Strong communication is not a “soft skill.” It is the
foundation of leadership credibility, client trust, team engagement, and
performance.

Yet many emerging leaders in public accounting struggle with
unclear messaging, ineffective digital communication, missed expectations, and
difficult conversations — especially in high-pressure environments like busy
season.

In this highly interactive session, Amanda Simmonds draws on
20 years in public accounting leadership across firms of 30 to 3,000
professionals to explore the most common communication breakdowns that derail
emerging leaders. Participants will examine the gap between intention and
impact and learn a practical framework to increase clarity, confidence, and
accountability in their everyday interactions.

Using the SPIIRALL Communication Framework, attendees will
walk away with actionable strategies they can immediately apply to client
conversations, feedback discussions, team meetings, and digital communication.

Because in today’s primarily virtual workplace, how you
communicate replaces most other forms of “being” with people.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Identify common communication mistakes that reduce clarity, trust, and team effectiveness.
• Describe the components of effective communication, including listening, emotional regulation, audience adaptation, and action alignment.
• 3. Apply the SPIIRALL Communication Framework to improve clarity and reduce misunderstandings in common professional scenarios.

Americans' self-rated mental health is now at the lowest point since Gallup started tracking this issue in 2001. Roughly one-third of U.S. adults, particularly among young adults and women, report feeling high stress and overwhelm most days. At a time when leaders are navigating heightened stress, overwhelm and emotional strain, burnout and compassion fatigue- within their teams and themselves, and are eager for effective workforce retention strategies, it is time that we leverage our influence and lead stigma-free, open conversations about mental health. Participants will actively engage throughout the workshop- a blend of education, reflection, and shared experiences, and prepare themselves to confidently impact workplace well-being, and foster a culture of care, emotional resilience and personal agency!

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Increase knowledge about mental health, illness and wellness
• 2. Identify stigma and its impact on workplace culture and performance
• 3. Prepare to lead as an ally- creating a stigma-free culture of care
• 4. Increase knowledge about available resources and support

Have you heard ‘Say yes - it’ll lead to more opportunities!?’ While that may be true, I believe that every time you say yes to something, you are saying no to something else. It’s time to ditch the overwhelm and get clarity on what you really want. This session is designed to help you align your career and life so that you can be intentional about where you spend your time (which may mean saying No to things) to increase your success and confidence as a leader. Walk away with a clearer vision, a stronger sense of purpose, and practical strategies to lead with focus and confidence.

Learning Objectives:

• • Identify the personal and professional priorities that shape their long-term vision.
• • Analyze how current commitments align (or conflict) with their defined values and goals.
• • Apply boundary-setting strategies, including using “no” effectively, to make more intentional decisions.

In today’s accounting profession, technical skills are only part of the equation. Career growth often comes from the relationships we build and our willingness to both ask for guidance and share what we know with others.

The Art of Mentorship: Asking Boldly, Leading Generously invites emerging CPAs to see mentorship not as a one-way exchange, but as a powerful partnership that supports personal and professional growth.

In this session, participants will learn how to confidently seek out mentors, ask for support with purpose, and build meaningful connections that create value for everyone involved. We’ll also explore how anyone—regardless of title, experience, or position—can make an impact by mentoring others through generosity, encouragement, and shared learning.

Whether you’re just starting your career or taking on new leadership responsibilities, this session will provide practical strategies to help you build strong relationships, embrace continuous growth, and use mentorship as a catalyst for greater success and lasting impact.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key elements of effective mentorship relationships in the accounting profession
• Apply a structured approach to making purposeful and confident mentorship requests
• Determine strategies to create mutual value in mentoring relationships
• Analyze ways to contribute as a mentor regardless of role or tenure

This session examines how professionals can evolve from technical specialists into strategic leaders as AI and automation reshape the workplace. It focuses on developing skills that complement, rather than compete with, intelligent systems, including critical thinking, communication, and decision-making under uncertainty. Participants will explore how to translate technical expertise into organizational value, lead cross-functional initiatives, and guide ethical AI adoption. The session also highlights practical approaches to continuous learning and adaptability. Attendees will leave with a clearer framework for positioning themselves as forward-looking leaders capable of navigating technological disruption while driving innovation and long-term impact within their organizations.

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate how AI and automation are reshaping professional roles and identify the skills required to transition from technical execution to strategic leadership
• Apply frameworks for translating technical expertise into business value, including decision-making, communication, and cross-functional collaboration
• Develop a practical plan to build future-ready capabilities, including continuous learning, ethical AI oversight, and leadership in technology-driven environments

Professional effectiveness in accounting and finance depends not only on technical expertise, but also on the ability to exercise sound judgment, communicate thoughtfully, and manage interpersonal dynamics. Social and emotional intelligence plays a critical role in how professionals respond to pressure, navigate workplace challenges, and make decisions that affect colleagues, clients, and organizational outcomes.

In this session, participants will analyze how communication tendencies and emotional responses influence professional judgment and workplace interactions. Attendees will identify key social and emotional intelligence competencies that support ethical decision-making and effective collaboration, and select strategies to strengthen self-awareness and communication effectiveness. Participants will leave with practical techniques they can immediately apply to enhance decision-making, improve professional relationships, and support positive workplace outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify social and emotional intelligence competencies that support sound professional judgment
• Analyze how communication patterns and emotional responses influence decision-making
• Select and apply strategies to improve interpersonal effectiveness and professional behavior
• Determine approaches to strengthen collaboration and support positive workplace outcomes

The CPA profession is facing a critical pipeline challenge, but emerging leaders have more influence over the future of the profession than they may realize. This session explores the current state of the CPA talent pipeline and highlights practical ways early-career professionals can help strengthen recruitment, retention, and professional engagement within their organizations and communities. Drawing on the profession’s Talent and Workforce Development initiatives, participants will gain actionable strategies to build professional influence, support future CPAs, and contribute to a stronger and more sustainable profession.