This course explores how CPAs can recognize and navigate complex ethical challenges that arise in today’s professional environment. Through practical examples, case studies and decision-making frameworks, participants will strengthen their ability to evaluate difficult situations, apply professional standards and respond with integrity and sound judgment. Attendees will learn how to address workplace values conflicts and confidently communicate ethical concerns in a constructive and professional manner. This course includes the Georgia-specific ethics content approved by the Georgia State Board of Accountancy. Complete this pre-conference workshop and check off all of your ethics requirements for the 2025-2026 reporting cycle.

This optional add-on session is an additional $125.

Lindsay Patterson, CPA, CIA
CPA QualityPro , New York, NY

Significant updates to CPA licensure and mobility laws are reshaping practice privileges across the country. While much of the attention has been on how these rules affect individual CPAs, state board enforcement actions show another critical reality: firms themselves are at risk if they fail to follow licensure and practice regulations in states where they serve clients. This session will provide a practical roadmap for navigating the latest accountancy law changes and best practices for firm compliance. It will cover recent updates to state licensure and mobility laws, examine state board actions, highlight common pitfalls that ensnare CPAs and firms, and explore what firm management leaders can do to proactively protect practice rights, avoid penalties and strengthen compliance processes.

Elizabeth D. Cook, CPA
Chief Relationship Officer / The Georgia Society of CPAs , Alpharetta, GA

Brad Schafer, Ph.D., CIA
Associate Professor / Kennesaw State University KSU Center , Kennesaw, GA

Margaret H. Christ, Ph.D., CIA
Director, J. M. Tull School of Accoun / The University of Georgia , Athens, GA

Peter Demerjian, Ph.D.
Georgia State University School of Accountancy , Atlanta, GA

Dr. Ellen Best, Ph.D.
University of North Georgia , Dahlonega, GA

With the implementation of the Public Accountancy Act of 2025 (HB 148), accounting education in Georgia has entered a period of meaningful change that is reshaping how programs attract, prepare and support future CPAs. This keynote session brings together academic leaders from across the state for a candid conversation about how their institutions are responding in real time. As new licensure pathways take effect, programs must adapt, revisit curriculum, refine their messaging and introduce new models designed to meet students where they are. Panelists will share what they are seeing on their campuses and how schools are reaching a broader range of students while continuing to emphasize the value of advanced education. Step beyond the classroom into the preparation of students for the realities of practice and the integration of emerging areas like data analytics and AI. Grounded in firsthand perspective and practical experience, this session offers a clear view of how accounting education is evolving in Georgia and what that evolution means for the profession moving forward.

Melisa Galasso, CPA, CGMA, CSP, CPTD
Galasso Learning Solutions LLC , Charlotte, NC

Hear about key accounting and auditing developments together in one session. This course combines recent standard-setting activity issued by the FASB with major audit and attestation updates from the AICPA. Get a  well-rounded view of changes impacting financial reporting and engagement performance specially designed for preparers, auditors and firm professionals. Attendees will understand how recent accounting and auditing changes intersect and what to anticipate as standards and expectations continue to evolve.

Joshua Jenson
Joshua Jenson, CPA, PC , Edmond, OK

Join us for a practical, execution-focused program designed to move beyond understanding tax law and into how it is applied in real-world client situations. The course emphasizes execution, not just understanding, of business tax rules. Coverage includes key developments affecting partnerships and S corporations, IRS guidance, tax court insights and OBBBA provisions, with a focus on audit risk areas, loss limitations and applying complex rules within the normal workflow of preparing business tax returns.

Todd Stanton
Stanton Law LLC , Atlanta, GA

The 95% Rule program is a set of employment-law axioms created for CPAs expected to have real-time answers with imperfect facts. This is a lively program built around real decision points drawn from two decades of management experience and the patterns that keep showing up in the EEOC/DOL/NLRB/OSHA alphabet soup. This session is practical, discussion-friendly and aimed at what you can implement on Monday. Cover how to spot preventable issues most likely to devolve into litigation and how to coach managers through a common-sense framework you can share with HR and business leaders. Copies of the bestselling The 95% Rule will be available for purchase.

Greg Creech
Techedutainment Services, Inc. , Pine Lake, GA

With Copilot's artificial intelligence, Microsoft 365 apps have many new features and enhancements aimed to increase productivity. This session will explore using Copilot in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and Outlook. We will create Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, Excel charts and Outlook emails using Copilot. Learn how to use Copilot to improve documents with editing features, such as translations and grammar.

Melisa Galasso, CPA, CGMA, CSP, CPTD
Galasso Learning Solutions LLC , Charlotte, NC

The Enhancing Audit Quality Initiative has identified inadequate or nonexistent audit documentation as one of the most significant issues facing the profession today. Over half of the engagements reviewed by the AICPA failed to meet the requirements of AU-C 230, highlighting a critical need for improvement. This course addresses common misconceptions about audit documentation and provides actionable strategies to overcome these deficiencies. Attendees will learn best practices to ensure compliance with professional standards, enhance audit quality and mitigate risks associated with poor documentation. Whether you are an experienced professional or new to auditing, this course will help you strengthen your documentation practices and uphold the highest standards of the profession.

Jeff Dorris, CPA
SALT Practice Leader / Mauldin & Jenkins CPAs LLC , Atlanta, GA

This SALT session will discuss current trends within state and local tax as well as other hot topics of 2026.

Richard B. Kopelman, CPA, CGMA
Managing Partner & CEO / Aprio , Atlanta, GA

Donald H. Bravaldo III, CPA
President / Bravaldo Capital Advisors, Inc, , Atlanta, GA

Christopher S. Arnone, CPA
Moore Colson CPAs and Advisors , Atlanta, GA

Sean Taylor, CPA
Smith & Howard, PC , Atlanta, GA

Jeff Call, CPA, CFP, PFS
Bennett Thrasher, LLP , Atlanta, GA

Hear the facts on this growing hot topic within the accounting profession. Don will guide attendees through the practical differences between traditional partner-owned firms and PE-backed platforms (minority vs. majority investment). Compare how each model impacts partner economics, governance, talent development, service lines and client experience. Identify key diligence questions and decision points for firms considering outside capital or structural change. Clarify independence, regulatory and ethics guardrails that shape what structures are feasible.

Donald P. Cook
The Georgia Society of CPAs , Alpharetta, GA

Frank O'Connell, J.D., LL.M
Of Office Tax Policy / Georgia Department of Revenue , Atlanta, GA

Georgia’s transition from the long-standing Tax Tribunal to the newly established Georgia Tax Court marks one of the most significant structural changes to the state’s tax dispute system in years. Join Chief Judge Frank O'Connell and Don Cook of The Georgia Society of CPAs for a practical discussion designed specifically for CPAs and tax practitioners. This session will provide attendees with a foundational understanding of the newly created court, including how it differs from the former tribunal led by Larry O'Neal, the types of tax controversies and appeals the court hears, and the procedural and structural changes practitioners should understand moving forward. Attendees will gain insight into how cases move through the court, what role CPAs can play in supporting taxpayers and legal counsel and how the new judicial framework may impact dispute resolution strategies in Georgia. The discussion will also explore practical considerations for practitioners representing clients before the Department of Revenue and engaging in the broader tax controversy process. Whether you work in public accounting, industry, or tax advisory services, this session will equip you with a clearer understanding of Georgia’s evolving tax adjudication system and the practical implications for taxpayers and practitioners alike.

Jennifer Louis, CPA
Emergent Solutions Group , Charlotte, NC

All firms who perform engagements under the SSARSs, SASs and SSAEs are required to comply with the AICPA’S Quality Management Standards effective December 15, 2025.  This session will focus on the on-going application of critical elements of the new risk-based approach to ensure a continuous and iterative approach to quality management. Focus on compliance with new requirements in both fact and in substance.

Joshua Jenson
Joshua Jenson, CPA, PC , Edmond, OK

Join us for a practical, execution-focused program designed to move beyond understanding tax law and into how it is applied in real-world client situations. The course emphasizes execution, not just understanding, of individual tax rules. Coverage includes key developments under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), IRS guidance and Tax Court insights, with a focus on current-year filings, extended returns and identifying planning opportunities within the normal workflow of preparing individual tax returns.

Mary A. McDaniel
Goldman Sachs , Atlanta, GA

Corey Schroer
Goldman Sachs , Atlanta, GA

Join us for an informative discussion with Goldman Sachs as they share their economic and market outlook.

Greg Creech
Techedutainment Services, Inc. , Pine Lake, GA

Using Copilot with Excel, you can create analytics, charts, insert function columns and much more. This session will give demonstrations of the popular and important analytical features of Excel with Copilot, such as PivotTables. Learn more about the functions feature in Excel using Copilot and the advantages and disadvantages of artificial intelligence in Excel. 

Jennifer Louis, CPA
Emergent Solutions Group , Charlotte, NC

Accounting and reporting for uncertainty in financial statements is always a challenge. With tariffs, natural disasters, government assistance, regulatory uncertainty and more, the current operating environment is particularly challenging. This session will focus on critical considerations when ensuring the proper accounting and reporting for gain and loss contingencies in GAAP-basis financial statements.

Hale E. Sheppard, Esq.
Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP , Atlanta, GA

The employee retention credit has all the elements for a major fight: four complex laws, multiple sources of IRS guidance, rules with retroactive effect, processing delays, large numbers of eligible taxpayers, companies advertising aggressive claims, special assessment periods and repeated warnings of serious civil and criminal enforcement. This presentation explains common misconceptions, positions by taxpayers, attacks by the IRS, legislative changes and different types of litigation now happening in the ERC world.

Kelley C. Long, CPA/PFS, CFP®
Financial Bliss with Kelley Long , Tucson, AZ

Health insurance premiums continue to climb, and most people respond by shopping for a better plan. But what if the real problem isn’t finding cheaper insurance? What if we need to rethink how much insurance we actually need? This session takes a personal financial planning approach to healthcare costs, challenging common assumptions about coverage and exploring alternatives that could help you and your clients keep more money for other financial goals.

Joe Domaleski
Country Fried Creative , Peachtree City, GA

Digital marketing does not have to feel overwhelming, and it should not be measured by guesswork alone. This session gives CPA firms a practical roadmap for improving visibility, building trust and supporting long-term growth. We will cover the key pieces of an effective digital presence, including your website, search visibility, content, social media, email, reputation, analytics and marketing metrics. Learn how to prioritize the right activities, track what matters and use data to make smarter marketing decisions.

Jonathan Lokhorst, CSP, CPA, PCC
Your Best Leadership LLC , Princeton, MN

Artificial Intelligence promises greater efficiency and insight, but it also introduces new temptations to cut corners, obscure risk or shift responsibility. Recent behavioral research shows a higher likelihood of unethical behavior when decisions are delegated to AI tools. This session equips leaders to identify common ethical risk factors tied to AI, recognize real-time dilemmas from marketplace breakdowns and explore the key elements of building an ethical culture with clear guardrails. Participants will apply a simple framework to strengthen professional judgment in AI-assisted work with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders.

Kevin Dancy
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta , Atlanta, GA

This overview of current U.S. economic conditions will include the key factors fueling the future direction of the economy.

Boyd E. Search, MBA, CAE
The Georgia Society of CPAs , Alpharetta, GA

Kendra L. LaFleur, CPA
Director / Forvis Mazars , Atlanta, GA

AI. Talent. Technology. Transformation. The accounting profession is evolving faster than ever, and the future will be shaped by those willing to help define it. Join Boyd Search and Kendra LaFleur for an interactive Future Forum inspired by the AICPA's Rise2040 initiative. Together, attendees will explore emerging trends, share ideas and contribute to a broader global conversation about the future of accounting and finance.

Anson Asbury, J.D., LL.M.
Asbury Gardner Tax Counsel , Decatur, GA

Alla Raykin, Esq.
Asbury Gardner Tax Counsel , Decatur, GA

Anson Asbury and his newest partner, Alla Rankin, will cover the latest trends in both federal and state tax controversy. Anson will discuss the latest in IRS controversy and federal guidance. Alla will weigh in on the new Georgia Tax Court, the Atlanta Occupational Tax and other state tax developments.

Marcey Rader, CSP
RaderCo , Raleigh, NC

Ring. Ping. Buzz. Enough! Stop using habits that drain willpower. This session restores attention, builds your single-tasking muscle and helps you shrink digital noise. Attendees can achieve higher accuracy and review quality with faster turnarounds, lower cognitive load and burnout risk and increased protection of billable focus time without 24/7 availability. This session is perfect for staff to seniors and new managers, audit and tax teams, and client-service teams navigating busy season, year-end, and extension deadlines.

Jonathan Lokhorst, CSP, CPA, PCC
Your Best Leadership LLC , Princeton, MN

Critical thinking in your day-to-day work and in high-value decisions create value in your business. Build a repeatable habit stack for better judgment under pressure and deadlines. Learn to scan context, ask smarter questions, label trends versus anomalies and uncover root causes. Explore concrete tools to test assumptions, review trends and patterns and translate analysis into decision-ready recommendations. Employ AI as a tool to enhance (not replace) judgment by adding context, questioning outputs and converting results into your own words.

Jeff Ritchie, CPA
Fust Charles, LLP 5784 Widewters Pkwy , Syarcuse, NY

As more organizations adopt and integrate AI into various aspects of their operations, it is imperative that they implement the proper safeguards and internal controls. This session will cover common risks and challenges organizations may face while utilizing AI, as well as practical strategies that can be used to strengthen the design and effectiveness of internal controls.

Stay ahead of the curve with the latest insights and updates from the Department of Revenue. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, it's imperative for accounting professionals to remain informed and equipped to navigate the complexities of taxation effectively. Join us for an in-depth exploration of recent developments, updates and initiatives directly from representatives of the Department of Revenue.

Theodore H. Brown, CPA
IDiscovery Solutions, Inc. , Washington, DC

Dirty data is not always an accident. Sometimes the mess is the message. This session teaches accountants to look at their own data through a forensic accountant’s eyes by recognizing the patterns, anomalies and red flags that distinguish ordinary data quality problems from indicators of fraud, manipulation or control failures. Using real-world detection techniques, live demonstrations and examples, attendees will learn to distinguish noise from signal in their own systems and understand when a data quality issue warrants a deeper look. The session includes a hands-on exercise applying detection techniques to a sample data set.

Calvin J. Wong, CPA, CISSP
Director of IT / The Georgia Society of CPAs , Alpharetta, GA

GSCPA's Director of Technology gives a high-level technology review that includes a breakdown of the current trends in hardware, software and policies, while providing a look forward to upcoming innovations that may affect your business and daily life.

Samuel Konigsberg, CIMA, CBDA
BlackRock , Atlanta, GA

With Bitcoin frequently in the news, industry professionals have more questions than answers. Sam Konigsberg is an industry-leading investment professional leading Bitcoin and blockchain education for BlackRock in the southeast. Learn the fundamentals of Bitcoin and blockchain technology from a contributor to BlackRock’s digital asset thought leadership.

Charles Rettig
Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry , Atlanta, GA

Thomas Cullinan
Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry , Atlanta, GA

The former IRS commissioner and former counselor to the IRS commissioner will provide practical context for the current IRS enforcement priorities and challenges ahead. You will hear practical advice based on decades of private practice and internal IRS leadership experience focused on various IRS Compliance Campaigns targeting the use of business aircraft, issues regarding digital assets and similar, Syndicated Conservation Easements, Microcaptive insurance arrangements, Private Placement Life Insurance, Puerto Rico Act 60 and related. Advice “from the tax trenches” on current and anticipated future IRS enforcement efforts.

Ashley F. Hinkson, J.D.
Hinkson Law , Atlanta, GA

CPAs are often the first professionals to see that something is wrong. A pattern in the financials, an expense that doesn’t add up, an employee situation that has quietly gotten complicated. What happens next matters.
This session is designed for CPAs who want a clearer understanding of when and how to bring legal counsel into a client situation, and what that collaboration looks like in practice. Ashley Futrell Hinkson, a former federal and state prosecutor and crisis management and employment attorney at Stanton Law in Atlanta, will speak candidly about the cases that land on her desk and what, in hindsight, could have been caught earlier. The goal is not to turn CPAs into lawyers. It is to help them recognize the signals that warrant a call, understand what legal counsel can and cannot do in sensitive situations, and build a referral and advisory relationship that genuinely serves their clients.

Matt Paige
HatchWorksAI , Atlanta, GA

Discover how businesses are moving beyond basic AI tools to adopt powerful “agentic” models that can plan, act and execute work autonomously. Learn practical strategies to bridge the gap between today’s AI usage and its true potential, driving efficiency, speed and innovation. Walk away with actionable insights to transform AI from a feature into the foundation of your organization’s future.

Gary R. Nelson, CPA, CISA,CISSP,FIP
Principal / Schellman & Company, LLC , Tampa, FL

Standard auditing is evolving from a compliance-heavy checklist to a nuanced, risk-based methodology that benefits from a meaningful post-implementation review (PIR) of SAS 145. Moving past basic adoption, this session provides a framework for understanding the "spectrum of inherent risk" and the enhanced requirements for IT General Controls. We will examine how to measure implementation success through improved audit quality and engagement efficiency, ensuring that the "stand-back" requirement is more than a formality, but a strategic tool for professional skepticism and accuracy.

Adam Young
Fox Rothschild LLP , Atlanta, GA

This presentation explores the IRS's scorched earth approach to conservation easements and recent Tax Court and Courts of Appeals' opinions regarding valuation and tax technical issues. Get a preview of the year ahead in conservation easement litigation.

Darcy C. Harper, CPA
Client Services Manager / YPTC , Atlanta, GA

This session includes thinking strategically about financial information, anticipating future financial needs, using data to guide decision making, strengthening long term sustainability, and aligning financial practices with mission-driven goals. It's about shifting from day-to-day transactional work to a broader, forward looking perspective that supports organizational strategy.

Tim Naddy, CPA, CFE
CFO and Professor / Savannah Bananas , Savannah, GA

In today’s business landscape, data alone isn’t enough. CPAs must be able to turn insights into compelling stories that drive decisions. This session explores how to transform complex financial information into clear, engaging narratives that resonate with clients, executives and stakeholders. Learn practical storytelling techniques to elevate your communication, strengthen your influence and make your insights more memorable and impactful. Walk away with the confidence to move beyond reporting numbers and start telling stories that inspire action.