Agenda

8:30 AM – 8:35 AM
Welcome & Announcements

8:35 AM – 9:35 AM
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Baldly Bipartisan: A Post-Election Look at the Legislative Landscape
Join political strategists Adrian Hemond, and John Sellek, for a bipartisan examination of the election outcomes and how they will shape policy in Michigan and around the nation. They’ll provide a clear picture of what happened from the State House to the White House, including key races, ballot initiatives and the lame duck legislative session, and what it may mean for Michigan CPAs, their clients and the broader business community.
Adrian Hemond – CEO, Grassroots Midwest, Lansing
John Sellek – Chief Strategist/CEO, Harbor Strategic Public Affairs, Lansing
Credits: 1.2 OT

9:45 AM – 10:35 AM
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Envisioning a New Michigan Treasury Experience
The Michigan Department of Treasury (Treasury) is making changes to its processes, platforms and phone lines. Explore the new e-services platform and advanced phone system launched in 2026, including key process improvements and resolutions.
Sara Keel, MS – Division Director, Lean Innovation Division, Lean Innovation & Improvement Bureau, State of Michigan Department of Treasury, Lansing
Sarah Rusnell – Outreach Manager, State of Michigan Department of Treasury, Lansing
Melissa Snyder – State Division Administrator, Individual Income Tax Division, State of Michigan Department of Treasury, Lansing
Michael Wilbur – State Division Administrator 17, Business Taxes Division, State of Michigan Department of Treasury, Lansing
Credits: 1.0 OT

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
A Direct Approach to Treasury Issues
When a client has a specific issue to resolve with Michigan’s Department of Treasury, knowing where to start paves an easier road to resolution. In this panel discussion, Michigan Treasury representatives will share how to navigate common issue areas, including offers in compromise, voluntary disclosure agreements, post-assessment relief and others.
Rebecca Miller – State of Michigan Department of Treasury, Lansing
Melissa Snyder – State Division Administrator, Individual Income Tax Division, State of Michigan Department of Treasury, Lansing
Tucker Stehlik – State of Michigan Department of Treasury, Lansing
Michael Wilbur – State Division Administrator 17, Business Taxes Division, State of Michigan Department of Treasury, Lansing
Moderator: Lynn Gandhi, CPA, JD, LLM – Partner, Foley & Lardner LLP, Detroit
Credits: 1.2 OT

11:45 AM – 12:35 PM
Break for Lunch

12:35 PM – 1:35 PM
Sales and Use Tax: Why the Best Audit Defense Is Audit Readiness
Understanding how sales and use taxes are handled can spell the difference between smooth operations and an audit. Review common issues associated with calculating and collecting the correct amount of sales and use tax, common mistakes made when submitting refund claims, including sourcing, shipping and delivery charges, UCC Rules and others. Plus, develop strategies for working with state auditors, including documentation practices, sampling and other audit-ready approaches.
Sal Gaglio – Administrative Law Specialist, State of Michigan Department of Treasury, Lansing
Julie Klopp – Senior Analyst, State of Michigan Department of Treasury, Lansing
Leta Pomaranski – Senior Auditor, State of Michigan Department of Treasury, Lansing
Moderator: Emily Irish, CPA – Indirect Tax Manager, SurfacePrep, Grand Rapids
Credits: 1.2 OT

1:45 PM – 2:35 PM
AI Best Practices: Prompting, Verification & Data Protection (Virtual Presentation)
Move beyond the “search engine” approach to AI and apply a structured prompting framework built around goals, roles, instructions, context and output. Examine before-and-after examples for common tax and accounting tasks, strategies for verifying AI-generated results, and practical safeguards for protecting client confidentiality through account settings, data de-identification and risk-limiting practices.
Steve Yoss – K2 Enterprises, Hammond, LA
Credits: 1.0 OT

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
Understanding Pass-Through Entity Positions After HR
Following the passage of HR 1, the State of Michigan decoupled parts of its tax law from that of the federal government. Examine the treatment of pass-through entities in Michigan and surrounding states following decoupling and determine how those entities must account for common tax issues, including bonus depreciation and certain deductions. 
John Eardly, CPA, MST – Partner, Crowe Advisory LLC, Grand Rapids
Wayne Roberts, CPA, JD – Member, Bodman, Grand Rapids
Credits: 1.2 OT

3:55 PM – 4:55 PM
Session To Be Announced
Session details are still being finalized.
Speakers to be announced
Credits: 1.2 OT

4:55 PM
Program Adjournment