaining independence in audits, reviews and compilations.
Conversations. Camaraderie. Career-Building.
Small firms, mighty impact. 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.
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS
Special room rates are available
at Treetops Resort in Gaylord based on availability. Please call 1-866-348-5249 and mention
the code MICPA 2025 to receive our discounted pricing.
In the event that Treetops Resort is sold out, special room rates are also available at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Gaylord based on availability. Please call 989-217-9700 and mention the Michigan Association of CPAs Annual Conference to receive discounted pricing.
CONFERENCE T-SHIRT
Each registrant
will receive one Small Firm Practitioner Conference T-shirt as part of their
registration. When selecting sessions for the day please let us know which size
t-shirt you would like.
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 17: $212
MICPA Members/ $287 Non-Members
July 18 - August 1: $222 MICPA Members/ $297
Non-Members
August 2 - August 14: $232 MICPA Members/ $307
Non-Members
Alliance Partner:
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Champion Partners:
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Program Sponsors:
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Supporting Sponsors:
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Photo Booth Sponsors:
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Reception Sponsor & Music Bingo Sponsor 8/13:
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After registering for this event, you can customize your sessions via 'My Registrations'
Optional Early Bird Session: Accelerating and Expensing Strategies for H.R. 1, The One Big Beautiful Bill 1.0 OT Details
Accelerating and Expensing Strategies for H.R. 1, The One Big
Beautiful Bill
We lead you through the most impactful changes introduced by H.R.
1 (The One Big Beautiful Bill). Take a deep dive into strategies like 100% bonus
depreciation, Section 179 expensing, R&D tax credits, and 179D energy
efficiency deductions. Learn how to help your clients unlock significant
savings, maximize cash flow, and take advantage of key tax incentives with
confidence.
Dr. Daniel Boyd – Vice President, Internal Sales
and Sales Team Leader, CSSI, Orlando, FL
Keynote Presentation: Using AI Effectively in Your Practice 1.0 OT Details
Using AI Effectively in Your
Practice
Discover how AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot can
transform your accounting, audit and tax processes in your firm. We explore
practical applications, from issuing prompts to safeguarding data, ensuring you
leave ready to enhance your practice's efficiency and productivity with AI.
Thomas G. Stephens, Jr., CPA, CGMA, CITP – Shareholder, K2
Enterprises, Woodstock, GA
09:40 AM - 10:30 AM
Fraud? At My Client? No Way
Think
fraud can’t happen at your client’s organization? Think again. This session
walks through real-world examples of how fraud is discovered, the warning signs
CPAs often overlook, and the steps you should take when something doesn’t look
right. Build your awareness and sharpen your instincts to better protect your
clients—and your reputation.
Kyle Sutton, CPA, CFE – Ph.D. Student in
Accounting, Michigan State University, East Lansing
Running a small CPA firm often means juggling client demands, administrative overload, and the pressure to stay competitive — all with limited time and resources. But meaningful innovation doesn’t require a complete overhaul. This session offers an honest look at how innovation can help small firm CPAs reclaim their time, deliver more value, and build a practice that runs with less stress and more purpose.
Kwame Akowuah – Okafor-Akowuah & Company PLLC, Bay City
David Jackson, JD, CPA, RIA – President, Blacktree CPA, Smyrna, GA
Jennifer L. Wallner, CPA – Tailored CPAs, P.C., Marquette
Moderator: Regina Nock, CPA – Principal, Capocore Professional Advisors, Lake Orion
10:50 AM - 11:40 AM
What CPAs Need to Know About Retirement &
Investment Plans
From fee disclosures to fiduciary risk,
retirement plans can be a minefield for clients and an opportunity for informed CPAs.
Unpack investment menus, share classes, and liability concerns so you can
confidently assess plan structures and add meaningful value.
Brian
Raymond, AIF®, CMFC®, CPFA®, CHSA® – Vice President, Business
Development, Sentinel Group, Troy
Redefining Success: Tools for Emerging Firms to
Scale Your Practice
Small firm leaders face an
evolving landscape- where capacity, client expectations, and strategic growth
must align. Come away with actionable insights into scalable business models,
modern tools, and intentional decisions that empower you to grow your
practice.
Ed Rivera – Director, BDO Alliance USA,
Grand Rapids
11:50 AM - 12:40 PM
A WISP Away
Each year, the IRS
issues an updated edition of its Written Information Security Plan (WISP)
template to better assist CPAs, tax preparers and small practitioners with
drafting an effective WISP. Develop a customized WISP to fit your business needs
and identify the latest resources available to assist. Time will be spent on the
requirement for a security plan as well as its implementation.
Brad
Messer, MBA, CBSA, EA – Vice President & Enrolled Agent, Messner
& Fox, LLC, Financial Guardians, New Stanton, PA
When client work dries up, how prepared are you to win the deal? Explore strategies for generating consistent referrals by leveraging strategic relationships and develop a needs-based approach to engaging new clients and overcoming a prospect’s basic objections to purchasing services. Plus, develop a simple and effective marketing and business development plan.
Jamar Cobb-Denard, JD – Business Broker, Indiana Business Advisors, Indianapolis, IN
02:40 PM - 03:30 PM
With the implementation deadline approaching for the AICPA’s new quality management standards (QMS) bring your specific, last-minute questions to this interactive discussion. Get answers from the experts to ensure your plan is ready- no presentations, just solutions to help you meet the December deadline.
Peggy Jury, CPA, CGMA – Peer Review CPA on Staff, Michigan Association of CPAs, Troy
Duane M. Reyhl, CPA, CGMA – Audit and Accounting Partner, AHP, Midland
Value pricing, a practice that eliminates hourly timekeeping and billing in favor of one price for a holistic CPA–client relationship, is a realistic, yet underutilized, option for today’s public accounting practices. As market developments introduce technological changes that enhance efficiency, accounting firms must consider nontemporal pricing models for professional services. This session, based partly upon the author’s research, highlights significant support for value pricing while offering suggestions for mitigating perceived adoption barriers.
Dr. Christopher J. Harper, CPA, MBA – Director of Education & Assistant Professor, Grand Valley State University Seidman College of Business, Grand Rapids
03:40 PM - 04:30 PM
When clients engage in investment, gift, trust or business transactions internationally, they may be subject to international information return filing requirements. Review the most common types of returns for those with outbound or inbound activity, including the consequences of filing late or not at all and appropriate responses.
Eric P. Turner, JD, LL.M. – Attorney & Counselor at Law, Eric P. Turner, PLC, Brighton
As trusted advisors, CPAs face increasing challenges navigating complex accounting standards like revenue recognition, leasing, and credit losses. Balancing close client support with maintaining independence is critical—especially across review, audit, and compilation engagements. Explore best practices and key guidance from the AICPA’s Code of Professional Conduct to confidently manage these responsibilities.
Dr. Christopher J. Harper, CPA, MBA – Director of Education & Assistant Professor, Grand Valley State University Seidman College of Business, Grand Rapids
04:40 PM - 05:30 PM
Defining Success: What Today’s Firm Should
Strive to Be – A Small Firm Panel
Success in public accounting isn’t
one-size-fits-all—it evolves with your firm’s age, leadership, types of services
and goals. This dynamic panel explores how to define and pursue success through
intentional leadership, risk management, and a clear sense of purpose. Hear how
mission, vision, and branding shape firm identity, what it means to lead with an
entrepreneurial mindset, and how to align personal and professional growth with
long-term success.
Bradley Booms, CPA – Booms Accounting,
Bad Axe
Shanna Johnson, CPA – Johnson CPA & Company PC,
Alpena
Christine Peters, CPA – Shareholder, Partyka &
Company PC, Warren
Moderator: Kareyna Miller, CPA, CRISC –
Founder, LEACIF, Otter Lake
Three key standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), commonly referred to as the Boards’ Big Three Project, introduced significant changes to leases, revenue recognition and credit losses. Investigate the issues central to the Big Three Project, including how to navigate reporting requirements.
Duane M. Reyhl, CPA, CGMA – Audit and Accounting Partner, AHP, Midland
05:30 PM - 06:00 PM
Member
Non-Member