Accounting, financial and tax professionals continue to face challenges related to talent, data security, regulations, and rapid changes in technology and firm culture.

As the annual AICPA ENGAGE conference was set to convene in Las Vegas, dozens of firm leaders, educators, consultants and advisors to the profession met on Sunday, June 2, 2024, for a day-long pre-conference Thought Leader Think Tank to discuss these and other issues. Attendees came from across the country, as well as India and Australia.

Thanks for reading CPA Practice Advisor!

Join for free to get personalized access to all of our daily content, newsletters, continuing education, podcasts, whitepapers and more...

Already registered? Login

Need more information? Read the FAQ's

Hosted by CPA Practice Advisor, the in-person, invitation-only event was held at the Aria Resort and Casino, the day before the AICPA ENGAGE Conference. Symposium participants, all of whom are highly-regarded thought leaders, discussed a variety of factors impacting the profession, including generative AI, “fake AI,” machine learning, advisory services, staffing, education, firm culture, and leadership issues.

The Think Tank Symposium is sponsored by Avalara, Instead by Corvee, Sage, and Wolters Kluwer.

The 2024 Accounting Thought Leader Think Tank invitees are comprised of members of CPA Practice Advisor‘s Thought Leader Symposium, members of its 40 Under 40 Recognition Program, and selected guests. This year’s participants were:

Sona Akmakjian, CPA
Tosha Anderson, CPA
Andrew Argue, CPA
David Ciacchini, CPA
Aaron Berson, CPA
Jim Bourke, CPA
David Cieslak, CPA
Aaron Clayton, CPA
Kyle Deering
Kim Ellison-Taylor, CPA
Angie Grissom
Chris Hervochon, CPA
John Higgins, CPA
Kari Hipsak, CPA
Tom Hood, CPA
Kathryn Horton, CPA
W. Michael Hsu, CPA
Sripal Jain, CPA
Kacee Johnson
Randy Johnston
Shakor Jukes, CPA
Roman Kepczyk, CPA
Shahbaz Khan, CPA
Erin Leckie, CPA
Sandi Leyva
Jessica McClain, CPA
Mick Nijher, CPA
Clayton Oates
Isaac O’Bannon
Stephen Pelosi
Gail Perry, CPA
Olivia Rodi
Alexandria ROmero, CPA
Brian Tankersley, CPA
Rick Telberg
Kelly Ward, CPA
Shelly Weir
Sandra Wiley
Jennifer Wilson

Accounting