2024 - ISCPA's Practice Management (MAP) Conference

Join us for our annual MAP conference ONLY if you are looking for a dynamic, interactive, thought-provoking & inspirational opportunity designed for CPA firm leadership! 

Accounting firms face challenges today which at times can be overwhelming:

• Staff recruiting and retention
• Client recruiting, retention and releasing
• Mastering new skill requirements
• Continually changing technology
• Relevancy
• Workflow and efficiency

Join us for 2 information-packed days focused on skills and knowledge that will help you and your firm become more effective dealing with several major trends impacting the accounting profession.

Day 1: Focus on "Best Practices"

• 8:30 - 8:55 am
  • Networking & MAP Best Practices Discussion
    
• 9 - 10 am
  • Latest Trends in Personnel-Related Dilemmas: Do's & Don'ts for Firms - CAMICO
    • The last five years have brought more change to the workplace than ever before. Firms initially struggled with managing through a global epidemic, then overseeing a remote workforce, and returning to work in a hybrid environment. And now, firms are experiencing the drought in personnel talent and the phenomenon of "quiet quitting."
    • Creating best practices can be challenging and dynamic given all the internal and external factors. To be successful in this new era, firms will need to redefine a workforce model that achieves the delicate balance of multiple priorities: maintaining the health and safety of employees and clients, meeting the service demands of the firm, and optimizing employee satisfaction and engagement. Learning and adopting some basic human resources best practices can help firms stay responsive and agile to meet the ongoing challenges.
    • In this presentation, participants will learn about the following concepts:
    • Current trends in personnel-related dilemmas in the accounting industry
    • Best practices in documenting those difficult conversations
    • Do's and don'ts of performance management
    • Understanding what appeals to applicants and what drives employees
      
• 10 - 10:05 am  Break
  
• 10:05 am - 12 pm
  • Talent Acquisition Panel
    • 10:05 - 10:35 - Miles Education - A Different Look at Recruiting Talent
      • Why offshore/outsource when you can hire talent in your US offices? Recruit from a pool of 1200+ experienced accountants to work across your US offices (on your direct payroll). Sounds too-good-to-be-true? Miles has used the tech playbook to solve for the accountant shortage. And these 1200+ accountants from India have pursued STEM-designated MS Accounting programs at top US universities which makes them eligible to work in the US for 3 years without any visa sponsorship (exactly like the engineers!). And we have references from hundreds of CPA firms including several top IPA firms as well as mid-size firms!
    • 10:35 - 11:05 - Kajae
      • Kajae is a Premium Staff Augmentation company for US companies looking to hire TOP remote talent while saving up to 70% on labor costs and making an impact. We connect top talent from developing countries with thriving companies and clients in the US for 70% less than domestic rates. Kajae pays its team members between 5-10 times more than a living wage in their country, moving them solidly into the middle-class within 60 days of joining Kajae.
    • 11:05 - 11:35 - SquareOne Recruiting - How Does a Recruiter Work? 
      • SquareOne is a tech-focused recruiting firm specializing in finding top performers and executives for high-growth positions and startups. Hiring the right team is pivotal to your company's success and with 15+ years of recruiting experience partnering with top tech startups, SquareOne knows what that talent looks like. Recognizing that each team is unique, we tailor our approach to fit your company's specific needs. We make it a priority to get a full understanding of your team, culture, process and specifics of each role.   
    • 11:35 - 12:00 - Q & A with Talent Experts
      
• 12 - 12:45 pm  Lunch
  
• 12:45 - 1:30 pm
  • Accounting/Finance Students & Young CPAs Q & A 
    • In today's rapidly-evolving business landscape, the perspectives of young professionals and aspiring CPAs are invaluable to the future success of accounting firms. This presentation aims to highlight the crucial insights and innovative ideas that young CPAs and students bring to the table, addressing key areas that firm leaders need to hear.
• 1:30 - 1:40 pm  Break
  
• 1:40 - 3:00 pm
  • CPA Evolution - Universal CPA Prep 
    • Companies can and should invest in their employees, so give them a tool to help them become a CPA. The CPA exam can feel like a daunting, pride-swallowing experience, but it doesn't have to be. Unlike traditional, text-heavy CPA review courses, Universal CPA is a dynamic, imagery-packed prep course. Regardless of the learning style or the stage an employee is at in the CPA exam journey, Universal is determined to help them pass! 
      
• 3:00 - 3:10 pm  Break
  
• 3:10 - 4:30 pm
  • Leadership Impacting Firm Culture - Connie Miller - Credible Advantage
    • Successful firms have strong leadership which fosters a positive culture by developing and communicating a compelling vision; leading by example; empowering employees; embracing change and fostering a supportive environment. Join Connie Miller as she explores the profound influence firm leaders have shaping the culture within their organizations. Discussion will touch on: 
      • Introduction to Leadership and Culture: Explaining the relationship between leadership style and corporate culture.
      • The Role of Leadership in Shaping Culture: How leaders set the tone and values of the organization.
      • How to lead with mission, and still achieve outcomes.
      • Key Elements of Firm Culture Affected by Leadership:
        • Communication norms and practices.
        • Collaboration and teamwork dynamics.
        • Innovation and risk-taking tolerance.
        • Employee morale and engagement.
          
• 4:30 - 5 pm
  • MAP Best Practices Discussion Continued
    
• 6 - 8 pm
  • Group Dinner

Day 2 - Moving from "Best Practices" to "Next Practices"

When leadership practices good critical thinking and shares a visionary strategic plan, the resilience and sustainability of the firm is improved, the client experience will remain high, and the retention of high performers will improve. 

Objectives -

• Provide high-quality facilitated discussion on strategic planning, succession planning and risk management.
• Provide "next practices" for strategic planning and workforce alignment.
• Provide a succession planning structure and a discussion of the difference between high potentials and high performers.
• Provide risk management guidance for firms that are examining an AI world.
• Provide advanced methods to help empower the team and keep them engaged.

Goals -

• Each participant will sharpen their leadership skills and gather tactics that will apply to their organization and individual situation.
• Partners will interact and solve issues in table groups, building trust and communication channels. They will gain tactics and build a better understanding of the direction of their individual firms.
• Partners will develop their "crucial skills" including critical thinking and risk management and gain confidence in their leadership roles.
• All attendees will learn and discuss "leading edge" of tools and succession strategies that will reinforce their ability to form a  cohesive leadership team.
• After completing the session, each participant will have improved their leadership skills, and retain a high-performing workforce, identify growth opportunities, and build a cohesive culture in their organization.

• Finalize pre-conference "homework"
• Printed materials will be provided to you at the conference
• This event is NOT being offered virtually this year to encourage networking and in-depth conversations

GOALS:

When leadership practices good critical thinking and share a visionary strategic plan, the resilience and sustainability of the firm is improved, the client experience will remain high, and the retention of high performers will improve.

The overarching goals of the session are

• Each participant will sharpen their leadership skills and gather tactics that will apply to their organization and individual situation.
• Partners will interact and solve issues in table groups, building trust and communication channels.  They will gain tactics and build a better understanding of the direction of their individual firms.
• Partners will develop their "crucial skills" including critical thinking and risk management and gain confidence in their leadership roles.
• All attendees will learn and discuss "leading edge" of tools and succession strategies that will reinforce their ability to form a  cohesive leadership team

After completing the session, each participant will have improved their leadership skills, and retain a high performing workforce, identify growth opportunities, and build a cohesive culture in their organization.