SOLD OUT
Pre-Conference: Sunday, April 30
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (PT)
Other
Business Resource Network (BRN) Summit
The session is designed to be beneficial for all members of the BDO Alliance USA (BRNs and CPAs) and BDO leaders. We invite you to join us and familiarize yourself with our BRN and Alliance community. We will discuss best practices for how to work with BDO, CPA Alliance firms, and other BRNs. There will also be time for collaborating, networking and relationship building with fellow attendees.
Monday, May 1: Forums & Roundtables
9:00 am – 12:00 pm (PT)
Accounting & Auditing
Assurance Practice Forum
This gathering of A&A professionals from Alliance firms, including BDO Assurance partners, will allow for ample discussion of challenges, best practices and innovative ideas in leading efficient audit practices. Your fellow Alliance firms will drive the content and topics to be discussed and will help facilitate the meeting.
9:00 am – 12:00 pm (PT)
Tax
Tax Practice Leaders Forum
This gathering of tax practice leaders from Alliance firms, including BDO Tax partners, will allow for ample discussion of challenges, best practices and ideas in running profitable and efficient tax practices. The session will also include technical topics of interest with panel discussions that feature BDO Tax leaders.
9:00 am – 12:00 pm (PT)
Marketing & Business Development
Marketing/Business Development Forum
This gathering is designed for any attendee with an interest in marketing and business development – no experience required! We’ll recap resources available to Alliance firms, including key marketing and business development contacts, and then divide our time exploring and discussing three chosen topics: client satisfaction and the latest (2023) Net Promoter Score benchmarks for the accounting industry; best practices in training staff about marketing and business development; and how members of the BDO Alliance community can better collaborate with BRN members to jointly identify prospects and grow niche practice areas. Join us for this interactive and lively session.

Featuring BDO USA, LLP, ClearlyRated, Kernutt Stokes LLP, The Rybar Group, AFS Logistics, Walker Reid Strategies and Acadia Leadership Partners (ALPS).
9:00 am – 12:00 pm (PT)
People & Culture
Human Resources Meeting/Roundtable
This session will share best practices with Human Resources professionals and firm leaders who oversee Human Resources. We will have group discussions on topics that are most pressing in this area.

Featuring Sandra Wiley, Boomer Consulting
9:00 am – 12:00 pm (PT)
CAAS
Client Accounting and Advisory Services (CAAS) Meeting/Roundtable
This session will allow members of the BDO Alliance CAAS Roundtables and their guests to engage in small-group discussions focused on pressing issues related to managing and growing a client/outsourced accounting practice. Bring your candor, questions and great ideas to share with your peers.
Monday, May 1: Plenary Events
12:15 pm – 1:45 pm (PT)
Other
Welcome Lunch & Networking
New in 2023! Join us for lunch as we officially kick off the conference together, following our morning forums and roundtable sessions.
2:00 pm – 4:30 pm (PT)
Other
Opening General Session | Keynote Speaker
Join us for our opening session, featuring Alliance Executive Director Michael Horwitz, BDO USA CEO Wayne Berson, and BDO Global’s new CEO Pat Kramer. Michael will offer his “State of the Alliance Program” update. Wayne will discuss BDO USA’s current strategic focus, and Pat will provide us with his global perspective. We will also reveal the winners of our annual BDO Alliance awards!

Guest Speaker
Bernadette Nace – Vice President, ADP’s Strategic Advisory Services
Organizations are in a constant state of change requiring new talent strategies and creative thinking to meet the demands and trends of today’s workforce. Join us as we hear highlights from Bernadette Nace of ADP on remote working (what’s changed in the last year); hiring strategies (sourcing and recruiting talent in today’s labor market); and employee engagement.

 
Keynote Speaker
Molly Bloom
Molly Bloom is an inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, and bestselling author. She is best known for her memoir, Molly’s Game, which was adapted into an award-winning film of the same name by Aaron Sorkin. Bloom’s memoir chronicles her journey from college student to LA waitress to building and operating the largest and most notorious private poker game in the world. She has appeared on numerous shows and media outlets, such as Ellen, Vice, The Los Angeles Times, NPR, Vulture, and was asked to speak at Fortune's Most Powerful Women Next Gen Summit. She has an extraordinary story of resilience and overcoming setbacks to share with our attendees.
4:30 pm – 7:30 pm (PT)
Other
Tradeshow & Networking
This is an opportunity for all attendees to get together, immediately following our General Session. Our ever-popular Tradeshow event is legendary, offering access to over 100 member exhibitors and industry-leading vendors! Experience the energy of this conference and what the BDO Alliance USA has to offer by mingling with fellow members, sponsors, exhibitors, and BDO professionals.

Drink and food stations will be available throughout the room.
Tuesday, May 2
6:00 am – 7:00 am (PT)
Other
Sunrise Yoga - SOLD OUT!
Roll out your mat (or towel) and join us for a yoga class with Amy Vetter, CPA and RYT500, to stretch and energize your body and mind. The class will incorporate movement through yoga poses and breath work that is accessible to all levels. There is no better way to begin your day than taking time for yourself to get present, while cultivating the focus and energy you need before attending conference sessions and networking with your peers!

Completion of online waiver required at registration.
8:00 am – 9:00 am (PT)
Accounting & Auditing
Employee Benefit Plan Update
BDO USA, LLP
This session will discuss developments in Employee Benefit Plans, including recent DOL activity, quality control findings, and recent standards setting activity.
8:00 am – 9:00 am (PT)
Accounting & Auditing
Yellow Book Update and Practice Issues
BDO USA, LLP
In this session, BDO’s nonprofit leaders will cover recent updates made by the Government Accountability Office to Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS), as well as best practices to ensuring compliance with GAGAS requirements.
8:00 am – 9:00 am (PT)
Tax
ASC 740 Update and Tax Risk Services
BDO USA, LLP
ASC 740 Income Taxes continues to be one of the most challenging areas of the financial statements for both public and private enterprises, from smaller entities to large public companies. This session will focus on the more challenging aspects of ASC 740 and allow participants to gain a stronger understanding of various topics that can be traps for the unwary. It will also cover how the implementation of Tax Control Framework, from small to large companies, can help mitigate tax risk. Topics to be covered include: accounting for the impact of enacted tax law changes; tax accounting implications of recent FASB Accounting Standard Updates; and understanding operational tax risk and its implications for all companies, among many others.
8:00 am – 9:00 am (PT)
Tax
Corporate Transaction Considerations and Computations, including ESOPs
BDO USA, LLP
During this session, we will discuss various types of M&A transactions from a U.S. federal income tax perspective where ESOPs are involved and our approach to modeling the related U.S. federal income tax ramifications.
8:00 am – 9:00 am (PT)
Advisory
Capital Markets Update
BDO Capital Advisors
This session will provide an update on mergers and acquisitions and capital raising trends and activity, as well as how to support your clients who are positioning their company for a sale and exploring strategic alternatives.
8:00 am – 9:00 am (PT)
CAAS
Streamlined: The Frictionless Client Experience
Woodard Consulting (BRN Firm)
Client relationships and workloads are difficult to manage, especially when clients are unable or unwilling to provide you with information timely. These high-friction environments are exacerbated in our current work-from-home environment where you and/or the client have limited access to source documents and limited in-person interactions with employees. This session will highlight strategies for streamlining interactions, building efficient workflows, and using technology to reduce friction and enhance the client experience.
8:00 am – 9:00 am (PT)
Industry
Financial Institutions and Specialty Finance: Market Outlook
BDO USA, LLP
This session will focus on the impact of rising interest rates and rising loan defaults on banks and non-bank lenders.
8:00 am – 9:00 am (PT)
Industry
Retail: Trends and Updates
BDO USA, LLP
This session will provide an update on new trends and issues that are affecting the retail industry and key takeaways from BDO's 2023 CFO Survey.
8:00 am – 9:00 am (PT)
Capacity Management
Dealing with Capacity Challenges
BDO USA, LLP Panel – facilitated by Michael Horwitz, BDO Alliance USA
Like most of our Alliance members, BDO USA has experienced challenges in the past few years in hiring, training and retaining talented team members in sufficient numbers to handle all of our varied assurance, tax and advisory engagements. Our 25% revenue growth comes during this unique period of unprecedented disruption in the labor market impacting our profession. In this session, you’ll hear from BDO leaders who have tackled this head-on and transformed the way we are getting work done. It will cover a broad range of resources, including use of third-party vendors, BDO RISE, and other capacity management resources.
8:00 am – 9:00 am (PT)
MAP | Marketing & Business Development
Conquering New Worlds: Successfully Launching a New Geography or New Industry
Gale Crosley, Crosley+Company (BRN Firm)
Ready to expand into new markets, but not sure where to start? In this dynamic session, we will introduce you to the key principles and action steps you need to successfully pivot from a local provider to a truly national or global firm. Learn the techniques enabling you to attack new geographic or industry markets and secure clients in other cities, states or across the globe. Regardless of your ambition, the concepts are similar, and we are ready to share them with you!
8:00 am – 9:00 am (PT)
Marketing & Business Development
Building the Digital Marketing Architecture of the Future
David Toth, Winding River Consulting (BRN Member)
Being ‘future ready’ means advancing your digital culture, embracing champions, and taking calculated risks in order to grow. As firms recognize the need to accelerate their digital investments to facilitate transformation, new challenges, problems, and opportunities will arise. A significant part of overcoming hurdles is employing a digital strategy that is aligned internally — between marketing, business development and firm leadership. In this session, we will lead you through real-world scenarios that highlight the importance of a cohesive internal structure and how, with the use of appropriate technology, your firm can become successfully future-focused.
8:00 am – 9:00 am (PT)
People & Culture
What Got You Here Won't Get You There
Jennifer Wilson, ConvergenceCoaching (BRN Member)
Demographic shifts, technology and global events are driving unprecedented change. Today’s market presents seemingly unlimited opportunity for serving clients, yet firms are challenged in finding, retaining, and preparing our team members to serve them. Leaders who recognize this shift and make the necessary business model changes to address them stand the best chance of remaining relevant, competitive and sustainable. In this session, we’ll explore strategies to prepare for and drive changes to ensure your competitive advantage. Leave this session with a clearer picture of the business model shifts you’ll need to make to have talent and clients proud to work at, or with, your firm.
8:00 am – 9:00 am (PT)
People & Culture
The Role of Leaders in Advancing DEI
Gary A. Smith, Sr., Ivy Planning Group (BRN Member)
Today, every aspect of an organization is potentially influenced by DEI. That means that the best leaders are incorporating DEI into their thinking, and that every aspect of the employee life cycle has to be reconsidered. From finding talent, to onboarding and setting that talent up for success, requires new leadership skills. This session will look at how the best leaders think about, embrace and tackle DEI to elevate the performance of their organizations.
9:15 am – 10:30 am (PT)
Accounting & Auditing
The Next Wave of Accounting and SEC Reporting Issues
BDO USA, LLP
Smooth sailing after the adoption of ASC 606 and ASC 842? In this session, BDO's National Accounting and SEC leaders will cover the next wave of accounting and SEC reporting issues and practice matters.
9:15 am – 10:30 am (PT)
Tax
Accounting Methods Hot Topics
BDO USA, LLP
This session discusses recent developments in Accounting Methods that tax practitioners should consider for their clients to evaluate the timing of income and expense items. We will cover recent changes in tax law, new regulatory guidance, and highlight recent procedural rules that will assist taxpayers with compliance and tax planning issues.
9:15 am – 10:30 am (PT)
Tax
Partnership Tax Update
BDO USA, LLP
This session will cover developments occurring over the past 12 months and their impact on partnership taxation. Topics to be covered include a review of recent legislative, judicial, regulatory and administrative guidance. Additionally, recent trends and potential planning opportunities relating to partnership transaction planning will be discussed.
9:15 am – 10:30 am (PT)
Advisory
The Economics of An Advisory Practice
Alliance Panel – facilitated by Frank Masotta, BDO Alliance USA
An advisory practice is different from a traditional audit or tax practice in many ways, from economics to staffing to operations. This session will discuss “the why” behind an advisory practice, the operational essentials, how to identify advisory opportunities, and the economics that will help your advisory practice thrive.
9:15 am – 10:30 am (PT)
CAAS
Becoming a Cherished Advisor®: How to Grow and Scale a CAS Practice
Amy Vetter, The B3 Method Institute (BRN Firm)
Many accounting professionals stumble into starting an advisory practice because of what they love to do. But without the experience or a roadmap of how to build a new service line or practice that your clients can’t imagine living without, it’s easy to hit pitfalls along the way. To become a “Cherished Advisor®”—a highly valued strategic partner whom your business clients rely on to grow and thrive—you need to have a solid business foundation yourself. In this session, Amy will share insights and best practices from her own experience of starting and growing an advisory services practice independently and as a partner in accounting.
9:15 am – 10:30 am (PT)
Industry
Nonprofit: Trends and Updates
BDO USA, LLP
This session will address current events and trends in the nonprofit and education industry, an industry outlook for 2023 and beyond, and industry hot topics and takeaways to provide value to our clients and prospects.
9:15 am – 10:30 am (PT)
Capacity Management
Using Automation to Lighten Your Load During Busy Season
Alliance Panel – facilitated by Jim Boomer, Boomer Consulting (BRN Firm)
If you could make “busy season” less “busy” without decreasing revenue, wouldn’t you? In fact, it’s possible and it’s already being done by many forward-thinking firms. A panel comprised of CPA and BRN firms will discuss how to utilize tax technology to reduce capacity issues by automating workflow and streamlining processes.
9:15 am – 10:30 am (PT)
MAP
Pulse of the Managing Partner
Panel Discussion – facilitated by Michael Horwitz, BDO Alliance USA
Whether you are a managing partner, partner or aspiring partner, you’ll benefit from hearing the perspectives of a panel of Managing Partners representing small, medium and large Alliance firms. We will discuss the results of an April 2023 survey related to MAP topics and hear from our panelists. This year’s Pulse session will continue to be interactive, and we will look for audience participation related to a variety of topics, including growth, capacity, succession planning, M&A, and partner compensation.
9:15 am – 10:30 am (PT)
MAP
Best Practices in Setting Up an Effective Outsourcing Operation
BDO USA, LLP and Alliance Panel – facilitated by BDO USA, LLP
Capacity constraints in the profession mean outsourcing isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s increasingly a must-have. This session will include a variety of firms, who are all-in on outsourcing and have built systems and processes, discussing tips, techniques and important considerations for success in outsourcing.
9:15 am – 10:30 am (PT)
Marketing & Business Development
Revenue Replacement: A New Approach to Growth and Client Filtering
Jon Hubbard, Boomer Consulting (BRN Firm)
While there are many ways to look at capacity, most firm leaders agree they don’t have enough people to properly serve the number of clients they have. How about, instead of talking about getting rid of clients to solve our capacity problems, perhaps we talk about revenue replacement. In this session, we will discuss how to identify your target clients, create three core packages of services, develop a business development process to support, message your offering in a compelling way, and create a marketing strategy to attract leads.
9:15 am – 10:30 am (PT)
People & Culture
Building a Truly Progressive, Talent Forward Firm
Tamera Loerzel, ConvergenceCoaching (BRN Member)
With all that’s happened in the last few years, the profession is facing unprecedented change. Firms are challenged to now integrate the dreams, goals and desires of their talent into their core firm strategy. Leaders who drive cultural change stand the best chance of being a destination firm for high-potential talent. Attend this highly interactive, discussion-based session to explore strategies to engage, empower and develop your talent. Leave this session with ideas to build a culture that inspires, empowers and retains your talent - providing a bright future for your firm.
10:45 am – 12:00 pm (PT)
Accounting & Auditing
Getting Ready for SAS 145
BDO USA, LLP
Revised risk assessment guidance will require auditors to apply new concepts for calendar year 2023 audits. Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 145, Understanding the Entity and Its Environment and Assessing the Risks of Material Misstatement, has brought a number of changes to enhance clarity and audit effectiveness. BDO's Professional Practice Group will discuss the new requirements and provide keys to successfully implementing the new standard.
10:45 am – 12:00 pm (PT)
Accounting & Auditing
How TPA Services and Solutions Are Evolving
BDO USA, LLP
BDO's Third Party Attestation professionals will cover the evolving nature of performing SOC/TPA services, clients' evolving compliance challenges, and the profession's response to these changes.
10:45 am – 12:00 pm (PT)
Tax
S Corporation Update
BDO USA, LLP
This course will address the most significant developments within the last year of interest to S corporations and their shareholders, including legislative, regulatory and administrative updates; the Service’s response to certain state enactments of pass-through entity taxes; clarification of the areas in which an S corporation may (or may not) obtain a private letter ruling to address its federal income tax status; and updates on Schedules K-1, K-2 and K-3 reporting requirements.
10:45 am – 12:00 pm (PT)
Tax
Tax Controversy Update
BDO USA, LLP
This course will discuss the operational issues and challenges the IRS continues to experience, evaluate procedural options, discuss exam and appeals activity, and review hot topics in procedure.
10:45 am – 12:00 pm (PT)
Advisory
Marketing At Its Best: Building a Community to Grow Your Risk Advisory Services Practice
BDO USA, LLP and Alliance Panel – facilitated by BDO USA, LLP
There is a broad range of risk advisory services that CPA firms are poised to deliver, and this panel discussion will cover various aspects of growing a successful risk advisory services practice, including all the elements that go into strategic planning, go-to-market planning, expansion efforts and broad-based marketing efforts, practice-wide.
10:45 am – 12:00 pm (PT)
CAAS
What's Next for CAAS?
BDO USA, LLP and Alliance Panel
As a follow-up to our popular 2022 CAAS Summit keynote, leaders from across the profession will share their insights on where this fast-moving practice area is going and how to prepare for what's next. From technology to talent acquisition and from upskilling to scaling up, find out what the future holds for CAAS.
10:45 am – 12:00 pm (PT)
Industry
Manufacturing: Trends in 2023 and How They Affect Your Clients
BDO USA, LLP
During this session, leaders from BDO's National Manufacturing practice will discuss trends in the industry, including the economic downturn, workforce and supply chain issues, and how each are affecting your manufacturing clients.
10:45 am – 12:00 pm (PT)
Capacity Management | Tax
Growing Your Tax Capacity Through Outsourcing
Alliance Panel – facilitated by Bob Lewis, The Visionary Group (BRN Member)
Demand for staff is at an all-time high in the accounting profession. The shortage in qualified tax professionals has created new challenges for firms, causing them to consider alternative ways to enhance their talent pool and increase capacity. In this panel discussion, learn how your peers have utilized outsourcing resources to address the pressure of meeting the tax deadlines with a shortage of staff.
10:45 am – 12:00 pm (PT)
MAP
Lessons Learned: Post-M&A Firm Integration
Alliance Panel – facilitated by Gary Thomson, Thomson Consulting (BRN Member)
Successful growth through mergers and acquisitions is heavily dependent on effective integration of the combining firms. Poor integration can kill a deal and consume countless hours that divert attention from growing a firm. We will discuss lessons learned from firms on both sides of the integration equation, as well as culture and DEI considerations of firm expansions.
10:45 am – 12:00 pm (PT)
MAP | People & Culture
The Future of the Profession: Building DEI Into Your Firm’s DNA
Alliance Panel – facilitated by Guylaine Saint Juste, NABA, Inc. (BRN Firm)
The profession’s future leaders are expecting firms to reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. Growth and the talent supporting the growth are increasingly depending on today’s firm leadership to adopt strategies that effect a more diverse, equitable and inclusive culture and environment. Hear from a panel of current and future leaders on best practices for building DEI into your DNA.
10:45 am – 12:00 pm (PT)
Marketing & Business Development
Four Keys to Develop Future Rainmakers
Tamera Loerzel, ConvergenceCoaching (BRN Member)
It’s imperative to develop future rainmakers, no matter the market, to expand your firm’s reach, deepen relationships, develop centers of influence and grow. In this session, we’ll help you apply a customized approach for developing a new generation of business developers, meeting them where they are and helping them achieve their rainmaking goals. Leave this session with new ideas and tools to invest in your future rainmakers, enabling your firm to grow for years to come!
10:45 am – 12:00 pm (PT)
People & Culture
What it Takes to Retain Your Emerging Leaders
Alliance Panel – facilitated by Kathy Sautters, BDO Alliance USA
The workplace has experienced unprecedented changes since the pandemic. What was once considered “normal” with respect to career opportunities, pathways and work-from-home flexibility is being openly questioned, and emerging leaders have access to a wider range of job opportunities. As these leaders reflect on what they want from their employers, organizations must also reflect on how they recruit and retain top talent and provide young leaders with the support they need to reach their potential. Hear from a panel of emerging leaders on how firms can ensure they remain invested and resilient in your organization.
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm (PT)
Accounting & Auditing
SSARS Update
Jason Carney, Surgent (BRN Firm)
This session will discuss developments in preparation, compilation and review services, including practice issues and peer review trends.
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm (PT)
Accounting & Auditing
Independence Update and Practice Issues
BDO USA, LLP
This session will discuss developments and reminders in the areas of ethics and independence.
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm (PT)
Accounting & Auditing
Key Considerations in Attesting to ESG-related Non-Financial Information
BDO USA, LLP
Given ESG reporting and attestation requirements expected for companies doing business in the EU and similarly for public companies pursuant to pending SEC rules and regulations, and the pressures on both private and public companies in the U.S., corporate requests for attestation services related to climate and other ESG disclosures are expected to rise significantly over the ensuing 24 months. Ensuring that we, as auditors, are prepared to navigate the complex landscape of non-financial attestation is essential to take advantage of this significant market opportunity. In this session, we will explore the considerations and complexities of providing non-financial attestation services.
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm (PT)
Tax
Partnership Transaction Considerations and Computations
BDO USA, LLP
This session will discuss a variety of partnership transactions focusing on important considerations and related calculations. Transactions involving partnership equity rollover, taxable purchase of partnership interests, pre-transaction partnership formations, and partnership terminations are some of the topics to be addressed.
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm (PT)
Tax
Automated Tax Solutions for Immediate Deployment
BDO USA, LLP Panel
BDO’s Tax Automation and Innovation practice has been hard at work solving for a broad spectrum of clients, from private family offices to large multi-national organizations, and all have one thing in common: data and process challenges amid tighter deadlines and more complex tax regulations. As tax compliance and consulting providers, we must take a hard look at not only how we build and deliver 3rd party and/or custom solutions to our clients, but also how we manage our practice and our people to be as efficient as possible. Join this session to learn more on how to build, deploy or take advantage of some of the best and most innovative ideas for tax in the digital age.
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm (PT)
Advisory
Current Trends in Transaction Advisory Services
BDO USA, LLP and Alliance Panel – facilitated by BDO USA, LLP
Every deal is different and requires a holistic approach to managing client risk and executing on tight timelines. The market is always moving and impacting due diligence and deal structures. This session will cover the state of transaction advisory services and address the current trends that may be helpful to advisors providing these services.
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm (PT)
Advisory
Dashboards and KPIs: Decision-Making Data and Insights
David Brown, BMSS (CPA Member)
Making data-driven decisions is increasingly important. The world is moving faster and the systems and data at our disposal can be overwhelming. Whether for the CPA firm or its clients, building financial dashboards to provide integrated, timely and relevant information is a must-have to meet the challenges we face and to fuel growth. This session will cover how to strategically approach building a dashboard, determining the metrics to track, identifying your data sources, and leveraging technology tools to deliver results.
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm (PT)
CAAS
Tech Solutions that Enable the Advisory Evolution
BDO USA, LLP
Technology is changing constantly. That is a given – exciting and evolving – especially in client accounting services. BDO’s Business Services Outsourcing team will share the latest technology selections that will enable you to provide advisory services to your clients from analytics to forecasting to cash flow.
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm (PT)
Industry
Healthcare: Trends and Updates
BDO USA, LLP
In this session, we will discuss the financial challenges facing healthcare providers now and post-COVID and identify the Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) initiatives gaining momentum in healthcare. We will also navigate the accounting and reporting requirements of Provider Relief Funds and Single Audits and address the latest regulatory and compliance implications for healthcare organizations.
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm (PT)
Capacity Management
Recruiting Tactics to Solve Your Capacity Woes
Alliance Panel – facilitated by Tamera Loerzel, ConvergenceCoaching (BRN Member)
Pre-COVID, few firms had recruiters on staff or contract. Now, firms are scrambling to solve their capacity issues in a variety of ways. This session will provide unique strategies to manage capacity issues, including recruiting and retaining talent, automation and outsourcing. We’ll hear from a panel of CPA and BRN firms on these challenges and solutions.
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm (PT)
MAP
Pricing Models and Tracking Time
Alliance Panel – facilitated by Jon Hubbard, Boomer Consulting (BRN Firm)
Pricing for profitability involves many factors: client expectations, internal definitions of value and worth of services, market demand, and the cost of services provided. Increased use of technology and outsourcing are putting a strain on the traditional hours model. This panel discussion will discuss ways firms are evolving their pricing models and the change management challenges involved in doing so.
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm (PT)
Marketing & Business Development
Uncovering Your Firm's Purpose
Darci Congrove and Sara Robertson, GBQ Partners LLC (CPA Member), and BDO USA, LLP
Purpose is a hot topic in today’s business world. Statistics show there is a business case for tying what you do, to why you do it. Defining your organization’s purpose and connecting it to your branding has to be authentic. In this session, you will hear about GBQ’s and BDO’s journeys in showcasing their purpose-driven organizations in their external storytelling and employer branding.
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm (PT)
People & Culture
Becoming a Leader of the Future: Creating an Inspiring Succession Plan
Sandra Wiley, Boomer Consulting (BRN Firm)
Our business is changing. This movement from a hierarchical to a more diamond shaped business model is creating a need for leadership much sooner than ever before. Succession planning is a process for identifying and developing those new leaders who can replace current leaders in your firm. Join this session to start preparing for this shift where you’ll learn about the new business model, identify the 10 steps for developing a truly amazing succession plan while discussing the challenges that create barriers for succession planning implementation. Finally, identify where you and your firm are today and what your best next steps should be with all of this in mind.
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm (PT)
MAP | People & Culture
Intro to Crisis Management
BDO USA, LLP
There are few guarantees in business today. Unfortunately, one of them is the inevitability of a crisis having a potentially major impact on your business. During a crisis, you will be under pressure from all sides, and you may find yourself unprepared to protect the people, products and profits that are critical to the health of your organization. The ability to manage both the reality and perception of a crisis is an essential skill that leaders can learn. In this session, we will define what constitutes a crisis for a business and explore the different types of crises businesses commonly face and how to navigate them successfully.
2:45 pm – 3:45 pm (PT)
Accounting & Auditing
GASB Update and Practice Issues
BDO USA, LLP
BDO’s governmental practice leaders will lead a discussion on the latest changes issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and the status of current projects being deliberated, including several recently issued GASB Statements.
2:45 pm – 3:45 pm (PT)
Accounting & Auditing
Accounting and Auditing for Digital Assets
BDO USA, LLP and Alliance Member
This session will cover the accounting and auditing challenges posed by digital assets such as cryptocurrency, including an update on FASB standards setting and auditing best practices.
2:45 pm – 3:45 pm (PT)
Tax
Private Client Services Tax Update
BDO USA, LLP
This session is designed to review the more significant updates impacting private clients in the last 12 months.
2:45 pm – 3:45 pm (PT)
Tax
Indirect Tax Update: Including Key Issues and Trends for Sales Tax and VAT
BDO USA, LLP
This session will address key state sales tax and value added tax developments and trends with significant implications for clients. With the increased e-commerce acceleration, it is easier than ever for businesses to sell products and services domestically and internationally, radically transforming the landscape of indirect tax. Widespread adoption of economic nexus and marketplace facilitator laws for sales tax, coupled with tax administrators attempting to fill the gaps with current (and outdated) tax laws, has left many taxpayers and practitioners scratching their heads. U.S. sellers also need to be aware that they may have VAT/GST collection responsibilities starting with the first dollar.
2:45 pm – 3:45 pm (PT)
Advisory
Business Valuations and Succession Planning
BDO USA, LLP and Alliance Panel
Every company is a unique mix of underlying assets and liabilities that requires careful evaluation and analysis. Clients need to look ahead at the broader implications as they prepare for the next step in their journey. Panelists with deep, cross-industry experience will share the latest on business valuations with a focus on succession planning and preparing clients for various exit events.
2:45 pm – 3:45 pm (PT)
CAAS
Evolving From Compliance to Advisor in CAAS
Roman Kepczyk, Right Networks (BRN Firm)
The writing is on the wall – traditional compliance services are being disintermediated by advancements in information technology. You need to expand your practice to a more advisory focus if you want to evolve and thrive in the future. During this session, we will present several approaches and resources to support this conclusion and how to effectively transition your firm and personnel to be your clients’ “trusted business advisor.”
2:45 pm – 3:45 pm (PT)
Industry
Auto Dealerships: Trends and Updates
BDO USA, LLP
This session will provide an update on new trends and issues that are affecting the dealership industry.
2:45 pm – 3:45 pm (PT)
Industry
Insurance: State of the Industry
BDO USA, LLP
This session will cover hot topics in the insurance industry and related market insights. We will discuss the impact of catastrophic events on insurance liabilities and the reinsurance market, the impact of COVID on insurance claims, and the shifting role of Insurtech. We will also discuss how the changing environment affects risk assessments in insurance audits and other services provided to insurance clients.
2:45 pm – 3:45 pm (PT)
Capacity Management | CAAS
Increasing CAAS Capacity
Alliance Panel – facilitated by Chris Gallo, BerganKDV (CPA Member)
Client Accounting and Advisory Services (CAAS) continues to be the latest arrow in the quiver of many CPA firms. Many are struggling with managing – and staffing – a new service line. In this panel discussion, you’ll hear from CPA firms on how they are utilizing outsourced and automated resources to grow and supplement their CAAS offerings. Select BRN firms will also join the discussion.
2:45 pm – 3:45 pm (PT)
MAP
Driving Practice Evolution
Arianna Campbell, Boomer Consulting (BRN Firm)
Managing growth and capacity should generate a natural evolution of the firm and the clients it serves. This session will cover proactive steps to take for evaluating practice mix, defining your ideal client, and taking action to maintain a client base in alignment with such strategic definitions.
2:45 pm – 3:45 pm (PT)
Marketing & Business Development
Creating a Client-Intelligent Firm
BDO USA, LLP
How you create an exceptional client experience (CX) for your clients goes beyond providing great service. Looking at how you actively build and nurture relationships from the outside-in can drive revenue, create consistency, and build capacity with client loyalty and satisfaction. This session will focus on creating practical, client-centric processes around your interactions, such on-boarding, customized communications and understanding client feedback to increase retention and reduce churn.
2:45 pm – 3:45 pm (PT)
MAP | People & Culture
Keeping Employment Issues from Derailing Your Deal
Laura Friedel and Russell Shapiro, Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC
Employment law issues can and do derail transactions. Whether the issue is changing status of partners, existing employment liabilities, unclear existing employment documents, application and enforceability of non-solicits, transfer of benefits plans, handling the transition of incentive pay programs and paid time off, synchronizing employment terms, or the mechanics of the transition itself, the key is understanding the issues and getting in front of them early in the process. In this session, we will discuss the common employment law issues that can come into play during mergers and acquisitions and offer tips on how to reach resolution and get the deal done.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (PT)
Accounting & Auditing
Single Audit Update: Lessons Learned Related to Stimulus Funding
BDO USA, LLP
BDO’s nonprofit leaders will discuss lessons learned and practice issues related to Yellow Book engagements and Single Audits, including any current developments and implications of recent legislation on Single Audit requirements.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (PT)
Accounting & Auditing
Corporate Governance: Are You Prepared to Engage Boards on Emerging Risks?
BDO USA, LLP
Those charged with governance – whether overseeing public companies or private companies – continue to see their roles as directors increasing in importance as their companies navigate a myriad of traditional and emerging risks to their businesses and balance broad stakeholder expectations. In this session, we will discuss the topics your client board members are interested in to help increase the value you bring to the leadership teams and those in the boardroom.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (PT)
Tax
Foreign Trusts and Estates: Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid!
BDO USA, LLP
This session will explain the tricky differences between a U.S. domestic trust and estate and a foreign trust and estate. We will discuss the forms to be filed for foreign trusts and estates, including forms 1040NR, 3520 and 3520A, and review the huge penalties that can apply for failure to file forms 3520 and 3520A.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (PT)
Tax
Inflation Reduction Act: Tax Incentives for ESG Investments
BDO USA, LLP
The Inflation Reduction Act is the largest-ever U.S investment committed to combat climate change through significant new policies in support of clean energy and ultimate energy security. In this session, we will discuss the available energy incentives and how tax plays a key role in supporting investment in the renewable energy transition.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (PT)
Advisory
Strategic Resilience: How to Navigate Economic Uncertainty
BDO USA, LLP and Alliance Panel
No economist can predict the depth or duration of a downturn with perfect precision. But past company performance shows that weathering economic uncertainty is predicated on business resilience: the capacity to withstand business shocks and pivot to new opportunities. By leaning into resilience principles, companies in all stages of business health can find opportunity in economic adversity and accelerate growth coming out of it. This session will provide background to guide the conversation with your clients to determine their level of resilience to a recession and the most impactful path forward given their circumstances.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (PT)
CAAS
10 Mistakes We Made in Building a CAAS Practice
Alliance Panel
We love our practices and are happy to celebrate our successes, but what really helps others is sharing what we would have done differently so that you don't make the same mistakes. Our seasoned panelists have all built successful client accounting practices, and in this session, will share their guidance and operational words of wisdom.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (PT)
Industry
Technology: Trends and Updates
BDO USA, LLP
BDO’s technology industry leaders will discuss the latest trends spanning the technology industry, including the M&A landscape, exit strategies, digital taxation and business resiliency.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (PT)
Capacity Management
BRN and CPA Firms - Audit Outsourcing + Tech
Alliance Panel – facilitated by Gary Thomson, Thomson Consulting (BRN Member)
The demand on your audit team is at an all-time high, so what can be done to keep up with demand? Growing capacity can be done in a variety of ways. In this session, learn from your CPA peers and BRN firms how audit outsourcing and technology have come together to help firms address their capacity issues.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (PT)
MAP
Leverage the Volatility and Opportunity of the CPA M&A Market
Bob Lewis and Doug Lewis, The Visionary Group (BRN Member)
How do you take advantage of this transitory market? Buyers are becoming more selective, and the labor shortage is worsening across the profession. Firms are getting more creative in how they source and conduct their M&A activities. Private equity is crowding the space to complicate the marketplace even further, and succession problems are widespread. In this session, we will share how firms are approaching these challenges and how to prepare your firm to be competitive and successful.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (PT)
Marketing & Business Development
How to Create a Growth Culture in a Challenging Environment
Sarah Dobek and Ty Hendrickson, Inovautus (BRN Firm)
What does growth look like when you have limited capacity? And what happens to your growth strategy when you are dealing with staffing limitations, burnout, and an ultra-competitive job market? These are the questions many firms are struggling to address. In this session, we will focus on the tools you need to create a successful growth culture in today’s challenging environment. By implementing strategies that include client culling, defining your ideal client, establishing your firm brand, and bringing business development conversations to the forefront, you will be able to control your growth in a manageable and profitable way.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (PT)
People & Culture
The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Your Presence as a Leader
BDO USA, LLP
This highly interactive session will review the foundational EQ competencies of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management. Participants will discuss strategies for honing their skills in each of these competencies and come away with a clear understanding of the impact they have on how others perceive them as a leader, as well as their own self-confidence to lead authentically.
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (PT)
People & Culture
Post-Pandemic Work Culture: Evolution into the Next Chapter
Sara Huddleston, The Growth Partnership (BRN Member)
With the abrupt move in early 2020 to a remote work environment, we now have proof of concept that virtual work can be done successfully. However, many firms are returning to the office and want their teams to do the same. What is the future of work culture when many people have become accustomed to remote work or simply are able to balance all of the needs and demands their lives require without the daily commute? This session will explore what the post-pandemic work culture looks like, and the many ways this shift reveals new opportunities for accounting firms to be the innovation leaders in this space.
Wednesday, May 3
6:00 am – 7:00 am (PT)
Other
Sunrise Yoga
Join us for a yoga class on the final morning of the conference with BDO Alliance USA’s very own Cori Power! Cori received her RYT200 in November 2021 and is excited to share her love of yoga with our attendees. Cori invites you to the mat (or towel) for a class that will incorporate a series of postures coordinated with the breath. This class is designed to relieve stress and will leave you feeling energized to take on the final day of the conference!

Completion of online waiver required at registration.
8:00 am – 9:15 am (PT)
Accounting & Auditing
Are You Ready for the AICPA Quality Management Standards?
BDO USA, LLP and Alliance Panel – facilitated by BDO USA, LLP
With the AICPA's June 2022 release of four new quality management standards designed to improve a CPA firm's risk assessment and audit quality, along with the effective date of their international counterparts, major changes are coming to your firm's system of quality controls. In this session, join a panel of speakers from a diversity of practice sizes to hear how they have been addressing the new challenges.
8:00 am – 9:15 am (PT)
Tax
International and Corporate Tax Update
BDO USA, LLP
This session will cover the new corporate business minimum tax, including its application to inbound structures; the excise tax on stock buyback programs; excess loss account provisions; energy incentives; the final foreign tax credit regulations and subsequent guidance; and common international planning opportunities.
8:00 am – 9:15 am (PT)
Advisory
A Lap Around BDO Digital Labs
BDO USA, LLP Panel
Building on last year, this session will continue to look at innovative and engaging solutions to provide your clients. Panelists will discuss how to leverage technology to develop impactful products, solutions and services. They will also highlight recently developed and innovative products, solutions and engagement models, such as SOX Insights, Deal Analytics and Demand Generation solutions.
8:00 am – 9:15 am (PT)
CAAS
Transforming CAS Pricing and Packaging
Samantha Mansfield and Jennifer Wilson, ConvergenceCoaching (BRN Member)
CAS practices across the country are demonstrating the incredible difference they can make for clients. Growth is up, and service providers are in high demand. Yet traditional time and materials pricing methodologies don’t communicate or capture the value created, limiting profitability of this fast-growing service area and inhibiting investments in staffing and technology. Attend this interactive session to explore creative packaging and pricing strategies. Leave with concrete, actionable ideas that will drive profitability and grow your CAS practice.
8:00 am – 9:15 am (PT)
Industry
Construction and Real Estate: Trends and Updates
BDO USA, LLP
This session will provide an update on the construction industry along with the Construction Accounting Network, including topical updates on auditing, accounting and tax considerations and digital transformation. We will also provide a real estate update with a focus on trends in accounting, valuation and tax relating to real estate projects.
8:00 am – 9:15 am (PT)
Capacity Management
BDO RISE – BDO USA’s Global Delivery Center
BDO USA, LLP
BDO RISE, BDO USA’s capacity capabilities with locations in India, South Africa and domestically in the United States, are integral components of BDO USA’s value proposition and client service delivery model. RISE has experienced significant growth over the past two years. Hear from BDO’s Strategic Delivery and Capacity Center Leader, and BDO RISE India’s Executive Managing Director and National Practice Leader to understand how BDO USA is leveraging these capacity centers for the benefit of its clients and people.
8:00 am – 9:15 am (PT)
Marketing & Business Development | Advisory
Developing and Implementing a Compelling ESG Strategy for Your Clients
Kimberly Hoyle and Mike Houston, Lambert & Co. (BRN Member), and Paul Perry, Warren Averett (CPA Member)
Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) factors are increasingly utilized by company stakeholders for evaluating an organization’s ability to manage future risks and opportunities. Ensuring your clients understand the usefulness of ESG reporting, as well as proper reporting requirements and how they should be developed, communicated and audited, is critical. In this panel discussion, we will demonstrate how a strong connection between reporting, storytelling and auditing can produce positive outcomes for organizations looking to share and highlight their ESG efforts with clients and stakeholders. We will also share case studies on how other CPA firms have supported their clients in developing and implementing their ESG strategy and story.
8:00 am – 9:15 am (PT)
People & Culture
How Capacity Solutions are Changing the Learning & Development Landscape
Alliance Panel – facilitated by BDO Alliance USA
Today's CPA industry is in constant flux. Outsourcing and automation are changing our business structure, how we serve our clients, and the solutions we offer. These new capacity solutions are also impacting training programs and career paths within our firms. This panel discussion will examine the resulting career paths, both traditional and non-traditional, and discuss how to manage and develop these different career paths.
8:00 am – 9:15 am (PT)
Other
Professional Ethics Update
Jeanne H. Yamamura, CPA, CGMA, MIM, PhD
This session provides busy CPAs with an overview of recent changes in ethical standards and a review of common regulatory violations. Inclusion of the latest issuances and coverage of ethical violations ensure that the most important issues affecting practitioners will be discussed. Participants will have an opportunity to test their recall of common ethical requirements.
9:30 am – 10:30 am (PT)
Accounting & Auditing
Practice Issues in Debt and Equity Financing Arrangements
BDO USA, LLP
This session will cover practice issues and preview updated BDO publications related to accounting for debt and equity financing arrangements.
9:30 am – 10:30 am (PT)
Tax
State Income Tax Update
BDO USA, LLP
This session will explore key state income tax developments and trends in the past year, including updates on nexus, PL 86-272, market-based sourcing, combined/unitary reporting, pass-through entity taxes, and more.
9:30 am – 10:30 am (PT)
Tax
The Strategic Market for Accounting Methods
BDO USA, LLP
In this session, we will discuss strategies for accounting methods in traditional and reverse tax planning, as well as emerging market trends for accounting methods.
9:30 am – 10:30 am (PT)
Advisory
Mapping An ESG Journey
BDO USA, LLP and Alliance Panel
Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) is a hot topic and understanding the ESG journey is likely the first step any organization will need as they begin thinking about sustainability risks to their business. This session will cover insights into current requests for ESG services in the marketplace and how the ESG market is developing in the middle market.
9:30 am – 10:30 am (PT)
CAAS
Turning Data into Dollars: Using Technology to Drive Value
Alliance Panel
Take your already busy accounting services practice and enhance it by becoming more advisory. Sounds simple, right? Your team sits in the best seat to identify and inform clients on a higher level, but how? Using technology is an excellent way to start. Join this panel of data specialists to discuss different ways to put powerful data in front of your team to help your clients, enhance your value and move your services to a higher level.
9:30 am – 10:30 am (PT)
Industry | Accounting & Auditing
Building Nonprofit Fiscal Strength: Tools for helping your clients become and stay audit-ready
BDO USA, LLP
BDO FMA created StrongNonprofits.org in collaboration with the Wallace Foundation as a resource for nonprofits looking to become "fiscally fit." It has become a popular and widely valued resource for organizations that are just getting started or that aren’t yet operating at a scale that demands consultant-level services. In this session, we will walk through site navigation and explore several of the most used tools and templates, including a Program-Based Budget Template, Revenue Analysis Worksheet, Cash Flow Projections Template, Monthly Close Checklist, and more. Come with questions!
9:30 am – 10:30 am (PT)
Marketing & Business Development
Marketplace Diversity
Janet Crenshaw Smith, Ivy Planning Group (BRN Member)
Winning in today’s marketplace requires an understanding of DEI. Every client has an expectation that their professional services provider can understand, support and deliver on DEI. Developing a comprehensive DEI narrative is a given. Translating the narrative into demonstrated behaviors, actions and outcomes is the requirement. In this session, attendees will learn how to protect and grow revenue by harnessing the power of difference.
9:30 am – 10:30 am (PT)
People & Culture
Considering the Cultural Aspects of Outsourcing
Raaed Junaid, SAPRO (BRN Member) and Alliance Member
Outsourcing is quickly becoming the norm for accounting practices of all sizes and is a practical approach when considering the current labor shortages and trends toward globalization. However, the decision to outsource can negatively affect workplace culture. And, since workplace culture has a direct impact on your firm’s reputation, productivity and profitability, it is essential to address the challenges that outsourcing brings. This session will discuss those challenges and how to tackle them head-on.
9:30 am – 10:30 am (PT)
People & Culture
Making Mindfulness Matter
Amy Vetter, The B3 Method Institute (BRN Firm), and Vienna Morrill, BerryDunn (CPA Member)
The question isn’t if mindfulness in the workplace matters; the question is how it can matter in your firm. Mindfulness increases mental agility, resilience and innovation, while reducing emotional exhaustion, anxiety and (ultimately) turnover. Join us for this session to hear from two subject matter experts in mindfulness and wellbeing share their experiences of bringing mindfulness into the workplace, gaining leadership acceptance and unity on the transformation, measuring its impact, and how you can use those positive outcomes to increase the retention and engagement of your team.