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 7, 2026, for a day-long pre-conference Thought Leader Think Tank.
Attendees came from across the country to discuss the challenges modern accounting firms face, including challenges related to talent, data security, regulations, and rapid changes in technology and firm culture, and to develop strategies firms can use to stay agile and more productive.
Topics of discussion included:
- The importance of the AICPA, state societies, firm associations, professional organizations and other professionals communities;
- The current state of private equity;
- Firm culture and the effects of return to office, PE, AI and the talent pipeline;
- The future of firms: Including an early look at the AICPA’s Rise 2040 report;
- Firm tech trends, security, and AI risks;
The meeting also included breakout sessions on:
- Firm CAS, KPIs, packaging and pricing
- Changing leadership roles
- “Next tech” for accounting firms; and
- The state of tax (changing laws, tech and firm workflow)
The 2026 Accounting Thought Leader Think Tank invitees are comprised of members of CPA Practice Advisor‘s Thought Leader Symposium, and members of its 40 Under 40 Recognition Program, and selected guests.
Attendees at the 2026 Thought Leader & 40 Under 40 Think Tank included:
CPA Practice Advisor Thought Leaders
- Aaron Berson, CPA
- Jim Bourke, CPA.CITP, CGMA, CFF
- Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA, CGMA, CISA
- Angie Grissom, MBA
- Tom Hood, CPA.CITP, CGMA
- Kacee Johnson
- Randy Johnston
- Roman Kepczyk, CPA.CITP, CGMA
- Ed Kless, CPA
- Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA
- Jairam Padmanabhan
- Gail Perry, CPA
- Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA
- Brian Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMA
- Garrett Wagner, CPA.CITP
- Geni Whitehouse, CPA.CITP
- Jennifer Wilson
2026 “40 Under 40” Honorees
- David Campbell, CPA
- Brian Davis, CPA, CFE
- Rachel Farris, CPA
- Sarah Flischel, CPA
- Mo Galal
- Jeremiah Hathorn, CPA
- Kathryn Horton, CPA, CMA, CIDA, CFE
- Gabi Juda, CPA, CFE
- Jessica McClain, CPA.CITP, CISA, PMP, CGFM
- Andy Root
- Navneet Sharma, CPA, CA
- Sara Sharp, J.D.
- Kellen Shelton, CFE, CAMS, MBA
- Sean Stein Smith, PhD, CPA, CMA, CFE, CGMA
- Katie Thomas, CPA
CPA Practice Advisor Staff:
- Isaac O’Bannon – Managing Editor
- Barry Strobel – Publisher
Invited Guests:
- Terry Lemons, Former IRS Communications & Liaison Chief
- Catharine Drake Madeley, CPA – The Tax Retreat Board Member
The event was sponsored by Rightworks.
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