take another step toward ‘normal.’ 
by seth fineberg
at large
as you prepare to put tax season 2023 in your rearview, one thing to strongly consider is getting out to a live event as they are back, they need you, and there are even some new ones to take in.
i’m fully aware that cpe alone is not the only draw or reason to leave the comfort of your office or home area. and as i’ve expounded on before, accountants need each other in a live setting. the learning and interaction from a live event full of your colleagues is almost invaluable, but i get the reservations.
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traveling to a live event, especially when we know full well that any necessary cpe can be garnered from your computer screen any time of year, may not seem worth the expense. but as the profession continues to evolve, it is hard to compare the return on investment from physically being among the experts, as well as those in your profession who have similar struggles, hopes and dreams as you do.
some of you may know that i was part of bringing a brand new live event to fruition just last year. this was at a time when fears about the pandemic were still ripe, but some were willing to take the chance on something new and walk, talk and learn among other accounting professionals. this year there are even some new names entering the fray. and having gone to accounting profession shows for over 20 years, i can say that new blood is welcome.
no disrespect to the “old guard” whatsoever, and those of you who know the vendor shows and those hosted by the likes of the aicpa and woodard group should absolutely attend. my point is that you should know live events still mean something to this profession and those willing to put time, money and effort into bringing you
something new and potentially meaningful deserve some consideration. after all, we don’t learn or grow by staying or doing the same things.
so, here’s what’s on deck to consider from the new or perhaps new-to-you menu:
- accounting today’s firm growth forum, may 8-10, san diego. from one of the most recognizable names in accounting journalism comes an in-person event geared, eponymously, toward firms that are specifically growth-minded. while growth may not be on the menu for all firms, those who have it in their near or even mid-term plans would do well to attend. keynotes by known m&a and succession planning specialist allan koltin, technology innovation specialist and yogi amy vetter, and woodard group founder joe woodard, as well as a variety of session speakers and panelists solely focused on sharing insights and getting the right discussions going for growth-oriented firms.
- the unique cpa/tri-merit presents bridging the gap: between the generations, august 28-30, lowes chicago o’hare hotel. you wanted different? you got it. the profession needs more focused and practical events to help ensure you can meet and learn from all attendees, hosts and sponsors. at a time of great flux, the profession is in dire need of a live event that addresses all of the generational change needs of today. accountants need to address technology and staffing to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s accounting professionals. they want to be able to embrace diversity and inclusion and overall mindfulness aimed at helping the profession take its next crucial steps. more importantly, they need to learn from their colleagues and experts in the profession who are dealing with the same or similar issues. and in the words of one of the event’s founding members, randy crabtree, “this conference will lay the groundwork for the next generation of accounting professionals and help invigorate and define this industry for the next few decades.” fuller details on this event are in the works, but watch this space as it develops and definitely make plans to be there. i know i will.
final thoughts
i only mentioned the two above as they are brand new to the live accounting event scene and offer some different perspectives, at least potentially, than we’ve seen before. it’s not for personal preference, paid promotion, or any reason of that nature. you can still bank on meaningful live events from familiar names, with some variations from years past. woodard group’s scaling new heights comes to mind as it once was a mainstay for intuit proadvisors, and has now morphed into a more “inclusive,” vendor-neutral expo-like event for all accounting professionals. and speaking of vendors, while we won’t see live events from the likes of xero or avalara in the us this year, you can bet on an array of conferences from other known vendors in the tax and accounting space. rounding out the year will be with intuit’s quickbooks connect, which had not been live since 2019 and returned in 2022 at the aria in las vegas nov. 14-16. this event has also evolved, in its way, as it once was a week long and included accounting professionals and small businesses. last year intuit made the conscious decision for qb connect to focus solely on its core of proadvisors and accounting professionals in general. this year looks to continue that theme.
so get planning, even if you only make it to one event this year, you will be doing yourself and your practice a great favor by being among your colleagues, thought leaders and potentially game-changing technologies.