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Accounting

Accounting Thought Leaders Look at Issues Facing Professionals

Feb. 17, 2015

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Where are professional accountants succeeding or lacking in public practice, and what are the major issues that will face them in the coming years? These are the topics of discussion among the accounting profession’s most noted thought leaders as they meet this week in Dallas.

The fifth annual CPA Practice Advisor Thought Leader Symposium, an invitation-only event, is being held at the Westin Galleria in Dallas from Monday, Feb. 16 through Wednesday Feb 18. Attendees include more than two dozen respected practitioners and consultants meeting for a series of round table discussions, as well as presentations by the major technology providers to tax and accounting firms and professionals.

Key among these conversations are the future and emerging trends that will continue to shape the profession, client relationships and services. The event is sponsored by Avalara, Intuit, Sage Software and Xero.

On Tuesday evening, one of the thought leaders will be inducted into the Tax & Accounting Hall of Fame. Previous hall of fame inductees include Greg LaFollette, CPA.CITP, CGMA, Randy Johnston, Gary Boomer, CPA.CITP, Rick Richardson, CPA.CITP, CGMA, and Chris Frederiksen, CPA, CGMA, PFS. The award and honor will be presented during a ceremonial gala dinner event.

While many of this year’s Thought Leaders have attended past symposium events, two are making their first appearance. From California is Jean Caragher , the founder and president of Capstone Marketing, which serves accounting firms. The other new thought leader traveled the furthest to attend: Clayton Oates is principal of an Australia-based technology consultancy.

The thought leaders for 2015 are:

  • L. Gary Boomer, CPA,.CITP, CGMA
  • Jim Boomer, CPA.CITP
  • Jim Bourke, CPA.CITP, CGMA, CFF
  • Jean Caragher
  • David Cieslak, CPA.CITP, CGMA, GSEC
  • Gale Crosley. CPA
  • Chris Frederiksen, CPA, CGMA, PFS
  • Angie Grissom
  • John Higgins, CPA.CITP
  • Tom Hood, CPA.CITP, CGMA
  • Randy Johnston
  • Roman Kepczyk, CPA.CITP, CGMA, LSS BB
  • Allan Koltin, CPA
  • Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA
  • Greg LaFollette, CPA.CITP, CGMA
  • Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA
  • Clayton Oates
  • Edi Osborne, CSPM, CPBA, CPVA
  • Rick Richardson, CPA.CITP, CGMA
  • M. Darren Root, CPA.CITP, CGMA
  • John Sharbaugh, CAE
  • Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA
  • Leslie Shiner
  • Doug Sleeter
  • Sandi Smith-Leyva, CPA
  • Bob Spencer, Ph.D.
  • Troy Waugh, CPA
  • Geni Whitehouse, CPA.CITP, CSPM
  • Sandra Wiley
  • Jennifer Wilson