Agenda

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

8:55–9:00 a.m. – Welcome and Opening Remarks
Zach Donah, CAE, Massachusetts Society of CPAs

9:00–9:50 a.m. – Audit and Attestation Standards Update
Mike Manspeaker, SEK CPAs & Advisors
In this session, we’ll review updates to the Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services, including changes affecting review, compilation and preparation engagements. We’ll also highlight recent updates to the Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements and summarize key revisions to auditing standards, focusing on new requirements and best practices for maintaining audit quality and compliance. You’ll receive a concise update on the current standards landscape to help you stay informed and prepared.

10:00–10:50 a.m. – Concurrent Sessions

Session 1: Quality Management – Next Up: Monitoring and Remediation
Thomas Groskopf, Barnes Dennig & Co Ltd
With a system of quality management now designed and implemented, firms must monitor its effectiveness and remediate any deficiencies. In this session, we’ll focus on the monitoring and remediation component of quality management, including ongoing evaluation of the design, implementation and operating effectiveness of a firm’s SOQM, as well as compliance with quality management policies and procedures. You’ll learn how the shift from a periodic, compliance-based review to a continuous, risk-based approach emphasizes root cause analysis and the correction of systemic issues rather than isolated errors.

Session 2: AI Landscape for CPAs in 2026
John Higgins, Strategic Technology Advisor, Higgins Advisory, LLC
Get a comprehensive 2026 update on how AI is transforming CPA firms. This session will cover selecting the right AI tools to maximize ROI on a limited budget, understanding AI agents, optimizing prompts for higher-quality outputs and mitigating AI risks through effective usage policies, privacy safeguards, and quality controls.

11:00–11:50 a.m. – Concurrent Sessions

Session 1: Tariffs and Federal funding Changes
Thomas Groskopf, Barnes Dennig & Co Ltd
The scale and scope of tariff-related financial reporting implications may be more significant than any seen in recent decades. At the same time, federal funding freezes, terminations and other adjustments have created uncertainty and unique reporting challenges for entities that rely heavily on federal funding. In this session, we’ll examine the accounting implications of tariffs and federal funding actions, provide an update on related legal developments and discuss key financial reporting considerations.

Session 2: Coaching the Next Generation: Developmental Management Practices for Today’s Accounting Firms
Rach SebellShavit, Helm365
A new generation is entering the workforce with different expectations around feedback, autonomy and career growth. At the same time, in-person, remote and hybrid environments are creating new challenges around delegation, decision-making and accountability. Many leaders are working harder to manage while still unsure when to step in and when to step back. In this session, we’ll share practical management strategies to clarify decision boundaries, build confidence and strengthen accountability without micromanaging. Using a situational framework, you’ll learn when to direct, when to coach and when to step back so work moves forward with greater ownership and less friction.

12:00–1:00 p.m. – Attestation and SSARS Update: Practical Implications, Peer Review Trends and Independence Considerations
Kenn Heaslip, MS, MBA, CPA, CGMA, Kenn Heaslip Seminars

1:00 p.m. – Day 1 Closing Remarks

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

8:00–8:50 a.m. – Bonus Session: Ahead of the Rules: A Practical Guide to AI WISP Addendums
Camren Majors, Verito
Jatin Narang, Verito
Tax and accounting firms are rapidly adopting AI tools, but most WISPs say nothing about them. That gap is becoming a risk for regulators, insurers and clients alike. This session explains how IRC §7216, the FTC Safeguards Rule, Circular 230, IRS Pub. 4557 and AICPA confidentiality standards already govern AI use, and what firms should do now to stay ahead. We’ll cover the essential elements of an AI WISP addendum, including AI vendor due diligence, staff prompt policies, client consent language, AI-assisted workpaper retention and incident response planning. You’ll leave with practical guidance, customizable templates and tools you can put to work immediately.

8:55–9:00 a.m. – Welcome and Opening Remarks
Zach Donah, CAE, Massachusetts Society of CPAs

9:00–10:00 a.m. – Common Audit Documentation Deficiencies from Peer Review
Vicky Hale, Galasso Learning Solutions LLC
The Enhancing Audit Quality Initiative has identified inadequate or nonexistent audit documentation as a significant issue facing the profession. More than half of the engagements reviewed by the AICPA did not meet AU-C 230 requirements, underscoring the need for improvement. In this session, we’ll address common misconceptions about audit documentation and share practical strategies to strengthen compliance and audit quality. You’ll gain best practices to reduce risk, improve documentation and meet professional standards with confidence, whether you’re new to auditing or an experienced practitioner.

10:10–11:00 a.m. – Concurrent Sessions

Session 1: Simplify Without Compromise: Unlocking PCC Alternatives in U.S. GAAP
Leah Donti, Advantage Montreal Seminars Inc.
This session is designed for CPAs navigating U.S. GAAP in private company environments. We’ll take a closer look at Private Company Council alternatives, including what they are, when to apply them and how they can streamline financial reporting without sacrificing clarity or compliance. Whether you advise owner-managed businesses or oversee private company financial statements, you’ll gain practical guidance and real-world examples to help reduce cost and complexity while enhancing relevance for stakeholders.

Session 2: Avoiding Professional Liability in Non-Audit Services
Duncan Will, Camico
Learn how to avoid costly mistakes in non-audit services before they become claims. This session explores practical risk management strategies drawn from real-world claims and CAMICO Loss Prevention Hotline insights. Through real claim examples, you’ll learn to identifyemerging risks, apply effective defensive techniques and meet client expecations while protecting your firm and profitability. Topics include new professional standards, peer review expecations and recent tax law changes, along with key documentation practices and ethical pitfalls to help you stay ahead of potential exposure.

11:10 a.m. –12:00 p.m. – Concurrent Sessions

Session 1: Cash Flow Under Pressure: Practical Strategies for Small Businesses in Uncertain Times
Leah Donti, Advantage Montreal Seminars Inc.
For small businesses, cash flow often determines whether they can withstand economic turbulence or struggle to survive. In uncertain times marked by rising costs, delayed payments and shifting demand, proactive liquidity management is essential. In this session, we’ll share practical strategies such as tightening receivables, renegotiating supplier terms, using rolling forecasts and planning for multiple scenarios. Through real-world examples from retailers, service firms and contractors, you’ll see how effective cash flow management can strengthen resilience, protect operations and support sustainable growth even in unpredictable conditions.

Session 2: Mitigating Malpractice Risks Related to Audit Services
Kevin Hayes, Aon Insurance
CPAs face an ever-present risk of malpractice claims, regardless of the services they provide and audit engagements often carry the most significant exposure. While risk can never be eliminated entirely, this session will highlight practical, proactive techniques firms can implement to help reduce the likelihood of a claim and better protect their practice.

12:10–1:00 p.m. – Post Implementation Review of SAS 145 – Risk Assessment
Vicky Hale, Galasso Learning Solutions LLC
Take a deeper look at SAS 145 through the lens of its post-implementation review. This session revisits why the AICPA issued the standard, including the risk assessment deficiencies that prompted change and examines how the updated requirements and definitions are playing out in practice. Through practical insights and real-world examples, participants will gain a clearer understanding of what is working, where challenges remain and how to apply the lessons learned to enhance risk assessment and overall audit quality.

1:00 p.m. – Day 2 Closing Remarks

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