23 must-see sessions at AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE 2026

Ryan Reynolds. FBI forensic accountants. Live-coded automations. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

From June 8–11, Las Vegas will host one of the most anticipated events in the accounting calendar: AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE 2026. With more than 250 speakers and dozens of concurrent sessions across tracks covering tax, advisory, technology, leadership, and firm growth, planning your schedule won’t be easy.

This year's program reflects where the profession is heading: AI is woven through almost every track, advisory services continue to evolve from buzzword to business model, and the conversation around firm culture and talent has matured well beyond free lunches and flexible hours.

Here are 23 hand-picked sessions to consider attending.

Day 1: Monday, June 8

Business, brilliance... and hot dogs

Time: 3.50pm

Presenters: 

• Ryan Reynolds, Actor, Producer & Entrepreneur

• Richard Galanti, Former CFO at Costco

Yes, that Ryan Reynolds. In a keynote that promises to be unlike anything else on the ENGAGE schedule, Ryan joins former Costco CFO Richard Galanti to explore what great businesses are actually built on. The pairing sounds unlikely—Hollywood entrepreneur meets retail finance legend—but both have built and navigated institutions at scale. Expect insight on brand, growth, and the financial decisions behind headline-making exits. This is a must-attend.

AI workshop: Getting technical in AI

Time: 8am

Presenters: 

• Chris Ortega, Fresh FP&A

• Wesley Hartman, Automata Practice Development

The session works through real AI in accounting use cases, with participants building alongside the presenters. Pre-work is required beforehand, and you’ll receive an email with instructions and materials once you’ve registered. If you've been looking for a structured way to move from AI curiosity to actual implementation, this is a strong option.

Day 2: Tuesday, June 9

Why developing a firm playbook changes everything: How simple firms scale without chaos

Time: 7am

Presenter: Darren Root, Better Everyday

As a firm grows, it gets more complicated. Complexity, if not managed, can result in inconsistent client experiences, burned-out leaders, and teams unclear on priorities. The firms that scale successfully build a playbook first. Darren will explore why a clearly defined firm playbook is the single biggest catalyst for sustainable growth, team alignment, and a consistent client experience.

Mergers, acquisitions, and mayhem: Real talk from the other side of the deal

Time: 8am

Presenters: 

• Matthew May, Sorren

• Kenji Kuramoto, Basis

• Nathen McEown, Whitley Penn LLP

This is a candid panel of firm owners who’ve lived through M&A. Some sold. Some merged. One walked away from deals altogether. They’ll share what worked, what went sideways, and what they wish they’d known before signing.

From tires to trust: The Michelin guide to CPA firm growth

Time: 8am

Presenter: Barbara Richardson, CPA, SpringWell Financial Solutions

What do tires, fine dining, and CPA firm growth have in common? More than you think. Michelin created demand not by selling products, but by reshaping experiences. It resulted in more demand, more value, and more sales. Inspired by Michelin’s bold marketing move, this session will unpack how CPA firms can position for growth beyond compliance, create demand for high-value services, and provide an elevated client experience.

What’s your CQ? Building communication that builds trust and psychological safety in the workplace

Time: 9.40am

Presenters: 

• Dave Kersting, Capovario

• Crystal Allen, A Total Solution CPA & Consulting Services, Inc.

You’ve heard of IQ. Maybe even EQ. But what about CQ, your ‘communication quotient’? CQ is your ability to engage effectively across different contexts and with a wide range of individuals by signaling safety, building trust, and creating space for meaningful dialogue. CQ is an essential part of a healthy workplace and helps build high-performing teams. This session will explore communication practices that foster respectful, supportive, and psychologically safe work environments.

Advisory at scale: Delivering personalized value in a high-growth model

Time: 9.40am

Presenters:

• Laurence Bernstein, Proseer

• Nina Chmura, WithumSmith+Brown

• Kate Serpe, CPA.com

Scaling advisory services in accounting without diluting the quality of the client experience is one of the hardest problems in firm growth right now. This session unpacks the operational models, data practices, and communication systems that allow firms to deliver consistent, high-quality insights at volume.

Building a future-ready workplace: Attracting, engaging, and retaining younger talent

Time: 11.20am

Presenter: Melisa Galasso, Galasso Learning Solutions

Attracting and retaining younger team members is essential to the longevity of your firm. It’s simple. This session will dive into strategies to create an environment where younger professionals feel valued, supported, and inspired to stay.

The tech-enabled adviser: Evolving the role of finance through automation and insight

Time: 2.40pm

Presenters:

• Matthew Wallace, Armanino

• Floriana Allen, Wiss & Company

Moving from transactional efficiency to strategic advantage requires a deliberate approach to how technology reshapes what your team actually does. This session will explore how leading firms are using dimensional reporting, AI-driven insights, and open APIs to evolve their advisory capabilities.

AI conversations and integration: A practical guide for CPAs and their clients

Time: 2.40pm

Presenters:

• Twyla Verhelst, Karbon

• Samantha Bowling, GW CPA

• Neha Patel, Weaver & Tidwell

CPAs are increasingly being asked by clients to weigh in on AI adoption—which tools, which risks, and which use cases actually make sense. This session gives you the language and the frameworks to have those conversations confidently.

All the places you can go

Time: 2.40pm

Presenters:

• Mike Manalac, Google

• Jason Deshayes, Cerity Partners

• Stephanie Otero, AICPA

• Marcus Rien, Waves Fractional

What does a non-traditional CPA career actually look like? This panel of professionals who have forged their own paths share the early choices that led them somewhere unexpected. It's equal parts career inspiration and practical reality-check for CPAs at any stage considering a pivot, a specialization, or a new kind of practice.

Building automations live

Time: 4.10pm

Presenter: Byron Patrick, Karbon

One hour. One real accounting problem. One working automation, built live in front of the room from a blank screen, using Claude Code. No canned demo, and no safety net. Byron runs this session with the energy of a cooking show and the stakes of a live production. You'll see the prompts that work, the ones that don't, and the course-corrections in real time.

Day 3: Wednesday, June 10

The Great Realignment: Five seismic shifts shaping the next five years of accounting

Time: 8am

Presenter: Reyes Florez, Platform Accounting Group

This session lays out five critical shifts driven by technological maturity, a changing talent landscape, and increasing consolidation. For firm leaders thinking beyond the next 12 months, it’ll force you to ask yourself: where do you need to be in five years, and what does the path there look like?

Beyond awareness: Systems that work for neurodivergent accounting professionals

Time: 10.05am

Presenters:

• Meghan Blair, Ovata Collective

• Sabrina Parris, Honeycomb State Tax Strategies

General awareness of ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other forms of neurodivergence is no longer enough. This session will examine what systems-level inclusion actually looks like, including the workplace structures, communication norms, and workflow designs that allow neurodivergent professionals to do their best work. Meghan and Sabrina bring both personal and professional perspectives to a conversation the profession needs to be having.

Philosophy for better leadership and a better life

Time: 1.30pm

Presenter: Byron Patrick, Karbon

In a profession built on precision and constant pressure, finding internal stillness can feel out of reach. Byron will share his personal journey as a business leader, partner, and parent looking for greater clarity amid competing demands. What began as casual reading evolved into daily habits that changed how he leads teams, manages stress, and approaches decisions.

Rapid fire apps: Speeding up

Time: 3pm

Presenters:

• Byron Patrick, Karbon

• Ashley Francis, Andersen

• Nicholas Panou, PwC Canada

• Brian Tankersley, K2 Enterprises

AI has created entirely new categories of applications that didn't exist 12 months ago. This panel will discuss the apps firms are actually using to move faster, sharing real picks, honest takes, and practical guidance on what's worth adding to your stack.

The distributed firm: Technology strategies for managing remote, hybrid, and offshore teams

Time: 3pm

Presenters:

• Emily Di Nardo, Baker Tilly

• Bryan Schader, Baker Tilly

• Nina Chmura, WithumSmith+Brown

• Laurence Whittam, Whitman Advisory

Remote and hybrid work isn't going anywhere, and firms that haven't built proper systems for managing distributed teams are feeling the strain. This session covers workflow management across global and offshore teams, the platforms that enable effective collaboration at a distance, and the leadership practices that hold it all together.

Navigating cultural differences amongst teams

Time: 4.30pm

Presenters:

• Michael Ly, Reconciled

• Rumbi Petrozzello, Seramount

• Crystal Cooke, AICPA & CIMA

As accounting teams become more globally diverse, cultural differences in work styles, communication preferences, and decision-making approaches become more consequential. This panel will explore how leaders can navigate this complexity intentionally, and build environments where every team member is respected, heard, and able to contribute fully.

You can't pay to be popular

Time: 4.30pm

Presenters:

• Erica Goode, Aligned Accountants

• Enya Spicer, Enya Business

Erica and Enya make the case for authentic, low-cost influence over any ‘viral’ and ‘get rich quick’ schemes, and share what actually works for building a following in the profession. You’ll learn how to find your voice online, and use organic content to build connection and trust.

Day 4: Thursday, June 11

The growth zone: Life at the edge of easy

Time: 11.35am

Presenter: Nicole DeRosa, SKC & Co CPAs, LLC

Outside your comfort zone is where real development happens. This session will explore how to recognize when you’re staying ‘safe,’ reframe discomfort as growth, and intentionally chase stretch opportunities. You’ll learn practical strategies to build confidence, resilience, and adaptability, unlocking new capabilities and accelerating career progression.

Money, metrics, momentum: Mastering firm KPIs that matter

Time: 11.35am

Presenters:

• Clint Bowers, Advysor

• Brittany Brown, LedgerGurus

• Kate Serpe, CPA.com

Stop measuring the numbers that don't move the needle This session is designed for firm owners and leadership teams who want to connect the right metrics to their strategic goals. You’ll discover the KPIs that actually drive profitability, performance, and long-term firm value, and how to use data to make confident decisions. 

Forensic accounting in action: Corporate fraud case studies

Time: 1.15pm

Presenters:

• Jared Young, FBI

• Kathryn McDonald, FBI

Two FBI forensic accountants. Two real case studies. One session that covers the full arc from case inception to conviction. Jared and Kathryn walk through investigative techniques, internal control weaknesses, and the professional responsibilities of forensic accountants. They’ll use an employee embezzlement case and a second, more complex fraud scenario to illustrate the process.

The great debate: Return to office

Time: 1.15pm

Presenters:

• Carla McCall, AAFCPAs

• Jose Antunes, Withum

• Michael Jamison, OnTarget CPA

• Jennifer Wilson, ConvergenceCoaching, LLC

This panel will debate the pros and cons of remote, hybrid, and in-person workforces. They’ll discuss factors that influence which staffing model is best suited for different types of accounting firms, considering firm size, client needs, service offerings, and organizational culture. They’ll also share best practices for successfully adopting and managing each style, including technology, communication protocols, and workflow adjustments.

See you in Vegas

ENGAGE 2026 will be a busy four days of concentrated learning, connection, and perspective-shifting conversation. The Karbon team will be on the floor throughout the week—stop by booth 503 and say hi