More than 20 accounting technology leaders and consultants to the profession met for three days at CPA Practice Advisor’s annual Thought Leader Symposium, held at the Westin Galleria in Dallas, Texas, March 18-20, 2026.
The group discussed a variety of topics facing the profession, including the increasing role and impact on private equity on the profession, staffing and talent pipeline issues, artificial intelligence, AICPA issues, governance, data security, professional education, practice management trends, and the evoluition of client advisory services. The group interacted one-on-one, as well as in various round table and group discussions, highlighting specific issues they see shaping professionals today, and coming challenges for the future.
This is the 17th annual event. The symposium was initially developed by Gregory LaFollette, CPA, a long-time practitioner, former executive editor of CPA Practice Advisor, and former lead of CPA.com’s member services.
Members of the Thought Leader Symposium also periodically add new members to its Accounting Thought Leader Hall of Fame. Members include Jennifer Wilson, Greg LaFollette, CPA, Randy Johnston, Doug Sleeter, Gary Boomer, CPA, Rick Richardson, CPA, Chris Frederiksen, CPA, Tom Hood, CPA, Allan Koltin, CPA, and Ron Baker, CPA., and David Cieslak, CPA.
The group opened the event with a remembrance of Rick Richardson, an original inductee of the Hall of Fame. Richardson, whose career in the accounting and technology space spanned more than five decades, passed away in late 2025.
Invited attendees at this year’s event included:
- Aaron Berson, CPA
- Gary Boomer, CPA
- Angie Grissom
- John Higgins, CPA
- W. Michael Hsu, CPA, Kacee Johnson
- Randy Johnson
- Al-Nesha Jones, CPA
- Ed Kless
- Rebekah Olson, CPA
- Jairam Padmanabhan
- Donny Shimamoto, CPA
- Brian Tankersley, CPA
- Garrett Wagner, CPA
- Jennifer Wilson
2026 Thought Leader Symposium Sponsors included:
CPA Practice Advisor Editorial Staff in Attendance:
- Barry Strobel, Publisher
- Gail Perry, CPA, Editor-in-Chief
- Isaac M. O’Bannon, Managing Editor
- Jason Bramwell, Senior Staff Writer
Thanks for reading CPA Practice Advisor!
Subscribe Already registered? Log In
Need more information? Read the FAQs
