Top Accounting Profession Thought Leaders to Gather in February

Each year, the most respected and influential leaders in the accounting profession meet at CPA Practice Advisor’s Annual Thought Leader Symposium to discuss emerging trends and technologies. During the exclusive event, attendees participate in several round-table discussions with each other and senior management from leading technology companies to develop strategies for best serving accounting professionals and their clients.

This year’s invitation-only event will be held February 17-19, at the Omni Mandalay Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

The three-day meeting not only serves as a meeting of the minds, but is also an opportunity for our publication to recognize those leaders and professionals that are truly making a difference in the profession. This recognition is accentuated by the Tax & Accounting Hall of Fame dinner and awards ceremony. The ceremony is held on the first night of the symposium and is the highlight of the symposium.

Prior Accounting Hall of Fame inductees include Gregory L. LaFollette, CPA.CITP, Randy Johnston and Rick Richardson, CPA.CITP.

Leading up to and following the Awards Ceremony, the thought leaders will have the opportunity to sit in on presentations from the profession’s top vendors and provide valuable feedback. Leaders will get a firsthand look into the companies’ strategies and plans for the upcoming year, while sharing the issues that matter most to tax and accounting professionals.

Last year, I had the opportunity to attend the 2nd Annual Thought Leader Symposium, shortly after joining the staff here at CPA Practice Advisor. This event served as my “introduction” into the world of accounting. It put me face-to-face with the people whose names (and faces) I would encounter so many times after that event. It didn’t take long for me to realize and appreciate why these 25 professionals were selected as Thought Leaders.

Every person on this list has made significant contributions to the profession, and they have numerous honors and accolades to show for it. Their insight and knowledge is truly invaluable, as they continue to serve the profession and implement best practices. It was truly an honor to be in their presence the first time and I look forward to seeing them again at this year’s event.

Congratulations to this year’s 25 Thought Leaders and 2013 Hall of Fame Inductee(s). The Top 25 Thought Leaders for 2013 are:

M. Darren Root, CPA.CITP
Executive Editor, CPA Practice Advisor; Principal of Root & Associates, LLC; and President of RootWorks LLC.

L. Gary Boomer
CEO, Boomer Consulting, Inc.

Jim Boomer, CPA.CITP
CIO, Boomer Consulting Inc.

Jim Bourke, CPA.CITP
CIO and Partner, WithumSmith+Brown

David Cieslak, CPA.CITP
GSEC, Principal, Arxis Technology, Inc.

Gale Crosley, CPA
Founder & Principal, Crosley+Company

Chris Frederiksen
CEO & Chairman of 2020 Group USA

Michelle Golden, CPF
Owner, Golden Practices

John H. Higgins, CPA.CITP
Strategic Advisor, CPA Crossings, LLC

Tom Hood, CPA.CITP
CEO, The Maryland Association of CPAs & the Business Learning Institute

Randy Johnston
Executive Vice President, Network Management Group, Inc. & K2 Enterprises

Roman Kepczyk, CPA.CITP
Director of Consulting, Xcentric, LLC

Allan D. Koltin, CPA
CEO, Koltin Consulting Group

Mark Koziel
Vice President, Firm Services & Global Alliances, AICPA

Barry C. Melancon, CPA
President and CEO, AICPA

Jim Metzler, CPA
Vice President, Small Firm Interests, AICPA

Edi Osborne, CSPM, CPBA, CPVA
CEO, Mentor Plus

Dana R. (Rick) Richardson, CPA.CITP
Managing Partner, Richardson Media & Technologies, LLC

Donny C. Shimamoto, CPA.CITP
Founder and Managing Director, IntrapriseTechKnowlogies LLC

Doug Sleeter
Founder and President, The Sleeter Group

Dr. Bob Spencer
Owner, Twenty Seconds In the Future

Brian Tankersley, CPA.CITP
Technical Editor, CPA Practice Advisor

Geni Whitehouse, CPA.CITP
CEO, EvenANerd.com Communications – BDCO CPA

Sandra Wiley
Shareholder and COO, Boomer Consulting, Inc.

Jennifer Wilson
Cofounder and Partner, ConvergenceCoaching, LLC

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