The Growth & Profitability Summit is organized into four tracks:

Tax Track

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With Washington clearly focused on financial and regulatory reform, changes to the nation’s tax laws are inevitable. Our panel of experts will help you keep current on such critical issues as the estate tax, Section 7216, sales and use tax, the homebuyer credit, cost segregation and more. Sessions include:

• Leaving No Stone Unturned: Adding Value to Your Tax Practice By Assisting Clients with Tax Incentives They Should Be Taking Advantage of But May Not Be
• Tax Panel Discussion
• Managing the Tax Season Beast
• Tax Incentives for Green Building Construction
• Crossing Borders in Your Practice of Accounting & the International Client
• Potential Revenue Streams in Sales Tax
• Doing the Right Thing In the Right Way for the Right Reason

Technology Track

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CPA firms that remain reluctant to embrace technology are quickly left behind as IT departments have become as critical a piece of an accounting practice as audit or tax. You will learn about such burgeoning technology trends as cloud computing and portals in sessions designed to take your firm to the 21st Century and higher profitability. Sessions include:

• Why Cloud Computing Won't Do You Any Good (Unless You Change Your Thinking)
• Technology Trends for 2010 & Beyond
• What are Portals: Why You Need Them
• Ethical & Profitable Accounting in a Wireless World
• Tech Panel Discussion
• Setting Price at a Professional Firm
• Creating the Tech-Savvy Firm to Attract New Clients

Practice Management Track

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What does it take to run a successful and profitable CPA firm? Practice management is the umbrella strategy that successfully binds the operations units and human resources components of a firm toward those often elusive strategic goals. You will discover in which areas of firm management you are strong, as well as those that may require more attention in this dynamic track. Sessions include:

• Making Payroll a Profitable Part Of Your Practice
• Networking: In the Community & On the Web
• Managing Difficult Conversations Successfully
• The Intersection of Business Development & Social Media
• You Have Your Dad's Firm, Now What?
• The Client Vulnerability Matrix: Where Do Your Clients Fall?
• Are You Selling Services or Passion?
• Bear Hugging Your Clients
• 12 Ways to Provide Better Service to Clients, Make More Money and Have More Fun

Financial Planning Track

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With more than 90,000 CPAs performing some type of financial planning, this fast-growing area is the next logical step in expanding a client services niche. Whether you are just starting out, or have an established financial planning program, this track will offer sessions for both the newcomer and veteran wealth managers.

• CPA's That Left the Financial Advice Business But Want Back In - How to Transition Your Tax Clients
• Be a True Wealth Manager, Not Just and Investment Consultant
• How Financial Planning Can Differentiate You in Your Practice
• Financial Planning Services to Increase Profits
• Adding Financial Services to Your Practice: The Agony and the Ecstasy….Real World Experience
• Avoiding Common Pitfalls: What NOT to Do
• Financial Services in CPA Firm, Curses & Blessings
• Regulatory Reform: What it Means to Your Practice

Mergers & Acquisitions Track

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Despite the uncertain economic climate of the past several years, the rapid pace of accounting firm mergers continues. Our veteran M&A panelists will advise attendees on a number of critical issues that must be decided before entering into any potential union including:

• Partner equity and compensation
• Proper due diligence beyond the term sheet
• Avoiding the "culture wars" between the two firms
• The pros and cons of M&A as a succession plan
• When to terminate merger negotiations